March 2023

COVER PHOTO BY TATIANA DOVE

PUBLICATION TEAM

Publisher: Gloria Bruni

Publisher Assistant: Daniela Banegas

Account Executive: Crissy Moore Hall

Designer: Amanda Capehart

Contributing Writers: Katie Culligan, Nyomi Fox

Photographer: Tatiana Dove

Copy Editor: Stefanie Stayin

ADVERTISING

Contact: Gloria Bruni

Email: gbruni@bestversionmedia.com

Phone: 703-868-8071

FEEDBACK/IDEAS/SUBMISSIONS

We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month. Go to bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to: gbruni@bestversionmedia.com.

My Dearest McLean Residents:

It's March already. Can you believe it?

This year, I've been starting each morning with an inspiring, poignant, or witty quote—and sharing one for each day on our social media. To join the fun, follow us on our insta: Mclean. living

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, so we've got 31 quotes about luck—making your own, being ready when it arrives, even bemoaning its absence—from quotable people ranging from Marc Cuban to Whoopi Goldberg to John Hay.

We all know that a four-leaf clover is a sign of luck, but have you ever stopped to think why? From four-leaf clovers to a rabbit’s foot, here are some of the most well-known symbols of luck and how they came about.

Four-leaf clover – The four-leaf clover is the most prominent lucky item associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Believed to be a Celtic charm, four-leaf clovers were used for magical protection from evil spirits and to repel bad luck. The leaves of the clover stand for faith, hope, luck, and love. Whoever comes across a four-leaf clover is granted good luck and protected against any bad luck

Shamrock – A shamrock (three-leaf clover) is the traditional symbol of St. Patrick’s Day. The history behind this symbol is that St. Patrick depicted the Holy Trinity within the clover. Just like the four-leaf clover, the shamrock also grants the beholder good luck. Horseshoe – The horseshoe is another item that is considered lucky to possess. It is believed that the horseshoe has the power to ward off the devil, due to a 10th-century legend regarding St. Dunstan. As the story goes, St. Dunstan was asked to shoe the Devil’s horse. Instead, he nailed a horseshoe to the Devil’s foot and agreed to remove it if the Devil promised to never enter a household with a horseshoe on the door. Therefore, horseshoes have come to symbolize luck and security from evil.

Pot of gold – A human that finds the fabled pot of gold is believed to have been granted the success, fulfillment, or happiness he or she desires. The belief is that leprechauns hide a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow for mortals to find. It is considered to be lucky because gold is linked to wealth and fortune. It is also a symbol of luck due to its connection to rainbows, which are considered magical and signs of hope and prosperity. Rabbit’s foot – A rabbit’s foot is one of the most unusual lucky charms. The Celts regarded the rabbit’s foot as lucky due to their general belief that rabbits are associated with luck. Because rabbits usually reside underground, they were believed to be in constant contact with gods and spirits of the underworld and are therefore considered to have a protective power.

We can choose to believe in all of these lucky charms and more, but in the end, luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get! Considering this, I am thrilled to feature the Mossasad family in this month's cover story. I invite you to read their lovely story.

A HUGE shout out to all of our AMAZING sponsors, please stop by and thank them for Mclean Living.

Until next month!

Sincerely,

EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS

ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES

Iche Chiu | 360 CPA 866-550-2050 | 360.cpa

ACUPUNCTURIST

Dr. Sarah Alemi | Eastern Roots Wellness 571-354-6643 | easternrootswellness.com

BAKERY

Sandra Panetta | Sweetbites Cafe 703-448-1115 | sweetbitescafe.com

CAREER COACH

Kelly Featheringham | Kelly Featheringham ACC, Executive Career Coach 914-489-8856 | kellyfeatheringham.com

DENTIST

Dr. Negar Tehrani | Aura Dentistry 703-748-1900 | auradentistry.com

EDUCATION

Jinsil Kim | C2 Education of McLean 703-288-4400 | c2educate.com

FURNITURE

Joni Foerter | Front Porch Furniture Rescue 703-543-9248 | myfurniturerescue.com

HAIR STYLIST

Daniel Bechara | Salon Daniel 703-893-5000 | salondaniel.com

GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY

Dr. Ramin Farboud

Advanced Gastroenterology & Hepatology 703-345-6655 | aghofgreaterwashington.com

DERMATOLOGY

Dr. Pantea Tamjidi, MD, F.A.A.D.

