Back to School At Arcadia Run

It’s that time of year again, there is a crisp feel to the morning air and the kids are getting excited. Of course, its back to school time! At Arcadia Run we want you to be the most prepared that you have ever been for the upcoming school year. Although it is a busy season, you should still enjoy it without the stress! We rounded up some of the important things to remember for back to school:

  • School supplies– We suggest that you shop through your home first, you never know what stray supplies you have collected  throughout the previous school year. Not only does this go for supplies, but your kids might still fit into those jeans from last year.
  • Prepare your apartment– With lots of storage space in your new apartment home at Arcadia Run, it’s easy to stock up on items you will need later. Dedicate a storage space for things like textbooks, extra supplies, and important school papers to keep yourself organized.
  • Savor the weather– When the kids are done with their homework, go for a walk, play on the new Arcadia Run playground, or shoot some hoops at our new ball court. Staying active is a great way to keep those young minds stimulated and ready for the challenging classes ahead!
  • Plan meals– During the weekend, take a few minutes to plan out packed lunches and dinner ideas for the rest of the week. This way you can do grocery shopping on the weekend for stress free cooking during the week.
  • Get appointments over with– Schedule doctor, dentist, eye & orthodontist appointments as soon as you get the schedule for the school year. This way you can work around extracurricular activities and work with days off to get necessary appointments over with.

We hope that these tips will get you and your family on track for the upcoming school year! Don’t forget to use these last days of summer to take advantage of the new amenities at Arcadia Run!

Events in Prince William County this Weekend

At Arcadia Run, we love our location in Manassas, VA and being part of the great Prince William County! There are always great events going on throughout the community and it’s fun to get involved. If you are looking for some family fun, or just something to do this weekend, The Washington Post shared a list of all things happening in the area:

FRIDAY, AUG. 28

· American Legion dinner – The public is invited to dinner with a different special each week. Proceeds support local veterans and the community. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Woodbridge American Legion, 3640 Friendly Post Lane, Woodbridge. 703-494-4304. www.vapost364.org. $5-$15.

· “Monsters University” movie – Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for a screening of the animated movie. 8:30 p.m. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-361-9800. Free.

SATURDAY, AUG. 29

· Shape Up Yoga – Taught by Bedrock Yoga as part of its Karma series. 9 a.m. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-895-3176. $20.

· Yoga on the Lawn – Vinyasa yoga taught by Hamuri Allen. 9 a.m. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge. 703-499-9812. www.pwcgov.org/ripponlodge. $5.

· VFW barbecue – Kansas City-style barbecue to raise funds to buy personal care items for hospitalized veterans. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Rd., Dale City. 703-670-4124. www.vfwpost1503.com. $15.

· Beer and Bacon Fest – With music on the main stage, more than two tons of bacon will be cooked at the event. 2-5 p.m. Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, 14900 Potomac Town Pl., Woodbridge. 800-830-3976. www.stonebridgeptc.com. $25-$69.

SUNDAY, AUG. 30

· Bird walk – The guided tour will include a variety of habitats. Bring binoculars and cameras. 8 a.m. Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, North Parking Lot, 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville. 703-499-4954. alliance@pwconserve.org. Free.

MONDAY, AUG. 31

· Job search network group – Plus discussion of various topics related to the search process. Mondays 1-3 p.m. House of Mercy, 8170 Flannery Ct., Manassas. 703-659-1636. Free.

· Bingo – Proceeds support Dale City Knights of Columbus activities and charities. Doors open at 6 p.m., games begin at 7:30 p.m. VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Rd., Dale City. 703-491-2378. $9 minimum.

Source: washingtonpost.com

6 Ways to Beat the End of Summer Heat at Arcadia Run

Everyone know that August and early September can get super hot, especially here in Manassas, VA! We have some great tips on how to beat the heat for the last few weeks of the summer at Arcadia Run!

