Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with NoVA

I'm not educated but I'm not slow.

bonobothegreat — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:26:58 -0800

I'd like to watch a good educational film about the development of early man. I ask because I was trying to watch a documentary on PBS last night (tracing genetic markers that track human migrations over the last 50,000 years) and I had to turn it off because It spent so much time repeating the same snippet of information over and over. Like a lot of science shows, it stretched the info so thinly over it's running time, covering the same ground so many times that I ended up shouting at the set. So I'd like to avoid this kind of show and also the sort that plays the same 10 seconds of awkward 3D animation over and over.

My science education is limited (art school diploma) but since I was little, I've been fascinated by anything to do with the early evolution of mankind. Are there any entertaining video documentaries on this subject that might be on a first year college course level? Recommendations of any particularly good, comprehensive books would be welcome as well.

Seeking new Church

dmbfan93 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:52:04 -0800

Need Church Recommendation in NOVA/DC area with active 20/30/40 single congregation Looking for a church in the NOVA/DC area, and specifically am looking for a Christian faith based church that is less focused/caters to families or equally caters to the single population and folks with lifestyles alternative to the family unit. Tired of feeling like an alien because I don't have a spouse and four children trailing me as I walk down the church aisle to my pew. If you know of any vibrant church congregations that have an active 20/30/40 something crowd composed of more than the usual married families but include an active single people population, please share the names of those churches and location. Thanks.

How ofter is my car going to get towed?

T.D. Strange — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:12:22 -0800

I just moved to Northern Virginia for a new job- how likely is it that my car with out of state plates will be ticketed or towed? The Virginia inspection law seems very onerous, and I've read horror stories of shady towing companies towing cars without inspection stickers from apartment parking lots even with valid parking passes. My car is registered out of state under my Dad's name and currently has a broken right front turn signal, so it certainly won't pass any kind of inspection at present.

I'm currently renting a room in a residential area about 90mins outside of DC and commuting in towards the city on a daily basis. I haven't had any problems yet and don't expect to get towed from the garage under my office building, but I plan on finding an apartment in one of the NoVa suburbs after the new year and I'm more concerned.

Assuming that I fix the turn signal, how likely is it that I will have problems driving my car around on a regular basis with out of state plates? I REALLY don't want to move into the city and walk out for work one morning to find my car towed by some shady towing company, so I'd like to give them a few reasons as possible.

The DC area's classic cocktail scene?

malthas — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:59:56 -0800

Classic cocktails in Northern Virginia/DC? Tonight? I'm the best man at my good friend's wedding this weekend, and of course that means throwing a bachelor party. There will be 7 of us. We're all pretty low key, though, so I was just thinking it would be good to just go hang out and get a few drinks.

The groom is really into whisky and classic cocktails (like pre-prohibition cocktails) so I'd like to try to find some place that does really good ones. Yelp and Chowhound have suggested places like PX in Alexandria and hotel bars like Off the Record and Round Robin in DC, but I'm concerned that these places will be a little bit too formal for our group. Not that we'll be rowdy, but we will have had a few drinks and I know that I for one get louder as the night goes on.

The other wrinkle is that this is supposed to be happening tonight. I know, poor planning on my part.

Metro access, too, would be good but not necessarily essential.

Any suggestions the Hive Mind can provide would be great!

Looking for a Northern Virginia Locksmith

i love cheese — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:37:36 -0800

Can you recommend a good locksmith in Northern VA? I'd like to have the locks on my house replaced. I'm a bit leery of locksmith listings (for obvious reasons), and was hoping someone had a good experience with a locksmith in the Vienna/McLean/Falls Church area.

I've checked http://www.findalocksmith.com, and of the two results to my search, one, "Colonial Lock Supply" has a new name (Baldino's), and mixed reviews on Yelp. The other doesn't list a name, only an address.

So, do you know of a reliable, reasonably priced locksmith?

Laser eye correction in the northern virginia area?

