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FIRSTfriday on April Fools Day!

So basically, anything goes. We're hosting a reception for this month's featured artist, Ged McManus, at our offices on Friday evening, from 5:30-7:30. Ged's art, as you can see here, is powerful and lovely. Drop in for a drink and a nosh, to meet the artist and shoot the breeze with the rest of us.

As prep for the exhibit, I asked Ged to give me a bio, and this is what he sent me, unedited and delightful:

Ged McManus is a laconic, brutish sort whose native insensitivity is balanced only by the long hours he spends at work. A slave to his own proclivities, Ged passes his time commiserating with his Boston Terrier (Rudy) and "towel-gliding" off the roof of the shed that stores his beloved hockey equipment. Upon their reading of this, Ged will be survived by his wife of 26 years (AnnaLise) and two daughters (Hendrika and Josephine). In the off-hours, you can find Ged at Ireland's Four Provinces, where he indulges his omnipresent struggle to find meaning in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...

Join us, won't you?

Who Knew Art Could Make Such a Difference?

Since the first of 2011, we have been participating in FIRSTfriday of Falls Church. Each month a different artist is featured on the walls of our office. I had no idea the impact this revolving display would have on us.

Our first month featured Christine Miller: her landscapes and still lifes were calming, subdued, classic. It was a treat to be surrounded by "real art" -- oils and pastels on canvases, framed beautifully. Christine's work made me feel grown up.

In February, Wendy Wang's paintings went up. Her style is quite different from Christine's. Her background in portraiture showed in her ballet pieces, but much of her art was very free form and alluring. More abstract, and quite stimulating here in the office. The nude that went up over the sofa was spectacular. Wendy's work made me feel sophisticated.

Now, for March, Atti Vakili Wheeler has taken over our space with vibrant colors and dancers that pop right off their canvases. The life and energy they bring are especially obvious coming as they do at the end of winter. Her work has put a spring in all of our steps. Atti's work makes me feel ALIVE.

The point of all this -- art can have a profound impact on both mood and ambiance. I can't tell you how exciting it is to watch the change as new art is rotated in...everyone is affected. Art draws you out of yourself. It can be as mind-altering as music, as uplifting as sunshine.

We celebrate these artists at a reception on the first Friday evening of each month. But if you're in the area any time, stop in and see what's hanging on our walls. This is like owning a private gallery. I can't wait to see what's next! 

Are You Looking for Fine Dining in Falls Church?

I have the solution for you...Idylwood Grill! This charming restaurant - and wine bar - is located in the strip mall that's behind the Idylwood Plaza shopping center (where Whole Foods is located on Route 7). You would NEVER guess that this gem is hiding here.

First, let me tell you about the ambiance. It's cozy and personal, warm and welcoming. On Yelp, one reviewer described it as "smaller bistro feel with bustling New York-esque environment," and I have to agree. The lighting is soft, and the sound level is controlled well enough that even when it's crowded you can still have a comfortable conversation.

Second, the service is great - attentive without interfering. Wait staff is both accommodating and ready with helpful suggestions, and the owner is usually on site, so you will probably meet him. He's delightful, and very knowledgeable about the wine pairings. Trust his judgement, Hedi knows his stuff. Your food will arrive hot (!), and you'll never be rushed.

And now to the food...exquisite! Idylwood Grill serves a broad range of dishes, with a list of specials that are always reliable. Wine suggestions are included on the Specials menu. Steaks are cooked to perfection, seafood is fresh and delicious, pastas are dreamy creations. And the sides are modern takes on traditional ingredients.

Take a chance on this neighborhood find. You'll be delighted with this Georgetown-like dining experience in such a convenient location. It's the perfect date night restaurant minus the hassle of driving into the city.

Idylwood Grill, 2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church, VA 22043 Reservations: 703-992-0915

Come to the annual Valentine's Auction and Gala to benefit the Falls Church Winter Homeless Shelter

On Saturday, February 12th, you are invited to this fabulous event! From 8 until 11pm, you can help support the Falls Church Winter Shelter while you party to the live music of Sudden M-Pac, with their own Andre Jackson serving as Master of Ceremonies. There will be a wide assortment of delicious food from many Falls Church restaurants, and Rob Donovan will be behind the bar.

