Simply Bowie July Issue by Simply Magazines

JULY 2021

Realtor issue the

8 Common Home Staging

Mistakes Ebony McArthur &

The McArthur Group With HomeSmart discusses

Building Wealth Through Real Estate Financial Literacy ”The Werking Mom”

Taste of Abroad at Home

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

Sweet Summertime

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Time to Relax

SIMPLY HOME

8 Common Home Staging Mistakes

EBONY MCARTHUR & THE MCARTHUR GROUP WITH HOMESMART

REALTOR TOMECA LITTLEPAGE WITH SAMSON PROPERTIES

July 2021

SIMPLY TRAVEL

Rocky Mountain High: A Trip to Snowmass, Colorado

SIMPLY DELICIOUS

A Taste of Abroad At Home

SIMPLY ENTERTAINMENT

Hottest Beach Reads for Summer

REGINA PARKER WITH WEICHERT REALTORS

SIMPLY HAPPENING What’s Going On Around Town?

34 PUBLISHER Veronica Fountain Veronica@simplymagazines.net EDITOR IN CHIEF Alyson Turner Alyson@simplymagazines.net CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alyson Turner Glen Cox Kristen Finello

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Ro Moreno Sheldon Johnson Jeremy Swanson LAYOUT & AD DESIGN Natthaphon Foithong ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Veronica Fountain Veronica@simplymagazines.net

On The Cover: Ebony McArthur & The McArthur Group with HomeSmart Cover Photography: Ro Moreno 3

July 2021

Sweet

Summertime I

t’s my favorite time of the year! Hot Summer days to play your favorite sport, ride out on your motorcycle, go to the beach, walk your favorite trail, and of course, eat Maryland’s Best blue crabs with Old Bay Seasoning. This July issue is The Realtors Issue, featuring some of the top realtors in the area who will help you find your dream home. With international travel only just starting to pick up, you can always enjoy A Taste of Abroad at Home with these fantastic local restaurants and chefs featured this month. You also don’t want to miss our picks for the Best Beach Reads to relax with this summer. Happy 4th of July,

PUBLISHER’s

CORNER Hair By Divine Hands by Olivia Photography By Sheldon Johnson 4

June 2021

Veronica Fountain Publisher

Time To

Relax W

elcome everyone to our July issue. Now, that summer is officially in full swing, it is time to get in some relaxation. Spending long days outside in the park, taking trips with your family, or enjoying time at home reading the newest issue of Simply Bowie.

Letter EDITOR

This month, we hear from some of the experts in real estate, a few culinary masters, and we take a trip to Snowmass, Colorado where it is fun all year round, not only in those winter months. As always, we hope you enjoy this issue that we have lovingly put together and that you soak up some of that summer sun every chance you get.

from the

Be Kind,

Alyson Turner Editor In Chief

June 2021

Simply Home

Common Home Staging Mistakes to Avoid, According to the Pros Article by Kristen Finello

When it comes to prepping your home for potential buyers, you probably already know the basics: Declutter, depersonalize, and deep clean. Add to that home staging tips gleaned from real estate shows and social media, and you may feel like you know all you need to about getting your home ready to hit the market. Still, there are some missteps that staging pros see wellmeaning homeowners make time and again that can keep listings from selling quickly and for top dollar. Avoid these pitfalls and you can have buyers vying to make your home sweet home their own. Not planning to sell anytime soon? Then steal some of these strategies to help you enjoy your space even more.

Mistake #1:

Not Thinking About How Your Home Will Photograph It’s pretty much a given that house hunters start their search by looking at homes online, and amazing pics can determine whether they scroll past your listing or add it to their mustsee list. It might be tempting to only focus on how your home presents in person, but you should also consider how it comes across in photos. “Photographers typically look to a window or fireplace as a focal point, so stage furniture around that,” suggests Fernanda Bertrand, co-owner and founder of Upstaging Seattle, which has staged more than 700 homes. “If you block the view of a window, for example, potential buyers can’t get the right idea of scale from the listing photos.”

Mistake #2: Arranging Furniture on an

Angle

Resist the urge to situate that sofa or desk on the diagonal when prepping your home for sale. “Angling furniture is one of the worst things you can do because it skews the perspective of a space,” explains Bertrand. “People do it because they think it will make the space look bigger, but it really just makes the room feel off.” Her only exception: If the room itself features some odd angles you may have no choice but to position your furniture accordingly.

