November 2022

A Grateful Heart is a Magnet for Miracles

This sign hangs in my kitchen to remind me daily that I am grateful. I feel like I’ve always been able to innately find the silver lining in most situations— maybe it’s my immeasurable positivity or maybe it’s just another gift to be thankful for. That said, I’ve always been drawn to Thanksgiving and the opportunity to give thanks.

It’s said you can’t be angry when you are feeling gratitude, and evidence even suggests that gratitude can reduce our stress and bring down our blood pressure. There is even research going on suggesting that gratitude helps us to live longer and, for sure, sleep better.

We know when you are grateful, you are more likely to let conflict go and to step up just a little bit faster to help someone in need. There is even evidence derived from MRIs that shows that people struggling with mental health issues show increased progress if they followed up therapy with a gratitude practice. Gratitude has been proven to improve optimism, increase confidence and reduce aggression.

The past 2 years have presented their own unique situation and ample reason to feel robbed, cheated and just plain disappointed. However, if you really dig deep and think beyond the obvious discourse of the day, there is so much to be grateful for.

I guess I’m a glass half full rather than a glass half empty type of person ,who is always grateful when things aren’t worse. I could create a “why I didn’t love this year ” list, but for me it is easier to come up with the list of what I did love and who I did love …and for THAT I am grateful.

From my team and myself, we wish you a lovely holiday,My encouragement is to Live Beautifully, and as the turkey coma wears off on Thanksgiving, give a gratitude list a try.

Thankful for McLean Living Sponsors

Let’s dig into this issue with this wonderful “Hallmark Family”. The Stayins are welcoming, positive, happiest family to spend time with. You will love their story.

Until next month I leave you with my favorite thought for this month. It isn’t what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.

Love, Gloria

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Staying Healthy Through the Winter

By Dr. Sarah Alemi

Even as nature seems to be going inward this time of year, it seems that we insist on pushing outward - with an ever increasing number of seasonal festivities, holidays and family get-togethers. This increased stress, usually over planning such get-togethers, coupled with the cooler, wet weather, unfortunately leads us to being more susceptible to getting sick. The fall is known as the cold and flu season for a reason.

A lot of what we’ve heard from the news and national organizations has constantly talked about avoidance strategies. However, with the holiday season approaching, this isn’t a very practical strategy. Why not focus on empowering ourselves and boosting our own immune system, so we can be more resilient and less prone to getting sick?

So how can we keep ourselves healthy during the fall and winter months? One way that we can keep ourselves healthy is through weekly, then monthly, acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture has been clinically proven to boost the immune system directly; studies show that one acupuncture session can increase the number of red, white and T-killer cells in the body for up to 72 hours. Imagine how robust a series of acupuncture treatments could leave your body this holiday season.

Indirectly, acupuncture can help boost your immune system by its ability to regulate stress and sleep, which are two factors that are very important in keeping your immune

system working. Decreased sleep and increased stress have been linked to a poor immune system. Acupuncture can help our bodies to get longer and better sleep, as well as to help decrease stress and the physical effects that come with itsuch as increased inflammation, muscular tension and upset stomachs.

Finally, acupuncture can help strengthen the immune system through its effect on our digestive system. Our gut is part of our first line of defense. Acupuncture can help optimize the functioning of our digestive system, allowing our body’s own defense system to work better as well as help our digestive system breakdown and utilize nutrients’ from our diet that can help boost our immunity.

And speaking of nutrients! Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese medicine; also included are dietary and herbal therapy. By coming in for acupuncture treatments, a practitioner can also recommend certain foods and/or prescribe specific herbal formulas to help boost your immune system, based on your overall constitution, health history and the season. For example, I often recommend that patients increase the number of cooked, root vegetables in their diet that are often high in immune-boosting nutrients.

So while the fall and winter can be a flurry of activities, it doesn’t have to be a stressful time nor a time when we have to worry about getting sick. Empowering our own health by bolstering our immune system can allow us to stay healthy and enjoy the season!

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Holistic Health and Wellness Support, Right in our Neighborhood!

By Katie Culligan

Integrated Psychology Associates (IPA) of McLean is a shared endeavor of Eva Theodosiadis, MD-FAPA and Debra Brosius, PsyD to provide psychiatric and psychological services to the McLean community and surrounding areas. This Doctor Superteam established IPA in 2017. There are more than 25 years of combined experience between the two of them. They offer medication consultation, neuropsychological, psychological, and educational assessments. A variety of therapeutic services are offered at their practice as well.

