JANUARY 2022
MEET SIA FINOH Candidate For Prince George’s County Council District 3
LOVELY T EVENTS Celebrate In Luxury
Happy NEW YEAR! YEAR!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 8
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PUBLISHER’S CORNER Happy New Year!
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome To Wellness!
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MEET SIA FINOH
Candidate for Prince George’s County Council District 3
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L&M EXQUISITE MEALS
21-Day Weight Loss Program
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PJS ALL DAY, EVERY DAY
2022 is the Year for Luxury
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January 2022
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MIND GYMS
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Mental Workouts to Incorporate into Your Fitness Routine in the New Year
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LET’S GET OUT OF HERE
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Travel Inspiration For The New Year
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PLAN YOUR BEST YEAR YET
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Write A Book? Run A Marathon? Take Up Photography? What Will You Accomplish This Year?
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TRY SOMETHING NEW FOR 30 DAYS These 30-Day Challenges Will Kickstart Your Year
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LOVELY T EVENTS
Celebrate In Luxury With Big or Small Gatherings
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PUBLISHER Veronica Fountain Veronica@simplymagazines.net
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alyson Turner, Dominique Lassiter Taniyah Keve, Ravyn Hardwick
LAYOUT & AD DESIGN Natthaphon Foithong Natt@simplymagazines.net
EDITOR IN CHIEF Alyson Turner Alyson@simplymagazines.net
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Ro Moreno
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Veronica Fountain Veronica@simplymagazines.net
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January 2022
PUBLISHER’s
CORNER The end of the year is the perfect time for reflection, both personal and professional, but it’s also a time to look forward to everything that lies ahead of us. 2021 was an awesome year. We did a redesign of our website, E-newsletter, and added a slew of new subscribers to our publication. We had an awesome group of Contributing Writers and Photographers that helped create the magazine’s great content. There were some speed bumps along the way, with so many networking events still being canceled due to COVID, but we have taken it all in stride.
Happy New
Year! 6
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2022 presents us with some incredible opportunities to grow and adapt to the changing landscape of digital media. We now have Website Banners, E-newsletter Sponsorship Links, and we are starting a Podcast! This year will be our biggest growth yet. Again, Happy New Year to all of our wonderful readers and I want to personally thank my Team. We are in this TOGETHER! I Love You All and Let the New Year Begin!
Veronica Fountain Publisher
January 2022
Letter
from the
EDITOR Now, more than ever it is important for us to focus on overall wellness of the mind, body, and spirit. We are looking into 2022 with a positive outlook and a promise to practice self-care for ourselves. We all make resolutions that we may or not stick to after the first half of the year. The significance of New Year’s Resolutions is to start off fresh from the beginning of the year. This year instead of just a resolution, I am going to wake up and make the choice each day to be better than I was the day before. As we all have been focused on survival mode for the majority of the last two years, I am ready to thrive while being organized and focused in both mental and physical wellness. This month, we have some excellent stories that will be a great start to 2022. Meet Sia Finoh; a candidate running for Prince George’s County Council District 3 who is working towards bettering the community for all. Spend time with family and friends in true luxury by planning a gathering with Lovely T Events. You can also kick start your physical health transformation with L & M Exquisite Meals 21-Day Weight Loss Program. Or get away from it all with our newest travel inspo piece.
e m o c l We
s s e n ell
Whatever you choose to do this year, make sure you focus on living your best life. Happy New Year!
to W
Light & Kindness,
Alyson Turner Editor In Chief
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January 2022
SIA FINOH
Q
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January 2022
“Moving Prince George’s County into The 21st Century With 21st Century Solutions in Government, Business, and Technology” Meet Sia Finoh: Candidate for Prince George’s County Council District 3
Q Article By Alyson Turner
We had the opportunity to speak with Sia Finoh – a candidate running for Prince George’s County Council District 3 in 2022 to learn about her platforms, her mission, and her love for Prince George’s County.
Who is Sia Finoh?
Prince George’s County better. Why not be a part of the change? I love Prince George’s County and when something you love is broken you roll up your sleeves and fix it. My first home was in Bowie and I always tell people that we Prince Georgians actually know the worth of our county. We have everything here, but we need a little bit of organization and leadership.
