Time To Take A Stroll!

Q. Do you know what these addresses have in common?

• 225 Windover Avenue
• 227 Windover Avenue
• 261 Windover Avenue
• 316 Windover Avenue
• 440 Windover Avenue
• 220 Walnut Lane
• 342 Orchard Street
• 318 Lewis Street
• 340 West Street
• 303 Knoll Street
• 403 Windover Court
• 407 Windover Court

A. All of these homes are in historic Windover Heights in Vienna. And if you decide to stroll through Windover Heights this Sunday, you will walk by these homes and more. Some are turn-of-the-century Victorians and Queen Annes. Some are original ramblers & cottages. Several are custom built in the past 20 years, some as recently as a few years ago.

Q. What else do they have in common?

A. All are homes with wonderful owners and homes where The Belt Team has represented the buyer or seller, sometimes more than once!

"The 41st Annual Walk On The Hill", sponsored by Historic Vienna, Inc. is this Sunday, April 26th from 2-5PM (rain date May 3rd). The streets will be blocked to cars, so it is a perfect family strolling day with lemonade stands and music and gardens to enjoy. There is usually live music at "the log cabin" in the gardens of the wonderful  old home at the corner of Windover & Walnut Lane.) Look for the "open" signs in front of the homes to signal that you are welcome to walk through the yard.

Enjoy! Perhaps we will see you there!

"The Walk on The Hill" and the community feel of our town are just more reasons why WE LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA!

Yeonas Park - Like The Old Fashioned "Back Fence"

As we have every year since 2002, The Belt Team is proud to sponsor Vienna Little League. Since today is Opening Day and it's Little League season once again, we thought we w'd re-run this post. Enjoy!
_______________________________

Yesterday was another one of those "I LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA" days! If you live in Vienna, you will eventually make your way to Yeonas Park. You either have children who play baseball or your children have friends who play baseball or you have friends whose children play baseball. It's just one of those inevitable things.

 

So yesterday, we went to see a neighbor's son play in a Vienna Little League game at Yeonas. As we entered the parking lot, it was teeming with activity. There was an air of excitement that wafted by - almost as strongly as the smell of chili dogs on the grill at the snack bar. Last Saturday was Opening Day (more than 1,100 people attended!) and this was the first week of the season. PLAY BALL!



And just like every April for the past 50+ years, the Vienna Little Leaguers took the field.



And just like every April for the past 50+ years, the Vienna parents assumed their perches from which to root.

And just like every April for the past 50+ years, the siblings gathered in the common area to play with one another.



Yeonas Field in Vienna is kind of what the back fence used to be "in the olden days". Back then, neighbors would hang their laundry out to dry in the backyard and catch up on gossip over the back fence. Or they would mow their lawns and tend their gardens, and take breaks to chat with the neighbor next door or behind them.

Well, that's just what happens at Yeonas Park. Last night, two of my girlfriends, who are normally so busy they can't see straight (they are AWESOME Moms!), settled in to the bleachers to watch the game and had themselves a nice two hour chat. The Dads like to hang out along the fences, and they are usually much more "into" the game. But don't be mistaken, there's a lot of chit chat going on there too. In a world where we are always "on the go", it's nice to have this respite.

And you ALWAYS run into people you know. It's just a fabulous gathering place where people of diverse interests and diverse backgrounds "hang out" together. I love seeing the many multi-generational families that come to the ballgames - babes in arms, grandparents in wheelchairs, and even teenagers who might be "too cool" to otherwise hang with their parents.

Just visit once and you'll see what I mean. Vienna Little League gets into your blood. Did you ever notice the "V" stickers on so many car windows in Vienna? They either say "Go Blue" or "Go Black". The stickers represent the two leagues in Vienna (National & American). And once you're a part of a certain league, you are Blue (or Black) FOREVER. Many of those cars you see with stickers have kids who are long past Little League age, but they are part of that family always.

AND we have a long history of winning. When you go to the park, you'll see the list of many State Championship wins and even a Regional Championship that sent our team to the Little League World Series in Williamsport. But it's not only about winning. It's the life lessons that are learned along the way - things like loyalty and hard work and how important it is to spend time with the ones you love.

I just LOVE living in Vienna!

Search homes for sale in Vienna

FREE Instant Home Valuation

Turn Left At The Pig

"Turn left at the pig."

That's how I give directions to my house.

No. I don't live on a farm. Not even in a rural area. I live in Vienna, VA. 15 miles west of the Nation's Capital. About a mile away from the Vienna Metro.

And if you live in the Southwest side of town, chances are you know the pig I am talking about.

It's not a real pig, but a giant, life-size pig that sits in my neighbor's yard. You can't miss it. It's bright orange. The color of a traffic cone.

We've heard the pig was put there by the owner's brother as a joke. Turns out my neighbors thought it was pretty cool. They embraced the pig (not literally) and every holiday finds the pig dressed for the occasion.

