Tomorrow, October 13th, the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors will be hosting it's 2009 Convention & Trade Show. The theme is "NVAR Goes Back to School". This year it will be held at the Annandale Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), a new location for the event.
The NV/RPAC Breakfast will feature speakers John Harris and Jim VandeHei from POLITICO, a political journalism organization based in Arlington.
The trade show will feature many exhibitor booths with businesses (both local and corporate) there to offer help and answer questions.
http://www.nvarconvention.com/
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
2009 Nobel Prize in Literature
Herta Muller, a German novelist and essayist born in Romania, has won the 2009 Nobel Prize for Literature. The exiled writer described the oppression in her native country posed by dictatorship in much of her work. The Swedish Academy described Ms. Müller, “who, with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose, depicts the landscape of the dispossessed.” Muller, 56, emigrated to Germany in 1987 after years of persecution and censorship. Her most popular works are "Land of the Green Plums" and "The Appointment".
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/books/09nobel.html?_r=1&hp
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/books/09nobel.html?_r=1&hp
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Obama's Decor
On Tuesday, the White House released a list of works it has borrowed for its walls. With the help of museum curators, from which the works are being borrowed, Michelle Obama has chosen 45 pieces to don the Obamas' temporary residence and offices.
There are seven works from African American artists, four from Native Americans (12 more depicting Native Americans). 41 of the creators were male, to six female artists. None of the works were done by a Latino.
The collection seems to focus on Native American and African American pottery, paintings of "black life" in the 19th century, and several abstract pieces. There is also a handful of sculptures as well.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/10/06/GA2009100602826.html?sid=ST2009100603682
In your house, the wall decor (and artistic compliments) are as important as the furnature chosen (see past blog).
There are seven works from African American artists, four from Native Americans (12 more depicting Native Americans). 41 of the creators were male, to six female artists. None of the works were done by a Latino.
The collection seems to focus on Native American and African American pottery, paintings of "black life" in the 19th century, and several abstract pieces. There is also a handful of sculptures as well.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/10/06/GA2009100602826.html?sid=ST2009100603682
In your house, the wall decor (and artistic compliments) are as important as the furnature chosen (see past blog).
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
German-American Day
Today, October 6th, is German-American Day. It was a celebration of German heritage that was popular in the 19th century, faded away around World War I, and was again revived in 1987.
Around 1 in 4 Americans claim to have German ancestry. Some notable German-Americans are Adolph Coors, Albert Einstein, and the engineer whom designed the Brooklyn Bridge.
President Ronald Reagan, in his proclaimation of German-American Day, stated, "The United States has embraced a vast array of German traditions, institutions, and influences. Many of these have become so accepted as parts of our way of life that their ethnic origin has been obscured. For instance, Christmas trees and Broadway musicals are familiar features of American society. Our kindergartens, graduate schools, the social security system, and labor unions are all based on models derived from Germany.
German teachers, musicians, and enthusiastic amateurs have left an indelible imprint on classical music, hymns, choral singing, and marching bands in our country. In architecture and design, German contributions include the modern suspension bridge, Bauhaus, and Jugendstil. German-American scientists have helped make the United States the world's pioneer in research and technology. The American work ethic, a major factor in the rapid rise of the United States to preeminence in agriculture and industry, owes much to German-Americans' commitment to excellence."
http://german.about.com/od/teaching/a/geramday.htm
Around 1 in 4 Americans claim to have German ancestry. Some notable German-Americans are Adolph Coors, Albert Einstein, and the engineer whom designed the Brooklyn Bridge.
President Ronald Reagan, in his proclaimation of German-American Day, stated, "The United States has embraced a vast array of German traditions, institutions, and influences. Many of these have become so accepted as parts of our way of life that their ethnic origin has been obscured. For instance, Christmas trees and Broadway musicals are familiar features of American society. Our kindergartens, graduate schools, the social security system, and labor unions are all based on models derived from Germany.
German teachers, musicians, and enthusiastic amateurs have left an indelible imprint on classical music, hymns, choral singing, and marching bands in our country. In architecture and design, German contributions include the modern suspension bridge, Bauhaus, and Jugendstil. German-American scientists have helped make the United States the world's pioneer in research and technology. The American work ethic, a major factor in the rapid rise of the United States to preeminence in agriculture and industry, owes much to German-Americans' commitment to excellence."
http://german.about.com/od/teaching/a/geramday.htm
Monday, October 5, 2009
Choosing the Right Furniture
Furniture shopping can be an extremely daunting process. Searching for gear that fits your personality, taste, and price range takes a long time. With so many choices, from style, era, and practicality, there's a lot of variety out there.
