AUGUST 2021
Parents issue the
BabyFe Bilingual Learning Center Encourages A Love Of Languages
Travel Destination
Escape To the Marriott Marquis San Diego For The Weekend
How to Reboot Your Sex Life After Lockdown
Learn Why More People Are Trying Botox This Summer
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
PUBLISHER’S CORNER Here Comes Fall
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
One For The Parents
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ON THE COVER
BabyFe Bilingual Learning Center
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SIMPLY BEAUTY
Why More People Are Trying Botox For Their Summer Look
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12
THIS VS THAT
Pick Your Favorite Wedding Gown
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SIMPLY HEALTH
How To Reboot Your Sex Life after Lockdown
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TRAVEL DESTINATION Marriott Marquis San Diego
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SIMPLY HAPPENING What’s Going On Around Town?
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EMPLOYEE’S BEST FRIEND
After Being Home For A Year, Our Pets Are Clingier Than Ever
34 PUBLISHER Veronica Fountain Veronica@simplymagazines.net
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Ro Moreno Sheldon Johnson
EDITOR IN CHIEF Alyson Turner Alyson@simplymagazines.net
LAYOUT & AD DESIGN Natthaphon Foithong
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alyson Turner
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Veronica Fountain Veronica@simplymagazines.net
On The Cover: BabyFe Bilingual Learning Center Cover Photography: Ro Moreno 3
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August 2021
Here Comes FALL S
ummertime is coming to an end, but the fun of living in the Bowie, Maryland metro area has not. There are so many wonderful events going on as well as entertaining activities for the entire family to enjoy. As summer comes to a close, sit back and relax while enjoying the August issue of Simply Bowie Magazine, where we bring you engaging stories about entertainment, success, lifestyle, beauty and more. We are so happy to see that the Wedding Industry is back in full swing. Do you like traditional or contemporary wedding attire? Let us know which Wedding Gowns are your favorite in our This or That section. We also showcase the rising trends in Botox. Millions of people are taking the plunge to reduce wrinkles and so much more. It’s been a long year. Are you looking to reboot your sex life after the pandemic? Check out our must-read article to learn how to spice up your relationship in the bedroom again.
PUBLISHER’s
CORNER
Now that traveling has begun in full swing, I’ve recently had a chance to visit San Diego, California and stay at my favorite hotel, the Marriott Marquis San Diego. Definitely, turn to Travel Destination and see the stunning pictures from the Penthouse level of the Hotel. Enjoy the rest of this beautiful summer and prepare for the best fall ever! Sincerely,
Veronica Fountain
Hair By Divine Hands by Olivia Photography By Sheldon Johnson
Publisher
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August 2021
For ONE The
PARENTS W
e all know that summer time can be exciting and exhausting, especially with younger children. My family and I took our annual vacation to the beach in Ocean City, Maryland in July. We had so much fun playing in the sand and running into the waves, but at the end of each day both kids and adults were worn out. Parenting, even on vacation, is a full-time job. We have a special appreciation for the parents in our community who have lovingly worked from home, guided their kids through virtual school, and continued to be involved in our community; virtually and, more recently, in person. We would just like to say, you are doing a great job! In past years, August has been our “Kids & Pets” issue, but this year we decided to pack it full of great topics for parents to enjoy.
Letter EDITOR
First up, read all about BabyFe Bilingual Learning Center, a fantastic childcare facility that offers childcare, preschool, and tutoring with a focus on child development and an immersive language experience. Owner Michele Coggins shares her story and why she and her husband felt called to open the center. Next check out an amazing travel destination, expert information to revitalize your love life, local family events, rising trends in Botox and so much more. We hope you are enjoying your summer break as much as we are!
from the
Light & kindness,
Alyson Turner Editor In Chief
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August 2021
BabyFe Bilingual Learning Center Article By Alyson Turner Photography By Ro Moreno Michele Coggins has always had a passion for learning and languages. When she was young, she was fascinated by stories her mother would tell of studying abroad in Spain and learning the language. Michele, herself, fell in love with the Spanish language and the ability to switch between languages. She went on to pursue a degree in Early Childhood education and studied abroad for a month in the Dominican Republic learning to speak Spanish more fluently. She was constantly amazed by people that she met who were learning their third and fourth languages. Michele also taught third grade in a bilingual elementary school. She knew that one day she would want her future children to be bilingual.