Tamjidi Skin Institute 703-345-6677 | tamjidiskininstitute.com

MENTAL HEALTH

Eva-Maria Theodosiadis, MD & Dr. Debra Brosius | Integrated Psychology Associates of McLean, LLC 703-215-4101

debrabrosius.com | ipamclean.com

INSURANCE

Milena Bu | State Farm 225-252-1932 | buforyou.com

LANDSCAPING - RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL

Andre Passos | The Grounds Guys 888-929-8188 | groundguys.com

MASTER PEDICURIST & ONCOLOGY-TRAINED ESTHETICIAN

Lisa Tep | Sesen Spa 703-281-0822 | sesenspa.com

MOVER

Gina Kovatch | Petra Moving Company 703-547-7631 | petramovingcompany.com

PERMANENT MAKE-UP

Paola Soto | Synergy Beauty 703-734-0772 | synergybeautytysons.com

REAL ESTATE

Brian Mason | Signature Move Real Estate 703-936-6501 | signaturemoverealestate.com

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Stephanie Q. Lawrence | Vinson Hall 540-314-8745 | vinsonshall.org

TRAVEL AGENT/VACATION PLANNING

Emmy Hoffman | Luxe Traveler Club 502-345-8938 | luxetravelerclub.com

WARDROBE STYLIST

Cemile Caliskan | Chaliskan 571-585-1728 | chaliskan.com

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WELCOME SPRING

By Dani Banegas

The beginning of the spring, called the March Equinox or the Spring Equinox, will begin for us here in McLean on Monday, March 20, 5:24 p.m. EST. At this exact moment the northern hemisphere begins to be tilted more toward the sun, marking the arrival of what many fellow residents consider the best turn of the seasons: more daylight hours and later sunsets, giving us the opportunity to enjoy longer amounts of sunlight every day.

The first thing that comes to mind when thing about spring is the classical piece by Edvard Grieg, "Morning Mood," the soundtrack played in every retro cartoon that represents the beginning of the earliest season of the year. Spring has always been considered the season of awakening and rebirth. Snow starts to melt, hibernating animals awaken, flowers bloom, and daily temperatures being to rise. I love spring because it is the perfect time to go outside and stretch our legs in search of warm-weather activities.

Readers must be thinking, "What am I going to do with the extra daylight hours?"

Don’t worry! McLean Living has a couple of ideas to share.

GARDENING

Give us a moment here! Gardening nowadays is creative and fun. The choice between vegetables, flowers, or herbs is personal and depends on your location and sunlight. Luckily, we have local experts that can advise you, like the professionals like Wolf Trap Nursery or GreenStreet Garden.

The Wolf Trap Nursery is a family-owned independent garden that we call "a piece of paradise in the middle of the city.” Our favorite part is walking through the herb section, where the aroma revives the senses and takes imaginations through delicious recipes in which they can be used. And if that is not enough, the Zen Garden greenhouse is a heart-warmer, and we’re sure you’ll fall in love with the extensive variety of roses.

If your sensibilities lead you more toward tropical plants and succulent, we recommend GreenStreet Garden. This is a beautiful place where you can easily spend hours scanning the rows and rows of plants, trees, herbs, and flowers. They have absolutely everything you need to jump start your green thumb and be a great plant parent.

BIKE RIDING

Cycling is an adventure that provides the sensation of freedom and puts you back in touch with nature. If you don’t know how to ride a bike, springtime is a great time to learn something new.

We recommend one of the best bike stores in Virginia, Conte’s Bike Shop. In 1957, Conte’s Bike Shop was the first family-owned bicycle stores in Virginia. They’ll help you and your family find just what you need for your biking adventures. From novice to expert, they’ll help you find the perfect fit.

There are many local and farther-flung biking trails from which to choose, just in our Northern Virginia area. Whether you’re riding locally on the W&OD, at one of the three biking trails at Great Falls Park, or Mount Vernon trail, choices abound! If you’d like a bit more adventure, you can hit up sites like the Tobacco Heritage Trail, surrounded by unspoiled woods and tobacco farms that have been passed from one generation to the next, and homey little towns.

As we emerge from our (not very cold winter), we at McLean Living hope you enjoy every spring day to the utmost! We join you in saying goodbye to the coats, boots and sweaters that we hardly used, and welcoming a return to outdoor fun, whether that be biking, hiking, gardening or brunching!

Photos by Dani Banegas

Celebrate Spring with the MOSSADDAD FAMILY!

