A Place to Read
Family turns cluttered “catch-all” into elegant library.
When a family of four, which includes two young daughters, decided to create dedicated reading space in their home, the wanted to blend serenity and style. The couple enlisted the help of interior designer Debbie Wiener of Design Solutions.
2013 DC Design House Unveiled
Annual event raises money for Children’s National Medical Center.
Details: The home opens for public tours on April 14. Hours are Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at HYPERLINK "http://www.dcdesignhouse.com" www.dcdesignhouse.com.Details “It’s exciting to be part of such a wonderful cause and to share in the creation of a design house with such talented designers.” — Jamie Brown, Akseizer Design Group
Norwood Students Head to Odyssey of Mind Finals
Some Potomac-area students were recognized recently for their creative thinking and collaborative abilities when Norwood School in Bethesda hosted Odyssey of the Mind earlier this month.
The Sound of Music
Enhancing your child’s music education during Music in Our Schools Month and beyond.
From the powerful sounds of a high school band to the soothing melodies sung in a kindergarten music classroom, local music educators are using the month of March to raise awareness of the benefits of learning music.
The Power of Light
Designed with a bounty of large windows, a new Potomac home pays homage to natural light.
“There are no rooms in this house that don’t have large windows and big natural light.” — James F. Rill, Rill Architects, PC
Decorating for Easter
Easy ideas to welcome spring into your home.
From floral arrangements that burst with pastel blooms to candles that fill one’s home with scents reminiscent of warm weather, local style experts offer suggestions for accents that welcome spring.
The Region’s Best Home Designs
Local contractors get top honors for remodeling projects.
From designing a kitchen with a concave glass tile backsplash to creating a backyard with a fireplace and pool, some local home remodelers were honored recently with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s (NARI) 2013 Regional Contractor of the Year awards for design acumen. Winning projects ran the gamut from historic preservation projects to environmentally conscious conceptions.
Mental Health Counseling Professors Honored
Cultural sensitivity at the heart of their work.
Fred Bemak and his wife Rita Chi-Ying Chung, who are both professors at George Mason University in Fairfax, recall being in Haiti shortly after the catastrophic earthquake of 2010. They were there to provide mental health counseling to those traumatized by the natural disaster.
Choosing a Summer Camp
Region offers programs to tempt children with interests ranging from sports to drama to science.
While most of Washington is braving the winter weather, April Toman has been planning for summer. At the top of her list: choosing a camp for her two children, Claire, who is in fifth grade, and Will, who is a second grader. “I start thinking about it in January,” said Toman, who lives in Alexandria. “I talk to my kids about what they are interested in taking. There are so many options and the popular camps fill up quickly.”
Learning From the Past
What some area schools are doing to celebrate Black History Month.
The sound of steel drums vibrates through the air of a crowded auditorium in Potomac, Md. In McLean, elementary school girls share their understanding of the struggles of Rosa Parks. A group of second graders from Alexandria treks to downtown Washington to see the massive memorial statue of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
All Tied Up
New clinic teaches children how to tie their shoes.
Like many parents of young children, Mary Hanlon decided it was time for her five-year-old son, Hank to reach another milestone: learning to tie his shoes.
Design Solution for Busy Family
A small kitchen is transformed into a spacious, light-filled room.
When a busy Potomac family decided that it was time to turn their tiny, dark kitchen into free-flowing, light-filled gathering space, they decided to expand their home. Their decision is part of national trend.
February Is Heart Month
Diet and fitness experts offer suggestions for maintaining a healthy heart.
When Mary Elizabeth O’Conner enters a supermarket, she is careful stay within the outer perimeters of the store. “Most grocery stores are designed so that the healthiest and non-processed food, like fresh vegetables and meat are kept on the outer edges,” she said. She looks for heart-healthy foods like whole grains and fresh fruit.
Indoor Winter Fun with Children
Ideas for entertainment when Jack Frost appears.
Winter weather often means limited open air playtime for some children. “It is very important for children to get as much outdoor activity as possible, but there are times when it is not safe for them to be outside for an extended length of time, or any time at all, because it is too cold. ” said Shannon Melideo, chair of the Education Department at Marymount University in Arlington. “There are many other things that children can do besides sledding and ice skating.”
Winter Fun with Food
Easy and tasty ideas for winter meals.
The stove is fired-up, a sauté pan is sizzling and the thud of a steel knife blade hitting a wooden chopping block fills the air along with the woodsy aroma of fresh thyme. The temperature outside is frigid, but the kitchen feels like an inferno as Chef Kristen Robinson drives a knife though a fennel bulb, kale leaves and a tough-skinned butternut squash with staccato succession.
Churchill Competes in National Robotics Tournament
Students create robots that travel aboard the International Space Station
Potomac students were in Boston earlier this month competing in the ZERO Robotics Challenge, a competition sponsored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Area Residents Attend 57th Inauguration
Many brave crowds to witness history.
