November 2020 November 2020
The The Month Month For For GIVING GIVING THANKS! THANKS! Why WhyWork Work From From Home HomeWhen When You You Can CanWork Work From From A A Vacation VacationHome? Home?
CULINARY CULINARY Creations Creations
LOCAL LOCAL SALUTE SALUTE Simply Bowie
Simply Bowie SpeaksTo To Speaks BowiePolice Police Bowie Chief John JohnNesky Nesky Chief
Table of Contents 6
11
4 5 6 11 15
Publisher’s Corner Happy Thanksgiving Letter from the Editor Gratitude A & K Family Learning Place, Inc For Your Student’s Transporation & Summer Camp Needs Why Work From Home... When you can work from a Vacation Home? Local Salute Bowie Police Chief – John Nesky shares his gratitude for the community
2 | November 2020
Publisher & President Veronica Fountain Veronica@simplymagazines.net
20
15
Editor In Chief Alyson Turner Alyson@simplymagazines.net Contributing Writers Alyson Turner Contributing Photographers Ro Moreno John Wardell Layout & Ad Design Natthaphon Foithong Advertising Director Veronica Fountain Veronica@simplymagazines.net
24
30 Who is Everett D. Browning Sr.? Executive VP of the 100 Black Men Prince George’s County, Inc Chapter Simply Health Focus on Your Mental Health
33
Culinary Creations Who Says You Have To Cook Tonight? Our Picks Simply Bowie’s Staff Shares Their Favorite Autumn Drinks Simply Happening PGCAR Installs its 2021 Officers and Directors Party HQ hosts its soft opening
20 24 27 30 33
3 | November 2020
Publisher’s Corner Take Time to Be
THANKFUL As November rolls around, we anxiously await Thanksgiving, The Holiday Season, and the time we have with our loved ones. The winding down of the year always brings about a time of reflection for us—remembering everything we’ve done or accomplished in months and years past; looking back on turkey disaster stories, mornings watching the Thanksgiving Day parade or afternoons spent curled up on the couch after one too many pieces of pie; thinking of the people, experiences and things we’ve been blessed with in the last year. As we press pause on the hustle and bustle of life putting together a monthly magazine, we’re able to look back on the past year and—most meaningfully— the stories from all of you that make what we do possible. We also take this time to think of those less fortunate and encourage you to take this giving season to donate to local organizations or charities that are helping in the community. We hope that as you read this issue you find inspiration in the lives and experiences of your neighbors and the connections that you have made. Happy Thanksgiving, Bowie!
Veronica Fountain 4 | November 2020
LETTER From The EDITOR
GRATITUDE It can be hard to be thankful when you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, and this year has placed an unbelievable weight on so many of us. Yet, in this month of November, I am trying to accept the changes of this year and challenge myself to be thankful. I am thankful for the time spent at home with my family. I am thankful for our frontline responders in the healthcare field who are still working tirelessly to take care of us. I am thankful for our teachers who are doing everything they can to educate our children in a virtual world. I am thankful to be able to share stories about our local businesses, speak with members of the community, and connect with you, Bowie. So thank you, for your kindness and your enthusiasm. What we do wouldn’t be possible without your support. Here is your Thanksgiving issue, we hope that you will enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Keep Looking Out For One Another, Bowie.
Alyson Turner Editor-In-Chief
5 | November 2020
A & K Family Learning Place, Inc. A & K Family Learning Place provides safe, secure, school transportation and Summer Camp Enrichment Programs for Anne Arundel Country, Prince George’s County, and the Washington DC Metro area.
Alma Marshall and her daughter, Kimberlyn Waterman originally opened as a small daycare center over 10 years ago. A & K Family Learning Place, Inc is a family-owned and operated nonprofit organization in Bowie, Maryland. Eventually, they realized that there was a high need for safe, reliable transportation for students in the area to both charter and private schools who do not offer their own transportation service. 6 | November 2020
“In recent years, many families have opted to send their students to charter schools, but needed transportation there. In 2019, A&K transported 165 children daily prior the start of the pandemic. “We were providing 99.5% of the transportation to charter schools in Prince George’s County,” says Kimberlyn Waterman, “The schools would share [with parents who inquired] that A & K was a very strong and reliable vendor.” We have supported Imagine Foundations at Leeland Public Charter, CMIT Elementary North, Middle and High, CMIT South, College Park Academy, Bishop McNamara and The Summit School.” We expanded our fleet of vehicles and began offering more opportunities for employment. Most of our workforce are retired men and women. We would design routes and hub stops around the county as needed. Each vehicle would service a particular section of the county,” Kimberlyn tells us, “We must be very specific in the design of our routes to make sure we can meet the needs of our families. If we couldn’t meet the needs of the families, we wouldn’t be able to do what we were doing. Our families want to send their students to a charter or private school, but are unsure how to get their child to the schools so we would make stops to accommodate them. We are truly blessed to create these hub stubs so that our families were able to have transportation.” We also provide Door to
Door transportation for families whose work schedules may not give them the flexibility to meet at our Hub Stops. In March 2020 schools were ordered to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the beginning of major changes for the company. “We are working hard to safely meet all our students’ needs while we are planning for the re-opening of the schools,” Kimberlyn said, “Our buses have been modified to follow CDC guidelines with plexiglass to protect driver and students, we have also hired bus monitors.” Several years ago, Kimberlyn was approached by a business owner in Anne Arundel County and asked to take over the transportation of students to The Summit School in Severn. “I promised the business owner that, I would not let you down. I will make sure I can make you proud. I have been with “The Summit School” going on 4 years,” Kimberlyn said, “This school year the Executive Secretary, Polly, said to me, ‘Kimberlyn I know this is hard, but we are going to try to open.’ I told Polly that I would make sure that we would be there to provide Hub Stop Transportation for their students. Last year we had 28 students and this year we have only 7. We are faithful that more students will start riding in 2021. This is a service to support the community so our students can get to school. They
A & K Family Learning Place, Inc (240) 532-3268
Info@AKFamilyLearningPlace.org AKFamilyLearningPlace.org 7 | November 2020
A & K Family Learning Place, Inc.
have been using [A&K] for almost 4 years. These students have to get to school and we are supporting them. Although we only have 7 students, we have done our due diligence to make sure we have met the expectations of the CDC, the Board, the parents, and the community.” Transporting the students safely to The Summit School has prepared A & K Family Learning Place, Inc for the future months when additional schools will open for in-person learning. Kimberlyn tells us, “We have a good system in place with The Summit School–in case there are any positive cases that occur. This has really helped me prepare for Prince George’s County. They have a smaller population of students and they are learning how to make corrections. I am making different corrections. The students cannot ride with me without their health form stating they are not sick and have no fever. If they don’t have the signed health form they cannot ride on the way to school.” As far as the re-opening of schools, Kimberlyn says that their motto is “Be 8 | November 2020
Ready.” “We can take half of the capacity of students in each of our vehicles.” We have hired bus monitors that will take the child’s temperature and that will make sure they are seated in their own individual seats, will wipe the seats down, take attendance, enforce that everyone is wearing masks, and speak to the parents if they need something to be addressed. Parents are pleased with the safety measures implemented in the buses at this time. “When things start opening up, we will be ready and available to transport.” “We are endorsed by the State of Maryland Public Service Commission, that we can transport anyone (not just students) anywhere and that is a powerful endorsement for parents and the public when looking to be sure guidelines are being followed. All of my vehicles have passed inspection and passed an audit to meet all of the credentials and licensing. I have 13 vehicles in the fleet. We are a transportation provider with United Way and Prince George’s County listed to help Community Schools with their transportation needs.
A & K Family Learning Place, Inc.
A & K Family Learning Place, Inc also offers licensed summer camp enrichment programs and is looking to start a virtual chess program from January to June 2021. For summer camp, our Camp Director, Alma Marshall, a licensed Child Care Provider and retired teacher with over 30 years of experience from the District of Columbia Public School system, understands the importance of making sure that learning takes place over the summer with students. “I want A&K Summer Camp to address that need. We focus on Mathematics and Reading in order to address the achievement gap for students in grades K-5th.” Mrs. Marshall also said, “It is also important for us to make sure that our children have fun while learning. We are looking at cheerleading, bowling, video editing and academic enrichment activities in the afternoon depending on COVID.” “We have been a not-for-profit family business for many years. I was stayat-home mom and my mother, Alma Marshall, was retired and I said, ‘Mom we can do this.’ We started as a daycare
center and moved to transportation and summer camps programs. My husband Tony [Waterman] has helped me, he’s my right arm. He has helped me with mechanical issues and putting cameras and tracking systems on all our buses. We want to continue providing safe and reliable service to the community; this vision started with my parents, who then passed the torch and the legacy to me. Hopefully one day I can pass it along to my children.” “We are going to open up enrollment in December and anyone in Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, the Metropolitan area and beyond can go online and show your interest at this time. There is a lot of logistical planning so the earlier parents can let us know if they need this service, the earlier we can start our planning,” Kimberlyn says, “Please go online and click on your county. That will send us an inquiry and help us know how many families need transportation. If you are in a different county or area that is not listed send us an email because we have served many different areas.” 9 | November 2020
10 | November 2020
Why Work From Home When You Can Work From A Vacation Home?
Check out these amazing vacation destinations, where you can set up your home office, with a view.
W
orking from home has become increasingly more popular over the last few years, and has become the new norm in the face of the pandemic. Employees and employers alike are realizing the significant advantages that come along with working remotely. There is less traffic and pollution during rush hour, more efficient use of work time, decreased cost of office operations, and best of all, employees can set up the perfect home office. But who says that office has to be at YOUR home?