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Michele tells us, “When my first child, Faith, was born in 2017, I wanted her to learn Spanish early. I tried to find a local Mommy and Me group. My husband, Turner [Coggins] said, ‘Why don’t you start this business?’ We started BabyFe in 2018, with small groups of moms and dads with their babies and our Spanish Teacher leading the groups and songs. We had slowed down in 2019 with our groups, because parents were starting to desire more individualized instruction.” Turner says, “The small groups went virtual because of the pandemic. Families were collaborating having fun and it was a holistic approach to education- visual, tactile, auditory, all developmental domains, and just genuine fun. Our small groups put kids first and give parents new exciting ways to engage with their little ones. We plan to start the groups up again this fall.”
August 2021
“When our daughter was turning 2, we wanted to put her in a social setting, with an academic component and structure. I wanted a bilingual child care center, along with safety and quality for my children. There was nothing in Prince George’s County that fit the bill. It was a daycare desert for this specific type of care,” Michele says, “You can go to Montgomery County and Anne Arundel County to find a few centers. We drove to Alexandria for her first child care center. I had a newborn baby, Cora, so Faith only stayed there for one month, because of the commute. It was just too far for us. Turner said, ‘Why don’t we start a center? You know education and I know business and we could start it.’ I said that it would be a lot of work to start a childcare center. He said, “I’m all in.” They began to search for the perfect location. This was the beginning of the daycare concept. “I knew how much Michele and I wanted this. I recognize that Michele is a tremendous educator, driven. It was really me encouraging Michele to step into this role and do the best I could do to support her. My husbandly duty in recognizing my wife’s strengths,” Turner tells us, “When we looked at Faith and our younger daughter, Cora, we wanted them to receive a bilingual education. We wanted that for our children and for the children in our community. We could have hired a
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Spanish nanny or tutor. We wanted to start the center and empower and educate our neighbors.” Currently, BabyFe is doing language tutoring both virtually and in person. Pre-K (age 3-4) up to 8th grade. The virtual component was in response to the pandemic. They offer Spanish, Reading and Math. The parents have loved it as so many children have really needed the extra supplement due to the pandemic. BabyFe staffs professional tutors and educators. “Michele has done a great job of bringing together a tremendous team of educators for our elementary students. These tutors are school teachers that have that experience of working with hundreds of kids over many years and really know the approach of working with children. BabyFe’s tutoring program is a premier tutoring program,” Turner tells us, “Michele receives messages from parents saying that their child’s grades are blossoming and doing so well after tutoring. The tutoring has gone so well that their children graduate from our tutoring program and are above grade level. When you are working with professional educators as tutors, they are helping these students learn to be independent and set them up for success. These parents always give referrals because their children have become more confident and are able to do their schoolwork on their own.”
