In talking with our resident music blogger, Sweet Lee from DC, I've come to realize he's an excellent resource on music history and trivia, especially of the Motown era. Have you had a chance to read some of his recent posts?
Where were you in March of 1965, when today's Song of the Day was released? Share your stories in the comment section of our blog. If there's something you'd like to read about on our music blog, you can share those thoughts too!
Have a good week, Nikki
One of the pioneers of the Motown movement would have to be Smokey Robinson, front man for The Miracles who sang such hits as "Ooh Baby, Baby," today's pick for Song of the Day. Born William Robinson, Jr., Smokey grew up in Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects on Detroit's East Site. His enthusiasm for western films as a child led his uncle to give him the nickname "Smokey Joe." Smokey would also come to love music at an early age, finding inspiration in his mother's record collection by listening to such black artists as Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. The Miracles evolved from a music group Smokey assembled in 1955 during his high school years. However it wasn't until Smokey met a young Barry Gordy, Jr. and began collaborating on such songs as Got a Job and Money that Smokey and The Miracles would begin to find success. It was The Miracles' song Bad Girl that finally cracked the national Top 100 in 1959. The song "Ooh Baby Baby" reached No. 4 on the Billboard R&B singles chart after its release in 1965.
Winter injury to evergreens is rarely caused by excessive cold, but rather by desiccation or complete loss of moisture. Although water loss is naturally low during winter, drying winds extract precious moisture at a time when roots are embedded in frozen soil thereby making it very difficult for water lost through the leaves to be replenished by root uptake.
Leaves and needles become scorched at the tips and along outer margins. Buds and twigs will become brittle and snap when bent. Oftentimes, the winter burn becomes more visible to the homeowner as spring approaches and the damage is done. Anti-Desiccants are 100% ORGANIC substances that form a thin, transparent film on leaf surfaces. This creates a moisture barrier over the plant's surface, holding water in place or slowing its outward movement. This film naturally wears-off at the end of the winter season. This treatment is especially important during drought conditions and other stress situations.
About the Blogger: Jim Harris is founder of Wood Acres Tree Specialists based in Montgomery County, Md. Jim serves on the Forest Conservation Board of Montgomery County to promote conservation of our urban forest resources. He is a Licensed Tree Expert, Certified Arborist and Licensed Pest Control Operator. To schedule an inspection e-mail service@woodacrestree.com or call 1-888-464-3926.
by Candice Carver, Design and Marketing at Wentworth, Inc.
To finish up this week long celebration, here is a short list of other haunted sites that almost didn't make it on the blog....
Have A Safe and Happy Halloween!
Blair House The ghost of President Woodrow Wilson has occasionally been seen in the bedroom rocking chair.
Catholic University -Caldwell Hall Mysterious lights and the ghost of a priest who fell to his death, following his discovery of one of the last books on performing exorcism is said to be seen in the attic window.
Ford's Theatre John Wilkes Booth's footsteps have been heard running up the back staircase towards the presidential box.
Fort McNair - Building 21 John Wilkes Booth (even though already dead) and conspirators were hung in the attic of this building following Lincoln’s assassination. The carpenters who renovated this building reported hearing footsteps in the attic and feeling like someone was always following them. Mary Sarat who was convicted for her part, has been seen wandering the building officers trying to convince guests that she is innocent of the crime.
The Hay - Adams Hotel This hotel was built in 1927 on the site where the mansion of Presidential Advisor Henry Adams had lived. The wife of the original mansion owner, Marian Hooper Adams, appears to haunt the hotel. At night, the scent of Mimosa is in the air on the eighth floor and the housekeeping closet on the 6th floor will NEVER stay locked after repeated lockings with the key by security. You will also notice that the chandelier of the hotel's lobby constantly sways.
Kendall Green – MSSD MSSD is located in the back part of the campus of Gallaudet University on a hill facing Rhode Island Ave -- MSSD was founded in 1969 and Gallaudet was founded in 1857. The students at MSSD would feel hoof beats going through the campus, possibly the route taken during the Revolution War going towards Pennsylvania.
Marine Barracks at 8th & I The lower parking garage is haunted by the spirit of a young child that was killed by a vehicle coming up the ramp. Every now and then marines have seen a red ball rolling down the ramp to the upper parking and heard a child's voice calling to them in the early hours of the morning.
Treasury Annex A woman has been observed on the second floor of the Treasury annex. Workers have reported footsteps and voices after work hours. A late working worker, reported seeing the woman glide in front of her office. She went to report the incident to her supervisor, he was coming out of his office because he thought someone had peeked in his door; that was followed by the ruffle of a dress, similar to when a person is walking.
For more on architectural styles, or to ask your own questions, please make sure to visit AskTheArchitect.org. For information on Wentworth, Inc. you can visit us online at wentworthstudio.com.
When nature presents variations from an extended dry spell to heavy rainfall, this scenario can weaken trees and shrubs and make them more susceptible to storm damage and to secondary invaders, beetle and moth larvae (borers). For example, borers are attracted to odors emitted by a drought stressed woody plant and can easily enter through a wound or crack in the tree or shrub. They will bore tunnels through the bark which will damage the tree’s cells and disrupt the normal flow of water and nutrients resulting in rapid decline and even death. Early detection is a tree’s best defense against such invaders. Over time and with proper care a tree that suffers moderate storm damage can be restored to a state of health and beauty. Having an arborist periodically inspect your property is a prudent maintenance tool. An arborist can tailor a comprehensive plant health care program for your property that includes the prevention of wood boring insects. Proper pruning can be suggested that will bolster the formation of the strongest branches and branch attachments to reduce storm damage.
About the Blogger: Jim Harris is founder of Wood Acres Tree Specialists based in Montgomery County, Md. Jim serves on the Forest Conservation Board of Montgomery County to promote conservation of our urban forest resources. He is a Licensed Tree Expert, Certified Arborist and Licensed Pest Control Operator. To schedule an inspection e-mail service@woodacrestree.com or call 1-888-464-3926.
These pests attack a wide array of plants and can seriously affect the look of the plant. In recent years mites have become major pests on outdoor plants, particularly on evergreen trees and shrubs and many deciduous ornamentals.
The conifers are a group routinely attacked by mites, and due to their evergreen nature, the damage remains evident for a number of years. Winged Euonymous or Burning bush is commonly defoliated in the late summer by the two-spotted spider mite, eliminating the bright red fall display this shrub is planted for.
A number of mite species also attack deciduous trees such as maple and pear causing defoliation and weakening of the tree. These pests injure plants by sucking the juice from the tender growing points & leaves. Mites, which are extremely serious pests, are not true insects but belong to the arachnida or spiders.
Like other spiders, the mites have eight legs. They feed usually on the under side of the leaves by means of sucking mouthparts. The best known of the mites is the two-spotted mite, widely known as the red spider mite. This pest infests a great variety of plants and favors warm, dry conditions.
About the Blogger:
Jim Harris is founder of Wood Acres Tree Specialists based in Montgomery County, Md. Jim serves on the Forest Conservation Board of Montgomery County to promote conservation of our urban forest resources. He is a Licensed Tree Expert, Certified Arborist and Licensed Pest Control Operator. To schedule an inspection e-mail service@woodacrestree.com or call 1-888-464-3926.
GOT EXTRA HALLOWEEN CANDY OR JUST WANT IT OUT OF YOUR HOUSE? No problem -- it can be put to good use!! MoverMoms, a moms' community service group, is once again collecting all kinds of wrapped candy to send to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The candy will be sent to a group in West Virginia that packs it in over 11,000 Christmas stockings to be given out to soldiers of all faiths in all branches of the military in time for the holidays.Drop off your candy to any of the following places at these times:
by Candice Carver, Design and Marketing at Wentworth, Inc.
National Theatre
On Pennsylvania Avenue, three blocks from The White House, is the National Theatre, "The Theatre of Presidents." Almost every great stage performer of the past century has appeared here. Almost since it’s construction, the National has been haunted by the friendly ghost of actor John McCullough, supposedly shot and killed by a fellow performer. A rusty pistol, perhaps the murder weapon, was unearthed under the stage in 1982, near where McCullough's remains are rumored to lie.
On the opening night of a new show, the silent ghost can be seen in various parts of the theater, making sure that all is in order.
Some reports tell of McCullough dressed as Hamlet, or his most famous role, the ill-fated Roman centurion, Virginius.
One startled performer, who had known the deceased personally, said he saw McCullough seated calmly in front of the audience.
From time to time, doormen and others report their encounters with the ghost in backstage hallways, on staircases, in dressing rooms, and on the empty Washington stage which he performed on.
St. Elizabeth's Hospital
The campus of St. Elizabeth’s sits on bluffs overlooking of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. It opened in 1855 as the Government Hospital for the Insane. During the Civil War it was converted temporarily into a hospital for wounded soldiers. In 1916, its name was officially changed to St. Elizabeth’s, the colonial-era name for the tract of land on which the hospital was built. Built in the Gothic style by Thomas U. Walter, who also designed the Capitol dome, the building itself has long drafty halls within its fortress like appearance. The campus and stories behind it manifest into it being known as a truly haunted asylum.
Assassins and would-be assassins were confined at St. Elizabeth's. The man who tried to shoot President Andrew Jackson, the man who did shoot President Theodore Roosevelt and, the man who wounded President Ronald Reagan all ended up there.
During renovations records, photos, and medical equipment have been discovered revealing experimentation, torture, and autopsies taking place in spaces that were condemned.
There were always stories of staffers hearing noises from parts of the building which had long been since abandoned. Moans and groans, along with footsteps and numerous cold spots forced some to avoid that building at all cost.
For more on architectural styles, or to ask your own questions, please make sure to visit AskTheArchitect.org. For information on Wentworth, Inc. you can visit us online at wentworthstudio.com.
I heard on the radio this morning that East Coast voting polls are swarming with people who've come out in record numbers this election year. Perhaps it's all to do with the efforts of campaigners, who worked tirelessly for the past several months registering new voters.
Or maybe it's all the tasty treats being offered by companies like Starbucks and Krispy Kreme that have voters worked up into a frenzy. So get out and vote today, then treat yourself to a tall regular coffee and a donut.
Hello,
During my first week at the magazine, I've had a chance to speak with many industry insiders about their products and services. I've been working with freelance writers to develop some feature stories, many of which you'll be able to find in time here on the website. I'll be doing a lot of writing myself, so I thought I'd share with you some of the ideas I'm working on:
Keep an eye out for a mini-series highlighting driveway and garage design options that will add to the beauty of your home.
With winter just around the corner, you may like to know how to prevent moisture and mold from costing you thousands.
It's not too late to give your kitchen a new look in time for the holiday season. Find out how a cabinet refacing project can create the kitchen of your dreams in days, not weeks.
Keep checking the site for updates on these stories and many more. And as always, comments and suggestions are welcomed.
Will the Redskins' good times continue to roll? The real season, the run for the playoffs, begins with the Steelers.
The first half of the season seemed like a pipe dream. Everything went right. Well, maybe not everything (see St. Louis).
Monday night Pittsburgh arrives in town to usher in reality. To make the playoffs the Redskins need to win half of their last 8 games. How well is the season is going? It is quite possible Washington will be favored in six of them.
The four hardest contests -- the Steelers, Dallas, the Giants and Philly -- are at home. Right now only the NY Giants would be favored. The road games are Seattle (2-5), the Ravens (4-3), Cincinnati (0-8) & the 49ers (2-6). Only Baltimore would be favored.
If the dream season continues and the Redskins were to win six of their remaining games, they would not need a pumpkin carriage to get to the ball because they would have home field advantage in the playoffs.
The next three weeks should decide how well the playoff run will go. They play the Steelers, have a bye week and then it's Dallas again. The Redskins need a spit. Lose two straight at home, and it will be very difficult to continue the fantasy season.
The key to the second half is injuries. So far the Redskins have a list of walking wounded but no key players are lost for the season. Next week's bye could not have come at a better time. It eliminates a short week after a Monday night game and it is before Dallas.
One of my favorite things about life on the East Coast is the changing of the autumn leaves. See, I grew up in Southern California where the change in seasons is limited to just twice a year, from brown to green when (if) the rains come around wintertime and then back to brown again toward the end of spring.
So hopefully that explains why driving into the Maryland or Virginia countryside or even meandering along the roads of Rock Creek Park in DC around this time of year is so exciting to me. Gas prices are on the decline, so now’s the perfect time to consider a fall drive.
Here's a quick list of ideas to get you started on your fall foliage tour. Hopefully you’ll find your weekend drive as relaxing and enjoyable as I always do.
One of the country’s oldest federal parks is Rock Creek Park, and it provides DC residents a convenient refuge from bustling city life. Beach Road will take you a good ways north into Maryland, with plenty of foliage to take in along the way.
Located on the Virginia - Maryland border just outside Northwest Washington is Great Falls National Park. This is a great place to ditch your car for a while and enjoy the 15 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails. With sunny skies predicted in this weekend’s forecast, a last-hurrah picnic shouldn’t be too far out of the question.
