FALL 2022 ARLINGTON EDITION BRITISH SURFING COMMUNITIES OFFER FREE WOODEN BODYBOARDS TO CUT POLLUTION Across the beaches of Britain, communities of surfers are coming together to help cut plastic pollution in an exhilarating way. An underappreciated contributor of plastic waste during the short British summer is the mass of polystyrene bodyboards that descend onto the coast with families and children. Nicknamed “snappers” by locals, the boards unfortunately end up littering the beaches at the end of summer, when the tourists return inland with no further use or space for them. One local authority has completely banned them. However, one manufacturer has recognized that it’s not simply a problem of wasteful attitudes. The reality is that not every parent has the financial ability to splash out on an expensive sustainable alternative, but they don’t want their children to miss out on the fun during the often fleeting summer season in the UK. The Dick Pearce and Friends startup began offering free day-long rentals of traditionally crafted wooden bodyboards, the ecofriendly option for holidaymakers in southwest England wanting to hit the sea. Titling their idea “Surf Wood for Good,” they’ve since expanded their endeavor to over 30 locations across the British coast, with 140 wooden boards gifted to surfing shops across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We could follow their example for the beaches in the U.S.
to greener fun for all in the near future.
WONDER WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? Whether you're curious about prices in your area, whether it's an excellent time to sell, or just need an expert to answer your questions I can give you the tools and offer guidance through the entire buying or selling process. Let me know how I can help by simply giving me a call at 571-336-0088 to set up a time to connect.
WAYS TO MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS Whether you’re settling into a beautiful new home or you’re a longtime resident looking to make new friends, meeting your neighbors for the first time can be as daunting as making new friends in a new school. Here are four ways to help smooth out the process and make it as easy and natural as possible. LEAVE YOUR HOUSE It sounds obvious, but if you spend plenty of time sprucing up your front yard or walking around the local area, you’re bound to cross paths with your neighbors eventually. Introduce yourself and be open about the fact that you’re new to the area; you’ll likely receive some good tips on the neighborhood. LOOK FOR ONLINE LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Many neighborhoods have Facebook groups, Nextdoor.com pages, WhatsApp groups and other online communities residents can join. Especially during the pandemic, these became important places for neighbors to cooperate, ask for help and share updates. OFFER A HELPING HAND If you notice a neighbor pruning their garden or fixing a fence, offer to help them. Not only will your kindness be greatly appreciated, you’ll also be able to chat and know each other while you’re working on the task at hand. HOST A HOUSEWARMING PARTY Everyone loves being invited to a party, and what better way to make friends with your new neighbors than to host one of your own? Not only will it help you meet other residents, but it could also help others to know each other too!
WORTH READING
EXPERT TIPS FOR FURNISHING YOUR FIRST HOME The purchase of your first home comes with the opportunity to personalize your living spaces. Your home is unique to you. With endless possibilities for every budget, these six tips from design experts will start you on making your new house your home. 1. Give yourself some time in your new home to realize what types of furniture will suit your needs and fit the spaces. Start with the basic necessities of a bed, a few chairs, a sofa and a table. You can then start prioritizing the purchase of your furnishings based upon where you spend the most time. 2. If you have a tight budget, consider buying and refurbishing used furniture or check out your local CraigsList.org.
3. Study the interior floor plan and the measurements of wall spaces prior to purchasing any furnishings. Furniture size and placement will be dependent upon location of electrical outlets, air vents, door openings and stairways. 4. Before you begin selecting your interior décor, determine what your personal style is so you can more easily find what brings you comfort. It may be contemporary, traditional or a mix of both. 5. Accessories will help establish who you are in your new home. Decorative items will also tie your design elements together. For little investment, you can add candles, wall art, plants and cozy linens to create a warm and inviting ambiance. 6. Good lighting will enhance your home’s interior, highlight your furnishings and improve its functionality. Control the natural light with appropriate window treatments and add smaller artificial light sources to create intimate spaces or check out new ideas at www.SkyFactory.com.
