MOLON LABE (Μολὼν λαβέ)

King Leonidas of Sparta

Hello Everyone,

It has been a year of tremendous growth at the salon . This year my oldest daughter Maria joined our team, as you know she is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in building construction. Her decision to become a colorist had me and her dad in shock! It’s all good, whatever makes the kid happy, right? As she likes to say ” mom, its all about form and function” .

It get’s better. A childhood friend of the girls, who is like a son to me, George, has also become a stylist and joined the team. Wonder of wonder’s! Guess what? All of them are booked solid for days.

Life never ceases to amaze me. When these young bucks asked me to join the salon team, I was warned by several people not to do it. “They will run the store to the ground” they said. “They are only kids”. I had only one answer for them: MOLON LABE, which means… BRING IT ON. Sometimes, you just have to go on blind faith. I always shoot from the heart, and it has served me well, why change now.

I will pack my bags, take my little son and go to Greece for the summer. I told my son that this will be a summer to remember. I will teach him to sail a boat. He needs to know how to sail the sea, and how the wind will ALWAYS guide him back home. The WIND and LOVE always guides you home. Have a great summer everyone. I will post street pictures of Greece often on here.

Hello Everyone,

I don’t know about you, but I am cold.  It’s freezing out there.  I don’t want to leave my home,  even for groceries.   Thank God for Peapod. My friend at Small Friendly Planet Dot Org, just sent over a huge list of things to do in DC in January. I plan on going to at least three of these events. Thank you good folks at Small Friendly Planet for making me get out of my house this cold month.  See you all at Restaurant week!

1. FEATURED EVENT: Young Benefactors Happy Hour
2. DOING GOOD: MODUS UNION 2010
3. MEMBER IN FOCUS: Neal Gorenflo,Shareable Magazine
4. FREE INTRO TO IMPROV WORKSHOPS
5. World Affairs Council Author Series: The Forty Years War
6. The 55th Washington Antiques Show
7. Washington Wine Academy – ABC’s of Beer
8. Capitol Wine Festival Opening Reception
9. Screen Actors Guild Award Ceremony Reception
10. Iranian Film Festival 2010 – The Spectators

DC Restaurant Week is January 11 – 17, 2010!
Don’t miss gourmet, prix-fixe $20.10 lunches and $35.10 dinners
at over 170 top DC restaurants.
Washington, DC Restaurant Week is a great excuse to try a new restaurant or return to your old favorite. http://washington.org/restaurantwk/

1. FEATURED EVENT: Young Benefactors Happy Hour
When: Wednesday, January 20, 5:30pm
Where: Co Co. Sala, 929 F St NW,DC and the Verizon Center
Cost: $20 (Game only)
More Info: http://www.verizoncenter.com/wiz/smithsonian/

Join the YBs for a fun evening of libation and entertainment in Penn Quarter. Starting at 5:30pm, Co Co. Sala, DC’s premier chocolate lounge and boutique, will host the YBs for a happy hour. After you have enjoyed a few cocktails at Co Co. Sala, join fellow YBs and friends and watch the Washington Wizards play the Dallas Mavericks!

2. DOING GOOD: MODUS UNION 2010
When: January 14, 7-10pm
Where: The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel
1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Cost: $100
More Info: http://www.labelsforlove.org/events/index.html

Don’t miss an exclusive and unique evening of fashion and art featuring a runway show by Lela Rose to benefit the Center for Heart, Lung and Kidney Disease at Children’s National Medical Center. Labels for Love is a 501 (c)(3) charity that stages fashionable events to raise funds for and bring awareness to women’s and children’s charities. Each year one children’s and one women’s charity is chosen to be the recipients for the funds raised at the event. Join in the fight to change the lives of women and children in the Washington, DC region, one charity at a time. General admission includes general open seating, cocktail reception.

3. MEMBER IN FOCUS
Member in Focus – Neal Gorenflo, Project Director, CommonSource Publisher, Shareable Magazine
A very Cool Person – Find Out Why!

SPF Editor: What prompted you to start Shareable magazine?
Neal: I had a strong hunch before this experience that sharing was important, so I began consulting for Internet startups that helped people share stuff in the real world. I had no experience. I just dove in. I also began a monthly salon for social entrepreneurs interested in sharing. I consciously built a community around the idea of sharing. Through the community I built, I met the people who launched Shareable with me.

Read full interview with Neal Gorenflo at www.smallfriendlyplanet.org

4. FREE INTRO TO IMPROV WORKSHOPS
When: Sunday January 3 – Thursday January 7 (7-9PM)
Sunday January 9 (3-5PM)
Where: The Studio School, 1301 V St NW, Washington, DC
Cost: Free
More Info: http://www. washingtonimprovtheater.com

Say you are successful at becoming super rich and in-shape this year, what good is it if your still not enjoying yourself? Washington Improv Theater classes have reinvigorated the creativity, re-sparked the spontaneity and unleashed the joy of pure fun in more than 1000 Washingtonians (with hundreds of more joining the ranks each year). Can’t you spare just 2 hours to find out what these people found to be so transformational? Our enthusiastic and professional instructor/performers quickly establish a trusting atmosphere where you’ll feel more free than you have in a very long time.

5. World Affairs Council Author Series: The Forty Years War
When: Thursday, January 7, 6:30-8pm
Where: UCDC Washington Center
1608 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC
Cost: $10
More Info: https://www.worldaffairsdc.org/

The World Affairs Council is pleased to announce an Author Series and C-SPAN Book TV event with Len Colodny and Tom Shachtman, the authors of The Forty Years War: The Rise and Fall of the Neocons, from Nixon to Obama. The book is an examination of the last forty years of foreign policy that emphasizes the continuing impact of President Richard M. Nixon’s foreign policy initiatives throughout the era, and long past the end of his own presidency. The event will be moderated by Dr. Irwin Gellman, author of a multi-volume biography of President Nixon. After the authors’ presentation there will be an audience question and answer period. Light refreshments will be offered following the program.

6. The 55th Washington Antiques Show
When: Friday, January 8 – Sunday, January 10
Where: American University’s Katzen Arts Center,
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Cost: One Day Ticket: $15.00, which includes a show catalogue
More Info: http://www.washingtonantiques.org/about.cfm

Founded in 1955 as a fund raising event benefiting children and families through the Thrift Shop Charities, the Washington Antiques Show is one of the longest running antiques shows in the country. The show features forty-four premier dealers from the United States and Europe who offer a wide range of period furnishings and decorative arts, vintage jewelry, porcelains, ceramics, silver, and architectural garden accents. Through its yearly Loan Exhibition Program and its catalogue featuring scholarly articles to illustrate the Show’s theme, the Washington Antiques Show offers collectors at every level the opportunity to view and purchase wonderful objects and to learn more about their particular area of interest.

7. Washington Wine Academy ABC’s of Beer
When: Thursday, January 14, 7pm
Where: Washington Wine Academy Education Center
1201 South Eads, Suite 400, Crystal City/Arlington, VA
Cost: $42.50
More Info: http://www.washingtonwineacademy.org/public-events.htm

If you love wine…we mean beer….then the ABC’s of Beer is the perfect overall concept course for you. This course has been created to cover the basics of the beer world. From how it is made, styles, trends and we will taste 9 beers throughout the evening to showcase different beers. Participants learn about each of the basic types of beer, the techniques by which they are made, and the factors determining quality. Presentations are coupled with guided tastings of carefully selected beers that exemplify the world’s predominant styles.

8. Capitol Wine Festival Opening Reception
When: Friday, January 22, 7-10pm
Where: Fairfax Hotel at Embassy Row
2100 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC
Cost: $85
More Info: http://www.capitalwinefestival.com/

The Capital Wine Festival, modeled after the prestigious Boston Wine Festival, and promising to become an annual local series, will take place at The Fairfax at Embassy Row. The Festival will commence with a grand opening reception featuring more than 50 wines from around the world paired with a bountiful buffet created by Jockey Club Chef Levi Mezick.

9. Screen Actors Guild Award Ceremony Reception
When: Saturday, January 23, 6:30-11pm
Where: Embassy of Croatia
2343 Massachusetts Ave. Washington, DC
Cost: $29
More Info: http://www.mcbarnette.com/charity/#1

Join Former TV news anchor Beverly Burke, and other local area actors for an evening of film watching and celebrating for a good cause while enjoying art work, wine, and hor d’oeuvres. Watch the live broadcast of the Screen Actors Guild Award Ceremony from 8- 10:30pm. NonSAG members are welcome. Black tie or Formal Attire.

10. Iranian Film Festival 2010 – The Spectators
When: Sunday, January 24, 2pm
Where: 1050 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
Cost: Admission is first-come, first-served. According to the
artist’s wishes, the audience will not be allowed to
enter until the performance begins.
More Info: http://www.asia.si.edu/events/films.asp#/?i=1

With Ta’ziyeh/The Spectators, Iran’s most famous filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami convincingly and triumphantly brings the powerful experience of communal, ritual theater into the digital age. The Ta’ziyeh is a unique form of Islamic musical drama performed, often by ordinary citizens, in towns and villages across Iran. It dramatizes the famous battle of Karbala in 680, at which Muhammad’s grandson Husayn was killed along with his followers. Part theater, part religious ritual, it offers audiences the cathartic experience of collectively expressing their sorrow at the tragic events unfolding before them. With this multi-screen video installation, Kiarostami invites audience members to participate in the ritual in a thoroughly unique way. One screen shows a performance of the Ta’ziyeh, while two much larger flanking screens show the faces of those who are watching the performance (segregated, according to custom, by gender). Like visitors to the installation, audience members on the screens at first chat and relax before the show, but as the tragic play progresses, their emotions become heartbreakingly intense.

