Who Are The Greatest Race Car Drivers Of All Time?

Trying to crown the greatest race car drivers is a tricky task, of course.Taking into account their well-known wins, overall racing times, technique, and general showmanship, here are a few of the race car drivers who definitely cannot be ignored:

Ayrton Senna
Brazillian Ayrton Senna de Silva was named the World Driving Champion three times in four years. During his last four years of racing, Senna never placed lower than fourth place in a race. He was well-known both for his unstoppable driving and his ability to race in rainy conditions. His illustrious career and undeniable talent were tragically cut shot by an accident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
 
A.J. Foyt
The versatile Texan could race, and win in, any kind of car: champ cars, small cars, cars with varied engine configurations, and more. During his extensive racing career, Foyt took home top honors in the Daytona 500, 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500, four times. These wins, among others, have carried Foyt through breaking numerous national and international records.
 
Mario Andretti
For many Americans, Mario Andretti is synonymous with successful race car driver.  He is one of two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR. The Italian American’s solid reputation and numerous wins contributed to his being named United States Driver of the year three times.      
 
Dale Earnhardt
Earnhardt's career was cut tragically short. But even shortened, his career featured many classic NASCAR race victories including a record-setting streak of four consecutive wins.
 
 

Waffle King’s Virginia Kitchen: Breakfast Fit for a King

Herndon diners flock to Waffle King’s Virginia Kitchen when they’ve got a hankerin’ for a down-home country-style meal. The large portions at Waffle King's Virginia Kitchen almost guarantee you won't leave hungry. Waffle King's friendly staff will welcome you warmly, with a nice sort of southern hospitality. And the menu? Hearty breakfasts are the specialty, with patrons lining up at the door for homemade biscuits, Virginia ham, home fries, eggs cooked in a myriad of ways, waffles, and pancakes. Lunch is also a popular time to visit, when you can chow down on fried chicken, burgers, steak, sandwiches, and home cooked sides. Waffle King's Virginia Kitchen is open Mondays through Sundays from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Waffle King's Virginia Kitchen
450 Elden Street
Herndon, VA 20170
 (703) 471-0808
 

Pandora: Personalized Radio

Pandora is customizable internet radio that allows you to craft stations that reflect your music preferences. Available as both an app and a website, Pandora enables users to build custom radio stations that are intuitive and curate songs that are similar to your musical preferences.

For example, if you decide to create a Lady Gaga radio station, the station will not only play Lady Gaga's hits, but also any other songs that are similar in the "Top 40" genre. When songs play, you can either give them a thumbs-up or thumbs-down, to further hone-in on your likes.

Both the Pandora app and Pandora website are free, but if you would like your stations to play without any commercial interruptions, you can pay a nominal membership fee.

Ready to start listening? Check out Pandora here.

Sushi Guide

Sushi is now a mainstream staple of many American diets. If you're new to sushi, it can still be a little intimidating, since it’s a complicated food with a great deal of cultural tradition behind it. Here’s a simple field guide:

1. Sushi does not mean "raw fish." Sushi is the product of combining a protein or vegetable with a special kind of rice, prepared with vinegar and sugar. Sticky, sushi rice is the real core of the meal, and it needs to be made fresh.

2. Nigiri is the most “pure” form of the food – a cut of the main ingredient – typically fish – on top of a small dollop of sushi rice. Nigiri is designed to communicate the essential flavors of the fish without any other tastes masking them, and is the best way to evaluate the freshness of a sushi bar.

3. Maki, also known as rolls, have become the most popular form of sushi from Americanized restaurants. Ingredients are wrapped in a layer of sushi rice, rolled into a cylinder and sliced. A number of other things can be added – traditionally, a sheet of seaweed is used to hold the roll together, but restaurants use tofu skin as well. Rice on the outside is called an “inside-out” roll. These rolls are often topped with sauces or other fish.

4. You don't have to eat raw fish to enjoy sushi. If eating raw fish isn't appealing to you, there are several cooked options such as crab, shrimp, or lobster. Or, you can always enjoy vegetarian rolls such as avocado and cucumber.

Easy Ways to Stay in Touch

Today, family and friends are often scattered all over the globe. But, that doesn't mean we have to forgo closeness! With the cutting edge technology available today, staying in touch is easier (and more fun) than ever before! 

Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms on the web today. Make a private “group” page for your family where relatives can post updates, share photographs or talk about events. You can also invite your Facebook friends to "events" such as family reunions or holiday gatherings.

Skype offers free video chat and calling that allows you to both see and hear loved ones no matter their location. If certain family members do not have video chat capabilities, Skype allows you to make regular calls to phones for a fee.

Set aside a regular time each week to chat with your loved ones. Weekends, such as Sunday afternoons, tend to work well. Set your computer calendar or cell phone to remind you each week, and you’ll never miss a time to connect.

