VIP Alexandria Magazine | Red Ladies Issue 2024

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Internet that gets you

Irena knows you want an internet provider that is as dedicated to the community as it is to each customer. She also knows you want amazing internet and customer support all at a fair price. Is Irena psychic? Nope—it’s just that as a fellow Alexandria resident, it’s exactly what she wants for herself.

THER E IS A SHAD E O

Editor's Letter

Six years ago when Kellie told me that she was leaving the magazine we’d both been working for to start one of her own, I all but begged her to take me with her. And while the “taking” didn’t involve an actual physical move to a new city on my part, she was bringing me along on a leap of faith that I had full confidence she would make happen. And how she has.

Flash forward to 2024, I’ve had the honor of watching VIP Alexandria grow and shift under Kellie’s vision and creativity and be part of it all from day one, when it was just the two of us. And as it became bigger, the team also grew. By the time I finally had the opportunity to visit Alexandria, the magazine had been flourishing for two years. Two years during which I’d written about countless businesses and individuals of interest throughout Old Town, sitting at my computer in Florida. Through the interviews and articles I’d written, I had a certain sense of familiarity, but I could never have imagined how much I would fall in love with Alexandria when I visited for the very first time in 2021.

Since then, I’ve become something of a familiar sight in Old Town. I can’t seem to stay away. I love the history, the incredible architecture, the small-town feel, the friendliness of the people. I love running the cobblestone streets on my morning runs and staring out at the Potomac as the sun comes up. I love sitting in Fontaine with a cup of coffee and my laptop, knowing that, at any point, one of the quirky individuals I now count as friends will show up and take a seat at my table, distracting me with some conversation that I don’t want to miss. I’m honored to be part of a magazine that celebrates all of that as I have been for the past six years as staff writer. And now, I’m excited to take on a new role as editor of this amazing publication. As we continue to grow, I’m looking forward to what’s next.

As we do each year, this issue is dedicated to celebrating the inspiring leaps of faith that so many women have taken to make their dreams a reality, starting their own businesses or making career shifts. It takes heart, soul and a great deal of courage to jump into the unknown without a net.

Thank you for your continued readership and your support of this incredible leap of faith over these last six years.

Liesel Schmdit Editor-In-Chief, VIP Alexandria Magazine

Contents Table Of

01

14

ALX IMPACT

AGING GRACEFULLY

Learn how Senior Services of Alexandria is fostering seniors' independence.

19

EVENT

AFFAIR OF THE HEART

Hosted by the Women’s Board of the American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region.

20

HEALTHY MINDS

HEAD + HEART

Explore the connection between heart disease and mental health disorders.

22

FEATURE

GO RED FOR WOMEN

Get to know Alexandria's Most Inspiring Women of 2024 while supporting a great cause!

38

UNWINED

CHÂTEAU COUPE ROSES ORIENCE

Journey with us to Le Petit Causse, France where the Le Calvez family is producing this extraodinary wine!

42

SALUTE TO SERVICE

LIFE, SERVICE + LEGACY

Celebrating the life of Alexandria Police Department's K9 Chance.

SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT

44 AR WORKSHOP

Did you know that this boutique craft studio has been under new ownership since February? Check it out!

"I love when people who have been through hell walk out of the flames carrying buckets of water for those who are still consumed by fire."

ALX IMPACT IS SPONSORED BY MCLAUGHLIN RYDER INVESTMENTS

The following story is dedicated to the selfless firefighters and first responders who battled the recent fire at the warehouse storing the Meals on Wheels inventory. A special thanks to Jeffrey's Catering, for always leading the charge on senior hunger, as well as Senior Services of Alexandria, Goodwin Living, volunteers at the Chinquapin Center and the Alexandria Sheriff’s Department for showing us all that not even a blazing inferno can keep Alexandria from leaving a single senior behind.

Aging Gracefully

SENIOR SERVICES OF ALEXANDRIA

FOSTERS SENIORS’ INDEPENDENCE

STORY BY DAWN KLAVON | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SSA

Senior citizens sure don’t have it easy. Between keeping up with medical care, living on a fixed income and taking care of their aging bodies, it’s a lot.

“Being a senior citizen is not for the faint of heart—things start to happen when you least expect them,” says 84-year-old Alexandria retiree Jill Miller. “Dealing with these surprises can throw you off your stride.”

To support seniors in a variety of ways, non-profit organization Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA) offers comprehensive resources to help. Whether it is through their programs like Meals on Wheels, Friendly Visitor, DOT Paratransit, AniMeals on Wheels, Groceries to Go or Information and Education Outreach, seniors can enjoy their golden years with community support.

“We’re the only nonprofit that serves all older adults in the City of Alexandria,” says SSA Executive Director Mary Lee Anderson.

Residents 60 or older who live in Alexandria zip codes 22301, 22302, 22304, 22305, 22311 and 22314 are eligible. With a mission to “foster independence and self-sufficiency, enabling seniors within the City of Alexandria to age with dignity,” about 3,000 seniors are served annually.

“We’re trying to reach seniors who have never been reached before, in meaningful ways, in the community, to make sure they’re connected,” says Anderson.

CARE OVERCOMING A FIRE

One important service SSA provides to seniors is Meals on Wheels. Recently, the meal program was affected by a warehouse fire that impacted Jeffery’s Catering. The Department of Community and Human Services and SSA stepped up to ensure the continued delivery of meals to participating residents. Goodwin Living, one of SSA’s partners, provided Meals on Wheels clients meals for several weeks until Jeffrey’s Catering was able to take over. Alexandria’s Recreation Department also

IT MAKES YOU FEEL RELLY GOOD ABOUT ALEXANDRIA AND HOW PEOPLE JUST STEP UP IF YOU ASK.

MARY LEE ANDERSON

coordinated a new pick-up location at Chinquapin Center. This new location was where volunteers picked up hot and cold meals daily. The Alexandria Sheriff’s Department also assisted in delivering meals during snowy winter weather.

“It makes you feel really good about Alexandria and how people just step up if you just ask,” Anderson says.

SSA proudly operates the Meals on Wheels delivery through its Senior Nutrition Program. It is designed to be a life-sustaining program, providing two nutritious meals a day to be delivered to seniors unable to leave their homes or have challenges preparing meals. The meals are delivered every day of the year by faithful volunteers.

DID SOMEONE SAY FREE GROCERY DELIVERY?

Another helpful program SSA provides is the Groceries to Go program, available to seniors living in the City of Alexandria who are 60+. Each recipient creates a personalized shopping list and groceries are ordered based on the lists, then delivered by screened volunteers, year-round, every other week. Recipients pay no delivery fees, nor are they required to make a minimum order.

Groceries to Go volunteers shop, deliver groceries and are happy to put away the food if recipients desire. The goal of the program is to improve the safety, health and nutrition of seniors in Alexandria.

“It makes a real difference for people who have some sort of a disability that makes grocery shopping unsafe,” says Anderson.

Seniors interested in the program must be residents of the City of Alexandria, be at least 60 years old and have a debit, credit or EBT card. For more information about the Groceries to Go program, contact (703) 836-4414, ext. 112.

FRIENDLY VISITOR PROGRAM

Loneliness is something the SSA attempts to combat for seniors in the community. The Friendly Visitor program provides social interaction to seniors, thus improving their quality of life. The program sends individually matched, meticulously screened and carefully trained volunteers to visit socially isolated seniors living in assisted living and healthcare communities, as well as in their own homes, condos and apartments. Volunteers are paired with seniors depending on similar interests and life experiences; the social interaction, mental stimulation and emotional support enhances the senior’s life and can be beneficial. Volunteers visit seniors weekly for one hour. SSA is proud to say that since 2012, over 300 matches have been made, serving Alexandria’s senior community.

For those interested in volunteering for the Friendly Visitor program, or those Alexandria seniors interested in receiving a friendly visitor, contact Tanya Edwards at (703) 8364414, ext. 120.

Every second Thursday monthly, participants receive 10 cans of wet food or 10 pounds of dry food. For more information, call (703) 836-4414, ext. 120.

PARATRANSIT TRANSPORT

Senior residents of Alexandria who have difficulty with public transportation can receive safe, reliable, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, curb-to-curb taxi service from DOT paratransit seven days a week.

The program is helpful to those on a fixed income. According to the SSA website, DOT does not charge for one-way trips within the City of Alexandria. For trips up to five miles outside city limits, the one-way fare is $4.00. DOT’s one-way fare for trips over five miles outside the City of Alexandria is $6.00. This service has over 1,500 registered clients and provides over 50,000 rides annually.

MEALS ON WHEELS FOR PETS

SSA partners with the Alexandria Animal Welfare League to provide free pet food delivery to eligible seniors.

“If you have a disability, regardless of age, that makes public transportation difficult for you, you can apply for the DOT program; it’s a very low-cost way to get anywhere in the city, Fairfax, Arlington or DC,” Anderson says.

C

Let us help you plan for your financial future.

SSA reservationists are happy to schedule rides for clients in coordination with the City of Alexandria and Diamond Transportation. For questions regarding the program, call (703) 836-4414, ext. 116. For those interested in signing up for the DOT program, call Tytiana White at (703) 746-4084 or email tiana.ward@alexandriava.gov.

NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN

SOMETHING NEW

Plan to participate in SSA monthly webinars and the Senior Ambassador Program. SSA works to ensure that each Senior Living in Alexandria speakers series program presents a relevant, timely topic interesting to seniors. SSA provides local experts to speak on topics designed collaboratively with local agencies and nonprofits. Senior ambassadors are trained volunteers who advocate for seniors and share information about programs and services in the City of Alexandria. Presently, there are 130 senior ambassadors. For more information about the Senior Ambassador program, call MaryAnne Beatty at (703) 836-4414, ext. 113.

“We get information out to them every week, so they can share it with the people they represent,” Anderson says.

GET INVOLVED

There are plenty of ways to support seniors in the City of Alexandria. Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to get involved and make a difference. Also, SSA welcomes financial support from individuals, employer-matching gift programs, bequests, in-kind support, corporate and foundation giving, special events, celebratory and remembrance gifts and volunteering.

“The great thing about volunteering … is you’re interacting with people who, most likely, you’re the only person they’re going to see that day and you’re their connection to the community,” Anderson says.

For more information about giving, contact Medea Ranck, Development Director, at (703) 836-4414, ext. 114.

