Fight Back Against Mold Illness with Help from Proactive Wellness Centers

phone-number(703) 822-5003

CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment in Centreville, VA

Experiencing mold toxicity is a terrifying thought for most people. Although it may seem like an interesting concept for a medical drama, nobody wants to experience the effects of mold exposure firsthand.

Mold is a fungus that thrives in wet environments, such as under tiles, wood floors, and ceilings, pipes, and roofs. While several types of mold exist, some are more hazardous than others, and some individuals may be allergic or sensitive to mycotoxins, the toxins that mold naturally produces. Exposure to excessive amounts of mold, or the types of mold that trigger health problems, can lead to mold toxicity and even CIRS - Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. This acute and chronic systemic inflammatory response syndrome is typically acquired after exposure to mold or other producers of biotoxins, usually from damaged water buildings.

If you believe that you're suffering from mold toxicity or mold illness, it can seem like the world is folding in on you. No matter what you do, your symptoms persist, lowering your quality of life and eliminating your peace of mind. Fortunately, there is reason to be hopeful: Proactive Wellness Centers now offers a research-backed, highly effective mold illness poisoning treatment in Centreville, VA for men and women just like yourself and your children as well if they have been impacted.

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Understanding

CIRS and Mold Toxicity

CIRS and mold illness are on the rise, and accurate diagnosis of the issue plays a major role in this trend. Thanks to Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, there is a huge body of evidence that covers diagnosing and treating patients with CIRS. Dr. Lawson is one of less than 30 practitioners in the United States that are fully certified by Dr. Shoemaker for diagnosing and treating CIRS. The body of evidence by Shoemaker and many associates is the largest body of scientific evidence that is published in major medical journals. Around 80% of CIRS/Mold cases are caused by indoor air contaminated with mold toxins and other triggers. However, it's important to note that CIRS can also be caused by biotoxin producers such as cyanobacteria and a marine dinoflagellate that produces the Ciguatera toxin found in certain types of fish.

When mold or biotoxins are not processed effectively, a series of biochemical changes known as the Biotoxin Pathway occur. Genetic studies have revealed that approximately 24% of individuals have a genetic makeup that makes them susceptible to developing an illness related to mold or biotoxins. The remaining 76% of the population can typically eliminate these toxins from their system and avoid the development of the Biotoxin Pathway that can lead to various diseases.

CIRS Treatment In Centreville Centreville, VA

CIRS and Mold Poisoning Misdiagnosis

CIRS and mold exposure symptoms overlap with many other chronic illnesses, which makes diagnosis challenging and can even lead to missed diagnosis of CIRS. Based on research from Proactive Wellness Centers, CIRS is frequently misdiagnosed. Some of the most common misdiagnoses include:

  • Lupus
  • Chronic Pain Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • PTSD
  • More

Lyme disease, in particular, is often misdiagnosed. We have treated a number of patients whose symptoms were in line with Lyme disease. Fortunately, we were able to confirm the presence of CIRS and mold and were able to successfully help those patients using CIRS treatment in Centreville, VA.

Note that many of these patients have CIRS and Lyme disease and in that case, it is necessary to treat both in order for full recovery. Treating one or the other will invariably leave the patient with debilitating symptoms and even more frustration with their medical team. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we are skilled In diagnosing and treating both.

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CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment In Centreville Centreville, VA

CIRS and Mold Poisoning Symptoms

If you're reading this page, chances are you're concerned that you might have CIRS or some form of mold poisoning. You may be wondering what you have - is it CIRS, or is it something else like Lyme disease? We can't provide the answer to that question without consultation and testing at our wellness center in Virginia. However, there are common symptoms of CIRS and mold toxicity you should know.

Some of the most common symptoms of CIRS include:

  • Fatigue
  • Decreased Word Finding
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Morning Stiffness
  • Tremors
  • Excessive Thirst
  • Tingling
  • Night Sweats
  • Frequent Urination
  • Confusion
  • Mood Swings

Proactive Wellness Centers'

Tools for Diagnosing Mold Sickness and CIRS

Identifying and confirming if a patient is being impacted by CIRS and identifying the cause and source of the biotoxin are the two main steps in diagnosing CIRS and Mold Exposure. To diagnose CIRS and Mold Exposure, the following diagnostic tools are commonly used:

To learn more about the debilitating symptoms of mold sickness and to find out whether you have CIRS or something else, contact Proactive Wellness Centers. Our team of medical professionals is here to help you every step of the way.