July 2021

Mistake #3: Skipping Area Rugs in Open Concept Layouts

Open floor plans can be tricky to decorate, and a bare expanse of floor with nothing to warm it up or delineate specific spaces is a common blunder that home stagers see. “It’s really important to have area rugs to define different areas,” says Bertrand. “Without them, furniture looks like it’s floating.” Whether your house is for sale or not, consider adding area rugs if you don’t have them, or swapping out your current rugs if you’ve lived with them for a while. Area rugs— particularly those in high-traffic locations—take a lot of abuse, especially if kids and pets are part of your household. Bertrand’s advice: “Don’t invest a lot in area rugs. Choose rugs that are super affordable—I use ones from Rugs USA a lot—and replace them every couple of years for an easy way to get a major update.”

Mistake #4: Hanging Out-of-Scale Art In the right proportion, a fabulous piece of art can make a stylish statement and help a buyer connect with your home. Unfortunately, when the scale isn’t right, even the prettiest piece can throw off the feel of a room and hurt a buyer’s impression of the space. “A huge wall with art that’s not large enough makes the wall look smaller,” notes Bertrand. Aim for artwork—either a single piece or a grouping—that takes up two-thirds to threequarters of the wall space. In a living room, a 50-by-40-inch rectangular canvas is a great way to ground a sofa, says Bertrand. Hang it four to six inches from the top of the couch.

Mistake #5: Using Too Many Little

Things

A mistake homeowners often make, both when decorating for themselves and staging their home for sale, is erring on the

side of too much small stuff. Common culprits include large sofas with an array of too-petite throw pillows, bookshelves or built-ins with a lot of frames and tchotchkes, and coffee tables crowded with small-scale objects. “It always looks better to use fewer big things than a bunch of small ones,” says Bertrand. On a coffee table, for example, two large vases and some greenery creates a more sophisticated look than an array of small items.

Mistake #6: Skimping on Lighting Buyers love “bright and airy,” so having lots of lighting in a home is key. “Thinking about lighting is especially important in older homes that don’t have canned lighting,” says Bertrand. She recommends incorporating floor and table lamps to create different layers of lighting.

Mistake #7: Not Thinking About Who Your Potential Buyer Is

Is your buyer most likely to be a young family? A single professional? Empty nesters? You want buyers to see your place as somewhere that fits their lifestyle, so give some thought to who might be most interested in your location and type of dwelling. “If I’m staging a condo in downtown Seattle, for example, I’ll stage a second bedroom as a guest room or home office rather than as a nursery or a kid’s room,” explains Bertrand. Also, resist the urge to go overboard with super-specific decor. You want your home to appeal to as many people as possible.

Mistake #8: Going Too Bland While trying to appeal to a wide variety of tastes, it’s easy to go too far and end up with a boring space. “The goal is to make the design neutral but with personality,” says Bertrand. She likes to keep things like wall color and couches low-key but add interest through art and textiles like colorful throw pillows. To learn more, visit RealSimple.com.

July 2021

The McArthur Group’s mission is to enhance the experience of buying and selling real estate by cultivating a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and integrity.

Ebony McArthur MBA., Licensed Realtor MD, DC, VA & PA

Main: (301) 351-4065 Fax: (301) 434-4066 Cell: (410) 963-8249

EMcArthurRealEstate@gmail.com

www.TheMcArthurGroup.com

4201 Mitchellville Rd. Suite 401 Bowie, MD 20716

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Ebony McArthur & The McArthur Group with HomeSmart

Award-Winning Realtor, Real Estate Investor, Author, & Founder of “The Werking Mom” Article By Alyson Turner

Photography By Ro Moreno

Ebony McArthur and her husband, Jerome McArthur Jr., started in the real estate industry as investors. The more they became involved in investing in real estate, they more they wanted to learn. Ebony and Jerome decided to take classes together to become licensed realtors working as a husband-and-wife team. Ebony says, “I worked as a nurse, then I was a stay-at-home mom. Once my kids were in school, I went back to what I love, getting my degrees and then going into real estate. I would sit up late nights and teach myself contracts. I would always step up to do showings or open houses. My first goal was to sell one home. We learned so much once we became licensed realtors, it was a turning point.” 9

July 2021

Ebony and Jerome started out as real estate investors in 2005. They had invested in a few properties and decided to buy and hold as landlords. They had a vision of holding several different investment properties including homes and businesses. Then, Ebony felt called to learn more on the realtor side of the industry. “The investor and the realtor wear two different hats. We were always hiring realtors to work with contracts and we both decided to enroll in the course. Everyone told us how

hard it was to get into real estate as a new agent,” Ebony tells us, “I earned my real estate license in 2014. My very first year I won top producer in my brokerage and I started to build my business.” Ebony took that challenge to heart and continued to successfully build several aspects of her business while going to school and raising a family with her husband. “I work full-time as a realtor and my husband is dual-career. He is a disabled military