Affair of the Heart

The 76th Annual An Affair of the Heart Luncheon & Fashion Show, hosted by the Women’s Board of the American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region, gathered over 700 guests on February 9. This milestone event commemorated the American Heart Association's 100 years of impact and recognized the unwavering commitment of the Women’s Board to saving and improving lives. Co-Chairs Norah Gourlay and Kristi Bryan, along with Women’s Board Chairs Mimi Lawless and Nell Shapiro, successfully brought the event to life, raising over $600,000.

PHOTOS BY UZI PHOTOGRAPHY

&Head

BROUGHT TO YOU BY HEALTHY MINDS THERAPY

STORY

BY

LIESEL SCHMIDT

“YOUR HEART AND MIND ARE MORE CONNECTED THAN YOU MAY REALIZE. THAT CONNECTION IS REAL AND IT’S POWERFUL. WHEN WE NEGLECT OUR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, OUR BODY CAN MANIFEST PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS THAT EFFECT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND EVEN BECOME EMERGENCIES.”

ALYCIA

BURANT, LPC

If you’re someone who believes in the body’s ability to manifest mental or emotional struggles, you’re not imagining things. In fact, the CDC has documented studies on the correlation between heart disease and mental health disorders.

Much like how physical health involves every facet of the body, mental health is the overarching term referring to emotional, psychological and social well-being, which involves our thoughts, feelings, actions and decisionmaking—basically all the ways that the brain and the chemical reactions within it operate. For that reason, mental health disorders can affect a person’s mood as well as their behavior, their thinking and their ability to relate to others, both in the short-term and throughout their lifetime. Over the course of time, these mental health disorders impact the body by causing stress on its systems, most notably the heart. But how is one affected by the other—or is it all in your head?

In a way, it is. Studies show that people experiencing extended periods of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD may suffer certain physical problems including increased cardiac reactivity—in layman’s terms, this refers to increased heart rate and blood pressure—as well as reduced blood flow to the heart and higher cortisol levels. Eventually, all of this can result in calcium and plaque buildup in the arteries, metabolic disease and heart disease.

On the flip side, clinical evidence shows that mental health disorders including depression, anxiety and PTSD can actually develop after such cardiac events as heart failure, stroke and heart attacks. In these cases, mental health disorders are caused by factors including pain, fear of death or disability and financial strain—all of which are associated with the cardiac event and can plague the individual long after the actual danger has passed.

As difficult as mood and brain chemicals can be to regulate, there is sometimes a need for medications. The use of any pharmaceutical comes with certain side effects—and, in the case of a number of medications used to treat mental health disorders, associated risks of cardiometabolic disease have been found. Some antipsychotic medications have been linked with

obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes, in addition to heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, stroke and death.

The fact that lifestyle choices are incredibly impactful on heart health is not news. However, anxiety and depression are mental health disorders that greatly affect behavior patterns—and, as such, these behaviors can often be destructive and unhealthy. Smoking, adopting an inactive lifestyle, failure to take prescribed medications, drinking and drug use are all examples of coping strategies that someone experiencing a mental health disorder may embrace, simply because they are not capable of making healthier choices. The longer these behaviors are in place, the greater the risk they pose to the heart, resulting in cardiac disease that could eventually cause stroke, heart attacks or death.

There are, of course, ways to avoid danger and treat the issue. It’s important to address mental health disorders early through counseling and therapy as well as finding support to encourage healthy behaviors such as increased physical activity, improved diet and smoking cessation—all of which can reduce the risk of a cardiac event.

go red for

r women

CELEBRATING ALEXANDRIA'S MOST INSPIRING WOMEN OF 2024

STORIES BY LIESEL SCHMIDT | PHOTOGRAPAHY BY JONATHAN THORPE

SPECIAL THANKS TO BALIAN SPRINGS

ONE IS TOO MANY.

ongratulations to the Alexandria's Most Inspiring Women of 2024 (lovingly referred to as THE RED LADIES).

Each year, 12-15 local women are nominated and selected for this honor based on their recent achievements, service to the community, willingness to support their fellow female professionals and commitment to the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® Initiatve.

Go Red For Women ® is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. It’s no longer just about wearing red; it’s no longer just about sharing heart health facts. In the pages ahead, you will meet the women who have made a commitment to stand together with VIP Alexandria Magazine and The American Heart Assoication of Greater DC. They are ready to take charge of their own heart health as well as the health of those they can’t live without. Are you?

Please join VIP on our mission to raise precious funds for this inspiring organization. There are so many ways to get involved! Be fierce. Raise Awareness. Spread the Word. GO RED! You can make a donation to the American Heart Association of Greater Washington by scanning the QR code on page 24.

C ruby devine

Having been in the beauty industry for 23 years, Ruby Devine has an expertise that has served her entrepreneurial drive well. The owner of the LABoratory not only runs a successful salon, but is also an international educator with multiple hair color lines. “My salon is a collaborative environment, where my team receives continued education and explores innovation for the benefit of our clients,” she says. As a leader, I also focus heavily on personal growth for my team. My hope is that I can help grow and support other women to achieve success levels that surpass their expectations and dreams.”

Devine’s own family was supportive and encouraged her to pursue her dreams, instilling in her a very strong work ethic from a young age. “Although few of my family ever attended traditional college, entrepreneurship runs deep within my family,” she says. “My mother used to always say that she wanted all her kids to be ‘rock stars’ and, ‘I don't care if you're a garbage truck driver, I just want you to own the garbage truck company.’ The first time I got to be on a big stage doing hair, I definitely felt like I had achieved the ‘rock star’ status my mama always talked about.”

women need to be educated about heart risks.

