Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.

This week marks the beginning of the true Holiday season: Halloween, Thanksgiving, then bring on December!

There are always so many things going on at this time of year between kids events, friendsgiving, Diwali, field trips and regular every day life, it’s hard to keep up with things! Here are some highlights of great events during the month of November:

Trick or Treating on Thursday — Rainy Day Ideas

In case it’s raining on Thursday and you want a back up plan, Tyson’s Corner Mall has “Malloween” from 3-5 p.m. On the plaza, Fairfax County Police will be handing out candy, American Scream will be providing spooky entertainment, face painters will be available and then you can take your kids trick-or-treating inside the mall to 50+ stores.

Bootique Trick or Treating Spooktacular at Mosaic: Trick or treating in the stores from 5-7 p.m. and then a showing of Monsters Inc on the green at 6:30 p.m.

November 1, 7 p.m. — Haunted Halloween Murder Mystery at Maggiano’s Tysons 

Murder mystery night with dinner, bar, and entertainment. Buy tickets online.

November 2, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. — Town of Vienna Fall Clean-Up Day 

Help the town staff pick up trash, remove invasive plants and generally clean up designated areas. Call 703-255-6336 or email John King at [email protected] to sign up.

November 8, 5:30 p.m. — Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Garden

A magical walk around the beautifully decorated botanical garden with awesome light displays. Stay at the end for smores, popcorn, hot chocolate and hot cider. Inside they usually have a photo area with props on a sleigh. Buy tickets early.

November 8, 11 a.m. — Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion Opens 

Reston Town Center transforms into an ice skating pavilion on November 8. Hours vary, check their Facebook page for more details.

November 17, 8 a.m. — McLean Rotary 5k Turkey Trot

5k Turkey Trot held at Central Park Tysons. Open to anyone who wants to run or walk!

November 18, 5 p.m — Pet Pictures with Santa at Macy’s Court in Tysons Galleria

Every Monday from November 18 to December 16 at 5 p.m., pets can take photos with Santa. Reservations available online!

November 22 — Bull Fun Festival of Lights

2.5 mile illuminated holiday light display (drive-through) with a festival at the end that includes rides, refreshments and photos with Santa Claus.

November 24, 8 a.m. — Vienna Turkey Trot 

Annual Fun Run, 5k and 10k in Vienna held at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. Register here. Walking is also welcome along with strollers.

November 24, 2 p.m. — Nutcracker Tea Party in Falls Church

Presented by Adagio Ballet, the Nutcracker Tea Party with Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara at the Marriott Fairview Park in Falls Church. There will be treats, games and activities. Buy tickets online.

Quick Preview of December:

• Vienna Church Street Stroll — Monday, December 2 at 6 p.m.
• Tiny Tots Holiday Concert at Madison High School, December 5 at 7 p.m.
• Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long — Saturday, December 7 at 4 p.m.

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.

By John V. Berry, Esq.

An amendment approved by the Governor of Virginia in Virginia Code.

Requirements of the New Virginia Employment Law

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam approved an amendment and re-enactment of Virginia Code § 8.01-413.1. The new amendment requires Virginia employers to produce certain employment documents when they receive a written request from a current/former employee or employee’s attorney.

If the employer doesn’t comply, the Virginia statute awards potential damages to the employee if the employer fails to do so within the allotted timeframe. Since the amendment became effective on July 1, 2019, a number of Virginia employers are seeing an increase in requests for the applicable documents.

The Virginia amendment requires a Virginia employer to furnish employment records reflecting (1) dates of employment, (2) wages or salary, (2) job description and job title, and (4) any injuries sustained during the course of employment within 30 days of the receipt of a written request. An employer is not required to be a party to a suit for the statute to apply. That statute provides that:

Every employer shall, upon receipt of a written request from a current or former employee or employee’s attorney, furnish a copy of all records or papers retained by the employer in any format, reflecting (i) the employee’s dates of employment with the employer; (ii) the employee’s wages or salary during the employment; (iii) the employee’s job description and job title during the employment; and (iv) any injuries sustained by the employee during the course of the employment with the employer. Such records or papers shall be provided within 30 days of receipt of such a written request.

