Have you had your fill of snow?  I have lived in this area for 56 years and have never seen as many storms as we have had this season.  Isolated storms, and maybe one every 5 years, but nothing like this back to back to back.  Well, fortunately the shortest month of the year, February, which actually seems to take forever to pass, is finally in the books and we can look to spring and…baseball.  I had the opportunity to meet and talk with the manager of the Washington Nationals, Jim Riggleman.  You can find out about the Nationals in other media, but we decided to tell you about Jim, who was raised right here in Montgomery County.  As a reminder, for some ball games you can take the water taxi from the foot of King Street directly to the park where you depart at the First Base Gate.

Although many of the finest shops and restaurants are located right here in Alexandria, our day trip this month will take you to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.  If you are going to get out of the house and take a drive, this is a good place to go.
The American Chef, Walter Sheib, will enlighten you with stories of his days in the White House in this months Cooking, Fran and Wally column.

On a sad note, on February 15th Ted Karanikolas passed away after a long off-and-on battle with cancer.  Ted opened Tiffany Tavern restaurant at 1116 King Street when there were very few business located in that part of town.  You might say that he was one of the pioneers.  When we started the Old Town Crier in January of 1988, Tiffany Tavern was our “go to watering hole” in Old Town, and Ted became a good friend.  He worked hard, loved his customers and had a passion for sailing.  He will be missed.

Don’t forget to get your “Irish Up” for the parade on the 6th and the actual day on the 17th!! See the “Paddy O’Dining” banner for a selection of restaurants offering specials! I will leave you to your own devices with this Irish toast:
May your blessings outnumber
The Shamrocks that grow.
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go!