Northern Virginia's First Bike Box Located in Alexandria's Del Ray Neighborhood - 04/28/10 07:54 PM
Northern Virginia's first bike box has been "installed" in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood and is located at the triangle shaped intersection where Commonwealth and Mt. Vernon meet.

 photo by BlindPilot If you are like me, you may well be asking, what IS a bike box?
According to the Portland Office of Transportation, a bike box is "is an intersection safety design to prevent bicycle/car collisions, especially those between drivers turning right and bicyclists going straight.
It is a green box on the road with a white bicycle symbol inside. It includes green bicycle lanes approaching and leading from … (7 comments)

Customer Service - Small Investment, Big Return - 04/25/10 02:11 PM
This morning on my way to church I was listening to National Public Radio and was struck by a story about Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport in Holland.

Amsterdam is a major hub in European air transportation and, being in the northern climes, is accustomed to weather challenges.
When the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland (my birth place!) caused wide spread panic, threats of lawsuits and over the top anxiety levels, Ad Rutten, chief operation officer of Schiphol approached the unexpected shutdown in terms of hospitality rather than crisis management.  
What did Rutten do to make stranded passengers as comfortable as possible?  … (5 comments)

Winkler Botanical Preserve in Alexandria, VA - 04/24/10 06:00 PM
The Winkler Botanical Preserve in Alexandria, VA may be one of the best kept secrets in our area or at least it was for me.  I admit that I was not familiar with it until just the past month or two.
Once again, it was our local list servs that provided the pertinent information.  Seems this tranquil, 44 acre property devoted to preserving Potomac Valley flora and providing free environmental education for students in Alexandria City Public Schools, or at least part of it, was slated to become a new interstate exit!
But first, a bit about the Winker Botanical Preserve.  … (2 comments)

Going Green - Cut Back on Water Usage - 04/20/10 08:52 PM
Going green doesn't have to be hard but it does take a 'reordering' of thought.  Here are six easy tips for going green by cutting back on water usage:
1. Turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
2. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap, then reuse the water for indoor or outdoor plants.
3. Reuse bath water on plants (this is a favorite of my mother-in-law, something about the soapy residue keeping pesky insects away).
4. Keep a … (3 comments)

Spice and Tea Exchange Opens in Old Town Alexandria - 04/20/10 07:02 PM
Imagine over a dozen flavored sugars, 30 kinds of tea, 150+ spices, 20 varieties of sea salts, at least 9 varieties of pepper, special blends and more - and you have just imagined yourself into the newly opened Spice and Tea Exchange in Old Town Alexandria.
Normally we don't write about franchise operations, preferring to focus on locally owned and operated businesses, but the Alexandria store is just the 13th outlet for this Florida based retailer and we couldn't resist.  Besides, they are located right next to my Coldwell Banker office at 320 King St. 

Like many good business … (0 comments)

Spice and Tea Exchange Opens in Old Town Alexandria - 04/20/10 02:16 PM
Imagine over a dozen flavored sugars, 30 kinds of tea, 150+ spices, 20 varieties of sea salts, at least 9 varieties of pepper, special blends and more - and you have just imagined yourself into the newly opened Spice and Tea Exchange in Old Town Alexandria.
Normally we don't write about franchise operations, preferring to focus on locally owned and operated businesses, but the Alexandria store is just the 13th outlet for this Florida based retailer and we couldn't resist.  Besides, they are located right next to my Coldwell Banker office at 320 King St. 

Like many good business … (3 comments)

April in Alexandria - Plant Sales, Flea Markets, Koi, House Tours and More - 04/14/10 08:27 PM
We've gotten a number of emails in the past few days reminding us just how busy April in Alexandria can be with plant sales, flea markets, koi, house tours and more so we thought we would just do a handy dandy list:
April 17  -
Flea Market and Bake Sale / Trinity United Methodist Church (703.549.5500) Alexandria House and Garden Tour Plant Sale at River Farm / American Horticultural Society Koi Sale at the National Arboretum Alexandria Spring Clean Up

April 24 -
Parkfairfax Native Plant Sale MV Big Flea Garden Fair / National Arboretum Alexandria Spring Clean … (2 comments)

2010 Plant Sale at River Farm with the American Horticultural Society - 04/10/10 07:49 PM
The 2010 Plant Sale at River Farm with the American Horticultural Society is a perfect accompaniment to next weekend's house and garden tour in Alexandria.

River Farm has a rich history, dating from colonial times, and eventually becoming one of five farms owned by gentleman farmer George Washington. 
It came under the purview of the American Horticultural Society in 1973 with the mission "to open the eyes of all Americans to the vital connection between people and plants, to inspire all Americans to become responsible caretakers of the Earth, to celebrate America's diversity through the art and science of … (2 comments)

2010 Alexandria House and Garden Tour - 04/09/10 10:35 PM
The 2010 Alexandria House and Garden Tour will kick off one week from today on Saturday, April 17 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
An annual presentation of The Garden Club of Virginia, The Hunting Creek Garden Club and The Garden Club of Alexandria, the tour benefits historic gardens and landmarks in Virginia.
Five Old Town houses are featured on the tour and the houses may be visited in any order so let's get started:

The Alexander McConnell House at 201 Duke Street.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Federal clapboard house was built in 1785-95 along with two … (0 comments)

Alexandria's Annual Spring Clean Up is a Scavenger Hunter's Paradise - 04/08/10 08:51 PM
Ever heard the phrase "one man's junk is another man's treasure"? Well, never is that more true than during Alexandria's city wide spring cleanup running this year from April 10 to May 1.
Starting this Saturday, residents in designated zip codes are invited to clean out their closets, basements, attics, garages, etc. , and set the results curbside for FREE pickup by the city's refuse collection.
"Acceptable" trash includes appliances, steel pipes, furniture, mattresses, brush, tree limbs and tires.

But it's once the materials are curbside that the real fun begins. Scavengers, entrepreneurs, fixer upper types, junk dealers, etc. … (2 comments)

2010 Easter Sunday at Christ Church Alexandria - 04/05/10 08:11 PM
A picture perfect day and glorious music and liturgy welcomed the over 1600 people who attended six services on Easter Sunday at Christ Church Alexandria.



Halleujah, Halleujah!
… (2 comments)

Sixth Annual Eggstravaganza at Eclectic Nature Garden Center in Alexandria, VA - 04/03/10 02:41 PM
Following a week of chilly temperatures, the sun was out and the skies clear for the sixth annual eggstravaganza at Eclectic Nature Garden Center in Alexandria.
Parents and toddlers alike gathered on the sidewalk waiting for the Easter Bunny to start the festivities - and then the race was on.

 
From savvy 6 and 7 year olds to those who could barely walk, hunting for eggs was serious business.  At stake were two eggs with a message inside that simply said "winner." 
For the adults it was a chance to take in some of the earliest offerings … (0 comments)