2009 H1N1 Swine Flu Information

Swine flu, also known as 2009 H1N1 type A influenza, is a human disease that spreads from person to person; not from pigs.

Symptoms are similar to the common flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. These are common signs of other conditions as well, so a test is really needed to know if you indeed have the H1N1 virus.

At risk persons who may come into contact with the swine flu are those who are pregnant or have asthma, lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, neurological disease, immune suppression, or other chronic conditions.

Healthy people who becoming infected with swine flu that do not have to take care of a children are expected to pull through just fine after a couple miserable days. But be aware of any warning signs of severe disease such as trouble breathing or getting worse after feeling better. While sick you should stay home, always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing or sneezing and immediately throw it into the trash, and wash your hands. If you must be around others, it's a good idea to wear a surgical mask.

Swine flu, like the common flu, is spread by coming in contact with airborn droplets from a cough or sneeze or touching a surface that has been contaminated by a cough or sneeze with H1N1 present and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. This is why washing your hands is very important even if you are not sick.

Anti-viral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza are effective when used within 48 hours of contact with the swine flu, but their use is not usually necessary.

A vaccine is being made in large quantities and shipped as soon as possible but demand is expected to outstrip supply for most of fall 2009. By the end of January 2010, every U.S. resident who wants the vaccine should be able to get it.

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/swine-flu/default.htm

The Mike Webb Team: www.northernvirginiahouses.com

2010 FIFA World Cup

Yesterday the final six nations qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa this summer. The World Cup, an international soccer tournament, occurs every four years and is the world's biggest sporting event. Here is the list of 32 nations that qualified for the 19th World Cup finals (Current FIFA World Ranking in parenthesis):

Asia [AFC]: Australia (24), Japan (40), Korea DPR (91), Korea Republic (48)

Africa [CAF]: Algeria (29), Cameroon (14), Ghana (38), Ivory Coast (19), Nigeria (32), South Africa (85)

North, Central America and Caribbean [CONCACAF]: Honduras (35), Mexico (18), USA (11)

South America [CONMEBOL]: Argentina (6), Brazil (1), Chile (17), Paraguay (21), Uruguay (25)

Oceana [OFC]: New Zealand (83)

Europe [UEFA]: Denmark (27), England (7), France (9), Germany (5), Greece (16), Italy (4), Netherlands (3), Portugal (10), Serbia (20), Slovakia (33), Slovenia (49), Spain (2), Switzerland (13)

Notable Nations That Did Not Qualify: Croatia (8), Russia (12), Czech Republic (15), Ukraine (22), Bulgaria (23), Israel (26), Egypt (28), Columbia, (30/T), Northern Ireland (30/T).

The Mike Webb Team: www.northernvirginiahouses.com

Is Washington Becoming a Seller's Market?

Guy Wolcott, co-founder of Sawbuck.com, the online brokerage based in D.C., shared some local inventory numbers with me recently. Looking at the inventory of homes listed for sale on the local multiple listing service, Metropolitan Regional Information Services, the cupboard is pretty bare in spots.

At the current sales pace, Manassas Park City has just 1.3 months' worth of listings. Manassas City, just 1.4 months. Falls Church City, 2.1 months; and Fairfax County just 2.7 months. Arlington County has 3.9 months.

The rule of thumb says 6 months' inventory marks a balanced market--favoring neither sellers nor buyers. According to the MLS data, the Washington metro area as a whole has only 4.5 months supply available--making it a bit of a seller's market. The District, proper, has 5.1 months' supply.

Montgomery County has only 3.8 months' supply, but with that exception, Maryland still has enough inventory that favors buyers. Prince George's County has 8.1 months' supply, and the Maryland suburban counties, combined, have 8.4 months' supply.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-address/

The Mike Webb Team: www.northernvirginiahouses.com

Football Sunday's

Not sure where to go to watch your favorite football team? You should definitely check out Crystal City Sports Pub on 23rd Street. Boasting three floors of dining area, bar seating, and over 100 televisions, this is a Mecca for from-out-of-town football fans on the holy day of Sunday. I met up with a few friends yesterday in order to watch the Buffalo Bills play the Tennessee Titans. I found out that the owners Bill Payne, Bill Daughtry, Jim Madden, and John Finlay have created a neighborhood sports bar for everyone's neighborhood.

As they show every game on the screens that litter the walls the crowd is quite diverse. Chances are that you will be perched near someone wearing your teams jersey (2 tables away), as well as someone wearing the colors of the opponent (next table over).

The food was good, well-portioned (I had Buffalo-style chicken fingers that came with steak fries), and reasonably priced ($7.89). They also have a decent range of brews to choose from. I didn't actually look at a beer list because as walked past the taps I noticed they had one of my favorite ale's, Smithwick's, on tap. In passing, and among others, I also saw Leinenkugel's Classic Lager, Yuengling Lager, Hook & Ladder Lager, Guinness Stout, and the standard American domestics (Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light...). There's not "something for everyone" but, much like the fans in attendance, there is a good variety.

Crystal City Sports Pub: http://www.ccsportspub.com/index2.html

The Mike Webb Team: www.northernvirginiahouses.com

Buy a House in Arlington, Virginia

"The urban villages that make up the majority of Arlington real estate provide terrific neighborhoods, shopping centers, and restaurants. Shirlington, Columbia Pike, Ballston, and Pentagon City – in addition to many other prime Arlington real estate spots – are always bustling with residents, workers, and visitors. Many Arlington real estate owners spend time both outdoors, along the Mount Vernon Trail, and indoors, at the many shops that make up the Crystal City underground. In addition, several Washington, D.C.-area landmarks call Arlington real estate home; both the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, as well as the Defense Department Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where the Internet was created, are located here.
This ethnically diverse city has one of the most educated populations in the country. Not surprisingly, twenty percent of the jobs in Northern Virginia are in Arlington, which makes Arlington real estate an ideal investment for business owners and commuters. But there are many other reasons to consider investing in Arlington real estate. The city offers easy access to I-395, I-495, I-66, and downtown D.C. And with its excellent public schools and convenient Metro access, the value of Arlington real estate has risen much faster than the national average in recent years." (Long & Foster Living)

http://virginia-homes.longandfoster.com/Northern_Virginia_Real_Estate/Arlington.aspx

Trick or treat! It’s that time again. Time to carve your pumpkins, visit haunted houses, and figure out what to do about a costume. That’s right, it’s October and Halloween is on the way.

Let’s start with the pumpkin. You have several options here. You can carve a face (jack’o'lantern) or a design. I prefer the design technique, but it’s important to use a stencil if you are like me, and were not graced with artistic talents. You can find tips and designs here: http://go2.wordpress.com/id=725X1342&site=virginiahousingtrends.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dltk-holidays.com%2Fhalloween%2Fmpatterns.htm. You can use the seeds to make a great holiday snack. Here’s a recipe for over-roasted pumpkin seeds: http://homecooking.about.com/od/vegetablerecipes/r/blv310.htm.

It’s also a fun time of year to take the kids to a haunted house/hayride/etc. Here are some places near Arlington: http://www.festivals-and-shows.com/haunted-houses-in-virginia.html

And as far as costumes, always the hardest part for me, you can go to places such as a Spirit Halloween Store (5857 Leesburg Pike, Ste. B. in Falls Church, VA) which have huge selections of ready-to-go costumes, or you can make your own costumes. Here are some ideas for home made costumes: http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/halloweentheme/a/091399.htm.

Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone!