Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
Peak cherry blossom viewing is underway in D.C., which means lots of visitors and no parking.
If you’re thinking of visiting the blossoms, here are some tips to help make the visit enjoyable and easy.
Go early. Crowds start to form throughout the day, especially on weekends, so early birds get to see the sunrise along with the blossoms.
You can book parking in advance using the SpotHero site. It will tell you the price and distance in advance. Be prepared for traffic though.
You can take the metro, a fun bonus if you have kids who haven’t taken the metro in years or ever due to COVID. You can get off at the Smithsonian or L’Enfant Plaza stops and walk.
Another easy way is to valet park at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. I believe it’s $39 and cash only, but they have an easy access that’s 1 block to the Tidal Basin.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowd, don’t forget that Meadowlark Botanical Garden also has cherry blossoms that bloom a few days after the D.C. ones.
Other events if you’re really into the Cherry Blossom Festival:
Do you have another insider tip? Please share it below!
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
This is your friendly reminder to take care of your home. Here’s a handy checklist of things I recommend to keep your house humming along smoothly:
Clean your gutters
- Recommended vendor: Maple Leaf Rain Gutter Service or Gutterman Services
Clean your windows and screens
- Recommended vendor: E & R Services
Mulch, weed, prune trees
- Recommended vendor: Michael’s Lawn Service
Service your HVAC System
Recommended vendor: Mannix HVAC
Check your chimney (it should have a cap on it which can sometimes blow off if it’s really windy like we’ve had this winter)
- Recommended vendor: Chimney Doctor
Reseal driveway if you have an asphalt driveway
- Recommended vendor: Collegiate Sealers and Paving
Don’t forget you can always download my free vendor guide if you have other repairs you want fixed!
One other thing… if you’re waiting for spring to list your home, don’t. The market is moving very quickly right now for a seller and with more inventory usually coming on the market in April and May, don’t wait. I met with someone this morning to list their home and it’s going to be on the market next week. That’s how fast I can turn it around. The only market we can predict is the one we’re in!
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
The snow last weekend was not an appreciated visitor in my house. I’m looking forward to those 70 degree days ahead.
If you’re looking to explore a new place to dine, these are my personal favorites for best outdoor dining options. If you disagree, please feel free to comment below!
- Best Ladies Night Out — Bear Branch Tavern
- Best Date Night — Clarity
- Best Family Friendly Spot — Taco Bamba/Mod/Foster’s Grille plaza (even the pickiest eaters can find something)
- Best Place to Watch a Game — Vienna Inn
- Best Lunch — The Sandwich Shop
- Best Breakfast — The Virginian
- Best Coffee — Tie between Simply Social and Caffe Amouri
- Best Pizza — PizzaRoni, Tony’s or Santini’s (Oakton nod!)
- Best Margarita — Mama Tigre
- Best Causal Meeting Spot — Caboose
We’re lucky in Vienna to have so many good restaurants, but not all of them have outdoor seating unfortunately. So there are plenty of other restaurants that I love, but this is just a focus on outdoor seating options.
What did I miss?
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
There have been a number of different local organized efforts to raise funds to help Ukraine.
Some bakers did a “Bake for Ukraine” fundraiser, which sold out pretty quickly. Bobby’s Bagel Café in Oakton has blue and yellow bagels and cookies for sale (preorder only one day in advance), with a portion of proceeds going to the World Central Kitchen.
If you’re looking for more ways to support our friends in Ukraine, here are a few ideas:
If you’re able to provide items, my company — McEneaney Associates — is working with The St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral to ship the following items:
- Baby/kids/adults winter clothes
- All sizes winter shoes
- Blankets
- Feminine hygiene product
- First aid kits
- Thermal wear kids/adults
- Baby formula
- Baby bottles (!)
- Baby diapers
- Dry milk
- Dry potato powder
- Instant oatmeal
- Instant pasta/cup noodles
- Mac and cheese
- Crackers
- Coffee/tea
Items can be new or worn.
