Try your crime fighting skills at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment

The national museum of crime and punishment has now been open for about a month and I am itching to go. The museum has been called a “must see for any CSI fan” and has been given 4 ½ (of 5) stars by The Washington Post. I have watched my share of the three CSI shows and admit to an unhealthy addiction to Law and Order and crime novels—if you can count this addiction a hobby it would certainly be among mine. Therefore, you can imagine my reaction when I graduated from the “college bubble” and returned home to find that a museum has been dedicated to my shameless hobby. It may now even be considered “culture”. Unfortunately I won’t have time to make it there this weekend, but I hope some of you can make the trip.

The museum pays tribute to law enforcement officers and has 5 main exhibits including: A Notorious History of American Crime, Punishment: The Consequence of Crime, Crime Fighting, The CSI Experience, and America’s Most Wanted: John Walsh’s Personal Story. Among these exhibits, young and old can view artifacts such as Al Capone’s jail cell, real cold case profiles, Americas most wanted list, J. Edgar Hoover’s badge and boxing gloves, and examples of capital punishment methods throughout time including the Guillotine and the Electric Chair, among others. However, many people may find the excitement in the interactive sections of each exhibit which allow museum-goers to engage in many activities including passing (or failing) a lie detector test, simulating high speed car chases, shooting at a simulated FBI shooting range, or trying to crack a safe. You can even get your children’s fingerprints taken and stored for their protection.

Tickets cost $17.95 for adults, $14.95 for children (5-11), seniors (60+), military and law enforcement, and $5 for children under 5. The museum is located at 575 7th St. NW between E and F Streets, right near the Gallery Place/Chinatown metrostop and across from the Verizon Center.

For more information, please visit: http://www.crimemuseum.org/index.html

Goodhart Group Spotlight: Marsha Way

Earlier this month, Marsha Way, a member of the Goodhart Group since 2007, received the prestigious Morgan Wootten coaching award. The award, named after the former DeMatha High School basketball coach, has been given yearly since 2003 to a Washington area coach who exhibits excellence in high school athletic coaching.

Marsha, a native of Wellsville, OH has coached the field hockey team at St. Stephens & St. Agnes High School for three decades and until last year had been the Athletic Director at the same school. Her coaching record is currently an astounding 415 wins, 57 losses, and 41 ties. With her at the helm, her teams have also won 18 Independent School League Championships (in the 23 years it has existed) and 3 Virginia Independent School Athletic Association championships in its 10 year history.

This year, Marsha was also awarded the All-Met Coach of the Year award for the second time and led an undefeated field hockey team to a Virginia Independent League State Championship.

So, what is the secret to her success? One of her former players was quoted in the Washington Post as saying:

"She's not about wins and records, be them team or individual. You come in day in and day out and you work as hard as you can, you expect the same from your teammates, and you concentrate on doing things the right way. And the wins take care of themselves."

Marsha does not limit these qualities to the hockey field. The same work ethic makes her valuable in her approach to real estate and the Goodhart Group.

Sue Goodhart, the team leader of the Goodhart Group says the following about the Wootten award recipient:

“Marsha is terrific working with people. She really listens to our clients needs and works hard to find the perfect property for them. Her knowledge of how houses are put together is invaluable. Not only does she work well with our clients, but also with the other members of our group. She is a great asset to our team.”

In essence, her work ethic and sense of team make things happen both on the field and in the office. In her time away from field hockey games and the real estate world, Marsha enjoys spending time at her second home on the Delaware seashore. Look forward to future blog postings this summer for her insights into Delaware beach living.

Why your life just got easier-- The City's new recycling policy

The City of Alexandria has just implemented a new recycling method: single-stream recycling. This method allows Alexandria residents to place ALL recyclables into the yellow recycling bin the city provides for its residents. Therefore, instead of sorting your paper from your plastic—just put it all together! The benefit of this method is simple. Everything goes into one place and you will spend less time sorting and carrying each type of recyclable to the curb.

The following are the guidelines given by the City:

• Empty and rinse all beverage containers and metal cans.
• Remove all caps, tops and lids.
• Flatten plastic and aluminum beverage containers and metal cans.
• Place all mixed paper and bottles and cans in your yellow bin.
• Set out your recycling bin on the same day as your trash collection.> No earlier than 5PM the day before pick-up.> No later than 7AM (Oct. 1-April 30) or 6AM (May 1-Sept. 30) the day of pick-up.> Place at curb, even if your trash is collected in the alley.
• Do not use plastic bags to hold recyclable materials.
  

So, what can’t you recycle?