August 2021
Their premier tutoring program will continue even after the opening of the childcare center. Currently, they are preparing for the grand opening of the daycare center. BabyFe is a 5000 square foot space that was an office, that was entirely rebuilt and customized to meet the needs of the children. There are 4 classrooms, a nursing station for breastfeeding mothers, blocks, dramatic play area, and art centers. Michele says, “I believe that the classroom should function such that even toddlers can navigate the room with near independence because of its superior organization and structure. The room itself is functional and aids in learningshelves and objects are labeled all throughout each room, safe materials are accessible and all the furniture is the appropriate height for each age group. The Infant room supports the sensory space that they are in. As the children age, the room is more fine-motor focused getting them ready for kindergarten. Each room is tailored to where children are in that time of their life. Our main goal is to prepare every BabyFe student for Kindergarten socially and academically.I believe our primary years set the foundation for the rest of our educational career and beyond.” For the bilingual aspect of the program, Michele knows that it is important to educate children at a young age to be familiar with different languages. “Your ability to be fluent without an accent tends to go away as you get older. We are hiring teachers who are fluent Spanish speakers. The way that the center is structured is that students 2 and younger are in a fully immersive classroom with Spanish speaking all day. In the pre-school classroom, they are in a bilingual environment. Most of our children are not going to a Spanish kindergarten class and I still want them to be fluent in English phonics as well as Spanish,” Michele says, “My hope is that all our families will continue to study the language is in one way or another because the benefits are astounding. Research has shown that bilingual individuals
tend to have better phonological awareness and are likely to have strong executive cognitive function which refers to skills like working memory, comprehension, and attention span. I look forward to the day when former families return to the center and share the positive effects early exposure to Spanish had on their child. It is inevitable.” With the exciting news of the imminent grand opening, Michele and Turner want to be sure to acknowledge their faith that has guided them through this process. “BabyFe was founded in faith. Our first child’s name is Faith and we named her that because without Faith in Christ we have nothing. We really are so humbled by this opportunity and blessing. Fe means Faith in Spanish and that is why the company is called BabyFe. This whole process has been a tremendous learning process and I know that all of this is possible because of my faith in Christ and my love for Christ. If it hadn’t been for the Lord this conversation would not be happening,” Michele says, “This strength that has been given to us, and the doors that have just been opened for us. God has supported this process, my mental health, and everything. When we came into the space it was only beams and studs. We wrote scriptures in the beams. We are not a Christian school, but we are based in faith.” Turner says, “God has always been a focal point in our family and it is through God’s blessing that we are at this point and able to offer these services through BabyFe. We are really called to serve through our strength. Michele is a wife and mother and an educator. I am a father and husband and a businessman. We are called to pay it forward. The Lord blessed us so that we can be blessings to other people in our community and our nation. We have a diverse student body. We are very inclusive and welcome people of all demographics, all faiths, all family structures, and abilities. We embrace diversity and don’t want anyone to feel excluded. We are welcoming of ALL people.”
about openings in the center for those who
BabyFe Bilingual Learning Center
wish to enroll their children or who wish to
4861 Tesla Drive Ste. A
have a BabyFe location opened in their area.
Bowie, MD 20715
They are encouraging parents to reach out
301-246-0012
BabyFe is currently accepting inquiries
via phone at 301-246-0012, email at info@ babyfe.com or social media.
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August 2021
BabyFe.com
What makes BabyFe S tand Out? BabyFe enhances the overall experience for the parents with state-of-the-art technology, breakfast and lunch programs for the older children, The Mustard Seed Program and the Brightwheel app. We will be incorporating Watch Me Grow which is a camera system in which parents have the ability with secure password access to view the children in their classrooms. We have an open-door policy where parents can come read a book and see their child (with masks at this time due to Covid.) We have windows in the classrooms if parents want to peek in on their children. It gives parents peace of mind. 2. We are offering breakfast, lunch and snacks incorporating that into the pricing for all classrooms except for infants. Parents bring their own milk, formula and baby food for children in the infant room. 3. There is a touchless access control system and parents will be able to use their phone during drop off and pick up to safely come in. They are linked to our system to get in to drop their child off. 4. Brightwheel is a parent-teacher communication app we will be using to do payments, communicate with the teacher, send messages, progress reports, give regular updates and pictures. This is a user-friendly app all of our parents will have access to in order to communicate with our teachers. There is real time feedback for our parents as opposed to the children getting home and just saying “good” when asked how
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their day was. They will be getting regular feedback throughout the day from the teachers. 5. The Mustard Seed Program is a program named after the parable in the bible that invests a small amount today for a substantial return later when BabyFe students are considering higher education choices. BabyFe invests in children’s education beyond just their time at the center. BabyFe gives $10 a month to each full-time child in our center and that gift goes towards a 529 college/education savings plan or another type of education plan. The program was started to encourage families to open a 529 account and to raise awareness to grow that money and cover a good amount of those education expenses like books, registration and graduation fees. BabyFe Bilingual Learning Center invests in its children and cares about what happens to them in the long term. If necessary, BabyFe will help parents start a 529 plan. These moneys can go towards any kind of education, college, trade program expenses as well as education for a sibling. Even a small investment, like faith, can grow and become a tremendous blessing for our youth. The important thing is to get started and BabyFe will help parents to do just that.