Please come out and support these great events! See you there.

“You never really know a man until you have divorced him”
Zsa Zsa Gabor

Hello Everyone,

It’s that time of year again. The Winter season/Holidays is fast approaching and not a minute too soon! We salon owners love this time of year because it marks the time that busy buses are constantly parked outside our salons. Miracles is doing Hawt-On-Yelp this week, and we are crazy busy. Needless to say, we are thrilled with all our new yelpers breathing new life into the salon. Yelp is a great site, you all should visit.

This time of year also reminds me of loved ones and family members that are both HERE and AWAY . I want to tell you a story about someone that is BOTH: my ex-husband Kostas. You see, Kostas taught me how to CUT HAIR. How? Well, I went to get my hair done before going on vacation and I ended up marrying him 11 days later. Talk about falling in love with your stylist…I know all about it. I had just graduated from Emerson Prep in Washington D.C. and I was going to study law and save the third world. He was 31 and I was 18 when we married. I was sure that I was NEVER going to pay for a haircut ever again…I WAS RIGHT. Needless to say, law school was never realized. I took the 9 months that I was pregnant with Maria (thats her in the pic), to attend beauty school and learn to do MY OWN HAIR.

Kostas and I lasted seven years two months and ten days. We had a love/hate relationship just like YOU do with your OWN hairdresser. The day we divorced was also the day that I got to understand this man. Since that day, we have raised our children; worked hard at our stores; go on vacation together as a family; eat at LEAST one meal a day together; talk on the phone constantly; make fun AND/ OR chase away our daughter’s boyfriends; lend a shoulder to cry on when we divorce other people (we have), and someone forgot to send us the Divorce Decree in the mail. You see, getting away from your hair stylist is almost impossible, dont even try.

I’ve heard it said that being divorced is similar to being hit by a mack truck. If you live through it, you start looking very carefully to the left and to the right. Is that really true? Do we blame the divorce ? Is that why we can’t go on and live life? Was being married to the man that bad? Im not sure of the answers, BUT, my hairdresser is also my ex-husband AND my best friend. I WILL GO ASK HIM….

“Sometimes if your lucky, someone comes into your life who’ll take up a place in your heart that no one else can fill, someone who’s tighter than a twin, more with you than your own shadow, who gets deeper under your skin than your own blood and bones” –Snoop Dogg

Hello everyone,

It all started with the salon doing a Men’s Only Promotion in June. We used Groupon as our provider to get more men into the salon. Well it was fantastic, 250 men bought our Promo and the salon was flooded with: Handsome, sexy, available men. The single women getting their hair done were thrilled. I get asked all the time for dating and relationship advice (don’t laugh), so here was this great opportunity to have my single clients get together. We decided to have A Miracles Spooning Party on September 12, at the salon. Please come and have a blast. It will be our first matchmaking gig and it was the idea of one very goodlooking, single man brought in by those Groupon people. So as the head match-maker I had to do research and find out what the problem was with the Washington D.C dating scene; SO I JOINED A DATING SERVICE (yes, I really did).

I had heard of a man named Markus Frind who has a free dating site called Plenty-of-Fish , he makes about 10 million dollars a year from Google Ads on the site, and I figured if anyone saw my profile picture, I could always say I was doing” MARKETING RESEARCH” for my blog. I figured if Akon can join Plenty Of Fish and sing about it (watch Akon-Video ) then I can most certainly join and blog about it (to help the girls at the salon of course). To be fair, I also did some research on Match.com and eHarmony, but in todays economy, I dont recomend spending precious money on dating sites, when you can spend it getting your hair done, after you find the right man for free.

Plato said that “at the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet”. I became a poet at: THE THOUGHT OF LOVE. You should have seen my profile and picture! I decided to be as honest as I could on the profile. No need to act like I have it all together (I do not) but I must say…it was poetry. I posted and waited for the fakes and players that everyone talks to me about to contact me. I took down my profile after 24 hours…and here is what I found:

On the advanced search on the site I found…….14,000 men in Arlington, Virginia looking for love, dating and hook-ups (whatever that is nowdays).

In 24 hours I had 17 emails, some of them quite nice, only one creep. I specifically said that I was looking Only for Friendship. That was the truth, I am not ready for anyone new in my life.

Here is a description of the men that I found or found me: (names have been changed to protect the innocent).

TAMIL, the kind hearted recent divorce, that I met for coffee at Starbucks. He brought me a teddy bear as a gift. Handsome, sexy and very self-assured. He also talked a lot about his children (good dad is a big plus in my book). I feel that we now are friends and I hope to see him again.

TOM, a young man from California that has recently moved to D.C for work. He is looking to make new friends and forget his fiance’ that left him for the next door neighbor while he was in Asia on a business trip(ouch). We still managed to laugh while trading war stories. He is a little bit too wounded for my taste, but what a guy.

JESLIE, a good looking, warm hearted biker from Virginia. You know, your best friends older brother type? Thats him. He picked me up and took me on a ride on his Harley. The bad news is that one of his biker girlfriends saw us, and we went speeding on 95, ended up on Solomons Island, Md. What’s a little danger? Right? Anyway, he gave me a T-shirt as a parting gift that reads “Wanna Ride My Hog?”

Thats just a small preview of the nice men that I met on the site. I recommend it, sure beats sitting alone and thinking about.. HIM. Markus Frind says that “there’s plenty of fish in the world; you just need to reel them in.” I AGREE. An old Chinese proverb states that secret forces are bringing spirits together, and if man permits this ineffable attraction, good fortune comes. When friendship exists, formalities and elaborate preparation is not necessary. As for me..I have a date tonight with a fellow Greek. He is smart (degree from RIT); handsome (just saw pictures); funny; and he says he likes….. DRAMA. “We are Greeks after all.” Wish me fun.

Hello Everyone,

Fathers Day is June 21 this year, and as always, I start to think about and miss my father more than usual. He passed away about nine years ago and it still hurts. As I watch my daughters play-fight and abuse their own dad, an enormous feeling of loss envelops me. My father was a womanizer, a gambler, a drinker and a smoker……………I WORSHIPED THE MAN. I am a grown woman now, but still a little girl that adores her dad in my heart. Remembering him can be overwhelming…….but, I would like a to share a story about him with you.

In April 1999, I called my father in New York City, where he lived and ran his business. I had some very bad news. I was pregnant AND going through a divorce. I told him “Dad, the man is gone, and I am pregnant, what am I going to do now ? ” He started to laugh so loud, I thought for sure he was making fun of me, HE DID TELL ME THE MAN WAS NO GOOD. This is what he replied ” my daughter, don’t be sad, this child will make your life seem like a work of art, and besides…..I will be there to help you raise him “If my father was fine with my predicament, then why shoud’nt I, right? I hunkered down , took care of my little girls and the store and waited for my first sonogram to see what i was being blessed with.

On September 1999, I went for a sonogram and upon arriving and checking in I was told to fill in some forms. As I read , my eyes caught something on the page. ….under reason for the sonogram, they had listed: ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE …….What ? Me? But I am a fertile goddess you people. So with my ego bruised , I laid down and…………I saw the most beautiful boy I had ever laid eyes on. I ran home and called my father. Upon hearing that he will have a grandson, he bought everyone at the bar a drink, and right then and there he………. QUIT SMOKING AND DRINKING.

On October 1999 , he was diagnosed with bone cancer. I could not believe it, this strong happy man was terminally ill and there was nothing much that we could do about it. Within six weeks he was in Hospice Care and I was totally helpless. Thats when the nice hospice folks gave me a book called: FINAL GIFTS. I read it all within hours, and it was a GOD SEND. It explained why my father was telling me strange things like : ” When the boy is 15 he will forget to come home, Make sure you tell him who’s the boss” OR he would look as if he was seeing people that I could not see. SAD STUFF. Not being able to help loved ones , is hell, isn’t it ? Thankfully, it did not take long. Looking back, I think he was trying to die fast, so as not to make me suffer. On November 27, 1999 my father died.

On December 9, 1999 My son Elias was born.

Life is full of suprises right? You never know what a new day will bring. I do know how much he mattered to me. He was the man that knew it would be allright, and it is. He was the man that gave me courage and strength when he had none. He was the man that knew I could do this…………..and like most fathers………did not have to say so. Happy Fathers Day, thank you for reading my post, and, if you will excuse me……………….I have to go resolve a paternity case !

Hello Everyone,

More of the same this week at the salon, with many friends and clients scaling back on Christmas shopping, losing more on retirement accounts and overall trying to stretch the once mighty dollar. Can you imagine how surprised I was to see my neighbors house on Craigslist listed (and rented) for $13,500 for the week of the Inauguration?

Our nation is officially in a recession, but I hear that 3 to 4 million people will come to see this historic event. Where will these people stay? How will they afford $1000 a night hotel rooms? All the major stores have run out of ball gowns priced at 2 to 4 thousand dollars. My friends that own restaurants in town all tell me that they are booked solid. WOW…WHAT RECESSION? What about the people that want to come and witness history, but cannot afford to? I THINK I HAVE A SOLUTION.

I became a blogger, even if my English and writing was bad, because I had heard that bloggers are generous people. I love generosity and kindness in people. On November 4th Barack Obama said we should unite and come together as kind hearted Americans. We should help our Nation and our Communities….I agree with him.

HERE IS WHAT I CAN DO:

Democrat, Republican or neither. If you need a place to sleep that week, send me an e-mail and let me know what you need. I have a small home 2 miles from the White House, I don’t mind to share it with you. Please note I am not the Ritz Carlton. I have talked to some of my neighbors and they have agreed to help out also. My friends think I am insane for doing this, and I probably am. But, it was good Americans that helped me when I needed it, It’s only fair that I open my doors to the house and the store for them. This monumental day belongs to all of us, rich or poor.

Recession? What recession? We are going to have the time of our life.

Hello Everyone,

As I promised, I will be interviewing the most beautiful people in our city. Contrary to popular belief, Washington D.C. is chock-full of sexy, available men. Many grace our salon doors everyday. They are handsome, talented, polite, fun loving and …….I wish i was single!

Mr Cliff Chow, leading man of a major contracting company, responsible for most Gap store interiors, likes it stirred (not shaken). Here the thirty four year old flaunts his inimitable Washington, D.C. charm.

-What is your profession?

I am a professional construction manager, corporate account executive and commercial general contractor.

-Why did you choose it?

Family tradition

-Where did you study?

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

-What is your passion?

Construction, karaoke, dancing, cooking, friends and people in general

-Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

On my own yacht somewhere in the Caribbean

-Favorite D.C. restaurant?

Jaleo, Tony Cheng, Taro

-Favorite clothing store?

Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Burberry and Saks

-What do you do for fun?

Check into a fine hotel, go out for a nice dinner, karaoke, clubbing and then back to the hotel for a nightcap and…….

-Wine or beer?

Wine

-Is the cup half full or half empty?

Half full

-If you were to be reincarnated, what would you like to come back as?

A lounge owner

-When were you happiest?

NOW

-Favorite Motto?

Doing something is better than doing nothing

———————————*

He is one of the most charming men I have ever met.This interview and picture does him no justice.He is one of those people that has the X -Factor.You only need to be around him to feel that he is a positive influence on the universe.Tell me what you think of Cliff,I will post the results soon.Cant wait to publish the rest of interviews.Have a Great day .

Hi, Voula here:

December has finally arrived! The crisp days and cold, cold nights of hot chocolate and red wine by the fire are here; And those visions of sugarplums dance in my head. Road rage, shopping madness and holiday parties have are here ladies and gentlemen!

As promised, here is a list of some fun events to do around the city with your partner and/or loved ones this holiday season. This great list of events (compiled by www.smallfriendlyplanet.org) are sure to put you in that great holiday spirit we sometimes forget.

1. FEATURED EVENT: 30th Annual Logan Circle Holiday House Tour
2. DOING GOOD: OAR Project Christmas Angel
3. Member In Focus: Drew Potterfield, Long View Gallery Manager
4. Yoga for Good
5. Mount Vernon by Candlelight
6. Parade of Lighted Boats
7. Date Night at ZooLights
8. Washington Area Bicyclist Association Holiday Party
9. Holiday Embassy Series Event: Denmark
10. Let’s Dance! Movie Screening
11. Grands Vins: ChampagneBlanc de Blancs
12. National Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah
13. A Special “It’s A Wonderful Life” Screening
14. 3rd Annual Rock for Kids Benefit
15. Washington Symphonic Brass Holiday Celebration

1. FEATURED EVENT: 30th Annual Logan Circle Holiday House Tour
When: Sunday, December 7, 1-5pm
Where: Logan Circle neighborhood in Washington, DC
Cost: $15 in advance through LCCA’s website
More Info: www.LoganCircle.org

The Logan Circle Community Association (LCCA)invites DC area
residents and visitors to attend the 30th Annual Logan Circle Holiday
House Tour, a self-guided tour of Logan Circle homes which concludes
with a Wassail reception hosted at the Long View Gallery, 1302 9th
Street, NW from 3 – 5:30pm the day of the tour, featuring raffle
prizes from local merchants. This year the tour will include eleven
properties in the Logan Circle neighborhood with an emphasis on East
Logan. As always, the properties offer a variety of architectural
styles ranging from contemporary to Victorian. Seven stops on the
tour are located within or lead to the alleyways of the Blagden
Alley/Naylor Court Historic District. The alleys were once a
labyrinth of dwellings, stables, and trades workshops and were once
considered the city’s underbelly. View last year’s tour: http://tinyurl.com/LoganCircleHouseTour2008

2. DOING GOOD: OAR Project Christmas Angel
When: Thursday, December 18, 6:30-8pm
Where: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, VA
More Info: www.arlingtonredcross.org/clubred/calendar.html

Club Red will help OAR (Offender Aid and Restoration) with Project
Christmas Angel, an event to provide holiday gifts to children of
incarcerated parents. During the event, members will select and wrap
presents for the kids. Volunteers are encouraged to bring donations
of toys or gift cards. Club Red is a group of volunteers in their 20s
and 30s benefiting the American Red Cross by assisting in fundraising
for local, national, and international causes, providing volunteer
services to the community, and facilitating social networking and
educational advancement.

