Posts Tagged ‘Northern Virginia’
Great Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Thursday, May 24th, 2012
Summer’s finally here!
Shutterstock/alexmillos
By Lindsey Leake
I’m really not a fan of Labor Day—I dislike it even more than I do the day after Christmas. Worse than those last-week-of-December blues when it finally sinks in that the holiday you’ve been anticipating for weeks has come and gone all too quickly, Labor Day marks the end of the glorious summer season. It’s not that I don’t enjoy fall’s crinkly red and orange leaves, pumpkins and crisp breezes that follow; as an August baby I’ve just always loved the lazy days by the pool, beach trips and festivals that summer brings even more.
Each year on the first Monday in September I find myself already counting down the days until the last Monday of the following May when the best part of the year begins. At long last, Memorial Day is nearly here, and here are some great ways to celebrate the unofficial start of summer!
Be the first in your neighborhood or town to hit the local pool. Summer isn’t the only thing bookended by Memorial and Labor Day; most NoVA pool openings are also governed by the two holidays. Cool off in the water (Monday’s supposed to be a scorcher), enjoy a picnic lunch outside, splash around with the kids, catch up with friends and get a jumpstart on your tan, all in one place.
Barbecue, barbecue, barbecue! What better to way to ring in summer than with the taste of summer? Ribs oozing with barbecue sauce, corn on the cob that melts in your mouth, sweet baked beans and a colorful fruit salad—enough said. Whether you invite a few friends or the whole block over for your backyard grilling party, don’t forget to invest in a few mosquito candles for your guests’ comfort.
Tour the area’s rich assortment of memorials. Pool trips and barbecues are fun, but let’s not forget the day’s true purpose: to honor American soldiers who gave their lives for our country. Northern Virginia and the District are teeming with monuments commemorating these brave men and women.
Get patriotic. From a parade in Falls Church to a procession in Fredericksburg, NoVA offers many opportunities for the public to be entertained while donning their best red, white and blue outfits. It may not be full-blown firework season yet, but it can’t hurt to light a few sparklers on Monday evening for good measure!
Brave the battlefield. Manassas National Battlefield Park is hosting a Memorial Day observance ceremony on Monday afternoon at Groveton Confederate Cemetery. Watch reenactors from the 14th Brooklyn and 42nd Virginia Infantry perform artillery and musketry salutes.
Hit the park. Pack a lunch, a Frisbee, a good book and you’re all set for a relaxing day in the sun.
Marathon, anyone? While some Americans will be running in marathons on Monday, others will be watching them. If we do end up with a bout of early summer storms and you’re stuck inside, consider spending your well-deserved day off watching marathons of True Blood (HBO Zone), Say Yes to the Dress (TLC), Sex and the City (Style), The Mary Tyler Moore Show (Hallmark), The Tudors (BBC America) or Pawn Stars (History), just to name a few. Or, rent a few seasons of your favorite TV show on DVD and hold your own marathon!
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Thursday, May 24th, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Virginia launches road-trip tourism campaign
Baby girl born in SUV with help of Arlington cop
Fairfax County native hits big screen with ‘Lawless’ film
Promoting safety on the Potomac River
Prince William teacher charged with assaulting student
Gainesville man pleads guilty in fatal 2010 crash
Dulles-based Orbital Sciences competes with Space X to resupply space station
(Compiled by Lindsey Leake; photo courtesy of Shutterstock/John T Takai)
Snapshot Puzzle: Do you know what this landmark is?
Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Thursday, May 24th, 2012
How well do you know Northern Virginia?
by Lynn Norusis
Lynn Norusis
Do you know what this landmark is? Decipher the puzzled pic above. Go ahead, give it a shot.
Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Thursday, May 24th, 2012
Guys, it’s time to start taking charge of your health.
By Lindsey Leake
Shutterstock.com/Yuri Arcurs
June is almost here, and that means we’re heading into Men’s Health Month! Sponsored in part by the Men’s Health Network, the goal of this month is to “heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.” Health matters for males of all ages, so now’s not only the time to start getting your own health in order, but also to encourage your fathers, brothers, sons, nephews, friends and all the important men in your life to schedule their annual check-ups. For more information on Men’s Health Month and to learn about corresponding screenings, health fairs, fundraisers and activities near you, visit www.menshealthmonth.org.
• National Men’s Health Week, celebrated annually the week leading up to Father’s Day, is June 11-17 this year.
