Neighborhood collaborations make the getaway experience one to savor

City scenes and insider information greet guests who visit The Independent Collection’s new in-the-know websites, http://independentcollection.com. The recently relaunched sites are for a select group of hotels located in unique urban neighborhoods along the East Coast, all part of The Independent Collection. The Independent Collection, a growing collection of intimate lifestyle hotels managed by HHM, maps a course of travel for its guests that make the entire experience one to remember.

Metropolitan Performing Arts Alliance raised $5,000 at their first Annual Benefit Concert to go toward construction of their new Alliance Theatre in Alexandria, Va. MFAC is working toward a fundraising goal of $100,000 to complete the theatre project. Visit www.metrofinearts.com for more information.

Metropolitan Youth Ballet, Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble and iMpulse Jazz Ensemble performed at the Metropolitan Performing Arts Alliance Benefit Concert.

“We are so grateful to the community for helping our dance companies get closer to our goal of building the Alliance Theater,” said Melissa Dobbs, executive director of the Metropolitan Fine Arts Center in Alexandria, Va.

Swank Designs' owners are inspired by world travels to create beautiful window treatments, accent pillows and children's bedding

After searching for decorative panels and accents and finding the available designs were just more of the same, Tabitha Mahaffey and Patricia Ulliman decided to combine their expertise and form Swank Designs, offering custom lines of pillows, panels and children's bedding. Together, they share a passion for using and incorporating fabrics in unexpected ways.