By Mark Edelman It’s Valentine’s month, time to take that special someone out for dinner, flowers, chocolates and how about a night of theater? There’s a lot of great work happening on DMV stages. You’re bound to earn points with your main squeeze—or even a first date—by popping for a pair of tickets to one of these fine productions. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY Shakespeare Theatre Company Now thru Feb 7 The terrifying film franchise of the same name spawned this onstage thriller, a shared production between prestigious theaters in Los Angeles, Chicago and now Washington, DC. Be prepared to be scared. Tickets at http://www.shakespearetheatrecompany.org DRACULA… A COMEDY OF TERRORS Now thru Feb 15 Atlas Performing Arts Center Bram Stoker’s vampire tale morphs into outrageous new life as a madcap comedy full of camp, lusty encounters and outre spectacle. Five actors shapeshift thru multiple roles, transforming this tale of Gothic horror into a feast of physical comedy and unhinged seduction, carried off as only the folks at Constellation Theatre can do. Tickets at http://www.constellationtheatre.org BALLOONACY Imagination Stage Now thru Feb 15 The 1956 French cinema classic The Red Ballon inspired this sweetly funny piece of clownery starring Matthew Pauli with accordion accompaniment by Tori Boutin. Gone is the little boy following his red balloon around Paris. Now he’s a befuddled big lunk of a guy, navigating his lonesome apartment just ahead of that interloping scarlet sphere, artfully operated by puppeteer Enzo Leone. At about forty minutes, the show runs just the right amount of time to keep the kiddies engaged—and by that, I mean yelling to the poor guy onstage to watch out for that balloon. If my three year old grandson is any indication, it’s a great way to start a life of theatergoing. Tickets at http://www.imaginationstage.org OCTET Studio…
By Lori Welch Brown As some of you may remember, I started in this space with a column aptly titled, Single Space. My close friends referred to me as their very own Carrie Bradshaw—without the great shoes, wardrobe, or size 0 ballerina body. Oh, and the good hair. Come to think of it—we did share a few commonalties. Namely, an appreciation for a long drag off a Marlboro light at the end of a stressful day, a good cocktail shared among friends, and a talent for picking unsuitable suitors. Carrie and I both muddled through, learning valuable lessons as we aged out of wild club ragers and 4” stilettos and into Sunday brunches and Birkenstocks, but only after years and years of dating mishaps and mind boggling bewilderment. Did he really say that? Did I really get broken up with on a post it? While Carrie was pining over Mr. Big, I was dating a lion’s share of BIG MISTAKES. One of my best first dates was with a married man. Of course, I didn’t know that until the next morning when his wife called my number and asked how I knew her husband. Awkward. And scary. I thought for a second that I was going to have a lead role in an upcoming Dateline episode. This is probably not the Valentine’s Day column you wanted and/or expected, but I wanted to share with you that if you’re not getting a dozen roses delivered to your cubicle, do not despair. You are not alone. It’s just not your time. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you. Your person is out there—maybe being ghosted or sorting through their issues or trying to figure out how to write a compelling dating profile. In the meantime, here’s a little dating primer courtesy of yours…
By Erin Shackleford Crystal is a gentle girl who wishes for a loving home with a doting family. She has adorable brown brindle patches on her white coat, and ears that could hear signals from space. Crystal weighs 56 pounds at three years old and thoroughly enjoys a squeaky toy. She’s always up for a game of fetch, too! Crystal will stick by your side when playtime ends, and she has very good house manners. She likes to meet new people of all ages, even children. As a young adult dog, Crystal is past the rambunctious puppy stage and still has plenty of energy for adventures. She would be a great hiking or running buddy, and she would bring tons of joyful curiosity to every outing. Are you looking for an extra-large dog with a big heart? Oakley could be your guy. This 10-year-old senior fellow is a sweetheart with a winning personality. Oakley is a fairly calm, handsome boy who likes to meet new people. Despite his age, Oakley’s nose for fun is fully engaged. He has a good amount of energy for walks and has demonstrated good leash manners. Oakley is a mature, smart boy who knows several cues. He can sit and give you his paw upon request. Of course, he is motivated by tasty treats! Oakley can be a snuggly couch potato and will happily join you for slow afternoons of reading or movie watching. This laid-back dog is waiting to meet you and join you for his active golden years. His adoption fee is waived thanks to Royal Restaurant. Meet Devo, a handsome and clever young dog! This 57-pound boy would love to be your one and only furry pal. He is very smart at the age of one year and one month, and he enjoys a good puzzle…
