We’d like to welcome Competitive Edge Athletic Performance Center’s Summer Break Unlimited Training Pass to our sponsor team.

Competitive Edge has become one of the most popular places in our community for children and teenagers to train to “outwork the competition.”

This summer, they’ll be able to work out all summer long with an unlimited training pass.

The pass is your key to:

• Speed and agility training
• Strength training
• Conditioning and flexibility
• Weekly challenges
• Prizes!

The Summer Break Unlimited Training Pass is good between June and August and can be used Monday through Friday at 4, 5, and 6 p.m., and 10 a.m. Saturday.

The pass is just $375 for all three months or $150 per month.

Fauquier Bankshares, Inc. (the Company) (NASDAQ: FBSS), parent company of The Fauquier Bank, reported net income of $1.6 million, or 43 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared with $1.6 million, or 42 cents per diluted share for the prior quarter and for the first quarter of 2018.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company’s return on average equity (ROE) and return on average assets (ROA) were 10.83% and 0.96%, respectively, compared with 10.58% and 0.92% for the prior quarter, respectively, and 11.44% and 0.97%, for the first quarter of 2018, respectively.

Marc Bogan, President, and CEO said, “Performance in the first quarter of 2019 was good, especially given the challenging interest rate environment and competitive marketplace.  Loan and deposit growth has been difficult, but we are focused on maintaining strong margins and managing our costs, which has led to an improvement in earnings available to shareholders.  We are also pleased with our Charity of Choice initiative during the quarter that resulted in $40,000 in charitable contributions to local and national charities.  We believe this is the essence of community banking, A Community Bank Investing in its Community.”

• Total assets were $700.5 million on March 31, 2019, compared with $730.8 million for the prior quarter and $682.1 million on March 31, 2018. 
• Net loans were $539.7 million on March 31, 2019, compared with $544.2 million for the prior quarter and $497.7 million on March 31, 2018. 
• Total deposits were $592.4 million on March 31, 2019, compared with $635.6 million for the prior quarter and $577.2 million on March 31, 2018. 
• Low-cost transaction deposits (demand and interest checking accounts) were $346.7 million on March 31, 2019, compared with $392.6 million for the prior quarter and $351.5 million on March 31, 2018.
• Net interest margin was 3.89% for the first quarter of 2019 compared with 3.79% for the prior quarter, and 3.74% for the first quarter of 2018. 
• Net interest income was $6.1 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared with $6.1 million for the prior quarter and $5.7 million for the first quarter of 2018.

The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology determines the level of loan provision at the end of each quarter.  Based on loan portfolio growth, net charge-off history, asset quality indicators, impaired loans, and other qualitative factors, the allowance for loan losses was $5.3 million or 0.97% of total loans on March 31, 2019 compared with $5.2 million or 0.94% of total loans for the prior quarter and $5.4 million or 1.07% of total loans on March 31, 2018.

Nonperforming assets were $7.8 million on March 31, 2019, compared with $7.9 million for the prior quarter and $10.9 million on March 31, 2018.  Included in nonperforming assets for the quarter were $6.5 million of nonperforming loans and $1.4 million of other real estate owned.  Net loan recoveries were $55,000 for the first quarter of 2019 compared with net loan charge-offs of $38,000 for the prior quarter and net loan recoveries of $7,000 for the first quarter of 2018, respectively.

• Noninterest income was $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared with $1.3 million for the prior quarter and $1.9 million for the first quarter of 2018.   
• Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2019 was $5.7 million compared with $5.6 million for the prior quarter and $5.5 million for the first quarter of 2018.

Shareholders’ equity was $62.1 million on March 31, 2019, compared with $60.0 million for the prior quarter and $56.7 million on March 31, 2018.  Book value per common share was $16.41 on March 31, 2019, compared with $15.90 for the prior quarter and $15.01 on March 31, 2018.    

Fauquier Bankshares, through its operating subsidiary, The Fauquier Bank, is an independent community bank offering a full range of financial services, including internet banking, mobile banking with mobile deposit, commercial, retail, insurance, wealth management, and financial planning services through eleven banking offices throughout Fauquier and Prince William counties in Virginia. Additional information is available at www.tfb.bank or by calling Investor Relations at (800) 638-3798.

For the past decade, Mike Lovitt has walked through the door of his Chick-fil-A restaurant.

His greeting to customers who are already sitting down eating meals, and to those standing in line waiting to order is unmistakable.

“Hello, how are you. It’s good to see you!” Lovitt shouts as he carries a computer bag while waving at the familiar faces inside his eatery in Bristow.

They wave back.

“Hey, Mr. Mike!,” one woman says, looking up from her chicken nugget meal.

For the past 10 years, this has been the routine for Lovitt, a Lt. Colonel who retired from the U.S. Army and wanted to do something different. He found that something as an owner-operator at the nation’s most popular fast-food chain.

He’s worked to not only build a contingent of raving fans who love to come back the food and smiling service, but also a team of employees that have been with him for nearly his entire time running the restaurant, which he opened.

“Trying to find the right people is key. We look for people who don’t see this as a transit station, where they just stop and here, make a few bucks and move on,” said Lovitt.

As part of a 10th-anniversary celebration this month, Lovitt awarded his senior staff members with certificates, thanking them for their hard work over the years. They were all appreciative, smiled, and if someone walked into the restaurant during the ceremony, they stopped and said what they always say — “welcome to Chick-fil-A!”

Building a trusted team didn’t just happen overnight. It took six years to get it right.

“There were some dark days when I was the first person in the morning and the last person out at night,” said Lovitt.

After retiring, Lovitt went to work at a Chick-fil-A in Maryland to learn the business. He planned to have a Chick-fil-A restaurant of his own. When the opportunity arose to open the Bristow location, he jumped at the chance.

“I was chomping at the bit to get here,” he said.

While he learned the Chick-fil-A way of doing business while in Maryland, it took six years in his store to build the team he wanted — employees who believe in the mission to make great food and provide outstanding customer service. Employees who treat the business like their own.

Now with 65 employees, there are still challenges ahead for this team, like creating a more efficient drive-through experience for guests. With about five people standing outside the building working the drive-through lane on a recent, busy Tuesday, they’re getting better.

“The other day, I pulled into the parking lot and saw that more cars were waiting up to leave [after receiving their food] than more cars waiting in line to order, that’s a sign we’re on something,” said Lovitt.

Lovitt and his team will continue serving their guests. He has no plans to go anywhere.

“Will I be here in the next 10 years? I hope so. I can’t see me doing anything else,” he said.

Chick-fil-A Bristow is located at 9939 Sowder Village Square in Bristow.

We are excited to announce that Dolce Amore Sweets, a popular farmer’s market merchant, is opening its first bricks-and-mortar bakery here in Manassas.

Dolce Amore is a family owned business with Peruvian roots.  

After completing culinary school in New York City, owner Jennifer Solis decided to follow her dreams in 2014 and start a bakery with Peruvian flavors.  She came to Manassas in 2016 and began selling homemade empanadas, pastries, cakes and more at the Manassas Farmer’s Market. 

Less than three years later demand for Dolce Amore’s made-from-scratch delights has increased so much that she is ready to take on a storefront.  

In May, Dolce Amore Sweets will open at 8641 Sudley Road, just across from Novant/UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center.  

This post is sponsored by the City of Manassas Economic Development Department. 

Every month the Competitive Edge Athletic Performance Center selects an athlete of the month.

This month, baseball player Conor Canonico has been chosen.

“Conor was selected because of his hard work on and off the field,” said Shanel Evans, with Competitive Edge. “He is always helping out his teammates. He is a leader during practice and helps make them better.”

Q: How old are you?

A: 11

Q: What school do you go to or are planning on going to?

A: I want to go to Florida University and be a Gator baseball player.

Q: How long have you been training at Competitive Edge?

