by ©2024 Sarah Becker The American Equal Rights Association [1866-1869], an organization founded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, worked hard to “secure Equal Rights to all American citizens, especially the right of suffrage, irrespective of race, color, or sex.” The AERA won the black man’s bondage battle, his right to vote [Amendment 15, Section 1, 1870], only to lose the war for women’s equality. Today’s woman values the vote. In June 2022 the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade 6-to-3. Since then abortion has been on the ballot in seven States: Ohio, California, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Vermont and Kansas. Each time anti-abortion advocates have lost the popular vote. Not only do the dissenting Justices hold sway, but also female voters. Another of women’s articulated wants: Equal Pay! “Underpaying women and undervaluing their work not only hurts women and their families, it damages the entire U.S. economy,” the American Association of University Women [AAUW] said. “In 2021, when comparing full-time, year-round workers, women were paid just 84 cents for every dollar paid to men,” the AAUW continued. “When the calculation included all workers, the earnings discrepancy was substantially larger. Women took home only 77 cents on the dollar.” The data-aggregate “demonstrates that there is not just one pay gap, but rather many pay gaps—in earnings, benefits and wealth,” the AAUW concluded. Asian-American women, for example, earn 99 cents on the dollar; White women 82 cents, Black women 69 cents, Native American women 59 cents, and Latinas 57 cents. The AAUW’s solution: Congressional passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act of 2023 [H.R. 17, S. 728], “an update which would strengthen the [61 year-old] Equal Pay Act of 1963.” The two bills were simultaneously introduced —in March 2023—then left to linger in Committee. “When President [John F.]…
Fall into the season with bright-hued foliage, favorite art events, outdoor festivals and Halloween haunts this autumn in Alexandria, Virginia, voted one of Travel + Leisure’s Best Cities in the U.S 2024 and a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2023. Art festivals add to the seasonal spirit as locals load up at farmers’ markets and fall festivities crop up in Old Town, Del Ray and beyond. Sip local cider, stroll King Street for seasonal finds and Halloween treats, explore historic homes and take advantage of the September activities listed below: 14th & 15th 22nd Annual Alexandria Art Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Free 300 John Carlyle Street artfestival.com/festivals The 22nd Annual Alexandria Art Festival returns to John Carlyle Square. Alexandria is recognized as one of the country’s premier artistic hubs. All artwork is juried, which provides a higher level of quality, diversity and creativity of art on display, exemplifying the gifted artists in regions from all over the country. The show is rated as one of the top 100 art shows in Sunshine Artist Magazine. 19th Taste of Old Town North 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Admission: Free Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street oldtownnorth.org The Taste of Old Town North is a free, family-and pet-friendly event featuring an artisans’ market, gourmet restaurant tastings, children’s improv with Alexandria Children’s Theater and other activities for all to enjoy, including music from two local bands. Participating Old Town North restaurants include Jula’s on the Potomac, the Perfect Pita, Hank’s Oyster Bar, MacMillan Spirit House, Hotel AKA Alexandria’s a.lounge+bar, St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub and Royal Restaurant. On street parking is available in the Old Town North neighborhood or public parking located at 625 North Washington Street. The rain date is September 26th. For more information visit http://www.oldtownorth.org. 21st 82nd Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour 10:00 am…
By Alexander Britell You may not be familiar with Green Island, set off the highway between Montego Bay and Negril on the western corner of Jamaica. But a pair of new resorts mean the area will likely soon be on the radar of travelers in a big way. That’s the thinking behind Jamaica’s two newest resorts, both under a brand that is new to the destination: Princess Hotels and Resorts, which has 12 hotels in the Caribbean spread across Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and the Rivera Maya on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. The new Princess Senses, The Mangrove and Princess Grand Jamaica, which will combine for more than 1,000 rooms, are debuting soon, now with an official opening date: Sept. 15, Caribbean Journal has learned. So…what do you need to know about them? Princess Senses The Mangrove is an adults-only all-inclusive: the rooms are all either suites (with ocean views or swim-out options) or a collection of overwater villas with their own private pools. That’s along with 14 eateries and 15 bars and lounges. As for the Princess Grand, the resort is a family-friendly property, with a kid’s club for the little ones, a teens center, the option for hire nanny service and a host of sports options. Amenities include everything from three pools to eight bars to nine restaurants. In the mood for international fare? The culinary program has a multi-cuisine approach, from Mexican to Jamaican to Asian fusion. And yes, there is a water park. What about the cost? Rates for the Princess Grand start at about $505 (if you book direct) for stays starting Sept. 15. That gets you a Princess Junior Suite on an all-inclusive plan. Prices at the adults-only resort start at $579 per night starting the same date. That gets you a “Deluxe Junior Suite.” A swim-out room will run you $661 per night, an amenity…
