Prince William Living April 2021

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ONLINE HELP FOR PARENTS

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PICK A PICKLEBALL

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LA FINCA GAINESVILLE

prince william living April 2021

The premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

SPRING Cleaning PAGE 4

Prince William Poet Laureate

PAGE 10

Celebrating Earth Day

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princewilliamliving.com

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table of contents April 2021 | Vol. 11 | No. 4

FEATURE STORY Spring Cleaning: 6 Easy Natural Solutions for Detoxing Your Home

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DEPARTMENTS FROM THE PUBLISHER Spring and All It Brings

3

ON A HIGH NOTE Prince William Poet Laureate Hosts Event to Celebrate Poetry 10

10

18

LIFELONG LEARNING Online Help for Parents: Classes and Resources

12

FAMILY FUN Tips for Celebrating Earth Day

18

DESTINATIONS Pick a Pickleball

20

LOCAL FLAVOR La Finca Gainesville: Inspired by “The Farm” CALENDAR

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COLUMNS YOUR FINANCES HEALTH & WELLNESS HOME & HEARTH

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prince william living Rebecca Barnes

PRINCE WILLIAM LIVING PUBLISHER rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com

Erin Pittman EDITOR IN CHIEF epittman@princewilliamliving.com

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

PHOTO EDITOR Amanda Baity CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mia Brabham, Emily Carter, Amy Falkofske, Katherine Gotthardt, Jennifer Halter, Rena Malai, Bennett Whitlock SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Katherine Gotthardt GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Alison Dixon/ImagePrep Studio

SUBSCRIPTIONS info@princewilliamliving.com Prince William Living, the premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly by Prince William Living, Inc. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living. © Copyright 2021 by Prince William Living, Inc. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced or translated without written permission.

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

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

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

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April 2021 prince william living

from the Publisher Spring and All It Brings

L

ike many of you, right now I am embracing everything SPRING! And yes, even the cleaning. This month, our feature shares some safe, eco-friendly options for cleaning your home. Mix up those recipes and head over to Home and Hearth to discover some terrific cleaning hacks to pair them with.

Spring is a time of renewal for the Earth and for us. We can all celebrate Earth Day on April 22 with some great ideas in our Family Fun section. And we can celebrate ourselves by taking a close look at our diets and making some healthy changes with tips from a Novant Health UVA Health System Registered Dietician in our Health and Wellness section.

Your Finances and Lifelong Learning bring you positive ways to engage with your kids — from teaching them to give back to parenting classes that address your toughest challenges. Follow those lessons up with a delicious family meal from a popular new Prince William restaurant — La Finca Gainesville Mexican Restaurant. Check out Local Flavor to read their story and see some of their favorite dishes to serve up to customers.

We hope you get out and enjoy the sunshine this month. Get some fresh air, try something new and stay safe.

Rebecca Barnes Publisher

If you find the stress of the world weighing heavily on you, trying a new activity or discovering a new hobby can add some extra joy to your life. In Destinations this month, learn about the popular game of Pickleball and where you can try it out for yourself. And in our On a High Note section, Prince William’s Poet Laureate shares her story and an upcoming online poetry event for the community.

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Spring Cleaning 6 Easy Natural Solutions for Detoxing Your Home

By Mia Brabham

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April 2021 prince william living

W

e are spending more time at home than ever, which means our space is more sacred and important than ever, too. Studies have shown that more organized houses and tidy rooms lead to clearer and happier minds. With sweet spring at our doorstep, now is the perfect opportunity to welcome this fresh start and new season with a good, green clean.

Switching to green cleaning solutions is not only good for the environment, it’s also good for your family’s health, your wallet and your home. Water, salt, vinegar and natural oils can effectively clean just about every nook, cranny and surface in your home — with fewer chemicals and harmful ingredients and for less money!

Below is a checklist of six items that serve as eco-friendly cleaning alternatives, as well as instructions on how to use these natural homemade remedies. You don’t have to be Snow White or Cinderella to get the job done; the mixtures are super easy to follow and there’s a good chance you already have all of the necessary ingredients right at home.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a drag. When you reframe it as a fun, positive day of resetting your most intimate environment, it can be a powerful experience — and a day of bonding, if you get the whole family involved. Grab a bristle brush, a sponge and a few cloths, and turn up some tunes. It’s time to go green and get to work!

Spring Cleaning Shopping List If you don’t already have these household items in your cabinets or on your shelves, add them to your next shopping list so you’re prepared for your spring cleaning venture. n Baking soda (deodorizes, removes stains and softens fabrics) n Vinegar (cuts through grease, grime, and wax) n Cornstarch (granules leave streak-free shine) n Lemon (disinfects, deodorizes and removes oily stains) n Table salt (tackles grime and stains with its gritty texture) n A few of your favorite essential oils (adds a nice scent and most last indefinitely in cool, dark, dry places)

At-Home Air Fresheners Do your halls and rooms need a little freshening up? Opening your windows for a steady stream of crisp spring air may do the trick, but there’s nothing like a subtle, soothing scent to liven up your home. You can create your own air freshener with baking soda and natural oils. Kitchens always seem to need cleansing.

Place an open box of baking soda at the bottom of your trash can to remove the take-out stench from last Friday. If your fridge needs some TLC, you can also place an open box of baking soda in there to freshen up.

For an enticing odor, lavender serves as the perfect natural perfume. You can place a few drops into a pot of boiling water on the stove for a relaxing Saturday atmosphere or before guests come over. Additionally, plenty of plants — such as English Ivy, Snake Plants, Spider Plants, and Aloe Vera — serve as air purifiers. After you try out these home air freshening remedies, you’ll want to ditch the artificial citrus extracts and toxic canned aerosols for good!

Safe Scouring Powders Scouring powder works wonders on hard-to-clean surfaces like counters, stovetops, tile, porcelain and even fiberglass. But many commercial scouring powder products contain harmful chemicals, including chlorine. The good news? Baking soda makes a return as a natural cleaning hero, and with its friend, table salt!

Both of these natural substances are easily found on shelves and in your home, and have the uncanny ability to replace traditional and aggressive solvents. Wet a bristle brush with baking soda or salt plus a drop of natural soap to get rid of greasy residue on almost any surface. You can mix in store-bought extracts like rose, lemon, ginger or rosemary to give the scent a lovely edge — but wear protective cleaning gloves to protect your skin from too much concentrate. Your bathtub may also benefit from this powder!