RUBY DEVINE

i believe that stress is a factor in women's health challenges. by supporting each other, we support the health of our community.”

JANE HUGHES

As the Director of Community Relations for Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center and Alexandria Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, family, community and service are all incredibly important facets of Jane Hughes’s day-to-day life—both on and off the clock. “Families need our help at the most vulnerable times in their lives,” says Hughes, who also serves on the Board of Lady Managers of Inova Alexandria Hospital as well as the Board of Senior Services of Alexandria. “I assure families and professional care providers that their important person will be cared for with competence and compassion in our communities. I am proud to represent hundreds of caring professionals who are working around the clock to care for short and long-term residents in our facilities.”

At home, she’s the sole parent to her children. “They inspire me,” she says. “We lost their father 10 years ago, and we have all made it through with the support of this community that has become our Alexandria family.”

That “Alexandria family” is filled with women who have also inspired Hughes in her career and in her personal life. “I have had the incredible support of many strong Alexandria women,” she says. “They span generations [and] represent various professions and diversities. I am so fortunate to live in a community where we generously support one another.”

jane hughes

becky harris

Becky Harris believes in the power of a good rye—both in the making and in the drinking. “For me, making rye is connecting people through spirits to the early agricultural history of the region, when tobacco was the main crop and rye, the cover crop, was turned into currency by becoming whiskey,” says Harris, co-owner, co-founder and chief distiller at Catoctin Creek. “All of this was before the American Revolution. This is a history lesson which can be used to tell stories, relax and celebrate special occasions.”

the healthcare system has been historically less attuned to the needs of women, particularly women of color. It’s crucial to bring awareness to the fact that women can present very differently from men in many conditions, particularly heart disease. It takes focus and repetition to create change, and I’m glad the Go Red movement highlights this need.

BECKY HARRIS

Harris is clearly passionate about her work, and that translates into the interactions she has on a daily basis. “I truly enjoy hearing how people discovered our products and their favorite ways to enjoy them,” she says.

Being business partners with her husband, Harris’s work and home life are deeply intertwined. “My husband has been an integral part of our business since day one,” she says. “He runs the business side of our work, making it possible for me to work creatively in the production side. He’s also my number one cheerleader and reminds me to build in time into my schedule to rest, so I can keep from burning out.”

giselle pelaez

Giselle Pelaez’s life revolves around children. As the Executive Director for the Center for Alexandria's Children (CAC), Inc. for the past 16 years, she dedicated herself to the organization’s mission of ending child abuse in Alexandria. “I’m incredibly proud of the significant partnerships and collaborations we foster and maintain because they enable us to be effective and impactful in our strategies to treat and prevent child abuse,” she says. “Every child in Alexandria deserves a safe, loving family and to have their basic needs met. The prevention of child abuse is everyone’s responsibility and requires the commitment and engagement of the entire community.”

Peleaz considers her own children as an incredible inspiration—both in life and in her work. “My children are amazing and an unending source of inspiration,” she says. “At 21 and 17, they have lived through a major pandemic that isolated them at a critical time in adolescent social development. The biggest lesson that my husband and I have learned from them is that there

is no straight-line path to adulthood. Theirs may not look like the traditional one that we were on; and that’s okay. We have learned to appreciate each day/moment/stage with our children and prioritize their health, well-being and happiness. Life’s too short to do otherwise.”

the Go Red movement’s focus on women’s cardiovascular health goes hand-in-hand with the prevention work that we are doing at the CAC. early adversity and neglect all have lasting impacts and increase the risk for negative outcomes in mental health, maternal health and chronic conditions like heart disease.

GISELLE PELAEZ

katie waynick

Personal experience is often a powerful motivator. For Katie Waynick, the multiple floodings she experienced in her home in a single year inspired her to start a campaign whose mission is to raise awareness of local flooding and sewage backup issues caused by insufficient infrastructure.

ad hoc stormwater group and made incredible impact in raising the issue at a higher level, both through advocating for various city and state-wide legislative efforts and by working in an official capacity.

In all that she does, Waynick draws inspiration in her life from her mother and grandmothers. “Their stories and their grace left lasting impressions,” says Waynick, who works as a marketing manager at a financial services company. “My mother wanted to be an architect, but was dissuaded from following her dream and instead went

In the four years since launching DrainALX, Waynick worked with residents and city officials to establish an

into design. As a kid, I thought it was the coolest thing to walk through a house still being framed and watch her work, never realizing how intimidating it could be to be the only woman on some of those sites. She and my grandmothers are a reminder of how far women have come and how far we still have to go.”

the number one killer of women who beat cancer is heart disease. that blows my mind. i think there are a lot of people who don’t look at heart disease with the level of seriousness it deserves. there’s also a real misconception that heart disease only impacts people who are overweight or don’t eat well and we need to change that narrative.

nawal africano

As an instructor at the MVMNT Society and an AEM at Compass, Nawal Africano’s work is all about helping others be the very best they can be. “Being an instructor at MVMNT and witnessing my clients' motivation to give their best is incredibly rewarding,” says Africano, who teaches all of the class formats MVMNT offers. “Each class is a unique experience that fuels my passion for fitness and inspires me to continue making a positive impact on the health and wellness of women in Alexandria. Additionally, I have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Compass agents. By helping them leverage technology effectively, I not only can contribute to the success of their business, but also improve the overall experience for their clients, especially in what could possibly be the biggest decision a person can make— home buying or selling.”

