Prince William Living September 2019

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THE BULL RUN MOUNTAINS

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AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

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PRESTON'S PUB

prince william living September 2019

The premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

FAMILY MATTERS PAGE 4

Creative and Performing Arts Center PAGE 18

Prince William Businesses Lauded for Success PAGE 22

princewilliamliving.com

SENTAR A NORTHERN VIRGINIA MEDIC AL CENTER

SENTARA COMMUNITY DAY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 ( R A I N DAT E — SEP T EM B ER 2 9)

10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Join us for a FREE, family-friendly, community day on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center!

Event highlights: • Free face painting, balloon artist & other kids activities • Rainbow Puppet Show + complimentary book giveaway • “Touch-A-Truck” with Prince William County first responders & Medical Transport LLC” to the Touch-A-Truck • Free health screenings • Local food trucks (items available for purchase) • K9 demonstration by Prince William County Police • Free Child & Senior Citizen ID cards provided by Prince William County Sheriff’s Office • Special guest, Michael J. from 98.7 WMZQ, meeting fans and playing jams!

• Please bring a non-perishable food donation for the ACTS Hunger Prevention Center SENTAR A NORTHERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL CENTER Surgical Services Parking Lot 2300 Opitz Boulevard Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1000

FREE EVENT, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

table of contents September 2019 | Vol. 9 | No. 9

FEATURE STORY Family Matters: Diverse Families Thrive in Prince William 4

DEPARTMENTS FROM THE PUBLISHER Celebrating Family in Prince William

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ON A HIGH NOTE Manassas Museum Celebrates Latino Culture with “Bridging Cultures – The Latino Community in Manassas” Exhibit 10

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DESTINATIONS The Bull Run Mountains

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GIVING BACK Creative and Performing Arts Center: Opening the Arts Up to All

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LIFELONG LEARNING After-School Programs for Every Child

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TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Prince William Businesses Lauded for Success

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FAMILY FUN Make Family Fitness Fun

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LOCAL FLAVOR Preston’s Pub: Family, Food, Fun CALENDAR

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COLUMNS

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CHANGE MAKERS HEALTH & WELLNESS HOME & HEARTH YOUR FINANCES

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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, Olivia Overman, Amy Taylor, Erin Pittman, Jane Fullerton Lemons, Bennett Whitlock, Dominique Mickiewicz

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 GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Alison Dixon/Image Prep Studio PHOTOGRAPHERS Amanda Baity and Mark Gilvey

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 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.

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September 2019 prince william living

from the Publisher Celebrating Family in Prince William

P

rince William – it’s an area we call home, as do families of all kinds. As someone that was that was raised in a multi generational home in Dale City, and in turn my own blended family here, I am pleased that this month in Prince William Living, we celebrate the families that make up our community. That’s why our feature this month shows, through numbers, the various kinds of families you’ll meet here, and it’s why we have talked to some of those families the numbers represent. Read this month’s feature article, and you’ll discover the diverse families around us.

Then, get some guidance for the younglings in the family. In Lifelong Learning, we bring you after school programs serving up education, creativity and joy. And in Destinations, we take you to Bull Run Mountains.

Have family members that want to get involved with the arts?

Check out Giving Back and learn about CAPAC's year-round performing and visual arts programs. And don't miss the Latino exhibit you'll read about in On a High Note.

In Taking Care of Business, we spotlight organizations that have made Washington Business Journal’s famous “lists.” Check out the impressive number of top performing businesses and nonprofits we have here in Prince William. They’re not just made up of families; they support them as well.

Next, enjoy a good old-fashioned pub, a family business, in Local Flavor. There’s something for every member of the family at Preston’s Pub in Manassas Park, and you’ll want to visit after reading this article. Plus, we’ve got health, finance, home tips and more, designed to keep your family strong in every way.

As always, we hope you enjoy this month’s issue, and if you have not subscribed, consider doing so. You’ll be supporting the community we support, made up of families just like yours.

All the best,

Rebecca Barnes Publisher

prince william living September 2019

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FAMILY MATTERS

Diverse Families Thrive in Prince William

By Ashley Claire Simpson and Katherine Gotthardt

T

hey make your heart swell bigger – and your blood boil faster – than anyone else in the world. They push the boundaries of forgiveness and elicit a love inside you that defies any kind of logic. They are your family members.

Familial relationships are often complex, steeped in emotion. And although it would seem daunting for many of us to find the words to describe our own family dynamics, the United States Census Bureau had to do it for statistical purposes. The bureau's definition of family households is, “a householder and one or more other people living in the same household who are related to the householder by birth, marriage or adoption.”

Anyone who settles in the Prince William area – either independently or with relatives in tow – soon encounters a variety of families, all of which meet the Census Bureau’s definition. From single-parent led families to couples to stepfamilies and others, the area is filled with different kinds of households, each with their own layers and challenges that add dimension to Prince William.

Family-friendly Prince William County Prince William County’s population has grown exponentially during the last two decades. Since the year 2000, the local population – now estimated to be nearly 470,000 residents – has increased by more than 50 percent. Amid this

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multiplication, as you can imagine, there is a greater variety of households and families than ever before.

If you were to analyze information about households from the last twenty years, you’d quickly discover that Prince William County has consistently been dense with families. For instance, the Census Bureau’s 2000 American Survey found that families made up 76.9 percent of households in Prince William. Fast forward to 2018, and the number of families remained strong.

The Census Bureau estimated that, last year, families made up 77.4 percent of all households, with the average family consisting of 3.8 members. This is significantly higher than the 66 percent of present-day households in the U.S. that are families, with an average size of 3.3.

So, while some aspects of Prince William County have definitely changed amid growth during the last two decades, families are still prevalent.

Nuclear Families: Still a strong presence in the Prince William Area Nuclear families are generally defined as two parents and their children. Despite being considered more “traditional,” these two-parent families are still the most common type of family in Prince William County, making up about 41.9 percent of all family households.

“I would attribute this presence of nuclear families to the wealth represented by Prince William County residents,” Sharon Kelly, Woodbridge-based Certified Life Coach, said. “This means fewer financial difficulties, which is often a major cause for divorce.

That same wealth also allows people access to resources.”

Regardless of reason, the presence of nuclear families has been consistent for Prince William County since at least 2000, when 44.5 percent of all family households were married couples and their own children.

Manassas and Manassas Park have higher numbers of conventional families. As of 2019, in Manassas, 59.5 percent of households are led by married couples. Of those, 78 percent are nuclear families. The average family size is 3.83. In Manassas Park, families with married couples make up 72 percent of all households, with 79 percent being nuclear families. Average family size is 4.1.

Prince William: A Blend of Blended Families

divorce rate in this country, people do need to understand that the challenges of stepfamilies are different.”

Kelly found that blending was tough in the beginning, saying that the eight people in her household are constantly making adjustments. She is pleased that everyone in her family is happy and thriving.

Kristina and Martin Nohe of Woodbridge are parents of four children, two of whom are adopted. Besides being a blended family through adoption, their family is multiracial. “Having become a parent through foster care adoption and birth, I can honestly say that no matter how your kids come to you, no one is truly prepared for what it is like to become a parent,” said Kristina Nohe.

“When my kids were younger, I used to carry a family picture with me everywhere we went. All too often, security guards and well-meaning strangers would approach my children to ask if they were lost even though I was sitting right next to them because they are African-American and I am white.

“Living in a transracial family has its challenges, but it has offered our family immeasurable blessings and a greater understanding of the world.”

Single Parent Families in Prince William

Conventional families may be the most common composition in Prince William households, but blended families also have a significant presence.

Sometimes, families are fluid. Divorce – or death – can occur, leaving one parent with primary responsibility for children in the household.

