Prince William Living January 2021

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MOSAICS BY VALERIE MEALE

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WINTER BIRTHDAYS AT HOME

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PHILADELPHIA TAVERN

prince william living January 2021

The premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

TAP INTO TECHNOLOGY for Your Best Financial Year Yet PAGE 4

Suicide is Preventable PAGE 14

Four Places to Up Your Art Game in 2021 PAGE 17

princewilliamliving.com

A NE W SURGEON IS JOINING OUR TE AM!

INTRODUCING: JACQUELINE MOORE, M.D. Sentara Surgery Specialists is excited to welcome General

Surgeon, Dr. Jacqueline Moore to their team of top ranked physicians. As a group, they offer non-surgical and surgical treatment options including advanced robotic surgery and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to diagnose and treat: • Hernias • Gallbladder Disease • Breast Biopsies & Surgery • Colon & Rectal Surgeries including Cancer • Sphincter-Sparing Operations, Colonoscopy & Prolapse • Hemorrhoids—in office procedure, quick recovery

Jacqueline Moore, M.D.

Steven Nakao, M.D.

Jeffrey Sinclair, M.D.

Art Vayer, M.D.

SENTARA IS TAKING EVERY SAFETY PRECAUTION BY: • Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to caregivers & patients • Screening of providers & office staff • Ongoing cleaning & sanitizing of all areas • Pre-screening patients before arrival • Screening patients for fever & symptoms at the front door

To learn more about Sentara Surgery Specialists, visit sentara.com/SentaraSurgerySpecialists.

Woodbridge-Century Building 2280 Opitz Blvd., Ste. 320, Woodbridge, VA 22191 • 703-523-9750 Stafford 95 Dunn Drive, Staf ford, VA 22556 • 703 -523 -9550

table of contents January 2021 | Vol. 11 | No. 1

FEATURE STORY Tap Into Technology for Your Best Financial Year Yet

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DEPARTMENTS FROM THE PUBLISHER 2021 is Really Here

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ON A HIGH NOTE Piecing It Together: Mosaics

by Valerie Meale

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LIFELONG LEARNING Four Places to Up Your Art Game in 2021

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GIVING BACK Suicide is Preventable

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FAMILY FUN Adding Pizazz to Winter Birthdays at Home

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LOCAL FLAVOR Philly Meets the South at Philadelphia Tavern CALENDAR

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COLUMNS HEALTH & WELLNESS HOME & HEARTH YOUR FINANCES

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prince william living Rebecca Barnes

PRINCE WILLIAM LIVING PUBLISHER rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com

Erin Pittman EDITOR IN CHIEF epittman@princewilliamliving.com

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Amanda Causey Baity ONLINE SUBMISSION MANAGER Carole Keily GIVE BACK PRINCE WILLIAM INITIATIVE Melissa Payne, melissa@givebackpw.org Johnnie Barnes, johnnie@givebackpw.org CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST Diane Puigdomenech, dpuigdomenech@princewilliamliving.com VISIBILITY PACKAGES sales@princewilliamliving.com

PHOTO EDITOR Amanda Baity CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kate Anderson, Emily Carter, Jennifer Halter, Erin Pittman, David Stegon Bennett Whitlock, Katrina Wilson SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Katherine Gotthardt GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Alison Dixon/ImagePrep Studio

SUBSCRIPTIONS info@princewilliamliving.com Prince William Living, the premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly by Prince William Living, Inc. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living. Š Copyright 2020 by Prince William Living, Inc. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced or translated without written permission.

Visit the Prince William Living website at www.princewilliamliving.com for reprint permission.

Prince William Living 9994 Sowder Village Square #816 Manassas, Va 20109 Phone: (703) 232-1758

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January 2021 prince william living

from the Publisher 2021 is Really Here

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hey’re finally here: Dates that no longer end in 2020. Hooray!

As we head into the New Year, it’s a popular time to examine our lives and habits. One area many people focus on is personal finances. Our feature this month can help you get your finances on track and plan for a bright future. And in Your Finances, you’ll find guidance for handling your finances after a divorce.

Many of us are still spending lots of time at home. Why not cozy up with a new e-book from the library? Our Destinations story this month shares all that Prince William Public Libraries has to offer and what’s coming for them in the future. And when you get so absorbed in your new books that you forget to cook dinner, turn to Philadelphia Tavern for delicious authentic dishes. Read all about the restaurant in Local Flavor.

These indoor months (especially amid a pandemic) can make birthday planning a challenge. Check out our Family Fun section for some fun ways to celebrate little birthdays. Indoor months in general are tough for many people. Friends and family may

be feeling sad and isolated. Our Giving Back article this month offers tips for staying connected and preventing suicide. Check on your friends, family and neighbors. Drop them a note. Video chat with them. Learn the warning signs. Every connection makes a difference.

January is frequently a time we focus on changing habits. In our Health and Wellness section, Sentara Northern Medical Center offers ideas for small changes that heed big results over time. And if moving is a change you’ll be making this year, don’t miss Home and Hearth. It’s full of tips to help you choose a reputable and reliable mover.

On a High Note features the talented Valerie Meale and her mosaics, and Lifelong Learning shares opportunities for learning new artistic skills. Take a virtual or in-person workshop and see where your creativity takes you!

We are so happy to have you with us in 2021. Wishing you a safe and healthy New Year.

Rebecca Barnes Publisher

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TAP INTO TECHNOLOGY for Your Best Financial Year Yet

By Erin Pittman

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new year wouldn’t be a new year without resolutions to be better than we were the year before. While slightly less popular than resolving to eat healthier and lose weight, many of us turn our attention to improving our finances.

In the age of technology, you no longer have to have paper and pen or a desktop computer program to track your finances. You can check all you need to know on the go in 2021. Harness the power of smartphone apps to help you spend smarter, save more and plan for the future from wherever you are.

spending a bit. Build upon that by creating a monthly budget.