July 2021

veteran and works with the government full-time. We have 4 children. All of our children are student athletes. People don’t see the dedication it takes to succeed. We moved to the area 5 years ago from Baltimore, Maryland and we relocated our business,” she says, “I am licensed in Maryland, DC, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. I can get to several different locations in an hour. We decided to centralize ourselves. We moved away from everyone we know to work this business. I started the McArthur group

2 years ago. I lead and mentor 21 people on a daily basis. We have won Diamond awards, GCAR awards, Top Producer awards and all kinds of customer service awards.” Along with being an award-winning realtor, Ebony, and her husband Jerome also flip homes and create luxury rentals for low-income families with their investment company, TMG Homes. Ebony has a passion for financial literacy, teaching others how to build wealth through real estate,

July 2021

and giving back to the community. Ebony tells us, “I am a mom. My husband and I have known each other since I was in high school and we are celebrating 15 years of marriage this month. I hold a Bachelors in Finance, an MBA in Business Administration and I am a full-time doctorate student in Business Administration graduating in 2022. I have a real passion for building wealth through real estate. I contracted my first home when I was 18 years old and it has taken over since then. By the time I was 25, we had around 2 million dollars in real estate. “ Through her finance business, “The Werking Mom”, she teaches financial literacy at local high schools, local churches, and with women’s groups. “I have learned through the process that a lot of people don’t know where to go, where to start, or how to get their credit in place. I have found an even deeper passion to assist people towards owning real estate and land. I have my Werking Mom podcast and I interview local business owners, other moms, and dive into financial literacy. People always ask me when I have time to sleep, but it is organized chaos. The great thing about real estate is that I can organize my days. If I need a down day, I schedule it,” she says, “It doesn’t feel like work when you love what you do. This is my calling, I enjoy doing it, I love doing it. My kids are very much involved. It is really a family movement. They all love it as well.” Through all of that, Ebony also shared her story with her recently published book, The Fragrance of a Resilient Woman.

“I published my book in September 2020. It tells a little bit about my story. I came from the field of pediatric nursing to get into real estate. About 3 years into my business, I started working by referral only. I wanted to focus more on relationships rather than becoming so transactional. The past 4 years I have been working 100 percent by referral. Focusing on people more than the transaction. I tell my clients, ‘Call me any time, ask me questions, share your thoughts, ask me how this process works. I am always available for people especially first-time home buyers. Alot of first-time home buyers are looking for the perfect dream home. I share my story; that I flipped our first home and sold it for a $100k profit. This is the reason I niched myself as a first-time home buyer expert,” she says, “Alot of realtors don’t work with first-time home buyers. I am always grateful for the realtor that decided to work with us at that time. At our next property we were able to build a half a million-dollar home, and I went back to her because she worked with us. I always look back on that and I want to give that service to my clients to assist them through the process. I want to educate them as much as I can, and often times my clients feel that they know so much more about real estate. I am also a licensed insurance agent. Many people are buying homes, they also have a car and my company is always able to shop for the best rates. We go back and try to help people in Baltimore City where we are from. We always want to give back and I want people to know that I will take a chance on them.”

You can learn more by visiting TheMcArthurGroup.com, by calling Ebony directly at (410) 963-8249 or emailing EMcArthurRealEstate@gmail.com. 12

July 2021

You can also connect with Ebony & The McArthur Group on Facebook and Instagram @ Ebony McArthur Sells Homes, The McArthur Group, "The Werking Mom" or TMG Homes.

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There’s nothing like discovering YOUR DREAM HOME Whatever you are in the market for, you need an expert who understands the value of your home and neighborhood. Let me be your ally and help you navigate the market so you get the best deal.

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TOMECA LITTLEPAGE, Realtor with Samson Properties

Realtor Tomeca Littlepage is kind, skilled, and “Turning Keys 4 You.” Article by Alyson Turner Photography By Ro Moreno Native Washingtonian Tomeca Littlepage found a passion in real estate while watching her dad thrive as a real estate broker. “I wanted to do exactly what [my dad] was doing. I waited a few years, graduated from Bowie State University and tried to get into the field that way. I took a few classes with my husband and we became licensed together as real estate agents. The process was pretty robust, but we had fun working together and meeting people.” As she excelled in her career, Tomeca found a place to call home at Samson Properties and has been climbing the ladder ever since even during the challenges of the pandemic. She tells us, “I have sold 6.7 million dollars during COVID and I have won 3 awards; The

