Prince William Living May 2019 by Prince William Living

PAGE 10

PRINCE WILLIAM LITTLE THEATRE

PAGE 22

TECH TIME GAMING

PAGE 30

HECTOR'S OF NOKESVILLE

prince william living May 2019

The premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

PAGE 4

Lucasville School

PAGE 14

Cristina M. Weir Foundation PAGE 18

princewilliamliving.com

S E N TA R A N O R T H E R N V I RG I N I A M E D I C A L C E N T E R

LADIES NIGHT OUT Grab your mom, sister, co-worker or best girlfriends for a fun evening in a beautiful setting, celebrating women’s health with Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center!

You’ll Enjoy: • • • • • •

Complimentary mini spa treatments Shopping with local vendors Delicious appetizers Fabulous silent auction items Women’s health Q&A panel with local physicians FREE health screenings to check Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, A1C & Body Mass Index

Thursday, June 13, 2019, 5 PM – 7:30 PM The River View At Occoquan 9751 Ox Road, Lorton, VA 22079

PURCHA SE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE TODAY ! SentaraLadiesNightOut.eventbrite.com $40/person advanced online purchase $45 per person at the door Wine by the glass: $5 | Cash only please

Proudly sponsored by:

Schedule a 3D Mammogram at the Event

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center’s mobile mammography van will be on site offering screening mammograms. Call 703-523-1560 for a time slot today!

SentaraLadiesNightOut.eventbrite.com 703-523-1560

table of contents May 2019 | Vol. 9 | No. 5

FEATURE STORY Dirty Work: The Unsung Heroes Who Keep Our Community Clean

DEPARTMENTS FROM THE PUBLISHER Spring, Glorious Spring

ON A HIGH NOTE BIG Entertainment from Prince William Little Theatre

DESTINATIONS Lucasville School: Bringing Post-Civil War African-American Education to Life

GIVING BACK Cristina M. Weir Foundation: A Life Lost, Yet Still Giving

LIFELONG LEARNING Stop the Bleed, Start the Heart with CPR and First Aid Education 21 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Tech Time Gaming: A Business Marathon Winds Up on the Video Game Playing Field

FAMILY FUN Time to Celebrate Moms of All Kinds

LOCAL FLAVOR Hectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Means Home for Mexican Food Fans CALENDAR

30 34

COLUMNS THE FASHION FOLDER HEALTH & WELLNESS HOME & HEARTH YOUR FINANCES

prince william living May 2019

12 20 28 32 |1

prince william living Rebecca Barnes

PRINCE WILLIAM LIVING PUBLISHER rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Amanda Causey Baity ONLINE SUBMISSION MANAGER Carole Keily

Katherine Gotthardt EDITOR IN CHIEF kgotthardt@princewilliamliving.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Halter, Helena Tavares Kennedy, Roxy Rowton, Olivia Overman, Amy Taylor, Erin Pittman, Jane Fullerton Lemons, Bennett Whitlock

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 SUBSCRIPTIONS info@princewilliamliving.com

COPY EDITOR Apryl Motley, CAE PHOTO EDITOR Amanda Causey Baity PHOTOGRAPHERS Amanda Causey Baity and Helena Tavares Kennedy GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Alison Dixon/Image Prep Studio

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. ÂŠ Copyright 2019 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 4491 Cheshire Station Plaza, PMB 55 Dale City, VA 22193 Phone: (703) 232-1758 Efax: (703) 563-9185

Editorial Have a story youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like our staff to cover? Contact Prince William Living editorial staff at (703) 232-1758, ext. 2, or at editor@princewilliamliving.com.

Advertising offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 3 Efax: (703) 563-9185

Advertising Prince William Living accepts display advertising. For complete advertising information, contact our sales staff at (703) 232-1758, ext. 3, or at sales@princewilliamliving.com.

Social Media

Get More Prince William Living

Editorial offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 2 Efax: (703) 563-9185

Prince William Living can be found on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram.

Visit pwliving.com for daily updates on events, the arts, nonprofits, dining and entertainment in your neighborhood. Look for Prince William Living contests, get-togethers, deals and more. You can also submit a story or event online. Stay plugged into what is happening and what is important to you. Prince William Living is your community magazine, all month long.

Subscription rate is $20 (Continental U.S.) for one year. Change of address notices should be sent to Prince William Living at info@princewilliamliving.com. Reprints and Back Issues: To order article reprints or request reprint permission, please visit the website: www.princewilliamliving.com. Order back issues by emailing Prince William Living at info@princewilliamliving.com. For further information about Prince William Living, visit www.princewilliamliving.com, or contact Prince William Living at (703) 232-1758.

2 |

May 2019 prince william living

from the Publisher Spring, Glorious Spring

ay is here, and with it the glories of spring. From way back, the month of May sparked celebrations. May Day, Mother’s Day and spring festivals harken to eras when spring was reason to rejoice. We still have those same reasons, especially in this area where we are fortunate to have so many positives in our communities. So while you might think it’s ironic we decided to discuss dirty work in May, think spring cleaning. There are many ways to do it. Also think unsung heroes. You’ll get a sense of both in our feature article by Amy Taylor. Then, inspiration abounds in this month’s Giving Back section. Olivia Overman tells us about the Cristina M. Weir Foundation.

In Local Flavor, Helena Tavares Kennedy brings us to Hector’s of Nokesville for some excellent food and storytelling. In Destinations, Lucasville School is the place to go learn about local African American history this season, and Erin Pittman takes us there. As we’re Taking Care of Business, Jane Fullerton Lemons talks shop in techno terms. Read about Tech Time Gaming and the neat activities happening on and off the screen at this unique arena. There’s more of course, so be sure to read this issue cover to cover. Then be sure to get or renew a subscription to keep the fun going all year round. Wishing you a happy spring,

Rebecca Barnes Publisher

prince william living May 2019

The Unsung Heroes Who Keep Our Community Clean By Amy Taylor

4 |

May 2019 prince william living

here are so many jobs that most people would prefer not to do, jobs that take a special kind of person - usually one with a strong stomach who doesn't get much recognition, but one who wants to make a difference in the community anyway. Whether they deal with something uncomfortable like death, or something smelly like garbage, without the people in our community who do these “dirty” jobs, our society wouldn’t be as efficient, hygienic or healthy.

“I also do landfill tours. We tour Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, local garden clubs, JMU students and international groups. Giving tours is also pleasant because we let people know that we're not running a dump, and they leave with a different opinion of the landfill. They learn there's actually an organization to it,” he said.

We interviewed some of our community’s unsung heroes to get the dirt on their professions. We tip our hats to these fine folks who clean up our messes and make our world a better place.

“One thing led to another, I was in the back with the recycling crew, and then I started driving trucks. Then my supervisor introduced me to landfill gas monitoring, and with that experience I was able to move up to engineering assistant,” he said.

Landfill Engineering Edward Preston, an engineering assistant II at the Prince William County Landfill, wears many different hats in his position. He has been working at the landfill for 22 years. Preston’s job is critical for the surrounding community because he monitors the impact of the landfill on the environment. The county has regulations for what can go in the landfill, where it comes from and how it’s divided up once it gets to the landfill, according to Preston. “It’s not the dump from when we were kids," he said. "We're not running the dump where you just dig a hole and throw everything in.” One of Preston’s job duties is landfill gas monitoring, where he takes samples from monitoring wells on the perimeter of the landfill to ensure no gas is escaping into the nearby community. He also monitors stormwater and checks the landfill for safety issues like potential landfill fires. He also checks for household hazardous waste and verifies the material. Preston performs daily inspections of loads of garbage coming in to make sure they don’t contain contaminants like medical waste, florescent bulbs, construction debris, lithium batteries and other items that don’t belong in the landfill. “The messiest things are the random load inspections. You’re opening up bags of trash and have to make sure you’re not stepping on something that goes through your boot,” Preston said. “And when you're dealing with customers, you have to have a thick skin because some get a little irritated when you ask for an ID or tell them they have too much construction debris,” Preston continued. But working with trash doesn’t bother Preston. “You get used to it as you're on the job. I guess the first time you open a bag of trash, it could be a little smelly, but you get accustomed to it,” he said. He enjoys educating the public about what goes on behind the scenes at the landfill.

Preston started in his landfill career as a temp because he was out of work at the time.

To work in his field, Preston said, candidates need a lot of patience. “You have to be able to deal with the public and speak clearly to them. For my position, you need that and being able to read blueprints," he said. "I took architecture in college, so that helped a lot. You also need a knack for liking to be outside, because most of my work is outside.” According to Preston, the people he works with and some of the landfill's customers are the most rewarding parts of his career. “We have a great bunch of people. Everybody’s great, and looks out for one another. We all get through the day together.” He recounted a recent customer call that made him and his coworkers smile. Two of his coworkers had assisted a gentleman who was on oxygen with unloading his vehicle. The customer took the time to call and personally thank them, which meant the world to Preston and his colleagues.