3. MEMBER IN FOCUS
Read online interview with SFP Member in Focus Drew Potterfield,
manager of the Long View Gallery. A Very Cool Person – Find Out Why!
Access interview at www.smallfriendlyplanet.org

SFP Editor: What about the Long View Gallery is unique to the DC
gallery scene?

Drew Potterfield: I think our commitment to supporting the local art
scene is one of Long View Gallery’s most unique qualities. By
focusing on supporting artists living in and around DC, we feel we
are investing in our community. Additionally, we feel the subject
matter of the majority of our artists is different from the usual DC
gallery scene. We work almost exclusively with figurative artists,
steering clear of the ever popular abstract pieces that
hang on many DC gallery walls.

4. Yoga for Good
When: Friday, December 5, 6-7:15pm
Where: Sun & Moon Yoga Studio
3811 Lee Highway Arlington, VA
More Info: www.yogasetfree.com/seva.html

On the first Friday of each month at Yoga for Good, you can
practice yoga, promote awareness, and raise funds for a variety of
very important causes. Each month experience an all-levels, donations-
only class taught by a different teacher. All donations will go to
the charity selected by the teacher for that month. Sun & Moon Yoga
Studio is generously donating the space to hold these classes. On the
first Friday of December, donations — in the form of money or
nonperishable food items — will go directly to AFAC, which supplies
supplemental groceries to Arlingtonians who cannot afford to purchase
all the food they need.

5. Mount Vernon by Candlelight
When: December 5-7 and 12-14, 5-8pm
Where: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA
Cost: $18 for adults, $12 for youth.
More Info: http://visit.mountvernon.org/special_events.cfm

Join “Mrs. Washington” and other figures from the 18th century as
they host an enchanting evening with a newly formatted candlelight
tour of the first and second floors! Experience a traditional
Christmas evening as lantern-lit lanes, hot cider, and ginger cookies
recall the charm of days gone by, while caroling around a roaring
fire and early-American music bring merry melody to the holiday
season. Mount Vernon’s modern buildings include events like live
music, themed Christmas trees, a Mount Vernon gingerbread house, and
the opportunity for holiday shopping.

6. Parade of Lighted Boats
When: Saturday, December 6
Where: Alexandria Harbor in Virginia
More Info: http://visitalexandriava.com/

The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is a weekend of holiday
fun in Old Town Alexandria where dozens of festively decorated
pleasure boats will light up the sky along the Potomac River during
the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. The parade begins at
Alexandria’s waterfront and culminates at Washington Harbour in
Georgetown. 4-6pm: Festivities on the docks at the Alexandria
Waterfront (music and entertainment), 5pm: Parade starts at the
Washington Channel, Water St. off of Maine Avenue, Washington, DC,
6-7pm: Parade at Alexandria Waterfront.

7. Date Night at ZooLights
When: Saturday, December 6, 5:30-8:30pm
Where: The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
Cost: FONZ members: $30 per couple, Nonmembers: $40 per couple
More Info: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/

The Zoo and Rosenthal Jaguar/Land Rover introduce Date Night during
ZooLights, the National Zoo’s annual winter celebration. Bring your
sweetheart to ZooLights for a fun and romantic evening! Your tickets
include two passes to ZooLights, delicious treats including hot
chocolate and gingerbread cookies, and a cuddly plush animal gift.
Plus, you can enter to win a weekend lease of a Jaguar, courtesy of
Rosenthal Jaguar/Land Rover. Don’t miss your chance to meander
through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling
lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.

8. Washington Area Bicyclist Association Holiday Party
When: Wednesday, December 10, 5-8pm
Where: 1803 Connecticut Ave. NW 3rd Floor, Washington, DC
More Info: http://www.waba.org/index.php

Bring yourself and a friend to WABA’s Holiday Party and get to know
the DC area cycling community a little better, make new friends, and
meet the WABA staff. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served, but feel
free to contribute to the celebration and bring other holiday treats.
The mission of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association is to create
a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun,
fitness, and affordable transportation; advocating for better
bicycling conditions and transportation choices for a healthier
environment, and educating children, adults, and motorists about safe
bicycling.

9. Holiday Embassy Series Event: Denmark
When: Thursday, December 11, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Embassy of Denmark, 3200 Whitehaven St., NW, Washington, DC
More Info: https://www.worldaffairsdc.org/wac/events/upcoming

The World Affairs Council’s Embassy Series continues with a very
special evening for member’s only hosted by the Ambassador of
Denmark, H.E. Fries Arne Petersen at the Ambassadorial Residence of
Denmark. The World Affairs Council hosts monthly events for its
diverse membership, which consists of professionals in business,
academia, government, diplomacy, and other non-governmental
organizations, as well as young professionals, educators, students,
and all those interested in the issues facing the international
community. Events – including the Embassy Series, Distinguished
Speaker Series, Meet the Ambassadors Series, Town Hall Meetings,
Author Series, Young Professional Events, and Foreign Policy forums-
feature prominent international experts, diplomats, authors, and
other distinguished speakers. Non-members are welcome to attend most
events.