• Pizza boxes: Pizza boxes are typically contaminated by oils and food leftover from the pizza and cannot be cleaned from the cardboard.
• Butter/Yogurt tubs and lids (all other plastics without a neck): Plastic containers that do not have a neck (i.e. berry containers, yogurt/butter tubs, etc) are made with different types of plastic and are formed differently. This causes these containers to melt at a different temperature than those plastic bottles with a neck. Currently, there are no local manufacturers who can use these materials in the making of new materials. For more information on recycling plastics, please read the following article "Recycling Plastic: Complications and Limitation."
• Aluminum foil and trays: Like the plastics industry, there are no local recycling processors or manufacturers who are taking this material to be made into new products.
• Plastic bags: Plastic grocery bags (and other plastic bags) should not be used or placed in Alexandria's curbside recycling program. However, there are many grocery stores who will collect the plastic grocery bags, which will be recycled into plastic lumber. Please ask your local grocery store about their program, or consider reusing the bag as a bathroom garbage can liner, etc.
• Milk/Juice Cartons (Waxed Paper Cartons): Milk and juice cartons are not recyclable because of the wax coating. Any paper with a waxing coating is not recyclable because the wax contaminates the pulping process at the manufacturer level.

Still don't believe us? For more information on single stream recycling, please visit: http://www.alexrecycles.org/recyclingcurbside.php

Fund for Alexandria’s Child CRUISE

One of our favorite local charities is the Fund for Alexandria’s child. This organization engages the help of the local community to help children who are abused, neglected, or in Alexandria’s foster care community. Its mission is as follows:

To enhance the quality of life for foster children and children at risk of abuse and neglect by promoting community awareness, involvement and resource development.

Please contact The Goodhart Group or visit http://ourkids-ourbusiness.org/thefundforalexchild/index.php if you are interested in becoming involved in this very worthwhile charity. There are such a wide variety of ways to participate in this charity. Please visit the above link for the many ways you can help a child in the area.

You can even help Alexandria’s children by attending the Fostering the Future Cruise 2008 this Wednesday! Below is the information for this fabulous cruise. Have a blast and make a difference!

SAVE THE DATE!

June 25, 2008, join The Fund for Alexandria’s Child helping foster children enjoy experiences others take for granted for the 5th annual Fostering the Future Cruise aboard Alexandria’s CHERRY BLOSSOM

Featuring: LIVE MUSIC by the NAUTICAL WHEELERS (sponsored by Dominion Dental)

Key West BUFFET & margaritas by MANGO MIKE’SOnboard electronics RAFFLE!

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception (at the Dock) 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. The Cruise

Tickets: $65/person - BUY ONLINE NOW!

Call 703.519.3318 x 206, or e-mail thefundforalexchild@alexandriava.gov for more information and to reserve tickets.

Property Feature: 2000 Russell Road

This elegant 1930’s stone and brick colonial sits on .75 acre. A wonderful combination of original and updated features, the home includes four bedrooms, four baths, a library, a gourmet kitchen adjacent to a large family room, and formal living and dining rooms. The fine interior includes custom mahogany and cherry woodwork and doors, large windows, archways, and hardwood and terrazzo floors. The grounds include an award-winning in-ground pool and extensive landscaping of patios, stone walls and valuable trees and plants.

For further information or pictures of this home, please visit http://suegoodhart.com/search/listing.php?listing_type=res&listing_key=90003707181

Washington, DC Area Guide

Need some help finding information on the DC area or figuring out where to move? Check out the Washington Post's online real estate section and area guides. It will give you information on schools, crime rates, neighborhood descriptions, photographs, videos and statistics. Happy hunting! Please contact us with any questions you might have on real estate in the DC area.

For more information go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/realestate/dcarealiving/?max=3&r1=&r2=&r3=&county=Alexandria&income=0.00&property=0.00&x=10&y=15

27th Annual Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival--fun for all ages!

This Saturday and Sunday bring the 27th annual Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival to Old Town, Alexandria. This fun-filled event features something for any age. Children will appreciate the plethora of rides and the arcade, while parents will feel safer after stopping at the Alexandria Freemasons table to receive a free VACHIP for their children – a comprehensive child ID program that combines photo, fingerprinting, video and dental imprinting. Everyone will enjoy browsing the artisan's tables, eating a plethora of food, and strolling next to the beautiful Potomac River waterfront. Don't forget about the live entertainment which features artists like the popular Virginia Coalition, among others. The fireworks, which will take place on Saturday night, are something you won't want to miss! Enjoy!

Please click on the following link for more information.

http://www.waterfrontfestival.org/index.html