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Staying Fit During the Holidays

Staving off extra pounds during the season of sweets.

Patty McAndrews works out with a trainer twice a week at of TRUE Health and Wholeness in Arlington. She found that restarting her fitness regimen about two months ago has strengthened her abdominal muscles and toned her body.

Holiday Recipe Makeovers

Strategies for keeping traditional treats healthy

When Alice Jenkins saw her doctor two months ago, he diagnosed her with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and suggested she change her diet and lose about 30 pounds. Lawson, 45, started a diet program and has lost nine and a half pounds, but now that she’s in the midst of the holiday season, she’s concerned about losing the strides that she’s made with her dietary changes. "I have a large family and we get together a lot during the holidays," said Lawson, who lives in Alexandria. "There is always sweet potato pie, macaroni and cheese, and deep fried turkey."

"Scanticipation" Not So Much

As much as last week’s column, "Scanticipation" was about my looking forward – in a non-foreboding way, to my scheduled CT Scan on the 27th and the presumptive positive (not negative) results, having to write a column for this week before having received those results makes this writing effort particularly challenging.


Every Tweet Counts

How Republican Brian Schoeneman earned wrath of his party by making sure every vote counted in county.

On the morning of Nov. 6, the day after the general election, it appeared that Republican Mark Obenshain had eked out a razor-thin victory over Democrat Mark Herring to become Virginia’s next Attorney General. Like most hotly-contested political battles, the close race generated even closer scrutiny.

Editorial: Who Will Be Hurt?

Innovations, changes and cuts designed to help the budget should be subject to analysis of how they will affect those on the short end of the economic and digital divide.

As Fairfax County faces a tight budget year and Fairfax County Public Schools consider significant cuts, clearly some changes are going to affect services on the ground. As various proposals emerge, there should be some specific analysis of how changes, innovations and cuts would affect the poorest one-third or so of the county’s residents specifically.

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Obituary: Grace Jarman Dawson, 93

During the 1960s as a volunteer 4-H club leader, Grace Dawson played a key role in the acquisition and early development of Frying Pan Park.

On Wednesday Nov. 27, 2013, Grace Jarman Dawson, 93, died peacefully at home in Purcellville, Va. She was born on June 3, 1920 in Crozet, Va. to Mattie and George Jarman, one of seven children.


Classified Advertising November 27, 2013

Read the lastest ads here!

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Usury Explosion: Northern Virginia Becomes Hotbed for Car-Title Lending Industry

Route 1 corridor currently has eight locations; soon to get ninth.

In the last three years, dozens of new car-title lending businesses have popped up in neighborhoods across Northern Virginia — the result of recent regulations opening the door to a business that charges as much as 264 percent a year on loans.

Column: "Scanticipation"

When I get CT-Scanned on Wednesday, November 27th, it will be nearly four months since my last diagnostic scan. That occurred during my hospital "staycation" during the first week of August, when I was admitted due to the extremely abnormal fluid buildup in my left lung.


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Navigating Local Holiday Craft Shows

Supporting local artisans and getting one-of-a-kind gifts

Madeline Marzilli plans to start making her Christmas list right after her Thanksgiving house guests leave this weekend. On her list will be one-of-a-kind items for family and friends that she hopes to pick up at some of the local holiday craft shows.

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Opportunities to Serve Others on Thanksgiving

Local charities in need of help from the community.

Rahsan Baatin bikes to his Arlington, Va., office on most days. He runs every day. His wife Victoria swims each morning. The two are gearing up to spend Thanksgiving morning running The Trot for Hunger, a 5k race to raise more for the local charity SOME (So Others Might Eat).

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Keeping the "Thanks" in Thanksgiving

Focusing on gratitude on a day reserved for feasting.

"Pilgrims," said James, 5, as his mother helped him fasten his helmet for a hockey lesson at the Cabin John Ice Rink near Potomac. "Turkey and pie," said his 6-year-old classmate Aiden. Both boys were responding to a question about the meaning of Thanksgiving.


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Creating a Beautiful Thanksgiving Table

Local designers offer suggestions for laying the perfect tablescape.

While food preparation can be all-consuming on Thanksgiving Day, the table décor also plays a major role in a Turkey Day feast. Whether your style is subdued and casual or chic and sophisticated, local designers offer ideas and inspiration for table settings that are as delectable as the meal itself.

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Library’s Beta Plan: Dead on Arrival

Supervisors endorse Library Board’s recommendations to increase funding, discard beta plan.

"You can assume that the BETA Plan is dead. I will make that motion tomorrow." In her email to a concerned library patron the night before the Board of Supervisors Nov. 19 meeting, Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-at-large) put to rest speculation that the board would resuscitate the controversial beta plan aimed at streamlining the county’s library system.

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Community Creates Season of Giving

Organizations and individuals step to transform ‘The Holiday Season’ into ‘The Season of Giving.’

Thursday, Thanksgiving, traditionally marks the beginning of "The Holiday Season." The Christmas Shopping Derby will kick off at midnight for many of the big retailers, and the frantic rush of decorating, card sending, gift buying, wrapping, parties, baking, cooking, preparing for visitors or preparing to travel shifts into high gear.


Herndon’s Annual 5K Turkey Trot Brings Out Crowds

November race brings together community.

"Way to go! You are doing great!" cheered Wolf Gottschalk as participants in the 2013 Herndon Turkey Trot ran by Ferndale Avenue near the Herndon Community Center.

Three Birds Seeks Energy Education

Foundation seeks to assist schools with alternative energy solutions.

When Rachel Carson Middle School installed 11 solar panels several years ago, Joseph Plummer was inspired. After all, the students worked to raise more than $40,000 for the installation, which gave them a hands-on chance to learn about alternative energy sources.

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Holiday Homes Tour Set for Dec. 7

Annual tour features five homes, will be walkable for the first time.

The Town of Herndon will host its annual Holiday Homes Tour Saturday, Dec. 7, giving visitors a chance to explore five residences and the visions of their owners.


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Dranesville Elementary Holds Fun Run

Fun Run attended by all grades called a success.

Dranesville Elementary School in Herndon had a fun run fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 15, with students from third grade through sixth grade gathering at 9:15 a.m.

Herndon Drama Proves ‘Anything’s Possible’

Imagine a tiny world, smaller than the eye can see. Imagine it hurtling through space with no direction. Imagine this little planet, and know that it is possible. By just thinking, anything is possible. Herndon High School masterfully illustrated this power of imagination in their rendering of "Seussical the Musical."