Prince William Living February 2013

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AUBERGINE CHEF

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BELLA VITA

IT’S OVER

prince william living February 2013

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

I Do...

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Buckland: Battling for the Future PAGE 22

Prince William Library Foundation Raises Awareness www.princewilliamliving.com

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table of contents February 2013 Vol. 3 No. 2

FEATURE STORY Saying ‘I Do’ to Prince William, Virginia ............4

DEPARTMENTS from the publisher..................................................3 advertiser index ....................................................3

4 Photo courtesy Image Werks

on a high note Lifting Voices and Spirits in the Manassas Chorale ................................................12 destinations Buckland: Battling for the Future ........................14 taking care of business Urban Evolution: Creating a Revolution in Local Fitness ....................................................18 going places Meet e Aubergine Chef ....................................20 giving back Prince William Library Foundation Raises Awareness ..................................................22 local flavor Bella Vita: e Little Eatery with Big Flavor ........26

18 Photo courtesy Urban Evolution

family fun Little ings Mean a Lot ......................................28 calendar ..............................................................32 tambourines and elephants It’s Over ..............................................................35 distribution sites ................................................37

COLUMNS health & wellness ................................................16 home & hearth ....................................................24 your finances ......................................................30 Discover Prince William & Manassas................33

26 Photo courtesy Tamar Batista

Cover photo courtesy Lisa Robinson/SoftBox Media Photography prince william living February 2013 | 1

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com Contributing Writers Carla Christiano, Maureen Deutermann, Audrey Harman, Lisa Collins-Haynes, Kristina Schnack Kotlus, Luanne Lee, Ann Marie Maher, Olivia Overman, Jennifer Rader, DeeDee Corbitt Sauter, Denise Smith, Stephanie Tipple, Valerie Wallace Editorial Staff Emily Guerrero, Peter Lineberry Photography Lisa Robinson/SoftBox Media Photography, Don Flory, Tamar Batista, Kathy Strauss/Imagewerks Graphic Design and Production Alison Dixon/Image Prep Studio Advertising Account Executives Michelle Geenty, Helena Tavares Kennedy and Jennifer Rader Prince William Living, the premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly

by Prince William Living, Inc. e opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living. © Copyright 2013 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 offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 2 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Advertising offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 1 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Editorial Have a story you’d like our staff to cover? Contact Prince William Living editorial staff, either by phone at (703) 232-1758, ext. 2, or by email at editor@princewilliamliving.com.

Advertising Prince William Living accepts display advertising.

For complete advertising information, please contact Rebecca Barnes, Prince William Living president, either by phone at (703) 232-1758, ext. 1, or by email at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com.

Distribution Businesses, if you have a waiting room or other place your customers and employees would appreciate finding a copy of Prince William Living, please call Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes and ask about how your business can become a free distribution site. Rebecca can be reached by phone at (703) 232-1758, ext. 1, or by email at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com. By becoming a distributor of Prince William Living, your business will be mentioned on princewilliamliving.com and in future issues of Prince William Living.

Social Media

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

Subscription rate is $12 (U.S.), one year. International subscribers add $12. Change of address notices should be sent to Prince William Living President Rebecca Barnes at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com.

Reprints and Back Issues: To order article reprints or request reprint permission, please visit the Prince William Living website: www.princewilliamliving.com. Order back issues by calling Prince William Living President Rebecca Barnes at (703) 232-1758, ext. 1.

For further information about Prince William Living, visit www.princewilliamliving.com, or contact Prince William Living at (703) 232-1758.

Are you a writer who would like to be published? Prince William Living is currently looking for interns. If you live in the Prince William/Manassas area and are interested in seeing your byline in this lifestyle magazine, send us an email, along with two to three writing samples. College students majoring in English and/or journalism or communication are encouraged to apply. Candidates should possess excellent organizational and communication skills, and must be able to work independently. Internship is unpaid. rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com

from the publisher T

hanks to everybody who came out to help us celebrate our second anniversary at Hard Times Café in Woodbridge. We could definitely feel the love as we spent a fantastic evening with our Prince William Living family!

Speaking of love, that is where our thoughts often turn in February. What better time to talk about weddings? Learn how couples can find the perfect “big day” venue and vendors right here in Prince William, in Saying ‘I Do’ to Prince William, Virginia by Audrey Harman.

To keep the love going all year round, don’t miss PWC Mom’s Kristina Schnack Kotlus in this month's Family Fun, where she gives tips on little ways to regularly show how much you care.

While still in a blissful state, learn about the joy Manassas Chorale brings to audiences throughout the world in On A High Note: Lifting Voices and Spirits in the Manassas Chorale, by contributing writer Lisa Collins-Haynes.

After filling your soul with music, fill your mind with knowledge in Stephanie Tipple’s Giving Back: Prince William Library Foundation Raises Awareness. Find out how the Prince William Library Foundation supports our library system’s efforts to serve the community with educational and fun programming.

en, it is time to fill your stomach. In Local Flavor Val Wallace introduces us to the homemade dishes and warm welcome that make Bella Vita an award-winning eatery. Save some room for dessert, because Olivia Overman also visits e Aubergine Chef, Jason Shriner, as he whips up creative cakes and pies, and shares how he teaches others to do the same.

Don’t worry about the calories. Jennifer Rader tells you how to jump and climb them off at Urban Evolution, in an interview with owner Salil Maniktahla. Learn how he and his wife started this unique business—a parkour gym—in Manassas. Also off the beaten path is this month’s Destinations, as Carla Christiano explores our unique local history in Buckland: Battling for the Future. You’ll also want to investigate our monthly columns, learning how to afford college in Your Finances, about Prince William’s signature style in Home & Hearth and how to care for your heart in Health and Wellness. Round it off with ideas for romantic outings in Discover Prince William and your monthly dose of laughter in Tambourines and Elephants. We think you’ll *heart* it all as much as we do!

Sincerely, Rebecca Barnes Prince William Living Publisher

Advertiser Index ACE Hardware (Pitkin’s)............................................................24 ACTS ..........................................................................................36 Advantage Physical Therapy ....................................................13 Alpha Pets ................................................................................36 Ameriprise Financial ................................................................31 Apple FCU ................................................................................31 The ARC of GPW ......................................................................36 AVON/Teresa Giltner ................................................................36 B101.5 ........................................................................................29 Becky Crowley/Flute and Piano Lessons ................................36 Best Western Battlefield Inn ....................................................25 CAP Accounting, LLC................................................................31 Christ Chapel ............................................................................36 City of Manassas Park—Parks & Recreation ............................9 Confidence Realty ....................................................................30 Cruise Planners ........................................................................36 Dansk Day Spa at Occoquan....................................................36 Discover Prince William and Manassas ..................................33 Dominion Eye Care ..................................................................11 Edgemoor Art Studio................................................................36 Evergreen Country Club ..........................................................25 Firebirds Wood Fired Grill ..........................................................9 FURR Roofing............................................................................33 GEICO ........................................................................................13 Golden Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics ............................16 Harbour View ............................................................................17 Hard Times Cafe & Cue ............................................................23 Imagewerks ..............................................................................36 ImagineDesign ..........................................................................34 Lake Ridge Nursery ..................................................................36 Lavender Retreat ......................................................................33

Love by Cupcake ......................................................................36 Lustine Automall ........................................................................7 Magnificent Belly Dance ..........................................................36 Merry Maids ..............................................................................36 Minnieland Academy................................................................24 Narmada....................................................................................23 Nova Music Center ..................................................................25 Old Hickory Golf Club ..............................................................10 Options for Senior America ....................................................36 Parish Services............................................................................8 Peggy and Bill Burke, Long & Foster Realtors ......................27 Persnickety Cakes ....................................................................36 Potomac Place ............................................................................9 Prince William Chamber of Commerce ....................................7 Prince William County Historic Preservation ....................11, 21 Prince William Hospital ............................................................C4 Prince William Ice Center..........................................................10 Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center ......................................36 Ready Hands ............................................................................25 Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center ............................C2 Stonewall Golf Course..............................................................11 Slumber Parties ........................................................................36 Spark ..........................................................................................10 Tea Time Tea Room ..................................................................36 Tiny Dancers ............................................................................19 Touch of Gold ............................................................................37 Trio Consulting............................................................................9 Washington Square Associates ..............................................36 West Rash Charities..................................................................23 Westminster at Lake Ridge ......................................................34 Your College Planning Coach ..................................................31 Youth Orchestra ........................................................................35

prince william living February 2013 | 3

Saying ‘I Do’ to Prince William, Virginia

By Audrey Harman, Contributing Writer

W

eddings are a unique experience for each couple, but no matter your style, planning a wedding usually requires a lot of forward thinking, staring at the calendar, quadruple checking of lists, deep breathing and...more deep breathing. To save time and money (and to conserve oxygen for others), why not hold your wedding here in Prince William and use local vendors? Everything is more accessible, you can get trusted referrals from friends and you’ll be supporting community businesses. From historic properties to country clubs to idyllic natural settings, Prince William is home to a number of lovely venues, as well as excellent bridal vendors. e most difficult part of wedding planning seems to be getting started. What do you schedule first? How far in advance do you need to start planning? Where do you spend your money? Like many brides-to-be, Christiana Woodard, a longtime Prince William resident, found herself asking these questions as she started planning her wedding to now-husband Aaron Woodard in September, 2011.

She decided to assign various months to each stage of planning to keep herself on schedule and within budget. “March was for the flowers, April was for designing the invitations, May was for the men’s suits,” explained Woodard.

“I put a binder together…staying organized is the best advice I can give,” said Woodard, who started with her dress and planned everything else around it. “I tried on so many dresses, I think I 4 | February 2013 prince william living

became addicted to trying them on—I even got a job at a wedding boutique briefly.” According to Amy Domenech, owner of Amy’s Bridal Boutique in Woodbridge, brides should be encouraged to try on every silhouette so they know what looks and feels best to them.

“Sometimes a dress that looks great on them, might not appear attractive on the hanger,” said Domenech. “So they need to try it on. We do this every day; trust us to help you find what is most appealing for you...Sometimes their personality comes out in a dress they think they’re against.”

Domenech says many brides come in with notebooks full of dress ideas and sometimes even their own sketches. To narrow options, research styles and think about your budget. Explains Domenech, “You want to be budget-conscious, but you don’t want to limit yourself. Keep your options open and who knows, you could find a deal.” e attire for the wedding party is a main feature of most weddings because these are the people whom everyone is watching throughout the event. Rather than asking her bridal party to dress identically, Woodard had her bridesmaids choose any dress they wanted within her color scheme. “I didn’t want them to pay a large amount of money for their dress,” said Woodard, “So I gave them some color palettes and let them pick out their own dresses.” For the local members of the bridal party, that meant being able to select from the wide array of clothing stores in Prince William, from larger

stores at Potomac Mills and Manassas Mall to specialty dress shops. e Woodards have the advantage of having graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, where they met in 2009, as art majors. Christiana now works as a freelance illustrator and Aaron is a freelance graphic designer, so both had artistic approaches to the wedding. ey decided to save money by planning their wedding in a do-it-yourself (DIY) way. “I went on Pinterest and got a lot of DIY wedding ideas. We didn’t really hire any vendors except photographers,” said Woodard. Pinterest (www.pinterest.com) is a virtual cork board where users “pin” inspirational ideas and photos from all over the internet, keeping them organized in one location. ese “pins” link back to their origin websites, which often feature instructions on how to achieve the look or complete the project shown.

e two also designed their invitations and sent them off to the printer. Unfortunately, mistakes were made in the text of the final product, and they had to reorder them three times. “ere went our decoration budget,” said Woodard with a laugh. Instead of letting it get the best of them during the stressful planning, Woodard and friends turned the seemingly useless invitations into pinwheels and boxes to hold the M&Ms given to guests as favors. While Reuters recently reported the average cost of a wedding at $27,000, as recent college graduates, the Woodards had to stick close to their budget of $12,000 and let nothing go to waste.

Another cost savings came through selecting Guapo’s in Woodbridge to serve Tex-Mex style food at their reception. Asking if your favorite restaurant offers catering can be a good place to start the food search. Some eateries are even able to double as a venue.

Additionally, Prince William has a number of well-respected caterers who are familiar with the ins and outs of local wedding venues, ensuring smooth sailing at meal time.

When booking a venue, it is important to look at what services are provided. Some offer catering or decorating, and most can suggest photographers or bakers who are compatible with their location.

Jeanna Hilton, director of sales at Stonewall Golf Club in Gainesville, said it is best to use local vendors because they have less of a chance of getting lost and are more accessible. Hilton suggested booking your venue nine to twelve months in advance to avoid complications. In her experience, mid to late October is a popular time to host a wedding in Prince William. “e great thing about Prince William is that we’re close to major airports, a little bit more country, and it’s easy to access D.C. with out-of-town guests,” said Hilton.

For Woodard, after looking all over, she chose Rockledge Mansion in Occoquan. Rockledge met the couple’s criteria for affordability, attractive outdoor space and personality. “It’s old, and each room

Photo courtesy ImageWerks

“Since we are artists, I wanted our wedding to have a handmade feel,” Woodard said. “I got the idea to save money and make my own flowers out of coffee filters and watercolor paint. Flowers can get into the thousands of dollars, but a pack of 100 coffee filters costs $1.75…so if you have the patience–I had no life until they were done–it’s worth saving yourself the money.” Woodard made all of the bouquets and boutonnieres herself and each one had a personalized feel.

This stunning cake at a wedding at Foxchase Manor in Manassas, reflects the unique style of the bride and groom.

was different—making it not as cookie-cutter as other places we looked at, and there was a team that made sure everything was set up,” said Woodard. “e greenery, the ivy growing on the windows, and the giant rock the ballroom was built around added to the uniqueness. It was visual overload for our photographers.”

Mollie Tobias, a photographer based out of Haymarket, said, “e best weddings, in my opinion, are the ones where the couple really went the extra mile to make it personal.” Tobias suggested that the bride and groom develop a good relationship with their photographers so they are comfortable being photographed and so the photographer can understand their personalities and how to direct the photo shoot. “I try to provide as much information as possible about my style and process to potential clients before they even contact me so that when we do get together, we can both feel pretty sure that we will be a good match,” said Tobias. When planning photos, she suggests thinking about all the different details you want captured. “I set aside at least 30 minutes to capture the dress, rings, flowers and other details. e next important part is the formal portraits of the families and then the more casual portraits of the bridal party and the couple. After that, it's the candid moments that showcase the personalities and the story of the day,” said Tobias.

Another local photographer, Kathy Strauss of ImageWerks, said a big mistake couples make is not giving themselves enough time to (continues on page 6) prince william living February 2013 | 5

(continued from page 4)

really get to know the person that will capture their wedding day.

She suggested booking six to twelve months in advance. Strauss also said her photography style can be guided by what interests the bride and groom and what is important to them as a couple.

“Whether they like traditional, conservative, Disney, the 1920s, country music—their interests help me know what style of photographs they need, where they can be taken, and an idea of budget,” said Strauss. She noted that Old Town Manassas, Manassas Battlefield, Historic Occoquan and Prince William Forest Park are all popular settings for engagement photos.

Christiana, whose family is from Colombia, also kept a little family tradition in the wedding, choosing a salsa for the father-daughter dance. “I always get depressed watching father-daughter dances at weddings because poor daddy is giving his little girl away…I didn’t want my wedding to be like that,” laughed Woodard. She also honored her parents by having the wedding ceremony at All Saints Anglican Church in Dale City where they are youth pastors. “We got married in the new atrium and there was so much light and it was nice and bright,” said Woodard.

Photo courtesy Lisa Robinson/SoftBox Media Photography

When planning your wedding in Prince William, there are many options to fit your own personal style here. Nestled between mountains and rivers, with easy access to D.C. and airports and home to a mix of historic and modern properties, there is truly something for everyone. “When it comes to wedding venues, you get the best of both worlds,” said Tobias. is also rings true for wedding vendors, with many local photographers, salons, caterers and other service providers ready to make your Big Day special. Whether you decide to go the DIY route like the Woodards, or you choose a more traditional route, look to Prince William first and just keep marking off on your checklists…oh, and maybe take a deep breath or two!

Prince William is filled with unique, historic locations like Rockledge Manor to host your wedding or reception.

Author Audrey Harman has a B.A. in English and Spanish from Hollins University and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Publications Design at the University of Baltimore. She resides in Woodbridge and can be reached by email at aharman@princewilliamliving.com.

How to Pick Out An Engagement Ring Brenda Root Monn, a gemologist and goldsmith, and one of the proprietors of Jerry’s Occoquan Jewelers, has some helpful insights for choosing an engagement ring. Monn says a great start is to develop a relationship with a local jewelry shop, building trust and making it easier to get maintenance or repairs done later on. For budget, Monn says, “Two months’ salary is a good starting-off point to spend on a ring.” She added that you shouldn’t get wrapped up in the diamond’s certifications and that you need to look at it in person. That way you can see the “4 C’s” (cut, color, clarity and carat) and judge what might look best on your fiancé’s hand.

While one carat is currently a popular size, Monn advises, “Work towards the ring—get what works at the time and upgrade for a later anniversary.” She recommends buying as high a quality as you can within your budget with no visible inclusions to the unaided eye. “Focus on the beauty of the diamond, not the certifications,” she says. “The cut is most important.”

