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Image via BMW.com Thanks to its versatile features and unusually accommodating interior, the 2019 BMW X6 is an excellent choice to suit your entire family. Here are four reasons we love the latest revision of this powerful sports activity coupe. more Design and Personality Feast your eyes on the 2019 BMW X6, and you'll quickly fall in love with this bold vehicle, which is best described as a combination between a coupe and an SUV. The roof's sloping design gives the car a sporty personality, while its 8.3-inch ground clearance ensures it remains as practical as an SUV. The power-operated liftgate makes it easy to load and unload your gear, and the available LED headlights inject another element of style to the overall design. The X6's muscular body also masks an interior brimming with high-end luxury features. Interior Luxury Travel with your whole family when you're driving the 2019 BMW X6. The interior is large and roomy, and the seats can be adjusted in 20 different ways to make even the pickiest passenger comfortable. You can upgrade the upholstery to soft-touch leather for the ultimate in luxury and refinement. Additional design perks include wood and metal trims that come with the Bi-Color Interior Design package. The coupe's cabin also features standard three-color ambient lighting with nine different mood-setting configurations. If you have any music lovers in the family, they'll be especially thrilled with the X6's 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound setup. Driving Dynamics You don't have to compromise on performance when you purchase a family vehicle. The 2019 BMW X6 offers great ride quality, largely due to its high-tech handling and suspension. These features are augmented by two powerful engine options. The first is a six-cylinder, 3.0-liter 35i engine that employs variable intake technology and direct fuel injection to produce 300 horsepower and eliminate lag. The second is a 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8 50i engine, which generates an increased 445 horsepower. These high-performance engines allow you to unleash the power of the X6 on the highway, where you'll quickly discover its agility. Connectivity and Technology Stay in touch with the world, no matter where you roam. The groundbreaking connectivity features of the 2019 BMW X6 include a wireless charging pocket, integrated Wi-Fi hotspot, and a touch screen equipped with the iDrive 6.0 software suite. iDrive is a set of features that make your driving experience as comfortable and intuitive as possible, and it includes GPS navigation, voice-activated controls for the car's audio system, and more. There's even a heads-up display that projects critical driving statistics directly onto the windshield, ensuring you never have to take your eyes from the road. Consider purchasing the Premium package to access most of these features. Due to its genre-straddling design, there's something in the 2019 BMW X6 that will appeal to every member of your family. And with its reliable features and powerful engine, it's always satisfying to take the X6 for a spin. Browse our X6 inventory online to get started.

Washington, D.C. has endless dining options across all types of cuisine, but sometimes you just want a delicious dessert. Check out some of these bakeries in Washington, D.C. for a pastry to start the day or a snack after your meal. more Un Je Ne Sais Quoi Un Je Ne Sais Quoi is located at 1361 Connecticut Ave. NW in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, D.C. and is open daily. Un Je Ne Sais Quoi is definitely the place to go if you are a fan of French pastries, desserts, and bread. Start your morning off with either a flaky croissant or a delectable pain au chocolat paired with a hot chocolate, and you won't regret it. If you enjoy cakes, don't skip out on one of the cafe's specialties, the merveilleux. This cake is basically a sweet sandwich consisting of two meringues connected together with whipped cream, topped with whipped cream, and dusted with shavings of chocolate. The bakery rounds out its menu with fruit tarts, eclairs, and cream puffs among a myriad of other options. Baked & Wired Baked & Wired can be found in Georgetown at 1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW and is open every day. Baked & Wired's specialty is the cupcake, which comes in over a dozen varieties, including vegan and gluten-free options. A couple cupcakes you need to try are the chocolate cupcake of doom, the razmanian devil, and the peppermint patty. Baked & Wired also