Prince William Living October 2013

PAGE 10

DEJA BREW COFFEE HOUSE

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SILVER DINER

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DO I NEED A PASSPORT TO GO THERE?

prince william living October 2013

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Crazy about

Coffee BadWolf Brewing Company PAGE 12

THE HOUSE: A Place for Youth to Call Home PAGE 22 www.princewilliamliving.com

table of contents October 2013 Vol. 3 No. 10

FEATURE STORY Coffee: For the Community, By the Community ................................................4

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

4 Photo courtesy Chris Lehto

on a high note Deja Brew Coffee House: Where the Arts Are Celebrated ............................10 destinations BadWolf Brewing Company: Craft Beer Comes to Manassas ..............................12 taking care of business Ian and Lindsey Colton: Climbing eir Own Mountain ..........................16 family fun Monster Marshmallows! ......................................18 giving back e House: A Place for Youth to Call Home ..........................22

16 Photo courtesy Chris Lehto

local flavor Silver Diner: Healthful Choices Redefine the American Classic..............................26 calendar ..............................................................32 tambourines and elephants Do I Need a Passport to Go ere? ......................35

COLUMNS health & wellness ................................................14 home & hearth ....................................................24 your finances ......................................................30 Discover Prince William & Manassas................33

26 Photo courtesy Chris Lehto

prince william living October 2013 | 1

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com Contributing Writers Audrey Harman, Lauren Jackson, Paul Keily, Helena Tavares Kennedy, Kristina Schnack Kotlus, Dr. Christopher Leet, Ann Marie Maher, Olivia Overman, Jennifer Rader, DeeDee Corbitt Sauter, Bennett Whitlock, Vickie Williamson Editorial Staff Emily Guerrero, Peter Lineberry, Val Wallace Photographers Rob Arnold, Sean Floars, Chris Lehto

Prince William Living 4491 Cheshire Station Plaza, PMB 55 Dale City, VA 22193 Phone: (703) 232-1758 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Editorial offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 2 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Advertising offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 3 Efax: (703) 563-9185 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.

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

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Marketing Director Amanda Causey Copy Assistant Graphic Design and Production Alison Dixon/Image Prep Studio Advertising Account Executives Michelle Geenty and Jennifer Rader Prince William Living, the premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly

by Prince William Living, Inc. e opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living. © Copyright 2013 by Prince William Living, Inc. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced or translated without written permission. Visit the Prince William Living website at www.princewilliamliving.com for reprint permission.

Subscription rate is $12 (Continental U.S.) for one year.

Change of address notices should be sent to Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com.

Reprints and Back Issues: To order article reprints or request reprint permission, please visit the Prince William Living website: www.princewilliamliving.com. Order back issues by emailing Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com For further information about Prince William Living, visit www.princewilliamliving.com, or contact Prince William Living at (703) 232-1758.

2 | October 2013 prince william living

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

Get More Prince William Living You don’t have to wait a whole month for more great information about your community. Visit www.pwliving.com any time to get daily updates on events, the arts, nonprofits, dining and entertainment in your neighborhood. Look for Prince William Living contests, get-togethers, deals and more. You can also submit a story or event online. Stay plugged into what is happening and what is important to you. Prince William Living is your community magazine, all month long.

Join Our Team of Advertising Representatives We know your type. You are a self-starter, somebody who people respect and want to say “yes” to. You never do anything halfway.

With at least two years of sales experience, you have mastered the art of truly listening so that you can deliver real value to clients. The idea of carving out a profession that puts you in the center of our growing community is energizing.

Flexible is our middle name. This contract position offers you flexibility. Working full- or part-time, control your earning potential and build a schedule that offers work-life balance. Though you will be “your own boss,” you will have the full support of our staff and be a valued member of the Prince William Living team— while growing professionally and leaving your mark on the greater Prince William community.

The ideal candidate has at least two years of sales experience and a passion for the Prince William Living mission. Sound like you? Send your resume to our publisher at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com.

from the publisher Celebrating Two of Our Favorite ings: Java & Giving Back

W

hether it’s the comforting aroma or the caffeine itself, here at Prince William Living, the workday doesn’t really start until we’ve had that first cup of java. If you, too, like your cup of Joe, check out this month’s feature, “Crazy about Coffee,” (page 4)

by Audrey Harman, to learn about locally owned shops serving freshly brewed coffee throughout Prince William.

