Leesburg, VA December 2021

D E C E M B E R 2 02 1

Giving SHOPPING M ERRY & B RI G H T G I F T S F RO M K E T T ERM AN'S TR AV E L T H E G I F T S WE G IVE O U RSELVES LI F E + C U LTU R E H EL P US G IVE AWAY $3 0 0 K !

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

DECEMBER 2021 PUBLISHER

Hann Livingston | hann.livingston@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

It is the Holiday Season Once Again!

AFTER LAST YEAR'S HOLIDAY SEASON, 2021 IS FEELING LIKE A TRUE CELEBRATION. We can be around family with more freedom. We can travel.

Suddenly, after a long slumber, the world seems to be coming alive again. My

Melinda Gipson | melinda.gipson@lifestylepubs.com ACCO UNT MANAGER

Suzanne Otwell | suzanne.otwell@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Matthew Endersbe L AYO UT DESIGNER

Kelsey Proctor

hope is that this year gives us perspective on how special it is to be around those we love and truly enjoy the experience. It is sometimes easy, when we take this time for granted, to fall into pettiness and family squabbles...putting our own egos or long-held animosity in front of making amends and enjoying time together with people we love.

So, enjoy this time. Be safe. And when you are looking for gifts for friends and family, PLEASE shop local!

All the best to you and yours,

CORPORATE TEAM Hann Livingston, Publisher

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

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CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg ON THE COVER Leesburg Lifestyle's mascot, Gidget, is poised for the holiday season.

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Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

Proverbs 3:5-6 Leesburg Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Leesburg areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Leesburg Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

"SHE SAVED MY LIFE"

Loudoun county resident Dawn R. had been experiencing the painful side effects of Peripheral Neuropathy, “my feet and legs were extremely painful and my doctor told me there was nothing they could do.

That I would have to take Gabapentin for the rest of my life.”

Then she met Ashburn's very own Rachal Lohr, L.Ac. Peripheral Neuropathy is the pain, discomfort and numbness caused by nerve damage of the peripheral nervous system. Dawn explained that daily tasks like opening doors and using the bathroom were overwhelmingly painful. “How can you live for the next 30 years when you don’t even want to get out of bed to do simple things?”

She was experiencing the burning, numbness, tingling and sharp pains that those suffering with neuropathy often describe. “The way that I would describe it, it’s equivalent to walking on glass.” Dawn hadn’t worn socks in five years and was wearing shoes two sizes too big so that nothing would ‘touch’ her feet.

Unfortunately Dawn’s story is all too familiar for the over 3 million people in the U.S. suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy.

If you’re unfortunate enough to be facing the same disheartening prognosis you’re not sleeping at night because of the burning in your feet.

You have difficulty walking, shopping or doing any activity for more than 30 minutes because of the pain.

You’re struggling with balance and living in fear that you might fall. Your doctor told you to ‘just live with the pain’ and you’re taking medications that aren’t working or have uncomfortable side effects.

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY? Call (703)263-2142 to schedule a consultation!

Fortunately, two months ago Dawn read an article about Rachal and the work she was doing to treat those suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy, without invasive surgeries or medications.

Rachal Lohr, founder of Firefly Acupuncture and Wellness, in Ashburn, is using the time tested science of Acupuncture and a technology originally developed by NASA that assists in increasing blood flow and expediting recovery and healing to treat this debilitating disease.

“Now when I go to bed at night I don’t have those shooting pains. I don’t have that burning sensation. I don’t have pain coming up my legs,” Dawn enthusiastically describes life after receiving Rachal's treatments.

“I can wear socks and shoes!”

What was once a missing link in senior healthcare is now easily accessible to the residents of Northern Virginia.

If you’ve missed too many tee times because of pain or you’ve passed on walking through the town centers with friends because you’re afraid of falling, it’s time to call Rachal and the staff at Firefly.

It’s time you let your golden years BE GOLDEN! Rachal Lohr, L.Ac. is once again accepting new patients. And for a limited time will be offering Free Consultations so call (703)263-2142 to schedule a consultation.

Dawn and her sister now operate a successful dog walking business, sometimes covering up to 5 miles a day.

“It’s life altering. As far as I’m concerned Rachal saved my life!”

Rachal has been helping the senior community for over 14 years using the most cutting edge and innovative integrative medicine. Specializing in chronic pain cases, specifically those that have been deemed ‘hopeless’ or ‘untreatable’, she consistently generates unparalleled results.

Visit www.FIREFLYAcuAndWellness.com to learn more and to take advantage of their New Patient Offer!

INSIDE THE ISSUE DECEMBER 2021

FEATURES 18 Merry & Bright Ketterman's Always Has Something to Make Your Holidays Shine!

22 The Gifts We Give Ourselves How A Little Lipstick Can Save a Seal

40 Being Seen, Feeling Fabulous Eyetopia Rocks the Runway and the Every-day

18 40

54 A New Kitchen for the Holidays Another Award-Winning Design from Michael Nash Design/Build

54

22

DEPARTMENTS 8

Lifestyle Letter

12

Good Times

18

Local Limelight

22 Travel Destination 40 Trend Setter 46 Hometown Hero 54 Open House 59 Realty Report 60 Giving Back

GOOD TIMES 1.

2.

3.

Small Business Awards Crown Loudoun's Finest Loudoun Cares was voted best non-profit and 2021 Small Business of the Year. Entrepreneur of the Year Dawn Crawley exhorts fellow businesswomen to stop begging for a seat at the table and make their own table. Extraordinary Transitions takes Superior Service Business; WB20 wins Health & Wellness Business. Justin Dobson, Comfenergy, and Shawn Mitchell, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, present.

4.

5.

6.

1. Valerie Pisierra Holds Loudoun Cares' Small Business of the Year Award | 2. Dawn Crawley of House Cleaning Heroes | 3. Dave and Pamela Jones of Extraordinary Transitions | 4. WB20 Co-Owner Daphne Mustafa | 5. Justin Dobson, Comfenergy | 6.Shawn Mitchell, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning

Mario Andretti Celebrates Grand Opening of Virginia Tire & Auto in Leesburg Virginia Tire & Auto, the McLean-based woman-owned, leading full-service provider of automotive maintenance, repair and tire services, hosted racing legend and Firestone brand ambassador Mario Andretti on Friday, October 15 at the grand opening of its newest location on Robinson Mill Plaza SE in Leesburg, Va. Andretti signed autographs outside the store. Photos courtesy of Gearshift Studios.