Way-Better Window Cleaner What’s better than store-bought window cleaner? A much safer one made in the comfort of your own home! Unfortunately, many of the window cleaners you eye on the shelves of the store contain traces of ammonia, which can produce harmful fumes when mixed with chlorine. In walks the much safer-foryou vinegar, which when mixed with water, can cleanse greasy surfaces sans the chemicals that are bad for you and your family to breathe in.

In a reusable spray bottle (how eco-friendly!), make your own window solvent with these two ingredients. Some say to mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, while others who prefer a nice scent, like to mix one part vinegar, four parts water and a few drops of essential oils. For extra gritty and grimy spots, prewash the area of choice with super soapy water and then use your vinegar spray on top. If the mess is really not budging, use a cloth with just a drop of undiluted vinegar (too much vinegar is never good), and scrub, scrub, scrub. Not only does this natural concoction work on windows, but it can be used to clean appliances, mirrors and more. Say it with me: no streaks!

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Mean, Green Carpet Clean...er By now, we know that baking soda is two-in-one: it softens and deodorizes. Not only is it great on tile and other hard surfaces, but it’s perfect for the rugs and carpets that create a cozy space in your home. With floors being the most-used surfaces in a household, they’re constantly in desperate need of cleaning and refreshing. Shoes track dirt and other messy trails from outside, so in addition to limiting how much shoe activity the floors in your house see, vacuuming up this homemade carpet cleaner can do your interior ground major good.

After you’ve vacuumed all of your carpet and rugs, sprinkle a bit of baking soda or cornstarch to begin the nifty process of removing any odors from the area. Set a timer and leave the powder on the surfaces, untouched, for about an hour. When the clock runs out, vacuum over the carpet and rugs once again.

If the heavy carpet stains don’t seem to be disappearing, grab some soapy water and vinegar then scrub with a bristle brush as a counter attack. These methods are great substitutes for spray-on solutions that often have eye and skin irritants inside.

Delightful Disinfectant When life gives you lemons, you should definitely use them to clean your house. Lemons are natural deodorizers and do an amazing job at removing stains and disinfecting surfaces. There are tons of green cleaning options when you have these lifegiving fruits — and other citrus fruits — on your hands. That’s right: limes, oranges, tangerines and grapefruit are also super cleaners.

You can use lemons to sanitize and disinfect food areas while leaving a fresh, yummy scent. Placing a few wedges of grapefruit or orange in your garbage disposal and flipping it on gives your kitchen an upliftingly clean smell. If you do decide to use lemon as a laundry stain remover, squeeze a few drops right on the oily spots. Don’t forget to wash those clothes immediately so that it works its full magic!

No-Mess Metal Cleaner It’s no secret that metal can be misleading. Many metals are perceived as strong, but the truth is that many are delicate and need to be handled gently.

Naturally, this applies to cleaning. Metal around the house can become dull, but there’s no need to fear — and no need for thick, heavy chemicals. A simple mixture of vinegar and salt can bring much of your household metal, like copper, back to life.

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To prevent tarnish build-up on sterling silver and silver-plated items, you can also clean these surfaces and objects regularly by boiling one tablespoon of table salt, one tablespoon of baking soda, one liter of water, and a strip of aluminum foil in a large pot and adding the silver item you want cleaned. Allow it to sit in the boiling solution for three minutes, then pat it dry with a clean cloth. Olive oil is great on stainless steel, and baby oil is perfect for chrome. Be sure to double check the cleaning advisories for the specific metal you’re cleaning so your mixture won’t ruin it. You’ll have shine in no time!

In Cleanly Conclusion...

Replacing commercial cleaning solutions with crafty, green alternatives is both budget friendly and good for the environment. In addition to these eco-friendly concoctions, you can incorporate other cleaning processes and one-time purchases into your routine, like line-drying your laundry to save energy and money, or opting to replace paper towels and mopping pads with reusable cloths and rags. Whether you decide to adapt one method or adopt them all, you’re making your home, Prince William, and the world a better place along the way. Happy spring!

Mia Brabham is a writer, speaker and digital personality with a love for people and hearty conversation. Her debut book, Note to Self, is a collection of personal lessons and quotes that was recently released as an Amazon top seller and is in the hands of readers all over the world. Reach her at mbrabham@princewilliamliving.com.

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your finances 5 Ways to Teach Your Children to Give Back

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor

I

n the era of COVID-19, many charitable organizations find themselves in challenging financial positions while experiencing unprecedented demand and could greatly benefit from the generosity of those in their community. This may present an opportunity to instill the value of giving to others in your child. If you’re a parent, here are some ways you can encourage your kids to become budding philanthropists.

Talk about why you give. Help your child understand the importance of giving to others in need. Talk early and often about why sharing your knowledge, abilities, possessions or wealth matters to you. Instilling a culture of giving in your family is a process — not a one-time event. Remember to embrace the joy of giving, doing your best not to make giving back feel like a homework assignment or chore.

Find causes your child cares about. Your child is more likely to develop a habit of giving back when he or she is passionate about the cause. Start by brainstorming the possibilities of who your child can help, such as their classmates, animals, the homeless or the environment. Then, encourage him or her to identify what talents to offer in service. Does he love to bake? Does she enjoy music or caring for animals? Next, help your child choose one or two charities whose missions reflect his or her interests. Involve older children in the search and vetting process, teaching them how to have confidence that a charity is doing its best to help the cause.

Give and volunteer together. When your children see you volunteering your time, talent and treasure, they see your values at work. Find ways to involve your children in your own giving. Your children will learn first-hand how rewarding giving to others can feel, and you’ll have the bonus of creating family memories to cherish too.

Encourage disciplined saving. Kids need to learn how to manage their own money in order to become responsible givers as they grow older. When your children get an allowance, or otherwise receive money, they can practice making responsible choices. Introduce the idea of “save, share and spend” — setting aside a portion of their money for the future, a portion to help others and a portion for fun spending.

Create a family foundation. Consider establishing a foundation to fund causes you care about. Formalizing your giving in this way creates ongoing opportunities for you and your children to make a lasting impact on the community. Talk to your financial advisor for advice regarding establishing a foundation and leaving a legacy of service to the next generation.

