Prince William Living January 2016

PAGE 14

KIWANIS IN PRINCE WILLIAM

PAGE 26

CURRY IN HURRY

PAGE 35

DON’T SAY GOODBYE

prince william living January 2016

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Revitalization

It’s What’s Happening!

PAGE 4

Prince William’s Little Libraries Aim to Make Big Strides in Reading PAGE 12

Ball-istic Sports Training and Fitness PAGE 18

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table of contents January 2016 Vol. 6 No. 1

FEATURE STORY Revitalization: It’s What’s Happening!.................4

DEPARTMENTS from the publisher...................................................3 on a high note Prince William Author Donates Book Proceeds to Wounded Warrior Charities...............10

4 Photo by Amy Falkofske

destinations Prince William’s Little Libraries Aim to Make Big Strides in Reading ................................12 giving back Kiwanis in Prince William: Over 90 Years of Meaningful Service............................................ 14 taking care of business Ball-istic Sports Training and Fitness....................18 family fun Working Out: A Family Affair..............................20 local flavor Curry in Hurry: A Delicious Dream......................26

26

calendar...............................................................30 Photo by Delia Engstrom

lifelong learning Footsteps to Brilliance for Manassas City Elementary Schools........................33 tambourines and elephants Don’t Say Goodbye...............................................35 advertiser index....................................................36

COLUMNS

33 Photo by Delia Engstrom

health & wellness.................................................16 home & hearth.....................................................24 your finances........................................................28 Discover Prince William & Manassas................31 prince william living January 2016 | 1

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com Contributing Writers Amanda Causey Baity, Delia Engstrom, Colleen LaMay, Peter Lineberry, Kim Howard, CAE, DeeDee Corbit Sauter, Tracy Shevlin, Niki VanEch, Bennett Whitlock, Emma Young Editor in Chief Kim Howard, CAE khoward@princewilliamliving.com Copy Editor Peter Lineberry Photo Editor Amanda Causey Baity Photographers Amanda Causey Baity, Delia Engstrom, Amy Falkofske, Robert Jinks and Emma Young Marketing Director Amanda Causey Baity Graphic Design and Production Alison Dixon/Image Prep Studio Online Submission Manager Paul Keily Advertising Account Executive Michelle Geenty Prince William Living, the premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly

by Prince William Living, Inc. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living.

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2 | January 2016 prince william living

Revitalization, as depicted in this Americans in Wartime Museum artist rendition, is exciting and new both in concept and final realization. Read about how our community is going through upgrades in our feature story, “Revitalization: It’s What’s Happening!” by Peter Lineberry, on page 4.

See more photos online at pwlphotos.com.

from the publisher H

appy New Year! Now is when we turn toward goals and strive to make things fresh and new. What better time to talk about revitalization in our community? As we work on improving ourselves, so has our community been working on itself: improvements in roads and traffic flow, infrastructure such as libraries and schools, and new large-scale attractions like museums or a ballpark. Learn about all the exciting changes to date and the ones to come in our feature story, “Revitalization: It’s What’s Happening!” by Peter Lineberry, on page 4.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. In this month’s, On A High Note (page 10), our editor in chief, Kim Howard, CAE, talks to Dean Dominique: retired U.S. Army major, Airborne Ranger, combat veteran and grandson of Herman Robichaux, Sr., who served in World War II under General George S. Patton, Jr. Dominique’s book, “One Hell of a War: Patton’s 317th Infantry Regiment in WWII,” emerged from his college thesis, and chronicles what life was like for the soldiers who served and discussed how the strategic decisions made by brass impacted the foot soldier. Dominique points out how little has changed for the infantry on the ground, but the donations from his book are making big changes.

Speaking of books, “check out” Prince William’s Little Libraries in January’s Destinations. You can plan a trip to get a book from one of several locations around Manassas. These unique and exciting grass-roots distribution boxes make kids and adults alike want to read. Many Write by the Rails members put literal blood, sweat, and tears into the project. (Just don’t let Dan Verner near power tools anymore.) Will the trend take off and spread around the

county? Find out in this article by Colleen LaMay on page 12.

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to be more involved with the community? You might want to spend some time with a local Kiwanis club. Emma Young shares the mission and impact of these local clubs in Giving Back, on page 14. See not only the work they do, but how they instill volunteerism in the next generation through sponsoring youth groups such as Key Club.

Learn how you can help Kiwanis and their benefactors.

Working out and getting in shape usually tops the list of resolutions. We have two articles this month on the subject of fitness. One is this month’s Taking Care of Business, page 18.

Tracy Shevlin talks to Ball-istic Sports and Training Center.

Focused on athletes, learn how this business is taking those already in shape to the top of their game! January’s Family Fun by Amanda Causey Baity, takes a more low-key approach to exercise, integrating it into everyday activities to “sneak” a little exercise into your families’ regular routines. See “ Working Out: A Family Affair” on page 20.

Be sure to read our columns, both in print and online. From health and wellness to your finances or our “What to Watch” column with our Hollywood Reporter John Steven Rocha, find something of interest to you at princewilliamliving.com/columns.

Whatever your resolutions are, if any, we wish you a productive and healthy 2016!

Sincerely, Rebecca Barnes Prince William Living Publisher

prince william living January 2016 | 3

Revitalization It’s What’s Happening!

By Peter Lineberry

Photo by Amy Falkofske

4 | January 2016 prince william living

H

appy New Year, and how go your New Year’s resolutions?

Most of us make them at the beginning of the year, often in hopes of bettering or revitalizing ourselves. Then again, why wait until January, when local towns, communities, and the surrounding county take on macro projects of revitalization throughout the year?

With the economy on the rebound, there are signs of it in all regions of Prince William: in last summer’s completion in Gainesville of a six-year, $230 million double overpass to improve greatly traffic on Route 29, avoid train tracks and ease congestion around the expansive Virginia Gateway shopping center. In the new full-service libraries in Haymarket-Gainesville, which opened in October, and Montclair, expected to open around the first of the year. In the construction of a three-story elementary school in Manassas, in a riverside park in Occoquan that will open in the spring, in home construction everywhere you turn.

Residents of Prince William can see some of these projects easily, but some projects only get noticed only if you delve closely, and some yet remain in blueprints or architectural renderings, imagined in ways that may benefit all of our lives shortly. But all are important to the health and growth of the second-largest county in Virginia.

What’s the “State of Prince William”?

The stage was set for 2016 last September when local government and business leaders gathered in Manassas for the 4th Annual State of Prince William Luncheon, sponsored by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. The three-featured speakers answered questions about education, infrastructure, and the policies that put their governance visions to best use.

Corey Stewart, chairman of the Board of County Supervisors, spoke about home values dropping by more than half during the Great Recession, which led to a similar drop in local tax revenues. Despite this, he said, “We knew that economic prosperity was going to continue after the recession, and we wanted to prepare for it.” This was done through substantial investments in public safety, new roads projects and Prince William County Public Schools.

Manassas Mayor Hal Parrish said, “One of the best infrastructure things that you can accomplish concerning transportation is to bring jobs right here to Prince William County, so you don’t have to go anywhere.” Parrish noted that commercial and residential property values had risen over the past five years and that the unemployment rate (4.6 percent, the same as Prince William as a whole) was dropping. He said 21,000 people commute to jobs in Manassas while only 14,000 leave for jobs outside the city limits.

Transportation and commuter challenges were common concerns. Route 28, extending north through Manassas, Manassas Park, and on toward I-66, was the subject of much discussion. Manassas Park Mayor Frank Jones said that “Until we solve that issue of being able to move folks effectively across Bull Run, we’re not going to get any better regarding quality of life and being able to give people hours back in their life. I don’t care about the mechanism; I care that we do improve the flow.”

The participants’ views were still generally upbeat. Added Jones: “I couldn’t be more excited to see the progress that’s been made across the three jurisdictions. If you were to look at this area 20 years ago, and you look at this area today and look at the change (continues on page 6) Montclair Community Library held its ribbon cutting on October 29, 2015. Designed by Arlington-based firm the Lukmire Partnership, an elevated terrace surrounds the 20,000 square foot full-service facility which will include checkout materials, information and advisory services, children’s and youth programs, and public and wireless internet access.

To accommodate the required parking, a 35,000 square foot multilevel open parking garage was built, a unique feature in the Prince William County library system.

Photo by Delia Engstrom

prince william living January 2016 | 5

(continued from page 5) that has been wrought and use that as a barometer of where we can be 20 years from now, it’s beyond exciting. It is unlimited in terms of potential.”

According to Chamber President and CEO Debbie Jones, due to an improved economic climate, “Projects that have remained on hold for a long time are popping out of the ground.” On the following pages, we’ll take a brief, far-from-inclusive look at some of them.

Woodbridge: In with the “New” Of Prince William’s seven magisterial districts, Woodbridge is currently undergoing the broadest changes and upgrades, spurred by the widening—to six lanes, plus sidewalks, asphalt paths, medians, burying of utility lines—of Route 1. The process has taken place in stages, with a small section in Triangle (part of the Potomac District) already complete, a two-mile stretch between Featherstone and Blackburn Roads set for completion by the end of summer, and $250 million set aside for widening northward to the Fairfax County line.

Stewart has long been a proponent. “You see the pieces coming together on Route 1,” he said during the luncheon, “and you can see where we’re going: toward the complete revitalization of the entire corridor. I don’t think there’s another locality up and down the east coast that can say the same thing.”

Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank Principi, now entering his third term, has called the redevelopment of Route 1 a primary focus. It’s the first leg of a “three-legged stool” upon which his vision of a “New Woodbridge” stands, along with easier mobility throughout the region and a reinvestment in neighborhoods.

“People were tired of traffic congestion, blighted buildings, low vacancy rates,” Principi said. “Part of the vision is really about being able to bring new opportunities to everyone who lives here, no matter what your social determinants are.”

New Woodbridge’s plan calls for the completion of five strategic town centers: North Woodbridge, Belmont Bay, Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Neabsco Commons and Potomac Shores, interconnected by improved roads, Virginia Railway Express service or even water transport. The goal is to use smart growth

But What About Metro?

Metrorail service along the I-95 and I-66 corridors, extending south to Woodbridge and west to Manassas, might be the ultimate revitalization project for Prince William. County officials are clearly in favor for it. But how likely is it to happen, and in what time frame?

Prince William Living reached out to Congressman Gerry Connolly for his thoughts about the subject. Read his entire statement, along with the online version of this article, at princewilliamliving.com.

6 | January 2016 prince william living

Artist’s rendition of the George Mason Potomac Science Center in Belmont Bay

principles so that people can easily “live, work and play” among the different centers.

Several new projects are springing up in and around these areas.

Construction of the George Mason University Potomac Science Center in Belmont Bay is well underway; when completed later this year it will be the new home of the university’s Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center. Outdoor types will enjoy the soon-to-be-built boardwalk spanning Neabsco Creek and the Julia Metz Wetlands, stretching more than half a mile and connecting Leesylvania State Park with the Rippon Lodge region.

Stonebridge is also the proposed location of a new Potomac Nationals ballpark to replace the aging Pfitzner Stadium.

Naming rights and other financial issues have led to delays in the start of construction, which would require a majority vote from the Board of County Supervisors. Citing potential concerns about lighting, noise and traffic, Principi says he remains “on the fence” about his vote.

Will ginger snaps and “two-buck Chuck” be coming to Woodbridge? Among the businesses Principi is trying to entice is Trader Joe’s, a specialty grocery chain he remembers fondly from his upbringing in Southern California. It’s also the number-one retailer that his constituents have petitioned for. He flew to their headquarters last August to make his pitch; the company is expected to make a decision this month.

In addition to other forms of public transportation, Principi is an advocate for “fast ferry” service: a fleet of all-weather catamarans carrying 100 or more passengers in comfort from one of Woodbridge’s marinas up the Potomac to work or tourist destinations like National Harbor or Old Town Alexandria. A 2009 feasibility study found that 340,000 riders would use the service yearly.

Photo by Emma Young

2015 FIFA World Cup Champion Ali Krieger walks through cleared fields in the Potomac Shores subdivision. The building of the Ali Krieger Sports Complex will be completed in phases, including a softball field and junior-sized soccer field in phase I. The complex will eventually also include full-sized soccer fields, Little League fields, a concession building, a playground, and additional parking.

Dale City: Ready for a Reimagining Dale City, real estate developer Cecil Hylton’s largest planned community and the bulk of the county’s most densely populated district, dates to the 1960s. Rush-hour traffic at some of its intersections, and a lack of actual town centers, are common critiques. Yet its location gives it “a lot of strategic value,” said Prince William Planning Director Chris Price.

So when John Jenkins, entering his 33rd year as Neabsco Supervisor, welcomed a visit from the American Institute of Architects’ Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) last June, it generated a lot of buzz from residents. According to the team’s report, “We came, we saw, we listened, we planned.”

The six-person SDAT, representing six different states, was headed by June Williamson, whose 2008 book “Retrofitting Suburbia” Price called “from a planner’s perspective, the source material we go to when we’re about to engage in an activity like this.”

Over three days the team toured the length of Dale Boulevard and singled out its retail-oriented intersections with Minnieville Road and Mapledale Avenue (“conjoined twins,” they were called) as key to revitalizing the area. For Center Plaza at Minnieville, the team envisioned new shops and plazas as community gathering places and a new parking deck in the commuter lot next to the farmers market. For Mapledale, a focus on health and wellness, with senior living homes, office buildings

and a proposed amphitheater. And in between, just as important, a Dale Boulevard more conducive to bikers and walkers, with protected bike lanes and slower speed limits.

“Everyone from the business community, developers, property owners, public officials, citizens, different community interest groups, was very excited about that perspective, seeing what we could be, what we aspire to be,” said Price. Could Dale City become, per the SDAT’s recommendations, “The Friendliest, Greenest Little City Around”? Stay tuned.

On the eastern side of the community, adjacent to I-95, preparations for the Americans in Wartime Museum have begun.

Encompassing 70 acres donated by the Hylton Foundation, it’s meant to complement, as well as sit directly between, the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico and the forthcoming National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir.

But it will have a perspective all its own. “It’s very sharply focused on telling the stories of those that serve,” said Allan Cors, chairman of the board for the museum, and newly elected president of the National Rifle Association. “It’s not about tanks and guns and battles; that’ll be there as background to tell the story of the men and women in uniform, the families that waited for them on the home front, and the values they demonstrated in serving their country.” (continues on page 17) prince william living January 2016 | 7

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on a high note Prince William Author Donates Book Proceeds to Wounded Warrior Charities

By Kim Howard, CAE

I

t’s not every day that an author publishes a book about one of Patton’s infantry regiments in World War II. It’s not every day that this author happens to live in Prince William, nor is it common for the author to donate all of his book’s proceeds to charities that support wounded warriors.

Meet Dean Dominique: retired U.S. Army major, Airborne Ranger, combat veteran and grandson of Herman Robichaux, Sr., who served in World War II under General George S. Patton, Jr. Although Dominique never met his grandfather, he did wonder about his grandfather’s tour of duty during the war.

While pursuing a master’s in military history at Louisiana State University, Dominique saw his opening to find out more about Robichaux’s military service under Gen. Patton: his thesis. He purposely focused his thesis on his grandfather’s unit since, at the time, there were no books on it.

“One Hell of a War: Patton’s 317th Infantry Regiment in WWII,” which sprang from his college thesis, chronicles what life was like for the soldiers who served and discussed how the strategic decisions made by brass impacted the foot soldier. Co-authored with an on-the-ground account by co-author Col. (ret.)

James Hayes, who has since passed away, the book has many other firsthand stories from soldiers.

“I was incredibly fortunate to have a manuscript from James with a firsthand account of his experiences. He joined the 317th after graduating from West Point in 1942 and stayed with the unit until the end of the war. I put the book away for several years and finally completed it after moving to Virginia,” Dominique said.

If you enjoy reading about military history and firsthand accounts of the events, then you have something in common with Dominique. “My favorite part of the book is the firsthand accounts from the veterans. I tried to show how the strategic decisions by leaders such as Generals Eisenhower, Bradley and Patton affected the soldiers on the front lines and it is those stories that intrigue me the most. One of the more interesting stories for me was the crossing of the Moselle River in France. Patton’s Third Army had to stop short of the river because of a lack of supplies which gave the Germans time to build a strong defense.

10 | January 2016 prince william living

Author Dean Dominique

“It still takes a soldier with their individual weapons and their buddy at their side to fight the enemy.

That part of war has not changed through the ages...”

A lot of men were killed or wounded trying to cross that river in September 1944. During that time, more than 3,000 men were killed, injured or captured, which is a staggering number considering an infantry regiment was considered full strength with 3,250 men,” Dominique said.

For the Infantry, Not Much Has Changed Although there have been many technological innovations in deploying troops and fighting the enemy, Dominique says that for the foot soldier, it’s the same throughout history.

“Not much has changed since WWII for the infantry. In any war, it is the infantry soldier that must move forward and be close to fighting the enemy. It still takes a soldier with their individual weapons and their buddy at their side to fight the enemy. That part of war has not changed through the ages,” he said.

Donating Book Proceeds Was a Natural Fit Despite innovations in medicine, communication, technology and machinery, many soldiers who make it home from a war still come back battered, broken and in need of healing.

Wounded warriors are a cause near and dear to Dominique’s heart. Wounded Warrior Publications, who published his book, publishes books and donates proceeds to programs that support America’s wounded warriors.

“Over the years I have known and met many wounded warriors,” Dominique said. “I feel this is my way as a fellow combat veteran to give back to those who have fought for and defended this great nation of ours. I started getting involved with wounded warrior charities when I was stationed in Germany for my last assignment. The local chaplains’ office collected donations for the wounded warriors at Landstuhl every Christmas. I decided to pitch in and collect donations from my workplace and continued to lead the effort every year.

During my final year in Germany, my family partnered with the National Junior Honor Society at my daughter’s school and raised more than $3,000.

“It was and is a great feeling to give back. When the book was published, I talked it over with my wife, Elizabeth. Her late father was a Navy veteran. We decided that we should donate all of the proceeds to charities that support wounded warriors. We felt it was another avenue to help give back to those who have sacrificed so much for us all.”

Military Service Offers Many Opportunities Despite the fact that servicemen and women might come back from a war suffering, Dominique encourages everyone to think about a career in the military. “The Army has been great for my family and me. I joined the Army while I was still in high school. The GI Bill and Tuition Assistance Program helped pay for my education. Serving in the Army also allowed us to travel the world. I now have a master’s degree and have been in more than 30 countries. The experience is unmatched by anything in the civilian sector. There are so many job opportunities that will provide technical and leadership training that our civilian counterparts will never get at such a young age.”

After 21 years of Army service, Dominique retired and his family moved to Prince William in 2012, but only after extensive research on places to live in Virginia and Maryland. “We decided that Prince William County would be a great place to live and for our children to attend schools. It was a great choice and one we will never regret. We love it here,” he said. A Louisiana native, he did mention that he misses his extended family, the Cajun culture and the food. He and his family do not, however, miss the subtropical heat.

Advice for Aspiring Authors Despite the fact that it took Dominique 14 years to write his book that started in 1999, his advice is simple: just write. “Don’t worry about anything else. There are so many ways to get a book published these days. Getting your story out is the best thing you can do,” he said.

“I tried to put in as many firsthand accounts as I could. It’s amazing how our citizen soldiers went from battle to battle and fought constantly. That is what I tried to capture,” said Dominique. Although Dominique does not have any plans to write another book, he did quip, “Never say never.”

Details about the book and other Wounded Warrior Publications are available at woundedwarriorpublications.com.

Kim Howard, CAE, (khoward@princewilliamliving.com) is the editor in chief of Prince William Living and is surrounded by military veterans in her family. prince william living January 2016 | 11

destinations “The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go”

Prince William’s Little Libraries Aim to Make Big Strides in Reading

By Colleen LaMay

L

ittle bigger than dresser drawers, each holding up to 30 books, Prince William’s little libraries please the eyes as well as the brain cells. They look like phone booths, schoolhouses, an Alice in Wonderland scene and other bits of miniature architecture, and the structures are as intriguing as the books inside. The little libraries project, small but growing in number, eventually hopes to put a free book with no due date in everyone’s hands.

As Dr. Seuss writes in “I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!”: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” That’s why, in a nutshell, Belinda Miller, a novelist from the local writer’s group Write by the Rails, took up the little library cause. Four of her little libraries should be up and running this month. Miller wants to improve kids’ reading skills. “We are a society where books are becoming very uncommon,” she said, as computers, phones and video games take their place.

“They couldn’t care less if the books were just piled in front of them, but as soon as they saw them in this vehicle, they wanted them,” she said.

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Photo Provided by Belinda Miller

As a result, The Boys & Girls Club of Manassas now sports a small version of the blue phone booth from the British television series Doctor Who. On TV, the doctor uses the booth, called a TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space) for travel.

Miller and her husband, Gary, and some friends installed the tiny library in October. The jury is still out on how the club will use it over the long haul, but one thing is sure: “The kids go crazy over Doctor Who,” Miller said. “As soon as they saw the books in the vehicle (TARDIS), they were crazed.”

The Little Libraries scattered around Prince William County aim to give everyone access to free books with no due date.

Photo Provided by Belinda Miller

Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., will feature a tiny library covered with pictures of the town. Belinda Miller, a Manassas resident herself, will antique the pictures and then decoupage the tiny building.

Nokesville United Methodist Church, 12550 Aden Road, has a more traditional Alice in Wonderland theme for its tiny library slated for installation for January.

Manassas Senior Center, 9320 Mosby St., will have an as yet undesigned library sometime this year.

New School in Old Town Manassas. The schoolhouse little library will move to a new , undecided location.

Manassas Boys and Girls Club children showcase their Little Library books as Manassas City Councilman Ian T. Lovejoy looks on.

Gary Miller spent more than 100 hours putting together the phone booth. Dan Verner, a friend and fellow member of Write by the Rails, knows the challenges of building tiny libraries. He cut himself twice in the process and required stitches on his arm.

He bled for a project he believed in, but stopped using power tools after getting stitched up. “Children learn so much from reading,” he said.

The children at the Boys & Girls Club firmly believed the TARDIS was bigger on the inside than on the outside, just as it was in the TV series, and quickly emptied it of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” books, according to Kaseya Harris, day-care director of the club. “They took all the good ones,” Harris laughed. “Now it’s not so full.”

Kids quickly whittled the number of books from 30 to about 10.

One unclaimed book was about how to become a millionaire. Kids also left a book with a placid horse on the cover.

Club members and their parents seem to be returning books and even leaving one of their own books behind, but it’s tough to tell because the TARDIS is just outside the front doors now, instead of inside where club workers could keep a better eye on it. The club doesn’t insist the kids return books and it can always use more donations. The main thing is getting kids interested in reading, Harris said.

The nonprofit Little Free Library wants to boost literacy worldwide, reduce loneliness in commuter-driven neighborhoods and even encourage traditional libraries to break out of their molds. With 32,000 little libraries on its rolls, patrons can easily pick up books with no fines and no due dates. To be added to the rolls, register your Little Library at littlefreelibrary.org. The program gives new homes to books gathering dust in basements all over.

Here are the Prince William locations: Boys & Girls Club of Manassas, 9501 Dean Park Lane, sports a blue phone booth that took 100 hours to make. A replica of Doctor Who’s time travel machine, this library is primarily for club members. But all are welcome to come and look, and perhaps even leave some books for the club.

Private homes. In many cities, tiny libraries are sprouting like spring blossoms. The web site for the libraries (littlefreelibrary. org) shows no such effort in Prince William County, but that doesn’t mean much. Homeowners must register if their little libraries are to show up on the site.

Miller works hard to involve people beyond Write by the Rails.

“Whoever wants to go forward with putting a little free library on their street or in their churches, or anywhere, please contact me through my Facebook page or the Write by the Rails page, and I would be happy to go into their organizations,” she said.

Colleen LaMay worked for nearly 30 years for a daily newspaper in Boise, Idaho. She moved to Virginia in 2010 with her family after her husband was transferred with his company.

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prince william living January 2016 | 13

giving back Kiwanis in Prince William Over 90 Years of Meaningful Service

By Emma Young | Photo by Delia Engstrom

“B

eing part of a ‘global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time’ is important to me,” says Brian Bell, board of director member for the Woodbridge Kiwanis Club, quoting the defining statement of the governing organization. That global organization has tremendous impact. Annually, Kiwanis and its family of clubs raise more than $100 million and dedicate over 18 million volunteer hours.

Locally, three Kiwanis clubs—Manassas Battlefield Kiwanis, Manassas Bull Run Kiwanis and Woodbridge Kiwanis—and their associated service and leadership clubs for youth, such as Key Clubs at local high schools, are quietly serving every day and changing our county for the better.

Kiwanis: A History of Building a Better Prince William County Kiwanis started in Prince William County in Manassas with the formation of the original club in 1924. That club eventually became known as the Manassas Battlefield Kiwanis Club and lent support for the later formation of the Woodbridge (1947) and Bull Run (1985) Kiwanis Clubs, said Harry Horning II, vice president of the Manassas Battlefield Kiwanis Club. “It is the oldest service organization in Manassas with a primary mission of strengthening communities and serving children,” Horning said.

Over the years, “the club’s impact on the community has been significant,” added Bell.

Some notable collective achievements of local members and clubs include: 14 | January 2016 prince william living

n Raising funds and volunteer efforts to construct, establish, and eventually expand both Potomac Hospital (now Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center) and Prince William Hospital; n Procuring land and donating supplies to establish multiple Little Leagues; n Donating land and funds to create and assist Boys and Girls Clubs; n Building community playgrounds, parks and tot lots; n Helping form rescue squads; n Providing for the Woodbridge-Occoquan Sanitary District development; n Building the Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) Food Pantry Annex; n Sponsoring several scholarships over the years for universities, trade schools, and youth Key Club members to attend Kiwanis conventions; n Providing significant support to other local nonprofits by volunteering time and funds to organizations as diverse as Special Olympics, Wreaths Across America, and CASA CIS (Court-Appointed Special Advocates); and n Sponsoring service and leadership clubs for middle schoolers (such as the Builders Club at Woodbridge Middle School), high schoolers (such as the Key Club at Patriot High School), and college students (such as the CKI Club at NOVA Community College, Woodbridge Campus).

Every December, Kiwanis Club members and other volunteers lay wreaths on grave sites at military cemeteries through the Wreaths Across America program.

Key Club: Student-Led Leadership and Service “We had over 400 students sign up at the beginning of the school year,” said Zachary Estess, president of the Patriot High School Key Club in Nokesville. Sponsored by the Manassas Bull Run Kiwanis Club, these Key Club students learn leadership through serving others. “Key Club enables us to develop certain leadership skills that are hard to find in other leadership settings,” he said.