10. Let’s Dance! Movie Screening & Closing Party
When: Sunday, December 14, 7pm
Where: Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater, 1529 16th Street, NW
Cost: $10
More Info: http://www.wjff.org/

As part of the 19th Annual Washington Jewish Film Festival, Let’s
Dance was nominated for 2008 Cesar Awards of France for Best Actor,
Best Supporting Actress and Best Music Written for Film. Eighty-year-
old Salomon Blinks (Jean-Pierre Murielle) lost his family in the
Holocaust, but has worked throughout his life to maintain his joie de
vivre. He refuses to surrender to his age and spends his days dodging
funeral obligations of friends, taking tap dancing lessons inspired
by his favorite actor Fred Astaire and dating a much younger woman,
the charming but insecure Violate (Sabine Abeam). He also visits
Genevieve (Bulled Osier), his ex-wife of 25 years who is disappearing
into the final stages of dementia, attended to by her devoted
caregiver Mr. Mootoosamy (Bakary Sangare). Genevieve has developed
the bad habit of giving away all her money to strangers. Through all
of these emotional intersections, Salomon and Genevieves’s 40-
something daughter Sarah (Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi) is still trying to
figure out her parents, her marriage and her own life. The
captivating characters refuse to surrender to self-pity as the jam-
packed script moves along with insight, compassion and humor to a
musical score by jazz great Artie Shepp. Closing night party to
follow the screening.

11. Grands Vins: Champagne Blanc de Blancs
When: Tuesday, December 16, 6:30-8pm
Where: 806 15th St. NW Washington, DC
Cost: $85 members, $99 non-members
More Info: http://www.frenchwinesociety.org

Discover through this “Grands Vins Series” tasting seminar 10+ great
expressions of Champagne Blanc de Blancs and learn how to understand
and describe their identity. This tasting seminar will be led by
Hugues Mialhe, Oenologist and Education Programs Coordinator for the
French Wine Society. It will include a tasting of 10 Blanc de Blancs
champagnes, ranging from non vintage to vintage and prestige cuvees.
For more than 270 years, Champagne have been the precious sparkling
guests of the good tables all over the world. Do you know that almost
15 000 owners grow around 74 000 acres of noble grapes aimed to
create these fine nectars. The varietals used in Champagne, either
single vinified or blended, are essentially red-skinned Pinot Noir
and Pinot Meunier, and famous white Chardonnay, plus rare white Pinot
Blanc, Arbane and Petit Meslier. The wines of Champagne can be as
diverse as white and rosé, brut nature to sweet, years-blended or
vintage.

12. National Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah
When: December, 18-21
Where: 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC
Cost: $20 – $80
More Info: http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Get in the holiday spirit with Handel’s epic masterpiece, performed
each year with a fresh perspective by the NSO and acclaimed guest
artists. Born in Halle, Germany, in 1685, George Handel was one of
the greatest composers of the late baroque period (1700-1750).
In 1742, Messiah was first performed in Dublin. Since then Messiah,
which did more than any other single work to establish the great
English oratorio tradition, has been the most widely beloved specimen
of its genre throughout the world, and it has been loved in various
sizes and shapes.

13. A Special “It’s A Wonderful Life” Screening
When: Thursday December 18, 8:30pm
Where: Montgomery Cinema & Drafthouse
11006 Veirs Mill Road, Silver Spring, MD
Cost: $6
More Info: http://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/?page=event&eid=542

Join in a Drafthouse Holiday Social and a special screening of It’s A
Wonderful Life – A Christmas Classic! All gate proceeds go to
Children’s Hospital and attendees will have a chance to win prizes
from a special raffle. The theme for the social is “wear your ugly
sweater” so don’t miss out on the fun or fashion! Donations and toys
will be accepted at the door.

14. 3rd Annual Rock for Kids Benefit
When: Saturday, December 20, 7pm
Where: State Theatre, 220 N. Washington, Falls Church, VA
Cost: $12 advance / $15 day of show
More Info: http://www.thestatetheatre.com/

The 3rd annual Rock for Kids event benefits the Children’s National
Medical Center’s Dr. Bear’s Closet which provides toys for children
in the hospital over the holidays. In the spirit of the holidays,
come out and help make a difference for these children, even a small
contribution will go a long way. Gifts for Dr. Bear’s Closet will be
collected the night of the show.