CHILDCARE PRESCHOOL TUTORING
BabyFe Bilingual Learning Center offers meaningful engagements with Spanish, English and Math literacy, focused on whole child development with compassionate, attentive caregivers. 4861 Tesla Drive, Ste. A, Bowie, MD 20715 BabyFe.com
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August 2021
HELPING YOU GET YOUR FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER
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SIMPLY BEAUTY Botox On The Rise
Millions of People are Trying Botox to Complete Their Summer Looks All year long, people are working hard to make sure they look fantastic for summer time. We join the gym and workout every day. Our vision board and Amazon cart are full of the hottest new swimsuits. We toss out all of our old, outdated clothes when we are Spring cleaning to ready our closet for a brand-new summer wardrobe. We even dye our hair to get ready for our summer look. What about the ever- popular trend in Botox treatments? More people than ever are trying this cosmetic trend to complement their summer looks. One of the reasons that so many people are turning to Botox is the fact that it treats the lines in the face without having to take too much time for treatments or recovery. According to BotoxCosmetic.com: • It is the “[t]he first and only treatment FDA-approved to temporarily make moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines look better in adults. • Treatment requires minimal downtime. You can return to your daily routine immediately after you leave your specialist’s office • You may begin to notice results within 24 to 48 hours for moderate to severe frown lines. Full results in 30 days • It delivers predictable, subtle results, so you look like you, only with less noticeable facial lines • When surveyed, 62% of respondents say treatment is worth the investment.”
With many types of face oils, creams, and lotions out there claiming to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, people end up spending thousands of dollars trying to create their best look ever before turning to Botox treatments that have been credited as the best anti-aging skin care treatment available. You can talk your dermatologist or local cosmetic surgeon when deciding which treatments are available and best for your skin.
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BEFORE
AFTER
Photos courtesy of BotoxCosmetic.com and Lifebun.com.
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Office: 301-970-3535
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Regina Parker, REALTOR Serving Maryland and Washington DC
August 2021
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E-Newsletter
This vs.That
Wedding Gown Edition
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We love Weddings! One of our favorite topics to discuss is wedding trends and since Maryland has opened back up; we are seeing so many amazing weddings. We would like to hear from you? What are some of your favorite styles of wedding attire from traditional to more contemporary? We want to hear from you on Instagram @SimplyBowieMagazine.
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T h e r e i s N o t h i n g L i k e F i n d i n g Yo u r D r e a m H o m e
Tekiyah Ward, Realtor, MS, Keller Williams Preferred Properties As a buyer or a seller, you want your real estate transactions to go smoothly. That means finding the exact home you’re looking for, or selling your home promptly and for the best price. That’s where I come in. The agent you choose will help you make many important decisions and no one will work harder or more professionally. I offer: • • • •
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How to
Reboot Your SEX LIFE After Lockdown
NLP Master Practitioner Lisa Cho gives the low down on ways to revitalize your love life after being trapped at home for most of last year. Article by Alyson Turner Photography by Sheldon Johnson
What is the number one piece of advice that Neuro Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner Lisa Cho gives regarding trying to reconnect with your partner or spouse? Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed of letting your partner know what your sexual needs are. After a challenging year, many people are feeling stuck in a rut and don’t know how to get out of it. Lisa shares with us some of the reasons why couples’ sex lives might feel stale and how to revitalize that romantic spark. Lockdown, quarantine, stay-at-home orders, no matter what you call it, the circumstances of the past year have caused many issues for people inside and outside of the home, especially within romantic relationships, partnerships, and
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marriages. “I usually liken it and explain to people that it is like incarceration, if you have never been in prison, you do not know what that feels like. You are put in a box; even if that box was your home. The psychological effects are numerous to suddenly be stuck in your home with the looming danger [of Covid-19]. People were not in the best of spirits. Yes, you are stuck with people you love every day, but it is challenging to deal with that. No one wants to be stuck with people for long periods of time. We have our own lives, our work, our friends, engaging activities and experiences outside of our relationships, but during quarantine we were just sitting there trapped with our partner,” Lisa tells us, “You couldn’t leave after an argument, and it breeds animosity. There are disagreements on cleanliness, parenting styles, what to eat and people took it