The students plan meetings, organize projects and form their own committees for executing programs, such as fundraising and volunteer efforts. “We participate in many projects throughout the year,” Estess said. “One of our biggest undertakings is the ELIMINATE Project, an international effort to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus.”

Locally, club members volunteer for organizations such as BARN, a transitional housing program based in Bristow for families in need, or SERVE, the Manassas campus of Northern Virginia Family Service. In addition, club members volunteer at local elementary schools that feed into Patriot High School, often by assisting teachers or tutoring students.

Forming Enduring Friendships “We’re a very welcoming club,” said Dave Stinson, president of the Manassas Battlefield Kiwanis Club. “It’s multi-functional.

It’s social. It’s business networking with a diverse group of professionals. It’s giving back to the community.”

“Our meetings are extraordinarily short,” said Steve Nelson, President of the Bull Run Kiwanis. “It’s camaraderie. We have breakfast together and can be in the office by 8 a.m.”

Bell, who just recently completed a term as governor of the Capital District Kiwanis, which includes clubs in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and D.C., said, “I enjoy attending district and international conventions and forming lasting relationships with like-minded servant leaders.”

These friendships help further community causes. “Many of the members serve on other nonprofit organizational boards,” said Nelson. This allows the diverse membership to learn and respond quickly to direct and local community needs. “It provides opportunities for fun and fellowship while providing meaningful community service,” said Bell.

Rendering Altruistic Service “We’re very grateful for the Bull Run Kiwanis’ support,” said Pam Boyle, community drives and events specialist for Northern Virginia Family Service. Pam Ryan, director of Anti-Hunger Programs for Northern Virginia Family Service/ SERVE, described 40 years of uninterrupted support from the clubs who provide “generous quarterly financial support to the SERVE campus, allowing us to provide critical programming to low-income families and individuals within the Prince William community.”

Kathleen Ambrose, site manager with the Woodbridge Senior (continues on page 23) prince william living January 2016 | 15

health & wellness Training Your Brain at Any Age

By Neda McGuire

W

hen you first hear of brain plasticity, your mind may conjure up a picture of Tupperware.

Neuroscientists use this term to refer to the ability of our brain to change at any age. The change includes both development and decline of our brain power. Our brains have muscle power, just like our legs, arms and abdomens.

We know the more we use and strengthen our muscles, the more powerful they become and our brain is no different.

Although we are culturally wired to think older age is linked to cognitive decline, research shows that there are steps that people can take to keep the brain fit and enhance the plasticity. How many of us know or have heard of someone with dementia? And have we ever wondered when we misplaced something if the dreaded disease was around the corner? The good news is that we can exercise some level of control over these issues. We can do this by eating brain-healthy foods, with regular exercise, and lastly some type of brain training.

So how do you train the brain? It can be as easy as trying to memorize a song, doing a jigsaw puzzle, to something a bit more involved such as learning to play an instrument, learning a new language, or trying to do things with your other hand. Do something you enjoy and that you can also learn in the process. Make your brain work in a different manner than it usually does. If you master a task, take it to the next level, to keep challenging your brain.

When you hear of older adults who are cognitively sharp, many have made challenging their brain a lifetime habit.

Just because we reach “retiring age” doesn’t mean we retire our mind! It should be just the opposite. This is the time to engage in new activities. Our area is rich with activities and programs. If you think back to your childhood, you may remember something you really enjoyed and the curiosity that you had. As we age, we become more pragmatic. It’s time to bring out that child-like curiosity again and try new things that will bring you joy.

Neda McGuire (nedamcguire@gmail.com) is a gerontologist and owner of Aging Matters and also writes online at princewilliamliving.com. She has a master’s in gerontology and health administration from the Medical College of Virginia. Neda lives with her husband, daughters and Siberian husky.

16 | January 2016 prince william living

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(continued from page 7)

Some of its unique features will include a three-dimensional orientation theater; six “Landscapes of War” outdoor exhibits ranging from World War I to Afghanistan, complete with operational vehicles from each conflict; and a veterans recording studio for servicemen and women to preserve and share their oral histories.

Based on preliminary studies, Cors expects more than 300,000 visitors annually. Jenkins added that it was not coincidental that two new hotels opened last year, just across the highway.

Manassas: Arts and “Crafts” The city of Manassas introduced a new slogan last year: “Historic Heart, Modern Beat,” and clearly both of these components factor into the city’s revitalization. Its 10 square miles encompasses downtown Historic Manassas, with its abundant restaurants, galleries and shops, and its western boundary of Godwin Road, site of large high-tech employers such as Micron and Lockheed Martin.

The city’s decision to widen sidewalks along Battle and Main streets in the downtown area, for example, has created a pedestrian-friendly environment and enabled many of the restaurants to set up patio dining areas. Detachable bollards— posts with magnetic bases embedded in the road—can sometimes be used to keep traffic off the cross streets and allow for outdoor entertainment.

Historic Manassas, Inc., coordinates the First Friday program and has seen it grow since launching in February 2014. On the first Friday of every month (except January, sorry), usually between 5-9 p.m., downtown shops stay open late and often coordinate with nearby restaurants in a unifying theme, such as chocolate or the “dog days of summer.” Last February’s event, to be repeated next month, was the “Souper Bowl.” With the purchase of a $5 wristband, visitors could roam from store to store and sample local restaurants’ signature soups at more than a dozen locations.

Encouraging artistry is another key way Manassas maintains a vibrant downtown. The city is renewing its Banner Art Project this year, with 60 winning entries reprinted on street banners and attached to downtown light poles from spring to fall.

There’s even a $1,000 prize for first place, as judged by a selection committee (applications are due January 15; see visitmanassas.org).

The Annual Fall Gallery Walk is a celebration of the vibrant arts community in Historic Downtown Manassas.

the intersection of routes 234 and 28, adjacent to Gateway Boulevard. In October, the city announced forthcoming mixeduse development including a hotel, retail and office space, and upscale apartments. Manassas-based Heritage Brewery will anchor the project, turning a small lakeside into a waterfront restaurant and its expanded headquarters.

In fact, the sprawling cloverleaf-and-flyover intersection might soon be known as a craft beer crossroads. On the opposite corner, the iconic but decades-vacant Thomasson Barn and surrounding land were sold last summer and will be remodeled into 2 Silos Brewery. Among the many amenities in the $8 million project, slated for completion in about a year, are a bistro and tasting room inside the barn, outdoor beer garden with a sound stage, and a separate production facility employing 100 or more craft beer makers.

The Transformation Continues From the high-tech companies and research labs of Manassas’s Innovation Park, to new apartments and townhouses in Manassas Park, to the new surgery center at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge and the two-yearold Novant Health Haymarket Medical Center, dramatic and transformative things are happening in Prince William. The expansion of businesses and creation of good-paying jobs, along with modern cultural and environmental perks, improves everyone’s quality of life.

And as residents, don’t forget that every fresh coat of paint, every tree and flower planted, every neighborhood cleanup is part of the revitalization process too. Now that’s a resolution worth keeping.

“We’re soliciting people with artistic talent, from wherever they may be, to come in and propose artwork on public infrastructure,” said Economic Development Director Patrick Small. “It’s an opportunity for people to express their creative talent...and contribute to the cultural vibe of the city.” From mural art on historic buildings to benches, fire hydrants, utility boxes, even individual bricks—they’re all potential fair game.

Let’s leave the final verdict to Corey Stewart: “The result [of the county’s investments] is that this community—and I mean the cities and Prince William County—is perched on the edge of a tremendous length of growth that is occurring, that will continue to grow well into the future. We are completely poised for it.”

Small noted that “there’s very little land for development” within the city limits, but one exception is a 40-acre tract near

Peter Lineberry (plineberry@princewilliamliving.com) thanks all those, both named and unnamed, who helped with this article. prince william living January 2016 | 17

taking care of business

BALL•ISTIC SPORTS TRAINING AND FITNESS

By Tracy Shevlin | Photos by Robert Jinks

P

arents of athletes who participate on travel or high school teams can tell you about the serious business of their child’s sport. There is a constant need for conditioning and practice in the offseason, and training camps just before tryouts. With these competitive teams and athletes in mind, Kris Kellogg and Marty Peters, the owners of Ball-istic Sports Training and Fitness, have brought innovative athletic training techniques to the Greater Prince William area.

Prince William Living recently spoke with Kris Kellogg to ask him about their new center and what it offers.

PWL: What prompted you to open Ball-istic?

Kellogg: I saw a specific need for this type of training facility in the Prince William area. I have a daughter who plays basketball, and we were driving to Stafford for speed and agility training and then to various gyms across Northern Virginia where the trainer could find space. I knew that other parents were facing the same situation with their athletes. After that, it was a matter of putting the pieces together and managing the logistics.

I’ve known Marty Peters, my partner now, for about 15 years.

He was looking to expand locations featuring the Flexibility Agility Speed & Strength (FASST) training program as I was looking to open a training facility. We had a proven business model from the onset and it has been exciting to see the different athletes and teams come in.