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Hope for Patients with CIRS: Proactive Wellness Centers' Mold Illness Treatment in Centreville, VA

Our approach to treating CIRS utilizes integrative and functional medicine, The Shoemaker Protocol along with the latest evidence-based approaches to treating mold illness and the related secondary issues that it causes. We begin by utilizing advanced diagnostics to confirm the presence of the condition and identify the specific environment causing continued exposure to biotoxins. Next, we take a stepwise approach to halt the progression of the disease, eliminate biotoxins from the body, and reverse any damage to cellular structures. Our goal is to help patients achieve a full recovery.

To do this, we not only have to identify the primary condition like CIRS or Lyme disease, but we then have to continue looking to see if you have any of the common secondary conditions like reactivated EBV, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and others. Once we understand the totally of your condition, then we can implement a treatment plan tailored for you. Yes, it will leverage the Shoemaker protocol, but we have found that we have to extend the protocol to cover the secondary issues that we uncover.

phone-number(703) 822-5003

The steps we follow to reach that goal include:

In order to initiate the recovery process, it is important to address and resolve any affected areas, or, alternatively, relocate the patient from that environment if necessary. Prolonged exposure to mold can hinder the success of the treatment plan and impede the healing process.

Two commonly used binding agents in the process of treating Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome are Welchol and Cholestyramine. Cholestyramine is particularly effective in binding biotoxins that are processed in the liver's bile ducts and helps to eliminate them from the body. It has been scientifically proven, through placebo-controlled studies, to reverse multiple aspects of the inflammatory process associated with CIRS.

Many individuals experiencing mold sickness and other chronic inflammatory illnesses may have a staph infection called MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) residing deep in their nasal cavities. This infection is resistant to antibiotics and needs to be eliminated for the patient to fully recover.

Each patient requires a customized plan based on the affected areas and CIRS severity. Retesting is necessary after each step to confirm balance restoration. Testing may include some or all of the following:
  • VIP
  • TGF Beta 1
  • MMP9
  • ADH
  • Antigliadin
  • Androgen Imbalance
  • C4a
  • More

In order to halt the growth of mold fungi, patients need to avoid foods that can cause mycotoxins. Some examples of these foods include:
  • Barley
  • Cottonseed
  • Peanuts
  • Corn
  • Black Pepper
  • Figs
  • Rice
  • Bread
  • Beans
  • More
Proactive Wellness has a proven track record of treating patients who have experienced severe health issues without any clear explanation. Unlike other "syndromes," our diagnosis process involves specific tests to confirm a diagnosis rather than simply ruling out other diseases.
CIRS Mold Poisoning Treatment In Centreville Centreville, VA

Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue, and Chronic Pain Syndrome are examples of illnesses that are often diagnosed without such confirmatory tests. If you are experiencing unexplained health issues or have been exposed to water-damaged buildings, it is possible that you are suffering from CIRS or a mold illness.

The good news is that we can diagnose and address this disease with a mold illness treatment program in Centreville, VA tailored to your body and your symptoms. That way, we can help you regain your health as soon as possible.

Be Wary of These

5 Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Mold spores can easily be brought into your home on your shoes or clothing or through open windows or doors. If these spores can find a warm, damp, humid environment, they can begin to multiply. Soon, your home can be filled with toxic mold. If you think mold has invaded your home or another environment, like in an office or warehouse, it's important for you to know about the symptoms.

Unfortunately, diagnosing mold issues can be exceptionally difficult. But why? The answer can be quite frustrating.

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Understanding the Difficulty of Diagnosing Mold Symptoms

Many doctors fail to recognize the impact of mycotoxins emitted by certain indoor mold species, which can lead to chemical and inflammatory reactions. While conventional medicine acknowledges that mold can cause allergies, it may overlook this crucial aspect of mold-related health issues.