“There are 1,300 blended families forming each day in this country, and more than 50 percent of families in the United States are remarried couples,” Kelly said. “I myself have been in a stepfamily for five years. It’s my second marriage; I previously had been married for 16 years. Between my current husband’s children and mine, there are six kids in our family. With the

Regardless of exactly how someone becomes a single parent, their families – either a mother or a father along with his or her own children – represent about 11 percent of Prince William (continues on page 6) prince william living September 2019

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(continued from page 5) County’s family households. This equates to about 22 percent of the county’s children (among about 13,400 families) with just one parent at home, according to the Federal Reserve’s Economic Data for 2017.

Historically, most single parents have been women. However, the gap between the number of single mothers and single fathers is closing, nationally and locally. Fifty years ago, there was just one single father for every 12 single mothers in the U.S. Today’s ratio of single fathers to single mothers has more than doubled. Prince William follows suit.

Kelly herself was once a single mother, and although she mostly encountered women in her situation, she has noticed a growing number of men rising to the challenge.

“I find it commendable when fathers are present and available for their children,” Kelly said. “We have had many years where that was not the case. Now we see fathers fighting for their rights, fighting to be present in their children's lives, and who are doing an awesome job at it.”

Even with recent strides, it may take decades before single fathers are as prevalent as single mothers. One reason could be that so many more women today are delaying marriage, sometimes using modern medicine to have children on their own.

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“Women and men today are getting married later, and maybe having children while they wait to meet someone they feel compatible with,” Kelly said. “There are so many more resources available than there used to be to ensure that you form a healthy family. And that should be the goal for every family – to be healthy.”

According to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, of all Prince William babies born in 2017, about 24 percent were born to mothers who were not married at the time. Unmarried women between the ages of 35 and 40 gave birth to 16 percent of these babies. Zooming in on Manassas, single 35- to 50-yearold women giving birth that same year made up 73 percent of all single mothers in Manassas.

What’s also worth noting is, these percentages of mothers giving birth later in life are higher than those of Virginia, and the United States, as a whole.

Delaying “I Do” In general, people are waiting longer to get married. The Census Bureau reported that, in 2018, just 29 percent of 18- to 34-yearolds in the United States were married. Overall, the national median age of women at the time of their first marriages is about 27.8, and the median age of their male counterparts is 29.8.

As of 2018, about 79 percent of U.S. family households included

married couples. Then, nearly 47 percent of these marriedcouple households were without their own children.

Some childless married couples will one day have children, and some will not. Either way, older couples impact the nature of the families they will one day have (or not have). Older parents affect how many children families will have.

With people holding off on entering into matrimony, divorce rates are down, keeping up the percentage of conventional families in Prince William County. In Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park, most single people just never married.

Multi-generational families Forget what people may say: Living with your parents just might be in style. In fact, multi-generational living – when two or more adult generations reside together, or when grandparents and children under the age of 25 cohabitate – is more popular today than ever before.

The Pew Research Center concluded that, in 2016, “a record 64 million people, or 20 percent of the U.S. population, lived with multiple generations under one roof”... and that more than 44 percent of these people (28.4 million people) are living in family households that include “three or more generations – for example, a grandparent, an adult child and a grandchild of any age.” It happens among people of all ages, races and cultures, and has been a growing phenomenon since the recession of 2007-2008.

Whether it’s due to a higher cost of living, the influence of other cultures that value keeping families together or because the Baby Boomers are getting older and living longer, multi-generational living is commonplace in Prince William. It’s so prevalent, in fact, that residential communities like local Avendale and Potomac Reserve focus on it, offering floor plans and other amenities to accommodate multi-generational living.

As the Virginia-D.C.-Maryland building company Brookfield Residential – the people behind Avendale and Potomac Reserve communities – report, “The local housing market and a range of other personal factors are driving families together into more traditional living arrangements by need. They’re choosing to stay together because of the benefits.”

Same-sex couples and their families The state of Virginia only legalized marriage for same-sex couples toward the end of 2014. This was also the year that the Census Bureau officially began to count same-sex married couples as “family households.” As a result of this relatively recent development, official statistics on same-sex couples and families are scant.

According to a study by UCLA’s Williams Institute, “The U.S. Census does not ask sexual orientation or gender identity questions on their surveys. Only couples where both individuals identified as male or both individuals identified as female are included in the data. Thus, these data give a peek

at the characteristics of a subset of individuals in the LGBT community: individuals in same-sex couples.”

UCLA counted 538 same-sex couples in Prince William County this year. Manassas had 65, Manassas Park 18. The 2020 Census will shed some important new insights.

"I believe LGBTQ+ parents stay in this area due to its growth and access to resources that may not be as readily available or accessible in other areas of the state," said parent Nicolle Campa.

"For example, we are very fortunate to have a Prince William County PFLAG chapter that meets monthly. Each month we have new families join these meetings, which is great. It is clear our county has a need for PFLAG; we have the opportunity to support one another and ensure our PWC LGBTQ+ families know we are here for them."

Family matters Prince William County is a melting pot of families. Some of these family units will remain unchanged, some will expand and some will evolve in other ways. The type of family you’re nestled in today could be very different from the one you find yourself a part of in the distant – or not-so-distant – future.

“My family doesn’t look like everyone else’s family,” said Kristina Nohe. “When my daughter was little, she said that we were like a ‘choconilla’ twisted ice cream cone. The two flavors can’t be separated, and they are better for it. We still get the occasional look, but we don’t mind because we know that, for the most part, people are just wondering what our story is. It’s a wonderful story, and I wouldn’t change a word of it.”

Ashley Claire Simpson (asimpson@princewilliamliving.com) is a corporate communications professional by day, but her real passion is learning more about this community and the world by writing.

Katherine Gotthardt (kgotthardt@princewilliamliving.com) is editor in chief of Prince William Living, a full-time content specialist and author of six books. She is the President of Write by the Rails, the Prince William Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club. prince william living September 2019

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on a high note Manassas Museum Celebrates Latino Culture

“Bridging Cultures – The Latino Community in Manassas” Exhibit

By Amy Taylor

M

anassas has been celebrating its Latino community’s roots with a special exhibit at Manassas Museum since April 11 of this year. Running through September 22, 2019, the exhibit honors the community’s diversity by representing the culture of many Manassas residents.

“Manassas is home to a large and vibrant Latino population. As part of our mission to include all parts of our community in our programming, exhibitions and outreach, we decided to create a Latino exhibit - the first of its kind for the museum and in this area,” said Mary Helen Dellinger, curator of the Manassas Museum.

The City of Manassas hopes to bring more inclusivity by celebrating all members of their diverse community. The museum partnered with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Council to make that happen through the exhibit.

“Because Latinos are a ‘newer’ population to Manassas, they have not seen themselves in the stories we have traditionally told in our gallery spaces. Exhibits on the Civil War, the train and its importance to Manassas, Jeannie Dean and the Manassas Industrial School by their very definition generally do not include Latino themes. As part of our effort to broaden our interpretive reach, museum staff is making a concerted effort to provide more exhibits and programs on other aspects of our shared community history. An exhibit on Latino culture fits this description perfectly,” Dellinger said.

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This exhibit was a completely fresh experience for the museum, and the public has been the first to view objects and images from private collections around the region.

“The exhibit highlights the Latino culture of 22 different countries in this hemisphere (North America, Central America, The Caribbean, Andean States, and South America - Atlantic Coast). Objects and images show the fine arts, clothing, entertainment, music and other aspects of Latino culture,” said Dellinger.

“The Museum worked with a special committee created just to help with this show. Committee members represented the local Latino community - business leaders, artists, community leaders, etc. It was this group that worked to help select the objects and images for this show. Every object on display but one came from private collections across the region and are on public view for the first time,” Dellinger said.

The exhibit was kicked off with Dance Night at the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory. The event, directed by Doug Horhota, programs coordinator for the City of Manassas, featured a sampling of music and folkloric dancing from several countries.

The Manassas Museum Exhibits The Manassas Museum has the Latino exhibit and more in store for history lovers.

Photos provided by City of Manassas

Manassas has been celebrating its Latino community’s roots with a special exhibit at Manassas Museum since April 11 of this year.

“In addition to this exhibit, we also have a large exhibition gallery with more displays about Manassas history,” Dellinger said. “Our next exhibition, opening on October 5, is titled ‘Native Legacy: The Patawomeck Indians of Virginia.’”

The Manassas Museum had humble beginnings in 1973 as a collection of artifacts assembled by Walser Rohr. The museum began as a committee of volunteers and grew with the help of the Manassas Historical Committee. In 1991, they increased their exhibit space and created interactive displays and educational offerings that explore the city’s rich history. The museum has both permanent and changing galleries, as well as a gift shop where guests can purchase locally crafted items.

Liberia plantation, the 1861 Mayfield Earthwork Fort, the 1914 Southern Railway Depot and the 1864 Cannon Branch Earthwork Fort.

The museum drives tourism and works to educate locals and visitors about the rich history of Manassas.

For more information on the Manassas Museum visit their website at manassascity.org/211/Manassas-Museum-System.

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.

Manassas Museum is now steward to many city-owned historic sites like the 1908 Hopkins Candy Factory building, the 1825 prince william living September 2019

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change makers Paige Meade "Change Makers" highlights the people of Prince William who are making a difference in our community. This month, we feature Paige Meade.

How long have you lived in the Prince William area, and what do you most like about living here?

I’ve lived in Prince William for 31 years with a couple of short breaks for college and work. I love that Prince William has a small town feel with close proximity to a major metropolitan area. It’s kind of the best of both worlds!

What are some of your favorite things to do in the area and why?

I love the diversity of Old Town Manassas restaurants and shops, hiking the historic battlefields and the easy access to D.C. cultural activities and entertainment venues, such as Jiffy Lube Live.

How have you been involved in the community?

I fulfill numerous community service roles both in ACTS (Prince William) and also for the VA Department of Corrections. As an ACTS Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, I provide 1250+ yearly hours of on-call, community-based victim advocate services, working in partnership with law enforcement, medical providers and other allied professionals to offer hospital accompaniment services to victims of sexual assault in greater Prince William. I am also a group facilitator in the Prince William Adult Detention Center (ADC) women’s unit.

I created a trauma-informed curriculum for group sessions and provide 105+ yearly hours to facilitate a weekly women’s group. The group provides peer crisis counseling with group sessions geared toward sexual abuse and sexual assault survivors. Our goal is to help individuals who have experienced sexual violence to establish healthy skills and discover paths to healing through understanding, peer interaction and education.

Additionally, I created ACTS 2017 #MeToo Sexual Assault campaign graphics and marketing materials, served on the 2018 Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) steering committee and was the 2018 Sexual Assault Services Volunteer of the Year. Commonwealth-wide, I am a guest lecturer for the Virginia Department of Correction (DOC)/U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime “Listen

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and Learn: Victim Impact” program, which provides evidencebased programming geared toward helping offenders to become more aware of the impact that crime has on victims and to take responsibility for their actions.

I volunteer in Prince William because I was a victim of sexual violence in Manassas in 1992, and services such as hospital and court accompaniment weren’t available at that time. I went through the forensic exam, law enforcement investigation and eventual legal adjudication largely without support. While the Manassas City Police and the Commonwealth Attorney’s office were both incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the process, it would have been invaluable to understand what was happening and to have the support of someone who had been through it before and could advocate on my behalf. I’m honored to be entrusted to provide Victim Advocacy services through ACTS, and I feel it’s my duty to give back to a community I’ve called home for 31 years.

If you had to give advice to someone new to the area, what would you tell them and why?

Reach out! There are so many volunteer opportunities where your skills could make a big impact, and it’s a great way to meet people and establish yourself as a part of our community.

There’s a wealth of information online about different organizations and ways to get involved.

How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

Mum, victim advocate and business owner. Long-time resident of Prince William and passionate about victim rights. Helping turn trauma into resilience one human at a time.

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destinations

The Bull Run Mountains

By Amy Taylor | Photos by Amanda Baity

T

wo organizations are working together to ensure the natural beauty of the Bull Run Mountains is preserved for generations to come. The Bull Run Mountains Conservancy and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation are cooperating to protect, maintain, and study the mountains while educating people about them.

Bull Run Mountains Conservancy The Bull Run Mountains Conservancy is “a nonprofit 501(c) (3) with a mission to protect Bull Run Mountains through education, research and stewardship,” said Michael Kieffer, executive director.

The mountains have a unique geology of metamorphic quartz sandstone, according to Kieffer. “This is one of the reasons it qualifies as a natural area. It's part of the Blue Ridge. This is actually the Eastern edge of that ancient mountain range,” Kieffer said.

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There are many mammal species that inhabit the mountains, including black bears, coyotes, red fox, grey fox and bobcats, though you may not see them as they tend to stay away from people.

Kieffer said, “There are also deer and many different species of birds, which peak in late April and May when migrants are coming up from the tropics.”

The conservancy is able to do much of its research and provide education due to the access to the mountains provided by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) and private landowners.

Last year, the conservancy conducted a study on the population of local damselflies, and researchers were able to access many parcels of private land due to the relationships the organization has built with local landowners.

“It helped increase the reach [of the study] because there are a lot of farm ponds that have been created on the mountain. We just

try to cultivate relationships, and for the most part, it's been very successful,” Kieffer said.

The conservancy’s ongoing partnership with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation enables night access to the mountain once a year.

“The biggest partnership that we will have between VOF and ourselves is on October 19, 25 and 26 at night when we run night hikes for our Halloween Safari. It’s an interpretive program where you register for a time slot. The first one is at 7 p.m. We have a one-man-band, face painting and camp snacks, and we gather you together. I introduce you to a trail leader who leads you on a night hike. You’ll meet four different native animals, actors dressed up who portray what the animal is as far as how it survives and feeds,” Kieffer said.

The conservancy runs with help from volunteers. The organization needs volunteers for its Halloween Safari, which requires about 50 to 60 volunteers over the span of three days. For more information about volunteering, email info@ brmconservancy.org or call 703-753-2631.

Virginia Outdoors Foundation “The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) aims to protect the quality of Virginia’s outdoors and make its resources available to its people. More specifically, we are a public organization dedicated to land conservation throughout the state of Virginia,” said Joe Villari, Preserve Manager.

“Conserving lands can be a complicated procedure, and there is no single, widely applicable panacea-like approach available. Faced with that reality, we utilize a wide variety of approaches, from working with landowners to create and steward conservation easements on their privately-held lands to creating and caring for open-space reserves, like the Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve (BRMNAP),” Villari said.

The Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, which VOF owns and operates, covers about 2,500 acres of the Bull Run Mountains in Prince William and Fauquier Counties.

“Our South Section and public trailhead sit right next to the Chapman-Beverley Mill in Broad Run. This section holds six miles of trails that provide our visitors access to a variety of the preserve’s natural and cultural treasures. We are conveniently located just off Route 66 and are open to the public FridaySunday, year-round,” Villari said.

of cultural history sites,” Villari said. “I have found that most people do not know the significant history that the preserve protects, and we are doing our best to address that.”

“In addition to offering hiking, we perform and promote scientific research and offer a variety of informal educational experiences. We are currently developing a few opportunities for interested local citizen scientists to come assist with some exciting projects,” he said.

The Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve offers visitors a unique chance to unplug and be truly present in nature.

“We are fortunate to live in a corridor of Northern Virginia that holds so many top-notch public lands and parks. That said, what sets VOF’s Bull Run Mountains Preserve apart is three things: our regionally unique mountainous habitat, our diverse historical holdings and our preserve designation.”

According to Villari, “Most of the nearby public lands are parks.

As a preserve, we have a different focus and are, as a result, able to offer something different. Preserve visitors come to learn, explore or just be present and immersed in nature. We can offer folks a brief wilderness experience, and that is a challenging thing to be able to offer this close to Washington, DC.” For the most current news and announcements about the organization's public trail system, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/bullrunmountains. VOF Preserve staff hold monthly stewardship days and are always excited to welcome new volunteers to their roster.

The Natural Area Preserve is permanently protected by the state designation and only allows activities like hiking and educational outings.

Area scientists and educators who would like to perform work or hold programs on the preserve can contact Villari directly at jvillari@vofonline.org or 571-438-8957.

“…We are primarily focused on protecting the quality of the natural habitat and its native inhabitants. As such, most recreational activities are not permitted, but we are a great place for hikers who are interested in immersing themselves in a natural Virginia ecosystem and/or exploring a plethora

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 September 2019

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giving back

Creative and Performing Arts Center Opening the Arts Up to All

By Olivia Overman

F

ounded in 2002 in Prince William County, the Creative and Performing Arts Center Inc. (‘CAPAC’), a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, was created to provide people of all ages with an outlet to develop the extraordinary art that emphasizes the rich culture and ethnic traditions of people of color. With the understanding of the need to fill a void for cultural diversity in the performing and visual arts in the Greater Prince William County area, CAPAC created an organization to provide year-round performing and visual arts programs. CAPAC is governed by a board of directors that includes Loretta Freeman, president; Jacqui West, vice president; Melissa Davis, secretary; Bettie Roberts, treasurer; Sheila Anderson, Jean Gary, LaTonya Jackson, Shennell January, Ph.D., Eric Johnson, Vernell Lewis, Desirea Moore-Mitchell, Yvette Pile, Elizabeth Price and Lewis E. Turner, Jr.

Joy and Learning through Performances From ages 5 to 105, all are welcome to come and take part in the acting, singing, dancing and art workshops with CAPAC. These workshops are the makings of the theatrical productions CAPAC students have performed since its formation. “Over the last 17 years, we have brought a variety of productions to the stage, from comedies to dramas to plays for children, youth and families,” said Denise M. McPhail, co-founder and executive director of CAPAC. “In addition, our performances have provided exposure to multicultural arts that many young people in our region would not have experienced otherwise.”

In 2012, CAPAC presented legendary choreographer, dancer and actress, Debbie Allen’s, Dancing in the Wings over four nights at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Other performances over the years include a presentation of Remembering Angels in Birmingham at the grand opening of the Hylton Performing Arts Center in 2010. This performance was of an original script written by professional actor and Prince William County native, Albert Williams.

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September 2019 prince william living

CAPAC performs two to three productions annually, with two of them occurring at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. CAPAC is a founding Resident Arts Partner with Hylton Performing Arts Center, and in July 2019, became an official Arts Partner.

In 2016, CAPAC developed a partnership with Charles Colgan High School, Center for the Fine and Performing Arts in Manassas. Most recently, “we worked with students to research, write, produce and put on a historical play, The Courageous Four, for Black History Month,” said McPhail. “It was the story of four African-American educators—Zella Brown, Maxine Coleman, Fannie Fitzgerald and Mary Porter—who were selected to integrate the Prince William County Public School System by being re-assigned to all white elementary schools.”

Each year, in honor of Black History Month, CAPAC offers a production and/or a student master class. Plans for 2020 include a dramaturgy master class that will encourage students to consider researching, writing, and editing as well as consulting with authors, script interpreters, and others.

Jawuan Hill, a CAPAC student, said of the organization, “CAPAC inspired me in many ways to become the artist that I am today. This organization gave me a firsthand experience of the professional aspect of theater and theater etiquette. They [CAPAC] also pushed me to become a better person and artist with many different techniques and mentors. I will forever thank the Creative and Performing Arts Center for helping me find my passion.” Hill was accepted to study theater at The British American Drama Academy for the Midsummer Conservatory Program 2019. The program was held at St. John’s College, Oxford University, England.

Other students who have performed with CAPAC have gone on to study at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts in Washington, D.C. while “the young man who played the Wiz in our 2014 production of The Wiz, Rayshun LaMarr, made it to number 8 as a contestant on NBC’s The Voice,” said McPhail.

Photos by Don Cherry

Black Nativity scene 2018

Giving Back to the Community CAPAC believes in giving back to the community, which is evident in the thought put in to each production. “For the production of Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery by Shay Youngblood and directed by Crystal Arful-Addoh, CAPAC partnered with the Cabin Branch Quilters to present 32 quilts to the neonatal intensive care unit at the now Sentara Hospital,” said McPhail.

“For other performances, CAPAC has hosted food drives to benefit local food pantries and provided opportunities for underprivileged youth to attend performances,” she said.

CAPAC dealt with issues that are very prevalent in today’s society with its presentation of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls. The play addresses subjects of suicide, racism, sexism, rape, powerlessness and male domination and the girls who have considered suicide because of this. For this performance, CAPAC partnered with local psychiatrists and therapists to address the subjects identified in the theatrical performance, allowing for postperformance discussions.

An Exciting Future with Lots to Offer CAPAC is a membership-based organization and invites supporters to participate in an annual membership program at capacweb.org. Support can also be given by clicking CAPAC Inc. before shopping on Amazon Smile. CAPAC is also currently seeking sponsors and vendors to support CAPAC’s 2nd Jazz in the Park fundraiser as well as a corporate sponsor to launch a second fundraiser to support professional women and girls.

Upcoming events include: The Violin Master Class with Dr. Chelsey Green and the Green Project for students in 6th through 12th grades on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Mary Louise Jackson Amphitheater on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College in Manassas, Virginia (rain date: Sept. 14).

On Sept. 7, 2019 (rain date Sept. 14), Jazz in the Park will begin at 1

Freedom Riders the Rosa Parks scene

p.m. Artist Marcus Johnson will be the headliner. Also featured will be Chelsey Green (a violinist who performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of 16), David Bach Consort and Rahmat Shabazz.

On Nov. 16, 2019, CAPAC will perform an excerpt from Langston Hughes' Black Nativity at the Northern Virginia Baptist Association's Women’s Ministry Princess and Queen Pageant and Drama Committee. Hershel Holiday, a recent Yale University theater graduate, will direct the performance.

On Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., CAPAC will perform Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity at the Hylton Performing Arts Center located on George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus in Manassas. Black Nativity is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.

Visit CAPAC's website to learn which children's production the organization will produce Feb. 29, March 1, March 7 and 8 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Each performance will begin at 3 p.m.

“As the co-founder/executive director of CAPAC, over the past 17 years, there have been many supporters instrumental in our success. Regardless of the type of role you've played, if you have contributed to CAPAC in any way since our inception, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of our growth,” McPhail said.

“If you have not been a part of CAPAC's growth, we invite you to consider joining us,” she said. “There is a role waiting, just for you.”

Additional information about CAPAC can be found at capacweb. org, or alternatively follow Creative and Performing Arts Center on Facebook.

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

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health & wellness Colorectal Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate

I

t may not be a topic you want to discuss, but it should be.

Colorectal health is an aspect of overall health of which both men and women should be aware. Often times women think of colon and rectal cancers as men’s diseases, which doctors say is absolutely not true.