bake a lot more than cupcakes. You can get things like biscotti, brownies, biscuits, cake, cookies, ice cream sandwiches, muffins, pies, and quiche as well. If you have your furry friend with you, they won't feel left out with zillabonez dog treats. Seylou Seylou is located downtown at 926 N St. NW and is open from Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m until 6 p.m. Seylou is the place to go for a great loaf of freshly baked whole-grain bread. All of the loaves at Seylou are made with organic and whole-grain flours they mill themselves in-house. If you are on a vegan or wheat-free diet, they have products for you too. They bake everything from a classic rustic baguette to a sourdough pain au levain. All of their bread is baked on a specific schedule, so check their website to see what fresh loaves are being made each day. Bakeshop Bakeshop can be found at 1025 N Fillmore St. near Arlington and is open daily. Bakeshop has almost any type of cookie you can think of, including Asian treats. Some of the popular choices at Bakeshop are the brown butter chocolate chip cookies, macarons, and a gooey creation called the bookie, which is a mix between a brownie and a cookie. You can also enjoy a coffee or tea from their fully loaded drink bar. Whether you are in the mood for something sweet or something savory, any of the bakeries listed above will fill your needs. Treat yourself to a tasty snack, and you won't be disappointed.   Image “ French Pastries” by You As A Machine, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Are you in need of a new car for 2019? If so, the 2019 BMW 2 Series is sure to have a model that meets your needs. Whether you decide on the coupe or convertible variant, the alluring power and enticing style are the same. Both the coupe and the convertible come in four different trims for your convenience. These include the 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, and M240i xDrive. But how do you know which is right for you? Here's a closer look at the differences so you can decide which 2 Series car you need to take home. more Impressive Performance Both the 2 Series coupe and convertible come with two engine choices: the inline four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo 230i and the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder TwinPower Turbo M240i. However, because of the differences between the cars, these engines vary in terms of output when pit against each other. In the coupe, the 230i engine outputs 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. While this is mighty enough for most, for even more power, consider upgrading to the M240i. This engine outputs 369 pound-feet of torque and can zoom the coupe from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. When choosing the 230i engine on the convertible, the horsepower and torque ratings stay the same. However, if you upgrade to the M240i, you'll be in for even more of a treat. With a max torque of 369 pound-feet, the M240i blasts the convertible from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 4.2 seconds. XDrive Factor For some, standard front-wheel drive is not an issue. However, for those that like to take their car to extremes, adding on xDrive is essential. XDrive is BMW's all-wheel-drive system that helps you navigate whatever conditions the road throws your way. If the roads become slippery or icy while you're driving around town, the system will sense if you start to slip and throw more power to the wheel with the most traction. This helps you stay in control so you don't get into an accident. You can add on xDrive to either engine option for complete customization. If you choose not to, your top 0 to 60 mph times with the M240i engine will drop to 4.4 seconds on the coupe and 4.5 seconds on the convertible. Distinctive Styles After choosing your engine, the next decision is to pick a body style. Both the coupe and the convertible come in two fashions: Sport and Luxury. With the Sport trim, sleek lines highlight the ferocity of the car. Dark, high-gloss designs reign supreme on the bumpers, while muscular accents beckon other drivers to answer the call. The Luxury trim is less menacing and more sophisticated with high-gloss chrome accents along the tailpipe and grille. This trim is also paired with light alloy wheels to create a look that's both modern and functional. Whichever trim of the 2019 BMW 2 Series you eventually decide on, you're definitely in for a treat. Check out our online inventory to see more differences between these cars and find the one that meets your needs.