Our “On a High Note” (page 10) follows the coffee trail, with Olivia Overman showing how the arts take center stage at a coffeehouse in Haymarket. en flip to “Local Flavor” (page 26), where Lauren Jackson looks at one of my favorite spots for latenight coffee, Silver Diner in Dale City. Learn how this diner is redefining healthful choices while maintaining its friendly AllAmerican feel.

For a brew of a different kind, Paul Keily introduces us (in “Destinations” on page 12) to BadWolf Brewery, the first craft brewery in Manassas. Read about the challenges that owners Jeremy and Sarah Meyers overcame to open the first business of this kind in Virginia.

For the youth of our community who may have their own struggles to overcome, e House, Inc., gives children a place to spend time that might otherwise be unsupervised. In “Giving

Advertiser Index ACTS ..........................................................................................36 Alpha Pets ................................................................................36 Ameriprise–Whitlock Wealth Management ............................31 Apple FCU ................................................................................31 The ARC of GPW ......................................................................36 Arcadia Run Apartments ..........................................................15 B101 ..........................................................................................37 Bargain Relo..............................................................................36 Barn, Inc.....................................................................................19 Beacon Electrical Services ......................................................36 Bella Vita....................................................................................21 Best Western Battlefield Inn ....................................................21 Bull Run Golf Glub....................................................................25 CAP Accounting, LLC................................................................31 Christ Chapel ............................................................................36 City of Manassas Park—Parks & Recreation ............................9 Confidence Realty ....................................................................30 Creative Brush Studio ..............................................................36 Cruise Planners ........................................................................36 Dance Etc...................................................................................34 Dansk Day Spa at Occoquan....................................................20 Discover Prince William & Manassas......................................33 Draped Window ........................................................................36 Edgemoor Art Studio................................................................36 EuroBronze................................................................................36 FURR Roofing............................................................................20 Gaeltek, LLC ..............................................................................34 Gainesville Ballet ......................................................................15 GEICO ..........................................................................................9

Back” (page 22), Helena Tavares Kennedy reveals this organization’s “whole-person” approach to providing kids with the resources they need to succeed in life.

We dedicate the “Giving Back” department of our magazine each month to stories on such not-for-profits as e House, Inc., highlighting organizations that improve the quality of life in Prince William. Now we want to hear your stories, as part of the first annual Prince William Living Giving Back Award.

Go to princewilliamliving.com/givingbackaward to nominate your favorite local nonprofit and help us in celebrating those who lift up our community. We’re accepting nominations throughout October. en I encourage you to take your support beyond the nomination form. Volunteer your time, money or voice to help further the mission of the organization you nominated. By giving of ourselves, we gain—by increasing our own fulfillment, making new friends and helping our community to thrive.

Sincerely, Rebecca Barnes Prince William Living Publisher

Golden Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics ............................14 Historic Manassas, Inc. ............................................................34 Imagewerks ..............................................................................36 Lavender Retreat ......................................................................15 Magnificent Belly Dance ..........................................................36 Manassas Chorale ....................................................................19 Merry Maids ..............................................................................20 Minnieland Academy................................................................19 Nova Music Center ..................................................................21 Novant Health ..........................................................................C4 Options for Senior America ....................................................36 Parrish Services ..........................................................................8 Patriot Scuba ............................................................................25 Peggy and Bill Burke, Virginia Realty Partners, LLC ..............24 Potomac Place ............................................................................9 Prince William Chamber of Commerce ..................................19 Prince William Historic Preservation Society..........................28 Prince William Ice Center ........................................................15 Realistic Art Photography ........................................................36 Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center ............................C2 Simply Stunning Faces ............................................................25 SPARK........................................................................................21 Stonewall Golf Club....................................................................9 The MarketPlace at Madison Crescent ..................................29 Tiny Dancers ............................................................................20 Upscale Resume Services........................................................36 Washington Square Associates ..............................................36 Westminster at Lake Ridge ......................................................34 WineStyles ................................................................................21 Yellow Cab ................................................................................36 Your College Planning Coach ..................................................31

prince william living October 2013 | 3

Coffee

For the Community, By the Community

By Audrey Harman, Contributing Writer

4 | October 2013 prince william living

Photo courtesy Photo-Rob/Realistic Art Photography

W

hen the days grow shorter and chillier, what can get you out of the house and has options for everyone? One answer: Your local communitybased coffee shop.