Both Doctors’ goals when they began Integrated Psychology Associates were to be a community resource for kids, teens and families in the McLean area as well as surrounding communities—a therapeutic “home base” of sorts. Together, they can provide medication, therapy, and assessment services to people of all ages. They also aim to provide education, support and resources to those in the area to remove barriers and stigma associated with mental health.

They both find meaning in seeing their clients overcome challenges, recover and go on to achieve their goals while leading happy and

PHOTOS BY TATIANA DOVE

productive lives. They find it validating when they see people prioritize their mental health and treat it equally important as physical health. Dr. Brosius states, “Mental health historically has been so stigmatized, especially in high achieving communities.”

IPA of McLean is a small family-oriented practice. Often times, they see many people in the same family within the practice, which can be logistically helpful for busy families. They are also conveniently located in downtown McLean, so many teens can get here from their homes via walking or biking. “We strive to provide holistic, empirically based treatment to each individual. We work collaboratively with pediatricians in the area as well as school counselors and parents to optimize mental health.” Although they prefer to see people in person, virtual tele-health options are available as well.

Their work is typically very serious as people are coping with a variety of mental health diagnoses and stressors. However, they love to share in the joy of their clients' successes in overcoming challenges in their lives. They are also privileged to share in their client’s many transitions and milestones including winning at a sporting event, crushing a goal, graduation, college acceptance, marriage, and having their first child (to name a few). They love it when people send them updates about the positive impact the practice has had on their lives!

One of the highest honors is getting to see when they have made an impact across multiple generations of a family. “A few years ago, a young woman we had treated as a child returned to the area and brought in her child for care. It was a beautiful symbol of the passage of time, and of the

positive inter-generational outcomes that are possible when we prioritize our mental health.”

Dr. Brosius is a McLean resident herself and has two teenage sons. She participates in many community events, like the McLean 5k, and enjoys attending and sponsoring the high school sporting events. She frequently volunteers at Share of McLean food bank and is also a volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

She emphasizes, “We are committed to nurturing the next generation of doctors and therapists in training and working together as an integrated team. We have many student doctors in training. Because we are an out of network practice, if costs are prohibitive you can consider working with one of our student doctors.”

Integrated Psychology Associates of McLean, LLC

A balanced approach to life.

Eva-Maria Theodosiadis, MD, FAPA and Dr. Debra Brosius, Psy.D. 703-215-4101 (Scheduling) www.debrabrosius.com www.ipamclean.com

Integrated

by Eva-Maria Theodosiadis, MD, FAPA,

of

Pure Barre McLeanWelcome,

By Nyomi Fox

Pure Barre is a well-known company to exercise enthusiasts, as it was founded nearly two decades ago. But Pure Barre was not native to McLean, at least not until its opening on Valentine’s Day 2014. In order to learn more about Pure Barre in McLean, we interviewed General Manager and Lead Instructor Gabrielle Marrapodi.

With Pure Barre, Marrapodi oversees all operational and marketing aspects of the studio, with the intention of bringing “the best” to McLean. She has been a teacher for Pure Barre for three years now, being certified to teach all forms of the class.

Pure Barre Instructors, from left to right; Marci Thomas, Gabrielle Marrapodi, Zuleika Lim and Meghan Labelle.

PHOTOS BY TATIANA DOVE

But what exactly is Pure Barre?

According to Marrapodi, the company is “for any body, any fitness level” — as long as the participant is at least 16-years-old. The classes are “more than a workout” in which “women and men share a sense of community that inspires and empowers each other's fitness and lifestyle goals.”

The company’s wish is that each participant feels stronger and more empowered than they did when they walked through doors.

For Marrapodi personally, the most rewarding aspect of being a part of this business is exactly that: watching people become more “empowered, confident, and strong” — mentally and physically. The audience is far from homogenous, as Marrapodi describes the various characters who show up to class.

“We see the working parent that gets to recharge, the school student that closes their laptop to focus on their mental health, the person staying after class to socialize with others leaving with a smile and a glisten of hard earned sweat on their face.”

People who don’t know the company well tend to assume it is just one of those workout classes that are for specific body types, specific athletic abilities, and specific genders. Contrary to those misconceptions, Pure Barre is fully accessible for anyone. Their technique, in Marrapodi’s words, is to “meet your needs.” Another misconception is that Pure Barre only offers one type of barre class. There are actually other classes designed to train people's bodies in other forms. These alternative classes include Classic, Pure Reform, Pure Empower, and Intensives.

