The holiday season is usually a busy time for a lot of folks. There’s shopping to do, food to cook, and people to entertain. To help you get through this festive time of year, we have a few simple tips:

In my first blog here I wrote about the exciting but under-the-radar local film scene. So I'm thrilled to do my part in putting some local filmmakers on the radar by announcing The DMV Indie Film Showcase, which will highlight some of the D.C. Area's brightest filmmaking talent. The event will take place Thursday December 2 and Sunday December 5 at 7PM at the Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax.

My production company, Ciscovaras Pictures, is hosting the event and we are very fortunate to have a program of short films selected by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins of Cinema A La Mode. Sydney-Chanele sees hundreds of films every year and she has picked some of the best to screen at the DMV Indie Film Showcase. Here are some of the shorts from the program, which include several Rosebud winners:

LOADING (3 min.) Director - Daniel Supanick

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce has called on its members to serve as host locations for a Winter Outerwear and Food Drive.  This year the Drive will benefit Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO) and United Community Ministries (UCM).

The Greater Springfield Chamber has hosted this winter campaign since 2001.

For the purposes of this drive, the collection locations will be accepting winter outerwear including new winter hats, scarves and gloves for all ages, new children’s coats, and blankets which can be gently used.  This year, there’s a special need for coats, especially in children's sizes 6 through 16 and adult plus sizes.  Donations of food items must be non-perishable.

Businesses will serve as collection locations through December 17.  As boxes fill, dedicated volunteers from ECHO and UCM retrieve items and prepare them for distribution to people in need in our community.

Host locations include: