8 Things You Must Do In Vienna Before Summer Ends

It's not really summer in Vienna until ______________ (fill-in-the-blank).

The temperatures are becoming a little more moderate. (Well, 80's sure beats 90's/100's doesn't it?!) And that means the summer season is coming to a close. I know summer doesn't "technically" end until about September 22nd, but when "Back-To-School" comes around - doesn't it feel like summer is over?

So you're back from vacation & back in Vienna. How did you fill in the blank in the sentence above? If you filled it in with something you haven't done yet - don't worry - you still have a few days left.

Here are a few of the ways we would fill in the blank:

*** It's not really summer in Vienna until we picnic on the lawn & catch a performance at Wolftrap. We recently had a casually elegant picnic at the top of the sledding hill at Wolftrap and then rocked out at The Counting Crows concert. Now THAT's what I'm talking about! And it's not too late. You can still catch Donna Summer, Tony Bennett, "The Sound of Music", "The Ultimate Doo Wop Show", "The Lord of The Rings", Abba, Jackson Browne & the Golden Dragon Acrobats from China!



*** It's not really summer in Vienna until we enjoy a meal al-fresco and there are lots of options. My daughter & I recently shared a meal at Noodles (a super-popular destination for those with children in tow). Or you can try Sushi Yoshi or Church Street Cellars (both on charming Church Street).



*** It's not really summer in Vienna until we have grown or eaten so many tomatoes that we can't bear the thought of making or eating another jar of marinara sauce or another caprese salad. If you haven't had your fill of tomatoes yet, you can find the best ones at the Vienna Farmer's Market or the cute little organic market across the street from Whole Foods.



*** It's not really summer in Vienna until we have splashed in the fountains at the Vienna Town Green (or at least dipped our toes in!).





*** It's not really summer in Vienna until we have jogged, walked, run, rode, strolled the W&OD Trail. (And don't forget - it's slow to the right, pass on the left!)



*** It's not really summer in Vienna until we have gotten ice cream or custard, walked outside and attempted (unsuccessfully) to eat it before it melts. And you've got lots of options here - Neilsen's Custard Store, Baskin Robins, Dairy Queen and Cold Stone Creamery - to name a few. We haven't done this one yet - so I'm thinking we should have a family taste-test contest and make the rounds of all four! (And PS - Neilsen's even has curb-side pick up if you call ahead!)

*** It's not really summer in the Town of Vienna until we have finished our Spring cleaning and called in for a "special pickup". (Yes - we know Spring cleaning is meant to be done in the Spring, but some folks don't get around to it until school is out!) If you live in the Town of Vienna - you receive two free "special pick-ups" per year for things you may not be able to recyle - like discarded furniture, brush, playground equipment, things you couldn't sell at your garage sale (or even give away). Check the requirements here.

*** It's not really summer in Vienna until we catch a FREE concert at either the Vienna Town Green or Nottoway Park. The Vienna Town Green series has wound down, but you can still catch The Grandsons (rockabilly/wing/lounge music) at 7:30PM on the 26th at Nottoway Nights!

Lastly, while some people mourn the end of summer (and if that's you, then you can extend summer a little bit by attempting the entire list above) - here's an old commercial that presents another point of view:

Endless summer . . . just another reason why WE LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA!

"Be A Winner and Eat Your Dinner"

"Be a winner and eat your dinner". My Dad used to say that to me almost every night when I was a kid. I had a small appetite and he was always encouraging me to eat more. Well - I don't have that problem any more (darn it!). I really enjoy dining out. And that means I always look forward to "D.C. Restaurant Week"!

Twice a year, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan DC sponsors a week where local restaurants offer 3-course fixed price meals. The cost is $20.10 for lunch and $35.10 for dinner. This summer, "DC Restaurant Week" takes place from August 16-22. Some restaurants offer both specially priced meals and some offer just one or the other. It's a chance to try places you might not normally go to - maybe splurge a little - or try that place you've been hearing everyone talk about.

And if you live in Vienna, Virginia - you don't have to go all the way to DC for "DC Restaurant Week" because it comes to you! So take out your daytimer - ask your spouse out for a date - grab your girlfriends - and try one of the restaurants listed below. (Note - we included restaurants in Tysons Corner even though they are "technically" in McLean because we really think of Tysons as Vienna).

