Community Life
Top 10 Sunniest Cities In the United States
February 17th, 2012 categories: Buyer Strategies, Community Life, Seller Strategies
As compared to gloomy days, do “sunny days” put you in a good mood? If you’re like many people in the Northern Virginia area , the answer is “yes”.
In a study of more than 1,200 people, researchers found that daily weather factors such as temperature, precipitation and length of day can alter a person’s emotional state. Of all the weather factors, however, “sunshine” can have the most profound effect.
The most likely reason is because sunshine affects people in a physiological manner.
When the human brain detects sunlight, our bodies produce serotonin, a chemical which promotes happiness and well-being. By contrast, when the brain detect darkness, our bodies produce melatonin, a chemical which promotes sleep cycles.
Sunlight — quite literally — leads to happiness.
Understanding the effect of sunlight on human mood, therefore, we must consider the nation’s “sunniest cities” as more than just a novelty list. It may be a link to personal well-being, too.
From the National Climactic Data Center, these are the Top 10 Sunniest Cities in the United States :
- Yuma, AZ : Sunny on 90% of all days
- Redding, CA : Sunny on 88% of all days
- Las Vegas, NV : Sunny on 85% of all days
- Phoenix, AZ : Sunny on 85% of all days
- Tucson, AZ : Sunny on 85% of all days
- El Paso, TX : Sunny on 84% of all days
- Fresno, CA : Sunny on 79% of all days
- Reno, NV : Sunny on 79% of all days
- Flagstaff, AZ : Sunny on 78% of all days
- Sacramento, CA : Sunny on 78% of all days
The complete Sunshine Rankings as listed by Metropolitan Area is available on the NCDC website.
If you are considering a move to one of these “sunniest cities” please know that I am here to help you with your move. Our websites have lots of tools, and you can contact me directly with any questions. We are always here for you!
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Jeff Mauritzen of inPhotograph: Excellence in Photographic and Imaging Work
November 19th, 2011 categories: Community Life
We like to share the exceptional experiences with professionals whose services we have used.
Our sharing is unsolicited from the businesses we talk about. We just like to tell others about people that share the passion for excellence and a customer/client focus that defines the way we serve here at The Kathy O’Neal Team.
Such is the case with Jeff Muritzen (of inPhotograph.com) who happens to be based right here in Chantilly.
Jeff Mauritzen of InPhotograph right here in Chantilly VA
We had the good fortune of working with Jeff on one of our projects and have since referred his services to others. If you or your business has need of photographic or imaging services, visit Jeff’s website to sample the level of quality and creativity found in his amazing Portfolio.
It is a real find when you discover “local talent” with world class quality, but also reasonably priced so that it is affordable.
Jeff works all over the Washington Metro area and occasionally way beyond our local borders as he travels on national and international assignments. Jeff has served many local enterprises ranging from large corporations to one person small businesses, as well as not-for-profits, and government agencies. His talents cover the spectrum of photographic services. I am guessing that is why Jeff has become so “in demand.” He has a loyal following of small to medium-sized businesses that consider him their “go to” photographer for whatever projects arise.
You can connect with Jeff on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, visit his website, or call him, if this is a need you have or anticipate, or have questions about his work. If your experience is like ours, you will find working with Jeff to be as delightful as the impeccable quality of his work.
I should also mention that the photography services Jeff provides to local businesses and organizations in Northern Virginia and Washington DC include: corporate headshots , corporate event photography, commercial photography, golf tournament photography, and aerial photography. Also to note, Jeff sells fine art photography prints of Washington DC , Virginia and Ireland in limited edition signed prints and canvases.
An image from Jeff's "Photo of the Day" collection on his website.
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Haute Dogs and Fries in Purcellville: You Will Love This Place!
November 5th, 2011 categories: Community Life
The Kathy O’Neal Team appreciates other businesses that have a strong customer focus and are serious about quality.
That’s why we wanted to share a good word about a terrific restaurant we recently visited in Purcellville.
Haute Dogs & Fries in Purcellville is well worth a visit.
Haute Dogs and Fries is taking a beloved American food icon and lifting it to a whole new level. By that I don’t mean that you will get a Hot Dog that is so “fancy” that it has lost its authenticity. No, no, no! The dogs here are as real as it gets…they are just also delicious, fresh, well-prepared, and the best part is that you can get them just about any way you might like them.