I am originally from West Africa –Sierra Leone. I came here in the early 90s, when the war was heating up. My dad went to Holland and then came to America. During the onset of the war, we were lucky enough that he was granted asylum and I came to Prince George’s County when I was 13 years old. I have raised two children here – a 24-year-old, he is currently in the military and I have a 22-year-old who is graduating with a Bachelors in Biology, and my 6-year-old who I am raising here. I was a teenage mother and a teenage wife. I feel that a lot of women in Prince George’s County can relate to my story. There are a lot of immigrants who come here that don’t know what to do, or who to go to, to ask questions. Many of us come from countries that don’t have the opportunity to ask questions to government officials. I went through a bad divorce and I had no idea how the court system worked. I met a lady at church who helped me connect with my senator and he took me to the Attorney General. From then on, I started working as an intern and a legislative aide which led me to where I am today. People can relate to me. I tell people ‘Don’t let the accent fool you, I have lived in America more than I lived in Africa. Prince George’s County is my home.’ This is where I found my spirit, where I found my soul and I want to give back. I want to help make
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What are your campaign plans for 2022? How are you reaching residents and voters?
We have already started our campaign in full swing. My team and I are on the street in District 3. We are asking volunteers to help with phone banking and door knocking in District 3 to continue to connect with faith leaders, business leaders, and looking to connect with all souls in District 3, all communities, all races, everyone is included, no one is going to be left out. Right now, we have started our phone banking. We are going to be out there waving. I believe in grass roots campaigns. We get to know them and they get to know us; they tell you the issues that are affecting their family. I want to build a personal relationship with the constituents and I want them to know I am one of them. I started from the bottom. I am growing and we are going to grow together. We have to build that relationship with the constituents and we have to change the mindset of folks to let them know we are here for them.
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January 2022
Q
Why are you choosing to run for Prince George’s County Council District 3?
This is my home and this is where my heart is. This is where I raised my family. I went to middle school, high school, and college here. I am a product of Prince George’s County school system and my children are in Prince George’s County Public Schools. We all have issues we need to fix. I want to bring my own knowledge from Prince George’s County to give back. I know that I will never be able to repay what Prince George’s County has given me, but I want to give back and that is why I decided to jump into the race.
What is your mission?
Our mission is to actually move Prince George’s County into the 21st century with 21st century solutions in government, business and technology. When all of three of these things work together in unison, not only will District 3 benefit, but the whole the county will benefit. We need to work for solutions.
Can you tell us which platforms you are running on?
My platform is working to create 21st century technology and to ensure our senior citizens are in safe housing and are secure. I want to root out corruption in zoning and other areas. Prince George’s County should not be a revolving door where everyone takes from the county and then leaves. We have to reinforce our educational system to empower our students to go into skilled trades. I was a teenage mom, after high school I had no idea what I wanted to do. Many people graduate from high school and can’t afford to go to college. Why not secure their future before they leave high school? My son, who joined the military, went into cybersecurity and there are many different jobs available. There are also a lot of skilled tech trades. We have to empower our constituents in District 3. We have to focus our efforts on renewable energy as well. These are the things I want to work on with my colleagues when I get elected.
What do you want Prince George’s County and District 3 residents to know about you?
I want them to know that, Sia is like no other woman you have met with the heart of an angel, but the spirit of a warrior. I am always sincere and my self-integrity means everything to me. I am not perfect, but I try to do things that are right so I can sleep at night. My integrity means the world to me. It is rooted in accountability. I am not perfect, but I will try to do right by my constituents because it is an honor and a privilege to represent them. It is the biggest honor coming from a country that doesn’t have a lot of women in leadership or respect for women. That is an honor that I will never take for granted.
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What do growth and progress mean to you?
Benjamin Franklin said, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning.” We cannot transform our society without changing the lives of our regular folks. We have to invest in our human infrastructure by improving the welfare of those who live in our community. Growth and progress are a necessary component because healthy and successful individuals are more likely to contribute to the community. We will go in the right direction by improving the lives of our constituents. They are depending on us.
How can we, as a community, continue to thrive and succeed even during challenging times such as the pandemic? How can we look towards the future? In Prince George’s County and across our nation we are seeing devastation and the effect of COVID 19 on so many small business owners who saw their dreams crippled. While unemployment rates sky rocketed and hospitals and clinics suffered from short staff. COVID-19 has exposed many shortcomings in our health care system and we are seeing many more challenges in health in our community. Despite this, we need to leverage some of these challenges. I want to work to increase public partnerships and develop partnerships so families in need can access health care and free food. We want citizens to be well-informed. We have to support our small businesses, and encourage our residents to get vaccinated. This is not a one-sided thing. For our future, we need to refocus our view on education, businesses and helping seniors. I would like to start with education. We need to reinforce our education system for our students to go into a skilled tech trade for higher money. Many skilled labors are retiring and we need new young adults to fill in these positions, to better themselves and impact their family long term. The business climate in our county can be improved especially our minority women-owned businesses. I want to start a resource pool. We need to leverage economic development. Lastly, our seniors are counting on us as county leaders to protect their residency and their lives as well. Public safety and ensuring our seniors have access to me 24 hours a day via email or cell phone. They worked so hard to build our county. This is their home and we have to protect them. We all need to play a part in taking care of each other, our neighbors, friends, family members, and we are going to come out better in the end. We are stronger together and we all need to work as one.
