Tuesday, September 7, 2010 marks the opening of the new school year here in Fairfax County. While many of the school commuters are seasoned veterans there is a group of "newbies" every year. However, they all deserve your respect and consideration. The school zone speed limit lights have been on this week to remind us of the upcoming beginning of the school year. The law requires you to stop behind a school bus when their red lights flash.School crossing guards will be out in full force every morning and afternoon at critical intersections. They are there for one reason only - it is to protect our youngest citizens as they walk to and from school. Obey their commands.Be advised Prince William County police officers do monitor traffic regularly at school zones on a rotating basis. +++++... 09/05/2010

If you like to knit or crochet and would like to make small useable items for charity then join the Fiber Art Studio members at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center the second Saturday of each month from 7-8PM.Bring your own materials to make hats, scarfts and baby blankets to be donated to local charities to provide warmth when the weather turns cold this winter.For more information on participation call 703-346-4038. Lorton Workhouse Arts Center9601 Ox Road (aka 123)Lorton VA 09/03/2010

Grand Opening of the new Kayak Launch facility at Occoquan Regional Park is this coming Labor Day Weekend.For added fun on Saturday September 4th, Ernie Porta the Mayor of Occoquan is leading two historic tours of Occoquan. The tours will kick off at 10 am and 11 am.  Participants on the tour will receive a 10% discount coupon for lunch at either the Garden Kitchen or Madigan's Waterfront good for use on the day of the tour.Per Occoquan Regional Park site the following fees and times are available for Kayak rentals this fall. "Kayak rental is available from September 4th to October 2nd between the hours of 9am and 6pm, Weekends and Holidays Only" "Hourly rates are $7.50 for Fairfax County residents and $8.50 for non residents Daily rates are $33.00 for Fairfax County residents and $37.0... 08/31/2010

Thinking of buying a home in Prince William County to avoid those high Fairfax County prices? You may want to check out this Lake Ridge home in Woodbridge that is approximately 10 minutes fromCommuter busesCarpoolsAll K-12 grade levelsFour shopping centersTwo liibrariesYear round rec center with poolMembership pool Karen Kruschka | RE/MAX Olympic Realty | (703) 690-6569 13227 Sturbridge Road, Woodbridge, VA Lake Ridge - Custom 2 car garage, level lot, minutes to shopping, commuter bus and recreation, eat-in kitchen, large deck, gas heat. 3BR/2+1BA Single Family House offered at $340,000 Year Built 1971 Sq Footage 2,134 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 12,209 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A... 08/27/2010

My friends accuse me of making some of these little facts about Northern Virginia up.  Nope the stories are all real....well okay the one about the Bunny Man Bridge in Clifton...not so much. However the story of the DC Reformatory located in Lorton VA being the site of the Army's premier showcase for the nationwide Nike program unveiled in 1954 is true.  One of the big issues that the government faced when it was trying to build defenses against the threat of a nuclear attack from the USSR was acquiring the land necessary to develop missile defense sites.  Since the Army was tasked with finding sites that we already government owned the DC Reformatory site in Lorton located on 3200 acres just 25 miles south of DC was a logical choice.  The Army carved out a 30 acre parcel on the prison ... 08/07/2010

Included in a recent Speechless Sunday post was the photo on the right.  The question was did anyone know what this is?  A few people were on an interesting track when they said incinerator and jail. The photo shows the only remaining brick kiln used by inmates at the DC Reformatory formerly located in Lorton VA to produce the bricks used to build many of the structures and walkways at the reformatory. In 1925 the brick kilns were considered some of the best on the east coast and in 1927 it is estimated the inmates made over 4.2 million bricks.  The kilns were located on the banks of the Occoquan River making it easier for bricks not used for the reformatory to be sold and shipped to DC.    Bricks were used to build a number of buildings in DC include Cardoza HS on Clifton Street NW now... 08/05/2010

When my parents discovered having two figidty children in the backseat of a car, one prone to car sickness, made travel to visit grandparents in Florida more of a chore than fun they turned to the train for a better way to go.  As we grew older and a car trip or even an airplane would have made more sense we insisted that a train ride would be more fun.  And they were.  Looking out the windows as the countryside passed by, falling asleep to the clack of the rails and listening to the whistle blow as we passed through small towns were all part of the adventure.Fast forward to today and families have to option of taking not only the train to Florida and their car as well.  The train runs from Lorton VA to Sanford Florida and back again.  The train trip takes about 17 hours and  children c... 08/03/2010

Lorton neighborhoods have been around a long time. In fact the Lorton area has history that goes all the way back to before the Revoluntary War and Pohich Church still in service today was completed in 1774.  With a combination of older neighborhoods with large lots to the newer town center developement Lorton continues to attract new residents. The newest Lorton growth came about when the DC Reformatory located in Lorton was ordered closed in 1998. With just over 3200 acres the prison complex gave Fairfax County developers an opportunity to create an entire new vision for the land and its usage.  With a Virginia Rail Express Station already in place in Lorton (1994) the area was poised for growth. To the east of I-95 a new town center Lorton Station has grown up around the VRE station.... 08/03/2010

Masons Passage is a group of 180 homes at the corner of US 1 and Gunston Road. They are within 15 minutes of Fort Belvoir. It is a small community of 90 detached homes and 90 townhomes. They were built in the period 1999 to 2000 making them relatively new. It's about 10 minutes to the Virginia Railway Express Station in Lorton Gunston Plaza Shopping Center is approximately 5 minutes as is Lorton Station Marketplace Lorton Community Library is approximately 5 minutes from Masons Passage The Lorton I-95 interchange is within 10 minutes as is southbound I-95 at Woodbridge Masons Passage is an appropriate name for the subdivision - it is at the head of the Mason Neck Penninsula. A bicycle path runs for 7 miles to the MASON NECK STATE PARK WILDLIFE REFUGE POHICK BAY PUBLIC GOLF COURSE is ap... 08/02/2010

  This structure represents a portion of history in Northern Virginia.  When this structure was built it was discovered this area was the site of Revolutionary-war burying ground, which meant the remains of soliders found there needed to be moved.  Despite the negative connotations to its history the evidence of what it did can still be seen not only a few blocks away but also in DC as well.   Do you Know What It Is?   Northern Virginia Agents let others see if they can name this structure and it's purpose before jumping in!     08/01/2010

No one will dispute that a heat wave is on in Northern Virginia.  However there is a place to hang out that won't cost you any money and will give you a chance to see wonderful photos by local artists.The Lorton Workhouse Arts Center 2nd Annual Juried Photographic Competition is underway and on display through August 15th, 2010.  The Lorton Workhouse Arts Center is the crown jewel of the redevelopment of the buildings and land that once were part of the DC Correctional facilty that was located in Lorton VA.For local artists the center provides a place for studios close to home and for residents a place to enjoy classes, exhibitions, art walks and performances. If you want to stay cool over the next few weeks then make sure you stop by the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center and take in the pho... 07/23/2010

Over the last week my client (buyer) and I have been negotiating a cash purchase of a home in Fairfax County VA.  The listing agent has been very helpful but the owner, who is out of the area has been slow in responding to our offer and working through the terms.  Today we found out why.This "regular" sale is headed to the auction block on the Fairfax County Courthouse steps in a few weeks.   What makes this even more interesting is the owner is not behind in their payments.  That's right this it isn't a short sale but the property is headed to auction.The listing agent was as surprised as we were as this unfolded over the last 24 hours.  There are a number of ways this can happen.  In fact last December I had buyers who were caught in a deal where the owner had used their home as colle... 07/20/2010

Grab your kids, your lawn chairs, a blanket and even a bottle of wine and head to the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center to enjoy a movie under the stars at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center on July 23rd.  Lorton Workhouse Arts Center is the crown jewel of the revitilization of the former DC Reformatory. Buildings surrounding the green are now filled with artist studios. Events and classes are held year round featuring local artists and renowned musicians. The July 23rd movie will be the Monsters vs Aliens a fun animated movie by DreamWorks. The movie starts at 8:30 and the gates open at 7:30 for pre-show entertainment including trivia contests, music and surprises. If you forget to pack a snack don't worry drinks, snacks and pizza will be available for purchase. For tickets and detailed infor... 07/16/2010

