Arts + Culture

At NIH’s Children’s Inn, Christmas Magic Arrives in July

For many families, Christmas is a time of traditions: waking up to presents beneath the tree, gathering around the dinner table, and watching a child’s face light up when Santa arrives. For families staying at The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, those moments can feel especially meaningful—and in July, they bring a little bit of Christmas magic to an otherwise uncertain time.The Children’s Inn is celebrating “Christmas in July,” giving children and...

Travel

Why Explora Journeys Redefined Luxury Cruising for Me

Some birthdays call for a party. This one called for the Mediterranean, seven ports, a private cocktail celebration surrounded by the people I love, and a ship that felt more like an intimate boutique hotel than anything I’d experienced at sea before.I had the delight of spending two weeks with my closest family and friends sailing with Explora Journeys aboard the EXPLORA I, from Athens to Barcelona, with three nights in Athens beforehand and two nights in Barcelona to close things out. It was...

Arts + Culture

The Jack of All Trades

Zibby Owens is an author, podcaster, bookstore owner, media company owner, and Substacker. As a self-proclaimed “huge book lover,” she has always idolized authors, wanting to help disappointed authors and give back to those from whom she has gained so much knowledge. Before launching her podcast, Owens interned at an adolescent psychiatric hospital, worked on the Kodak account at Ogilvy, did marketing for internet startups, wrote for a myriad of newspapers and magazines, ghostwrote a book...

Arts + Culture

Everything You Need to Know

About the Etiquette and Trends of Washington’s Most Fabulous Weddings Article by Alison M. Cheperdak, J.D. | Photography by Provided Washington weddings are a fascinating study in tradition and evolution. Even when couples call Washington home, many of their guests do not. Ours is a uniquely transient city shaped by people who have moved here from across the country and around the world. Weddings here often become a blending of regions, family traditions, cultural backgrounds, expectations...

Arts + Culture

Paws of the Neighborhood:

Meet the Dogs Stealing Our Hearts (and Our Couches) Article by Jessica DeArmond | Photography by Provided Every great neighborhood has its characters; the ones who turn a quiet walk into a story worth telling. This month, we're putting the spotlight on three local dogs whose personalities are as big as their presence in the homes (and hearts) they rule. Newman: The Spuds McKenzie of the Block With his sharp black-and-white markings and unmistakable swagger, Newman could pass for the...

Life + Culture

Thirty Summers In

After three decades building Headfirst, Brendan Sullivan is still focused on the same mission: helping young people discover what they're capable of. Article and Photography by Collab Collective For thirty summers, Brendan Sullivan has been asking the same question: How do you create experiences that help young people discover what they're capable of? The question has shaped Headfirst from the beginning. What started as a single private lesson has grown into an organization serving thousands...

Life + Culture

From Rescue to Recipe:

How One Pup Inspired a Line of Treats Made with Love Article by Johanna Hsu | Photography by Michelle Dawkins The most profound journeys often begin with the simplest of gestures—a quiet moment, a soft touch, or, in my case, the weight of a rescue pup resting her head on my shoulder. It was this small act of trust that anchored my heart, and in February 2021, my life was forever changed when I adopted Mayonnaise, affectionately known as "Mayo" from the Briggs Animal Rescue Center in West...

Entertainment

Bridging Gaps, Connecting Communities

"Don't follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." — Ralph Waldo EmersonChange dominates today’s world. Between constant smartphone upgrades, to groundbreaking AI discoveries to global events, each week puts a new headline in the spotlight. These shifts are also making waves at the regional level, from the housing market to the newest trending spots. Amidst these changes, residents don't just need something to inform them- they need something to connect...

Health + Wellness

Fertility Acupuncture in Bethesda, MD

Fertility Acupuncture in Bethesda, MDThe fertility journey is one of the most emotionally complex experiences a person can navigate. Whether you are just beginning to try to conceive, supporting a body recovering from loss, preparing for IVF or IUI, or working to understand why natural conception hasn't happened yet — you deserve care that meets you where you are.At Spectrum Acupuncture & Wellness in Bethesda, MD, fertility acupuncture is not an add-on service. It is a deeply specialized...

Food + Beverage

Behind @Tastes of the Union:

Behind @Tastes of the Union: Alessandra Davin, Local Cuisine ConnoisseurAlessandra Davin is the Founder of Tastes and Social, a boutique digital consulting firm, and the creator of the platform Tastes of the Union. Born in Silver Spring, Davin is a local to the DC area. She majored in Criminal Justice at St. John's University in Queens, New York, before returning to DC to work in sales at Advisory Board, a healthcare research company. This opportunity ignited her interest in creative work...