A person's choice in furniture reflects a lot about their character. It can tell people that you are fun, dull, classy, trashy, edgy, or bland, etc. It's important to find something that suites you. After all, it's one of the first things someone notices about the room they walk into, and you have to use it everyday.
There are also choices to make regarding age. Do you want something new or antique? Modern or traditional? People have always needed places to sit, sleep, eat, etc. so there's a long history to choose from.
Also, you need to think about what materials your potential purchase is made from. Is it durable enough that it will last as long as you would like? Are you the kind of person that likes change, and are going to need a new couch in a few years anyways? Either way, the price will often depend on this characteristic.
Also important to note: when you list your house with Mike Webb Team, LLC we provide free staging for your house, at no additional cost to the owner.
http://www.find-a-real-estate-agent.net/blog/
A person's choice in furniture reflects a lot about their character. It can tell people that you are fun, dull, classy, trashy, edgy, or bland, etc. It's important to find something that suites you. After all, it's one of the first things someone notices about the room they walk into, and you have to use it everyday.
There are also choices to make regarding age. Do you want something new or antique? Modern or traditional? People have always needed places to sit, sleep, eat, etc. so there's a long history to choose from.
Also, you need to think about what materials your potential purchase is made from. Is it durable enough that it will last as long as you would like? Are you the kind of person that likes change, and are going to need a new couch in a few years anyways? Either way, the price will often depend on this characteristic.
Also important to note: when you list your house with Mike Webb Team, LLC we provide free staging for your house, at no additional cost to the owner.
http://www.find-a-real-estate-agent.net/blog/
Thursday, October 1, 2009
$8,000 Tax Credit Set to Expire on November 30th
The $8,000 federal tax credit for first time home buyers is set to expire on November 30th. Congress is now debating whether to extend the program which some say is essential to a fragile real estate market.
As of right now, anyone who has not owned a home in the past three years qualifies for the rebate. As many as 40% of all homebuyers this year will qualify for the credit, which by the end of November will have been directly responsible for several hundred thousand home sales.
Members of congress have proposed more than 20 bills to extend and/or expand the tax credit, many shaped around a $15,000 rebate program that will be offered until September of next year for any buyer that stays in a home for at least 2 years.
San Francisco Chronicle
As of right now, anyone who has not owned a home in the past three years qualifies for the rebate. As many as 40% of all homebuyers this year will qualify for the credit, which by the end of November will have been directly responsible for several hundred thousand home sales.
Members of congress have proposed more than 20 bills to extend and/or expand the tax credit, many shaped around a $15,000 rebate program that will be offered until September of next year for any buyer that stays in a home for at least 2 years.
San Francisco Chronicle
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Lincoln Memorial
Continuing with the theme of Washington, D.C. based memorials, I write today about the Lincoln Memorial, located across the National Mall from the Washington Monument. It was built in memorium to President Abraham Lincoln and is overseen by the National Park Service.
The achitect was Henry Bacon, the sculpter of the Lincoln statue was Daniel Chester French, and the painter of the interior murals was Jules Guerin. Construction finished in 1922 and the building itself is in the shape of a Greek Doric temple. The stones used to build the structure are from several regions of the United States. Inside is a statue of a seated Lincoln and the inscription of two of his speeches, the Gettysburg Address and his speech given at his second inauguration. The murals depict an angel, the freeing of a slave, and the unity of the North and South.
The landing on the steps leading up to the monument is the sight of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
The Lincoln Memorial can be seen on the back of the penny and $5 bill (U.S. currency), both of which contain Lincolns portrait on the reverse side.
http://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm
The achitect was Henry Bacon, the sculpter of the Lincoln statue was Daniel Chester French, and the painter of the interior murals was Jules Guerin. Construction finished in 1922 and the building itself is in the shape of a Greek Doric temple. The stones used to build the structure are from several regions of the United States. Inside is a statue of a seated Lincoln and the inscription of two of his speeches, the Gettysburg Address and his speech given at his second inauguration. The murals depict an angel, the freeing of a slave, and the unity of the North and South.
The landing on the steps leading up to the monument is the sight of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
The Lincoln Memorial can be seen on the back of the penny and $5 bill (U.S. currency), both of which contain Lincolns portrait on the reverse side.
http://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm
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