HIT THE REFRESH BUTTON DURING THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

We are well into August and hitting the Dog Days of Summer.  Often people are sluggish and inactive during this time of year.  If you find yourself needing a little boost, here are a few ways to hit the refresh button. 

Star gaze to feel connected to the Universe.  The term Dog Days of Summer comes from the Roman belief that the star Sirius was responsible for hot weather.  During July and August, it is the brightest star in the night sky and is located in the constellation Canis Major (Big Dog). 

Summer time means sunscreen which means clogged pores.  What is the best way to exfoliate?  Make a lemon mask.  According to Dr. Oz, lemons add a little zest to your life.  Make a lemon mixture for a face mask and kiss those blackheads goodbye.  1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp brandy.  Leave on for 5-10 minutes.  It will tingle.  It's a home made chemical peel.  

In August, we are all putting on our bathing suits and thinking about how we look.  15 million Americans had some kind of cosmetic procedure done in 2013, according to the 2013 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report!  Best way to hit the refresh button on your image is to whiten your teeth.  It is: Inexpensive.  Non-invasive.  Makes you look younger.   When did you ever see a baby with yellow teeth?!

Kids are home during the summer which creates some challenges for parents.  PEP, the Parenting Encouragement Program in Kensington, MD, offers classes and has a great tips.  To set the refresh button on your parenting style, spend “special time” with your child.  15 minutes, every day for toddlers and young children.  It alleviates the nagging, whining, attention-grabbing behavior because the kids know they will have your undivided attention.  For older kids, make a date every week. http://pepparent.org/

The weather in August brews up the time when tempers flare.  People are hot under the collar.  Want to hit the reset button on problem solving?   According to James Brown, the one thing that can solve most problems is dance.  Move the negative energy out of your body and free your mind to think.  GET ON UP with your hot pants.  

Wicked Washington Halloween

Wicked Washington...not just for the politicians tonight.  Whoop it up and make some mischief in the DMV on All Hallow's Eve with the Whoopie Queen picks:
 

COSTUME PARTIES:

MASQUERADE Party AT SAX, "NIGHT OF MASKS" OCTOBER 31 http://www.saxwdc.com/ 734 Eleventh St. NW, 10p  Grand costumed performances in our glass enclosed stage begin at 6:30pm and continue all night!  Expect Electrifying performances such as Big Spender, Booty Swing and Chamber Mates that will dazzle you throughout the evening. The professional cast of acrobats, burlesque, and contemporary dancers will wow you and suck you into the magic that is Sax. Be prepared to be awestruck.  Enjoy bewitching bottle service specials, enchanting performances, delectable Halloween tricks and treats, and other SAXual surprises beginning at 10pm.

Halloween Social at the W Hotel
October 31, 2013, 8 p. m. P.O.V Rooftop, W Hotel, 515 15th Street NW, Washington DC. The Halloween party will fEeature craft cocktails plus dancing and DJ Ghost and DJ Philipz spinning all night, with special guest performers, a best costume contest, and more. The winner of the night’s best costume contest will receive an overnight stay, champagne, and breakfast in bed. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Washington Humane Society.

The Mansion on O
October 31, 2013, 8:00 p.m. 2020 O Street NW. Washington DC. Costume Party.  Online Reservations Required, $30 per person, no tickets at the door. Party includes: DJ, costume contest with prizes, chocolate fountain, special Halloween treasure hunt, cash bar. Tour the 100 room mansion and search for secret doors when you visit. https://www.omansion.com/events/reservation.shtml?Event=Halloween%20Party

Best HAUNTS:

NIGHTLY SPIRITS WHITE HOUSE HAUNTED PUB TOUR $32.95, 8:30pm Occidental Grill http://www.nightlyspirits.com/ 2.5 hour walking tour past of some of the most historic and haunted pubs and buildings in Washington DC.. 3-4 different locations incl a former funeral home that is now a haunted bar. 

National Building Museum Ghost Tours
Take a spooky lantern-light ghost tour led by costumed Civil War veterans. Infamous as one of the most haunted buildings in DC, find out why ghosts call the National Building Museum their home. Hear tales of an irritable rider on horseback and look for mysterious faces in the 75-foot Corinthian columns and much more! 2013 Dates: September 29, October 23, 20, and 31. Registration is required. Call (202) 272-2448.

The Most Haunted Houses  7:30 $20, 2 hours http://www.washingtonwalks.com/tours/haunted-houses.shtml  Violent quarrels, vicious attacks, murder, suicide -- why is it such turbulent events in Washington history seem concentrated around the seven acres of Lafayette Park? grim reaper stalked more than Abraham Lincoln.  begin this walk at the house considered the most haunted home in the city: The Octagon. October 31 when a special edition of the walk will be offered that brings you inside the Octagon House.  Reservations are required

EXPERIENCE THE HORRIFIC

NIGHTMARE MANOR http://nightmare-manor.com/schedule.html Thurs 7p $25  actors, haunted 200 year old house, surrounding areas and corn field, URBANA up 270, corn field, maze of buildings, house with cellar, ghosts!!!

Crime Museum: Fright @ the Museum "DEAD MEN WALKING" The museum is a hunting ground for the criminally insane.  7pm, tours ½ hour, $20 7^th Street NW http://tickets.crimemuseum.org/capacity/titles/Fright_at_the_Museum.aspx 

 

GET YOUR NAUGHTY ON THE DANCEFLOOR

 

HALLOWEEN CIRCUS @ BLACKCAT:  3 dif rooms with heavy metal in one place and rockabilly Johnny Grave & The Tombstones, burlesque dancers, sideshow acts. http://www.blackcatdc.com/shows/mardi-gras.html    10 Adv/ $12 DOS Mainstage / Doors at 8:00, 1811 14th St. NW

Strathmore - Funk Legend Bootsy Collins and the Funk Unity Band Playing with a Full Symphony  A concert benefiting BeethovenFound/Tribute to Wounded Warriors and the Bootsy Collins Foundation, giving musical instruments to children in underserved communities, and The Art and Drama Therapy Institute.  http://www.strathmore.org/eventstickets/calendar/view.asp?id=9798

ALL HALLOWS LIVE Who's Bad?  October 31, 2013. Maryland Live Casino, Arundel Mills, MD. Customers will enjoy Trick or Treat Prize Drawings for Live! Rewards Players Club members, a Halloween Candy handout, and a special live performance from Who's Bad, a tribute to Michael Jackson, at Rams Head Center Stage, followed by a Costume Contest with a top prize of $1,500 Free Slot Play. Concert begins at 8 p.m. Contest at 11:00 p.m. 

Have a ghordeous Halloween!