Silver Award from PGCAR, The Gold Award from my brokerage, Samson Properties, and The Top 15 National Award from HomeSnap. I have helped over 18 families find a home during Covid. There were many challenges including being outbid and having several offers on homes. I was able to help them overcome that. There were times that clients have had to put 10 offers on a home before they found the right one. [During one search] I told one of my clients I found her home and that was the one in which she won the offer. Tomeca explains that with a little bit of patience and the support of an expert Realtor, you can find the perfect home for you and your family. If you are looking to sell your home, now is the perfect time to get top dollar. “I

July 2021

To connect with Tomeca Littlepage, call her directly at 240-745-KEYS, email TurningKeys4You@gmail.com or visit TLittlepage.ValuedAgent.com.

am a step A to Z person; I will make sure you understand everything from start to finish. I will remind you of the next steps, and if there is anything you don’t understand I will explain it to you. If it is something that you are not comfortable with, I can discuss all options for you. I am not only a real estate agent I am also your best friend. We will stay connected,” Tomeca says, “As Realtors, we are the counselors, we are the comforters, we have many hats to wear in this business. There are going to be ups and downs. There are going to be hard conversations to have together, but I am going to give it to you straight.” One of the most outstanding things about Tomeca Littlepage is her drive to help her clients whenever they need her. Her tagline is “Turning Keys 4 You” and that

is exactly what she does. “I am someone who doesn’t leave you hanging and looking for answers. I want to be able to reach the community that I often work in. I want people in the Bowie area to connect with me,” she says, “I love having conversations with new people, engaging with new people, and being an advocate for first time homebuyers.” Tomeca encourages people who are in the process of buying or selling a home to take it one day at a time. “Be mindful. There are benefits to this process such as owning your own home, and securing the safety net of your assets. Try to take things step by step. The process can be overwhelming, but I will walk you through it and help you be more secure with your decision.”

July 2021

BUYING & SELLING TIPS FROM THE EXPERT For Buyers

For Sellers

• B uild your credit to at least 640 to have a better chance obtaining financing; • Understand your budget and save for down payment and closing cost expenses; • Compare Mortgage rates and fees to avoid overspending; • Get preapproved to know how much house you can afford; • Pack your patience, this is sometimes a stressful process; • Contact me to represent you, I am here for a stress-free environment.

• Contact me to help you! • Be sure you are committed to selling your home. I understand sometimes it’s hard to let go, I want to be sure you are ready and not rushed. We can explore all options. • Declutter your home, simple decor attracts buyers; remember less is more. • Be ready for hard conversations. Your house may not be worth the value you want; • Consider getting an inspection. It’s best to know what may need repairing in your home to avoid repair negotiations with the buyer. • Remove valuables and medication from plain sight or from the home.

14526 Lee Road, Suite 100 Chantilly, VA 20151 Cell: 240-745-KEYS Office: 703-378-8810 TurningKeys4You@gmail.com TLittlepage.ValuedAgent.com 16

July 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 (SFR), Certified Real Estate Team Specialist (C-RETS).

SIMPLY Travel Snowmass, Colorado, offers fun and adventure for the whole family Article by Glen Cox Photography by Jeremy Swanson Last August, in the midst of the pandemic that had kept us isolated for the better part of six months, my 13-year-old daughter and I, desperate for a change of scenery, began scouring the internet for travel deals. When we found round-trip flights to Denver for just over 100 dollars each, I began thinking out loud about the three years I had spent ski bumming in Snowmass, Colorado, as a recent college grad in the early 1990’s. “Dad,” my daughter said excitedly, “let’s go!” Two days later, we landed in the Mile-High City, rented a car, and headed up into the hills.

Rocky Mountain High While there are frequent connecting flights from Denver to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (which services Snowmass and the other resorts in the area), we opted for the scenic four-hour drive which took us up into the foothills of the Rockies, through deep, craggy canyons, and over high mountain passes before the road twists and narrows, and finally – at 8,000 feet above sea level—winds its way into Snowmass. Since first opening in 1967, Snowmass has consistently been recognized as one of North America’s preeminent skiing destinations. With 50 miles of groomed trails and more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, it is the largest — and arguably the most family-friendly — of the four mountains that make up the sprawling Aspen Snowmass resort complex. With its world-class ski

July 2021

school, friendly locals, and 300 inches of annual snowfall, SKI magazine recently crowned it the #1 ski resort in the Western United States. With its reputation as a skiers’ paradise secure, Snowmass has in recent years been quietly reinventing itself as a top year-round resort, boasting, access to hundreds of miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, a spiffy new base village and a friendly local population that gives the whole place a welcoming, laid-back vibe. These days, it attracts nature lovers and adrenaline junkies from all over the world who flock to this pristine corner of the Rocky Mountains to go whitewater rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, and to generally bask in the splendor of the great outdoors. The hub of activity is the new Snowmass Base Village. This ambitious $600 million development at the foot of the mountain ushered in a new era for the resort when it opened to great fanfare in 2018, bringing online new hotels, slope-side condos and a delightful hodgepodge of shops and restaurants.

