What's Up, NoVa?
Thoughts and Happenings Around Northern Virginia
Walk for the Animals
016 days
by Kelly Bannister
in Uncategorized
Mark your calendar for the Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s 18th Annual Walk for the Animals on May 11th (rain or shine) at Bluemont Park, Arlington. Leash-up Fido, strap on your walking shoes and join hundreds of animal enthusiasts for a three-mile walk or one-mile stroll through the park followed by a festival of entertainment. Pre-register now for $25 or register event day for $40. All pre-registered walkers will receive a free 2013 Walk t-shirt and participating dogs will receive a free bandanna Demonstrate your devotion to your four-legged companion while helping homeless animals, one step at a time. Be a part of the League’s largest fundraiser and Arlington County’s largest pet-centered event. / Bluemont Park, Arlington; 703-931-9241; awla.kintera.org; $25 pre-registration, $40 day off
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Mother’s Day at the Carlyle — The Rat Pack Together Again
024 days
Rat Pack Together Again brings these cperformers to life and make them vibrant. “One of those shows that you simply must see while you’re in town.” — The Times Herald “The vocals and arrangements are complex and rich, filling the room with beautiful music.” — The New York Post.
Please note: there will be no dancing throughout the show. Guests may dance before, during the intermission or after the performance
Where Have All The Heroes Gone?
024 days
by Kelly Bannister
in Uncategorized
Remember that old Bonnie Tyler song from 1984?
Where have all good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where’s the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
I think that’s what we women ultimately want — a hero, but that heroism doesn’t have to be huge. It’s the small heroics that melt our hearts. Years ago, my then boyfriend completely won my heart when he drove from Upper Marlboro to Falls Church in a huge snowstorm simply to make sure that I was able to make it back home safely. It was the first of many times that he has “rescued” me over the years. There have been so many instances that I could never tally them all. Small heroics are no less important than the big things — strong arms to hold me when it’s needed, a strong chest to weep against in shared sorrow and the knowledge that he’s always on my side.
These days, the “big gesture” doesn’t seem so big anymore. Effort that was once put into marriage proposals now goes into prom date requests. It’s the days of ostentatious gestures, big spending and, ultimately, narcissistic behavior. While it’s all quite fun getting that kind of attention, is that really what we want? Is it what we need? I don’t think so. It’s not what I want for myself and it’s not what I want for my daughters. I want them to have their personal heroes. Someone like their father. Someone who will be there– always.
Insanely Good Williamsburg Deal for Virginia Residents
033 days
by Kelly Bannister
in Uncategorized
Now, through May 31, 2013, Virginia residents can purchase a Single-day Ticket that grants admission for the remainder of the year.
Enjoy the Revolutionary City in bloom this spring and return later this year to take advantage of new art exhibitions, lectures in the Colonial Williamsburg Speaker Series, or experience our Grand Illumination celebration. With an exciting lineup of seasonal events for 2013 and exclusive discounts on carriage rides, tours, and evening experiences, you’ll have the perfect excuse to come see what’s new in America’s birthplace.
Check out the details HERE.
What’s Going on at Jamin’ Java this Weekend?
034 days
Bored? Looking for a little fun for very little money? If you haven’t checked out Jammin’ Java yet, it’s time. It’s a sure thing that there is something good going on. This weekend the following groups are scheduled:
Friday: Ellis Paul (Contemporary Folk)
Saturday: Pat Sommers Rock Shop (Children’s Workshop), Willy Porter (Guitarish/Singer/Songwriter), Roots-Rock-Reggae Night
(Three Legged Fox, Poor Man’s Copyright, Nayas)
Sunday: Pendrifter (local band), Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hammer (Child Ballads),
Moss Gardens? Are Those a “Thing”?
035 days
Today, my husband asked me to make a landscape plan for our problem hill which has remained covered in moss no matter what we do with it. After very little effort (exactly the amount of effort that I like best) I found that Japanese moss gardens are becoming a bit of a trend with the gardening community. ”What?” says I. ”Moss has always been something that we’ve tried to kill, not something that one would actually cultivate” but there it was in black and white ( and bountiful, velvety green). I took in the beautiful pictures of simply lush lawns of moss mixed with intricate and elaborate gardens of rocks and multiple moss varieties. Moss garden kits abound on the internet and easy do-it-yourself starter kits were actually more than affordable. ”Winner!” squealed my inner lazy person, who closely resembles my outer lazy person.
Okay, I’m intrigued. Who wouldn’t be? Promises of a garden that requires occasional watering in dry seasons and little else in the way of care sound almost too good to be true. Of course, on the other hand, our own moss hill has not only been easy to care for but rather impossible to kill. I think we’ve found our solution. Being the lazy gardeners that we are, a sampler kit seems to be our salvation and soon, we hope, we’ll have a variety of lush and beautiful green and red mosses to enhance our yard. Wish us luck!
What’s Inspiring at Wegman’s Today
035 days
by Kelly Bannister
in fine dining
I don’t like to plan week long menus, instead I find that the best meals come from a stroll through Wegmans. Today, the butternut squash looked incredibly bright, so Summer Squash Soup Sans Cream is on the luncheon menu. For dinner, shitake, haricots and trout also look good. So the dinner menu will be as follows: Rainbow trout (cooked whole and encrusted with sea salt), risotto w/parmigiano cheese, haricots simmered in chicken broth and fresh wild mushroom mix in butter and garlic. The easy, healthy recipe of the day is the Summer Squash Soup. Enjoy!
Simple Summer Squash Soup Sans Cream
6-8 cups summer squash cubed
1 medium sweet onion
garlic – 1 clove crushed or minced
chicken broth
pinch of nutmeg
Simmer squash in enough chicken broth to cover…about 20 minutes or until tender. Sautee onion and garlic in butter then add to squash. Use an immersion blender to smooth (or a standard blender). Salt and pepper to taste. Garnish w/sour cream (optional)
Middleburg Spring Races — This Weekend!
036 days
In case you didn’t know, Virginia has a thriving racing community and one of the most popular are the Spring Races in Middleburg, Virginia and it’s this weekend! Post Time is 1:00 PM and the proceeds go to benefit INOVA/Loudoun Hospital, Glenwood Park Trust and Local Charities. So, buy your tickets, put on a great hat and enjoy a day at Glenwood Park Racecourse in Middleburg.
Le Mediterranean Bistro to Open
036 days
by Kelly Bannister
in fine dining
Driss Zahidi’s Le Mediterranean Bistro
will open this Friday in Fairfax. Zahidi was the original chef at Bistro Vivant in McLean and the former owner and chef of Evo Bistro.
The menu will be French and Moroccan using local ingredients. Dinner starts this Friday, at 5 p.m. / Le Mediterranean Bistro, 4008 University Drive, Fairfax.
Pho Gourmet
038 days
by Kelly Bannister
in Uncategorized
Everyone has a “go-to” lunch spot. It’s rarely a big chain or an extremely popular restaurant, but it must always have consistently good food at a reasonable cost. One of my go-to spots is Pho Gourmet in Manassas, Virginia. The decor is cheesy, the service can be slow but the food is fresh and tasty and the price is right. Perhaps that’s why it always seems to be moderately busy. I tend to tarry when I’m there, enjoying pot after pot of steaming jasmine tea. The spring rolls are served crisp and piping hot with a garnish of pickled carrots and radish. The pho is, of course, the star and all of the varieties are quite flavorful. Add sprouts, jalapeños and fresh tarragon to taste. If you feel like something more filling, my own personal favorite is the carmelized pork which is “to die for.”