“Colon cancer affects both men and women,” explained Caroline Sanchez, MD, FACS, FASCRS, a colon and rectal board-certified surgeon with Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. “The lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is 1 in 24 (4.15%) in women compared to 1 in 22 (4.49%) for men.”

The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. Dr. Sanchez said colon issues in both men and women are very similar.

“I take care of colon and rectal diseases. These conditions can range in severity. These diseases can be mildly irritating to life threatening. They can be benign or cancerous,” she said. “Early colon cancer rarely causes any obvious symptoms. Warning signs include change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, unexpected weight loss or anemia.”

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Dr. Sanchez noted many women will dismiss their symptoms and attribute them to their menstrual cycles. According to her, that’s why it’s so important to discuss colorectal diseases.

“Issues of the colon and rectum are often difficult to discuss, but you should not be afraid to talk about new symptoms you may be experiencing,” Dr. Sanchez stressed. “Often times there is a simple explanation, which can easily be treated, and you don’t have to suffer in silence. If there is something more serious, it is best to find out earlier.”

To find a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon, call 1-800-Sentara or visit sentara.com/digestive.

lifelong learning After-School Programs for Every Child

By Erin Pittman

P

Photo provided by USTA

rince William offers an abundance of after-school programming options for children. The toughest part is deciding which program to join. Consider your child’s needs as you explore your options. Does Adam need more physical activity to sleep well at night? Does Sarah want to perfect her favorite sport, but you can’t seem to get her to enough lessons? Is Ryan struggling with reading and providing extra help at home has become a battle? No matter your situation, there’s an after-school enrichment program perfect for your child.

For Your Active Child For those kiddos who need movement to be at their best, consider a sports program after school. Dynamic Martial Arts in Gainesville and Haymarket offer structured programs that include games, sports, homework assistance, reading time and martial arts instruction. Visit dkickusa.com for more information.

If your child is happiest on the court or looking to learn a new sport, the United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic introduces the life-long sport of tennis after school in an enrichment program called TGA Premier Youth Tennis.

This program, currently offered in 13 Prince William County elementary schools, not only teaches children the fundamentals of playing tennis, but also incorporates life-lessons and characterbuilding skills in every session. Equipment is provided, and all activities take place in the schools immediately following the school day, so it is convenient for parents.

With the variety of resources in our area, there’s an after-school enrichment program perfect for your child.

plenty of play time with friends. Visit alphabest.org for more information.

For Your Older Child Who Wants It All

For Your Child Who Needs Academic Support

Is your middle schooler unhappy with having to go to afterschool care? The Next Generation Middle School Program was developed to engage them in a variety of age appropriate activities. Teen students can participate in a variety of clubs from art and sports to leadership and photography. Visit pwcs.edu/ departments/s_a_c_c_and_next_generation/next_generation_ middle_school_program for more information. And at Manassas Park Community Center, MP3 offers a lightly supervised opportunity for your teen to have a safe and fun place to be after school. MP3 emphasizes recreation with creative programs and materials that encourage and invite participation. Visit manassasparkcommunitycenter.com/programsevents/recreationservices/daycare-programs.

In many cases, the last thing kids who are struggling in school want to do is more schoolwork. But with AlphaBEST afterschool programs, they will be engaged, study cutting-edge learning methods, receive healthy snacks, get homework help and have

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.

"USTA Mid-Atlantic is a non-profit organization, and one of our top priorities is to introduce more youth to tennis so that they can have a healthy life-long activity that will help them build skills to be successful on and off the court," said Warren Waterman, manager of the program in Prince William County. "We make sure to provide the program in a way that is affordable and accessible so that any child can participate."

For more information visit usta.com/midatlanticenrichment.

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taking care of business Prince William Businesses Lauded for Success Local Companies Included in Prestigious Book of Lists

By Jane Fullerton Lemons

A

wide range of Prince William’s independent businesses, public schools and government services were represented in the most recent Book of Lists published by the Washington Business Journal.

Three Prince William County small businesses were listed among the 75 fastest-growing companies in the Washington area for 2018 (bizjournals.com/washington/news/2018/11/02/ rankings-revealed-2018-fastest-growing-companies.html).

To qualify, the companies had to show revenue growth each year between 2015 and 2017, with revenue of at least $2 million in 2015 and at least $10 million in 2017.

Coming in at No. 2 was TechAnax, a Woodbridge-based company that provides technology services.

“We have seen tremendous growth and fantastic numbers, which have occurred thanks to our dedicated Prince William Countybased workforce delivering quality solutions and building customer relationships,” said TechAnax CEO Byron Athan.

Able Moving & Storage Focuses on Company Culture Ranking at No. 62 was Able Moving & Storage, a family-owned company founded in 1987 by Jim, Joe and Bill Singleton.

In 1990, the company moved from Fairfax to Manassas.

According to Joe Singleton, it’s unusual for a company that has been in business more than three decades to make the list of fast-growing companies, and it underscores the commitment Able Moving & Storage makes to customer service and employee engagement. It fosters that company culture by offering benefits

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September 2019 prince william living

that extend to profit sharing, English classes, driver training, customer service training, mentorship programs and weekly company breakfasts.

“Every Friday during our peak season, we provide breakfast for every employee,” said Joe Singleton. “In an industry that’s always in a hurry, we use the Friday breakfast to slow down for a bit and let everyone sit together have a good meal and catch up.”

That attitude applies to community involvement, too. Able Moving & Storage works with Northern Virginia Family Services, sending a moving truck and crew to pick up donated turkeys from local schools and businesses during its annual holiday turkey drive. The company also works with SERVE as well as career advancement programs at both George Mason University and Osbourn High School.

“Our leadership team understands that they are the stewards of someone's precious child not just an employee,” Singleton said.

“We have always known that if we don't take care of our people, someone else will, and the same goes for our customers.”

Open Systems Technologies Practices Core Values Listed as No. 66 was Open Systems Technologies Corp (OST).

Founded in 1996, the familyowned business that provides cybersecurity and cloud computing services moved its operations to Gainesville in 2007.

The award reflects the company’s ability to adapt to the ever-changing technology landscape, said Thomas R. Truitt, OST’s founder and president. The company is also committed to putting people ahead of profits when it comes to both customers and employees.

"We still believe in loving your neighbor more than yourself.

And in business, our neighbors are our loyal employees and valued clients,” Truitt said.

OST also steps up when it comes to serving the community, both in Prince William County and beyond, by donating to Wounded Warriors as well as children’s charities worldwide that provide food, clothing, education and housing.

Contract Solutions Gives Back in Time and Money for the Community Contract Solutions Inc. (CSI) was honored twice – ranking No. 3 in financial donations for providing $263,000 for charitable causes and No. 2 for providing 4,000 volunteer hours, among smaller companies in the Greater Washington area.

For the company’s founder, Corliss Udoema, service is an essential pillar of her national award-winning company. CSI provides professional staffing and management support services and has been located in Prince William County since 2009.

“Being recognized is not the main motivation for us,” she said.

“We want to deliver the message that all small businesses can make a positive difference in our community. Rather than focusing on the mountains that may lie ahead, we try to focus on taking one step at a time. We try to set an example that by joining hands, minds and hearts, we can make positive change.”

Udoema works with individuals, nonprofits, businesses, churches, community colleges and the cities of Manassas and New Bern, N.C. She has orchestrated efforts to distribute bags to the homeless, handing out more than 5,000 last year and on pace to double that this year. She also sponsored computer literacy classes for seniors, conducted mentoring sessions for veterans and provided disaster relief to hurricane victims in North Carolina, Louisiana, Florida and Puerto Rico.

She often partners with other small businesses on such projects.