Along with quite a few ways you may learn to love….lots of topping variations that will tempt you to go beyond mustard and relish, if you so choose.
Along with the honor of being among this year’s 2011 Best Bargain Restaurants in the Washingtonian Magazine, Haute Dogs and Fries is garnering lots of other honors as well.
Pamela & Lionel - owners of Haute Dogs & Fries in Purcellville, VA.
If you want to try other sausage type specialties, you will also find creative menu items that owners Pamela and Lionel prepare from very fresh local sources.
One of the special treats of a visit here is the co-star of the establishment’s name…”Fries!” Have you ever wondered if there were any really, really fine french fries anywhere to be found, other than making them from scratch at home? If so, ya gotta give the fries here there day in the sun. We found them to be worth a trip back….no, made that worth many trips back!
Pay a visit to Haute Dogs and Fries next time you are anywhere in the vicinity of Purcellville. They are keeping an American tradition alive and well!
PS – If you don’t eat meat, give the veggie dog a try. It was terrific!
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Where are the 25 Least Expensive U.S. Cities?
July 12th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Community Life, Seller Strategies
If you are a Chantilly or Northern Virginia area home buyer, you know that our area in not the least expensive place to live.
But have you wondered where the least expensive cities are located? Turns out they are identified in a BusinessWeek article titled “The Cheapest 25 Cities In The U.S“.
The study analyzed costs across 340 urban areas as compiled by the Council of Community & Economic Research, and discovered that cities in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee and Oklahoma ranked consistently high. Hawaii, as you might guess, was not at the low cost end.
Keep in mind that a low cost of living does not necessarily mean a high standard of living.
For example, Harlingen, Texas has a poverty rate nearly triple the national average.
There were other cities in the list that were similar in terms of poverty averages.
The Top 10 “cheapest cities”, as identified by BusinessWeek are:
- Harlingen, Texas
- Pueblo, Colorado
- Pryor Creek, Oklahoma
- McAllen, Texas
- Cookeville, Tennessee
- Commerce-Hunt County, Texas
- Brownsville, Texas
- Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Muskogee, Oklahoma
- Springfield, Illinois
And, at the other end of the spectrum, the top 5 most expensive cities/areas were, in order, Manhattan, New York; Brooklyn, New York; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Francisco, CA; and Queens, New York.
Manhattan’s cost of living comes in at twice the national average.
You can find the complete list at the BusinessWeek website.
And if you are home buying or home selling in the not so inexpensive Northern Virginia area, I can still help you get the best value in town. Most of our business is from repeat and referral clients and it is because we treat everyone with respect and totally focused care. Let me know how we can help you!
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Memorial Day Tribute
May 30th, 2011 categories: Community Life
We have the privilege of serving many military families in Northern Virginia, and doing so is an honor.
Memorial Day Tribute
On this Memorial Day we salute all of our currently serving military men and women and their families. Please know we at The Kathy O’Neal Team are mindful of your service and we are deeply appreciative, every day of the year. There would be no “American Dream” without those who serve in defense of our liberties.
On this day we especially give tribute to those who have served and given their lives from the start of this great nation until the present. In thinking about those who passed on while in service we are reminded of the cost of freedom.
We honor all who have given their life in service to others, and the families that even to this day, carry the burdens of their loss. Thank you, and God bless you.
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Big Help for Small Business: The Entrepreneur’s Journey
May 23rd, 2011 categories: Community Life, Small Business Insights
Are you a small business owner in the Northern Virginia area?
If so, please be aware of “The Entrepreneur’s Journey,” a free program for small business owners who want to take their business to its next level of growth and overall success.
The Entrepreneur's Journey: A Free Educational Program for Small Business Owners
The program is a serious – but fun - learning experience to help small business owners build an even better business while also considering their own “higher calling” in owning and operating a business of excellence.
We’ll cover state-of-the-art business concepts and methods addressing strategy and business planning, marketing (including branding and social media strategies), systems and process thinking to better streamline your operational systems, personal productivity, finance, leadership, team building, and related topics.
We will incorporate Biblical principles as we focus on practical strategies for growth and the timeless truths on which a successful business is based.