12 | November 2020
With the click of a button, you can have your next “home� office booked in minutes. Sites like VRBO offer safe, socially-distanced options for bookings and check-in. If you are looking for a quick, getaway with sun and sand, head to Miami, Florida where you can visit the Spa between conference calls. When cool mountain views are more your style, Breckenridge, Colorado offers the perfect background to get your work done. If quiet and cozy is what you need, Gatlinburg, Tennesse offers an intimate retreat that allows you to focus and do your best. These are just a few of the thousands of amazing destinations, that you can book online. With a long winter ahead of us, and the ability to work remote, we could all use a change of scenery. 13 | November 2020
Peacock Proud Design PeacockProudDesign.com • Handcrafted beaded jewelry • Custom, hand-painted, address-number signs • Vintage/original stencil patterns • Hand-painted magnets • Note Cards • Jewelry roll pattern • Garden statue repainting/ minor repairs
301-249-6659
14 | November 2020
A showcase of colorful, one of a kind, handmade accessories for a woman & her home to wear with pride!
LOCAL SALUTE
City of Bowie Police Chief John Nesky Chief Nesky shares the gratitude that he and his department have for the community of Bowie.
LOCAL SALUTE
In the month of Giving Thanks, we were able to speak with the City of Bowie Police Chief John Nesky. What inspired you to pursue your career path? I was always torn between going into fire service or the police department; plus military time [I have now been in law enforcement] about 28 years. I was an MP in the Army Reserve. I really enjoy the police department. The main driver is that I enjoy interacting with people and helping them where I can. I have always been a person to get out there and be proactive. One of the hardest things has been losing touch with the community (when I sit behind a desk). I like to interact with people, meet people – discover what makes them tick and how I can help them. One of the best things about police work is that you never have the same day twice. There is variety in the work and a myriad of different skill sets that you need to apply on a daily basis.
16 | November 2020
LOCAL SALUTE I came to the department in December 2006 as the Deputy Chief, then as Acting Chief and was sworn in as Chief in March 2011. In the beginning, [Bowie’s first Police] Chief Katherine Perez and I were out and about since we were brand new in the community. The citizens of Bowie had asked for their own police department. We were out at community meetings; I was going door to door in old Bowie before I was even in uniform. This has been a hand-in-hand cooperative effort from the beginning. Before that the police department was part of District 2 of the Prince George’s County Police. As Bowie got larger, they set out a referendum to create their own Bowie Police Department in 2006. Chief Perez was the first Chief brought me on and we had our first 7 officers in February 2007. We did a lot of growing in a short amount of time. We started out with a blueprint. We started looking at things and seeing what the community needs were. Then, we realized that that original plan wasn’t going to work for our community. We needed to be a self-sufficient police department which entails much more than a district station where everything is centralized. As the needs of the community become clearer, we had to make those changes in the to reflect those services that our community needed.
Why did you choose to work in Bowie? I grew up in Prince George’s County. I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to come here as a Deputy Chief when Chief Kathy Perez brought me over. This was the chance to build something and do something that not a lot of people had the opportunity to do.
In the end, Bowie chose me to join, and the community chose me to stay. If any of those components hadn’t worked out, I wouldn’t be sitting here. I am so appreciative of the opportunity and the community surrounding that opportunity. Bowie is an amazing community. It is one of the few places that are generational. This is their police department. [When new applicants come in for an interview,] Before we even answer one question, I say, ‘Here is who we are and here is how we police. You have a greater responsibility and a greater expectation of care and service.’ We are very careful about who we hire because they need to reflect the values of the department and the values of the community. We enjoy the support of the community and the political body, but we have to continually build that trust and that relationship.
What are some successful programs or initiatives that the department has implemented? We go to the HOA meetings, and I am very active in Special Olympics. [Due to COVID] We were finally able to have small, socially-distanced event recently with our athletes. The department is also putting together a family fun ride on November 8 at Melford with a health screening and sociallydistanced ride. We also host Coffee with a Cop and National Night Out Against Crime. Since 2008, we have offered the Women’s Self Defense Class – we teach this class for free. We have put over 650 women through this six-week class. We have a number of different people who teach this course. I teach some of this course and I enjoy teaching because it lets me get out from behind the desk. It lets me build relationships and trust with our residents in a relaxed setting. The Citizens’ Academy is a 13-week class where we go over different aspects of the department. We might say here is how we do a traffic stop; once people understand the “why” it is easier for them to trust us. We talk about community relations, our disciplinary process in internal affairs, and we talk about race relations. I don’t want a Citizens’ Academy with people who agree with us 100%. I want people who disagree, I want people who have a counterpoint. One thing I talk about with our officers, especially after the killing of George Floyd, is “You are not going to change someone’s worldview in one stop, but maybe one person can walk away and say, ‘I don’t like the police, but that officer was okay.’ Your career is built on one encounter at a time. You may never know what your impression is on someone. Sometimes those “hey do you remember me moments “can be good and you don’t know the impact that you have on someone.