Before the new Virginia statute, employers were not required to produce such documents without a subpoena. If the Virginia employer cannot process the employee’s request within 30 days, the employer must notify them in writing. The Virginia employer will then have an additional 30 days to produce the records.

Pursuant to the Virginia statute, the employer can charge a reasonable fee for the copying of paper records and/or the retrieval of electronic records. Failure to comply with a written request can result in a subpoena and the award of damages against the employer, including the employee’s expenses for obtaining the copies, court costs and attorneys’ fees.

The bottom line is that the new statute in Virginia will help employees obtain copies of their employment records. If the employer does not comply, they will likely be responsible for significant fees.

Conclusion

If you need assistance with Virginia employment law issues, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc.

Welcome to New Homes, a monthly column highlighting the new construction real estate market, written by Conor Sullivan and Dave Moya of Three Stones Residential at Keller Williams Realty. We are here to share our experience and expertise in lot acquisition, financing and construction of custom homes. 

New construction is a fun process, but it can be a more complicated and stressful journey than buying a typical resale home. For this reason, we recommend following these three steps to make your experience a bit more smooth and enjoyable.

Find the Right Builder 

When deciding on which builder you are going to work with, there are a variety of things to consider during the selection process. You’ll want to make sure the builder has a range of layout options to select from since the lot will determine what you can do with the space.

It is also smart to see how many Non-Standard Options (NSO) the Builder offers. If these NSOs are limited, it may mean you aren’t able to do as much “customization” as you originally planned, and rather are required to make selections from pre-determined materials the builder has already selected for a broader scope of projects.

Have a Design Plan 

Know what you want your home to look like and what features you want to have at the beginning. It is important to make these decisions up front when going through the design process as making these changes during construction can not only cause delays, but cost you big bucks.

Agent Advisor Partnership 

Working with an experienced agent as your advisor is critical throughout the entire process. Your advisor can help find the lot for the best price, select the right builder for you and avoid pitfalls that can come with the building and designing process.

Your advisor should have experience working with new construction homes and a strong understanding of builder contracts so they can help navigate you to get what you want.

At Three Stones Residential, our agents are well versed in the new construction process. We’ve worked with a number of builders and can help you decide who may be the best fit based on your needs and expectations. Being natives to the area, we are local marketplace experts and will guide you in finding the best location for your new home at the best price.

Additionally, we have a solid understanding and experience of builder contracts and will bring to light all the details you need to focus on to avoid delays and additional costs down the road. To learn more about new construction homes, contact us at [email protected] or (571) 429-7670.

Below is a list of new homes currently on the market in the Tysons, Falls Church, Vienna and McLean areas:

• 6251 N. Kensington Street, McLean — $1,995,000 — 5,930 sq. ft.
• 2001 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church — $1,150,000 — 3,656 sq. ft.
• 7301 Pimmit Court, Falls Church — $1,499,900 — 4,028 sq. ft.
• 7601 Foster Road, Falls Church — $1,479,000 — 5,397 sq. ft.
• 10614 Hunter Station Road, Vienna — $1,775,000 — 7,090 sq. ft.
• 902 Kramer Court SE, Vienna — $1,475,000 — 6,346 sq. ft.
• 504 Kibler Circle SW, Vienna — $1,398,750 — 4,809 sq. ft.
• 6812 Broyhill Street, McLean — $1,795,000 — 5,723 sq. ft.
• 6803 Old Chesterbrook Road, McLean — $1,744,900 — 6,500 sq. ft.

Want to learn more about financing a New Home build? McLean Mortgage (NMLS ID: 99665) can handle all of your construction financing needs. You can build your new home with as little as 5% down. Contact construction loan expert Troy Toureau (NMLS ID: 5618) at 301-440-4261 or AnyHomeLoans.com to learn more.

Three Stones Residential agents pride ourselves on our consultative service approach, local expertise and real estate market knowledge. With over 26 years of business experience in the DMV, we have consistently performed in the top 2% of local Realtors and are currently the #1 group at Keller Williams Metro Center. 