This can happen for several reasons:

  • Standardized treatment protocols for mold toxicity are offered mostly by Functional/Integrative physicians as the conventional physicians are not on board despite over 20 years of published research. Due to this issue, patients spend precious months/years going from doctor to doctor in the conventional channel with no answers.
  • Though ERMI testing has been accepted in the integrative/functional medical community, there isn't a "gold standard" in mold testing that is universally accepted.
  • Mold symptoms can manifest in vastly different ways depending on the patient.
VA Centreville, VA

After understanding the points above, it's no wonder that mold poisoning can be hard to diagnose. Fortunately, integrative and functional holistic medicine providers and wellness centers like Proactive Wellness are flipping the proverbial script. Unlike traditional clinics, our team considers environmental factors that can affect patient health and has advanced training to provide mold poisoning treatment in Centreville, VA.

Now that you understand why mold symptoms are so hard to diagnose let's take a closer look at five of the most common indicators of mold sickness.

Mold Toxicity Symptoms Centreville, VA

Fatigue

Fatigue is probably the number one symptom of well over 90% of CIRS patients. The level of fatigue varies from 5 on a 10 point scale all the way to 10 on a 10 point scale. Many patients can no longer work or remain productive as in the worst cases, the fatigue is overwhelming. College students living in moldy dorms frequently have to drop out of school until the illness is treated effectively. Older adults have to retire or stop working due the fatigue. If you have overwhelming fatigue, CIRS may be a major contributor to your illness.

Mold Poisoning Symtoms Centreville, VA

Breathing Problems

Exposure to mold can cause a host of respiratory problems, such as breathing difficulties, allergies, and asthma, especially in individuals with a weakened immune system. Mold can worsen asthma, irritate the nasal passages, lungs, and throat, and lead to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Other health issues such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sinus congestion, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis have also been associated with mold sickness.

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Treatment Centreville, VA

Sadness and Depression

Mold can cause a variety of illnesses that can show up in different ways, such as psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, concentration problems, and memory loss. It has been reported that nearly 40% of people who live in moldy homes experience depression. Researchers suggest that exposure to toxic mold and dealing with the physical symptoms of mold illness can contribute to mental health issues.

Due to this phenomenon, many mold patients are given antidepressant medications in the conventional channels.

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Symptoms Centreville, VA

Feeling "Pins and Needles"

Numbness, twitching, or tingling in the extremities, such as hands, feet, legs, and arms, is another symptom of mold illness. The sensation is similar to pins and needles, which are often felt when the body is held in an uncomfortable position for a long time. While this sensation can indicate serious nerve damage or disease, it can also be a symptom of mold sickness.

CIRS Treatment In Centreville Centreville, VA

Digestion Problems and Disorders

When exposed to mold, individuals may experience various digestive problems. Some may lose their appetite, leading to unintentional weight loss. Others may suffer from stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Furthermore, the influx of mold spores may trigger systemic inflammation, causing bloating and weight gain due to the digestive system's exposure to harmful mold.

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Top Tips for

Controlling Mold in Your Environment

It's not possible to completely eliminate all mold and mold spores from your home or place of work. However, since mold spores need moisture to grow, the best way to prevent or get rid of growth is to reduce the moisture in your environment. If you already have mold growing there, it's important to clean it up and address the issue causing dampness. If you only clean up the mold and don't address the underlying problem, the mold is likely to return.

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture throughout your home or office:

  • Use A/C or Dehumidifiers. This is especially important if you live in a hot, humid area of the United States.
  • Ensure A/C drip pans are clean, dry, and obstruction-free.
  • Thoroughly dry areas that are damp or wet within 48 hours.
  • Be sure to install insulation in cold areas like your home's exterior walls and windows. Doing so will reduce condensation.
  • Work with an HVAC company to check your HVAC system. Doing so can help ensure your unit is removing as much humidity as possible.
  • Keep the humidity in your home below 60% whenever possible.
CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment In Centreville Centreville, VA
VA Centreville, VA

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in your kitchen:

  • Check for leaks near your ice makers, sinks, and anywhere else water is present.
  • Make sure your exhaust fans are directing moisture outside, not into your attic.
  • If you notice your appliances are causing moisture on windows and other surfaces, turn them off as soon as you're done using them.