A: Two years

Q: What makes Competitive Edge unique?

A: The team building and friendships made that make us a family

Q: What is your favorite type of workout and why?

A: Batting is my favorite. I like tee time and live pitching to make me a better player.

Q: What has been your greatest athletic success?

A: The hard work I put into baseball this winter allowed me to be selected to make my middle school baseball team.

Q: What has been the most difficult part of your journey to fitness?

A: Running. I need to get better at it and not let the mind games take over.

Q: How did you initially react when you learned that you were an Athlete of the Month?

A: Honored and humbled. There are so many good players here at Edge who easily could have been selected to be Athlete of the Month.

Q: What does being the Competitive Edge Athlete of the Month mean to you?

A: It shows that people are taking notice of my hard work both on and off the field (3.86 GPA), and I am thankful for this honor.

Q: What motivates you to get out of bed and workout each day?

A: School, family, and friends

Q: What is the most beneficial part of being an athlete?

A: Some people can’t be an athlete because of physical means. I am lucky to be able to play a game I love to do so much.

Q: How will you continue to maintain your fitness in college?

A: I will listen and educate myself about the importance of being healthy and fit

Q: What are your goals in the next ten years?

A: Go to college and play in the MLB

Q: Any parting words?

A: I would like to thank the coaches who volunteer and help me improve my game and the support from family.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is pleased to announce the introduction of the Loving Arms program.

Loving Arms brings volunteers and addicted babies together to help the healing process. The program was formed in response to the increasing number of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) babies. NAS babies are often inconsolable and require extra time in loving arms.

“This is something I’ve been wanting to do for years,” explains organizer, Joanne McCoubrey, RNC, NICU Staff Nurse. “Sentara Obici began a program in response to the increased number of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome babies which was quite successful. Nationwide, and here in the Commonwealth, NAS is a growing concern.”

NAS is a group of conditions caused when a baby withdraws from certain drugs he’s exposed to in the womb before birth. While signs and symptoms vary from baby to baby, they can include low birth weight, body shakes, seizures, fussiness, and poor feeding, just to name a few. Studies have shown swaddling a baby, constant contact and dim, quiet surroundings are just some ways to help NAS babies through withdrawals.

“Studies have shown that nurseries that have similar programs in place see a decrease in their treatment course and the amount of time babies spend in the NICU,” says McCoubrey.

That’s why Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is recruiting volunteers to lend a hand. After undergoing a thorough screening, five volunteers were in the first training class to learn how to soothe and comfort the babies in the NICU.

“Our volunteers make such a difference to our patients, families, and guests day in and day out, it’s wonderful they’ll now be able to provide a little extra TLC to help these babies achieve the best outcomes,” says Beverly Brevard, Team Coordinator of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center’s Volunteer Services.

The new program is looking for volunteers who can come in on the “as needed basis” for three-hour blocks. If you’re interested in volunteering or learning more about the program, contact Brevard at 703-523-1345.

In support of national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, children age 17 and younger can ride any OmniRide bus for free on Thursday, April 25, when accompanied by a paying adult.

This is an opportunity to introduce students not only to the working world, but also to the many alternatives our region has to driving alone.

Riders are encouraged to bring their children along for the ride on an OmniRide bus on April 25 and show them the basics about using public transportation so they can gain confidence as they mature and start their own careers!

Teens who want to continue using OmniRide buses this summer can take advantage of the Teen Summer Bus Pass, which enables anyone ages 13-19 to take unlimited rides on OmniRide Local bus services from June 1 through August 31, 2019, for just $30.

In addition, teens with a Summer Pass can travel throughout the region on OmniRide Express and Metro Express buses simply by paying the difference between the Local and Express bus fares.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is a national public education program that aims to connect what children learn at school with the actual working world. This day provides an opportunity for children to begin to envision their future home and work lives. OmniRide looks forward to welcoming many new young riders on April 25!

For more information, visit DaughtersAndSonsToWork.org.