Alexandria

Steve Larsen, owner of Alexandria-based Larsen Design/Build Associates, says he has seen an increase in requests for screened-in porches. More homeowners want to convert their decks, or portions of their decks, into covered, screened-in shelters, extending usable space. Such a structure, says Larsen, is “something that is going to give people that nice outdoor environment outdoors.”

No matter the budget, enclosed porches provide shelter from the sun and other elements: mosquitoes, rain, and can stay much cooler with the help of the breeze from a ceiling fan or two. Experts agree that in this area, if an enclosure has electricity, a ceiling fan is a must.

“Our summers get pretty hot around here,” Larsen says. “Sitting on a deck in hot sun is not always that fun. You’re sort of relegated to doing it early morning or late afternoon. Whereas if it were a covered porch, even if with just a simple ceiling fan, 90-95 degrees is still [enjoyable] for some people.” Alternatively, he says, add a heating element and the screened-in porch is a great place to hang out in the cooler months.

Larsen says taking the space beyond just a deck with a roof and considering some sort of gas heating system are the two requests he has seen most often.

If space and budget allow, consider a free-standing gas stove or wood-burning chiminea that can provide warmth and style at a minimal cost. Year-round, it can offer the thrill of a grown-up campfire.

“It’s an enhancement to being outside, a nice little seating, gathering place. If you’re spending some money on a nice backyard,” Harley says, a sophisticated fire feature is usually part of the plan. Just leave that to professionals to install and follow proper safety precautions.

(May 2013)

Alexandria Alters Dedicated Fund for Affordable Housing, Open Space During Budget Rush; Drug Take-Back Program Announced; Parents Push Ahead with Middleburg Charter School Concept; Ken Cuccinelli Touts Jobs Plan While Dems Hit Him on Women’s Issues; Virginia Congressman Asks McDonnell to Slow Down “Outer Beltway”

trekandshoot /shutterstock.com

May 15, 2013

Alexandria Alters Dedicated Fund for Affordable Housing, Open Space During Budget Rush

Washington Post

Drug Take-Back Program Announced

NBC 4

Parents Push Ahead with Middleburg Charter School Concept

Leesburg Today

Ken Cuccinelli Touts Jobs Plan While Dems Hit Him on Women’s Issues

Washington Examiner

Virginia Congressman Asks McDonnell to Slow Down “Outer Beltway”

WAMU

(Compiled by David Schuller)

Garden Tours with Mutti

Posted by David Schuller / Friday, May 10th, 2013

The weather is set to be perfectly pleasant this Sunday, and what better plan for Mother’s Day than a walk through the garden that just been watered by Saturday’s expected thunderstorm? Spend the day bonding with the woman who brought you into this world and she may be distracted enough to stop guilt tripping you about how she wished you had become a doctor.

Christopher Meder /shutterstock.com

Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
3200 Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy., Alexandria
703-780-0011
mountvernon.org
$15

“Wings of Fancy,” Brookside Gardens
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wheaton Regional Park, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD
301-962-1400
montgomeryparks.org
$6

Georgetown Garden Tour
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Christ Church, 31st and O St. NW, Washington D.C.
202-965-1950
georgetowngardentour.com
$35

National Cathedral Garden Tour
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington D.C.
202-537-6200
nationalcathedral.org

U.S. Botanic Garden
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington D.C.
202-255-8333
usbg.gov
Free

National Arboretum
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
3501 New York Ave NE, Washington D.C.
202-245-2726
usna.usda.gov
$4

Constitution Gardens
Open 24 Hours
National Mall, Washington D.C.
202-426-6841
nps.gov
Free

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna
703-255-3631
nvrpa.org
$5

River Farm
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
6 Shiloh Ln, Huntly
540-636-4775
ahs.org
Free

Green Spring Gardens
noon-4:30 p.m.
4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria
703-642-5173
fairfaxcounty.gov
Free

Pop Goes the Art in Old Town

Posted by Jasmine Lee / Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

After work, slide on over to Old Town Alexandria for an artsy remix of your regular Thursday night.

One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure by Noah Williams (Courtesy of Torpedo Factory)

Remember the Second Thursday Art Night Series at the Torpedo Factory? Well, starting tomorrow the series’ spin off hits the city. On the second Thursday of each month between now and October, Old Town will be painted (not literally, please!) with a new creative style that will inspire a variety of activities, including hands-on art, exhibitions, live music, contests with special prizes and shopping.

This week things kick off with a pop art and polka dot theme called “Pop Dot.” Here’s a rundown of what you have to look forward to:

The Spot the Dot scavenger hunt and polka dot costume contest will be great way to start your night. You might as well go crazy with it because that enthusiasm could win you a prize! Plus, there will be a DIY button-making station to give your costume an extra bit of flair. The Brian Litz Duo will serenade Torpedo Factory visitors with live jazz.

Optimist Luggage by David Bogus (Courtesy of Torpedo Factory)

From 6-8 p.m. in the Target Gallery will be the opening reception for the new “Beyond Function“ exhibition. Sixty artists competed for a spot and 14 were chosen, including one all the way from Italy. “Beyond Function” displays useful pieces (like the briefcase on the right) “seeking to be valued for their aesthetic quality over their usefulness.”

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Art League Gallery, there will be two events. One is the opening reception for Noah Williams’ “One Man’s Trash.” Williams puts the old trash-to-treasure adage to work, creating sculpture made from unwanted materials such as bottle caps, feathers, tires and scrap metal. He’ll be on site for the reception. The other event is the Art League’s May All-Media Membership Show, which presents the work of the group’s members. Lauren Shell Dickens, the Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Corcoran, juried their art.

One Million Bones installation (Courtesy of Torpedo Factory)

In the main hall, you’re invited to experience the One Million Bones (OMB) installation featuring ceramic bones handcrafted by students from NoVA. Their work is part of the one million bones being made around the world, in an effort to bring attention to the genocide in Sudan, the Congo, Burma and Somalia. On June 8, one million bones will be on display for all to see at the National Mall.

Other festivities include music and fun at the Athenaeum ($10 admission), polka music at the Alexandria Visitors Center and an 8 p.m. closing time for many Old Town boutiques.

Visit secondthursdayoldtown.com for more info and to find out next month’s theme!

May 9, 6-9 p.m.
Second Thursday Old Town
Old Town Alexandria
Free / secondthursdayoldtown.com

Talking Comedy with John Hodgman

Posted by Octavia Silva / Friday, May 3rd, 2013

Photo courtesy of Sheila Kenny

John Hodgman is a comedy writer, stand-up comedian, journalist and actor. Initially getting started on Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show,” Hodgman has also written a comedy book trilogy titled “Complete World Knowledge” to great success and been published in The New York Times, McSweeney’s and NPR.

He’ll be performing stand-up comedy with Paul & Storm at Alexandria’s The Birchmere tonight.

Read the rest of this entry »

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