Lice Eradication Just thinking about head lice is enough to make most people start itching, but Chris and Kristi Winkler don’t back down in the face of a creepy, crawly challenge. This husband and wife duo are owners and partners of Lice Clinics of America in Woodbridge, but they don’t just sit behind desks and run their part of the franchise. They are right there in the buggy trenches along with their employees. They provide “…lice eradication by certified technicians using a medical procedure called the AirAlle,” said Kristi Winkler. To prevent themselves and their staff from getting lice, they work in a controlled environment. “Lice cannot jump or fly, which helps,” she said. “Technicians follow a protocol that includes surgical scrub caps and lint roll scrubs after each treatment for extra caution.” The entrepreneurial couple combined their professional backgrounds and transitioned into this business to help people in the community. (continues on page 6) prince william living May 2019

(continued from page 5)

the creatures. We continue to keep up on research and on the latest clinical findings,” she said. Most of their patients are under 15, so Winkler says compassion and care for people, especially children, are imperative to their business. People in their field also need to be problem solvers and have good attention to detail. The reward in their work comes from helping people. “When our patients come in, they are usually upset—sometimes in tears! But when they leave, they are smiling. That is our reward,” she said.

Dog Grooming Steven Rayfield, owner of Dog Heaven Grooming Spa in Nokesville, spent his life in the restaurant and restaurant affiliated businesses when he decided he was ready for a major change.

Chris has medical writing background; Kristi is a licensed esthetician. Transition into a medical field made sense, as did the business model. “We both are wired to solve problems, especially ones that will improve a person’s quality of life and ease a very uncomfortable and stressful event such as lice,” she said. The Winklers are unphased by working with lice every day. “Once we learned they don’t jump or fly, we were fascinated by

6 |

May 2019 prince william living

“At 63, I went to grooming school because I wanted to change my focus on life…For the golden years, I didn’t want to work with people so much. I wanted to work with pets. Pets don’t have an attitude, and they don’t talk back. I wanted to have a more rewarding work experience and still have an income,” Rayfield said. Rayfield currently works with one other full-time groomer. As the business owner, he wears a lot of hats. He books appointments, answers the phone, bathes and grooms dogs and cleans up afterward.

Photos provided by Remarkably Clean Bins

“This is a type of job where we encourage everybody to participate in whatever needs to be done at the time. It can be hectic one minute and dead calm for the next 20. It’s not quite like any other service business,” Rayfield said. The messier aspects of his job are mostly related to dogs’ bodily functions. “Sometimes the pups will not be walked properly before they come in, and if they are brand new customers, sometimes they get a little stressed and let their bowels slip from time to time. Little dogs get excited and urinate on the floor, so you need to wipe that up with a disinfectant because it’s a trigger for other dogs to do the same,” Rayfield said. Other less-than-appetizing job duties include shaving dogs that are badly matted, cleaning dogs with yeast infections in their skin, dealing with parasites like fleas and ticks, and cleaning out dogs’ ears, tear residue and food that gets matted around their mouths. “The least pleasurable [task] is probably expressing the anal glands. Small dogs especially have trouble expressing their own anal glands. A lot of dogs are house dogs, so they don't know how to do that," Rayfield said. We express the glands because you don't want your shih tzu to jump on your $5,000 couch and leave a smelly mess. The anal glands can be sometimes impacted, and when expressing them you don't want your head to be stuck down there unless you want to take a bath yourself when you’re done.” Rayfield didn’t really think about the less pleasant aspects of the dog grooming business prior to starting it, but the pitfalls of his business aren’t enough to deter him from doing what he loves. “I wasn’t aware of the pitfalls initially, but I don’t know any businesses that are all glamor and frills," he said. There’s always a dirty or unappealing side to every business. Rayfield said people in his field need to have “…patience, a love for animals, compassion and more patience. “When the dust settles and mom comes in to pick up her dog, and her eyes well up with tears because she sees her little baby all nice and smelling good, it makes it worthwhile,” Rayfield said.

Trash Bin Cleaning Merv Olds got inspiration from overseas for her trash bin cleaning company. She and her husband Gary, along with their friends John and Lynne Triggs, are owners and operators of Remarkably Clean Bins in Haymarket. In January 2015, she and her husband were both working for different telecom companies when they were laid off within weeks of each other. She was looking into starting a business and got inspiration from her friend, Lynne Triggs. “I was talking to my friend Lynne, who is from Scotland. Over in Europe, there’s a guy with a pickup truck and hose who comes around and cleans the bins,” Olds said. The idea sparked her interest, and she found a company that

manufactures trucks that will clean and sanitize trash bins in an eco-friendly way. Merv Olds and Lynne Triggs co-own the business, but they’re not afraid to get their hands dirty. They drive their specialized truck to each customer site. If residual garbage is left in the can, they will remove it. “Lynne will go get the bins and set them up with the grabbers,” said Olds. “We have spinners that clean the inside of them. I usually spray the bins with our detergents. Our detergents are all eco-friendly. Then, Lynne sprays them on the outside with a power washing hose. I'll be running the mechanics while she's spraying. After that, we spray the inside and outside of the lids. If they're clean to our satisfaction, then we take them off the grabbers, dry the bins, deodorize them and put them by the garage doors.” The least pleasant aspect of her job is, said Olds, “Maggots — that has been the worst. Some bins are so bad that the maggots are actually crawling out. We don’t encounter it too often, but loose pet feces is another bad one,” she said. Olds didn’t always have a strong stomach but has become somewhat accustomed to the smell of garbage on the job. “Once we’ve gotten the bins to a certain point when we’re doing monthly cleanings, it’s not so bad anymore,” Olds said. Olds gets job satisfaction knowing that their cleaning process is ecofriendly and making her customers’ lives easier. “It’s really saving the Earth because the water doesn’t go back into the storm drains,” she said. “It’s also protecting kids and pets because if you try to clean it yourself, you dump the chemicals in the yard. I also love seeing the difference and hearing our customers say that they can’t smell that nasty garbage smell anymore.”

Amy Taylor (ataylor@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance writer and editor. She earned her BLS in English from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. prince william living May 2019

Mom

Treat

Signal Bay Waterpark is open Memorial Day Weekend! Family of 4 season pass is only $200 Purchase online: mpdpr.com/sbwp19 Managed by the City of Manassas Park, Department of Parks and Recreation, Signal Bay Waterpark is a 27,000 sqft aquatic facility within Signal Hill Park featuring a zero depth entry leisure pool with water cannons, slides, and a lazy river.

stonebridgeptc.com

8 |

May 2019 prince william living

ď&#x201A;&#x161;ď&#x201A;&#x2122;

Manassas Park Community Center 99 Adams Street Manassas Park, VA 20111 703.335.8872 ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com

EXPLORE P your local Prince William Public Library

• Books, Magazines • Programs for all ages • Free access to computers, Wi-Fi, mobile printing • Audiobooks, eBooks, and Premium Sites

pwcgov.org/library

Find us on Social Media Facebook: PrinceWilliamPublicLibraries Twitter: @PrinceWMlibrary Pinterest: pinterest.com/pwpls Instagram: instagram.com/pwpls

GI V E TO T HE P E R MA NE NT F U ND F O R N O RT HE R N V IR G INIA

and help shape the future of the region At the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, we think about the future. Our children and their children deserve a community that works for everyone where philanthropy is strong, engaged, and impactful.

L E T ’S I N V E S T I N TOM O R R OW

www.cfnova.org/permanentfund 703-879- 7640

prince william living May 2019

on a high note

BIG Entertainment from Prince William

Little Theatre By Amy Taylor

t’s a common complaint, the cost of entertainment these days. Fortunately, our area is rich in events, culture and the arts. So, if you’re looking for quality community theater productions that will cost you about as much as a trip to the movies, The Prince William Little Theatre (PWLT) has you covered. Based in Manassas, PWLT has provided quality local community theater since 1985. The theater produces and performs musicals, plays, dramas, comedies and one-act productions several times a year. In addition to performing its season of shows at The Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, you can find the theatre participating in events like Haymarket Day and partnering with charitable organizations in the community to sponsor events like food and blood drives.

Selecting Performances and Performers This season’s productions include Anne of Green Gables and Annie.

10 |

May 2019 prince william living

The selections are part of a tried and true process that includes taking the feedback received from audiences into account. Chrissy Mastrangelo, president of the Prince William Little Theatre, said, “We have a play selection committee. They review feedback from the audience, surveys, different trends and what directors are interested in directing. They confer with the board of directors, go through the financial piece and then we choose a season.” Mastrangelo recalled some audience favorites. “Jesus Christ Superstar was one of our most successful performances,” she said. “It really took the audience on a journey. As far as something funnier, we did The Wedding Singer. That was a fun one, and it took people back to the 1980s. The Diary of Anne Frank was one of the more dramatic plays we have done. That was a challenging play, but the actors did a great job and really took the audience with them back to that time. Tuesdays with Morrie had a lot of great feedback from the audience as well.”

Photo by David Harback

It’s a Wonderful Life - A Live Radio Play

Photo by David Harback

PWLT performs the contemporary classic, 9 to 5.

The theater chooses the cast for each show based on open auditions. Anyone is welcome to come and try out for a part in the theatre’s plays.

How to Support Local Theater The theatre is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization funded by grants from the City of Manassas and Prince William County Park Authority as well as private donors. But help is always needed, and there are many ways the community can support the theatre.

“We accept monetary donations, you can advertise if you’re a small business and you can come see our shows. We’re always accepting new volunteers, even if you’re not an actor on stage. If you’re handy with tools, you can help with set construction. If you’re handy with a needle and thread, you can help with costumes. We are always looking for people to help with marketing and fundraising,” Mastrangelo said. People who would like a vote as part of the board of directors can become members of the theatre. To become a member, fill out the form on the website at www.pwlt.org. There is a members-only website that gives members access to minutes, financial reports, the strategic plan and other information about the behind the scenes work at the theatre. Mastrangelo invites the public to experience PWLT and participate in the dialogue that helps the organization grow and provide quality entertainment. “Come out and see our shows. We’d love to hear what you think,” she said. “We love new members…We love to keep our history, but we also love to grow.” Amy Taylor (ataylor@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance writer and editor and a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. She earned her BLS in English from the University of Mary Washington. prince william living May 2019

| 11

the fashion folder Beneath the Brim of a Favored Hat Part I: History and Sizing By Roxy Rowton

Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

ew of us are unable to resist the invitation to try on a hat and discover the changed person in the mirror looking back at us. Far more than coverings that shield our heads from sun, sand and surf, hats are a means of self-expression, and as such, hold a unique history. The tradition of wearing hats may have started as a utilitarian covering of the head, such as with a veil, scarf, shawl or kerchief. These simple coverings ultimately evolved into elaborate headdresses and became indicators of style and stature. In some cultures, hats articulated who a woman was and indicated her social rank. This often meant the more extravagant and impractical the hat, the more elevated the woman’s social position. Until the 1960s, no fashionable woman in the U.S. would have been bold enough to appear in public sans hat. Then, for the first time in fashion’s history, a woman’s hat ceased to distinguish her social class and position. In fact, the hat nearly disappeared from the feminine wardrobe as a definitive accessory. Today, rather than constraining a woman’s individuality, as it had often done in the past, the donning of a hat has become an accessory of self-expression and fashion prowess. Although hats come in various shapes, textures and tones, it is often the material used and the type of weave that determine the hat aficionado’s choice in purchasing and wearing a particular style of hat. Almost any cloth used for making apparel can be pressed into hat form, but the most popular materials are straw and felt. Straw hats are woven or braided from wheat, rice, paper, hemp, seagrass, raffia or toquilla palm leaves. The quality of straw hats can vary vastly by the fineness of the straw and the tightness of the weave. Straw hats are especially popular accessories for seaside and tropical destinations. Felt is one of the oldest hat-making fabrics. The better quality of this fabric is made of fur sheared, especially from beavers. The lesser quality is made of wool.

Getting the Right Fit for Your Hat Fitting the head for the correct hat size is key. Too small, and a hat will leave creases in the skin. Too large, and the hat will blow off with a slight breeze. To get the right size hat, use a tape measure or a string and ruler. Measure from the widest part at the back of your head,

12 |

May 2019 prince william living

bringing the ends together at the center of the forehead. Make certain the tape measure or string is slightly above your ears. Hold the tape or string firmly but snugly. It may be helpful to repeat these steps a couple of times to ensure accuracy. Compare the measurement of your head with a hat size chart. If your head measurement falls between sizes, choose the larger size. Generally, the larger size is more comfortable than one that is smaller and tighter. Keep in mind there can be slight variances in hat sizes, especially with handcrafted hats. Next month, we will examine the caring and wearing of your hat. This gives you plenty of time to explore selections and find the perfect hat you’ve been wanting to try on. Don’t be shy. The right hat might be just the wardrobe piece you have been missing.

Wardrobe and style consultant Roxy L. Rowton (rlrowton@ everydayrefinement.com) spends much of her workweek in the closet or the fitting room helping women look and feel their best. She has two-plus decades in the fashion, apparel and beauty industries.

Eat + Drink + DiscovEr EQUAL PARTS FOOD, BEER GARDEN, CRAFT BREWERY AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION Wander around our 10 acre campus and find something new to savor and share. Farm Brew LIVE brings a new dining and drinking experience to Prince William County. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a community committed to bringing the best that local chefs and entertainers have to offer in one unforgettable space.

Awarded the 2018 Travel Attraction of the Year

Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Vol. Fire Department wants to know what fuels YOUR fire?

Her dedication to the fire service. Operational and administrative opportunities are available for volunteers of all backgrounds and skill sets.

JOIN TODAY.

www.OWLVFD.org prince william living May 2019

| 13

destinations Photos provided by Prince William County

Lucasville School Bringing Post-Civil L War African-American Education to Life

ucasville School stands in Prince William County as a reminder of earlier citizens’ efforts to push against racism and establish a school system where African-American children could learn and grow. Located at 10516 Godwin Drive, Manassas, the one-room reconstructed school house once served students in grades one through six, and now its replica stands as a reminder of post-Civil War African-American education in Prince William.

The Founding of Lucasville School

By Erin Pittman

Virginia’s legislature established a statewide public school system for all citizens in 1870. At the time, Lucasville School fell under the Manassas District School Board, which authorized its construction in November 1883. H.W. Lloyd built the school and finished it in March 1885. “When the school was originally built, it only cost $267.13,” said Paige Gibbons Backus, site manager of Lucasville School.

Education at Lucasville School Students’ lessons in the one-room schoolhouse were tailored to their grade levels and covered studies in mathematics, geography,

14 |

May 2019 prince william living

Lucasville School is one of the few publicly owned, one-room African-American schoolhouses left in the country. “In this building, people can learn about how African Americans rose from the Civil War as new citizens and their efforts to challenge racism moving into the 20th century,” she said. While staff is working to have the building open more often, currently the school is open about three times a year for programming and special events. “The school is open weekends in February for Black History Month, and we have special programming in June, August and September,” Backus said. However, she was sure to note that the school is always open for tours by appointment. To arrange a tour, call 703-365-7895.

Occoq u an

of wn

ary ivers 50th Ann

& Cr a ft s S h o

rts

penmanship, reading and history. They also focused on black history throughout the month of February, during Abraham Lincoln’s birthday week. A number of teachers taught at the school through the years. Some were certified teachers, and others had conditions upon hire to obtain more training as they worked. Lucasville School permanently closed in 1926, having served youth in the area for most of the years since its opening.

Erin Pittman has been a writer for 10 years, but a lover of words her entire life. Her work is published in local magazines and on local and national blogs. Contact Erin at epittman@princewilliamliving.com.

The Reconstruction of Lucasville School The school building was sold at auction after it closed and was moved to a local farm. “The schoolhouse was used as a shed for several years in a new location northeast of Rt. 234 until 2005 when the building was dismantled, moved to another site and rebuilt between 20072008 at its current location off of Godwin Drive,” said Backus. “Unfortunately, due to the deterioration of the building, only a few of the boards and nails in the building are original.” The school was reconstructed through collaboration between citizens, county officials and Public Homes Inc., between December 2005 and February 2008.

Lucasville School Today “When visitors come to the school, they can expect to get a large amount of information from a very small building. In the schoolhouse are exhibits about the building, its uses and preservation as well as the people who learned and taught within the school,” Backus said. She also notes that the hands-on exhibits allow visitors to get an idea of what it was like to attend school in the late 19th century. “From sitting at the benches or desks to writing on the slate boards, playing the games or reading the books, you can really compare the education system of today to that of yesteryear,” Backus said. prince william living May 2019

| 15

Local Courses. Endless Opportunities.

Choose from Dozens of Degree and Certificate Programs at NOVA's Manassas and Woodbridge Campuses.

Driven • Determined • Committed Guaranteed Admission Agreements: Come to NOVA first. Finish at the university of your choice. Smart. NVCC.EDU

It’s smart to come to NOVA. Woodbridge Campus 2645 College Dr. 703-878-6760 NVCC.EDU/Woodbridge

Manassas Campus 10950 Campus Dr. 703-323-3000 NVCC.EDU/Manassas

Independent research ﬁrm Clutch recently ranked the top agencies around the world, based on client reviews and market presence. We’re proud to announce that our work and clients have landed us at #68 in the top global 1,000 this year. If you’re looking for web design, branding, social media or a fresh idea to promote your business, come see what makes us one of the best. An initial phone conversation is always free.

16 |

May 2019 prince william living

INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE LONG-TERM CARE | SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION | HOME CARE

Experience RENEWAL

Westminster at Lake Ridge is changing! Transformations are currently underway and will bring a renewal of amenities and décor to the community. Near the historic town of Occoquan, the serene location has all the small town charm and friendliness you desire, yet is just a few miles from the excitement of our nation’s capitol. Westminster at Lake Ridge offers beautiful maintenance-free cottages and apartment homes, all with the security of on-site health care. Visit us today and see for yourself. Isn’t It Time YOU had peace of mind...

Experience life in balance, and call 703-822-4781 for a personal tour today!

Harmony Business

Solutions

An Ingleside Community

12191 Clipper Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 | 703-822-4781 | www.wlrva.org

540-288-7931 www.HarmonyNBusiness.com

WESTMINSTER AT LAKE RIDGE IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, CARF ACCREDITED, CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY.

prince william living May 2019

| 17

giving back

Cristina M. Weir Foundation A Life Lost, Yet Still Giving By Olivia Overman

Photos provided by Cristina M. Weir Foundation

n July 31, 2017, Cristina M. Weir of Manassas, Va., was murdered in her Denver, Colo., apartment as the result of a home intrusion. Twenty-eight years old, in her prime, working at her dream job where she had the opportunity to travel all over the world, Christina’s life was taken all too soon. But it is what her family and friends have created since her death that will be her lasting legacy. Described as vibrant and caring, Cristina’s love of learning is being passed down to another generation through the foundation established in her name, The Cristina M. Weir Foundation for Excellence in Education.

The Cristina M. Weir Foundation for Excellence in Education Established in 2018, the foundation was created through funding raised on a GoFundMe page Cristina’s colleagues at Velocity Global created. The campaign yielded more than $30,000. “It was a way to make sense of what happened, almost a way to bring light to a terrible tragedy,” said Tricia Pietravalle, acting executive director of the foundation and the person who gave Cristina her first official job after college. According to Pietravalle, the money raised for this 501(c)3 organization is being used just as Cristina would have wanted it to be – to help high school students through positive support and encouragement. Cristina faced numerous obstacles growing up in Prince William, but she knew that the key to beating the odds in life, particularly when they are stacked against you, was to focus on education. Christina was a 2007 graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, and the foundation is currently working with the high school to provide scholarships to assist students facing economic hardships.

18 |

May 2019 prince william living

Cristina Weir tragically lost her life in 2017 at age 28.

“I was unable to provide much for her and her brother and sister,” said her mother, Michele Weir. “She took care of herself financially while in school …Cristina didn’t miss a beat. Grades didn’t drop; socially she was stronger than ever.” The foundation is set up to show students like Cristina that they are not alone and to let them know they are noticed. Along with a committee of eight educators at Stonewall Jackson High School, the foundation has chosen three award categories for its 2019 inaugural scholarship program: Excellence in Academics,

Cristina has been described as genuine, sincere and a dear friend.

Team Cristina

Excellence in Leadership and a Promise Award. The winner of each category will receive a $500 scholarship. “These awards are intended for use with experiences that help students achieve their leadership, personal and educational goals,” Weir said.

Her first job was with a D.C. firm, CG/LA Infrastructure, when Pietravalle, then managing director, saw something she liked. Pietravalle offered her an internship. “She was genuine, down-toearth, sincere and had a mind like a sponge,” she said. “After [just] three weeks, we knew we would hire her.”

Eligible sophomore students will receive notification that a teacher has nominated them for one of the scholarships. It is then up to the student to apply within the two-month application window. Scholarships are expected to be awarded at the 2019 high school fall banquet, giving the foundation time to work with institutions, such as the Smithsonian, to help find relevant programs for winners. But it is not just the money that will assist these students. It is “Cristina’s network of friends and family,” Pietravalle said.

Cristina Weir’s Is a Life to Celebrate During her time in high school, Christina completed the IB curriculum, carrying a workload that was comparable to college level. Her first trip abroad, she and the school orchestra traveled to Scotland. “Cristina went to local businesses and raised the funds to travel with her friends,” said Pam Ruoff, Cristina’s godmother. It was during this trip that she developed an interest in other countries and their cultures. In 2006, she was chosen to represent the U.S. as an ambassador in the People to People program, an international travel program for students. She visited Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, France and England. Cristina started working at Starbucks in her junior year of high school, primarily because she needed to help her family financially. In her senior year, she applied to several colleges and was accepted to The College of William and Mary on a full scholarship. She received a degree in International Relations, specializing in postSoviet studies, and graduated in 2011.

Later, as a part of the Velocity Global team in Denver, Co., Cristina’s teammate and friend, Alexandria Warren said, “Cristina was a vital member of our team, culture and the Velocity Global family. She loved the international business space and was passionate about meeting her clients’ needs, even when it called for late hours to ensure they were not impacted by time zones. Cristina was a dear friend whose intelligence, empathy and integrity will always be remembered. We love and miss her every day.” Weir said, “Cristina was the first in our family to get a college degree. My husband was a high school drop-out and then earned his GED, and I worked right after high school. Between scholarships, grants and federal funding, Cristina had a full ride to The College of William and Mary. She graduated with a 3.51 GPA, even with working a few days every week for spending money. Her graduation was the highest milestone of our family.” More information about the scholarships and fundraisers for the foundation can be found at www.cristinamweirfoundation.org.

Olivia Overman (ooverman@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance writer for both online and print organizations. She earned a M.A. in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University, Washington DC. prince william living May 2019

| 19

health & wellness It’s May–a Time for Moms and Mothers-to-be!

he Women’s Health Center at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is celebrating moms and babies year-round with an expanded offering of services and classes. “Being pregnant is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming,” explains Meagan Pa, RN. “That’s why Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center offers a variety of services and classes to support moms.” Meagan is one of three lactation consultants with the Women’s Health Center at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. As a busy mom of four young children, Meagan understands what moms are going through. That’s why she’s spearheading the breast feeding and postpartum support groups. “Both of those groups meet on the same day at the same place, and we do that on purpose because one of the most common challenges facing pregnant women and women in the postpartum period is postpartum mood and anxiety disorder,” explains Pa. “This allows women to come in from birth to all the way to baby’s first birthday and talk to other moms that are also going through the same thing.” Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center also offers maternity tours in both English and Spanish. The goal is to educate families about the exemplary, quality care offered right here in our community.

Pick Yoour Ow wnn Straaw wberrryy Patch

Mondays thru Saturdays fro rom 9am until picked out No Admission Fee to the Farm m

Visit www.yankeyfarms.com for current picking conditions and details.

14220 Owls Nest Rd • Nokesville • The field is ¼ mile south of the intersection with Vint Hill Rd. Visit us on Facebook • www.facebook.com/yankeyfarms.

20 |

May 2019 prince william living

“The Women’s Health Center at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is a very special place to deliver your baby,” says Pa. “We have a wide variety of services, a low C-section rate, and a level 2 NICU supported by our partnership with Children’s National Health System.” To learn more about services, hospital tours, support groups and classes, call 1-800-Sentara or visit: www.sentara.com/ woodbridge-virginia/classesevents.aspx.

lifelong learning Stop the Bleed, Start the Heart with CPR and First Aid Education By Erin D. Pittman

as getting certified in CPR or first aid been on your to-do list for as long as you can remember? Whether you serve as a professional caregiver, a new babysitter, a life guard, a parent or in some other role, you may want or need to make it more of a priority. According to the American Red Cross, first aid training takes only a few hours of your time, but it can mean the difference between feeling helpless in an emergency and saving a life. “I believe everyone should be equipped with the knowledge to perform CPR and basic first aid because you never know when you may need it,” said Michelle Werner, owner and operator of Virginia CPR and First Aid LLC in Manassas. Werner founded her company in 2010 after discovering there was a strong need to have better availability for individuals to learn these skills. “Almost 90 percent of cardiac arrests happen in a home setting. It is best not to take a chance and be unprepared,” Werner said. “The average emergency response time in Northern Virginia is about eight minutes, and quick action can help increase a person’s chance of survival.”

Stop the Bleed

Statistics from the American Heart Association back up Werner’s stance and show that nearly 45 percent of victims who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survived when a bystander administered CPR.

Learn basic skills to help respond to an emergency in classes that support this national initiative. These classes do not offer certification but serve to make the public better prepared to handle crises. n Sentara Health Systems – www.sentara.com

CPR and First Aid Classes in Northern Virginia Are you ready to learn how to stop the bleed and start the heart? Here’s a short list of providers, some of which offer specialty classes, such as first aid for infants. Local CPR and First Aid n Novant Health UVA Health System – www.novanthealthuva.org n American Red Cross, National Capital Region Chapter – www.redcross.org n American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region Chapter – www.heart.org

n Center for Wilderness Safety – www.wildsafe.org n Inova Trauma Center – www.inova.org These are just a few local resources available for learning lifesaving skills. Make it a priority to reach out today. The relatively short amount of time it takes to invest in this kind of education can ensure a lifetime for someone who needs immediate assistance. Erin Pittman has been a writer for 10 years, but a lover of words her entire life. Her work is published in local magazines and on local and national blogs. Contact Erin at epittman@princewilliamliving.com.

n Virginia CPR and First Aid, LLC – www.virginiacpr.com n Northern Virginia Community College – www.nvcc.edu

prince william living May 2019

| 21

taking care of business

Tech Time Gaming

A Business Marathon Winds Up on the Video Game Playing Field By Jane Fullerton Lemons

Photos Provided by Tech Time Gaming

teve Theobald’s business ventures have always had an entrepreneurial streak, taking him on a winding career path through businesses that shredded documents, another that imported liquors, and more, before finally leading him to video games. “It’s been a wild ride,” said Theobald, who’s leveraged a background in corporate finance to become owner and president of Tech Time Gaming Lounge in Woodbridge. It’s the only high-tech gaming center in Prince William County, and among the first in the region, according to Theobald. It caters to casual and serious gamers of all ages and skills, making the venture a full circle odyssey for Theobald, 49, who grew up playing Atari in the 1980s. “I blew a lot of quarters at the local arcade,” he recounted. When his grandmother gave him and his brother cash for Christmas, they pooled the money to buy their first Atari game set. Steve Theobald, owner of Tech Time Gaming says, "It's been a wild ride."

Running the Entrepreneurial Miles A Connecticut native, Theobald found his way to this area when he attended Georgetown University, which included a year at the London School of Economics. With his bachelor’s degree in hand, he signed on with a Wall Street investment firm to pursue a career in finance.

He subsequently held finance positions with several companies, including an executive job-search company and the importer of Grey Goose Vodka and Jagermeister. By 2006, Theobald and his wife were back in the D.C. area where he’d gone to college, and he was mulling new opportunities.

But he soon went to work as a “numbers cruncher” at MovieFone Inc., spending about five years with what was then the nation’s leading movie advertising and ticketing company. As director of financial planning and analysis, he helped grow the company and sell it to AOL for $388 million in 1999.

“I was always the numbers guy,” he said, “but I wanted to be the boss.”

“I was bitten with the entrepreneurial bug after that,” said Theobald, who also earned an MBA from Harvard Business School during his time at MovieFone.

In 2007, Theobald founded the Northern Virginia franchise of Proshred, a document shredding company, which he built and ran for almost 10 years.

22 |

May 2019 prince william living

Field of Dreams: Discovering the World of Esports

Tech Time’s core demographic is 18 to 30 years old — about two-thirds male and one-third female. They also do a “lively” business with tweens and teens, including birthday parties. That’s exactly the “sweet spot” where Theobald’s three sons fit in, 12-year-old Enzo and 9-year-old twins, Giorgio and Matteo. Naturally, the trio was fully on board with their dad’s latest business venture. “They thought: Great idea, daddy. We can help,” he said.

Teens who bring in report cards with good grades receive free time.

After selling Proshred in 2017, Theobald was looking for his next business idea when his two worlds collided. First, he noticed his three young sons enjoyed watching other people play video games online. Then he attended a conference with a panel discussion on investing in esports, which is how the world of competitive video gaming is known. “It was there that my eyes were opened to just how big the business of esports is,” he said. As it turns out, the market is really big, with total revenue for the global esports market projected to grow to $1.1 billion in 2019.

The boys also provided some key inspiration for the start-up. "They do get to play, but we keep a sharp eye on how much screen time they get,” Theobald said. “If they’re good during the week, they get tech time on the weekend, and that’s actually how the business got its name." Theobald applies the same standards at Tech Time Gaming that he applies at home. For instance, he just launched a good grades promotion. Kids in grades K-12 who bring in a report card with all A’s and B’s will get one hour of free time, while a report card with straight A’s will get two free hours. In addition, Theobald works to dispel the stereotype of the sedentary gaming lifestyle. "We're not here to encourage gamers to spend every waking moment with us," he said. "Even professional esports types say they don't spend all their time playing games, and they question parents who allow a computer or console to become an electronic babysitter."

After that conference, Theobald did his research, and it didn’t take long for the numbers guy to put the equation together. He found E-Blue—a Hong Kong-based maker of esports gear and operator of esports cafes—who wanted to expand into the U.S. market.

Tech Time Gaming's customers typically spend an hour or two at a time, and they come in groups as often as they come alone. "Our customers come to us to spend some fun time in a cool environment," he said, "and then they go back to their normal lives."

The first challenge Theobald faced was finding a location in Northern Virginia. He initially tried to locate one in Fairfax County because of its denser population, but the zoning regulations proved too difficult to navigate.

Like a lot of Tech Time Gaming’s regular customers, Theobald’s boys play Fortnite or Super Smash Brothers. And that’s what their Dad plays, too. "My personal favorite is Fortnite," he said, "and I’m learning Call of Duty."

Prince William County's zoning process was much more forgiving. Theobald found a location on Route 1, situated halfway between the Fort Belvoir and Quantico military bases, which is ideal, he said, because soldiers tend to be avid gamers.

Tech Time Gaming also fosters its role in the community by sponsoring youth sports leagues and teams, including the Northern Virginia Soccer Club, Dale City Little League and Woodbridge Little League.

The next challenge came during construction. The space was a former Circuit City store that hadn’t been updated since the Atari-playing days of the 1980s. It had to be completely gutted before it could be outfitted with the state-of-the-art wiring needed to support a gaming café.

At Tech Time Gaming, players don’t have to be naturally gifted athletes. They can practice their skills at home, or they can follow the regimen of the growing number of professional esports players.

Opening the Doors to a New Kind of Sports Stadium In November 2018, Tech Time Gaming opened for business — providing a sleek, modern space that feels a bit like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise with its video monitors, neon lights and gaming consoles that read “commanding your battle.” Customers pay by the hour to play their favorite games at more than 65 gaming stations.

"Instead of saying ‘I’m going to grow up and be a baseball player,’ kids now are saying, ‘I’m going to grow up and be a Fortnite player,’" Theobald said. "It’s a sport that will only continue to grow." Tech Time Gaming is located at 13592 Jefferson Davis Highway in Woodbridge. Learn more at techtimegaming.com. Jane Fullerton Lemons (jlemons@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance writer and journalist. A longtime resident of Prince William County, she holds an MFA from Goucher College. Follow her work at www.janefullertonlemons.com and on Instagram. prince william living May 2019

| 23

family fun

Time to Celebrate Moms of All Kinds M

other's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year. It's the day where we honor all of the mothers, stepmoms, grandmothers, sisters, aunts or any other mom-figures in our lives and to say “thank you” for all of the love and support they give to our families. Here are some ideas to help you show the love for that special lady in your life. n Make homemade cards for Mother’s Day. There's something really special about any sort of homemade gifts, and cards are fun and super easy to make, even for our youngest little ones. Grab some card stock, crayons, markers and/or paint...let the creativity flow! You can buy inexpensive embellishments, such as flowers and stickers to add to your cards. Ask

questions, such as, “What do you love most about Mom?” and let the children write answers (or you write for them). Want to make a big impact? Make a jumbo-sized card out of poster board! n Open up the Mom Hotel. What's the best part of staying in a hotel? Sleeping in, a great breakfast (that you don't have to prepare) and not having to make the bed. Give Mom the morning off by letting her enjoy a stay in her own hotel...at home! While she's sleeping in, get the kids involved with preparing a special breakfast full of her favorite foods. After you've enjoyed breakfast as a family, let mom rest while everyone else pitches in to clean up. (continues on page 26)

24 |

May 2019 prince william living

703-670-7884 “Leak Detection Specialist”

Roofing • Repairs • Vinyl Siding Seamless Gutter Systems • Gutter Guards Replacement Windows • Skylight • Attic Fan

Guaranteed Quality Work Since 1985 3 Top Rated by Washington Consumers’ Checkbook Licensed – Bonded – Insured E-mail: sales@FurrRoofing.com

LE AARN MORE & & A APPLY: LE A ADERSHIPPRINCEWILLI A AM ..ORG The Leadership Prince William Youth Academy is a 2-week program to help students develop lifelong leadership skills and connect with other young leaders while learning about their community and themselves. Key Experiences & Objectives: - Enhanced team-building, communication/social & leadership skills; - Design & manage a community service project with a team;

We Create & Foster Enduring Image!

- Field trips to relevant local sites like the Public Safety Training Center, Adult Detention Center, Micron Technology, historical sites & more! When & Where: July 15-26, 2019 (M-F) in Bristow 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Exclusively for rising 7th - 9th graders living or attending school in Prince William County, Manassas or Manassas Park. Call for more info: 571-765-7568

prince william living May 2019

| 25

MOMS (continued from page 24) n Create a Why I Love Mom video. Let the kids (and even significant others) tell Mom how much she is loved by creating a video. Whether it includes singing and dancing or simply telling her all of the things she does to make your lives better, this will be a gift that will put a smile on her face. For younger children, you can prompt them with questions they can answer on camera, such as, “What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?” n Capture Mother’s Day in photos. Most moms are busy capturing great photos of their children, but how often are they in front of the camera? Today, take camera duties away from Mom! Document all the activities of her special day in photos. Let the kiddos get in on the action and take pics from their point of view. There are great online photo printing services that you can use to create inexpensive albums or scrapbooks, which could make a great gift for next year.

26 |

May 2019 prince william living

However you choose to spend the day, take the time to tell Mom how much she means to you and show the love to all of the favorite moms in your life, including your mom tribe! Happy Mother's Day! Jennifer Halter (jenniferh@macaronikid.com) is a contributing writer and the founder of Macaroni Kid in Woodbridge and Gainesville.

l l l l

Weekly Tastings every Friday & Saturday night from 5:00-9:00pm Monthly Wine Club Wine Bar Bistro Menu Great Selection of World Class Wine

4394 Kevin Walker Drive | Montclair, VA, 22025 703-583-WINE (9463) | www.winestyles.net/montclair

Custom Events Celebrate your next event with us! Private room available for rehearsal dinners, lunch meetings, birthday celebrations, retirement receptions. Many menu options available.

703-330-2729 www.okras.com 9110 Center St. | Manassas, VA

BRICKS OF HONOR

STARTING AT $50, YOU CAN HONOR A LOVED ONE AND BE PART OF SEMPER K9â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HISTORY!

SemperK9.org/bricks

prince william living May 2019

| 27

home & hearth Grow Curb Appeal Exponentially: Tend to Your Garden By Katherine Gotthardt

irst impressions are always important, but particularly when you’re trying to sell your house, the way your home looks from the outside makes a lasting impression on potential buyers. Just as a fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive way to brighten up the inside of your home, tending to your garden is an affordable way to spruce up the outside of your home. The better your home looks on the outside, the better your chances are to sell quickly and at a higher price. Here are three tips to liven up your garden for maximum curb appeal and return on investment. 1. Plan and diversify your plant portfolio. Before you begin, plan. You will need to invest in a nice mixture of shrubs, trees and flowers. Do a bit of research to see which plants last a season (annuals) and which will come back season after season (perennials). If you choose only one or two types of flowers, your yard will look great when the flowers are blooming, but less than exciting for the remainder of the year. Create vivid colors for your garden that will give you different looks for different seasons. If you are having difficulty choosing, consider asking a professional at your local nursery for advice on which plants will produce a variety of colors throughout the year. And if you know you have deer or rabbits in your neighborhood, ask which plants won’t tempt those cute critters to infringe on your investment. You will also need to know how much room each plant requires to grow, so you can space them out properly. You don’t want your plants squashed together or growing into each other. You also don’t want bare spots. Confused? Consider hiring a landscaper to help plan your garden. 2. Play in the dirt; it pays off. Now that you’ve planned, it’s time to play in the dirt. Rid your yard of weeds, so it looks neat and well-kept. Weeds are not only an eyesore, but they will steal much needed resources from your garden and choke out flowers and grass. Consider using earth-friendly weed killer and pull weeds that sprout in your garden immediately before they have the chance to spread.

neatly trimmed, well-watered and weed-free. After mowing the lawn, sweep up lawn clippings to keep sidewalks and driveways clean. Fertilize and seed bare spots. If you’ve tried everything and still aren’t seeing much success, you might need to invest in a lawn service to help you get your lawn looking as good as your new garden. Even if you are not planning to move, putting time, energy and funds into enhancing curb appeal can increase the value of your home, while providing a rewarding experience. There’s nothing better than stepping back to view a job well done, especially when your efforts yield a lovely garden. Katherine Gotthardt is a full-time local writer, as well as Editor in Chief of Prince William Living. She serves as president of Write by the Rails, the Prince William Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club. Katherine can be reached at kgotthardt@ princewilliamliving.com

If you have dead or dying plants, don’t try to salvage them; pull them up. Withering plants can detract from the look of your landscaping. And if your plants have fallen victim to disease, it’s best to get rid of them before it spreads to your new plants. Also rid your garden of crawly creatures looking to devour your newly-planted delicacies. Use safe, effective insect repellants around your yard to keep your landscaping investment intact. 3. Keep your lawn in the green. Your flowers and shrubs could be a collective masterpiece, but if your grass looks bad, your garden probably won’t save your curb appeal. Keep the grass

28 |

May 2019 prince william living

www.WbtR.org

2-for-1 Admission! Skate rental not included. Not valid on Friday night. Cannot be combined coupon per customer.

Expires May 31, 2019 Youth & Adult Hockey Figure Skating Lessons for All Ages Public Skating Parties/Meetings

Fundraisers Scout Badges Broomball Curling Pro Shop & Cafe

www.pwice.com (703) 730-8423

Prince William's New PC Gaming Center 65 PC & console stations in sleek, ultramodern esports facility Many popular games Parents play free with paid 13 & under kids Sat/Sun until 5pm! Available for birthday parties & company events Bring this ad in for 1 FREE extra hour with any purchase of game time at regular price. 13592 Jefferson Davis Hwy Woodbridge, VA 22191 (571) 206-1400 I www.techtimegaming.com

prince william living May 2019

| 29

local flavor

Hector’s

Means Home for Mexican Food Fans Story and Photos By Helena Tavares Kennedy

emember the “Cheers” TV show bar “Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came”? Did you ever think such a place existed? Apparently, it does exist, and it’s in our back yard in Nokesville. Hector’s of Nokesville is a Mexican restaurant and bar that greets customers with a smile and a "Hola amigo/amiga" like you are family. It’s a place where strangers become friends. It’s a place where a hug is given, especially on days when you need it. It is a place where people keep coming back, some even several times a week. Several recent customers shared why they frequent Hector’s. Originally from Arizona and highly familiar with real Mexican food, Adriel Cota said, “This is the closest thing to home. The servers are super nice. They are very accommodating to customers' dietary requests or customizations for their meals. They make you feel like family and are super kid-friendly too.” Pam Levine from Bristow said, “I love it, love it, love it, love Balta. The prices are great, the portions are great, and the service is great. It is real authentic Mexican food, not like the big chains.”

Heartfelt History at Hector’s Hector and Balta Placencia are co-founders and brothers— two of 11 children who were born in Mexico and grew up in California. With more than 18 years in family-restaurant experience, the two brothers wanted to venture out on their own where they live in Prince William County. Their mother’s cooking was amazing, they said, and she used to joke about opening up a restaurant since she had to cook for 11 kids anyway.

30 |

May 2019 prince william living

Hector and Balta Placencia, co-founders and brothers.

From the beginning, Hector and Balta knew what they wanted to do, but the location was the big question mark. The restaurant building’s beautiful stonework exterior and the great location in Nokesville ultimately led them to open up Hector’s in 2017, making it convenient for people from all over the Prince William region to visit the restaurant. “We have people coming from Woodbridge, Bristow, Haymarket, Manassas—all over the area—just to eat our food, and that makes us so happy,” said Balta. “Since the day we opened back in April 2017, we have never had a slow day or an empty restaurant.”

Chile Verde, pork in a savory, not spicy, green sauce is among the many traditional dishes served at Hector's.

The atmosphere and art at Hector's add to the overall dining experience.

That is quite a feat for any restaurant. A visit to Hector’s on a Monday at lunchtime, when you might expect no or little crowd, will surprise you, though the busiest hours are during dinnertime and on weekends. Reservations are recommended for dinner or weekends because there is often a line out the door to get a table.

Kathy Brown said that “the ambiance is so welcoming, the food is so good, the prices are not expensive, and my favorite part is they have great vegetarian options since I’m vegetarian. It’s not like the typical Mexican restaurants that only have refried beans—they have black beans, whole beans and an amazing taco salad that is great for vegetarians.”

Authentic Food at Hector's in Nokesville The most popular items on the menu include any of the fajitas, homemade tamales and enchiladas poblanos. Chile Verde pork in a savory, not spicy, green sauce is Balta's favorite, and the burrito grande is Hector’s favorite. Hector said that chimichangas are also popular because the cheese they use is so delicious.

Beyond a Restaurant

“The best is their chorizo queso and the mixed dip—the mixed dip is an appetizer on the menu, but it's enough for a whole meal," said Levine, a recent customer.

The best part of creating Hector’s for Hector and Balta is seeing a full house and happy, smiling people. “A customer came in looking pretty down one time, and we talked with him, found out he liked chicken, so we prepared one of the chicken dishes for him that he loved,” said Hector. “He left with a smile on his face, and the next day he came back with his daughter and ordered the same thing. That’s what it’s all about for us. It makes me feel good that I can make them smile and be happy.”

Hector's Mexican rice is made twice a day from scratch. All the restaurant’s salsas, sauces and guacamole are also made fresh every day. “Nothing is frozen; everything is made fresh that day with fresh ingredients,” said Hector, and it shows in the tastiness of the food. Balta said his brother, Hector, is the chef and has been using the family recipes for years. If you are hoping to steal their secrets, no luck, as Hector doesn’t measure or use a written recipe—it’s all from experience. “If the salsa color is off, he’ll know right away and know what is missing,” said Balta. Hector treats cooking like an art form, experimenting with different things to learn what works and what doesn’t, resulting in food that most everyone enjoys. Visitors enjoy another kind of art at Hector's, too—the abstract paintings on the restaurant's walls. While Hector is an artist in the kitchen, Balta is an artist with a canvas, and his paintings are displayed, complementing the ambiance of the restaurant.

While two brothers run the restaurant, everyone there becomes family. From the servers who treat you with kindness to Balta’s contagious positive energy and the delightful food to fill your belly, customers leave feeling happier than when they came in, according to the Placencias and their fans.

The brothers seem to have a great balance and make a skilled team—one excels in the kitchen, and the other with restaurant management. The dynamic duo has created a restaurant that goes above and beyond offering food, making Hector’s unique. Check it out for yourself by visiting them at 12846 Fitzwater Drive in Nokesville. Call ahead for seating or order takeout. While Hector’s doesn’t cater and deliver food, the restaurant is accustomed to large takeout orders if you give enough advance notice. Look Hector's up on Yelp, or call 703-594-2031. Helena Tavares Kennedy (hkennedy@princewilliamliving.com), a longtime Prince William County resident is a freelance writer, editor, and communications consultant. prince william living May 2019

| 31

your finances Five Tips to Manage Your Finances When One Parent Stays at Home By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor

lmost one in five American families with children have one parent stay at home, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from the Pew Research Center. Some families make a conscious choice to transition to a household with a stay-at-home parent, while others experience a job loss or underemployment. In either case, becoming a one-income household results in a big change in cash flow. If you are making this move, it is vital to understand the financial implications and develop a strategy to adjust spending while still prioritizing your savings goals. Here are five strategies to consider: 1. Adjust your spending to fit your new lifestyle. The “elephant in the room” question is whether you need to make changes to your lifestyle to accommodate the decrease in income. You can expect your spending to go down in some areas – such as childcare or commuting expenses – but keep in mind these savings may be offset by increased entertainment, food or other costs. Unexpected expenses can pop up anytime, so it’s even more important for single-income families to have six-to-nine months’ worth of paychecks set aside in a readily accessible account to meet emergency needs. 2. Update your insurance coverage. Any time you or your spouse experiences a change in employment, it’s important to review and update your insurance coverage. Life and disability insurance are necessities, even for stay-at-home parents. If the stay-at-home parent becomes ill, disabled or passes away, life insurance helps preserve the lifestyle of the living parent and children by covering childcare and other household expenses. As for health insurance, first check the plans offered by the working spouse’s employer to see if there is an option that covers your whole family. If that’s not an option, explore your choices in the insurance marketplace provided by the Affordable Care Act. 3. Adjust your tax strategy. Contact your tax advisor to discuss if your new household income will impact your tax strategy. For starters, if your level of income is reduced, you may move into a lower marginal income tax bracket. If this happens, you may want to: • Consider how your revised tax rate may affect your investment strategy; and • Adjust the amount of money withheld from the paycheck of the spouse who will continue to work outside the home. Your tax advisor can provide guidance. 4. Revisit your plans to achieve key goals. Once you make the move to becoming a one-income household, don’t

32 |

May 2019 prince william living

overlook your long-term financial goals. If you’ve been setting money aside for key goals, such as a new home, retirement and building a college fund for your children, it is prudent to keep those plans on track. Even if you need to reduce the amount of your contributions in the near term, remember that even modest amounts add up over years – or even decades – of saving. 5. Talk about if the stay-at-home parent will return to work one day. Many stay-at-home parents choose to re-enter the workforce on a part- or full-time basis once their youngest child is enrolled in kindergarten, able to drive themselves to school or graduates from high school. Discuss each of your wishes now and keep the lines of communication open. If returning to work is an option, the stay-at-home partner should consider keeping up with any required continuing education, licenses and professional association memberships to help ease the transition down the road. Shifting from two incomes to one is an adjustment, even when you and your partner make the choice consciously. If you want another opinion to assess your current financial situation and consult on what moves to make before or after becoming a one-income household, consult a financial advisor in your area.

Bennett Whitlock, CRPC ®, is a private wealth advisor and managing director with Whitlock Wealth Management, a franchise of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Learn more at WhitlockWealth.com or call 703-492-7732.

Take charge of your financial future. Since 1894, Ameriprise Financial has helped millions of Americans feel more confident about their financial future. As an Ameriprise financial advisor, I remain true to our vision of always putting clients first. Discover the one-to-one attention you deserve, call me today at 877.WHITLOCK. Bennett C. Whitlock III, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor Whitlock Wealth Management A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. 877.WHITLOCK 12848 Harbor Dr, Ste 101 Lake Ridge, VA 22192 9073 Center St Manassas, VA 20110 bennett.c.whitlock@ampf.com whitlockwealth.com

Whitlock Wealth Managment Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisory Practice

OmniLink Gets You There THE RIDE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU! For appointments, shopping or just meeting friends for lunch — OmniLink will get you there. Safe, dependable and affordable, OmniLink buses serve routes in Dale City, Dumfries (including Quantico), Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Manassas and Manassas Park. And with an advance call, buses can leave the standard routes to serve locations up to 3/4 mile off the route. Discounted fares for seniors 60 years and older or persons with a disability are $0.75 per ride or get unlimited rides all day with a local bus day pass for $1.80 or weekly pass for just $7.15. Our helpful Customer Service Agents are ready to answer your questions: Monday - Friday • 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM • 703-730-6664 Or catch us on the web at PRTCtransit.org

OmniLink, your link around town! OmniRide • OmniLink • Cross County Connector • Metro Direct • OmniMatch are services of the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission.

PRTCtransit.org (703) 730-6664 or (888) 730-6664 Virginia Relay Center-TDD, call 711

SmarTrip® accepted on all PRTC buses. PRTC participates in the Guaranteed Ride Home and SmartBenefits Programs.

prince william living May 2019

| 33

calendar Prince William Living Presents Breakfast with an Expert Thurs. May 2 | 8 a.m. NOW ONLINE! Join us from the comfort of your own computer! Join us and “BYOB” for an online presentation of information from an expert who will give you actionable advice you can put to work immediately in your business. RSVP princewilliamliving.com/ breakfastwithanexpert.

Walk MS: Manassas 2019

Saturday, May 4 | 9 a.m.–noon Harris Pavilion 9201 Center Street, Manassas One-mile and three-mile fundraising walk for all ages benefits multiple sclerosis research and starts at the Harris Pavilion. Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m.

14th Annual DizzyFest

may

Saturday, May 4 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Dizzy Pig BBQ Company 8763 Virginia Meadows Drive, Manassas DizzyFest is the annual celebration of good eats cooked up on a Big Green Egg. Visit dizzypigbbq.com/dizzyfest/ for tickets.

Architectural Tours of Ben Lomond

Saturday, May 4 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas For Historic Preservation Month, join us for a unique spin on our tour of Ben Lomond, with a focus on the 1832 architecture of the house. Learn how Ben Lomond was built without modern technology, the styles and needs of the time that influenced the design of the house, and about the people who constructed it.

Farm to Table Fundraiser

Saturday, May 4 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. The Winery at LaGrange 4970 Antioch Road, Haymarket

It’s the third Annual Keep Prince William Beautiful Farm to Table Fundraiser! Come enjoy an evening of wine, food and music, and silent auction and vendors. Visit kpwb.org/event/ farmtotablefundraiser-2019-05-04/ for tickets.

Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Ode to Joy!

Saturday, May 4 | 7:30 p.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas The Manassas Symphony closes its season in the grandest way possible when it is joined by 100 Prince William County choir students and soloists to perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s choral masterpiece, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125. Tickets: hyltoncenter.org.

Women’s Leadership Lunch

Tuesday, May 7 | 11:30 a.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas Join the Prince William Chamber of Commerce for an empowering afternoon where attendees and others will share inspiring stories of success during the table top discussions. Plan to visit the various exhibit booths. Be inspired by speaker Megan O’Shea Megale and learn how she attained the unattainable. Call 703-368-6600 to purchase tickets; or register online: pwchamber.org/events/ calendar/.