Nonce — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:34:41 -0800

I am nearsighted with a slight astigmatism, have about $2,000 to spend, and a desire to never wear glasses again. I'm in the northern Virginia area. I can travel to DC, MD, or anywhere close by, but not too far, as I don't want to make any followups too difficult.

Where should I go?

What kind of surgery should I get?

Is transepithelial PRK (all-laser) surgery the best? Or Custom Vue IntraLasik? Or something I don't know about?

Should I worry about what version of what software the center is running? How detailed to I need to get in this quest? Who has the best rep, the best service, and the best results? Is this possible to do responsibly for that much money?

Please help me not do something stupid to my eyes that can never be undone.

Where can I practice piano in DC/NoVA?

phrontist — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:01:13 -0800

Is there anywhere in the DC area I, being relatively broke, could practice on a real piano? I'm about equidistant from East and West Falls church metro, and I don't drive.

That Boy Needs Therapy

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:06:51 -0800

I'm a male in my early twenties who has washed out of college and is looking for a mental health professional of some sort in Northern Virginia. Issues I feel are likely to come up are my (long-ago diagnosed) attention deficit disorder, depression, and some form of OCD - I have a deep and (likely irrational) fear of psychosis and other impairments of cognition. I am deeply wary of psychiatric drugs, and want to work with someone who shares my attitude toward them, but would recommend them as a last resort. So what I'm after is some sort of talk therapy, preferably with a medical doctor (as oppose to "just" a PhD). I think would prefer CBT over other modalities. Freud, Jung, Lacan and their ilk aren't for me, but anything else is fine.

For private messages: M8R-sshtxg@mailinator.com

Vegetarian options in seafood country?

m0kingb1rd — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:38:59 -0800

Does anyone have any recommendations for vegetarian options/restaurants in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Charlottetown, PEI? We love seafood, but have a vegetarian teenager. I hope someone can prevent her from starving.

Driving on the beltway. They easy way.

nikkorizz — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:37:23 -0800

DC Filter: Moving. New job is in south Potomac. Where should I live in relation to the beltway to encounter the least amount of traffic? I imagine most major traffic is going inbound to DC in the morning and then outbound in the afternoon. Right?

But the beltway goes around D.C., not into it. Is traffic heavy both ways during rush hour or is one side lighter at certain parts?
And ultimately, where should I live in relation to the beltway?

Also, as a side question, what do you do to pass the time in heavy traffic?

What/where are the old episodes of "Doctors' Diaries"?

jytsai — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 08:00:07 -0800

So in the next two weeks Nova, a science program on PBS, is airing the conclusion of a series that followed doctors from when they were medical students (1988) to today. I know that there was 2 previous episodes (1988 & 1998). Being a stressed out med student in the middle of midterms, it would be awesome if a bunch of classmates and I were to be able to watch all of the episodes (from 1988 to present) in a Nova marathon after exams. So... Does anyone in the hive mind know how I can get my hands on the first two parts of the series, or at least the titles of the old episodes?

Need a psychiatrist in NoVa

rmd1023 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:24:31 -0800

A friend of mine in the Northern Virginia area is in need of a psychiatrist for issues of depression, rage, and maybe some kind of bipolar issue. My friend is in treatment, but is looking for recommendations for psychiatrists. My friend's depression is debilitating enough that it's very hard for my friend to actually seek out recommendations among the local friends and community, so I figured I'd hit up the hive mind. Also, I suspect my friend will eventually want some kind of talk therapist, so recommendations for those are good as well, but the immediate need is for a psychiatrist. Ideally one who is taking new patients. Platonic-ideally one who has openings REALLY SOON NOW.

Thanks, hive mind!

why so many WA state plates in NoVA?

fnord23bc — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:05:31 -0800

I live in northern Virginia, and since I moved back to this area about 8 months ago, I've been noticing many out of state license plates from Washington state (this happens one or more times a week). Is there any rhyme or reason to this (some big company relocating here), or is it just coincidence?