With all of their current success, what does Marrapodi hope for the future of Pure Barre?

“I hope that we continue to offer a safe and welcoming space for the McLean community. We have an incredible team and group of members who have supported us through the past few years, so we hope we can continue to support our community right back with exceptional classes, studio events, and celebrations!"

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Stayin FamilyMADE for a HALLMARK MOVIE

By Katie Culligan

Move over Hallmark channel actors, this real McLean family has stolen my heart in the most charming of ways. So grab a blanket and some warm cider and let’s stay a while with the Stayin Family. The family of five consists of Greg (55), Stefanie (48) and their children Luke (17), Drew (15) and Sadie Jane (12).

In every great Hallmark movie, the town itself plays a large role. Luckily, Greg has lived in McLean since 1972 and Stefanie since 1998. Greg moved to McLean when he started kindergarten at Spring Hill Elementary. He proceeded to go to Cooper Middle School, Langley High School and then the University of Virginia. He only took a brief hiatus from McLean during his years at UVA and his early twenties in Arlington. When the couple’s oldest son, Luke, was starting Cooper in 2019, they moved to their current location on Earnestine Street because it was convenient walking distance to Churchill Elementary, Cooper, Dolley Madison Library, McLean Community Center, and J. Gilberts restaurant - shoutout to their realtor, Megan Fass of Fass Results Group, who showed them this gem. This is a house for gathering and entertaining, which they put to good use as they host an epic annual Christmas party and even hosted a wedding reception for a close family friend in 2019. This is the 3rd house the Stayin family has had and the 6th house Greg has had in McLean. They have built friendships in each neighborhood that continue to be strong as they have moved around the area. But let’s get back to the love story, as all Hallmark movies are at heart. Stefanie and Greg were setup by two friends at work. Though they had worked at the same company, they had never come across each other until the "Shed Raising party!" (Yes, this is real). Their friends coordinated a party to build a shed while delighting in steaks and wine, with the true intention of getting these two to meet. The romance was a success; however, the shed

PHOTOS BY TATIANA DOVE

installation was not. The pair had their first date one week later then were married three years after. Just a year after that, in 2004, the newlyweds boldly left their jobs at Accenture and traveled around the world to 22 countries in 8 months with just their backpacks and some guidebooks. They returned pregnant with Luke.

Unlike some Hallmark movies, this ensemble’s character development is strong. Before meeting her love interest, Stefanie received her bachelor’s degree from University of Pittsburgh and became a manager in finance at Accenture. Greg’s background includes receiving an MS in Commerce from the University of Virginia and then rising to Partner at Accenture. He is now the COO and a principal at Pure Integration, LLC. He is an active sponsor and supporter of WICT (Women in Cable and Telecommunication) including being a mentoring circle leader for the last six years. He is on the Alumni Control Board of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity at UVA and is chair of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity house renovation.

Oldest son Luke is a member of the Varsity Langley Track and Field team. He is a two-time regional qualifier in Pole Vaulting. He is also the only male Langley HS Varsity Cheer team member, working to help the team to place first in the Liberty District in mid-October. In addition, he is a stand-up bass player in Langley’s orchestra. Outside of school activities, he is the St. John’s Youth Group Co-President and on the video recording team at St. John’s Church for the weekly live stream service.

Second oldest son Drew plays on the Langley JV Baseball team. He also plays travel baseball with the Ignite Cadets. He is a huge sports fan and stays on top of all types of stats and matchups across professional and college teams. When not engaged in sports, he loves to play video games with friends and joins his brother on the video recording team at St. John’s Church for the weekly live stream service.

Youngest child Sadie Jane is a gymnast with Gym America where she has been competing since 4th grade. She placed first overall in the state for her age and skill level in 2020! She is an avid saxophone player in the Cooper Symphonic Band and will soon be playing at the VMEAs (Virginia Music Educators Association) Conference. She is also an acolyte at St. John’s Episcopal Church and loves doing jigsaw puzzles.

Hallmark movies are generally incomplete without a couple fur-friends to warm our hearts and laps. Luckily, the family has an eight-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, named ”TJ” for Thomas Jefferson, the founder of UVA (Greg’s alma mater), playing on the “cavalier” component of the breed. TJ, “the best dog ever,” is generally sweet, shy, and a snuggler - even if being quite the snorer. But even TJ can’t get all the pet-affection because he shares a house with Bosscat, aka, Bossy-girl. When Bosscat “adopted them” she proved herself to be quite simply, the boss! Her name is also a nod to Stefanie’s love of Bruce Springsteen. Bosscat is very affectionate and enjoys sleeping on Drew’s bed while he studies every night.

