Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
The anticipation of winter fun is infectious!
If you’re not already planning, fear not — I’m here to assist. As we bid farewell to fall and welcome winter’s embrace, creating a winter bucket list is an excellent way to infuse excitement into the season and prioritize memorable experiences for all.
Here are some top picks to consider in Fairfax County and a little beyond:
- Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Park: Experience the beauty of a winter wonderland as you stroll through the captivating lights, turning an ordinary evening into a magical one.
- Ice Skating at Reston Town Center: Embrace the charm of winter by gliding gracefully on ice, surrounded by the vibrant energy of Reston Town Center.
- Bull Run Festival of Lights: Illuminate your nights with the dazzling display at Bull Run, a spectacular festival that captures the essence of the season.
- Enchanted Christmas at Nationals Park: Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with this enchanting event, spreading joy and creating lasting memories.
- DMV Winter Lantern Festival: Be captivated by the artistry of lanterns, casting a warm glow and creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.
- Skiing or Tubing at Massanutten (Pro Tip — Pack a bathing suit for the indoor Waterpark): Enjoy the thrill of winter sports and extend the fun with a relaxing dip in the indoor Waterpark — a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
- Unleash Your Creative Side at Board & Brush: Channel your inner artist and create something uniquely yours, adding a personal touch to your winter experience.
- Culinary Excellence and Date Nights at Sur La Table: Elevate your winter evenings by exploring your culinary skills or indulging in a date night at Sur La Table, promising an exceptional experience that exceeds expectations.
As we embrace the colder months, let this Winter Bucket List be your guide to creating cherished moments and embracing the spirit of the season. Wishing you a joyful and enchanting winter season!
Explore Fairfax with Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney.
Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | [email protected] | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
The anticipation of winter fun is infectious!
If you’re not already planning, fear not — I’m here to assist. As we bid farewell to fall and welcome winter’s embrace, creating a winter bucket list is an excellent way to infuse excitement into the season and prioritize memorable experiences for all.
Here are some top picks to consider in Fairfax County and a little beyond:
- Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Park: Experience the beauty of a winter wonderland as you stroll through the captivating lights, turning an ordinary evening into a magical one.
- Ice Skating at Reston Town Center: Embrace the charm of winter by gliding gracefully on ice, surrounded by the vibrant energy of Reston Town Center.
- Bull Run Festival of Lights: Illuminate your nights with the dazzling display at Bull Run, a spectacular festival that captures the essence of the season.
- Enchanted Christmas at Nationals Park: Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with this enchanting event, spreading joy and creating lasting memories.
- DMV Winter Lantern Festival: Be captivated by the artistry of lanterns, casting a warm glow and creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.
- Skiing or Tubing at Massanutten (Pro Tip — Pack a bathing suit for the indoor Waterpark): Enjoy the thrill of winter sports and extend the fun with a relaxing dip in the indoor Waterpark — a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
- Unleash Your Creative Side at Board & Brush: Channel your inner artist and create something uniquely yours, adding a personal touch to your winter experience.
- Culinary Excellence and Date Nights at Sur La Table: Elevate your winter evenings by exploring your culinary skills or indulging in a date night at Sur La Table, promising an exceptional experience that exceeds expectations.
As we embrace the colder months, let this Winter Bucket List be your guide to creating cherished moments and embracing the spirit of the season. Wishing you a joyful and enchanting winter season!
Explore Fairfax with Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney.
Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | [email protected] | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
How does your plan for the future look? If you’re a planner, you’ve already got your investments and assets figured out, and your estate plan in order. But there are other important aspects of planning that are often ignored — such as laying the groundwork for your future quality of life.
More and more people are considering the solid advantages of Life Plan Communities. These age-restricted, amenity-rich communities invite people to live on their own terms, enjoying a host of services and opportunities, along with the added benefit of access to on-site health care services, if ever needed.
A local example of this is The Mather, a Life Plan Community opening in early 2024 in Tysons, Virginia, for those 62 and better.
