County Leaders Approve Elimination of Plastic Bags for Yard Waste
Joining several neighboring communities in the D.C. Metro Area that have banned the use of plastic bags for yard waste, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday amended the county’s Solid Waste Management ordinance, which now prohibits the use of plastic bags for set out and collection of yard waste.
The change takes effect on Monday, March 1 and will require county residents who have curbside collection of yard waste to use reusable containers or paper yard waste bags to set out grass, leaves and brush. Although the new rule takes effect March 1, the Solid Waste Management Program will be exercising enforcement discretion for a six-week period to allow time for customer notification and education on the new rule. Enforcement will begin Monday, April 19, 2021.
It has been noted that pieces of plastic bags, shredded during the composting process, end up being re-introduced into the environment when the compost is applied in gardens, yards, and other similar projects. Prohibiting plastic bags removes plastic pollution from the yard waste being made into compost.
A number of environmental and conservation organizations, including the Audubon Society, 350Fairfax, and the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions have voiced their support of the change.
"Eliminating single-use plastic bags that otherwise get shredded and mixed into compost, contaminating our soils, water, and eventually us, just makes sense. We concur with the Board’s decision to make this change, and we’re glad to see Fairfax County finally joining its neighbors in the region to do this," said Renee Grebe, Northern Virginia Conservation Advocate with the Audubon Naturalist Society.
Results from a study conducted in 2019 show approximately 50 percent of residents already have stopped using plastic bags for yard waste. Plastic bags set out at residences after April 19 may be left uncollected.
Residents also can deliver their yard waste to the I-95 Landfill Complex and the I-66 Transfer Station. At those locations yard waste in paper bags or reusable containers will be accepted. As of April 19, 2021, yard waste in plastic bags delivered to the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Landfill will be rejected. Commercial yard waste loads containing plastic bags delivered after April 19, 2021 will be subject to a penalty fee of $100/ton.
We’re social! For updates on DPWES related projects, services and events visit us on Facebook @fairfaxcountyenvironment and on Twitter @ffxpublicworks.
Increase in Overnight Commercial Burglaries
Detectives with the Fairfax County Police Dept. are investigating a series of overnight commercial burglaries throughout the county. Since Jan. 28, detectives have identified fifteen burglary cases that may be related. In most cases, the front glass doors of the businesses have been broken, two to four people then enter the business taking cash and property before leaving in a vehicle. This is reminiscent of the SMASH AND GRAB robberies experienced here in Annandale 10 or so years ago during another economic downturn. Detectives have determined the burglars mostly target restaurants, grocery stores, and minority owned businesses. While detectives continue to work these cases, crime prevention officers are reaching out to business owners to discuss safety tips and burglary prevention such as light and security camera installation, trimming back hedges in front of doors, removing valuables before closing for the night, clearing out all cash register drawers leaving them open and visibly empty.
Community members are asked to contact police if they are a victim of a burglary so officers and detectives can gather evidence that could lead to an arrest. Below is a list of businesses that have been affected in the past several weeks.
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1/28/21
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Naz Food
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Annandale
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1/28/21
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Kogiya Korean BBQ
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Annandale
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1/28/21
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Han Gang Korean Restaurant
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Annandale
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2/3/21
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Little Saigon Restaurant
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Falls Church
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2/3/21
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Vien Dong Fabrics
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Falls Church
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2/11/21
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Halal Market
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Springfield
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2/11/21
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Afghan Bistro
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Springfield
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2/17/21
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Pica Taco
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Alexandria
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2/17/21
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Rice and Spice Thai Cuisine
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Alexandria
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2/17/21
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Korean BBQ Bowl
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Alexandria
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2/17/21
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Chi Mc Chicken and Beer
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Alexandria
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2/17/21
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Matsui Sushi
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Alexandria
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2/17/21
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Hollin Hill Variety Store
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Alexandria
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2/17/21
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The Pastry Shop
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Alexandria
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2/17/21
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River Bend Bistro
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Alexandria
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Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding these incidents to call our Mason District Station Criminal Investigation Section at 703-256-8035. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous ! tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.