In a world where big-name coffee chains can be found at every shopping plaza and street corner, you might think that a love of coffee is something we all have in common. Clearly, it is big business.

Still, for us java fans, there’s nothing like discovering a little locally owned coffee shop that feels like home. I’m not knocking the bigname brands. Something can be said for the global presence that lends consistency wherever you go, but communities need a place to go that’s uniquely their own.

Why Local? e benefits of independently owned coffeehouses are plentiful.

Primarily, the owners are members of the community and personally invested in its success. Additionally, the money spent at these shops is much more likely to flow back into the neighborhood, boosting the local economy.

A handful of mom-and-pop java joints are tucked into neighborhoods throughout greater Prince William, such as Grounds Central Station in Manassas and Deja Brew Coffee House in Haymarket. One of the area’s originals, e Coffee House of Occoquan, located in Historic Occoquan, will soon close its doors after a 20-year run. e owner is retiring.

Shops such as these exist as a hub for the community. Like in many small businesses, employees learn your name and what you’re about. ey come to know the coffee you order most often and may make your favorite beverage as you walk in. (Mine is a medium “triple shot,” including toffee, almond milk and latte.)

Check out more here about these local businesses that have become staples in Prince William.

Grounds Central Station: A Cup of Cozy Grounds Central Station, located at 9360 Main Street in Old Town Manassas, was called “Simply Sweet on Main” when it opened more than three years ago. Owners Matthew and Jennifer Brower initially planned the shop to be a bakery that also served coffee, Brower said.

However, plans changed when “we didn’t sell as many pastries as originally planned. Coffee is what sold,” he said. So last year the couple held a contest that allowed the community to choose a new name that suited the shop as a coffeehouse. e shop owners selected six entries from among the hundreds submitted by patrons, according to an article in the Manassas Patch, which began polling readers for the winning name in August 2012. Patron Kathleen Mosimann’s suggestion was the winner. e Browers presented her with a gift card to the coffee shop, and the shop became “Grounds Central Station” earlier this year.

Matthew Brower, owner of Grounds Central Station, stands ready to make your favorite beverage.

Brower said he and his wife chose to open a bakery and coffee shop because he thought that type of business would not generate a lot of overhead. He also likes trying new things, he said. “Coffee was new to me,” he stated. He did have some experience, however. “I worked in restaurants, and I like the hospitality industry,” said Brower. e couple selected Manassas for their shop’s location “because there was no coffee shop in the area, there was foot traffic, it was in a charming old town and the building was already a coffee shop six months before we came in and didn’t need a lot of work,” Brower said.

As soon as they purchased the shop, the Browers, who lived in Florida at the time, moved to Prince William, where they relocated so Jennifer could attend school in the area. e shop’s first year and a half was difficult, said Brower, explaining that it was challenging at first to gain local residents’ trust and build a customer base. Ironically, many appeared skeptical about whether the shop would be successful and, therefore, didn’t frequent it, he said. Luckily, any skeptics tried the coffee, came back and became regulars.

Brower said one benefit of owning a small, community-based business is that customers know him by name, and he can personally listen and respond to their suggestions, changing menu fare to fit their tastes. Consequently, “the business has expanded based on what the customers want,” he said. “I taught myself and learned from what the guests were telling me I was doing wrong.” e Browers promote the shop as a relaxing environment where people can read and gather. e Prince William writers’ club Write by the Rails frequently meets there.

Grounds Central Station also hosts readings by local authors and performances by area artists and musicians. “We’re very busy, so planning events isn’t easy for us,” Brower said. “But we are willing to host events people would like to organize. If they approach us, we are happy to host their event.”

