By Steph Selice Steph Selice volunteered as an adoption counselor at King Street Cats in Alexandria for seven years. Pet people are always concerned about keeping their animals from getting lost. We’re fortunate to have new, inventive digital tools to find our lost pets. But these methods still need to be paired with old-fashioned, analog footwork to be effective. Microchipping, Tattooing, and Tags Experts agree that cats, dogs, and some other pets should be microchipped and sometimes tattooed to help identify them. Veterinarians and animal shelters or rescues can microchip pets. Small mammals like rabbits and ferrets can be microchipped, as well as horses, birds, tortoises, and even snakes! Microchips are designed to last 25 years. After paying a one-time registration fee with a national microchip database service like Home Again or PetLink, our pets are tracked for their entire lives. Our responsibility is to update their information and make sure we have current photos and veterinary records. PetKey.org and other services register all brands of microchips and have free searchable lost/found databases. Tattooing a dog or cat is a safe supplement to microchipping but is not what vets would recommend as a pet’s only ID. A sturdy collar with an ID tag is still essential. But because pets can slip their collars, microchipping is now the gold standard for identifying lost pets. New-School Tracking Tech Many pet lovers now use tracking devices with GPS, Bluetooth, or radio-frequency tech to track their pets. GPS devices track pets by satellite and may require more battery power than other trackers. GPS trackers can be in standby mode until a human wants to know exactly where a pet is. Active tracking uses battery charge faster. Humans can create safe zones for their pets, tracking them by phone from miles away. But GPS can…
By Mark Edelman November welcomes rich fall colors: the ones that stage lighting, scenery and costumes bring to theaters all around the DMV. Don’t miss all of the vibrant theater illuminating DMV stages this month. With the holidays around the corner, it’s a great time to catch a show: Through the 9th JEKYLL & HYDE Alexandria Little Theatre It’s your last chance to see Frank Wildhorn’s celebrated Broadway musical, produced by our local theater, celebrating its 90th birthday this year. Holiday favorite A CHRISTMAS CAROL goes on sale November 7. Tickets at http://www.thelittletheatre.com Through the 10th ROMEO & JULIET Folger Library Theatre The timeless story of star-crossed lovers is also a story of the politics of hatred and the violence that can consume society. Sound familiar? Tickets at http://www.folger.edu Through the 17th THE WOMAN IN BLACK Keegan Theatre The infamous West End melodrama returns to this DuPont Circle playhouse. A lawyer obsessed with a curse cast over his family by the eponymous Woman in Black tries to exorcise the fear that grips his soul. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t end well. Tickets at http://www.keegantheatre.com Through the 24th THE OTHER AMERICANS Arena Stage Award-winning actor and playwright John Leguizamo introduces us to a Colombian-American laundromat owner grappling with a failing business and buried secrets. When son Nick returns after a traumatic incident, Nelson is forced to tackles racial and identity challenges to achieve his dream. Tickets at http://www.arenastage.org THE ART OF CARE Atlas Performing Arts Center Mosaic Theatre presents this world premier about the beauty of a loved one’s passing, births, boundary crossings, and the frustrations and resilience in the face of unexpected health crises. In a divisive election season, the play with music asks audiences to bear witness to the common humanity of one another and deep…
By Melinda Myers Ease into the hectic holiday season with the help of aromatherapy. The fragrances of plant-derived essential oils have long been used to improve the health of our mind, body and spirit. We are betting that many of our readers have several of the herbs used in the following elixirs in your gardens. Boost your energy and increase your focus as you work to balance work, family and holiday fun. Peppermint has long been prized for this and so much more. You’ll find it also helps relieve headaches and indigestion. Freshen your home with the scent of grapefruit. It’s the perfect solution when unexpected guests drop by for a visit. You may also find the grapefruit aroma, along with your company, help to lighten your mood. Use eucalyptus essential oil in the fight against colds and flu this winter. Just place a few drops into a diffuser on your desk at work, in your bedroom or family room. The diffusers come in a wide array of shapes and sizes. Some use heat, ultrasonic vibrations, fans or wood wicks to disperse the fragrance throughout the room. Others, like the Eden Aroma Diffuser, allow the fragrance to seep through the porous portion of the diffuser pot and into the room. Or use a eucalyptus eye mask to help relieve sinus pressure and soothe tired eyes. Just gently heat or cool the mask, cover your eyes and relax into a bit of relief. End your day with relaxing lavender. It helps reduce anxiety, relieves headaches and improves sleep. Turn up the heat and fragrance with the Ultimate Lavender Wrap (gardeners.com). Simply pop the flax, rice and lavender infused insert into the microwave. Place it back into the cloth cover and drape it over your neck and shoulders. This can provide relief…