By the Gastronomes Like most of you, we are creatures of habit and sometimes it’s hard to step outside of that box! But….we did just that on an early Sunday afternoon on one of those “warm” late August days and treated ourself to brunch at Hummingbird Restaurant and Bar. We definitely aren’t strangers to Hummingbird or “brunch” but we have never really considered combining the two. It has always been cocktails and snacks on the patio or celebrating a birthday lunch or two during the course of the year. Hummingbird is the brain child of Alexandria’s Eat Good Food Group (creators of the former Restaurant Eve) and is under the extremely creative wings of Meshelle Armstrong and her very capable staff. In describing the cuisine, they say it best on their website: The menu follows the rhythm of the seasons and celebrates the seafood pride of favorite coastal waters from the Chesapeake Blue Crabs to Dublin Bay Prawns. Rest assured, there are also lots of “landlubber” offerings at Hummingbird as well. We will leave you to your own devices and ability to tap into their full menu on their website via your communication devices. We were there for brunch, so let’s talk about that. The brunch menu is very diverse without being overbearing. It is evident that they want you to have an enjoyable meal. At the top of the menu there is the following suggestion: For your delight and to ensure prompt kitchen timing for service, we recommend sharing the “Happy Beginnings” prior to the main courses. We are happy to substitute potatoes for salad or fruit. There are six shareable “Happy Beginnings” ranging from their popular Cinnamon Rolls and Avocado Toast to the Old Bay Poached Shrimp Cocktail and the Hummingbird’s Salad and Heirloom Tomato Salad – salads…
By Doug Fabbioli Jim Law, our vintner guru on the hill at Linden Vineyards, once described the fall season for vintners as “the playoffs”. The growing season has its ups and downs just like a sports season, but you have to stay focused on the game or you may have nothing to harvest. We need to keep our vines healthy and the leaves and fruit disease free. The perfect weather condition is dry with warm sunny days and cool nights. That’s what we are hoping for so we have quality grapes and hopefully, with a lot of work, outstanding wines. This season has been very challenging. The early heat and drought put tremendous stress on our vines. Both heat and drought are not good for the vines and the people who tend to them. At my vineyard, we have rather rich soil and the vines were able to get enough water to support the fruit. But, younger vines needed supplemental watering as the root systems are not fully developed. Manually watering is not always needed, but it should be an option especially with young vines. In our new planting across the street, the vines have struggled a bit this year. Last year, even though we had some drought conditions, the vines were able to carry fruit and produced some quality wine. This was possible because it rained last year at the right time and the vines did not suffer. This season, the summer splashes of rain seemed to go either North or South of us leaving a very dry spot in the middle of Luckettsland. We were forced to drop fruit on some vines in order to save the plant, and watered the whole vineyard numerous times. The watering method we use is our 150-gallon sprayer modified to pump water…
College is expensive. Just tuition and books can add up to $108,000 for a four-year degree, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. With costs like that, there are bound to be gaps between what a student can get in scholarships and grants and what is left to pay every term. Here are some ways you can help pay for college, including some loan options. Choose a School or Program That’s Right for You. Do your research. Be sure to explore tuition exchange or reciprocity programs—some states will allow residents to attend a college in a nearby state without having to pay out-of-state tuition rates. A Coverdell Education Savings Account Can Make a Difference. Even if you’re just starting to save now, a Coverdell Educational account can help you set money aside for a future college graduate. As long as the student is 18 or under, anyone can make contributions to their education expenses. Yes, there are contribution limits of $2,000 a year per child, but the money grows tax-deferred with tax-free withdrawals. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or close family friend, you can help a child pay for college. Fill out the FAFSA Form. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is found online and is super easy to fill out. The earlier you fill out the form from the U.S. Department of Education, the more money will be available to you if you qualify. This is a great way to get grants for college and become eligible for federal student loan programs. Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federally guaranteed and offered by the U.S. Department of Education. These loans allow students to borrow thousands with and without making payments while in college. Additionally, some loans do not accrue interest while the…
by Kim Putens How do I choose the right moisturizer for my face? Believe it or not, the most important thing about choosing a moisturizer is the weight, not the fancy ingredients. The wrong weight of moisturizer can actually cause as many, if not more, problems than the ingredients. If too heavy, it can clog your pores and cause breakouts. If not heavy enough, the lack of moisturizer can lead to premature aging. In choosing the right weight, apply a normal amount to your jaw line. Wait a few seconds and check the area. If the moisturizer feels sticky or greasy, it means that it hasn’t absorbed into your skin and is too heavy for your complexion. If the moisturizer soaks in and still feels dry and your skin feels taught, then the moisturizer is not heavy enough. Look for a moisturizer that soaks in to your skin, but your skin feels relieved and looks plump. Everywhere I look, all the makeup has shimmer and glitter. How do I embrace it without looking like a teenager? Shimmer can actually be your friend. Glitter, not so much. Leave glitter to stage performances. A bit of shimmer can actually make old skin look young. And, it is the easiest and cheapest way to freshen up your skin and bring about a youthful glow. But, if you overdue it, you could end up looking like an over-aged teenager. Keep in mind, dry and dull looking skin exacerbates looking old. So, the best thing to do is be strategic about your placement and amount. The best place to get the most bang for your buck is to apply a bit of shimmer along the base of your eyebrow along the brow bone. It gives the illusion of an instant lift to a sagging eye…
