The Blairs Blog
 

THE TOWER COMPANIES’ BLAIR TOWNS WINS USGBC’S 2012 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE PROJECT OF THE YEAR!

On July 19th, The Tower Companies’ Blair Towns was awarded USGBC’s 2012 Awards of Excellence Project of the Year. Congratulations to The Blairs’ team and project consultants SDC, who were instrumental in making it happen!

Pictured (L-R) below accepting the award:
Allen Sager, Jennifer Czumalowski, Arniece Green, Rasy Chhoeuy, Alex Stickelman, Sue Garcia, and David Borchardt

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Staying Fit in Silver Spring, This Summer!

Summer time is officially here! Warmer weather means bathing suits and showing off your summer body! The one you’ve been perfecting all winter – with barbecues and cold beers aplenty, such as the delicious craft beers at The Quarry House, you just might need to get back on your cardio soon.

Luckily, at the Blairs we have an indoor gym so it will be more comfortable to get a nice workout in without worrying about the heat outside! This fitness room has the latest modern equipment and the room is complete with a Yoga/Pilates area to exercise. The Pulse Fitness Room is open 24 hours per day/seven days a week and has a secure entry key fob for access. You can also dock your I-Phone or I-Pod to play music through our internal speaker system if you choose!

Need some fresh air? The Olympic size pool is available from 11:00am to 9:00pm seven days a week. There are three life guards on duty during all pool operating hours. There are ample sun deck chairs and three “cabana” soft cushion chairs to relax in too. If going on an adventure seems more your style, try hiking on the Appalachian Trail!

For more information on staying fit at the Blairs Apartments in Silver Spring, MD visit our Amenities page, or visit us today!

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Celebrate Dad in Silver Spring, MD!

Father’s Day is June 17th and will be here sooner than you think. With that said, what do you get the father who has everything? Most likely he has every tie and #1 dad t-shirt ever mad, so it’s time to think outside of the box!

Why not show dad how much you appreciate him by taking him to one of the many restaurants that Downtown Silver Spring has to offer. Such as everyone’s favorite, Eggspectation’s, right in the heart of Silver Spring – or serve dad what he really wants, a nice juicy steak from Ruth’s Chris or Ray’s The Classics!

Is dad not a foodie – try a round of golf! Whether it’s having him join you on the course or even pairing gift certificates with a few golf balls, there’s plenty of ways to share in one of dad’s favorites. For the full Montgomery County guide to golf visit: http://mcggolf.com/. Or try our favorite courses: Sligo Creek Golf Course  or Northwest Golf Course, both in Silver Spring, MD.

What can Dads always appreciate? A little downtime, a cold one, and a nice afternoon on the patio. Join dad on the Crest Lounge to enjoy a sunset, a cold beer and some good conversation here at The Blairs.

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Kick Off Your Summer with Memorial Day in DC

Memorial Day Weekend, also known as the unofficial start to summer is upon us once again!  Public pools begin to open, cookouts will be everywhere, and a lot of people will be visiting beaches up and down the east coast.  Can’t make it to the beach this weekend? Luckily there are plenty of things to do in Washington DC!

National Memorial Day Concert (Sunday May 27th 8pm)

Every year PBS sponsors a free concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This year’s concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, along with guest artists and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally (Sunday May 27th 12pm)

Thousands of Motorcyclists will ride through Downtown Washington in an annual demonstration that seeks to improve veteran benefits and resolve prisoner of war and missing in action issues.  The Rolling Thunder speaker program and musical tribute will begin at 12:30

National Memorial Day Parade (Monday May 28th 2pm)

This parade features marching bands and veterans units from all 50 states! The parade starts at the corner of Constitution Ave and 7th street NW and continues on past the White House and ends on 17th St.

Can’t make these? Join us at this week’s Memorial Day Pool Party at the Blair’s Pool! Featuring DJ Premonition, Rita’s Ice with tons of prizes and giveaways! Visit our Facebook page for more information!

