Health + Wellness

Holistic Approach to Resolving Knee Pain

When I first learned of a degenerative knee issue, it was due to sharp stabbing pain when I walked up and down the stairs in our four level home. The doctor told me I was too young for the medical option, which is joint replacement surgery. So I was urged to work on losing weight and strengthening the quadriceps muscles to better support the knee joint. I had seen the South Beach diet book at my mother's home, and decided to try that diet. My husband and I both lost weight as he, too, joined me...

Local Services

Lifting Spirits:

The Soaring Mission of Luke’s Wings Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Luke's Wings Walk through the quiet, clinical corridors of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and you might expect to find a focus solely on modern surgeries and rigorous physical therapy. However, back in 2007, a single observed moment revealed that the most potent medicine often arrives not in a vial, but through a doorway. When Sarah Wingfield watched the heavy, disinterested silence of a...

Health + Wellness

Strength, Longevity, and a Thoughtful Partnership

in Women’s Health Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Provided by Meno-Start Throughout the elegant neighborhoods of Northern Virginia, the vibrant energy of high-pressure roles and family commitments can frequently eclipse the fundamental necessity of physical well-being. In a culture defined by its tireless dedication to others, the essential act of investing in our own strength is often the first thing to be sacrificed in the rush of a busy schedule. Dulany Washington, a Certified Personal...

Arts + Culture

Beyond the Frame

Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Falls Church Arts In the center of downtown Falls Church, tucked within the elegant brick facade of The Kensington Building, lies a sanctuary where the soul of the city truly sings. Falls Church Arts is far more than a non-profit gallery. It is a vibrant cultural hub that has transformed the local landscape over the last two decades. To step into this space at 700-B West Broad Street is to witness a community in full bloom, a place where the...

Local Services

The Women's Center: A Community Anchor

Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of The Women’s Center In the quiet, light-filled corridors of their newly expanded Tysons space, there is a palpable sense of what the French call  solidarité . It is a word that suggests more than just support; it implies a shared standing-up, a collective holding of the breath until the crisis passes. This is the heart of The Women’s Center, an institution that has quietly anchored the Northern Virginia and D.C. community for over half a century. ...

Life + Culture

The Painted Legacy:

One Year Inside the Heart of McLean City Lifestyle Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Suzanne Purdy The Painted Legacy: One Year Inside the Heart of McLean City Lifestyle There is a specific kind of gravity to a magazine publication that earns a permanent spot on a coffee table. It is the weight of thick paper and the pull of a curated aesthetic, a feeling that harkens back to the golden age of  Architectural Digest . For Suzanne Purdy, the force behind  McLean City Lifestyle...

Education

Jane Abraham:

The Mission to Stitch Women into the American Narrative Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Jane Abraham Walking into Scout & Molly’s feels less like entering a boutique and more like "shopping in your best friend’s closet." Amidst the curated racks of silk and suede in Reston Town Center, Mosaic District, or Annapolis, there is a palpable sense of support that transcends mere retail. For Jane Abraham, clothing isn't just about fashion; it’s a tool for confidence, a common thread...

Home Services

The Prendergast Perspective

Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Marianne Prendergast The air in Northern Virginia at 6:00 a.m. carries a specific kind of stillness, but for Marianne Prendergast, it is the hour of momentum. Unless the thermometer dips below an unforgiving 25 degrees, you will find her outdoors with a workout group she has championed for over two decades. It is a ritual of sweat and sisterhood that mirrors the philosophy of her life: discipline is the foundation, but community is the prize. “I...

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...