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:

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"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."

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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!
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(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!)

Vienna "Gentrification"

 

This week, Washington Post writer, John Kelly, shared the story of the upcoming sale of a 1 1/3 parcel of land in the heart of Vienna.   Three sisters who grew up in the house that their father built in the 1940’s own the land, which is likely to be sold to developers. 

The sisters each report their memories in the home.  They detail the home building expenses and receipts saved by their parents - including the cost of the bricks, $364 for 16,000.   

This story fascinated me for two reasons.  First, as a Realtor serving the Vienna community, this story is reflective of so many stories I hear across our town.  Older homes full of memories and love are being torn down to make way for newer and larger homes that will meet the needs of families today.  Some residents see it as welcomed progress; while others resist it and worry about the implications for their street or community.  Construction can feel invasive to neighbors who still live in homes nearby, taxes can increase with increasing property values of adjacent properties and larger homes can feel intrusive to the owners of smaller homes built in the middle of the last century.  “We need newer, modern homes” conflicts with “We need affordable homes where those who serve our town can live”.  Both sentiments ring true but how do we reconcile them? 

The second reason for my connection to this story is that I, too, sold a parcel of land this summer.  My grandfather, Carl Williams, bought almost 76 acres of land in a rural part of southeast Texas in 1918.  Our family has owned this undeveloped parcel since then; but after my father’s death in 2009 we have not been able to oversee it, to care for it the way it had been cared for in the previous 90 years.  Like the sisters in John Kelly’s story, I have memories there. The history of it is meaningful to me; but my practical, realistic sensibilities said that it was time to let it go. It wasn’t easy and even after the deed has transferred to the new owner, I still feel that I have an investment there.  I care how he treats the land and wonder what it will become. 

"Gentrification" is the term used to describe this process of the renewal of communities and properties by letting go of the old and embracing the new.  It doesn’t quite capture all that happens in the process.   But those of us who are touched by gentrification, whether selling or buying, know the issues, the emotions and the inevitability of it.   What I’ve learned as a Realtor and as a land owner is that the process matters.  It matters that we honor and respect the history of the land and the families who still live nearby.   

Change is difficult and our natural tendency is to favor the familiar.   The familiar component here is families.  Vienna families in the 1940’s needed homes and they had land as a resource.  They could move out to Vienna and find undeveloped land to purchase and build a home.   In 2012, Vienna’s land is rarely undeveloped, but increasingly valuable to families wanting to build memories in a home, for some, a newly built home.   

One of the things I love about Vienna is that it feels like a small town.  You get to know folks.  You see them at events around town.  People are friendly and seem to share common community values.  As we continue to gentrify our neighborhoods, those community values will guide us in maintaining our Vienna community and honoring its history.

 

(This edition of TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com was contributed by Susan Hussey. Susan, a Texan at heart, loves living in Vienna, where she resides with her husband and two young children.)

Healthy Living in Vienna

On the morning of August 12, 2012, while reading the Washington Post, I saw a story featuring one of my neighbors, JoAnne Hammermaster.  Now, it isn’t always good to see your neighbor in the newspaper, especially in the Metro section, but this time it turned out to be a wonderful story highlighting an initiative to improve the nutritional quality of school lunches through an organization she helped found, Real Food For Kids (RFFK).  

Before the meat additive “pink slime” became the focus of the media, JoAnne and her partners at Real Food For Kids were working to educate Fairfax County parents about the ingredients in food served in school cafeterias.  For example, a hamburger patty served in Fairfax County schools contained 26 ingredients, and the pizza and the cheese quesadilla each had over 70. This Fall, the hamburger will be replaced with a 100% beef burger and Fairfax County Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) says overall there has been an 80% reduction in food additives in the past year.

RFFK is working to bring fresh foods, locally grown fruits and vegetables, to our children’s schools.  One way to do that is by offering salad bars. Last year, 8 Fairfax County schools offered salad bars.  This year it will be 10.  RFFK encourages schools to contact FNS to request one.  Additionally, Marshall High School in Falls Church is beginning work on a pilot program that will enable them to make most foods from scratch starting in Fall 2013.