17 | November 2020
LOCAL SALUTE You are going to see this person again. You are going to see people in their neighborhood; you give them that level playing field and let the future encounters be better than the last one. People are going to remember when you give them a fresh start.
The year 2020 has been full of historic events with the current pandemic, the continued State of Emergency, protests decrying systemic racism and violence. People across the country are voicing their concerns about certain aspects of policing. What would you say to those, especially in the Bowie area, who share these concerns? I say you are absolutely right nationally. Please don’t paint us with the national brush. I want to be seen how we (the Bowie Police) interact with you? Judge us on our actions and not on the actions of anywhere else. We are not perfect, but we have a strong foundation. We are doing our best to keep things right. We were the first ones to get on a virtual town hall after George Floyd’s death. After major incidents, we always talk with our officers internally, “Why did this happen? Is it a training issue that we can address here?” We are very introspective. In the history of policing, police have been on the wrong side of history in the past. We have to own that and say, “What can we do on the local level to fix these things?” We are looking at things in legislation. We want to arrive at fair, equitable policing and transparent accountability. We asked for an independent citizens’ review board with residents and engaged citizens to remove that veil of secrecy and have an unbiased source. We encourage people to look at our general orders on the website. All of the highlights that have been coming out, we work very hard to maintain the integrity of our force. Policing is the most visible form of government and we become the focal point. I told my officers, “You may hear things that hurt you, but people are justifiably angry and they are coming from a place of hurt. When you hear things, don’t take that home with you, if it doesn’t apply to you. At the end of the day we want the same thing. These discussions need to happen.” Ideally you want to police by consent and by the will of the community. We were invited in here and it is a cooperative journey. Our demographics of the police force almost match the population of bowie. It is a product of us being brand new; we could be thoughtful in our hiring. I am lucky individually and I am lucky to have an amazing group of officers and command staff who all contribute and work as a team towards our goal. I can have the best ideas in the world, but if I don’t have officers that do this work it doesn’t matter.
18 | November 2020
What words of encouragement do you have for the community as this challenging year comes to an end? We are all in this together. We are all going through our individual struggles, but need to make sure we take care of each other and look out for one another. There will be an end point at some point, if we can keep the faith, follow the guidelines and keep ourselves and others safe in the face of this pandemic. As far as the racial and social unrest, we didn’t get here overnight, we didn’t even get here in one generation. This is going to take time to change. On a positive note there are conversations that have needed to be had, but they are finally happening. You are seeing more people at the table and more longevity in these conversations. The demonstrations and the people involved in the movement are cross-generational and cross-racial. If you think about the amount of inclusion you see now with not just racial inclusion, sexual orientation, disabilities it may not look like it yet, but it is happening. We as a profession are at the table, we are working on legislation, and are in productive conversations with community groups. Outside of some inflammatory rhetoric in the media there are conversations happening. To create systemic change, we have to keep working and we are going to come out of this better on the other side.
20 | November 2020
SPOTLIGHT Who Is Everett D. Browning Sr.? Article By Alyson Turner
M
r. Everett D. Browning Sr. is a leader and man who makes it his mission daily to help our community. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President of 100 Black Men Prince George’s County Chapter, Inc. and their head of Public Policy. He is the founder of the Coalition of Minority Business Owners (C.O.M.B.O), ran for State Senate in 2018, owns a business, works with veterans in the area, is a veteran himself. Mr. Browning tells us about his 100 chapter, “We are a non-profit organization. Our chapter is one of roughly 110 chapters around the country and around the world. 100 Black Men, INC has been around for over 55 years with the mission of empowering minority youths in our community. Black men in successful professional careers including doctors, lawyers, business owners and those in other professions come together to create a better path for future generations and to better the community. We have four focus areas: Mentoring, Education, Economic Empowerment, and Health and Wellness. There are chapters all over the world with men who have a similar fight to protect our communities; not only young people, but their parents as well. Our 100 Way theme is “Mentoring across a lifetime.” Mr. Browning credits his father (the past President of the Peninsula Hampton Roads Chapter) and the program for shaping him into the man he is today. “I was around strong mentors as a young person, then I served 21 years in the military and I started my own DoD Consulting business. During my military career I saw so many minority young adults who should have been in college if only someone had really invested in them. I was a teenage father, and a single father for a time, and it has been a blessing to me to see men who are pillars of our community invest in young people. We like to say, ‘What they see, is what they will be.’ We really try to show these kids the value in themselves and what they can achieve,” he says, “The
21 | November 2020
SPOTLIGHT 100 Black Men County, Inc – Prince George’s Chapter Signature Programs & Events Saturday Leadership Academy – The primary mentoring vehicle each Saturday that is being held virtually currently. They serve over 75 to 100 kids both male and female from third grade to high school and provide them with general life skills and success skills. Emerging 100 – Continuing the mentorship after graduation as college student go into the workforce and learn soft skills to mirror the education. Financial Literacy & Investment Program – How to invest in the stock market and how to save money. Encourage the importance of financial health and stability. 100 Way Golf Program –Teaches kids the fundamentals of golf and the life skills that golf teaches you. It also shows kids that you can use golf as a networking tool in the business world. Silicon100 Initiative – The stem program that teaches kids coding, stem skills and programming skills. The kids participate in robotic conventions across the state. 100 Pathways to Success – Helping kids get their first job and how to go into the workforce and make a good impression. “Mentees participated in a Shark Tank Competition as part of the Wells Fargo Sponsored Pathways to Success Program. A new breed of entrepreneur leaders are being prepared for financial and business careers.” Boys Read Club – Partnership with the Suitland Library to encourage boys to read and to take away the stigma that reading isn’t “cool”. Politics 101 – Co-Hosted a virtual event with local political leaders to teach kids about politics at a local level. Getting beyond the media and into real politics. This was an amazing thing to have events that create real conversations within the community.