Brower said “a little of everyone” comes into the coffeehouse. In the mornings, the shop gets a lot of business meetings. Lunchtime (continues on page 6) prince william living October 2013 | 5

Photo courtesy Photo-Rob/Realistic Art Photography

(continued from page 5) brings area workers in for coffee and food, and families come in the evenings, he explained.

“We don’t get a lot of morning commuter traffic,” he added. “No one wants to be stuck on this side of the railroad tracks [during rush hour].”

Fall is the busiest season for Grounds Central Station, he said.

People don’t like to leave their houses as much in the winter, and hot beverages are not popular in summer, Brower explained.

Recently, he added smoothies, ice cream and bubble tea to the offerings in the hopes of drawing more business during the warmer months. Brower said selling them kept business steadier this summer. e most popular drink on the menu: “Anything with chocolate,” he laughed.

Other changes planned for the coffeehouse include outdoor seating (newly approved by the City of Manassas) and a large, overhanging sign. Visit www.groundscentralstation.com for updates, events and new menu items.

Deja Brew Coffee House: Community-Conscious Grounds Tom and Lisa Nichols opened Deja Brew Coffee House in Haymarket three and a half years ago as a shop with a community-conscious vibe. “Coffeehouses are community places. … Revolutions started out of coffee shops,” said Tom. While discussions at Deja Brew are more peaceful, Tom said that the shop acts as a community hub, or common grounds, with something for everyone.

To create a community-oriented atmosphere, the Nichols have included in Deja Brew a variety of seating areas, a bring-yourown-mug shelf for regular visitors, a book exchange—and a collection of musical instruments. Tom, who was a sound engineer in the music industry before opening Deja Brew, always wanted to manage a coffee shop that features local music as well as art, he said.

Showcasing the work of area artists, Deja Brew also hosts poetry readings, an open mic night, an acoustic club, jazz and even a “Twister” game night, Tom said. For young customers, there is story time on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and children’s music ursdays at 11 a.m.

Additionally, customers are encouraged to play the guitars and other instruments lining the walls. “I want Deja Brew to be inspirational to kids and people in music and arts. We’re not in it for the money,” said Tom. e Nichols modeled Deja Brew after the coffeehouses Tom visited in Europe during his earlier career, he said. In Europe, coffee shops are privately owned, neighborhood businesses, Tom said. “I love coffee,” he said. “I’m a coffee fanatic, and I love the history behind coffeehouses.”

6 | October 2013 prince william living

Customer Rob Arnold enjoys a beverage while making use of the free Wi-Fi at Deja Brew in Haymarket.

Opening Deja Brew initially in Gainesville, the Nichols eventually moved the shop closer to their home in Haymarket and near where their son, Max, was starting high school. Tom ensured that the coffeehouse, located at 5311 Merchants View Square, looked less corporate and more like a place where the community can come together, he said. e Nichols’ sense of community consciousness extends to events usually reserved for adults, such as the shop’s open mic nights.

Tom said he keeps the events, which mingle age groups, kidfriendly and encourages older children to act as role models for the younger ones. He said his most loyal customers are families.

“Coffee is a social thing, a bar alternative,” he said.

Tom emphasized that he wants Deja Brew to be a vehicle for enhancing Prince William. To that end, the Nichols started the Deja Brew Foundation, which raises money for children with health problems, Tom said. Partnering with local theater groups, the foundation raised $9,000 for a child with cerebral palsy and sold artwork by a woman with similar health problems to give her greater financial independence, he stated.

As independent owners of Deja Brew, the Nichols have the flexibility to make any changes they wish to their business, unlike chain operations, Tom said. “We’re not boxed in,” he explained.

“You couldn’t host a Twister night or have a ’70s disco night in a chain.”

Also, as the owner of a small business, he can make changes more quickly than owners of large businesses may be able to and respond sooner to what the community needs, he said.

One need he’s addressing is the desire for fresh, unprocessed food. All of the shop’s food are made from scratch and in-house, and the coffee is served within 10 days of roasting. e business is increasing its organic offerings, and Tom said that he eventually wants to purchase products from local farmers. e coffeehouse’s menu alters slightly with the seasons. In addition to coffee and tea, Deja Brew serves wine, beer, cider and even sake and mead.

