Wellbeing: Back to Work
Angst, readjustment as employees return to the office
More than one year after the emergence of COVID-19 and the subsequent, work-from-home mandates, many employees are heading back to the office.
Living with Adult Children
Creating livable spaces that balance the security of family with the need for independence
When June Joyce’s husband died two years ago, she was lonely living alone in the sprawling Alexandria family home where the couple raised their four children.
95 and Counting
Seniors who are 95 and older reflect on life and offer advice to younger people.
95-year-old Howard Eisenberg says he was carded recently and asked to provide proof of his age as he boarded a train on his way to visit his 80-year-old girlfriend.
This Summer Will Be a Balancing Act
Parents face a dilemma: give much needed mental break vs. boosting skills
As camps, swimming pools and simply spending time with friends were cancelled last summer and then followed by a tumultuous school year filled with uncertainty, parents are left to grapple with how to walk the fine line between catching up academically and tending to the overall well-being of their children.
HomeLifeStyle: Style for the Great Outdoors
Designers see uptick in requests for porches and other outdoor spaces
A longing to spend more time outside after a year-and-a-half spent inside is driving a trend in home design, including an uptick in requests for projects like screened porches and patios.
Wellbeing: Faith Sustained Many During COVID-19 Crisis
How a belief in a higher power helped some people cope with pandemic
As she experienced the emotions and uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic, Bracha Goetz turned to the tenets of her faith.
Senior Living: Just Can’t Wait to Get Back on the Road Again
Vaccinated Seniors plan vacations, trips to reunite with family
Sifting through photos of rafting trips through Labyrinth Canyon on the tranquil waters of the Green River and hiking in the Needles district of Utah’s Canyonlands National Park, Arlene Richter recalls her past travels as she begins planning for new adventures.
Celebrating Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Importance emphasized in context of recent discrimination and hate crimes.
Educational videos and online trivia questions, organized by the school's Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Committee, are giving Montgomery College students an opportunity for reflection, while food, music and film offer students at Marymount University in Arlington a glimpse of a different culture.
HomeLifeStyle: Elevating the Bathroom
Ideas for budget and luxury bathrooms
Sometimes regarded as a strictly functional space, bathrooms might bring to mind brushing and flossing rather than style and comfort.
Wellbeing: Meeting Increased Mental Health Needs
Affordable treatment options highlighted during National Mental Health Month
Resulting from the tumultuous and emotionally charged past year, there's been an uptick in reported mental health conditions.
Style After Retirement
Great fashion sense is possible at any stage.
At 78, Winifred Rosenberg has always been known for her impeccable style and taste.
When it’s Time to Downsize
Suggestions for transitioning to a new living community
The decision to trade the comfort of home where you’ve lived for years and transition to retirement can evoke a range of emotions.
Helping Children Improve Their Writing
Practical suggestions for boosting skills
When Stacie Dougherty read an essay that her seventh grade son wrote for a Language Arts writing assignment, she became concerned.
HomeLifeStyle: Kitchen Trends for 2021
Local designers say bold colors and durable materials are popular.
As the command station for many households, kitchens are for more than just cooking.
Creating Healthy Mother-Daughter Relationships
Local authors and therapists offer thoughts and guidance.
As a middle school student, Sofie Jacobs was at times mocked by other girls for her fastidious study habits and the good grades she received as a result.
HomeLifeStyle: McLean Home
Sunny, free-flowing home created by removing walls and adding windows.
After relocating to McLean from the West Coast and purchasing a home, the family knew that major changes were needed to accommodate their family, which includes two children.
Potomac Home Gets Family-Friendly Remodel
Six bedrooms, each with its own bathroom
Having relocated 18 times in 30 years, a local couple had enough design experience to have ideas in place when they moved into their Potomac, Maryland home.
Wellbeing: A Schedule Can Anchor Your Day
How creating a daily routine can ease anxiety during times of uncertainty
Her days were overwhelmingly stressful.
The Value of Intergenerational Relationships
The lives of both youth and seniors are enhanced by meaningful connections.
Bringing seniors and youth together for meaningful relationships can be mutually beneficial.
Leveling the Playing Field in School
Advocating for children with special needs or learning disabilities
When Lisa Lightner's son Kevin was two years old, she discovered that he would need special learning support in school.
New Community with Park-Like Environment in McLean
Park Grove neighborhood inspired by former National Parks Director George Hartzog
A former public servant’s creative vision and dedication to preserving parklands was the inspiration behind a new residential area in Northern Virginia.
Wellbeing: When a Loved One Is Hospitalized with Covid-19
Coping with separation and uncertainty
For years, being able to talk with his mother, Carole Isaacs, nearly every day was a gift that Marc Stern treasured, so when he was unable to reach her for several days, he became concerned.
Sorority Sisters Celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris
Joy, tears and hope about this historic moment in history
Wearing their sorority’s signature strand of pearls and clothing in shades of pink and green, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority members Martha Coleman and Shirley Dickerson Taylor were filled with awe and jubilation as they watched their sorority sister and fellow Historically Black College and University (HBCU) alum Kamala Harris, sworn in as Vice President of the United States.
Helping Children Navigate Anxiety
Sharing feelings, listening without judgement during current political turmoil
As communities cope with the shock of daunting images of the recent riot at the U.S. Capitol, the mental health toll on children and teens can be significant but go unnoticed, say local therapists.