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Enjoy the Game: Baseball in Washington DC

Things are heating up around DC and that means Major League Baseball is back!
Want to get involved in the season even if you didn’t throw pitches on opening day? You can always grab a friend and throw the ball around, go to a local batting cage, like Laurel Golf Center and hit a few homers or organize your own pickup game at a local field!
If playing is not your forte you be the life of the party. Try organizing your own tailgate or viewing party for you and your closest friends. Don’t want to go far? The Crescent Lounge is always open to get your game going. Not your style? Fire up the grill or even head out to the local hot-spots on our Silver Spring map!
There really is nothing like hearing the crack of the bat live and in person, there are two teams if you’re in Maryland or DC you should swear by! The Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles. The Nationals Play at Nationals Park in Washington DC , and the Baltimore Orioles play at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland.
You can’t go wrong with whatever you choose, just cheer hard and enjoy the game!

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Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning at The Blairs

Spring has sprung, and now is the perfect time for making the customary seasonal changes – lightening your wardrobe, getting outside and enjoying time inside doing what else?  Spring cleaning!

There are many options for spring cleaning in your downtown Silver Spring area.  However, considering the eco-friendly lifestyle you are living at The Blairs Apartments and your interest in the environment, you want to make sure that these options are truly right for you and the environment, and probably not in that order.

If you enjoy creating things, make your own products from nature.  There are many sources on the Internet that show you how to do this in detail.  You can make certain products in particular like Creamy Soft Scrubber or you can choose to create your own non-toxic cleaning kit  capable of handing any messy situation.

If you would rather not create your own natural products, there are several natural ones on the market that you can trust.  Go down to your local Whole Foods on Wayne Avenue or consult their website where you can find information on their new trademarked rating system called Eco-Scale which outlines Quality Standards for Household Cleaning Products.

Finally, if you’re into the eco green and clean thing, but are more interested in having someone else do it for you, consider hiring a green cleaning company that features green products.  Check out these guidelines for hiring an Eco-Friendly Maid Service at www.goecoliving.com, or check out companies like www.hellogreenclean.com.

At the end of the day, it does not matter which method you choose.  As long as your Blairs Apartment in downtown Silver Spring is a mean, green, eco machine, it’s all good.

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It’s Here – Valentine’s Day in Silver Spring!

You have two extremely important questions to answer:

“Where will I take my sweetie for Valentine’s Day?” and “How will I make this year special?”

Living at The Blairs in downtown Silver Spring, you can find easy answers in and around town.  Use our handy area map to discover some of the great gems around town, whether you’re hitting the local boutiques or the hottest restaurants this Valentine’s Day.

The key is to transform your every day environment into magical places and memorable moments.  Start first with the romantic places and spaces that can be found around the property, but add experiences to them that would make visiting them extra special.  For example, kick of your night on the town with the sharing of an Instagram Valentine’s Day card you created in the business center or end your excursion by cuddling up by the outdoor fire, sharing chocolates with desert wine.

And of course what you do inside of your Blairs Apartment is completely up to you.  Transform it into a romantic dinner destination for two by picking up some delicious Italian cuisine at Mamma Lucia, only steps away from your front door! But if you choose to go out, you’ve got downtown Silver Spring as your backdrop, and that always inspires love. Try Romantic Silver Spring hot spots like Adega Wine Cellars  and Nova Europa. Or possibly, something a bit more trendy and casual, like Jackie’s Restaurant and Sidebar or 8407 Kitchen Bar.

Whatever you do with that special someone, make it an experience. We’re just glad you can spend it with us, here at The Blairs.

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Recycling & Reusing in Silver Spring – New Montgomery County Bag Law & Recycling Tips

If you don’t already know, we here at The Blairs are all about promoting and protecting our environment. Our Silver Spring Apartments are your first choice for green living in the DC Metro area, from our LEED certification to our unique Ecopod apartments filled with eco-friendly living features.