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in crawlspaces:

  • Use a plastic covering on the dirt in your crawlspace. Doing so will prevent moisture from saturating the ground.
  • Ensure that your crawlspace or basement is ventilated well.
  • Check your home's gutters. Make sure they're directing water away from your property, not toward your foundation or crawlspace.

Your Top Choice for

Mold Toxicity Treatment in Centreville, VA

Trying to "tough it out" through life with CIRS isn't any way to live. If you're suffering from the effects of biotoxin illness, you should know that there are solutions available to help you reclaim your health and your life. With the help of a can-do attitude, healthy living, and mold illness treatment from Proactive Wellness, there's light at the end of the dark tunnel you're trapped within. Contact our office today to get started on your first step toward recovery!

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Latest News in Centreville, VA

Construction now underway to widen Route 29 outside Centreville

Fairfax County and the Virginia Department of Transportation have kicked off construction to widen a 1.5-mile stretch of Route 29 near Centreville.Though there will be a ceremonial groundbreaking today (Wednesday), construction on the project began Feb. 9 to add two lanes to the roadway between Union Mill Road and Buckleys Gate Drive.By the time work finishes in spring 2026, there will be six lanes instead of ...

Fairfax County and the Virginia Department of Transportation have kicked off construction to widen a 1.5-mile stretch of Route 29 near Centreville.

Though there will be a ceremonial groundbreaking today (Wednesday), construction on the project began Feb. 9 to add two lanes to the roadway between Union Mill Road and Buckleys Gate Drive.

By the time work finishes in spring 2026, there will be six lanes instead of four on that stretch of road. In addition to the new lanes, the project aims to make improvements to sight distance for drivers and shared-use paths on the roadway.

It will also connect pedestrian and bicycle trails located at the Fairfax County Parkway/West Ox Road interchange.

This work has been on VDOT’s radar for years, with the project first coming to the public at a meeting in October 2018. Notes from a 2019 public hearing say that a 2005 VDOT study “explored the feasibility of providing a continuous 6 lane section from Centreville to the City of Fairfax.”

“Over the past several years, portions of Route 29 have been widened to six lanes (three in each direction) between Centreville and the City of Fairfax,” Mike Murphy, a senior communications specialist at VDOT, wrote in an email to FFXnow.

After this widening, a continuous six-lane section will exist “along the five-mile stretch between Pickwick Road and Shirley Gate Road/Waples Mill Road to improve capacity and safety through the corridor,” Murphy wrote.

The project is removing trees between Stringfellow Road and Meadow Estates Drive on the north side of Route 29. To accommodate that work, residents will need to use alternate routes in place of part of Willow Pond Trail through April 2023.

The estimated cost is $97 million, and those dollars come from four sources: federal, state and local money, plus funding from a I-66 concession fee.

Today’s groundbreaking will be held on the Route 29 service road, near the Brightview Fair Oaks senior living facility. Two members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors — Pat Herrity (Springfield) and Kathy Smith (Sully) — plan to attend.

Cappies Review: 'Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)' at Centreville High School

A student reviews Centreville High School's performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)."Patch StaffBy Dylan Truncellito of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and TechnologyTurn the pages of this storybook complete with dancing mice, royal balls, and transforming pumpkins as Centreville High School presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)!"A musical adaptation of the 1997 teleplay inspired by the classic fairy tale, Rodgers...

A student reviews Centreville High School's performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)."

Patch Staff

By Dylan Truncellito of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Turn the pages of this storybook complete with dancing mice, royal balls, and transforming pumpkins as Centreville High School presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)!"

A musical adaptation of the 1997 teleplay inspired by the classic fairy tale, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)" follows an orphaned girl forced to follow the orders of her stepmother and stepsisters. Her dreams for a greater life develop as she falls in love with the crown prince at a royal ball, but she leaves in a hurry, leaving a single glass slipper behind for the prince to find her once again.