12

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

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GOOD TIMES 1.

3.

2.

Macy's Dulles Debuts at BWOL Fashion Show Macy's Dulles made quite the entrance at this year's Business Women of Loudoun Fashion Show, serving as make-up stylist to all the models as well as dressing five for the runway. The department store's generosity was unmatched among raffle prize donors, as it gave away hundreds of dollars of cosmetic and perfume bundles to the charity event at Belmont Country Club.

4.

5.

6.

1. Lancome Loomed Large In this year's BWOL Fashion Line-up | 2. Sally Crosen of You’ve Got Maids and Linda Parrish, Dulles South Chantilly Automotive at the show | 3. Macy's Dulles Top Brass Shannon Kelly and Fatima Reddle Flank Teenage Model Tyra Barnes | 4. Jennifer Smith Modeled for Macy's | 5. BWOL President Gift Wyatt MC'd | 6. One of Several Macy's Gift Baskets were Raffled

2.

1.

NOT Your Kid's Spelling Bee Raises Money for Loudoun Literacy Council The Loudoun Literacy Council held its NOT Your Kid's Spelling Bee on Friday, October 15 at the National Conference Center in Leesburg.

Loudoun Literacy Council's largest annual charitable fundraiser was an evening of dinner, refreshments, networking, a raffle prize and a silent auction plus a friendly spelling and trivia competition! This marks the start of the 41st year for the Council.

1. Nikki Daruwala, Phyllis Randall and Buddy Rizer | 2. TrioLoco performs for the "name that tune competition" 14

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

Inspired by Community

VOTED FREDERICK’S BEST 2021!

Beauty is Within

locally It’s time to think

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LOCAL LIMELIGHT

MERRY MERRY KETTERMAN'S ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAYS SHINE!

Christmas in Leesburg Neighborhood Candle $32; Hand Poured pure soy candles from Ella B. in North Carolina.

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Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

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Help Together. #GiveWithBOCC

We have been involved with and suppor ted our amazing communit y for many years!

F o r t h e r e s t o f 2 0 21, o u r b r a n c h e s h a v e d e s i g n a t e d a c h a r i t y t h e y a r e s u p p o r t i n g . F o l l o w t h e #GivewithBoCC campaign and help together by giving to these local charities.

G I V E W ITH BO C C!

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TRAVEL DESTINATION

I

G

T JoAnn Smith (L) and Tanya Forrest at PMMC

22

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

F

S

HOW A LITTLE LIPSTICK CAN SAVE A SEAL

THE GIFTS WE G I V E O U R S E LV E S ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY MELINDA GIPSON, PMMC

LADIES, WE’VE ALL DONE IT – BOUGHT

“double points,” but never otherwise took

THAT LIPSTICK JUST TO TREAT OUR-

advantage of the rewards I’d accumulated.

SELVES AND BECAUSE IT’S BEEN A

This year, I decided to celebrate my birth-

REALLY BAD DAY. Now, imagine that purchase

day by taking Aveda up on a premium reward:

and others, repeated over a decade, creating

a personal, behind-the-scenes tour of the

one perfect day for yourself, and simultaneously

Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna,

contributing to rescuing marine mammals.

California, plus enough food to feed a rescued

It can happen when a business combines its commitment to conservation with an ecologically

conscious

consumer

sea lion for a month, and other needed supplies. That’s a lot of fish.

loyalty

It’s good fish too – human-quality herring –

program. But it requires both an adherence

and at about a buck a fish, a sea lion can eat

to eco-based consumerism and a willingness

15 pounds of it a day, says volunteer Deborah

by both buyer and seller to re-interpret the

Cohen. Most of the animals eat 8% to 10% of

concept of “reward.”

their body weight per day!

Our story begins with a brand: Aveda.

Sea lions, harbor seals and elephant seals

It’s one of those “clean beauty” brands that

are PMMC’s primary patients. They typi-

extracts skin and hair-care products from

cally are rescued in a state of malnutrition,

plants in an ecologically conscious way. For

exhaustion (e.g. from becoming tangled in

years, I’d stock up on my birthday to net

derelict fishing gear), dehydration, or with CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

23

TRAVEL DESTINATION (CONTINUED)

bites from shark attacks and – incomprehensibly, given that seals are a protected species – even bullet wounds.

The rescue is celebrating its 50th year in operation this year with tributes to both of its co-founders. John Cunningham, a lifeguard and educator who maintained an ongoing relationship with the center died in August, but left a rich legacy of conservation education. Sadly, just as we went to press, his co-founder Jim Stauffer also died. It was his rescue of a sea lion in 1971 while he was working as a lifeguard that led to the founding of Friends of the Sea Lion, which became PMMC. As all volunteers tell the story, all it took was a little girl asking Jim, “Excuse me, sir, don’t you save lives?” She led him to a young harbor seal, later found to be suffering from lungworms. He nursed the seal back to health and released it to the ocean, but news of the healing spread, and a lifelong mission took root.

PMMC is now part of a network of six coastal rescue, rehab and education centers on the California coast, but in the early ‘70’s it was just John, Jim and Dr. Rose Ekeberg of Laguna Canyon Animal Hospital. They found a permanent home for the center in a former horse barn along

CONTINUED >

Release!

24

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

S E

Gator and Flower After a 'Competitive Feeding'

Nyjah

Ace, the Clown

A

Gator, Curious

L CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

25

TRAVEL DESTINATION (CONTINUED)

the Laguna Canyon Road in 1976. It is home to

a male elephant seal weaner found late June

several outdoor pools and an indoor surgical and

in the Strands at Dana Point with malnutrition,

treatment center, but there are plans for a much

dehydration and cookie cutter shark bites.

needed, multi-million-dollar expansion.

+ Ace, a male elephant seal weaner male,

As for why the center needs to expand, even

who was underweight, possibly due to his more

following the enactment of laws designed to

serious condition of kyphosis or a curved spine;

protect coastal waters, one need only look to the

and Nyjah, a male elephant seal weaner male

October oil spill off the coast of nearby Newport

found in late July in Crystal Cove, Newport

Beach. While the immediate loss to marine

Beach, suffering from malnutrition, dehydration,

mammals was minimal, the center responded

and a barb in his muzzle.

to an emergency call to mobilize, and braces for the long-term consequences.

JoAnn explained in awe that elephant seals can hold their breath for more than an hour, sometimes

Following the spill, the California Department

diving up to a mile deep into the ocean in search

of Fish and Wildlife declared a fishery closure

of food, sleeping during their decent and return

roughly 35 miles along the coast and out to six

to the surface. Privately, I wondered whether that

miles offshore. It’s hard to predict the ongoing

meant they started with an unusually large heart

impact on food for marine mammals who hug

to be able to withstand the pressure.

the Pacific coast, but a larger spill eight years

JoAnn told me that awhile back she was a

ago likely caused a multi-year spike in PMMC’s

high-powered executive at a California tech

sea lion patient population.

company. As she puts it, she was driving a con-

Between 2013 and 2016 the center’s sea lion

vertible Jaguar and wearing designer clothes,

nursery spiked to between 140 and 167 in-house

when a series of deaths in the family and the sale

patients at one time, and many others died of

of her company led to a six-month sabbatical,

malnutrition. Unlike the mothers, seal pups don’t

during which time she volunteered at PMMC.

venture far from their birthplace for the first

Despite receiving a high-paying job offer to

year, and without a ready supply of fish, a similar

return, she chose to stay with the seals, who

emergency could recur, worries JoAnn Smith,

became her passion. She took stock of her invest-

the center’s unpaid volunteer coordinator.

ments, adopted a simpler lifestyle, and became a

Happily, when we visited in September, there were just six patients:

permanent volunteer. That was 22 years ago.

“I loved it here at the center and took on the role

+ Sea lion pup Gouda, found in Newport

of volunteer lead, running shifts two days a week

Harbor in May, snarled in fishing line and

for Michele Hunger, the Director of Animal Care.”

hooks and suffering from dehydration, and a

JoAnn adds, “I never wanted to be paid for this

sea lion yearling, Haggis, found in late June

because I never wanted it to be a job. It was some-

at Balboa Pier on Newport Beach suffering

thing I wanted to do to give back. I think the seals

from malnutrition, dehydration and a fish hook

gave more to me over the years than anything else

in her esophagus. Haggis had been set for

could have,” she says; “Every day is a gift.”

release in October but this was delayed due to the Newport Beach oil spill.

26

See pacificmmc.org for more information, and

+ Flower, a female weaner elephant seal

read our sister publication’s account of how a yacht

found in late May on Newport Beach suffering

named Aurora aids in sea-life rescue and rehabilita-

from malnutrition and dehydration, and Gator,

tion efforts here: https://bit.ly/AuroraSaves.

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

Seal Team Six: Selina Anderson, Spencer Wernett, Tanya Forrest, JoAnn Smith, Jennifer Monarez, Deborah Cohen

Deborah Cohen: It's Herring for Lunch Again

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

27

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SECRETS TO PAIRING WINES WITH DESSERT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

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Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

For dessert wines, old world vintners either took red wines with high residual sugar and fortified them with hard alcohol, or allowed the grapes to be partially eaten by a fungus, (botrytis cinerea, for those of you who may want save that for a possible Jeopardy answer some day), which causes the water in the grape to evaporate, thereby concentrating the sugar in the wine. Each process produces very different results. Fortified wines tend to be very sweet and high in alcohol, giving them IT IS ONCE AGAIN THE HOLIDAY SEASON, THE ONE TIME

that rich, syrupy effect that you get with ports and sher-

OF THE YEAR WHEN WE ALLOW OURSELVES THE PLEA-

ries, whereas botrytized wines, such as sauternes, retain the

SURE OF TRADITIONAL MEALS COMPLETE WITH MUL-

flavors of the grapes (usually sémillon and muscadelle), only in

TIPLE COURSES. For the wine enthusiast, such meals offer a

a highly intensified form.

unique opportunity to shine, wowing our friends and relations

Ice wines are exactly that; the grapes are allowed to freeze on

with carefully selected wines paired to each course. In the

the vine, and then harvested and pressed while still frozen. The

same way that an orchestra blends dozens of instruments into

result is that the water in the grape becomes separated from

a single, powerful symphony, the meats, vegetables, breads,

the sugary juice, resulting in a much sweeter wine, one that is

sauces and wines of a traditional holiday meal combine to

often floral and fragrant.

form a culinary symphony, each component working together to create a unique and beautiful experience.

Likewise, late harvest wines are exactly what the name implies. The grapes are left on the vine until they start to shrivel

Until dessert. We seem to stumble when it comes to pairing

up like raisins, in a process called, unimaginatively, “raisinat-

wines with desserts. Most of us will either serve a sweet wine

ing.” This process results in wines that are sweet, but that also

as its own, separate course, or abandon the wine altogether

have more complex qualities than wines produced simply by

and serve the pie with a cup of coffee instead. Why? The problem, I feel, is that we don’t understand sweet wine. Traditional sweet wines, such as port, sauternes, madeira and sherry, carry a lot of negative stigmas. They invoke images of sickly sweet, poor quality goop that your great grand-

Botrytis Cinerea:

CONTINUED >

a f ungus which c auses the water in the grape to evaporate, thereby concentrating the sugar in the wine.

parents drank… probably by candlelight… out of tiny little glasses… while listening to big band jazz on a scratchy AM radio. On the other hand, the hip, new varieties of sweet wines, such as ice wines and late-harvest wines, are trendy, and therefore, divisive. One either hates them or loves them and those that love them are mostly neophytes who need their wines to be as sugary as their frozen rum drinks and hard cider.

The first step to understanding dessert wine is to stop thinking about them as something that you pour into glass and guzzle, and to start thinking about them as a component to be incorporated into the dessert experience so that the wine is an integral part of the dessert, in the same way that hot fudge is an integral part of an ice cream sundae. To do that, one must understand how a wine becomes sweet in the first place.