mountain. From here, under impossibly blue skies, one can access miles of pristine hiking and mountain biking trails or enjoy a relaxing farm-to-table lunch on the sundeck. Then, catch the Elk Camp chairlift that carries you all the way to the summit at 11,325 feet – well above the tree line — where you can take in the stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding peaks and valleys. One of the main attractions at Elk Camp is the Lost Forest adventure park, where kids of all ages can test their strength and agility on a thrilling selfguided obstacle course that winds its way through the treetops, up to 40 feet above the forest floor. There are five courses of varying difficulty that include repels, zip lines, rope bridges and climbs, some of which, I learned, are easier for nimble teenagers to maneuver! For a little more adrenaline, the nearby Breathtaker Alpine Coaster zips riders along an elevated metal track that winds its way down the mountain at speeds nearing 30 miles per hour. The sight of my daughter, laughing with excitement as she sped full throttle through the trees is one I may never forget.

The focal point of the new Base Village is an inviting central plaza that features an ice-skating rink which, during the warm alpine summers,

For mountain bikers of all skill levels, Snowmass is the gold standard. The massive Snowmass Bike Park features a wide range of impeccably maintained downhill and cross-country trails that wind through evergreen forests, pristine aspen groves and alpine meadows while dropping 3,000 vertical feet from the summit back down into the base village. The Bike Park is the focal point of an extensive 300-mile trail network that connects Snowmass to nearby Aspen in one direction, and reaches all the way to the town of Glenwood Springs, 40 miles down valley, in the other. You can rent bikes, helmets and other protective gear (recommended, especially for the more technical downhill trails) from shops in the base village, which also organize guided rides and skills clinics. A few minutes down the road, the Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a serene 5-acre compound comprised of artists’ studios, classrooms, event spaces and a gallery that features rotating exhibitions throughout the year. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the property or sign up for one of the 150+ classes and workshops offered during the summer months. Stop in for lunch at the Zen-like Ranch Café, where a nearby babbling brook provides a soothing soundtrack to your meal. Of course, no visit to the area would be complete without a trip into Aspen, the quintessential mountain town just 9 miles up-valley. Well known as a playground for the rich and famous, Aspen is ground zero for the area’s wining and dining, shopping and people-watching scenes. With its family-friendly atmosphere, stunning natural beauty, and almost limitless options for outdoor recreation, Snowmass is the ideal destination for that post-pandemic vacation you’ve been dreaming about. So get ready to peel off that protective mask, lace up your hiking boots, and head up into the mountains for some well-deserved R&R. And whatever you do, don’t forget the kids!

transforms into a turf-covered playground where children can run freely and play lawn games. The plaza hosts a weekly farmers market, and on Saturday nights in July and August families pack the lawn with blankets and beach chairs to watch movies on the big screen under the stars. It’s like a little slice of heaven amid the towering aspens. We made the warm and inviting Limelight Hotel Snowmass headquarters during our stay. Our mountain-view room had a fireplace and a spacious deck with a comfy teak sectional that was ideal for kicking back for afternoon naps and drinking in the spectacular view. Just a few steps from our hotel, a high-speed gondola whisks passengers from Base Village up to Elk Camp, a recreation area perched at mid-

Check out these websites to plan your trip today! • GoSnowmass.com • LimelightHotels.com/Snowmass • AndersonRanch.org • BlazingAdventures.com

July 2021

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Simply Delicious A Taste of Abroad at Home

Enjoy exquisite international cuisine right in your own backyard. While travel is starting to pick up again, it may be some time before we are able to tour other countries as widely and freely as we did before the pandemic. Fortunately, when you are in the mood for something delicious, we have many restaurants right nearby that offer exquisite international cuisine. Check out these local culinary delights.