I'm guessing that some of the neighbors don't like the pig. And when it first went in, we weren't sure we liked it either. But it (he? she?) kind of grows on you. And as time has gone by, we look forward to each new creative tableaux that is put before our eyes.

Here's one they did at Christmas. "Rudolph The Red Nosed . . . PIG".

And at Thanksgiving we get "Turkey Pig". (Photo courtesy of a neighbor's blog www.wildtrumptevine.com).

But it's the non-traditional "holidays" we like best. Like the arrival of summer! (Picture courtesy of another neighbor's blog www.soveryvienna.wordpress.com)

We hear they're always looking for new ideas, so our suggestion is "Jurassic Pork". (That's what you get when you cross a dinosaur and a pig!)

And the thing is, it really does make giving directions easy.

"Take 66 to Nutley, Turn right on Marshall Rd. Turn left at the pig."

Athens Meets Athens. In Vienna.

Just like there's a "Vienna, Virginia" and a "Vienna, Austria" - there is also an "Athens, Georgia" and an "Athens, Greece". And this month, Athens (GA) met Athens (Greece) right here in Vienna (VA)!

Yes, this month Vienna welcomed another new restaurant to Maple Avenue. It's called "Zoe's Kitchen" and the restaurant's style is a mix of southern hospitality and Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Sounds like an offbeat combination, doesn't it?

 Well, Zoe's Kitchen is a chain named after Zoe Cassimus. Zoe was born in the Mediterranean and raised in the South. It wasn't exactly Athens, GA and Athens, Greece - but it was "the South" and "the Mediterranean". Now it all makes sense, right?

 We stopped in to Zoe's last week and we give it a thumbs-up as a nice addition to the dining options in Vienna. A few things need to still be worked out though:

Parking: We arrived fairly early for lunch - right when they opened at 11AM. We did that purposely because this was our 3rd attempt to try out Zoe's. The other two attempts failed because we couldn't find parking. By the time we left at noon, the same issue existed and traffic was backed up onto Maple Avenue once again.

Cooking Time: The ordering process is similar to that found at Noodles & Company. You order & pay at the counter, serve your own drinks and then they give you a stand with a number on it. When your food is ready, it's brought to your table. We didn't wait too long. But we noticed quite a few people waiting for to-go orders, many of whom ordered right after us and were still waiting after we finished eating.

 Hopefully, these are just issues that come with opening week jitters. The food itself was tasty. Very flavorful. And not your "same old same old". It was fresh. And the menu is both healthy and imaginative - with lots of options for both meat lovers and vegetarians. Take a look at the menu.

Every person we encountered was super friendly. And the atmosphere was clean, bright & cheerful. It's a great place to grab lunch during the work day, meet friends for a snack and it's also a good family spot for dinner. They even have wine & beer available for the adults.

Welcome to Vienna Zoe's!

Vienna Real Estate: Year In Review Plus Current Trends

If you’re thinking of buying a home in Vienna in 2015, then you’re probably wondering things like:

• “How long are homes on the market?”
• “Will I have to pay over list price or can I get a deal? Buyer’s Market or Seller’s Market?”

If you’re thinking of selling a home in Vienna in 2015, you’re probably wondering:

• “How long will it take to sell my house?”
• “Will I have to negotiate my list price? Seller’s Market or Buyer’s Market?”

Even if you're not buying or selling right now, you may just be curious about what your home is worth.

FREE Online INSTANT Home Valuation Estimator

Well, let’s look at 2014 statistics as they are often an indicator of what you can expect:

• Average Days on Market in Vienna: 44 days
• Sold Price as % of Original List Price: 97.5%

Terry Belt, CEO of The Belt Team commented, “Last Spring we saw lots of competition for the best listings in the market. As spring became summer, and summer turned into fall – the market slowed a bit and became very price sensitive. Time will tell as to what 2015 has in store, but The Belt Team is already working with a number of Buyers and Sellers in Vienna and the market has started out briskly. In 2014, this was also the case – and homes that sold in January/February sold for an average of $16,000 more than those that sold in March/April.”

Click here to see current trends (average home prices, day on parket, pending sales, etc) as compared to the past 5 years.

(Note: Belt Team Buyers are eligible for our FREE Priority Notification List for new listings not yet in the MLS. Call 703-242-3975 for details.)

If you’re selling a home, your next question may be – “Is there a way to sell faster and for more than average?” And the good news is YES!

The best way to do that is to hire the real estate team with the best proven track record of success in Vienna. And THAT is The Belt Team. Check out Belt Team statistics for Vienna home sales:

Over the past 10 years, The Belt Team has consistently sold more homes in Vienna than ANY other agent or team. With $371 Million in sales (416 homes) – that’s $76 Million more! And 45% more homes! There are more than 10,000 agents in Northern VA. No others have sold more than $100 million in the past 10 yrs!

     

In 2014, Belt Team listings in Vienna SOLD ALMOST A MONTH FASTER than the average agent’s.