KATIE WAYNICK

Transitioning from her previous career as an adapted physical education teacher was a leap of courage for Africano, and she credits the incredible example of

other women in her life for inspiring her to live her best life, both in her career and as a mother. “They've shown me that motherhood isn't just a job, it's a superpower.”

Why is the GO RED movement important to you?

“The Go Red movement is important to me because I'm passionate about health and wellness, especially when it comes to women. I learned quickly after becoming a mom that it's easy for us to put our own health on the back burner while taking care of everyone else. Go Red reminds us to prioritize our well-being by spreading awareness and promoting healthy habits.”

cookie balcha

Born and raised in Ethiopia, Cookie Balcha was one of eight children. Understanding the value of hard work and the power of pursuing a dream, she emigrated to America as a teenager. In her own professional life, she wears “multiple hats” as a Realtor with KW Metro Center, in addition to being the founder and director of Bright Mind Preschool.

“Both roles allow me to make substantial, positive impacts within my community,” says Balcha, who was featured as a trendsetter by the Washington Post for

her innovative approach to both real estate and early childhood education. “My career is anchored in a deepseated passion for serving others and a relentless pursuit of excellence across all facets of my work.”

Balcha considers her mother to be the most profound influence on her life and her career. “Her strength, resilience and unparalleled ability to balance her roles have left an indelible mark on me,” she says. “Raising eight children, my mother exemplified what it means to

the Go Red initiative goes beyond mere awareness; it's a powerful call to action that sheds light on heart disease as the leading cause of death for women, changing the narrative and empowering women to take charge of their heart health.

COOKIE BALCHA

be a pillar of strength and a beacon of perseverance. She navigated the complexities of motherhood with grace, all while building and maintaining a business. Her example has been instrumental in shaping who I am today, guiding me to pursue my goals with tenacity and to support others in their endeavors.”

leah lattus

Being in the beauty industry, hair is an important aspect of Leah Lattus’s work. As the owner and founder of Holistic Hair Studio, she’s interwoven her passion for hair with her desire to promote holistic beauty and sustainability. “I’m committed to guiding individuals towards a transformative journey of self-expression through their hair,” she says. “With a focus on holistic methods using organic products and sustainable practices, I have established a nurturing environment that prioritizes the well-being of my clients as well as that of my stylists and our planet.”

The wife and sister of veterans, Lattus supports Veterans Moving Forward through her work at the salon and she finds great inspiration in the late Princess Diana's legacy of compassion, service and advocacy to volunteer her time and skills to provide free haircuts at homeless shelters, hospices and Boys & Girls clubs. “I aim to not only uplift the spirits of individuals facing difficult circumstances, but also to provide them with a sense of dignity and self-worth,” she says.

In addition to direct volunteer work, Lattus also organizes fundraisers for nonprofit organizations such as Children with Hair Loss. “I am honored to contribute to initiatives that make a tangible difference in the lives of others,” Lattus says, “particularly children facing medical challenges.”

Congratulations to our Local Woman of Impact Nominees!

with 44 percent of women in the United States grappling with some form of heart disease, the urgency to take action is undeniable. by coming together to support initiatives like the Go Red movement, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of countless women, promoting better heart health and improving outcomes for generations to come.

LEAH LATTUS

Heart disease is the No.1 killer of women.

Congratulations to our outstanding 2024 Women of Impact nominees, representing the Greater Washington Region!

These dynamic women, together, through the Go Red for Women movement, are united against heart disease and determined to make a difference in our communities!

Join them in their mission to save and improve lives.

To learn more, visit www2.heart.org/DCWOI or scan this QR code.

Krysta Jones

Aimee Rodriguez-Zepeda

Krysta Pearce, LCSW, QMHP-A

Delya Sommerville

Chereace Richards

Estelle Jean, MD, FACC Crystal Mosser Anderson Andrea Wongsam

Shavini Fernando

Zoe Corrigan

As both the Director of Operations and a Realtor at Kristen Jones Real Estate, Sabrina Porta has a lot on her plate, but her dedication for helping clients achieve their goals keeps her passionate. “My career is rooted in supportive roles that help businesses thrive and evolve, and working in real estate has given me the opportunity to use my expertise in efficiency and passionate dedication to ensure that our clients succeed,” she says. “I'm also proud to be the right-hand to a successful woman-owned business in Alexandria!”

Naturally, being rooted in the community is essential to her work. Porta’s personal love for Alexandria has served her As both the Director of Operations and a Realtor at Kristen Jones Real Estate, Sabrina Porta has a lot on her plate, but her dedication for helping clients achieve their goals keeps her passionate. “My career is rooted in supportive roles that help businesses thrive and evolve, and working in real estate has given me the opportunity to use my expertise in efficiency and passionate dedication to ensure that our clients succeed,” she says. “I'm also proud to be the right-hand to a successful woman-owned business in Alexandria!”

Naturally, being rooted in the community is essential to her work. Porta’s personal love for Alexandria has served her well. “Alexandria is where I bought my own first home and I love living here,” she says. “Our town has all of the perks of being in a thriving metropolitan area, but we keep a very ‘small-town feel’ in the way people support each other’s businesses, [organize] their neighborhoods and activities and [stay] engaged in continuously improving Alexandria.”