Photos by Tatiana Dove

By Katie Culligan

The Mossaddad family truly embodies the American Dream. Patriarch Nasir, 57, and matriarch Sahel, 41, both grew up in the ancient city of Shiraz, Iran, but didn’t meet until they were adults when they were introduced to one another through distant relatives. While they formalized their union in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2002, they had a big celebration not long after in the McLean area. So how did fate bring this international pair to this wonderful city of McLean? As luck would have it, Nasir has a brother who lives in Vienna, VA (owner of the very popular Assal Market in downtown Vienna), so Nasir discovered McLean while he was visiting from LA. He immediately fell in love with its general vibe and how uncrowded it was.

This warm and welcoming family is full of great stories! Nasir regales that he was almost late to their wedding ceremony in McLean because his plane got derailed due to technical issues in Vegas just six hours before the wedding! Luckily, he made it in time for the ceremony, but to continue his element of surprise, while on the plane to Florida for their honeymoon, Nasir informed his new bride, Sahel, that the plane was actually going to Maui! At least the second surprise was a welcome one.

In 2004, the eldest daughter, Hana, was born. Sahel recalls realizing she was pregnant with Hana was one of her best memories. Hana, now 18, is currently enrolled at George Washington University, where she is excelling in her premedicine journey. Both parents stress to their children to follow whatever career or talents their hearts desire, and Hana has always been curious about the medical and healthcare world. One of her favorite classes right now is Sociology. She graduated with honors from Langley High School in June 2022. Much like her parents, Hana loves McLean and always refers to it as “her

MOVIE: The Lion King

TV SHOW: Full House

BOOK/AUDIOBOOK: Rich Dad, Poor Dad

PODCAST: The Joe Rogan Experience on Spotify

THING TO DO IN MCLEAN: Shopping in the Galleria or taking a hike up at Scotts' Run

city.” This is primarily why she chose to stay close to home and commute to GWU, as she adores this area too much to leave it. In her free time, Hana is “obsessed with the car scene” around McLean and enjoys driving around the area to experience events with G Club Nova and Great Falls Cars and Coffee. The younger daughter, Heeva, 16, is a sophomore at Langley High School and is still exploring her interests. She enjoys history class and played volleyball for five years, including on Langley’s Freshman Volleyball Team, where she thrived in a disciplined environment alongside her peers. Heeva and her family agree that she follows in her mother’s footsteps of being athletically inclined. She currently manages all of the basketball teams at Langley and considers many of the players to be some of her closest

friends. At the time of this article being written, she was planning an epic sweet sixteen birthday party! She also hopes to follow her sister’s lead in attending a university near home.

Nasir, doctor and owner of Beltway Chiropractic and Accident Center, which has practices located in Annandale, Alexandria, and Woodbridge. He specializes in all accident-related injuries but deals mostly with personal injuries due to car accidents. He really enjoys being able to help people through his practice. Sahel started assisting him as his office manager when the practice opened in 2009, and the two agree that they make a great team when it’s time to get down to business.

While the family does not have any pets, they do purchase a goldfish from

Petco annually for their Nowruz, or Persian New Year, celebrations. Nowruz means “new day” and is celebrated yearly on the spring equinox. This holiday incorporates gorgeous flowers, which symbolize rejuvenation; fish, which symbolize new life; and delights in meals that include fish and rice, with rice pudding for dessert.

“Nowruz is the most anticipated holiday for us Iranians, and it occurs in March every year. We are so honored and blessed to be on the March magazine cover during such a celebratory time!” the family reports. They love sharing about their culture and learning about that of others.

Buying their first property in McLean was a true milestone for Nasir and Sahel and only the beginning of their family’s expansion in their favorite city

in the world. The family of four has now lived in McLean for eight years, and they hope to see that number increase. They initially moved to McLean to account for a shorter work commute for Nasir, however, the education and prestige of the area were really the deciding factors for them to put down roots here. They live in the King’s Manor area, with their gorgeous gated white house being right on the edge of the street and attracting a lot of public attention, which the girls love.

The Mossaddads now owns four properties in McLean and are excited to be transitioning to their new family home in the Basil neighborhood, which they have always adored. Their other properties are for investment purposes. Sahel emphasizes, “We would like to mention how dreamy this city is to us, especially my husband and I, who used to dream of owning even a little townhouse in this area, just for the comfort of ourselves and our children. To think that we would establish our territory in the coming years is absolutely amazing, and we are so

blessed that we are raising our children in this city.”