AMERICAN PICKERS to Film in Virginia
Press Release
The American Pickers are excited to return to Virginia! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout your area in April 2021.
We understand that with the proliferation of COVID-19, we are all facing very uncertain times. We at American Pickers are taking the pandemic very seriously and will be following all guidelines and protocols for safe filming as outlined by the state and CDC. While we plan to be in Virginia this April, we will continue to reschedule if conditions change for the worse. Regardless, we are excited to continue to reach the many collectors in the area to discuss their years of picking!
AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them. As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, the Pickers want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life, while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.
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Get Hooked
The Park Authority Has a New Fishing Website
The Fairfax County Park Authority wants to reel you in with its new website dedicated to fishing in and around the county.
Anglers can consult the site for weekly fishing reports, and new articles related to fishing will be posted every two weeks. The website contains tips to help you get the most from your day of fishing and a bragging board to let you share photos of your catch of the day.
The fishing website provides information on the best places to fish in and around Fairfax County and a calendar with fishing-related events. In addition, there are photos and information to help you identify local fish.
Many interesting articles can also be found on this website talking about cold winter fishing, maintaining your fishing equipment, Striped Bass fishing to name just a few. A topical article by Chase Brown offers what you need to know about fall and winter fishing for catfish.
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Colonial Celebration Punch
Served in Japanese Imari Porcelain
By the 18th century, punch was a popular drink. It was usually made with rum or brandy and expensive imported ingredients like sugar, citrus, and spices. This punch bowl was purchased by the Fairfax County Park Authority in the early 1970s to enhance the interpretation of Sully Historic Site, where it is normally on display.
The decoration on this beautiful punch bowl is known as Imari. Imari porcelain, also known as Imari ware, has a unique background. It was first produced in Japan in the early 1600s. Some say it should really be called Arita ware, as that it where it was produced. Imari was the nearby port from which it was shipped. Arita is known as the birthplace of Japanese ceramics, which began when kaolinite clay was discovered there. The first porcelains were either plain white or white with a blue underglaze. Typical Imari ware was decorated with blue underglaze, then accented with terracotta red and gold and sometimes outlined in black. Later, other colors like green, yellow and purple were added.
UnCovered: Decoration or Symbol of Resistance?
During excavations in 2017, Fairfax County archaeologists recovered four refitting pieces of a decorated ceramic plate. After some research, laboratory archaeologists determined that the plate commemorated the 1802 Treaty of Amiens, which ended 1792-1802 hostilities between France and England stemming from the French Revolution. This English-made ware was popular in the United States from 1802 until 1807, when President Thomas Jefferson instituted an embargo against the British. The artifact is somewhat odd, as the United States limited participation in the hostilities to primarily naval actions against the French in the West Indies during the “Quasi-War,” which had been settled prior to the Amiens treaty. Other examples of this plate have been recovered from excavations in the City of Alexandria, Virginia.
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Read the Latest ENDEAVOR News Magazine
The ENDEAVOR News Magazine is the Chamber's quarterly online publication and the must read magazine in Annandale.
Acquaint yourself with local businesses, community history, revitalization efforts, and issues that concern Annandale: The Crossroads of Northern Virginia TM.
New Hope Housing & Bailey’s Shelter
Supportive Housing Needed Now More than Ever
Everything changed at Bailey’s when the coronavirus pandemic began this year. When the outbreak began, there were two important questions to answer for homeless people and the services we provide: 1) How do you stay safe-at-home when you don’t have a home? And 2) How do you socially distance in a full homeless shelter?