out on each other. There were also situations where wives or husbands, perhaps, had a lover and those relationships ended as well. There was no connection to one of the things that potentially enhanced their sex life [prior to lock down].” The sudden, extreme shift in lifestyle due to the pandemic caused an increase in stress, anxiety and fear. “I suggest more than ever before that [people] need to get professional help to rebalance your mental health. This Covid pandemic has really made us more introspective. We are worried about ourselves, concerned with whether we would catch Covid, wondering when could we leave lockdown, etc. Our society has become even more selfish about individual rights. As we lead in this direction the
Who Is Lisa Cho? “I am an NLP Master Practitioner - Neuro Linguistic Programming is analyzing strategies. I look at your life. Where did you start to believe certain things? We review your life so that you are able to identify that information so you can move forward from there. It helps to get rid of bad habits and unproductive thinking. It combats depression and anxiety. I do some family dynamic work as well. I focus on human behavior, communication, couples, and women’s issues. I provide therapy sessions, of course, as a wellness check-up like an oil change for the brain. You tell me about what is bothering you, your job, or your relationship. If there are no issues, what can we do to make it more amazing? I invite people to sit with me and talk about areas of their lives to help them get some clarity and inspiration. We are all evolving right now and there is no shame in getting help to reach that new step. I have two types of in person sessions; sixty and ninety minutes. The telehealth sessions are an hour. I also have a group workshop, My Secret Besties, that we also refer to as MAS, Mothers, Aunties, Sisters. The premise of that group is that women can just get together. I send invitations out randomly and we women come together to have straight shooter talk, a person can cry about their circumstances all day to a therapist, but [the therapist] doesn’t necessarily have the same experience. I connect people who have shared the same experience. I created My Secret Besties for that reason. I host it online in Next Door, and in person. My goal is to get this group worldwide. Just to talk, cry, and then go back in the house feeling good. We talk about things like sex, how can I talk to my husband and sharing debt. We are creating our own network and our own female masterclass. I recently started a men’s group as well.” 20
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breakdown comes from inside the home where spouses, partners, are finding it difficult to communicate. We also have technology and it is a great distraction to a marriage. You are not paying attention to what the other partner is saying by staying on your phone or computer,” Lisa says, “That interferes with the bedroom. Your partner doesn’t have the chance to feel desired or craved when one spouse is on the phone all the time. You need a reboot; restart life, meet new friends, have new experiences outside of the home. There was nothing new to talk about last year. If you were going to talk it was negative over and over again. A looming sense of non-interest [in one another].” For partners who are feeling this sense of dread when it comes to sexual interest in your partner, there are ways to renew that connection. Partners need to get out together, explore, appreciate nature and one another. They need to date each other once again. Lisa says, “I believe first that couples need to understand that the day of your wedding, doesn’t need to mean the death of your dating life. Relive some of the excitement of dating. Talk about your interests with one another. Create a love box. [If you and your] partner are interested in having great sex, consider what that will take. Sex is done with all of our senses and encompasses all things, sight, touch, taste,
smell, hearing. This includes things to enhance intimacy as well as non-intimate physical touch.” “How do you show your partner that you like being close to them? Touch them. Have a great make out session. Licking, kissing, and touching all but disappeared this year because of Covid, but you should reintroduce touch and reintroduce love and the best place to do that is with your partner. Are you visually stimulating? Is your partner visually stimulating? How can you change your routine to stimulate your sense of sight? Do you flirt? Do you compliment each other? Do you make that person feel craved? Where are you having sex? Is the place visually stimulating? We need to start with setting the mood visually. It is nearly impossible to feel sexy, craved and loved in an unsexy environment. Try new sheets, new comforters, or different lighting. It all starts with your brain and using your senses in your sex life is very important. There is no room for ego, embarrassment or shame. The climax is showing you that you are going in the right direction. There should be mutual satisfaction.” Lisa highlights listening to your partner and considering both of your sexual needs. “Don’t be afraid of sex toys. They get a bad reputation, it makes people feel like they are less than, but that is not true, it ups your game. Use
Connect with Lisa to discover more about life, relationships, careers, and mental health. She can be reached at 240-480-5173 or Lisa@MyWayWellness.net. You can also visit MyWayWellnessAndLifestyle.com or @MyWayWellnessTherapy on Facebook.