Cleaning service advice?

empath — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:13:16 -0800

Advice for hiring a cleaning service (or a recommendation for one in the Northern VA area)? Every few months, it seems that my house gets totally out of control, in terms of tidiness and I need to spend a weekend cleaning everything up, and I hate doing it. I think I'd be greatly helped by someone coming in every week or two weeks and just generally straightening up cleaning the bathrooms, floors, counters, etc. My main problem seems to be that after the house gets to a certain point, i get much worse about leaving shit around wherever, and having someone come in every once in a while to reset things will at least make me feel worse about being sloppy.

I'm not looking for the least expensive option, I'm just looking for advice on finding a service I can trust in my house that won't steal my stuff if I'm not around. Is theft something that's common with cleaning services? Any horror stories along those lines, or things I can do so I won't have to worry about it so much? Anything else I should know about? Any recommendations for a cleaner in the NoVa area?

(Also, if you're going to respond with: 'Clean your own house' or cleaning advice, that's not an answer to the question)

Corcovado Breakdown

Acari — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:21:20 -0800

What if Getz and Gilberto were, you know, cousins? Would they still have made beautiful music together? So I want to learn to play Bossa Nova tunes, but I want to play them on the banjo. The banjo is my first stringed instrument ever, and I'm still pretty retarded at it, except for my right [pickin'] hand [which has always been my favourite].

I looked around, and I found some nice youtube videos of one girl who does banjo bossa nova, but it doesn't really solve some basic issues for me.

Issues like:

-Is this going to be ridiculously hard?
-What, precisely, gives songs that bossa nova sound?
-What tuning is most reasonable? [my 5 string banjo has never been tuned to anything but open G]
-How can I make the end product sound bluegrassy?
-Why aren't these bossa nova chords in my banjo chordbook?

I can hear in my head what I want to do, but I just don't know how to get there on the banjo.

Assume as much ignorance of theory as you can bear without giving up on me. I don't mind if I have to look up every single musical term in your answer if it will help me in the end.

DC/NoVa/Baltimore Nightlife

charmston — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:00:02 -0800

I'll be spending January 1st-7th in Northern Virginia (Purcellville, specficially) with family. Looking for something fun to do in the DC, Northern VA, or Baltimore areas while there. I'll be with two cousins, ages 20 and 18, so any adults-only entertainment will not work (though I am 22, if that makes a difference). We're looking for something on the upscale, classier side of things; possibilities would include some sort of off-Broadway show, concert in a nice venue (Trans-Siberian Orchestra is playing and would have been perfect, but one of the girls has already seen them), or something along those lines. Nothing too expensive ($40/person cap, or so), if possible.

Also, any restaurant suggestions for classy-ish restaurants in the area (no more than $20-25 entrees) that wouldn't break the bank?

Thanks all!

Voice-over actor in NoVa

itstheclamsname — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:13:23 -0800

Can anyone recommend a voice-over actor or vocal coach in the DC/Northern VA area? I'm interested in locating someone for a brief interview/lesson that would be part of a podcast. Someone who would do it for the possibility of some free publicity and the certainty of a free lunch would be optimal, but not essential.

VW Mechanic in Northern VA?

callmejay — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:46:25 -0800

Where in Northern VA should I take my '03 VW Passat to get the thermostat replaced? Searching MeFi, I found this disheartening thread about the VW dealers in the DC metro area. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a mechanic that can handle VWs? (My old mechanic tells me they don't have the necessary tools.)

If not, what can I expect if I take it to a dealer? (I just got the car, used.) Gross overcharging? Shoddy work? Etc.

Bonus points for proximity to Ballston/Clarendon.

Where to go in Nova Scotia?

VeniceGlass — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:59:06 -0800

Traveling to Nova Scotia in July - suggestions for fun places to go? Going to be in Halifax for a few nights, and then going west for a few more. Other than hiking, fishing, kayaking, what's fun to see or do?