PWL: Tell us about your facility.

Kellogg: We are located at 9404 Center Point Lane in Manassas, in the former location of House of Bounce. We offer

18 | January 2016 prince william living

L-R: Owners and business partners Kris Kellogg and Marty Peters.

speed and agility training for teams and individuals, batting cages and a full-size basketball court.

PWL: What types of services does Ball-istic provide?

Kellogg: First, we also offer basketball-specific programs for a variety of skill levels.

For younger athletes, we offer the Ball-istic Development Program for players in second grade through eighth grade.

The FASST training program helps athletes from all sports increase their speed and improve agility.

These athletes can train according to their level, and parents can purchase packages that are priced based on the number of sessions per week they want to train.

For high school athletes (grades 9-12), we offer Higher Level Training for them to develop skills to compete at their highest level. The packages are priced the same but targeted to develop these athletes further.

Additionally, we offer the FASST training program to increase speed and agility. The program is not sport-specific. This program uses VertiMax boards [a platform system using resistance bands for arms, waist and legs] and the workouts are customized for different sports. Our trainers have developed an extensive collection of exercises for use with VertiMax. The program is so unique that VertiMax has contacted us with interest to purchase our training book. Athletes interested in the VertiMax training can purchase packages of 8, 12, 16 or 24 sessions.

We also offer open training, court rentals and batting cage rentals. All of our schedules are posted online, and athletes and coaches can view the availability and schedule appointments online as well.

PWL: What makes Ball-istic different from other sports training places?

Kellogg: There are several ways that we are different. One primary way is that much of our training is centered around the VertiMax equipment that we use. The VertiMax is an uncommon piece of equipment, so we can offer some things that other training facilities can’t. We can train six athletes per half hour on the VertiMax boards while we keep a 1:3 ratio to ensure proper technique and safety.

Another difference is that a 30-minute workout using the VertiMax can replace an ordinary 60-minute workout. The 30-minute session can burn up to 1,600 calories and has been

proven to be effective simulating sports motions used by other training methods. Additionally, we are able to offer metrics tracking an athlete’s progress. We take a baseline assessment when someone starts with us and take assessments periodically into their training program. Parents and coaches like the ability to see their athlete’s progress in specific areas.

PWL: What are your plans as you look into the short-term and long-term future?

Kellogg: Management of new programs and logistics are key as we move forward. We need to manage our space wisely and can’t over-book ourselves. So for every new program that we consider, putting it into action requires us to examine how it will fit into our existing schedule.

In the short term, we could add additional camps or clinics without a major impact on our existing schedule, and we may add additional equipment to the facility that will enhance our programs. Other ideas that we are considering are open gyms and 30-minute shooting blocks.

PWL: All of that sounds exciting. How does all of this fit in with your larger vision for Ball-istic?

Kellogg: We are off to a great start. Ultimately, we want to become an organization that develops high school athletes and trains them to compete at the next level. We hope to partner with high schools and have an impact on the lives of studentathletes, and get them to a level where they are offered college scholarships. We are already planning our wall of fame.

To learn more about Ball-istic Training Sports and Fitness, visit ball-istic.com.

Tracy Shevlin (tshevlin@princewilliamliving.com) is a native Virginian and long-time Manassas area resident. She is a full-time office manager and holds a BIS degree in business communication from George Mason University. prince william living January 2016 | 19

family fun

Working Out: A Family Affair Story and Photos by Amanda Causey Baity

M

aking time to work out isn’t easy. In fact, “I don’t have time” is the biggest excuse I use because I honestly do not want to. It’s extra hard when you have a family, but the key is to find ways to work out with them. Try these “games” when you want to burn calories without sacrificing family time. The plus with these activities is that you’re setting a great example for your kids by showing them you can have fun while being active.

Sing and Dance While You Clean Set aside time for household chores and do them together as a family. Play music as you clean, and take turns choosing favorite songs. Younger children love to help out and can pick up toys or sweep floors while dancing with the broom. Older kids can dust, vacuum, and help make beds.

Stroller Relay Are you going for a walk with the family? We have one in a stroller, so this also helps the baby have fun. Start off walking together. Then, every time you get to a marker on a walking track, one of you runs a lap block until catching up to the rest of the group. Kids old enough to run around by themselves should get in on the action. Try to keep moving for 35 to 60 minutes.

Make Yard Work Less of a Chore Enjoy seasonal yard work together. Younger children can help plant and tend a garden. Older kids can rake leaves into a (continues on page 22) 20 | January 2016 prince william living

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(continued from page 20) pile and then jump in it. Make snow shoveling fun for all by building a snow fort or creating a family of snow people.

Hit the Deck

Now take turns turning over the cards and do the number of reps on the card.

If you get a five of hearts, you have to do five squat jumps. Got an eight of spades?

That’s eight jumping jacks. Try to get through the whole deck of cards.

Breakout!

Assign different exercises to each suit in a deck of cards. For example: n Hearts = squat jumps (squat down, quickly jump up, land back down into a squat and immediately jump up again) n Diamonds = supermans (lay on your stomach and raise your arms and legs off the ground at the same time like planking)

Are you watching television with your kids? Don’t spend commercial breaks lounging. Every time a commercial comes on, do a different exercise. First commercial: butt kickers (stand tall on the balls of your feet and rapidly, alternatively kick up your heels toward your butt). Second commercial: high jumps. Third commercial: high knees (run in place, bringing knees high up to your chest). Create moves according to your kids’ abilities and do different routines for each set of commercials.

They will have fun moving with you, and you’ll feel better knowing you’re getting a little workout while watching TV.

n Spades = jumping jacks n Clubs = mountain climbers (in a push-up position, bring your right knee toward your chest, extend your right leg back in place and quickly draw your left knee toward your chest – kind of like you’re running in place).

22 | January 2016 prince william living

Amanda Causey Baity (acausey@ princewilliamliving.com), Prince William Living’s marketing director and photo editor, also blogs about thrifty family activities on her blog GreenOwlCrafts.com.

(continued from page 15)

Kiwanis Contact & Meeting Information Looking to join the Kiwanis service organization or get more information? Kiwanians welcome you to attend a meeting or contact the members below.

Manassas Battlefield Kiwanis: Every Tuesday at 12 p.m. at the City Tavern, 9550 Center Street, Manassas. Contact President Dave Stinson at dstinson@geico.com or visit the Manassas Battlefield Kiwanis Facebook page for more information.

Manassas Bull Run Kiwanis: Every Tuesday at 7 a.m. at the City Tavern, 9550 Center Street, Manassas. Contact President Steve Nelson at Steve.Nelson@CardinalBank.com for more information.

Kiwanis Club members serve up a Thanksgiving meal.

Center, described the “strong presence of community” the Woodbridge Kiwanis Club gives to the center and its adult day care attendees. Each year, for example, the club provides a Thanksgiving meal. “They take their time to serve the meal accompanied with a warm smile and kind words to the participants. Their support encourages others to ‘pay it forward’ by volunteering their services at the centers,” said Ambrose.

Woodbridge Kiwanis: The 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:45 p.m. at Montclair Country Club, 16500 Edgewood Drive, Montclair. Contact Chairman of the Service Leadership Program Committee Brian Bell at rbell7696@aol.com.

Each year the Woodbridge Kiwanis Club spends a significant amount of time as Salvation Army bell ringers. ”It’s very rewarding to see what the citizens are willing to contribute to help,” said Bell.

Wreaths Across America is “our major service project for the year,” said Horning. Manassas Battlefield Kiwanis volunteers raise money and place wreaths on each of the graves at Quantico National Cemetery in December each year. The public can sponsor a wreath by contacting the local club. “The event not only helps raise resources for youth leadership programs, but it’s also an opportunity to honor those who served our country,” said Horning. “It’s overwhelming when you see the wreaths across the cemetery,” added Stinson, who invited the public to the wreath-laying last month.

A High Rating The Kiwanis International Foundation has received the highest ranking as a four-star charity through Charity Navigator.

Only one out of every four charities receives this ranking which demonstrates rigor, responsibility and a commitment to openness. Kiwanis received a 100 percent score for accountability and transparency.

“It’s a tremendous legacy,” said Stinson. “A great organization,” said Bell. “A way to connect to the community,” said Nelson.

And Prince William County is all the better for it.

Emma Young (eyoung@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance writer, stay-at-home mother, resident of Montclair, and a grateful admirer of the Kiwanis organization. prince william living January 2016 | 23

home & hearth 6 Cost-Free Home Staging Styling Tips

By Niki VanEch

S

taging a home involves numerous techniques including at the most basic level, de-cluttering, and cleaning, to rearranging furniture, creating effective lighting and much more. But not every home seller has the budget to bring in a professional designer let alone the budget to bring in new furnishings. Here are a few cost-free tips for adding style to your home before you list it.

We have roots, where others have branches.

1. Clear off Counters. Your bathroom should look like it’s in a hotel. Other than a few pretty packaged toiletries, your counter should be clear of products. Make your kitchen and bathrooms look as clean and spacious as possible.