Ivy City Smokehouse — Washington, DC Ivy City Smokehouse is a local favorite with amazing seafood dishes created by “Smoke Masters”. The experts at Ivy City source their seafood from local and national markets to ensure the highest-quality product around to create their smoked seafood dishes using many European techniques. According to their website, Chef Ron Goodman “graduated from the Culinary Institute in 1972 and worked as a chef for local European restaurants and hotels until opening his own restaurant in 1977. In 1982 he began smoking meats and a variety of seafood in his restaurant smoker. Garnering many accolades from both customers and local chefs in 1984 he decided to go into the seafood smoking business and found a partner who owned a local seafood processing and distribution company. This first smoking business is where our two smoke masters began working together. Along with Ron’s cooking and smoking experience he went on to get graduate degrees in biology while taking many food science courses, and became the 8th certified research chef in the country.” The other half of the “Smoke Master” team is Jesus Bercian who came to the United States at the age of 18. He started working with Chef Goodman in 1984. “Besides working in the DC metropolitan area, Jesus has worked with European and Floridian smokehouses. Smoking is both a science and an art. In order to master smoking and especially smoking fish, one must hone all 5 human senses, as color-sight, texture-touch, taste, aroma and even the sound of the equipment motors and dampers working properly takes time and skill. Smoking is multi-step process: selecting the best raw material, storing and handling the delicate seafood properly, curing, smoking, chilling and packaging all must be done with an experienced and watchful eye in order to achieve the highest levels of quality.” All of their smoked seafood is hand-picked and cooked in small batches at Ivy City’s “Custom Smokehouse” in Washington DC with fresh ingredients, hardwood smoke, and all-natural ingredients. To learn more visit, IvyCitySmokehouse.com.

July 2021

For more information on a night out at Diablo’s Cantina, visit MGMNationalHarbor.com.

In May, MGM National Harbor announced Chef Alexis Samayoa, a 19-year veteran of the culinary industry, will helm its newly opened restaurant concept, Diablo’s Cantina. After spearheading some of the DMV region’s most notable Latin restaurants, Samayoa is ready to leave his mark at the destination resort. “It’s been an honor to be a part of the expansion of Latin cuisine throughout the DMV,” said Samayoa. “I’m excited to now continue that journey with Diablo’s, sharing my vision and passion for the cuisine that’s shaped so much of my life.” The highly anticipated menu was announced by MGM in June. “Vibrant street tacos, zesty Aguachile Shrimp Ceviche, and innovative margaritas highlight menu features revealed at MGM National Harbor’s soon-to-open Mexican restaurant, Diablo’s Cantina. Opening in late June, Diablo’s Cantina will showcase rich flavors, culture, and the energy of Mexico within its unique indoor-outdoor setting overlooking the Potomac River. “This food is in my blood. The dishes are recognizable, but the soul we put

Diablo’s Cantina MGM National Harbor

The Black Sheep Manassas, VA To plan your visit, go to TheBlackSheepRestaurant.com. The Black Sheep is a unique dining experience that offers a taste of abroad with its Salumi & Formaggio small plates as well as a variety of dishes and excellent wines. The website tells us, “This spectacular, two-story historic dairy barn with exposed-beam vaulted ceilings –known as the Thomasson Barn, built in 1929– houses the rustic industrial The Black Sheep: whiskey + wine + noshery. The vintage barn features a dedicated arts and entertainment space as well as private dining rooms in the lower level barrel-aging quarters. We are committed to promoting locally sourced cooking and in supporting our local farms and farmers.” The location adds an awesome ambiance that will have you feeling like you have traveled far and wide to enjoy it. Some of their international items include Kobe beef meatballs and sliders, patatas bravas, and miso sake sea bass. Their extensive wine list includes white and red wines, Japanese sake, sparkling wine, and their iconic selections of the world including both red and white wines from Italy, Spain, Chile, and France such as La Togata “Azzurreta”, Donna Tina, Bertani “Valpantena”, Tenuta Tignanello, La Rioja Alta S.A. “Viña Ardanza”, Bodegas y Viñedos San Román, Viña Cobos, Bramare, Clos Apalta “Le Petit Clos”, M.Chapoutier “Petite Ruche” Rouge, and many more. Their spirits menu also includes Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Single Malt Scotch, Vodka, Gin, Rum, and a collection of Whiskeys of the World.

July 2021

into making each bite pop makes it unlike any other taco, enchilada or guacamole you’ve ever tasted,” said Executive Chef Samayoa. Kicking off the fiesta, guests can dive into a variety of original guacamoles such as the Flaming Guacamole featuring habaneros, red onions and cilantro and the Yucatan Style Guacamole made with mango, Guajillo Chili oil, cilantro and white onions. Diablo’s brings its own style to its unique Nachos, a multi-tiered tower sliced tableside revealing toasted tortilla chips layered pickled jalapeño cheese sauce, pico de gallo, crema fresca, guacamole and choice of protein. Diablo’s will bring the flavors of Mexican street food to the banks of the Potomac through its variety of tacos with preparations steeped in tradition. The restaurant’s street tacos are highlighted by its Al Pastor made with spit-roasted pork shoulder, cabbage and salsa verde as well as the Baja Style Fish Taco filled with battered cod, a flour tortilla, cabbage, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli. Additionally, guests looking for a sweet ending to the meal can enjoy classic Mexican desserts such as Homemade Churros and Tres Leches. To complement the flavorful bites, guests can choose from a collection of premium tequilas and handcrafted margaritas.”

