Ellie Shorb

Volunteering at your kids' schools is always rewarding. This year, I am pleased to be co-charing a great event (now in its 28th year) benefitting the wonderful (and incredible) faculty and staff at St. Albans school in Washington, DC. - The 28th Annual St. Albans Christmas House Tour! This year's theme is "A New Century". Last year, STA celebrated its centennial, so we've decided to honor the past and also celebrate the school's bright future at this year's event.

A fantastic tradition since 1983, the house tour is once again scheduled for the first FRI and SAT in December. This year, Dec 3 and Dec 4, 2010, St. Albans school in NW DC (on the campus at the intersection of Massachusetts Ave and Wisconsin Ave - in the shadow of the National Cathedral), you will find specialty vendors inside the school selling everything from good food, stocking stuffers, candles, jewelry, purses, stationery, crafts, ornaments, sweets/jams - you name it! They will have a cupcake/candy land area as well and a gift wrapping station too.

Park in the Cathedral Garage and enter through the main doors just off Pilgrim Road.

One can take a bus ride from the school to the lovely neighborhood of Spring Valley in DC where 5 homeowners have graciously agreed to open their homes to the tour. Each home is being festively decorated for the holidays by a prominent area florist or home decorator. This year these companies are:

Alan Woods, Dalton Brody, Rooms + Gardens, Anthony Wilder Design/Build, & Floral Innovations. Decorators will add fruit, greens, garlands, wreaths, pinecones, ribbon, ornaments, etc to festoon the homes with holiday cheer!

Singers and musicians from St. Albans and its sister school, National Cathedral School, will perform at the school and at the homes on the tour at various times throughout the day this Friday and Saturday.

Tickets to the house tour are $35 each and can be procured by clicking the link https://www.stalbansschool.org/contentPage.aspx?pageId=42050&sectionId=1219

Tickets can be purchased at the school as well and luncheon tickets are $15 and can also be ordered via the link below or bought at the school. The luncheon, served in the St. Alban's refectory (lunchroom) will be incredibly delicious and features a dessert made by Chef Gray of Equinox! * Photo courtesy of Cindy Steuart.

Welcome home to this updated brick colonial:

Walk to the Friendship Heights Metro+ shops (Bloomingdales, Neiman's, Lord & Taylor), restaurants (Clyde's, Sushi ko, Lia's, Captial Grille & PF Changs China Bistro) & grocery (brand new Whole Foods Market)!

This 3 bedroom home is updated with granite counters and stainless appliances in the light-filled kitchen, which opens to the rear stone patio. Perfect for entertaining. Gracious living and dining rooms and a large master bedroom with an upper level outdoor patio nearby. Basement is large and ready for your updates with its high ceilings and walk-out doorway + laundry room. Very cool home. You will feel welcomed as you walk through the tangerine front door through the entry hall and into lovely dove-grey living room with wood burning fireplace.

Contract fell apart... This home is temporarily off the market but will return in Jan 2011!

Mark your calendar for a FUN (& FREE) FALL FESTIVAL on Saturday, October 23 from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm.

Moonbounce, mini-golf, crafts, games, music and snacks. Everything is FREE!

Be sure to check out the Kids Concert at 11:00 am.

* Note: The festival, we will also be collecting non-perishable food items for a local ministry.

All events will take place on the front lawn of Washington International Church, corner of 45th St. and River Rd NW.

You may bring blankets and chairs to use on the lawn. If it rains, the games and the show will go on inside!


More information about Washington International Church can be found at www.internationalchurch.org or 202-895-9060.

Contact me anytime for more info on DC area events.

Check out my facebook page: DOING GOOD IN DC for more events that are geared to helping others!

Here are some great places to find fresh fruit, veggies and other delicious summer garden foods --

MD:

KENSINGTON FARM MARKET - HOWARD AVE NEAR THE TRAIN 8AM-NOON SAT

FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS - 4433 S. PARK AVE 9-1PM SAT

CONCORD/ST. ANDREWS - CORNER OF GOLDSBORO AND RIVER RD 10AM-2PM WED

MONTGOMERY FARM MARKET CO-OP - 7155 WISCONSIN AVE 7AM-4PM WD AND SAT AND 9AM-4PM FRIDAYS

POTOMAC FARM MARKET - 9908 S. GLEN 2-6PM THURSDAYS

BCC YMCA - 9401 OLD GEORGETOWN RD. 10AM-2PM TUES

VA:

ALEXANDRIA FARM MARKET - 301 KING ST. 5:30AM-11AM SAT

WEST END FARM MARKET - 4800 BRENMAN PK DR. 9AM-1PM SUN

ARLINGTON MARKET - N. COURTHOUSE/ 14TH ST. 9-NOON SAT

DC:

DUPONT CIRCLE - 20TH/ Q ST 9AM-1PM SUN

EASTERN MARKET - 225 7TH ST 7AM-4PM SAT AND SUN

ADAMS MORGAN FARMER'S MARKET - COLUMBIA AND 18TH ST. 9AM-1PM SAT

PALISADES FARM MARKET - 48TH/MACARTHUR BLVD. 9AM-1PM SUN

FRESH FARM MARKET - 625 H ST, NE 9AM-NOON SAT

If you are feeling over heated this summer, here are some places to go for some sweet relief:

Splashdown Water Park www.splashdownwaterpark.com 703-361-4451

Great Wolf Lodge www.greatwolf.com 1-800-559-9653

Atlantis Water Park www.nvrpa.org 702-631-0550

Six Flags' Hurricaine Harbor www.sixflags.com

Water Mine Family Swimming Hole www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks 703-471-5415

Upton Hill Water Park www.nvrpa.org 703-534-3437

Make a big splash this summer with the ones you love! Stay cool in the DC Metro Area!