The Stayins enjoy traveling; spending two weeks at their Outer Banks beach house with extended family every summer. They also go on a national park vacation with Stefanie’s side of the family every other summer. They have traveled to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Utah, Acadia and more!

They are avid skiers at Steamboat Springs, CO each winter. They were invited to join a couple of families from McLean to go there about six years ago. The kids learned to ski there, and they’ve gone back every winter since. During the winter of 2021, the family did remote learning and worked slope-side at Steamboat to get a glimpse of what it would be like to live there. They said it was a treat to be able to ski almost every day, if even for just an hour.

As many know, sometimes you have to travel far to remember how much you love your hometown. Back in McLean, the family often finds themselves having happy hour on their, or a neighbor’s, front porch. They love the social inclusiveness and how interesting all the neighbors are. They were particularly excited when the owner of the Organic Butcher of McLean moved next door. Stefanie effuses “They are great people and a local treasure of a business. Our across-the-street neighbors are incredible chefs in their spare time and have often made ice cream, limoncello or something else from scratch then gifted it to neighbors. It has become a delicious place to live.”

The family also enjoys many of the long-standing institutions of

McLean such as McLean Family Restaurant, McLean Barbershop, Enrico’s Cleaners, and J. Gilberts (formerly Joshua Tree, where Greg had his 13th birthday party) that have been around as long as Greg has been in McLean.

To round out their supporting cast, the Stayins have made many friends over the years, and are always so happy to meet new folks moving into the area. “One of the strengths of this area is the new people that you get to meet. We recently met the most amazing family that moved from Chicago. We have known them for just a year and it feels like we have been close forever.” They are grateful to have made good friends from their various neighborhoods, along

A Hallmark movie always involves some beautiful nature moments, so fortunately, they love the access to trails near the house, which was particularly helpful as they took up the habit of trying to get over ten thousand steps a day during the pandemic. They absorbed the natural beauty of this area from the trails but also used the sidewalks to explore and introduce them to the many new and architecturally interesting houses.

Stefanie and Greg appreciate the diversity that their kids are exposed to at school. They were so excited when they attended

with families they met at the Hamlet Swim and Tennis Club, Regency Gym, St. John’s Episcopal Church and many kids' activities.

PHOTO

their first Thanksgiving lunch at Spring Hill with Luke to find out that Luke was sitting with other children who were born in France, Korea, Russia and Iraq. When Luke gave the graduation address at Spring Hill, he congratulated his class in 12 languages representing the home languages of his classmates. “What a wonderful and worldly experience to be exposed to at such a young age. We were also amused when he came home from a play date and asked us if we had ever heard of dumplings. He had just had his first homemade dumpling which was standard fare at his friend’s house, but was a delicious eye-opening experience for him.”

Adding some cinematic sentimentality, Greg and his brothers grew up playing in “the incredible institution” of McLean Little League (MLL) and it brought a tear to his eye when, 30 years later, he walked on the grounds again to register Luke and Drew for tee ball. He has lots of great memories coaching and attending games over the years. Drew returned to MLL as a member of the Langley JV squad early last spring to high-five the Little Leaguers after the Opening Day Parade, and it was like coming full circle.

Much of the family’s community activities are focused on their involvement with St. John’s Episcopal Church. They were welcomed into the church in 2003 and their kids were baptized and confirmed there. The kids have been lay readers, acolytes, youth group participants and leaders, and have managed the online video production when needed. Stefanie and Greg have been on the vestry multiple times including Greg serving as Warden. Greg is currently Stewardship Chair, and Stefanie leads annual partnership trips to their sister parish of San Gabriel, in Consuelo, Dominican Republic.

Stefanie has been a volunteer at every level of the children’s education from room parent, to book fair chair, to twotime PTO President at Cooper, to Langley 2024 Class Co-President, to Co-Chair of Langley DEI committee. “We are fortunate to be surrounded by so many dedicated, tireless teachers and administrators within the Langley Pyramid that are eager to help provide any assistance we can to the firstclass education and experience.”

As often happens in these beloved movies, the community members unite to help a greater good. Though the family gives back to the community in many

ways, they remain in awe of countless others that volunteer their time, talent and treasures to help McLean thrive. They say it is energizing to work with such talented and capable people, and it motivates them to try to do more. It is particularly heartwarming to know whenever a call is made for help, the response is immediate and substantial. “For example, when there was a call for kitchen supplies to help with Afghan Refugees, the basement of our church was full. When there was a call to put on a lunch for the teachers at Cooper for a teacher workday, the signup genus was full of homemade delicacies.” They recognize that the citizens in their community are people of action and are eager to be part of the solution. This makes them proud to be involved in it. They send love to their Kings Manor, Spring Hill/Hamlet and Earnestine communities as they fondly remember 4th of July parades, fun trick or treating, and quality porch-time with neighbors. They are truly thankful to be a part of the larger community in McLean. And to absolutely no one’s surprise, they continue to live happily ever after. Cue “The Way You Look Tonight”, their first date and wedding first dance song, while the credits roll.

10 COMMANDMENTS

of College Admissions

by Jinsil V. Kim, M. Div

During the college admission process, students who aim for the top tier colleges have only one opportunity to compete on offense in this academic competition. For the rest of the application, you play defense.

What do I mean? The majority of your application’s sections concern numbers: your GPA, ACT, SAT, AP, SAT II, and the number of extracurricular activities and the number of years involvement, etc.

THE

Thou shall pour thy heart, soul into thy essay

These numbers have important value; however, they often work as a firstround defense system for your college admission officers to enable them to keep your application in the first round of review. If your application numbers can defend your position, then you get to address the admission officers directly, aiming your essay at their minds and hearts, your best shot to convince them to choose you over other candidates with similar scores and who also survived the first round.

This one-shot opportunity, your essay, can either make your application go through the goalkeeper and score or get bounced by that same goalkeeper. “Goalkeeper”? The admission officer with mental defense systems built upon the word “why.” Why you?

Remember this: the admission rate of the top tier colleges in the U.S. is less than 10% according to Open Education Database, which means the admissions office’s job is to eliminate more than 90 percent of the applications.

Ms. Kim with children Teddy, Sebastian and Sophia Grace at St. Regis in MIami, Florida.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JINSIL KIM

Ms. Kim currently serves as a CEO of Joy & Joseph’s C2 Education Franchise Group located in DC and in Florida. She joined C2 Education in 2007, and led one of the most successful franchise groups in the nationwide company. She is a recipient of the prestigious Dean’s Scholarship Award from Carey School of Business at Johns Hopkins University, and graduated with Distinction from UCLA Extension as a Certified College Counselor. She has three beautiful children, Sebastian (6), Theodore (4), and Sophia Grace (2) with her husband Dr. Crutchley, whom she met during his anesthesiology residency interview at Johns Hopkins. Finally, she attained a Master of Divinity in 2006 from Oral Roberts University, and her life desire is to please God and to love people.

You’re likely to compete against highly qualified candidates who have similar numbers or even better numbers. You must use this unique opportunity as though your academic life depends on it! Many students merely repeat what is already on their application on their essay, not a winning move. The admission officers already used those lines to move you to the second round.

So, identify your unique, authentic self. Sing ‘your’ song. What challenges you faced and overcame enabled you to compete to study at these top colleges? Be yourself. Do not focus on portraying a perfect image of yourself. Be willing to share your vulnerability, your journey, and appeal to the officer’s hearts.

According to Columbus Business First, “emotions drive more than 80 percent of our decision-making, while logic makes up the rest.” If the first-round cuts were mostly logical, the final round is heavily influenced by the emotions of the admission officers.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Much self-reflection is needed in order to make your essay echo your own discovery of ‘truth.’ Make every word of your application count by pouring your heart and soul to your essay. Let your ‘song’ be unforgettable!

1. Source: https://oedb.org/rankings/ acceptance-rate/#:text=To%20calculate%20 college%20acceptance%20rates,acceptance%20 rate%20of%20under%2010%25

2. Source: https://oedb.org/rankings/ acceptance-rate/

3. Source: https://www.bizjournals.com/ columbus/stories/2004/11/01/smallb2.html

TOP TEN SCHOOLS WITH LOWEST ACCEPTANCE RATES

1. Stanford University with a 4.34% acceptance rate of the 47,498 applicants

2. Harvard University with a 4.92% acceptance rate of the 43,330 applicants

3. Columbia University with a 6.1% acceptance rate of the 36,250 applicants

4. Princeton University with a 6.5% acceptance rate of the 29,303 applicants

5. Yale University with a 6.9% acceptance rate of the 32,900 applicants

6. The Juilliard School with a 7.2% acceptance rate of the 2,597 applicants

7. The University of Chicago with a 7.9% acceptance rate of the 31,411 applicants

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a 7.9% acceptance rate of the 19,020 applicants

9. California Institute of Technology with an 8% acceptance rate of the 6,800+ applicants

10. Brown University with a 9.3% acceptance rate of the 32,390 applicants(2)*

Diya Bali

By Nyomi Fox

changing the perception of women's golf

a visceral sensation of pride and joy.