By Ken Byrer Every pet owner knows they have a responsibility for the happiness and health of their furry companions, and how the first often relies on the second. As much as the fuzzballs may panic or protest a trip to the vet, regular medical checkups are as essential to their health as going to the human doctor is for ours — or more so, given the differences in our lifespans. Yet many aspects of human and animal health parallel each other. For example, there may come a time when a general practice vet cannot address a complicated medical condition or does not feel comfortable doing so. Just like when people encounter that problem, pet parents may need a specialist. What Does “Specialist’ Mean, Exactly? Humans typically have a general practitioner (GP) do routine maintenance and monitoring. When the GP spots something worthy of more attention, they often send us to specialists. Veterinary medicine works the same way. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) describes the situation. “Veterinary specialists have had additional education and training in a specific field of veterinary medicine,” explained Paige Andersen, DVM, Managing Partner of TimberCreek Veterinary Hospital. “They have the knowledge, skillset, and specialized equipment to handle complex cases and procedures that may not be available in general practice.” A Texas A&M discussion of this topic notes that bringing in a specialist is not the end of the regular vet’s job but an extension of it. “Board-certified veterinarians collaborate very closely with the primary care veterinarian, who saw the animal first and, therefore, has a deeper understanding of the pet’s history and diagnostics and treatments already performed and response to that treatment,” Dr. Stacy Eckman, associate dean for hospital operations and chief executive officer for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Medical…
We try to publish this piece each February as space allows. Alexandria has many events that revolve around this day so we think it is fitting you all know why. Presidents Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present. The story of Presidents Day begins in 1800. Following the death of George Washington in 1799, his February 22 birthday became a perennial day of remembrance. At the time, Washington was venerated as the most important figure in American history, and events like the 1832 centennial of his birth and the start of construction of the Washington Monument in 1848 were cause for national celebration. While Washington’s Birthday was an unofficial observance for most of the 1800s, it was not until the late 1870s that it became a federal holiday. Senator Steven Wallace Dorsey of Arkansas was the first to propose the measure, and in 1879 President Rutherford B. Hayes signed it into law. The holiday initially only applied to the District of Columbia, but in 1885 it was expanded to the whole country. At the time, Washington’s Birthday joined four other nationally recognized federal bank holidays—Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving—and was the first to celebrate the life of an individual American. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, signed into law in 1983, was the second. The shift from Washington’s Birthday to Presidents Day began in the late 1960s, when…
As I sit here mid-afternoon in the last week of January, we have already hit the high temperature of the day – 26 degrees at noon. This has been a cold brutal week and if the weather experts are right, isn’t going to get above 38 going well into February. My hopes that, at some point this month, we have more moderate temps. Seems like Mother Nature has given Jack Frost custody of the DMV. On a “warmer” note, we think we have a pretty decent issue for you this month. We celebrate Black History and Alexandria has several activities taking place celebrating all month long. In addition to those celebrations, we have President’s Day on the 16th and the George Washington Parade and Valentine’s Day taking place in tandem on the 14th. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday on the 17th. I don’t really go crazy with it but I know several who love it more than Cinco de Mayo. Guess it depends on whether you like Hurricane’s or Margarita’s better! Our Special Feature this month is “Why we celebrate Presidents Day” which began with the celebration of George Washington, our very first president. It is always a pleasure to introduce a new business to our readers in our Business Profile. The fragrance experts at Arielle Shoshana: Your Perfume Playground are looking forward to creating your personal scents and introducing you to the nuances of fragrance. In A bit of History, Sarah Becker illuminates Abraham Lincoln and his contributions to our nation. In today’s political environment, this is a very pleasant and refreshing commentary. Enjoy. In Financial Focus, our buddy Carl Trevison explains the tolls for financial fitness. In Gallery Beat, Lenny Campello laments about failed art fairs in the DMV but…
