Jordan Springs, VA – The Historic Jordan Springs and Cultural Centre (circa 1600) will present a classic Wedding Tasting and New York-style Bridal Fashion Show on Sunday, February 21, 2010 in Frederick County, Virginia.

Taste a carefully-selected blend of foods from the four different seasons of the year prepared by Jordan Springs’ Executive Chef, Dan Hayes – designed to showcase the wide range of options available for weddings held at this pristine Shenandoah Valley property.

Bridal Event Schedule on February 21, 2010:

- Tasting Spring and Summer – at 1 pm
- Tasting Fall and Winter – at 2 pm
- Fashion Show – at 3 pm

This event is free for brides and grooms already booked at Historic Jordan Springs. The cost for all other guests is $5.00 per person.

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UPCOMING EVENTS
Other unique, fun events coming up at Jordan Springs include:

- Authenic Civil War Ball – on February 27, 2010

Open to public – Proceeds will benefit the 1st Virginia Calvary, Company H. (Period attire recommended, black tie optional. Cash bar available.)

Cocktails will be at 5:00.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m., and dancing from 7 to 10 p.m. The Susquehanna Travellers will be performing.

- French Cooking Classes – during March 2010

French Cooking Classes – March 4, 11, and 18 – at 6 pm
French Cooking Class & Wine Paired Dinner – March 27 – at 6:30 pm

For more information on any of these events, call (540) 667-7744.

For directions, visit the Historic Jordan Springs web site.

Edinburg, VA – Tragedy strikes when Doug Cummings barely escapes a suspicious vehicle accident with his life and realizes that someone is out to get him. But who?

His only known enemy, twisted psychopath Zeb McGraw, is behind bars. Could someone on the outside be helping McGraw? Or could the culprit be the mysterious cowboy who miraculously helps save the life of Doug’s horse, but who almost seems too good to be true? As the chilling plot unfolds, Doug is forced to confront the would-be killer and end the nightmare, no matter what the cost.

Lovers of horses and books
Released in June 2006, The Chase captures the colorful Virginia hunt-country lifestyle in a thrilling nonstop journey filled with revenge, greed, loyalty, and love. The novel is the Gold Medal Winner of the 2007 IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction, is a notable Winner of the 2007 Eric Hoffer Award, was a Finalist in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards, and was nominated for a Library of Virginia Literary Award.

The author, Jan Neuharth, will be discussing and signing her two books, The Hunt and The Chase, at Fran Romeo & Company, 212 North Main Street in Edinburg, Virginia on Saturday, January 30, 2010 from noon until 3 pm. This Special Event, in celebration of Valentine’s Day, is part of a series of book signings by popular regional writers to be hosted at Fran Romeo and Company each month.

Currently, Neuharth is at work on the third novel in her Hunt Country Suspense Series, due to be released in 2010. An attorney by profession, she managed the business and marketing side of Paper Chase Farms, Inc.- a 115-acre full-service equestrian center in Middleburg, Virginia – from its inception in 1985. For 15 years, she oversaw  the operation of 70-plus horses, more than 200 students, a dozen employees and eight instructors/trainers, and orchestrated an annual agenda including 20 horse shows, clinics with world class equestrians, and a half-dozen celebratory and promotional events.

In September 2000, Neuharth and her partner Joseph Keusch sold the horse farm to the Hanley family from Fairfax, Virginia, who christened the facility Fox Chase Farm.

Ms. Neuharth received her B.A. degree from the University of Florida and her Law Degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. She serves on the boards of several select equine, business and educational entities. Neuharth and Keusch also consult on a wide variety of equestrian issues.

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Opened in Fall 2009, Fran Romeo & Company is a gift and wedding boutique on Main Street (Route 11, Old Valley Pike) in the small, historic town of Edinburg, Virginia, the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The boutique carries a wonderful array of unique items, including jewelry, which its proprietor, Ms. Fran Romeo, personally selects from all over the United States. Fran is a wedding and event planner, specializing in arranging personalized unforgettable days to remember in the Valley, and the region.

To reserve your seat for the January 30th book signing event with Jan Neuharth, call Fran Romeo at (540) 984-3606, or email her: Fran at theromeocompanies.com.

Check out Fran Romeo & Company on Facebook.

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Strasburg, VA – Just starting to dream about those holiday parties and the wonderful dress you’ll wear? Imagining your hair up in that perfect do? Well, look no further.

Open for about six months, N2Hair is located in Creekside Station in North Strasburg – close to the intersection of I-81 and Route 66. The address is: 33820 Old Valley Pike (near the Fairfield Inn and Suites).

Hope Kirtley is the owner of N2Hair Salon. She specializes in really listening to clients, and making recommendations based on her years of experience.  Laid back, yet professional, Hope and the other stylists have fun as they work with each client individually to get the “look” they are reaching for.

Men also rate at N2Hair. One of the salon’s recent male customers commented: “The main thing for me was going into the place, I was very comfortable. It was easygoing. I get nervous about my hair getting cut. I was put completely at ease and am completely happy with the cut I got.  Hope didn’t have a set idea for me. She wanted to know what I wanted.”