“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relations.” Oscar Wilde

Capital Grille

"Find me a man who's interesting enough to have dinner with and I'll be happy.” Lauren Bacall

Chef Geoff's

“Never argue at the dinner table, for the one who is not hungry always gets the best of the argument” Richard Whately

Chima Brazilian Steakhouse

"A man seldom thinks with more earnestness of anything than he does of his dinner." Samuel Johnson

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse

"All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

La Sandia

"Dinner was made for eating, not for talking." William Makepeace Thackeray

Lebanese Taverna

"I like to be bought flowers and taken out for dinner. I like a man to be a gentleman. I don't like to be treated as if I am brainless. I like to be respected and to give respect." Sharon Stone

Maplewood Grill

"It is easy enough to be moral after a good dinner beside a snug coal fire, and with our hearts well warmed with fine old port." Henry Mayhew

Morton's Steakhouse

"Make your having dinner out become The Event of the Night, instead of just the beginning." John Walters

Panache

"Never argue at the dinner table, for the one who is not hungry always gets the best of the argument." Voltaire

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

"Show me another pleasure like dinner which comes every day and lasts an hour." Charles Maurice de Talleyrand

The Palm

"Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays." Henny Youngman

Wildfire

DC Restaurant Week . . . just another reason why WE LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA, VA!

(More posts about restaurants in Vienna: "Bazin's On Church", "It's Friday Night - What Should We Do", "Travel Around The World - Right Here in Vienna" )

Vienna Real Estate Update

So . . . you know what your neighbors were asking for their home - but what did it actually sell for? Here's a list of all the settled sales in Vienna, VA (22180, 22181, 22182) for July 2010.

Plus - check out this new listing on Arabian Avenue in The Trails!

Did You Know Sunday Is A Holiday?

One of the great things about living in Vienna, VA is that the climate in the summertime is perfect for gardening. Just drive around town and you'll see all sorts of gardens - from flower gardens to herb gardens to vegetable gardens. Some are tiny little plots and others take over entire acres of land. Vegetables especially seem to grow like crazy once we hit August. You'll see people's gardens absolutely OVERFLOWING with tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash.

And as you're driving around town, you might also notice that LOTS of people have front porches. It's one of the reasons we love living in Vienna. It might be old-fashioned, but we like to sit out on our front porch & chat with the various neighbors as they stroll by on their evening walks. Today's world may be filled with emails, texts, tweets and IM's - but we still enjoy the give and take of face-to-face conversation.

Now, you may be thinking "what does that have to do with holidays?" . . . in fact, August doesn't have any "holidays" in it, does it?

Well - Sunday, August 8th is not a federal holiday; BUT it IS a different kind of holiday. It is "National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day". Seriously, try googling it and a bazillion different sites (well maybe not a whole bazillion) will come up - all devoted to "National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day".

There's a saying that goes around at this time of year. It goes "My grandfather always said that if you have to buy zucchini, you must not have any friends." So - now that you know Sunday, August 8th is a holiday - are you going to celebrate it?

Zucchini in August . . . just another reason why WE LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA, VA!

I'm In A New York State of Mind

You're probably wondering (since this is a blog about "Life in Vienna, VA") what being in a New York state of mind has to do with Vienna?

Well - stay with me here. You might think it's kind of a stretch, but there really is a connection. (And if you are a true "New Yorker", perhaps you'll keep this quote from Meyer Berger in mind: "Each man reads his own meaning into New York". My perspective is certainly more that of a native Vienna-an than a native New Yorker! )

So . . .

Being located where we are here in Vienna, it's super easy to get to New York City. From Vienna, you can of course drive. You can also take a bus from DC. But we prefer taking Metro to Union Station and then hopping aboard Amtrak . The Acela is our preferred train because less than 3 hours later, you're in Grand Central Station - New York City.

My mother and I used to do this once a year at Christmastime. It's arguably one of the most beautiful times of year in Manhattan. And my memories of it will never fade. Seeing Broadway shows, eating dinner at midnight, strolling by the store windows decorated so beautifully, stopping in at Cafe Carlyle for a Bobby Short show.

Times have changed and we don't get up to New York as often as we used to. But as I drove through Vienna this week, something caught my eye that made me think back and reminisce. And then I realized that even though I might not have time to visit New York, I can still have a few "New York moments" right here in Vienna. So here they are:

Store Windows

Have you ever noticed the full length windows at Karin's Florist on Maple Avenue in Vienna? They change their displays with the season and they offer a lovely vista as you drive by their store. This Spring, it was a beautiful vision of "April Showers Bring May Flowers". The windows were full of pastel colored parasols & umbrellas and gorgeous flowers and greenery. This summer, the windows are full of beach balls and beach umbrellas. Every time I drive by, I remember the windows in New York and I wonder what we will see at Karin's this Christmas?!

