Posts Tagged ‘Falls Church’
Where D.C. United Players Are Hanging Out This Week
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Najar, in action. / Photo credit: Shutterstock/Photo Works
Catch up with the awesomely talented dudes of D.C. United who are coming off a nice win over the Colorado Rapids and a three straight Ws at home as they make quite a few public appearances this week.
Here’s a breakdown of who-where-when:
Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
By Colleen Callery
Ever stop to wonder what’s in the water we drink? Where it comes from? If it’s safe? (We all know to steer clear of the Potomac River, but you do know you are drinking it, right?) Two-thirds of our body mass if water. So read on to see how 75 percent of you is faring when it comes to its safety.
NOVA WATER SOURCES
Fairfax County Water Authority (Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun Counties and City of Alexandria)—draws from Potomac River and Occoquan Reservoir; treated at James J. Corbalis Jr. and Frederick P. Gri ffith Jr. water treatment plants.
City of Falls Church Water Utility—draws from Potomac River upstream of D.C.; treated at Washington Aqueduct’s Dalecarlia and McMillan water treatment plants.
Arlington County Department of Environmental Services—draws from the Potomac River; treated at Dalecarlia Treatment Plant in D.C.
TREATMENT PROCESS
Coagulation: Chemicals called coagulants are added to the raw water, which causes small particles to adhere to one another.
Flocculation: As the particles coagulate, they create larger particles called fl oc. As the water is slowly mixed, the fl oc particles continue to group together, becoming heavier and heavier.
Sedimentation: Once the heavy floc settles to the bottom of the sedimentation basins, it is cleared away, leaving the cleaner water behind.
Ozonation: Destroys bacteria and other microorganisms to improve taste.
Filtration: Filtering the water using granular activated carbon (GAC) filters removes the remaining fine particles.
Disinfection and Distribution: Fluoride and a corrosion inhibitor are added to the water to strengthen teeth, prevent lead leaching.
Lick Your Screen: Steak Me Edition
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Thursday, April 12th, 2012
Sillpancho, breaded steak & over easy eggs | Llajaymanta Bolivian Restaurant | Falls Church
Photo by Stefanie Gans
[Do you have a lick-worthy photo? Send it in: food desk / follow @gansie]
Spring Cleaning: Chlorine in Your Drinking Water
Posted by Sally Traynham / Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
If you drink from the tap and live in Arlington County or the City of Falls Church, be warned that your drinking water might have a slight chlorine-like taste and smell (lasting until the first week in May).
The change comes as a by-product of each area’s annual spring cleaning of of water lines and poses no health risks—just unfortunate taste differences.
From late-March to early-May both areas will temporarily switch the water disinfectant from chloramine to chlorine, which “is standard practice for many U.S. water systems that use chloramine during the majority of the year,” states the City of Falls Church in their latest news release.
Concerned?
Using water filters and refrigerating tap water for a few hours before drinking can reduce the chlorine taste and color.
Or, visit one of these local restaurants from the EatGoodFood Group (Restaurant Eve, Society Fair, Eamonn’s, The Majestic, Virtue, and PX), each using its own in-house filtration system.
Happy spring cleaning.
Photo: ifong/Shutterstock
[tips for the food desk]
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Thursday, March 8th, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Baby dies at unlicensed Bristow daycare center
Falls Church man wins $1 million Powerball
How Rick Santorum got a $2 million Great Falls estate
Gov. McDonnell signs controversial abortion bill
Virginia Tech officials admit error in 2007 shooting timeline
(Compiled by Lindsey Leake)
Just In: 2941 Opens Monday, January 30th
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
After passing all of its inspections, 2941 will start serving its new upper-scale Mediterranean menu in the renovated space this coming Monday.
Look for more details later today (menu items!) and check out NVM’s interview with Chef Bertrand Chemel about the economy’s impact on losing its French fine dining label.
Photo by Sally Traynham
First Look at Renovated 2941: Battered Economy Led to Dismissal of Fancy French Restaurant
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
“The French isn’t going to die. It’s still me cooking,” Chef Bertrand Chemel says, defending his menu change at 2941. The Falls Church restaurant closed last year to renovate the kitchen and to rework the entire menu, turning from fancy French to upper-scale Mediterranean. Chemel expects 2941 to reopen next week.
“For about four years we tried to change the perception,” the French chef admits about his struggling high-end restaurant. “People come here for celebrations and at the end of it, their check was high and that was the only thing they remembered.”
