Tuesday, May 21, 2013
You could win a family four-pack of tickets courtesy of Six Flags America.
Memorial Day is a day to remember the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the United State following the Civil War and was made an official federal holiday in 1971. Many people commemorate Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials to pay tribute to those who served. At Patch, we encourage our readers to remember those serving our country this Memorial Day by sharing a memory of your favorite military service member or veteran. Enter Patch’s Memorial Day sweepstakes and you could win a Family Outing at Six Flags America in Mitchellville, MD, just 15 miles east of Washington D.C. The Family Outing is valued at $350 and includes: To enter, comment below with …
Democratic leaders and gay advocates are slamming the Virginia Republican Party's ticket — Ken Cuccinelli for governor and E.W. Jackson for lieutenant governor. Do you agree with them?
Democratic Party Chair of Virginia Charniele Herring, state Sen. Adam Ebbin and gay-rights advocate James Parrish held a teleconference Tuesday afternoon lambasting the “dangerous and hateful attacks on gay and lesbian Virginians that Republican candidates Ken Cuccinelli and E.W. Jackson have made a centerpiece of their careers.” Herring asked why an employer would want to bring business to the commonwealth when gubernatorial candidate Cuccinelli and lieutenant governor candidate Jackson “demonize” gay employees. “It’s damaging to our commonwealth’s reputation as an inclusive place to live,” she said. Jackson has labeled gay people perverted and “frankly very sick people psychologically, mentally and emotionally,” according to the …
The 17-year Brood II cicadas have arrived in Prince William County and are moving north quickly—they could be in our area within days. See what's coming...
At first, there were one or two husks on a tree. Then there were several squashed bugs in the school parking lot. Now, it's a swarm of Cicadas in parts of Northern Virginia. The cicada hum can be heard loudly in Dale City and parts farther south, including Fredericksburg. Some areas of Northern Virginia have yet to experience the “Cicadapocalypse," but the bugs are out in large numbers in Prince William County and they're moving north quickly. Known as the East Coast II brood, these cicadas are emerging now across North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and several other states up through Connecticut. The result? A 7 kHz buzz filling the region as the cicadas try to attract mates. If they behave typically, the cicadas will be around for four …
Somebody may end up liking this movie, but not the critics
Finally, the long-unwaited, The Hangover Part III is here. And the critics seem to universally hate it. Warner Bros. has moved up the release of the trilogy's merciful end to May 23, giving The Hangover Part III a day in theaters alone before Justin Lin’s Fast & Furious 6 swoops in. The Hangover Part III Showtimes and locations in Greater Alexandria The Hangover Part III Trailer How do the critics feel? The Hollywood Reporter says: There is one spectacular stunt which forces Phil and Alan to dangle from the roof of Caesars Palace. Otherwise, the visuals are as flat as the script. Sequels are rarely rewarding, but this sorry retread of a once inspired comedy only confirms the bankruptcy of sequel mania. At least it’s fairly short, and …
Kashif Bashir facing slew of charges in Feb. 27 shooting incident that wounded Alexandria Police Officer Peter Laboy.
The suspect in the February shooting of Alexandria Police Officer Peter Laboy was indicted by an Alexandria Circuit Court grand jury Monday. Kashif Bashir, 27, is facing one count of attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer, one count of aggravated malicious wounding and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The attempted capital murder charge and aggravated malicious wounding charge each carry sentences of 20 years to life. The firearm charges each carry three-year sentences. Trial dates will be chosen in the next 10 days. Bashir is being represented by the Alexandria Public Defender’s Office. Prosecutors handling the case are Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Molly Sullivan and Assistant Commonwealth’s …
Commuters in NoVa are paying $3.57 per gallon right now—lower than last year, but higher than earlier this spring.