They consider their King’s Manor neighborhood to be very friendly, calm, and family-oriented. Although they do not interact with their neighbors to the highest extent, the mutual respect in the community is always appreciated. The family takes daily walks around the neighborhood, and the daughters enjoy studying at the Dolley Madison Library, which is located at the rear end of the neighborhood. They also always look forward to the annual Chocolate Festival at the McLean Community Center.

The family really enjoys playing tennis in their free time. They take advantage of the tennis courts at whichever resort they are staying at on vacation. Prior to the pandemic, Sahel would often play tennis at McLean Racquet and Health Club. They also own a boat in Georgetown and enjoy boating with family and friends in the warmer months.

The Mossaddads travel a great amount

and have visited over 20 countries in the last 10 years. All four share a love of trying new foods, experiencing unique adventures and learning about other cultures. Their favorite vacation, by far, was their South African Safari in 2018, where they saw some of the most enchanting sites in nature. Nasir had always dreamed of viewing wildlife up close since he was a young boy in Iran, so to experience this was truly a beautiful moment in time. Because the foursome is so busy with work and school, when they want to really connect, the family heads to their beach house in Ocean City, MD.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, this supportive and engaging family has a passion for where they live. Nasir states, “McLean is one of the greatest cities with excellent school systems; we’ve met so many good families in this great community. You can’t find any city better than this!” Sahel shares, “Thank you for keeping our community classy, proper, and just amazing! We never want to leave!” I think we could call this a McLean dream come true.

Surprisingly great rates right around the corner.

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Cell: 225-252-1932

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571.291.2219 |

Featured Article

Project ADAM continues mission in wake of Damar Hamlin case

By Logan Hanson, BVM Sports Journalist/Editor

BuffaloBillssafetyDamarHamlin’ssuddencardiacarrestonMondayNightFootball madethenationholditscollectivebreath.WhileHamlinisonhiswaytorecovery, othershaven’tbeenaslucky.In1999,WhitefishBayHighSchoolathleteAdamLemel diedaftersufferingasuddencardiacarrestduringabasketballgame.Today,Lemel’s familyandChildren’sWisconsinworknationallytosaveotherchildrenthrough ProjectADAM...ContinuereadingontheBVMSportswebsite.

Adam Lemel Image Courtesy: Project ADAM and Children’s Wisconsin

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.

What if You Could MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK?

By Kelly Featheringham

The dictionary defines luck as “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions.”

As a fairly superstitious Irish girl, I have done my share of attributing credit for various opportunities or challenges to good or bad luck. It is easy to do in the moment when we are not exactly clear on how things happened or turned out the way they did.

However, if we take the time to look back at all of the details and the series of decisions, actions, and inactions leading to the outcome, we start to notice a different story.

Perhaps it started with a decision to go out to a happy hour or social event rather than stay in on a weeknight that led to a conversation with someone who happened to be looking to hire an employee with exactly your skillset, which landed you in a job you love.

Sure, it may have been lucky that this person was there, but you made the decision to be in that social setting, you have worked to develop the skills they are looking for, and you spoke to them in a way that created interest and excitement around the capabilities you could bring to the position, so much so that you got the job.

What about that promotion you’ve been chasing? Finally, a position comes open, and you get the phone call from your boss saying that it’s yours if you want it. You feel lucky to have the opportunity because you have wanted that role; however, it is yours because you’ve worked hard for it. You worked hard to develop the skills needed, spent time speaking with your boss about your goals and ambitions and finding ways to set yourself apart from the other candidates so that you would be the clear choice.

“It takes time to build castles – hard work and planning will reap rewards eventually.” Irish Proverb

It is very easy to dismiss our capabilities and hard work and then attribute our accomplishments to luck. It is more difficult to reflect and embrace that our hard work leads to achievement.

When we start looking at where we want to go or what we want to achieve, we can choose to be strategic in our actions. Rather than throwing spaghetti at the wall or just leaving things up to chance, strategy can help us reach a whole different level of success.

Some achievements come easier than others, some faster or slower than we would like, but very rarely can we honestly look back at the lead-up to that achievement and have no idea how we got there.

Looking at our career through this adjusted lens is very exciting. It is fun to say we experienced luck, but how much more rewarding is it to realize that we’ve earned it rather than lucked into it. This also provides us with the power to affect our success.

Let that sink in for a moment. At the beginning of this article, you were probably thinking I was going to be talking about shamrocks and good luck charms, instead, I’m inviting you to embrace the opportunity to be in control of your success.

Look back on recent achievements that you have made, take some time to jot down a few notes about the sequence of events, the decisions you made or did not make (remember, not deciding is still a decision), what seemed to work well, and what didn’t.