Translation? Our Sellers saved almost a full mortgage payment and had a lot less stress from keeping their homes in “showing condition”.

• Average Days on Market – The Belt Team: 20 days
• Average Days on Market – “Average Agent”: 44 days

In 2014, Belt Team’s listings SOLD FOR 2.2% MORE of list price than the average agent’s. And for a higher percentage than ANY other top team/agent.

(As an example, a Seller of a $900K home would have pocketed almost $20,000 more!)

• Sold Price as % of Original List Price – The Belt Team 99.7%
• Sold Price as % of Original List Price – “Average Agent”: 97.5%

Cal The Belt Team at (703) 242-3975 if you would like to buy or sell a home in Vienna. Not only do we sell more home in Vienna, but many of our team members have lived here for years. Terry Belt & Christy Belt Grossman grew up in Vienna, have lived here since 1972 and are now raising their families in Vienna. Kevin Klefiges has also lived in Vienna since he was a child. Jerry & Gail Belt live in Reston now, but lived in Vienna for more than 30 years. We know the schools, the parks, the commuter short cuts, the history and all the things that make Vienna a most special place to live. Not only do we sell homes in Vienna, but with genuine enthusiasm & experience, we sell the entire community.

FREE Online INSTANT Home Valuation Estimator

• Search Vienna Homes For Sale Under $500,000
• Search Vienna Homes For Sale $500,000 to $700,000
• Search Vienna Homes For Sale $700,000 to $800,000
• Search Vienna Homes For Sale $800,000 to $1 Million
• Search Vienna Homes For Sale $1-$1.25 Million
• Search Vienna Homes For Sale $1.25-1.5 Million
• Search Vienna Homes For Sale $1.5 Million & Up

 Don’y you deserve the BEST Realtor in Vienna?

Hearts of Gold in Vienna

There's a quote from Maya Angelou that goes like this:

"Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold -- but so does a hard-boiled egg."

Well, I am happy to say there are no bad eggs here. The people of Vienna have true hearts of gold.

How do I know?

Well, here's just another example.

Last week an urgent message came across my email from CHO. CHO is an ALL volunteer organization in Vienna that helps the poor in Vienna, Dunn Loring & Merrifield. (And yes - they unfortunately do exist right here in our midst.) They provide emergency financial assistance, meals on wheels, transportation, food, clothing and more.

Well - last Saturday was supposed to be CHO's annual toy shopping day for approximately 400 needy children. Five days before the event, CHO found out that the company who normally makes the biggest donation to support them each year would not be able to donate. Christmas was in jeopardy.

Out went an emergency notice to their ListServ and I posted it on my Facebook page.

Less than 24 hours later a little birdie told me that the problem was solved because of two big Vienna hearts.

One of my Facebook friends happens to be Sandy Booze, Office Manager for Sekas Homes. She saw my post, did some research & brought CHO's plight to the attention of another person with a great big heart - the owner of Sekas Homes, John Sekas.

John & his wife Darcy immediately reached out to CHO with an offer to make them whole and that same day CHO received a check. They are people of action, not just people of good intentions. And this is not the first time the Sekas Family has been so generous. In fact they have quite a reputation in the community for doing things like this.

Christmas for 139 families happened last Saturday thanks to John & Darcy Sekas and many hearts of gold in the Vienna community. Kudos to them and to the many volunteers at CHO.

If you would like to donate to this wonderful local Vienna organization, you can find details on how to donate to CHO here.

(And if you want to live in the awesome Town of Vienna, VA - you can search Vienna homes for sale here!)

4 Things To Know About Vienna For Your Next Cocktail Party

Next time you go to a cocktail party in Vienna, and you hit an awkward patch of conversation, here are four conversation starters:

1. Did you know that the entire student body at Madison High School was assigned the same book for summer reading? It's called "Peak". Have you read it?

2. Why do you think the Town of Vienna has so many mattress stores? You'll find Sleepy's, Mattress Discounters, Savvy Rest & Urban Mattress all within a few blocks of one another. (I'm wondering if Vienna really is a sleepier town that I think!).

3. Did you know the average home price in Vienna this year is up 8.7% over last year? When did you buy your house? (Side note: I built my house in 1986 and paid $139,700. It's now assessed at just under $700,000 and would likely sell over $800,000.)

4. I love trying all kinds of foods. Did you know there are more than 20 types of ethnic restaurants in Vienna - Greek, Mediterranean, American, Italian, Asian Fusion, Persian, Iranian, Irish, Afghan, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Latin American, Thai, Chinese, French, Vietnamese, Pakistani, Lebanese & Indian! What's your favorite?

Happy Gabbing!

Vienna Virginia - Meet The Neighbors

One of the things I love about living in Vienna is the people.

In fact, let's re-phrase that.

Probably the MOST important thing I love about Vienna is the people.

Vienna-ites are kind hearted & generous. Some have lived here for decades. And some are new transplants. You'll find senior citizens, young families, teenagers, empty nesters, singles & more. But after living here a while, what you realize is that Vienna-ites are the kind of people you like having as neighbors. And in a world where many people don't know their neighbors - that's kind of a cool thing.