Opportunities for FUNdraising will include both live and silent auctions and raffles. There are some terrific auction items already, with more coming in everyday. You can bid on a Photo Safari (6 days) in South Africa (value $4000), a Beach house in Captiva for a week, an Outer Banks beach house for a week, a signed soccer ball from the Washington Freedom, or a signed Stevie Ray Vaughn poster. There's also a Washington Freedom jersey signed by all the original players, some one-on-one soccer coaching, restaurant gift certificates, manicures and pedicures, handyman and landscaping services.

You may know that homelessness is on the rise, and our area is no exception. During these freezing winter months, the Shelter is filled to capacity. Each night, it provides a warm bed to its 12 residents, plus a shower, and a hot evening meal. Counseling services and mentoring from community volunteers strive to move the residents into more permanent housing solutions. All of this takes time, energy and funding...which leads to you!

For $25 (by Feb 5), or $35 at the door, you can enjoy this exciting evening of great food and great music for a great cause. You can purchase your tickets online or by sending a check (made out to Falls Church Winter Shelter) with the names of the attendees to Jody Kane, 1100 N. Tuckahoe Street, Falls Church 22046. The Gala will be held at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Building at 4301 Wilson Blvd., Arlington 22203. There's free parking underneath on Taylor.

And for more information, to donate, or to volunteer, please contact Stacy Hennessey (of Fall Properties, of course!) at stacyhennessey@gmail.com or 703-395-4868, or email Hannah Jordan at HJordan3@cox.net.

We Are What We Eat!

This time of year (post holidays, pre-Spring) it's easy to let the gray skies, cold temps and shorter days affect your mood. But there are foods you can turn to that can help -- and I'm not talking about that half pint of Ben & Jerry's!

If you need to lighten things up, try adding some B vitamins -- they stimulate the brain's production of serotonin and will help you relax. Almonds, pistachios and walnuts are great sources of B6, and salmon, scallops, shrimp and yogurt will all boost your B12.

Want to manage your anger? Potassium lowers your blood pressure, and eating avocados, bananas, black beans, and potatoes should help. Do you get sick easily this time of year? Pound the vitamin C -- it's not just in orange juice. Blueberries, broccoli, green peppers and tomatoes are all good sources, and they won't just boost your immune system. They also help you de-stress by reducing free radicals.

Magnesium relaxes muscles, blood vessels and your GI tract, acting as a natural tranquilizer to help you get a deeper, more restful sleep. Chickpeas, lentils, oatmeal and spinach in your diet should give you the sweet dreams you deserve.

So make some changes to your diet, an you'll find yourself happier, calmer, and better rested. And much more likely to survive the winter of 2011 with a smile on your face.

What Are You Thankful For?

Some Thoughts on the Season...from Karen Haines, Office Manager

  Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday -- the friends, the family, the tradition...and the delicious meal! But the best thing about Thanksgiving is the sentiment at its core -- giving Thanks.

It's so easy to charge through the days without stopping to think about everything that is good in our lives. When times are tough, and they have been tough for awhile now, it's especially important to take time to see the many things we have to be thankful for.

Many families start the Thanksgiving meal by sharing what each member is grateful for, and these are usually big things: good health, roof over our heads, jobs, love. But there are an infinite number of smaller things that we should take time to appreciate, too.

I would challenge each of you to spend some time during this always hectic holiday season to notice and acknowledge all of the good things in your life. Author Sarah Ban Breathnach encourages us to keep a gratitude journal, where you make note of five things you are grateful for at the end of every day. In the evening, run through the events of your day, choose the five things that made you happy to be alive: a beautiful sunset, a $5 bill in your jeans, an email from a friend.