Shenandoah National Park is a bit of a trek, but cruise the mountaintop’s winding Skyline Drive and you’ll be rewarded with breath-taking views of the rusty red oak trees and the vibrant yellow and orange hues of maple trees.
by Candice Carver, Design and Marketing at Wentworth, Inc.
The Octagon House Museum The Octagon House was designed for John Tayloe III by architect William Thornton, the first architect of the United States Capitol. Built between 1799 and 1801, this was the first house to be completed "in the neighborhood" of the White House.
One of Tayloe's fifteen children either fell to her death through the center of the grand staircase. Stories include a strange candle-shaped shadow on the staircase and the faint sound of a falling scream.
A second daughter, while pregnant, died in the house by throwing herself from the top banister upon finding out her father had done away with her soldier lover, whom he disapproved of. Her ghost is said to roam the halls.
Occasionally visitors have claimed to seen John himself walking the halls of the home along with slaves performing their daily routines.
A somewhat more pleasant ghost, reported to have been seen dancing and enjoying the lilacs, is assumed to be Dolley Madison who adored her stay in the house.
Healy Hall-Georgetown University Officially, the fifth floor of Healy Hall does not, and never did, exist. The high Victorian design of the building, which was constructed in the late 1870's during the presidency of Patrick Healy, lends itself to speculation about secret sealed-off floors and ghostly inhabitants.
One story of how this floor came to be haunted dates back to when Georgetown was a liberal arts college. A young Jesuit student accidentally opened the Gates of the Underworld when reading forbidden chants in a book about exorcism within a secret room in Healey Hall that is now sealed off.
A second tale involves another Jesuit, who was crushed to death by the hands of the clock while working in the clock tower and now wanders the floor moaning in pain.
Other Georgetown ghost stories tell of trapped spirits in the University's underground tunnel system.
For more on architectural styles, or to ask your own questions, please make sure to visit AskTheArchitect.org. For information on Wentworth, Inc. you can visit us online at wentworthstudio.com.
This e-mail came through my inbox the other day, and I wanted to share in hopes it might encourage some of you other readers to comment and write in with your thoughts. Special thanks to Darby for allowing me to share this on my blog!
Darby writes: "Hi Sheila! I read your blog -- it is very informative. I agree about the meat thing. I gave up red meat for Lent and have not missed it since. I hardly eat chicken, but all this is just maintaining. I am almost on an all veg/fish diet now. I eat a lot of beans/lentals, etc. My cooking friend, Sheila Rosenburg, has many many great recipes that are truly satisfying, and I would be happy to pass those along to you ... she does a lot of soups, sweet potato and lentals and many more. ALSO, at my spa place I went to, they recommend not eating cold food. It is too hard on our digestive systems -- cook the veggies, no cold salads -- they say that is the worst -- eat any thing WARM -- even drink warm water -- try it -- it is really good -- I even steam apples for breakfast and that is very good to get the digestive tract working, too!!
As far as Halloween candy, I believe most of what you are saying is true. However, I have found that if you do not have one piece that you REALLY like yourself, you are setting yourself up for binging, which is a problem in and of itself ... you could do a whole issue on that! Never, never deprive yourself -- you need to learn to eat in moderation and also enjoy what you eat and when you eat it.
That is my comment for today! Thanks--Darby"
And thanks again to YOU, Darby, for your wonderful feedback. I encourage each of you to share your thoughts.
Doubt and misinformation can create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Consumers are paralyzed by fear to buy and/or sell a home. The credit market has NOT dried up! There is still mortgage money available. You could very well miss out on one of the best opprotunities to buy. Homes priced right sell in any market!
On another note....this weekend you get an extra hour of sleep....don't forget to FALL back on November 2!!
by Candice Carver, Design and Marketing at Wentworth, Inc.
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Next to the West Wing of the White House know as the Old Executive Office Building before it was renamed in 1999 and rededicated in 2002, is the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The building design, based on an addition to the Louvre, is in an ornate style that is known today as the French Second Empire Style, built between 1871 - 1888 (17 years total). As one of the most grand buildings in D.C. the Eisenhower Building has witnessed accidental and natural deaths, as well as a few suicides, possibly leaving a number of souls wandering the halls.
Staff members working overnight in the building have reported seeing ghosts in the halls, especially in the early morning hours, but never in the offices. Who wants to work in the after life anyway…
On the ground floor beneath the northeast monumental stair is the location for two accidental deaths, a White House Historian has said to have witnessed evidence of activities that he can't explain, which has caused many to think that spot is haunted.
Stephen Decatur House Museum
Celebrated Naval hero, Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr., and his wife, Susan Wheeler moved to Washington, D.C. in 1816 and purchased a plot on Lafayette Square for their new house. Benjamin Henry Latrobe designed their Federal style home to reflect their high class and prominence in social circles. It was the first private residence built on the President's Park, neighboring the White House. The couple moved into their grand house in 1819 and hosted a number of extravagant parties. Soon after, a thirteen year quarrel ensued between Decatur and an old college friend, which finally resulted in a duel where Decatur was fatally wounded and died several hours later at his home.
Near by residents have claimed the home is haunted by Stephen Decatur, whose spirit can be seen as a shadowy figure gazing out of the second floor window or stealthily leaving the house from the back door. The numerous sightings have caused the windows to be covered to prevent gawking.
There is an unexplained sound of mournful weeping many stories attribute to the ghost of Stephen's widow, Susan, who moved out of the house following the death of her husband.
For more on architectural styles, or to ask your own questions, please make sure to visit AskTheArchitect.org. For information on Wentworth, Inc. you can visit us online at wentworthstudio.com.
I know this is a bit off topic (although it’s about saving money, and I’m a new Dad so that’s kinda close, right? Ok, maybe not) but this is too cool not to share. As most everyone knows, cell phone companies nickel and dime you by charging $1.25 or so every time you use 411. Quite annoying!
Well, if you hadn’t heard about it yet, Google has an awesome new feature out now – toll free 411.
- The number is 1-800-GOOG-411 (800-466-4411. I already have it in my phone)
- Simply call them up, and it acts as a typical 411 service. After you choose the city and state, you can request info on a business, or simply a category and get multiple listings to choose from.
- The service will even send you a text message to your phone as a follow up with information about the company.
- If you have internet capabilities on your phone, you can request a map of the location sent to it as well.
Here’s a video about the service as well: (Click “Read More” at the bottom right to view the video here)
Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year. Not that I need an excuse to don a spooky costume and go gallivanting about my neighborhood, but it definitely helps.
This year, though, instead of spending a small chunk of my hard-earned paycheck on some fancy costume that will live out most its days in the back of my closet, I opted to do a little research and see if I couldn’t come up with something fun and original to do on All Hallows Eve. Here’s what I dug up:
I’ve always been a fan of a good ghost story, and Washington, D.C., is full of them! The Capital Hauntings Tour offered by Washington Walks leads brave souls around the most haunted seven acres in the city, Lafayette Park. Tours are offered at 7:30 every evening this week through Oct. 31, and the cost is just $10.
The corn maze at Crumland Farms in Frederick, Md. is the perfect place to get lost in the spirit of Halloween. The farm also has a pumpkin patch, a corn cannon and a fall market. Tickets go for just $9, but get there before the final tickets sell at 5 p.m. (through Saturday) or you’ll be dead out of luck. Roger Holtorf and his pumpkin-carving coalition of Vienna, Va. are in the midst of creating one of the largest pumpkin displays around, and the best part is it’s FREE to the public. See a some 200-pumpkin display this Friday and Saturday night. Coming Sunday would be a grave mistake – once the show’s over, pumpkin remains are scattered in the garden so next year’s batch can grow.
So many options this Halloween … needless to say I’m pumped!
Fall is rolling by, and winter is quickly approaching. As the temperatures drop and thermostats get cranked up, it is more crucial than ever to ensure your home is energy efficient. Simple measures like changing your light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Lights or wearing a sweater instead of turning the thermostat up can help reduce your household’s energy consumption.
For example, replacing one incandescent light bulb with an energy-saving compact fluorescent bulb means a 1,000-pound reduction in carbon emissions a savings of about $67 dollars over the bulb's lifetime.
But before you do anything to your house, you should first invest in a visit from a home energy professional. By inviting an energy expert into your home to perform an energy audit, you’ll learn exactly the changes and improvements needed to make your home more efficient. Energy professionals do not come into your home and just toss a couple of suggestions around. A professional sees the whole picture. Rather than just patching the holes, think of this as taking a holistic approach to remedying your home’s energy efficiency.
“When you get an energy road map you can make informed decisions about what changes to make,” says Reuven Walder of Energy Efficient Home Services.
An energy road map outlines ways to increase the efficiency of your home, ensuring every room in the house is as comfortable as the next and also making certain no health and safety issues are overlooked, such as mold or moisture problems.
As Americans, we have a lot of energy reducing to do. This country uses about 15 times more energy per person than does the typical developing country. So invest in a home energy auditor. Energy Efficient Home Services is local to the DC metropolitan area and provides free 30-minute consultations for Clean Currents customers.
When it comes to Halloween candy.....a simple suggestion I make to anyone and everyone (those who will listen to me) is to purchase trick or treat candy that you don't like or would not eat!
The next morning get the candy out of the house...take it to work or give it away. Only purchase candy that you hate, after all the candy is for the kids.
There is no reason to have candy in your home, get candy out of your house... now!
What are the things we need to know about why we struggle with weight control so much????
Get these facts.....plain and simple....
1. Eating less fat and fewer total calories every day. 2. Exercising regularly--every day or every other day. 3. Using a support systems--a walking, biking, hiking, jogging group...even a verbal support group would be a smart thing to join. 4. Ongoing monitoring of food intake, exercise and weight. 5. Its calories in vs calories OUT!
6. Avoid mindless eating and snacking,,,The mindless margin, the 20% rule. Think 20 % less meat and starch and 20% more veggies and salad!!!
7. Eat Breakfast everyday!!! facts are 78% of dieter who kept their weight off for 5 years ate breakfast everyday! Eating breakfast keeps your hunger even. Eat every few hours, don't let yourself get hungry!! Think ahead,,,eat breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner (before 7 pm) then get out of the kitchen and away from the food or the rest of the evening! 8. Remember the 21 day rule.....do something everyday for 21 days and it becomes a habit! Exercise!
On a personal note... I can tell you that maintaining my weight as I age (ouch) has been a challenge. It doesn't mean it can't be done but its time to rethink my lifestyle. Rethink mindless eating, how honest am I being with my food choices, is it time to up the veggies and cut back on meats? Most important is keeping an open mind to making the changes I need to make to be healthy on all levels...emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually! Time to be honest!.....more on age, weight and exercise tomorrow....please give me your comments at Sheila@whgmag.com
Only a few blocks from Capitol Hill, in Penn Quarter, lays an example of an Italian Renaissance Revival, The National Building Museum. A sought-after spot for gala events, including many Presidential Inaugural Balls, and the site of multiple ghost sightings. Originally the National Pensions Building, it was renamed when converted into a museum in 1980.
There have been multiple reports of a soldier on horseback with his sword, identified as civil engineer and Army General Montgomery C. Meigs who designed the building in 1881.
Among the tops of the eight 75-foot Corinthian columns, among the tallest interior columns in the world , visitors claim to see swirling unrecognizable faces.
On October 13, 1792, construction of The White House began of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the late Georgian style. President John Adams and his wife Abigail Adams were the first to live in the Executive Mansion in 1800. In 1814, during James Madison’s presidency, the British burned the building. The building was immediately repaired and repainted and was called The White House from that point on. When Thomas Jefferson moved into the home in 1801, he, with architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe, expanded the building outward, creating two colonnades which were meant to conceal stables and storage.
Many presidents have felt a connection to past presidents while living at the White House, especially to President Lincoln. Lincoln's ghost has appeared most often in the area of the Lincoln Bedroom and second floor corridors. There have been reports of a pacing spirit, pensively posed with his hands clasped behind his back. Winston Churchill refused to sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom after he witnessed the ghost of Abraham Lincoln walking the room. Footsteps and knocking in the night have been reported by both staff members and visitors. Mary Todd Lincoln, held several séances in the Green Room to try to contact her dead son, Willie. Following the murder of her husband, she sought contact with him and claimed she had succeeded.
White House members of staff have seen the spirit of Abigail Adams cleaning her laundry in the East Room.
When the wife of President Woodrow Wilson, First Lady Ellen Wilson, wanted to dig up the rose garden the spirit of former First Lady Dolley Madison supposedly told the workmen not to ruin the garden.
Some claim to hear Andrew Jackson laughing loudly in his former bed chambers, the Red Room
A menacing British soldier has been spotted trying to set a fire with a blazing torch, possibly the same soldier from The Capital building?
A version of the story of Washington's Demon Cat, place the phantom cat in the White House basement.
For more on architectural styles, or to ask your own questions, please make sure to visit AskTheArchitect.org. For information on Wentworth, Inc. you can visit us online at wentworthstudio.com.
Hi everyone!
My name is Nikki Smith, and I'm the new web editor at Washington Home & Garden. I thought I'd post a blog entry to introduce myself as proof that a live body is actually reading and responding to what our readers have to say. :)
Now, just because I'm the web editor doesn't mean the print version of our magazine is dying on the vine. It just means that from now on you'll be able to read articles and peruse photos in between issues. That's right: more content, less waiting. ... You'll also be able to share your thoughts and give us feedback, which will help us deliver the stories you want to read.
I'm hoping some of you readers out there will help me out from time to time by leaving comments on the articles and blogs we post. The best part about the Internet is it gives EVERY PERSON a chance to share what's on their mind, so take advantage! Get started today by joining our online community, absolutely free.
I'll be the one posting most of the content you read here, and I'll do my best to keep in touch going forward. Feel free to contact me anytime -- the easiest ways to track me down are through the blog and via e-mail: nikki@whgmag.com.
Have a great day! Nikki
I had the unexpected pleasure of spending my weekend at the Exercise Etc. Health and Fitness Conference (exercise etc.com). I had not been looking forward to a weekend spent working and dragging myself out of bed at 7 am both Saturday and Sunday, thinking all I would learn would be more blah-blah health and fitness information wrapped in new packaging.
But sitting in Guy Anderson's class on Exercise and the Aging Baby Boomer, I realized I was totally enjoying what I was hearing. The first thing that got my attention was the fun fact that 30% of American pets are obese! WTH is that all about? Two-thirds of American adults are overweight and half are obese. Well, 58% of Americans want to lose weight, but only 21% of Americans are trying to lose weight! Sounds like it's time to chase the cat around the house or take the dog for a walk!
Okay, all kidding aside, important weight loss info I did learn is that portion control becomes more important as we age. A good way to remember portion size is:
a serving of fruit is about the size of a baseball
a serving of pasta is about the size of a bar of soap
a serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards
a sandwich is about the size of your computer mouse
a serving of cheese should be about the size of three dominoes.
How does that information relate to your portions? Something to think about this week is mindless eating and snacking -- think 20% less meat and starch and 20% more veggies and salad. Veggies and salads are high volume foods "they fill you up ... not OUT". I would suggest doubling up on your veggies this week at dinner. Eat to be full not fat! Please give me your thoughts and comments.
Later this week I will blog about how age affects calories, exercise and weight gain ... hint, hint ... check back, Baby Boomers!
If you're reading this, then you've no doubt discovered that Washington Home & Garden has found its way online. This is an exciting development that will open new doors for our publication, in both advertising and publishing, which means we'll be able to create a better product for you. How can this be, you may be asking. ...
The new website delivers tons of cool features only the Internet can offer. Find the inspiration for your next remodeling project among the thousands of photos in our photo gallery slide show, stay in the loop with the website's fun calendar feature, and join our community by signing up Washington Home & Garden account of your own -- free of charge! Register now for a chance to win a new grill or a flat screen TV.
Current media trends show more and more publications are making the transition to the Internet, and we're proud to say we're among the first Home & Garden niche publications in the Washington area that is making the leap. If you're hooked on the print version of our magazine - don't fear! We'll continue publishing as we always have. (The new issue comes out this March.)
We're thrilled about our new website and hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Let us know what you think!
The Redskins beat Detroit 25-17 to improve their record to 6-2. Impressive.
Washington could not put away the worst team in football until there were 39 seconds left in the game. OK, maybe Shaun Suisham's 42-yard field goal with 1:56 left iced it. Unimpressive.
Jason Campbell was 23-for-28 for 328 yards. Clinton Portis rushed for over 120, 126 to be exact, for the fifth straight game. Santana Moss caught nine passes for 140 yards. The Redskins had 439 net yards in total offense. Exceptional. What makes the
triumph truly remarkable is the fact that if it wasn't for a Moss' 80-yard punt return for a touchdown, they could have lost. Nothing special, maybe just lucky.
Stats-wise the defense didn't play poorly. Detroit were just two of 12 in completing 3rd down plays, only had 57 yards net rushing while passing for 274 net yards. Of course, 81 of those passing yards came on a fourth quarter drive that cut a 12-point lead to five.
Impressive stats usually are for losers. Points are for winners and the Skins scored over 20 points for the third time this year, all wins. They did this while resting many of their walking wounded including their best offensive lineman, Chris Samuels and their best defensive back, Shawn Springs. Hopefully, everyone will be ready for Pittsburgh next Monday night.
So it goes. The Redskins had the ball for over ten minutes more than Detroit but couldn't put the Lions away.
This is the yin-yang of Redskins football. They do a lot more right than wrong. So they are winning more than losing. Who would not always trade an infuriating loss to St. Louis for the exhilarating triumph over the Cowboys? They are a pleasure to watch most of the game. Then they make you squirm in your seat at the very end.
Remember -- a win is a win. Hey, at the beginning of the year people would have been overjoyed with a 4-4 record.
The Redskins would take the same outcome when they host the Steelers because they know it is not important to be impressive. Or perfect. Winning cures everything.
Look up horrible in the dictionary and you may find a picture of the Detroit Lions.
The reason the Lions are winless is really obvious. They are averaging just 16 points a game and are 27th in the league with an awful average of 265 yards of total offense. This is the better half of Detroit's stats. Hideous may be the better word to describe the defense, which is ranked dead last giving up 419 yards a game.
The Redskins can select its attack mode. The Lions rank 31st on pass defense (251 ypg) and 31st against the rush (168).
The best idea would be to get back to the West Coast passing attack, for a couple of reasons. Clinton Portis has rushed 48 times for 304 yards in the last two games. Both games came down to the opposing team lining up for a game winning/tying field goal attempt at the end of the game. The Redskins split the games. The Lions' Jason Hanson is 8-for-8 in field goals, so it would be wise to avoid this scenario.
There is an oddity to the last two games. Despite Portis' rushing success, the time of possession was no longer a big advantage for the Redskins. Cleveland actually had the ball for two more minutes, while the Redskins advantage against St. Louis was just two minutes. In the four-game winning streak that has made the season, the Redskins averaged a 10-minute possession advantage. In those four games, Jason Campbell averaged 32 passes. In the last two games, his average is 25. In the first three games of the streak, Portis carried 21 times a game while in the last three his averaged went up to 26.
In the winning streak, the Skins averaged just under 26 points a game. In the last two games, just over 15 ppg.
Now the Redskins will attack what Detroit's defense gives them. One would have to think that the Lions first defensive priority would be to stop the running game after watching Portis average 132 yards in the last three games.
