Excuse Me
Early on during my indoctrination/assimilation into the cancer-patient world in which I now reside, I remember asking a fellow cancer patient/friend if I could use cancer as an excuse for whatever it was needed excusing (directly or indirectly related), and she said: absolutely, “blame the cancer.” Years later, after a chemotherapy infusion, I saw my oncologist walking through the Infusion Center and asked him if my thinning hair might be a result of this most recent chemotherapy drug (not all chemotherapy results in hair loss). His response was similar to what my friend had advised me in 2009. He said: “You can blame me,” (which of course, I understood to mean, cancer/the treatment of cancer) “for anything.”
Dos, Don’ts and What-Ifs
Instinctively, I am not the most open-to-new-ideas/new-things kind of person. However, an unexpected diagnosis of stage IV, non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at age 54 and a half – along with its equally unexpected “13-month to two-year prognosis,” changes a few things. And thanks to a great friend, Rebecca Nenner, whom I have written about previously, I have/have had to become more open, and consequently, have assimilated into my life many non-Western, non-traditional alternatives (pills, supplements, super foods, activities/behaviors, etc.) with which I was totally unfamiliar (I’m a sports and chocolate kind of person), in an attempt to outlive my prognosis.
Where To Find Beautiful Wreaths
Local artisan custom creates holiday wreaths and centerpieces.
Though Christmas comes but once a year, for Linda Hobbins, it’s a year-round passion. She custom designs fresh, dried and silk arrangements, wreaths, holiday trees, hurricane lamps, centerpieces and other holiday decor items.
Quarry Springs Reopens with New Amenities
New, luxury development offers the finest in condo living.
Home buyers looking for luxury and elegance without maintenance in the D.C. area now have another option. Quarry Springs recently announced the relaunch of its estate condominiums on River Road in Bethesda.
McLean Location for 2015 DC Design House
House will benefit Children’s National Health System.
The new country estate at 956 Mackall Farm Lane in McLean will be the location for the 8th annual DC Design House, a project that raises money to benefit Children’s National Health System. The 2015 DC Design House will be held from April 11 to May 10.
New Interior Design Book Features Local Tastemakers
Interior designers offer advice on creating an elegant home.
Fall not only brings vibrantly colored leaves and pumpkins, but it also ushers in a slew of new book releases. Among those is an interior design book featuring local designers.
Editorial: Thanksgiving Help for Those in Need
Roll up those sleeves and help.
This week is the week to jump in to help the many organizations that will help needy families through the holidays. Here are a few ideas of how to help, but the opportunities are limitless. More than 236,000 people living in the area do not have access to enough food to sustain an active, healthy life for all members of their households, according to Catholic Charities. That is to say, more than a quarter of a million people, including many children, go hungry on a regular basis.
Supporting Programs To Prevent Domestic Violence
WHC Sisterhood to host annual holiday boutique.
Want to get a jump on holiday shopping – but also have the opportunity to make a difference in the community? The 28th annual Washington Hebrew Congregation Sisterhood Holiday Boutique is a community bazaar that affords shoppers the opportunity to find a variety of holiday gifts for everyone on their lists.
Column: Excuse Me
Early on during my indoctrination/assimilation into the cancer-patient world in which I now reside, I remember asking a fellow cancer patient/friend if I could use cancer as an excuse for whatever it was needed excusing (directly or indirectly related), and she said: absolutely, “blame the cancer.”
Her Birthday Wish: Support Make-A-Wish Foundation
Nonagenarian sees her wishes come true.
For her 90th birthday, Ruthjoy Leventhal requested “absolutely no gifts” from family and friends — but asked that each make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation where she has served as a volunteer for many years making wishes come true for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. And her wish was granted - and granted - and granted again.
Pet Calendar Raises Funds for Animal Groups
Proceeds to support Pet Connect Rescue and MCPAW.
Rudy is the gorgeous Cover Dog, Baxter is the adorable April Dog of the Month and Cayden is the June beauty.
Saluting Veterans
The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Color Guard and a number of veterans attended the annual Patriotic Music Program at Primary Day School in Bethesda this year.
Letters to the Editor: County’s Mixed Messages about Parking
To the Editor: Despite new “No Parking” signs and a large electric flashing sign warning park visitors that “No Parking Signs Enforced” no enforcement has been seen and parking is still a problem.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at Churchill
Churchill High School will present “Little Shop of Horrors,” Nov. 14, 15, 21 and 22 from 7-9 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. Tickets, available at door, are $10 for students with ID and $15 for adults.
Author Inspires Potomac Students To Write
Laura Krauss Melmed describes journey from idea to publication.
Students at Beverly Farms Elementary School learned about the writing process and how a book gets published from children’s book author Laura Krauss Melmed on Nov. 5 and 6. Melmed, who came to the school to read from her first picture book called “The Rainbabies,” is an award-winning author of 20 picture books including lyrical bedtime stories, original tales of magic, holiday books, and nonfiction books about cities and states.
Shaping Life Coaching Tips into Haiku
Author fits message into 17 syllables.
Life coach Phyllis Levinson discovered a few years ago that the Japanese Haiku form of poetry was an abbreviated yet effective method to communicate a meaningful thought.
Potomac: Local Authors To Appear at Annual Book Festival
Bringing writers and readers together.
The upcoming 45th Annual Lessans Family Book Festival will be a 10 days of presentations on a variety of books – many by authors who reside in the area.
Every state and local office that represents Potomac was on the ballot Nov. 4.
Every state and local office that represents Potomac was on the ballot Nov. 4.
Halloween Party at Carderock Springs
Julie Stevens' kindergarten class dressed up for the Halloween parade and party at the Carderock Springs Elementary School.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Clifton residents to hold open-house tour of newly remodeled homes for the benefit of local widow.
Neighbors help each other. That's what communities have always been about. Long-time Clifton resident Bob Gallagher is rallying his friends and peers to help his neighbor Elsa Armendaris.