Culture

What I Learned About American Society From Dentists [Northern Virginia Magazine Backstory]

Posted by Jenna on Nov 8, 2012 in Health | 0 comments

My feature in the November issue of Northern Virginia Magazine was the most atypical piece I’ve—ever—written. When I first got the assignment, I went into it thinking it had nothing to do with culture and place, the two main topics I always seem to find myself crashing into, head-first. I was wrong.

On The Beaten Path in Harpers Ferry

Posted by Jenna on Oct 24, 2012 in Public Spaces, West Virginia | 0 comments

There is a very beaten path in Harpers Ferry. Particularly in the fall, when the leaves in the low-lying mountains turn to gold and the small West Virginia town—the perfect distance for a D.C. day trip—makes its last call for outdoor sports before winter. In a town of under 300 people, it’s hard to

6 Things You Should Know About Lavender

Posted by Jenna on Oct 17, 2012 in Food, Sustainability, Virginia | 0 comments

1. Lavender is farmed.

In fact, there are well over 100 lavender farms across the United States. Though most tend to be concentrated on the west coast, it’s a slowly growing agro-industry.

I recently visited White Oak Lavender Farm, in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The family-run farm, which grows over 30 varieties

Going Sustainable: Loudoun’s Farm-to-Catering Path [Loudoun Magazine Feature Backstory]

Posted by Jenna on Oct 9, 2012 in Sustainability, Virginia, Voices of Virginia | 0 comments

“We started with 36 trees.” David Weinschel tugged at the nearest overhanging branch, ripe with apples, and handed it to me. “Now we are close to 100.”

Though 100 apple trees sounded like a lot to me, the amount of actual space (and fruit-yielding potential) the orchard takes up on its 50-acre property is pretty minuscule, relatively. But it’s

3 Korean Festival-Inspired Foods to Try

Posted by Jenna on Sep 20, 2012 in Food, Virginia | 0 comments

Last weekend I attended Northern Virginia’s annual Korean festival. Located in Centreville, VA, the city’s population of approximately 71,000 topped out in last year’s census with a 25% (and growing) Asian demographic, many of whom are Korean. That’s not to mention Fairfax County, where Centreville is located; the Asian population there is nearly 20%.

3 Cool Converted Spaces in Leesburg

Posted by Jenna on Jul 2, 2012 in Architecture, Virginia | 0 comments

Like trends in fashion, music, architecture and art, business trends come and go, and are great tools to connect the past to the present. One of my favorite things to do in a new city is to walk through its historical district, to see how old spaces have been converted into something new. The current uses of the sites illuminate popular trends today, while the spaces