First downs appear to be the key to the way Washington plays. Against Cleveland, the Skins passed on their first two first-down possession in the first half. Then didn't pass again until there was 2:16 left in the 0-0 first half. On the two second-half touchdown drives, the first down plays were split between the run and pass, the first touchdown coming on a Portis run and the second coming on a pass to Santana Moss.
It is scary to think that the Redskins will let the Lions stay in the game. Maybe if we find the West Coast passing attack again, Washington can have an easy triumph.
When it comes to real estate, there is reality and then there are myths. One myth is that it is hard to get a mortgage nowadays, even with good credit. In reality, safe and secure mortgage money is readily available. A good agent can introduce you to a mortgage expert who can help you with your financial needs. With interest rates at historic lows, NOW is the time to buy! Contact me today for more information at bhelman@weichert.com or call me at 301-437-1901.
There is a combination of reasons why the Redskins are off to their quick start. The improved play of quarterback Jason Campbell; the running of Clinton Portis; the execution of the offensive line; ditto for the defensive line, the inspired play of line backer London Fletcher.
A major part of the mix for success is injuries or lack of them. The Redskins have made the playoffs two of the last three years. In 2006 Portis went down, so did the playoffs. Ouch!
This raises the question: which players can the Redskins least afford to lose?
1. Quarterback Campbell 2. Left tackle Chris Samuels 3. Runningback Clinton Portis 4. Linebacker London Fletcher 5. The rest of the offensive line.
Who would have thunk? Campbell is on the top of the list? There were some people hoping he would get hurt so that Colt Brennan could play. Forget Brennan! Last year's replacement Collins was successful because he was the only man in the NFL who could run offensive coordinator Al Saunders ridiculously complicated system. Without Campbell, the Redskins would be facing eight-man fronts. As well as the offensive line is playing, they can only block so many people.
If Samuels goes down, say good-bye to the running game. On the NFL website the depth chart for the Redskins has no backup listed. The backup is Stephen Heyer, who started the year at right tackle, was hurt and has now been beaten out by Jon Jansen.
Portis is carrying the offense right now. His back up, Ladell Betts, is out. Betts did so well replacing Portis two years ago, that some believe he was the better runner - Betts is no Portis. It is too much to expect that recent pick-up Shaun Alexander can approach his Player of the Year form of 2005.
The defense is playing out of this world. However, it is truly a no-name defense. Andre Carter and Cornelius Griffin anchor the line but their names are not called all that often. The name you hear is London Fletcher. He is fifth in the NFL with 60 tackles. He had 12 solo tackles against the Giants. His leap frog of the offensive line to stop Cleveland on the goal line Sunday was a play you see once every five years and usually in a high school game.
The offensive line is playing so well, trauma of breaking it up with an injury is hard to imagine. Heyer can play either tackle spot, but is better at pass protection than run blocking. Jason Fabini, who started 13 games last year, when the line was crippled by injuries, is the only other experienced backup.
Right now the Redskins have some walking wounded, but are relatively healthy. The longer they stay hale & hearty, the longer the roll will continue.
Buying green power these days is a simple a way to help the environment. You don't need new equipment in your house. You don't have to dig up your yard and put in a wind turbine. Your electricity is just as reliable as ever. And the whole process for signing up takes about five minutes.
Lowering your home's carbon footprint is an important first step you can take to reduce your impact on the environment. In fact, your home's energy use is probably your biggest single contributor to your overall carbon footprint. Scientists tell us that reducing carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions is absolutely essential to reduce the threat of dangerous climate change. So, there's no time like the present to get started. It's easy, it's inexpensive, and it makes a difference.
Clean Currents offers a residential green energy program for Maryland and DC residents called Chesapeake Green (C-Green). C Green is 50% or 100% wind power offered by Clean Currents in alliance with Washington Gas Energy Services (WGES), a licensed electricity supplier in Maryland and DC. You can lock in a fixed rate for your household electricity for one or two years. Enrollment is simple.
• Go to cleancurrentshomes.com or call 301-830-4163 for more information. • Read the information and enroll online. (You will need to know your Pepco or BGE account number to enroll).
Some of our customers have told us they enrolled in under five minutes!
Montgomery County residents have an even better reason to enroll. Starting October 15th, the County is offering a reward of half a cent per kilowatt hour for clean energy purchases. That means clean energy is even cheaper than before! The average house uses about 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month. That's equal to 1,350 pounds of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Multiply that by the thousands of homes in our area and you can see that we have a huge impact on the environment.
Homeowners in Virginia and elsewhere can also neutralize their carbon footprint. Simply go to cleancurrents.com and go to the carbon calculator to see what your carbon emissions are. You can then easily purchase wind energy credits to offset those emissions.
Have questions about green power? Contact me at gary@cleancurrents.com
Has anyone every notice the relationship between the Redskins successes & failures and Maryland football?
This old idea came back watching the last 2 weekends. Maryland on the road at Clemson looks completely out matched in the first half and one could only hope that the Skins would not get routed by Dallas the next day. The Terps came back to win and the Redskins beat Dallas.
The same feeling came when Maryland lost to Middle Tennessee State and the Skins poor showing against the NY Giants. So you can imagine the feel of doom & gloom after Maryland was routed by Virginia. The Redskins were in the same scenario coming off a big-time road victory and on the road again. The hope was that the Redskins would stay competitive in Philly. Naturally the Skins made the weekend by winning.
This feeling of happiness and sadness did not start this season. It goes back to the early 1970s where the only football success since the mid 1950s, came and died with Vince Lombardi. While the years do not match exactly, Jerry Claiborne showed up at Maryland and George Allen with the Skins. Allen got the Skins to the Super Bowl and a couple years later Claiborne coached Maryland to the Cotton Bowl. The locals lost both games. The coaches kept their squads competitive but never reached those heights again.
Then came the early 80s, which is the best decade of football in Washington. Nothing can match Joe Gibbs guiding the Redskins to three Super Bowl appearances in seven years. Under Bobby Ross Maryland football became fun again, consistently ranking in the top 25. After basketball star Len Bias’s death, Ross was run out of town by Maryland’s academics, who would not let him recruit players who were allowed into schools like Virginia and North Carolina. This is still an issue at Maryland.
Gibbs retired after winning his 3rd Super Bowl in 1991 and both programs became irrelevant. Maryland became a factor again when Coach Ralph Friedgen arrived in 2001, winning 20 games his first 2 years and taking the squad to the Orange Bowl. After the Virginia loss last week, there is the feeling that the program is just hanging in there.
Four years ago Joe Gibbs returned to save the Redskins. While they made the playoffs twice in his four years, there was a feeling that a run in the playoffs was becoming an impossible dream.
Coach Jim Zorn is off to a fast start like Friedgen. The Redskins are exciting and a contender. We now get to see if the Redskins become relevant in the NFL again.
Everyone wants to join the bandwagon and go green these days. While this Neuton push mower doesn't come with an array of solar panels to stay juiced, at the very least it has 24-volt batteries that are able to run up to an hour on a full charge.
The main selling point of Neuton's push mower is the fact that it is uncharacteristically silent, so don't think the device is broken when you turn it on to groom your garden. I wonder which emits more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere -- the power plant generating power for you to charge up Neuton's offering, or the fact that this can be modified to be powered by gas instead.
Fact: A gas mower spews 87 lbs. of the greenhouse gas CO2, and 54 lbs. of other pollutants into your air every year.
Fact: Over 17 million gallons of gas are spilled each year refueling lawn and garden equipment - more petroleum than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.
Fact: Gas-powered mowers send over 1,800 times the hydrocarbons into the atmosphere when compared to the environmentally-sound choice of battery-powered mowers.
With several models, some bagged and some bagless, they range in price from $349.00 to $499.00. For a free DVD and brochure on this technology, visit Neuton's website at: http://www.neutonpower.com.
I've never heard of a talking plant with the exception of the famous play and movie "Little Shop of Horrors," but I'm sorry...this is way cooler for all of us adventuresome high-tech freaks ! Whoever would've thought that plants could communicate in 140 characters or less!?
Twitter is the microblogging platform taking social media by storm. Communicating in 140 characters or less might not sound like the preferred method of socializing, but aside from being totally productive for networking, it also happens to be a lot of fun. It's in fact so fun, that non-humans are even getting into the mix.
Thanks to the help of the Botanicalls Twitter Kit, your plants can even use the Twitter platform via a networked communication system for keeping you notified about their needs.
A special moisture sensor is placed in the soil of the plant. When it has detected a low water measurement in the soil, it is then sent to the detection circuitry (a home soldering kit is included). All data is sent to the Internet via the ethernet cable (much like your internet connection cable) which is then sent to both Twitter and your Mobile Phone! Now you will know when to water your plant!
Order your Botanicall Twitter Kit for $149 through http://www.adafruit.com . This way, you'll never miss another watering and your plants will never have to be malnourished.
My experience with most solar lights has been that they have a tendency to become dull after awhile. The stakes you put in the ground to line your garden with are usually featured in every other yard around. However, there are the ones that stand out from the rest, like these cute little lamps. The silk-like waterproof nylon will stand up to storms a bit better than the pretty lanterns that are a similar style but made for the indoors.
The lights are pretty straightforward--like all solar lamps they charge with the sun, but they don't come on automatically, they have a switch to turn them on and off. They also come with a AAA rechargeable battery. Who says that manufacturers never include batteries for their products?
The lamps come in bronze and slate, and they cost $36 (a pack of three is $99). Each lamp is 18" tall, so it's not like you're getting three very small lanterns for almost $100. Packs are sold in either bronze or slate. If you want to mix and match, you'll need to buy two packs, one bronze and one slate.
With so much swirling around about recycling, reusing, restoring, and the like, I've become a bit desensitized to all the green info that comes my way. So, when I happened to stumble upon terracycle.net, I did nothing more than skim the home page. But within about 3 seconds I was hooked.
In 2001, two guys--sophomores at Princeton--came up with the idea of producing an organic fertilizer called "Worm Poop" and the rest is history. They started Terracycle, and the company stands to rake in about $8 million this year from simply upcycling other people's garbage.
You know those generic white plastic bags with the red "Thank You" printed on them? Terracycle whips ‘em into totally adorable "I Used to Be a Plastic Bag" bags that look like this:
I jumped right into the team spirit that exists at Terracycle by signing up for the "Cork Brigade." I'll collect all of the leftover corks from wine bottles that we usually throw away and send them to Terracycle, where they'll be made into supercute bulletin boards.
Terracycle.net--go there now and get involved! You can buy Terracycle products at Whole Foods, Target, Giant Food Stores, and other local retailers. Now that's the great American spirit and change I can believe in!
Local artist Karen Deans creates beautiful wooden tiles that add an instant splash of elegance to your home. Each tile is an archival print of one of Karen's original oil paintings. She creates digital images of each painting and hand mounts them onto a painted tile frame. Each wooden tile is individually signed and offered in limited runs of 100. Choose your color palette and patterns, and then hang each one on the wall with a simple hook. Group them any way that makes you happy.
You'll find wooden tiles at Red Orchard (Wildwood Shopping Center in Bethesda) or Vivi (downtown Bethesda), or go to www.woodentile.com to view the entire collection.
One of the neat things about the pregnancy is everyone is always talking about it. Clients are asking how it's going, friends want to know how my wife's doing, the family is always getting updates.. heck, a neighbor interrupted me mowing the lawn this weekend so i could catch her up on the latest news!
One of my best friends, Bob, had a funny story on the subject as well. He's lived in New York City for a couple years now, and ran into a female friend of his at a bar last weekend:
Bob: So apparently I was… “inebriated” on Saturday night and spent over 30 minutes talking to friend of mine about you, your wife, and the pregnancy. Forgot to tell you about that. Me: Haha. Really? Two minutes I can understand, but a half hour? Rob: Yeah...yelling at this girl over the music: "MY BEST FRIEND'S WIFE IS PREGNANT AND THEY'RE GONNA HAVE A SON AND IT'S SO COOL BECAUSE HE'S AWESOME AND SHE'S PREGNANT AND IT'S A BOY!! SO LIKE, A LITTLE RYAN AND STUFF, YA KNOW!! HOW CRAZY IS THAT!! I'M TOTALLY GONNA BABYSIT!!" Me: Um.. that's hysterical. Rob: She sat there and nodded her head for a good half hour before asking if we could talk about something else. Me: Hahahaha.
As I was looking for a new product that I'd heard about in which you roll out a carpet-like material on your lawn and--voila!--instant stone path way (see my next blog), I stumbled across a pretty cool idea.
The Tenax Company, a nationwide company that deals primarily within the realms of agriculture, geosynthesis, construction, and landscaping has brought a great idea on alternative landscape lighting to the US from across the pond.
Tenax has taken what seems to be an ordinary outdoor urn and transformed it from just being something to plant a topiary in to a functioning peice of your garden day or night. Called Outdoor Flames, they are a great alternative to those pesky solar lights that aren't bright enough and they cut down on your electricity from other lights that need to be hardwired in your yard/landscaping.
