Del Ray Vibe

There are hundreds of media companies in the Washington DC metro area. But few of them approach the development of media content like Aldo Bello and Marilyn Finnemore, co-founders of Mind & Media in Alexandria, Virginia's Old Town. These long time residents of Del Ray know that media is merely a vehicle for delivering stories. And the quality of a story is only as good as the state of the person's mind that developed it. In this Del Ray Vibe podcast episode, Aldo and Marilyn talk about how they routinely and strategically make plans to disconnect their minds from DC's fast paced culture and the stress of beltway politics. They believe this approach is important to producing quality media that stands up to the competition of the high stakes marketplace of storytelling that Washington DC is known for as it serves as the world’s political epicenter.

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Del Ray Vibe's John R. Gagain Jr. speaks with students in the College of DuPage's course on "Social Media as News." At the request of John’s old friend and colleague, DuPage professor, Joe Goldberg (from the days when John and Joe did international work for AKPD and ASGK--two firms founded by President Obama’s Chief Strategist, David Axelrod); John talked Social Media strategy and innovation, specifically an initiative John implemented with the ONE campaign, founded by U2’s Bono, while he served at the Obama Administration’s Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Del Ray Vibe speaks with Alexandria, Virginia City Councilman, John Taylor Chapman. Released on September 24, 2016, on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture [https://nmaahc.si.edu], this episode includes conversation with John Taylor Chapman about his mother, Michele Chapman; his father, Richard Chapman; the work of the Alexandria City Council, former Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, race relations at the national and community levels, his use of Facebook as a local elected official, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, President Barack Obama’s 8 years in the White House, the new NMAAHC museum, and his very own Alexandria based start-up that he plans to launch in 2016—focused on the city’s rich African-American history and the country’s Civil War. #DelRayVibe www.DelRayVibe.com #APeoplesJourney

We talk to Dawnielle Miller about her most difficult moment serving Chirilagua—a community, made up mostly of immigrants from Central American countries, that borders Del Ray in Alexandria, Virginia. Dawnielle says that she became "the infected one.” Her most challenging moment may have shaped her. As she tells her story, Dawnielle talks about the power of empathy. She talks about the resilience of her Chirilagua neighbors. Their story, and this challenging, but teachable moment; might be a big reason this co-founder of Casa Chirilagua won Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural “40 Under 40” award.

If you know Del Ray, then you know Al’s Steak House. The local eatery has been famous for its cheese steaks in Alexandria, Virginia, for over a half a century. Since the death of long-time owner, John Severson, last August 2015, who acquired the steak house from Al (Martino) himself in the mid-1960’s; running the small business has not been easy. On July 6, 2016, after restructuring ownership and management, as well as the largest remodeling project the landmark has ever known; the decades old establishment burst into flames on its first day after reopening. Del Ray, as a community—in its entirety—is responding. Severson’s son Bo goes on the record, in depth, for the first time. He’s joined by Del Ray Business Association’s president, Bill Blackburn.

Mostly everybody remembers their turning points in life. But in this DelRayVibe.com episode, Michael Suppa, an award winning teacher at Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), talks about his turning point and how he overcame the fear he had when he went to Capitol Hill for the first time to discuss education policy with congressional staffers and members of US Congress as part of his Master Degree studies in Education Policy from George Mason University. Michael’s story, and the route his life and professional career have taken since that day on Capitol Hill, provide helpful insight to anyone looking for a dynamic career in politics, policy, or education. And Michael’s story seems to be a big reason he won Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural “40 Under 40” award.

If you ask her for lifestyle advice, Tara Casagrande will tell you: “take risks.” Tara, founder and owner of Ease Yoga and Café in Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia—now celebrating its 1-year anniversary this June 2016—took the ultimate risk when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer while being just 11 weeks pregnant. Multiple doctors and specialists all advised Tara that she should abort her baby and undergo a surgical hysterectomy. But Tara had already seen and heard her baby’s heartbeat inside her womb. Tara was forced to make a life altering decision. Until now, Tara has never shared this story publicly.

Del Ray Vibe finished its episode entitled “Small Business Survivor: Dennis Webb” covering small business, the challenges and opportunities of Del Ray’s Exotic Planetarium and Card and Comic Collectorama, and its more than four decades operating in the same place on Mount Vernon Avenue. Business owner Dennis Webb, who has lived in Del Ray since the early 1950’s, talks about a few of his favorite spots in Del Ray when he was a kid.

Del Ray is well known for its mom-and-pop style shops and sidewalk cafes. Recently, however, many of these iconic stores and restaurants have closed their doors forever. While citizens of Del Ray have waved goodbye to some small business legends, there are still some survivors sprawled along Mount Vernon Avenue. Del Ray Vibe goes in depth with Dennis Webb, founder of Del Ray’s Exotic Planetarium and Card and Comic Collectorama.

Del Ray Vibe speaks with Chris Gonzalez and Dave Comiskey, young tech entrepreneurs bringing the collaborative economy to Del Ray. Learn about the opportunities and challenges of managing a high-tech start-up, the next generation of pet care, pet health, fat dogs, skinny dogs, (dog fitbits?); and the digital marketing of small business services in Del Ray in this episode. Highlighted in the Washington Post, Fast Company, and Technical.ly, these owners of the new App-based dog walking service www.Barkly.us — currently operating in Del Ray with a Beta version (and soon to be available on your iPhone or Android Smartphone)—sit down for their most extensive interview to date.

Del Ray Vibe finished its episode entitled “Family Restaurateur,” covering Monroe’s, a family-owned restaurant in Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia, which closed its doors forever on December 24, 2015. The restaurant’s Chef, 68 year old Jesus Rodriguez, a native of Spain and citizen of the "American Dream" is busy figuring out what will be his next step in life.

Del Ray Vibe speaks with Laura Abraham, a seasoned family restaurateur and business owner in Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia. Originally from Tennessee, Laura and family relatives have owned multiple restaurants in Del Ray. Her restaurant, “Monroe’s,” has provided a quality dining experience and Sunday Brunch-atmosphere for two decades. On December 24, 2015, Monroe’s—on Commonwealth Avenue in Del Ray—closed its doors forever.

Del Ray Vibe speaks with Chris Gabriel, Founder of Nature’s Nibbles on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. The business owner, entrepreneur, and musician, first became a resident of Del Ray in the late 1980's. Most citizens of Del Ray, and customers of Nature’s Nibbles, refer to Chris as the "Dog Food Whisperer.”

Del Ray Vibe speaks with 12-term US Congressman Jim Moran about life after Congress, the state of Del Ray, and the 40th Anniversary of Del Ray's Turkey Trot. The former Congressman served as the 40th Turkey Trot’s Grand Marshall.

Trailer for the new radio show, Del Ray Vibe, covering stories inspired by the vibrant & historic neighborhood of Del Ray. Design Credit: Roman Cid, Infinity Media USA LLC [www.infinitymedia.im] Photography Credit: Vivian Nunez Photography [https://twitter.com/viviantia] Art Credit: Chad Brady Music Credit: Kevin MacLeod