Did you know we recycle 63% of all our trash – this helps reduce impact on landfills. But how can you help? Here are our top 5 things to remember when recycling:

  • Be Informed- Know what you can and cannot recycle – every city has their own list of what to recycle and dispose of Visit Montgomery Count’s Division of Solid Waste Services for full details.
  • Make It Convenient – Be sure to keep your recycling bin within reach, right near your trash. This gives you the easy access to think twice when throwing items away. Our ecopods already come equipped with a handy recycling sorter!
  • Reuse It – Buy reusable products such reusable or electric razors, reusable dishes, mugs and utensils, and bring your lunch to work in a reusable lunch bag.
  • Check The Bathroom – Do you just throw your finished toiletries away? Lots of items from the bathroom can be recycled too. Simply rinse out those empty bottles and toss them in your recycling!
  • Remember Glass Jars – From jam to spice jars, just give them a rinse and recycle with your other glass! For added reuse, keep them around instead of purchasing new tupperware for food storage.

 

DON’T FORGET! Be sure to bring your own bags with you when hitting the shops. Starting this year, the new law, designed to cut down on pollution caused by plastic, places a five-cent charge on each paper or plastic carryout bag provided by retail establishments! Even if you don’t plan on saving your 5 cents by going reusable, that money will be deposited into the County’s Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC) fund.

We aim for a beautiful and eco friendly community that you can simply put your feet up and relax. We’re glad you can help us build a more beautiful Silver Spring!

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Skiing & Skating in Silver Spring – Celebrate Winter to the Fullest

As the thermometer drops and the snow starts to fall, rather than sit and mope, hit the slopes! Whether you want to go skiing, skating or just sipping hot toddies The Blairs’ apartments in Silver Spring puts you in the prime location for all your favorite winter activities!

Get the Gear. In order to be a success on the ice or on the slopes, you need to look great and have the technology to set you apart! The Silver Spring, MD and Washington, DC area host some of the greatest places to pick up gear. Like Ski Chalet in Gaithersburg from snowboard jackets to ski apparel, they have it all (even wakeboards and hiking shoes when snow is not in season!) Ski Center in DC is your one stop shop for all things ski related. Can’t make it in the store? Their online shop delivers, and will still allow you to support local businesses in the Washington DC Metro area!

Hit the Slopes. If you’re not familiar with all 34 resorts in the mid-Atlantic, DCSki is the best place to start, with profiles of every resort from Liberty Mountain in Pennsylvania to Snowshoe in West Virginia. Just a short drive from Silver Spring and you’re on the Shawnee Mountains, geared and ready to go!

Not the type for skiing? Shivering on the slopes not your idea of a great time? Well, grab a cup of cocoa and cozy up in our lounge . It’s the perfect place to put your feet up and tune out the bustling city. Plus, there’s always the beautifully lit Silver Spring Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza, which is open until March 13th this year!

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3 Tips for Tranquil Living in Silver Spring

We here at The Blairs know you live a thrilling and fast-paced life. With all the conveniences of Silver Spring and Washington, DC – It’s easy to get caught up in the go, go, go! Our New Year’s resolution to you is to make sure you to have a tranquil, yet effervescent, 2012. Here are our Top 3 Tips to Tranquil Living in 2012:

1. Take A Breath

Start with what’s most important. Breathe! Whether that’s getting back to nature at nearby parks in Silver Spring or lounging by our outdoor fire pit, be sure to take a break from your day and enjoy. This will encourage a new outlook on life and slow you down.

Looking for other ways to breathe? Start with meditation and yoga at hot spots like Willow Street Yoga, just down the road.

2. Get Out There

Whether it’s working the stress off in our top of the line gyms at The Blairs or getting your dance on in the city, there’s no better way to relax than sweating it out.

Mix up your everyday routine, with a few laps at our Olympic size swimming pool, or trying a new club downtown. Download our free Silver Spring map, with all the local hot spots to start planning!

3. Live Simple

The New Year is the perfect time to get rid of the clutter in your life! Try The Container Store, IKEA or Bed Bath & Beyond, all within a short drive, for your chance to simplify your apartment here at The Blairs!

You can even simplify your diet by choosing local, fresh ingredients. Visit Fenton Street Market (Opens in April) or join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program such as Sandy Spring CSA in Silver Spring to have fresh produce delivered regularly!

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