• Women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2001)
• 11.9 percent of American men 18 years and older are in fair or poor health. (CDC National Health Interview Survey, 2010)
• Approximately 79 percent of all suicides committed in the U.S. in 2005 were by men. (www.suicide.org, 2005)
• Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About 1 man in 36 will die of prostate cancer. (American Cancer Society, 2012)
• Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. (American Cancer Society, 2012)
• About 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. (American Cancer Society, 2012)
• In 2010, 59 percent of men were current regular drinkers compared with 43 percent of women. (CDC National Health Survey, 2010)
• 20 percent of males under 65 are without health insurance coverage. (CDC National Health Interview Survey, 2010)
• Autism now affects 1 in 54 boys; boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism. (Autism Speaks Inc., 2012)
• Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ))
• Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization. (AHRQ)
• Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes. (AHRQ)
• In 2012, an estimated 848,170 men will develop cancer and 301,820 men will die of cancer. (American Cancer Society, 2012)
• An estimated 6,860 Virginians will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. (American Cancer Society, 2012)
• 13 million men over age 20 have diabetes. (CDC, 2010)
• More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2008 were in men. (CDC)
• For people under 45, high blood pressure affects more men than women. (CDC)
Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, May 24th, 2012
Teresa Kasprzycka/Shutterstock
Show off your summer garden’s edible and delicious masterpieces.
Email us pictures of your garden in all stages for a possible photo feature as we highlight local backyard vegetable and herb gardens across NoVA.
All Smiles at Betty White’s Zoo Book Signing
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
Yes, the celebrated actress is just as sweet as she appears on TV!
By Lindsey Leake
White smiles for the press before the book signing. | Photo by Lindsey Leake
On Friday, May 18, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park played host to television and film veteran Betty White during a public book signing. White, a lifelong animal lover and advocate of animal welfare, seemed right at home in a cozy nook of the park called Zoo In Your Backyard. Roughly 200 guests—from infants to oldsters—wove their way through a lush, green garden pathway up to the wooden canopy where White sat, happily signing copies of “Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo” and “If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t).”
The early afternoon affair felt less like a publicity stunt featuring a timeless Hollywood figure and more like the homecoming of a dear old friend. There was excitement for sure, but no drama—just loyal, affable fans waiting patiently in the springtime sun for the chance to share a few moments with the woman who brought Sue Ann Nivens, Rose Nylund, Elka Ostrovsky and countless other memorable characters to life. It was as though White, 90, had leapt directly from the small screen into our presence, her wisdom and kindness radiating throughout the crowd.
White signed up to two books per guest. | Photo by Lindsey Leake
White genuinely seemed just as eager to meet each of her fans as they were to greet her. She took the time to sign two books for and briefly chat with each pre-registered guest, but was especially pleased to meet the park’s many zookeepers. White’s passion for animals shone through as she asked each zoo employee about his or her specialty and discussed the plants and animals they worked with.
Whether due to the picture-perfect weather or the cheery atmosphere White’s presence evoked throughout the exhibit, the 90-minute book signing went by in a flash. Cameras and phones themselves flashed almost constantly, as each guest wanted to capture his or her moment with one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses, and playful shouts of “I love you, Betty!” echoed every ten minutes or so as the line snaked through the garden.
Betty White and I share a laugh. | Photo by Jennifer Zoon
Full disclosure: I’m a huge Betty White fan (think about it; do you know anyone who isn’t?). And thanks to my press pass, I was fortunate enough to be able to stand under the exhibit’s canopy with White for nearly two hours. When just a handful of fans remained, I was allowed to hop in the end of the line and became the last fan she would meet during the event. I hadn’t had time to wait in line and purchase White’s books before the signing, but I’d planned ahead and brought along my season one copies of Hot in Cleveland and The Golden Girls (no matter that the show first aired years before I was born; it’s a hilarious classic!).
I became slightly worried when a park employee warned me that, due to the promotional nature of the event, White may not be willing to sign my DVDs in lieu of her books, but it turned out that she was glad to do so. When the time finally came for Betty White and I to meet face-to-face, I wasn’t nervous, speechless or star-struck, as I’d imagined I’d be in the presence of such a highly-esteemed woman who I consider an idol. Instead, staring into the wizened, yet youthful face of the actress I suddenly felt like I’d known my whole life, I found myself relaxed and talking to White as if she were an old pal.
