Yala Fitness Will Heat Up The City on May 19
• May 21, 2012

Join D.C.’s hottest party with a blend of fitness this Saturday, May 19. YaLa Fitness is a unique program that incorporates multiple elements of fitness, from cardio to plyometrics. Laurent Amzallag, the program’s creator, hosts Hot YaLa Nights where guests enjoy celebrity cooking, fashion, skin consultations and more.

Amzallag’s classes feature the exercises you’d normally do at the gym with an added twist: dancing to worldly beats. You’ll hear disco, R&B, French, Caribbean, Merengue and Bhangra. YaLa Fitness is the only program of its kind, disguising athletic moves with fun choreography. Classes appeal to all skill levels, easy to follow for the newcomer and challenging enough for a pro. Before you know it you’re over, you will be 1,000 calories lighter with a smile on your face.

The entertainment doesn’t stop, on or off the dance floor. Come and enjoy healthy Pop Chips, a surprise musical performance and Laurent’s YaLa wisdom.

YaLa Fitness’s “Nuit Sensuelle” will take place on May 19 from 6-8 p.m. at 700 Water Street SW.

Tickets for the fitness party are $15 pre-purchased and $20 at the door. Visit www.YalaFitness.com for more information.
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Trust for the National Mall 5th Annual Benefit Luncheon
• May 10, 2012

The Trust for the National Mall held its fifth annual benefit luncheon on a sunny Thursday at the National Mall May 3. Former first lady Laura Bush, honorary chair of the Campaign for the National Mall, spoke to fellow supporters at the historic space, administered by the National Park Service. The trust announced the winners of the National Mall Design Competition where renowned design teams produced sustainable and functional concepts.

Three teams will redesign Constitution Gardens, Union Square, an 11-acre area, west of the Capitol, that contains the Capitol Reflecting Pool and Grant Memorial, and the Washington Monument grounds. The trust plans to make these designs a reality in time for the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.

Winners Are:

Constitution Gardens: Rogers Marvel & Peter Walker and Partners

Union Square: Gustafson Guthrie Nichol & Brody Bond

The Washington Monumnet Grounds: OLIN & Weiss/ Manfredi

For details, visit www.nps.gov

Winners of the National Mall Design Competition [gallery ids="100785,123761" nav="thumbs"]

Earth Hour 2012: Saturday March 31st at 8:30pm
• April 5, 2012

Lights across the world will go dark for Earth Hour 2012. Support the
World Wildlife Fund for Nature’s “I Will if You Will” campaign by
saving energy and flipping those switches.

For more information, EarthHour.org

Green D.C.
• April 4, 2012

Our nation’s capital takes being green very seriously. We top the list of environmentally-friendly “firsts” time and again. The numbers don’t lie, D.C. stands above the competition in LEED certified commercial and institutional green buildings per capita. And any foodie will tell you, this town loves supporting local farms.

Many embassies catch the eye with their beauty and grandeur, but only one prevents greenhouse gas emissions. The Embassy of Finland is the first LEED certified embassy in the U.S. Years of retrofitting the modernist building has produced energy-efficient lighting, plumbing and ventilation. Mirroring Finland’s environmental commitment, the embassy is a pioneer in eco-friendly business practices.

During those all too familiar summer scorchers, Pleasant Pops comes to our rescue. Inspired by paletas, a traditional ice pop from Michoacan, Mexico, the ingredients challenge our taste buds and support local farming. The Pleasant Pops mission dictates strict recycling practices and composting organic waste. Look for their new shop in Logan Square this summer.

Eco-friendliness comes as second nature to Nusta spa, the first and only LEED certified spa in the U.S. Their goal is to approach green from the inside out. Renewable and recyclable, Nusta’s interior meets the highest standards of sustainability. They thought of everything, down to the ink used in printed materials.

Ever wonder where your seafood actually comes from? Not at Tackle Box, whose green philosophy supports local suppliers who are using habitat-friendly fishing gear. Their fluctuating menu combats over-fishing and poor practices that endanger our oceans. Tackle Box believes environmentalism means flexibility, education and community.

Washington Nationals Park is the nation’s first major professional stadium to become LEED certified. Sustainable design elements include energy-saving light fixtures, drought-resistant plants and a green roof over concessions. What about those pesky peanut shells sprawling the ground? A special ground filtration is system designed to catch shells and other debris before reaching the storm-water system.

D.C.’s latest initiative is to keep our schools green. On March 20, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council released the Green Classroom Professional Certificate. The program educates pre-K–12 teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators and parents about environmentally healthy practices in schools and classrooms.

Graphic, Totemic Fashion
• March 22, 2012

From Aztec to Navajo, spring fashion is witnessing the return of tribal
patterns. Look for these bold, graphic prints and the loud colors that compliment.
As cold weather gives way to warmth, these exotic looks remind
us that it’s time to enjoy the outdoors. Here’s how to wear them this season. [gallery ids="100597,100598,100599,100600" nav="thumbs"]