Outdoor Flames take the concept of romance and relaxation from inside to the backyard. Designed with a roman architecture theme, they are constructed from sturdy concrete and plaster. The flame, which is created from a special wickless block of paraffin wax, is unlike traditional candles and oil in that it is a very vibrant, soft, and enduring flame. The flame blocks come in a variety of scents. Currently, the Outdoor Flames are only available through distributors. Look for them at your local retail store next spring.
If you're a gardening neat freak, you are going to love this gadget! It looks cool, weighs next to nothing, and collects all your yard trimmings.
One problem that frustrates many gardeners is the mess that comes from trimming the hedges in the garden.
With a marvelous apparatus called The Garden Groom, you won't need to worry about that. This stronger version of the world's only collecting hedge trimmer tackles branches and hedges of a thicker diameter. This device weighs only about 1.7 pounds, yet it's 2.4 inches wider than the original, to cut a wider swath. It also comes with a grass catcher to catch the debris.
The 12"-diameter head will cover a bigger cutting area and handle thicker hedges, branches, and shrubs. This outstanding hedge trimmer cuts, shreds, and contains clippings all at once, saving you a wealth of time by eliminating the cleanup. The Garden Groom reduces clippings 10 to 1, making for great compost materials. The volume bag holds up to 700 sq. ft. of clippings (the Midi holds 500 sq. ft.).
This unit retails for about $199.95. Order yours at: http://www.firststreetonline.com/ today to make yard work a little easier and eco-friendly!
These sunglasses might look like cheap "Back to the Future" knock-offs or like cheap racing glasses, but they feature state-of-the-art technology by NASA scientists, doing research funded by both NASA and the US Department of Agriculture. I think utility is more in demand than fashion but I'll let you decide for yourself. The lenses are designed to help you spot trouble areas in your lawn and plants either at close range or from far away so that you can react to the ever-changing conditions of your lawn and garden. No one wants a patchy brown lawn or plants that look like they've been fried from the sun. How They Work:
The glasses block all green rays of light produced by chlorophyll in normally healthy lawns and plants. Therefore, trouble areas will appear to the eye as black or gray voids in your lawn or plants. Since the human eye is extremely sensitive to light in the green color range, any off-green colors that might be caused by disease, water, or pests will stand out against the black background as glowing red, coral, pink, or other hues. This allows you to identify problem turf and plants much earlier than you would be able to see it with the naked eye. You might even end up starting a new neighborhood fashion trend by wearing a pair of these! You can find them at http://www.cleanairgardening.com for about $50.00.
In the early 80’s, Rumors was hot, hot, hot. On Fridays, we played music from 6pm to 3am to a packed house. Below are some of the requests from the bartenders (Craig, Joe F, Joe C, Pam, etc).
US Supreme Court rules, 5–4, that former President Nixon and three top aides may be required to pay damages for wiretap of home telephone of former national security aide (June 22).
If you are like me, you hate mowing your own lawn! There is nothing I hate more than wasting time by mowing the lawn (an all-day job) when I can be doing more important things--like pulling the weeds out of my garden. (Yah!....NOT)
I have been searching for a solution to my problem and believe I have found it. It's called ROBOMOW! This lawnmower is fully automated and mows your lawn for you. When I saw this I thought it was amazing. It comes in four different models and is excellent for anyone too busy (or lazy) to cut their own grass. Just some of the great features are:
* Automatic Operation: Robomow® is self operated without user interference
* Child Guard: helps prevent children from operating the Robomow®
* Lift Sensor: stops rotating the blades immediately when Robomow® is lifted
* Sensor-equipped bumpers: Touch-sensitive bumpers all around Robomow®
* Perimeter Switch: The Robomow® cannot be operated in automatic mode if the Perimeter Switch is off and/or if Robomow® is placed out of the perimeter wire
* Over-Current Monitoring Protection: Mowing and Drive systems are monitored constantly during operation to prevent them from over-heating
* Automatic warning alert before operation: A buzzer is heard 5 minutes prior to automatic departure, warning people to clear the mowing area (RM400 & RL1000 models)
* Tilt Sensor: stops rotating blade immediately when Robomow® is tilted (RM200 & RM400 models)
You can buy Robomow® at many local retailers such as Target, Sam's Club, Sears, and Costco. Check out these grass-chomping mowers at: http://www.friendlyrobotics.com/ I am giving an awesome "2 thumbs up" for this product and plan on buying one next year for my lawn.
The first thing I spied when I walked into the adorable BedHeaders Home in Great Falls, Virginia was a wall of candles by Maura Peters. This LA-based artist hand pours deliciously different scented wax (I opted for Key Lime Fig) into gorgeous blown glass vases. Burn the candle and then use the vase to hold a small bouquet of your favorite flowers. Find out more about Maura Peters at www.maurapeters.com . BedHeaders Home offers a fun mix of tabletop, textiles, soaps, furniture and more. Owner Joan Barmat recently opened another BedHeaders Home in Rockville Town Center. 9895 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA, 703-757-0240 115 Gibbs Street, Unit B, Rockville, MD, 301-738-7070
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One of the pioneers of the Motown movement would have to be 
Winter injury to evergreens is rarely caused by excessive cold, but rather by desiccation or complete loss of moisture. Although water loss is naturally low during winter, drying winds extract precious moisture at a time when roots are embedded in frozen soil thereby making it very difficult for water lost through the leaves to be replenished by root uptake.
When nature presents variations from an extended dry spell to heavy rainfall, this scenario can weaken trees and shrubs and make them more susceptible to storm damage and to secondary invaders, beetle and moth larvae (borers). 
These pests attack a wide array of plants and can seriously affect the look of the plant. In recent years mites have become major pests on outdoor plants, particularly on evergreen trees and shrubs and many deciduous ornamentals. 
I've been working with freelance writers to develop some feature stories, many of which you'll be able to find in time here on the website. I'll be doing a lot of writing myself, so I thought I'd share with you some of the ideas I'm working on:
If you're reading this, then you've no doubt discovered that Washington Home & Garden has found its way online. This is an exciting development that will open new doors for our publication, in both advertising and publishing, which means we'll be able to create a better product for you. How can this be, you may be asking. ...
The first thing I spied when I walked into the adorable BedHeaders Home in Great Falls, Virginia was a wall of candles by Maura Peters. This LA-based artist hand pours deliciously different scented wax (I opted for Key Lime Fig) into gorgeous blown glass vases. Burn the candle and then use the vase to hold a small bouquet of your favorite flowers. Find out more about Maura Peters at 
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