Contrasting the standard portrayal of a gentle, modest fairy godmother, Sienna Ngyuen portrayed a sassy, larger-than-life extrovert. Her stage presence was undeniable, created by her strong voice and unstoppable energy. Motivating Cinderella and living exuberantly through her, Ngyuen commanded attention with her confident steps and grand gestures.

Lionel, the overworked steward of the royal family, was portrayed by Makena Nelson. Nelson's subtle glances and confident demeanor highlighted Lionel's witty comebacks and comedic moments as he worked to every whim of the royal family and rejected the romantic advances of Cinderella's stepmother.

Find out what's happening in Centrevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cinderella, portrayed by Madelyn Regan, was like a princess who stepped out of a classic children's storybook. Regan's animated steps and twirls brought the innocent dreamer to life as she fantasized about stories of romance and royalty. Regan performed the difficult solo "In My Own Little Corner" with grace, hitting high notes with a crisp vibrato while emotionally acting out her dreams of another life. Excited leaps and poses contrasted with her hesitant pauses, expressing her yearning for a perfect romance.

Designed by Laura Mineo and the Cinderella Costume Crew, the costumes brought attention to the characters and showcased their relationships. The shared color palettes of the stepsisters, portrayed by Kelley Simpkins and Antonella Foschi, established them as a cohesive duo even when apart. Their bright, over-the-top dresses and fur pieces contrasted Cinderella's simple color palette, emphasizing their drastically different demeanors. From the prim-and-proper royal ball to the bustling village market, lush ball gowns and modest village outfits made each setting its own. The fairy godmother's costume was whimsical and extravagant, sparkling and flowing as it emphasized Ngyuen's exuberant stage presence. A transforming dress created a magical moment as the fairy godmother transformed Cinderella from a simple villager into a stunning guest at the ball during an on-stage costume change.

Building up the fairy-tale setting, Katie Powderly and the Cinderella Set Crew used their space effectively to create distinct locations. Cinderella's home, cozy and modest with simple furniture and colors, contrasted with the royal palace, which was lavishly decorated with thrones and a shining suit of armor. These two spaces were on opposite sides of the stage, allowing for moments of yearning and separation between Madelyn Regan as Cinderella and Andre Jones as Prince Christopher to shine through in their duets. The set contained many transforming elements, creating quick scene changes and fantastical moments. The royal ballroom set turned into the royal garden, quickly following the romance between Cinderella and Prince Christopher without missing a beat. A moving pumpkin swirled around the stage, creating the iconic conversion into a golden carriage. Every fairy tale comes with a beginning and an end, and a giant storybook opened and closed to bookend the musical.

From stunning songs to fairy tale scenes, Centreville High School's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)" is a story to remember.

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Food For Neighbors Celebrates 7 Yrs with Another Huge Food Collection

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Community CornerCentreville area schools supported include Centreville HS, Chantilly HS, Liberty MS, and Stone MS.Renee Maxwell, Community Contributor|Updated Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 2:21 pm ETThe generosity of the neigh...

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Centreville area schools supported include Centreville HS, Chantilly HS, Liberty MS, and Stone MS.

Renee Maxwell, Community Contributor

|Updated Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 2:21 pm ET

The generosity of the neighborhoods surrounding the Centreville and Chantilly schools is amazing! To learn how you can make a difference, visit https://www.foodforneighbors.org/get-involved/. (Food For Neighbors)

November 2023 marks the seventh anniversary—and tremendous growth—for Food For Neighbors (FFN), a grassroots nonprofit tackling teen food insecurity in partnership with local middle and high schools. Although founded in 2016 to address the weekend food gap for hungry students attending Herndon Middle School and Herndon High School, Food For Neighbors quickly and effectively responded to other schools that learned about the reliable and nutritious supplemental food and requested services for their students. The nonprofit is now partnering with 42 schools in Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties, and, with its November 11th collection, has provided over 425,000 pounds of food and toiletries to schools. Food For Neighbors credits this success to the generous community spirit found throughout the many neighborhoods surrounding schools.