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on a high note Photo Courtesy Manassas Chorale

Lifting Voices and Spirits in the Manassas Chorale

By Lisa Collins-Haynes, Contributing Writer

T

he power of their voices draws you in. To then learn that their age range is as diverse as their vocal range is just part of what takes the Manassas Chorale to the next level. e youngest member is 15 years old and the most mature member recently turned 80. Clearly the age gap doesn’t interfere with their ability to harmonize, produce beautiful music and sell out their new home, the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

What began as a 25-member singing group in 1995 has quadrupled in size under the musical directorship of Becky Verner, who has been with the chorale since 1997. Verner explains that many of the singers have backgrounds with their high school or college choirs and several sing in their church choirs. e members of the Chorale enjoy the opportunity to sing not only religious music, but also Broadway show tunes, classical and patriotic melodies and popular tunes which offer a nice variety to keep the singers engaged. One recent concert featured a seventies theme with all of the musical selections correlated to that decade; Kermit the Frog even made a special appearance when they sang “Rainbow Connection.”

Another element that adds to their distinctive sound are the instrumentalists that help pull it all together during performances. At the holiday concerts, 17 orchestra members are brought in to accompany the Chorale. eir pianist, Jon Laird, is joined by a section of strings, woodwinds, brass, a 12 | February 2013 prince william living

harpist and percussionists. e Manassas Chorale performs four major concerts per year–in March, May, October and December–which includes their “Concerts with a Cause.” During these special performances, both members of the chorale and audience members are asked to bring donations for pre-selected non-profit and charitable organizations in the Prince William area. In addition, the group sings for churches, civic and community events and retirement homes. During a recent interview, Verner discussed how the Chorale performs annually at the Prince William Senior Center.

“You’ve heard how you sing for your supper. Well, we go there and sing for our lunch,” Verner chuckled, adding that in gratitude for the vocal performance, the staff at the Senior Center prepares a light lunch for the group. e Chorale is honored to perform at such events as the annual Candlelight Concert Series at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in the heart of historic Williamsburg, Virginia. In 2009, the group was also invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, and in 2011 members traveled to Germany and France as part of a tour called “An American Salute,” where they sang to American military families stationed abroad. For the 10th anniversary of 9/11 the group was invited to New York City to be part of a mass choir for a concert at Lincoln Center. When it’s not feasible to take the entire Chorale to a performance due to space issues or other logistics, a 32-member ensemble fills in for the larger group.

ose interested in joining the Manassas Chorale can do so through an audition process held four times a year. Prospective singers must attend an open rehearsal and prepare a piece for the membership committee. e next chance to attend will be during the Spring segment beginning March 19th. According to Verner, about four out of five people that audition will become members. One recent new member, Barbara Johnston of Haymarket, shared her thoughts about seeing and hearing the group for the first time: “Not knowing what to expect, I entered this large room with almost a hundred singers. I heard the wonderful sound and felt the energy of the group. I knew I had to become part of it.”

Another new member, Ken Duck of Gainesville, started as a loyal concert attendee. His affinity for the performances led him to write the most glowing and praise-filled emails, Verner recalled.

Once Duck retired, he was able to focus on his bucket list. He quickly auditioned and became a member of the chorale that he so greatly admires. He adds, “Each concert is the result of a lot of hard work done by many people and clearly is a labor of love by all involved.”

Verner expresses that each member of the chorale has an amazingly wonderful spirit, with a heart for their singing and for the community. She noted that while they give to the community through their singing, that chorale members also receive. ese intangible gifts come from the skills they gain and improve upon and the camaraderie that is built in the Chorale.

In short, she is justifiably proud of the Chorale members and thoroughly enjoys being their director. e members aren’t the only ones that rave about the chorale. “We have attended for years and have been delighted with their professionalism and enthusiasm,” said longtime supporter Shirley Rice of Manassas. “eir repertoire is extensive and Becky Verner's direction is superb. You can expend a lot more money and effort going into D.C., but you won't find better entertainment than our local Manassas Chorale!”

Call David Stinson.

∑ø˚ Call Dave Stinson Sr. at 703-754-3555.

He’s down the road at 14694 Lee Hwy, Gainesville, VA dstinson@geico.com Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. Homeowners, renters, boat, and flood policies are written by non-affiliated insurers through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. The GEICO Personal Umbrella Policy is provided by Government Employees Insurance Company and is available to qualified Government Employees Insurance Company and GEICO General Insurance Company policyholders and other eligible persons, except in MA. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2012. © 2012 GEICO.

When It Comes to Do You Have the

Prince William Potomac District Supervisor Maureen Caddigan, and many of her family and friends, are also regular concertgoers.

She boasts that she never misses a performance. “We love it and we also encourage others to attend!” Caddigan said. is and other statements of Manassas Chorale supporters are a testament to the perfectly executed performances that they deliver. Even better, this all takes place in a state-of-the-art facility with reasonably priced tickets, making it an evening the entire family can enjoy together.

Visit www.manassaschorale.org to learn more about the group, concert schedules and auditions.

Lisa Collins-Haynes is married and the mother of one daughter.

She is currently working as a Freelance Entertainment and Travel Writer and is a self-professed out-of-control travel spirit (O.C.T.S). She invites everyone to follow her travel blog at www.octsblogger.wordpress.com and can be reached at lhaynes@princewilliamliving.com.

Conveniently located off Route 29 in the Gainesville Professional Village

Conveniently located in the Signal Hill Professional Building at the intersection of Liberia & Richmond Ave

7560 Gardner Park Drive Gainesville, VA 20155

9161 Liberia Ave, Suite 205 Manassas, VA 20110

www.APTRonline.com prince william living February 2013 | 13

destinations

Battling for the Future

By Carla Christiano, Contributing Writer

A

bout five miles past the building boom of Gainesville, with its multiple traffic lights and fast food restaurants on Route 29, the road dips near the Broad Run and rises again. It is here, tucked behind a few trees, that the remaining stone and wood buildings of the once-thriving mill town of Buckland still stand.

Few, if any, who drive this stretch of busy highway at the edge of Prince William County know about Buckland. ere are no signs on Route 29 announcing its presence, not even a traffic light to curb the speeding cars as they pass. Yet Buckland residents are fighting to make it known, hoping that its storied past will be the key to its preservation and its future.

“Buckland offers us a unique historic resource not just for Prince William County history, but for American history. And to have something like that right in our backyard—not every place can boast that...We are interested in making sure they preserve the site,” said Prince William County Planning director Chris Price.

“It’s humbling to realize what happened here. I didn’t know it.

None of us did,” said David Blake, Director, Buckland Preservation Society chairman and owner of 550-acre Buckland Farm. “You had some of the big names in history—Washington, Jefferson—all here in the little town of Buckland. ere’s not one thing here. ere’s layer upon layer that comprise a cultural landscape,” he said.

14 | January 2013 prince william living

To unearth these layers, the Buckland Preservation Society has spent 10 years and millions of dollars, and worked with a variety of experts from such groups as the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, University of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Yet there is much more research to do. “ey are in the beginning stages in defining what they expect are significant archaeological deposits in Buckland,” said Justin S. Patton, Prince William County archaeologist.

Uncovering the Layers of its Past Chartered in 1798, Buckland beat Haymarket by one year to become the first inland town in Prince William County, even boasting the first inland post office. Yet its history didn’t begin with European settlement. Years before Buckland was chartered, Blake said it was an American Indian cultural and religious center. Numerous Indian artifacts have been found here, some dating back 8,000 years and from as far away as Connecticut.

Rather than religion, European settlers were drawn to Buckland for a different reason: they saw commerce and opportunity in the waters of the Broad Run. Like other towns across the county, they centered their commerce around a mill. at mill was already in place when Marylander Samuel Love

Photo courtesy Buckland Preservation Society

Buckland:

Photos courtesy Buckland Preservation Society

The Army of the Potomac- Buckland, scene of a calvary skirmish with Stuart.

arrived in 1774 and purchased property from Robert “King” Carter’s sons and son-in-law. Soon prosperous, Love constructed a two-story stone house on the property known as Buckland Hall (which is now owned by David Blake). Later, his sons would greatly expand the family business and create Buck Land, as it was first known.

It also opened Buckland to the world. Buckland can claim visits from such famous dignitaries as President James Monroe and the Marquis de Lafayette, who came to the Brooks Tavern where residents threw rose petals at Lafayette and read him poems, Blake said. e Robinson Tavern, which is still in the town, can even claim a visit by Andrew Jackson.

According to the society’s website, when Love’s sons returned from serving in the Revolutionary War, they turned their father’s operation into a “vibrant mercantile center” with a distillery, tannery, another mill, and stores. Over time, outside merchants and tradesmen settled nearby on land rented or purchased from the Loves. By the end of the 18th century, the site says the area boasted additional shops, “a wheelwright, cooper, apothecary, boot/shoe manufacturer, saddler, woolen factory, two taverns, and a church – the essentials of a small town.”

By 1835, the town’s population had grown to “180, including one physician” according to the society’s website. Unfortunately Buckland’s fortunes were short-lived. e railroad that arrived in the 1850s and enabled other communities to thrive completely bypassed Buckland. “It’s fueled by the turnpike era, and when it dies is when the railroads come in,” said Blake.