WHAT DID HUBBLE SEE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY? NASA The Hubble Space Telescope has been sending us mind-blowing pictures of the universe for 30 years and is in action every hour of the day, every single day. With an incredible number of extraordinary images amassed over that time, NASA has released this wonderful tool that allows you to see in pictures what discoveries it made on your birthday or any day of the year. More at https:// tinyurl.com/worth1022a
WE CANT MAKE THIS STUFF UP •
NASA scientists made an unexpected discovery when filming an underwater volcano. As it erupted, plumes from the volcano contained a huge number of sharks. It has been nicknamed “sharkano” and sheds light on our knowledge of underwater habitats.
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A man in Britain discovered he has been spelling his own name wrong for his entire life. Sixty-year-old Alan Grainger had always spelled it “Allan” but made the realization when digging out his birth certificate.
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A Texan man has sent Bigfoot hunters into a frenzy by capturing strange footage of what looks like a half-human, half-dog by a riverside. The video shows the creature on all fours before standing upright and jumping into the river.
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An Australian woman has been left with horns after botched cosmetic surgery. Jessie Carr had gone in for a “fox-eye procedure,” but the accident caused the edge of her eyebrows to swell into points.
LISTEN TO NATURE SOUNDS, FALL IN LOVE WITH THE EARTH earth.fm If you’re a hardworking city dweller feeling deprived of the calmness of nature, earth.fm is certainly the place for you. This stunning tool allows you to move around on a world map and select from a huge number of locations all across the globe. Click on each point, and you’ll hear a soundscape of the natural world in that area. More at https:// tinyurl.com/worth1022c
ASK THE AGENT CAN I BACK OUT OF BUYING A HOUSE?
HOW TO USE PAINT COLOR TO FIX ANY ROOM If a room in your house feels a little off, the solution doesn’t have to be expensive building work or a complete turnaround. Different paint colors on the wall can make a huge difference to your home’s atmosphere. Here are a few tips for fixing different rooms’ quirks by creatively using color.
Make a room feel more calming. The color of a space has a huge effect on a person’s general state of being. Softer, muted colors give a more tranquil, soothing ambiance to a room. Try something like an pale ocean blue or sage green.
Make a room’s interesting quirks stand out. Sometimes you want Make a room feel bigger. The color people to notice the things that white reflects light, so painting your make your home unique. If you walls white or cream can help to have a beautiful fireplace or elegant create the illusion that you’re in a crown moldings, make them stand larger space. Furthermore, painting out by painting them a color that the ceiling white helps direct light completely contrasts with the walls. from above, giving the feeling that Make a room’s less attractive there is more space above your features disappear. Using a palette head as well as around you. with fewer contrasting colors can Make a large room feel more cozy. help to hide unsightly objects in a Darker colors help to absorb light, space. Painting radiators, boilers creating the opposite effect of and other functional but ugly whiter, brighter walls. Using dark features the same color as the wall but warm colors with a slight red can make them seem to vanish. tinge can help to bring a cozier, more compact feel to a large space.
Backing out of a home purchase can be done, but where you are in the process of the sale and what your purchase contract states will determine if there will be consequences for doing so. Prior to a seller accepting an offer from you, you can withdraw your offer anytime in writing. Once you and the seller have mutual acceptance, there will be contingencies in the agreement that will allow you to walk away without consequence, provided you cannot remove any of those contingencies within the prescribed times. Contingencies that give you the leeway to cancel a sale without any penalty include: the home being able to pass a home inspection, your obtaining loan approval or having to sell another residence first, and the seller being able to produce clear title.
The contract dictates under what terms you can cancel without penalty and how much in damages it would cost you if you changed your mind yet defaulted.
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Dulles, Virginia Permit No. 442
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This newsletter and any information contained herein are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or medical advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible at any time for any errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent professional advice and/or legal counsel with respect to any matter discussed or published in this newsletter. This newsletter is not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.