In the balancing act of work and family, Porta draws inspiration from her mother and late mother-in-law. “Both were successful in balancing their families and careers,” she says. “When I'm struggling with how to manage it all, I look at their example and know that anything is possible!”

jordan beck

The concept of home is very important to Jordan Beck. As a Realtor at Compass, she is tasked daily with finding homes for her clients; and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in DC, she takes on the burden of helping abused and neglected children find permanence in the environments that give them a chance to thrive.

hearth health has always been of the utmost importance in my family because my grandfather died of complications during heart surgery. It’s important to me to promote awareness of women's health.

JORDAN BECK

As busy and taxing as both roles can be, Beck holds a passion for each that comes from the impact she knows she’s making in the lives she touches, from the clients who entrust her with their needs, to the children she works with. “In my work as a Realtor, I get to assist people as [they] navigate one of the biggest purchases or sales in their [lives],” says Beck, who has been recognized as one of the Washingtonian’s Top Agents, along with being a top agent at Compass. “As a CASA, I am able to support youth in the community and advocate for their needs. In both roles, I am advocating for the best interests of others and providing people homes. Real estate and the idea of 'home' plays a crucial role in shaping communities, and I am grateful to be a part of it.”

having your health is the most important gift. The Go Red campaign offers resources needed for all women to lead their best lives possible.

SABRINA PORTA

stephanie chon

As the owner and founder of Balian Springs Social Club for Wellness, Stephanie Chon’s life focuses greatly on wellness—how to achieve it, how to maintain it and how to encourage it in others. “Building greater human connections within a community has immense benefits, which is why we strive to create a safe space for everyone to explore their own wellness and self-care,” she says. “This mission is important because we, as a society, are more stressed and more unhappy than ever before. We prioritize everything but our own self-care. Self-care is not selfish—it’s essential.”

Chon’s work comes from a personal place, making it a passion project. “I wanted to give an option to anyone like me who struggles with mental and physical health.”

As challenging as being a business owner is, she takes inspiration from her family. “We've been through the best of times and the worst of times together,” she says. “My parents inspire me every day by how far they have come. I listen to their stories as immigrants, navigating a new world and an unknown language and starting from the humblest of beginnings. They push me to keep going every day because of the life and the opportunities they have given me, all because they took on all the struggles themselves in order to make our lives better.”

Why is the GO RED movement important to you?

“A few years ago, I was diagnosed with [a] leaky heart valve, which caused my heart to flutter and my blood pressure to drop suddenly. I realized anyone is susceptible to heart complications, no matter how well we think we are taking care of our bodies. The heart is the powerhouse of our body, and for us women to continue to be the powerhouses of the world, we need to prioritize our physical and mental health.”

a few years ago, I was diagnosed with a leaky heart valve, which caused my heart to flutter and my blood pressure to drop suddenly. I realized anyone is susceptible to heart complications, no matter how well we think we are taking care of our bodies. The heart is the powerhouse of our body, and for us women to continue to be the powerhouses of the world, we need to prioritize our physical and mental health.

STEPHANIE CHON

sarah mason

Sarah Mason is living proof that dreams can come true. Built on dedication, determination and 20 years in the salon industry, she opened Sarah Mason Style LLC on the same street in Old Town where she started her career. “What a full circle journey this has been,” says Mason. “I try to help inspire everyone who comes into my space to feel like their best selves. I want each person to leave feeling relaxed, confident, uplifted and better than when they came in." Her makeup skills have been featured on TLC's Say Yes to the Prom with Monte Durham as well as on DC 9 news.

jude maboné

the GO RED movement is important because it serves as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and it

empowers

women to join forces and creates a strong, powerful message of positivity and unity.

SARAH MASON

“My passion is driven by being a care giver and I would credit my mother and father for that quality,” she goes on. “They are the most caring and selfless people I have ever known and they continually inspire me to want to take care of everyone that comes into my space. Everyone needs a space to escape and be taken care of and that's what I aim to provide.”

Mason’s greatest inspiration in life and in work is her son, Harper. “He is my driving light for everything I do and he makes me strive to be better than I was yesterday.”

as a woman who is living with heart disease, the Go Red Movement means giving representation to the over 60 million women in the United States like me. I love seeing people really support a cause that’s so near and dear to my own heart.

JUDE MABONE

Jude Maboné is a serious lover of the law with a fun side hustle—and one incredibly important mission. She thrives professionally at her day-to-day as part of the marketing team at Seward & Kissel LLP, but finds her creative fulfillment in her candle business, Old Flames Candle Company. But it’s charitable causes that are closest to her heart.

Having been crowned Miss District of Columbia 2023, Maboné has used her platform to provide CPR and AED education, lobby for life-saving legislation and advocate for preemptive heart screenings and heart-healthy lifestyles. “I spend the majority of my time working to advance heart health equity in the DMV and nationwide and serving the greater Washington region,” she says.