Unlike many of our athlete profiles, Diya Bali is not approaching college athletics — at least not yet. Diya is 14-years-old and a freshman at Langley High School. And unlike most athletes, Diya has not been playing sports her whole life — she started playing golf at the beginning of June. So why the sudden start? One answer: her father.

According to Diya, whenever her father has free time, he is “watching golf tournaments, playing a round of golf with his friends, or taking my siblings and I to the driving range.” When summer came around, he finally convinced her to commit to learning the sport, so that she could be on the Langley team. As foreshadowed earlier, she did just that.

Diya now plays not only to appease her father’s wishes, but to live in the thrill of the sport. Just the minor act of making contact with a golf ball provides Diya with

She also plays to share her delight with others, specifically in the form of sharing her mastery of the sport.

After only playing for a few months, Diya has found herself in the position of a teacher, guiding her peers towards proper form and athletic success.

But even with Diya’s own success, she is not considered a Varsity athlete. This is not because she is a low-level player, it is because Langley does not have a Varsity golf team for women. Diya herself remarked, “the boys' golf team is a varsity sport, while the girls' golf team is not considered a varsity sport.” This only sparks motivation in the young athlete, as Diya and her teammates are working to change the perception of women’s golf — for the better.

When asked what her inspiration is, Diya immediately responded with “my team.” She proudly remarked that “whenever I

play, I make sure to think of them, and that has such a positive impact on myself and my game.”

Diya may not know where she will end up in college, but she knows that she wants to incorporate golf into many more decades of her life. “The amazing thing about golf is that you can play it for your whole life, unlike many other sports. So, I hope that I am able to enjoy golf for a long time.”

As she continues her budding career, Diya wants to thank her parents, team captains, and coaches for their unconditional support.

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I’m your one-stop shop for the service you deserve at a price you want. Call me for surprisingly great rates and Good Neighbor service right in your neighborhood.

a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

I’m your one-stop shop for the service you deserve at a price you want. Call me for surprisingly great rates and Good Neighbor service right in your neighborhood. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

I’m your one-stop shop for the service you deserve at a price you want. Call me for surprisingly great rates and Good Neighbor service right in your neighborhood. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

rates and Good Neighbor service right in your neighborhood.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm underwriting requirements.

Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm ® underwriting requirements.

I’m your one-stop shop for the service you deserve at a price you want. Call me for surprisingly great rates and Good Neighbor service right in your neighborhood.

Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm ® underwriting requirements.

I’m your one-stop shop for the service you deserve at a price you want. Call me for surprisingly great rates and Good Neighbor service right in your neighborhood. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm ® underwriting requirements.

Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm ® underwriting requirements.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm ® underwriting requirements.

Photo provided by Bali Family

& DARIN

By Nyomi Fox

When an exceptional play is made between two people on a sports team, the spectators tend to wonder if some kind of telepathy contributed to the players’ athletic chemistry. For twins Dustin and Daren Mosley, there’s no need to wonder. But shared DNA is not the only thing they have in common.

Dustin and Daren are 17-year-old twins from McLean and are both considered top 10 receivers in their district. Unsurprisingly, their childhoods were home to an abundance of tackling, specifically in their front yard. Instead of logging on to an iPad, the twins would choose to spend their free time learning defeating strategies in the grass.

But why football of all sports? The two were introduced to the sport by their father, but ultimately it was the competitive nature of their friends that instilled a love for the sports in both of the brothers. When asked what keeps them playing after all of these years, their answer was simple: “We hate losing.” Their last season resulted in a 2-8 (wins to losses) record, which placed their team last in the district. They were both frustrated by how that record affected the reputation of their athletic program.

With that frustration, the boys were motivated to instill a “no seasons off”

They dedicated themselves to practices and activities during the offseason not only to enhance the hard skills of the players, but also to “set a standard for others.” Evidently, the twins don’t see culture and athletics as separate phenomena, but instead as intertwined concepts.

