Wellbeing

Destination: Orlando

Members of Potomac River Running training program have been preparing since September.

When contemplating Disney princesses, one immediately thinks of fairy godmothers and pumpkin carriages, flying carpets and pet tigers, flaming red hair and fishtails. Inner strength is a characteristic these women share—one of which we are quick to remind young girls—and so is rescue-ability. But for 16 local female runners who have been training since last fall to complete a half marathon, the Disney Princess is all about being their own hero.

Fourth Annual Running to Remember Josh

Josh Anderson Foundation remembers teen, aims to prevent teenage suicide.

On March 18, 2009, the world lost Joshua Lee Anderson—a beloved son, brother and friend—to suicide. He was 17 years old. The Josh Anderson Foundation (JAF) was formed for two purposes: to keep Josh's memory alive and to collect funds for the education and prevention of teenage suicide. JAF's goal is to promote youth mental health awareness by bringing innovative, creative and effective programs directly into high schools. By the end of the 2012-2013 school year, JAF will have funded programs in eleven schools and impacted over 17,000 students.

Potomac Bulletin Board Wednesday, Feb. 20

Potomac bulletin board for February-June.

Alexandria Bulletin Board Wednesday, Feb. 20

Alexandria bulletin board for February through June.

Washington Capitals' Slapshot Cheers Union Mill on to Health

The Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot visited Union Mill Elementary on Thursday, Feb. 7, to deliver a message of fitness, fun, and nutrition to all UMES students.

Addressing ‘Learning Differences: What Works?’

McLean Schools hosts “Cecily’s Advocacy Workshop.”

More than 200 parents, family members, and educators flocked to Potomac’s McLean School on Saturday, Feb. 9 to take advantage of the 4th annual “Cecily’s Advocacy Workshop” — a seminar which disseminates information and the latest research on strategies for coping with children with ADD, ADHD and other learning differences.

Potomac Bulletin Board February-March

Bulletin Board for February through March.

Week in Reston

Local Early Childhood educators will get together for what will be the largest gathering of classroom teachers, leaders and administrators in Virginia.

Preserving Mental Health as People Age

Experts say diet, exercise and mental stimulation are key.

“Exercise [is] the ‘lifestyle’ factor with the strongest effect. A number of different research groups have found benefits of aerobic exercise on both brain structure and function and on cognitive performance.” — Pamela Greenwood, Ph.D., George Mason University

Expanding the First Aid Battlefield Toward Mental Health

Legislators to consider $2 million for Mental Health First Aid.

The idea of first aid dates back to Order of St. John, a medieval society of knights that offered training in how to treat common battlefield injuries.

February Is Heart Month

Diet and fitness experts offer suggestions for maintaining a healthy heart.

When Mary Elizabeth O’Conner enters a supermarket, she is careful stay within the outer perimeters of the store. “Most grocery stores are designed so that the healthiest and non-processed food, like fresh vegetables and meat are kept on the outer edges,” she said. She looks for heart-healthy foods like whole grains and fresh fruit.

Column: A Complicated Answer

And a further explanation and corollary to last week’s column: “A Simple Question,” which attempted to sort through my reactions to being asked an extremely innocent, appropriate, well-intended and always appreciated courtesy: “How are you?” and the problem that it sometimes causes me. That problem being: a question which had it not been asked would then not require an answer. An answer that I’ll always give, but not before I’ve given it some thought, which if I hadn’t thought about, wouldn’t have bothered me in the least

The Connection