1st Pipes & Drums On King Market Square 300 King Street 7:30 pm Celebrate Alexandria’s Scottish heritage as bagpipes and drums provide the soundtrack! The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums will present a free concert at Market Square in Old Town. Combining precision marching with innovative musical arrangements, the band has been delighting audiences for over 50 years. Come down to Market Square and enjoy the marching, piping, and drumming. After the concert, meet the band members, snap some selfies, and find out what it takes to become a member of the City of Alexandria Pipes & Drums! For weather-related updates, check the band’s Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/CityofAlexandriaPipesandDrums. Photo courtesy of Alexandria Pipes and Drums. 10th 15th Annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale Throughout Old Town and Beyond One of the longest-running seasonal summer shopping events—Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale—returns to the D.C. region’s “Shop Small” destination on Saturday, August 10th throughout Old Town and beyond. The event features 60+ Alexandria boutiques stepping out of their storefronts and offering deeply discounted summer merchandise. Shoppers are invited to follow a map of participating stores along Alexandria’s red brick sidewalks for end-of-summer savings from locally owned boutiques. During the week of the event, the map will be posted online at AlexandriaSidewalkSale.com, accessible via a QR code on posters at participating stores and available in print for pickup at the Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King Street. Parking is available in various parking garages throughout Old Town. Alexandria Sidewalk Sale is produced by Visit Alexandria in partnership with Old Town Business and the City of Alexandria. Visit AlexandriaSidewalkSale.com for more information and store hours. Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market PHOTO 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Corner of Mt. Vernon Ave & Bellefonte Street The market has continuously grown since its humble beginnings in June of 2019. Taking place the…
By Julie Reardon “My dog would have been a champion if he’d been shown.” How many times have we all heard (or maybe even said this) about our dogs? We all think our dogs are champions, which is a good thing. What’s actually involved in earning that title? The country’s largest breed registry, the American Kennel Club, awards that title to dogs that have earned 15 points in shows. Points are earned by winning over other dogs of its breed. Almost every day of the year, the AKC sanctions a dog show somewhere; over 8,000 are held annually. AKC member clubs host the shows; locally these include Catoctin, Maryland, Old Dominion, Rock Creek, Middleburg and Warrenton kennel clubs. Most host one or two annual shows and some offer training classes for dog shows and other canine sports like obedience, agility and more. In addition to being the number one family participation sport in the country, dog shows are also one of the oldest forms of organized sports. Showing animals, including dogs, sprang from a desire to find the best breeding stock so in keeping with this tradition, spayed or neutered dogs are not eligible to show. While at a glance just trotting a good looking dog around a show ring and standing it squarely for the judge to examine doesn’t seem too hard, this is one of few sports where amateurs and professionals compete together. Presenting a dog to a judge at a show takes lots of practice including the art of “stacking” a dog, standing it squarely to show its best features and minimize any flaws. Then there’s presentation: many of the coated breeds require hours of expert preparation time to get their coats show ring ready. For purposes of showing, the AKC divides dogs into seven groups—sporting, hound,…
By Bob Curley A dip in the ocean and lounging by the resort pool are quintessential components of a Caribbean resort vacation, but for a stay that literally drips with luxury there’s no topping a private swimming pool attached to your suite. Rooms with plunge pools are increasingly common at high-end resorts, set a step above “swim-up” rooms that share a semi-private pool with others, but not quite as pricy as overwater villas. You don’t have to swim through a list of accommodations to find a room with a pool at these seven Caribbean resorts, because every room on property has its own private pool. Hammock Cove in Antigua. Hammock Cove, Antigua – The five-star treatment at the adults-only Hammock Cove is top-to-bottom, including dining in a Michelin-pedigree restaurant (the Lighthouse), spa access, the on-call services of a dedicated service ambassador, and a private plunge pool attached to each of the waterfront and water view 41 villas — all part of the resort’s all-inclusive program. Every room has its own pool at the Six Senses in Grenada. Six Senses La Sagasse, Grenada – Set on 38 waterfront acres and embracing an ethos of sustainability, the Six Senses La Sagasse has 56 two-level pool suites and 15 villas (also with private pools) set amid rolling hills and a largely undisturbed natural landscape on Grenada’s south coast. Secret Bay in Dominica. Secret Bay, Dominica – This ultra-luxe eco-friendly Relais & Chateaux hideaway on one of the region’s most lushly beautiful islands. The resort’s “six star” epicurean experience, Green Globe certification, and personalized service are paired with a collection of clifftop villas featuring private plunge pools as well as gourmet kitchens and ocean views. Jade Mountain, the island’s top luxury resort. Jade Mountain, St. Lucia – Other resorts have villas with plunge pools; the…