An Engaged Lifestyle
Because you move into a Life Plan Community while you’re independent, you can take full advantage of the rewarding benefits of living there. At The Mather, residents will enjoy amenities such as:
- A fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment, group classes, personal training options, and more
- A heated, saltwater lap pool, whirlpool, and sauna
- Inspiring social, educational, and cultural programs, such as digital media workshops, live music, art technology seminars, and featured lecturers
- An art studio for exploring creativity through art classes and collaborative Open Art Studio sessions
- A spa offering signature services like facials and massage, with a Himalayan salt wall and more
These and other amenities and services are designed to meet the needs and desires of today’s older adults — and they also support overall wellness.
Proven Benefits
A national, five-year study revealed clear associations between living in a Life Plan Community and enjoying better health. The Age Well Study is a large-scale national study conducted over five years by Mather Institute, involving a total of 8,228 residents living in 122 Life Plan Communities around the US.
The Age Well Study compared the health and well-being of people who live in Life Plan Communities to a demographically similar sample of older adults living in the community at large. The findings reveal that residents of Life Plan Communities reported better physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and vocational wellness than their community-dwelling counterparts over a five-year span, with more favorable ratings in social and intellectual wellness in particular.
Highlights of the findings include:
- In Year 5, Life Plan Community residents exhibited better self-reported health and higher levels of moderate physical activity compared to older adults from the community at large.
- From Year 1 to 5, social contact significantly increased for residents.
- From Year 1 to 5, overall engagement in intellectual activities significantly increased for residents and decreased for older adults in the community at large.
- Changes in emotional and spiritual wellness were more favorable for older adults in the community at large, while the two groups reported similar changes over time in physical and vocational wellness.
The Age Well Study’s statistical models examined 1) differences in wellness between groups (residents from Life Plan Communities vs. older adults from the community at large), 2) changes in wellness over time (Year 1 vs. Year 5), and 3) whether the changes in wellness were different for Life Plan Community residents compared to the community-at-large respondents. Analyses controlled for age, gender, income, education, and marital status.
The increase in social contact within Life Plan Communities is not surprising, since in a community like The Mather it’s easy to find neighbors with similar interests to form a hiking club, theater-going group, or other social groups.
These research findings support the fact that, for those making a plan for their future, Life Plan Communities like The Mather are worth a closer look.
The Mather, projected to open in Tysons, VA, in early 2024 for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
My family is coming into town for Thanksgiving and the only thing worse than being judged by your own family is being judged by your in-laws. Am I right?
This morning I went to throw in a load of laundry and thought, I haven’t cleaned the detergent dish in a while, and sure enough, it was gross (also, being judged by the internet is fine with me). So please heed this as your reminder to check out those commonly used and often neglected spaces!
Washer (detergent area and pump filter)
Refrigerator filter — you can easily just vacuum this, but easier if you take it off.
- Sink drains (pull out hair)
- Humidifier filters (often get moldy because people forget to change them)
- Under your stove
- Toilet seat lid screws (boy moms especially can understand this one)
Two products I recommend:
Don’t let your in-laws judge you!
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
If you’re like me, I’m sure you love to create experiences with your family and friends while they’re in town or even better have an amazing day with your kids while they are out of school on Thanksgiving break.
Whatever the case, creating the perfect D.C. day is a must! I mean, let’s be honest, I’m sure you know someone who is a local, but hasn’t yet experienced all that D.C. has to offer. I mean it is our nation’s capital and people travel from all over the world to experience it, so why aren’t you?
A little secret about me, I spent over 15 years selling D.C. as a destination for conventions at Destination DC, so I have a passion and love for our nation’s capital and all things travel. Also, an insider’s perspective on why D.C. is an amazing place to visit and create memories. If you are ready to venture over the bridge, then here we go! Two of my favorite itineraries!