Bennett C. Whitlock III, CRPC®, is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director with Whitlock Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. He offers fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 22 years. To contact him call 703.492.7732 or visit his website at whitlockwealth.com. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.

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

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2020 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (01/20)

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April 2021 prince william living

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on a high note Prince William

Poet Laureate

Hosts Event to Celebrate Poetry

By Emily Carter

A

pril is National Poetry Month — a time to celebrate poets and their craft of written and spoken word that has shaped our culture. To celebrate, the newly appointed Prince William County Poet Laureate is holding an online event where local poets will be performing a reading of their poetry. The event will be live on Facebook (facebook.com/pwcpoetlaureate2020) on April 18 at 4 p.m.

The reading is being coordinated and hosted by the 202022 Prince William Poet Laureate, Kim B. Miller. Miller was appointed by the Prince William County Arts Council, and they love to celebrate local artists.

When applying to be the Poet Laureate for Prince William, applicants must select a platform to run on. Miller’s was to expand poetry online so people could have access to poetry.

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Miller was able to hone in her platform’s focus, and she shared poetry with schools by performing online for classes. She also recited poetry for churches, Northern Virginia Community College and other online programs.

“My platform is expanding poetry, especially online. When the application process started, we were already heavily affected

by COVID, I had to include a big online component to my platform,” Miller said. “My platform includes establishing online avenues for people to explore our poetry and my poetry in Prince William and to establish (a web page) and a social media presence.”

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Kim Miller performing poetry at Jirani Coffeehouse.

Come Together Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Poetry Month reading would have occurred in person, now it’s taking place online so viewers can stay safe and view a variety of poems from the comfort of their home. Miller was responsible for notifying poets in the area to write and perform poems in a pre-recorded video that will air the day of the reading.

“I invited everyone in the Prince William Poet Laureate Circle to submit a video, because I wanted to make a video collage to present to everyone in April of all the phenomenal poets in the circle. I gave them plenty of notice (to work on their video).

April will be very special for those who choose to participate,” Miller said.

As for the poem Miller plans to read? Not even she knows the answer to that question just yet.

“That's the magic question. I can decide right now and then get there, that moment and decide I’m not reading it. So that's why I never tell people ahead of time that I'm going to be reading any particular poem because in the end I may actually change my mind. And sometimes my decision is based on someone who read something beautiful, and it touched me and lead me to another poem I wrote, or ‘there have been six poems on that subject, so let me switch to a different subject.’ I don't know which ones I'll be reading yet until I see what everyone else picks. I definitely want it to be diverse and not have 20 poems on the same subject.”

Life Saver Miller describes her poems as being “bold, unapologetic, blunt and real.” She writes a combination of different poems: full poems, freehand poems, haiku and what she calls “Kim-isms,” which are pieces of advice or quotes from Miller herself.

Miller wasn’t always a poet. She says her first love was dancing, and in high school she wrote love letters to her boyfriend who later became her husband. That’s when her love of writing began.

To Miller, writing poetry gives her a freedom to write about anything from any perspective, whether she has experienced what she is writing about or not. It’s obvious poetry is important to Miller, and she hopes to share a small sliver of that importance with the people of Prince William during a time of uncertainty and isolation. She hopes that poetry, whether that be their own or someone else’s, helps them get through this difficult time.

“One (importance of poetry) is sanity, because I think writing in general is freeing because when you write your pain, you’re giving yourself freedom. Now, that doesn't mean it solves everything. I'm not trying to make it all candy and rainbows, but it's freeing when you are able to speak even to paper,” Miller said. “And in a time like COVID, where there is so much going on, some people feel isolated and some introverts may like some time to themselves. People react differently. I know some poets personally, who have said poetry has saved their lives. They were not talking metaphorically. The ability to speak on their pain, the ability to write their pain down, gave them solace and gave them permission to grieve and heal.”

For more information on the National Poetry Month reading visit pwcartscouncil.org/poet-laureate or kimbmiller.com/ poet-laureate. For more information on Kim B. Miller visit kimbmiller.com Emily Carter is a senior at Virginia Tech majoring in Multimedia Journalism. She is currently the Lifestyles Editor at Virginia Tech’s student-run paper, the Collegiate Times. When she is not writing, she is either dancing alone to Taylor Swift or cooking herself a giant bowl of pasta.

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lifelong learning Online Help for Parents: Classes and Resources

by Donna Dowdy

C

hildren don't come with instruction manuals or troubleshooting guides, though parents often wish they did. They arrive one happy day and suddenly make us parents.

While we feel the love and anticipate the rewards, we have been thrust into the most important and challenging job of our lives.

We have no degree in parenting, we don't get to clock out at 5:00 and we will often second guess ourselves. As parents, we've entered into an unwritten contract to nurture and guide our children along the road to responsible adulthood. We worry about the potholes and unplanned detours along that road.

Parenting can be overwhelming, for sure. But take heart, help is just a few clicks away. You can take advantage of numerous online parenting classes and resources to help you build upon your skills to become a better parent. You can learn the best parenting style for your child's personality, how to better handle daily issues and conflicts, and what to expect at different ages and stages. Best of all, you may find new confidence and a support network.

Let's take a look at some of the parenting classes and resources available, starting locally. There just might be one that directly targets your current parenting challenges or concerns.

Parenting Classes in Prince William Prince William offers virtual parenting classes through the Virginia Cooperative Extension. All classes are currently virtual via Zoom and are very reasonably priced. Below are examples of their current class offerings. Visit pwcgov.org for upcoming spring classes and dates. Preregistration is required. n Systematic Training for Effective Parenting is for parents who want to learn how to communicate better with their children and how to discipline them more effectively. The facilitator uses videos, handbooks and a textbook in a discussion format. The class is offered for three age groups: young children, school-age children and teenagers. n When Families Get Angry – Is there too much yelling in your house? Anger can take its toll on a family. This class was developed at Virginia Tech and focuses on the effects of anger on families and how to deal with it more constructively. The anger may be between parents, siblings, or parents and children.

Parenting Classes from Well-Known Sources n Positive Discipline classes (positivediscipline.com) are based on the best-selling Positive Discipline book series by Dr. Jane Nelsen.