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your tools and use whatever tools that your partner likes to orgasm. Don’t let your ego get in the way of your orgasm or your partner’s orgasm. We don’t want to get into that habit of not telling people what we want and what we like. It is not common knowledge because everyone’s level of knowledge is different. You should never be embarrassed to learn what your partner likes, or to learn what makes you tick,” Lisa says, “I highly suggest Masterclass it has so many topics from sex, to creativity, to writing. There is a class on sex that I think everyone should listen to. It is done by Emily Morse. She is so relatable and so phenomenal. Watching a course like that can definitely be helpful. If you can’t tell your partner, you are embarrassed and tell them what you need, Emily discusses that. We don’t really consider sex a topic, you just do it. When it comes to sex our first thought is pornography, but you don’t learn from that. It is not going to tell you how to please your particular partner. She truly goes over all of it. Even down to sexual traumas and how sex is affected by traumas. It is really interesting,” Lisa says.
How To Create a Love Box Dating Love Box
Sex Life Box
“Our couples write on a post-it note, something that they would like to try or do together. Go to dinner at a fancy restaurant, go to Top Golf, try a new cuisine. Suggest something they would enjoy and something that they hope their partner would enjoy. They put those notes in the box. I suggest they do this once a month. Pick two things to try. This builds anticipation and that subconsciously re-sparks that dating vibe. Dating can simply be something like watching movies, doing couple questions about things you never knew or things more intimate. Game nights are fun. You can also suggest a couples’ massage class. I usually suggest that after each person writes some notes, you put it in something fun. We are very visual people and like to see a fun box. Don’t include things you have done before regularly. Choose something to get you excited, something you have never done before. All of your senses light up, your brain lights up. It awakens something inside of you while being immersed in that entire experience with your partner.
I do this a little differently. First of all, I have my couples write down 5 [sexual or intimate] things in each category; there are 5 like it, 5 love it, and 5 gotta have it from each person. We are able to have your partner look at it and think, “This is what my partner wants.” People get shy or embarrassed saying it aloud, but once it is written down your partner knows this is what you want. We write them on little pieces of paper and put them into the decorated box. I suggest taking one out twice of month, one for each spouse at the beginning and middle of the month. Then, you try it. There has to be authentic conversation. Those who are willing to make a love box or a sex box are usually pretty open. People get shy and embarrassed. They might not know what they like or they get so focused on their partner’s pleasure. I suggest having an authentic conversation with one another and ask some questions that they never thought to ask each other.
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August 2021
Veronica is a Real Estate Strategist working with Sellers, Homebuyers, and Investors. She uses her 18+ years experience and training to ensure “Positive Solutions to your Real Estate Needs”. Veronica provides you top notch Customer Service, caters to your specific needs, educates you on the questions you don’t know to ask, and focuses on RESULTS to ensure you make the most informed decision possible.