100PrinceGeorges.org 22 | November 2020
personal involvement in the community is so important. In 2018, I ran for State Senate and while I didn’t win it was an amazing opportunity to get to know the community better and show our mentees and our kids that you can’t always wait for someone else to do things. You have to stand up for our community. Myself and the other members truly get involved to be a part of the solution.” One of the most satisfying parts of being a part of the 100 Black Men, Inc organization is seeing the kids succeed. “We help many of our kids get jobs and internships. Then, the employers will reach out and say, ‘Do you know any other kids like this?’ Parents will call us with pride saying that their kids are applying for college and changing their focus and their determination. They feel that they have purpose,” Mr. Browning says, “I am part of an incredible team. It is a team effort where everyone is working together and I am blessed to be a member of this chapter. I was nominated and elected to be the Executive Vice President which is a true honor coming from my peers. As our current chapter President Mr. Mike Lanier often says, “This is an elite organization, but we are not elitist.” We refuse to be mediocre and we are all about rolling up our sleeves to get things done whether that means picking kids up from school, feeding them, or working with them. Our greatest disappointment is that we cannot help more kids because of limited resources. We are always looking for more members to serve our kids and to gain corporate sponsorships and partners in order to serve more children.” The organization gives out $30,000 + in scholarships and rewards each year with the help of community partners. “We do fundraise and we have had amazing support from elected officials such as County Councilman Mel Franklin and Ms. Aisha Braveboy, State’s Attorney, has been a wonderful partner. Her commitment to the community and the job is amazing and humbling. A huge part of our success is our relationships with other mentoring organizations in the area and partnerships and cultivating relationships,” he tells us. Mr. Browning says it is greatest joy that his own children have grown and are doing well. “One of my daughters is a Special Education teacher in Baltimore, and my other daughter has her MBA and works for a real estate developer in Florida. One of my sons just earned his law degree and passed the Bar and my other son is a military veteran who is now a Jet Propulsion Technician, and I have four amazing grandkids. I served multiple combat tours in Iraq and I am a retired Navy Chief. God brought me home to help the community. I have been blessed beyond belief in my life.”
Long Engineering, LLC
Bowie, Columbia and Baltimore’s Best HVAC Contractor
At Long Engineering, LLC we specialize in providing full spectrum: • Heating • Ventilation • Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Repairs • Installations • NEW Germicidal UV Light Protects from COVID-19 We consider ourselves experts in the field of HVAC services, and have proven to be a trusted source after many years of providing high-quality work to our customers.
(202) 657-7978 LongEHVAC.com 23 | November 2020
SIMPLY HEALTH Focusing On Your Mental Health The Stress of the COVID-19 has people’s mental suffering more than ever before. Learn about coping and taking care of your mental health in times of unprecedented stress and challenges. The year 2020 has brought about challenges that many of us have never faced before due to the pandemic including financial stress, isolation, rapid changes to our daily routines, and health concerns. During this time stress is at an all-time high and can often causes fear, anxiety, and issues in both work and home life. Some concerns that people are experiencing are increased fear and anxiety, changes in sleeping or eating, worsening of health problems and other mental health conditions. The isolation and social distancing also plays a large role in worsening mental health. According to the CDC website, “How you respond to stress during the COVID-19 pandemic can depend on your background, your social support from family or friends, your financial situation, your health and emotional background, the community you live in, and many other factors. The changes that can happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ways we try to contain the spread of the virus can affect anyone. Taking care of your friends and your family can be a stress reliever, but it should be balanced with care for yourself. Helping others cope with their stress, such as by providing social support, can also make your community stronger. During times of increased social distancing, people can still maintain social connections and care for their mental health. Phone calls or video chats can help you and your loved ones feel socially connected, less lonely, or isolated.” • Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish), or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746. Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663. • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chat. • National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522 • National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453 • National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chat • The Eldercare 1-800-677-1116 • Veteran’s Crisis Line 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chat or Text: 8388255 • SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and TTY 1-800-487-4889 24 | November 2020
Local Mental Health Professionals in Bowie Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row. Free and confidential resources can also help you or a loved one connect with a skilled, trained counselor in your area.