N2Hair is a family-owned and operated business. Their motto is: “Come join us and let your new style blossom at our family salon.”

Call (540) 465-2277 for an appointment.

Hours:  Open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays.

Edinburg, VA – You never know what she’ll do next. Entrepreneur Fran Romeo, who has worked hard for breast cancer awareness for years, has now opened a wonderful gift and wedding boutique in Edinburg, a small quaint town along Route 11 in the Shenandoah Valley. And, boy, is the place and the owner a treat!

Partnership, rather than Competition
For years, Fran’s been helping individuals – including brides and prom-goers – pick out personal gifts, and has been consulting with corporations and golf-related organizations to select innovative business gifts. She’s a pro at working with people to plan events that capture their spirit and personality, and stand apart from the crowd.

Fran is a galvanizng woman. Since opening her new boutique last month, she’s joined with other Main Street Edinburg businesses to promote their retail enterprises as a team. Viewing others as part of the greater whole, rather than separate, competing businesses is part of a national trend. It’s all about joining together for the common good, and is a positive outcome that’s coming from the effect of the lousy economy on the retail sector.

New stop for Northern Virginia visitors
Fran Romeo & Companies is located at 212 N. Main Street. They carry great gifts and accessories, and furniture and decorative items – for special occasions and special events, including weddings, proms, birthdays, and anniversaries. The shop is fast becoming a new stopping point for folks visiting the Valley from Northern Virginia and the D.C. area.

Fran provides the latest in wedding preparations, including eco-friendly gifts for the whole wedding party, as well as “green” invitations and favors. She’s a great resource for finding gorgeous settings for destination weddings in the Shenandoah Valley.

Romeo also works with school districts, and non-profit organizations, on fund raising items, ideas, and campaigns. Her boutique accepts some small-scale furniture on consignment, and also hosts book signings for local and regional authors at her shop each month. Treat yourself by swinging by Fran Romeo & Company during their Official Grand Opening on Saturday, December 5 from noon to 4 p.m. Or, drop by anytime. (The hours are: 11 AM – 5 PM, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Closed: Wednesday and Sunday.)

Phone: (540) 984-3606

Click here for Fran Romeo & Company Facebook page.

P.S. Fran Romeo & Company is located below the Renaissance Bed & Breakfast, and shares space with Natty’s Nook, a beautiful baby store that also carries imported English nightgowns and vintage merchandise.

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From the Fall issue of 7Bends of the Shenandoah Valley magazine…

Woodstock, Virginia – ShenSpa provides tools to relax and encourages people to pursue a path of health and wellness. Just ask Michael Gwin, a Certified Massage Therapist at ShenSpa in Woodstock, Virginia.

“I believe every person is going through a healing process. That’s what life is about,” Gwin says with a smile.  The latest studies have shown that each person experiences an average of 60,000 thoughts each day. How one consciously and actively decides to relate, respond to, and possibly act on these thoughts determines their reality and what happens in their lives.

ShenSpa is offering a new small-group relaxation/stress reduction class. This class will give the participants a chance to learn from Gwin’s extensive experience about quieting “the noise” in their heads, and being able to access wisdom, and experience peace of mind and body.

“Many people say that their thoughts won’t shut down, that their minds are constantly bombarded with worries, and that they can’t get their mind to stop.” says Gwin. “Well, they can, and the process is straightforward, and rewarding. It’s about self control and release.”

As with everything in life, we each decide how important things are to our daily lives, and to our own well being. We can choose to focus our awareness and time on the areas that encourages new, healthy growth for us – on a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical level. Gwin gives each person the encouragement and tools necessary to heal themselves. Many people have heard that they already know the answers to their own very-real questions about life. Only some take the challenge to access that inner knowing.
 
Elizabeth Shuler, Director of ShenSpa, which is part of Shenandoah Memorial Hospital/Valley Health, considers the facility fortunate to have Gwin on staff. Gwin has worked in the field of healing and relaxation, and the holistic arts, since 1990. He is a Certified Massage Therapist, an Energy Practitioner/Healer, and holds a PhD in Metaphysical Theology.  Gwin also teaches similar courses at Massanutten Resort near Harrisonburg, Virginia.
 
Choose your thoughts with care
 
“We are not taught to self-monitor our thoughts,” says Gwin. “Our mind is a powerful instrument and we can learn to use it for own well- being and benefit”. The class at ShenSpa will help you to develop these techniques and skills and to create a more relaxed “you”.
 
Gwin reminds us that to dwell on the past drains our lives. Instead, through the methods of relaxation, one can create the future they desire. “That’s what healing is about,” says Gwin. “It’s about completely letting go of what has power over you – to bring your spirit, your life energy (“chi”), back into the present.”
 
Shuler sees this first class at ShenSpa as a “starting point.” ShenSpa will be looking to add more small-group learning sessions in the future, she says.
 
Each person who signs up for the 8-week course, held from 8:30 until 9:30 a.m. on Monday mornings, will also receive a free copy of Gwin’s unique relaxation CD, “The Journey Within.”
 