By Bob Tagert Last month we accepted an invitation from our friend James Diehl, Executive Director of the Nanticoke Heritage Byway, to join a FAM tour, or familiarization tour, of Sussex County in Southern Delaware including the towns of Seaford, Laurel, Lewes and Milton. Some of you Rehoboth beach regulars will remember that you pass through these areas on your way to the beach. The Byway, which includes the beautiful Nanticoke River, moves through an area that is rich in the history of transportation and economic interests of the region. Although the western Sussex County landscape may at first seem to be a quiet and subdued rural area with small towns, it encompasses many of Delaware’s historic treasures and important natural features. Visually, the route alternates between farmlands, wooded areas, and small towns, providing a variety of views and different types of landscapes. There are many recreational opportunities for hiking, bicycling, boating, and other activities. The first thing that you will notice about the state of Delaware is how the landscape is very flat. This feature has contributed to the success of the farming community of Delaware. Our tour began at the riverfront town of Seaford. In 1939 the DuPont Company chose Seaford as the site of the first Nylon plant leaving Seaford as the “Nylon Capital of the World”. The land at the head of the Nanticoke River has long been inhabited by mankind. The Nanticoke Indians and their ancestors have lived along the river for over 6,000 years. The first record of a European to explore the head of the Nanticoke was in 1608 when Captain John Smith set out exploring the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Development along the river was slow partly due to friction between the Nanticoke Indians and the English settlers. Phillips Landing Recreation…
By Bob Tagert As I am writing this, the Presidential election is only 12 days away. This is probably the most consequential election in my lifetime, not just for the leader of our nation but for members of congress who will ultimately shape what happens in the USA over the next 4+ years. I have already cast my vote as have millions of other Americans and it looks like there is going to be a record number of us turning out at the polls. Do your part and exercise your right! Fall has arrived in all of its glory (sans the few 80+ degree days we have had) with the changing color of leaves, clear days and cool nights. Restaurants have all things apple and pumpkin spice on the menu. Firepits and fire features are getting cranked up all over the DMV. Tailgaters and fans have returned to the former FedEx Field, now Northwest Stadium, since the Commanders are finally playing like a real team! I have been a fan for over 70 years and I gotta admit, it’s good to have them back on track. We have another great read for you all in this November issue. Road Trip takes us to southern Delaware and the Nanticoke Heritage Byway. Exploring VA Wine’s Doug Fabbioli takes us behind the scenes of the 2024 Virginia wine harvest. In Grapevine, Matt Fitzsimmons welcomes us to “Oneoverse”. Tim Long enjoys some high-end bourbons with Tom Gale, the Director of Operations at Virtue Feed and Grain and writes about the experience in Let’s Get Crafty. In Open Space, Lori Welch Brown is stressing over the holidays while writing about the key ingredient-check out her column to see just what that is. Our Special Feature this month explores Veteran’s Day. While we feel that Veterans…
The Old Town Crier salutes our Veterans every day but we are proud to give them a little extra attention on November 11th each year. This year marks the 70th Veteran’s Day that we have honored those who have served our country. We thought maybe you would be interested in knowing how the holiday came to fruition. World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m. The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926. An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of…
By Erin Shackleford Like her name suggests, Cookie is a sweet pup! She is a 1-year-old, 37-pound female dog who would love to find a loving, safe home. When Cookie first arrived, she was very shy and timid, but is slowly becoming more brave! As she’s become more comfortable here, she’s showing her playful, bubbly, social side. She loves to play with toys and enjoys busy boxes and lick mats. If you get on her level, she may even try to sit in your lap and smother you with kisses. She’s learning to walk nicely on a leash and is responding very well to clicker training and cues like sit and paw. We think Cookie will thrive with a family that can provide her with opportunities to grow her confidence. Spice is a 3-year-old beautiful female Calico cat with a personality to match her name. She is social and craves attention, but can be a tad spicy sometimes, if she’s honest. She likes to get to know her visitors first, so it’s best to take your time winning her over. However, once you do, you’re golden! She loves Temptations and Churus, but isn’t too fond of other cats, so a single kitty household would be best. If you’re searching for a cat with confidence and catitude, look no farther than Spice! Bigwig (white) and Clover (black) are bonded female shorthaired rabbit sisters who are looking for a home where they can stay together. They are both 5 months old. This pair loves to zoom around their playroom, chasing each other. They both are incredibly smart and love to best treat puzzles. In their foster home, they were even learning some bunny tricks. The two love to be around each other and will often snuggle with and groom each other. It’s quite cute. They both enjoy getting pets here and there. If…