Your personalized budget creates a plan for where every one of your dollars will go. With apps recommended by NerdWallet.com, it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Try the previously mentioned Mint and YNAB, if you’re happy with the format.

Other suggested options are Good Budget and EveryDollar.

Get ready to input your income and expenses into the app of your choice. You’ll want to have your monthly paychecks, bills and debts handy. Each app has a slightly different format and way of walking you through, but the basic information needed is the same: money in, money out, debt to pay down and savings goals, including emergency funds, general savings and retirement accounts.

Once you enter those items, your chosen app can create a monthly budget for you. As you spend money in each category, you’ll simply enter the amount spent and the app tallies the categories for you. Some apps link to your bank account and can track automatically for you. While apps make it easier to create that budget, make sure you turn on notifications or reminders to help you stay on track. You don’t want to look up one day and be $500 over in your monthly dining budget!

Tracking Spending If you’re starting at square one, your first step is to track your spending and see just where your money is going. Take the month of January to track every dollar that goes out the door, or look back at November to examine your spending habits. (Let’s be honest: December was NOT typical. Don’t judge yourself based on holiday spending. After all, you were just sending 2020 out with the bang it deserved.)

For spending tracking, Investopedia.com recommends several apps. Try Mint, a free app that has a friendly interface and many capabilities you may wish to use moving forward. It’s a great one for beginners. Or try YNAB (which stands for You Need A Budget). This one is not free but offers a free trial and promises a budget makeover and big savings when used over a few months.

It has the ability to sync with your bank account, which helps with tracking and analyzing spending habits.

Creating and Sticking to a Budget After tracking your spending for a month, you may have some eyeopening realizations and see where it will be easy to wrangle your

Building Your Savings One part of your monthly budget will be your savings, to which you’ll want to contribute a portion each month. Many financial experts recommend aiming to save 10% of your income.

Whether you’re creating an emergency fund, building long-term wealth or saving for retirement, there are apps that can help you reach your goals.

The Acorns app can help you grow your money through smarter spending, investing and saving for retirement. Their description tags their method as “easily saving and investing in the background of life.” Acorns also offers educational content for you to grow your own money smarts. In this category, Mint again stands out with its holistic approach to your finances, (continues on page 6) prince william living January 2021

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(continued from page 5) as does Digit. Digit analyzes your income and expenses regularly, makes goal suggestions and helps you direct the right amount toward your financial goals. Digit, like many programs, makes it effortless and automatic, factors that money experts say play a key part in building wealth. Schedule direct deposits to your savings accounts and retirement accounts each payday to build wealth automatically.

Aim to reach certain savings goals, then turn all attention to paying down your debt. Perhaps a $1,000 emergency fund would give you the security you need to redirect cash to debt payments.

Once you’ve reduced or eliminated debt, you could work toward building a reserve of three to six months’ worth of expenses.

Paying Down Debt Debt is a heavy emotional weight to carry. Freeing yourself from it will allow more of your money to go to savings or current needs, providing you with a greater sense of security and emotional peace. While apps won’t magically wipe out your debt for you, they can help you track your progress, show you methods of getting out of debt and increase motivation to keep going when luxury purchases seem much more appealing than big credit card payments.

There are two main schools of thought on debt payoff: the debt snowball approach and attacking highest-interest debt first.

Paying down high-interest debt saves you the most money in interest, because you are working to reduce the highest interest debt first. Whereas, the debt snowball method tells you to pay off debts of the smallest amount first. This helps you build momentum and motivation to keep going. The snowball effect happens when you pay off one debt, take the money you were paying to the first debt and apply it to the next smallest debt, eliminating accounts faster and faster.

Which method speaks to you? Well-known money management expert Dave Ramsey suggests the debt snowball method and using the EveryDollar app to track your progress. Other highly rated debt management apps include Debt Payoff Planner (free and paid versions), Mint, Tally and Debt Manager. Download a couple to see which interface suits you best. And while you’re at it, brainstorm some ways to generate momentum on paying down those debts.

Could you turn your kitchen into your morning coffee stop instead of spending $5 a day on fancy lattes? Could you brown bag it like you did in school rather than going out to lunch every day, or plan your weekly meals and cook at home? Have you tried saving money on groceries using the Ibotta app or getting rebates for online shopping through Rakuten? How about listing

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unused household items for sale online? A quick Google search will lend you hundreds of ideas to get that snowball rolling.

Investing Smartphone apps are wonderful tools to get you started and keep you on track, but keep in mind that for most people they cannot replace the knowledge and insight personal financial advisors can provide.

"If you're looking for someone to help you coordinate or keep you on track with your finances and financial goals, you should consider working with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can also provide you help and guidance on investing and building a portfolio. A well-diversified portfolio based on your investment risk tolerance is a great place to start," said Private Wealth Advisor Bennett Whitlock of Whitlock Wealth Management in Lake Ridge.

Once you've identified investment opportunities that suit your needs, there are apps available to supplement your plan and support your goals. Dive more into investing with Robinhood, Stash or eTrade.

Tackling the basics of personal finance now will set you up for financial success and freedom in the future. Tap into the capabilities of that smartphone in 2021. You hold the power to tackle your financial future right in your hands.

Erin Pittman is Editor in Chief of Prince William Living. She’s been a writer for more than 10 years, but a lover of words her entire life. In these colder months, you’ll find her snuggled up with her yellow Lab, Wilson, desperately trying to finish reading the latest best-seller while hiding from the demands of her three (wonderful) children. Reach her at epittman@princewilliamliving.com.

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Bennett C. Whitlock, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor and Chief Executive Officer Whitlock Wealth Management A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. 703.492.7732 12848 Harbor Drive, Suite 101 Lake Ridge, VA 22192 bennett.c.whitlock@ampf.com whitlockwealth.com CA Insurance #0F32105 AR license #2898097

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your finances Secure Your Financial Future After Divorce

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor

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here's no doubt about it — going through a divorce can be an emotionally trying time. In addition to the emotional impact a divorce can have, it can also take a significant toll on finances. If you have recently gone through a divorce, now may be a good time to take a fresh look at your financial situation.

Consider how these steps may help you get on firmer footing: Adjust your budget: A good place to start is to establish a budget that reflects your current monthly income and expenses. Calculate your new monthly income, including spousal or child support if applicable, and estimate what you expect to earn over the next year. If you are a stay-at-home parent or spouse, you may decide to re-enter the workforce to bolster your income. Or the time may be right to switch careers or seek a higher-paying job.

Next, look at your spending to see if you need to adjust your patterns. Whether you’ve decided to remain in your home or seek new living arrangements, crunch the numbers to see how much house you can realistically afford. Also, evaluate your lifestyle spending to see if it’s necessary to trim your expenses.

Consider your children’s future: If you have children, they will understandably take center stage in your planning. It’s important to start thinking about how you’ll handle future financial milestones. Milestones may include paying for private school, college tuition or a wedding. If you’d like to help your children with such expenses, consider these questions: Will you receive financial support from your former spouse? Do you expect your kids to contribute?

Ensure you’re protected: An important step following divorce is to maintain, replace or establish insurance that will help secure your financial future. All forms of insurance should be reviewed and considered. Make sure you understand the specific benefits that you and your former spouse are entitled to, as well as the life, health and disability insurance policies that you both own through your employers. If you have children, whose health insurance plan will be used to cover them? Work quickly to establish an insurance plan to avoid financial risk of being uninsured.

Change your beneficiary designations: After a divorce, you'll want to change the beneficiary designations on any life insurance policies, retirement accounts, annuities, and bank or brokerage accounts you may have in place. This is also a good time to make a will or update your existing one to reflect your new status. Make sure that your former spouse isn't still named as a personal representative, successor trustee,

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beneficiary or holder of a power of attorney in any of your estate planning documents.

Prioritize saving for retirement: No matter when you will retire, make it a priority to update your retirement goals and continue building your nest egg. While retirement saving can feel overwhelming as you balance competing financial priorities, having a plan can help you feel more in control.

Dream and plan for the future: Once you have a handle on your new day-to-day finances and retirement, allow yourself to dream and plan for other milestones that are important to you. While you were married, you may have set certain financial goals with your spouse. Now that you are on your own, these goals may have changed. Do you wish to travel abroad? Go back to school? Open a small business? Whatever your dreams, determine the cost of each one so you know how much you’ll need to save. Save what you can each month, and keep in mind that even small amounts will add up over time.

Don’t go it alone: Professional guidance from an attorney, tax professional, estate planner and financial advisor can ease the burden of managing your finances. It’s hard to start over, but you can do it. A financial advisor can help you with the complex decisions you face during a divorce and offer strategies you get on track to meet your new financial goals.

Bennett C. Whitlock III, CRPC®, is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director with Whitlock Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Contact him at 703-492-7732 or visit whitlockwealth.com.

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on a high note

Piecing It Together

Mosaics by Valerie Meale

By Emily Carter

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Photos courtesy Valerie Meale

n 2002, Valerie Meale was painting ceramics at Paint Your Heart Out as a hobby. Now 18 years later, her hobby has grown. She has created more than 30 mosaics and grown tremendously as an artist. Over the years, Meale has made tables, chalkboards and mirrors.

A Growing Artist Meale would visit the pottery painting studio in Occoquan regularly and grew close to owner Nikki Vandover. Vandover served as a mentor to Meale and suggested she work on more advanced art projects.

“We became really fast friends, and she just had this way of … nudging people artistically a little bit outside of their comfort zone … because she's a trained (artist), she knows how to guide people through that process … So we started doing mosaics in Paint Your Heart Out, and I just sort of took it from there,” Meale said.

When Meale makes her pieces she’ll often work in her basement.

She also stores art supplies in her laundry room. She says it is full of glass, ceramic and porcelain tile, glass beads, copper wire and adhesive.

Meale’s Process Meale only makes about one or two pieces a year, because she doesn’t work on them full time. When she does work on her

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Meale's favorite piece is this mirror she created in 2018.

mosaics, she tries to plan out her pieces, but sometimes they have a mind of their own and Meale’s finished product is different from what she envisioned in the beginning.

“In recent mosaics I've done more like planning and drawing, but I'm drawing them out roughly and then starting to fill in. But there's a point always that they sort of take on a life, a direction of their own,” Meale said. “So sometimes I just hit a point where no matter how much I design them and have the design in my head, sometimes they just take on a different direction and I just go with it.”

Meale works on her creations part-time and creates one to two pieces per year.

Sometimes, Meale can find herself in an artistic rut or mental roadblock when she’s working on her mosaics. When this happens, she’ll practice Zentangle, an exercise of drawing intricate patterns on pieces of paper.

“The method sort of dissipates the white page syndrome, where you sit down to a blank page and don't really know where to start,” Meale said. “The methodology sort of reaches that at the very beginning, and (a roadblock) isn’t even a thing anymore.

That method and utilizing it has sort of seeped into the way that I do everything else.”

The Finished Products When Meale is done making a piece, she’ll typically share a picture of it on her personal Facebook account. She receives a lot of positive feedback from her friends and family when she shares her work.

“They're easy on the eyes, and I don't do a lot of, like, controversial subject matters. They're just cute and fun and pretty, so people react very positively,” said Meale.

I love the comments that I get, and I love people seeing them, but it's not about keeping the (art) to myself… The reason that I create is because of the creative outlet,” Meale said. “[I think selling my pieces] changes the creative process. I'm [making art] for the creative process and to tap into my creativity.”

Out of the dozens of mosaics Meale has made, her favorite piece is a mirror she made in 2018.

“My favorite piece is a mirror that I have downstairs that I bought at a thrift store for like three dollars. And the frame of it is somebody like pieced together pieces of oak molding. But I encrusted one corner of it with beads and tile, and that turned out really cool. That's my favorite piece,” Meale said.

Meal thinks it’s important for everyone — especially during quarantine — to tap into their creative side.

“Even if you feel like you're not creative, it's so important to tap into some kind of creating something, even if it's just cooking.

Creating something is really important to keeping your sanity,” Meale said.

Meale will give her finished mosaics to her friends or will display them in her home. The only piece Meale hasn’t kept for herself or given to her loved ones was a table donated to the Good Shepherd Housing Foundation in 2016.

After 18 years, Meale still loves creating mosaics and she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Meale never plans to sell her pieces. She says once she starts making art for money and selling her pieces to buyers, making mosaics will no longer be a creative outlet for her.

Emily Carter is a senior at Virginia Tech majoring in Multimedia Journalism. She is currently the Lifestyles Editor at Virginia Tech’s student-run paper, the Collegiate Times. When she is not writing, she is either dancing alone to Taylor Swift or cooking herself a giant bowl of pasta.

“I do it for myself almost strictly for the creative process. I mean,

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lifelong learning Four Places to Up Your Art Game in 2021

By Kate Anderson

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ave you always wanted to learn a new artistic skill, but weren’t sure where to go or what to do? Have a New Year’s resolution to try something different? Prince William is full of small businesses where you can learn handy and fun skills in the new year.

Jam Out at NOVA Music Center

Dip Your Pen in Ink at Hitchcock Paper Co.

Situated in Old Town Manassas, the NOVA Music Center sells, rents and repairs musical instruments, and most importantly, gives first-rate music lessons.

Hitchcock Paper Co. in Occoquan started in 2008 as a graphic design company and has blossomed into a store full of stationery, journals, pens, calligraphy supplies, crafting items and special gifts of all kinds. However, what is particularly special is the workshops they offer.

Established in Dec. 2010, NOVA Music is a family-owned small business recognized four times by the National Association of Music Merchants as one of the Top 100 Music Stores in the country.

For owner Erich Russek-Robbins, a song writer and professional musician, the store is a life-long dream.

“We offer music lessons on guitar, ukulele, drums, woodwind, brass and orchestra instruments,” said Russek-Robbins.

Photo courtesy NOVA Music Center

“One of our favorite things to do is to host workshops locally in person, or virtually for participants across the country,” says owner Sarah Hitchcock Burzio.

The store offers workshops in calligraphy, hand lettering, bullet journaling, book pages wreath making, creative gift wrapping, design software, card making, wax sealing and that’s just the start. As Burzio says, “The goal with each of our workshops is to have participants feel like they've expanded their creativity with a new skill, all while having fun and enjoying their community.”

Photo courtesy Hitchcock Paper Co.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lessons are currently taught via Zoom. Yet, the staff eagerly awaits the time when the store can resume its weekly Friday Night Open Jam. With most people spending far more time at home, this is a great time to pick up an instrument.

As owner Russek-Robbins notes, “Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.”

Playing music has shown to keep your brain engaged and help the aging process. It acts as an "exercise" that warms up selected brain cells, allowing them to process information more efficiently and can even boost students’ test scores.

Hitchcock Paper Co. is currently holding classes in a large space that can accommodate all their workshop attendees 6 feet apart.

Attendees wear masks and still have a great time learning new skills.

NOVA Music Center is located at 8963 Center St. in Manassas. Learn more by calling 703-335-5001 or visiting novamusiccenter.com

The store constantly adds creative and crafty workshops and expects to add even more in 2021. Their workshop schedule is available on their website at hitchcockpaper.com.

Cut Up at Suzzie’s Quilt Shop

Hitchcock Paper Co. is located at 125 Mill Street, Suite 6 in Occoquan.

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Suzzie's Quilt Shop is a family owned craft and fabric store in Manassas dedicated to exceptional customer service. They are proud to be a shop for anyone, whether a beginner or an experienced professional, in need of sewing materials.

Photo courtesy Suzzie's Quilt Shop

Suzzie’s is a place to learn great new skills. As owners Brian and Susy Shafer say, “At Suzzie's, we try our best to create a welcoming community where fellow hobbyists can come together and share their passions with a wider audience. When beginners come through our door for the first time, the one main skill we want them to learn is how to express themselves through creating.”

While COVID-19 stopped their full schedule of workshop offerings in 2020, they hope to offer them in 2021. Suzzie’s will have a wide range of classes open to beginners and seasoned sewers. Newcomers can learn fundamentals by taking classes making things like quilts, bags, wall-hangings, table runners and more. Suzzie’s also offers educational classes that focus on the latest sewing world tools and techniques, and strengthen skills like machine embroidery.

As owner Mary Stiehm says, “From the moment you enter the shop, you are in control: taking raw materials and turning them into a functional design that is one-of-a-kind and bespoke to you.

A big takeaway, we make sure all customers have the feeling of empowerment that they know how to use the tools--including some power tools--and techniques to bring their vision to life.

And, of course, it is all about having fun and relaxing a little bit while you do it!”

There is a workshop for everyone at AR Workshop. “In the winter, we have chunky blanket making classes, ornament decorating and, of course, our standard rotation of wood designs. From a lazy Susan to family-centric wall hangings, we can help you select the perfect project to meet your needs and aesthetic,” said Stiehm.

COVID-19 has led the store to initiate greater cleaning protocols, mask wearing and smaller class sizes for social distancing. For customers still wary of in-person workshops, the store offers many DIY-to-go options. You just pick up your item and work on it at home on your own time.

Check out all the store has to offer by visiting them at 10290 Bristow Center Drive in Bristow or online at arworkshop.com.

Kate Anderson is a contributing writer for Prince William Living. She can be reached at kanderson@princewilliamliving.com.

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Suzzie’s Quilt Shop is located at 10404 Portsmouth Rd. in Manassas. Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/ SuzziesQuiltShop.

Decorate Yourself at AR Workshop Have you ever gone to a home goods store and thought “I could make that, if I only knew how?” AR Workshop in Bristow gives you the opportunity to try your hand at making unique, custom and beautiful home décor. With workshops nearly every day, there are plenty of opportunities to try something new.

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giving back

Suicide is Preventable

By David Stegon

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bout once a week, Ellen Shannon takes a few minutes to call her best friend. “We live only 10 minutes away and used to see each other almost every day,” said Shannon, the Area Director of the National Capital Area Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “That stopped [early last year] with the pandemic and my pregnancy.”

“This has been a tough time, but our message and mission remain the same: Suicide is preventable,” Shannon said. “Our goal is to help people understand what they may be feeling, take proactive steps to help their mental health and to identify warning signs in others.”

Like many others, Shannon stayed home whenever possible, social distanced and avoided large gatherings. While necessary, it also left her sometimes feeling disconnected to the outside world.

Those phone calls with her friend served as mental health boosts to both during a stressful time.

Maintaining Your Own Mental Health

A Perfect Storm of Risk Factors

First and foremost, people need to ensure they take care of their own mental health. Shannon said that a good way to do that can be taking care of their physical health. That includes eating well, exercising and getting outside during daylight hours whenever possible. Shannon recommends going to outdoor areas where social distancing can be easily done.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and other leading suicide prevention organizations, say that a person dying by suicide is almost never the result of one thing. Instead, it is a balance of risk and protective factors that differs from person to person.

She also recommends taking time to unplug, especially from news and social media. To keep mental health in check, Shannon said to focus on what you can control like the cleanliness of your home or your relationship with friends. And when in doubt, seek help.

2020 was itself an incredibly stressful year, exposing people to a higher number of the risk factors than during a regular year.

For instance, the pandemic itself brought a fear of contracting or spreading the disease, worries about at-risk loved ones, potential economic ramifications such as job loss and decreased social interaction. This was added to a heated presidential election that brought out strong emotions, a seemingly endless parade of bad news including national protests and natural disasters, and a general feeling that life may never return to normal.

“If you are not feeling like yourself, please, please, please reach out to a mental health professional,” Shannon said.

These factors added into the normal risk factors many people typically face.

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There are resources on afsp.org and most health insurance providers support mental health care. Many providers also offer telehealth options for those not wanting to meet in person.

Looking Out for Others Along with maintaining your own mental health, it is important to look for warning signs in friends and family members. Loved

“One sign that people often overlook is a sudden change in a person’s disposition,” Shannon said. “All of a sudden a friend who appeared to struggle will become really positive. While many see that as a positive sign it may be the opposite. They may have come up with a plan.”

If you see someone in trouble, Shannon recommends trying to help them seek treatment. Let them know there is no harm in talking with a professional and ask to accompany them. Also encourage those not feeling well to remove lethal means from their home. These could be firearms, prescription medicine or other items that could be used for self-harm. And discourage the use of alcohol and other substances that can cloud a person’s thinking.

ones who show certain behaviors may be at risk of dying by suicide and may need assistance finding help.

Shannon said it is critical for people to stay connected during this time as much as possible. This may include simple phone calls, texts or messages on social media.

“It feels there are more risk factors in the world today,” Shannon said. “It is important to first take care of ourselves and to stay engaged with those we love. The good news is that suicide is preventable. Suicide happens when a person becomes overwhelmed and does something in a moment of stress. Staying engaged, taking care of ourselves and looking for warning signs in others can help ensure that we stop those moments from happening.”

David Stegon is a Prince William Living contributing writer. He can be reached at dstegon@princewilliamliving.com.

When talking to others, Shannon recommends listening to what they say. They may mention hurting themselves in a joking way.

These statements should be taken seriously. Also try to look for other behavioral patterns. Is the person sleeping more than usual or not sleeping at all? Are they staying connected to other people in their life? Are they giving away possessions?

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health & wellness New Habits for a New Year Submitted by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

W

ith the ringing in of 2021 many of us will feel compelled to start a new diet, lose weight or become a better version of ourselves. Most of us will have given up on those plans within the month and resume our old habits. Here are a few ideas for making some simple lifestyle changes to improve the new you in 2021.

Make it simple! Pick a couple of things to change and go for it. Do not get overwhelmed with making too many changes at once. If you are successful, you can add on additional changes. It can be as simple as changing one meal a day and working from there.

Try intermittent fasting. We have been trained that we need three meals a day with two to three snacks, eating every three to four hours. We are finding that is not true. A Harvard study has shown that if we eat two to three healthy meals in an eight to 10-hour window without snacking is much healthier for us. So, try to eat during the daytime hours and not in the evening. An example is a 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. window. By having that 14-hour window of fasting, you actually can boost your metabolism! If you are eating in a much bigger window than this push for a 12-hour goal. By changing your hours of eating, you will also find you are not as hungry (this is for those of us NOT pregnant, and not with diabetes on insulin).

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Opt for a plant-based diet. Now this does not mean you have to be a vegan, but eating a majority of plant-based foods will improve your overall health. Think of your plate and divide into four portions. Two portions should be vegetables, one portion protein, one portion a healthy grain. Proteins can actually be from grains as well. If you are eating meat, try to limit red meats/ pork to no more than two times per week, as they can be high in saturated fats. Ideally try to eat fish two times per week. Good grains include things like oatmeal that needs to be cooked (not instant), quinoa, lentils, buckwheat and millet. These are much healthier than white rice and processed cereals and breads.

Eat more fiber! Numerous studies show that those who eat the most fiber tend to maintain heathier weights. Fiber will keep you fuller longer; it will bind up cholesterol and remove it from your body; and it can keep your blood sugar more stable if you are diabetic. It is recommended to try to eat 30-35 grams of fiber a day. Most of us get less than 15 grams per day. You can find fiber in your whole grains as well as fibrous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and spinach. So, learn to read a food label and look for fiber.

To learn more about different eating habits and ones that might work best for you, talk to your primary care physician or find one at iwantsentaramedicalgroup.com.

Get HELP with your Medicare costs.

You may qualify for assistance in paying your Part D premium or Part B premium with Virginia’s Extra Help Program and Medicare Savings Program.

To find out how we may be able to help, call the Prince William Area Agency on Aging at 703-792-4156.

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family fun

Adding Pizazz to Winter Birthdays at Home

By Jennifer Halter

E

ven before the times of social distancing, planning and executing a child’s birthday celebration in the winter could be a challenge. With technology and many more options than we had when we were young, winter birthday parties at home can be so much more fun these days. Here are a few ideas to make your kiddos’ winter birthdays special.

an organized craft time? Will you be watching a movie together? The possibilities are endless! If you will be doing an activity that will require supplies, consider sending a list to your guests in advance so they can be prepared and no one is left out. Or, you can put together a supply kit for each guest and mail or deliver prior to the party day.

Host a Virtual Party

Kids love party favors and goodie bags, and this is another item that you can prepare in advance and either mail or drop off to your guests. You can even include a snack, juice box or cupcake for the children to enjoy together after singing “Happy Birthday” to the guest of honor.

Although it’s not the same as actually being face-toface, being able to see your friends and family onscreen is the next best thing. You can plan your virtual party in the same way you would a traditional party, with a few tweaks. The best place to start is to choose a theme. Maybe you have a little one who wants to have a princess party or a tween/teenager who wants to host a movie night.

Host a Virtual Shopping Date

Once you’ve decided on a theme for the party, send out invitations either virtually or through the mail.

Although the first option is free in most cases, it’s always fun to get something in the mail, so you may want to consider purchasing invitations and sending them out to your guests. Your child can help write the invitations and address and decorate envelopes for a fun learning opportunity.

Decorate Your Home

Prior to the party, decide what activities will take place during your event. Will you play games? Will there be

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Have older children? Take them on a virtual shopping date! Set a time where you will sit down together and let them shop online. Give them a budget and any guidelines you may have. You can add to this by picking up drinks and treats from your favorite coffee shop or ordering delivery from their favorite eatery.

Nothing says birthday party like balloons and streamers, and kids of all ages will enjoy seeing their spaces at home transformed just for their special day! You can

pick up low-cost decorations at your local dollar store or even make your own at home. Another option that has gained popularity over the last several months is having the large birthday greetings signs placed in your yard.

Birthday Scavenger Hunt

This is another option where you can get really creative and add excitement to your child’s day. You can find lots of printables online for this if you need ideas. Your child can hunt through the house (and even outdoors if they are okay with braving the cold) to find gifts or even their cake. For younger children, you may have to read the clues or make them a little more obvious to avoid frustration on their part. This is also a great way to burn off some energy.

refill drinks to give the experience a more authentic restaurant feel.

Virtual Birthday Greetings

Rally your family and friends and ask them to record videos with birthday greetings for your child. Be sure to message your child’s teacher to invite them to participate, as well. Set a deadline and if you are planning to consolidate the greetings into one video, let participants know in advance if there are time limits and video/camera requirements.

No matter how you do it, with a little creativity you’re sure to make your child’s winter birthday memorable and meaningful.

Restaurant at Home

Let your child feel special by letting them set the menu on their birthday. Cook your child’s favorite meal at home or order from their favorite restaurant. With either option, make the experience special by making your own restaurant at home. Design and print menus, decorate your table, use fancy dishes or, if ordering out, ask the restaurant to include their branded disposable cups and plates. If your child has siblings, they could act as wait staff and take orders, serve meals and

Jennifer Halter is publisher of Macaroni Kid Woodbridge and Macaroni Kid Gainesville/ Manassas.

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home & hearth Moving With Confidence Provided by Vintage Moving

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f you ask a bunch of people what they think a stressful situation in their life would be, many of them would probably rate moving as a top offender. With everything involved in moving from one home to another, relocating is one of the most stressful situations we can find ourselves in, and deciding which company should move your belongings is an important one. If you are in the market to hire a moving company, consider these questions before settling on a choice.

need a mover you can count on to transport your belongings safely and efficiently. Our experience in the moving industry has taught us that nothing is more important than customer satisfaction, and we'll work our hardest to ensure that you come away pleased. Our moving experts can help answer your moving questions. Contact us via email at info@vintagemoving. com or visit vintagemoving.com

Are there any complaints against the mover? Every business gets complaints, some justified, some not. Look for repeated complaints about the same problem. Check with the Better Business Bureau to find out how or if the mover resolved these complaints.

Did the mover come recommended or do they have referrals?

Your mover should be able to provide previously satisfied customers and provide information on customer service.

How long has the mover been in business? Have they been in business for more than five years? Do they have an established social media platform and website? If so, it means that a company is stable and sincere in their efforts. It also means they have not changed their name to run from a bad record.

Do they offer a free in-home estimate? The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration requires moving companies to perform a free, in-home estimate.

Are they actually a mover? They should have USDOT and Motor Carrier numbers. Confirm the credentials of a mover who claims to be certified; visit fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/ search-mover to search for registered movers.

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local flavor Philly Meets the South at

Philadelphia Tavern

By Katrina Wilson

T

avern fare is within your grasp at Philadelphia Tavern.

Order up a classic cheesesteak, Philly chili nachos, crispy wings and fried cheese curds and your tavern meal is made. Nestled in Old Town Manassas, the tavern has been owned by Phil and Amy Dorn since 2015.

Philadelphia Tavern opened in 1999. Previous owners Carl and Mary Joseph of Philadelphia brought the recipes, culture and a 100-year-old bar directly from Philadelphia to Manassas. The bar remains in use today.

Family Owned and Operated with a Philly Flair Lisa Ritter, General Manager and Amy’s aunt, dished on the Philly flair offered at the restaurant and the importance of a community feel. She noted that the bar is not the only thing that brings a Philly feel to the restaurant.

“We have our Philly cheesesteaks and Philly pork hoagie,” she said. The restaurant’s rolls for their classic cheesesteak sandwich come directly from Amoroso bakery in Philly.