The class includes six video lessons, access to those videos for

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April 2021 prince william living

a year, a downloadable workbook and an e-book version of Positive Discipline. You can watch an introductory video on the website that introduces the five criteria of Positive Discipline. n From Conflict to Cooperation: Understanding and Preventing Power Struggles with your Children (mlparentcoach.com/ online-parenting-course/) is a course by Meghan Leahy, the Washington Post parenting columnist. The objective is to “cultivate an easier, more peaceful relationship with your child.” If you're tired of fighting with your child or find that punishments are no longer working, Meghan Leahy can help.

Free Parenting Resources and Classes If you're unsure about online classes and want to try one at no cost, check out the sites below. You will also find many helpful resources, like articles and videos. n Peace at Home Parenting Solutions (peaceathomeparenting. com/register-free-online-parenting-class) offers free online parenting classes that let you ask questions and receive answers from parenting experts, as well as chat with other parents. You can also choose the option of recorded classes to listen to at your

own pace. Peace at Home’s mission is “to connect parents with inspiring experts and each other so they easily gain the skills and support they need to build positive, peaceful and playful families." n Up To Parents (uptoparents.org), formerly ProudtoParent.org, offers free co-parenting classes for separated, divorced and single parents. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate. Watch their two-minute video to learn more about the program. n At Generation Mindful (genmindful.com/pages/free-positiveparenting-class), you will find parenting articles and the offer of a free positive parenting class, as well as tools and toys you can purchase to help you implement new strategies. The free class is the first class of the six-part online program. You can decide if it's right for you before investing any money.

Whether you're just feeling a little unsure of yourself or in constant conflict with your child, parenting classes and online resources can help with your parenting challenges. Invest a little time exploring these resources; it may yield a big pay-off. Perhaps you'll connect with other parents and discover the powerful benefits of a support network. You may also find the tools and knowledge to make parenting a little easier, to make you feel more confident and to make the precious days with your child more enjoyable.

Donna Dowdy is a parent, grandparent, former teacher and published children's writer.

n At Verywell Family (verywellfamily.com/best-online-parentingclasses-4845080), you will find seven of the best online parenting classes, with summaries and direct links to each one.

The Verywell Family website is, in itself, an excellent online source for parents. Their wealth of valuable content is “written by more than 100 healthcare professionals and industry experts including experienced pediatricians and parenting coaches, and is then vetted by board-certified physicians.” The site has a Parenting page and an Ages and Stages page with links to information on all aspects of parenting.

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WHERE SHOULD YOU GO? A Quick Guide to Help You Make the Right Decision for Your Health Care.

PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR

URGENT CARE

EMERGENCY ROOM

By Appointment Same/Next Day Prevention & Health Management

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Open 24/7

• Check ups & annual physicals • Flu shots & other vaccines • Common illnesses • • • • • • • • •

(mild flu/cold like symptoms) Ear pain Frequent/painful urination Mild to moderate asthma

Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea Migraines/headaches Health screenings & routine tests Mental health concerns Unexplained weight changes Ongoing/chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, pre-diabetes, COPD, hypertension, etc.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Non-life threatening concerns Cold/flu symptoms Vomiting or diarrhea Cough Sore throat Fever Ear pain Sinus conditions Bug bites or small animal bites Sprains, strains or fractures Simple cuts/lacerations Rashes Minor burns

PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS

URGENT CARE LOCATION

Sentara Medical Group

Velocity Urgent Care

2280 Opitz Blvd., Suite 250 Woodbridge, VA 22191

16422 Navigation Dr. Woodbridge, VA 22191

12825 Minnieville Rd., Suite 202 Lake Ridge, VA 22192

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1-844-615-1237

Sentara Family Health Connection (Medical services may be available for Qualified Uninsured Patients.)

703-523-0998

sentara.com/getcarenow

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April 2021 prince william living

571-297-1437

• Serious life or limb threatening emergencies

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chest pain or difficulty breathing Sudden loss of consciousness Head or eye injury Bluish skin color Numbness in limbs or face Sudden dizziness or confusion Persistent vomiting Open bone fracture/wounds Severe burns Anaphylactic shock Slurred speech Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy Poisoning or overdose Call 911 if you are having a life threatening emergency.

EMERGENCY ROOM LOCATIONS Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center 2300 Opitz Blvd.

Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1470

Sentara Lake Ridge 12825 Minnieville Rd. Woodbridge, VA 22192 (across from Tacket’s Mill Shopping Center)

703-523-9800

SENTARA NORTHERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL CENTER

IMAGING, LAB & THERAPY LOCATIONS IMAGING SERVICES

LAB SERVICES

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

Sentara Therapy Center – Reid’s Prospect

2300 Opitz Blvd.

Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1560

2300 Opitz Blvd.

Woodbridge, VA 22191

4565 Daisy Reid Ave., Suite 215 Woodbridge, VA 22192 703-523-8750 Fax: 571-298-3188 Scheduling Department: 855-852-9066

Sentara Heart & Vascular Center 2300 Opitz Blvd.

Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1980

Advanced Imaging Center Lake Ridge 12825 Minnieville Rd., Suite 100 Woodbridge, VA 22192 703-523-1560

Sentara Lorton Station Women’s Imaging Center 8986 Lorton Station Blvd.

Suite 200 Lorton, VA 22079 703-820-8320

Ultrasound Associates 5055 Seminary Rd., Suite 104 Alexandria, VA 22311 703-820-8320

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center Mobile Mammography

Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Walk-ins welcome during lab operation hours.

• Electrocardiograms (EKGs) are performed here Monday – Friday.

• Last registration 30 minutes prior to closing.

Sentara Lake Ridge 12825 Minnieville Rd. Suite 100 Lake Ridge, VA 22192 Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• Walk-ins welcome during lab operation hours.

• Electrocardiograms (EKGs) are performed here.

• Last registration 30 minutes prior to closing.

The mobile mammography van brings mammography to a woman’s employer, church or other locations near their home, so they can set aside the time more easily for this important screening tool.

THERAPY SERVICES

Sentara Therapy Center – Century 2280 Opitz Blvd., Suite 210 Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1680 Fax: 571-589-2009 Scheduling Department: 855-852-9066

Sentara Wound Healing Center 2296 Opitz Blvd., Suite 130 Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-0660 Fax: 571-542-9965

Sentara Diabetes & Nutrition Management 2296 Opitz Blvd., Suite 320 Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-0590 Fax: 844-812-4052

Cardiac & Pulmonology Rehabilitation at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center 2300 Opitz Blvd.

Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1280

Outpatient Infusion Center at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

For more information or to schedule the mobile mammography van for a specific location, please call 703-523-1997.

Information as of March 2021

2300 Opitz Blvd.

Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-0640 Fax: 703-670-4098

sentara.com/getcarenow prince william living April 2021

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health & wellness Eat Right, Live Longer Provided by Novant Health UVA Health System

Diet is now ranked as leading cause of death in the United States, ahead of tobacco use and high blood pressure.

W

e’ve all been told about the benefits of a healthy diet.

What is generally less well-known is just how risky poor nutrition can be.

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States ahead of tobacco use and high blood pressure year after year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, the CDC reports a person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and high cholesterol are all factors that increase risk for heart disease — and all are preventable.

“After stopping smoking, the most important thing someone can do to lower their risk of death and disease is eat a healthy diet and have a good exercise routine,” said Ivory Lira, RDN, a registered dietitian with Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Surgical Associates.

Health Problems Caused by Eating an Unhealthy Diet

Based on what she sees at her office, Ivory said the four major health issues caused by eating an unhealthy diet are: n Cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and stroke n Obesity, and by extension diabetes, increased cancer risk and joint pain, to name just a few n Cognitive decline, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease n Increased cancer risk “These are some of the most common causes of illness and death in the country and minority communities are disproportionately affected,” said Lira. “In our practice, nearly every patient suffers from at least one of these conditions.”

Research has shown diet also plays a role in other common conditions including lung disease, depression, anxiety, autoimmune diseases and autoinflammatory conditions.

Eat This, Not That

Lira says there are six major offenders that pose the greatest dietary risks. Below, she offers some switches you can make to improve your diet and eating habits: n Processed foods – Be aware that chips, crackers, packaged meats, TV dinners and soups tend to be high in salt (sodium), trans and saturated fats, and sugars. n Added sugar – This comes in soda, juice, desserts, cookies,

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April 2021 prince william living

snack cakes, candy, coffee syrups and sweetened creamers, and some breads. You can satisfy your nighttime sweet tooth with some berries with a small amount of whipped cream. n Far too little plant-based food – Many people struggle to eat the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. Keep cut veggies handy for a quick Ivory Lira, RDN snack or lunch box addition.

Turn an omelet or other eggs into a meal by stirring in a mixture of veggies, such as carrots, peppers, onions, mushrooms, or spinach and some low-fat cheddar cheese. n Unbalanced meals – Each plate of food we eat should be made up of vegetables and then some of each food group including protein and healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grains. n Too little fiber – We all need more fiber in our diet from sources like beans, peas, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fiber aids digestion, helps you feel fuller longer and can help with blood sugar and cholesterol control. n Skipping meals and excessive snacking – The body needs a ready supply of energy spaced consistently throughout the day. Try to modify your food intake by eating on a regular schedule. Plan your meals and snacks.

“Almost all of the conditions we deal with on a daily basis, no matter what their causes, can be improved by a diet rich in plants, increased physical activity and smoking cessation,” said Lira.

For more information on weight-loss services at Novant Health UVA Health System, visit NovantHealthUVA.org/weightloss.

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family fun

Tips for Celebrating Earth Day

By Jennifer Halter

T

his year, Earth Day will be recognized on April 22.

The theme set by the Earth Day Network (earthday. org) for the annual observance is Restore Our Earth.

Although we have a day set aside to celebrate Earth Day, there are many ways you and your family can participate in helping protect the environment all yearround. Here are some ideas.

Ideas for Your Home Recycle. If you aren’t currently recycling at home, it’s easy to create a system the whole family can follow.

Set up bins/boxes for the various items (plastic, glass, aluminum, etc.). Local dollar stores have a variety of baskets and containers if you don’t have anything at home. You can also make this a fun craft project by allowing the kids to decorate and label the bins with items you currently have, such as leftover cardboard from delivery boxes.

Donate. Donating old or unused clothing, toys and other household items not only frees up space in your home, but it keeps those items from ending up in landfills. Since children grow quickly, you could set up a clothing swap within your neighborhood or local parenting group. You may be able to find gently used items for your own family that may otherwise end up in the trash.

Conserve water. There are lots of small, simple steps you can take to help conserve water, and, if you pay for yours, it will help save money, too. You can take quick showers instead of a full bath. Only run your washing machine and/or dishwasher when they have full loads. Turn off

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faucets when brushing teeth or washing hands instead of letting the water continuously run. Water your yard or garden in the early morning or late evening, since water evaporates more quickly under the light of the sun.

Save electricity. With using more electronics and devices over the last year, electricity bills may have increased. Conserve electricity by turning off lights when leaving a room and unplug devices when not in use.

Reduce food waste. Reducing food waste can be a challenge at times, especially if you have picky eaters in your family. Meal planning is a great option that will help you buy and use only what you need. This is a great opportunity to get your family involved.

Have them help you plan meals everyone will enjoy, creating less waste. Got leftovers? Have a mashup night where you use the leftovers from the week instead of preparing a new meal.

Use reusables. It’s convenient to buy disposable cups, utensils and plates, but you can save money and reduce waste by investing in reusable items. Use a refillable water bottle or a water pitcher instead. Look for mugs or tumblers that keep your beverage hot or cold, so you don't need to use energy to reheat if needed. Take your own bags to the grocery store instead of using multiple plastic bags.

Ideas for Outdoors Organize a neighborhood clean-up. Whether you do this with neighbors or just within your own family, cleaning up your outdoor spaces not only looks great,

Compost. Start a compost bin to make your own nutrient-dense, organic compost to use in your own garden or flowerbeds. You can find a lot of ideas online for how to start your own. Use leftover items such as fruits, vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds, yard trimmings and more to make yours.

but is a huge help to the environment. Picking up and disposing of litter allows what’s underneath to grow.

Removing weeds and old leaves will allow healthy plants and flowers to bloom and protect wildlife. If you get neighbors involved, divide up tasks based on the ages of participants. For example, younger children may be better suited for simple tasks, such as picking up small branches. For safety purposes, be sure to wear gloves.

If you are working near a busy street, consider wearing reflective clothing/gear so you are seen by passing vehicles.

Plant a tree or flowers … maybe even a garden! We may not all have the space to plant a tree, but planting anything from vegetables to flowers to herbs will help the environment in many ways, including purifying the air and producing oxygen. Planting is a great way to teach children about the life cycle of whatever it is you are growing and gives them an opportunity to get hands-on experience with providing care to help your plant friends bloom.

