announcer: welcome to "news4 this week." >> hi, everyone, i'm veronica johnson. we are going to show you some of the more interesting local stories making news this week. among them, the first sign of spring, where we hope to see d.c.s famous blossoms blooming. a spa day nightmare. a pedicure that almost cost a man his life. and the proud owner of a pet. first, on the year anniversary of the shooting that nearly killed him, alexandria

police officer finally met one of the men who helped save his life. he was shot in the head when he pulled over a taxi cab driver. in his rescue, a chopper pilot had to pull off difficult maneuvers at the school playground. they got a chance to meet this week. virginia bureau chief reporter, julie carey was there. >> reporter: when i interviewed him, he told me he wanted to meet the helicopter pilot that landed on this playground to help save him. he met the medic on board, got a chance to say thanks in person to that pilot. >> you were on the ground. we needed to get to you. we dodged over there. >> reporter: it's a conversation and reunion alexandria police officer, peter, hoped to have for months. on the one-year anniversary of the day he was shot in the head on motorcycle patrol, it happened. they heard the story of the day from one of the most critical

emergency responders, park police eagle one pilot. >> somebody told me before that, officer down. i'm not going anywhere. that's what he did. you know, it's probably one of those thing that is probably saved my life. >> reporter: what's amazing to many is what he did to get to him so quickly. eagle one was on a presidential detail with two secret service personnel on board. medic heard the officer down call and eagle one broke away to head to alexandria. when they heard he was injured, they made a bold decision to land in a tight spot on a school playground, a half block from him. he couldn't have done it without the secret service agent on board to watch the chopper's tail. and there was an alexandria canine officer on the ground to keep people away. >> time is of the essence.

it is. it's of the essence. we have to get down there. there's nothing -- i think we can get in there. i need someone to keep an eye o. i'm just one little part. >> reporter: the landing and pick up was successful. he was rushed to med star. >> when i think of everybody who has been a part of this, everybody did their job. >> reporter: seeing him was a great feeling. >> i was worried about getting emotional. we don't get to see the folks back on their feet. it was great. it makes you feel warm inside. >> reporter: his arm was in a sling because he just add surgery. in alexandria, julie carey, news 4. >> we hope all the best for his recovery. if you are looking for a sign of spring, we got it this year. the national park service released the peak bloom forecast for the cherry blossoms.

after 102 years of cherly blossoms, they are pretty good at knowing how the cold affects it buds. so far, there's nothing to worry about. the weather this month will be the most important factor for when the blossoms will reach their most beautiful. >> we are very confident that we will see that peak blooming period occur this year between the 8th and 12th of april. we see things are nicely lined up for that to be a fitting finale for this year's cherry blossom festival. >> it is scheduled from march 20th through april 13th. hey, folks, it's just over two weeks away. i cannot wait. president obama announced the new initiative to help black and latino young men achieve their goals. it's called my brother's keeper. there's a similar program running in prince george's county. news 4s reporter, zachary kiesch shows us the men who are taking

part. >> looking at me, what can i do to be better? how can i reach my goals? >> reporter: those are the big questions asked here at dmsr, diverse male student initiative. it's designed for young men at prince george's community college. 500 men have come through the program. the outcomes are clear. semester to semester retention rate is 85%. 39% higher than men not in the program. >> they have a program where we can share struggles as well as successes. >> reporter: after being in jail, the stakes are higher for adam. he's pursuing a degree in engineering. he thinks these men lack knowledge itself. >> what your motivation should be. what direction you should take. what is your moral compass? once you establish who you are,

that begins the bedrock of hope. does that make sense? >> reporter: in prince george's county, zachary kiesch, news 4. a fair tax county science teacher received a huge honor this week. it came as a complete surprise. she couldn't believe it when they called her name to receive a national award for excellence in education. she was moved to tears when they presented her with the family foundation national educator award. a student says she is like a second mom. >> i have never worked harder in a career in my life, but never been happier. i just can't believe it. >> amazing. this is an amazing way to give her something back. >> she's been teaching since 2007. she was a finalist for fairfax county public schools teacher of the year for 2013. a hometown favorite is

expanding further so more of you can enjoy the good eats. that is ben's chili bowl. it is the second free standing location for the iconic restaurant including the original on u street. there's two smaller versions at fedex field. i'm ready for one of those, too. getting mom's mission ready. still ahead, the local program getting army moms in combat shape six months after giving birth. after another round of snow, it's time to point fingers. the local sign