In Fairfax County, county and nonprofit leaders convened to create action plans. Using CARES Act funding and shared resources, Fairfax County began master-leasing several vacant hotels to be used as additional shelter sites with nonprofit partners responsible for staffing and managing these programs. Once these opened, half of the guests in each shelter in the county moved to these hotels. Priority was given to older homeless guests and guests with certain medical conditions so that they could safely isolate in hotel rooms. Shelter staff have continued to provide case management services such as housing and employment services to guests at the hotel sites to enable them to move to safe and affordable housing. These sites are also serving as isolation and quarantine shelter for non-homeless people who have been exposed to COVID and cannot safely quarantine otherwise. These sites are expected to remain open at least through June 30, 2021. More than 900 people have used these sites since opening in mid-April.
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Umbrella InsuranceA Valuable Safeguard
The purpose of insurance is easy to comprehend. Quite simply it exists to safeguard our assets, the welfare of our families, and the financial security of our businesses. Car insurance is a necessity as is homeowner insurance. Actually, you won’t be allowed to register a car in most states or take out a mortgage without those policies. You are not required to have umbrella insurance in most instances yet you will sleep better if you do. Umbrella insurance is a form of liability insurance protecting you against lawsuits and the coverage limitations of your other policies. Umbrella coverage takes over once your other policies hit their coverage limits. With medical and legal costs as high as they are those limits could be reached quite soon. Suppose you are judged responsible in a multi-car crash. Everyone can make a mistake, but if you do, your car insurance may only carry a $300 to $500k limit on medical coverage for others. What if there were five people injured and multiple cars totaled? You could easily be on the hook for a million dollars with only $300k paid from your car insurance policy. If you had a $1 million umbrella policy, your life saving & retirement, and your kid’s college funds will not be at risk along with all your future dreams.
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What a Difference a Century Makes: 1921 
Counting & confirming the presidential Electoral votes in a calm & dignified manner...the way statesmen and national leaders are supposed to behave...showing appropriate decorum and respect for the Constitution.
President: Warren G. Harding
Vice President: Calvin Coolidge
Virginia Governor: Henry Carter Stuart
Chief Justice Supreme Court: William Howard Taft
Speaker of the House: Frederick H. Gillett (R-Massachusetts)
Senate Majority Leader: Henry Cabot Lodge (R-Massachusetts)
VA Senators: Claude A. Swanson & Carter Glass BORN: John Glen, HRS Prince Philip, Gene Roddenberry, Ben Bradley, Mary Jackson, James Clavell, Alex Haley, Sugar Ray Robinson, Roy Campanella, Betty Friedan, Nancy Reagan DIED: Bat Masterson, Lady Randolph Churchill, Enrico Caruso, Prince Louis of Battenberg. Emmeline Wells, John Boyd Dunlop Married: French President Charles de Gaulle (30) weds Yvonne Vendroux (20), Author Ernest Hemingway (22) marries 1st wife Hadley Richardson (29) , Actor Jack Haley (22) weds Florence McFadden
HISTORICAL EVENTS.......READ MORE
VIEW ON NATURE
Different Feathers Flock Together
The first day of winter was December 21, 2020. Known as the Winter Solstice, it’s when our upper half of earth is tilted furthest away from the sun. This cyclic occurrence rarely goes unnoticed in Nature as the longest night and shortest day. Primitive cultures have celebrated this solstice for millennia as the rebirth of the sun. As a Naturalist, I’ve never liked the expression “the dead of winter”. Nature slows down and tucks in a bit with animals hibernating, less photosynthesis, and the like, but entire complex ecosystems keep thriving. This is also the time of year when all birds are done with their chores of breeding, nest building, rearing young and migration. Instead, during the winter they only have one priority –survive until spring by finding enough food and avoiding hungry predators. One of my favorite pastimes in the winter woods is finding myself suddenly surrounded by a slow-moving gang of forest birds, a hunting party of several different small species foraging for food together. Most birds eat alone or amongst their own kind, so why change during the winter? A mixed-species foraging flock typically has "nuclear" species central to its formation and movement. Species that trail them, or "attendants" tend to join the foraging flock when it enters their territory. Carolina chickadees and tufted titmice are usually the ringleaders of the bunch that may include brown creepers, kinglets, wrens, juncos, warblers, vireos, and downy and hairy woodpeckers in unison scouring the deciduous tree tops, trunks, understory, and forest floor for insects, seeds and nuts.
Annandale Real Estate: Escape to the Country
To parody a BBC popular program where a Realtor shows a couple three properties somewhere in the bucolic English countryside, we are seeing a similar trend in our own Metro area. Just last month my clients closed on a lovely expanded and upgraded Rambler (great floorplan) on over one acre in Prince William County. The hunt had included seeing eight properties and writing offers on four of them before we were successful. Why? Because too many other potential buyers wanted the same properties, even ones needing over $50K in renovations! Finally, we landed the best property by pulling out all the stops in our offer—no home inspection, pay the first $500 of any septic or well repairs, etc. etc. This property was well worth the wait! The major criteria was to have a large lot with privacy. They escaped from a small one level home in a very large subdivision wanting both extensive outdoor space for the family and significantly more interior space. In this new Covid-19 world, people are not only looking to move out to the country, but also to find a home with space for one or even two home offices as commuting distance is not the major criterion. READ MORE
GREEN SPRING GARDENS
Programs January - March 2021 
Saturday, February 6: Garden Tour: Winter Trunks and Bark 10-11:30am. (Adults) During winter, tree trunks and branches are revealed in all their glory. Explore the gardens with a master gardener docent who highlights a stunning variety of bark color, texture and form and showcases the best trees for ornamental value in the winter landscape. $15 per person . Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes (code RKS.MIQD) or call Green Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173. Saturday, February 13: Starting from Scratch with Seeds 10:30am-12pm. (16-Adult) Grow flowers, vegetables and herbs from seed and expand your garden. Be inspired by Green Spring staff member, Susan Eggerton, as she discusses potting mixes, containers, seed treatments, lighting, fertilization, watering, seed sources and timing. Then take home a few seeds to start your own collection. This program will take place on-site with limited registration and social distancing. $22 per person. Wear a mask. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes (code J1V.K6GF) or call Green Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173.
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MEET THE ARTISAN: Gail Robin
Fiber Artist working with various yarns & felted wool methodologies
Gail Robin has had a lifelong engagement with many aspects and types of fiber related crafting. Her earliest memory was sewing on a treadle sewing machine. Gail made her first knitted afghan when she was a preteen and continued to create her own clothing throughout high school. Gail’s mother was a major influence working with crochet thread which allowed for fine detail. Her mother also taught Gail how to sew, knit and crochet from the time she was quite young. Gail became an active member of the 4-H qualifying for state garment sewing while still in middle school. Over the years, Gail has mastered many varied crafts. Recently, she works with various yarns and felted wool methodologies Having made a career in the military, Gail spent her work-a-day life in the dress of the day. It did not allow for a personal nor colorful expression in fashion. Consequently, her fiber art provided her the freedom to utilize an explosion of hues.
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ON THE ENERGY FRONT
Take Steps to Save Energy this Winter with Help from Virginia Energy Sense 
Each year, Virginia Energy Sense conducts survey research to be better informed of where Virginians stand when it comes to saving energy at home. In the latest research findings, highlighted in our infographic available on our website, the likelihood of Virginians becoming more energy efficient slightly declined from 30% in 2019 to 25% in 2020, but that is due in part to an increasing proportion of Virginians taking steps to become energy efficient. For example, 38% of respondents said they’re adjusting the heat when not at home, up from 31% in 2019. That shift in behavior is also reflected in Virginians’ energy saving habits in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to our latest survey, 92% of Virginians have already taken steps to reduce their energy consumption prior to the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has made many Virginians spend more time indoors, whether for work or remote learning, and that can cause energy usage to spike. In fact, 47% of respondents in our survey noted they are using more energy at home compared to just 6% who are using less energy than before the pandemic. In addition to potential energy spikes with increased time indoors, the seasons have changed and temperatures are declining. Winter is here and if your home is not properly prepared for inclement weather, there’s a chance that your energy bill could increase. To help minimize your energy consumption at home during the colder months, Virginia Energy Sense has prepared a list of easy, do-it-yourself tips below. Winter Energy Saving Tips Reduce the heat – A great way to save on your energy bill is to lower the temperature of your hot water tank. Adjusting the temperature on your hot water tank by 10 degrees can save up to $9/month. Reverse your fans – Since hot air rises, run your ceiling fans in reverse (clockwise) to circulate it back to floor level. Utilize the sun – Open curtains and blinds on your west and south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. Close those curtains at night to retain heat. Maintain your HVAC system – Replace dirty air filters in your furnace to keep your HVAC system running efficiently. A clogged filter will cause your system to work harder and expend more energy.
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Shop Locally and Support AnnandaleMerchants
AnnSandra Gifts
AnnSandra has been the preeminent giftware destination in the Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland area, for over 39 years. AnnSandra provides a unique experience, now serving second and third generation customers, offering an extensive collection of fine china, crystal, silver, distinctive gift items for any occasion, including a vast variety of holiday gifts. This retailer prides itself with a well earned reputation for exceptional customer service and expertise, whether you’re shopping in the store or over the phone, our highly trained professionals are committed to delivering unparalleled service with unbeatable prices. 
Looking for that perfect holiday gift, AnnSandra has a superb and varied selection to suit your gift-giving needs. Store pick-up and private appointments are still available along with online and phone orders. Shipping and gift wrapping service on site. MORE ABOUT ANNSANDRA Sunday & Monday – CLOSED
Tuesday - Friday - 12PM -5:00PMSaturday - 10AM - 5:30PM. 4417 John Marr DriveAnnandale, VA. 22003703-354-2110 - 800-357-2110info@annsandra.com . www.annsandra.com
Artisans United Gallery of Gifts 
When you shop at the gallery, you will find a wide variety of reasonably priced hand-crafted items by local artisans. Socially distanced shopping at the Gallery is easy. Or, if you can’t visit in person, call to arrange for a virtual tour and shopping. Staff can take payments over the phone and provide curbside pickup. Mailing or delivery to your home may be available.Visit us at the Packard Center (Annandale Community Park), 4022 Hummer Road, Annandale, VA 22003. We are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. READ MORE ABOUT ARTISANS UNITED Call us at 703-941-0202 to check on current hours. You may also arrange a Sunday, Monday, or evening visit. (703)941-0202 . augallery1@gmail.com . www.augallery.org
Golf Gifts and Gift CardsPinecrest Golf CourseCorner of Braddock and Little River6600 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 941-1061 . www.fairfaxcounty.gov/golf/pinecrest Coffee GiftsBeanetics Coffee RoastersAnnandale Shopping Center7028 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 941-4506 . www.beanetics.com
Tea Gifts and Nature - Garden Gifts
Green Spring Gardens
Off Braddock Rd. behind Pinecrest Shopping Center-Braddock and Little River
6600 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 642-5173 . www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring
Lake Barcroft Dental Group Celebrates Anniversary
Special Offering in Celebration
This month, Lake Barcroft Dental Group celebrates its one-year anniversary as part of the local community. As part of this celebration Dr. Aseel Mukbel and the team are offering 50% off in-office whitening and $200 off CEREC – in-office -- crowns through January 2021.
Lake Barcroft Dental Group is a one-stop spot for all of your dental needs – it’s located in Barcroft Plaza at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Linconia Road. The practice offers Invisalign and same-day crowns. The practice has an in-house oral surgeon to take care of any extraction needs including wisdom teeth; and endodontist to handle dreaded root canals with a gentle touch; and a periodontist to care for any gum issues.
