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By Katie Bianco, Stefanie Gans and Michael Balderston
Old Ox at the Outlets
Drinks during shopping experiences, as far as I knew, only happened when trying on wedding dresses. But no longer. Besides the newly established outdoor-drinking laws at town centers, there’s also a holiday pop-up at Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets this weekend and next. Old Ox Brewery is the host, serving beer (and beermosas), wine from Tarara Winery and cider from Winchester Ciderworks. Maybe the best perk yet: heated seating. -SG // Old Ox at the Outlets: 241 Fort Evans Road NE, Leesburg (between Old Navy and JoS. A. Bank, Ste. 1641)
Happy birthday Udvar-Hazy Center
I remember visiting the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center not long after it opened when I was a kid. I remember how small I felt in the giant hangers and how awesome it was to see all the different types of planes that filled them. Man, time flies. The Udvar-Hazy Center is celebrating 15 years this week of being one of the most popular destinations in the region. It’s been a long time since I visited to check out the latest exhibits or newest additions to the fleet—that will be something I’ll look to remedy this week. -MB // Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly; Free
Christmas Cheer for Children
I normally use this space to talk about fun things I’ll be doing in NoVA, but on Sunday, Dec. 16, I’m looking forward to heading to the Four Seasons in Georgetown for Light Up the Season, a fundraiser for Children’s National. My daughter, now 2 years old, spent some time there as a newborn. She’s perfect and wonderful and thriving now, but the doctors and nurses at Children’s quite literally saved her life, and the cause is very near and dear to my heart. There’s also a Northern Virginia connection, which makes it even better. The gist of the fundraiser is local interior designers pair up with patients to create beautiful Christmas trees for auction. Look for trees from NoVA designers Lauren Liess, Marika Meyer, Ashley Greer and others. The afternoon also includes cookie decorating, ornament making and visits with Santa and Dr. Bear. See you there! -KB // Four Seasons Georgetown: 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; $50-$85
