Loudoun Independent

The Top 10 Albums of 2010

John Geddie — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:50:31 +0000

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By:

Rachel Leon

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

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Here are Rachel Leon's top 10 albums of the year, accompanied by the 2010's worst singles.

Janelle Monae: The ArchAndroid

A Safe and Happy Holiday

John Geddie — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:47:39 +0000

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By:

John L. Geddie

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

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While the spirit of the holidays may leave you with a warm feeling for all mankind, it is unfortunately also a time of year often associated with home fires.

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are the three top days of the year for candle fires according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. The same organization also notes a marked increase in home fires and electrical accidents during the holidays.

Loudoun Holiday Tree Guide

John Geddie — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:45:42 +0000

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By:

Indie Staff

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

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Nothing says Christmas like a fresh-cut tree. This year, the folks over at loudounfarms.org have put together an interactive tree farm map that highlights Loudoun's best spot to choose-and-cut. Here are many of the featured locations; for the full list, head over to loudounfarms.org.

Abernethy and Spencer Greenhouses

18035 Lincoln Road, Purcellville VA 20132

Rugrats: Bringing Santa into Christmas (or Not)

John Geddie — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:42:46 +0000

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By:

Jennifer Lofquist

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

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First off, if you are reading this and strongly believe in Santa Claus, I want you to grab a pair of scissors, cut out the article and burn it. Do not read any further, just do it.

Good. Now that they’re off setting fire to my words, the rest of us can really talk.

I believed in Santa when I was growing up. My mom and dad wouldn’t go all out to maintain the myth, but they did have gifts from Santa under the tree. We never had pictures taken with Santa, or any of that. We sometimes left him cookies and milk but often forgot, so Santa’s weight problems cannot be laid at my parents’ doorstep.

Indie Money: Year-end tax avoidance

John Geddie — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:40:19 +0000

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By:

Bob Ohneiser

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

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“Given our progressive income tax system, isn't it true that people and companies with substantial income actually plan for year-end tax avoidance?”

Site of the Week: footsforescast.org

John Geddie — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:38:10 +0000

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By:

Matt Vecchio

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

Teaser:

Our fictional Loudouner, we'll call him John, wakes up to the blare of Elliot's DC 101 morning show.

John swats blindly at the alarm clock, trying to turn it off before his wife stirs from her sleep. He groans and rolls out of bed, dreading his inevitable daily commute downtown. He checked the forecast last night, and they predicted a sunny day. But he opens the shades, sees several inches of snow, and yells expletives, waking his wife.

Leftover Ink: Christmas Spirit

John Geddie — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:36:10 +0000

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By:

John L. Geddie

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

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December came too quickly. I was always told that time moves more quickly as you get older, but this is ridiculous. I’m not even ready for Halloween yet.

Yes, here I sit having not done a bit of Christmas shopping.

Indie Reel: “Black Swan”

John Geddie — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:20:42 +0000

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By:

Alex Withrow

Thursday, 16 December 2010

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For two evenings last weekend, I sat crammed in standing-room-only movie theaters, witnessing what may very well be the best film of the year. Once wasn’t enough, you see. Because the minute “Black Swan” was over, the only thing I demanded of myself was that I see it again. Immediately.

"Black Swan," Darren Aronofsky’s new ballerina-gone-mad head trip, is right up his alley. He took a brief but utterly brilliant detour with "The Wrestler" two years ago, and now he’s back to his warped ways, delivering a film that permeates with his unique eye for cinema.

Douglass School: A misunderstood alternative

John Geddie — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:04:30 +0000

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By:

Alex Withrow

Thursday, 16 December 2010

Teaser:

Douglass School in Leesburg has a reputation - one of angst, fear and sometimes, coercion. In Loudoun high schools, students often use Douglass as a threat.

"Keep acting out," a teasing student may say, "and they'll throw you in Douglass."

But Douglass fails to live up to its menacing status. It isn't home to kids a step away from juvenile detention. Rival gangs don't have fistfights and stab each other in the hallways. Nor are drugs peddled for mass consumption.

Leftover Ink: Six Sins of Christmas

John Geddie — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:02:32 +0000

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By:

John L. Geddie

Thursday, 16 December 2010

Teaser:

Here we are again. It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we are smack dab in the middle of the holidays. Didn’t we just do this last year?