We're looking for photos of happy pets for an upcoming issue of the magazine. Does your cat or dog have a cute smile? Email high-resolution photos—5x7, 300 dpi—to Cindy Rich at crich@washingtonian.com. Please include your pet's name and breed, along with your name and contact information.

Here are four design picks that can give your living space a fast, elegant update—each under $30.

At Anthropologie, this throw pillow, originally $68, is marked down to $29.95. The funky  pattern and cheery yellows and greens can make an old couch pop.

Friday, November 20
New dog owners can take advantage of a free prep class at the Washington Animal Rescue League (71 Oglethorpe St., NW; 202-726-2556). Led by a certified trainer, the course covers house training, socialization, and enrichment for the newest member of your family. This class is for humans only and runs from 6 to 7:30.

Saturday, November 21
When it comes to pet food, is there really a difference between the fancy gluten-free/organic/vegan brand and the regular old Kibbles ’n Bits? Find out at the Big Bad Woof’s pet-food seminar, “Beef, Biscuits and . . . BHT?” at the Washington Humane Society Behavior & Learning Center (7315 Georgia Ave., NW). The class will offer tips on a pet’s healthy diet, budget-friendly tricks, how to read an ingredients list, and food allergies. $25; 10 to noon. To reserve your spot, e-mail askthetrainer@washhumane.org.

Adoption events will be held from noon to 3 at the Big Bad Woof (117 Carroll St., NW; 202-291-2404) with the Washington Animal Rescue League and from noon to 2 at Chateau-Animaux’s Capitol Hill location (524 Eighth St., SE; 800-354-8710) with K9 Lifesavers.

These Thanksgiving looks prove that there’s room for both tradition and class around the table—and with the sale price, you can save a little cash for black Friday, too.
 
This rich-toned tablecloth from Crate & Barrel would look great with creamy white or ivory dinnerware—plus, matching jacquard-woven napkins are available, too. The tablecloth’s on sale for $46.95, down from $54.95, and the napkins are $3.95 each. The sale lasts until November 26.

After more than two decades in New York, TV journalist Connie Chung and talk-show host Maury Povich are moving back to Washington. The pair bought a seven-bedroom, 11-bath Tudor-style home bordering Rock Creek Park in Northwest DC. Says Povich: “It’s like a new adventure in an old neighborhood.”

Chung and Povich, whose father was legendary Washington Post sportswriter Shirley Povich, both grew up in Washington and launched their journalism careers here. Chung went on to co-anchor The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather, Povich to host the popular newsmagazine A Current Affair.

“Maury thinks I kidnapped him and held him hostage in New York for the last 25 years,” Chung says. “He’s been angling to move back to Washington for years.”

Wednesday, November 11
Ingrid King, a former veterinary-hospital manager turned author, will speak about animals as teachers at the Humane Society of Loudoun County (1 Harrison St., SE, Leesburg; 703-777-2912) at 7. The author will also sign and sell books. All proceeds go to the Humane Society. For another book signing with King, see Sunday’s events.

Saturday, November 14
Who says you’re the only one who had a long week? Chasing your tail gets exhausting, too. Wind down at Chateau-Animaux’s (524 Eighth St., SE) Yappy Hour with fresh-baked Zanadoo biscuits for Fido and complimentary wine and cheese for two-legged guests. The evening will feature a free seminar, “Dealing With Down Times: Coping Skills for Dealing With Health Challenges, Healing, and Loss,” at 7. There’ll also be a Washington Humane Society adoption van from 5:30 to 8.

For more pet-themed education, Seneca Hill Animal Hospital Resort & Spa (11415 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls; 703-450-6760) and PetTech will host a four-hour first-aid course that will include topics such as restraining and muzzling; canine and feline CPR; assessing the pet’s vitals, fractures, and limb injuries; and shock and bleeding management. The class is $85, and the program runs from noon to 4.

Wylie Wagg pet boutique will host three adoption events: There’ll be Great Pyrenees at its Middleburg location (5-B E. Washington St.; 540-687-8727) from noon to 4; Greyhounds at its Tysons store (7505 Leesburg Pike, Ste. 120-A, Falls Church; 703-748-0022) from 11 to 2; and an event with the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA at its Fairfax location (11889 Grand Commons Ave.; 703-830-5454) from noon to 4.

Photograph by Amy Franz.

>> See the full Best of Annapolis package here.

Annapolis has always been a popular place to live, offering waterfront properties and historic homes within decent driving distance of both Washington and Baltimore.

But it hasn’t been immune to price drops. “The downturn nationally has been so bad that even here the market has softened,” says Bob McWilliams, a real-estate agent with Long & Foster.

Average home prices in Annapolis are down by 6 percent from their peak in 2007, McWilliams says. The average sale price for a home in Annapolis in 2009 so far is around $470,000.

While waterfront and historic homes remain sought after, they’ve also seen some of the biggest price reductions because of overinflation during the boom.

“I’d say waterfront homes have been hit the hardest,” says Karlton Morris of Champion Realty. “Something that was $2 million might be $1.5 million now.” Still, Morris says, houses are selling: “To get a decent waterfront home, you’re looking at between $1 million and $2 million, but you’ll get a lot more for your money these days.”