The economy played a role in Chemel’s decision to temporarily shutter the restaurant, acknowledging that selling a tasting menu in this climate–and in Falls Church–wasn’t working any longer. But the dramatic act of closing also let him finally shift attitudes. “We tried to do so many different types of menus and different types of advertisements, but it never changed,” Chemel says, adding, “We do run a business and it shows over the years that the percentage of tasting menu we used to sell, to now, declined a lot.”
With his kitchen equipment starting to break about two years ago, and the battered economy impacting sales about a year ago, Chemel used the opportunity to campaign for his updated restaurant.
Although, the menu won’t reveal a complete change as Chemel has been showcasing pasta dishes for years. The new 2941 will unveil different types of pasta, including buckwheat and chickpea. Another shift stems from ingredients. Before the renovation, only 20 percent of 2941′s ingredients came from local sources. That number will now jump to 50-60 percent.
Local sourcing, however, doesn’t translate to local drinking. Chemel hasn’t warmed to Virginia wines. “It’s very hard to sell to a guest a Virginia wine that we [buy at] $40 a bottle, and after we do the mark-up, they can have another one that comes from California and the quality will be much better,” says Chemel.
Creativity still reigns in 2941′s blended Italian-Spanish-South of France-American restaurant. ”If they like the dishes I used to make on the tasting menu, I think they will enjoy it as a la carte size or appetizer size,” says Chemel, noting he’ll transfer some of his tasting menu dishes to the standing menu. “What I think those people are looking [for] is to come to a beautiful place, but still to have the same quality food.”
But that doesn’t mean white tablecloths and what New Times food critic Melissa McCart terms, “dinner prison.” “People don’t want to stay two or three hours at the table,” Chemel observes, “and that’s the thing that changed from a long time ago.” Of course though, it will all circle back. “I think food is like cosmetics and clothing,” Chemel opines, ” it’s always going to come back.”
Chemel’s not too saddened about the change though,”I try to make myself happy to make my guests happy. I will still do fine dining, but in a more casual way [with] more friendly service, not surly service…” The native French-speaking chef then quickly chimes in, “I’m not sure about the exact wording.”
View the photos here.
Photos by Sally Traynham
[tips for the food desk / follow @gansie]
Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Wednesday, December 28th, 2011
This lake front property has fabulous views and plenty of space to enjoy them, inside and out. If the spectacular scenery doesn’t wow you, the gorgeous swimming pool and decadent waterfront lot will.
Address: 3614 Boat Dock Drive, Falls Church, VA 22041
Photo Courtesy TTR Sotheby's International Realty
List Number: FX7636873
List Price: Offered at $5,200,000
Home Stats:
• 8,627 square feet of living area
• 6 bedrooms
• 6.5 bathrooms
• 300+ feet of lake frontage
• Swimming pool
• Dock, patios, balconies
• Additional waterfront lot included
Take the virtual tour.
Contact Info:
Roy Melloni; TTR Sotheby’s International Realty; 703-863-0077; www.roymelloni.com
Christmas Countdown: Reason for the Season
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Friday, December 9th, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
With the hustle and bustle of searching for the perfect presents, hanging Christmas lights and traveling out of town, it can be easy to go through this season without stopping to consider the reason we’re celebrating.
The Heckmans at their new island home. / Photo courtesy of: Craig and Sara Heckman.
For former Falls Church residents Craig and Sarah Heckman, they’re not letting anything sidetrack them from spreading the true meaning of Christmas, and the good news of Jesus.
After applying to and getting accepted as World Teach volunteers on the small island of Kosrae, they packed up their suitcases, sold what they could and said their goodbyes as they began their new adventure as teachers/missionaries in Micronesia.
Where in the world is Micronesia? Here it is. / Photo courtesy of: Craig and Sarah Heckman.
Over the past six months, they’ve had plenty of opportunities to share the message of God’s love with the students and families on the island through personal relationships, school activities and, most recently, an after-school Bible study called T.G.I.F. Club.
Sarah and her students at Kosrae High School. / Photo courtesy of: Craig and Sarah Heckman.
Through their “Step of Faith” blog, the Heckmans have chronicled their journey from Virginia across the world. “Living in a place of such busyness, it is easy to lose perspective on what really matters in life,” says Sarah, just a few weeks before leaving Virginia. “God has given us the opportunity to take a step of faith by moving to Micronesia, and we are DOING IT!”
This December, the Heckmans are taking on yet another opportunity to live out their faith with The Grace Project. “We are hoping to give a little piece of grace to 240 students at Kosrae High School,” says the Heckmans. “The central idea of the “talks” [at T.G.I.F.] is grace. We are introducing them to the man of Jesus and explaining to them who he is, why he is vital in life and how he can offer a life of security and fulfillment.”
Through The Grace Project, the Heckmans hope to portray the idea of grace by collecting care packages from friends and family in the United States and passing them out to the high schoolers. “Once we receive your care package we are going to add a Bible to it and give it to the students at Kosrae High School,” says Sarah Heckman in a short video here. “The package will symbolize grace because it is a free gift … and all we hope the student will do is accept the gift and begin a relationship with the person giving the gift.”
Craig sharing a Bible lesson with the islanders. / Photo courtesy of: Craig and Sarah Heckman.
Already, 60 packages filled with various small toys and goodies have been sent to Kosrae. “God has proven yet again that He WILL provide,” says Craig Heckman. “Hold on to your boot straps, folks, God is up to something awesome!”
Interested in becoming part of The Grace Project? Check out the Heckmans’ video blog post, plus here’s a list of what to include in each package:
- Multiple fun gifts
- 3 notes of encouragement*
- 3 pictures of yourself/family/small group*
- 3 note cards with contact info*
- 3 notes of encouragement*
- 3 pictures of yourself/family/small group*
- 3 note cards with contact info*
- Home address, church address, e-mail address, or facebook account
*Each package will be split and divided to share with 3 students.
The students pose for a picture. / Photo courtesy of: Craig and Sarah Heckman.
Below, the Heckmans provide a list with ideas of what to fill the box with:
- Bath and Body Works – Yes, you are allowed to ship lotion, spray and body wash.
- Nail Polish
- Hair Accessories
- Purses
- Jewelry (Yes, they – girls and boys – have pierced ears.)
- DVDs
- CDs
- School supplies
- Books
- Gently used clothes (Remember, it’s hot and humid all the time.)
- Snacks (They love American food. Please make sure its something that won’t spoil.)
- Cologne/Axe spray (The guys like to smell fresh too, but, please, no glass bottles.)
- Word Search/Sudoku books
- Journals
- Razors (for girls and boys)
- Shampoo/Conditioner (the fun smelling stuff!)
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Manicure/Pedicures supplies
Please mail the packages [flat-rate shipping] to:
Craig and Sarah Heckman
P.O. Box 263
Tofol, Kosrae FM 96944
*Please have package shipped by December 15, 2011*
Craig and Sarah Heckman
P.O. Box 263
Tofol, Kosrae FM 96944
*Please have package shipped by December 15, 2011*
For more Christmas-themed posts, check our blog next week for where Santa and his elves will be hanging out in NoVa.
–Lorin Drinkard
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
ALICITA®Salsa announced today that all five flavors of their tangy, not–too–hot staple will now be available at TODOS Market in Woodbridge.
In September of this year, TODOS was named a finalist in UVA’s 2nd Annual Toyloe Murphey Resilience Competition. Carlos Castro and his team were honored along with the other finalists for their continued efforts and remaining resilient in harsh economic times. TODOS has also just opened a brand new 50,000 sq. ft. market in the Marumsco Plaza in Woodbridge. Come check out the new store and be sure to grab some of our delicious ALICITA®Salsa.
In addition to their not-too-hot Original, made from a Kansas heartland family-owned recipe and named after mother Alice who now resides in Maryland, Alicita*Salsa® offers a flavorful array of four international tastes – Japan, Germany, India, and Greece – and will be releasing several new flavors being kept under wraps, very soon.
“We’ve had great success with each new flavor we release,” stated Alicita’s founder and owner, Suzanne Fields, “I am confident in Alicita’s ability to continue producing salsa that is neither too hot for children, nor too bland for adults. We want the entire family to enjoy our product.”
Alicita*Salsa® comes in 12-oz jars with wide mouths for easy dipping and first of its kind; unique 4-oz dipping cups; Snackitas™ perfect for packed lunches, food service, take-outs and more! Alicita*Salsa® can also be found in Giant Food stores as well as select local Walmart’s. Watch your local groceries for these healthy, diverse salsa flavors which are sure to be the stars of your next meal.
Alicita*Salsa® is a privately held company that donates part of its proceeds to over 20 Children’s Charities, such as Feed The Children,St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Food Allergy Network, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and others.
– Jennie Whistler