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January 2022
To learn more about the platforms that are important to Sia and to connect with her, please visit SiaFinoh.com.
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January 2022
21-Day
Weight Loss Program Article By Alyson Turner
For a proper, healthy weight loss plan, this 21-day journey will help you feel full and satisfied without any of the cravings.
For those looking to change some habits this
program and meal prep for myself and to help
year, look no further than L & M Exquisite Meals.
others,” Linda says.
Owner Linda Mercer and her team are here to
The idea behind L & M’s 21-day weight loss
help, “With a proper combination of exercise,
program is sticking to a no or low-mucus forming
our 21-day weight loss plan is effortless and
diet for the duration of the program. Linda
affordable. Don’t waste your time on any quick
tells us, “I give the information to my clients on
and too-good-to-be-true gimmick diets,” the
keeping a no-mucus forming diet for 21 days.
website says.
Having things in your body that form mucus
We spoke to Linda to discover the method
can cause lots of illnesses and weight gain. The
and the success behind her 21-day weight loss
weight loss program is based around raw fruits
program. “What made me want to develop this
and vegetables. For the meal prep, I do them
program was that I was borderline diabetic and
myself. Most of the time you start on a Sunday
I wanted to be healthy. Changing your eating
and pick up 4 days of meals. You will be eating
habits and lowering your A1C is what will keep
raw fruits and vegetables in a salad. The salad
you from becoming diabetic. I started doing
includes ingredients like kale, spinach, cabbage,
research on the best things to eat [to avoid
cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, blueberries,
diabetes], quick ways to bring down your weight,
cranberries, strawberries, and Mandarin
and how to change your cholesterol numbers.
oranges. You can have a bit of salmon with your
That is how I came up with the 21-day weight loss
salad for the first 7 days. You will also make
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January 2022
fresh smoothies. I make the smoothies in large
would be hungry, but the portions are very large
a jug and all you do is stick it in the blender and
and filling.”
put some ice in there. It is a really thick smoothie
When it comes to the program, clients can pick
mix. You can use the salad for your lunch or your dinner. The program is designed for 2 smoothies per day; one for breakfast, one for dinner and
up their prepped meals or depending on the area have them delivered for an extra fee. The meals are made fresh every four days. Linda
your salad for lunch. The portions are so large that some clients split the salad and eat half for lunch, and half for dinner with a smoothie for a
says, “People say it’s amazing. Some people take a break, then get right back on it. I also recommend that people should detox using
snack. We also have our detox water.”
a steam sauna. You can buy a portable one on
When Linda first sits down to talk to the clients,
Amazon and do the sauna at home because
she finds out if they have any food issues or
detoxing is a full body process. Once you are
allergies. “Sometimes people are allergic to
done the 21-day program, I suggest introducing
some fruits like strawberries or blueberries.
foods slowly especially starches. I also suggest
I will talk to you about each ingredient in the
every three months you do another 21-day
salad and what it does for your body. I will talk
weight loss program. Your body needs that tune
to you about your eating habits and intermittent
up and it needs to flush out the toxins so that
fasting,” Linda says, “I will talk to you every 2
everything is running well.”
or 3 days to make sure you are doing okay. I
“It is just a great feeling and your body feels
will also ask why you are starting the 21-day
a little more lightweight. We feel heavy and
program whether it’s for weight loss or for health issues. Most people are sticking to it with my encouragement. The first week can be hard, but once you get through the first week, you are excited and ready. People may think that just fruits and vegetables are not enough; that you
sluggish after eating processed foods. The program changes your skin’s complexion, and energy levels. We don’t give our body the break it needs, but the 21-day weight loss program gives us a rest from eating processed foods.”
Photo by Anna Tis/Pexels
Photo by Engin Aykyurt/Pexels
For more information or to start the 21-Day Weight Loss Program, call 301-509-4524 or visit LMExquisiteFood.com.
