October 15, 2010

Halloween Haunts & Happenings in the DC Metro Area

Wow...who knew getting the YouKnowWhat scared outta ya could be so popular! The DC area is jam packed with things to do this month for Halloween. Enjoy!

VIRGINIA

Alexandria:
  • Poe In Alexandria at the Lyceum  October 30: Actor David Keltz returns to The Lyceum to re-create Edgar Allan Poe’s visit to Virginia in 1849, shortly before he died. Keltz performs varying selections each year, but the program always includes a chilling story or two such as “The Black Cat,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” or “The Tell-Tale Heart,” along with well-known poems “The Raven” and “El Dorado.”
  • Death Visits Carlyle House  October 30: In the fall of 1780, Death visited Carlyle House and claimed the life of town founder John Carlyle. Step back in time and be part of his historic funeral as you learn about mourning practices in early America. Admission includes a ghost tour of Old Town Alexandria, during which participants will visit the candlelit Carlyle House to view the coffin and pay respects to surviving family members. At 9:00 pm, join the funeral procession as the pallbearers carry the coffin from Carlyle House and proceed south on Fairfax Street to the Old Presbyterian Meeting House Cemetery. A short, 18th-century graveside service will be held by lantern-light at John Carlyle’s grave.
Bluemont:
  • Pumpkin Glow Night   This spectacular display of over 1500 carved and lighted jack-o-lanterns carved by local school children is simply amazing. The magical moment when we cut the lights will take your breath away!  Bring your carved Jack-o-lantern to enter in our carving competitions. Jack-o-lanterns are judged for Best in Glow, Scariest and Funniest. Warm yourself by the bonfire and roast some marshmallows. 

Bristow:
  • Spirits of Historic Brentsville Step into the past of Brentsville during this unique historic "ghostly" experience. Along your guided tour you will meet the spirits of people that once lived, worked and faced execution in Brentsville during the 1800s. These candlelit vignettes will give detailed insight into the past of Prince William County.
Centreville:
Chantilly:
  • Air & Scare  October 23: Discover the spooky side of air and space at the Udvar-Hazy Center’s sixth annual Air & Scare! Arrive in costume for safe indoor trick-or-treating. Participate in creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities. Bring the tiniest visitors by the Tot Zone to play dress-up and hear a story. Don’t forget to stop by the face painting station or pose for a photo with your favorite Star Wars character! FREE admission; parking $15 until 7 PM.
Clifton:
  • The Clifton Haunted Trail  Once a year spooky event that winds through the 8 acre Buckley Park and will include 15 new and improved skits including re-enactments, popular scary movie scenes and plenty of freighting lighting and props. The event also features Monster Movies Under the Stars. Hot apple cider, cookies and snacks will be available for sale and all proceeds will go towards Save Clifton Elementary Project.
Doswell:
Leesburg:
  • Oatlands After Five: Paranormal Tour   Our tour guides will share exciting ghost legends and personal tales of unexplained happenings on the property.  Guests will also learn about the findings of the ongoing paranormal investigations at Oatlands.
  • Virginia Scaregrounds   Today, Paxton Manor has been transformed into a Haunted Mansion providing you with an abundance of paranormal, bizarre and frightful experiences. Note this: if you decide to visit you will be helplessly afraid. THIS IS NO JOKE! A visit to Paxton Manor is not for the faint of heart – this is a PG13 event unlike anything you have ever witnessed. Without a doubt, this is the best haunted experience in all of the Mid-Atlantic States. So join us if you dare...
Luray:
  • Darkwood Manor  DarkWood Manor is a haunted house attraction located in down town Luray, VA. We are not your typical haunted house. We combined detailed sets, movie quality make-up, and talented actors to create a scary and unique haunted house experience.
Remington:
Sterling:
  • Halloween Woods  "Northern Virginia's scariest Haunted Halloween attraction! Haunted Houses are for sissies! Can you face the Haunted Forest at Halloween Woods?" 
  • Terror After Dark  Dulles Town Center in front of Macy's
Vienna:
Warrenton:
  • Haunted Hollow  "We recommend children under 13 have an adult to cling on to."
MARYLAND
Bowie:
Darnestown:
  • Spooky Hollow  Haunted Trail: As the sun sets and darkness invades the forest, our hardier guests can venture out onto the Haunted Trail. They will wander through about 20- 25 minutes of ghoulish frights and terrifying delights. Nighttime at the Haunted Trail is guaranteed to be screaming fun. Spooky Hollow is an exciting time designed for all ages. Spooky Hollow features food vendors, carnival games, fortune tellers, contests, nightly entertainment, and more. Our guests can embark on a fun filled hayride to a pumpkin patch or be transformed into a Halloween creature at our face painting booth.
Dickerson:
  • Markoff's Haunted Forest  "Choose from 2 terrifying trails and while you wait, indulge in a dozen other spine tingling events from zip-lines to ghost hunts. The Markoffs have been freaking patrons out for the past 17 years, and every year it gets a little crazier! Don't be a chicken, come walk through our woods."
Greenbelt:
Jessup:
  • Bennet's Curse  "New amazing scenes and scares! An army of horrifying new characters!"
Olney:
  • Field of Screams  "3 awesome Halloween events in one place! The 30-min Haunted Trail, HaverGhast Haunted House and Haunted Hayride await. FOS is 40 acres of the best thrills in the Washington DC/Northern VA area with bonfires, fried twinkies, funnel cakes, and the best hot chocolate around!"
Rockville:
Silver Spring
Wheaton:
WASHINGTON, DC