Starting in 1797, eight years after he had inherited Buckland Hall from his father, John Love laid out a 48-lot plan around the original cluster of buildings on both sides of Broad Run. Love named some streets after famous men like Washington, Jefferson, Lafayette and Franklin, and others for his family members.

Elizabeth Street, for example, was named for Love’s wife.

Blake credits the enterprising Love, who would become a senator and a congressman as well as an attorney for inventor Oliver Evans, for bringing three state-of-the-art mills (at the time) to Buckland. e mills used technology developed by Evans which automated the cleaning and moving of grain, increasing the efficiency and food safety of the process. “Prince William should be proud of that kind of innovation, that kind of technology. at’s our history. at’s our heritage,” Blake said.

Love was also a founder of the Fauquier and Alexandria Turnpike which was completed in 1828. at 16 and a half-foot wide macadamized road connected Fauquier Courthouse (now known as Warrenton) to Alexandria, and went through the middle of town. Four of the town’s lots had to be condemned to make room for the road. Remarkably, the town still has a small section of the original road and bridge abutments intact. e Warrenton Turnpike, as it was later known, “helped facilitate development for Buckland and all around the county,” said Price.

Still the little town hung on and business continued in Buckland until the Civil War. Because of the town’s proximity to the Manassas Battlefield less than 10 miles away, Buckland residents witnessed Union and Confederate troops clashing over the turnpike and Broad Run bridge in a skirmish that precipitated the Second Battle of Manassas in August 1862. A year later, in October 1863, Confederate and Union cavalry including troops commanded by Union General George Armstrong Custer clashed over the same ground in what became known as the Buckland Races.

“It’s that cavalry engagement at Buckland that makes people read books about it and want to come see it today,” said David M. Born, historic program coordinator with the Prince William County Department of Public Works. roughout 1861 and 1862, the Confederate cavalry had a definite advantage over the Union cavalry, but the tide was turning in 1863. “With the Buckland Races the fact that Confederates chased these Federals out of Buckland is a big morale boost. It had not been a real stellar year for Confederate cavalry,” he said.

After the “grand rout of Kilpatrick’s Yankee Cavalry” as one Confederate soldier put it, there were 230 killed and wounded.

Some of those dead were buried nearby. According to Blake, the Federal Government removed the Union dead and reinterred them in Arlington Cemetery in 1917, leaving the Confederate dead behind. e society recently put markers on the known grave sites of those men. (continued on page 17) prince william living February 2013 | 15

health & wellness Loving Dad Leaves Healthy Legacy

By Maureen Deutermann, MSN, R.N. Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center e was my hero, my mentor, my friend. His frequent compliment, "You look so pretty, honey," did more to build a gawky teenager's self-esteem than any other words. He encouraged me to pursue not only nursing, but a college degree as well.

My daughter fondly remembers his standard telephone greeting: a boisterous rendition of "Yes, We Have No Bananas!" He had a wonderful heart, but not a healthy one. He was my father, and when he died of cardiac arrest 25 years ago, a light went out in my life.

H

While I hope I inherited some of my father’s wonderful traits, I know for sure that I inherited one of the risk factors which contributed to his heart disease: high blood pressure.

Fortunately, years ago uncharacteristic headaches led me to have my blood pressure checked. It was sky high for a woman in her early thirties. I say “fortunately” because the onset of high blood pressure often has no symptoms, ergo its nickname of the “silent killer.”

So it is with other risk factors for heart disease. High cholesterol doesn’t come up and introduce itself, and some 7 million Americans are unknowingly walking around with diabetes. While heart disease remains the biggest killer in this country, it is also one of the most preventable if risk factors are recognized and treated.

What can one do to beat it? First, know that you are what your parents are. If they had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease, you are at greater risk for these conditions.

Secondly, know your numbers. If you haven’t had your blood pressure checked recently, or have not had a blood test to check your lipid profile (total, LDL, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) or a fasting glucose test, do it! What you don’t know could kill you.

Third, take stock of your habits. Being overweight, sedentary and poorly managing stress all contribute to an increased risk. And smokers beware: heart disease kills far more smokers than lung cancer does.

For your loved ones’ sake as well as your own, adopt a proactive attitude toward health so that your light may shine on!

Maureen Deutermann has worked at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center since 1988. Originally from Sheboygan, WI, she has made Montclair her home for more than 25 years.

16 | February 2013 prince william living

We have specialists in Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics along with a general dentist to take care of all your family’s dental needs. We have three locations in Prince William county to serve you, including our brand new state of the art facility right off the Prince William Parkway next to BJ’s. We also now have evening and weekend hours to help you find convenient hours for appointments without having to miss work or school. Visit our website www.anothergoldensmile.com for more information.

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(continued from page 15)

Fighting Back Development e years after the Civil War were not kind to Buckland. As time wore on, the mills, taverns, stores and even the post office all closed. en, the development boom hit the Gainesville area in the late 1990s, and Buckland residents faced a new threat. Instead of selling out to developers, many of the residents banded together in 2003 and established the Buckland Preservation Society, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to “preserving the historical integrity of Buckland.”

According to Blake, the foundation is set up to buy properties at full market value and to work with the Federal government to create easements so they cannot be developed. Society president Linda Wright, who moved with her family to Cerro Gordo Farm in 1983, said, “Over 200 acres of the Buckland Mills Battlefield and town are in permanent easement with the National Park Service/Department of Historic Resources.”

A few society board members like omas Ashe, Wright and Blake, have gone even further, using their own money to purchase and preserve additional buildings and properties. “Usually the people who want to preserve the land don’t own it, but we do…Every family who owns it has a stake in it,” Blake said.

Many of these properties are included in the Buckland Historic District.

Established in 1987, the original district contained only about 19 acres, less than half of the original town site. In 2008, the society successfully petitioned for the district to be expanded to 497 acres. “It [the petition] is one of the most difficult to qualify for because the site has to be historically significant on a national level,” Blake said. Included in the historic district are 21 original buildings on the National Register, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. In addition, Buckland has the only historical overlay district in Prince William County, requiring the Architectural Review Board to approve any changes to the historic properties.

Even with these protections in place,

development is still lurking nearby.

Daniel Debutts, whose family has resided in Buckland since 1818 and whose ancestor Jacob Delaplane owned the Kinsley mill during the Civil War, said, “I can see Wegmans’ clock tower from my yard.” Although the mill is no longer on the property, having been moved to Colvin Mill in Great Falls when Lake Manassas was constructed in the 1970s, Debutts’ family cemetery and slave omas C. Robinson’s cabin are still there. When asked why he stays, especially since 11 acres of his property is now under Lake Manassas, he replied, “My family heritage. My ancestors are in the yard. It’s been in the family for six generations. Why not stay?”

Successful, Successful, Seamless, Se amless, and Stress-Free S tress-Free E Events vents it’s it ’s not not just just our mission it it’s ’s our passion.

Buckland’s Future So what’s next for Buckland? Blake said the society would like to turn it into a tourist destination and noted that it is the halfway point on the Journey through Hallowed Ground, which runs from Gettysburg to Charlottesville.

“We haven’t made the site yet accessible to the public. at’s what we’re working on next,” Blake said. e society has demarcated 2,333 acres to preserve the battlefield core, and plans to restore the fences in the battlefield area. e group also just purchased a building in nearby Fauquier County that they hope to turn into a museum. “We’re trying to restore the integrity of the historic landscape. at is our mission. We want to get the public involved. We’re going to need their help,” he said.

Contemporary C ontemporary sstyle. tyle.

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The perfect location T he per fect loca tion ffor or yyour our special occasion. occasion.

All those plans are years away, Blake admits. In the meantime, the unrelenting traffic on Route 29 continues to pass Buckland by.

“People pass through on 29 and in a blink of an eye, they’re through it,” said Debutts.

Maybe Buckland will finally give them a reason to stop.

Carla Christiano is a native of Prince William County, admitted history geek and a technical writer for Unisys.

She can be reached at cchristiano@princewilliamliving.com.

7703.910.4273 03.910.4273 H HarbourViewEvents arbourViewEvents HarbourViewEvents.com H arbourViewEvents.com V Visit isit us on the O Occoquan ccoquan R River iver in W Woodbridge oodbridge and disc discover over wh whyy w weddings eddings ar are e our specialty specialty.. prince william living February 2013 | 17

taking care of business Creating a Revolution in Local Fitness

By Jennifer Rader, Contributing Writer

P

arkour, an athletic discipline that developed out of military obstacle course training, has been around since the World War I era. It was developed by a French naval officer, Georges Hébert, who promoted athletic skill and fitness based on the natural lives of indigenous tribes he met and observed in Africa. Hébert was an early proponent of “parcours,” or obstacle course. Decades later, with the help of people like David Belle and Sébastien Foucan (famously chased by James Bond in “Casino Royale”), parkour gained its greatest popularity in the 1990s in Europe.

Over the last decade, the U.S. has caught the fever of this fitness modality. While parkour gyms are not widespread, Prince William is fortunate to have its very own, Urban Evolution, located at 8442 Kao Circle in Manassas. Owners, Salil and Malikah Maniktahla, opened their first Urban Evolution location in Alexandria in May 2010. Following a warm reception, the couple did some research and opened the Manassas gym last March.