You will find that taking the time to see the gifts in your day will teach you to look for those gifts more readily...and life will start to seem friendlier. Sleep will come easier if you are content instead of agitated. You will see more possibilities in the world, and less roadblocks. There is no 'down side' to focusing on gratitude.

As we head into the cold and dark of winter, make your own warmth and light with this simple attitude adjustment. Focus your energies on positive happenings in your life. Let go of the negative issues you cannot change. Look for the silver lining, the glass half full, the light at the end of the tunnel -- there's a reason these phrases are familiar. It's in our nature to be hopeful

Keep your own gratitude journal, whether you write five things down or just try to be more aware of their existence during the day. Your world will be brighter, your load will be lighter, you'll smile more and laugh easier. Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Merry Christmas, Joyous Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, Feliz Navidad! I am grateful for this job that allows me to write from my heart every now and then. I hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving.

 

Fair Season is Underway!

It's summertime, and that means it's time for local county fairs. Our nine local fairs all have standard fare: carnival rides, food & craft vendors, and an assortment of livestock on display. We've tried to highlight the most interesting attractions that each fair has to offer. Find one that sounds like fun, and GO! It's really a part of Americana, don't you think?

Loudoun County Fair - Sunday 7/25 thru Saturday 7/31 - Ives Brothers (Extreme cyclists), Masters of the chainsaw show, Great Outhouse Race, professional bull riding, Timberworks Lumberjack Show, and their first annual Karaoke contest.

Fairfax County 4-H Fair - Friday 8/6 thru Sunday 8/8 - Horse show, Pie eating and Watermelon seed spitting contests, wagon rides and tractor pull.

Howard County Fair - Saturday 8/7 thru Saturday 8/14 - Live music, Stock car racing, Petting zoo and Pony rides.

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair - Friday 8/13 thru Saturday 8/21 - Monster truck show, Rodeo, Kid Zone with interactive games and activities, So You Think You Can Dance contest, Toilet decorating contest (!) and Watermelon seed spitting contest.

Prince William County Fair - Friday 8/13 thru Saturday 8/21 - Chocolate Challenge Competition, R&R Productions demolition derby, KYDA Pro Wrestling, and Freestyle Motocross Jumpoff.

Arlington County Fair - Wednesday 8/18 thru Sunday 8/22 - Bixby's Rainforest Rescue! features special appearances by Bixby's many rainforest animal friends: Treetop the singing toucan, Allie the 18 foot albino Burmese python, Juan the green-winged macaw, and Tikatu the Kinkajou.

Prince George's County Fair - Thursday 9/9 thru Sunday 9/12 - Beautiful Baby contest, Clydesdale horse presentation, and Magic show.

Anne Arundel County Fair - Wednesday 9/14 thru Sunday 9/19 - Live entertainment by Kid*Fiddles, the Fitzmaurice Band, and Big Cam and the Lifters, plus Arundel Idol #4, Queen contest, tractor and horse pull, and a Tug of War.

The Great Frederick Fair - Friday 9/17 thru Saturday 9/25 - Tractor pull and Demolition derby, but this fair is known for its live musical entertainment: Three Dog Night, Jo Dee Messina, Kevin Skinner, Rodney Atkins, Chris Young, Craig Morgan, and Danny Gokey! 

Thinking About Making a Move? Come to our Open Houses on Sunday

Yes, it's crazy hot outside, but these homes all have air conditioning!

First we have a darling 1 bedroom 1 bath top floor condo in Fairlington Village - at 2847 S. Abingdon Street, #C-2, Arlington 22206. It features a primo kitchen with granite counters and ceramic tile floor and backsplash, upgraded bathroom, and the walk-in closet in the bedroom has a professionally installed organizational system. HVAC and hot water heater were new in 2007. Linda Aldave will be holding it open on Sunday from 1-4.

Next is a perfect 2 bedroom 2 bath penthouse condo at West Village at Shirlington - 4069 S. Four Mile  Run Drive, #402, Arlington 22204. This unit is like new (3 yrs young) with 1135 sqft of living space. Gorgeous eat-in kitchen with granite and stainless steel, formal dining room, and grand living room that opens its French doors to an enclosed sun room. With great amenities -- pool, state of the art gym, free shuttle to Metro -- and walking distance to all that Shirlington has to offer. Michelle Sagatov will greet you there from 1-4 on Sunday.