Trattoria Villagio Clifton, VA

For more information about this little slice of Italy, visit TrattoriaVillagio.com.

Looking for a taste of Italy without jetting off to Rome? Look no further than Trattoria Villagio. According to their website, “Trattoria Villagio combines the elegance of a Roman Trattoria with the fun and bustle of an Italian train station. Open daily for lunch and dinner, and serving brunch on Saturday and Sunday, VILLAGIO is renowned for its extensive wine selection, salumi and hand-crafted pasta dishes. It’s a perfect location for a quick snack, a lingering meal, a big group, a family night out or even large social gatherings.” The restaurant itself offers two unique space to dine. There are “two distinct dining experiences: the trattoria and the main dining room. The trattoria featuring an extensive raw bar, serves wine, cheese and salumi at marble-topped standing tables for meeting new people or grabbing drinks with a group of friends. The classic dining room seats over 150 and the lively music and cool vibe bring everyone a smile from their first bite of salumi or fresh pasta to their last spoonful of creamy, homemade gelato.” There is a wide selection of appetizers, tapas, salads, and entrees. Guests can enjoy popular dishes such as Chicken Marsala, Salmon Piccatta, Villagio Lasagna, Tagliatelle Bolognese, and Pasta Arabiata. In addition, guests can sample a variety of excellent wines that will transport you to Italy in a heartbeat.

July 2021

SIMPLY ENTERTA

July 2021

What Are You Reading On Your Vacation? Check Out Our Picks For The Hottest Summer Beach Reads of 2021 We are ready to spend some quality time with our books on the beach this month. There are non-fiction reads from Barack and Michelle Obama to your favorite thrillers from James Patterson and Janet Evanovich. What are you reading these days? Let us know on Instagram @SimplyBowieMagazine.

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July 2021

Realtor

Regina Parker with

Weichert

Realtors Educates Clients on Achieving the Goal of Homeownership and the Benefits That Come With It. Starting out in corporate America Regina Parker didn’t imagine that her career would take her into real estate. Today, she has almost 20 years of knowledge and expertise as a realtor. “We built our family [later in life] through adoption and at the time I was working as a medical device sales rep. There wasn’t a lot of flexibility once you were on a surgical case. I thought we didn’t wait this long to start a family to farm off the responsibilities of parenting,” she says, “I needed a career to have the flexibility to be available for my children when they needed me. In every industry and every company, I have been a trainer, teacher, and mentor. That is what I have brought to real estate not only facilitating the transaction, but educating people along the way. I tell people you may not know as much as I know, but I want you to be the most informed person around the water cooler at work. I truly want to educate people. I want people to understand exactly what is going on. I bring [to the table] the ability to make a very complex processunderstandable. We may not like everything that happens, because things do happen in a real estate transaction, but you will have all the information you need for you and your family in that process.” The key point that Regina would like people to know is that homeownership is an achievable goal that everyone should consider. She tells us, “Wealth in America is created on the back of real estate. If you look at all your millionaires, each and every one of them, has real estate holdings. Many started with real estate profits to grow their

other businesses. We are not all going to be moguls, but we should be creating a legacy in our own families of owning a home. I wish people would understand the strength and the power of homeownership. People are scared. We have generational renters who have not seen anything but renting. I would like for more people to see homeownership as a very viable option for them and their families.” Regina is leaving her own legacy as both of her children have followed in her footsteps taking the course and passing the real estate exam. She is also proud to have her son working as a real estate professional and colleague. With Regina’s help, you can reap the benefits of homeownership including knowing that you have made a sound financial decision with a manageable loan. “There is security and stability with turning the key and knowing that this is your house. What happens within these walls is your space. That is the first benefit. Certainly, there are financial responsibilities, but you don’t go out and rent your car every time you want to drive it,” Regina says, “You do get to write off a lot of the taxes. I have put people into condos for less than the rent that they had been paying. You are building a financial strength for your family. What I mean by that is you have the mortgage, then you pay it down and eventually you have equity that you can use. A lot of people are creating equity, then selling where they are and moving up, or keeping the first property as a rental for passive income.”