The program is facilitated by Fran O’Neal and a team of seasoned small business professionals who are very successful in their fields, highly credentialed, and eager to share their knowledge and insights with committed small business owners.
The program is offered without charge, but enrollment is limited and advanced registration is required. This is a genuine “learning adventure” that has the potential to significantly enhance your business.
For more details visit “The Entrepreneur’s Journey” City Impact web page, or contact us and we will answer any questions. It this looks interesting, we’d love to hear from you!
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Best Schools For Your Housing Buck: Recent Study
May 16th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Community Life
We have a GreatSchools section on our website. It is a nice resource if you are moving into the Northern Virginia area and want to get a quick read on schools in this area.
Recently Forbes and GreatSchools did a study suggesting that home prices and the quality of public schools don’t necessarily correlate. That is another way of saying that the more affluent districts don’t necessarily have better schools.
America’s Best Schools For Your Housing Buck, is the title of the study.
What district tops the list? That would be Falmouth, Maine.
Falmouth has a population of less than 11,000 people, with about 2,000 children in its system. It has a median home sale price of almost $350,000.
This little community is the only city to score a 100 on the Forbes/GreatSchools list.
Here is the Top 10 Best Schools For Your Housing Buck list:
- Falmouth, ME (Score: 100; Median Price: $351,550)
- Mercer Island, WA (Score: 99.12; Median Price: $708,740)
- Pelle, IA (Score: 98.25; Median Price: $148,200)
- Barrington, RI (Score: 97.96; Median Price: $296,010)
- Bedford, NH (Score: 97.96; Median Price: $293,730)
- Manhattan Beach, CA (Score: 97.69; Median Price: $1,278,980)
- Moraga, CA (Score: 97.69; Median Price: $722,010)
- Parkland, FL (Score: 95.98; Median Price: $426,390)
- St, Johns, FL (Score: 95.98; Median Price: $181,700)
- Southlake, TX (Score: 95.74; Median Price: $476,880)
The study notes that low teacher turnover and low unemployment are factors that seem to be common among the high ranking districts.
Check out the Forbes website for more info. And if you are moving into the Northern Virginia area do take advantage of our many web resources, and of course let us know if you need any information on homes and property prices in any Northern Virginia community.
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When you need a Pet Sitter in Chantilly VA: Total Animal Care
March 28th, 2011 categories: Community Life, Home Life
If you are a pet owner in the Chantilly, Virgina and surrounding area, one resource to remember is Total Animal Care LLC.
We have know the owner (Cynthia Tallia) of this pet sitting service for years, and when the need for this kind of service arises among our real estate clients, we let them know about Cindy and her well-established Northern Virginia pet sitting and animal care service.
We also love animals here at The Kathy O’Neal Team and very often work with buyers and sellers who either need boarding services or pet sitting services during the time of their home purchase or sale.
If one of your criteria for hiring a Pet Sitter is that special connection and love of your pet that you hope someone else will share, you can be sure Cindy has that in great measure.
Total Animal Care also does a lot more than pet sitting, and you can get all the details at their website, along with contact information.
If you are looking for this kind of service, check out the good folks at this Chantilly area pet care service.
CIndy and friends
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VETERANS AND US MILITARY: WE HONOR YOU!
November 11th, 2010 categories: Community Life
We offer our sincerest gratitude to all who have served and all currently in service in our nation’s Armed Forces.
THANK YOU VETERAN'S AND ALL US MILITARY
We can’t possibly express the full measure of our gratitude for your sacrifices. On this Veteran’s Day we honor and salute you and your families. Over the years The Kathy O’Neal Team has had the privilege of serving many military families and it is always our pleasure.
Thank you Veterans and current military. You are awesome in every way….God Bless you!
PS. We are also proud to have a Veteran in our own family!
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Small Business Owners: Our other site is also for you (www.SmallBusinessGrowing.com)
October 29th, 2010 categories: Community Life, Small Business Insights
If you own or work in a small business, we have another site that you may also find useful.
At www.SmallBusinessGrowing.com we write about issues that small business owners deal with every day: effective business strategy, leadership, building strong teams, and serving customers with quality.
For example, we currently have a continuing series on how to formulate your business strategy from the ground up. We are also doing a series on how to run effective team meetings.
If you have anything to do with small business, we invite you to visit and get subscribed.
If you are involved in small business, check out our new site!
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