Frying Pan Park: Step Back in Time

Preserving a 1930s farm, Frying Pan Farm Park interprets rural community living for Herndon families by adding fresh, appealing elements that will have visitors coming back again and again. Admission is free, which is a bargain considering the amount of interesting and invaluable things you’ll see here. In Kidwell Farm, you’ll see how farm families lived in the 1930s. You can also take a wagon ride and meet animals like chickens, peacocks, rabbits, and cows. Besides meeting animals, the Farm also offers beginning horseback riding lessons and horse shows. If you want to taste farm fresh products, venture to the Frying Pan Country Store, which sells locally grown products and baked goods. It also sells local history books for those interested in Herndon history as well as old-fashioned games and toys for the children for the nostalgic adult. However, the store is only open from May to October, and only on Wednesdays.

Frying Pan Park
2709 W. Ox Road
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 437-9101

Make These Easy Pasta Salad Recipes Tonight!

If the words "pasta salad" conjure up images of mayonnaise and barbecues, you're not alone. But, there are actually a variety of ways to make delicious, savory pasta dishes that won't make you feel like you're picnicking. Below are five pasta salad ideas that break from tradition to provide outstanding flavor!

Caprese Salad — Draw inspiration from the Italian caprese salad, and season your pasta, such as hearty rigatoni, with fresh basil, good olive oil, vine-ripened tomatoes, and chunks of mozzarella. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste, and you're all set!

Greek Pasta — Taking your cue from Greek Salad, add a mix of cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, tangy feta cheese, and robust olives to the pasta. Try using mostaccioli, the small, curved pasta named after the mustache, as the base of the salad so all the elements are comparable in size. Complete it a dressing of olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice.

Asian Flavor – Prepare a pasta salad an Asian feel by using soba noodles, which are made from earthy buckwheat flour. Season the noodles with soy sauce and sesame oil, and top it with slivers of carrots and diced scallions for a delicious, simple dish that offers take-notice flavors.

Middle Eastern Side — For an alternative to pasta salad, make tabbouleh instead. This side makes use of kernels of bulgur wheat instead of pasta, and seasons them with a combo of finely-diced mint and parsley. It’s a wonderful option if you're tired of noodles!

Car Troubleshooting and Maintenance Tips

Your car is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, so naturally you want to save money in as many places as possible. Before you turn to a professional repairman to deal with your car troubles, why not take some time to investigate the problem yourself? Here are some excellent tips for cat troubleshooting and maintenance.

Read the car’s manual
Most of the basic information you need to know about the care and operation of your car can be found in this little book. It has diagrams that demonstrate where the important parts are, as well as instructions on how to perform basic maintenance.

Rotate your tires regularly
It’s important to switch your tires around every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to evenly distribute the wear and tear on them. This will help the car’s suspension as well as increasing the amount of time your tires last.

Consolidate trips
Most of the wear and tear on your car takes place during the first few minutes of your trip. Consolidating your car usage so you’re making as many stops as possible before returning home can help your vehicle last significantly longer.

Check the oil
Check your oil level regularly to make sure that it is topped off. In addition to regular oil changes, just making sure your engine has the correct amount of oil is one of the biggest contributors to a smoothly-functioning car.

Keep a record
Keep an auto log inside your glove box so you can record any unusual occurrences. Knowing what causes a problem before you take it to a mechanic can save you a ton of money in diagnostic fees.

Euro Bistro: A Fusion of Global Flavors in Herndon, Virginia

Austrian-German cuisine is the focus at Herndon, Virginia's Euro Bistro, where you can sidle up to a big plate of Sauerbraten or Schnitzel and a mug of dark beer. Appetizers at Euro Bistro hail from cuisines from around the globe, with Pork Potstickers, Chicken Thai Sate, Bruchetta, and Crispy Fried Calamari. Weiner Schnitzel, Jaeger Schnitzel, Spatzel, and Pork Chops with potato pancakes take their place on the menu alongside an array of pizzas and pasta dishes like Spaghetti with Sausage and Fettuccini Alfredo. Crab Cakes, Salmon Roulade, Beef Tenderloin, and Chicken Breast are also on the menu. Save a spot in your tummy for Apple Strudel or Crème Brulee for dessert. With so many flavors, you're sure to find something to like at Euro Bistro!

314 Elden Street
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 481-8158
 

Catoctin Creek Distilling Company: Lift Your Spirits

When Catoctin Creek opened in 2009, it brought legal spirits back to Loudoun County for the first time since Prohibition. The family-owned distillery produces a line of four organic spirits. Rye grains are the basis for Catoctin’s whiskey, gin, and of course, rye. The company also makes a pear brandy and seasonal fruit liqueurs for those in search of a fruitier spirit. Visitors to the Purcellville distillery can enjoy a free 30-minute tour of the facility, and tastings are offered at specific times throughout the week. Catoctin also offers up events throughout the year such as bottling workshops in which participants are invited to assist in the bottling process, festivals, farm tours, and concerts. Visitors love the opportunity to meet and talk to the owners and employers to get the inside view of the distilling process. Committed to making high quality products, Catoctin Creek proves that Virginia is for spirit lovers, too!

Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
37251-C E Richardson Lane
Purcellville, VA 20132
(540) 751-8404

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