By Lani Gering The month of January was a rough one for us and we weren’t able to carve out time to go on an adventure in search of subject matter for this column. Hopefully we will be back on track this month and will have another fun destination to turn you on to in the March issue. In keeping with the President’s Day theme, we thought it might be a good time to suggest that you all take in the many memorials and the two monuments (Washington and Garfield) located in the DMV that honor some of our Presidents. Until I did the research for this, I had no idea that half of them existed. Mind you, I have lived in and around Old Town for 34 years and I used to work for the USDA in the south building located on the Mall at 14th and Independence Avenue and no doubt encountered some of the lesser knowns and didn’t realize it. I feel kinda bad actually. I don’t want you to feel the same way. I have compiled a listing – including the icons we all know and love – in no particular order of the ones that are a short drive or metro ride away. As an aside, if you find yourself without anything to do on Valentine’s Day or maybe make it a part of your “celebration”, the largest President’s Day parade in the USA takes place in the heart of Old Town on the 14th. See the calendar listing in this issue for details. Washington Monument Located at 2 15th Street NW, this 555-foot marble obelisk offers 360-degree views of the city. While the grounds are open 24 hours, the observation deck is open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Entry is free, but a $1 service fee per ticket…
This column provided by TheGardenHelper.com Even though it may still be cold, damp and miserable outdoors, an occasional dose of sunshine could certainly put the gardening bug into you. With a little luck, Mother Nature will send a few blossoms your way this month. We are now at a time when we can no longer put off those garden projects, waiting for a nice day……don’t be caught off guard though, winter is far from being over! If exceptionally cold weather is forecast, provide protection to early flowering or tender plants by covering them with some type of cloth material. Remove the covering as soon as the weather moderates again. Shrubs and Trees Deciduous shrubs and trees are still dormant enough to transplant this month, once the buds have begun to swell, it will be to late. Click these links for information on transplanting azaleas or moving specimen plants. Trees which weren’t fed last fall should be deep fed by punching a series of 1-2 inch holes two feet apart around the drip line and filled with an appropriate food. A mulch of well composted manure is also an excellent treat for your tree. Mid to late February is the time to fertilize shrubs and evergreens. Use an acid type rhododendron fertilizer to feed evergreens, conifers, broad leaf evergreens, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. Use an all-purpose fertilizer to feed roses and other deciduous trees and shrubs. If you use dry type fertilizers, be sure to water it in thoroughly. Prune your summer flowering shrubs now but be aware that spring bloomers have already produced their buds last fall, and pruning them now will result in the loss of flowers. Forsythia, quince, spirea and other early spring flowering shrubs should be pruned a little later, after they have finished flowering. Pruning to…
Photo above by Carol Jean Stalun Photography for Visit Alexandria Just minutes from Washington, D.C. on the Potomac River, Alexandria is a welcoming winter retreat. As you ramble along the red-brick sidewalks with a special someone, many adventures await. Start the day with some self-care at a spa, salon or fitness spot, choose from the many restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a cocktal and catch the action at one of the city’s cozy sports bars. Plus, don’t miss one of the biggest parades of the year celebrating George Washington’s Birthday and experience special events during Black History Month. On these pages are just a few of the events taking place this month. Full calendar at visitalexandria.com. All Month Celebrating Black History From a self-taught mathematician who mapped out the nation’s capital, to abolitionist sisters who partnered with Frederick Douglass, to the first Black athlete to play in the NBA, African American changemakers have shaped the history of Alexandria, VA, and the United States. Minutes from D.C. and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Alexandria offers tours, markers and more to lead you through sites and stories both harrowing and hopeful. Start exploring Alexandria’s Black history and cultural experiences for a better understanding of today. Enjoy discounts on Alexandria’s museums and more regional attractions with the Attractions Key to the City Pass. https://visitalexandria.com/things-to-do/historic-attractions-and-museums/key-to-the-city/ 6th through 28th Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse Art Exhibit Del Ray Artisans Gallery Colasanto Center 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue Del Ray Artisans presents “Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse” art exhibit celebrating traditions, mythology, and the dynamic symbolism of the horse in the zodiac through diverse interpretations inspired by movements, heritage, and storytelling with an emphasis on cultural respect and authenticity. The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible. Gallery Hours: Thursday 12-6pm, Friday 12-9pm,…
The Old Town Crier made its way back to the West Coast to sunny San Diego with a stop at the iconic Hotel Del Coronado for lunch on the patio. Littleton, Colorado residents and OTC subscribers, Annie and Ric Ruller, took a two-week post-holiday hiatus for a bit of R&R, soak up some sun and to visit their oldest daughter, Chelsea. Pictured here are Annie (left) and Chelsea, with what looks like the hotel spire on top of her head – she wears it well! If you would like to see your photo in this space, take the OTC with you on your next adventure and take a high resolution photo or photos of you and yours checking us out and send it with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com and put “On the Road” in the subject line.
View More