Not Celebrating Xmas? Here Is Something To Do

Events at Jammin Java, JCC Northern Virginia can keep you busy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Not celebrating Christmas? Here are some nearby happenings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Eve Humorist Rob Tannenbauam brings his show "Good for the Jews" to Vienna's Jammin Java at 7 p.m. For more info and ticket info, click here. Christmas Day JCC Northern Virginia's J Fest, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be fun for the whole family at this carnival-type event at the JCC Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Annandale.   Fee per family (up to 6 people): $20/ $15 JCCNV member For ticket info and registration, click here. Also at JCCNV on Tuesday - A Fiddler on the Roof Sing-a-Long, 3 p.m. This free film showing is a musical ending to the JCCNV J Fest activities. Camp it up and enjoy the classics like If I Were a Rich…

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Airport Holiday Travel Tips from MWAA

Information, websites and more that can help you get through the airport.

With the holidays comes holiday traveling and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has tips for customers traveling through Dulles International and Reagan National airports.  “We advise our customers to plan ahead and arrive early during peak times this holiday season,” said Jack Potter, MWAA President and CEO in a press release. “We are committed to providing an excellent, welcoming experience to all travelers who come to our airports — especially at this time of the year.” This year the Transportation Security Administration introduced TSAPre✓, a dedicated security checkpoint for passengers who are approved for expedited screening. Approved passengers don't have to remove their shoes, belts, laptops or 3-1-1 compliant bags from …

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Ask Dr. Mike

Ask Dr. Mike: Christmas Version

The doctor answers questions that often come up at the holidays.

Debating the Santa ‘Lie’ Dr. Mike, My husband feels that we should not lie to our 3-year-old child about Santa Claus. He is concerned that our child will resent us for it later and that it will compromise her trust in us as parents. He says he “wants to prepare her for life” as soon as possible. I, however, can’t stand the idea of raising our child in a Santa free environment. He and I grew up with childhoods that included Santa at Christmas, so his over the top pragmatism just doesn’t make any sense to me. I also have such fond memories of Christmas and want the same for our children. Thoughts? S in Loudoun County S, I do not think your husband is seeing the forest for the trees, as the old saying goes. I suppose Santa is “a lie,” and for…

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Holiday Moderation Tips from Sport & Health

The senior vice president for the club, which has a location in Brambleton, offers advice to readers.

by Mitch Batkin Sport & Health Clubs’ Senior Vice President As the temperatures begin to drop and the snowfall piles, people tend to lose all motivation to eat healthy and keep their bodies moving. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the holiday season is in full swing, which means we are hearing more, “Pass the mashed potatoes,” than, “I had the best workout today.” As anyone can tell you, people tend to gain weight around the holiday season. There is nothing wrong with enjoying oneself while celebrating this special season with loved ones, but there are steps that can be taken to avoid winter weight gain. I want to share these tips with readers in order to keep the holidays happy and healthy: Mind the food on your plate: …

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Getting Out of the House

Support Local Fire Departments With A Laugh

The North Pole Follies is a fun, family-friendly evening of homespun local entertainment that supports local fire and rescue departments.

This weekend the Franklin Park Arts Center is holding a high-energy variety show that showcases local singers, dancers and celebrities. Proceeds from the North Pole Follies go to support local fire and rescue companies. Each night, fire departments will walk around the audience taking in donations that will assist local fire departments to meet their missions. The theme behind this family-friendly show is that it is the week before Christmas at the North Pole and the elves in Santa’s workshop have noticed Santa is sad. The elves team up together to put on a show to cheer up Santa. Through audience participation, who are deemed ‘elf assistants’, the group aims to find the perfect talent that will have Santa smiling again. This year marks …

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Toys for Tots Drop-offs in Ashburn

Dozens of businesses and schools organized collections for the annual program.

  Each year, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects toys all across the country and distributes them to children otherwise might not receive anything for Christmas. Marines have begun collecting the toys from drop-off points, including many in Loudoun. The following locations accepted donations this year and many continue to accept them: Local contact person: Dr. John Thornell, 703-777-7366 For a full list of Loudoun and western Fairfax drop-off locations, check the Toys for Tots website. Includes Aldie, Centreville, Chantilly, Dulles, Herndon, Lansdowne, Leesburg, Middleburg, Purcellville, Reston, South Riding, Sterling, Stone Ridge http://loudoun-va.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/donate-toys.asp

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Dusty Smith

9:27 am on Friday, December 9, 2011

Anyone who was left off the list, please let me know or post the info in the comments. I tried to get a complete list, but apparently some were left off. Just send me the business/entity name, address and phone number and I'll add them. dusty@patch.com   more ›

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Holiday Trimmings at Dulles International Airport

Stone Bridge High School Students add holiday cheer to local airport.

The German class at Stone Bridge High School participated in the fifth annual Dulles Tree Trimming Celebration. The students made handcrafted ornaments for the tree including many crafted with candy in keeping with this years theme of "Celebrate the Holidays on Candy Lane."

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Ask Dr. Mike

Ask Dr. Mike: The Holiday Edition

The doctor responds to questions many families and individuals face each holiday season.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is for Real Dr. Mike, I’ve noticed that I tend to get down this time of year, and I also tend to eat more and need more sleep during the late fall and winter months. My husband has joked for years that I’m like a bear in hibernation from November through March. Our kids are now 3 and 6, and I don’t want them to see their mom as being depressed during the holiday season. My brother-in-law is a physician, and he thinks I have Seasonal Affective Disorder but that condition just seems absurd to me. What do you think? I in Loudoun County   I, Many of my clients suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and often they just expect it is a part of the season that will pass, but there are treatments that can …

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Where Do Readers Plan to Shop for Christmas?

Just how far outside of their communities do Patch readers go to shop?

This unscientific poll is intended to gauge where readers plan to go to do their holiday gift shopping. Ashburn has lots of cools places to check out, like Go Bananas! or Misguided Angels or the Ashburn Wine Shop or Spokes (Feel free to suggest others in the comments below). But some people may head out to one of the local or regional malls. Then again, there are other quaint options, like downtown Leesburg. Where do you plan to shop?

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