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

31

DESSERT, ANYONE? (CONTINUED)

Desserts that are very sweet need an even sweeter wine, and it is hard to out-sweet a good port. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is notoriously hard to pair, but a good, wellaged tawny port puts up a good fight. Ice wines

1 . S er ve des ser t wines as par t of a pairing , not as a drink with des ser t .

2 . S er ve in a ver y small glas s .

3 . Choose a wine that is swe eter than the des ser t .

4 . Make sure the f lavor of the wine doesn' t clash with the des ser t 's f lavor.

pair nicely with very sweet desserts as well, but they can be very floral and that can sometimes clash with fruit and chocolate flavors. On the other hand, raisinated late-harvest wines and botrytized wines have flavors that are too intense and mellow to pair with anything too sweet.

Fruit pies, especially apple pie, can be more tart than sweet, and this is where raisinated and botrytized wines really shine. Rather than trying to out-sweeten the pie, they intensify the flavors of the tart fruits, while at the same time rounding them out. The effect is something like pouring hot caramel over crisp apples.

It should be noted that I prepared for this article by spending hours comparing various traditional

removing liquid water from the grapes. Raisinated wines tend

holiday desserts with a variety of sweet wines. There was one

to have richer, almost caramelized flavors.

very popular holiday dessert that had me stumped, however:

So how does one use them to build a complete, harmonious

Pecan pie. Everything I tried to pair it with clashed horribly.

dessert symphony? Well, the first step is to not offer them to

Sauterne came close, but still wasn’t quite right. Then, I tried it

your guests, because at least half of them will turn their noses

with a Tokaj. Tokaj is a botrytized wine made in Hungary and is

up and say something predictable like, “Oh, I don’t like sweet

absolutely heavenly when served alongside pecan pie.

wines,” or “Oof, no more alcohol for me!” Instead, simply present

So don’t be intimidated or alienated by dessert wines.

the wine with your dessert as one offering without asking. The

Embrace them and use them wisely and you may find that you

second step is to serve it in a very small glass. The point of the

even wow yourself.

dessert wine is not to have something to wash down an unfortunately dry pie crust, but rather to give a little complimentary jolt of taste to enhance the food it is served with.

Most important, however, is to ensure that two things are true: 1) that the wine is sweeter than the dessert, and 2) that the flavor of the wine doesn’t clash with the flavor of the dish.

Traditional holiday desserts typically come in three varieties: overly rich, overly sweet and overly tart. Desserts that are very rich, but not very sweet, such as cheesecake, crème brulée or soft cheeses, can be boosted by any of the dessert wines, and each will transform the food into something completely different. However, give that cheesecake a strong flavor, such as pumpkin or blueberry, and you’ll find that fortified wines and ice wines will clash badly with them.

32

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

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Did you know that you could access life insurance cash value for major life expenses like college?** Contact us to discuss how you can set the foundation for a loved one’s financial future. **accessing the cash value through withdraws or loans will reduce the available cash surrender value and life insurance benefit. Loans also accrue interest.

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Give them more than toys this holiday season.

703-403-3187

Colleen M. Stutz, Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Licensed Insurance Agency. *Financial Adviser offering investment advisory services through Eagle Strategies LLC, A Registered Investment Adviser. SonRise Strategies, LLC is not owned or operated by NYLIFE Securities LLC or its affiliates. NYLIFE Securities and Eagle Strategies are New York Life Insurance companies.

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35

Ever yone the Same

Smiles in Language

ARTICLE DR. SHOHREH SHARIF, D.D.S., FAAPD, FICD

36

A WARM SMILE IS THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF

open, and honest relationship with your dentist allows you

KINDNESS. We can say so much by performing such

to be in control of your smile. Schedule regular checkups

a small act. If you don’t love your smile, you might be

and have a professional examination and cleaning. This is

using different tricks to hide it. You may muffle laughs or

the start to making sure you are in optimal health. Speak

stress when you really shouldn’t. Smiles are contagious!

with your dentist and hygienist about best home care prac-

When you genuinely smile, people around you will feel

tices. Appropriate brushing and flossing are one of the big-

your positive energy – and it lights up the room! But if you

gest factors that play into our oral health. Using mouthwash

are still uncomfortable sharing your smile with the world,

can also be beneficial. Creating a diet plan low in sugary

there are options available to you at your dentist’s office.

foods helps prevent cavities from forming.

Taking care of your teeth is important to make sure you

If you decide you want to do more to improve your

are confident and are in good oral health. Having a trusting,

smile, ask what options are available to you. There are

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

so many different factors that go into the perfect smile. A smile

Dentistry our smile analysis starts with a comprehensive exam

evaluation is a good way to discuss questions you may have about

and options that we provide are:

your oral health and receive professional feedback. Identify what

+ Professional in-office/at-home teeth whitening

you may want to change about yours. Coffee, tea, and red wine

+ Braces/Clear Aligner Therapy (Invisalign)

often can stain teeth. Whitening is a great option that can brighten

+ Dental Implants

teeth in the smile zone. Your dentist will identify the starting point

+ Laser Dentistry

and the desired whiteness you want to achieve.

+ Dental Veneers

A missing tooth will leave a space and an implant is a great

+ Crown & Bridge

option to restore aesthetics and functionality. Chipped or mis-

+ Cosmetic Bonding

shapen front teeth can be bonded to create a more natural look.

+ Enamel micro abrasion

Dr. Shohreh Sharif has extensive training in orthodontic treatment. Traditional braces or Invisalign could be the help needed to

Smiling with confidence presents so many personal and profes-

straighten your smile and make it the perfect one you always envi-

sional benefits that it only makes sense to give yourself the smile you

sioned. Age is not a limitation; there are appropriate treatments

deserve! You will be impressed by the outcome and fall in love with

for all stages of life. It is important to speak with your dentist to

the improvement. Wanting to express your joy through a beaming,

understand what the possibilities are. At Greater Washington

confident smile is something everyone should be able to do.

Dr. Shohreh Sharif, D.D.S., FAAPD, FICD

Dr. Shohreh Sharif has been practicing dentistry for 25 years.