3049 Federal Hill Drive, Falls Church
3 BD/3.5 BA
Agent: Compass
Listed: $599,000
Open: 2-4 p.m.

6018 Munson Hill Road, Falls Church
4 BD/3.5 BA
Agent: Kw Metro Center
Listed: $924,900
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

2944 Bridgehampton Court, Falls Church
3 BD/3 BA
Agent: Keller Williams Realty Falls Church
Listed: $599,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

8800 Higdon Drive, Vienna
5 BD/2.5 BA
Agent: Avery-Hess Realtors
Listed: $665,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

2501 Drexel Street, Vienna
3 BD/3 BA
Agent: Pearson Smith Realty Llc
Listed: $739,000
Open: Saturday 1-3 p.m. & Sunday 2-4 p.m.

504 Kibler Circle SW, Vienna
5 BD/4.5 BA
Agent: Kw Metro Center
Listed: $1,398,750
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

1503 Walden Drive, McLean
4 BD/3 BA
Agent: Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc
Listed: $949,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

Our role is to offer sound advice and guidance to our clients in order for them to achieve their goals in either buying, selling, leasing or managing real estate. We are truly “Your Home… for Everything Real Estate.” To schedule a private showing of these or any other properties of interest please do not hesitate to contact us here or email us at [email protected].

Three Stones Residential agents pride ourselves on our consultative service approach, local expertise and real estate market knowledge. With over 26 years of business experience in the DMV, we have consistently performed in the top 2% of local Realtors and are currently the #1 group at Keller Williams Metro Center. 

The following properties were recently listed in the Tysons, McLean, Vienna and Falls Church areas.

• 6018 Munson Hill Road, Falls Church — $924,900
• 3015 Nicosh Circle Unit 2102, Falls Church — $384,900
• 3417 Barger Drive, Falls Church — $925,000
• 6517 Lakeview Drive, Falls Church — $709,900
• 10503 Mount Sunapee Road, Vienna — $910,000
• 116 Tapawingo Road SW, Vienna — $1,449,900
• 2220 McChesney Court, Vienna — $889,000
• 1503 Walden Drive, McLean — $949,000
• 1051 Bellview Road, McLean — $1,495,000

Our role is to offer sound advice and guidance to our clients in order for them to achieve their goals in either buying, selling, leasing or managing real estate. We are truly “Your Home… for Everything Real Estate.” To schedule a private showing of these or any other properties of interest please do not hesitate to contact us here or email us at [email protected].

By Personal Injury Attorney Gary Christmas of Christmas Injury Lawyers

Early in 2020, the United States House Energy and Commerce oversight and investigations subcommittee will hear from five of the nation’s largest e-cigarette companies.

CEOs from Juul, Reynolds America, and NJOY, as well as the Presidents of Logic and Fontem, will testify before the House concerning their role in increasing the rate of youth vaping, as well as their responsibility in vape-related personal injuries.

These five companies account for 97 percent of the $19.3 billion U.S. e-cigarette market. However, this will be the first time that the House has heard from companies other than market-leader, Juul. Subcommittee members are looking for information about how the companies’ marketing techniques may relate to the epidemic of teen-vaping amongst middle and high school students.

Illinois Democrat, Jan Schakowsky, is hoping to hear a measure of accountability on the part of vaping companies. They are widely blamed for hooking children on vaping products through a combination of sweet flavors, nicotine additives, and a misconception that users are only breathing in harmless water vapor.

Federal data shows that more than five million middle and high school students use vape products at least once every 30 days. After a rash of sudden vape-related deaths and illnesses — thousands were treated for this injury that left dozens dead — the Trump Administration finalized policy to reel in the industry.

The administration sought to at least temporarily ban certain flavored vaping products — namely the popular fruit and mint pod-based flavors — but left tobacco and menthol untouched. The policy also avoided regulating disposable, open tank, and e-liquids available in vape shops.

Critics say this amounts to a giant hole in federal vaping regulation. Matt Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says that the Trump rule leaves millions of flavored vape products on the market, including ones popular with kids. He also questions whether popular mint flavors might simply be relabeled as menthol.

Come May, the administration is requiring companies to get approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its products and to prove they offer a public health benefit. The “health argument” was the initial marketing campaign for vaping — that it is better for a person than smoking tobacco.

The controversy has stemmed mainly from new “tobacco product” users — i.e., youth vapers — now addicted to vape-sourced nicotine, in addition to the significant uptick in vape-related deaths and illnesses last year.