Finally, Bruce Fall will be sitting the open house at his listing in North Old Town Alexandria - a sweet 1 bedroom 1 bath condo at 529 Bashford Lane, #3, Alexandria 22314  . This 2nd floor unit is cheerfully bright, with exposure on 3 sides, and comes with a wood burning fireplace, antique hardwood floors, and an amazing commuter location: only one light and just minutes to downtown DC. Open Sunday from 1-4.

Great New Listing in Fairlington Arbor!

Laura Fall and Bruce Fall have another listing in Fairlington, at 4403 S. 36th Street, Arlington, VA 22206. This is a 2 bedroom + den, 2 full bath Clarendon model with 1500sqft on 3 finished levels, priced at only $419,900.

Life in Fairlington offers a fantastic commuter location, close to I395 and just minutes from the Pentagon, Washington DC, and Crystal City. Enjoy all the nearby fun in Shirlington with theaters, restaurants and shopping. It's an easy drive into Old Town Alexandria, packed with events, art galleries, restaurants and shops, a Farmers Market, and so much more.

Do you like to bike (or skate, or jog, or walk)? Nearby Four Mile Run bike trail merges with the W&OD Trail and the Mt. Vernon Trail to give you easy access to much of Northern Virginia and Washington DC. 

This historically preserved community features stately brick Colonial townhouses with slate roofs, beautiful community landscaping, walking paths, outdoor pool, tennis courts and an active community center.

This home qualifies for the Home Buyer Tax Credit.

April = Spring = Farmer's Markets = JOY!

  I've started putting together some story ideas for our quarterly newsletter, and one thing we always include in the Spring issue is a guide to our local Farmer's Markets, that I mainly steal from the Washington Post after we fact-check their info. But this is a topic that is very dear to me.

In Falls Church (VA), we now have a year-round Farmer's Market. I've always been a huge fan of buying local produce, but the market offerings today are amazing! Sure, you can still get the freshest fruits and veges available in your area, but I believe that the impact of Boomers reinventing themselves has affected the diversity of products. At my local FM, we have bakers (of course), free-range meat and bison(!), artisan cheeses, fresh mozzarella, handmade truffles, a mushroom guy (who knew there were so many kinds of mushrooms?), crabcakes & gazpacho, empanadas, herbal soaps, honey, jams, fresh eggs, homemade pastas, flowers & plants, and even a Master Gardener Plant Clinic. All I need at the grocery store is dog food!

Chefs in the know have been touting the delights of locally grown products for since the 70's. Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA built her reputation (and her restaurant) on serving only the highest quality products only during their natural growing season. Want to make your mouth water? Take a look at her current menu. Locally, Ris Lacoste of Georgetown's 1789 restaurant has made local produce a must. And Roberto Donna, of Galileo & Bebe Trattoria fame, has a section on his website dedicated entirely to fresh local ingredients.

Between 1996 and 2006, the number of Farmer's Markets in the US almost doubled. And the interest in eating healthier crosses all lines -- racial, economic, regional. We are what we eat. While I was preparing to write this blog, I took a look at what Amazon.com is showing in "locally grown" cookbooks. Two that are going on my wish list are Ivy Manning's The Farm to Table Cookbook: The Art of Eating Locally and Myra Goodman's Food to Live By: The Earthbound Farm Organic Cookbook. Plus the foodie magazines are filled with recipes built around fresh local produce. Here's a link to Spring recipes from epicurious.com, home for both Bon Appetit and Gourmet magazines.

Find your local Farmer's Markets and start taking advantage of this tremendous resource. Not only will you be taking better care of yourself, but you'll be supporting smaller Family farms, sustainable agriculture, and your local economy. Happy shopping -- and don't forget to take your own reusable bags. You can't be too green.