Chips or cracks on your windshield aren't just an annoying visual impairment. They are dangerous, making your windshield more susceptible to shattering at the slightest impact. You may not think that small chip is significant, but it is, so fix it right away. It's best to avoid chips and cracks if at all possible. Here are six ways you can lower the risk of windshield chips and cracks. more Driving Distance It may seem obvious, but the truth is following too close to the vehicle in front of you significantly increases the risk of flying debris striking your windshield. This is particularly true when following behind larger vehicles and those carrying large loads of rock or other debris, like trailers and dump trucks. Their larger tires have the ability to kick up debris and send it flying further, so be sure to allow several car lengths minimum between you and the vehicle in front of you. Dump trucks and other large vehicles are required to have mud flaps installed, but that isn't always the case. If you find yourself behind a vehicle with missing mud flaps, change lanes or slow way down to let those flying rocks scatter before they can strike your windshield. Road Conditions The type of road you may be traveling can often be the cause of loose rocks flying up. Slow down on gravelly roads or in construction zones, and again, allow more space between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you see a vehicle merging in front of you from a dirt or gravel road, change lanes. Rocks can become wedged in the tire treads, and when that vehicle reaches higher speeds, the debris is loosened and will kick up down the road. Avoid following these vehicles. Weather Many chips or cracks are caused by hailstones. Know what the weather forecast is and plan accordingly. Hail is dangerous and can shatter windshields on impact, so find a place to park underneath an overpass or in a garage during inclement weather. Replace Old Windshield Wipers Old windshield wipers can scratch and score glass, making them fragile and more susceptible to breaking. Windshield wipers should be replaced every year, not just to provide a clear view, but to keep your windshield healthy. Extreme Temperature Changes Extreme temperature changes between the inside and outside of the glass are one of the most common causes of fragile windshields. Warming up your vehicle slowly in winter conditions is important. If you are parked in a garage, open the garage door while you warm up your vehicle. This will allow for a more gradual temperature increase and may just save your windshield. Reduce Speed The laws of physics cannot be avoided. The faster you go, the greater the impact when you hit something. Going at a high rate of speed gets that flying debris to your windshield at a higher rate of speed. This significantly increases the risk of that rock cracking or shattering your windshield. As always, be safe, and if a crack or chip occurs, get it fixed immediately. Image “ Cracked windshield” by runran, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Bubble tea has been around since the '80s, but don't feel bad if you aren't familiar per se. It is only recently that this Taiwanese invention has gained enough popularity in America that shops are actually featuring the beverage. Usually made from ice tea mixed with sweetened or flavored milk, it's topped off with chewy tapioca balls or popping boba, fruit jelly, grass jelly, agar jelly, or puddings. Here are a few places near Sterling you can find the fun beverage. more Kung Fu Tea Born from Taiwanese roots and fostered by the kung fu spirit, Kung Fu Tea brings authenticity to bubble tea in Sterling. Located in Community Plaza in Sterling, you can top off your tea with over 10 toppings — from fig jelly to tapioca, red bean, mung bean, herbal jelly, or the always popular popping flavors of coffee, grape, and mango. Panda Express Panda Express has 10 locations around Sterling. Panda Express has a great selection of Asian inspired drinks, including bubble teas. They have over 20 flavors of teas, from fruit teas and milk teas to sparkling teas and yogurt teas. Combine that with toppings like honey boba, aloe vera, jelly, fruit jelly, and even Chia seeds, and there is literally a drink for every taste. Tbreak Pho and Boba If you want Taiwanese, Tbreak is the Starbucks of bubble tea and a place you want to check out. Located on South Cottage Road, Tbreak brings Taiwan to you. They offer three different sweetness levels of their fresh brewed teas: Light, Regular, or Extra. Hot or iced, they only use real fruit in all of their teas, never a powdered mix. Order one of their 14 signature teas by number and then select from 18 toppings. They have everything from basil seeds and Lychee jelly, to rainbow jelly and Pandan jelly, to five different fruit bits, like pineapple and mango. Panda Tea House Located at Dulles Town Center on the Macy's side, Panda Tea House delivers the best bubble tea. Open whenever the