You can also donate funds to them directly on their website. If you have questions about this fundraiser you may contact Danielle Moran, Agent and Community Support at [email protected]. You can deliver or ship these items to the church at 15100 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20905.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
A kind Vienna resident, Shelly Ebert, has organized an awesome opportunity for those who celebrate Easter, and those who want to help others celebrate the holiday.
You can sign up to have pre-filled eggs with toys, candy or stickers delivered and scattered around your yard on April 16 or 17. You can also sign up for an Easter basket instead if you don’t have a yard for the eggs.
Here’s another option — donate the eggs or the basket to a family in need.
The details:
They’re focused on Town of Vienna residents, but you can add your name if you’re close to the town limit and they’ll see if they can accommodate it.
The cost of this is a fundraiser for the One Neighborhood Foundation:
- 2 Dozen: $25
- 4 Dozen: $45
- 6 Dozen: $65
- Easter Basket: $25
Payment will be collected after the forms are collected. Sign up here for delivery! Orders are open throughout the month of March, but supplies are limited.
Want to sign up to volunteer? You can do that here.
Don’t forget about these other town events:
- Family Flashlight Egg Hunt: This event is sold out, but take note for next year! Tickets go on sale in early February every year for the April event.
- Historic Egg Roll: Friday, April 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the Historic Freeman Store and Museum
- Family Fishing Rodeo: March 26 (varied times, tickets on sale now) at Wildwood Park
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
I’ve seen some pretty interesting and different homes being built around town lately that break away from the craftsman mold. My job consists of keeping up with current design trends to help price a home and sell it for top dollar, while also bringing that info to would be buyers on homes that maybe need a little love.
For this article, I wanted to bring in two experts to share what they’re seeing in 2022 home design trends both for living and for staging a home to sell.
Meet the experts
Jessica Arnold is the owner of J.L. Arnold Designs, which I use for staging homes to sell but she also offers design services.
Kristen Bonney-James is the owner of KBJ Interiors and the principal designer. She can help you reimagine spaces in your home with full service design or help decorate a single room.
Questions:
Are gray walls still the rage these days?
KBJ: When it comes to paint color, I consider grey a neutral but there’s been a shift to white walls. It feels fresh and bright and allows the furnishings and artwork to stand out. Also, wallpaper is back and is a great way to add color, pattern and texture to a space. For those who are scared to commit, I suggest a solid grasscloth to add texture or create a single accent wall.
JLA: Gray is slowly but surely making it’s way out. White is the new gray and beige is slowly coming back into popularity in vintage inspired homes. In the next coming years, expect to see darker moody colors and wallpaper trending. All major paint brands named some shade of green as their 2022 color of the year, so expect to see a lot of green in the coming years. Our favorite trending wall colors are Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White XX-20 in Satin and Sherwin William’s Snowbound SW7004 in Satin.
What about flooring? A few years ago everyone was going dark floors — are we still into that?
KBJ: For flooring, I’m seeing a lot more natural wood tones ranging from very light to medium brown tones.
JLA: Light! Light! Light! Light woods with organic texture is taking over the luxury market and Instagram at the moment. Classic Pine, White Oak, White Washed and Bleached floors are all on trend.
What about all white kitchens? For the past few years, white kitchens have been a must-have all around. Is that still true?
KBJ: I’m seeing a shift from the all white kitchen even if it’s a contrasting island color. Navy had been popular but now I’m seeing a lot more greens and black. Light wood cabinetry is also trending. There’s something so beautiful about the warmth of natural wood.
JLA: White kitchens are hard to keep clean. People are looking for much richer, warmer tones in 2022. Natural woods are trending and expected to saturate the market in the next few years. We are seeing light and medium oak cabinets replacing white ones. However, we are seeing subtle hints of warmth being added to otherwise all white kitchens. Just adding a few floating wood shelves or trim to a hood can turn a traditional white kitchen into a warm, modern space. Green is also making waves in kitchen design. Benjamin Moore Salamander 2050-10 is one of our favorites.