Tom said that rather than experiencing a downturn following sequestration, business has been getting better because people are looking for a place that offers entertainment and escape. “I thought people would cut out coffee,” he said. “But they haven’t.”

For a list of upcoming events at Deja Brew, visit www.dejabrewcoffeehouse.com, which also features live streaming of events at the shop. Tom said that people from as far away as Australia have tuned in.

The Coffee House of Occoquan: Good to the Last Drop When Linda Caldwell opened e Coffee House of Occoquan 20 years ago, coffeehouses were a novelty in this area, she said. “ere was nothing like it in town when I opened,” said Caldwell, who combined the coffeehouse with a gift shop. Caldwell said she hosted live musical events to draw people into her coffee shop, which is housed in a historic 19th-century building.

“It’s a place where you can enjoy the ‘old-fashioned’ pluses, while the whole world is on roller skates,” laughed Caldwell. “I wanted to bring warmth. I know a lot of first names. If someone’s sick, we all help out however we can. Coffeehouses bring that smalltown warmth of people caring about each other.” e shop is undergoing renovations to get ready for sale, she said. However, Caldwell added that she should still be around for customers to drop into e Coffee House of Occoquan— but only for a little while longer. “I’m ready to relax and not have to work the long hours required of a coffeehouse,” said Caldwell. “e business has seen its ups and downs, but I’m ready to retire.”

She shared her well-wishes for the newer independently owned coffee shops in Prince William and encouraged people to check them out. “Go in and visit. Have a cup of coffee,” said Caldwell.

Now, after two decades of business, Caldwell has decided to retire.

She reminisced about people she has met and who rooted her to the town.

So the next time you’re feeling under-caffeinated, or if you just want a place to meet with your book club, take a look at locally owned coffee shops nearby. You may find that these businesses, like the shops featured here, offer a way to stay connected to your community.

She said her goal for her business was as a community meeting place where anybody can come and sit, but not have to spend a lot of money. “I was in this for the enjoyment, not the money, and I made a lot of friends over the years,” said Caldwell. She said that independently owned coffee shops such as hers attract people to sit and talk, instead of just grabbing coffee to go, and that patrons form a community where everybody knows each other.

Audrey Harman has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and creative writing from Hollins University in Roanoke, Va. She is pursuing a master’s degree in publications design at the University of Baltimore and lives in Woodbridge with her family.

Photo courtesy Chris Lehto

Patrons enjoying the last days of The Coffee House of Occoquan, which will close when owner Linda Caldwell retires this fall. When she opened it 20 years ago, it was the only place of its kind in Prince William. prince william living October 2013 | 7

8 | October 2013 prince william living

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on a high note

Photo courtesy Photo-Rob/Realistic Art Photography

Deja Brew Coffee House Where the Arts Are Celebrated

By Olivia Overman, Contributing Writer t’s like a big living room … a community shop,” said coowner Tom Nichols of Deja Brew Coffee House, which is tucked into Merchants View Square in Haymarket.

Nichols and his wife Lisa Nichols relocated their coffee shop in May 2010 from its Lee Highway address in Gainesville, where the coffeehouse first opened, to a more convenient location in the town nearby. ey have not looked back.

“I

Coffee with a Side of Art

Tom Nichols, formerly a sound engineer in the entertainment industry, set out to create a location with a music and arts vibe that people can enjoy while relaxing over a cup of coffee, he said.

“I really wanted to create a place that inspired the musicians, plus provide good coffee and good food,” Nichols said.

“Every Saturday night is open mic night, and we have people coming from D.C., Maryland, from all around the area,” said Nichols. “You don’t have to be local to enjoy these events; they are livecast online and seen around the world.”

At Deja Brew, customers can make themselves at home in comfortable lounge chairs, mingle, make use of the free Wi-Fi and explore the arts.

10 | October 2013 prince william living

e shop has become a community destination where local artists and authors display their work and musicians perform, sometimes on a whim. Each month, the coffeehouse features the work of a different artist, Nichols said. Musical performances vary, from professional jam sessions to brave souls making their way to the back of the room to sing at Deja Brew’s open mic night.