2. Color Block Your Books. Add instant style to your home by color-coding your bookshelves. Group books together by their spine color to create a dramatic effect on your shelves. Color blocked books could be almost as striking as a great piece of modern art.

3. Skip the Flowers. A few blooming branches in a glass vase with water can be just as striking as an expensive bouquet from the florist. I often use magnolia, forsythia and dogwood branches when they are in bloom.

4. Style Your Coffee Table. Start with something large and wonderful in the middle, like an arrangement in an interesting pot or a huge bowl filled with something interesting. Then build out from that, such as a stack of books, candles, sculpture and pottery.

5. Set the Table. Give potential buyers a sneak peek of life as a host in your home. Simply lay out cloth napkins, wineglasses and solid plates in the dining room. As for a kitchen island or breakfast table, opt for matching mugs and bowls to inspire the feel of the family meal.

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6. Mirrors, Mirrors, Mirrors. Strategically placed mirrors, like at the end of a dim hallway, in a room with little natural daylight, or a space challenged room, will not only reflect more light but will make rooms appear more spacious. Place a mirror across from a window and you will instantly double the amount of daylight you are getting in the room. Check out your local thrift stores for mirrors on the cheap.

Niki VanEch is an interior designer who has been helping clients in the metropolitan D.C. area for more than 20 years.

Her home furnishings store, VanEch Studio, is located in Occoquan, Va., and at VanEchStudio.com.

24 | January 2016 prince william living

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local flavor

Curry in Hurry A Delicious Dream

By Emma Young | Photos by Delia Engstrom

P

erhaps it’s the traditional Nepalese spices: cardamom, cloves, cumin, turmeric and hot chili peppers. The fresh herbs add to this enticing blend: garlic, cilantro, and ginger, all creating a beautifully pungent perfume, a smoky base, a touch of heat or sweetness, and gorgeous, rich color to the delicacies served.

It could be the wisdom in authentic cooking and preparation.

Traditional clay tandoor ovens slow roast meat that’s been marinated for hours and massaged by hand by a professionally trained chef hailing from Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. The chef has more than a decade of experience working in some of the finest Indian restaurants in the region. Each detail is overseen by well-traveled Nepali owners with business and hospitality degrees and experience professionally catering.

Or maybe its 5 p.m., you’ve fought the day, and the traffic, and now you’re hungry. You want the finest food, but you want it fast. And Curry in Hurry delivers, the only IndoNepalese restaurant in the region to do so.

Whatever the reason, Curry in Hurry, the Dumfries-based Indian and Nepalese Restaurant and Bar, has gained a loyal and growing following.

Popular Dishes “Whoever has our Lamb Chop Kabob is married to it,” said Atin Pradhan, who, together with his wife Sanjuna Lama Pradhan, owns and manages Curry in Hurry. “They come back for more, again and again,” he said. Pradhan described the kabob: “We go the extra mile to get the flavor. The total marination process takes about 18 hours. At the 12th hour, Ananta Bikram Bista, the chef, takes the spring lamb out 26 | January 2016 prince william living

and massages the meat for a good 30 minutes with a handmade paste of gram flour, fresh herbs, and sour cream. Then it goes back to marinate for another 6 hours. Finally, we cook it using traditional methods in the tandoor [a clay oven]. It’s one of our most popular dishes.”

“I love the Butter Chicken,” wrote Tracey Smith of Montclair in an online post. “The Sanjuna Lama Pradhan and her dish consists of tender husband Atin Pradhan own and chicken pieces in a rich, manage Curry in Hurry. fragrant tomato-based curry sauce. Every table is given a basket of warm, fresh Naan bread to complement the meal. I find this delicious to dip into the buttered chicken sauce,” she said.

Pradhan explained what makes the dish so special. “First, the ingredients. We use fresh herbs. We roast our own fresh spices, let them rest, grind them ourselves and create our own blend.

We use this in our own tomato-based gravy. Our chef has a little secret twist to make it better than any place else.” Next though, fresh cream is added to the sauce. “You have to get the perfect balance between the cream and the sauce,” said Pradhan. The capstone is cooking the chicken, “the authentic, traditional way; marinating the chicken overnight, barbecuing [it] in the clay oven, and then pulling the meat apart and placing it in the freshly-prepared exquisite sauce in the pan,” Pradhan described.

Curry in Hurry offers a daily lunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Though preparation is labor-intensive, the dish remains priced at just $10.99.

Dine-In, Take-Out, or Delivery The restaurant seats about 50 and the Butter Chicken has become a staple on Curry in Hurry’s dine-in all-you-can-eat daily lunch buffet offered from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and priced at $8.99. Montclair resident Yukiko Dove loves the buffet. She went three different days for lunch less than two weeks after they started offering it. “Every day they have different items. Their food is fresh and delicious,” Dove noted.

One of Dove’s favorite items is often ordered by patrons as a quick take-out: Nepali coffee. “The amount of coffee is perfect.

It is milk-based and already has some sweetness,” said Dove.

She believes the secret is in the spices. Pradhan described its uniqueness: “We boil the milk with cardamom and our spice blend, and combine it with ground coffee whisked with sugar until it is a golden brown.” They regularly have customers who have four or more coffees in one sitting, and employees of a nearby coffee shop frequently come by and say it’s the best coffee they’ve ever had. “It’s a great drink for cold days,” noted Dove.

The price is as extraordinary as the coffee: only $1.99 for a 12 oz coffee to-go.

Happy Hour is offered from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. for those who prefer other drinks. Beer, wine, whiskey, Long-Island Iced Teas, even an “Everest Sunrise,” a play on a Tequila Sunrise, is half off.

Patrons will watch the game on the in-house television and order finger foods to pair with their drink, such as BBQ chicken wings prepared Nepali-style with freshly ground, roasted and blended spices on site. “We take pride in hand-making our own spice blends,” Pradhan said. “No one is offering the authenticity of

how we do our dishes. It’s fresh spices that goes in the food and it makes the difference,” he noted.

For dine-in customers, Kids Eat Free is offered Mondays through Fridays, with a minimum $20 order. The Butter Chicken is on the Kids Menu, along with Aloo Saag (a popular mild spinach and potato dish), Chicken Korma (chicken in a fragrant cashew nut and cream-based sauce), and Peas Pulao (a mild blend of peas, spices and rice).

Though dining in has its benefits, “80% of our business is takeout and delivery,” said Pradhan. The restaurant delivers within a 4-mile radius of their location in Dumfries. “They’re our go-to delivery service,” said Nicole Wilberg of Montclair, who often orders curries and “always kheer [a sweetened rice pudding] for dessert.” “We did a demographic study of the area,” explained Pradhan. “We saw the potential in this location. People wanted something on the go. We’re the only Indian restaurant that delivers in the area,” he said. “We order [delivery] from Curry in Hurry frequently. Their spices are wonderful. The food always tastes fresh and homemade,” Wilberg said.

Prepared Fresh to Order “Everything is made from scratch to order,” said Pradhan. This ensures dishes are customized to your tastes and needs, including spice levels, which are offered on a scale from 3 (the most mild) to 10 (“extra hot”). Pradhan has been surprised at how many order higher spice levels, sometimes even requesting above 10.

“We make fresh chili paste to add heat to the vindaloo [a fiery Indian curry dish],” Pradhan explained. “It’s surprising how much we make and how fast it goes. The residents love the heat,” he said. “People here are well-traveled. We have Quantico and (continues on page 34) prince william living January 2016 | 27

your finances Take a Day to Organize Your Finances

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor

I

f you’re like most people, you periodically set aside time to clean out your home, garage or closets. It’s equally as important to take time to organize your finances. The following checklist can help you get started: n Cancel unused credit cards. If you’re paying an annual fee on a credit card or other account that you don’t use, you’re throwing money away. So, cash in any rewards points you have earned and then cancel the account. Of course, take into consideration whether canceling the card will negatively affect your credit rating. n Cancel unused memberships. If a new at-home exercise routine has replaced your trips to the gym, or if you’re no longer playing golf at a course you belong to, consider canceling your membership. Even if you have to pay a fee, you may quickly recoup your financial losses. n Consolidate accounts. You don’t necessarily need multiple checking, savings, investment, retirement or credit card accounts, yet many people maintain them— often because it takes extra time up-front to consolidate.

When it comes to credit, you may also earn more rewards if you stick to one or two cards. n Negotiate better deals with your service providers.

Whether it’s your cable, Internet or waste removal company, chances are you can negotiate a better rate.

Get quotes from competitors. If they are offering lower rates for the same services, go back to your service provider to see if they will price-match. If not, switch to someone new. n Update your financial records. Make a list of your current financial accounts, contacts and passwords. Keep this information in a safe and secure place. n Update your beneficiary designations. Your beneficiary designations override your will. So, if you’ve experienced a marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or death, make sure your beneficiary designations reflect your wishes. n Review your home and auto insurance coverage. Make sure your coverage reflects your present needs. Also, price-shop as with service providers; you could save a significant amount.

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n Simplify your investments. If tracking various investments is stressing you out, look to asset allocation or managed accounts. Consider working with a financial professional.