She is: Associate Professor, Howard University College of Dentistry, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Diplomate, American Orthodontic Society IAD Top Pediatric Dentist among Leading Physicians of the World Fellow, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

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EYETOPIA ROCKS THE RUNWAY AND THE EVERY-DAY ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY MELINDA GIPSON

WATCHING PAIGE BUSCEMA’S RUNWAY MODELS STEAL THE SHOW AT

THE

BUSINESS

WOMEN

OF

LOUDOUN’S ANNUAL FASHION SHOW, YOU WOULDN’T GUESS THAT SHE’S BEEN AN OPTICIAN HER WHOLE CAREER. Addressing her own and her shop Eyetopia’s fashion sense, she explains, “In that process of fitting people for eyewear, you get to know individuals’ personalities and quickly learn to allow the individual to teach you what is going to be appropriate.

Over time I’ve just sort of taught other staff members to take their own story and put it on the back shelf, and let the client story teach them what they need to wear.”

Each person’s “sense of self and purpose and value and confidence” determines how they want to “Be Seen,” as her motto asserts, even on their most casual days. Her goal is always to get to know clients, through conversation or observation,

B E I N G S E E N , F E E L I N G FA B U L O U S

TREND SETTER

Paige, Backstage at the Belmont Country Club, Ready to Rock the Runway 40

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

Grace

Colleen and Rusty with Sophie the Frenchie

to understand who they think they are. Sometimes the way a person

really nervous at first,” says Paige, “It was really

presents themselves and who they see themselves being is out of

exciting to see her transformation. She walked

alignment. “Helping people align those two stories becomes the

that runway like she owned it, stomped down

magic of what we do [at Eyetopia.]”

there, did her turns, threw off her little power

“The magic of any good stylist is the ability to pull from people their absolute best and help them see it in the mirror, because we

sign; it was great stuff and just a testament to the energy of the night.”

don’t always do that for ourselves.” When what you see in the mirror

Colleen Dee Tiberius Shumaker, a local influ-

is your absolute best, “that builds confidence and there’s no price

encer, followed in a longer, asymmetrical plaid

tag for that,” she adds. “That excites me – seeing people transform,

shacket, set off with distressed, oversized black

feeling more confident and with good things happening in their lives.

jeans with a vertical zipper feature running down

That’s the butterfly effect from what we do here and that’s my whole

each leg. The always colorful Rusty Foster of

world... it’s the fun stuff that fuels you.”

Bow Tie Strategies, strode behind a French bull-

What fueled Paige on the runway was the concept of unity in

dog sporting a Wonder Woman cape, and Paige

diversity, symbolized with a lip-shaped pin made of rhinestones

herself sported a black denim duster festooned

which each model sported. Grace Skinner, an 18-year-old with

with fashion destinations over newsprint printed

Downs Syndrome, rocked this season’s hottest trend – the “shacket,”

leggings and high black boots.

as Paige called it – a combination plaid shirt and jacket with a cus-

A six-foot drag queen performance artist, Anja

tom-made “utility belt” featuring a pouch with ruby red lips. Grace

Dick, who is well known by locals as a regular

lit the room with her confident stride and beaming smile. “She was

cast member in Shocktober, wowed the crowd CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

41

TREND SETTER (CONTINUED)

“I WANTED TO CHALLENGE PEOPLE’S PRE-CONCEIVED NOTIONS OF WHO MIGHT W E A R ” T H E S I G N AT U R E , F A S H I O N - F O R W A R D P I E C E S S H E C H O S E T O S P O T L I G H T.

with wine-colored knee-high, 4-inch platform stiletto

In her view, fashion is something you wear to stand

boots, matching faux leather pants and matching

out, and have fun, then pass along when you find a

bustier embellished with color-matched stones and

new look. As such, it shouldn’t cost a fortune. As a

stitching, overlaid with a tailored, bedazzled, maxi-

prequel to the show, she videoed all the models in

length denim duster. “I did the bedazzling myself,”

their outfits on a green screen and masked their

Anja noted proudly.

heads, so that what people could see was how the

With a foot-high, white Parisian wig, magnifi-

clothes made their wearers feel, completely apart

cently outlined eyes and lips, Anja was, in a word,

from who was wearing them. “I wanted you essen-

breathtaking. This holiday season, she performs

tially to be able to envision yourself having fun,

as the Grouch, handing out Toys for Tots and is

because again this is really about the emotion that

rehearsing and fundraising for an an upcoming

the clothes, evoke, rather than the actual look. My

production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” as the

customers should say, ‘I want to feel like that.’”

title character, in February.

“I wanted someone from the drag community to

The look this year is retro, but reimagined with a

show what a fun form of entertainment that is, and

bit of bling and lots of color. Eyetopia is eclectic and

that it’s not scary,” Paige explains.

a bit ornate, many made by artisans whose exqui-

All, of course, sported spectacularly stylish sun-

site detailing is meant to stand out. Visit Eyetopia

glasses, but there was more behind the inspiration

at 223 Loudoun St SE, Leesburg, and check out the

than eyewear. “I wanted to challenge people’s

video at http://bit.ly/Eyetopia.

pre-conceived notions of who might wear” the signature, fashion-forward pieces she chose to spotlight.

42

In a word, Be-YOU-tiful.

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

Together with last year’s sponsorships, the show raised more than $4,400 for Loudoun Cares.

Anja Dick

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

43

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45

HOMETOWN HERO Colleen Stutz

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY MELINDA GIPSON

Colleen Explains Coming Changes in Tax Laws to the Purcellville Business Association

The Joyful Planner COLLEEN STUTZ'S STRATEGY FOR A HAPPY LIFE

THE FIRST IMPRESSION COLLEEN STUTZ GIVES IS OF SOMEONE WHO IS IMMEASURABLY KIND. Here is a woman to which you can divulge your innermost perceived financial failures, foibles and fears, without risk of recrimination. In part, that’s because, as a financial planner for more than two decades, there aren’t many situations involving money that she hasn’t encountered. The other reason is that she genuinely loves people, and has spent her career helping them achieve their dreams, not laying down rules as prescribed in some manual.