Outside your apartment

  •  Take a dip in the pool: Our brand new resort style pool is perfect for cooling off! You can swim some laps, dip your feet in, or float around on a raft. No matter what you prefer, our pool is going to be a refreshing escape from the heat.
  • Go for a hike: Virginia includes some of the most diverse landscapes, from farms to mountains and beaches. Convenient for Arcadia Run residents, Hemlock Overlook Regional Parkis located right here in Manassas! It’s a great place to take a hike through the shade of a forest and discover some of Virginia’s beautiful nature trails.
  • Watch a movie: Luckily for Arcadia Run residents, we have a brand new theater room in our clubhouse! Grab a group of friends and chill out in the clubhouse as you lounge and watch your favorite flick.

Inside your apartment

  • Block sunny windows: If staying inside is more your thing to do to avoid the swelter outside, block the sunlight from coming in with curtains or blinds. This will keep your new apartment home nice and cool.
  • Limit oven use: Although our new apartments here at Arcadia Run are equipped with state of the art kitchen appliances, oven use in any home will contribute to heat. Eat more fresh foods while it’s hot out, like a nice summer salad or sushi, so you’re not cooking (food or yourself) in the heat.
  • Buy indoor plants: The energy plants need to survive is from sunlight and water, but they also keep the air around themselves cool. The air around plants is cooler because instead of reflecting the energy (heat) in the air, they absorb it.

Sources: forbes.comalltrails.com

Free Summer Concerts in August at The Harris Pavilion

 

One of the most popular events for music lovers during the summer are the outdoor concerts! The Harris Pavilion is home to many concerts and shows held throughout each year to entertain residents and visitors alike! It has been one of the most featured landmarks in Historic Downtown Manassas for many years. From April to November, the pavilion hosts events such as concerts, movies, and markets, but during the winter the pavilion is transformed into a local ice-skating rink. With the Harris Pavilion only a short distance away from Arcadia Run, we want you to be informed about the best local concerts this summer – and the best part is – they are free! Take a look at these upcoming concerts in August:

Tuesday, August 18 6-8PM

Take Out Tuesday Concert: Chris Rail – Folk, Americana acoustic

Wednesday, August 19 11:30AM-1:30PM

Wednesday Lunch Concert: Demetrios & Friends — Folk, Americana acoustic

Thursday, August 20 7:30-8:30PM

US Navy Country Current Band Concert

Saturday, August 22 6:30-8PM

Center for the Arts Concert

Sunday, August 23 3-4:30PM

Manassas Symphony Orchestra & Ice Cream Social

Tuesday, August 25 6-8PM

Take Out Tuesday Concert: Pat Quinn – Musicians performing a variety of Americana songs from 60’s to today

The Harris Pavilion hosts events and concerts every week, and summer is the perfect time to take advantage of these free events in the area. The Harris Pavilion can also be rented out for private events if you want to take your summer party to the next level! To learn more about the Harris Pavilion or events happening in Downtown Manassas, go to visitmanassas.org.

Sources: visitmanassas.comharrispavilion.com

Reasons to Rent in Manassas

In terms of features and amenities, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better value than Arcadia Run. It offers a variety of floorplans that are sure to suit anyone’s needs, many desirable features and amenities such as a fitness center and a resort-style swimming pool. One thing that is overlooked about this community is its location. Located in Prince William County, Manassas is a city that features the best of both worlds. It offers you the feel of a small town while also being close enough to provide a taste of big city life. If you’re looking to rent, Manassas has many things that make it a great place to live.

The city of Manassas is in a great location if you’re looking to commute. It’s just 30 miles away from Washington D.C. and the rest of northern Virginia, meaning you’re close enough to drive into the area for work. There’s also a VRE (Virginia Railway Express) station, allowing you to skip your drive and take the train, whether you are going down to Fredericksburg or heading up to D.C.

Manassas is one of the most historic cities in Virginia. It was the site of the First Battle of Bull Run, the first major land battle of the Civil War. There are representations of this history and other civil war era battles all over the city. You can find out about the long history of the city at the Manassas Museum, which hosts permanent and temporary exhibits and award-winning videos within its 7,000 square-foot walls. You can also find a piece of more current history at the Manassas Train Depot. Built in 1914, the depot hosts the Manassas Visitor Center along with being a stop for Amtrak and VRE trains.In historic downtown, you’ll find a great variety of shops filled with locally-made products such as jewelry, music, books, crafts and more. You’ll also find many restaurants that offer varied cuisine from around the world, from Portuguese food to sports bars. You can also visit one of their local breweries and grab a craft beer with your friends or neighbors.