mall is open, you can stop in and get an authentic fresh brewed tea with your choice of toppings, also made fresh every few hours. The Panda Tea House also offers rolled ice cream, and all you need to know is that it goes great with the teas. Stop on in the next time you're at Dulles Town Center and see for yourself. Guava and Java Uniquely designed and devoted to airports, this concept delivers excellent bubble tea. So next time you are jetting out of town, look for their kiosk in the airport and order up one of your favorite bubble teas for the flight. They use only fresh local farms wherever possible and focus on fresh local flavors to break from the typical fast food options that abound. So if you like bubble tea or are ready to try it for the first time, any one of these places will get you a great, authentic bubble tea.   Image “ Bubble Tea” by ljguitar, used under CC BY 2.0

When you think BMW, you think performance, luxury, sophistication, and style, and the BMW X1 has them all in spades. If you are in the market for a compact luxury SUV, then look no further than the BMW X1. more Interior Many people cringe at the thought of a compact vehicle. The BMW X1 may be a compact SUV by definition, but when you slide into its cockpit, you feel the well-designed space of a larger vehicle. Plenty of front passenger space is no surprise, but the 2018 BMW X1 has available sliding and reclining rear seats that offer exceptional legroom for those riding in the back seats. BMW's SensaTec upholstery is standard or you can upgrade to genuine leather. Either way, the comfort is augmented nicely with BMW's traditional brushed aluminum and piano black trimmings, delivering that quiet sophistication you expect from a BMW. The BMW X1 comes with an easy to use 6.5-inch display navigation system and an infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity. Upgrade to the Wi-Fi hotspot and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system to amp up the luxury experience. Whether you are running to the grocery store or taking a weekend holiday, the BMW X1 has plenty of cargo space. Its 27.1 cubic feet of cargo space is more than the competition. Fold down the rear seat and expand that to 58.7 cubic feet. Performance The 2018 BMW X1 is one of the sportiest compact SUVs in its class. It is light on its feet and responsive to steering and braking, making it a pleasure to drive. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission provide 228-horsepower, giving you easy acceleration while keeping fuel economy squarely in its class. The BMW X1 comes standard with front-wheel drive or you can elevate your driving experience with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, adding sportier on-road performance and improving light off-road handling capability. You can customize your driving experience with three drive modes: Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport. Reliability and Safety BMW has always set the standard for quality craftsmanship and the 2018 BMW X1 is no exception. J.D. Power gives it a predicted reliability score of four out of five, one of the highest in its class. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the 2018 BMW X1 a perfect five-star overall crash test rating. The NHTSA gives the X1 five stars in the side crash test and four stars in its front crash test and rollover crash test. Adding the available forward collision warning system and automatic braking system can provide advanced safety for the X1. While the 2018 BMW X1 comes standard with a rear-view camera, you can upgrade by adding forward collision warning and pedestrian detection systems, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, among other advanced safety features. So if you are looking for a vehicle with the agility of a sedan, but don't want the girth of a full-size SUV, the X1 is the perfect crossover vehicle for you. The sportiness of its smaller sedan brethren blended with the spaciousness of its larger SUV cousins make the 2018 BMW X1 the perfect choice. Image via BMW

Wine is very much like food in that there are more varieties and combinations than you could imagine. For many, it is a daunting task to even select a wine, but it doesn't have to be. Selected a wine is an adventure, and these days you don't have to be a sommelier to enjoy good wine, either. You need only have an adventurous spirit and a willing palate. Here are a few nearby wineries with tastings, restaurants, and cellars open to the public. more 868 Estate Vineyards Just up the Loudoun County wine trail on Harper's Ferry Road sits the 868 Estate Vineyards. 