“Many have joined hands with us on our journey to make a difference,” she said. “I don’t see the other companies as competitors, but rather as co-laborers. I don’t necessarily see us as different, but rather this time, we were the company that was noticed.”

Perfect Planning Events Values Teamwork In the category of meeting and event planning companies, Perfect Planning Events of Woodbridge ranked No. 24 on the list.

Tara Melvin, the company’s CEO and creative director, founded her event planning and management company in 2004 to encompass all the details that go into organizing corporate events as well as weddings and other social gatherings.

According to Melvin, “The community is our pillar and foundation that allows me to thrive as a small business owner.”

She emphasized that teamwork – within the company, with the customer and throughout the industry – is vital to creating unique and memorable experiences. “What gets me up in the morning is our clients – seeing the expressions on their faces during their events and having the continued relationship with them long after their event is over,” she said. “Our clients become our friends.”

Additional Companies Honored along with Schools and Government Services A number of other Prince William area organizations made the Book of Lists: n Ennis Electric Co. Inc. ranked No. 8 for electrical providers. n My Plumber Heating and Cooling was No. 9 for mechanical contractors. n Federal Conference ranked No. 23 for veteran-owned companies.

Others on the list included: n Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center ranked among the top 25 hospitals. n Northern Virginia Community College ranked first with the highest enrollment in colleges and universities, followed

by George Mason University at No. 3; both schools have campuses in Prince William County. n The Prince William County Department of Economic Development tied along with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce at No. 8 in terms of annual budget size among other jurisdiction organizations. n Prince William County Public Schools ranked No. 15 and Prince William County Government ranked No. 34 among the entire region’s top non-federal public and private employers. n The Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation placed No. 28 for corporate philanthropy. n Among the region’s largest malls and shopping centers, Potomac Mills ranked No. 4, Virginia Gateway ranked No. 8, and Manassas Mall ranked No. 12. n American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) ranked No. 4 among the largest bioscience employers.

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 September 2019

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family fun

Make Family Fitness Fun

By Jennifer Halter

G

ood habits start at home, and that includes setting an example for our children when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives that sometimes thinking of one more thing to add to our day seems so daunting. Here are four ways you can incorporate more physical activity into your family’s schedule and have fun doing it!

Take a walk or bike ride. Make it part of your evening routine to take a short walk or bike ride around your neighborhood after dinner. This is a great opportunity to share your day with one another, even if it’s for just 15 minutes. Want to get creative on your walk/ride? Play I-Spy or have a silly walk contest.

Plan active family outings. There’s no shortage of indoor activities that will get the heart pumping while still having fun. Head to the trampoline park, ice skating,

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roller rink or rock-climbing facility. Want to get outside?

Plan a hike at one of our local parks or walk around and explore a historic site.

Run yard work relays. The thought of doing chores, especially yard work, is sure to get some mumbles and groans from the kids. Still, you can turn the work into fun by having relay races. With the leaves falling, see who can stack the largest pile first. You can do the same thing with sticks or toys.

Take commercial break fit tests. As you are enjoying some television time together, challenge each other to see how many of each exercise you can do during the commercial breaks. Fill a jar or bowl with slips of paper with different exercises written on each, such as squats, run in place, pushups or lunges. Take turns choosing a different exercise from the jar and perform each (continues on page 26)

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FAMILY FITNESS (continued from page 24)

Join In new Manassas Museum Native American exhibit 10/5 & October tours

Enjoy what's new in parks!

exercise. Keep track of how many you do and see if you can beat your number from the previous time.

When you enjoy activity, it makes it easier to work more of it in. So have fun as you get healthier!

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home & hearth Love Your Home, Love Your Planet: Setting Up Sustainable Spaces

By Dominique Mickiewicz

W

e spend the majority of our time indoors, constantly using and in contact with household items and furniture.

Greatly contributing to pollution both in and out of the home, furniture and decor, especially products mass-produced cheaply, contain and release toxic chemicals into the air, easily break and end up sitting in landfills for years. In addition, they cost the consumer time and money to replace. The rise of sustainable home design has proven to be better for the natural environment and human health. Below are some tips to decreasing the carbon footprint of your home.

Seek out sustainable furniture. Sustainable furniture and decor are broadly characterized as any items that can be reused or disassembled and composted. Almost everything from sofas and pillows to beds and tables can be classified as sustainable and biodegradable simply by being made from natural materials, such as reclaimed plant products or sustainably harvested wood. Additionally, eco-friendly furniture companies use waterbased lacquers to finish their products as opposed to traditional toxic lacquers, significantly reducing the amount of chemicals the consumer brings into the home.

Sustainable and biodegradable products are made to last as the goal is to conserve and not contribute to landfill collection.

Buying sustainable decor and furniture lasts longer and saves money overtime, as you have to replace items less and less.

They also tend to be lighter and more compact making them easy to store and move. However, if you do decide to throw away certain pieces, you can do so guilt free knowing that they will biodegrade easily since they are easy to disassemble, not coated in toxic lacquers, and made of natural materials, effectively breaking down into new soil instead of accumulating in a landfill for years.

Value vintage. Buying vintage furniture and decor is an amazing alternative that reuses quality products and keeps perfectly good furniture out of the dump. Not only are vintage pieces incredibly unique, but since most of them were not cheaply mass-produced, they are often more durable and contain minimal to no toxic chemicals. Fun to find and easy to alter to your style, vintage pieces also have a greater resale value if you decide to let an item go later.

Switch to LED. Incorporating LED lighting is a quick sustainable home fix that brightens the home and saves money. LED light bulbs are more energy efficient and last longer than traditional light bulbs. They have no filament or glass bulb that breaks easily, making them brighter and more rugged. LED lights also contain no mercury or hazardous substances and can be controlled for brightness, color and direction, meaning you get the most out of a single light fixture.

Do good and donate. If you still feel like you need to get rid of a

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Upcycling Upcycling is a popular trend that allows you to give items a second life by redesigning them to create something new and tailored to your personal style. Giving purpose to items that would have otherwise been thrown out, here are some upcycling ideas for transforming regular household items: n Add a new coat of paint to old pieces of furniture to transform the mood of a room. n Old lamps can be repurposed as bird feeders simply by attaching a colorful bowl to a lamp base. n Lay a filing cabinet horizontally and take out the drawers to create the perfect garage storage unit with plenty of space to rest rakes and shovels. n Convert a bookcase into a sandbox by laying it on its back and readjusting the shelves to fill with sand. n A dresser can be converted into a kitchen island with the perfect number of drawers to house utensils and cooking tools. n A French door can be personalized to hold photos of family and friends, making a beautiful spread to display on a wall.

No matter which project you set out to accomplish, make sure you have all the appropriate products and tools. Clean your item thoroughly before starting to upcycle it and add non-toxic wax or a water-based varnish to the piece at the end to extend its life. certain decoration or piece of furniture, research local charities and thrift stores where you can donate your item. Most locations allow you to schedule free pickups to transport large items, such as dressers, beds and bookcases. Additionally, most donations are tax deductible, making it a great option to keep furniture out of the landfill while also helping neighbors in your community and giving your home goods a chance for a second life.

Developing greener habits and investing in sustainable furniture and decor benefits your home, the community and environment by transforming them into healthier places to live.

Dominique Mickiewicz is a Prince William County native and student at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass. An avid reader with an even greater love for writing, she is the firstplace winner of the 2018 VHSL Multimedia Contest for Prose Spread. She is currently a writer and production director for the Wellesley Globalist, an international affairs publication, and a prose editor for the Wellesley Review Literary Magazine.

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local flavor

Preston’s Pub FAMILY, FOOD, FUN

By Helena Tavares Kennedy | Photos by Mark Gilvey

T

he green décor and clover leaves definitely shout out Irish pub, but what makes Preston’s Pub in Manassas Park unique is the 20 taps behind the bar that go beyond Irish beer, as well as hearty comfort-food like burgers and shepherd’s pie. It’s no wonder to customers why the restaurant was named the 2019 Business of the Year by the City of Manassas Park.

Opened in March 2018, Preston’s Pub is owned by Sean McNamara and his mother, Judy McNamara. Judy also owns the Mainstreet Pub in Clifton, which has been there since 2008, but the Manassas Park pub was a true family venture. Sean’s sister, Katie, is general manager too, so the whole family is involved. Judy even moved down the street from the pub, so she can be on location and help ensure customers and employees are happy.

While it took five years of looking for the perfect location and then two months of renovations, a new floor, ceilings, fixtures, kitchen re-set up and other work, Sean was happy when the pub was finally completed, so they could open their family business.

Sadly, one family member wasn’t able to be there for the grand opening. Sean’s father, who shared his middle name of Preston, passed away just a few months before the restaurant opened.

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September 2019 prince william living

Sean’s father was able to see about 90% of the build out, and they pay homage to him above the bar with his favorite Jack Daniels and wood sign that says, “Smile if you aren’t wearing any underwear.”

“Family is very important to us,” said Sean. “We treat everyone like family, and we want to be a venue for community building.

We’ve always been a family that loves being around people; we are all extroverts. We love food, we love drinks and we love people.”

One customer, Joe Sweeney, feels the family love and said, “With the warm staff and family- friendly atmosphere, it’s become our own local Cheers. Almost everyone knows everyone’s name, and the staff knows your favorite order.”

Comfort Food for the Whole Family Being a family business, Preston’s menu reflects their family recipes and comfort food. “We have great food because of Sean and Katie,” said Judy. “They are very bright about the food.”

Preston’s Pub makes its own crab cakes every day, and one of the most popular items on the menu is their homemade,

family recipe of Sweet Tea Fried Chicken. It’s an 8-ounce chicken breast marinated in sweet tea, onions, lemons and other seasonings for 24 hours before it is breaded and cooked.

The pub’s burgers are also very popular among customers, including the mac and cheese burger, which has fried mac and cheese piled high on a burger to combine two comfort foods in one. The pub also offers a different special every night of the week with a pizza night, cheeseburger night, taco night and more.

“The menu offers a variety of items depending on your taste,” said Sweeney. “There’s always something tasty to order, whether it’s an appetizer or a meal.”

Some menu items are based on the season, too. During the summer and fall when it’s warm outside, the pub serves cucumber salad, which is one of Judy’s mother’s recipes.

“Katie comes up with most specials every month, and Sean is great about thinking about what menu items can be made with basic ingredients,” said Judy.

“Both are very good cooks.”

Keep an eye out for fun food items during certain holidays too. For example, Cinco de Mayo brings a taco bar with corned beef tacos for their own spin on it. Katie is the creative genius behind the monthly and season specials as well as the special events they host.

“I love to eat, and I love to cook,” said Katie. “My ideas for specials usually come from a recipe I find online for my own home cooking that I really like. I then try to recreate it for the restaurant but with my own twist on it.”

What’s on tap?

With 20 taps always available, customers have a plethora to choose from for their beers. Some are always there like Harp, Guinness, Bud light, Miller light, PBR and Stella, but others will change. There might be summer beers in the summer or different local breweries depending on their availability, but with 20 taps, there is plenty to choose from.

What makes Preston’s Pub even more special is the amazing staff and consistency. “We take care of customers and employees,” said Sean. “We consider all of them like family. Our employees want to take care of customers, so they come back, our business stays open, and they all have jobs.”

“We would like you to come and try our food and meet you,” said Sean, Katie, and Judy, who often host spirit nights for the local Manassas Park public schools as well as Bingo nights, cornhole game nights and more. “We should all help each other and build each other up,” said Katie, who organizes all the events at Preston’s Pub. The pub is open for lunch and dinner and closes at midnight.

You can dine inside or on the patio outside during nice weather.

You can also contact Katie to book a party there or ask about catering for events. For commuters in a rush, call ahead for to-go orders, or use Uber Eats or Door Dash for food delivery.

Want more information about Preston’s Pub? Visit 9103 Andrew Drive in Manassas Park or online at prestonspub.com.

Or call 703-686-4191.

Helena Tavares Kennedy (hkennedy@princewilliamliving.com), a longtime Prince William County resident is a freelance writer, editor, and communications consultant. prince william living September 2019

| 31

your finances Will the Economy Stay on a Roll?

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor

T

he current U.S. economic expansion recently enjoyed its ten-year anniversary. This means that for the past decade, the economy, as measured by the nation’s gross domestic product, has been consistently growing without a measurable pull-back or recession. This long expansion follows the very difficult economic decline of 2008 and 2009, a period often referred to as the Great Recession.

If you are a stock investor who has been keeping an eye on recent headlines, you may wonder how long this expansion will last and what may trigger the next economic downturn or recession. Read on for some perspective.

Expansions don’t die from old age

Fortunately, recessions do not come and go based on the calendar. Often, recessions are the result of imbalances in major economies built-up during a period of expansion, as evidenced by the housing bubble in 2007 and the dot-com bubble in 2001. However, despite the longevity of the current expansion, the U.S. economy currently seems to be on solid ground.

History tells us that in some cases, a specific event may also send the economy into a recession. An example occurred in the mid-1970s as the OPEC oil embargo curtailed gasoline availability. In the early 1980s, the U.S. economy also suffered a particularly painful economic downturn after the Federal Reserve moved interest rates sharply higher to finally curtail inflation problems.

What could create a setback today?

So, if old age doesn’t cause an economic downturn, what will?

The answer is that many unforeseen events could trigger a recession. Predicting the timing of such an event is virtually impossible. Many analysts and investors are watching key global trends for insights that may be warning signals for what may happen in the economy.

Currently, trade turmoil represents one of the most notable risks to the intermediate-term economic outlook. The ongoing dispute between the world’s two largest economies, the U.S. and China, has already had a negative impact on the pace of global growth, and the impact could rise. The United Kingdom and European Union also still seek an agreement to lessen the economic disruption of the U.K.’s pending exit from the union in October. Federal Reserve interest rate actions and pockets of geopolitical unrest are also important to watch, and areas experts monitor closely.

How to prepare for future uncertainty

Whether the expansion continues for a while or comes to end

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September 2019 prince william living

in the near term, it’s important to remember that it’s normal for the markets to move in cycles, with periods of expansion and recession. Historically, the markets have rallied and risen higher after times of decline. That being said, if you’re nervous about what a possible downturn in the near term could mean for your portfolio, consider the following four steps: 1. Maintain a properly diversified portfolio that effectively represents your true views on risk.

2. Focus on owning quality investments, which may include well-established stocks and high-grade bonds.

3. While a market pullback can be a painful thing, every downturn comes with potential opportunities. While the investments you hold may be dropping in value, the investments you want to buy could be getting cheaper, making it a good time to consider buying.

4. How long you have before you need money is a key factor to how well your portfolio may withstand future uncertainty.

If you have decades before you need to withdraw (such as your retirement savings), it’s possible that volatile markets could actually work in your favor due to the power of compound interest. On the flip side, if you need money in the near term, you might want to consider reducing your risk or selecting investments with more downside protection.

Talk to a financial advisor who can assess your current financial situation and investments. Together you can discuss whether making any changes could help you be more prepared for what may lie ahead.