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January 2022
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January 2022
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Bowie Location 15475 Annapolis Road, Suite 140, Bowie, 2022 MD 20715 January
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2022
PJs All Day, Every Day
Is The Year For Luxury Silk Pajamas
This year, we are practicing self-care and living our best life. That means dressing for success during the day and at night. It’s time to put away your old, tattered flannel pants and your favorite onesie in favor of silk and satin PJ sets that will have you sleeping soundly or relaxing in all day. The benefits of silk are amazing including being lightweight and hypo allergenic. Here are just a few of the high-end brands with luxurious pajamas that we’ve been hearing about:
EBERJEY Eberjey offers high-end silk pajamas that are actually washable. According to their website, “The name itself is music to our ears. We adore our silk. It’s a natural, biodegradable textile made in a factory that implements the highest environmental standards. Silk is a dream to sleep in because of its hypoallergenic and thermoregulating properties, not to mention how it feels against bare skin. But we also love a silk that’s low maintenance, which is why we ensured ours is actually machine washable, because who has time for washing clothes by hand? Simply toss it in with the delicates and get on with your life. Luxurious, practical, beautifully modern — it’s the Eberjey way.” The Inez Washable Silk Printed Long PJ Set in-Limited-Edition Mink Puff retails for $298. Get the matching eye mask for $48. Get your set today.
Eberjey.com
LilySilk.com LILYSILK According to, LilySilk.com, “sources high-quality silk directly from silk master weavers in China to provide silk pajamas, clothing and bedding at a fair price... 22 momme pure mulberry silk can make all your dreams on silk pajamas come true. After a hectic day at the office or on the playground, a pair of comfortable pajamas makes things just right! Featured in a flowing fit, our pajamas are cozy, cheerful, and breathable. With these pajamas, you’ll wish evening lounging could last all day.” The 22 Momme Full Length Silk Pajamas Set retails for $255 on their site. Lilysilk’s amazingly cozy pajamas were recently featured in singer Meghan Trainor’s new music video.
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January 2022
LUNYA Looking for the benefits of silk sheets in your night wear? Check out Lunya for, the “A high-rise version of our best-selling Washable Silk Button Down Pant Set, this set has an ultra-flattering flat front waist pant with side slit (for hot sleepers who want a little leg ventilation), but the top comes in a cropped length that hits perfectly at the waistband. Bonus? Chic elongated arm length that hits at the elbows.” You can grab the full set for $258 in otium tan, deep blue, meditative gray, and immersed black.
Lunya.com
LA PERLA You cannot go wrong with world famous La Perla. This high-end brand uses Italian silk to craft their sleepwear. “The most luxurious piece in the La Perla Maison collection features embroidered motifs on a tulle background in the same colour as the silk, hand finished with a double-frastaglio technique.” This red silk slip retails for $740. You can finish the look with red silk satin short robe with frastaglio for $1350. You will look and feel like a priceless piece of art.
US.LaPerla.com
NetAPorter.com OLIVIA VON HALLE The Olivia von Halle Green Bella Floral Print Silk-Satin Set is a Net-A-Porter exclusive. The Editor’s Note says, “Olivia von Halle’s pajama collections showcase prints that are both timeless and playful. This camisole and shorts set is made from smooth silk-satin that drapes beautifully. Wear it with knitted socks or summery slippers.” This gorgeous silk satin printed set retails for $370. You can also order it in solid colors as well.
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January 2022
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Mental Workouts to Incorporate into Your Fitness Routine in the New Year Article by Dominique Lassiter
Happy New Year! It is officially 2022, and I’ll bet one of your new year’s resolutions is to get in the gym and gain physical fitness.
Research suggests that cognitive training has short-andlong term benefits such as:
Everyone knows about physical fitness and the health benefits that come with it. Physical fitness is what most people strive for, especially after the new year. But many don’t realize that mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness and should not be ignored. Mental fitness means to keep your brain and emotional health in top shape. Now you’re not going to be training for the “brain Olympics” or studying for an IQ test. Mental exercises help us slow down, decompress and improves memory.
Meditate Meditation generally involves focusing attention in a calm, controlled way, and may have many benefits for both the brain and the body. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, research suggests that meditation may benefit the brain by slowing brain aging and increasing the brain’s ability to process information.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Improved memory Reduced stress levels Improved work performance Delayed cognitive decline
Although the brain gets plenty of exercise everyday, there are certain activities that may help boost brain function and connectivity. This, in turn, may help prevent the brain from age-related degeneration. Here are a few mental exercises for those looking for a boost in memory, cognition, and creativity!
Complete Jigsaw Puzzles Not only are jigsaw puzzles a great way to pass the time, they also benefit the brain. A 2018 study found that puzzles may activate many cognitive functions such as perception, mental rotation, working memory and reasoning. The study concluded that doing jigsaw puzzles regularly and throughout life may protect against the effects of brain aging.
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January 2022
Practice Your Sudoku Number puzzles, like sudoku, can be a fun way to challenge the brain. They may also improve cognitive function in some people. A 2019 study showed that adults aged between 50 and 93 years who practiced number puzzles more frequently tended to have better cognitive function.