    October 14, 2010

    Sellers May Benefit from a Potential Price Increase

    By now you've probably heard that Attorney Generals in all 50 states have launched a joint investigation into questionable, potentially fraudulent, foreclosure practices by the nation's major banks. JPMorgan and GMAC have halted foreclosures in the 23 states that require judicial review for foreclosures after acknowledging "robo-signing" practices where employees sign off on foreclosures without verifying the accuracy of the foreclosure documents. Bank of America has halted foreclosures in all 50 states for the same reason. Today we learn that Wells Fargo, the nation's second largest bank, may also be using "robo-signing" practices.

    It appears that for the short term, no more foreclosures will be coming on the market. This could cause as much as a 30 percent decrease in the supply of homes. Today Freddie Mac announced yet a new historic low on mortgage interest rates which should at least keep active buyers motivated. Assuming buyers' demand continues and inventory drops, houses that do go on the market right now could potentially benefit from a bit of a price increase. Even if there isn't a price increase, less competition for the few buyers that are out there will increase a seller's chances of going under contract--all good news for people that have been thinking about selling.

    Fall Fun in Northern VA (October 15-17)

    I love this time of year...especially in Virginia! The air is crisp, the sky is brilliant blue, the colors are vibrant, and the days are balmy--perfect for getting out and enjoying the rolling hills that Virginia is known for. Here are some great ideas for the weekend. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing the Hot Air Balloon Wine & Music Festival!

    Head out to the Shenandoah Valley and enjoy these activities in Millwood, VA:



    Local Fall Festivals (if you know of any others, please email me!):

    October 13, 2010

    Northern VA Homecoming Games

    My youngest son is looking forward to his last Homecoming game next week (Wow...wasn't he just 5?). My oldest son and I wouldn't miss it for the world. There might be some of you out there that want to go to your Alma Mater for Homecoming. I've made every effort to include all local high schools. Many high schools have already played their homecoming games, and I have not included them here. Here are the upcoming dates!

    Arlington County Public Schools
    October 15:
    • Yorktown HS
    Fairfax County Public Schools
    October 15:
    • Annandale HS
    • Fairfax HS
    • Falls Church HS
    • Hayfield Secondary
    • Marshall HS
    • Westfield HS
    • Woodson HS
    October 22:
    • Centreville HS
    • Edison HS
    • Herndon HS
    • Lake Braddock Secondary
    • McLean HS
    • Robinson Secondary
    • South County Secondary
    • South Lakes HS
    • Stuart HS
    • Thomas Jefferson HS
    Loudoun County Public Schools
    October 15:
    • Briar Woods HS
    • Heritage HS
    October 16:
    • Broad Run HS
    October 22:
    •  Loudoun County HS
    • Potomac Falls HS
    • Stone Bridge HS
    • Tuscarora HS
    October 29:
    • Freedom HS
    Prince William County Public Schools
    October 15:
    • Gar-field HS
    • Osbourn Park HS
    October 22:
    • Brentsville HS
    • Forest Park HS
    • Potomac HS
    October 29:
    • Battlefield HS
    • Hylton HS
    Manassas City Public Schools
    October 22:
    • Osbourn HS