The neighbors on my street are typical of what you find all over Vienna - whether in the Town limits - or in the neighborhoods in the surrounding Vienna zip codes. We have a few neighbors who have lived here since the homes were built in the 50's. And some who have torn down the old homes and built new homes for their growing families. Recently, my neighbors gathered for a "Men's Dessert Cook Off". A few months before that, it was for Happy Hour. The neighbors on the next block over have an annual Block Party. Gatherings like these happen all over town.

What I find interesting about living in Vienna, is that your neighbors often have all kinds of "mysterious" lives & careers. At one point on my block, we had an FBI agent, a CIA agent and a Fairfax County policeman all living within about 10 homes of one another. None of them really talked about their "day jobs", but we all certainly felt safe!

Vienna has also had its share of notoriety over time. "Back in the day", the Vienna Inn was known as the place to go if you were CIA - a good hangout where no one would blow your cover. At least that's how the story goes. And Vienna is also where Robert Hanssen lived. (Hanssen was one of the most well known spies ever arrested. And Foxstone Park in Vienna was where his "drops" were made.)

Keeping with the spy theme, you might also recognize the name of another Vienna resident - David Baldacci. Baldacci has written a myriad of well known novels involving the White House, CIA, Secret Service & more.

Quiet a few other "names" live in Vienna - whether professional athletes, politicians, CEO's - too many to list here. The thing is - when you live in Vienna, most people just aren't impressed by "names" and "what" you do. They are impressed by "who" you are. I've found that most of my neighbors are authentic, genuine good peeps. And that's JUST the way I like it!

Search Homes For Sale in Vienna

FREE Instant Online Home Valuation

Fourth of July in Vienna & Northern Virginia

July 4th in Vienna is one of the days that our little town really shines!

Where else can you find the following:

• Circus
• Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band
• Chili Cookoff
• Pooches on Parade
• Arts & Crafts
• Antique Cars
• Inflatables

Oh - and of course - FIREWORKS!

Start your day at the Vienna Community Center & Caffi Field for the July 4th Festival. It's from 11AM to 4PM. It's time to eat, drink & be merry. And I guarantee you'll either run into your friends or make new ones!

At 7PM, head over to Yeonas Park, where you can enjoy music from the popular local band Fat Chance. The Little League concession stand will be open just in case you didn't get your fill at the festival.

Then, settle in. because at 9:15PM - the fireworks show at Southside Park begins.


Now - in case you want to know about other options that are just a stone's throw away from Vienna, here is where else you can find fireworks in the Northern VA area:

• Fairfax City: At Fairfax High School. Music begins at 7PM. Fireworks at dark.
• Falls Church: George Mason High School. Music begins at 7PM. Fireworks at 9:20PM.
• Herndon: Herndon Community Center. Rides at 5PM. Music & games at 6:30PM. Fireowrks at 9:30PM.
• McLean: Langley High School: Grounds open at 8PM. Fireworks at 9:15PM
• Reston: Lake Fairfax. Firworks at 9:15PM
• Washington DC: the National Mall opens at 10AM. Parade at 11:45AM. Folklife festival 11AM to 5PM. Fireworks 9:15PM.

July 4th Festival & Fireworks - just another reason why WE LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA!

The Beatles, A Good Beat and a Great Buzz!

The Beatles

A Good Beat,

And a Great Buzz.

It's NOT what you think.

You can even bring the kids!



Cuz we're talking about the season opener of the Vienna Choral Society (VCS) with their "Coffee House Concert".

VCS is one of those "hidden secrets" of Vienna. The musical quality rivals anything you'll hear at Jammin Java, Wolftrap, The Barns or even The Kennedy Center!  And their sense of fun & sense of humor are unparalleled.

With four concerts scheduled between October & May, the new season kicks off with a coffeehouse concert. It's billed as "an eclectic evening of folk music and familiar tunes with a great caffeine buzz". We hear they'll be performing everything from The Beatles to Billy Joel to Cyndi Lauper and The Turtles. And no worries if your kids (or your parents) don't recognize the groups - they'll probably recognize the tunes from popular shows like "Glee", "American Idol" or even commercials!

As an added bonus, there will be nibbles from Whole Food AND coffee from Caffe Amouri. Who needs to go to Vienna Austria for great coffee, when we've got Caffe Amouri right here at home?!

The concert is on October 26th at 7:30. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors & students (15-18), and kids 14 & under are free with a paying adult. You can buy tickets for Vienna Choral Society's Coffee House Concert here.

Vienna Choral Society . . . making music fun  . . . and just another reason why we love Life in Vienna!

End of Summer Fun In Vienna

This weekend is Labor Day weekend. For many, this time of year signals "end of summer" and "back to school". (Show your sad face here.)

But we say - let's take summer out with a BANG! And if you live in Vienna - that's EASY!