Mental Workouts
Play Video Games Your parents probably told you as a child that video games would rot your brain, right? Wrong! At least partially. Some types of video games such as action, puzzle, and strategy games may lead to improvements in attention, problem solving, and cognitive flexibility.
Try Your NonDominant Hand Neurobiologist Lawrence Katz recommends using your non-dominant hand to strengthen your mind. Because using your opposite hand can be so challenging, it can be a great way to increase brain activity. Try switching hands while you are eating dinner or when you are trying to write something down. It will be difficult, but that is exactly the point.
Socialize Studies from 2019 suggest that people who are socially active are also at a lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Even if you may be an introvert, seeking social interactions can be beneficial to your brain in both the short and long-term. Some ideas for staying socially engaged to include signing up for volunteer opportunities in your community, joining a club, and staying in close touch with your friends and family.
Take Up An Engaging Hobby Taking up a new hobby can be mentally stimulating and exercise the brain in new ways. Hobbies that require coordination or dexterity will activate a person’s motor skills. These include; dancing, knitting, drawing, or learning a musical instrument.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov/Pexels
Get Into Sports Certain sports are both physically and mentally demanding. Some require a range of cognitive skills, such as sustained attention, planning, multitasking, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing situations. It has been noted that elite athletes who participate in high demand sports tend to have improved attention and faster information processing speeds.
All in all, brain exercises can be as simple as actively engaging the brain in everyday tasks. Others are targeted workouts for the brain, specifically designed to enhance memory, cognition, or creativity. People are likely to differ in terms of the brain exercises they find most enjoyable. It may be a good idea to try a range of braintraining activities at first and to stick with those that you like best. Schedule a mental fitness break into your calendar right next to your workout schedule. Your mind and your health are worth it! 22
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January 2022
Let’s Get Out of Here Travel Inspiration
for 2022
Santa Fe, New
Mexico
cities the most historic Santa Fe is one of dary . There is legen in North America corner re around every history and cultu nging verse art scene ra you turn and a di Santa to contemporary. from traditional s and a city of all season Fe is considered ore the ities. You can expl offers many activ rough eum of Art, raft th New Mexico Mus , or of the Rio Grande the thrilling rapids as w spa day. Santa Fe enjoy a relaxing te ra d e of the highestalso listed as on survey tions based on a American destina ts. Travel Group agen doneby Ovation
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January 2022
Orange County, California If you’re looking for sun-soaked beaches to lay out on this is the place for you. This city’s close proximity to the sea and mountains makes any outdoor excursion that much more enjoyable. From surfing lessons to paddle boarding to snorkeling to kayaking- Orange County has all the water activities you could possibly think of. This beach town is also rich in the arts with plenty of art galleries to visit.This destination was made for the water lovers.
Southern Utah With its five distinct geological wonderlands all within driving distance, Southern Utah is idealfor any road trip lover. Southern Utah has the highest concentration of national parks in thecountry so there are many places to visit. Some of these national parks include Arches National Park, Canyon lands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park. You can also get out and discover hidden slot canyons and petroglyphlined caves and even partake in world-classmountain biking. Southern Utah is a great place to visit if you’re an outdoor enthusiast.
Anguilla
aches complemented pristine white sand be of les mi 12 ers off illa Angu quoise to cobalt blue. ters that range from tur wa e llin sta cry , lm ca by .Anguilla offers many s all open to the public he ac be 33 h wit ng Alo .You can watch st known for boat racing aquatic sports but is mo ship or sail to one a e tak held each year or as att reg ny ma the of one . There are also aches for aprivate picnic be or s cay re sho off of the ous jerk-style meats d bars that offer delici an s tro bis al ast co ny ma s Caribbean Island. of beautiful sand on thi les mi the ing ok rlo ove
Porto, Portugal Porto is a beautiful city built on the hills overlooking the Douro River. It is notorious for its great culinary and wine experiences, so this is the place to visit if you are a foodie. While in Portomany visit the 14th century São Francisco church, the local port wine cellars and go on wine tastings. Porto offers some of Europe’s best chefs and freshest seafood. One popular restaurant location hereis Casade Chada Boa Nova as many go to see the hype over its two Michelin stars.
