National Harbor Maryland the Perfect Combination of History and Entertainment
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August 18, 2016 • APG News A5 ALL THINGS MARYLAND National Harbor Maryland The perfect combination of history and entertainment By LAUREN FINNEGAN APG News Everyone knows about Baltimore’s historic Inner Harbor but many peo- ple seem unaware of the National Har- bor located just outside of the District of Columbia in Maryland’s Prince George’s County. The National Harbor is a 350 acre development of attractions along the Potomac River. From family-friendly events to nightlife, the National Harbor has it all. One of the first things that visitors will notice when arriving at the National Harbor is the giant Ferris wheel that sits on the water’s edge. Known as the Cap- ital Wheel, it stands 180 feet above the Potomac River waterfront, which makes for some astounding views. At $15 per ride, guests can grab a seat in one of 42 climate-controlled gondolas that seat up to eight, and relax while viewing trea- sured landmarks like the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Washington Monument. Near the Capital Wheel, the giant hand that looks as if it might grab a passerby is not an illusion. It really is a giant hand – albeit an aluminum one. The hand is part of a famous statue called “The Awakening.” Designed by J. Seward Johnson, the statue is more than 70 feet across, and made out of five cast Courtesy photos iron aluminum pieces. The statue is not (Clockwise from top) The Capital Wheel and the shops at the National Harbor illuminate the night sky; A couple paddles just something that’s interesting to look out into the Potomac River after renting a paddleboard and kayak from the National Harbor; A father and son play on at; children and adults are encouraged to David Stromeyer’s Tool De Force, one of the many pieces of art that can be found at the National Harbor. play and climb on the limbs of this rising giant. It was located on Hains Point near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. paddleboards and pedal boats available yellow VW Bug with a giant peep chick geants on Aug. 6. for 27 years before being moved to the to rent by the hour from May through perched on top, parked out front, it’s After visitors have seen and done it National Harbor. October. After working up an appetite, easy to find. all, they can hop a ride on a Water Taxi A 36-foot Americana themed carousel visitors can grab a bite to eat at one of Year-round events at the Nation- named Miss Sophie, which will transport featuring everything from classic horses the many restaurants that line the harbor. al Harbor include, “Free movies, con- them to Old Town Alexandria, a pop- to a hummingbird that looks like it might To complete the ultimate Maryland certs, and workouts on the water front… ular destination to take in the sights of take flight is located on the water. Rides experience, there are more than 30 res- Perfect for date night or family fun,” the city that George Washington called are priced at $3 per ride or $5 for an all- taurants to choose from, from brewer- according to Bruce Gudenberg, exec- home. A great ending to a fun filled day. day pass. The carousel is in a prime spot ies to piano bars, featuring a variety of utive director of Visit National Har- The National Harbor has something for families, as it is surrounded by a fare including Maryland crabs, Mexican bor marketing. Ongoing and upcoming to entertain, intrigue, or delight people playground, a separate toddler play area, dishes and much more. Shopaholics will events include the UniverSoul Circus, of all ages. It’s located at 165 Water- and a picnic area, making for the perfect want to visit the 180 diverse shops in the which runs through July 31; and the front Street, National Harbor, MD, place to sit and enjoy lunch. outlet mall that lines the harbor. While Salute the Sunset concert series featur- 20745. For more information, call 877- For the older kids, who aren’t con- Mom may want to stop for clothes, the ing the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note, 638-5427 or to view the calendar of tent just looking at the water from the kids will enjoy the Peep Store; one of set for July 30; and the U.S. 257th Army events, visit https://www.nationalhar- pier, there are kayaks, canoes, standup only three in the world. With a bright Band and U.S. Air Force Singing Ser- bor.com. Ignore old wives’ tales when managing food allergies By ANGELA LANG nant, should take care to eat a balanced Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic diet and take all vitamin supplements as Like every other Tuesday evening, I prescribed. After birth, breastfeeding is prepared dinner for my family after work widely regarded as the best way to nour- and we sat down together to eat. ish newborns. Follow the guidance of As a dietitian, home prepared, family your pediatrician about when to start sol- meals are very important to me. On this id foods and refrain from listening to old particular evening, I was trying a new wives tales. recipe that included pesto which I opt- Confronting allergic reactions ed to buy pre-made to save myself a lit- If you believe that you or your child tle time. I have made homemade pesto may have had a reaction to a food it is before and was familiar with the ingre- important to discuss this with your prima- dients so I didn’t bother to read the food ry care manager. Sometimes the first reac- label. This was my big mistake. tion is minor and the second is severe so You see, my son has food allergies. it is important to get it checked out. Your He is monitored by an excellent allergist medical provider will be able to deter- whom he had seen the week prior for a mine if it is a true allergy or intolerance. food challenge so we were quite certain that he was ‘only’ allergic to peanuts, Severe food allergies can be cashews and pistachios. Having only life-threatening ever used pine nuts in my pesto recipe, According to the Food and Drug which he is not allergic to, I offered him be frightening. According to Food Allergy Research Administration website at http://www. a miniscule taste of the pesto on a sand- The nonprofit organization, Food and Education, 90 percent of all reac- fda.gov, after ingesting a food allergen, wich in an attempt to expand his very Allergy Research and Education reports tions are caused by milk, eggs, peanuts, a person with food allergies can expe- picky palate. that, “Researchers estimate that up to 15 tree nuts, soy wheat, fish and shellfish. rience a severe, life-threatening allergic Within a minute of taking a bite, my million Americans have food allergies,” Even trace amounts of these foods can reaction called anaphylaxis. son complained of itching in his throat; potentially effecting 1 in every 13 chil- cause a severe reaction to a person with This can lead to: less than one minute later his bottom lip dren under the age of 18. a food allergy. Constricted airways in the lungs swelled and one minute after that he had Severe lowering of blood pressure Food allergies and intolerance hives popping up around his mouth and What is an allergy? and anaphylactic shock Food allergies and food intolerances moving up his cheeks. An allergic reaction occurs when your Suffocation by swelling of the throat are the same. As noted, a food allergy is I quickly scanned the pesto jar and immune system mistakenly identifies an Each year in the U.S., it is estimated an immune response causing the body to saw that cashews were among the ingre- item such a food, pollen, dust or fur as that anaphylaxis to food results in: mount a defense against a harmless item dients. I grabbed the red medical bag something harmful. The immune sys- 30,000 emergency room visits that it recognizes as foreign. As a result, I keep in our kitchen and found the tem signals antibodies to be released 2,000 hospitalizations food allergies can be fatal. EpiPen and anti-histamine wondering if from the cells which in turn signal your 150 deaths The Cleveland Clinic defines a I was going to need to use that EpiPen immune system to release chemicals to Prompt administration of epinephrine food intolerance as, “a digestive sys- for the first time. I gave him the anti-his- help control the perceived foreign sub- by an auto-injector such as an EpiPen, tem response rather than an immune tamine and waited for what seemed like stance. These chemicals cause a variety during early symptoms of anaphylaxis response. It occurs when something in an hour but was probably 10 minutes. of allergy side effects from a drippy nose may help prevent serious consequences. food irritates a person’s digestive system The hives began to disappear but and itchy eyes to anaphylactic shock. For more information, visit the Food or when a person is unable to properly within about 20 minutes were replaced Allergy Research & Education web- Causes of food allergies digest the food.” with severe stomach pains that had him site at www.foodallergy.org; or the To date, there is no clear cause of One of the more common food intol- moaning and crying. About three hours American College of Allergy, Asthma food allergies.