Heading out of town for Memorial Day this weekend? You'll be paying less at the pump than you did last year even though the Northern Virginia area has seen prices spike in recent weeks. Average gas prices for the Northern Virginia region this week are at $3.57 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas, down from $3.69 a gallon a year ago, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. Paying $3.57 a gallon at the pump is better than what many Minnesotans are paying right now—an average of $4.27 a gallon, the highest prices in the country, according to the Star Tribune. Northern Virginia is faring better on gas prices than many other parts of the country, according to AAA. Currently, Virginia’s retail average is 26 cents cheaper than the national average. …
Patch blogger Anne Samit writes about a new nighttime yoga practice and finding inspiration in those around you.
There's so much to learn from practicing yoga. This week's blog of the week, "Mentor," by Patch yoga blogger Anne Samit, discusses how trying a new practice can help form a kinship with fellow yogis. That kinship can inspire you to try a new move — and succeed. Samit writes:"One day, on my way out, I couldn’t help but exclaim to this young yogi about her practice. A few days later, on my way in, she returned the compliment. Here I was admiring her, but there she was admiring me! We started to chat and moved on to more important topics, like her handstands. I want those vinyasa handstands, away from the wall, and I asked her how it is that she’s not afraid to go upside down, right in the middle of the room. I’ll help you, she offered. I’ll …
The following information was supplied by the Fairfax County Police Department in the most recent daily reports released May 20. Arrests do not indicate a conviction.
On the above map, the addresses are block numbers, not specific home or business addresses. The following items are from the recent daily activity report from the Mount Vernon Police District of the Fairfax County Police Department. Assault (blue on map), 1:55 p.m., May 17, Richmond Highway/Sherwood Hall Lane, A 25-year-old man was allegedly attacked. Joshua Sims, 25, of Alexandria was charged with malicious wounding and drunk in public. The victim was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. In separate and unrelated incidents: Unlawful Entry/Assault (red on map), 6 p.m., May 17, 8600 block of Village Way, A 33-year-old man was allegedly assaulted by two juveniles who were attempting to enter a vacant home. The …
Still looking for ways to entertain the kids after school is out? These camps have spots still available.
Summer vacation is right around the corner, and it's time to get your kids registered in summer camp. Here's a quick line-up of summer camps with spots still available in Southern Fairfax County: Arcadia Farm Camp Arcadia Farm Camp at Woodlawn Plantation has spots available for its summer farm camp. Kids will be able to learn more about life on a farm while participating in fun outdoor activities. For more information, click here. Browne Academy Camp at Browne Academy will run from June 17 to Aug. 9. Browne offers camp programs for preschool- to middle school-aged children. Browne's camp programs provide an array of age and developmentally apropriate activities for its participants. Summer camp activities at Browne include physical …
Monday, May 20, 2013
Radio station personality Bert Weiss has taken over the morning spot replacing the "Jack Diamond Morning Show" on 107.3 FM with "The Bert Show." Are you tuning in or tuning out?
Morning radio talk show personality Jack Diamond’s departure from Mix-107.3 has sparked a flurry of forlorn followers, who have had plenty to say on Patch since his departure in late April. “The Jack Diamond Morning Show” featured Diamond as well as listener phone calls, sidekicks, traffic and news reports, Hollywood gossip and of course Diamond’s insights about his wife and children. Bert Weiss, who Diamond called a “protégé and partner” has taken over the morning show slot. The station replaced Diamond's program with the syndicated “The Bert Show” out of Atlanta. Weiss’ co-host is Kristin Klingshim along with co-host and executive producer Jeff Dauler. Weiss is married with two boys and loves to travel. To promote listenership, the new …
K Byers
6:51 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
As I have done on each of the last fourteen years, my mother and I will make our Sunday trek to Arlington Cemetery to see Rolling Thunder. I am thrilled to see the recognition that was never given to those who served this country during the Vietnam War. I was born in Ft. Hood, Texas. Elvis Presley was there when my father was a young 2nd Lieutenant. Two weeks later we moved to Alaska. Dad was a … more ›