Quito, Ecuador Quito is a breath taking city surrounded by mountain peaks and lush hills. It is known for itswell-preserved colonial center, which is rich in 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish, and indigenous styles. Some of these structures include The Basilica del Voto Nacional and The Church of la Compañía de Jesús which are all historic churches here.While in Quito, you can ride the rails from the city to the coast, mountain bike to Mindo Cloud Forest or mountain bike down the Cotopaxi Volcano. 24
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"We Make Any Space A Culinary Destination" Executive Chef & Founder Justin Bush Specializing in full-service catering experiences in Maryland, Washington DC & Virginia. • Providing clients an exciting and memorable culinary experience. • Preparing every dish from scratch and creating menu items specific to your event. • For special occasions in your private residence or any other venue including weddings or corporate events
TalkOfDiTown.com
(202) 681-2874
Events@TalkofDiTown.com
PO BOX 7118 Landover, MD 20792
THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ISSUE COMING SOON IN FEBRUARY
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RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY
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25 •| Events January• 2022 Local Community • Social Media • Digital Media E-Newsletter • Podcasts • Website • Mobile
PLAN YOUR BEST YEAR YET Write A Book? Run A Marathon? Take Up Photography? What Will You Accomplish This Year?
Every year in January, people around the globe sit down and make New Year’s Resolutions to better themselves for the upcoming year. Usually, sticking to those resolutions fades away after a few months, but what if you made the decision to accomplish one long term goal over the next 12 months before the clock strikes midnight at the end of 2022. It’s time to plan your best year yet. What could you accomplish if you put your mind to it? Here are a few ideas that we would love to do.
S TA R T A B U S I N E S S When is the best time to start a business? The old saying goes, “The best time to start a business is 5 years ago, but the next best time to start a business is right now!” In our December issue we discussed the importance of creating a good business plan. If it has been your dream to go out on your own and start a business, what is stopping you? In 2022, why not begin the research to find out exactly what you would need to begin a successful business venture. First, you would need the idea for your business. Will you offer a service or sell a product? What industry will you be working in? Secondly, and most importantly, you will need to create a solid business plan that entails how you plan to build and operate your business. A business plan is needed to secure funding from investors as well. You will also need to put in the work. Starting a business takes long hours and dedication, but in 5 years you can say that you chose the best time to start your business!
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S TA R T A C O M M U N I T Y GARDEN Do you want to accomplish something great and give back to your community? Talk to your neighbors about creating a community garden. Community Gardens work because the entire community chips in whether it be donating seeds or plants, loaning tools or materials to build the space, or putting in the work to maintain the garden. Then, once the plants and vegetables begin to produce the entire community can reap the rewards of your harvest. Maintaining the garden has three major benefits. One, you are giving back to the place that live and making it better. Two, it is a great way to socialize and meet your neighbors. Finally, after all your hard work you (and your neighbors) get to bring home healthy fruits, vegetables, and anything else that you plant. It promotes a loving community and a healthy home.
January 2022
WRITE YOUR BOOK Many people dream of writing their own book whether it is a topic they are passionate about or telling their own life story. Experts say that writing a book (full-time) can take up to a year, but for those who have other jobs and tasks to complete, writing a book can take longer. For 2022, why not pick up that memoir that has been collecting dust for past few years and make a promise to write a set number of words every day. For, an 80,000word novel, that would be just over 200 words a day. The hardest part is committing to finishing the work and not abandoning it when things get tough.
R U N A M A R AT H O N
TA K E U P P H OTO G R A P H Y
Train. Train. Train. You have to train for several months to get in shape for a true marathon. A full marathon is 26.2 miles long. It takes determination and commitment to stick to a proper training schedule. You have to decide on a clear reason why you are doing a marathon. Then, you need to decide which marathon you want to compete and make sure to register before the deadline. Eating and sleeping well leading up to your marathon, finding an accountability partner, and building flexibility into your schedule for days that you need a rest are all critical to preparing to run a full marathon. You also want to make sure you buy new shoes that properly fit your feet while you are training and running on race day. There is pride in completing such a large accomplishment that is good for both your physical and mental health.
With the rise of more expensive smart phone cameras and the ever-popular Instagram filters, photography can seem “easy” online. The truth is that there is so much more to a successful photograph than just pointing and clicking a button. The good news is that there are several types of Master classes that you can take to learn the ins and outs of true photography. You can even learn the best settings and techniques on your smart phone to help capture the perfect shot. Photography can be an amazing hobby to learn that becomes a great skill to have no matter where you are. These days many photographers are even offering private lessons to hobbyists who have recently received a new camera.
What are some of your long-term goals for 2022? Let us know on Instagram or Facebook.
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Advertise with us
The Bowie Center for the Performing Arts is busy cultivating our community by bringing in arts, culture, and creating a community meeting place.