The mission is a personal one for Maboné. “This work is my life’s work,” she says. It’s more than a platform— it’s an integral part of my identity. I had my first heart attack when I was 16 years old and had suffered six heart attacks before the age of 18. Every day that I’m here is a miracle, so I use each day to enact the change that I want to see.”

danielle anderson

The restaurant business is not an industry for the faint of heart, and as the director of operations and managing partner for her family’s business, HomeGrown Restaurant Group, Danielle Anderson proves her mettle daily. In her oversight of all six restaurants owned by the group, the bulk of Anderson's time is spent coaching the general managers of each location. “I love watching them grow!” says Anderson, who was inducted into the Chamber’s 40 under 40 class in 2022. “Some days, I’m giving them management style advice. Some days, I’m helping them mop the floor. Whatever I can do to make their job easier, I’m going to do that for them.”

it’s incredibly important for women to support other women in becoming greater advocates for their own health.

DANIELLE ANDERSON

Regardless of what her day involves, her focus is always the same: “It’s important that I make sure every customer that comes into one of our restaurants is given the best experience we can give them,” she says. “Being able to share a birthday, anniversary or special occasion with a guest makes me very happy!”

Giving back to the Alexandria community is another focus for Anderson. “As a company, we spend a lot of time working with ALIVE! and Carpenter’s Shelter,” she says. “Both do a lot for our community, and we want to support their work.”

LEARN MORE + GIVE

UN WINED

Château Coupe Roses Orience

BROUGHT

TO YOU

BY UNWINED | STORY BY BRIAN ACTON

Kermit Lynch, writing in his classic “Adventures on the Wine Route,” describes the Languedoc as “…a land of enormous possibility. These are wines that grab you by the nose and force you to pay attention;” and, they seem to “penetrate right into one’s bloodstream.” I’ll admit, in my preparations for our latest UnWined U Class on the Languedoc-Roussillon, I too became hooked. The white wines were of the bold and moreish style I’ve written about previously and the reds caused me to wonder, “Côtes du Rhône, who?” They were redolent with notes of olive tapenade, grilled thyme, and wet rocks, floating over a core of juicy blackberry. So, foodie too. They were reminiscent of Hermitage at less than half the price. It was clear what Kermit was onto those years ago.

But, the trick is conveying this excitement in a class format. The LanguedocRoussillon is full of contradictions and nuance, almost defying generalization. Firstly, while adjoined with a hyphen and all too frequently spoken of in the same breath, the Languedoc-Roussillon represents two distinct regions with their own culture and winemaking traditions. The Languedoc is quintessentially Mediterranean French and is a crescent-shaped region that encompasses Nimes, Montpellier, Narbonne, and Toulouse; while the Roussillon is Catalan in its identity and borders the Languedoc at Fitou and Corberies and runs to the coast in the south at Collioure, framed by the Pyrenees inland. One is winemaking on the frontier; the other is winemaking in the wilderness, as a friend aptly put it.

Then there is just the sheer size and variedness of the terrain in question. Taken together, the Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest geographically protected area in France with more vines under acre than Bordeaux. Its wines run the gamut from sparkling wine that potentially predates Champagne to fortified wines that predate those of Port by hundreds of years. Not only are the styles of wine produced varied, but so is the terroir: the Languedoc alone has 20 distinct appellations with diverse soils, elevations, and microclimates. Yet, despite all of this complexity and history, the Languedoc-Roussillon is probably best known for the immense quantities of “cheap and cheerful” Pays d’Oc wines—a regional

appellation with little in the way of regulation that spans both the Languedoc and the Roussillon—it churns out. Indeed, it was one of the largest contributors to the overproduction problem referred to as the “European wine lake.” These are the things that the textbooks tell you anyway. A far cry from “wines that penetrate straight into one’s bloodstream” with which we began.

FUN FACT:

Chateau Coupe Roses, owned by the Le Calvez family since 1614, is located near Minerve, one of the best sites in Minervois. Managed by Francoise Le Calvez and oenologist Pascal Fissant, they use synthetic sprays only when necessary. They harvest all their vineyards by hand and make special cuvees with minimal or no racking and extensive lees.

If you pull on any one of these threads, however, a more compelling story emerges, one that gets us back to where we began. A good place to start would be with the EU’s Vine Pull incentive program, the results of which have been dramatic. In 2017 there were 224,00 hectares under vine in the LanguedocRoussillon, compared with 292,00 in 1997, and 431,000 in 1968. The literal separation of the wheat from the chaff. The same warm and dry Mediterranean climate that allows for abundant production, also fosters conditions that make organic and biodynamic viticulture easier than in, say, Germany’s Mosel River Valley, for example. The Languedoc is the largest producer of organic wine in France, with roughly on third of France’s organic vineyards and ten percent of the total certified vineyards around the world.

The same relatively inexpensive land prices that allow for large successful negociant operations also allow for interlopers from other wine regions or other walks of life to reinvent themselves in the Languedoc-Roussillon. And so, we have famous French winemakers setting up shop alongside relative

neophytes—names such as Rothschild, Rostaing, Pithon, Gros, Tollot, and Busch, shoulder-to-shoulder with ex-bankers, accountants, and tech-sector workers. Finally, the same loose regulations that allow for the production of innocuous varietally labeled wines, allow for a conscientious producer like Mas de Daumas Gassac to produce a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wine that challenges many a left bank Bordeaux’s precision.

The wine I am recommending to you today is from an estate that embodies many of these themes, Château

Coupe Roses “Orience” 2018 ($38). Coupe Roses was founded in 2008 by the Le Calvez family with a purchase of 15 acres in Petit Causse, which is a part of the Minervois cru in the Languedoc. Their holdings have grown to 143 acres today, with the additions since 2008 being scattered among 40 plots in Le Causse. A causse refers to an outcropping of barren rock that can support little more life than olives, grape vines, or the quintessential Mediterranean shrubbery known as garrigue. All(!) of their holdings are farmed biodynamically and sit between 750 to 1,350 feet above sea level, which creates cool nights that extend the growing season up to two weeks.