Some worry that, under the broader argument that vaping helps people quit smoking, these FDA bans will be only temporary, and that the products most enticing to children will be as available as before, but now with a label of “healthy.”

Welcome to Luxury For Less, a weekly column highlighting the best deals in luxury real estate. Written by Brandy Schantz of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, Luxury For Less offers tips and tricks navigating the competitive real estate market and securing the home of your dreams. To learn more, visit ttrsir.com.

McLean is featured in this column frequently. It’s a great city located just minutes from D.C., Arlington and Tysons Corner.

McLean is most well-known for its opulent and luxurious homes and their powerful owners. It’s also home to many large companies and government agencies such as Capital One, Booz Allen Hamilton, Freddie Mac, Central Intelligence Agency, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Just around the corner is Turkey Run Park which is a favorite for hiking or just enjoying the view of the Potomac.

McLean features so many great employment opportunities as well as proximity to shopping and activities that it’s no surprise it’s one of the most sought after places to live in the area. McLean is more than just large homes and affluent residents and today’s featured home shows the more historic side of the city.

This 1941 brick colonial is in Chesterbrook Woods on a large corner lot. If you are looking for a home with charm, this is it. Old world charm with a new world kitchen! This beautiful home features solid brick construction, a slate roof, copper gutters and a flagstone patio perfect for enjoying a beautiful fall day.

To see this beautiful home or any others, you can schedule an appointment by emailing or calling me at [email protected] or 571-263-0206.

6000 Chesterbrook Road McLean (Reduced $39,000)

Check out the rest of this week’s Luxury for Less listings:

• 10469 Springvale Meadow Lane Great Falls (Reduced $290,000)
• 314 Locust Street SE Vienna (Reduced $10,000)
• 515 Timber Lane Falls Church (Reduced $24,000)
• 10422 Willow Crest Court Vienna (Reduced $30,000)
• 2064 Madrillon Road Vienna (Reduced $20,000)

The properties listed are a small selection of properties available in the Tyson’s Corner area. For a full list of properties listed on MLS and private exclusives, please contact Brandy Schantz.

This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Val Sotillo, Northern Virginia-based Realtor and Falls Church resident. Please submit your questions to her via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!

Question:  What neighborhoods are between Tysons and City of Falls Church?

Answer: The neighborhood of Idylwood is located in Falls Church. It originally developed as a suburban community along the route of the W&OD Railroad, and later along Virginia State Route 7. It is bordered to the east by the city of Falls Church, to the north by Pimmit Hills and Tysons, to the west by Dunn Loring, and to the southwest by Merrifield.

Here are the top reasons that make Idylwood an awesome neighborhood:

Great Location

It’s located within 3 miles, of West Falls Church station on the Orange Line, and Greensboro station on the Silver Line. It’s easy access to I-66, 495, Dulles Access Toll Road, and just minutes from Tysons — only 12 miles from D.C.

For joggers and bikers, there’s easy access to the W&OD Trail, going all the way from Shirlington to Purcellville.

Things To Do

It’s located just a couple of miles from all the fun, shopping and entertainment in Tysons and City of Falls Church. Idylwood Park (7715 Virginia Lane) offers baseball fields, tennis courts, a playground and a large soccer field. What I enjoy most about this park is that it is literally walking distance to the W&OD trail.

Jefferson District Park offers a Mini-Golf course, lighted tennis and basketball courts, picnic facilities, a children’s playground and nine-hole executive golf course.

There’s also a range of ethnic restaurants. Taco Bamba is one of my all-time favorites. They have amazing tacos and the best Mexican street corn. Crisp & Juicy for Peruvian Chicken (expert here!); Victor Grill, super casual and delicious Argentinian steakhouse (they have the best deals on wine, especially Malbec); and 2941 Restaurant if you want to celebrate a special occasion or try fancy French-American food.

Idylwood Plaza has everything you need! From Whole Foods, to Starbucks, to My Eye Dr. Just give yourself time to find parking as the shopping center is very busy.

You’re also close to all the fun in Mosaic District!

Many Housing Options

There are different options from detached homes, townhomes and condos. In Idlywood, there are currently 26 properties for sale, ranging from a one bedroom condo for $199,999, to a $1.699M 5 bedroom home built in 2015, located by West Falls Church Metro. You can see all active listings here.