Have fun celebrating Earth Day every day with your family!

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

prince william living April 2021

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destinations

Pick a Pickleball

By Rena Malai

O

ne summer, a family in Washington State decided to go on vacation. So they packed up their kids and luggage and headed to one of the beautiful islands in the Pacific Northwest to enjoy the great outdoors.

American pastime, and Prince William is no exception to the pickleball craze.

Like any well-intentioned family vacation, it didn’t take long before the parents were going crazy trying to keep their kids entertained. So they asked them to do what parents since the beginning of time have been asking their kids to do — go out and play, and keep yourselves busy.

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and table tennis or ping pong, according to Jason Shriner, a Prince William-based PPR Certified Pickleball Coach.

Armed with various racquets and paddles, balls and a net, the kids trooped outside and started to play a netball game of sorts — pickleball, named for the family’s dog, Pickles.

This is one common urban legend of pickleball’s origins.

According to Pickleball Magazine, the game was created in 1965 on Washington’s Bainbridge Island, where the Pritchard family spent their summers. But it was the adults who trooped outside and made up the game, to prove to a bored 13 year old in the group that it could be done. There was a dog — Pickles — but the Pritchards insisted he came later and was named after the game, not the other way around.

The magazine says the name “pickleball” was chosen as a reference to the pickle boat term used in crew races — the boat that carries the leftover rowers who weren’t picked by other crew teams. Hence the way pickleball was said to be slapped together, with bits of equipment from other sports thrown in here and there to create something new.

However it came to be, pickleball has been rapidly gaining popularity across the country in recent years as the latest

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What is Pickleball?

“You use about ping pong size paddles and a hollow whiffle ball to play,” Shriner said. “It’s played on a smaller court (than a tennis court) and it’s addictive.”

A pickleball player for about five years, Shriner says the quick pace of the game keeps it engaging and exciting.

“A lot of games like football and soccer can take a lot of time to play out,” Shriner said. “You can play super quick, individual rallies in pickleball and it moves very fast. I could play for an hour, but it feels like five minutes.”

It is one of the hottest new sports, says CC Bartholomew, and a good way to spend time during the pandemic.

“It’s an easy game for all ages to learn and do, and it’s very affordable,” Bartholomew said. “I could play it all day and can’t get enough of it.”

Both Bartholomew, who is a real estate agent, and Shriner say the social aspects of pickleball make it simple for beginners to join and for seasoned players to continue.

“Pickleballers are a very warm and welcoming group of people,” Bartholomew said. “Especially now with people in their house all

Pickleball players playing at Pickleballerz

the time, it’s a great social arena to meet others.”

You don’t even need to bring your own equipment to a pickleball game if you don’t want to, says Bartholomew.

“People will share their paddles and anything else at pickleball games,” she said. “If someone wants to try it out for the first time, just say you’re new and someone will put a paddle in your hand.”

Game On Prince William residents who are interested in pickleball have several options for play.

According to Shriner, the community center at the City of Manassas Park offers pickleball programs and beginner classes, which is how he started playing.

“I used to be a baking instructor there, and Bonnie Ballentine, the pickleball ambassador for Manassas Park, got me into it,” Shriner said. “The ambassadors are a great place to start.”

Shriner also occasionally teaches pickleball classes at Pickleballerz, Northern Virginia’s premiere pickleball facility.

Located in Chantilly, Pickleballerz is owned by husband and wife team Greg and Beverly Raelson along with Greg’s father, Jeff.

With six indoor climate-controlled courts, leagues, classes and events, players from all over Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. frequent Pickleballerz for regular games and socializing.

“One of the great things about pickleball is that it’s relatively easy to pick up,” said Beverly Raelson. “It’s a good game for people of all ages. Come with friends and family, or stop by on your own.”

instructors like Shriner. Beginning and seasoned players alike have several options to get into a pickleball game at Pickleballerz, whether it’s signing up for clinics, reserving a court with family and friends, or being matched with other players for a game.

The Raelsons say to just give Pickleballerz a call, and they’ll take it from there.

Where to Play n The Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building in Woodbridge offers eight outdoor pickleball courts, the first dedicated pickleball courts in Prince William. Visit pwcgov.org/parks for more information. n Veteran’s Park in Woodbridge offers outdoor pickleball courts marked within existing tennis courts. These are free and available on a first-come/first-served basis. Visit pwcgov. org/government/dept/park/vetspark for more information. n Prince William County has appointed pickleball ambassadors who are great resources for the game. To find an ambassador, visit pwc.org. n Visit the site places2play.com to find neighborhood pickleball courts, games and groups. n Pickleballerz, NOVA’s premiere pickleball facility in Chantilly, offers everything for beginning and seasoned players alike from courts, to classes, to equipment. Visit pickleballerzusa.com or call 703-657-2100. Be sure to mention the intro coupon!

Rena Malai is a contributing writer for Prince William Living.

She can be reached at rmalai@princewilliamliving.com.

Pickleballerz offers beginner classes, including a free one-hour introduction to the game by one of the center’s pro pickleball prince william living April 2021

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local flavor

La Finca Gainesville

Inspired by “The Farm”

By Amy Falkofske | Photos by Brenda Wolfe

L

a Finca Mexican opened its doors at 11 a.m. on January 25, 2021, with a sizable lunch crowd and an even bigger dinner crowd. The following day was even busier for Gainesville’s newest authentic Mexican restaurant. Although COVID restrictions didn’t allow for a typical grand opening, it’s safe to say that La Finca made an impression on Prince William residents right off the bat.

“Awesome food, really nice staff. Can’t wait for it to be warm enough to eat outside. Definitely a spot to try if you’re in the area,” said RJ, Facebook reviewer.

“Excellent food and service. I will be back,” said Paul, another Facebook reviewer.

La Finca’s Second Location The original La Finca restaurant is located in Arlington and has been so successful owner Shawn Clark and his partners jumped at the chance to open in the Gainesville/Haymarket area.

“My partners and I saw an opportunity to bring that [success] to the Gainesville/Haymarket area and we jumped on it! We live here, we work here, we raise our children here and we wanted to be a part of this economy as well and give Prince William County a place they could depend on for quality authentic Mexican food,” said Clark.

Inspired by “The Farm” La Finca is Spanish for “the farm,” and that’s the inspiration for both La Finca’s food and its décor. According to Clark, many facets of the name are intertwined with the business.

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La Finca’s house salsa and bean dip with chips.

“Farmers are the backbone of our nation. They work hard until the last task is complete. They are genuine and thorough. They represent the genesis of the food on our tables — the freshness.

These are all things that we hope people feel and experience while they dine with us,” he said.

Once you step inside La Finca, you’ll be instantly transported to a farm with a western feel. There are pictures of horses and even a wagon wheel on the wall. The counters look like a cabinet out of a farm house and the tables have wooden tops.

Authentic Mexican Food Clark said he anticipates a lot of tacos, burritos and fajitas being served.

“I may be biased, but they are all great and yes, I’ve tried them all personally! ... but what I really hope is that we can make folks comfortable enough to know that we can make their go-to Mexican dishes so well that they are confident enough to expand their horizons and try an authentic dish,” he said.

He specifically mentioned the Molcajete, which he said is “an absolute work of Mexican art.”

“When you order [this dish], you’ll get to taste every protein from a thin strip of steak off the grill to a grilled chicken breast that has been marinated in our special seasoning. We begin by topping the hand-crafted rock bowl with mouth-watering grilled vegetables and fresh Pico de Gallo, then finish by adding the exquisitely cut and marinated steak strip and grilled chicken breast. It’s a plate that will truly give you a taste of Mexico’s cuisine,” said Clark.

Another authentic Mexican dish that you can get at La Finca’s is the Alambre, which is “a delicious fiesta for your taste buds as you get to experience the tasteful mix of grilled steak, chicken and delicious Mexican ham. Every piece of this plate is perfectly matched to perfection with the side of rice and beans,” said Clark.

Finally, the Camarones a la Diabla is “a tastefully put together plate with sautéed shrimp drowned in our signature homemade Diablo spicy hot sauce. This plate is spicy, tasty and is guaranteed to fulfill that craving for spicy that you have.

For seafood with a spicy twist, you can’t go wrong with the Camarones a la Diabla,” said Clark.

Top-Notch Customer Service Clark said his goal, and the goal of his staff, is for every customer to leave satisfied.

“We will always strive to make every dish delicious, each

La Finca’s Cheese Steak Double Burrito.

experience excellent and every customer satisfied. If for any reason they aren’t, I would hope they would give us the opportunity to improve any shortcomings,” he said.

“Whether you were customer number 1 or number 1,000,000, we hope you’ll find the experience and the quality to be everything that you’d hope for. We look forward to serving you and your family the best Mexican dishes in the area,” said Clark.

Hope for the Future Although La Finca has only been open a short time, Clark hopes the restaurant will become a staple in the community.

“I want La Finca to be the answer when the question is ‘What do you want for dinner?’ I want La Finca to replace the ‘I don’t know’ reply that we have all given and received,” he said.

La Finca Gainesville Mexican is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. It’s located at 7615 Heritage Village Plaza in Gainesville.

Amy Falkfoske is a freelance writer and photographer. She has a Master’s degree in Film-TV with a concentration in screenwriting.

She lives in Bristow with her husband, two boys and two Beagle dogs. prince william living April 2021

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home & hearth Deep Cleaning Hacks You Wish You’d Known Sooner

By Katherine Gotthardt

T

here’s a reason why people tend to put off deep cleaning the house, often waiting for spring. It’s not just about the season and opening the windows for fresh air. It’s about getting the motivation to complete those pesky tasks many of us move to the back of our minds the rest of the year. If you’re one of those people who always seems to be saying “I’ll clean that later,” keep reading. These cleaning hacks can make your life a lot easier, and your home a lot cleaner.

Clean the blinds – We know this is not everyone’s favorite task.

How do you clean all those individual slats? Here’s an easy way to conquer dirt and dust. First, close the blinds. Then slide an old, long sock over your hand. Dip it in a mix of vinegar and water and run it across the surface of each blade. Reverse the slats and repeat the cleaning on the other side. Voila. You’re well on your way to a cleaner home.

Descale the showerhead – Showerhead stains got you down?

Those stains might also be blocking the water stream. Instead of replacing the fixture entirely, try descaling it like this. Take the showerhead off and soak it in a bag of two parts vinegar mixed with one part water for about 20 minutes. (You’ll need to seal the bag to do this, so be sure to use a tight tie of some kind to avoid spillage.) Then rinse with clear water. If stains do not rinse off, soak it for an additional 10 minutes and repeat until clean.

Dust the ceiling fans – Here’s a great way to get the dust off those hard-to-reach fans without having dust bunnies fall all over the floor (and you). Get a sturdy ladder or stool and a pillowcase. Once you can safely reach the fan, open the pillowcase wide and slide it over a fan blade towards the center. Then close the pillowcase and apply gentle pressure as you slide it back away from the center. The pillowcase will capture the dust. Repeat for each blade, using fresh pillowcases as desired.

Dust the lampshades – Dust really resists coming off fabric shades, so chances are, you tend to put off this task. Ready for this cleaning hack? Use a lint roller. Slide your hand inside the shade to support it and roll away on the outside, top to bottom, making your way around the circumference of the shade. (For pleated lampshades, roll from side to side so as not to disturb the pleats.) You’ll have a cleaner lampshade with little effort.

Brighten sinks and surfaces – If your cabinets, refrigerator and kitchen sink have stubborn stains, try this. Mix a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of vegetable oil and coat a brush.

Scrub surface areas in a circular motion. Wipe off the mixture with dish soap and water. Follow up with a rinse of water and then dry. You should see shinier, cleaner surfaces in no time.

Cleaning the house takes time, effort and motivation, and many

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of us are lacking in at least one of these areas when it comes to doing dirty jobs. The trick is to find what works for you. Make the process simple (and even fun!), and you’ll see you can have the clean house you want any time of the year.

Social Media Director for Prince William Living, Katherine Gotthardt (kgotthardt@princewilliamliving.com) is an awardwinning writer, poet and author, as well as president of Write by the Rails, the Prince William chapter of the Virginia Writers Club. Learn about her work at KatherineGotthardt.com.

