Last year, our July/August issue included a feature story titled “Rebalancing Act.” The gist of the story was that many of us had adopted unhealthy coping mechanisms during the pandemic (e.g., working too much, eating too much, drinking too much) that we needed to shed and return to a more balanced life.
If this issue’s cover story is any indication of the progress we’ve made in the past year, it seems we are in a better place. There’s no mention of Covid. It doesn’t focus on the pandemic, isolation, uncertainty or unhealthy habits. Instead, the story “Go Outside and Play” identifies and celebrates 27 outdoor adventures within driving distance that you can enjoy this summer. Whether your jam is cycling, hiking, fishing, rafting, SUPing, kayaking, soaring or simply smelling the roses, we have something for everyone.
Switching gears, you will also find our annual Extraordinary Teen Awards in this issue. Although there is a lot to worry about these days—another heartbreaking school shooting, political polarization and dysfunction, rising Covid numbers, the war in Ukraine, inflation and battered markets—please take a moment to pour the beverage of your choice, find a comfortable chair and read about these amazing kids. If they don’t give you hope for the future, I don’t know what will.
I love dumb dad jokes. (Just ask my kids.) Here’s a favorite: What time is it when you need to go to the dentist? Tooth-hurty (2:30). OK, that’s an especially bad one, but it is a relevant segue to our second annual “Top Dentists” feature. We partnered with Professional Research Services to conduct a peer-review survey of the leading dentists in Arlington, Fairfax, the City of Falls Church and the City of Alexandria. The results are organized by specialty. I hope you find it useful. Following “Top Dentists” is Dentist Profiles, which is a special advertising section. Please take a moment to read them and, if you are looking for a local dentist, consider scheduling an appointment.
As we move into summer, it’s worth acknowledging that many of us are in the “high velocity years”—working hard, raising our kids, running them around town (or the region) to myriad activities, carving out time for friends and family—with no end in sight. Here’s to finding the time to slow down, unplug a bit, get outside and take advantage of a few of the activities in this issue.
We love hearing from you. I can be reached at greg.hamilton@arlingtonmagazine.com. You can find our editor Jenny Sullivan at jenny.sullivan@arlingtonmagazine.com. Send us your feedback and letters to the editor. Hope you have a terrific summer.
Greg Hamilton, Publisher