If you’re thinking of selling your home this year, here are some tips from Jessica:
What color are you suggesting for those who need to paint their homes to prep it for sale?
White walls in a satin finish. We have our favorite shades of white but matching whites to a client’s existing decor and finishes is tricky in occupied homes. We look for consistent undertones throughout the home and find that white best compliments their home. This is mush easier said than done. White is one of the most challenging colors to get right.
Biggest bang for your buck?
The biggest bang for your buck is usually going to be spent on the kitchen or master bathroom. However, this is NOT always the case. A trained home stager knows how to identify your home’s greatest feature and turn it into a memorable experience for buyers. If a house doesn’t have a best or memorable feature, we know how to create one. That is the power of staging. We carefully study our client’s competition and market trends to ensure that our client’s homes stand out.
One tip you wish you could give?
Not all updates add value. Not all staging adds value. There is nothing worse than walking into an “updated” home where the agent and/or seller marketed the home to the wrong demographic. Social media is steering interior design trends at an unprecedented pace. Every day, a new trend emerges; bigger and bolder than the one before.
In most states, cyclists must follow the same traffic rules as other road users while on the road. These rules include stopping at a stop sign or a red light.
This requirement will soon be a thing of the past in Colorado when the legislature finalizes work on a bill that aims to allow cyclists to proceed at a red light when the road is clear.
This law is not unique to Colorado. It was first introduced in Idaho, which explains its name, “Idaho law.” Other states such as Arkansas, Oregon, Delaware and Washington, D.C. adopted this rule through house bills that received bipartisan support across the states.
Changes You May Expect
Under “Idaho law,” cyclists must slow down to 10 mph when approaching a stop sign and proceed if the road is clear of vehicles and pedestrians. By passing this law in Colorado, the Senate will negate the need for a cyclist to come to a complete stop as other vehicles do at a red light. However, the cyclist is required to stop for a moment to check if the road is clear before proceeding. If there are pedestrians or vehicles, the cyclist will have to stay put until the road is clear.
While the bill has received much support among lawmakers in the states where this law is operational, some lawmakers still view this bill as dangerous, and that it exposes cyclists to undue danger. According to Rep. Richard Holtorf, the bill is unsafe and called for a staying of laws requiring cyclists to stop as other vehicles do. However, according to Rep. Matt Gray, a supporter of the bill, other states that have adopted this bill would not have done so if the bill was unsafe.
It Is Safe and Inexpensive
Statistics show that the bill does not pose any more danger to cyclists. In the states where this law is operational, statistics do not show an increase in accidents involving cyclists after implementing these laws. Available data shows a reduction in accident rates in those states.
Local campaign groups such as Bicycle Colorado have been the power behind this bill. According to Bicycle Colorado, director of communications Jack Todd, intersections are the most dangerous places for cyclists, pedestrians, and people using wheelchairs. Todd believes that implementing this law will allow cyclists time to get out of the potentially dangerous situation.
Other Cities Consider the Law
In 2015, cycling advocates in London suggested that the city adopt the Idaho model, citing that it was much easier to implement instead of using technology to turn red lights green for cyclists when they approach a red light. The technology involves using radio frequency identification tags attached to the bike. As the bike approaches a red light, the radio frequency communicates with the bike automatically and turns the red light green for the cyclist. London is yet to pass laws allowing cyclists to ride through a red light.
“Regardless of the law, cyclists are safest when they pay attention to their surroundings and maintain a safe speed on the roadway,” says injury lawyer Amy Gaiennie of Amy G Injury Firm. “If the law goes through, bicycle riders should be sure to be extra cautious in intersections and anywhere they may encounter hidden vehicles or pedestrians.”