This information can help you to be more strategic in how you create a plan to achieve your next goal. We are constantly learning, but often we forget to stop and really absorb the lesson. What did the last situation teach you? How can you apply that knowledge as you take the next steps toward future goals?

We can still hope for a little luck, but at the core of your achievements is you and the hard work, preparation, and tenacity that you applied to get you there. Don’t dismiss the part that you play in your own success, and honor that.

“It takes time to build castles – hard work and planning will reap rewards eventually.” Irish Proverb

10 Tips on How to Avoid Murdering Your Spouse During the Home Buying Process (RESULTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED)

By Brian Mason

The home buying process can be stressful and complicated, often taking a toll on the marriage of a couple. I have had spouses throw items at each other; taking off and leaving the spouse at the viewing without a vehicle; or calling their mother on speaker phone to tell them how horrible of a job they did at raising their child! So I have learned, through many trials and tribulations, some simple tricks that may help You Lovely Couples become another Statistic!

1. Set Expectations – Before searching for a dream home, be sure to set realistic expectations that both parties can agree on. Discuss and agree on the features you’re looking for in a

house – such as size, location, budget, style and more – so neither party feels like their opinion is being overlooked or overridden by the oth (er.

2.Agree On Finances - Decide how much you’re comfortable spending and make sure it's within your means; this includes not just the down payment but also all future costs of mortgage payments, insurance, maintenance and more! Being upfront now about these details can help keep stress levels low when crunching numbers with potential lenders later on.

3.Take Breaks - Throughout the process if things start to get heated surrounding disagreements about certain aspects of finding a home

together take some time away from each other directly afterwards in order to clear heads so rational decision making can continue when back out continuing their search!

4.Encourage Compromise - It’s important to remember that compromise between partners is essential in order to find success during this process; one person may have an ideal vision while another wants something completely different—try your best to meet somewhere in the middle!

5.Keep Lines Of Communication

Open - Maintaining open communication between partners helps create an environment where both feel equally heard throughout

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any conflicts that may arise regarding their shared search for a home; even if one partner is ultimately left disappointed they should at least know why the final decision was made!

6. Have Fun With It - One way to make sure no feelings get too hurt over disagreements is by trying to create an enjoyable experience through humor—jokes can help ease tensions between both people towards any controversial topics surrounding what kind of house they want together!

7. Make Time For Each Other- It’s easy to forget about romance during this hectic time so try hard not to forget about each other entirely throughout the entire process; make plans for small adventures or dates involving just both of you which will help lighten spirits affected by stress over searching for homes!

8.Remain Respectful - No matter how much someone disagrees with their partner’s choices concerning houses always remain respectful towards them—this applies both mentally and verbally (no name-calling!) so relationships never get strained beyond repair due needless insult or misunderstanding!

9.Avoid Nitpicking - If there are certain cosmetic or material elements of prospective homes one partner doesn't necessarily like it's important not nitpick every single detail as often times decisions made quickly (or impulsively) aren't necessarily wrong—trust that instincts will lead couples down paths conducive towards having successful relationships amidst difficult choices needing made along way!

10. Coordinate Professional Help As Needed- Last but certainly not least if disagreements become too polarized then feel free consult professional advice which could ultimately provide necessary insight into best move forward besides separating yourselves further apart emotionally physically amid confusion over right course action take next situation marriage arises again during purchase process itself ...only then true resolution possible achievable reasonable timetable !

If all else fails, remember what my granddaddy once told me about buying a home as a couple "Candy is Handy, but Liquor is Quicker". Thanks Grandaddy.

THE SERIES: RULE #3

10 COMMANDMENTS of College Admissions

Thou Shall not Measure Thy Worth BY A COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE LETTER

Dr. Douglas Cooper is a highly accomplished academic and former professor at the Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University. He was also an elected Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Sciences, which speaks to the breadth and depth of his expertise in this field. Dr. Cooper earned his A.B. in physics with honors from Cornell University, his M.S. degree in physics from Penn State, and his Ph.D. in engineering from Harvard, where he conducted pioneering research in his area of specialization. Dr. Cooper is a prolific author and has published over 100 scientific articles in prestigious, peer-reviewed journals.

By Jinsil V. Kim, M.Div., with contributions from Douglas Cooper, Ph.D., who served as the contributing editor.