868 Estate Vineyards takes cutting-edge technology and blends it with Old-world practices to create distinctive wines from classic varietals like chardonnay, pinot grigio, merlot, and more. They have a wonderful tasting room, too, where you can select one of four types of tastings. The Standard Tasting is great for anyone, offering a sampling of their finest wines. You probably have a little foodie in you, so don't be surprised if you find yourself tempted by the Elevated Tasting Menu offering six wines paired with food or the Premier Tasting featuring reserve wines and led by a specially trained guide to help enjoy the nuance food and wine bring to each other. The food is prepared by the house restaurant Grandale Vintner's Table. Tastings range from $10 to $44 per person or special group rates are available. It is open by appointment only on Monday and Tuesday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant itself is open weekends only. The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards The Barns is located off Highway 7 in Hamilton, where they converted an old dairy barn into one of the premier tasting rooms in the region. They specialize in wines styled after the French Bordeaux, producing award-winning malbec and meritage wines. Closed Tuesdays, The Barns tasting room is open every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Friday, which is open until 8:30 p.m. Tastings start at $10 per flight. While they don't have a restaurant on-site, they have marvelous space for private events. Bogati Bodega Another Loudoun County winery, Bogati's tasting room is located on Highway 7. You can taste all of Bogati's wines, including their distinctive Fat Ass Red, which won gold in the 2015 Virginia Wine Lover Wine Classic. The tasting room prides itself on offering world-class food to pair with their wines, so come hungry and enjoy. Wine tastings are $8 to $10 per person and the tasting room is open seven days a week. If you enjoy good food and you enjoy good wine, then you know the only way to elevate a great meal is with great wine. The same can be said for great wine being elevated by great food. Either way, these wineries have tasting rooms devoted to elevating the wine and food, no matter your familiarity with wine.   Image “ Wine Tasting” by mikeshelby, used under CC BY 2.0

The BMW 3 Series is a sleek performance vehicle that comes in both a sport sedan body style and as a sport wagon. The wagon makes an excellent car for families with its comfortable cabin, safety features, and powerful engines. There is a BMW 3 series vehicle for every driver, and here are some reasons why the wagon makes the ideal family vehicle. more The Cabin Space The BMW 3 Series Sport Wagon has a roomy cabin with space for up to five passengers. Inside, the seats are exceptionally comfortable, and there is plenty of head and legroom for both the front and rear seat passengers. Families with growing teenagers can still fit the kids in the back seat with more than enough room. The wagon also has an impressive amount of cargo space. You'll find over 27 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats, and this opens up to even more when you fold the seats down. The Technology There is no shortage of tech features available in the 3 Series Sport Wagon. The Premium Package comes with an 8.5-inch touch screen display, BMW's remote services so you can lock and unlock the car with your smartphone, and it comes with a navigation system. The wagon comes standard with Bluetooth and a nine-speaker stereo system. The BMW Assist emergency telematics system comes standard with the Sport Wagon, and you'll also get the IDrive infotainment system. The Power BMW offers a choice of engines for the wagon. The first is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that generates 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, or you can get a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder diesel with 180 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This BMW comes only with all-wheel drive making it an excellent family vehicle for those who live in areas with snowy winters. The Safety Features All the 3 Series models come standard with active head restraints to help keep whiplash injuries to a minimum if a crash occurs. These models also have impact sensors that unlock the doors, shut down the electrical systems, and activate the hazards lights, after a crash. They come with a rearview camera and offer the option for a 360-degree surround view camera. Adaptive cruise control is also an available option along with adaptive headlights, active park assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Exterior Look The Sport Wagon is available in the 330i xDrive, and 328d xDrive trim levels. It comes standard with a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, and a power liftgate. You can add the optional hands-free power-lift gate that allows you to open the trunk just by waving your foot under the bumper. LED headlights come standard and you'll also get power-folding and heated side mirrors and 17-inch wheels. There are many reasons why the 2018 BMW 3 Series Sport Wagon is the ideal family vehicle. It has the power to get you where you need to go, the technology to make passengers happy, and the safety features to keep your family safe on the road.