TV-on-DVD favorites made even more special! | Photo by Lindsey Leake
Signed DVDs in hand, I eventually had to tear myself away from White and reluctantly joined the throng of zoo-goers lining the park paths to see the star off in her chauffeured golf cart. With a few big waves and a final flash of America’s favorite smile, White was whisked away into the wooded depths of the zoo. And just like that, we were all abruptly shoved back into reality; the crowd dispersed and life in the park became business as usual. And me? I reached into my purse, pulled out the two DVDs and ran my right index finger across White’s Sharpie signature, smiling with the relief that it hadn’t all been a dream.
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Betty White’s National Zoo book signing, while open to the public, unsurprisingly reached maximum capacity the same day its online registration opened. But if you missed White on Friday, you can catch up with her tonight on TV Land during the Hot in Cleveland marathon starting at 8 p.m.
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
Watermelon and Blackberry Margarita Pops/Photo courtesy: Bakers Royale
Grab a friend and go crash a Memorial Day BBQ. Here’s what to bring to fit in:
Shaved asparagus salad [weekly greens]
Vegetable chips [npr]
Asparagus and cannellini bean salad [endless simmer]
Strawberry feta quinoa salad [metrocurean]
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Virginia says Dulles tolls don’t have to rise so much
Springfield Tae Kwan Do instructor accused of sex crimes
Dulles Town Center lands Regal Cinemas theater
Virginia risks ADA violations in not releasing mental patients
Noose found at Ashburn home
Red light cameras in Alexandria catch thousands
Prince William plan tracks tourism investment
(Compiled by Lindsey Leake; photo courtesy of Shutterstock/david n madden)
Tour the Memorials for Memorial Day
Posted by Matt Basheda / Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
Memorial Day in Washington, D.C. is a big deal.
After all, the city houses many of the country’s famous memorials. So as part of your celebratory plans, why not take a day this weekend, brave the traffic and tour the memorials?
The Air Force Memorial. Photo: Shutterstock.com/Jason and Bonnie Grower
Three of the four branches of the U.S. military have major memorials in or near D.C. These broad memorials are good places to start honoring those who serve.
Since you’ll be starting in NoVA, begin your trip at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. The monument is outside Arlington National Cemetery.
The spectacular Air Force Memorial is also in Virginia, on the other side of Arlington National Cemetery from the Marine memorial. Its eye-catching design is a part of the metropolitan skyline, and can be seen from many spots on both sides of the Potomac.
Of course Arlington cemetery itself cannot be–and should not be–overlooked. Arlington is one of Memorial Day’s national centerpoints.
Inside the district, the magnificent Navy Memorial pays honor to all seafaring servicemen and women. The Navy Memorial, featuring “The Lone Sailor,” stands on Pennsylvania Avenue.
But the more specific war memorials also deserve attention. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a tremendously popular destination for D.C. visitors, and this weekend should be no different. The famous wall sits along two blocks of Constitution Avenue, between 21st Street and 23rd Street.
The relatively recent World War II Memorial, located directly on the National Mall, honors all who contributed to the war effort with a regal monument.
If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path–especially since those major attractions will be jam-packed–D.C. has a few less-known, but no less poignant memorials.
The D.C. War Memorial. Photo: Shutterstock.com/Caitlin Mirra
The Korean War Memorial and D.C. War Memorial both sit in quiet corners of the Mall, adjacent to the biggest draws in the city. However, their slightly secluded location provides a comforting respite from the occasionally frantic downtown bustle.
And the African American Civil War Memorial, commemorating all African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War, sits apart from the hectic mall on U Street. Its welcoming, circular design is well worth a visit.
The Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial is one of the city’s oldest; dedicated in 1934, this extraordinary structure honors Merchant Marines who died in World War I. The unique design–seagulls on a cresting wave–combined with the aquatic location on Columbia Island makes this monument one of D.C.’s hidden memorial treasures.
The Peace Monument is highly visible, but not a frequent destination, probably owing to its location in the middle of a roundabout. But the magnificent Greco-Roman memorial should be visited by all. The huge memorial honors naval soldiers in the Civil War. It is a few hundred feet in front of the U.S. Capitol.
This is not a comprehensive list. D.C. offers even more opportunities to remember our heroes from all eras of American history. And this weekend is the perfect time to go out and pay respects.
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
State Fair of Virginia site sells for $5.35 million
I-95 crashes leave two dead, one hurt
Body found in Leesburg pond thought to be missing man
Husband and wife steal from charity jars at Culpeper CVS
Arlingtonians love their services
(Compiled by Lindsey Leake; photo courtesy of Shutterstock/maryo)