If you’re looking for something active, the city features 12 different parks and recreations facilities for you to experience. Whether you want to go for a swim, walk your dog or play a game of basketball, you’ll find a fun activity to participate in.Manassas has a lot to offer anyone looking for the small-town charm with a big-city feel. If you’re interested in finding out more about Arcadia Run, please check out our website.

Sources: visitmanassas.org, manassascity.org, manassasparkcommunitycenter.com

Benefits of the Interior Features at Arcadia Run Apartments

With a new apartment home at Arcadia Run, you have to “Get used to getting more!” The features and amenities at Arcadia Run are some of the best around and have many benefits for our residents! Specifically the state of the art interiors, which offer everything to make the most out of your apartment living. From the granite countertops to the large amount of storage space, here are just some benefits of the interior features at Arcadia Run!

Granite kitchen countertops: Granite is sought after as one of the best materials for countertops. It is one of the most visually appealing materials and is not susceptible to scratches or stains. Additionally, it is resistant to heat so that it can be used to place hot pots and pans on.

Storage space: With lots of kitchen cabinets you can easily store all of your cooking essentials. Closet space is also abundant in an Arcadia Run apartment home with select apartments featuring walk-in closets!

Vinyl “hardwood” floors: With the look of natural hardwood flooring, it provides a luxurious feel to the apartments. As opposed to natural hardwood, vinyl protects against stains and spills which provides easy maintenance and cleanup.

Over-sized kitchen: The kitchens featured in our apartments have granite countertops, 42” designer kitchen cabinets, and a great modern feel.  Whether you’re a cooking expert or toast is your specialty, the over-sized kitchens in Arcadia Run apartments make for a great space!

Personal washer/dryer: With the convenience of your own washer and dryer there is no need for waiting your turn or putting on your shoes to leave the apartment! Now, laundry day can also be a cozy day at home.

For more information about the amazing new apartments at Arcadia Run, visit www.arcadiarun.com!

Sources: countertopguides.com, flooring.about.com

Bedroom Decorating Tips On a Budget

Every homeowner would like to decorate his or her bedroom like a professional, but not everyone has the budget to do so. However, here are a few tips on how to transform your “everyday” bedroom into a luxurious getaway you deserve, without breaking the bank to do so.

New Bedding

Even if you don’t do anything else, new bedding can help make your bedroom look brand new. Go for something completely opposite of what you’re using now. If you have a solid colored comforter, try a bold pattern and vice versa. If you don’t want to buy all new bedding, try just getting new throw pillows. Though it may be a small touch, a room is not complete without adding throw pillows. Adding a lot of throw pillows on your bed can make it look more visually interesting and show off your personal décor taste. They come in all different sizes, colors and styles- which makes them so great to mix and match. It’s also so easy to switch up your design by replacing them every so often.

Hanging Light Fixtures

Adding some new lighting to your bedroom will quickly change its appearance. A hanging light fixture like a chandelier will make your bedroom look more luxurious. If you’re able, you should put in a dimmer so you can control how bright your room gets. No one wants boring florescent lighting that will make your room look too harsh.

Greenery

Any form of greenery will turn your room from bland to beautiful. Plants add the perfect pop of color and are good forms of an air filtration system. If you choose any with a scent then you’ll have your room smelling just as good as it looks!

DIY Projects

“Do it yourself” projects are a great way to save some money but still get the same outcome you desire. You can buy less expensive furniture from places like Ikea and spruce them up to make them look exactly like you want and more high end.

Statement Pieces

Focus on a statement piece in your bedroom. Try not to clutter your room so these pieces can stand out and become the focus. Whether it’s a bedframe, dresser or an arm chair-make sure your bedroom has its own centerpiece.

Arcadia Run offers floor plans with either one or two bedroom apartment homes. These tips and tricks can help you create your dream bedroom at Arcadia Run without spending an arm and a leg!

Jiffy Lube Live Concerts You Can’t Miss in July

Located just minutes down the road from our own community of Arcadia Run is the famous outdoor amphitheater, Jiffy Lube Live. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy some music with friends and family- what better way to do that than at an outdoor concert? While residing at Arcadia Run, make sure you take advantage of all the wonderful performances coming throughout the month of July!