July 2021

6911 Laurel-Bowie Road Bowie, MD 20715 Office: 301-970-3535 Cell: 240-832-9313 MyAgentRegina.com MyAgentRegina@gmail.com

Article By Alyson Turner Photography By Sheldon Johnson

In many cases, the process can seem overwhelming which is why it is important to work with the right person. “I am consistent from person to person as fair housing says we should be. All people should be treated exactly the same no matter what they can afford. Where it all starts for me is the initial process of them getting to know me and me getting to know them. Then, educating them on the process and what to expect. What I have been told by many clients and my peers, is that although I am very direct it doesn’t come off as abrasive. Sometimes, people really need to know the truth in regards to what is going on in the market right now. They need to understand what may work and what may not work for them. You have to be direct so there is no confusion and no misunderstanding. My goal is for the clients to be successful in this process,” Regina tells us, “In my presentations, I do a lot of relationship analogies like our buyer agency agreement. We are engaged and if you want break up, you can’t ghost me. And people go, ‘okay I get that I understand.’ I am fine if we don’t work well together, but no two timing. You can’t go date some other agent, while you are dating me. When we begin the process, I ask, ‘Did you sign anything? Are you working with anyone else?’ Everyone is not for everyone else so you have to find that fit.” When working with her sellers, Regina makes sure they view the property from a buyer’s lens. “You know what you liked when you saw this property. You are living here and using this space, but it honestly

July 2021

has to look like you are not using the space. I can point out things that need to be corrected and you want to address these things before having buyers come in. If you want the buyer’s best price for your home, you have to have it look like that.” For Regina, the most important thing is improving herself one day at a time in all aspects of her life and career. She says, “As flexible as I am and fluid as I am, there is a lot of structure for me and what I do. I am up at 5:05 every morning to do a 5:45 a.m. bootcamp four days a week. My daughter set a goal of running the length of a 5k [each week] and we have not missed a Saturday, rain, cold, or shine, since January 2021. I like that she is getting stronger and faster, but I have also been getting stronger and faster. I am competing with me. That is a key philosophy in my life I am competing with me. I am not competing with you or any other realtors out there. I am competing with me to be better than I was a year ago, a month ago. I continue to develop myself and I am on a progressive plan to go forward spiritually, physically, emotionally and to expand my mind. Typically, I am always trying something new. I am always trying to do something to challenge myself and broaden my horizons.”

To learn more, visit MyAgentRegina.com or call 240-832-9313.

I believe wholeheartedly in the unique, personal nature of real estate. You will see that revealed in how I follow through on what I promise, as I carefully guide you through the many steps and decisions along the way. My first priority has always been helping people get what they need. Careful listening provides the motivation to work hard and create outstanding results for my clients.

MyAgentRegina.com

6911 Laurel-Bowie Road

Cell: 240-832-9313

Bowie, Maryland 20715

Office: 301-970-3535

Regina Parker, REALTOR Serving Maryland and Washington DC July 2021

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July 2021

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July 2021

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July 2021 Located

Simply Happening What’s Going On a Around Town Summer is here and that means there are fun events going on around town. Take in a movie or a concert and enjoy the warmer, longer days.

Drive-In Movie Night Bowie Baysox Stadium The Bowie Baysox, in partnership with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks & Recreation, and Prince George’s County are bringing “Drive-In Movies”! Come enjoy the BIG SCREEN in the parking lot of the Prince George’s Bowie Baysox Stadium! The price per vehicle is $30.00 and tickets must be purchased in advance. Vehicle spaces are limited, so don’t wait, make your plans to join us for this special event today. To purchase your ticket visit, BaysoxShop.com/Special-Events.

Picnic Pod Concerts on the Lawn Kick off your shoes and enjoy the sounds of the Riversdale Chamber Music Society as they explore a variety of music on the grounds. Register for your picnic pod space and take in the fresh air with family and friends during these dinnertime concerts running until August 13. Please pre-register before attending. To learn more, go to VisitMaryland.org

July 2021

Lake Arbor Jazz Summer Concert Series South Pointe at National Harbor Ready for some live music? Lake Arbor Jazz is back with their summer concert series happening throughout the entire month of July at the National Harbor! What better way to bring in the summer then with this outdoor concert series featuring some of the nation’s finest contemporary jazz & R&B artists. Get your ticket now and reserve your seat. For more information, visit LakeArborJazz.com.

Hurricane Harbor is Open at Six Flags America

Upper Marlboro, Maryland It has been a long and cold winter. Now that school is out and summer is here, it is time to head to Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro which has officially reopened. Grab your beach towel and get ready for a splash of fun all summer long at Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags America! Come take in the sun at your favorite waterpark. Tickets to the park can be purchased at SixFlags.com/America.

July 2021

JULY 2021

Regina Parker with Weichert Realtors

Realtor issue the

Shares why its important to create a legacy of homeownership

Taste of Abroad at Home

8 Common Home Staging

Mistakes 36

July 2021

Simply Bowie July Issue

Articles inside

Ebony McArthur & The McArthur Group with HomeSmart