It’s common for competitive athletes in the DMV to participate in club or AAU leagues, but Dustin and Daren are loyal to their public school: Langley High School. But participating exclusively within a public school system has not inhibited their growth. They remarked, “Without these facilities, we would not have been in the position we are today.” Their position today is impressive. The twins are not only inspired by each other, they are also inspired

by their head coach, David Murray. According to both of them, Murray’s “devotion and understanding of the game has changed the way we look at the sport.”

For many high school athletes, the future is a tentative idea. Will sports be incorporated into the twin’s future career? Yes, they both assert. But they are practical; their imagination is not exclusive to the idea of being a professional athlete. They simply plan to always “be around the game” whether that takes the form of “playing it, teaching it, or promoting it.”

Until they figure that out, Dustin and Daren want to thank their supporters, coaches, family and friends, in addition to their quarterback, Brendan Mansinne, “for always believing in us and driving us to excel.”

Photo by the MosleyFamily

By Lisa Tep

Skin discoloration is one of the most common concerns we see in our facial treatment rooms. The cascading cause and effects and the intricate timeline for how pigmentation actually occurs in our skin is such a complex and interesting topic. While there have been so many advances in the cosmetic industry for treating pigmentation concerns, it is still one of the most difficult skin conditions to treat. Yes, there is hope, but it takes patience and consistency.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Pigmentation refers to the general discoloring of the skin. Hyperpigmentation refers specifically to discoloration that is dark. Hypopigmentation occurs when there is a loss of color in the skin. Our bodies produce pigment through a complex process called melanogenesis, where specialized cells called melanocytes produce melanin pigment. Melanin, in turn, is sent to various areas of our bodies. These deposits of pigment are eventually what we see on the surface of the skin as discoloration.

FOOT CARE LIKE YOU'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED

Sun damage is the most common form of hyperpigmentation

What Causes Hyperpigmentation?

In general, there are three categories of hyperpigmentation: UV-induced (sun damage), trauma-induced (post inflammatory) and hormonal (melasma). Sun damage is the most common form of hyperpigmentation and affects everyone. It occurs as a result of prolonged and repeated sun exposure and presents in the form of sun spots, age spots or lentigines. Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs when there is an injury to the skin. For example, when a pimple develops, the blemish can remain well after the acne has healed because the skin will hyper pigment at the site. After the acne is gone, many clients are treating the pigmentation in an effort to even out the skin tone.

Many women develop dark patches on their face and body during pregnancy, a condition known as melasma. This usually clears up after childbirth (and when hormone levels begin to stabilize). Some women can experience skin discoloration when starting birth control as well.

Why Does Melanogenesis Occur?

While we may not like the look of discoloration on our skin and are impatient for results during treatment, it's important to understand why our bodies react this way. When you have to leave the house for work or to run errands and it's raining outside, what do you? Most of us, grab an umbrella to keep us dry from the rain. Well, melanogenesis is the equivalent of using an umbrella. Triggering

melanogenesis is our body's way of opening the umbrella in order to protect our dermis and underlying tissues from harmful UV radiation.

The melanin that is produced is black, allowing it to absorb a majority of UV-B rays and blocking it from affecting lower areas.

While the results (skin discoloration) are undesirable, the process is critical in protecting our bodies.

How to Treat Hyperpigmentation?

First and foremost, the single most effective way to treat hyperpigmentation is via prevention.

If you are not utilizing safe sun practices and using sun protection daily, then there is absolutely no point in treating skin discoloration. This is like working out with a personal trainer and then going to McDonalds afterwards - it is pointless.

"I wear SPF when I know I'm going to be outdoors for a long period of time" or "I hate wearing SPF because it feels sticky and clogs my pores" or "I'm inside all day, so I don't see the need for SPF". These sentiments are common, but are counterproductive when it comes to treating hyperpigmentation. Sun protection product formulations have come a LONG way. There are so many options on the market, finding one that works for you is simply a matter of experimenting until you find one that you love. And then you should use it every day, no matter what your plans are for that day (inside or out). It is habit forming and non-negotiable.

After prevention, treating hyperpigmentation should be a multi-prong approach.

EXFOLIATION

The pigmentation has been deposited into the epidermis and is now visible on the surface of the skin. Safe and regular exfoliation is going to assist in removing dead skin cells and increasing cellular turnover, thereby, encouraging that pigmentation to move up and out.

VITAMIN C

This single ingredient is viewed by so many beauty brands as a "hero ingredient" and it’s easy to understand why. It is a potent antioxidant that is capable of delivering instant and visible results on many fronts, but its ability to brighten and even out skin tone is why it plays such a critical role in treating hyperpigmentation.