SATURDAY:

Sing-A-Long Sound of Music

Head to Wolftrap & bring the whole family on Saturday, August 31st. Do you remember "Rocky Horror Picture Show"? It was the first audience participation movie "back in the day". Well, this weekend - you can share in that experience - except family style. (Rocky Horror wasn't quite family-style!).

The movie "Sound of Music" will be run on GIGANTIC screens both in house & on the lawn at Wolftrap. There will be a costume contest. The audience is invited to sing a long. AND your ticket will include a goodie bag of props. It's a fun, interactive event for all ages.

Here's a peek at what you can expect:

More Info about Sing-A-Long Sound of Music.


SUNDAY:

First Sunday Jazz Brunch at Bazin's on Church

Don't just treat your taste buds, but treat your ears as well at Bazin's First Sunday Jazz Brunch. Bazin's On Church (and that's Church Street - not a church building!) is one of our favorite Vienna restaurants. On the 1st Sunday of each month, they have live jazz music from Virginia Music Adventure's Chapel Square Combo. We say if you start your day off with a Pear & Cranberry Bellini & Bananas Foster French Toast - you just can't go wrong!


MONDAY:

W&OD Trail:

On Monday, it's time to work off all those treats from the weekend, get back in shape & get outdoors! The W&OD Trail goes right through Vienna. But which way will you ride (or skate or run or bike or stroll)? In one direction - you'll head toward Falls Church & Arlington. And in the other, you'll hit Herndon & (eventually) Purcellville. You never know what you might see along the trail, so keep your eyes wide open - not only is there gorgeous flora & fauna - but there is lots of wildlife along the way!

When you get home, put on Pandora, set it on The Beach Boys station. And BAM. You'll think summer is just beginning.

Happy Endless Summer!

5 Fabulous Ways To Celebrate Summer

"It's summertime and the living is easy" . . . at least it is for kids! If you're a grownup, I bet you wish you still got to have summers off too.

Well, you may not have a 2 month summer vacation, but how about welcoming the season in with Five Fab Summer Celebrations! If you live in or near Vienna - you're in luck!

 

1. Vienna's July Fourth Festival & Fireworks (FREE)

Vienna does 4th of July right! It's an old-fashioned kind of holiday and that's just up Vienna's alley. The Vienna Community Center is the site of the daytime activities (from 11AM to 4PM). The festival will include:

• Chili cookoff
• Arts & crafts sale
• Antique & classic car show
• Pooches on Parade!
• Oldies music
• Kid's crafts
• Vienna Community Band
• Presentation of the Colors by the Vienna Police Honor Guard

In the evening - head over to Yeonas Park for some great music by "Fat Chance" and the Vienna Fireworks show. Music starts at 7PM and fireworks are scheduled for 9:15PM. I've been watching the Vienna Fireworks since 1972. And truly, these are usually some of the best fireworks in Northern VA!

More info about Vienna's 4th of July celebration


2. Vienna's Summer on the Green Concert Series (FREE)

Grab a chair or a blanket & head down to Vienna's Town Green for free concerts every Friday & Monday (early May through early September). You'll hear a variety of groups - with everything from country to jazz to rock to bluegrass.(One of my favorites is Tommy Lepson Band!) You can picnic (no alcohol though) and if you have kids, they'll love it too.

Vienna Town Green Concert Schedule


3. Nottoway Nights (FREE)

One of Vienna's many parks is Nottoway Park. And during the summer, they also host a concert series. It's on Thursday nights throughout June, July and August. And it's also free! Groups like The Seldom Scene & The Hula Monsters can be found there this year. This is another great picnic location.

Nottoway Nights Schedule

4. Five After Five (Thirty) at Whole Foods ($5)

Pretend you're on vacation, head to Happy Hour & let someone else do the cooking! Whole Foods often has an event called "Five After Five Thirty" - also called "Thirsty Thursdays." Each event has a different theme. For example, tonight's event is "Backyard Celebrations". For $5, you get a wine glass, 5 pours of wine to taste and 5 small plates of food that might be served at summer cookouts. What a deal!

Whole Foods Vienna Events

5. Summer Stories and Sprinklers (FREE)

At 1 PM each Wednesday, Historic Vienna, Inc sponsors Story Hour (actually - story HALF hour) at the Historic Vienna Little Library (behind the Freeman House). Then at 1:30 the kids are invited to run through the sprinklers. This is a perfect way to beat the heat!




Just because you don't get the whole summer off like your kids do doesn't mean you can't celebrate summer. Especially if you're lucky enough to live in Vienna, VA!

Pace of Vienna Real Estate Market Quickens

We normally keep our blog posts about Vienna real estate separate from our "Life In Vienna" blog, but sometimes the news just needs to be shared. A lot of folks who follow along on this blog are people who are thinking about moving to Vienna and many are people who already live here. And since home values & real estate seem to be part of every dinner party or baseball game conversation, we figured we'd post a quick update.

In the past 30 days, homes in Vienna went under contract at the fastest pace we’ve seen this year.

In a “Balanced Housing Market", there is about 6 months of housing inventory. Current supply in Vienna is only 1.1 months!

Statistics show we are almost to the point where for every home listed, a home goes under contract!

In the past 30 days, there were 114 new listings – and 105 homes went under contract. With home sales moving so swiftly, it's pretty obvious that we are not the only ones who LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA!

For more info on the Vienna real estate market, follow our weekly, hyperlocal updates on our Northern VA Real Estate blog.

It's Raining Men! Really? Where?

One of the great things about living in Vienna, VA is the wide array of cultural options available - especially when it comes to music. (For example, we recently shared "Vienna's Best Kept Music Secret" and we've also written about "Rock N Roll Royalty in Vienna" , "Kyllopalooza" and "Byrds In The Barns".)

Well, this month there is another great musical opportunity! On Saturday, March 16th, the Vienna Choral Society will present "Music of the Storms".

Vienna Choral Society has an entire array of concerts each year. This season's schedule features a number of genres with shows like October's "Swing! Music You Can Dance To" and "Opera For The People" coming up in May.

Each year they designate one concert as their "Concert for a Cause". So not only can you enjoy a wonderful performance, you can help raise awareness for science education and disaster relief. Vienna Choral Society has partnered with the American Red Cross (National Capital Region), Ideaventions & the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network to bring you a great show!

I asked Vienna Choral Society President Karen Akers for a "sneak peek" into the show and here is what she said:

"The concert runs the spectrum from music that explores the emotional aftermath of devastation (Requiem was written for the 2004 Tsunami, and After the Storm for the residents of Joplin, Missouri following the 2011 tornado) to the lighter side of weather (Singing in the Rain, and the weirdly satisfying National Weather Report). The choir will create an African rainstorm on the risers, throw in a few pop numbers (It’s Raining Men, Dust in the Wind) and perform in styles ranging from 12^th century to jazz to full-on choral."

OK - that sounds just plain fun to me. What a FABulous way to introduce your family to great music! Or it would make a great date night for you & your sweetie. Or even a much needed Mom's Night Out (you know, for Moms who really just need a break & some adult entertainment!). Plus it's incredibly affordable. Family tickets are just $35. (Single tickets are $20, Students & Seniors are $15).

"Music of the Storms" will take place at the Fairfax Unitarian Church located at 2709 Hunter Mill Road in Oakton. You can buy tickets ahead of time online or at the door.

Vienna Choral Society - - - Just another reason we WE LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA!

Vienna's Best Kept Music Secret

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”

This quote from Roald Dahl (you probably remember reading his books as a child: "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory", "Matilda" and "James & the Giant Peach") is the perfect description of one of Vienna's best kept secrets - Jammin Java. 

Tucked away in a small strip mall on Maple Avenue, you've probably driven by Jammin Java a million times. Because of its name, many people who have not stepped through the doors think it's just another coffee shop. And after all - don't we have a million of those in Northern Virginia? Who needs one more?!

Well, they do serve coffee there, but what they REALLY serve is DREAMS!

The truth is - it's one of the premiere music venues in all of the Washington D.C. area. We were reminded of that recently when we attended a show there and once again were surprised by the fact that most of the people in attendance drove from miles & miles around to see the show. We, on the other hand, drove all of a mile and a half.

As always, we arrived early so we could have dinner before the show. Not only do they have aweome chili (four different kinds!), but it's a great time to chat with the other folks who attend and oftentimes the musicians are around as well. This particular night we were there to see Pete & Maura Kennedy - national performers who are very popular locally - and Pete was out front before the show taking song requests. As we chatted with various people before the show, it was apparent that this audience was very similar to almost every audience we have ever experienced at Jammin Java.

What was the common thread? They were really knowledgeable not only about The Kennedys, but about music in general - super tuned in to the local music scene. We happen to be "oldies but goodies" and it's always fun to chat with other folks our age and share stories about all the shows we've seen dating back to the 70's. You see, the Northern Virginia-Washington D.C. area has a rich music history. (You'd be surprised by the legendary groups who performed in local community centers, churches & roller rinks back in the day - but that's another blog post!)



Take The Kennedys for example. Pete & Maura are well established musicians. Each has had a solo career in addition to touring together. They have toured nationally, as well as internationally, and have recorded & played with amazing folks like Nanci Griffith, Nils Lofgren, Roger McGuinn, Charlie Byrd, Mary Chapin Carpenter & Kelly Willis (just to name a few!). They have performed at places like Royal Albert Hall in London, Jack's Tracks in Nashville, Carnegie Hall, Wolftrap, Central Park and even The Tonight Show. And they currently host a radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio (channel 70) called "Dharma Cafe".