Local residents were among the hundreds of thousands who left their homes on a cold winter holiday, Jan. 21, to brave packed Metro trains and slow-moving security check points for a chance to celebrate and witness President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.
Queen of Household Hints to Share Five Essentials Every Home Should Have
Heloise to headline 2013 Home and Remodeling Show at the Dulles Expo Center.
The high priestess of household hints will share her domestic wisdom this weekend at the 2013 Home and Remodeling Show at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Va. A nationally syndicated columnist, Heloise is one of the presenters scheduled to headline the weekend’s show.
Importance of Recess
Pediatric researchers say unstructured play can help a child’s cognitive, physical, emotional and social development.
Can climbing on monkey bars help a child’s cognitive development? Can a game of tag boost preschooler’s social skills? The nation’s top pediatricians say “yes” and some local educators agree.
Home Design and Décor Trends for 2013
Designers predict what we will see in the year ahead.
What are the design trends that will define the way we live in 2013? Local tastemakers and design experts break down the trends that will be popular this year.
Preparing for a Spring Wonderland
Experts offer advice on what to do now to create a pleasurable outdoor space in spring.
Chilly January temperatures can make spring seem far away. However, it’s closer than you think. A recent Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey from the American Society of Landscape Architects showed that as the weather gets warmer, many want an undemanding, outdoor space.
Home and Remodeling Show Comes to D.C. Area
Nationally Syndicated Columnist Heloise and local contractors will educate homeowners.
Whether you’re planning to renovate an entire house, update an antiquated bathroom, create a more functional kitchen or simply add more color to your home, there will be inspiration and ideas aplenty at the 2013 Home and Remodeling Show.
Unforgettable Spaces
Local designers share their favorite home designs from 2012.
Local interior designers spend their days mixing colors, accessories and furnishings to create chic and stylish rooms. As the new year begins, some local tastemakers look back on some of their most memorable accomplishments.
Advice for Seniors on Fitness in the New Year
Suggestions for making and keeping exercise resolutions.
Mary Garner’s New Year’s resolution is to increase the intensity of her workout routine. The 69-year-old retiree plans to seek the advice of a fitness trainer to create a plan to achieve her goal.
The Quest for Youth and Beauty
Spending billions of dollars to improve one’s appearance.
Hiba Hakki reclines on an exam table as a physician picks up a syringe with his latex-gloved hand and points it at her face. He inserts the needle into the flesh around her eyes. She cringes slightly. This is a Botox injection, just one of the cosmetic procedures Hakki undergoes for the sake of beauty.
Living Up to New Year Resolutions
Benefit of cardio workout plan includes weight loss and decreased heart disease risk.
During Martin McKay’s annual physical examination shortly before the holidays, his doctor suggested that he consider intensifying his cardiovascular exercise routine.
Preparing Home for Holiday Guests
Experts offer checklist for getting a house in tip-top shape.
In addition to shopping, decorating and attending parties, many are making a mad dash to get their homes ready for the holiday visitors.
Avoiding Jet Lag
Medical experts offer suggestions for those traveling across multiple time zones during the holidays.
Every December, Linda McDonald travels from her Oak Hill home to Stockton, Calif., to visit her family for Christmas. She tries to head west a few days before the holiday, but often leaves on Christmas Eve, and arrives feeling hazy and sluggish.
Quick Relief for Holiday Stress
Simple strategies for bringing down anxiety levels in a hurry.
“Listen to your favorite relaxation music on your iPod as you shop. It can help reduce anxiety in overcrowded shops. Reserve time to relax or meditate at peak times of stress.” — Michelle Walters-Edwards, Marymount University
Cosmetic Dentistry for Children
Whether it’s to replace a tooth that was lost or broken during a hockey game or to create a Hollywood-smile before taking the stage for a school play, pediatric dentists say an increasing number of children are undergoing cosmetic dental procedures.
Norwood Raises Money After Hurricane Sandy
Participants raise more than $4,000 to help purchase books, rugs, easels and bookcases.
More than 200 Norwood School students, parents, teachers and staff members walked the grounds of the school’s Potomac campus earlier this month to raise money for schools devastated by Hurricane Sandy in New York City.
Norwood School Raises Money for Those Affected by Hurricane Sandy
Participants raise more than $4,000 to help purchase books, rugs, easels and bookcases.
More than 200 Norwood School students, parents, teachers and staff members walked the grounds of the school’s Potomac campus earlier this month to raise money for schools devastated by Hurricane Sandy.
Tips for Year-End Charitable Giving
Financial experts offer suggestions for ensuring one’s donations are well spent.
’Tis the season for giving, and that includes donations to charities.
Teaching Children to Help Prepare Thanksgiving Dinner
Local chefs share tips and culinary traditions.