Prince William Living spoke with Salil.

PWL: Where did the idea to open something so unique as a parkour gym originate?

Maniktahla: I hated going to the gym. I spent $400 on an annual membership that I didn’t use. I started doing parkour in 2007. It got to the point where I was going [out to do parkour] seven days each week. Parkour changed my world in so many ways.

Photos courtesy Urban Evolution

e modern philosophy of parkour is “human reclamation,” or body movement the way it was naturally intended. Regular training can increase stamina, agility, and balance among other benefits.

A traceur, practicing his technique.

area is one of growth and the real estate prices were affordable. is enabled us to get in early on the area’s growth. It also meant we would not cannibalize our Alexandria location. And, finally, Manassas is designated as a fringe urban center of D.C., again, designating it as great growth potential.

PWL: Why a location in Prince William?

PWL: What is your professional background, and does it relate to your business?

Maniktahla: ere are three real reasons we focused on Manassas.

First, we did a demographic survey of our Alexandria club’s inactive members and found many of them came from Manassas and the surrounding area. Second, we found that the Manassas

Maniktahla: I have a degree in biology, was pre-med but went into IT business intelligence and have worked for companies like Wells Fargo and Google. In 2009 I was laid off...[at another company] but it was a kind of a wake-up call.

18 | February 2013 prince william living

even in six months and was profitable in nine months; the Manassas gym broke even in six months and we are confident will have the same success as Alexandria.

We also sent 13 people to the American Ninja Warrior, a property hosted and owned by G4 TV. PWL: What has having Urban Evolution enabled you to do as a business owner?

PWL: Did you have previous business experience?

Maniktahla: I’ve never started my own business; my wife’s family has always owned businesses. We started out with no financing, no bank would loan to us for this business. We cashed in a 401K and our parents kicked in a bit of financing. We knew our choices are to do it or go out of business. We definitely keep it lean, keep it hungry.

PWL: What is your purpose for Urban Evolution?

Maniktahla: We take the pain out of going to a traditional gym. And we are succeeding and growing faster than the typical model. At many gyms you pay a membership fee and then find individual classes might have an additional fee to participate. At Urban Evolution, there is a flat fee, inclusive membership. We also offer methods that are tough to find, and we prove that you don’t need a lot of equipment to get fit.

PWL: What challenges have you had to overcome?

Maniktahla: Every day is a challenge. We opened our first location in Alexandria with nothing. In a way, I think owning a business follows the format of parkour: business is going to throw obstacles out there, you need to find a way over them.

But our biggest challenge is having people understand why we exist.

PWL: What are some of the successes you have encountered?

Maniktahla: e Alexandria gym broke

Maniktahla: Owning this business has expanded my abilities 50-fold, both physically and business-wise. It is handson personal development. I’ve learned marketing, video editing, diving into social media—the list of lessons learned can go on.

PWL: What have you found to be the most effective way to get your gyms in front of people; what have been the best marketing methods?

Maniktahla: We focus on unique but low-cost methods to demonstrate our brand. We want to create a buzz so we do things like right before Halloween, we put on a spontaneous Ninja Flash Mob. It created a buzz and people wanted to know where we came from and who we were. We do things like demos and events to micro audiences like the Scouts, or hold a session of zombie tag.

PWL: What is your future vision for Urban Evolution?

Maniktahla: I’d like to revolutionize fitness in this country. Grow to make parkour training a common option to people.

PWL:: What is your best advice to others wanting to start a business?

Maniktahla: Be aware of what you are getting into, the amount of work to be done. And if your choice is to be tired for yourself or someone else, be tired for yourself.

For information about Urban Evolution’s locations, classes and membership, please visit www.urbanevo.com.

A nonprofit development director for over 10 years, Jennifer Rader now works as a freelance writer and consultant. She lives with her son and husband in Manassas and can be reached at JRader@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living February 2013 | 19

going places

Meet The Aubergine Chef

By Olivia Overman, Contributing Writer

t

here’s an old saying that the people of the world are divided into two categories: cooks and bakers. But shouldn’t there be another category: those who are neither? For those of us who fit into the latter group, help is available right here in Prince William. Want to work with a chef who was featured in Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine? You don’t have to leave the community, or even your home, to do so–just say hello to Jason Shriner, a.k.a. the Aubergine Chef.

Shriner compares his life to the 2009 movie Julie & Julia. Like Julie, Shriner ventured into the online world with his video baking blog complete with free demonstrations and has never looked back. “At first it was just a hobby to keep up with my skills and to help anybody who was at all interested in learning how to bake,” he says. “But eventually I felt an obligation to the blog and people started requesting episodes and it took off from there, including branching off into teaching classes and finally offering private classes.”

“I cover a wide range of products and techniques, but I typically specialize in smaller rustic pastries like pies and European-style 20 | February 2013 prince william living

Photos courtesy Tamar Batista

After earning an Associate in Science Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, Shriner continued his studies to complete his Bachelor’s in Food Service Entrepreneurship. But when stints in numerous restaurants and bakeries proved to be not what he was looking for, Shriner left baking to pursue a second career in real estate. But it was his original passion that led him in May 2010 to start his video blog at www.auberginechef.com, which according to Shriner was designed “to help encourage all the bakers, and would-be bakers, of the world to try new things, experiment and most of all, not to be afraid to start baking!”

In the kitchen with the Aubergine Chef.

cakes as well as fundamental techniques,” said Shriner. Asked about the difference between a European-style and an American-style cake, Shriner explained that “typically European cakes are covered with marzipan and have more integrity, while American cakes are covered with icing and have a soft fluffy texture.” Who knew?

and a shade of purple, this hue is Shriner’s favorite. When inspiration for the blog first struck, he had planned to name it e Purple Chef. Finding the name taken, he quickly adapted to the current moniker, recalling a brilliant aubergine food coloring used in a gum paste class he took early on in his career.

In his more than 120 online videos, Shriner demonstrates everything from the fundamental techniques of separating an egg to advanced techniques such as making buttercream roses. “I use recipes from old college textbooks, cross-reference to other people’s blogs and, of course, I try recipes from Rachael Ray’s magazine,” said the chef. It was after making the Pina Colada Cake from a recipe by Rachael Ray that Shriner said he received a message “asking if they could feature my blog in their Talk with Friends section. It was perfect too, because they tend to only feature blogs that include recipes from their magazine and I borrow a lot of ideas from them.”

Fast forward to the present, and Shriner has aspirations of hiring additional chefs and experts, each shooting their own videos and writing their own posts, to be a part of the Aubergine Chef.

Recently, he’s also been investigating commercial building vacancies and thinking about starting a recreational culinary school. So keep an eye out, the Aubergine Chef may be coming to a location near you!

While Shriner loves pastries and desserts, his “absolute favorite” recipe is his own pumpkin mousse pie. Years in the developing, Shriner’s pumpkin mousse pie is, in his words, “a holiday treat for anybody I can bring it to. People who hate traditional pumpkin pie cannot get enough of my pumpkin mousse pie.”

Make sure to check out Shriner’s website, www.theauberginechef.com, for recipes, video demonstrations and class schedules.

A graduate of American University’s School of Communication, Olivia Overman has written articles for a number of online and print publications. Overman can be reached by email at ooverman@princewilliamliving.com.

Face-to-face Classes As an offshoot to his video blog, Shriner offers baking classes and courses at the Manassas Park Community Center. Scheduled on a monthly basis, classes usually meet over a one- to two-day period while courses can extend over several weeks. Both classes and courses are intense and challenging. With fundamentals such as releasing a cake from the pan, baking cookies and working with chocolate, Shriner creates classes that allow participants to develop their skills step by step. “You learn a lot quickly. I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback from both formats,” he said. ere is a fee for each class, and registration can be made online on the Manassas Park Community Center website.

“With a group of students we learn from each other and can share past experiences. I get to know more people and in turn the students get to make new friends. It's a fun experience,” Shriner said. is might explain why he sees so many repeat students, who sign up for multiple courses, learning new techniques over time.

While the majority of students are women in their thirties, Shriner noted that he’s had students from many age groups, with even children signing up for his classes. Recently, Shriner created and hosted a private class for the Manassas First Baptist Church. Private classes can be arranged for any group by request. In addition to group classes, Shriner also offers one-on-one sessions in people’s homes. In describing these classes he says, “We still have fun, [but] the tone is much more serious. ese students want to absorb as much knowledge as possible and often we talk a lot about business, like starting their own home baking business.”

The Future is Purple In case you can’t tell based on the ever-present purple chef coat or the name of his business, which can mean both a type of eggplant prince william living February 2013 | 21

giving back

Prince William Library Foundation Raises Awareness

By Stephanie Tipple, Contributing Writer

w

ith the onset of technology and digital media, iPhones and Kindles, it may seem like brick-andmortar libraries are heading toward obsolescence.