Is e s u y o a H w xt k A e N lic r u eC o Y n O
VERONICA BLAIR
Realtor® Washington DC & Maryland Location: 7701 Greenbelt Rd Greenbelt, Maryland 20770 @veronicagetsitsold
Certifications/Designations
Mobile: (301) 758-4308 Office: (301) 459-5040 Website: VeronicaGetsItSold.com Email: ASKVERONICA@VERONICAGETSITSOLD.COM
Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE), Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource 23 | August 2021 (SFR), Certified Real Estate Team Specialist (C-RETS).
PROFESSIONAL EVENT AND PR PHOTOGRAPHY (301) 346-1914 ro@ctmphotographybyro.com www.ctmphotographybyro.com/clients
CORPORATE | PORTRAITS WEDDINGS | FAMILIES Free Consultations • Prompt Service • Reasonable Pricing •
Spring Special:
Headshot Photography Sessions - We’ll Come to You!
Discover the impact, value, power and difference a great headshot brings to your brand or image! CONTACT US!
For more information & pricing COVID-19 Statement At Capture The Moment Photography, the Preservation of Your Health and Safety During Your Session Is Our Top Priority. We Strictly Adhere to all COVID-19 Precautions, Safety and Sanitation Practices as Prescribed by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
At Capture The Moment Photography by Ro, LLC., we specialize in: Branding photography for promoting your business or personal imagery on social media or marketing materials! Events and Portraiture aimed at capturing all of those special moments to savor forever! Our certified digital artists have a keen eye for great composition and utilize the latest, state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to provide you the highest quality images. Whether on-location, in your home, or in our studio, we provide the setting that is convenient for you. Whichever venue that you select for your digital photography needs, our certified digital artists will ensure you have a pleasant and comfortable experience. All at an affordable cost.
TRAVEL Destination Publisher’s Pick: Marriott Marquis San Diego
Photography by Veronica Fountain
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Our lovely publisher, Veronica, went on a weekend escape to San Diego, California recently. She shared her adventures and a bird’s eye view with us from the gorgeous 25th floor balcony room.
Travel Destination
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VIP YACHT Charters USA
THE
ADVENTURESBEGIN!
Experience the DMV the way it was meant to be experienced — on the water VIP Yacht Charters USA offers you the opportunity to join us for a relaxing day cruising along the Potomac. Whether you want to celebrate a special event, dine, and cruise—you’ve come to the right place.
Fun and Adventure Awaits!
Affordable Yacht Charters
VIP Yacht Charters USA has put together many affordable charters for your cruising adventure. We offer 2, 3, and 4 hour charters. Whether you are looking to celebrate a Birthday, an Anniversary, Bachelor or Bachelorette party.
Our all-inclusive pricing includes your Captain, Host and fuel for up to 10 guests. Look at our website for online price specials. To customize your cruising adventure, call us today. We want our guests to have a stress free experience!
We are open 7 days a week 8 a.m. until 3 a.m. We offer corporate charter with concierge service. Give us a call for details! Serving the DMV area 703-989-2265 29
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www.VIPYachtChartersUSA.com in Washington D.C.
AugustLocated 2021
Simply Happening What’s Going On Around Town?
CHECK OUT THESE FANTASTIC EVENTS FOR DATE NIGHTS OR FAMILY OUTINGS.
S u n d a y C o n c e r t : 4 Th e R o a d What: 4TheRoad will be playing Rock/Jazz/R&B music. When: August 1, 2021, 7:00 p.m. Where: Allen Pond Park 3330 Northview Drive Bowie, Maryland 20716 For more information, visit CityOfBowie.org.
B o w i e Fa r m e r ’ s M a r k e t What: A variety of vendors selling fruit, vegetables, honey, mushrooms, pies, and homemade goods. When: August 1, 2021, 8 am. Where: Bowie High School Parking Lot 15200 Annapolis Road Bowie, Maryland 20715 For more information, visit CityOfBowie.org.