Plain spoken, but with a disarming smile, she explains almost shyly that, as a trained actuary she also loves math, and putting puzzle pieces together. For her clients, that means that she adores nothing more than scenario spinning – looking for myriad ways to pull those pieces together to create a financial picture that will make her clients happy.

One of the more startling statements she makes in our lengthy interview is that “you can get what you truly want, if you’re willing to make the choices necessary to get it.” Just make sure that, whatever “it” is, it brings you joy. If that’s not enough to entice you to overcome any planning aversion you may have, perhaps this unvarnished conversation with Colleen after a recent speech to the Purcellville Business Association will entice you to reach out.

46

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

Colleen Stutz

Colleen Stutz

Q: “SO, WHAT’S YOUR PROCESS WHEN SOMEONE ASKS YOU FOR HELP WITH THEIR FINANCES?”

“The crux of that conversation is, ‘Are you willing to do what you need to do to get to where you want to go?’ I

A: “Well, first we have an initial conversation,

want the conversation to be either that they’re willing to

because I have to make sure that you’re a good fit for

do what they need to do to get where they want to go, or

me and that I’m a good fit for you. I ask, ‘Ultimately,

that they’re not willing to work that hard. From there, we

what are you trying to achieve? If we could design

may chart a path that may not give them all the all the

the perfect plan for your money, what would that

stars, but they may get to the moon. It’s really all about

look like?’ I encourage a free-flow conversation that

what their goals are that drives what we do together.”

covers things like kids and college, what they like or dislike about work, and they give me information. It

Q: “WHEN I ATTENDED ONE OF YOUR SEMINARS,

often sounds like, ‘I want...’ as in, I want to do this

ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING PIECES I

renovation, or I want to have a pool. They may say

TOOK AWAY WITH ME WAS A CONVERSATION

they’d really like not to have to work, or that they love

ABOUT GRASSHOPPERS – PEOPLE WHO

their job so much they never want to retire. Diving

WOULD RATHER ENJOY LIFE IN THE MOMENT

deeper, it becomes a conversation about trade-offs –

THAN SAVE – AND ANTS – PEOPLE WHO STORE

priorities. Without that information, I can throw many

UP FOOD FOR THE WINTER. WOULD YOU SAY

things against a wall to see what sticks, but I’d be

YOU’RE MORE COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH

guessing. Once I know the overall picture, just like a

GRASSHOPPERS OR ANTS?”

puzzle, I can help to put the pieces together.

A: “I am a chameleon. I can be whatever you need me

“There’s no judgment on where we’re starting from.

to be. I have saver clients and spender clients. The advan-

Most people think that they’re not nearly where they

tage that I bring to the table is that I don’t have an opinion

need to be, which I find is generally not the case. There

about your goals. You tell me what you want to do; I’ll help

may be some people that need to up their game a little

you figure that out by asking some questions. Once you

bit, but for a lot of people, they’re doing pretty well, just

tell me what you want to do, then we can figure out where

need assurance that they’re on the right track. Once we

we want to go. If you want to spend $30,000 year on travel,

figure out where we’re starting from, and know where

that’s okay; I’m good with that. We just need to make sure

we want to go, we can easily put the pieces together.

that you have what you need to be able to do that.”

" Y o u c a n h av e e v e r y t h i n g y o u wa n t. . . B u t t h e q u e s t i o n i s , w h at a r e y o u w i l l i n g t o do to get it?"

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

47

HOMETOWN HERO (CONTINUED)

'The Numbers Have to Make Sense,' Colleen Says

48

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

Colleen Stutz

Q: “YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THAT PEOPLE ARE

‘that,’ whatever ‘that’ is. If it’s a college education for

BETTER OFF THAN THEY THINK THEY ARE. IS THAT

your kids, if it’s a pool, if it’s a boat, whatever ‘that’ is, you

BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A WEALTHY COUNTY?”

can have everything you want; Zig Ziglar said that. But

A: “People here work hard, have a higher medium

the question is, ‘What are you willing to do to get it?’“

median income, and a stronger knowledge base than in a lot of other parts of the country. It’s true that people in

Q: “WAS YOUR PHONE RINGING OFF THE HOOK

Loudoun County are generally working in higher paying

WITH PEOPLE WHO FINALLY HAD THE TIME TO

jobs. We are closer to Washington, so we pay attention

THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE?”

to policy changes that may impact taxes and savings.

A: “I had a lot more joint conversations with couples

We also have a lot of technology, so people can work

than ever, because they were all together, and they

from home and be very productive doing that.

had time to talk about important things. I think the key was, when all the things that have kept us going, going,

Q: “CAN YOU TELL ME IN LAYMAN’S TERMS

going, going are taken away, it really makes you eval-

WHAT AN ACTUARY DOES?”

uate what is important. It gives you the opportunity to

A: “The coursework you have to go through is very

be able to communicate with each other whether that’s

heavily math dominated: probability, statistics, calcu-

really what you want or if you can develop a better plan

lus. It helps me project contingencies in life – if this

without being pulled in a million different directions.”

happens, then what? Financial planning was the only thing I could find that combined both business and math. Math is like my first language... the numbers have to make sense.”

Q: “THAT’S PROBABLY HOW DIVORCE HAPPENS.” A: (Laughing,) “It does, but it’s also how marriages stay together! If both people can come to the table and understand that each has different ideas and be open

Q: “THERE MUST BE DOZENS OF VARIABLES

to hearing what those ideas are, it’s a very interesting

THAT IMPACT WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH

conversation. A lot of times I play facilitator because

IN LIFE – THE STATE OF SOCIETY, YOUR WORK

how a household operates has to accommodate differ-

SITUATION, YOUR AGE, YOUR SAVINGS...”

ent money personalities. When someone loses their job,

A: “Actually, there are thousands of variables.

scarcity comes into the conversation. But I like to turn

Where you live, your cost of living, what’s coming in,

it around and say, if what’s in your house doesn’t bring

what’s going out, your stage of life, what’s important

you joy, why have it? Whether it’s your physical house,

to you and how realistic that is. I think everything is

your mental house or your financial house, if it doesn’t

realistic, if you’re willing to put forth the effort to get

bring you joy, why indulge it? When you really start to

there. So, I don’t mind if somebody says, ‘I want an

think, ‘What are the things that bring me joy?’ and be

extravagant pool.’ We just look at what resources we

honest about it, life starts to change a little bit and some

have and whether that makes sense given everything

of the things you thought were really important aren’t.”

else you want to do. What if you lost your job, for example? Could you still manage?”