When we become so focused on achieving a specific goal in life, such as gaining admission to a particular college, it's easy to lose sight of the greater purpose behind that goal. It's essential to recognize that the goal is merely a means to an end and not an end in itself. Without this understanding, the goal can become meaningless, losing its power and significance.

As a college counselor, I have observed students who are so intent on getting into prestigious institutions that they

fail to appreciate the broader purpose of their education. These students may view acceptance into a top-tier college as a symbol of approval, acceptance, and pride. However, if admission to a top college becomes the sole focus of a student's higher education experience, it may undervalue their personal growth and development.

Students who define their identities solely based on the prestige of the college they attend may be disappointed if their experiences do not live up to their expectations. They may question the value of their degree if their college's reputation declines or if their academic performance does not reflect the qualifications that they are supposed to possess. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that an impressive college degree will lead to future success.

To challenge this misconception, Princeton University economists Stacy Dale and Alan Krueger conducted research that revealed a student's ability is a much better predictor of future success than the colleges they attend. According to Dale and Krueger, "a student with a 1,400 SAT score who went to Penn State but applied to Penn earned as much, on average, as a student

with a 1,400 who went to Penn." Although there are benefits to attending a top college, a student's academic capability and capacity are more critical indicators of future career success and earning potential than the reputation of the college they attend. Dale and Krueger also found that attending a more selective school increased earnings significantly for black students, Latino students, low-income students, and students whose parents did not graduate from college.

Therefore, students should view their college acceptance as an opportunity for personal growth and intellectual enrichment rather than a passport to success. The pursuit of higher education should be focused on enhancing one's understanding, career development, and ultimately, achieving a greater sense of fulfillment in life. As Aristotle aptly stated, "Education is the best provision for life's journey."

Source: Leonhardt, D. (2011, July 22). Revisiting the Value of Elite Colleges. Economix Blog. https://archive.nytimes.com/economix. blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/revisiting-the-value-of-elitecolleges/?php=true

Ms. Kim currently serves as a CEO of Joy & Joseph, 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.

C2reallyknowshowtotailortheirteaching tosuiteachindividualstudent’sneeds.Every timeIwenttosomeoneatC2forhelp,theydid theirabsolutebesttogivemeadditionalstudy materialsandguidance.”

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“Education is the best provision for life's journey."

Photos submitted by Jinsil Kim Ms. Kim with daughter, Sophia Grace.

What you need to know about LONG-TERM CARE

By Stephanie Q. Lawrence

Photos submitted by Joseph Tran

If you are still making your plan for long-term care down the line, here are 5 risk factors to consider:

1. Age: As you age, your chance of needing long-term care increases. Many Independent Living residents say they wished they’d moved sooner so they could make the most of years living in a community. To modify a line from Ernest Hemingway, the need for long-term care arrives “gradually, then suddenly.”

2. Gender: Women generally live longer than men, putting them at higher risk for needing additional care as they age. Married couples in particular should keep this in mind as they are planning ahead. We recommend talking with an estate planner or elder care attorney to ensure family finances are in order.

3. Marital status: In addition to the statistical likelihood of wives outliving husbands, single people are more likely to need some form of long-term care. One advantage of retirement communities is that you have a built-in support network of friends and health care professionals just steps from your front door.

4. Lifestyle: Your lifestyle affects your risk for long-term care, and healthy habits such as a balanced diet and regular exercise will also boost your quality of life as you age. The habits you form in middle age affect your health in older age, and it’s vital for seniors to participate in wellness activities to maintain mobility.

5. Health and family history: While you can’t control your family history, knowing your hereditary health risks arms you with important information about longevity. Additionally, routine wellness exams will help you spot any health concerns early.

As with anything in life, you can never predict for sure what is around the corner. The above risk factors offer some guidance as you plan for long-term care, knowing that the best plan is a proactive plan. To learn more about the health care services and amenities at Vinson Hall Retirement Community, contact us for a tour or to learn more.

SinkorSwim: CHARLES HU’S Swimming Experience

By Eesha Somasundar

Charles Hu is a junior at Langley High School and competes with the Langley Swim and Dive team. He started swimming when he was just six years old and has continued to swim competitively ever since. He is extremely dedicated to the sport and sacrifices a ton of hours to become the best possible swimmer he can be.

““When I’m in the water, it feels like i'm flying. When I was young, my parents put me in a lot of sports. I didn’t particularly like most of them because of the sweat, so that is why I took a liking to swimming.” Hu says. “I do like 16 hours of swim per week,” he reports. He practices for several hours each weekday, and then competes at meets on weekends.