15. Washington Symphonic Brass Holiday Celebration
When: Monday, December 22, 7:30pm
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Cost: $29-$40
More Info: http://www.strathmore.org

National Philharmonic Music Director & Conductor Piotr Gajewski
conducts the critically-acclaimed 17-member Washington Symphonic
Brass as they ring in the holidays with majestic arrangements of your
holiday favorites, including Greensleeves, Twelve Days of Christmas,
selections from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and a very special
Hanukkah Medley.

shark

I’ve had another eventful week at the salon. More and more clients are losing their jobs. Older clients have lost half of their retirement funds, while the younger clients go to work in fear. It is becoming very hard to keep spirits high.

It gets better: I saw a couple of clients at the supermarket this morning. They hugged and kissed me and proceeded to explain that they are now cutting their own hair. YIKES!! Enough nonsense everybody.

LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE STORY:

As a little girl growing up in Athens, Greece, I lived a charmed life. My parents had tried for 8 years to conceive me. My father was a successful merchant and my mom and I had everything we ever wanted. Early on, the government of Greece was overtaken by military dictators and my Father was promptly jailed for running his mouth. He was accused of being an enemy of the state. They seized our assets and that left us broke and scared. One day, as I was walking home from school, I saw my mom arguing with soldiers outside our house. They had removed all our personal belongings into the street. My clothing and toys were all in a big pile. I did what any young capitalist would do: I proceeded to sell my toys to all the kids that had gathered to see what was going on. Great first lesson on being homeless?

My poor mother was heartbroken. No one would talk to us anymore, they were afraid. The government had even seized our tea cups. She moved us to a working class section of Athens (think Barrio) and took a low paying job at a macaroni factory (Mellisa). She worked 14 hour days and came home with pasta in her beautiful hair. I heard her crying many sleepless nights. Until one day, she came home and said, “WE’RE GOING TO AMERICA.” Easier said than done. We spent countless days at the US Consulate office and one fine day we were granted immigrant visas. WE HAD $20 IN OUR POCKET WHEN WE LEFT GREECE.

January 14, 1974

Port of entry: Chicago, Illinois

As we came out of the arrival gate, two ladies in grey flannel suits greeted us. They handed my mother our Green Cards and Social Security cards, welcomed her to America and they both reached down and kissed me. They were Immigration officers. I kid you not.

This is the America I love.

This is the America I know.

To all that want to abandon ship…I say go ahead and leave. To all that complain…I say stop. And, to the rest…do not give up, our country has faced worst and has survived. Hold fast America. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am going to get my hair done(professionally).

Regardless of how much you may espouse that you love your job, there are just those moments of the day, those days, those weeks, or (heaven forbid!) those months when you job is not all that it’s cracked up to be.

STEP BACK! OPEN YOUR EYES!

Is it really the job that has changed or has how you think about your job changed? What you need is some extra motivation! This is where Simple Truths (www.simpletruths.com) has developed a niche.

Simple Truths’ has become a leading provider of action-provoking, motivational books and short films. Their catchy and true products have become uniquely suitable for gift-giving occasions in the corporate world as well as in the home. And, their moniker “Simple Truths” is a testament to the quotes and photographs that each of their books and films incorporates into an interesting and exciting message.

“It is better to light the candle than to curse the darkness.” Eleanor Roosevelt

“When I started the company, I was 52 years old. I had diabetes, lost my gall bladder, and most of my thryoid gland. But, I was convinced that the best was ahead of me.” McDonald’s founder, Ray Kroc.

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” Henry Ford

I like these quotes because they certainly could inspire a person to dream and to keep achieving. The other great part is that they’re applicable to pretty much every business, every industry and every person. Still, Simple Truths has made selecting a gift very easy by separating the books based on the several themes – Leadership, Teamwork, Customer Service, Attitude, Selling, Inspiration, and Making a Difference. It is pretty clear that these themes would ring very well with certain divisions of a company – management, human resources and sales to name a few!

That line of thinking brings me to another part of Simple Truths which I liked – the personalization. I know that whether it be from co-workers or from family, many of the gifts we receive are pretty cheesy, and they show no thought involved at all. Hold on a minute! I know that some people may have been a little offended there, saying, “I put a lot of thought into what I got my boss/co-worker/family member!” Well, I’m not here to say that you didn’t. What I’m simply saying is that the gifts sometimes still make it seem like you did not put any effort at all into picking it out. Believe me, I’ve been on both ends of this unfortunate situation.

Simple Truths offers three very cool, very unique methods of personalization, so that not only will you be giving a great text to read and inspire, but you’ll also show that you got it just for that person, making them feel special. Personalization options range from adding an elegant letter to accompany the book, having a personalized message on a custom label in the inside front cover, or having the book actually signed by the author. Oh, and by the way, these are authors that include: Vince Lombardi, Jr., Ken Blanchard, Barbara Glanz, and Michael McMillian, among others!

So, my suggestion is to stop being “that person” who gives out the lame, thoughtless gifts each year. Inspire a colleague, friend or family member with a personalized book from Simple Truths.