“Our ability to help so many students is directly tied to the interest and support of our wonderful community members,” explained Karen Joseph, Founder and Executive Director of Food For Neighbors. “Our innovative Red Bag Program focuses on mobilizing community members of all ages and backgrounds to support their local schools, which means that the food and toiletries they donate are helping students living and learning in their neighborhood or one just down the street. We’re thrilled to have so many people excited about supporting our mission!”

The Red Bag Program provides shelving/storage units for schools to establish in-house pantries and then mobilizes community members to fill the pantries. Five times a year, Red Bag donors use a specific grocery list to shop for toiletries and shelf-stable, single-serve foods that provide nutrition and variety, so all students may enjoy the food regardless of their access to special ingredients or large appliances. The donors then fill their bags with their purchases and set the bags on their doorsteps. Volunteers, organized by neighborhoods, collect the donations and bring them to one of now nine locations for sorting and then delivery to nearby partnering schools. At the schools, social workers, counselors, and/or family liaisons identify students in need and connect them with the resources. Food For Neighbors has registered over 2,700 volunteers and over 2,700 Red Bag donors, and more donors are always required to address the need. For the most vulnerable students, Food For Neighbors also offers interested schools grocery gift cards, which enables students and their families to shop for their most-needed food, like fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Every time I participate in a Red Bag Event, I feel the community spirit and am moved to do all I can to support Food For Neighbors, our amazing area schools, and the students they serve,” shared Anne O’Flaherty, Director of Operations for Food For Neighbors. “I see people of all ages and backgrounds, school groups, businesses, and service organizations coming together to make a difference. It’s very inspiring.”

During the November 11th Red Bag Event, over 800 dedicated volunteers helped to collect, sort, and deliver more than 24,000 pounds of food and toiletries donated by over 1,800 households in the areas of Arlington, Annandale, Falls Church, Alexandria, Fort Hunt, Mount Vernon, Springfield, Lorton, Centreville, Chantilly, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Potomac Falls, and Ashburn. Supporting the event with food drives and/or hands-on help were families with children, teens, adults of all ages, and representatives from 26 different businesses, service organizations, and school groups. All contributed with enthusiasm to make a direct, positive impact on students in their local schools.

Find out what's happening in Centrevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For Centreville High School, November 11th marked the eighth time it served as a major donation collection and sorting site. Heather Ellison, the Centreville Area Manager for Food For Neighbors, found the school buzzing with activity and her heart full of appreciation for other volunteers on the Centreville leadership team as well as for the many donors and additional volunteers working together to make a difference.

“Bags were overflowing with generosity from our donors and food drives,” shared Ellison. “There were the familiar faces of our amazing repeat volunteers, who were smiling ear to ear as well as new volunteers and organizations eagerly learning the ropes. Even the teenagers were beaming with pride as they stacked filled bins in our pantry.”

Food For Neighbors invites additional community members to join in the fight against teen food insecurity. The next Red Bag Event will be held on January 13, 2024, and new Red Bag donors, volunteers, community partners, and financial contributors are always welcome. To learn more visit, https://www.foodforneighbors.org/get-involved/.

Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend: How To Watch In VA

VIRGINIA — If the weather cooperates in Virginia, 2023 could be a stellar year to take in the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks this weekend.The moon won’t interfere with the Perseids, known as one of the best meteor shows of the year with between 50-100 shooting stars an hour at the peak and a good possibility of fireballs.The Perseids are building in intensity for peak ...

VIRGINIA — If the weather cooperates in Virginia, 2023 could be a stellar year to take in the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks this weekend.

The moon won’t interfere with the Perseids, known as one of the best meteor shows of the year with between 50-100 shooting stars an hour at the peak and a good possibility of fireballs.

The Perseids are building in intensity for peak Friday and Saturday. Weather conditions in the Washington, D.C., region look somewhat favorable, with partly cloudy skies forecast both nights. The only natural light interference will come from a thin crescent moon — a far different story than last year, when the harsh light of a nearly full moon washed out all but the brightest meteors.

When it comes to brilliance, only the Geminid meteor shower in December rivals the Perseids. Both are known for swift, bright meteors that frequently leave behind long “wakes” of light and color, according to NASA.

Both are also known for fireballs, larger explosions of light and color that are brighter than typical meteors and whose “tails” last longer than typical meteor streaks. That’s because, NASA explains, fireballs come from larger particles of cometary material.