Pete & Maura used to live here locally (in Reston). They started performing together in 1993 and back in the early days we had the pleasure of seeing them more often. They're now based in New York, so this recent visit was a real treat for us. After the show, we had the chance to chat with Pete for a bit. Pete actually grew up in Northern VA. He went to O'Connell High School (my alma mater and the school across the street from where my husband grew up). Turns out that his Mom "Mrs. Kennedy" was the head of the Guidance Department for many, many years at O'Connell. What a small world!

And that's why I call Jammin Java "Vienna's Best kept Music Secret". If the average person who lived in Vienna had any idea what kind of talent was on display there, the place would be packed with locals. Pete & Maura Kennedy are just one example of the level of talent that performs at Jammin Java.There's something for everyone. They have shows for kids, teens, Gen Xers, Gen Y and even Seniors. And there's a great mix of well-established talent (like The Kennedys) and up & coming talent that will soon be seen on the national stage. If you live in Vienna and haven't checked out Jammin Java yet - check it out. You'll be surprised with the magic you might find there!

(Oh - and if you do - make sure to say hi to the "Jammin Java Door Gal". Her name is Mei and she rocks!)

Hearts Of Gold

There may not be a yellow brick road down the main street of Vienna, VA - but you'll still find Vienna is full of gold . . . . that is, hearts of gold.

Three years ago, I started a blog about Life In Vienna. I called it "There's No Place Like Vienna (Dot Com)" because I really feel like there is no better place to live than Vienna, VA. I moved to Vienna when I was 10 years old, grew up here, was married here, raised my family here, and now my husband and I are empty nesters here. And so over the years, I have written about Vienna's history, Vienna restaurants, the schools in Vienna, the Vienna music scene, Vienna sports and more. (And I write about Vienna real estate on my "other" blog.) But truly, the absolute best part of Vienna is the people who live here.

My husband, Bill Grossman, works at St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna. He's on staff as the Pastoral Associate and works with the various service & outreach ministries. This week he shared with me a little of what has been happening at St. Mark this past month. And I'd like to share it with you. It will give you an idea of what kind of people live here in this wonderful place called Vienna.

Here's what Bill said:

**********************************
"St. Mark was founded almost 50 years ago with the idea of service and outreach in our community as a core to our faith. So many great people paved the way back then, and it  continues today. I wanted to share with you what I shared with the St. Mark Staff today at our monthly meeting. 

 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL for making St. Mark the great church and community that it is!!!

In the past 4 weeks, YOU have done this:

Our Tithing Allocation Committee approved 6 grants to local organizations that will help low income families in our area, will help a men’s homeless shelter, will provide winter coats for homeless/low income children, will support a continuing adult education program, will support a bereavement organization and will help a home for abused women.

The Thanksgiving Clothing Drive brought in and moved out nearly 7 tons of clothing to 15 local organizations using the help of 150+ volunteers (many were teenagers!)

Our Hot Meals Ministry cooked, delivered and fed 125+ homeless/low income folks in Fairfax County.

Our Prayer Shawl ministry knitted 70 hats, 23 scarves and 7 baby blankets for the homeless and distributed them to FACETS, the Lamb Center, Hope Center and the Reston Homeless Shelter.

Our Gift of Peace ministry made and delivered dinner to the Gift of Peace House in Washington to help feed HIV clients.

Support Our Troops ministry put together over 90 packages of much needed goodies and mailed them to our Troops overseas.

ESL (English as a Second Language) concluded their Fall session with a wonderful Christmas party hosting many of the current ESL students. 12 Computers were given away at the party courtesy of our Computer Repair Ministry.

Our Funeral Reception Committee and Funeral Bakers Committee helped celebrate the beautiful life of Barbara Comi, hosting one of the largest Funeral Receptions ever at St. Mark.

Our Giving Tree Ministry helped bring in and then distribute to 12 local organizations a total of 2,408 Christmas gifts and $14,825 in Gift Cards

We collected 41 pints of blood at the Blood Drive.

Our Second Sunday Sustenance group made over 100 sandwiches and delivered to those in need.

Our M&M (Seniors) group held their annual Christmas party and were entertained by our wonderful St. Mark School choir.

Our Catholic Social Teaching Committee hosted a speaker presentation on the death penalty in Virginia.

Our Hypothermia Shelter ministry is in the midst of planning/helping the area churches that are hosting sites for the homeless throughout the winter."

**********************************

Note: the types of things Bill Grossman describes go on all year long, and not just at St. Mark Catholic Church. They happen at churches & schools & stores & homes all throughout our community - with big events like Kyllopalooza and Relay For Life and Toys For Tots and small ones too where neighbors help neighbors gently & quietly.

People who care about other people, who put their money where their mouth is, and tithe their time, treasure & talent - that's what I love about living in Vienna!

MAR MAR MARVELOUS!

Last Saturday was one of those days you just dream about. . . . where you wake up, you have no pressing business, and you think "Hmmm, maybe we should go out for a leisurely brunch." So that's just what we decided to do.

But where should we go? Since we live in Vienna, we like to stay local. But even confining our search to the Town of Vienna meant we still had a lot of choices. Should we head to Bazin's? Maplewood Grill? Amphora?  Breakfast burritos at Anita's? Patisseries & coffee at Silva's? Bagels at Panera?

All good options, but not this time. You see, every time we go to Panera, we peer across the street and into the windows at Maple Ave Restaurant and wish we had the time to sit down and have a really civilized meal. So that's what we did.

And boy are we glad we made that choice. A fabulous menu greeted us. At first glance, you might think the prices a bit high and the fare not that different from any other restaurant. But that's where you'd be wrong. Because every detail from the hand crafted cola, to the homemade mayo, to the French pressed coffee (a special brew from Caffe Amouri) to the gorgeous presentation was well worth it. We lingered and chatted and felt so thoroughly cared for that the rest of the day just went by in a dream. Seriously. It was THAT good.

I'm not a professional photographer, so my photos don't do justice, but here's what we enjoyed. My husband had the fried egg sandwich (with sliced Olli coppa, gruyere cheese, piquillo peppers) accompanied by killer home fries and a mustard vinaigrette salad. Mmmmmm!

I went the simple route with a panko crusted chicken sandwich with cheddar cheese & truffle mayo (that was to die for!) and seasoned fries. (If they had served an extra side of truffle mayo, I'd have dipped my fries for some extra goodness. But then they probably would have had to wheel me out!) This dish sounds simple, but the freshness of the organic ingredients, the seasoning and the execution made it simply spectacular.

Next time we go, we promised ourselves we would try the 6 course brunch tasting menu. It often includes an egg dish, a crepe, charcuterie, lunch plate, salad & dessert. It changes with the seasons, but based on my other meals there, I know it would be fabulous. AND they even have bottomless cocktails for $15 (mimosas, bloody marys & poinsettias). What's not to like?!

MAR (Maple Ave Restaurant) is MAR MAR MARVELOUS in my book and just another reason we we love living in Vienna. Here's to you Chef Tim Ma & General Manager Joey Hernandez. You guys rock!

(This edition of TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com was contributed by Christy Belt Grossman, Chief Operating Officer with The Belt Team. Christy has lived in Vienna since 1972 and enjoys the small town feel that Vienna has to offer !)

Sometimes You Just Need A Little Taste of Heaven

Wasn't it great when the sun came out today?! After coming through 3 days of rain, "hunkering down" at home, and then picking up the debris today - it was really nice to see the sun peeking through the clouds.

And that's how I always feel when I go to Silva's.

Silva's Patisserie is another one of those small, local businesses in Vienna that I have grown to love. It's nestled in the same shopping center and right around the corner from another one of my favorite local places, Jammin Java.



When you go in, you are sure to find one of the owners there - either Silva herself or her son Harry. Harry is a pastry chef (formerly of the Kennedy Center) and he named the patisserie after his mother Silva. They will give you a friendly greeting and then wait patiently while you decide what to order.

And that's where the problem arises. What to order?!



You see, while they of course have all the usual specialties (cakes, bread, croissants, cookies, cupcakes & the rest), plus gorgeous wedding cakes, macaroons & marzipan works of art; my favorite thing to order at Silva's is one of their miniature pastries. And the varieties are ENDLESS.



So Harry waits patiently - while I ponder . . . lemon meringue or key lime . . . chocolate lolly or cheesecake lolly . . . a fruit bavarian or a swan . . . a red forest lolly or chocolate mousse . . . a vanilla eclair or a rum ball . . . creme brulee or a mille feuille . . . coca cacao or dulce de leche . . . a caramel lolly or pistachio . . . raspberry linzer or strawberry tort . . . a mint chocolate lolly or a belgian truffle.

And Harry is still waiting patiently! LOL!

Oftentimes when I stop in to Silva's, it's on the way to a potluck or a ladie's gathering. I like to offer to bring dessert because I know that when I bring desserts from Silva's - it will "wow" everyone (even the guys!). I usually pick up a variety of mini pastries. Silva's always wraps them in a lovely box decorated with ribbon and as soon as people see it, they want to know what's inside.



The anticipation grows and as I plate the desserts one by one, I start to hear "oohs" and "aahs" and "That's my favorite!" and "I have dibs on that one!". And because they are mini pastries - EVERYONE has one - even those who are on a diet say "Oh I can have just one little pastry." (And then they can't help but have another and another . . . !)

The other times I stop into Silva's, it's because sometimes I just need a little taste of heaven. Having a hectic week? Kids driving you crazy? Did you volunteer for too many activities? Is your job really stressful? Stop into Silva's for one little mini pastry - and for just a few moments it all slips away.

Silva's is located at 167 Glyndon Street SE and is just another reason why I LOVE living in Vienna!
------------------------------------
(This edition of TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com was contributed by Christy Belt Grossman, Chief Operating Officer with The Belt Team. Christy has lived in Vienna since 1972 and resides with her husband Bill and dog Cody. And Silva's even has a treat that looks just like her dog!)