Seventeen properties are currently under contract, ranging from a 2 bedroom condo at $240,000 to a custom built 5 bedroom Craftsman house at $1.649 million.

In the past 6 months, 73 condos were sold for a median price of $265,000, 35 townhouses were sold for a median price of $592,5000, and 51 single family homes sold for a median price of $775,000.

Great Quality of Life.

Falls Church Ranked as No. 1 Healthiest Community in U.S. in 2018. Need to say more?

Changes on the Horizon

While the area has a timeless quality to it, things will change a bit in the next few years. Founder’s Row is a mixed use project located at the corner of W. Broad and N. West Streets and it will include a 6-8 screen dine-in movie theater with 850 seats, 5,000 square feet of office and 60,000 square feet of retail-restaurant space and 72 senior and 322 market rate apartments. Also, new developments in Tysons and Mosaic District are in progress. I’ll keep you posted!

If you’d like more information, or would like a question answered in my weekly column, please reach out to [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon.

If you’d like more information, or would like a question answered in my bi-weekly column, please reach out to [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon.

Val Sotillo is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite #10C Arlington, VA 22203, 703-390-9460.

By Personal Injury Attorney Gary Massey of Massey & Associates, PC

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, is questioning whether the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is doing its due diligence to protect consumers against dangerous and defective products.

Cantwell worked with minority party staff members of the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to produce a report detailing instances where they allege the CPSC has inexcusably failed to protect the American public.

In at least three separate cases, the report alleges, the CPSC showed inappropriate deference to regulated industry interests at the expense of the public that the CPSC is tasked with protecting.

Specifically, the report identifies 200 different instances where wheels fell off a Britax B.O.B. jogging stroller, causing injuries. As a result of the 2018 settlement between Britax and the agency, the company offered the almost 500,000 stroller owners the option to receive a replacement part or receive a 20% discount on a new jogging stroller. The strollers, notably, were not replaced or refunded.

This response came after agency leadership reportedly ignored warnings from its staff, calling for an immediate recall for the defective and dangerous product.

Similarly, a Fisher-Price inclined infant sleeper known as a Rock ‘n’ Play was linked to numerous deaths before the CPSC took any action. In April of last year, Fisher-Price publicly announced that the sleeper was connected to the deaths of 10 babies. It was not until the American Academy of Pediatrics pointed to a Consumer Reports study identifying 32 associated infant deaths that the agency mandated a recall by the company.

The committee report also discusses the CPSC’s response to known hazards relating to residential elevators. The report asserts that the agency has shifted responsibility and blame to state regulators and families, away from the manufacturers themselves.

Senator Cantwell alleges that the agency whose mission is supposed to be protecting consumers and families from dangerous defective products is instead cozying up with the industry groups it is tasked with regulating. She reiterates that the public should feel confident in the safety of products available to them on the market and that real remedies should be made in cases of faulty products.

The CPSC declined to comment on the report.

Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.

The Ni Family does it again!

A fantastic light show during Christmas time has stepped out of their regular schedule and put on a fantastic Halloween light show! The show is located at 2528 Drexel Street, Vienna. Make sure you drive by over the next 2 weeks to see the show

When: Now through October 31

• Sunday-Thursday: 6:45-9:30 p.m.
• Friday & Saturday: 6:45-10 p.m.

What: 2019 Halloween Light Show — the show runs 30:32 in total length.

• This is Halloween from Nightmare Before Christmas (4:07)
• Spooky Scary Skeletons (1:01)
• Thunderstruck by ACDC (3:23)
• Mix — Ghostbusters/Fun House/Baby Shark (4:06)
• Know What You Did in the Dark by Fall Out Boy (3:06)
• Beetlejuice Theme Song (2:26)
• Calling All the Monsters by China Anne McClain (3:26)
• Monster Mash (3:19)
• Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell (3:36)
• Stranger Things — Never Ending Story (2:06)

How: When you pull up to the house, tune your FM radio to 90.3 if you don’t to get out of your car.

Reminders:

• Don’t block any driveways
• Turn your headlights off
• Don’t make the music too loud
• Park close to the curb

To find out when their holiday light show is up, including times and playlist, make sure you follow their Facebook Page.