Langley’s Swim and Dive Boy’s team selected a few of the qualifying swimmers to compete at Liberty DIstricts in February.

“This year Langley boys placed first in states and girls placed second.” Hu earned two second place finishes along with a third place in Districts, improving upon last year's results of two third place medals.

Hu's hard work clearly pays off, and those around him can see it too.

“I’ve known Charles since freshman year swim,” says Mikey Nguyen, one of Hu's teammates and a fellow junior at Langley. “[Charles] is a great swimmer and he works very hard.” Nguyen also puts an emphasis on the athlete's eating habits. “He consumes food like a vacuum.”

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“I admire how [Charles] manages school as well as putting so much time into swim.” Nguyen goes on to say. “You can tell by talking to him that [Charles] is a smart person who is also really nice. [He] is always encouraging me and others on the team.” says Nguyen. Hu says that he believes team spirit is very important to the overall improvement of the team. www.sesenspa.com 112

Photos submitted by Eesha Somasundar

Catching Up with Langley Varsity Hockey Team COACH, PATRICK KEOUGH

By Katie Culligan

Team Mantra:

“You must win every stride, every puck battle, every shift.”

WHO’S WHO:

Patrick Keough – HEAD COACH

Eian Keough – ASSISTANT COACH

Paul Tourbaf – COACH EMERITUS

Gary Oehm – General Manager

James Huang – CLUB PRESIDENT

What are the team’s goals for the current/upcoming season?

The goal of every season is to make it into the playoffs, because, from there, anything is possible. The key is not to focus on winning the game, but on winning the 3v2 and 2v2 and 1v1 puck battles.

What is the team’s current overall record and previous season record?

We are currently 9-0-0 for the current season, making it 17-straight wins when you add the 8-straight wins we had to close-out last season. Langley wraps up 2022-23 regular season undefeated, 10-0-0.

How does this team compare to other great teams in the program or school’s history?

This year’s team is very focused. It is the first team that contains players who have spent their entire high school career with me as their coach – so there is acumulative benefit achieved regarding unity of purpose and cohesive execution that has been developing over the past four years.

Photos submitted by Neal Krysinski

Who are the team’s captains or leaders? What makes them a vital part of the team’s success?

I expect every Langley player to be a leader, regardless of whether or not they have a “C” or an “A” on their jersey. Having said that, Kameron Khazai, Varsity Captain, is a very highly skilled player. He is a unifying force in our locker room and sets the example and the standard for his teammates. Chris Valko, Assistant Captain, is a defenseman, and he is the voice of composure and presence on our team. Noah Scheinerman, Assistant Captain, is what I call an “engineer”. He builds scoring opportunities for himself and his linemates. Stewart Rosenblatt, JV team Captain, is a quintessential study in resolute commitment. Every coach wants a player like Stewart on his bench because he inspires others to strive for higher achievement.

Has the team made any comeback victories this season?

Yes. Twice so far this year. We were down 3 – 0 to Briar Woods and came back to defeat them 5 – 4 with 4-seconds left on the clock. It was a very close game that could easily have gone the other way.

Does the team have any pre-game routines?

Players are required to arrive at the rink one hour in advance of puck-drop, dressed in collared dress shirt, tie, slacks, and

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something “that can pass for dress shoes”. They bring warm-up gear with them. The team captains take them outside to stretch and conduct warm-ups.

Then it’s time to get dressed – so, as you can imagine – they have music blaring out of a giant portable speaker. At least, they claim it's music, but once the Zamboni comes on the ice before our game (usually 10-minutes prior to puck-drop), they are required to be ready for the ice.

Does the team have a favorite pre-game or postgame meal?

Each player probably has his special routine. Players are encouraged to stay away from heavy meals and sugary drinks and to have the correct balance of carbs versus protein.

How does the team welcome new members?

New players are welcomed into the “program” when they first arrive. For most, this is during the spring of their 8th grade year when we invite all rising 9th graders to our annual end-of-season banquet in April. They are all seated together at the same table and at one point during the formal ceremony, we have them stand. Then, our departing seniors stand behind each rising 9th grader and, one by one, four of the seniors will each recite one of the four tenants of our creed. The new players are asked if they are ready to accept

responsibility for carrying on the traditions of the players standing behind them. They must all state, “I am”.

How does the team get hyped up for competition?

We don’t get “hyped up” for competition -- we dial-in. We get focused. We get centered. We fuse into a cohesive unit. “Hype” doesn’t win games, teamwork does.

How does the team celebrate?