In addition to Lake Barcroft Dental Group’s robust services, the practice also offers a slew of financing and payment options to ensure the dentistry fits comfortable in your budget, especially during these unprecedented times.
While patient’s budgets are a huge concern during this pandemic, safety is an even bigger concern. At Lake Barcroft Dental Group, that is the team’s top priority. A study by the American Dental Association revealed dentists have less than a 1% COVID-19 positive rate and at Lake Barcroft Dental Group we are taking extra precautions. Patients are taken to their room with no waiting time in the lobby, the clinical team wears multiple masks and face shields during procedures, along with a bevy of other precautions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
BARCROFT PLAZA . 6464 A1, Lincolnia Rd
703-876-6700 lakebarcroftdentalgroup.com + smilegeneration.com
Connect with the Made in Fairfax Network
Who says we don’t make anything in Northern Virginia? Just in Fairfax County are dozens of small manufacturers making a variety of products including custom furniture, baked goods, personal care products, jewelry — and of course beer and wine. In fact, the county is home to more than 150 small manufacturers. To help them grow, and to encourage more entrepreneurial activity, Fairfax County has created a Made in Fairfax directory to connect local small-production manufacturers to networking groups, marketing opportunities and potential customers. The directory is also a great resource for ordering unique locally made gifts
The directory is a one-stop shop for maker businesses and the people who want to support them and provides a new way for makers to raise their visibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The makers listed in the directory represent the rich diversity of cultures and people who call Fairfax County home, such as 344 Frost, an artisan stained glass and ceramics company in Fairfax; Dan Burke Designs, a furniture maker and member of the Annandale Chamber and Artisans United Gallery; Semicolon Craft and Forgeworks, a hand-forged blacksmith-goods business in Reston; and Thulisa Naturals, bath and body products manufacturer in the Falls Church area.
UnCovered
The Curious Tales of a Jacket with No Tail—1820’s
This ladies’ spencer was found in a closet at the home of a Lee family descendant and, according to the donor, the family had used it as a dress-up and costume piece for decades. It was donated to the Fairfax County Park Authority in 1994.
The garment was conserved and stabilized in 2012 due to its fragility. It was analyzed at that time and was dated to around 1820. The outer fabric is mauve silk with a woven pattern of vines and leaves. The neckline, which is U-shaped in the front and V-shaped in the back, is trimmed with a wide, pleated and ruched band. The inner lining of the spencer is a mixture of beige linen for the bodice and wool for the sleeves. It is fully handstitched.
The spencer, a waist-length jacket with no tails, is a unique clothing item from the Regency Era. Its creation is credited to George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758-1834), though there are many versions of the origin story.
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The Contents of a Lady’s Handbag
The Year Was 1854
In the early 19th century, women began to use small ornamental handbags in which personal items were carried. A purse was something quite different. A purse was simply a satchel in which only coins were carried since they were heavy and would soon wear holes in any pocket. Consequently, coins were often contained within their own case made of metal, leather or reinforced fabric.
Fashion of the 1850s for both men and women were colorful, sumptuous in style with luxurious fabrics. Sewing machines were increasingly available and the cage crinoline underpinned the dress silhouette.
Women’s dresses were made of lush fabrics often obtained from overseas markets. Silk and velvet were favorites along with beautiful polished cottons loomed largely in England for wear in warmer weather. Dress shapes consisted of fitted bodices to the waist and full bell skirts that were accessorized with ruffles, multiple trims, flowers, and layered flounces. Tight boned corsets narrowed the appearance of the waist but often reduced the natural breathing ability of the women laced within. Fainting,, especially in hot weather, was not unusual. Smelling salts were kept close at hand.
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Pupusas Express -- NOW OPEN
In the Annandale Shopping Center on Columbia Pike at Gallows
Now Open in the Annandale Shopping Center is a much awaited new dining experience known as Pupusas Express. (7042 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003) Delicious, spotlessly clean and friendly, this eatery will delight the young and the young at heart. The menu reflects the traditional Salvadoran dishes offered at affordable prices certain to please every budget.