Jiffy Lube Live is a popular live performance amphitheater that opened in 1995 in Bristow, Virginia. It was first known as Nissan Pavilion but changed its name in early 2010 because of their collaboration with Jiffy Lube Washington Area Co-op. Their first performance was by The Village People. Since then, there have been a variety of different artists who have played there during the summer months. They are also hosts to several annual events such as America’s Most Wanted Tour, The Vans Warped Tour, Ozzfest and more! The amphitheater is also famous for being the stage where the late saxophonist from the Dave Mathews Band, LeRoi Moore, gave his last performance.

The amphitheater can seat about 25,000 people with 15,000 on the lawn and 10,000 in reserved seats. Because of its seating capabilities, the amphitheater is one of the largest music oriented performance venues in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Buy tickets today by visiting their website and you can enjoy the many concerts coming up this month that you just cannot miss! They include:

  • July 8th– Kid Rock and Foreigner
  • July 10th– Dierks Bentley, Kip Moore, Maddie and Tae and Canaan Smith
  • July 18th– Idina Menzel
  • July 22nd– Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill and Rae Sremmurd
  • July 24th– Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival
  • July 25th– Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett and Frankie Ballard
  • July 26th– Outcry Tour: Hillsong United, Jesus Culture and Kari Jobe

Living at Arcadia Run has its many perks and living so close to Jiffy Lube Live is definitely one of them! Take advantage of the warm weather while it lasts and enjoy some outdoor music at this amazing amphitheater.

 

First Friday in Downtown Manassas

The second First Friday is coming up quickly in Manassas! This Friday, July 3rd, enjoy live music and walk through Historic Downtown Manassas. You can check out a variety of shops and eat some great food at some wonderful restaurants.

 

 

 

Here is a list of participating stores and restaurants:

  • ArtBeat Gallery
  • Black Swan Boutique
  • Carmello’s
  • Creative Brush Studio
  • City Square Café
  • City Tavern
  • Foster’s Grille
  • Love, Charley
  • Malones
  • Manassas Clay
  • Manassas Museum
  • Monza
  • Okra’s
  • Prospero’s Books
  • Philadelphia Tavern
  • Opera House Gourmet
  • The Social Butterfly
  • The Things I love

The Manassas Museum is holding a children’s book talk from 6pm-8pm. You can stop by and talk with Illustrator of, All Aboard for Manassas, Nancy Mitchell and author and illustrator of, A Day with Lily, Monica Bishop. You can also pre-register your children in a class filled with art and theatre play for two hours at the Candy Factory. This will give you a chance to join in on the grown-up fun!

The First Friday series started in February 2014 and has been a big hit since! While residing at Arcadia Run, you’re so close to all the fun that First Friday has to offer. Take advantage of Historic Downtown Manassas and kick off your 4th of July weekend at First Friday!

 

4th of July Celebrations in Manassas, VA

While living at the new apartment home community of Arcadia Run, you’re so close to historic downtown Manassas and all of the events that go on there. Take advantage of this and celebrate America this 4th of July in downtown Manassas! There are many different activities for all different age groups so you are sure to have a great time.

Manassas is hosting an all-American party starting at 3pm. In the streets surrounding the train depot, the Harris Pavilion and the Manassas Museum, there will be rides for kids, food concessions and even a watermelon eating contests. You can also enter an apple pie and peach pie contest. Children are encouraged to enter the bicycle-decorating contest where they will be judged in three different categories that include most creative, most patriotic and best bike overall. The judges will score and deliberate while participants complete two laps around the Harris Pavilion. Not only are these contests fun, you can also win prizes for coming in third, second or first place!

Arguably the best part of this celebration is, of course, the fireworks. Good thing Manassas has one of the largest fireworks displays in Northern Virginia! They start at 9:15pm on the Manassas Museum Lawn, but make sure you come early with your blankets, snacks and lawn chairs to get the best seats!

Why would you want to celebrate this Independence Day anywhere else? Come to Downtown Manassas to make new memories with family and friends!