By The Gastronomes “If you grew up in Vienna, you went to the Vienna Inn. Not going wasn’t an option. I had my first Vienna Inn beer 50 years ago this month. Back then, you didn’t get a check. Mike or Molly or whoever was behind the bar asked you what you had, and that was what you paid for.” – Steve D’Agostino And that is pretty much the way it still is. We have talked about rounding up some friends and heading over to the Vienna Inn on Maple Street in Vienna, VA more than once in the last 30 plus years but always got sidetracked. Guess it seemed like it was too big a trek all the way from Old Town to Vienna. Stupid, right!? We definitely won’t make that mistake again. The re-discovery of the Inn happened by chance last month. You see, it is all because of my poor vision. My eye sight began to become cloudy some months ago so I went to the eye doctor. He examined my eyes and found that I had cataracts. I then set up an appointment with John Mitchell of the Mitchell & Morin Eye Institute in Vienna, Virginia. Their office is about two blocks from the Vienna Inn so we had no real excuse for not stopping in. Not only has my vision been restored we have treated ourselves to lunch twice in the last 10 days! The Vienna Inn is known for its tasty chili dogs and cheap cold beer! With memorabilia-lined walls and a scrappy atmosphere, the restaurant became and remains today a Vienna institution. Mollie Bass Abraham and her late husband, Mike, owned and ran the Vienna Inn for four decades. The couple bought the former Freddie’s restaurant in 1960 and renamed it the Vienna…
By Doug Fabbioli In last month’s article I wrote about more approachable wines and wine drinks. This month I will be discussing higher end wines. These wines have helped distinguish Virginia as one of the best wine regions on the East coast. Currently, Virginia has more than 300 wineries and most are located in Northern Virginia. In Loudoun County we have grown from 4 wineries in 1997 when I moved here to nearly 50 wineries. The Virginia wine industry is relatively young compared to other wine regions around the world. Loudoun County is celebrating 40 years since the first wine was released and the first Virginia farm winery opened its doors about a decade before that. But, it’s really been in the last 20 years there has been significant growth, both in quantity and recognition of quality. Other regions east of the Rockies have grown too but have not always been consistent with quality standards. I feel we haven’t grown as quickly and our focus on quality wines will keep us in the top for wine regions. Recently, the sale of RDV Vineyards to Chateau Montrose was announced. Chateau Montrose is a wine company located in the Bordeaux region of France. Rutger De Vink the owner and vintner of RDV maintains the highest quality standards for his wine, vineyard and customer experience. His winery and estate, although not grand in scale, certainly shows the quality achievable here in our soils and climate. This sale brings the recognition of the whole region up a few notches. Not everyone can afford $100 or more for a bottle of wine, but it’s nice to have these folks in the neighborhood. Another positive step for our region is an effort spearheaded by the Loudoun Wineries and Winegrowers Association, Visit Loudoun and the Loudoun Board…
By Carl Trevison and Stephen Bearce Making retirement planning errors at any time, but especially when there’s economic uncertainty and market volatility, can create difficulties in achieving your long-term goals. Here are five common, and potentially costly, mistakes you’ll want to avoid. 1. Getting out of the market after a downturn When the market takes a big hit, you may be tempted to sell investments in your retirement portfolio and hold the proceeds in cash. If you do, you may miss the gains if the market suddenly turns around. Consider taking a long-term approach by keeping a strategic mix of asset classes in your portfolio: stocks, bonds, and cash alternatives. The combination that’s right for you will depend on a variety of factors, including how comfortable you are with market volatility (risk tolerance), what you’re investing for (objectives), and how long before you’ll need to tap into your accounts (time horizon). And think about periodically rebalancing by checking your accounts to see if market activity has shifted your investments away from your desired asset allocation. If it has, you may want to buy and sell investments to bring your accounts back into alignment. 2. Not taking full advantage of retirement accounts Consider contributing up to the maximum allowable amount into your qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan (QRP), such as a 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b) plan. This can help fund your retirement as well as reduce your taxable income. If you are unable to contribute the maximum amount and your employer offers a matching contribution, try to contribute at least as much as the match — otherwise, you are leaving free money on the table. 3. Buying too much of your company’s stock If your employer’s stock is an investment choice in your 401(k), you might want to consider limiting the amount…
By Kim Putens During the dog days of summer, most of us need a pick me up to our beauty routines. Forget the spa and save some money by giving yourself an at home facial. Here are some easy steps on how to get a spa-worthy facial in the privacy of your own home and at a fraction of the cost. Step 1 – Get Your Face Squeaky Clean Use a good facial cleanser to rid your face of make-up and debris from the environment. Be sure to use the right cleanser for your skin type. If you are dry or sensitive, avoid cleansers with too many active ingredients, glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids. If you are oily, be sure to use a cleanser that gets your skin and pores clean without stripping it. Step 2 – Scub a Dub Dub Get rid of dead skin and rid pores of the gunk. Find a physical exfoliant – one with some grit to get rid of the ick. Beware of physical scrubs that use nutty ingredients as their scrubbing agent. These can superficially scar the skin and cause problems during your not so youthful years. Look for scrubs that use perfectly round spheres to ensure a safe exfoliating experience. Examples of such are those with ingredients of diathomous earth or jojoba beads. Some tips on using a scrub: If you use on dry skin, you’ll get a deeper exfoliation For a good scrub, but not too deep, use on damp skin after you cleanse. For a mild exfoliation, mix the exfoliant with your cleanser. Step 3 – Put on a Mask Even Though It’s Not Halloween Now that you’ve cleansed and scrubbed away the dead skin, apply a facial mask. Masks come in many forms and have different uses. If you…