Lexi Peto, 14, from Warrenton, is among the performers at open mic night. “I come here to perform because it’s super awesome and because everyone here is super nice,” said Peto, who is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. “Everyone here accepts you for who you

Photo courtesy Photo-Rob/Realistic Art Photography

are. e first time I came here I just walked in, and they were automatically, like, so nice to me, so welcoming: ‘You’re a musician, we love you already.’”

Denise Philpott, from Annandale, also sings and plays guitar regularly at the coffeehouse. “I drive out here because I love the place, and I’ve met some really awesome musicians here,” said Philpott, who performs professionally. “Mostly I play by myself, but sometimes other people join in.”

A calendar of events on Deja Brew’s website (www.dejabrewcoffeehouse.com) sets out each month’s happenings, such as the acoustic listening club, jazz and blues jam and writers’ and poets’ night. For patrons who want to get in on the act, the eclectic collection of musical instruments that lines the walls is not just for show. Nichols encourages people to play the instruments, which are also available for purchase.

Additionally, Nichols sees his neighborhood-driven location as an outlet for children interested in the arts, and plans activities that encourage kids, he said. During a Deja Brew “Graffiti Event,” Nichols invited artists to paint on a mock wall he brought into the shop. He said the event allowed kids to talk to the artists, who discussed their work and showed the kids how to channel their artistic energy in positive ways.

He also schedules weekly events at the shop to expose children to the arts. Deja Brew has a half-hour story session every Tuesday at 10 a.m., when staff read to children while the kids’ parents take a break and relax over a cup of coffee. “Children’s Music Time,” ursdays at 11 a.m., are hour-long family sing-alongs. e shop also has movie nights, when kids’ meals are $1 off.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name Nichols said people come to Deja Brew to gather with friends and family and to meet new people as well. rough his desire to create a cozy and inviting community-oriented atmosphere, Nichols has strived to build his coffee shop into the type of place where everybody knows your name, he said. And, as the “Cheers” theme song goes, he added, you are always glad you came.

Establishing community connections and roots are important to Nichols. As a sound engineer, he spent much of his time on the road prior to opening Deja Brew, he said. After his son was born, he decided the time was right to put down roots and finally make a dream come true. “I always wanted to open a coffeehouse,” he said.

Offers More than Coffee e Nichols have made their coffee shop as “traditionally European as possible, offering smoothies, coffee, cappuccinos, and over 20 different types of teas,” he said. Smoothies, made to order with fresh fruit, are a customer favorite, he added. Beer, wine and even sake are also available.

Like most other coffee shops, Deja Brew serves food as well, selling light fare such as wraps, salads, breakfast sandwiches,

Deja Brew houses an eclectic collection of musical instruments, which patrons are welcome to play.

burritos and paninis. Additionally, the menu includes cakes and cookies, made from scratch on the premises each day.

But unlike other coffeehouses, the Nichols’ coffee shop offers something more—dinner. “We have a dinner menu, once a week: one meal [option] for 15 to 20 people,” said Nichols. During the two-hour dinner period, “people can get a good meal,” he said.

Giving Back to Community In addition to providing a gathering place for area residents and visitors, Deja Brew hosts fundraisers for local causes to support the community. e Nichols organized a benefit concert recently at the coffeehouse to raise funds for a neighborhood boy suffering from cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury. e boy’s parents could not afford the expensive therapy required to treat his condition, Nichols explained. rough raffles, a silent auction and donating a portion of the night’s proceeds, the couple raised $9,000. “e theater community got involved and brought in stuff for the silent auction,” said Nichols.

In addition to the sense of community at Deja Brew, it’s the atmosphere, coffee and food that keep patrons coming back. “Deja Brew is one of my favorite local coffeehouses. It beats Starbucks hands down every time,” posted a Haymarket resident in reviewing the shop on Yelp.com. A reviewer from Haymarket posted on TripAdvisor, “e best community coffee shop I’ve ever been to. is place is amazing.”