Master Bath Gets Minor Overhaul with Major Impact
Simple changes add storage and light.
When the owners of a condominium in a high-rise building in Alexandria decided to give their master bathroom an update, they knew that the basic footprint of the space could not be altered.
HomeLifeStyle: Arlington Home Gets a Facelift
New design includes additional space for growing family
When the owners of a cozy and laid-back home in Arlington decided to enlarge their 1,600-square-foot abode to better accommodate their growing family, they sought help from architect Michael Winn.
HomeLifeStyle: Sunroom with an Abundance of Light
Large windows make the space bright and airy.
When the owners of a colonial, built in 1963 in Potomac, Md. decided to renovate their home, they wanted to make sure the traditional charm was maintained in an updated aesthetic that allows for streams of natural light.
HomeLifeStyle: Creating a Calm Interior
Soothing spaces offer serenity during difficult times.
In the current times of turbulence and uncertainty, many are looking for a haven for serenity and calm.
Gentle and Subtle Resolutions for 2021
Try small, simple and achievable goals
For 2021, local mental health professionals advise being gentle with yourself when creating the daily schedules and resolutions that often come with the beginning of the New Year.
Surviving Christmas Day in Solitude
Ideas for coping with being alone on the holiday
While Christmas Day will be different and difficult for many this year, it will be especially difficult for seniors who live alone and will be in solitude because of COVID-19 risks.
A Holiday Season Reimagined
The pandemic leads to altered and new traditions.
When schools adjourn for winter break, the anticipation of a COVID-19 pandemic holiday season will become a reality.
Have Yourself a Sober Little Christmas
Batting addictions during the holidays
With the holidays come an increase in imbibing.
Seniors and the Flu
Getting vaccinated can reduce hospital visits and admissions during anticipated shortage due to COVID-19
While shopping for dinner on a recent Wednesday afternoon, Roger Whitehead spotted a sign near the pharmacy of a grocery store near his home in Alexandria.
Holiday Celebrations COVID-Style
Dealing with separation from family and friends
The decision to spend holidays away from loved ones can be a necessity during the coronavirus pandemic.
Addressing the Demands of Virtual University Classrooms
Marymount psychology professor offers solution to distance learning obstacles
For some students and professors, the loss of in-person contact has disrupted higher education and the experiences that often accompany it.
Thanksgiving Decor in the Era of Covid-19
Creating dining elegance at a distance
Naomi Patterson’s Thanksgiving table is usually set with linen dinner napkins, cleaned and starched, and her wedding china, ecru with a platinum border.
Decompressing after a Divisive Election
Limit time on social media or watching post-election coverage
The moments that stretched her to her professional limits came immediately after the 2016 presidential election.
Preventing Falls
Physical exercise and home safety reduce risk
One of the leading causes of fatal injuries in older adults is falling.
National Book Month
Month-long celebration focuses on engaging families in reading, writing and literature
It’s a line from the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, that is at the heart of the literary philosophy of Anne Briggs, web services and communications librarian at Montgomery College Library.
Home Library Design
Designers offer ideas for spaces with style and comfort.
Once thought of as space for academics to smoke cigars and sip whiskey, the era of covid-19 has transformed home libraries into now cozy places of refuge.
Creating a Spooky and Safe Halloween in the Age of COVID-19
Ideas for frightful revelry abound even amid coronavirus concerns.
Cartoon character Marshall from Paw Patrol will be searching for chocolate while a tiny pop star tracks down toys as Arlington mother and teacher Becky Beach and her family celebrate the spookiest day of the year.
Getting in Shape at 60, 70 and 80
Starting where you are and staying consistent among suggestions from healthy and fit seniors.
Whether starting a fitness program after the age of 70 or restarting one after raising children and midlife career building, local seniors share inspiring stories of how achieving and maintaining fitness, health and wellness allows them to lead fulfilling, happy and active lives.
Safe Spaces for Productive Racial Discussions
Components that should be included in effective forums.
As symbols of racial tension and injustice seemed ubiquitous this summer, a group of parishioners at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Alexandria began meeting virtually to engage in dialogues about the thorny issue of race.
Last Chance to See the ASPIRE HOUSE in McLean
Design showhouse closes on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Designing a dream home can be likened to assembling a haute couture wardrobe.
Impact of Extended Social Isolation on Teens and Tweens
Psychiatrists and psychologists say that missing opportunities to connect with peers can cause long-term damage.
After a summer of postponed vacations, closed pools and limited summer camps, all a byproduct of COVID-19, parents are concerned about the wellbeing of their children.
For Seniors, Love Is Not Cancelled
This region is a prime location for meeting and dating other single seniors.
A 67-year-old widower, who lives in Old Town, met a woman who is divorced and 65 on eHarmony.
Distance Learning for Children with ADHD
Decreasing stress and increasing success in a virtual classroom
Voncia Hartley and her 10-year old son Kelvin are dreading the first day of school this year.
Black Interior Designers on Industry’s Lack of Inclusion and Diversity
Local tastemakers speak honestly about racial barriers within the profession.
As recent racial injustice protests have brought issues of diversity and inclusion to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness, local interior designers of color are voicing concerns about equity and underrepresentation within the industry.
Back-to-School Vaccinations Required, Even with Distance Learning
Free vaccine clinics are designed to help ensure that all children are vaccinated.
While there’s a cloud of uncertainty over what the back-to school season will look like this year, one thing is certain: children still need to be vaccinated.