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The big difference between the shooting star shows from the skywatcher’s vantage point is the difference between summer and winter. Regardless of the meteor shower, stargazers are rewarded by their patience, something many have in more abundance on warm summer versus cold winter nights.

If you can, find a dark sky location to watch for meteors. Most meteors will fly during predawn hours, though it’s possible to see them any time after 10 p.m. during the peak, according to NASA.

Virginia State Parks has four parks designated as International Dark Sky Parks by the International Dark-Sky Association: Staunton River, James River, Natural Bridge and Sky Meadows.

Other sports for star-gazing include: Assateague Island National Seashore, Grayson Highlands State Park, James River State Park, Meadows of Dan, Natural Bridge State Park, Natural Chimneys Park, Rappahannock County Park, and Shenandoah National Park, according to Space Tourism Guide.

Also, the American Meteor Society notes, “the more stars you see, the more meteors will also be visible.”

The shooting stars may not all be from the Perseids. This summertime favorite intersects with the Delta Aquariid meteor shower, which continues through Aug. 21. The Perseids continue through Sept. 1.

Also, meteors randomly fly in the sky but don’t always seem to originate from a particular star or constellation. The Perseids, no matter where they’re seen in the sky, trace back to the radiant point of the constellation of Perseus. The meteor shower is a tiny piece of the comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 135 years, according to NASA.

'I've never seen anything like it' | Hail and high winds blow through Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland

Severe thunderstorms brought cells of heavy rain, hail, and whipping winds to the DMV Friday. Here's what some of you saw.CENTREVILLE, Va. — Severe thunderstorms brought rain, hail and high winds to parts of the DC region Friday. WUSA9 weather watchers spotted hail through Allegany County, Maryland to Frederick County, Fairfax County and Prince William County in Virginia....

Severe thunderstorms brought cells of heavy rain, hail, and whipping winds to the DMV Friday. Here's what some of you saw.

CENTREVILLE, Va. — Severe thunderstorms brought rain, hail and high winds to parts of the DC region Friday. WUSA9 weather watchers spotted hail through Allegany County, Maryland to Frederick County, Fairfax County and Prince William County in Virginia.

You can share your photos and videos with WUSA9 using the Near Me Map on the WUSA9 app.

Storms started popping up in Eastern Allegany County, Maryland at around 4:00 p.m Friday. Matt Jones shared this photo of the hail near his house.

Credit: Matt Jones

That storm then dumped hail in Brucetown, Virginia near the West Virginia line.

Credit: Beverly Ball

Credit: Beverly Ball

In Loudoun County, Virginia the hail fell for about 15 minutes in the town of Bluemont according to Weather Watcher Michael R. Van Dyke. The hail stones were just smaller than a quarter.

Storms then swept through Centreville, Virginia in Fairfax County. Weather Watcher Ann Susie Rourke captured the hail, which took down tree leaves in her yard. "I've never seen anything like it," Rourke told WUSA9 Friday.

"All of a sudden I had to get up and run. It was cold, and hail just was flying onto the deck, the wind, there was so much hail," Rourke said.

Credit: Ann Susie Rourke

Credit: Ann Susie Rourke

Hail drift against the back of the house. C-ville @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/U9N7Sm9vgh

— Brian Engelmann (@BrianEngels) June 16, 2023

Storms also brought hail and high winds to Woodbridge in Prince William County, Virginia. Tanya Kelminsky shared this video.

Storms then crossed the Potomac and over into Southern Maryland. In La Plata, Jen Harris said the storm sounded like a tornado. There was no tornado warning issued, or indication of a tornado from radar. Harris said there was damage to some neighboring homes.

Credit: Jen Harris

We believe a tornado hit Bridgeleigh Farms in La Plata MD tonight. We have inches of hail & homes damaged. Credit: Jen Harris

Credit: Jen Harris

We believe a tornado hit Bridgeleigh Farms in La Plata MD tonight. We have inches of hail & homes damaged. Credit: Jen Harris

Credit: Jen Harris

Join the WUSA9 Weather Watchers on Facebook.

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