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

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2018 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (08/18)

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september

calendar Tackett’s Mill Tuesday Market

Tuesdays, 2:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Tackett’s Mill Shopping Center 2231 Tackett’s Mill Drive, Lake Ridge Visit the Harbor Drive parking lot inside Tackett's Mill Center every Tuesday through Oct. 29. Vendors from across Northern Virginia offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, pastries, and more!

Gainesville Farmers Market

Sundays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Gainesville United Methodist Church 13710 Milestone Court, Gainesville Weekly farmers market with local produce, meats, eggs, hot foods, baked goods and more. Join them for live music, cooking demonstrations, kids’ events and more!

They accept SNAP and offer matching on all SNAP purchases. Sundays through November.

Grease Sing-Along

Sun. Sept. 1 | 1 p.m.

Alamo Drafthouse & Cinema 15200 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge With the Grease Sing-Along, Alamo takes love of this timeless musical to the next step where you can be a part of the show.

You know the words... and, in case you forget a few, they will put them all right up there on the screen, so you can follow along.

Prince William Living Presents Breakfast with an Expert Thurs. Sept. 5 | 8 a.m.

Online Only Join us for information from an expert, who will give you actionable advice you can put to work immediately in your business. RSVP princewilliamliving.com/ breakfastwithanexpert.

Prince William Model Railroad Club Train Show

Sat. Sept. 7 | 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sun. Sept. 8 | 12 - 3:30 p.m.

Central Community Library 8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas All Aboard! Watch the model trains run throughout the weekend and learn about this fascinating hobby. Fun for all ages!

Chili Cookoff and Fall Festival

Sat. Sept. 7 | 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center 15201 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge Prince William’s premier event!

Exhibitors, chili cookoff, food vendors, entertainment and more!

9th Annual Bands, Brews & Barbecue

Sat. Sept. 7 | 12 - 6 p.m.

Manassas Museum Lawn 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas This ticketed event features award winning craft beers and distilled spirits for sampling, some of Northern Virginia’s best barbecue for purchase, and incredible live music. Visit accelevents. com/e/9thAnnualBandsBrewsBBQFestival for tickets.

Jazz in the Park

Sat. Sept. 7 | starts at 1 p.m.

Mary Louise Jackson Amphitheater 6901 Sudley Road, Manassas The Creative and Performing Arts Center (CAPAC) will host an evening of Jazz at the Mary Louise Jackson Amphitheater on the Manassas Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College.

Guest artists include Rahmat Shabazz Trio, David Bach Consort, Chelsey Green and Marcus Johnson.

Out of the Darkness Walk

Sun. Sept. 8 | 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Harris Pavilion 9201 Center Street, Manassas When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walks, you join the effort to raise awareness and funds so the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) can invest in new research, create educational programs,

advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m.; walk begins at 1:30 p.m.

Kids Club

Wed. Sept. 10 | 10 a.m.

Manassas Mall-At Home Court 8300 Sudley Road, Manassas Join Kids Club 2019 in the At Home Court. Free entertainment for all age groups!

World Heritage Festival and Festival of Kites Sat. Sept. 14 | 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Manassas Museum Lawn 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas Enjoy a cultural performance show with folk dances from Bolivia, Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, India, Japan, Lebanon, Romania, Turkey and more! Over 60 artists displaying everything from fine art to jewelry, ceramics to crafts, and every creative item in between. Family-friendly event.

Arts Alive!

Sun. Sept. 15 | Starts at 1 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas This family-friendly arts festival features Prince William County Arts Council members and other community performers and fine artists. Enjoy activities for all ages, multiple stages of performances indoors and out, plus food and craft vendors with items for sale.

Come out and celebrate your local arts community! Free, no tickets required.

The Chamber Classic: 18 Holes of Opportunity

Mon. Sept. 16 | 8 a.m.

Potomac Shores Golf Club 1750 Dunnington Place, Dumfries The Chamber is providing an exciting business networking opportunity - 18 holes of opportunity, to be exact!

Build new business relationships while enjoying a day on the course. Register at pwchamber.org/events/calendar.

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

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September 2019 prince william living

Prince William Living Lunch with the Publisher

Wed. Sept. 18 | 12 noon Online Only 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.

RSVP at princewilliamliving.com/ lunchwiththepublisher.

International Festival of Woodbridge

Thurs. Sept. 19 | 7 - 9 p.m.

Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building 15201 Donald Curtis Drive, Woodbridge Join Supervisor Principi and the Woodbridge Civic Association for an evening of merriment and cultural exchange during this free festival. Enjoy authentic cuisine, song and dance from around the world, with live folk performances. All are welcome, free to attend! RSVP required; register at bit.ly/091919.

Fall Harvest Campfire

Fri. Sept. 20 | 6:30 p.m.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow Enjoy a campfire and roasted marshmallows at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre as you learn about how the residents of Prince William County harvested their crops to prepare for winter. $5 per person; free for children under 2.

Fall Migration Bird & Nature Walk

Sat. Sept. 21 | 8 a.m.

Julie J. Metz Neabsco Creek Wetlands Preserve 15875 Neabsco Road, Woodbridge Join local birding and nature experts on a guided walk along the trails and boardwalks. Discover this unique 120acre property in the heart of Woodbridge.

Bring binoculars and guidebooks. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. No pets, please.

Preparedness Fair

Sat. Sept. 21 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Manassas Park Community Center 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park Join us for the City of Manassas Park’s Preparedness Fair, a family fun day of preparedness! There will be emergency vehicle displays, emergency preparedness vendors, activities for your children, and disaster recovery information.

Friends of the Montclair Community Library Book Sale

Sat. Sept. 21 | 12 - 5 p.m.

Sun. Sept. 22 | 12 - 5 p.m.

Montclair Community Library 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries BAG SALE! Come get great deals on books for the entire family while you support the Friends and their fundraising efforts for the library.

Edgar Rohr Car Show

Sat. Sept. 21 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Manassas Museum Lawn 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas Enjoy this classic car experience on the Manassas Museum Lawn.

Larry, Steve, and Rudy – The Gatlin Brothers

Sun. Sept. 22 | 7 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas The Grammy Award®-winning trio celebrates six decades of music and family with a new show, highlighting their raw, pure harmony honed after a lifetime of experiences as brothers and performers.

They will also share hit songs from the past and give an inside look into the stories behind the songs.

free, fun, family-friendly health event open to the public. Rain date Sept. 29.

Wheat-Free Scottish Tea

Sat. Sept. 28 | 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Weems-Botts Museum 3944 Cameron Street, Dumfries Enjoy a seated tea service in the Museum Annex featuring baked wheat-free delicacies from Agora's Downtown Coffee Shop! Delight in their wheatfree blueberry lemon cookies and milk chocolate almond rum biscotti along with other Scottish treats. Listen to a presentation on Dumfries’s Scottish heritage and take a tour of the WeemsBotts Museum. RSVP required: 703-221-2218.

5th Annual Brentsville Day

Sat. Sept. 28 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow Come experience this nearly 200-yearold social and political center of Prince William County while we fill the grounds with festivities! Enjoy bluegrass bands, historic farm demonstrations, living history, historic trades, local artisans and vendors, food trucks, historic buildings, hayrides and more!

Occoquan Arts and Crafts Show

Sat. Sept. 28 | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sun. Sept. 29 | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Historic Occoquan The Town of Occoquan hosts a two-day arts and crafts fair that boasts more than 250 vendors representing a wide range of arts and crafts along the streets of our historic downtown. Browse the crafters and artisans and visit the many unique businesses and restaurants.

Sentara Community Day

Sat. Sept. 28 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center Surgical Services Parking Lot 2300 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge Sentara Community Day was created to help engage members of our community, show them what services Sentara has to offer and highlight the amazing people that make SNVMC so special. It will be a

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prince william living September 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.

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