Within the Prince William County Library System, the Library Foundation works to counteract this belief. is non-profit raises both money and awareness for the community and neighborhood libraries throughout the County and Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.

Photo courtesy Barbara Tomes

To supplement the public funds received from the state and local jurisdictions, the 10 libraries within the system rely on the passion of volunteers, the Foundation and other donors to both expand services and contain costs. Volunteers help to save local taxpayers around $750,000 a year in operating costs. “Community support, fundraising, philanthropy, are a very important piece of sustaining our library system,” said Library Foundation president Bryanna Altman. She explained that guided by the efforts of Prince William Library System director Dick Murphy and marketing and development director Mary Tompkins, the library collectively raises $1.7-3.2 million each year from a number of sources, including the Foundation. “at money allows us to have all of these fantastic programs that we have for the kids,” Altman said, such as computer access, language, storytelling and craft programs.

Read any good books lately? Guests Julie Marshall, Kristyn Gleason, Kim Deal and James Drakes at Party-in-the-Stacks fundraiser to benefit PWC public libraries.

e Library Foundation is composed of a 15-member Board of Directors. e Board’s Executive Committee is comprised of Altman, vice president Bennett Whitlock , treasurer Earnie Porta and secretary Joyce Phillips.

Luncheon Series. We will continue to do the same in 2013.”

“e Board works together as a team,” said Altman. “We’re all volunteers and benefactors and do whatever it takes to raise money to help supplement the needs of our public library system...Over the years the foundation has raised money by hosting community gatherings to include art auctions, book signings, galas, food and wine pairing dinners and a Distinguished Author and Speaker

e Library Foundation is currently spearheading efforts to fund an expansion and outdoor area patio at the Potomac Community Library in Woodbridge. e second oldest library in the system, it was built in 1974, serving residents for nearly four decades. “People in the community began going to that library, and they began to bring their kids to the library and now their kids–their

22 | February 2013 prince william living

grandchildren–are going to that library, so it was definitely time to make some improvements,” Altman said. A brick patio plaza where residents can relax and read on warm days, or use the library’s wi-fi, will be constructed on a parcel of land behind the building. “We want to help it to be a gathering place,” she added. “We want to provide a sense of community there.”

To raise funds for this improvement, the Library Foundation has been selling imprinted bricks which will then be used in the construction of the patio. An additional $15,000 was also raised last October from the ‘Blue Jeans and Diamonds in the Stacks’ fundraiser held at the Chinn Park Regional Library. e event featured a silent auction, live band and “celebrity bartenders” such as Porta, who is also Mayor of the Town of Occoquan, and Prince William Supervisor Marty Nohe.

If all the fundraising efforts go according to plan, the patio will be completed and ready for use in April 2013. Bricks can be purchased for a donation of $100-$250. Any excess proceeds will be used to make additional improvements to the Potomac Library and other community libraries. Altman said that in addition to the patio construction, the money will be used to replace windows running along the back of the building. To purchase a brick, go to www.pwgov.org and search keyword “Library Foundation.” After clicking the foundation link, you will see instructions for donating online. e Library Foundation is also looking to raise funds to help with the creation of new community libraries in Montclair and Gainesville. “We’ve seen a large increase of people moving into these areas, and we’re still seeing them traveling to other libraries,” Altman said. “e exciting news is that we have the Montclair and Gainesville libraries moving forward,” Whitlock said. “at’s exciting because there haven’t been new libraries built in the county for many years.”

Expected completion date for both is September 2015. e Montclair Community Library will be located by the intersection of Rt. 234 and Waterway Drive and the Gainesville Library at the intersection of Rt. 15 and Lightner Road.

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While fundraising does make up a large portion of the Library Foundation’s mission, the group also strives to provide outreach in the community, showcasing the importance of local libraries. “We are the outreach arm of the library system; it’s our job to promote the library system,” Whitlock said. “With all of the technology and e-readers, people say ‘Who uses the library anymore?’ If people took the time, they’d find that the libraries are always packed. ey’re a huge asset to the community, as far as for research and job-hunting. ey run absolutely wonderful programs.”

So the next time you’re looking for a good read or a good cause, check out a book or program at your local library, and also check out the Library Foundation and their work in Prince William.

Stephanie Tipple is a college student, journalist and community leader.

She resides in Woodbridge. She can be reached by email at stipple@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living February 2013 | 23

home & hearth

Shop Local.

World Fusion Meets Suburban Sensibilities

By Denise Smith of FA Design Build he design styles of some areas of this country are immediately recognizable. The South has its overstuffed, fringeadorned, hyper attention to every detail. The West Coast has its light, bright, up-to-the-minute airiness. New Jersey sparkles while the metropolis on the other side of the bay practices restraint. Prince William can’t deny the traditional influence of the nation’s capital, but in my years of decorating here, I have come to believe we do have our own style.

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Denise Smith is the Design and Sales Consultant of FA Design Build. She believes every person deserves a timelessly beautiful space, regardless of budget or circumstance, and has the unique ability to discern a customer’s inner design concept and break it down into a workable plan. She can be reached at dsmith@fadesignbuild.com.

24 | February 2013 prince william living

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While each home design is unique, there are some traits that define our style. And in the case of greater Prince William that style is a reflection of our diversity.

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Our style is eclectic, yes, but there are a few defining features. Prince William residents are not afraid of color.

We want color on the wall to remind us of the natural surroundings. The fascination with white walls and cream carpets ends at the D.C. highrise. We like the blue tones of beautiful beaches, greens reminiscent of forests and the purples and greys of mountain peaks. We select furniture in basic silhouettes in order to better blend with the pieces we have collected and durable enough to suit our busy lifestyle.

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Prince William’s décor style has been shaped by the travels of its population. The presence of the military is strong, not just because our neighbor, Quantico, is here but because of the many residents who have served. According to the United States Census Bureau, just over 21% of Prince William residents were born in another county. Whether by choice or a State Department assignment, Prince William homeowners have lived all over the world before becoming lucky enough to reside here and this is reflected in their furniture, artwork and even their choice of construction materials. The effect is so prominent that it would be easy to describe our style as World Fusion. Japanese Tansu cabinets and carved screens are at home in our quintessentially suburban American split-foyer colonials, right next to sturdy shaker oak tables build to survive multiple moves. Glass-front cabinets showcase European pottery. African art adorns our walls. The influence of Germany is reflected in our preference for dark woods on the floor.

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local flavor

Bella Vita: The Little Eatery with Big Flavor

By Val Wallace, Contributing Writer

i

n the three years that Bella Vita Italian Eatery has been open, the small restaurant – located in the plaza at Liberia Avenue and Signal Hill Road in Manassas – is living up to its name, which means “Good Life” in Italian. e eatery is winning awards for its service and food and building a loyal clientele.

e signature ravioli dish, simmered in Bella Vita’s creamy sherry sauce, is just one of many delectable meals that patrons can find on the restaurant’s menu, which includes authentic Italian food and also American fare. e eatery’s diversity of offerings distinguishes it from many other Italian restaurants, according to Bella Vita’s manager and co-owner Tulio Torres. “We’ve got pretty much everything,” he said. “We have a variety to try to please everybody.”

Along with a wide range of freshly prepared Italian dishes – including pizza, pasta, seafood, chicken and veal – the menu also includes burgers, sandwiches, subs and even chicken wings and fish tacos. Bella Vita’s cooks make its pizza, flatbreads, sauces and many other foods from scratch, Torres said. “Many things here [are] homemade. We make the bread [and] … the sauce every day.

We make the dough that we make the pizza with. … All our soups are homemade,” he stated.

A goal to provide quality, fast service led Venezuelan-born Torres and Bella Vita co-owner Joe Conigliaro, a native of Sicily, to take commercial cooking courses a few years ago. e two wanted to perfect techniques on getting fresh, delicious meals to the table as quickly as possible. “When you have the techniques, you can make it much faster and easier,” Torres explained.

Fast service and fresh, sumptuous entrées are not the only ingredients in Bella Vita’s recipe for success, however. e owners are receptive to patrons’ needs and pay attention to what is popular with customers. For example, the eatery’s award-winning 26 | February 2013 prince william living

Photo courtesy Tamar Batista

In 2012, Bella Vita won the reader’s choice award from InsideNoVa for the friendliest restaurant in Prince William. e eatery also received the award for best entrée at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s “Cuisine de Commerce” event in September 2012. It was selected, for its lobster and crab ravioli, from among nearly 20 other participating local restaurants, event facilities, caterers and specialty shops.

Owners Joe Conigliaro and Tulio Torres

lobster dish began as a three-week special, but when patrons continued to request it, the owners added the meal to the menu. ey did the same with some other specials, including their tortellini Milano entrée – a popular seller, according to Torres. e dish consists of pasta filled with cheese and tossed with sausage, portobello mushrooms, shallots and red peppers in a creamy pink sauce.

Another special, churros – deep-fried pastries – became a permanent dessert menu item. “People liked them so much, we had to put them on the menu,” Torres said.