Susan Limb recalls spending the Thanksgiving days of her childhood in the kitchen with her grandmother, mother and two sisters. The family’s holiday ritual and the smell of a thyme- and butter-dressed turkey roasting in the oven are ingrained in her memory.
Independent School Admissions: Interviews and Teacher Recommendations
Admissions officers at local schools offer insight into the application process.
Mark Fischer sat with his parents in the plush reception area of one of the region’s elite independent schools, biting his fingernails and tapping his left foot while waiting to speak with an admissions officer for the interview portion of his application.
An Oasis in Potomac
Home’s addition offers views of expansive backyard.
When the owners of a Potomac home decided that they wanted to expand their living space, their goal was to build a haven for family and friends to gather and enjoy spectacular views of their woodsy backyard.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Mental Health professionals highlight potential health benefits of gratitude.
For many, November ushers in a season of giving thanks, an opportunity to express gratitude, but it can mean even more: some researchers say that Thanksgiving might actually be good for your health.
St. Andrew’s Praised for Innovative Educational Approach
National education writer and researcher highlight school’s Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning.
Author, researcher and education blogger Grant Lichtman visited St. Andrew's Episcopal School’s Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL) earlier this month as part of a national tour of schools in search of cutting-edge approaches to education.
Local Pastor Celebrates 61 Years in the Ministry
Potomac Presbyterian Church honors its Parish Advisor Emeritus.
Earlier this month, Potomac Presbyterian Church in Potomac, celebrated Miles’ 61 years in the ministry. Miles marked the occasion by giving a sermon titled, “Finding the Elusive Life.”
Joining Celebrity Chefs At Metro Cooking Show
She created sauces using late husband’s recipe to raise money for Lou Gehrig’s Disease research.
Connie Griffith, president and chief executive officer of Gator Ron's Zesty Sauces & Mixes, will showcase the products created by her husband Ron.
Learning To Walk in Others’ Shoes
Special Needs Awareness Week at Wayside teaches acceptance and empathy.
“I went into someone's shoes,” said Yoon. “I would feel really frustrated. I'm thankful that I don't have a disability." Yoon’s activities were part of a weeklong Wayside initiative called SNAP (Special Needs Awareness Program), which is aimed at fostering empathy and sensitivity to others in the students.
A Finishing Touch
Local designers share tips for choosing finishes when remodeling a kitchen.
When remodeling a kitchen, choosing finishes such as countertop materials and paint colors can be daunting for some. Design experts say there are a few guidelines that can simplify the process.
Arrangements To Fall For
Creating bouquets that celebrate the bounty of the season.
Create a field-inspired arrangement by sculpting a pumpkin to use as a vase. “Sometimes we will hollow out a pumpkin, put a liner in it and make an arrangement with mums, pretty fall leaves and millet or bittersweet,” said Evelyn Kinville of the Behnke Florist Shop in Potomac.
Bringing Home Colors of Fall
Late-blooming flowers are exploding with orange, yellow, purple and other vivid shades.
“Fall is a great time to plant,” said Claire Seesman of the Potomac Garden Center in Potomac. “There are a lot of fall blooming perennials: Echinacea (also known as purple cone flowers), ornamental fall grasses, mums, pansies, cabbage and kale are huge right now.”
Veteran To Visit Wayside Elementary
Appearance is part of school’s Special Needs Awareness Week.
A Potomac native, former U.S. Army officer and decorated Iraq War veteran will return to the area next week to share a message of acceptance with some local students. Luis Montalván, who sustained both physical and emotional wounds while serving in the military, will speak at Wayside Elementary School in Potomac as part of the school’s Special Needs Awareness Week (SNAP).
Bazaar Yields Middle Eastern Flavor
Volunteers make annual church event possible.
The sun beamed down from an early autumn sky, making a picturesque backdrop for Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church’s 29th annual fall bazaar on Sept. 21-23 in Potomac. The annual event included music, crafts and Middle Eastern food.
Teen Protects Friend From Speeding Baseball
Boy’s quick action prevented serious injury.
Two Potomac boys returned to school this year with a harrowing story of bravery and friendship. Fourteen-year-old Sam Parven and 11-year-old Donny Campuzano say they were selling pretzels for a vendor at a Bethesda Big Train baseball game this summer when a second baseman hit a line-drive foul ball into the stands.
Students Raise Money for School in Haiti
St. Andrews’ officials attend building dedication on Sept. 11 in Civol.
Some Potomac students and school officials from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School helped make an educational dream a reality for students at a school in Haiti and were on hand when a new school building was dedicated in Civol, Haiti, Sept. 11.
Time for School
Advice on how to transition from a laid-back summer to a hectic academic year.
When Ellen Feldman’s 5-year-old son started school for last fall, one of the biggest adjustments for the single mother of two was having to adhere to a schedule. “All of a sudden we went from being able to do things on our own time frame to having to wake up and be at a certain place at a certain time,” said Feldman. “Sending my son off to school for the first time was exciting, but also difficult.”
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