If you are looking for something different to do in Lorton VA then don't miss movie under the stars at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center off of Route 123 (Ox Road) at 9517 Worhouse Arts Way.The featured movie for the July 23rd show is Monsters vs Aliens.  A funny animated film by DreamWorks will keep you and your kids entertained. Films start at 8:30 with "doors" opening at 7:30 with trivia contests and music leading up to the movie.   07/15/2010

Strange as it may seem the postal address of Inlet Cove is Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060. It is just 1 mile south of the main gate of Fort Belvoir between the Fairfax County Parkway and Telegraph Road and abuts the southwestern section of Fort Belvoir. Community Features It is a 40 acre planned community with 148 detached homes and 108 town homes. There is a pool, clubhouse, tot lot, playground and interconnecting walkways in the community. When you pull out of the subdivision onto the Richmond Highway you are literally looking at the trees of the southern section of Fort Belvoir. The trees of the post are on your left and right as you drive north. If you are active duty or retired the Fort Belvoir Commissary is within 10 minutes The Gunston Plaza Shopping is less than 10 minutes south.... 06/08/2010

Most people moving to the Lorton area of Fairfax County don't realize the history surrounding the area.  Starting with our nations founding fathers, George Washington and George Mason, Lorton has always held an important place in our local history.  From Pohick Church built in 1774 to today Lorton has been a place where many put down roots.Today with the BRAC expansion of Fort Belvoir and the National Geospatial Intellegence Agency Lorton once again is taking center stage with it's popular new Lortion Station Town Center, the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center,  Laurel Hill Golf Club and the Viriginia Rail Express (VRE) station in the center of town.Enjoy our Lorton Virginia neighborhood quick tour and view available Homes for Sale in Lorton Virginia   If you are relocating to the Lorton Virg... 05/23/2010

If you are looking for a quiet place to spend a few minutes or a few hours on the Occoquan River then this "secret" spot might be the place to go.Located in the Occoquan Regional Park just minutes from Lorton, historic Occoquan or Belmont Bay the park offers history, quiet spots to relax, sports fields and a boat launch.Hope you enjoyed a few minutes of peace and quiet today. 05/09/2010

This Satuday May 8th from 6-9 PM is the Second Saturday Art Walk at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton VA.The Lorton Workhouse Arts Center artists keep their studios open for special tours.  This is a great chance to talk to the artists and if you haven't been to the center before you need to put it on your list of things to do.Saturday is also the last day for the latest exhibit in the gallery, Urban Decay.  Featuring low brow art and custom vinyl art, it is not your usual art display! Lorton Workhouse Arts Center9601 Ox RoadLorton VALorton Workhouse Art Center   05/07/2010

Mason Neck Homes In Hallowing Point River Estates | Wildlife And Waterfront Tranquility Just ten minutes from Fort Belvoir is the tucked away waterfront community of Hallowing Point River Estates in Mason Neck. Homes in Hallowing Point River Estates are custom built on perched or level lots with Potomac River views or snuggly surrounded by mature trees. On any given day, neighbors can see deer, owls, eagles, and lots of other wildlife roaming around comfortably. Homeowners of Hallowing Point River Estates enjoy the private amenities of a serene waterfront beach park with pavilion, picnic tables and grilling areas, available for private parties and community gatherings, a gated area with boat launch and dock directly off the channel for deepwater boating, all off the beaten path of I-95.... 01/31/2010

Northern Virginia offers residents and visitors alike the chance to find history around every corner. Most people can easily find the big attractions in both the history and tourist books but it is the little places that you don’t know about that can also be a fun stop on your exploration of the area. Pohick Church in Lorton VA is one of those places.  Called by many historians as the “Mother Church of Northern Virginia.”  When the Virginia General Assembly met in 1732 they established an area known as Truro Parish, and Pohick Church became the first Parish Church within the area. One of the first colonists to serve on the parish board was Augustine Washington the father of George Washington. As with other churches in the area the original church was small and as the area developed the ... 01/24/2010