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

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calendar Winter Farmers Market

Saturdays in Jan. | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Parking Lot B Prince William Street & West Street, Manassas Small but mighty- our Winter Market offers great local breads, treats, and crafts. The Winter Market is subject to cancellation due to the weather. For questions on this, please call the Visitor Center (open every day from 9 a.m.5 p.m.) at 703-361-6599.

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Outdoor Ice Skating

The Harris Pavilion – Historic Downtown Manassas 9301 Center Street, Manassas What a fun way to celebrate winter and the holiday season. All sessions are open skate, no time limit. Daily, 10day and seasonal passes available for adults and children. Lessons offered as well. Check the website for pricing, hours of operation and holiday hours. harrispavilion.com/ice_skate.php

Trivia Night at Heritage Brewing

Thursdays in Jan. | 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

9436 Center Point Lane, Manassass Every Thursday night in our tap room is trivia night, with a wide variety of categories and questions. Winning team gets four free pints on the house.

Art Feast

Through Sun. Jan 31 Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas Presented by the Associate Artists from the Workhouse Arts Center—a group of over 20 visual artists—expect to find a variety of styles—whimsical, realistic, Impressionist, abstract, all in a variety of media—paintings in oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, and jewelry, mixed media, photography and fiber.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Choir Sat. Jan 2. | 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Chinn Park Regional Library 13065 Chinn Park Drive, Prince William Children from local elementary schools raise their voices in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Prince William Living Network – After Hours at Monza Tues. Jan. 5 | 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

9405 Battle Street, Manassas Join our Network! Meet the people behind the award-winning magazine, Prince William Living. Enjoy non-alcoholic beverages and light appetizers. Start a tab and make plans to stay for dinner! RSVP princewilliamliving.com/network

A Coffee House Concert Collection Sat. Jan. 9 | 7 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas A show by the Woodbridge Dance Company, a Hylton Affiliate Arts Organization. Tickets available at the box office or purchase.tickets.com

Prince William Chamber of Commerce—Business After Hours w/HGBA Thurs. Jan. 14 | 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club Join the members of both the Prince William Chamber and the HaymarketGainesville Business Association for this complimentary after-hours networking event. Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and a look at the newly remodeled club house.

Cash bar. RSVP pwchamber.org/events/ calendar

Center for the Arts Pied Piper Theater presents NARNIA Sat. Jan. 16 | 2 p.m.

Sat. Jan. 16 | 7 p.m.

Sun. Jan. 17 | 3 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas Four children step through a wardrobe into the mythical land of Narnia ruled by

an evil White Witch. The children and Aslan, the Lion, must break the witch’s spell. Tickets available at the box office or hyltoncenter.org/calendar/tickets/756/.

The Band of the Royal Marines and the Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of the Scots Guard Sun. Jan. 24 | 4 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas All of the pomp and grandeur that characterizes centuries of British military tradition is on display when these military bands take the stage. The very best of Great Britain comes to the Hylton Center, filling Merchant Hall with the distinctive sounds of bagpipes, brass, and stirring anthems, combined with the visual spectacle of regimental marches and authentic Scottish Highland dancing.

5th Annual Texas Hold’Em Tournament Sat. Jan. 30 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Old Town Sports Pub 8971 Center St, Manassas The Texas Hold’em Poker tournament will take place on Saturday January 30 at Old Town Sports Pub in Manassas. This year’s grand prize is a large screen TV! All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the athletic program and student-athletes at Osbourn High School. To register, contact Rusty Beier at (jbeier4150@ verizon.net) or Ira DeGrood at IDeGrood@mcpsva.org

Weary of Winter Beach Bash Sat. Jan. 30 | 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Potomac Community Library 2201 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge Need a break from a winter that seems like it will never be over? We’re having a beach bash! Wear your colorful summer clothes, and enjoy some warm weather activities, crafts and games, and a summer treat.

Drop in; no registration required.

All events are subject to change. Check to verify dates, times and locations.

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

30 | January 2016 prince william living

Discover Prince William & Manassas

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lan the New Year and connect with friends, family and the great outdoors. This year the National Park Service celebrates its 100th year of service and there are two National Parks right here in Prince William & Manassas.

Manassas National Battlefield Park now offers free entry to all visitors, and with the National Park Service celebrating its centennial, Prince William Forest Park will also offer free park entry on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 18th, as well as Presidents Day weekend, February 13th & 14th, to help celebrate.

Plan a guided hike at Manassas National Battlefield Park where two important battles of the Civil War were fought. Spend the night camping in the 15,000 acres of Prince William Forest Park and visit the largest green space in the D.C. metro area. There are 1930s-era cabins which were originally built to house spies in training during World War II. Explore the seven miles of trails at Bull Run Mountains Conservancy. Catch a glimpse of the quarry trench that played a part in the 1862 Civil War battle of Thoroughfare Gap. Or hike to the Chapman/Beverley Mill, the tallest stacked stone building in the U.S., which was originally built in 1742 and burned by Confederates.

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Go mountain biking in over five miles of trails in Conway Robinson State Forest, a serene recreation area just east of Gainesville. For a faster type of ride, check out the NOVA BMX track located in Woodbridge.

Head to Leesylvania State Park which offers extensive fishing, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. Take a ride down the Occoquan River aboard a pontoon boat. Learn the history of the eastern side of Prince William while watching for eagles, herons and other wildlife.

Take time out to unplug and explore miles of hiking and biking trails, fishing, kayaking and educational programs offered throughout the year. With such a wide variety of activities for all ages, starting fresh has never been easier.

Ann Marie Maher is the President/CEO of Discover Prince William & Manassas. For more information about the parks and outdoor activities in Prince William and Manassas, visit DiscoverPWM.com.

1-800-432-1792 DiscoverPWM.com prince william living January 2016 | 31

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lifelong learning Footsteps to Brilliance for Manassas City Elementary Schools Story and Photo by Deila Engstrom

T

he transition to kindergarten has now been made a little easier for many children in Manassas City with the help of the Virginia Preschool Initiative and its new Blended Learning Program. The initiative, which distributes state funding to schools, ensures that quality preschool programs are in place for at-risk four-year-olds not currently served by Head Start.

However, two obstacles have always stood in the way of reaching those children: classroom space and English proficiency rates.

In the past, nearly 100 students were put on waiting lists each year due to lack of space at Manassas City elementary schools. That means nearly five classrooms worth of preschool students were not being reached each year. English literacy rates for kindergarteners are a major concern. Recent studies from the National Assessment for Educational Progress have found that vocabulary and comprehension issues lead to distinct gaps in educational achievement. With over 50 percent of K-2 students identified as English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), it was imperative to reach these four-year-olds to prepare them adequately for school.

Educators found a solution with the Blended Learning Program.

At schools such as Jennie Dean Elementary, students attend preschool two days a week and continue their lessons at home with their parents with free bilingual mobile literacy software called Footsteps2Brilliance. The Footsteps2Brilliance academic language program platform delivers a library of e-books and educational activities and games to parents, children and teachers anytime/anywhere through technology. Footsteps2Brilliance has a toggle that allows parents to switch between Spanish and English. Parents will have the ability to learn English with their children while also listening to stories, games, music, etc., in Spanish; therefore, supporting their children’s learning. The software creates e-books in a unique way that links imagery with vocabulary and comprehension. This platform is device agnostic: it can be used on iPhone, iPad, Android, computers, tablets and laptops. The platform is supported with resources for teachers, lesson plans and professional development.

Certified teacher Caroline Wittenberg and her assistant Rosana Catala greet the same 15 preschool students on Mondays and Tuesdays and 12 different students on Wednesdays and Thursdays. On alternating Fridays, students attend school with their parents. The remainder of the time is spent working at home on lessons using Footsteps2Brilliance. This learning module frees up classroom space and reinforces the necessary literacy tools students need to succeed in the future. Jennie Dean

Principal, Dr. Zella Jones, said that, “The biggest strength of our VPI blended learning program is that we are now able to reach more children through this model. We were so limited with space and this allows us to partner with parents in a unique way, so students are better prepared for kindergarten. The framework we have implemented allows us to provide early exposure, which is so beneficial for the children.”

Upon reaching the classroom, Ms. Wittenberg quizzes the students on letters posted outside the classroom door before they hang up their coats and backpacks. At 9 a.m. students begin circle time and prepare for the rest of their four-hour school day that will be filled with instructional and play time.

Footsteps2Brilliance is also used within the classroom allowing students to access interactive and engaging children’s books that increase vocabulary, reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.

While the Blended Learning Program seems like the answer to the problem that has plagued local students and schools like Jennie Dean, Dr. Jones said, “One challenging aspect of this implementation has been that there is not another model like ours in the country, so we have not had a guide or reference to use as we work through the process. It’s new territory, but the work is worthwhile because more students can be helped.”

Details about the school’s program can be found at Manassas City Public Schools mcpsva.org.

Delia Engstrom (dengstrom@princewilliamliving.com) is a parttime writer and photographer and full-time mom to two high school students. She has a hard time believing she’s closer to sending a child off to college than she is to sending one off to preschool.” prince william living January 2016 | 33

(continued on page 27) D.C. so close. We’re surprised by how many have been to our country. They’re well-aware of our food,” Pradhan said.

