Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
I meet a lot of people who want a large piece of land with their house in the Tyson’s Corner area.
For many, a quarter acre lot (about 10,000 sq. ft.) isn’t enough. But did you know the larger the lot size in Vienna and McLean, the higher probability the house is on well water and/or a septic system instead of public utilities? That’s the funny thing about land, once you get over about a half acre, you’re leaving behind Fairfax County water/sewer.
If you’re looking for land or already own a house with land, don’t forget about these maintenance items and some pros and cons.
Well Water
Pro: Water is free! Many people say it also tastes better.
You should check your pH level regularly, along with other possible contaminates. There’s a small cost associated with maintenance on a well — neutralizer, water filtration system, water softener, etc. If the well ever gets contaminated past the point of safe usage, you may have to drill new one. Learn more about Wells.
Septic System
Septic systems are in place of public sewer, which handles all water and organic matter that runs down the plumbing system. The septic tank is buried in the yard and flows to a drainfield.
Maintenance: The septic tank should be pumped every 3-5 years. When you’re buying a home, you should be doing a septic tank inspection where they check to make sure the size of the system is adequate for the house (usually this is measured by the number of bedrooms).
To learn more about septic systems, read here.
My go to contractors for each are Bell Pump and Well and Five Star Septic.
If you have more questions on this topic or others related to home care, buying or selling, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].
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 clock is ticking on our summer fun!
Just 2 weeks to go until the kids go back to school and the adults go back to our regular schedules. But before that happens, there’s actually a lot going on around the area for some late summer fun.
You’ve got 3 weeks left at the pool, but if you’re looking for something else to do, try one of these things this week:
- Restaurant Week all over D.C. and NoVA! Find a full list of restaurant participants here. Some of my favorites include Ambar, Ford’s Fish Shack, Lyon Hall and TenPenh
- Arlington County Fair: August 14-18, see the full schedule here. Pretend you’re reliving ViVa Vienna or McLean Day!
- Kids on the Green: 10 a.m. at the Town Green, kids performers
- Chillin’ on Church: 6:30 p.m. on the Town Green with a live band, food trucks, activities for kids and beer truck!
- Kids Obstacle Course at McLean Central Park: Saturday, August 17 at 9:30 a.m. Buy $10 tickets here. The Vienna Kids Adventure Race was last weekend and so much fun! If you’ve never done this, I highly recommend for the under 10 crowd.
- Cirque du Soleil: Volta Under The Big Top; Definitely not too dark for the whole family but a great excuse for a date night!
Also I’d love some reader input! If you have a favorite getaway for a day, drop it in the comments below.
Do you like going to Sandy Point for a beach day? Know a better spot? Let me know!
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
So maybe the Vienna Dad’s group didn’t take off, or the non-existent McLean Dad’s group is a bust. How else are adults suppose to make new friends while getting some exercise? Join an adult league for sports!
Imagine creating your team name, a new t-shirt with your favorite nickname on it, getting embarrassed as you pull a muscle the first time you go to run (oh wait, that’s not supposed to happen), and then you go grab some beers and joke around with new (or old) friends.
Grab your friends and join one of these teams:
- Fairfax Adult Softball — Men’s or Co-Ed Softball
- FXA Sports — Men’s and Co-Ed Softball (They also have Spikeball, Bocce, Lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee and Basketball)
- Golden Girls — Softball for Women 40 or older
- Northern Virginia Senior Softball — Slow pitch softball for Men 50 and up and Women 40 and up
- Legends Sports League — Baseball for ages 19 or older
Softball/Baseball not your thing? What about a bowling or basketball league?
- Legends Sports League — Basketball, Golf, and Pickleball for adults ages 19 or older
- NOVA United Senior Women’s Basketball Association — Women ages 45 and older
- Zog Sports — A long list of sport options
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
If you’re looking to try something new, and into the idea of customized pasta dishes, you should try Dal Grano in the Langley Shopping Center in McLean.