Known for their warm hospitality and exceptionally quick and courteous service, they have now expanded to four locations. If you are unfamiliar with Salvadoran cuisine, the staff will be happy to discuss ingredients and walk you through the menu offerings.
The traditional Salvadoran foods are a mix of Native American cuisines from indigenous groups and influences from European (Spanish) cuisine. Many of the dishes are made with maize (corn) in one form or another. There is also a heavy use of pork, chicken, and seafood.
El Salvador's 
most notable dish is the pupusa, a thick handmade corn flour or rice flour flatbread stuffed with cheese, cooked ground pork, chicken, refried beans, or vegetables.
Since most are only $2.40 each, you can afford to try a few combinations. Condiments accompanying the pupusas are pickled-cabbage (a cole slaw known as curitido) and tomato sauce.
A favorite Salvadoran specialty is pupusa stuffed with cheese and the loroco flower. Fernaldia pandurate is a vine with edible flowers known as loroco flowers grown throughout Mexico and Central America and is an important source of food in El Salvador and Guatemala. The plant's buds and flowers are used for cooking in a variety of ways, including in pupusas. At Pupusas Express a special pupusa is stuffed with cheese and the loroco 
flower.
Other well-known Salvadoran dishes include carne guisada (a saucy beef stew with potatoes and carrots), carne asada (grilled steak), Camarones a la Crema (Sauteed shrimp mixed with onions, green peppers and cream), Ceviche de Camaron (lime cooked shrimp), various Tacos, Quesadillas, and Fajitas.
SOUP-SOUP, YOU MUST TRY THE SOUP
Don’t overlook their four soup offerings as they are of special note.
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In the Annandale Shopping Center
on Columbia Pike at Gallows Road
7042 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003
571-378-0018
www.pupusasexpress.com
Open Monday thru Saturday 11 am
to 10 pm, closed on Sunday
Free delivery within 4 miles and a minimum $12.00 order.
Dr. Mudd's House & Museum
Explore Local History
Dr. Mudd’s 19th century farmhouse in Waldorf, MD became an historic site when president Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. At Dr. Mudd’s, Booth received medical treatment for a broken fibula received when Booth jumped from the President’s theatre box to the stage at Ford’s Theatre in Washington. Booth had just shot the President..
This farmhouse is cozy and bright, and very typical of farmhouse architecture of the mid 19th century. The house features wide plank floors, small bedrooms with multiple beds, fireplaces in each room, well lit from multiple windows and white painted walls. Empire furnishings of fine craftsmanship and an impressive array of tableware and accoutrements adorn a gracious dining room table and sideboards. In the parlor, many Mudd family antiques remain including the sofa where Booth’s broken leg was examined.
Only a fifty minute drive brings you to this historic site and a rather fascinating tour. Docents, in period dress, provide a thorough and friendly tour of both floors and a captivating 1860’s kitchen filled with period pots, jars, utensils, cooking stoves and fires. This kitchen equipment was characteristic of the time and had been in use for centuries but only remained operational for another 50 years. After electricity reached the rural communities kitchens changed forever.
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MEET THE ARTISAN: Bob Simoniz
Ye Old Toymaker and Wood Carver
Bob Simoniz first started in crafts after graduating from Virginia Tech and marring his wife Maureen in 1968. He began with leathercraft and placed items in a consignment store in Crystal City near where he worked for the Naval Sea Systems Command. One day the owner asked if he could make wooden toys since she was having problems with her current artisan. That set Bob on the path to creating numerous toys over a period of several years.
During this period he made furniture for his family and eventually for friends. When he bought their current home in 1976, he finished off the lower level adding a family room and two bedrooms managing the construction and wiring himself. Later he added a garage and built a 14x16 addition. With the exception of pouring the foundation, Bob and his wife designed and provided all the labor. When Bob was in college, he worked summers as a helper for an Electrical Construction Company in Lynchburg, VA where he learned the electrical trade.