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

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

Yoga studios and gyms are offering both live and virtual classes. Libraries, churches, and businesses are offering online events along with some in-person events. The Prince William Chamber of Commerce (pwchamber.org) has been offering webinars. We encourage you to continue ordering takeout and delivery from local restaurants.

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

Making the Most of Prince William Living

Online – On Demand Are you an advertiser with Prince William Living or interested in becoming one?

Now online, our publisher Rebecca Barnes will help you discover how to “Make the Most of Prince William Living.” Meet the people behind greater Prince William’s premier lifestyle magazine. Visit princewilliamliving.com/ lunchwiththepublisher.

Dale City Farmers Market

Sundays | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dale City Commuter Lot 14090 Gemini Way, Dale City Since 1987, Dale City Farmers Market, run by the Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation, has been at the forefront of serving Prince William County residents.

april

First Friday Flights

Fri. April 2 | 4 to 9 p.m.

Aroma Wine Tasting 9249 Center St., Manassas On the first Friday of each month, Aroma Wine Tasting in Manassas offers their wine flight — four half-glasses of wine.

Spotlight on Virtual History Talks

Weds. April 7, 14, 21, 28 | noon to 1 p.m.

Online – Presented by City of Manassas Check out facebook.com/ cityofmanassasleisure every Wednesday at noon for virtual history talks.

Financial Literacy Series: Teen Money Camp

Wed. April 7 | 6 p.m.

Historic Dumfries 17739 Main St., Dumfries Teens: Get a glimpse of your financial future with fun games and activities that will give you a range of financial skills.

Find out if your lifestyle, career path and financial choices have you leading the life of luxury or if you'll need to make changes to your budget. This workshop will be facilitated by Mr. Rob Williams and hosted by Councilwoman Neville. Parents are required to stay on the premises while tweens and teens participate in the workshop. There will be a parenting roundtable in the adjacent room during this event. Everyone who attends will receive some VACU swag, and the camp ends with a pizza party.

This is a free event for ages 12 to 18.

Science & History of Gardening

Sat. April 10 | 10 a.m. to noon Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow Bring the family to the Haislip-Hall House for a day of science and history; help plant the vegetable garden at the Historic Haislip-Hall House this spring! Learn about the agricultural history of Prince William; learn about what different types of plants were grown and how they were used. Conduct a soil and water experiment to learn about pollution and irrigation.

Program will run rain or shine; please dress appropriately and bring gardening gloves.

Reservations are required: 703-365-7895.

Doggie Days of Spring – Treat Hunt

Sat. April 10 | 1 to 3 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Park 14300 Veterans Dr., Woodbridge Bring your dog to the park and enjoy an afternoon of activities for large and small dogs. Dogs must remain on a leash and be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.

Costume contest, treat hunt, vendors and more! Proof of rabies vaccination required.

Dog food donation appreciated. Register: parksandrec.pwcgov.org.

Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Celebrating Beethoven Sun. April 11 | 7 p.m.

Online – Presented by Hylton Performing Arts Center A digital concert filmed live at the Hylton Center. Piano virtuoso Jeffrey Siegel celebrates the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth with some of the composer’s best-loved works. Tickets: hylton.calendar.gmu.edu.

Women’s Wedding Network Wed. April 14 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Online – Presented by Brides & Weddings Magazine The wedding industry is filled with tons of great people who are helping to bring dreams to reality. Have you worked with them? If you would like to meet others in the wedding industry, then join us at the next Women’s Wedding Network.

Register: bridesandweddings.com.

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

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April 2021 prince william living

The Ellis’ Magnificent Garden

Sat. April 17 | 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge Wade and Dessie Ellis’ “country home,” Rippon Lodge, was featured in Virginia’s Historic Garden Week from the late 1920s to the late 1940s. Visit Rippon Lodge for this social-distanced outdoor program with staff and gardeners who make the landscaped surroundings possible. Learn about how the outdoor landscape has evolved from a tobacco plantation into a public park! Tour is approximately 90 minutes and will involve outdoor walking over uneven terrain. Tour will begin on the front porch of the 1747 Lodge down the paved walkway from the parking lot.

Masks required indoors and strongly suggested outdoors.

Beavers, Bats and RedWinged Blackbirds

Sat. April 17 | 2 to 4 p.m.

Neabsco Creek Boardwalk 15125 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge How do beavers, bats and red-winged blackbirds spend their days and nights?

This boardwalk hike will focus on these animals that call Neabsco Creek their

home. Bring your binoculars and dress for the weather. Meet at the Neabsco Regional Park pavilion. May be canceled/ rescheduled due to inclement weather.

Creative Brush Art Show Opening Reception

Sun. April 18 | 1 to 6 p.m.

Creative Brush Studio 8951 Center St., Manassas Creative Brush presents a group exhibition of new works, “Seven Expressions,” featuring gallery artists Kathy Dick, Michele Frantz, John Hartt, Kristine Pfeiffer, Josepha Phillips, Christine Raymond and Mary Reilly. The “Seven Expressions” show will run from April 16 to May 29, with an opening reception on April 18 from 1 to 6 p.m. Gallery hours are from 1 to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and by private appointment before 1 p.m.

Teenage Paint, Sip & Munch Night

Tues. April 20 | 6 to 8 p.m.

Sharron Baucom Dale City Rec Center 14300 Minnieville Rd., Woodbridge This instructor-led class is a drop-off event for the beginner, budding or advanced artist. Each student will explore acrylic

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paint techniques while creating their own canvas painting. Students will leave with their own canvas painting. Light snacks included. Bring a friend for an evening of fun! Register: parksandrec.pwc.org. Ages 12 to 18.

Calligraphy Class in the Brentsville Schoolhouse

Sat. April 24 | 10 a.m. to noon Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow When the Brentsville Schoolhouse was in use between 1929 and 1944, one of the skills taught to students was penmanship.

Join historic preservation staff at the historic schoolhouse for a beginner's introduction to the art of calligraphy.

During this two-hour workshop, you will learn about the historic importance of writing forms, a few basic traditional calligraphy styles, have the chance to try out your own new calligraphy skills and learn some history along the way. Advance registration is required at pwcparks.org/ historicprograms.

Your PWPLS Digital Library Audiobooks, e-books, music, movies, and more: all available on your devices, all free with your PWPLS library card.

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Have an event? Visit princewilliamliving.com/events to submit details to our online calendar. prince william living April 2021

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

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April 2021 prince william living

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