Life + Culture

Elaine Espinola: On a Mission to Empower Women

The new full-time co-host of Good Day Washington shares her journey to realizing a dream. Article by Beth Rasin | Photography by Photos Courtesy of Elaine Espinola As Elaine Espinola stepped into a new role as co-host of Great Day Washington in March, she was fulfilling a dream she’d had for a decade. “I hope to bring great, inspiring stories to Great Day Washington,” she said. “I have a strong interest in highlighting women, diverse people, and anyone who’s doing something powerful for the...

Health + Wellness

Capital Caring's Compassion

This nonprofit provides solace, support, and innovative services to patients and their families. Article by Beth Rasin | Photography by Courtesy of Capital Caring A few years ago, a Capital Caring hospice patient nearing her final days wished to be with her collie. Unlike most hospice patients, she remained in a hospital, so her hospice nurse approached the hospital administration asking if that could be arranged. When the answer was no, the nurse convinced hospital staff to let her take the...

Beauty

Wellness Inside and Out

Sarah Safa and Monica Unni collaborate to help patients holistically Article by Glenye Oakford | Photography by Love & Sol Photography Looking for state-of-the-art treatments that can boost wellness, restore energy, and even raise your confidence? Downtown Leesburg’s Loop Wellness Clinic and Refined Aesthetics have a uniquely collaborative solution for that. Upstairs, Refined Aesthetics owner Sarah Safa, MS, PA-C, helps clients look their best through her medical aesthetics practice...

Life + Culture

Take a Bird-Friendly Coffee Break

Article by Glenye Oakford Each spring and fall, Northern Virginia welcomes the variety of migratory birds passing through our region. These avian migrants connect us to distant ecosystems thousands of miles away. But many of these beloved bird populations are disappearing at a dramatic rate. "Bird populations are in steep decline," explained Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s BJ Lecrone. "The bird population in the U.S. and Canada has declined by almost 30%—that’s about three billion birds since...