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Enjoy a wide variety of art forms: • Dance • Theatre • Music
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For more information and a full schedule of events, visit BowieCenter.org. Address: 15200 Annapolis Rd Bowie, MD 20715
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“Hard Work Deserves Retirement Planning” RETIREMENT PLANNING • Develop income distribution strategies • Determine implications on income taxation: Federal, Maryland, and Social Security • Determine implications on Medicare Premiums
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Try Something New for
30
Days
By Ravyn Hardwick
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In today’s society where everyone is glued to their phone 24/7 this 30-day challenge will help anyone trying to decrease their screen time. You can try reducing your screen time by 60-90 minutes everyday. You can use that extra time to focus on other things and be more productive. There are also settings within certain social media apps such as Instagram where you can set up “Take a Break”. This feature allows users to schedule reminders to leave the platform after a particular amount of activity.
January 2022
Try Something New for 30 Days
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According to The Simple Dollar, the average American eats an average of 4.2 commercially prepared meals per week. This means that as a nation we eat out between four and five times aweek, on average. So, for anyone looking to save some money or eat healthier this is thechallenge for you. For 30 days try out only cooking and eating home cooked meals and see what it does for you. You can also try implementing new practices during this time such as removingdairy from your diet or increasing your vegetable intake.
Taking the necessary time to focus on your mind, body and spirit is something that many people struggle with. You can’t continue pouring into others and not filling your own cup up once in awhile. It is important to set time aside to do the things that you love and that make you happy. Self-care comes in many forms such as meditation, yoga, shopping, walking the dog or simply just blasting some of your favorite tunes and singing your heart out. Self-care is truly whatever makes you feel good.
It has been proven that spending time outside can help lower blood pressure, heart rate, andcortisol levels. Your body tends to slow down while being outside, making you feel more sereneand calm. Spending time outside can look like many different things. You can go outside for awalk, run at a local park, or just sit outside on a bench. This 30-day challenge will help anyonewho wants to slow down in life and smell the roses. Start going outside for at least an hour everyday and see the difference it makes in your mood.
For many people, journaling is a great release because it allows you to reflect on your day andwrite down all of your thoughts on it. Journaling can help you track your progress and growth, achieve goals, practice gratitude, gain confidence, improve on your communication and writing skills and so much more. Try journaling at least once a day for 30 days straight and see the difference it makes in your life and overall self-confidence.
January 2022
The Wow Effect. All Year Long.
Specializing in luxury and intimate events, our event planning expertise has allowed us to produce fresh and creative ideas for every proposal, wedding, romantic date, and corporate or social event. We believe exceptional events are only created by building relationships with our clients so that every detail is communicated. support@lovelytevents.com | 202-350-0575 | www.lovelytevents.com 31
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Latonia Caldwell puts together ings events from corporate, to wedd e to intimate gatherings for thos . who want to celebrate in luxury
Turner y Alyson Article B o Moreno phy by R ra g to o h P
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Latonia Caldwell has the talent and the drive to bring luxury to life. She is kind and full of creativity with a passion for bringing a smile to people’s faces when they see their event space transformed before their eyes. “I was always interested in doing interior design. I would always remodel my own room, whether it was changing out the chairs to adding pictures or creating my own art to go on the walls. When it came time for my own wedding, I knew that no one would be able to create the wedding that I wanted. I worked with my friend Tasheda, and we sat down to create the centerpieces, the wedding invitations, the design, and the color palette to bring my vision to life. Then afterwards, everyone would ask me to help with their weddings, their events and designing their homes. I would always help free of charge because I love to do to this, but it was my dream to have my own company,” Latonia says, “It came from being very creative in my own way. First doing hair–I went to cosmetology school for hair, and I would change my hairstyle every other day when I was in school as well. That is what attracted
me into doing different events. I just like to be artsy and creative. That was the way that I expressed myself. I had my own space and it made me happy. It was always a bonus because it made me happy to see everyone else happy.” Everyone around her was impressed with Latonia’s style of decorating, and event planning and designs. “Before the business even became legal so many people were asking me to handle their weddings or their anniversary parties or baby showers. When my daughter got married five years ago, I threw her wedding and there were 250 people there. It was a big empty warehouse that I took from nothing and made it very extravagant. It just blew up from there. Even the venues asked me to do contracts with them, but I wasn’t licensed to do that yet. After helping with several events and being asked to contract with venues, I knew I needed to be licensed. I had a mentor at work that was encouraging me to make my business legal and directed me down the right path to get started. I would