They have over 50 pasta combinations that you can create and eat in, take out or cook at home! In addition to just pasta, they have salads, sandwiches, desserts (the gelato!) and veggie side dishes.
Another reason to support Dal Grano is their involvement in the community. They sponsor the Fish swim team and McLean Little League.
Follow their Facebook page for daily specials. You can also use GrubHub to order for delivery.
Dal Grano is open Monday — Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday 12-8 p.m.
Located at 1386 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, Virginia 22101.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
In case you don’t know, today and tomorrow are the big Amazon Prime sale days with daily deals on various items.
If you don’t have a Prime account, you can sign up today for a free 30-day trial and use the deals without commitment. If you download the app or spend $10 at Whole Foods, they’ll give you a free $10 account credit.
But we all know Amazon is sort of like Target, how can you spend just $10 when the sales are crazy good?
If you feel the need for some retail therapy, why not do it for a cause?
First, you can help donate money without doing a thing. Amazon Smile is a program that’ll donate a percentage of your regular purchase to a charity of your choosing on eligible purchases. All you have to do is pick one. You can search for the organizations (think your local school PTA, BRAWS, Cho Inc, SHARE of McLean, etc.)
Second, you can call and find out what your favorite organization might be in need of for supplies and search the Prime Day Deals and ship it right to the organization. You can search for Bras and Tampons and send them to BRAWS (114 Courthouse Road SW, Vienna, Virginia 22180).
SHARE of McLean is in need of baby wipes, diapers, snacks, toilet paper and more. You can fill up on some of those items and ship them right to Share at 1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, Virginia 22101.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
There’s a small brown “house” located on Dominion Road NE (parallel to the W&OD trail), which is a great disguise for the world of tiny trains hidden inside.
The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders club is over 65 years old and has been in this spot for over 30 years. The club built a “large and permanent model railroad layout” and they have open houses 12 times a year. (Pro tip: It’s air conditioned in there!)
You’ll find many cool trains at this exhibit, but if you have little ones who are Thomas & Friends fans, make sure you stop by. Their next open house is Saturday, July 13 from 1-5 p.m. and admission is free. Consider leaving a donation during your visit.
You can read more about the club and see the full list of open house dates here.
If you’re looking to join, they’re currently accepting new members. Find the information here.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
On the last day of school, my family got invited to an awesome block party put on by 4 neighbors on a cul-de-sac in Vienna.
They had bounce houses, food trucks, music and everyone had an awesome time. The adults got to talk, be social and have beer while the kids got to run around and play for hours like I remember doing in my own childhood. The road was blocked off officially by white and orange barricades. It was a great afternoon.
With just a little paperwork you can throw a block party like that one and really get to know your neighbors, or hang out with your friends and help create memories for your family.
Temporary use permits/applications are required whenever you want to block part of a road. Here are some rules and helpful links to get you started:
Town of Vienna
- Requires an application with at least 21 days in advance of the event.
- Requires a signed petition by 100% of the affected neighbors.
- Event must conclude by 11 p.m.
- Download the full application here.
Vienna, Oakton and McLean (Fairfax County)
- Requires a “Temporary Special Permit.”
- Must be submitted at least 6 weeks in advance of the event date.
- A detailed list of where, what, who, when and how.
- Download the full application here.
Falls Church City
- Requires an application at least 10 business days in advance of the event date.
- Will only be granted a 4 hour window for the party.
- Requires a notice/invitation be sent to any resident on the block impacted at least 7 days in advance of the event.
- Download the full application here.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
It’s almost Fourth of July time in D.C.!
There’s really no place like the Washington monuments to see the fireworks, but if you’re looking for options around town, I’ve got a few places to see them. You can also buy your own at a few places like the Safeway parking lot near Nutley/Lee Highway. Please remember to be safe this holiday!