Virginia is a beautiful area all year round, but it is especially nice in the winter. While there are a few people who think that winter is the time of year when you need to stay inside, it is actually one of the best times to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. No matter what types of interests you have, here are some spots for winter fun in Sterling. more Loudoun Ice Center Winter means ice, and that means ice skating. The Loudoun Ice Center offers all kinds of activities and training for both kids and adults. You can head over for the public skating hours whether you are an experienced skater or you are just learning, or get involved in one of the 3-on-3 leagues. There are leagues for all levels of skaters and players including games for adults. The center also offers a progressive hockey development program for kids who want to better their game, and there is a goalie academy for players who want to focus on their goalkeeping skills. Sledding at Franklin Park Purcellville's Franklin Park is one of the best places in the area for sledding. Whether it is the day after a few inches of snow or just a weekend day when you want to get outside, this is the place to go. It is less than a 30-minute drive from Sterling and well worth the trip. There are several different hills to try at Franklin Park, with a larger hill for those who want to pick up more speed and smaller hills for the little ones. You can also explore some of the trails at this park, which is also a great way to spend a beautiful winter day. Claude Moore Park There is nothing like winter hiking, and Claude Moore Park offers over 11 miles of trails that you can explore any time of year. Just make sure that you dress for the weather before heading out on a winter hike. Wear several layers and warm, waterproof boots to keep your feet dry. You can get a trail map online if you visit the park's website, so you can plan your route before you get started. After your adventure, make sure to stop in at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum. Panther Family Laser Tag If the weather is bad and everyone wants to stay inside, then Panther Family Laser Tag is a great way to spend an exciting winter afternoon. Located on Overland Park Drive in Sterling, this fun center offers a high-tech laser tag experience. You can team up with your family and friends to compete for the highest score. The multilevel laser tag arena allows you to get moving while you try to take out members of the other teams. Make sure to visit these areas in and around Sterling, Virginia, for fun winter activities. You can enjoy the cooler weather or stay inside and have some fun where it is warm. Image “ Skating at the Ice Rink” by Valters Krontals, used under CC BY 2.0

The D.C. food scene is always changing and evolving, and with new restaurants opening up almost every week, it's hard to keep tabs on the latest and greatest places to eat. Whether you are a foodie looking for something new to try or you just enjoy going out for a good meal, these are some of the best new restaurants to try in Washington D.C. more Le Kon Le Kon is a new Mexican restaurant with some Asian influence. Owner Katsuji Tanabe, an alumnus of season 12 of Top Chef, created a menu that includes many traditional Mexican dishes created with some playful twists. One of the splashiest menu items is a pig head that comes to your table whole, and then the waitstaff whisks it away to turn it into the filling for your taco. You can also get delicious crab legs at Le Kon along with steaks and family-style taco platters. St. Anselm St. Anselm in the Union Market District has fantastic steaks on its menu along with a variety of other dishes. This place features an open kitchen with a large grill prominently displayed for all the diners to see. You can order items such as clams with Chartreuse butter and artichoke hearts, pork porterhouse, and lamb sirloin. Diners will also enjoy the unusual décor in St. Anselm which adds to the unconventional experience. Elle Not only is Elle one of the hottest new restaurants in D.C. it made Bon Appetite's list of 50 best new restaurants in America. This is a hybrid cafe-bakery and restaurant in Mount Pleasant that features a wide range of baked goods with both sweet and savory options lunch during the day and many delicious dinners at night. Some of the dishes you can expect to see on the menu include clam spaetzle with egg noodles and littleneck clams, or a grilled kimchi toast that comes with a spicy XO sauce. Breakfast includes a quiche of the day, and you can get a Cubano sandwich for lunch. The pastry menu rotates so there is something new every day from scones to bagels and muffins. La Vie La Vie at The Wharf offers stunning décor with wide open space and views of the waterfront. Sit out on the alfresco terrace for a unique experience while you enjoy the Mediterranean style dishes. The chef divides the drink menu into water-themed categories so you can choose from refreshing, bold, or strong cocktail options while you wait for your meal. You can dip your toes with a light refreshing drink or get something bolder from the Off the Deep End selections. Get started with something to eat from the cold bar such as the Riviera seafood tower, or start with crispy Brussels. The housemade lobster ravioli is a must for pasta lovers, or you can try the steak frites if you prefer beef. There are also several coastal options such as the whole Branzino or the sockeye salmon. Make sure to check out these up and coming restaurants in Washington D.C. Image “ Washington Navy Yard and USS Barry – 2013-09-17” by Tim Evanson, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