Any place to exercise while reading MeFi in Northern Virginia?

anaelith — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 12:05:33 -0800

Where can I find a fitness center where I can jog/bike/elliptical while browsing the internet? I live in Clifton (Centreville, Northern Virginia), I can drive as necessary. I don't want to bring bulky equipment into the house unless it's really the only option. Convenience (driving distance, hours of operation, not having to fight over equipment) is more of a factor then price.

Real estate agent for flippers?

gregoryc — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:29:55 -0800

Can you recommend a great real estate agent for wannabe flippers in Northern Virginia and DC? My wife and I are looking to get into the residential rehab market in Northern VA or Washington DC. Any recommendations for real estate agents specializing in NOVA and/or DC? We live in Alexandria, and would prefer to buy in there, but DC would be ok, if we can't find anything here. An agent that routinely works in both areas would be ideal. We're not too familiar w/ either area, so bonus points for suggestions on good rehab neighborhoods in either area.

Make science simple

serazin — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 09:42:56 -0800

I was a high school dropout and didn't go to college, and now I'm trying to catch up, working towards a degree in a science/health field. This semester I'm taking Chemistry (an introductory level class) and Anatomy and Physiology. I'm doing OK in my classes, but certain concepts are coming pretty slowly. I'm looking for learning aids that will help me get the overall concepts. My idea is that once I understand the larger concepts, the details that I'm studing in my textbooks and in class will make more sense to me. What I'm imagining as 'learning aids' are films or audio made for lay people about the topics I'm studying. NOVA specials, that kind of thing. For example, I think the chapter I just read on cells would have been easier to follow if I'd also seen some kind of simplified film on the topic, and then my textbook could have reinforced and filled in the specific vocabulary and detailed functions of each component of a cell. Does that make sense? Anyway, I'd love any recommendations for videos, audio documentaries, or even simple readings (although not too much reading, since I have all my friggen textbooks to read!). Thank you!

Drop in dance classes in DC or NoVA?

sa3z — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 13:26:47 -0800

Drop-in dance classes in DC or NoVA? I'm looking for drop-in classes ideally (e.g., buy a card for 10 classes for a set amount of money -- go to whichever class I choose, whenever I choose), though any other recommendations are welcome. I've found two options, which look good, but I can't believe there aren't more options out there in this area.

The two options I've already found: Mark Morris Dance Group and the Metropolitan Fine Arts Center.

I'm pretty open to the types of dance classes offered. The only kinds I'm not interested in are ballet, tap, or any partner-required dances (salsa, ballroom, tango, etc.). I would be interested in flamenco, belly dancing, bharatnatyam, breaking, etc.

Inconstant Sun

Merdryn — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 08:39:15 -0800

I'm working on a short story, a sort of parallel to Inconstant Moon by Larry Niven, that involves the Sun going nova, and its effects on Earth's last minutes/hours/days. I'm starting to wonder if his description of what would happen if the Sun went nova is 100% accurate, so I'd like to pick it apart. Secondarily, what would happen if the sun turned into a red giant, instead? Okay: The Sun goes nova. In the story, it basically cooks the light side of the earth, while a steam-storm rushes over the terminator to the dark side of the earth, steaming everyone alive within a relatively short period of time.

My thoughts: If the Sun were to go nova, the central mass that holds us in orbit would lessen, and our orbital distance from the Sun would increase. Would we move out of the way of the bulk of matter being ejected from the sun? How long would it take for climate to change? Would we crash into our moon? Other satellites? When would we die, and from what?

If the Sun were to shift into a red giant, that also involves a significant loss of mass. It's commonly held that the Sun would just envelop and scorch the Earth, but I again wonder: Wouldn't the loss of mass cause our orbital distance to increase? Is it possible that we'd orbit the now red giant Sun in such a way as to continue life on Earth?

Sounds great, but what is it?

wsg — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 11:16:02 -0800

What kind of guitar is she playing?