They also list some healthy ways to cope: • Know what to do if you are sick and are concerned about COVID-19. Contact a health professional before you start any self-treatment for COVID-19. • Know where and how to get treatment and other support services and resources, including counseling or therapy (in person or through telehealth services). • Take care of your emotional health. Taking care of your emotional health will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family. • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting. • Take care of your body. • Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. • Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. • Exercise regularly. • Get plenty of sleep. • Avoid excessive alcohol and drug use. • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy. • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. • Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations. While social distancing measures are in place, consider connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail. “Knowing the facts about COVID-19 and stopping the spread of rumors can help reduce stress and stigma. Understanding the risk to yourself and people you care about can help you connect with others and make an outbreak less stressful. Mental health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It may also affect how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices during an emergency.”
25 | November 2020
Holiday Issue COMING SOON! IN DECEMBER Local Community
Featuring: Shop Local For The Holidays Decorating On A Budget What Are Your Favorite Christmas Traditions?
l Digita Media
Every ad package includes a complimentary editorial feature. Social Media
RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY
VERONICA@simplymagazines.net
s t n e Ev
301.346.5634 Simply Magazines
@SimpleBowieMagazine
@Simply Bowie & Simply Alexandria
CULINARY CREATIONS
Don’t feel like cooking tonight? Check out these fabulous and delicious restaurants in our area
CULINARY CREATIONS KitchenCray Café
4601 Presidents Drive, Lanham, Maryland
301.577.1425 KitchenCray.com
According to their website, “KitchenCray brings modern takes on traditional cuisines, featuring unique shared plates and specially designed events. All dishes are specially curated and crafted by Chef James Robinson.” The menu offers delectable entrees such as stuffed salmon, blackened salmon, catfish & grits, chicken & French toast, lobster mac, crab fries and so much more. The patio is open on weekends; dine in or takeout 6 days a week. Takeout only on Mondays.
3548 Crain Highway, Bowie, Maryland
240.929.4604 GettisIslandSpyce.com IslandSpyceJuice.com
Getti’s Island Spyce Far from the island of Jamaica, but close to home in Bowie, Getti’s Island Spyce brings the real flavors of Jamaica to your table. Opened in February 2020, Getti’s Island Spyce is the only Jamaican restaurant town, and for good reason, it is the very best. “The Fully Loaded Steam Fish is one of the best dishes. The rice and peas are unlike anyone else’s. We do a lot of things here; any type of shrimp, curry shrimp, coconut shrimp, jerk shrimp.” Some of their other dishes include jerk chicken, curry chicken, oxtail, curry goat, brown stew pork, seafood dishes, pasta, soups, salads, desserts and more. The homemade jerk sauce is highly requested as well. They also own and operate Island Spyce Juice. All of the juices, drinks and teas are all natural with no preservatives. They are made with fresh, local ingredients hand-picked from a farm in Annapolis.
28 | November 2020
CULINARY CREATIONS Red Crab House
14707 Baltimore Ave Laurel, Maryland
240.786-6787 / 6752 RedCrabHouse.com
Laurel’s Best Cajun Seafood & Bar Restaurant. According to their website, The Red Crab House in Laurel serves, “Southern-style seafood near Maryland City. Enjoy a dish from our culturally rich Cajun seafood selections and try a variety of our beers at our bar. We also have a variety of desserts you can munch on after a flavorful meal. At our restaurant, we serve up our catch of the day with our unique blend of seasonings. Our delicious dishes will make you come back for more! We have live crawfish, fresh oysters, and Maryland blue crabs available! Get your hands dirty with our boiled seafood bags and try them with our special Red Crab seasoning.”
Blue Sunday Bar & Grill
6868 Race Track Rd, Bowie, Maryland
240.929.6667 BlueSundayBarGrills.com
“Since 2017, Blue Sunday is and has been a casual & elegant dining restaurant located in the beautiful town of Bowie, Maryland. Throughout the years Blue Sunday has evolved tremendously, both in food and experience. We have earned our reputation by providing an excellent dining experience with vibrant customer service. Blue Sunday offers modern and upscale Asian-American cuisine, where our chefs have evolved from the ordinary to the extraordinary by designing our dishes so that our guests can enjoy something inspirational and adventurous. We have two full bars with large high definition TV’s, for our customers entertainment and sports pleasures,” the Blue Sunday website states. They offer a happy hour and a full menu. Appetizers include the Blue Sunday Platter, a sampling of grilled chicken skewers, rock shrimp, chicken wings, spring rolls, and mozzarella cheese sticks. Moroccan style veggie meatballs, quesadillas, crab dip and more. Some of the main entrees include Burgers, New York Strip, Lamb Rack, Scottish Salmon, Broiled Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Signature Ribeye Steak, Fire Braised Beef Ribs, Broiled or Fried Seafood Platters, Pulled Pork Siracha Sandwich as well as Asian Fusion dishes such as General Tso’s Chicken, Hunan Style, as well as salads and sushi rolls.