“We support the teams out there, too, like the Philadelphia Eagles.

Eagles fans in Manassas come here often on game days, as well.”

During one game, a Philadelphia Eagles Fan Club from Pennsylvania even sent their mascot to the tavern.

Where Philly Meets the South Ritter said the eatery is how Philly meets the south, because the menu consists of items that customers from both areas can enjoy.

“We serve the best Philly cheesesteaks south of the MasonDixon line,” she said. “We have comfort foods like fried chicken sandwiches and mashed potatoes. We have our open-faced roast beef sandwiches, open-faced turkey sandwiches and our soups.”

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Customer Satisfaction Imagine owning a restaurant and you start seeing the same faces from your customers on a daily basis. Philly Tavern knows that feeling pretty well. Ritter said customers come back to the eatery for everything — probably because many of their meals are homemade.

“We do mostly homemade for our meals,” she said. “Our chicken parmesan is freshly breaded and baked here. Our calamari is cut, breaded fresh and fried here.”

One of their long-time patrons is Alex Landry, a customer who truly enjoys Philadelphia Tavern. Landry and his wife moved to Manassas in 2005. Landry started dining at Philadelphia Tavern in 2007. He and his coworkers tried Philadelphia Tavern for lunch one day, liked it and started going there just about every day for lunch.

“It is my home away from home,” Landry said. “The service that we receive and great lunch specials are impressive.”

Landry and his wife would meet there after work before they retired. She would take the VRE from Alexandria to Manassas after work, and that is how they did dinner dates for several years.

“It’s an atmosphere where everyone knows your name, you meet friends, reminisce about the days, and have a good meal,” Landry said.

While Landry is more of a meat and potatoes guy, he has tried nearly every menu item multiple times.

“They are known for their classic Philly cheesesteaks,” he said.

“They get their rolls from a bakery in Philadelphia, and that’s what makes them stand out above other places that claim they have a good Philly cheesesteak.”

Photos courtesy Philadelphia Tavern

Philadelphia Tavern's famous Philly cheesesteak.

Landry said he likes how everything is practically handmade there, even their kettle chips. “I had my birthday party catered by them a few years ago,” he said. “I 110% recommend to friends.

Whenever people come visit my wife and me, we take them there.”

Ring the Alarm When asked what some of the more popular choices on their menu are, Ritter noted their Philly cheesesteak is obviously one of their most requested orders, but their 4-Alarm Cheesesteak is a popular order as well. It contains steak, pepper jack cheese, sautéed onions, diced jalapenos and sriracha aioli.

This famous sandwich also brings a bit of history with it. For the World Police and Fire Games (event open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel throughout the world) in 2015, they were asked to add an item to the menu for it and the 4-Alarm Cheesesteak was born.

“It has been a part of our menu since 2015, and we still get those who know about the games who come from out of town to get it,” she said.

They also felt it was a time to reach out and provide a bit of extra help to the community. The restaurant made and packaged dozens of sandwiches for Prince William Medical Center and the different fire departments in Manassas.

Community involvement and maintaining a strong sense of community isn’t new to the crew at Philadelphia Tavern.

Like most, Philadelphia Tavern has had to adapt its operations amidst the pandemic.

“We support distilleries not only local to the county, but across Virginia,” she said. “We work with vendors like Popcorn Monkey. We do promotions with Calico Jacks. If we don’t all support each other, who will?”

“COVID has changed the way we do business,” she said. “We had to adapt to how we serve our clients.”

Philadelphia Tavern is located at 9413 Main St., Manassas, VA 20110. Visit their website at philadelphiatavern.com.

Adapting to the Pandemic

At the beginning of COVID, they were not allowed to have customers dine inside or on the patio, so they got creative.

They began offering family meal kits for pick up, which can feed a family of four. Options include cheesesteak, chicken cheesesteak or meatball sub meals. The kit includes the fixings and instructions for how to prepare the meal.

Katrina Wilson is a Carolina Girl adjusting to the Northern Virginia world. She and her husband reside in Fairfax. Follow her on Twitter: @KatrinaMWilson_.

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Get Your Skate On!

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Daily Ice Skating

(in front of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema) Amanda Wose Photography

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January 2021 prince william living

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Join us on the second Wednesday of every month. Visit womensweddingnetwork.com for complete details.

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calendar Prince William Living’s calendar is prepared several weeks before the magazine is printed.

A lot can happen between the time the calendar is prepared and the date of the event.

Hiking and cycling are available in Prince William-area parks. Yoga studios and gyms are offering both live and virtual classes. Libraries, churches, and businesses are offering online events along with some in-person events.

The Prince William Chamber of Commerce (pwchamber.org) has been offering webinars. We encourage you to continue ordering takeout and delivery from local restaurants.

Visit our online edition (princewilliamliving.com) for up-to-date information. And check with the venue to confirm any events.

Pub Crawl Tour

january

Fridays & Saturdays | 7 to 9 p.m.

Occoquan Spirits – Haunted Pub Crawl & Ghost Tours 408 Mill St., Occoquan The tour kicks off in a haunted gallery, Local Colour, with stops at the Rockledge Mansion, The Spot on Mill Street, Madigan’s Restaurant and other local haunts along the way. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at several of the stops. This tour is geared toward guests 21+ years old. Reservations and masks are required, as part of the tour is indoors. 703-357-3850.

Off the Wall High School Art Exhibit

Through Thurs. Jan. 21 | Viewing

by Appointment ARTfactory 9419 Battle St., Manassas The highly anticipated Off the Wall competition returns for its 17th year! Each year, area high school students are invited to share their talent by participating in a high school art exhibit and competition sponsored by Lockheed Martin. Email jexum@virginiaartfactory.org for an appointment to view the exhibit.

First Day Hike

Ice Skating

Daily; Hours vary Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center 15201 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge Stonebridge’s first year with a real ice rink! Skate sessions are offered in 1.5 hour-increments. Reserve your time and pay online: stonebridgeptc.com/skating.