Q: “RIGHT, IT’S LIKE, HOW MUCH OF A THING DO I NEED?”

Q: “I THINK ALL OF US WHEN FACING A

A: “If Amazon gets you through the day, that’s one

TOUGH DECISION WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON A

way of rewarding yourself... but make sure it brings you

‘FINANCIAL MOM.’”

joy and you’re not just acquiring something to fill some

A: “I just say, I’m here when you need a reality check.

other void. Things often are being used to try to fill

I don’t put judgment on anyone. I want to look at what

feelings of emptiness. Sometimes it’s hard to address

we have, and what we want and see how we get there.

because wealth is one of those things to which people

I don’t think anybody should ever say, ‘I can’t have that.’

often attach their self-esteem. I have to be very gentle

It’s really a matter of, what are you willing to do to get

sometimes about how I handle that. People aren’t that CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

49

HOMETOWN HERO (CONTINUED)

Colleen and her son Zachariah, 13, who plays for the Greater Loudoun Babe Ruth White Sox

Colleen Untangles Upcoming Tax Laws for Local Businesses

50

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

Colleen Stutz

different and they strive for a lot of the same things. One of them is security. And the other one is love. Sometimes they try

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Q: “DID YOU PERSONALLY LEARN ANYTHING FROM THE PANDEMIC?” A: “What I have loved personally, as

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the single mom of a now teenaged boy as well as an entrepreneur is that before COVID, I always had to separate my work life, where I was this professional woman in heels, and my home life. Being able to work from home, I don’t have to do that so much anymore and it’s the coolest thing in the world. People now understand when you say, ‘Excuse me, I have to let the dog out because he’s going to bark until we’re done here,’ and everybody just laughs. I get to stay home most days and be there for my son when he comes home. I get to go to baseball games, and now all of us are okay with it. I don’t have to be this uber professional woman in uniform; I can just be Coleen. I was that before, I just didn’t feel like I could reveal that side because it wasn’t professional.

So, for me, it’s been a blessing to be able to be real and genuine; everybody’s dog barks, and it’s okay.”

For more insights and examples, like how to have a serious financial conversation with your family over the holidays check out Colleen’s business listing under Citylifestyle. com/Leesburg’s business listings: https:// bit.ly/SonriseStrategies or at her website: https://www.sonrisestrat.com/.

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citylifestyle.com/leesburg

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Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

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H O M E

OPEN HOUSE

A NEW KITCHEN F O R T H E H O L I D AY S AFTER LIVING IN THEIR SOUTH RIDING HOME FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS, HOMEOWNERS FELT CRAMPED IN THEIR CONFINED KITCHEN SPACE. They had been feeling the limitations of their current kitchen layout and wanted to explore option to open up to adjacent sunroom. Sonny Nazemian, master designer/remodeler at Michael Nash Design Build, talks through the project.

CHALLENGES: + Taking down a structure wall + Relocating plumbing and duct chase + Breaking through a space in adjacent garage space + Conversion to gas cooking and creating a large size ventilation exhaust

54

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

ANOTHER AWARD-WINNING DESIGN FROM MICHAEL NASH DESIGN/BUILD

PROCESS: + The Michael Nash Design team met with the owners and after several design meetings it was unanimous to open up the space to adjacent sunroom + Relocate the sink under west side windows

ARTICLE HANN LIVINGSTON

+ Add a large-scale island in middle this kitchen + Place a 48” gas range and big vent hood over it on the north wall + Relocate the family room entrance and move the wall back, eliminating a closet + Create space to allow for a a 48” built in refrigerator and pantry. + The double-sided fireplace was revamped with a purpose to match the new decor + The right side of the fireplace was designed to turn into a bar space with beverage center, and a lot of glass cabinetry for their high-end wine and liquor collection.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

55

K I T C H E N

OPEN HOUSE (CONTINUED)

The smart use of venetian gold hardware gives this overall design a pop. + The designers introduced a dark gray-brown cherry wood flooring to enhance the blue color in the kitchen.

56

DESIGN FLOURISHES:

+ Lighting is everything: the clever use of LED

+ The main L-shape kitchen with its added space

striped lights, recess lights and pendant lights have

was wrapped in a very unique custom painted

all contributed to make this kitchen remodel a mar-

denim blue base cabinetry and white wall cabi-

velous living kitchen.

nets. The wood-covered hood was finished with

+ The old pantry was reframed and redesigned to

the same denim-blue finish.

allow more storage, and the new added space from

+ The full quartz backsplash with white back-

the garage gave way to a Puja (praying) room and a

ground and blue veins complement the cabinetry.

much needed coat closet.

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

JUST SOLD PRE-MARKET FOR FULL ASKING PRICE

4 32 3 5 PA R K E R S R I D G E D R I V E · S O L D F O R $ 1 , 6 5 0 , 0 0 0 BENCHMARK SALE IN THE LANSDOWNE NEIGHBORHOOD

TWO REASONS WHY WAITING A YEAR TO BUY COULD COST YOU If you are thinking of buying a home, you may be hoping that waiting a year might mean better market conditions to purchase a home. A good way to determine if you should buy now or wait, is by asking yourself two simple questions:

WHAT WILL HOME PRICES BE LIKE IN 2022?

Fannie Mac, Fannie Mae and Mortgage Bankers Association all project continued home price appreciation for 2022. Using the average of the three projections (6.27%*), a home that sells for $850,000 today would be valued at $903,295 by the end of next year.

As a prospective buyer, that means you could pay an additional $53,295 if you wait.

WHERE WILL MORTGAGE RATES BE BY THE END OF 2022?

Today, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate is hovering near historic lows. The average of the forecasted mortgage rates by the three major housing industry entities mentioned above for the fourth quarter of 2022 is 3.7%.

The Cost of Waiting to Buy: 2021 vs. 2022 PURCHASE YEAR

PURCHASE AMOUNT

APPROX. MTG. RATE

EST. MTG. PAYMENT

2021

$850,000

2.86%

$3,839

2022

$903,295**

3.7%***

$4,450

THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT WOULD BE $611.