29 | November 2020
What Are Some of Your Favorite Drinks for Autumn Simply Bowie shares their picks for Fall
The Publisher’s Favorite:
The Editor’s Pick:
Sparkling Ginger Apple Punch With Cranberries
Godiva Chocolate Martini
INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS 1.5 oz Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur 0.75 oz Vodka
INSTRUCTIONS In a cocktail shaker, combine 1.5 oz. of Godiva ™ Milk Chocolate Liqueur and 0.75 oz. vodka. Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with your favorite Godiva ™ chocolate truffle.
30 | November 2020
2 cups fresh cranberries ½ cup sugar 64 ounces spiced apple cider 72 ounces of Extra Ginger Beer 2 cups of orange juice 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 fuji apple, thinly sliced into rounds
INSTRUCTIONS Muddle the cranberries in a bowl with the sugar. Cover with plastic and let sit in the fridge for at least an hour. Place the muddled cranberries in the bottom of the pitcher or punch bowl. Pour the apple cider, ginger beer, orange juice, and lemon juice over the top and stir to combine. Refrigerate until completely chilled. Garnish with slices of apple.
The Photographers’ Choices: John
Ro
Homemade Root Beer Soda
Homemade Ginger, Lime, and Spice Tea with Honey
INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS
7 quarts filtered water, divided 1/2 teaspoon brewer’s yeast 4 tablespoons licorice root (you can buy licorice root tea bags and open them up) 8 star anise pods, crushed 12 whole cloves, crushed 4 cinnamon sticks, broken in half 4 vanilla beans, sliced in half lengthwise 1 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg 20 allspice, crushed Zest of one orange (or 1/4 cup lime or lemon juice) 2 tablespoons wintergreen leaves 3/4 cup molasses 1 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 liter water 1 inch ginger, sliced 2 “ Cinnamon sticks 3 green cardamoms 5 cloves 1 tsp. carom seeds 1 tsp. fennel seeds pinch salt 1-2 tsp. tea leaves / 2 tea bags To taste lime juice To taste honey
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS
Bring the water to a boil in a pan. Then add all the ingredients (except tea, lime juice and honey). Simmer for 8-10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced.
Take 1/2 cup of the water and heat in a small saucepan until boiling. Remove from heat and let cool until around 80°. Stir in the yeast and set aside to allow to bloom.
When done, switch off the flame and add the tea leaves. Keep it covered for 5 minutes. Then strain and serve with lime juice and honey.
In a large stock pot, combine the licorice root, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla beans, nutmeg, allspice, orange zest, wintergreen leaves and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the molasses and brown sugar until dissolved. Continue to cook for another 15 minutes. Remove mixture from heat, cover, and let steep and cool for at least an hour, or until the temperature reaches around 80°. Strain the mixture over cheesecloth, and discard the roots and herbs. Stir the yeast mixture in to the root beer mixture. Transfer to bottles, and allow to carbonate at room temperature for 36-72 hours, or until the desired carbonation is reached (check every 12 hours). We like to keep the bottles in a closed cooler just in case one of them gets a little too overzealous with carbonating and explodes. Once the root beer is carbonated enough, transfer to the fridge to chill and slow carbonation.
31 | November 2020
The Designer’s Go To:
Singha— The Original Thai Beer
Singha is a premium quality lager beer brewed from the finest ingredients with 100% Barley Malt and Saaz Hops. the highest quality hops in the world. Full-bodied and rich in taste, with strong hops character. Thailand’s #1 export beer INGREDIENTS German Style Lager Hallertau, Perle, and Saaz hops imported from Germany and Czechoslovakia Imported yeast from Germany Brewed with 100% malted barley from Australia, Ireland, and France with no adjuncts, and with 100% artesian water
32 | November 2020
SIMPLY HAPPENING Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS® Installs 2021 Officers and Directors
I
n exciting local happenings, many recently tuned in to view the first ever live virtual Installation Ceremony of Prince George’s County Associations of REALTORS®’s (PGCAR) 2021 leadership hosted by Joe Clair, entertainer, stand-up comedian, radio personality, video-jockey, actor, REALTOR® and host of WPGC’s 95.5 – “Joe Clair Morning Show”. According to the PGCAR Facebook page, “Shameeka Price, associated with Capital Structures Real Estate, LLC in Bowie, MD, was installed as President. Shameeka was installed by Maryland Association of REALTORS® 2018 President, Boyd Campbell [Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award], while Maryland Association of REALTORS® 2021 President, Dee Dee Miller, installed the Officers and Directors during this live virtual event.” The post goes on to say that, “In addition to serving as a member of the PGCAR board, Ms. Price holds a board position with the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as Chair of The Woman in Business
Development Committee for the PGCOC and Vice Chair of the Young Professionals Network Committee of PGCAR. Shameeka is also founder of Financial Education & Empowerment Development also known as F.E.E.D. This nonprofit organization provides homeownership training, credit counseling, budget and savings tools to residents of Prince George’s County and surrounding areas. Ms. Price believes that creating financial confidence is the key to stabilizing our communities. President Price plans to enhance PGCAR’s comprehensive community service profile by implementing special programs and engaging younger REALTORS®.” Additionally, 2020 REALTOR® OF THE YEAR, Yolanda Muckle, was honored at this prestigious event for her significant business-accomplishments, faithfulness to the Code of Ethics, leadership, civic and community involvement, and local, state and National Association activity.