Washington D.C. Happy Hour 5K Run

Sat. Apr. 13 | 3–8 p.m. Prince William County Fairgrounds 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas You must be 21 or over to participate. There’s a happy hour with beer, wine, and margaritas after the race. Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/washington-dc-5khappy-hour-run-tickets

Leadercast 2019

Friday, May 10 | 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. George Mason University Science & Technology Campus, Manassas Dedicate one day to becoming a stronger leader. Leadercast 2019 is about Leading Healthy Teams. Invest in yourself and your team. Learn from nine leadership

experts in a single day! To learn more or register, visit scitechcampus.gmu.edu/ leadercast2019/.

Spring Yard Sale

Saturday, May 11 | 8 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. Manassas Park Community Center 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park Got some spring cleaning items to let go of? Our annual spring yard sale is the place to take them! Our yard sale brings people from communities all over in one place! You’ll find clothes, toys, collectibles, furniture and more!

Manassas Viking Festival

Saturday, May 11 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center Street, Manassas Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas We encourage you to dress up as a Viking and step back in time and enjoy this fun family friendly event and learn about Scandinavian history and the Vikings. Multiple Viking reenactment groups will set up a Viking village on the Manassas Museum lawn and demonstrate daily life during the Viking era, including battles and more, including a Viking ship. Music and entertainment at the Harris Pavilion.

Dumfries Charter Day

Saturday, May 11 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Merchant Park 3944 Cameron Street, Dumfries A free day of family fun commemorating the oldest-chartered town in Virginia! The Weems-Botts Museum will be free and open to the public starting after the opening ceremony. Come and enjoy food and craft vendors, living history demonstrations and reenactors, children’s activities, raffles and more!

Tackett’s Mill Tuesday Market

Tuesday, May 14 | 2:30–6:30 p.m. Tackett’s Mill 2231 Tackett’s Mill Drive, Lake Ridge Opens for the season on May 14. Visit the Harbor Drive parking lot inside Tackett's Mill Center every Tuesday May through October. Vendors from across Northern Virginia offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, pastries and more!

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

34 |

May 2019 prince william living

Prince William Living Lunch with the Publisher

Wednesday, May 15 | 11:30 a.m. NOW ONLINE Are you an advertiser with Prince William Living or interested in becoming one? Meet the people behind greater Prince William’s premier lifestyle magazine, as you learn about getting your press releases published, tying into the power of our social media presence, visibility packages that increase your reach to targeted consumers, and tips on how to focus on your message. Register at princewilliamliving.com/ lunchwiththepublisher.

Sleeping Beauty, the Ballet

Friday, May 17 | 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18 | 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19 | 3 p.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas This timeless, fairy tale ballet has all the magical elements of a classic – a princess, prince, fairy godmothers, the evil fairy Carabosse, and a beautiful score by Tchaikovsky. All ages will delight in this performance featuring the popular storyline and accompaniment by Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Tickets: hyltoncenter.org

Semper K9 Hero Hike

Saturday, May 18 | 8:30 a.m. National Museum of the Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Memorial Park 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Triangle Our second Annual Hero Hike will take place May 18. Join us as we hike in honor or memory of our heroes while enjoying the beautiful monuments and memorials throughout the museum grounds. Hikers can run/walk the 5K course. To register, visit semperk9.org/herohike/.

National Kids to Parks Day

Saturday, May 18 | 10 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. Leesylvania State Park 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge Join a ranger for some exciting outdoor activities for National Kids to Parks Day. There will be fishing, a scavenger hunt, osprey observation and build a bird house.

Choose the activity that meets your interest and we will make sure that you and your family have a fun time. For more information, call 703-583-6904.

Discover Occoquan

Saturday, May 18 | 4–8 p.m. River Mill Park Mill Street, Occoquan Enjoy live music, games and a beer garden. The beer garden will feature local craft brews from Water's End Brewery in Lake Ridge. Musical guests will include award-winning Nashville singersongwriter, Cheley Tackett and local favorite Joe Downer! Tables and chairs will be provided; stop by one of our great restaurants for a to-go meal.

Portners have to do with Manassas? Come to the talk to find out! Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; bring your own lunch.!

Liberia House Tours

Saturday, May 25 | 2–3 p.m. Liberia Plantation 8601 Portner Avenue, Manassas Discover this 1825 historic gem that was visited by President Lincoln and hosted both Civil War armies. Reservations required; call 703-368-1873.

Scottish Tea

Sunday, May 19 | 10:00–11:30 a.m. Weems-Botts Museum 3944 Cameron Street, Dumfries Scottish Teas at the Weems-Botts Museum start with a seated tea service in the Museum’s Annex Building where guests will savor Harney & Sons Scottish tea and gourmet Scottish scones and shortbread while learning about Dumfries’s Scottish heritage. Reservations required; call (703) 221-2218.

Sunday Ballroom Dance at the Candy Factory

NO COST Financial Education Seminars & HUD Certified Housing Counselling Locations in Manassas & Woodbridge 1-833-501-8763 or 703-792-6287 Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm *Evenings by appointment

Calendar of classes & additional information pwcgov.org/money Interested? Questions? Send us an email smartmoney@pwcgov.org

Sunday, May 19, 3:30–6 p.m. Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory 9419 Battle Street, Manassas Join us for a Sunday Ballroom Dance at the Center for the Arts. Arrive at 3:30 p.m.for a lesson in swing, followed by an open dance session from 4:00-6 p.m. Cost is $15.00 per person for lesson and dance session, $10.00 for dance session only. Pay at the door.

Lunch & Learn Series

Friday, May 24 | 12–1 p.m. CenterFuse 9071 Center Street, Manassas A fun opportunity to learn about local history in an informal setting. This month’s topic is the Portner Family, presented by Mary Helen Dellinger, Curator, City of Manassas, Parks, Culture & Recreation. What do beer and the

prince william living May 2019

| 35

We bring the fun to you!

Pony Rides Petting Zoo Ice Cream Truck

COMMUNITY DAY PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL NEEDS YOUTH Day Program - After School Program Summer Camp - Winter Camp

Family owned and operated for 20 years!

571-283-2408 • poniesplus.org

703-330-5836 | brightcarecenter.org

Nar Shalome To Come

703-330-8145 www.casacis.org

www.actspwc.org 703-441-8606

ACHIEVE WITH US!

Committed to providing opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to achieve their greatest potential growth and independence.

www.arcgpw.org 703-670-4800

Vintage Moving & Storage Moving Your Life’s Treasures

Vintage Moving & St

Moving Your Life’s T

703.392.6260 www.vintagemoving.com

36 |

May 2019 prince william living

We hope you enjoy Prince William Living as much as we love to deliver the news and insight that enhance how you live, work and play in Prince William. To continue to receive these issues monthly, please consider a subscription of $20 a year. That small investment will ensure that you will stay up-to-date with all of the articles, events and tips that make living in Prince William great.

prince willi

'fivzng

Order your subscription today to Prince William Living $ SUBSCRIBE ONLINE TODAY! magazine forwww.princewilliamliving.com/subscription only $15 per year! 12 issues Order online today at www.princewilliamliving.com/subscription or complete this form and mail it to the address below. Your information: Name: ___________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________ City: _____________________________________________ State/Zip: _________________________________________

Subscription rate: Subscription rate is $20 per year, (12 issues) continental U.S. only. First issue arrives in 3-8 weeks. All subscriptions must be prepaid. Include a check or money order for the total amount to: Prince William Living ATTN: Circulation Department 4491 Cheshire Station Plaza, PMB 55 Dale City, VA 22193 Prince William Living also accepts Visa and Mastercard*:

Country: _________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________ Fax: _____________________________________________ Email:____________________________________________

Pick up a free copy of Prince William Living at one of the following fine locations: Chairman At-Large Appliance Connection Corey A. Stewart 13851 Telegraph Road, Suite 101, Woodbridge

Name on Card: ____________________________________ Number: _________________________________________ Expiration Date: ___________________________________ Signature: _________________________________________ *When paying by credit card, please fax your order to (703) 563-9185.

prince william living May 2019

Prince William Parks and Recreation

Prince William Public Library System

| 37

There’s a very good chance she could leave it all to the dog. We’ll give you a leg up.

At Thrive Senior Living, we’re a lot like any family. Which makes us a whole lot less like other senior living communities. We treat your parents like they’re our parents. We get to know them, not as

patients or as residents. But as

people. We do more than care for them. We care about them. That’s what makes us Thrive. That’s what makes them thrive.

Tribute at The Glen 4151 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192 571.402.1870 | ThriveSL.com/TheGlen A Thrive Senior Living Community

COME TO LIVE HERE.