By Nicole Flanagan If someone told you right now what the absolute best exercise to lose weight was, would you do it? Of course you would. Guess what that exercise is…the one that you will do. The biggest things that stop people from exercising are boredom and injuries. If you can find an exercise, or some type of workout that you enjoy doing, it is much easier to stick to it. The truth is that weight loss is about creating a calorie deficit, in other words, burning more calories than you take in. While running at an 8-minute-mile pace might be a great calorie burner, if you’re not going to do it, it’s not going to help you. Instead, start with something you can do, like walking or working out on an elliptical machine or exercise bike. You will burn more calories by doing cardio than you will with strength training alone. Strength training itself will not lead to an appreciable amount of weight loss because it just doesn’t burn enough calories. A combination of cardio and strength is going to be the best approach to sustainable weight loss. That’s not to say that strength training isn’t important for the overall health of the body. But when it comes to burning the most calories, go for cardiovascular exercise. And vary the intensity. Cross training is another key that will help amp up your workouts. Doing a range of different activities during your workouts helps you keep from getting bored and it’s better for your body. Doing different activities recruits different muscle groups. You’re also less likely to develop an injury, since doing the same thing day after day creates wear patterns on your joints. Keep in mind that exercise is just one portion of a successful weight loss program. Eating…
Above: Clumps of oysters nestle in a sandy underwater floor, surrounded by pale turquoise water in Harris Creek. (Credit: SERC Fisheries Conservation Lab) Below: Two oyster shells, each with a deep brown hole near the top. The smaller shell on the right also has bluish-black bumps on its side and a crack across the middle. (Credit: Zofia Anchondo) By Kristin Goodhue In the campaign to restore Chesapeake Bay, oyster sanctuaries rank among the most hotly contested strategies. But new research suggests these no-harvest areas are working, and not only for the oysters. In a new study published July 4 in Marine Ecology Progress Series, Smithsonian biologists discovered oyster sanctuaries contain more abundant populations of oysters and other animal life—and the presence of two common parasites is not preventing that. Oysters form the backbone of Chesapeake Bay. Besides injecting millions of dollars into the regional economy each year, they also act as vital habitat and filter feeders that clean the water. But their populations have dwindled to roughly 1% of historic levels. Disease, overharvesting, habitat loss and pollution have all whittled down their numbers. Over the past two decades, Maryland and Virginia have worked to restore their oysters by creating vast networks of sanctuaries where oysters are protected from harvest. This has led to a rebound of oyster growth, habitat quality and biodiversity within the sanctuaries, the new study reported. “The sanctuary programs appear to be working and facilitating oyster reef regrowth after so many decades of overharvesting,” said lead author Zofia Anchondo, who did the research as part of her graduate fellowship with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. But at the same time, the resurgence in marine life went hand in hand with a rise in oyster parasites. The study looked at two parasites in particular: the boring sponge…
By Ryan Unverzagt Bodyweight training is nothing new, but I would like to discuss how you can integrate this type of training in your fitness routines. For centuries, man utilized his own bodyweight as a means to get stronger for battle which is one reason why our military still uses this type of training today. Bodyweight training uses the forces of gravity as a means of resistance without the need for barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, etc. If you are searching for a change in your exercise routine, just try using your own bodyweight. The best thing about training this way is that you can do it anywhere and you can remain socially distanced. No more excuses of why you didn’t get to the gym this week. Below is a sample bodyweight workout: Jumping Jacks…………….. 3 x 50 repetitions Squats……………………… 3 x 25 Mountain Climbers………… 3 x 50 Pushups……………………. 3 x 20 Situps……………………… 3 x 25 Front Hover (Plank)………. 3 x 30 seconds Alternating Forward Lunge… 3 x 24 repetitions Squat Jumps………………… 3 x 15 Let me explain a few of the exercises above. Mountain climbers are performed in the pushup position by bending your hip and knee with one foot forward and underneath you while the opposite leg is straight. Bodyweight should be evenly distributed through each hand and foot. Next, switch foot positions rapidly by “jumping” and alternating the landing position. Try to keep your hips level with the rest of your body. Arms stay straight as your feet do the work. Each alternation counts as a repetition. Make sense? I hope so because that’s a hard one to describe on paper. The front hover or plank is similar to the pushup position except that you will support your upper body with the forearms (elbows directly under the shoulders) and…
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