PGCAR.com
Newly Elected and Installed Officers: *President-Elect – Melanie Gamble, Keller Williams Capital Properties *Secretary – Rachel L. Jefferies, Keller Williams Preferred Properties *Treasurer – Paul “Carlos” Lancaster, Exit Right Realty *Past President – Yolanda R. Muckle, Long & Foster Real Estate
Directors: *Debora R. Barino (Dee), Exit Flagship Realty *Kenneth C. Fagan, Jr., Long & Foster Real Estate *Donald L. Frederick, Jr., RE/MAX United Real Estate *Arnita Greene, Compass *Pamela D. Jenkins, Weichert REALTORS® *Rahkiya A. Reid, Keller Williams Preferred Properties *Willie M. Rhone, Weichert REALTORS® *Gene J. Sementilli, Century 21 New Millennium
33 | November 2020
Buchi C. Offodile Licensed in Maryland, DC & Virginia
Sell Your Home For Full Market Value By Monday The traditional home selling process is broken. It is antiquated, overrated, expensive, and ineffective because it is designed to sell homes over a long period of time. Unfortunately, when homes sit on the market using this system, they end up selling for significantly less than they should (if they ever sell at all) because time is acid to the sales price of your home. On the other hand, the SellByMondaySM System is specifically designed to net you more money for your home in less time. It does this by leveraging state-of-the-art research in behavioral psychology to positively influence the way buyers make decisions about your home. When this happens, you win. So call us or visit our website today to learn more about how you can maximize your precious equity and get thousands more for your home in just one weekend. Call us or visit our website today to learn how you can sell your home for full market value by Monday.
The Traditional Process ࡷ ࡷ ࡷ ࡷ ࡷ ࡷ ࡷ ࡷ
The SellByMondaySM System
࢟ ࢟ ࢟ ࢟ ࢟ ࢟ ࢟ ࢟
Long Commitment Low Buyer Urgency Fragmented Showings Scattered Marketing Months of Uncertainty Lower Offers Ignores Buyers' Psychology Old-Fashioned Approach Based on Outdated Philosophies
Short Commitment High Buyer Urgency Compressed Showings Focused Marketing Fast Resolution Higher Offers Positively Leverages Buyers’ Psychology Scientific Approach Based on Cutting Edge Research
Buchi Offodile
BuchiSoldIt.com
7500 Greenway Center Dr.
330.554.7884
Buchi@sold100.com
Suite 150 Greenbelt, Maryland
SIMPLY HAPPENING PartyHQ Held Its Soft Opening For The Community at the Bowie Town Center
P
artyHQ at the Bowie Town Center is held its soft opening on October 16 and is hosting its Grand Opening Celebration for Halloween on October 31. Visitors of all ages enjoyed this brand-new, amazing family-entertainment center.
34 | November 2020
Party HQ is a full-service, 2 level, 24,000 square foot, family-entertainment center that is a combination of all your favorite activities. Inside there is a 10-lane boutique bowling alley, a Washington DC Battle-Themed State-of-the-art laser tag arena, tons of arcade games, and the newest in virtual reality technology in a game called Hologate. There is also a delicious, full-service restaurant and bar inside called The Parent Trap Bar & Grill. All of your funding can be loaded onto a play card including arcade games, bowling, food and drinks. As long as there is money on the card it can be used inside. This is a great feature for parents who want to ensure their kids have money for games and lunch all on one card.
government contracting firm, Advance Employee Intelligence. We are always going to different places with our kids like Dave & Busters, and Main Event. I saw a good way to open up our own family entertainment center that had everything in one location. “We created a business plan, secured funding, created a tagline and made it happen,” Rodney tells us, “I named my kids junior owners and they are very proud.” Our Junior Owners are Charles (11), Carlos (9) & Camar (8). We are teaching them entrepreneurship at an early age. This is our first location at Bowie Town Center, but we hope to open franchises of PartyHQ around the state.”
Owners Rodney Chambers and Ron Covington, said there is a need for this venue in the area. “We also own a successful
GoPartyHQ.com
35 | November 2020
November 2020
The Month For
GIVING THANKS! Why Work From Home When You Can Work From A Vacation Home?
CULINARY Creations
36 | November 2020
LOCAL SALUTE
Simply Bowie Speaks To Bowie Police Chief John Nesky