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love to be able to leave my full-time job and work my business full time one day. I have worked for the federal government for 22 years. It is hard to let go of stable money and a job that I have been doing for so long. But, in 2019, Lovely T Events, Inc became incorporated. My business was legalized. I took training classes to get certified and made sure all the documentation was in place,” Latonia said, “I had a storage room in my mom’s basement, but I had so much inventory that I ended up getting a larger storage unit and still needed a second storage unit. My next goal is to get a venue spot, which I am currently looking for, and a place to hold all my inventory. My girlfriend Tasheda, who came on with me in the beginning works as my creative design assistant and helps me execute each event. My son Kenneth helps with the marketing and designing. Lovely T is my dream job. I love what I do. It is a lot of work, but once everything is executed you sit back and say, ‘I did that.’” When Latonia started there were only a few companies doing these types of
events. “I have been married for 12 years and my style comes with the experience. You must have a creative mind. For me it started with my hair styling, fashion and decorating. You are bringing all these things together. If a client calls me, I want them to rest assured if they give me a small inkling of what they want then my mind is ready to come up with all these creative ideas. Not one of my events have ever been the same. Many companies will use a template and do the same type of events repeatedly. I do one-of-a- kind, unique events. I love nice things. I love beautiful things. I work within your budget, but I want it to be luxurious. If you are booking with me, you expect a certain standard. Even if you have a small budget, we can still turn it into a masterpiece. I see things that I can do with an unlimited budget, but for our clients that have smaller budgets, I can still give them a celebrity look without the celebrity prices. Even if I have to go above and beyond to bring that vision to life–I will do that. It is for your client; they have trusted the process and have allowed me to be creative,” Latonia says, “One of the events that I do is Drive By Parties – where people drive by and say hello. The last drive by event I created
was for a retirement party. I made it look like she was relaxing and retired in Arizona [where the client is moving too]. I made it look like she was in a resort in her new state enjoying retirement. People were shocked by it as they came by to congratulate her on retirement and drop off gifts. [With Lovely T Events] you get celebrity events without breaking the bank. You can still stay in your car, get a favor and drop a gift off to the guest of honor without the concerns of getting too close because of COVID.” Anyone can create an event, but to stand out you must be creative. Latonia tells us, “My assistant will come in and we will put our heads together to create something one-of-kind. That is why we have so much inventory as well. I am also considering renting out my inventory in the future. I had a bride whose theme was fairytale land. I had a swing built for her and it was a drive by event. We have people who wanted to do Moroccan parties and dance lessons with private massages in house. We staged the whole hotel room, and we had a dance instructor come to teach dance lessons. Each event is totally different. Weddings are the number one event. It is a long process
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with a wedding so in between getting prepared for weddings, we do other small events. We have a luxurious picnic event where clients will all be sitting at a nice picnic table with their pillow seats, we can even stage inside your home that way. I set up for photoshoots, anniversary parties, receptions, private dinner parties where one of the spouses surprised the other. I stage the table and the background with the balloons and provide the catering. We have the baby showers, and graduations. There have been some birthday parties, but with birthdays we do the table settings that are similar to receptions. We do corporate events; we have been booked for award ceremonies and upscale formals with servers doing plated food, bartenders, and photographers and DJs or a band.” We are full-service event company. We have the florist, we have the balloon arches, caterers and rental items and whatever I do not do or have, we have special relationships with vendors. I have contacts with specific photographers and videographers. We do have a photobooth that a lot of people will book for. We can do any type of event, truly
anything you can think of. Someone had booked us for a holiday corporate party, and they wanted table scapes and the lounge area set up VIP style. I staged the area with sectionals, and luxury chairs and tables. I have done a set up in Ocean City for someone’s anniversary; a private picnic on the beach. It was so nice. The whole thing was videoed, and dinner was served to them. It doesn’t matter where; we have a destination wedding coming up in Jamaica. We also
have massage therapists that come with the hotel room staging which can also be done in your home. Most people book that for the hotel room staging with the private chef and the massage therapist in one package. Even before I started out with the other events, I would stage hotel rooms, bring in a private chef and provide couples massage. We handle everything. When extra help is needed, I have a team of people I can call in to handle the extra work.
In 2022, we are looking for more business with corporate, government contracts especially when companies do monthly team buildings, along with weddings, ceremonies, receptions, and proposals. I love larger scale events, and I am hoping to get more connections with venue owners and restaurant owners. Even one day when I have my venue space, other event planners will be able to come in and rent the venue or my team can handle the event instead.”
To schedule your
next luxury event or gathering,
call Lovely T Events at
202-350-0575 or visit LovelyTEvents.com for more information.
Fresh. Innovative. Delicious. Services Offered:
(301) 857-2YUM SavorThisGourmet.com
• Catering • Holiday Desserts • Healthy Options • Event Supplies
CALL TODAY TO DISCUSS YOUR EVENT, AND TASTE THE SAVOR THIS...! EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF.
JANUARY 2022
Lovely T Events
Celebrate In Luxury
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Meet Sia Finoh
Candidate for Prince George’s County Council District 3