This is the domaine’s top cuvée and easily among the best I’ve tasted in the Languedoc-Roussillon. It is 90% Syrah with 10% Grenache, raised in barrels that are up to one-third new. Tinged with black and blue fruits, violets, and some spice from the oak, this wine simultaneously speaks of its mountain origins while possessing an easy plushness. It is just the thing for food from an early season grill, or a late winter/early spring braise.

Unwined. Where surprises await and exemplary service is the norm. Top quality, hand-selected wine, craft beer, gourmet, and gifts smart team that tastes everything and tailors each recommendation to suit you.

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LIFE, SERVICE & LEGACY

REMEMBERING K9 CHANCE | ALEXANDRIA PD

WWhen we think of the police forces that stand in service to our cities, we think of men and women in uniform, brave individuals who swear an oath to defend the people within their communities against crime, violence and danger. We think of their sacrifices and selflessness, their dedication and bravery in knowing what they sign up for when they put on their uniform.

Their service is remembered and acknowledged— saluted, even. We memorialize and celebrate them. We mourn their losses. But there are still some heroes whose service goes largely unrecognized: the dogs who are trained to be ready for whatever might be waiting and accompany teams on calls.

Serving faithfully as a member of the Alexandria Police Department for eight years, K9 Chance was born on January 19, 2010, in Czechia and joined the force in February of 2011 at 13 months old. To meet the needs of his job as a police K9, his initial training for patrol included hundreds of hours of training in obedience, tracking, building searches, evidence searches, area searches and handler protection. He later continued his training by becoming a narcotics detection K9, in addition to becoming a member of the Special Operations Team and serving as an SOT K9 for five years, during which time he assisted on search warrants and tactical operations throughout the city of Alexandria.

Story by Liesel Schmidt | Photography Courtesy of Alexandria Police Department

Four years after retiring in 2019, Chance crossed the rainbow bridge on November 20, 2023. “Even after retirement, he never lost the drive to come to work,” says Sergeant Kyle Russel, K9-Unit/Special Operations Division and Chance’s partner. “Chance loved to jump into the police cruiser and come into work with my new K9 partner, Taz, and bark at people as if he was still working. He also loved to visit the K9 facility for baths and run around and see the other handlers in our unit.”

Chance received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, including six consecutive triple crown awards from the United States Police Canine Association for certifying in Patrol, Tracking, and Narcotics detection all within the same year, from 2013 to 2018. He also received the 2016 United States Police Canine Association's Case of the Quarter award nationally for his work in locating a discarded firearm hidden in the woods that had been used in the robbery and shooting of a taxi driver.

“Chance had an incredible nose and was responsible for the location of evidence dozens of times, including multiple firearms and countless narcotics seizures and was instrumental in the apprehensions and arrests of violent offenders,” Russel says.

“HE’LL BE MOST REMEMBERED FOR HIS ABILITY TO BE EXTREMELY INTIMIDATING AND HIGHLY PROTECTIVE OVER THOSE HE LOVED. HOWEVER, ONCE HE GOT TO KNOW YOU, HE WAS EXTREMELY LOVING AND AFFECTIONATE. HE WAS LOVED BY SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAD THE HONOR OF GETTING TO KNOW HIM.”

SERGEANT KYLE RUSSEL

AR Workkshop

SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT | SPONSORED BY SPECTRA CREDIT UNION

STORY BY LIESEL SCHMIDT | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF AR WORKSHOP

While AR Workshop Alexandria has been a familiar face on King Street, the DIY boutique craft studio has been under new ownership since February.

The AR Workshop franchise was created in 2016. Alexandria welcomed its first location in 2017 on N. Fairfax Street. In 2019, the studio moved to King Street. “The concept behind it is one designed to empower and inspire creativity,” says new owner Stephanie Woodland

Kelly. “The environment is a huge part of what makes it such a unique experience for shoppers and DIY-ers. It's not just about creating custom home decor and beautiful craft items—it's about building a vibrant community where people can come together to explore their creativity and forge lasting connections.”

AR Workshop Alexandria offers various craft workshops, as well as a wide selection of unfinished projects, including custom wood plank signs, framed signs, canvas

"IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT CREATING—IT'S ABOUT BUILDING A VIBRANT COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER TO EXPLORE THEIR CREATIVITY AND FORGE LASTING CONNECTIONS.”

STEPHANIE WOODLAND KELLY

pillows, round signs, lazy Susans, centerpiece boxes, chunky knit blankets, porch signs, canvas tote bags and bottle paintings. The retail boutique sells items such as books, glassware, completed wood projects, jewelry and fashion accessories.

“Customized, handmade and DIY items are popular for a number of reasons—chief among them being the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes in knowing that you've completed a project from start to finish with your own hands and you love the end result!” says Woodland Kelly. “It's also a fantastic way to socialize with friends and make new ones.”

Much like AR Workshop Alexandria encourages creativity, Spectra Credit Union encourages entrepreneurial dreams through their small business loans and the support they offer entrepreneurs.

AR Workshop Alexandria is located at 1212 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. For more information, visit arworkshop.com.

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