 

To continue its success, RFFK needs community support.  Here’s what you can do: 

• Sign the petition
• Sign the resolution for better school food through your PTA.
• Ask Real Food For Kids to come to your school to tell parents about our initiative and support the resolution. Email contact@realfoodforkids.org to request a speaker at your next meeting.
• Write to the school board. Let the school board know you believe this is an important issue. Go to the website fora sample letter (in English and Spanish). 
• Get involved! Real Food For Kids would love your help. Email  contact@realfoodforkids.org if you would like to speak with someone about opportunities to get involved.
• Stay updated on the progress. Sign up for their newsletter! Email newsletter@realfoodforkids.org

Another really fun opportunity coming up is the 2012 Food Day hosted by Real Food For Kids.  It will be October 23^rd at 6:00 p.m. at Marshall High School.  The theme is “Raising the Bar:  Feeding Academic Success”.   Local and national experts in food preparation, food policy and medicine will join together in a fun and educational experience with healthy foods.  I’ve also heard a celebrity chef will be on hand.  It is a free event and open to anyone in the community.

Real Food For Kids began when a group of Vienna parents came together to work toward the goal of increasing healthy food choices in Fairfax County schools.  Vienna residents who are making a difference locally and nationally are another reason I love living in our town.

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(This edition of TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com was contributed by Susan HusseySusan resides in Vienna where she, her husband and two young children all try to eat healthy. )

Vienna Author Publishes Her First Book

If you were driving down Beulah Road in Vienna anytime during the last two weeks of July, you might have noticed hundreds of young witches and wizards making an appearance in the muggle world.  If you know what muggles are, then you may just know why they were there.  (Or maybe you read our blog post last year called "Not Your Mother's Summer Camp!")

For the second year, Vienna’s Church of the Holy Comforter held its vacation bible school based on J.K. Rowling’s popular book series exploring the adventures of Harry Potter and friends.  While the book series is the inspiration, the curriculum of the program was born right here in Vienna.

Leslie Barnhart,  a parishioner at the church, developed the curriculum for the bible school and with permission from Warner Brothers, opened the doors to Vienna’s  version of Hogwarts Castle in the summer of 2011.   After the completion of that first session, Leslie was inspired to write a book on the topic.  The Christian’s Guide to Harry Potter was published in July.

In the book, Leslie first explores some of the overarching themes of the book series and then dives into each book to highlight Christian themes and symbolism.  While I admit to loving English lit class in high school and college, the experience of reading this book, along with J.K. Rowling’s series is fascinating to me.  Like so many others, I’ve enjoyed the plot of the Harry Potter series but find myself re-experiencing it at a much deeper level through Leslie’s book.

The Christian’s Guide to Harry Potter by Leslie Barnhart is currently available in paperback and Kindle versions through Amazon.com.  Look for it in bookstores in September.  If you want to gain new insights into this wonderful series, you must pick it up!

Leslie has added her name to Vienna’s growing list of must-read authors (including David Baldacci, Ian Caldwell & Richard Kirkland just to name a few).  And interesting residents like these are just another reason why WE LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA!

For more information - visit Leslie Barnhart's web site.

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(This edition of TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com was contributed by Susan Hussey. Susan resides in Vienna with her husband and two young children; and she is a member of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church. )

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There’s No Place Like Vienna . . . . or Magruders!

When I moved to Vienna, Virginia, I had no idea that I would have a constant reminder of my previous life from the  “other side of the river” (Maryland) and it would be . . . . a grocery store. A grocery store? Are you kidding me?  You’re going to wax poetic about a grocery store? The answer is, yes, I am. 

If you are not a native Washingtonian, let me explain. Magruder's is a family owned store and has been “ a Washington tradition since 1875”.  Where I grew up, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, we lived near one of the first Magruder’s stores that ever opened in Washington and I was sent there seemingly daily for the  specials.  “Make sure you get the freshest chicken”, “Don’t buy the fish if the eyes are cloudy” . This is what I was told on the way out the door.

The aisles were too small, the floors not pristine, and they didn’t have the great selection of junk food that the big chain stores had.  What it did have, and what they still have today, are, friendly employees, and great deals.

Best of all, for me, the location in Vienna is close to my house so I can re-live my youth - fighting for specials in those narrow aisles! 

There’s no place like Vienna……or Magruder's!

(This edition of TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com was contributed by Catharine Via)