Over the years of building furniture, Bob always wanted to try wood carving. In 1989, he finally bought a kit and carved a very rough Santa which he still has. Until about 15 years ago, his main carvings were Santa's and snowmen for personal Christmas gifts (usually between 11-15 gifts a year). After taking a class on chip carving with Barry McKenzie, Bob began carving icicles as Christmas gifts. His next door neighbor was ordering 35 for gifts each Christmas.
Then he added Welsh Lovespoons. Lovespoons have been made and given for about 350 years. The earliest example dates to 1667 and can be seen in the Welch Museum in Cardiff although the majority on exhibit date to the 18th and 19th century. They are ornately carved spoons made from a single piece of wood and given by a young suitor as a love token to show his intentions. Tradition has it that the spoon was equivalent to a proposal of marriage. Numerous symbols can be carved into a single spoon expressing the entwining of lives forever, the intention to support her, the number of children envisioned, fidelity, and eternal happiness are but a few. Bob says that he has carved some complex love spoons just for the challenge. Now they are a labor of love.
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Joining several neighboring communities in the D.C. Metro Area that have banned the use of plastic bags for yard waste, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday amended the county’s Solid Waste Management ordinance, which now prohibits the use of plastic bags for set out and collection of yard waste.
Detectives with the Fairfax County Police Dept. are investigating a series of overnight commercial burglaries throughout the county. Since Jan. 28, detectives have identified fifteen burglary cases that may be related. In most cases, the front glass doors of the businesses have been broken, two to four people then enter the business taking cash and property before leaving in a vehicle. This is reminiscent of the SMASH AND GRAB robberies experienced here in Annandale 10 or so years ago during another economic downturn. Detectives have determined the burglars mostly target restaurants, grocery stores, and minority owned businesses. While detectives continue to work these cases, crime prevention officers are reaching out to business owners to discuss safety tips and burglary prevention such as light and security camera installation, trimming back hedges in front of doors, removing valuables before closing for the night, clearing out all cash register drawers leaving them open and visibly empty. 
The American Pickers are excited to return to Virginia! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit 
Everything changed at Bailey’s when the coronavirus pandemic began this year. When the outbreak began, there were two important questions to answer for homeless people and the services we provide: 1) How do you stay safe-at-home when you don’t have a home? And 2) How do you socially distance in a full homeless shelter?
The purpose of insurance is easy to comprehend. Quite simply it exists to safeguard our assets, the welfare of our families, and the financial security of our businesses. Car insurance is a necessity as is homeowner insurance. Actually, you won’t be allowed to register a car in most states or take out a mortgage without those policies. You are not required to have umbrella insurance in most instances yet you will sleep better if you do. 
To parody a BBC popular program where a Realtor shows a couple three properties somewhere in the bucolic English countryside, we are seeing a similar trend in our own Metro area.
In the early 19th century, women began to use small ornamental handbags in which personal items were carried. A purse was something quite different. A purse was simply a satchel in which only coins were carried since they were heavy and would soon wear holes in any pocket. Consequently, coins were often contained within their own case made of metal, leather or reinforced fabric. 
Dr. Mudd’s 19th century farmhouse in Waldorf, MD became an historic site when president Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. At Dr. Mudd’s, Booth received medical treatment for a broken fibula received when Booth jumped from the President’s theatre box to the stage at Ford’s Theatre in Washington. Booth had just shot the President.. 
Bob Simoniz first started in crafts after graduating from Virginia Tech and marring his wife Maureen in 1968. He began with leathercraft and placed items in a consignment store in Crystal City near where he worked for the Naval Sea Systems Command. One day the owner asked if he could make wooden toys since she was having problems with her current artisan. That set Bob on the path to creating numerous toys over a period of several years. 