VITAMIN A

Also known as retinol, vitamin A is a powerhouse skincare ingredient for so many reasons. In the case of treating hyperpigmentation, it works to inhibit tyrosinase (an enzyme that plays a critical role in the production of melanin).

BRIGHTENING TREATMENTS

Quarterly professional facial treatments should involve an intensive peel that is specifically formulated to treat pigmentation concerns. In between professional treatments, clients can supplement with a monthly (or weekly, depending on skin type) at-home peel and a brightening mask.

Consistency is key when treating hyperpigmentation. While prevention is paramount, crafting a treatment plan that addresses pigmentation concerns across multiple platforms is how clients begin to see steady progress.

Both indoor and outdoor seating available. Open Weekdays 7:30am - 5:00pm www.sweetbitescafe.com sandra@sweetbitesdesserts.com

Serving fresh gourmet-to-go

• breakfast

• gourmet sandwiches

• freshly baked artisan desserts

• illy coffee/espresso

6845 Elm Street McLean, VA 22101 (703) 448-1115

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Social4Good

By Sarah Shamlal

Social4Good (S4G) is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that brings together engaged women who want to meet new people and support the organizations that make our community strong. Each month, this column will highlight S4G's monthly project to raise awareness on critical needs in our community and local nonprofits making a difference.

In September, S4G hosted their fourth

annual drive to support Fairfax Diapers, (www.fairfaxdiapers.com), during National Diaper Need Awareness Week.

In the first three years, S4G donated more than 67,000 diapers. Recognizing that the need for diapers in Fairfax County is greater than ever, a goal was set to donate 25,000 diapers to stock the shelves with one month’s supply for local families in need.

While volunteering at Food for Others, Christine Kenny, Fairfax Diapers Founder, identified a need and over the past

three years has distributed over 746,000 diapers through Food for Others and nine partner organizations! Diapers are a necessity for all children, yet, 1 in 3 families struggle with “Diaper Need'', defined as the lack of a sufficient number of diapers to keep a baby clean, dry, and healthy. With increasing costs and supply chain challenges, this number is only expected to increase.

On September 27th, S4G attended a Sort & Social to prepare diapers for distribution and learn more about the

challenges faced by local families. We had amazing community support! Due to the generosity of our members and community, we exceeded our goal and raised $5,028 in financial and in-kind donations. Our drive provided 31,698 diapers so local babies have what they need to remain healthy. Over four years, S4G has donated over $14,400 to support this Vienna-based organization!

“With the support of partner groups like Social4Good, Fairfax Diapers has been able to expand our distribution commitments despite challenges of COVID, supply chain issues, and

inflation. Our organization aims to fill in the gaps for many families in our community struggling with poverty and other external stressors which can extend the need for diapers." – Christine Kenny, Founder, Fairfax Diapers

About Fairfax Diapers

Fairfax Diapers addresses a critical need in our community by raising awareness and easing the challenge of diaper insecurity. Vienna’s Christine Kenny launched Fairfax Diapers three years ago; since that time, they have distributed 730,000+ diapers. The Kenny

family basement and garage function as headquarters, so there are no overhead or staff costs.

About Social4Good

Since 2019, Social4Good (S4G) has been inspiring women to learn about critical needs in Northern Virginia by partnering and supporting local nonprofits. Partnering with 29 nonprofits, S4G has donated more than $125,000 in their first three years.

For more information, visit www.Social4Goodevents.com.

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Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. The data does not represent the listings of any one agent or agency but represents the activity of the real estate community in the area. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in the magazine is separate from the statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.

Raising the Bar in Resort -Style Living.

DISCOVER HOW WE ARE CONSTANTLY RAISING THE BAR IN RESORT-STYLE LIVING.

We’re taking the luxurious, carefree lifestyle Westminster-Canterbury is known for to a higher level. Introducing the Bay Tower — our new 22-story waterfront Independent Living expansion with the best views in Virginia Beach.

With sweeping, panoramic views overlooking Chesapeake Bay, the Bay Tower will offer the most exclusive views in senior living, with the same inclusive philosophy of Westminster-Canterbury. There’s never been anything like it, and we can’t wait for you to experience it.

The next chapter begins here.

For more information, call 757-541-2315 or visit www.wcbay.com/expansion. Want to learn more about our expansion? Scan the QR code. Reserving a Bay Tower apartment, but want the carefree lifestyle sooner while we build? Check out our sister rental community, Opus Select, at www.opusliving.com.