Typewriters regain a measure of respect
For most of us, the clickety clack of a manual typewriter — or the gentler tapping of the IBM Selectric — are but memories or something seen only in movies. But at the few remaining typewriter repair shops in the country, business is booming as a younger generation discovers the joys of the feel and sound of the typewriter. Meanwhile, older generations admit they never fell out of... READ MORE
Artist tries to recapture family’s lost past
Walking into the third-floor gallery of the American University Museum feels like stepping into a painterly vision of a family photo album, that of Brooklyn-based, Filipino-American artist Maia Cruz Palileo. Most Americans have a familial origin story rooted in immigration; perhaps a great-grandfather arriving at Ellis Island from Ireland, or a grandmother passing through the port of... READ MORE
Powerhouse theatre tucked into Tysons
Tysons Corner’s most celebrated theater is easy to miss. Taking a cue from gritty New York City venues, 1st Stage is located in a corrugated metal warehouse in a Northern Virginia strip mall. Despite the theater’s less-than-grand exterior, “our audience loves it,” said Eileen Mandell, 1st Stage’s director of community engagement. “People like the funkiness of this... READ MORE
New group helps people find their encore
In the Hawthorne Pool in Columbia a couple of years ago, a middle-aged man was telling a friend that he had retired from his pharmacist career and was looking for a meaningful way to stay engaged. The woman with whom he spoke said she was an activities director at an assistance living facility in Columbia and suggested he volunteer at the site, perhaps to ensure residents that their... READ MORE
Enjoy early bird and happy hour deals
On a sweltering Saturday evening, I step into City Café in Mount Vernon for a cold drink and nice meal. With a spacious, earth-toned interior and tall windows, the eatery has an ambience both laid-back and upscale. Quiet acoustic music plays in the background as a group of adults in business attire chat at one table. An older couple sits at a table for two near the window, enjoying a... READ MORE
A classic rock band’s wit and wisdom
As the drummer for a classic rock band called Wasted Gravity, Ron Appel is considered the bedrock and rhythmic heartbeat for the Baltimore area band. Composed almost entirely of Boomers, the band’s eldest member is Appel, 76. Age aside, the fellas and one lone female member continue to rock to the music of their youth — music appreciated by their burgeoning fan base. Wasted... READ MORE
Silver Pen competition calls for writers
“When I look back on my life,” wrote actor and comedian Martin Short in his 2014 memoir I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend, “I see moments where it might have been understandable had I turned to drugs or ice cream.” We can’t all be Martin Short, but we can reflect on our lives and commemorate our strength over the years. Writing is a way to preserve our life... READ MORE
Virginia Rep taps into 50s nostalgia
If the daily news or the daily grind gets you down, head to Virginia Repertory Theater and enjoy their production of Forever Plaid, a musical revue by Stuart Ross. You’re in for lots of laughs sandwiched among a tight harmony-line’s rendition of songs popular in the 1950s and 60s, ranging from “Three Coins in a Fountain” and “Lady of Spain” to “Chain Gang” and “Sixteen... READ MORE
Daylilies give many years of pleasure
What looks pretty all summer but blooms for just one day? The answer: the daylily. While each bloom lasts only one day, the plant develops numerous buds for a succession of blooms. Some varieties bloom in late summer, others rebloom, while still other varieties bloom over a long period. The daylily is hearty enough to withstand our heat and humidity and, unless you have problem... READ MORE
Retirement: It’s all in how you look at it
Once upon a time, retirement was about gold watches, golf and trundling off into the sunset. You served your time. Now you can kick back and do everything your way, on your schedule. No more awful bosses. No more commuting. Just endless smiles and jelly doughnuts, all day, every day. Of course, the reality of retirement is a lot more complicated, and always has been. If health... READ MORE