By Tim Wheeler As Maryland works to complete the last of five large oyster restoration projects it committed to a decade ago, state officials have decided to tackle three more. The state has restored more than 1,100 acres of reefs so far in Harris Creek and the Little Choptank, Tred Avon and Manokin rivers, all on the Eastern Shore, and in the St. Mary’s River off the lower Potomac. Now, the Department of Natural Resources has announced it intends to restore and repopulate hundreds of acres more in oyster sanctuaries in Herring Bay on the Western Shore and in the Nanticoke River and Hooper Strait on the Eastern Shore. “These three large-scale restoration sanctuaries represent a new chapter for oyster restoration in Maryland,” DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz said in announcing the selection on Oct. 9. “We’ve had tremendous success with our existing restoration sanctuaries, and we’re excited to build on that achievement and keep up the momentum for oyster recovery in the Chesapeake Bay.” Maryland and the federal government have spent more than $87 million so far rebuilding reefs and planting hatchery-reared oyster spat in the first five sanctuaries. The effort has proven durable to date with nearly all reefs at least 6 years old yielding the minimum expected densities of bivalves, or better — and 83% sustaining the hoped-for goal of more than 50 oysters per square meter. All but the Manokin, off Tangier Sound, are considered at least initially “restored.” DNR expects to finish seeding the Manokin in 2025, which would meet the deadline set in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Under that pact, Maryland and Virginia each pledged to undertake large-scale restoration of oyster habitat in five of their Bay tributaries. Virginia has completed restoration in four of the five rivers it targeted — the Lafayette, Piankatank, Great Wicomico and…
By Matt Fitzsimmons Comic book films have popularized the idea of “shared universes” where heroes from multiple worlds join together. It’s great movie fodder, but it wasn’t until Reggie Leonard described the breadth of the wine club/wine community/access & opportunity program he co-founded that I realized why this initiative refers to itself under a similar moniker. I say this because the “Oneoverse” (Ee-Nuh-Verse) is all of those things and more. Reggie’s passion for wine began in 2015 when he took a job at the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science. An urge to meet people and try something new led to the discovery of free tastings at Market Street Wine in downtown Charlottesville. Little did he realize these tastings would introduce him to an entirely new community. “I’m an ambivert; an introvert but in an extroverted way,” Reggie said over the phone. “I knew that community is important to me, and I wanted to make sure that I found a community that allowed me to be extroverted. At first, I didn’t understand any of the terminology used at these wine tastings. But over time, I surprised myself by starting to remember different names, recognizing different tasting profiles. I connected to wine more than I realized, and through that realization I eventually discovered a Black Wine Lovers Facebook group.” Learning the terminology of wine is difficult enough. But Reggie was encountering another barrier; the world of wine isn’t easily accessible to people of color. The lexicon of wine relies on Eurocentric descriptors and food pairings that the BIPOC community doesn’t always relate to. On top of that, the lack of other Black faces made the experience more daunting. “When I experienced wine, it didn’t mirror the rest of my life, since the traditional wine experience wasn’t built with me in…
By Lani Gering It had been a while since I got to spend some time with a couple of my favorite gal pals so I invited my very sophisticated friend, Kathy, to accompany me one afternoon while I took advantage of the MGM Grand’s gracious invitation to take a guided tour of the Casino, spend some time in the beautiful spa and partake in dinner at one of the resorts fine eateries. Later in the month, I caught up with my slot machine loving friend, Nancy, for an evening that included a bit of gambling, a lot of people watching and some good eats. Massages & Martini’s Kathy picked me up in Old Town in her cool Audi convertible aka Chick Mobile and we headed across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to the MGM Grand. We opted to self-park in the free lot and found a perfect spot close to the elevator doors on Parking Level 3. Walking through The District – food court and shops – into the Conservatory, we met Bernadette, our hostess for the afternoon and began our adventure. After securing our spa bags in our lockers in the spa, we went down to the ground floor and met the Vice President of Casino Operations, Alex Alvarado, at the Casino’s main entrance. Alex took us on an insiders sort of tour that proved to be very informative. While I have been in the casino several times over the years, I found that there is a lot more to it than I realized. I had totally forgotten that there is an outside area that has gaming machines. You can gamble al fresco – who knew? We were on a timeline since we had massages scheduled in the spa so…no time to test our luck at the tables or with…
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