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By Stefanie Gans, Rachael Keeney and Michael Balderston
Ancestry on display
Some of my fondest childhood memories stem from time spent with my grandmom, and one of the things we used to do together—well, that she did and I often tagged along to—was research our family genealogy. I got to use the microfilm machine to look at old newspapers, like the local one that was printed the day the Titanic sank, and I thought that was pretty darn cool. A new exhibit, Ancestry, at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery is all about the cultures that have shaped this community, and I am looking forward to learning about my new neighbors’ heritage while reminiscing about the things my grandmom and I discovered about our own. –RK // Del Ray Artisans Gallery: 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Gearing up for a hike
The idea of taking a summer off and going backpacking has always intrigued me. I didn’t have the chance to do the post-college version of it across Europe, but if the time were to ever come, the Appalachian Trail is practically in our own backyard. While I’m not ready to lace up the boots and see how mangy my beard would grow just yet, I’ll be taking notes from experienced hiker Tony Curtis when he speaks about his time on the trail and how to make the most of it. –MB // Lee Community & Senior Center and Park: 5722 Lee Highway, Arlington
Potty training a toddler
Maybe the “what we’re looking forward to” headline of this post is not totally accurate for my personal plans, but what I’m doing this week, this weekend, and for the foreseeable future is trying to potty train my daughter. She turns 3 at the end of August and it is time for this girl to get out of diapers (also because I have an infant and two in diapers is too much for this household). Does the weekend method really work? Should I buy this book? Send tips: [email protected]! –SG