The Three Big Questions
 
Michael recently published his first book, “The Three Big Questions and How They Define Your Life.”  
In his book, in addition to explaining the chakra (energy) centers in the body, Gwin offers these three “big” questions to ponder. 
1. Who am I?
2. What am I doing here?

ShenSpa is nestled in scenic Woodstock, Virginia, surrounded by mountains, ShenSpa is the perfect spot to discover a new you. Come to rejuvenate with a relaxing massage or discover new anti-aging treatments to make you feel and look younger. You can be confident in the highest standard of care. ShenSpa operates under the supervision of Dr. Tania Damavandy, M.D., a board certified physician, who serves as the medical director and is an active practitioner in the facility.
 
ShenSpa provides:
- State-of-the-art computer skin analysis
- Complimentary consultation with trained staff and medical professionals
- Anti-aging medical spa procedures
- Medically-approved skincare products and mineral cosmetic line
- Traditional relaxing spa treatments
 
Phone: (540) 459-4916
Address: 1066 Hisey Avenue, Suite 101, Woodstock, VA 22664
Visit their Web site

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Shenandoah Valley – Aging is not just the way we look but, more importantly, it’s the degenerative diseases which prematurely change our life. To name a few, these diseases include: breast cancer, heart disease, depression, hormone disruption, obesity, memory loss, birth defects and ADD.

The following are the “worst of the worst” – toxic, carcinogenic chemicals – commonly found in most skin and personal care products. Each is directly linked to one or more of the above conditions.

- Benzoyl Peroxide: Frequently used in acne products, the MSDS states “Facilitates action of known carcinogens…Possible tumor promoter. May act as mutagen; produces DNA damage in human and other mammalian cells in some concentrations. Also, toxic by inhalation. May be harmful if swallowed and in contact with skin. Eye, skin and respiratory irritant.”

- DEA (Diethanolamine),  MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (Triethanolamine): This foam booster is a skin/eye irritant and causes contact dermatitis.  Easily absorbed through skin to accumulate in body organs, even the brain. Repeated use resulted in major increases of liver and kidney cancer.

- Dioxin: Won’t appear on an ingredient list. Often contained in antibacterial ingredients like triclosan, emulsifiers, PEGs and ethoxylated cleansers like Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Dioxin causes cancer, reduced immunity, nervous system disorders, miscarriages and birth deformity. It’s a hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects measured in the parts per trillion – one drop in 300 Olympic-size swimming pools!  Our bodies have no defense against its damage. Most visible example was Yushchenko, the Ukrainian President, who suffered from dioxin poisoning and looked old overnight.

- DMDM Hydantoin & Urea (Imidazolidinyl): Just two of many preservatives that often release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, cancer, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep. Exposure may irritate the respiratory system, trigger heart palpitations or asthma, aggravate coughs and colds.

- FD&C Color & Pigments: Synthetic colors from coal tar contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins in skin, causing skin sensitivity / irritation.  Absorption can cause depletion of oxygen and death.  Animal studies show almost all are carcinogenic.

- Parabens: (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl) – used as preservatives and aren’t always labeled “parabens.” They’re used in deodorants and antiperspirants and have been found in breast cancer tumors. Parabens, as xenoestrogens (hormone disruptors), may contribute to sterility in male mice and humans. Estrogen-like activity causes hormone imbalance in females and early puberty.

- PEG (Polyethylene glycol): Made by ethoxylating Propylene Glycol.  Dangerous levels of dioxin have been found as a by-product of the ethoxylation process.  PEGs are in everything including personal care, baby care and sunscreens.

- Phthalates: Xenoestrogens are commonly found in many products, usually not listed on labels.  Health effects include damage to liver/kidneys, birth defects, decreased sperm counts and early breast development in girls and boys.

- Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol: Petroleum plastics act as surfactants (wetting agents, solvents). EPA considers PG so toxic it requires protective gloves, clothing, goggles and disposal by burying. Because PG penetrates skin so quickly, EPA warns against skin contact to prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. There is NO warning label on products where concentration is greater than in most industrial applications.

- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Detergents and surfactants that pose serious health threats.  Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and 90% of personal-care products that foam.  Animals exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation – even death. SLS may also damage skin’s immune system by causing layers to separate, inflame and age.

- Sunscreen chemicals: avobenzone, benzphenone, ethoxycinnamate, PABA are commonly used ingredients that are known free radical generators and are believed to damage DNA or lead to cancers.

- Triclosan: Synthetic “antibacterial” ingredient with chemical structure similar to Agent Orange! EPA registers it as a pesticide, posing risks to human health and environment.  Classified as a chlorophenol, chemicals suspected of causing cancer in humans.  Tufts University School of Medicine says triclosan is capable of forcing emergence of ’super bugs’ it cannot kill.

A number of companies, including Nikken, offer safe, natural, organic skin care products. For more information in the Shenandoah Valley, you can call Elaine Shaw at (540) 984-9292, email her at wellnessworks4u@gmail.com, or visit her web site.

(Source: All information is from The ToxicAlarm™ Guide – courtesy of The ToxicFree® Foundation.)