The Perennial Favorite

The Washington Ballet’s “Nutracker” for young and old at the Warner Theatre December 2-26.  livenation.com.  Or for the grown ups, “Men in Tights: A Pink Nutcracker at Lisner December 17-19.  gmcw.org.

A Real Treat

Rarely open to the public, The House of Sweden hosts a Christmas bazaar Saturday, December 4^th   A chance to see this newcomer to the embassy scene and to enjoy some glogg and Swedish arts and crafts.

Open House

The Torpedo Factory in Alexandria offers studio visits and galleries featuring mugs, jewelry. Scarves and paintings and prints for sale.  Bring donations for the Carpenter’s Shelter.  6-6 pm December 2^nd.  www.torpedofactory.org.

Glorious!

No better way to get into the holiday spirit than to listen to the “Messiah” at the National Cathedral December 3-5.  www.nationalcathedral.org.  Follow it up with the very popular “Messiah” Sing Along at the Kennedy Center December 23^rd.  kennedy-center.org.

Get out of town

Visit Hersheypark Christmas Candylane until the end of December for Breakfast with Santa packages – www.christmasinhershey.com.

 

Something different

Go to the US Botanic Gardens on Capitol Hill to see 2-3 foot scale replicas of Washington landmarks using only plant materials plus a miniature garden railway train  www.usbg.gov.

Scottish Walk events in Alexandria

December 3-4 the Goodhart Group is sponsoring annual Scottish Walk events that benefit the Campagna Center:  Friday, a Christmas Marketplace from 9-5, a children’s tea at 1, a taste of Scotland at 7-11 and a heather and greens sale.- all at the Masonic Memorial across from King Street Metro/Amtrak.  Saturday, the immensely popular parade starts at 11 and runs through Old Town with a massed band concert at Market Square at 1.  From 11-4, visit homes open to the public in Old Town  www.scottishchristmaswalk.com.

Hoops!

George Mason’s women’s basketball kicks off their home schedule today, November 23^rd at 7.  www.patriotcenter.com.

Black Friday

Head to Reston for their annual Holiday Parade at 11. www.restontowncenter.com

Holiday Lights

The annual Bull Run Festival of the Lights begins the 17th and runs through January 9th.  http://www.nvrpa.org/park/bull_run_festival_of_lights

Lee Center Annual Fall Sale

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One of a kind artwork made by the posters and printmakers of the Lee Arts Center.  Saturdays from 10-4 and Sundays from noon to 4  November 13-14. http://www.arlingtonarts.org/venues/lee-arts-center.aspx 

 

Spectacular!

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At the National Harbor, look for the lavishly decorated Gaylord National Resort where 40 ice artisans from Harbin China will work with 5000 blocks of ice to create sculptures.  Opens November 18^th.  Nationalharbor.com

Boyz II Men

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Back to the ‘90’s at the Birchmere the 16^th at 7:30.  www.birchmere.com

Save money

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The government’s energy efficiency tax credit expires December 31^st – not too early to install a wood stove, replace your furnace with a more efficient one, get new windows and add weatherstripping.  Energystar.gov.

Foodie Alert

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Paula Deen, Bobby Flay and Rachael Ray will be at the Metropolitan Cooking event at the DC Convention Center November 13-14.  Celebrity cook books and signings, cooking demos, beer, wine and spirits tastings and more.  Metrocooking.com.

Early shopping

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Museum shop around from Thursday, the 11^th of November through the 14^th at 10 at the Strathmore Mansion.  Grosvenor/Strathmore Metro.  Vendors from 16 area museums including Kennedy Center, Textile Museum, Shakespeare Theatre and US Capitol Society.  Herbs, plants, costumes, hand crafted home accessories and lots more.  www.strathmore.org

 

 

Brrrrr…..

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Winter’s coming so be sure to do the following:  if you didn’t check your smoke detector, do it now, be sure that your chimney is clean, caulk your windows temporarily for winter with removable weatherstripping, insulate pipes running through unheated spaces and put up your holiday lights now while it’s still relatively warm.

 

Cute idea!

Giving wine as a gift? Wrap it with one of these paper labels from Better Homes & Garden splashed with holiday colors and icons. All you have to do is download, print, cut, and wrap!

 

National Press Club Book Fair

33rd annual National Press Club Book Fair November 9th with more than 90 authors including Kitty Kelley.  http://press.org/bookfair

Buy one ticket, get one free at Newseum

Now through December 31st, buy one ticket, get one free between 9 and 11 am. http://newseum.org/#

via newseum.org

Houzz.com- Ideas for Home Design

This website, www.houzz.com is great for home design or renovation ideas. However, if you are getting ready to sell...remember to stay neutral! You can save ideas to an ideabook or find where to purchase items you like.

via houzz.com

Safety First!

Here are some helpful reminders to help you put safety first!

When shopping, leave packages hidden from view in the trunk of your car, park in well lit areas and lock your car.

Be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM.

Carry your purse close to you with the opening close to your body, don’t put your purse in the shopping cart, carry your wallet in a front pants or interior pocket, & only carry the credit cards you plan to use.

If you are traveling, stop the papers and mail or have a neighbor take them in.

Leave a store or mall in the company of other people so you are not a lone target.

Flicks

Alexandria Film Festival November 4-7 at the Torpedo Art Center and other locations – www.alexandriafilm.org, 703 746 5588.

Smithsonian Food

November 6th, noon to 6 an array of local food trucks at the American History Constitution Avenue entrance; 1:30-3:30, “Preparing food for tomorrow” at the American History Museum; 3:30-5:30, “What will we eat tomorrow” at American History and “Wine Tasting” from 6-8 at American History.

Antiques with a view!

November 5-7 visit the historic Alexandria Antiques Show at the George Washington Masonic Memorial across from the Amtrak/Metro Station at King Street. Friday 11-8 and Saturday 11-6, Thursday, the preview party from 6:30-9:30,. Furniture, Oriental rugs, textiles, silver, glassware, Quimper, Staffordshire, brassware and fine art, prints and maps. www.armacostantiquesshows.com,

Timeless!

Folk legend Judy Collins performs at Strathmore November 4th and Kris Kristofferson November 13th. Strathmore.org

Warner Theatre

The inspirational Maya Angelou appears at 7:30 pm November 11th. www.livenation.com