In honor of Asthma Awareness Month, locally renowned pediatric allergist, Srinagesh Paluvoi, M.D. of Allergy and Asthma Affiliates of Gainesville and Leesburg, Va. is hosting free asthma screenings on Thurs., May 30 at LA Fitness at 1490 Classic Path Way, SE and Fri., May 31 at the Gainesville Sports & Health Club at 7201 Heritage Village Plaza from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the health clubs. The screenings are open to adults and children and no appointment is necessary. Call 703.729.8830 or visit www.vasneezers.com for more information.

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.

From April 20 through April 30, Occasionally Cake of Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon is going nuts over National Pecan Month featuring turtle and pecan praline gourmet cupcakes, and when you buy three pecan cupcakes, you get a FREE fourth cupcake of your choice. Call (703) 647-9638 or visit www.occasionallycake.com for more information.

“Pecans are a great healthy snack, I love to grab a handful when I’m on the go” said Sabrina Campbell, Occasionally Cake owner. “Our pecan turtle cupcake and pecan praline cupcake give you that nutty flavor of pecans with the blended sweetness of caramel and sugar,” said Campbell.

Both Alexandria cake boutiques offer more than 100 cake and gourmet cupcake flavors. Occasionally Cake is also renowned for their cake truffles. Instead of discarding leftover cake, it became the centerpiece of their cake truffles, and then dipped in Belgian chocolate.