Arts + Culture

A Masterclass in Creative Investment

Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Great Falls Studios Elizabeth Bertholon is redefining what it means to invest in a community. To step into her studio is to enter a sanctuary of sensory liberation: she is almost always barefoot, a furry rug beneath her feet, with music filling the air and a kaleidoscope of gold leaf and mirror fragments within arm’s reach. The space smells faintly of acrylic medium and fresh rain, a private gallery where every corner holds a half-finished story...

Health + Wellness

The Health Dividend:

Why Wellness is Your Family’s Greatest Financial Asset Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Anna Health Family Medicine A New Philosophy of Wellness A new philosophy of wellness is taking root: one that views healthcare not as a periodic necessity, but as a primary financial and emotional asset. For Dr. Anna Le and her team at Anna Health Family Medicine, the concept of "investment" is the guiding star of their practice. They are redefining community care by shifting the focus...

Local Services

The Rotary Club of Great Falls:

Planting the Seeds of Service Article by AJ Jones For the Rotary Club of Great Falls, the concept of investment is measured not in compound interest, but in the long-term vitality of the community. Guided by the motto "Service Above Self," the club views its work through a lens of quiet, enduring impact. As Dan Lundeen, Chair of the Rotary Club of Great Falls Foundation, explains, investing in service means "allocating social capital to organizations with specific needs where our volunteering...

Health + Wellness

Healthy Ingredients Make a Hot Chili!

When my husband and I decided to clean up our diet, we moved toward farm fresh foods and organic produce. Any of your family's favorite recipes can be improved with higher quality ingredients. We now belong to several farm buying clubs and frequent our local farmer's market to get the ingredients to our tried and true recipes.Recently, the McLean Business Forum hosted a Chili Cookoff for our members. I created a recipe designed to win, and fortunately the judges agreed. The recipe used no...

Professional Services

Homeland Contractors:

Crafting the Heart of the Home Outdoors Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Homeland Contractors For more than 20 years, Homeland Contractors has been a familiar name in Northern Virginia, built on the belief that a home doesn’t end at the back door. For owner Mario Monroy, the outdoor space is an essential extension of the home experience. His journey began with hands-on experience in outdoor work, where simple lawn care and small planting projects grew into a lifelong...

Home + Design

Tracing the Dream:

Timeless Living in Northern Virginia Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of James McDonald Associate Architects The Art of the Sketch The design process at James McDonald Associate Architects is a collaborative journey that begins with a simple roll of trace paper. McDonald believes in active listening, putting aside ego to truly understand how a family functions. He asks granular questions: Do the kids have space for their activities? How does the family use the kitchen? Is the...

Professional Services

Finding Home

with Lori Mensing Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Lori Mensing The foundation of Laurie Mensing’s real estate success was built on an eye for detail. Before she was a top-tier industry leader, she spent her time mastering the art of design, a skill that now allows her to curate and market homes with unparalleled precision. While her peers in her college sorority house were receiving standard mail, Laurie was poring over the latest issues of  Architectural Digest  and  Adweek...

Health + Wellness

Doing Wellness Ourselves

In the first quarter of a new year, people get motivated to make lifestyle changes. Many people decide to paint the house, declutter the closets, purge the wardrobe of unloved or stained clothing, go on a diet, and so many other initiatives!Since starting a LifeWave business, personal growth and self starter behaviors are now a new lifestyle. I am finding that my enthusiasm for do-it-yourself projects around the home carries over into our family’s health and wellness.We are “doing wellness”...

Health + Wellness

The Health and Wellness Journey

Nearly two decades ago, my husband and I were facing health challenges. His was related to the heart, mine was severe knee pain.My husband challenged me to explore lifestyle changes that could restore us after years of bad choices and neglect of our physical health.We embarked upon a diet and exercise regime, as a team. We enjoyed the process of working together for a goal. I was told by the doctor that I was too young for knee surgery, and my husband did not want to take a drug for the rest of...

Arts + Culture

The Soul of the Suburb

Article by AJ Jones | Photography by The McLean Art Gallery You’re likely at the Chesterbrook Shopping Center to pick up groceries or grab a coffee, but lately, a different kind of storefront has been stopping residents in their tracks. It’s a space filled with canvases and sculptures that feel remarkably like home. For Jane McElvany Coonce, Gallery Director of the McLean Art Gallery, this "pop-up" space is the latest chapter in a story that began in 1955. What started as the McLean Art Club...