Experience D.C. Day 1 — The National Mall
I know so many locals that just forget how beautiful our city is and have not been to the National Mall in so long! I took all 3 of my kids in for this exact fun day and let’s just say it inspired me to write this column!
- Washington Monument (Plenty of street parking just reach out to me and I can always give you some pointers.) My kids love playing tag on the green space or even just rolling down the hill.
- Head over to the Lincoln Memorial. While capturing all the beauty along the way, make sure to get a glimpse of the World War II Memorial, District of Columbia War Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the NEW S. Park Police Horse Stables (my twins favorite).
- A day spent on the National Mall means packing lots of snacks and enjoying some of D.C.’s best known food trucks or museum eateries. The National Museum of The American Indian and US Holocaust Memorial Memorial Museum both have great food options that do not require museum entry tickets.
Experience D.C. Day 2 — Favorites with a Seasonal Flair
The itinerary for Day 2 shifts the focus away from the Mall while still offering unique D.C. experiences.
- Planet Word Museum (Time Entry Tickets available). Ideal for all ages, their tagline is “The museum where language comes to life.”
- Pick up gifts for family and friends at the DC Holiday Market in Penn Quarter/Chinatown.
- Compass Coffee (We all need coffee at this point.)
- The mission of the National Portrait Gallery is “to tell the story of America by portraying the people who shape the nation’s history, development and culture.”
- Grab an amazing Lunch or Dinner at Jaleo and Zaytinya (2 of my fav).
- Ice Skating in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden (November 20, 2023 — March 3, 2024)
- I am a hotelier at heart so of course I am going to recommend 3 hotels to consider adding to your day or evening, all within walking distance of this day’s itinerary. Keep in mind I am referring to grabbing a beverage or an appetizer, or just walking through the lobby space to capture the holiday decor.
- Riggs is a remarkable landmark hotel that has a unique speakeasy that is guaranteed to offer a unique experience.
- Waldorf Astoria is a breathtaking hotel that has a style and elegance you will not regret checking out.
- The iconic Willard Hotel is definitely a hotel that cannot be duplicated with the amount of history and elegance. They are known for their High Tea; I can tell you from personal experience it is phenomenal.
If you love this and would like more insight, please reach out to me. Also, Destination DC is the one resource you need to bookmark, so please be sure to visit washington.org to create captivating memories with experiences that can only happen in D.C.!
Explore Fairfax with Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney.
Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | [email protected] | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Break the ice this winter with more than 50 leagues across D.C., Northern Virginia, and Silver Spring in 11 different sports 
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Whether you’re looking to embrace the chill with our outdoor polar bear leagues, looking to huddle up with our indoor leagues, or interested in more social or competitive play, we’ve got you covered.
Create your team or sign up with a friend or solo and we’ll handle the rest. Secure your spot and use code FRAYNOW24 for an exclusive discount at checkout and let the fun begin!*
*Get an additional 10% of leagues, deals and giveaways to partner events, VIP treatment including open bars at select Fray events and more by becoming a Fraylife member today!
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
Around this time of year, I always look for opportunities to give my kids opportunities to give back to our community.
We do Red Bag all year round, but the holidays bring a whole new set of opportunities. Most places require kids be at least 12 years old, so instead of wishing there were more ways to get them involved, I created one.
Food for Others is a local organization that provides food to our neighbors in need. They have a specific program called Power Packs, which provides weekend meal packs for students experiencing food insecurity. The program currently serves 45 schools and roughly 3,594 students each week. Vienna schools included in this program are Fairhill Elementary School, Freedom Hill Elementary School, Louise Archer Elementary School, Shrevewood Elementary School, and Thoreau Middle School.
What is a power pack?
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 snacks
How can you get involved?
- Join us on Sunday, December 10 at 11 a.m. at the Vienna Moose Lodge to bring food to donate and/or stay and help pack the bags
- We can sign off if kids need volunteer hours for middle or high schoolers
- Could be a great food drive if a team, cub scouts, girl scouts, etc. want to collect food donations
- There is an Amazon Wish List if you’d like to donate but can’t attend
- If you’re local and want to donate food, I am also more than happy to come by and pick it up. Please just message me!