Since items are cooked fresh to order, the restaurant is allergenfriendly as well. “If someone is allergic to nuts, we won’t add the cashew-based sauce to a particular dish,” said Pradhan. “This is where the chef’s experience comes into play. He finds a way to bring out the same flavor without adding the cashew sauce to the chicken korma for example,” Pradhan explained.

A Dream Come True, Faith Realized “America is the land of opportunity,” Pradhan said. In 2012 he had already earned degrees in hospitality management and his wife, Sanjuna Lama Pradhan, was finishing her M.B.A. They were professionally catering Nepali food for private events while working elsewhere. “We decided we have to start something,” said Lama Pradhan. “My goal was to open a restaurant,” said Pradhan. “I always liked cooking. Food was my thing.” They signed the contract on the Dumfries location in 2013. Opening a food business is difficult though.

“At some point you have to take a risk. Get out of your comfort zone and give your dream a shot,” said Pradhan. “Only two things can happen. If you fail, you fall, and learn the lesson so you rise again. If you succeed, you leave a legacy. Never give up hope. As long as you have your full effort and are consistent, the One Above takes care of us. It’s just a matter of time.”

The couple continues to look to the future, making plans to add additional traditional meats like bison/buffalo to the menu,

34 | January 2016 prince william living

and create special evenings, such as live entertainment on the weekends and karaoke nights. “We’re excited. The future is promising,” Pradhan said.

Judging by local response, that’s a delicious future indeed.

Emma Young (eyoung@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance writer, stay-at-home mother, and Dumfries resident who frequently orders the Malai Kofta from Curry in Hurry: a sumptuous vegetarian dish of potato and cheese croquettes, battered with bread crumbs and simmered in a lightly spiced onion and cashew nutbased cream sauce that temptingly calls to her as she writes these words. She recommends visiting their Facebook page Curry in Hurry VA, to see up-to-date offerings and specials.

Curry in Hurry 17173 Wayside Drive, Dumfries Phone 703.441.1110 www.curryinhurryva.com Hours of Operation: Sunday through Thursday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Closed Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

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Daily All-You-Can –Eat Lunch Buffet 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. $8.99/person

tambourines and elephants Don’t Say Goodbye

By DeeDee Corbitt Sauter I can’t remember if I attended any funerals as a child, but I seriously doubt it. I know my parents did. When it was required, they classic donned black apparel, spoke in hushed tones, whispered compliments about the deceased, and reached out to the surviving family members. It was not appropriate for children to physically say goodbye to the recently departed.

Instead, the only social obligation my sister and I shared was the enthusiastic participation in neighborhood birthday parties.

Balloons, cake colored wrapping paper, ice cream and games vied for our attention on the calendar.

Celebrations and recognitions are always high on the list of gift-giving activities. Food and loud music dominate the teen years while fine clothing and one-upmanship are popular at graduations, weddings, baptisms and family reunions. We celebrate the passage of life every chance we get.

As far as I know, no one is immortal. Eventually, we have to start thinking about our humanity and how it will all come to an end.

Unfortunately, I recently had to attend a funeral. The mother of my friend died far too young. The first question most people ask when hearing about a death is “How? How did she die? Was it expected?” There is always hope that the answer is one we can accept. Maybe something expected, perhaps an illness that is gender specific or age-related or even the result of bad lifestyle choices. But she is gone.

I have attended many funerals. Young and old, illness and accident. They carry the same intense theme. Most people say they want their funerals to be a celebration, but the overwhelming sadness colors transforms festivities into more of a melancholy gathering.

Until this last funeral, during which I had an epiphany. When I die, I want to be just like her.

This was a true and legitimate celebration. There were a few tears and snuffles, but I have never felt uplifted while discussing the early demise of someone I loved. But, somehow she knew how hard it would be to stay cheery, so she planned the event, I mean she planned the whole thing. While spellbound by the bagpipes, captivated by the singers, moved by the poetry recite and mesmerized by the liturgical dancer, I saw how absolutely everyone adored and respected this woman.

She knew she was dying, and that it would be earlier than she wanted. But even if it was early, it was still inevitable. So, she talked to her friends and decided who would speak, who would perform, who would help throw that last party. She not only said she wanted a party, she took the cost, planning and responsibility out the hands of those left behind and made sure this was her final gift. Prior to the services, she actually planned a social hour.

Coffee, tea, water, snacks and cheese and crackers. People actually mingled and visited with each other. There were no tears. They talked to each other and caught up friendships were rekindled and family members hugged and laughed. She actually planned a real party at her funeral. It. Was. Amazing.

Then came the normally solemn ceremony of praising the departed, but how can sadness be the prevailing mood while watching a gorgeous, lithe dancer waving her silken handkerchiefs, bending and turning in ways that I know would break every bone in my inflexible body?

I am not sure in what act the epiphany occurred, but I did start to understand what she had awakened in me and helped me understand the importance of what she had done.

Few of our traditional rites of passage gatherings actually celebrate our accomplishments. Birthday parties mark another year of simply staying alive in a world with few natural threats.

While graduation from high school or college recognize the accomplishments of hard work, it is only a snapshot of a relatively short time frame. Marriages celebrate the moment a union is legal and we rejoice in their potential.

She showed us that a funeral can be the final and most accurate celebration of an amazing life regardless of the length. Everyone touches someone else. Everyone makes a difference and when they are gone, those remaining need that reminder and need that support from the rest of the community.

I have already wasted money on a wedding and a couple of other parties. But, I hope my friends mother’s way of dealing with her death becomes the standard. I walked away grateful that I had known her, grateful I could spend time with her family, grateful I was part of her life. She knew how important this final celebration would be and her family was truly able to celebrate her life.

Even in death she was amazing. Thank you, Shirley.

DeeDee Corbitt Sauter is a resident of Northern Virginia. prince william living January 2016 | 35

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Advertiser Index ACTS...........................................................................................36 Ameriprise–Whitlock Wealth Management.............................28 Apple FCU..................................................................................28 Beautiful Moments by Amy......................................................36 Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute................................................8 Boys & Girls Clubs.....................................................................36 Brookdale...................................................................................32 CASA...........................................................................................36 City of Manassas Park—Parks & Recreation.............................9 Dance Etc....................................................................................21 Discover Prince William & Manassas......................................31 Everest College..........................................................................25 FURR Roofing.............................................................................21 Giorgio’s Family Restaurant.....................................................16 Greater Prince William Community Health Center.................36 Harris Pavilion............................................................................25 Imagewerks................................................................................36 Magnificent Belly Dance...........................................................36 Mark Gilvey Creative.................................................................36 Merry Maids...............................................................................32

36 | January 2016 prince william living

Okra’s .........................................................................................29 Patriot Scuba..............................................................................25 Peggy and Bill Burke, Virginia Realty Partners, LLC...............24 Piedmont Physical Therapy......................................................16 Potomac Place............................................................................29 Potomac Shores Golf Club..........................................................9 Pride Air Conditioning & Heating.............................................13 Prince William Chamber of Commerce...................................32 Prince William Courage.............................................................36 Prince William Ice Center............................................................9 Prince William Soccer...............................................................21 Robert Jinks Photography........................................................25 Semper K9..................................................................................36 Tackett’s Mill..............................................................................29 The Pope Institute......................................................................25 Tiny Dancers..............................................................................22 Tribute at Heritage Village....................................................... C4 VanEch Studio............................................................................31 Vintage Moving & Storage.................................................29, 36 Westminster at Lake Ridge.......................................................21 Yellow Cab.................................................................................36

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Pick up a free copy of Prince William Living at one of the following fine locations: Chairman At-Large Appliance Connection Corey A. Stewart 13851 Telegraph Road, Suite 101, Woodbridge McCoart Administration Building City of Manassas 1 County Complex Court, Prince William 9027 Center Street, Manassas Brentsville District City of Manassas Park Jeanine Lawson One Park Center Court 9440 Innovation Drive, Manassas Manassas Park Coles District Discover Prince William & Manassas Martin E. Nohe 10611 Balls Ford Road, Suite 110, Manassas 13476 Dumfries Road, Manassas Edward Kelly Leadership Center Potomac District 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas Maureen S. Caddigan, Vice Chair Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building Historic Manassas Inc 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Suite 145, Woodbridge Visitor’s Center at the Train Depot 9431 West Street, Manassas Gainesville District Pete Candland Manassas Park City Schools 7001 Heritage Village Plaza, Suite 210, Gainesville One Park Center Court, Suite A, Manassas Park Manassas Park – Parks and Recreation 99 Adams Street, Manassas Mason Enterprise Center 10890 George Mason Cir., Bull Run Hall, Rm 147, Manassas Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus, 6901 Sudley Road Woodbridge Campus, 15200 Neabsco Mills Road Prince William Association of Realtors 4545 Daisy Reid Avenue, Woodbridge Prince William County McCoart Administration Building 1 County Complex Court, Prince William

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