That’s $7,332 more per year and $219,960 over the life of the loan.

When asking when to buy, the financial benefits make it clear that doing so now is much more advantageous than waiting until next year. Give me a call to start the process!

JEAN GARRELL OWNER · REALTOR® 70 3. 5 9 9 . 1178 Jean@GarrellGroup.com GarrellGroup.com KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY 50 Catoctin Circle, NE. Leesburg, VA 20176 - Content © KCM (Keeping Current Matters) - *Avg. of three housing industry’s projections values: Freddie Mac: 5.3%, Fannie Mae: 5.1%, Mortgage Bankers Association: 8.4%. **Lansdowne Avg. Sold Price from Sales reported to BrightMLS by various agents from August 1st, 2021 to September, 24th 2021 **Factors in average projected home price appreciation for 2022 at 6.27% ***Average projected mortgage rate for 2022.

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

57

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Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

REALTY REPORT REALTY REPORT

NEIGHBORHOOD

LEESBURG

ORIGINAL PRICE

SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/ORIG

DOM

BDRMS

BATHS

Barclay Woods

$1,800,000

$1,800,000

100%

3

5

5.55

Beacon Hill

$1,345,000

$1,501,000

112%

5

6

5.5

Big Woods

$998,900

$991,000

99%

6

5

3.5

Courtland Rural Village

$879,999

$890,000

101%

6

5

4.5

Creighton Farms

$3,229,990

$2,825,000

87%

30

4

5.55

Edwards Landing

$769,990

$765,000

99%

13

5

3.5

Evergreen Woods

$1,555,000

$1,470,000

95%

14

4

4.5

$799,000

$810,000

101%

2

5

3.5

Lansdowne on Potomac

$1,050,000

$1,050,000

100%

0

5

5.5

Meadowbrook

$1,599,990

$1,550,000

97%

44

5

4.5

Old Waterford Knoll

$779,900

$790,000

101%

3

4

3.5

Potomac Station

$844,900

$870,000

103%

0

4

3.5

Raspberry Falls

$1,488,000

$1,525,000

102%

6

5

6.55

Red Cedar South

$1,264,999

$1,255,000

99%

40

5

5.5

River Creek TH

$1,295,000

$1,270,000

98%

10

4

5.5

River Creek Det

$1,440,000

$1,430,000

99%

36

4

5.5

Tavistock Farms

$839,900

$839,900

100%

9

4

3.5

Kincaid Forest

When it comes to buying and selling homes virtually, “Rely on Pam”!

After retiring further south, we decided to sell our River Creek home after leaving it on the rental market for over ten years. Selling an older home in a high-end neighborhood, with a tenant in place, with $150k of needed updates, long-distance and during COVID-19 pandemic—this could have been the ultimate real-estate horror story. Instead, it was one

of the easiest, smoothest house sales I’ve ever experienced. Pam handled everything and quickly sold the house for more than the asking price. Pam is the most professional and capable agent that I’ve ever worked with.

—Former River Creek Residents

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CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

59

GIVING BACK

Gratefully

ARTICLE ALLISON GIBESON PHOTOGRAPHY JANIE JONES

GIVING AWAY AFTER A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR, LIFESTYLE PUBLICATIONS IS GIVING $300,000 TO RECIPIENTS IN NEED THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON AND BEYOND... AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!

ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO ANNA SAROL, THE DAUGHTER OF A SINGLE MOTHER, WAS PARALYZED IN A GYMNASTICS ACCIDENT WHEN SHE WAS A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL, BUT UNTIL LAST YEAR SHE DID NOT HAVE A STAIRLIFT IN HER HOME. The stairlift was made possible when Lifestyle Publications gave her family $10,000.

“I watched my community come together to help me get this equipment to my house, and words can’t explain how appreciative my

“I watched my community come together to help me get this equipment to my house, and words can’t explain how appreciative my family and I are.”

—Anna Sarol

family and I are,” Anna says.

The money for Anna’s stairlift was part of a giveaway campaign from the company during the 2020 Christmas season that benefited more than 80 recipients across the country with a final distribution of $250,000 throughout the year.

When the company opened nominations, they were flooded with submissions. Community leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you nominated people that were in need of assistance. As the eyes and ears of the community, these readers were able to help identify people who might have

Anna Sarol

otherwise gone unnoticed or unrecognized.

One such nominee was Kathy*, an aunt who is raising her three young relatives. The children came from an abusive situation, and Kathy, a single guardian, works tirelessly to provide for them. Nevertheless, the family was already living in poverty despite her working seven days a week when Kathy lost her job during the pandemic. She resorted to selling tamales to help pay the rent.

When a case manager with a Big Brothers Big Sisters foster youth mentoring program heard about Lifestyle’s campaign and call for nominations, she quickly thought of Kathy.

“When I shared the news that Kathy was selected and would be receiving $3,000, she cried, screamed, and was in disbelief,” the case manager said. “She immediately wanted to give back to me and the donor by providing endless tamales. This funding allowed the children to have a small Christmas tree for the first time ever. Kathy was able to pay her rent and utilities for three months, and the children were able to experience a holiday season in peace without financial stressors.”

In yet another case, Emily* who worked as a janitor at a school, was a recipient and was struggling to afford simply buying groceries for her children. Before the ongoing difficulties of the pandemic even started, a tornado destroyed the school she worked at just a couple weeks before the initial shutdown in March 2020 which resulted in a loss of income for her. Emily was incredibly surprised and grateful to receive assistance from the giveaway. *Names changed for privacy

60

Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GIVE AWAY $3OO,OOO This year the company will have nominations for the giveaway open from December 1-15, 2021. To submit a nomination, follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link.

The amount given to each recipient will be based on need.

The leaders of Lifestyle Publications believe God has blessed them with their company’s continued success, so they in turn wish to be a blessing and encouragement to others as they increase the amount of this year’s giveaway to those in need to $300,000 for the year.

Nominate HERE! Follow @citylifestyle on Instagram

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

61

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Leesburg Lifestyle | December 2021

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