Diners & Dives

In New York City, no matter what time of day or night, you can get a full meal. And you'll find tiny little hole-in-the-wall places that only the locals know about. Their diners & dives are world renowned. Well, here in Vienna - we have our own diners & dives. People come from all over the DC area to go to the Vienna Inn - our local dive. But don't be fooled, there's lots of history there. And it's a great place to meet the locals. And if you're looking for breakfast at 2AM or dinner at 6AM - try the Amphora in Vienna. It's open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And the menu has everything from cream chipped beef to prime rib to souvlaki to shrimp to pancakes. Plus one of the best bakeries around - try the New York Cheesecake!

David Letterman & Cafe Carlyle

My favorite part of the "Late Night with David Letterman" show (which films in New York City) is the last 5 minutes when various bands are showcased. Sometimes they have high profile groups and sometimes they host new, up & coming bands. You never know who you might see. Well, if you live in Vienna, you often have the opportunity to see the same bands that perform on Letterman, except right here in Vienna at Jammin Java - a great little venue on Maple Avenue. For example, last week, Letterman had "Steel Train" on and guess who's playing at Jammin Java tonight? Yup - that would be "Steel Train"!

Now, if you're more of a Cafe Carlyle person (read "not so loud!"), don't despair. Vienna has one of the area's best piano bars. It's at the Maplewood Grill. And not only are the performers good, the 'regulars' provide just as much entertainment. And unlike at Cafe Carlyle, there's no cover charge and no minimum!

There are lots of other "New York moments" available to those who live in Vienna - seeing shows at the theater in DC when they are on their way up to Broadway, catching the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the nearby Patriot Center - and more. We've shared ours with you, but what are your favorites?

And what we've decided is that while New York City is fun to visit, we love living in Vienna!

Power Bars, Protein Shakes & Prayers

Many of the agents in our Keller Williams McLean office (including The Belt Team) have family members serving in the military overseas. One colleague's son (Josh Gibson) is an Army medic stationed in Iraq and starting this month he will be working with us to coordinate care packages for the troops there.

Our KW Cares McLean charitable foundation will provide the postage and we are collecting items for the care packages now. Our first box will ship on July 26th. If you would like to participate, please drop items you would like to donate (see list below) at our office (6820 Elm Street in McLean) or contact a Belt Team member and we will make a pick up. Here are the items the soldiers have particularly requested this month:

~ Canned meat like tuna, chicken or salmon (MUST HAVE A POP TOP)
~ Power bars
~ Protein powder or protein shakes
~ Beef jerkey
~ NONMELTING candy

Here's what a recent message from Josh said: "We just played tug-o-war in 125 degree heat (148 with humidity factored in) with full gear including full armor to celebrate Independence Day! So stuff being as NON melting as possible is really important!" You gotta love the spirit of the men & women serving our country!

Thanks for your help and please keep all our soldiers in your prayers!

Hearts of Gold

Vienna, VA is in Fairfax County - one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. And the people in Vienna have hearts of gold. Philanthropies abound here - with everything from million dollar gala events in hotel ballrooms to raise money for the American Cancer Society to lemonade stands & bake sales held by local school children to raise money for Haiti.

One local fundraiser we have participated in is the local AAUW (American Association of University Women) Annual Booksale. This year will be their 41st year! The proceeds benefit scholarships for women. The sale itself takes place in September, but AAUW is collecting donations (see list below) in Vienna this month - on Saturday, July 10th & Saturday, July 31st. Donations can be dropped at Sun Trust Bank (515 Maple Ave East) in Vienna from 10AM to 4PM.

Please consider donating! You can clean your house, recycle and help someone else get on their feet - all at the same time. (AAUW normally receives a significant number of donated books from the McLean branch of the Fairfax County Public Library, but due to construction - this is not an option this year. So they would really appreciate your help!) And AAUW says 2/3 of the value of your donation is tax deductible!

Items Needed (new or gently used / children or adult)

~ Books
~ DVD's
~ VHS tapes
~ CD's
~ Software
~ Audio books


Hearts of gold . . . just another reason why we love living in Vienna!