What we need:
Breakfast: Oatmeal Packets, Individual Cereal Boxes, Granola Bars (NO PEANUT BUTTER), Nutri Grain Bars
Lunch/Dinner: Chili Cups, Mac and Cheese Cups, Tuna/Chicken Salad Kits, Chef Boyardee Meals
Snacks: Fruit Cups In Juice (No syrup and NO TINFOIL Lids), Cheese & Crackers, Granola Bars, Fruit Snacks, Dried Fruit
Drinks: 100% Fruit Juice, Capri Sun Juice Boxes, Shelf Stable Milk
Note: Do NOT include peanut butter, candy, pop-tarts, Vienna Sausages, glass containers, high sugar items, apple sauce cups with tinfoil lids or bottled water.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Among the millions of workplace accidents that occur each year, a small yet significant number tragically escalate to fatal outcomes. In 2021 alone, this figure reached a disconcerting tally of 5,190.
These are not mere statistics but lives irreplaceably lost, leaving families in shock and despair. But amidst the grief, it’s important to recognize that the bereaved families and dependents hold a rightful claim to compensation.
This article seeks to guide individuals and families grappling with such circumstances, offering them the requisite knowledge and resources they need. So, we invite you to continue reading, for understanding is the first step towards recovery and justice.
Understanding Workplace Accidents and Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation coverage is compulsory for employers in most states and serves as a safety net, providing medical benefits and wage replacement for employees injured or falling ill due to work-related circumstances. Even in states where it’s not compulsory, employers are liable for incidents that occur in the workplace; only this time, they have to carry liability directly.
“The premise of workers’ compensation insurance lies in a trade-off. Workers relinquish their right to sue for negligence in exchange for guaranteed compensation, irrespective of fault,” says workers’ compensation attorney Scott Silberman of Silberman & Lam, LLP.
The degree of risk of workplace accidents varies across industries. The construction, transportation, and agricultural sectors consistently register the most workplace accidents and fatalities in America, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive workers’ compensation coverage in these high-risk industries.
Compensation for Fatal Workplace Accidents
Fatal workplace compensation is distinct from typical workers’ compensation, primarily in terms of who files the claim. Instead of the injured worker, a dependent or representative of the deceased’s estate initiates the claim process.
In some jurisdictions, there are generally two types of claims: dependency claims and psychological injury or nervous shock claims. Dependency claims are for dependents who rely on the deceased for financial support, while psychological injury claims involve the emotional trauma experienced by family members.
Claims can be made through the workers’ compensation cover/government scheme or pursued in court. Regardless of the approach, obtaining legal advice is highly recommended, given the complex nature of these claims.
Filing a Claim Directly From the Employer
Under certain circumstances, claimants may circumvent the workers’ compensation system and file a claim directly against the deceased’s employer. This route typically becomes appropriate when the employer has failed to provide workers’ compensation coverage or when factors such as intentional conduct or gross misconduct have contributed to the accident.
For instance, a direct claim can be made if an employer intentionally creates an unsafe work environment, leading to a fatal accident. Similarly, if gross misconduct, such as a blatant disregard for safety protocols, was a factor, the employer could be held directly accountable.
Filing a claim against the employer directly involves a different legal process than a typical workers’ compensation claim. This process can allow dependents to recover all damages, including non-economic damages, which are generally not recoverable under workers’ compensation.
It Is a More Complex Process
However, the path to filing a claim directly against an employer can be intricate and challenging, making professional legal representation essential. An experienced lawyer can help navigate the complexities, ensure the claim is appropriately filed, and advocate for the dependents’ rights to proper compensation.
