Sunday Planner: Trains, Toys and Puppets

Fun events for you and your family Sunday, Dec. 2

Check out Patch’s list of local events happening Sunday.     Holiday Model Train Display and Show Toys for Tots Benefit Square Dance   Holiday Shops and Craft Fairs:   Library Events:   Nature Highlights:

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Cyber Monday Deals and Tips

County officials want shoppers to be savvy during the biggest online spending day of the year.

After millions of people across the nation line up outside retailers for Black Friday, millions more will plop down at their work computers for Cyber Monday, Nov. 26. According to BusinessWeek, digital specialists at the National Retail Foundation created Cyber Monday in 2005. The shopping holiday was meant to entice office employees who were still riding the high of Black Friday and were able to shop from their work computers. It has since become the centerpiece of online holiday shopping. In 2005, shoppers spent a total of $484 million nationwide, comScore reports. In 2011, they spent $1.25 billion, making it the biggest online spending day in history. Retailers like Wal-Mart are going one step further, advertising Cyber Monday bargains …

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Get Out

Weekend Planner: Tree Lighting, Turkey Trots and More

Thursday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 25

  The holiday season kicks off with a variety of local events this Thursday through Sunday.   24th Annual Virginia Run Turkey Trot 5K Run/2K Walk   Alexandria Turkey Trot 2012   Thanksgiving Day Shotgun Golf   City of Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony   Cool Cow Comedy   Mount Vernon by Candlelight   Family Moving Sculpture Workshop   Children’s Theatre: A Magical Christmas   Chanticleer: A Chanticleer Christmas    The Nutcracker   Library Events:   Nature Highlights:

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Burke-Based Cindy's Custom Cards Growing

A hobby turns into an 'absorbing' business for Burke resident Cindy VanMeter.

It was a catalog from a scrapbooking company that launched Cindy VanMeter's growing business in Burke. VanMeter started her career as a secretary, and took time off to raise her first child at age 31. After her second child was born, she began working at Lake Braddock Secondary School as a clinic room aide but then had to quit to take care of her elderly mother. Like many women, VanMeter found that between working, raising kids, and taking care of family members, she was unable to make the time to pursue outside interests, like stamping. About six years ago, VanMeter said, a close friend retired and began working for Stampin’ Up, a company that sells scrapbooking and crafting supplies. VanMeter’s friend sent her the Stampin’ Up catalogue, …

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Prepare Your Pet for a Holiday Photo Shoot

Local photographer Robin Burkett offers tips for taking a great photo of your pet.

  With Christmas around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about purchasing gifts and decorations. An easy way to get away with staging some last-minute Christmas cheer is to snap some festive photos of your pets for guests to enjoy. Starting Dec. 1, PetSmart in Springfield will offer its Santa Claws photo event. Five dollars from each purchase will go towards local animal welfare organizations. If you want to try taking your own photos, Robin Burkett from Paw Prints Photography shared her tips for getting Fluffy or Fido to cooperate for their moment in the spotlight: 1.  Don’t "manhandle" your dog or cat. Treat them like you would want to be treated—if you had someone pushing you into place you probably wouldn’t like it either. So …

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