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Chris Slavin, owner of the Zapatat tattoo removal parlor in Arlington, now with four-times faster removal of your biggest ink-on-skin regrets. (Tom Jackman - The Washington Post) The tattoo removal parlor Zapatat, which just launched on Wilson Boulevard in Arlington last fall, is now boldly pushing the envelope for removal of your deepest ink-on-skin regrets: Removal in as little as one-quarter of the time it once took, which was a year to a year-and-a-half for a well-done or decent-sized tattoo.

Chris Slavin, the entrepreneur who opened the sleek salon, said Zapatat is one of the first places in the country, and the first in this area, to speed up the removal of that ex-girlfriend’s name or that colorful tramp stamp. This happens through the “R20 Protocol,” which was first reported in Europe last year, and has been tested on volunteers at Zapatat. Basically, instead of one laser treatment to zap color ink particles, followed by a waiting period of six to eight weeks, three or four laser treatments can be done in one visit. This can shorten the total removal process down to six months, or less with an amateur, one-color or prison tattoo. (Editors, take note.)

Slavin said Zapatat has already signed up 1,500 clients for its standard tattoo removal process, advertising aggressively through social media. (Slavin removed the hyphens from Zapatat’s name because it was too hard to type in to a mobile device.) But the new, faster method is “a very important development because we do get people looking to get into law enforcement or the military, who have started removal for that purpose, so we can help them go a lot faster.” Many law and military outfits now frown on visible tattoos.

There is an excellent video The Post’s Alexandra Garcia did on tattoo removal for this article by Emily Wax published a few months back.

Candace Leyton was known as a tough, creative and funny teacher who connected with kids across the academic spectrum. She taught in Fairfax County for 30 years before she died of breast cancer in 2003. A technology lab at Wolftrap Elementary School is being dedicated in her name. (Peter Leyton) Wall Street financier Chris Shumway never forgot his old school in Vienna, Wolftrap Elementary. And he never forgot his favorite teacher, Candace Leyton, who taught him in third grade.

So Shumway decided to make a little gesture in Leyton’s memory. A separate technology lab building at a cost of $800,000. Read more about this memorable teacher, and how she will continue to have an impact, in this great story by The Post’s Emma Brown on her Virginia Schools Insider blog.

Jade, the kitten, tossed from a car on Route 7 near Tyson’s Corner, rescued by a Good Samaritan couple , now has a Facebook page to raise money for surgery for her broken pelvis. https://www.facebook.com/HelpSaveJade

Chuck Brown plays at the Lorton Workhouse in August 2010. (Lauren Jackman) Of all the times I saw Chuck Brown perform live, one of the most memorable was undoubtedly a sunny evening at the Lorton Workhouse, where he once spent several years in prison for armed robbery murder. And I think it was memorable for him too.

The occasion, in August 2010, was an open house for the artists who now work in the long cell blocks that once housed prisoners from the District. Out in the main yard was a large white tent. Under the tent was a stage, rows of wooden folding chairs, and between the two was an open area covered in large gravel. Sort of a dance floor meant to discourage dancing. Outside the tent was a table of folks selling Sam Adams for $2. I made many contributions to the arts that day.

The arts patrons were politely summoned to the tent for the entertainment, and they politely sat bolt upright in the wooden chairs, awaiting this mysterious musical group from Washington. Chuck and his large crew hit the stage, and if the polyrhythmic go-go thunder wasn’t baffling enough, how about “The Theme from the Godfather” in go-go style?

A member of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors has introduced a measure to eliminate supervisors’ so-called “discretionary funds,” which have long been criticized in some circles for allowing individual supervisors to dole out taxpayer dollars without proper scrutiny.

Prince William Supervisor Peter Candland. (Dayna Smith - For The Washington Post) Funds are allocated to each district to run their office and pay staff — an average of $335,000 for each district office. The bulk of those funds are used to run supervisors’ district offices, but funds that are not specifically allocated can be used for supervisors to donate to non-profits, charities or for school-related uses.

Supervisor Peter K. Candland (R-Gainesville) said he believes the intentions of his fellow supervisors are “on the level,” according to a video of his remarks at Tuesday’s regular meeting, but that the practice must stop.