Healthy herbs have long held an important place in our wellness. Prized since ancient times, today we even more depend on them to purify our body, mind, and soul! Of course, we all use herbal parts in our daily lives, one way or the other, whether for their fragrance, for their healing power, or in lovely recipes. Herbal benefits are many; be it for spiritual reasons or to spice up your taste buds, or as a home remedy for ailments like a cold, or sore throat… herbs are handy for each need! Although, herbs have been in use in our diet since antiquity, they have taken the center-stage of nutrition in the scientific world for their potential health benefiting and detoxification properties. Why herbs in our diet? Herbs contain unique anti-oxidants, essential oils, vitamins, phyto-sterols and many other plants derived nutrient substances, which help equip our body to fight against germs, toxins and to boost immunity level. Herbs are, in fact, medicines in smaller dosages. Essential oils in herbs have been found to have anti-inflammatory function by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which mediates inflammatory cascade reactions in the body. The enzyme-inhibiting effect of essential oils in herbs makes it an important remedy for symptomatic relief in individuals with inflammatory health problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions like ulcerative colitis. Many unique compounds in the herbs have been found to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics. Controlled-epidemiological studies have shown that certain compounds in garlic like those that thiosulfinates (allicin) can bring significant reduction in total cholesterol and in blood pressure and thereby helps prevent coronary artery disease and stroke risk. Curcumin, together with other antioxidants in the turmeric, has been found to have anti-amyloid and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it is thought to be effective in preventing…
Pete (center) and his crew took first place in the J/105 fleet at the 2024 Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta in June. (L-R) Stephen Palmer, Jen Sturmer, Pete Boland, Cynthia Chadwell, Guillaume Seynhaeve Interview by Beth Crabtree In 1999 Pete Boland, Annapolis J/Boat sailor and host of the Sailfaster podcast, got into ‘proper’ sailing while living in San Francisco in his early 40s. “I’d bike over Golden Gate Bridge in the California sunshine and see the regattas taking place far below. For someone coming from the cold, rainy islands of Britain this seemed close to heaven—and just as far out of reach.” It turned out, however, that sailing was within his reach. Here Pete explains in his own words how he landed in the Annapolis sailboat racing scene. A couple of classes and a lot of bravado… Eventually, brimming with misplaced confidence with a couple of ASA (American Sailing Association) instructional courses under my belt, I went halves on a J/80 with my friend Erik, who with his patched sailing pants and extensive knowledge of sailing terms exuded an air of experience and insouciance. Our achievements mainly involved terrifying the rest of the fleet as we careened back and forth across San Francisco Bay, mostly out of control in the 25-knot breezes. I kept all this very quiet of course when I joined the Annapolis J/105 fleet last year. My first experience of sailing, however, was as a nerdy teenager in an English coastal town, trying to emulate the cool kids by learning to windsurf in the slate-grey waters of Lyme Bay. That was back in the 1980s when every beach in Europe was a thicket of sails and boards and beautiful people. In our long summer vacations from university, we’d drive a van full of windsurfing gear to sunny Greece,…
By Ryan Unverzagt I know, I know, I know…some of you were getting a little tired of me featuring workouts with a FitBall last fall but you have to admit that it is good exercise and it is something you can do inside in the AC. This month’s exercise is one I have recommended several times over the 10 plus years I have been penning this column – the FitBall Abdominal (Ab) Exchange. This is a great exercise for the rectus abdominus – pretty much the muscle that extends from your sternum to your crotch. The start position is shown in Figure 1. The FitBall is held off the floor with your arms extended straight above the head. Notice how the feet are also held above the floor about a foot or two. This position elicits muscular tension through your core. Next, bring the ball over the top of your body while simultaneously raising your legs to “meet in the middle”. Obviously, the leg and arm muscles will be doing some work during this motion, but focus on contracting the abs to help bring the back of the shoulders off the floor to really make the repetition count. So now that the FitBall is at the top, switch it from the hands to the feet by placing it between the inside of your ankles (figure 2). It might take some practice before this transition becomes smooth. Squeeze the ball with your legs to secure it for the ride down. Slowly lower the ball, back of the shoulders, and your arms toward the floor. Notice again how the arms and ball never touch the floor because you want to keep tension on the abs the whole time during the exercise (figure 3). Try at least ten reps if you’ve never attempted…
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