Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the…

708 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Fairfax – The year-over-year home sales trend continued its uptick in September with 1,675 closings compared to the 1,631 transactions that closed in September last year in the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® territory, comprised of Fairfax and Arlington counties, Falls Church and Alexandria. 

“Our September housing data provides the final snapshot of our market just before the Nov. 8 election,” said Ryan Conrad, NVAR Chief Executive Officer. “Having a 5 percent increase in transactions in the pipeline as well as a 3 percent increase in total sales, our local economy is clearly NOT at a standstill.”

A total of 1,675 homes were sold in September 2016, an increase of 2.7 percent compared to September 2015 home sales of 1,631.

Active…

642 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century but did not become a federal holiday until the 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. Throughout its history, Columbus Day and the man who inspired it have generated controversy, and many alternatives to the holiday have appeared in recent years.   COLUMBUS DAY TRADITIONS In many parts of the United States, Columbus Day has evolved into a celebration of Italian-American heritage. Local groups host parades and street fairs featuring colorful costumes,…

662 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post