Remember, each situation is unique, and the best course of action depends on the circumstances surrounding the fatal workplace accident and a lawyer is best placed to make the call.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
If you’re looking for an easy way to improve your physical health and mood, just breathe.
The practice of breathwork, or the intentional manipulation of your breathing, has been gaining attention, thanks to the widespread popularity of yoga and meditation. However, researchers have been studying the benefits of breathwork for years.
“Breathing is not new — it’s the most essential thing we do for our bodies — but breathwork is a new approach to wellness,” says William Wesley Myers, Mather’s director of wellness strategies. Mather is a not-for-profit organization with three senior living communities that plans to open The Mather, a Life Plan Community in Tysons in early 2024.
Breathwork has many health benefits; you can use it to increase or decrease your energy, to calm your mind, and to help you focus, among many things.
“Physical benefits from deep breathing are often instantaneous,” explains William. “There is a direct relationship between breath rate, mood, and systems that activate our fight-or-flight or rest-and-restore responses, which directly affect heart rate, respiration, and digestion.” Research has shown that deep, mindful breathing carries benefits to these systems and more.
Emotional Health: One study showed that manipulating the breath can cause up to a 40% variance in emotions. Evoke joy by breathing and exhaling slowly and deeply through the nose. Other research shows breathwork can help to treat anxiety, PTSD, and severe depression, even in those who don’t respond well to antidepressants.
Blood Pressure: A regular practice of slow, deep breathing is an effective way to reduce blood pressure.
Stamina: An Italian study found that the lungs of mountain-climbers who practiced slow breathing an hour a day for two years maximized oxygen better, allowing the climbers to forego supplemental oxygen needed by others to summit Mount Everest.
Focus: Breath-focused yoga can sharpen participants’ attention spans and focus by changing brain chemistry.
Pain Management: Multiple studies have shown that slow, deep breathing can reduce perception of chronic pain, or help people cope with discomfort. Breathwork can be especially effective with back pain.
Longevity: Research has shown that breathwork improves metabolism and reduces inflammation — both of which contribute to longer life.
“People can all benefit from doing a little breathwork,” says William. “You can do some simple breathing exercises sitting on the edge of a chair with your feet flat on the ground. Even five minutes of breathwork offers benefits!”
The Mather, projected to open in Tysons, VA, in early 2024 for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
I saw this viral video on Instagram about a family who swaps candy for a toy for a kid which apparently people had strong feelings about. In our house, there’s of course a “Dad Tax” on 100 grand bars that the kids bring home, but there’s always a bunch of stuff that either I hate for them or they don’t like. One of my kids doesn’t even like most of the candy unless it’s going to stick to his teeth and guarantee a cavity (thank goodness for good dental insurance). If you’re like us, and Halloween candy can last a year in your pantry, why not do something good with it instead?
Here are some places to donate candy this year:
Treats for Troops: Drop off any candy from now until November 8th at Caboose Commons (2918 Eskridge Rd, Fairfax – the Mosaic one!) and they’ll work with the Kiwanis Club to ship it to the troops!*
Ghaffari Orthodontics: Drop off candy this week and they’ll be donating it to local churches. 100 Church St NE (Corner of Church and Center St).
Tisseront Orthodontics: The 16th Annual Halloween Candy Buy Back — candy at $2 a pound with $1 going towards Children’s National in D.C. All candy collected is sent to the US Armed Forces overseas. Taking place Monday, Nov. 6 from 1-5 p.m.
Through the Heart: This amazing organization creates comfort kits to parents who experience pregnancy loss. You can drop off candy through November 15th at their location in Edgewater, MD or my colleague at 109 S Pitt St Alexandria. If you’d like to donate to this organization but can’t get to Alexandria, please reach out to me and I’ll come pick it up and drop it off for you.
Also don’t forget about the Little Free Pantry by the Emmaus United Church on Maple Ave, and the one on Moore Ave by Wesley United Methodist Church.
*As of November 4 they are at capacity. Additional Treats for Troops locations are still open.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