When you have a nice vehicle, it is important to take care of both the inside and outside. While you can take your car to a professional to have it cleaned, it is also just as effective to clean the car at home, as long as you know how to do it correctly. In the end, your vehicle's paint will thank you for keeping it away from those quick car washes that use giant, harsh brushes. Follow these tips for a professional car wash at home to keep your BMW looking its best without harming the paint. more Washing the Exterior It is important to use a cleaner designed for cars during the cleaning process. Liquid detergents or dish soap will strip and damage the paint, so always use a car-washing soap. Next, always rinse the car before you wash it. This will remove larger pieces of dirt that can scratch the paint when you wash. It is also important to use a clean washing mitt and a clean cloth to dry. The Clay Bar After the initial washing, you should inspect the car for scratches and oxidation spots along with other contaminants that won't come off with just soap. Take the time to run your hand over the surface of your BMW and feel for bumps. When you find one, use a clay bar to remove it along with other stubborn contaminants, such as tree sap. Polishing The next step is polishing. You can apply polish by hand or use a polisher if you have one. This process will add conditioning oils and make the paint color richer. This is an optional step you can take before waxing, but it is recommended for vehicles with darker paint colors, since polish will make the paint shine. Waxing Waxing is an important part of the car-washing process. It protects the car from the rays of the sun and helps to keep the paint from fading. There are two different kinds of waxes to choose from, including a carnauba or a polymer. You can wipe off a polymer wax just a few minutes after applying, and it doesn't create a haze when it dries, so it is often a popular choice. It is also easier to apply than carnauba wax. Windows and Wheels Don't forget to wash the windows after you clean the exterior of the car. Make sure to use a window cleaner made for vehicles and not Windex or other household window cleaners. You'll get better results. The wheels of the vehicle are also often overlooked, and this is another job that needs a special cleaner. There are different cleaners for certain types of wheels, so check before you get started to make sure you're using one that works for your car. Follow these tips, and your BMW will look even better than it would if you took it to a professional. Washing your car on your own takes a little bit of time, but it is well worth it in the end. Image “ BMW M3” by JLaw45, used under CC BY 2.0

Farm-to-table restaurants celebrate fresh ingredients, and best of all, they support local farmers and producers. In Loudoun County, there are several establishments that use ingredients from local sources, whether it is vegetables from local farms or meat from Loudoun butchers. Make sure to try one or more of these farm-to-table restaurants the next time you want fresh, delicious food. more The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm is an award-winning establishment and one of the first farm eateries in the United States. The farm focuses on methods that will sustain the land and the environment, and the restaurant uses ingredients right from the farm. Guests enjoy a unique dining experience as they sit in a glass conservatory with beautiful views of Loudoun County. The menu changes daily and with each season, with the inspiration for each day's menu coming from the harvest. Market Table Bistro Market Table Bistro in Lovettsville serves wonderful food made with fresh ingredients sourced from local growers and producers. The menu is continuously changing to reflect seasonal ingredients, and they even offer gluten-free and vegan menu options. Some of the dishes you might see depending on the season include a pawpaw spring roll or mushroom ravioli. There is also mac and cheese made with cheese from a local creamery, and a pork belly pastrami that comes with corn fritters, pickled cabbage, watermelon, and barbecue gastrique. Head to Market Table Bistro for lunch, dinner, or brunch on the weekends. Brunch includes homemade glazed doughnuts, cinnamon French toast, tomato quiche and much more. The Wine Kitchen Situated in downtown Leesburg, The Wine Kitchen is a wine bar and restaurant featuring a seasonal menu with local organic ingredients. The owners work with local ranchers, cheese makers, wineries, and farmers, so you know everything is fresh, organic, and made right in Loudoun County or its neighbors. Diners can enjoy a wide variety of wine flights and small plates. In the fall, you can get Coq Au Vin and pumpkin pannacotta, and in the spring, the chef prepares many different unique vegetable dishes made with fresh seasonal veggies. In the winter, you can count on rich, delicious meals with wonderful root vegetables. Magnolias at the Mill Head to Loudoun County's wine country and stop in at Magnolia's at the Mill for a delicious meal. This unique restaurant offers seasonal food made with ingredients from local farmers. There are always daily specials to go with the rotating seasonal menus for both lunch and dinner. Dinner options include brick-oven pizzas and local hickory-grilled burgers, or you can get local smoked chicken Fettuccine made with house smoked bacon, local mushrooms, spinach, basil, roasted tomatoes, and shaved Gouda. The menu includes a list of the local farms and producers so you can see where your ingredients are coming from. Enjoy fresh local foods at any of these Loudoun County restaurants. The farm-to-table concept is a great way to help your local farmers and producers and get delicious food. Image “ Borscht to Be” by Noël Zia Lee, used under CC BY 2.0