Bella Vita’s Facebook page offers visible evidence of the restaurant’s popularity and is also a source of information for the owners regarding customers’ likes and preferences. Photos of families and groups gathered for celebrations at Bella Vita fill the page, along with numerous comments from diners thanking the eatery for warm memories and great food. Also found are posts from the restaurant listing specials, soups of the day and any planned events.

Groups of teens dining at the eatery to celebrate their high school homecomings and proms are among the photos. “ey like it

here,” Torres said. “We put pictures on Facebook of all the kids who come for prom. We get … [teens from] several schools. ey book their parties here.” He added that parents have called the restaurant “to thank us because their kids were pleased with the service and the food.”

Bella Vita also has an outside patio, with live music on Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the spring and summer. Bands play light jazz, music from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s and light rock. e restaurant has food specials Monday through ursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and for most of the hours it’s open on Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Retired Fairfax couple Rich and Kay Flaherty are quickly becoming fans of the food and service. Kay explained that on their first visit, “We ate here for dinner just because we had a Groupon. We were pleasantly surprised. It was very good food. … e service was efficient and attentive. … We found them friendly. ... e owner greeted us.” A month later, the couple returned for a second meal.

“It was very good. I think we’ll be back again,” said Rich.

Photo courtesy Tamar Batista

Bella Vita has welcomed parties of more than 20 and seats up to 136 people in booths and tables in its dining room and a few pub tables in its cozy-sized bar area, located in the front of the restaurant. Five swivel chairs line the bar, which includes a couple of wall-mounted flat-screen televisions and offers a full drink menu. An “ice frosted tower” cooling system allows beer to be served at 32 degrees. e restaurant’s website boasts that it is the coldest beer in Prince William.

Located at 9675 Liberia Avenue in Manassas, Bella Vita is open Monday through ursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Bella Vita also offers catering. To learn more, visit bellavitaonline.com or call 571-379-8643.

Manassas Park resident Val Wallace is a freelance writer, editor and proofreader and a new contributor to Prince William Living magazine.

She can be emailed at vwallace@princewilliamliving.com.

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family fun Little Things Mean a Lot

By Kristina Schnack Kotlus, Contributing Writer

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all me a Valentine’s scrooge, but there is nothing at all about naked babies (once you’ve had one, you can’t unknow what those bottoms produce!) or bows and arrows (hello Katniss) that makes me feel amorous. In my mind, Valentine’s Day is just a distraction from the February holiday we all truly love–Presidents Day. Presidents Day, with its bank holiday and Abe Lincoln crafts, clearly outshines yet another Hallmark holiday.

Since this is a monthly magazine, discussions about one day of the month are probably a waste, especially since you can find all the crafty cards you want on Pinterest (www.pinterest.com). While you’re there, be sure to check out the “Valentine Handprints” and “Valentine Bottle Caps.” So, instead of focusing on February 14th, let’s talk about love in a more year-round way. ere are a ton of really fun ways to show your children and significant other that you care about them all year long.

1. Leave a Note Every once in a while, take a moment to write out a note for someone you love. It could be a post-it for your child’s lunchbox on the day of a big test, or it could be something mushy that you tuck into your spouse’s dress coat so they find it at some random time in the future. If you’re not really a writer, try a special token like a sticker shaped like something meaningful to you and the recipient.

2. Buy a Treat In my house, the rule is that if you don’t have a coupon or it’s not on sale, it’s not coming home. However, every so often I’ll pick up somebody’s favorite fruit or cereal, even if it’s not on sale, just so they know that I was thinking about them. Redbox movies are another great treat to pick up, and will only run you a dollar, assuming you remember to return it the next day.

3. Celebrate Silly Accomplishments Instead of only praising your family members when they ace a test, score the winning touchdown or get a big promotion, find reasons to celebrate them at random. Pick a night to hand out gold stars to everyone for something great they did, whether it was emptying the dishwasher without being asked or sitting in traffic for two hours without abandoning the car in the breakdown lane. Reminding your family that you’re watching them and appreciate all that they do is a great way to show that you love them. Be sure to apply the stickers somewhere fun. I like having “star pox” on my face, but you can use them more conventionally if you must.

28 | February 2013 prince william living

4. Say Yes ere are things to which we always say no. Maybe you’re completely out of energy at night and the extra five minutes of snuggling or “just one more story” are always met with a “not tonight kiddo,” or maybe you really loathe feet and your significant other has to go without a foot rub. I totally get that, especially the part about the feet, but every once in a while, it’s good to say yes even when you want to say no. If you always say no to something, saying yes will mean even more because the person you’re doing if for will know you don’t typically want to indulge them, but are doing it anyway. Be sure to follow up with a hug and a reminder that you love them, too!

5. Carve Out One-on-One Time Prioritizing time with each family member individually is a great way to show love. In my home, we try to be sure each child gets a “Mommy Date” or a “Daddy Date” every month or two, and that Mommy and Daddy get a few dates of their own in there, too. Time spent alone with your child doesn’t have to be expensive. ink the park and a hot chocolate, or finishing a book or scout project together. Of course, you can also take advantage of the fact that it’s just the two of you and enjoy an activity that might be cost-prohibitive if done with the full family, such as a game of laser tag or a trip to a water park. For grown-up outings, if you don’t have a sitter on deck, local bounce-houses frequently offer group babysitting on weekends.

6. Have a Secret Code Inside jokes or codes can be a special way to show love for your family, too. Growing up, my daddy used to squeeze my hand four times in church every week, which was code for “Do you love me?” ree squeezes back meant “Yes, I do,” which was followed with two for “How much?” and a final HUGE squeeze to show just how much. We only occasionally squeezed so hard the other person would squeak and attract the disapproving stare of my mother, but those potential reprimands were all worth it when my dad gave my hand four squeezes in the car on the way to my wedding. Other people might have a code word or special token they pass back and forth. Whatever your special communication is in your family, a secret way of saying “I love you” is even better because it’s just for them.

I hope these ideas help you feel the love all year long.

Kristina Schnack Kotlus and her husband reside in Woodbridge with their three children. She is a born and raised Prince William native and the owner of PwcMoms.com, a resource for parents.

prince william living February 2013 | 29

your finances 5 Myths about College Financial Planning

By Luanne Lee, Your College Planning Coach ne of the President's top aides has said that you almost need a PhD to maneuver through the financial aid process. No wonder so many parents are confused!

Meanwhile, according to the College Board, the cost of higher education has tripled in the past 30 years. What can be done? First, learn the facts behind the “Top 5 College Planning Myths.”

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MYTH #1. “We make too much money, my child cannot qualify for financial aid.”

FACT: Financial aid calculations use a number of factors including choice of school and size of household. Don’t decide that your family is ineligible for financial aid based on one piece of data.

MYTH #2. A family’s debt load increases the likelihood of receiving financial aid.

FACT: After you submit the completed financial aid form, you’ll receive your expected family contribution. You’ll wonder, “Are they not aware of my credit card payments?”

Your debt is not a factor in financial aid decisions.

MYTH #3. Getting financial aid is easy.

FACT: Seventy percent of financial aid forms have errors on them. Delays resulting from these errors can cause a loss of time and money.

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MYTH #4. A child over 18 is not a dependent.

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MYTH #5. Planning ahead covers all the bases.

FACT: State Prepaid Tuition plans do not cover room, board, books and other fees. The 529 Savings plan is less restrictive and can be used for all qualified education expenses. However, the money is invested in the stock market, putting your principal at risk. The icing on the cake?

Both of these assets count against you in financial aid calculations.

As consumers, we routinely look for discounts. It only makes sense to learn how to purchase your child’s education by paying wholesale rather than retail.

Luanne Lee, CCPS, Your College Planning Coach. Luanne specializes in Late Stage College Planning, coaching parents and students on Financial Aid and College Selection. Luanne can be reached at 703.928.9036 or www.yourcollegeplanningcoach.com 30 | February 2013 prince william living

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calendar Lucasville School

february

February 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

10516 Godwin Dr. | Manassas Visit a reconstructed 19th century school used by the community of Lucasville.

Learn surprising facts of African American history in Prince William County and throughout the Northern Virginia region. Free. 703-367-7872

Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Series

February 2, 16, March 9, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Old Manassas Courthouse 9248 Lee Avenue | Manassas Growing our own food, using nature as a guide and incorporating sustainable practices is good for our bodies and good for the earth. ese 3 classes cover the essential topics — planning the garden, using organic sustainable techniques to develop healthy productive gardens, and growing good garden soil. ese practices are on display at our Teaching Garden and showcased in our Saturday in the Garden programs. ere is no charge for these classes. Taught by Master Gardener Paul Gibson and the Master Gardener Cook’s Garden Team.

Youth for Tomorrow, Annual Heart 2 Heart Gala

February 9, 6 p.m.

Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner 1700 Tysons Boulevard | McLean Spend an evening, including dinner and comedy show, featuring Jeff Foxworthy, followed by dancing to the high energy Spectrum Dance Band. All proceeds will go to help the abused and alienated children who surround us and are served by Youth For Tomorrow (YFT). For tickets and sponsorship, please email Love Jones, Director of Special Event at Youth For Tomorrow at LJones@yftva.com or call 703/396-8415.

Chocolate – A History and Tasting February 9, 2 p.m.

Old Manassas Courthouse 9248 Lee Avenue | Manassas For 2000 years humans have been enjoying chocolate. We think of eating 32 | February 2013 prince william living

chocolate by the bar, bunny or box and for it to be sweet. However, for most of its life chocolate hasn’t been sweet and we drank it. Join artisan chocolate maker Ben Rasmussen of Potomac Chocolate as you sample your way through the history of chocolate. Reservations required. $15 per person. Call 703-499-9812. Not appropriate for children under 12.

Youth Orchestras of Prince William “A Glimpse into the Present” February 10, 4 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10900 University Blvd | Manassas World Premiere of “Glimpse” a new composition by American composer Eric Nathan. Tickets: $15 ($12 Students/ Seniors) Information & tickets: www.hyltoncenter.org www.yopwva.org

Lecture: Courtship Customs of Centuries Past February 14, 7 p.m.

Old Manassas Courthouse 9248 Lee Avenue | Manassas Join us for this dinner program on courtship, dating customs and dinner etiquette of the 18th and 19th century.

Space is limited. Please register no later than February 6th to secure a space. $25 per person, $45 per couple. Reservations required. Please call 703-792-4754.

The Enslaved of Ben Lomond February 16, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Ben Lomond Historic Site 10311 Sudley Manor Drive | Manassas Staff will provide unique hands-on tours about slavery on the Plantation. Learn about the "Peculiar Institution" as it existed here from the 1700s to the Civil War. See the farm and house through the eyes of those who were enslaved and kept the plantation running. Hands-on demonstrations will take place throughout the day. Tours begin on the hour. Last tour at 4 pm. Please dress for the weather. $5 per person

“Lest We Forget” The Enslavement and Emancipation Conference February 21-23 e first in an annual series of conferences on African American History in Virginia

gets underway in Prince William County on ursday, February 21, 2013. Activities include historical and dramatic plays, keynote addresses and paper sessions, discussion roundtables and forums, as well as guided tours of historic sites in Prince William County and Washington, D.C. Coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in January 1863, “Lest We Forget” will engage history as a vehicle for understanding both the present day and the future. Registration and attendance for the conference is free. e optional Saturday bus tour to Washington D.C. African American sites is $100. e bus tour of Prince William County sites is $80.

Both all day tours include lunch. Please call 703-792-4754 for more information and to register or e-mail at historicpreservation@pwcgov.org

Lecture: Washington and Rochambeau’s Path to Destiny February 21, 7 p.m.

Ferlazzo Auditorium 15941 Donald Curtis Dr | Woodbridge General George Washington used the Washington Rochambeau route, also known as the King’s Highway and the Potomac Path, from Rhode Island to Yorktown in 1781. is major land route was vital to Washington’s war success.

Sections of this route brought soldiers and Washington himself through Prince William County. Join us for a living history, first person, account of this vital roadway. Free; donations accepted.

703-792-4754

Jump Start into Spring - Basics of Gardening February 23, 8:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m.

Manassas Park Community Center 99 Adams Street | Manassas Park Taught by VCE - Prince William Master Gardener Volunteers Topics include: e Dirt on Dirt – Gardening Successfully with Clay Soils, Sustainable Organic Vegetable Gardening, Starting Flower Seed for your Garden & Taking Care of Your Trees. Single: $20.00 (Materials Included) Couple: $30.00 (Shared Materials Included) For a registration form go to our website (www.pwcgov.org/grow), call the Extension Horticulture Help Desk at 703-792-7747 or email master_gardener@pwcgov.org

Discover Prince William & Manassas

VisitPWC.com

elebrate your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day by planning a romantic “staycation” in Prince William and Manassas. With shops, spas, romantic bed and breakfasts and more, there are infinite possibilities to create a weekend you will remember for years to come.

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Start your romantic journey by checking into Manassas Junction or Bennett House, Victorian Bed and Breakfasts in the heart of Old Town Manassas. Bundle up and stroll the quaint streets of this Virginia “main street community” or ice skate at the Harris Pavilion outdoor rink in the city center. Enjoy a romantic dinner at City Square Café, Carmello’s or one of the other locally owned restaurants, then listen to the China National Symphony Orchestra, which performs at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on February 9.

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STAY CONNECTED

Ann Marie Maher

Take another day to explore the historic towns of Executive Director Haymarket or Occoquan. In Haymarket, savor the locally Discover Prince William & Manassas produced wines at The Winery at La Grange, then cuddle by their fireplace. You can indulge your sweet tooth at Cupcake Heaven and get pampered at Tranquility Day Spa & Salon where you’ll enjoy cheese, crackers and other treats while you relax.

Or, travel to Historic Occoquan for unique shops and restaurants. Paint pottery together at Paint Your Heart Out or enjoy complimentary wine tastings at Tastefully Yours and Old Dominion Wine Shoppe. After, stop by the Artists’ Undertaking Gallery to meet local artists and see a wide array of their work. Finish the day with a romantic dinner along the water at Madigan’s Waterfront or with French cuisine at Bistro L’hermitage.

Visit discoverpwm.com for a complete list of February events and have a wonderful, romantic Valentine’s Day right here in Prince William and Manassas.

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tambourines and elephants It’s Over

By DeeDee Corbitt Sauter, Contributing Writer Breaking up is hard to do. Or so Neil Sedaka crooned in 1962.

looking. Eventually the tornado of dread starts to whirl in the stomach.

All this added tension makes me eat, so on top of everything else, you are making fat.

Finding a special person with whom to share your life often helps validate of your worth.

The external locus of confirmation is not the way it supposed to be done. In fact, your uniqueness and individuality should be embraced every time you glance at a reflective surface. The general consensus dictates that loving yourself is priority, and then others will naturally love you because joy and confidence will be exuded at such an abundance that it will be almost viral, affecting everyone in near proximity. This will subsequently make others love you even more. A giant magnetic circle of loving.

It’s over except for the final goodbye, and I think I’d like to take the opportunity to say my goodbye quietly, here. Making it a public will just add to the drama of the ending of a love affair.

How could it happen? I thought we would be together forever. I thought nothing would drag me from reading the nationwide social news. Through you, I was able to easily connect the friendship dots across the country and years. You made me feel loved with all of your anonymous words. It was fun while it lasted.

Alas, we all know some people who are simply not nice and who not only worship themselves, but are convinced that everyone also finds them irresistible. The assurance they exude is nauseating and lacks any appeal.

They confuse confidence and arrogance, which, granted, is a fine line. How can you embrace your own quirks and believe you are the best you can be when these narcissistic examples of self-importance are the proof that the love-yourself theory is terribly flawed?

SSecond-party, or maybe even third-party, validation is often needed to boost and confirm that you are not one of the disillusioned. And that is where the special relationship becomes so important.

It’s great to be with someone who makes you feel good, with whom you can joke, banter, cuddle and play. Common interests and support shown by words and action makes everything more enjoyable.

But until the perfect match is found, many unions then separations will occur. It’s inevitable. Part of the life experience. At first there is denial; the clues are subtle. Words are exchanged, we hope they are forgotten. There are sighs of exasperation when no one is listening, eyes that roll when no one is

Facebook, it was good while it lasted. When we first met, I was enthralled by your ability to reacquaint me to old friends. I was amused at how quickly information could be disseminated. I was in awe of the jokes that kept me laughing. I was amazed at how many of my peers are grandparents when I am still fighting with a three-year-old. You gave me something to do on many evenings.

I will be honest with you. I like puppies, kittens, silly birds and cartoons. I hate cancer, diabetes, missing children and car accidents.

You reintroduced to me the same chain letters and famous quotes I read one thousand times before you came into my life. I am not sure why you keep showing me what you bought if you have no intention of buying it for me. I have strong opinions about religion and politics and no matter what ends up on my news feed, I am not changing my mind. I am not reposting any of it, don’t take it personally.

I do not care if you are at Applebee’s or the car wash. I would rather not know what you are having for dinner, unless of course, I am invited. And please, oh please stop showing me pictures of your tongue. Eww. It’s great to see that so many people have a strong support system and have friends in their lives to bring them through the tough times. Oh my goodness, though, proclaiming that your friends are the family you wish you had when your blood relatives are able to read your posts makes me tense. It adds too much stress in my life when I read one person is clearly mad at someone else and although no names are mentioned, there are enough details to make ensure nothing remains ambiguous.

In the end, you told me too much while trying to be vague. I think you’ve changed. It hurts my head.

I wish you all the best. But believe me, it’s not me, it’s you.

DeeDee Corbitt Sauter is a resident of Prince William County. Her column, “Tambourines and Elephants,” appears monthly in Prince William Living.

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