By Amy Mathews
I did it. I survived the Nightmare Commute of this winter’s big storm. It wasn’t until the morning after, when I read that some of my fellow storm sufferers had been trapped in traffic for up to 13 hours, that I realized my four-hour ordeal was nothing. True, the storm’s five inches of snow wasn’t unusual for Washington, D.C., in January. But thanks to its rush-hour timing and poor planning by the region’s governments, its impact on DC roadways and psyches far exceeded its modest size. Less than …

By Steve chase
Wikipedia says the term “cover” was first used in 1966 to describe competing versions of a particular song. I like to think of cover songs as an update to the original. I really enjoy hearing a favorite song played differently by another artist.
Here’s how I picture it: Think of a musical highway, with many lanes. The best cover takes the song and moves it to a different place, based on the musicianship and creativity of the band playing the song. On the boundary of that highway are gutters, …

By Tara Sanders Lowe and David Lillard
In the News
 
Shepherdstown Library News
Teen Tech Week is March 6–12. Borrow and download audio books and eBooks to your computer by visiting listeneasternwv.lib.overdrive.com.  For Women’s History Month, the children’s department displays books honoring women singers, scientists, others. For National Nutrition Month, explore kid-friendly recipes in Fairy Tale Feasts or The Pirate Cookbook.
C&O Canal Cleanup
Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle will lead a trail cleanup on the C&O Canal, March 5, 8:45am till 1pm. Meet at 115 West German St. (Pedal & Paddle) Saturday morning at 8am. …

By Doug Humphreys
It is the noise I remember the most, that sound of a stiff wind over plastic or fabric. After the noise are the cold ears and finger tips. Finally are the color, and the shapes. There were actually trophies for various winners, but I can honestly say that it was the one event in my life where a trophy meant nothing.
The event was in March, of course. I recall that they served both lemonade and hot chocolate. Perfect beverages for March if you think about it: lots of …

Shaharazade’s Tea Room and Restaurant
Shaharazade’s Restaurant and Tea Room is under new management. Lisa and David Olney recently purchased the business, and have been busy making repairs and improvements. Shaharazade’s will offer teas from around the world and foods inspired by the flavors of the middle east. Serving lunch and dinner during the week and breakfast and dinner specials on weekends. Shaharazade’s will reopen for business in March.
At Dish!
Dish American Bistro in Charles Town is hosting several themed events in March, from the March 1 “Beer Tasting for the …

By Thomas Harding
A friend of mine runs a very large commercial development company in Washington, D.C. He told me that during the bubble years of 2001–2006 he often had to remind his junior staff that things can get much worse. He added that nowadays he has to remind junior staff that things will someday get better. In other words, and to state the obvious, things go in cycles.
I can now officially announce that things will get better. No, it is not the white snowdrops peppering my yard or the warm …

by Lynn Widmyer
In January and February of this year, the county commission dealt with legislation in all three categories. Here is a sampling from each.
The “good” category includes a strategic plan to address fire and emergency medical services in the county. This is a very big issue. There are seven volunteer fire companies in Jefferson County, but dedicated volunteers are becoming harder and harder to find. The training courses for becoming a volunteer firefighter are time-consuming and expensive. Many people work outside the county, so they cannot respond to calls …

In 2008, the most recent year available, Jefferson County had a federal workforce of about of about 750 and federal wages of nearly $50 million. That doesn’t begin to count the full- and part-time employees who work for the contractors staffing essential functions like food service and maintenance. Nor does it begin to reflect the enormous multiplier effect of money pumped into the local economy through the purchase of supplies and services and the money spent by visitors to federal facilities located in the county.
The federal presence in Jefferson County …