If you want to be in the middle of it:
Yeonas Park — 1319 Ross Drive SW, Vienna, opens at 7:15 p.m. with fireworks to begin at dark (approx. 9:30 a.m.). A small concession stand will have food and beverages, along with some food trucks. No alcohol and no pets. Parking is available along the street, but will get crowded so plan accordingly. Bring blankets and chairs.
If you want to watch the fireworks but not hear them, park at the top of the Vienna Metro! It doesn’t usually get too crowded and it’s easy to leave if you need to.
Don’t want to keep the kids up late but still want to celebrate?
There’s a Sprinklers and Sparkles at the Vienna Community Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., then you can YouTube fireworks for your kids (that’s what we’ve done since my kids couldn’t stay up late enough for the real thing!). The daytime celebration will have water slides, sprinklers, water games, food trucks, music, puppet shoes and crafts.
McLean has a Fourth of July celebration at the Langley High School, with grounds opening at 6:30 p.m. with free onsite parking, along with shuttle buses from the McLean Community Center & St. John’s Episcopal Church, a DJ and food trucks. No pets, smoking, or alcohol.
Falls Church City has their own celebration at George Mason High School — gates open at 6 p.m. The celebration starts with music and food trucks. Fireworks start around 9:20 p.m.
Now some other tips:
Westwood Country Club does their own private show of fireworks that starts around 9:30 p.m. You can see them from the softball fields at the Community Center, you can park on nearby streets (like Fairway Drive NE), or the lot across the street on Mashie Drive.
Here’s a great list of fireworks that don’t happen on the Fourth of July, in case you need an alternative!
One year my husband and I just pulled over on a street in Arlington and got out of the car and stood on the sidewalk watching the downtown fireworks. It really doesn’t matter where you are, just remember what the holiday means and enjoy the show!
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
You may walk by Wine Outlet everyday when you’re on Church Street and assume the prices are outrageous, so you never go in. However, each store located at 114 Church Street NW Vienna, 1137 Walker Road Great Falls, and 6727 Curran Street McLean, you’ll find a small, friendly wine and beer store that features reasonably priced wines, cheese, breads, desserts and a small selection of meats paired nicely with a friendly staff!
I didn’t know they have a cheese counter or that on Friday’s and Saturday’s they have fresh baked goods delivered.
Here’s some more useful info:
- Wines as cheap as $6 per bottle
- Beer on tap
- A large selection of USA Wines, along with imported bottles as well
- Great selection of craft beers
- Tastings: Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday 1-4 p.m.
- Free delivery within 5 miles, or delivery outside of 5 miles for a small fee
- They make gift baskets
- They will price match!
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
We are so close to the end of the school year and that beloved and sacred summer time!
Avoiding the “summer slide” as experts call it, means getting kids to keep reading over the summer to keep their skills sharp. Our wonderful local Fairfax County Library can help avoid the slide.
Starting on June 13, the last day of school for Fairfax County, you can sign kids up for the Summer Reading Adventure. I’ll detail the rules below, but the idea is the kids sign up and commit to reading a certain number of books before August 31 and in the end they get rewarded with a free coupon book to local places.
Basics:
- Babies through rising 3rd graders: read 15 books (including being read to)
- Rising 4th & 5th graders: read 10 books
- Teens in rising grades 6-12: read 5 books
Prize:
Over 20 businesses have provided coupons for free and discounted items. See a full list here. Examples include free Rita’s, Free Potomac Nationals tickets, Free Comic Book, free laser tag game from Shadowland and more.
In addition to reading, there are events and contests all summer.
- Chris Michael Magic
- Interact Story Theatre
- Groovy Nate
- Henna Harmony
- Essay/poetry contest for rising 7th, 8th and 9th graders
- Teen Film Festival
- Teen Cover Art Contest
Download the reading log for babies — 5th graders.
Download the teen reading log.
Read more on the Summer Reading Adventure or find your nearest library.