With each goal that is scored, the line that is on the ice will skate the length of our bench and fist-bump with everybody on the bench. When a goalie makes a clutch save, players will skate past him and tap his leg pads with their stick. Each game that ends in a win is celebrated around our net with a giant group hug.

What has motivated the team to reach their goals this season?

Earlier this year I asked the team to look around the locker room at their teammates and ask themselves "How will you be remembered by your teammates?” I think that most players took that question deeply inside of themselves and set as one of their personal goals to be a player who will be remembered for eternity by their teammates as a valued asset who left nothing unsaid, nothing undone, nothing unaccomplished.

ROWING RAPIDS: Lauren Rummler’s Crew Experience

By Eesha Somasundar

A slicing wind, budding trees and oars cutting through the Occoquan River are just some of the spring sensations, sights and sounds that Lauren Rummler, a junior at Langley High School, enjoys about her sport. “I decided to do crew just for the friends in freshman year [and] I am so glad I stayed in crew.” Lauren says it not only helped her make friends, but is also helping her keep mentally strong as she progresses through high school. Lauren is enjoying her journey as well as the process, as she continues to improve in her sport. “During freshman year,” she says, “I started as a Novice. At the end of freshman year, I received the Hammer award”, awarded to the fastest and most

efficient Novice of that year. “I was also the Stroke of my freshman boat.” The position of Stroke is the leader of a team, meaning their rhythm sets the pace of the entire boat.

In addition to the LHS crew team, Lauren has honed her skill through the Thompson Boat Club (TBC) as well as the Occoquan Boat Club (OBC). At the OBC, it’s been a family affair, as she and her father rowed in a doubles boat together.

As crew is mainly a spring sport, Lauren utilizes her time during the fall and winter seasons to perfect her technique and stamina. “I practice five days a week after school, and when the season starts I will be going six days and start missing

school for travel to the rivers and back.” In season, daily crew practice lasts approximately one hour and 40 minutes, and is followed by weekly regattas, which are organized crew competitions for both men and women, and that can last for up to two hours.

Last year, Lauren’s boat made it to nationals and was the first Langley boat of her level to qualify, setting precedent for competitions to come. “I’m very excited for this season. I think it’s going to be a lot better than last year. All of us have been getting better and I’m confident that we are going to do very well at states.”

Good luck to Lauren and the rowing Langley HS Saxons!

Photos submitted by Eesha Somasundar

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SOCIAL4GOOD PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO ADULT ENGLISH-LANGUAGE LEARNERS

By Sarah Shamlal, Social4Good

In Fairfax County, the cost of living is high and employers demand English language proficiency. Literacy is critical to economic self-sufficiency. Almost 40% of Fairfax County residents speak a language other than English at home and 14% of Fairfax County residents struggle with the English language. This month, contributions from Social4Good (S4G) members provided scholarships for adult students and supported the English Empowerment Center's vision of a community empowered by the ability to read, write, speak, and understand English. The organization raised over $4,000 to provide 40 full scholarships to eligible adults.

For the past 60 years, the English Empowerment Center (EEC, englishempowermentcenter.org), formerly the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, has served adult learners of English. EEC currently serves more than 1,500 adult English language learners from 95 different countries

who speak 50 different languages. Their training is delivered both in person and online. Students have the ability to improve their English speaking, reading, writing and comprehension skills, empowering them to change their lives and the lives of their families.

The S4G Social was held on 31 January at the EEC Center in Falls Church, VA where members learned about adult literacy initiatives and volunteer opportunities, in addition to meeting with teachers and staff. Members signed up to deliver course materials to more than 70 EEC students which helped to eliminate the cost of postage for the Center and saved the adult learners a trip to the Center.

“The English Empowerment Center is only able to provide instruction to adult English learners at an affordable rate of $85 per semester (which includes books, assessments, and additional supplemental services) through fostering a diverse group of supporters, focusing on cost efficiencies, leveraging community partnerships, and the

contributions of volunteers. We thank Social4Good for bringing many of these components together to benefit our learners -- by raising $4,175 for our student scholarship fund, distributing 72 packets of textbooks and supplies to new learners enrolled in our virtual classes this semester, and learning about our services to help inform others about the transformative impact of what we do. The English Empowerment Center is grateful for your service and dedication to our community!” Amy Tristan, EEC Volunteer and Outreach Manager 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.

To learn more about S4G or to contribute to support local nonprofits, visit www.Social4Goodevents.org.

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Photos submitted by Sarah Shamlal

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