$ 2 Tu e s d a y S k a t e s What: Admission and skate rental for $2. When: August 3, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Where: Bowie Ice Arena 3330 Northview Drive Bowie, Maryland 20716 For more information, visit CityOfBowie.org/IceArena
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Drafthouse Comedy Presents Mekki Leeper What: Comedy Show - 21+ A valid ID is required. General Admission Only. When: August 4th, 2021, 7:00 PM Where: Pearl Street Warehouse 33 Pearl Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Bowie Baysox What: Outdoor Sports - Baseball When: August 10th, 2021, 6:35 p.m. Where: Prince George’s Stadium 4101 Crain Hwy, Bowie, Maryland 20716 To purchase tickets, visit MiLB.com/Bowie
Michelle Hannan & One Blue Night What: Live Music When: Aug. 27th, 2021, 6 p.m. Where: Old Bowie Town Grille 8604 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, Maryland 20715 To purchase tickets, visit BandsinTown.com
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Full-Service Wedding Photographer Events & Fashion Photography Owner Sheldon Johnson ShelshotPhotography.com sheldon.johnson@verizon.net @shelshotphotography Sheldon Johnson Shel Shot Photography
301-213-5187
SIMPLY NOURISH Simply Nourish always offers wholesome, natural nutrition for your pets. We also offer choices. Grain Free helps provide sustained energy for pets with food sensitivities. Limited Ingredient Diet helps support healthy digestion for digestive, skin or coat issues. Finally, Source provides maximized levels of protein & fewer carbohydrates for strong, lean muscles. No matter what you choose, your pet will love the benefits of natural food. You’ll love that we made it simple.
Employee’s
Best Friend
After a year of working from home during the pandemic, our pets are clingier than ever
At the start of lockdown and social distancing, many employees left their offices behind and started to work from home. It was certainly a challenging transition for everyone except for our furry family members who were (mostly) glad to be able to spend more time with their humans. Day in and day out, while we figured out the challenges of remote work, our dogs and cats became more comfortable with us never leaving. Now that things are going back to the way they were before the start of the pandemic, our animals are not so pleased. Expert Janelle Metiva shared her thoughts on TODAY.com regarding separation anxiety in pets. Janelle Metiva, a certified professional dog trainer and dog behavior specialist for the nonprofit Best Friends Animal Society, said, “If the dog is used to that constant attention and suddenly it goes away, that huge, abrupt change could definitely cause them some big initial panic,” She said, “We have to do prep work now so that it’s not such an extreme transition.” “The main thing we can do now is to help pets remember what it’s like to be left alone by taking a short walk or drive without them. At home, encourage them to enjoy independent activities, like working on a food puzzle or chew toy. We can hide treats in cardboard boxes around the house for them to find,” she said.
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If your pet is dealing with separation anxiety, you will need to help ease the transition. “This is actually a great time to work on those random triggers that you’re only dealing with on the weekends normally,” she said. “So if things that normally cause a reaction now predict something fun and interesting is going to happen, the dog will start to change their association. When they hear the garbage truck, they’ll run and grab a toy or something if you can teach that it means play.” You can also leave music on to help keep your dog calm. “There have been studies that have shown dogs really like reggae,” Metiva said. “Classical music is fine, too, or easy listening, jazz.” Samantha Bell, cat behavior expert for Best Friends Animal Society says that cats can also experience separation anxiety. “Cats have this reputation and stereotype of not really needing people, but that’s not true at all,” she told TODAY.com “If you just let them live their life without forcing hugs on them or carrying them around and things like that, they will become extremely bonded to you and thrilled that you’re home all the time. If you’re really worried about your cat being anxious that you’re gone, they’re going to sense that,” she said. “So you want to kind of fake that everything is fine and don’t make a big dramatic deal about leaving the house.” You should also be keeping the same routines both when you are home and out of the house. After such a long time at home, it makes sense that our pets (and ourselves) would feel anxiety when our routines change, but taking some extra time with them, staying calm and being patient will help everyone get through.
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AUGUST 2021
Parents issue the
TRAVEL DESTINATION Need a weekend escape? Stay at the fantastic Marriott Marquis San Diego
If you are ready to revitalize your look, see why more people than ever are trying Botox this year