Winter Igloos

Daily; Hours vary Farm Brew Live 9901 Discovery Blvd., Manassas The igloos are 12-foot heated domes in the patio area of The Yard adjacent to the Pour House at 2 Silos Brewing Co., as well as on the decks of The Black Sheep Restaurant. Each reservation, which can accommodate up to eight guests comfortably, is allotted two hours to enjoy the space. 703-420-2264.

Fri. Jan. 1 | 9 a.m. to noon Neabsco Creek Boardwalk 15125 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge Welcome the New Year with a guided hike across Neabsco Creek with local naturalists and historians. Starting at the parking lot, guests take a brief hike up to Rippon Lodge Historic Site to view the 1747 homestead, then proceed to the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk and finish their walk at the Julie J. Metz Neabsco Creek Wetlands.

This 120-minute, 5+mile hike exploring nature and history starts the New Year on the right foot! Leashed pets are welcome to join; not all parts of the hike are accessible for strollers.

Spotlight on History Virtual Talks

Wed. Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 | noon to 1 p.m.

Provided by City of Manassas—Online Tune in to facebook.com/ cityofmanassasleisure on Wednesdays for an interesting look at local history.

Breakfast with an Expert

Thurs. Jan. 7 | 8 a.m.

Online Bring your own coffee and join us for information from an expert who will give you actionable advice you can put to work immediately in your business. For more information, visit princewilliamliving.com/ breakfastwithanexpert.

Hike with a Naturalist

Thurs. Jan. 7 | 10 a.m.

Bull Run Mountains Conservancy 16290 Thoroughfare Rd., Broad Run Join a professional naturalist and discover the flora and fauna on and around the Bull Run Mountains. These hikes will take place at Leopold's Preserve.

Introduction to Grant Proposal Writing and Project Budgets

Mon. Jan. 11 | 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Provided by Prince William Public Libraries—Online Expert staff from Candid will discuss the dos and don'ts when writing and submitting a proposal to a foundation, along with the basic elements of writing a grant proposal. Register at pwcgov.org/ library to obtain the meeting link.

Prince William County During the Gilded Age

Sat. Jan. 16 | 5 p.m.

Provided by Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre—Online The Gilded Age is a lesser-known era in American history from the 1870s to the turn of the 20th century, marked by

Have an event? Visit princewilliamliving.com/events to submit details to our online calendar.

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January 2021 prince william living

industrialization as well as rapid economic and population growth. Join historic interpreter Warwick Steer to learn more about this period of history and what was happening in Prince William County. Link for this virtual program will be sent out after registration. 703-365-7895.

Making the Most of Prince William Living

Wed. Jan. 20 | noon Online Are you an advertiser with Prince William Living or interested in becoming one?

Now available on demand, our publisher Rebecca Barnes will help you discover how to “Make the Most of Prince William Living.” Meet the people behind greater Prince William’s premier lifestyle magazine, as you learn about getting press releases published, photos, social media, visibility packages and tips on focusing your message. Visit princewilliamliving. com/lunchwiththepublisher for more information.

Watercolor Collaborative

Thurs. Jan 21 | 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Provided by Montclair Community Library—Online Painting with Sharie Boyle. Intermediate and advanced artists meet biweekly online via Webex to experiment with watercolors and share techniques. Space is limited to 30 participants. Register to receive an email with log in and class details and a supply list. For more information, contact lgonzalezberrios@pwcgov.org.

Virtual Lecture Series: Assassination of a President Thurs. Jan. 28 | 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Provided by Ben Lomond Historic Site—Online In American history, four sitting United States Presidents have been killed in office. One of the key players in the 1901 assassination of President William McKinley has close personal connections to Ben Lomond. Learn more about Ben Lomond's link to the assassination of a

President of the United States from Ben Lomond Historic Site Manager Kevin Pawlak. A link will be emailed to those who register in advance. Call 703-3677872 for more information.

Hunger Games Escape Room

Jan. 30 | All Day Provided by Bull Run Regional Library— Online Represent your district in this virtual escape room. Outsmart the game makers and their ghoulish creations to win this dangerous contest! For grades 6 through 12. Visit facebook.com/ PrinceWilliamPublicLibraries/ for more information.

All events listed on Prince William Living’s online and print calendars are subject to change. Check with the venue to verify dates, times and locations.

OmniRide Express is a stress-free and convenient bus service from eastern Prince William County, the Manassas area, Gainesville, Haymarket, and Stafford to points in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. OmniRide Local is a personalized bus service designed with your travel needs in mind! It’s your link to Dale City, Dumfries, Woodbridge/Lake Ridge, Manassas and Manassas Park.

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OmniRide Metro Express routes connect Woodbridge, Manassas and Gainesville/Linton Hall with nearby Metro stations.

OmniRide East-West Express travels between Eastern Prince William County and the Manassas area, with access to medical facilities, offices, shopping and other destinations.

OmniRide Ridesharing Service saves you time and money by helping you locate the carpool or vanpool that fits your needs.

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Transit services provided by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission.

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Dog Walking Pet Sitting Pet Taxi Overnights Fetch Supplies a safe and happy world where pets get their way

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Contact us at sales@princewilliamliving.com

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Leapfrog agrees.

We bring the best of health to you.

Leapfrog recognizes Novant Health UVA Health System’s grade-A quality and safety

Our good news is also great news for our communities.

All three of our medical centers in Culpeper, Haymarket and Manassas have earned coveted ‘A’ grades from The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2020 Hospital Safety Grade. We once again thank our caregivers for their exceptional dedication to patient safety and congratulate them for their achievement during such a difficult year for all. Rest assured that we’ll continue bringing the best of health to you in 2021.

Find your provider at NovantHealthUVA.org/Safety

Culpeper Medical Center | Haymarket Medical Center | Prince William Medical Center

NUV-71 Leapfrog_2020_7.25x9.5.indd 1

12/17/20 2:01 PM