Even with the creation of these laws, cyclists still remain quite vulnerable while on the road, which calls for extra caution for cyclists while enjoying the privilege. Moving forward, other jurisdictions will have to weigh vulnerability concerns along with the merits of giving cyclists individual discretion in their decisions to ride.
2021 showed an upward trajectory in the number of homicides in the United States. According to the Council of Criminal Justice report centered on data from 22 major cities, 2021 marked a 5 percent increase from numbers reported in 2020 and 44 percent higher than 2019 numbers.
Most Cities Saw an Increase in Homicides
According to the report, 16 of the 22 cities cited in the survey had increased homicides, with the highest increase being at 108 percent in St. Petersburg and the lowest in Memphis at less than one percent. In the six cities that recorded a drop in homicides, Seattle and Omaha had some of the most notable dips of 25 and 24 percent, respectively.
Despite the uptick in murders in the last two years, these rates are nothing compared to that recorded in the 1990s. Murders in 2021 represented 15 deaths per 100,000 residents, almost half of the rates recorded in 1993 that was at 28 deaths per 10,000 residents.
Factors That Fueled the Uptick
“This elevated number of homicides should be a wake-up call to elected leaders to formulate policies that will help address this problem before it gets out of hand,” says criminal defense lawyer Allen Yates of the Yates and Wheland law firm. According to experts, the high uptick in 2020 could be attributed to the pressures of COVID-19. Following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the increased social disorder across America may also have played a part in fueling the uptick in violent crimes as many cities descended into weeks-long chaos. However, the difference in homicide trends across states indicates that local factors such as policing may also affect the uptick.
The CCJ study also cited the accessibility of legal and illegal guns as a significant factor. According to Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, a University of Missouri’s criminology expert and one of the authors of the CCJ report, the rate of aggravated gun assaults was 8 percent higher in 2021 than the previous year. Gun assaults accounted for a third of all murders committed in 2021.
The FBI, which had mandated to maintain the most comprehensive data on violent crime, has yet to release its 2021 report. According to its 2020 report, murder rates increased by 30 percent in 2020, representing the highest year-to-year uptick since the 1960s, when the federal agency began tracking violent crimes.
Some Crimes Were On a Downward Trend
Not all crimes experienced a surge in 2021, according to the CCJ study. There was a 12 percent dip in drug-related crimes and a decreasing trend in property crimes. Car theft continues to increase, with the study reporting a 14 percent increase from 2020.
The study also took an interest in inflation rates which rose by 7 percent in 2021, the highest rise in one year in nearly 40 years. According to Rosenfeld, there is a correlation between inflation and the crime rate. While the CCJ’s report may not be comprehensive, it paints a clear picture of the status of violent crime in America in 2021 as the nation awaits the more comprehensive FBI report later this year.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
Next weekend we get to celebrate Presidents’ Day with a long weekend that promises to hit 50 degrees!
With the weather getting better, I know I’m craving a change of scenery for a while. If you’re looking to plan a quick getaway, try one of these ideas (or save the outdoor ones involving water for warmer days!)
Outdoor Getaways
- Colonial Beach, Virginia: Colonial Beach is about 90 minutes away from Tysons. It has easy parking, is on the Potomac River (so very few waves), has shallow water and there’s a fishing pier. You’ll find a cute snow cone and ice cream spot, too. (Try the chocolate éclair ice cream!)
- Aquia Landing Park in Stafford, Virginia: About an hour from Tysons, this is a popular fishing spot and beach for swimming. Note there’s a fee for parking.
- Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Maryland: An hour from Tysons, Sandy Point is a popular beach before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge with lots of space for distancing. This is a great spot if you just want to escape for a day.
- Mason Neck State Park in Lorton, Virginia: This small hidden gem is located under an hour from Tysons and offers fishing plus canoe and kayak rentals. Be sure to call ahead for a reservation. You’ll also find spots for swimming and walking trails.
- Lake Anna State Park in Spotsylvania, Virginia: About two hours away, you’ll find lots of sand and water for swimming and playing, camping grounds for overnight stays, and walking trails. Tents are not allowed on the beach.
- Calvert Cliffs State Park in Lusby, Maryland: Located about 90 minutes from Tysons, Calvert Cliffs is a Maryland state park featuring fishing, swimming and walking trails. It’s $7 per car for day use if you’ve got Virginia state plates.
Noteworthy Stays
- Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia: Here you’ll find a spa, restaurants, wineries, an infinity pool, hiking trails, zip lining and, for golf fans, access to the club at Creighton Farms.
- The Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Virginia: Find a top-rated restaurant at The Inn, and the quaint town of Washington is perfect for exploring.
- Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, Maryland: On the beautiful Chesapeake, Inn at Perry Cabin has a spa, restaurants, pool, fitness center, golf and tennis.
- The Inn at Vaucluse Spring in Stephens City, Virginia: This is a romantic bed and breakfast perched along the Shenandoah Valley.
- Nemacolin Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania: Nemacolin has many types of lodging, a spa, golf, ax throwing, zip lining and tons of restaurant choices.
- The Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia: Filled with historic charm, this huge spa features hot springs, a water park, golf and lots of other family-friendly activities.
- The Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia: Find a spa, wine trail, sailing school, golf and newly redesigned rooms that open today!
- The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia: This resort contains a spa, a casino, pool, arcade, bowling and so many other activities to keep you busy!
- Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia: Located in historic Leesburg, Lansdowne Resort has a spa, golf course and more.
- Tidewater Inn in Easton, Maryland: Explore the spa, luxury accommodations, historic Easton and Hunters’ Tavern.
- Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia: Huge indoor waterpark with bowling, an arcade, build-a-bear, laser tag and other entertainment for kids.
Do you have another place to add? Please feel free to comment below or email me and I’ll add it!
An order of protection is a court-issued document that protects an individual from harassment, abuse, or other action by another individual. Someone can also issue protection orders on behalf of multiple people, organizations, objects, or entities.
Orders of protection are usually filed due to harassment, violent behavior, domestic or other abuse, or stalking, though these are not the only claims that can lead to an order. Duration and specific requirements vary according to each order, but the intent is to protect the one who filed against a specific individual.
Typically, this means you are not allowed to speak to or otherwise contact or come within a certain distance of the person who filed the protection order. The order of protection may also extend to close friends or family members, meaning you will not be able to contact them either.
How Will An Order of Protection Affect Me?
If someone files an order of protection against you, you must understand the terms of the order. Contact a criminal defense lawyer or other legal representation if you are unsure about specific requirements. You will be penalized for any violations of the order, intentional or not.
Usually, an order of protection means you have to cease contact with and avoid a specific person. You will have to potentially move if you live with or near the person who filed for the order. And if you work with the person who filed the order, you will likely have to find new employment.
There may be other impacts. You may not be able to own a weapon. You will not be able to gain a license for hunting and fishing. Non-citizens may also have their green cards revoked or visa status reviewed.
How Long Does An Order of Protection Last?
An order of protection is valid until it expires, expunged, or otherwise declared invalid. But until that point, you must follow all the rules laid out in the order of protection for the entire duration of the order. Failure to do so will result in severe consequences, such as court charges.
What Recourse Is Available Against An Order of Protection?
There is no middle ground for orders of protection: either you have to follow the guidelines therein or fight to have the order expunged or invalidated. The best way to learn about available legal options is contact a lawyer experienced with orders of protection. They will be able to advise you on what options, if any, are available.
To fight an order of protection, you must prove that the evidence upon which the order was granted is weak or faulty. For example, a way to refute evidence of physical abuse is to provide an alibi and witnesses for the time of the alleged attack. Similarly, you could argue that all of your communications were professional interactions for protection orders based on workplace harassment.
You will need to discuss the details that led to the protection order with your lawyer. Be as thorough as possible and do not leave information out, even if you think it is embarrassing or reflects poorly on you.