Deja Brew Coffee House, located at 5311 Merchants View Square, is open Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit www.livestream.com/ dejabrewlive to watch Deja Brew’s open mic night, which starts at 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

A graduate of American University’s School of Communication, Olivia Overman is a freelance writer who has composed articles for a number of online and print publications. She can be reached at ooverman@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living October 2013 | 11

destinations

BADWOLF BREWING COMPANY Craft Beer Comes to Manassas

By Paul Keily, Contributing Writer

A

fter a somewhat rocky start, BadWolf Brewing Company opened June 19 at 9776 Center Street, becoming the first craft brewery in the City of Manassas. It’s also the first nanobrewery in Virginia and the smallest operating in the state, according to Jeremy Meyers, who owns the business with his wife Sarah Meyers.

Smaller than microbreweries, nanobreweries, which are fully licensed and regulated, have brewing systems that produce only 4 U.S. barrels or less at a time. BadWolf will produce about 200 barrels a year, Jeremy Meyers said.

Like most nanobreweries, BadWolf brews and sells beer on location. Staff sell and serve the brewhouse’s craft beer (brews produced by small, independent traditional breweries) in its tap room, which has a bar area, several tables and a couch, along with plenty of standing room.

Jeremy Meyers brewed beer at home for 16 years before opening the brewery, he said. “When I was 17, I took a trip to Germany and realized that beer could taste good. When I came back home, I couldn’t buy beer. So I brewed it myself,” said Meyers. “It’s legal to buy hops and grains when you’re 17, but it’s obviously illegal to buy beer. My first beers were with a MrBeer® kit, which comes with everything you need to make a batch of beer. I moved up to a 5-gallon system after that and have been experimenting with different techniques since then.” e inspiration for the brewery’s name came from another interest of Meyers: “I was watching an episode of ‘Doctor Who’ called ‘BadWolf ’ and thought it would be a good name for the brewery,” Meyers explained. “One of our doors is painted like a ‘TARDIS,’ the time machine from the series.”

12 | October 2013 prince william living

Meyers, who has lived in the area since he was 3, said he wanted to bring craft brewing to Manassas, offering quality beer made locally. “A lot of people think beer tastes horrible because they’ve never had craft beer, and we give them a place to try it out,” he said.

Craft beer is a rapidly expanding business. According to the Brewers Association, which represents the majority of U.S. breweries, craft beer sales in the U.S. rose this year by 13 percent by volume through June over the first six months of last year, and craft brewers operate 98 percent of the country’s breweries, which numbered 2,538 as of June 30. at’s an increase of 446 U.S. breweries since June 2012.

BadWolf ’s owners have been working with the owners of Heritage Brewing Company, another microbrewery slated to open in Manassas this fall, to advocate for changing state laws restricting small breweries, Meyers said. “ere are three things we really want to get changed. e first, that is most important to me, has to do with labeling requirements,” said Meyers. “We don’t bottle beer or distribute it outside of the store. We only fill glasses or growlers (half-gallon jugs patrons can take home) in-store, but we’re still required to pay a $30 labeling fee every time we want to sell a new beer.”

Since other breweries in Virginia are larger than BadWolf, this is the first time that law negatively affected a company, he said.

“It’s just the fact that we’re the first brewery of this type and nobody thought to change the law before,” said Meyers. “We brew several different beers a week, so the labels have been problematic for us. I think [the law] will change pretty quickly as more nanobreweries open up.”

Photos c o urtesy S ean Floa rs

e brewery’s blog, badwolfbrewingcompany.blogspot.com, chronicles the owners’ label-related issues and challenges, including waiting for state approvals and labels.

BadWolf and Heritage are also pushing state legislators to restructure licensing fees, Meyers said. “Small wineries in Virginia only have to pay $189 per year to operate. For breweries, if you make less than 20,000 barrels a year, the fee is $2,700 per year,” he explained.

Meyers said that a final barrier they would like to see lifted is a vestige of post-Prohibition reforms: requiring breweries to sell their products through distribution companies. “We’d like to see limited self-distribution for small breweries. I’d like to be able to put a keg in my van and sell it to a restaurant in Old Town,” he said.

On opening day, the line at BadWolf snaked out the door and through the strip mall where the brewhouse is located. e brewery nearly ran out of beer, Meyers said. While patrons can now fit comfortably inside on any given day, the crowds continue to come. “ere are a lot of people just finding out about the brewery,” stated Meyers. “ey drive by, see the sign and decide to check it out. We get a ton of homebrewers. ey’ve even been having impromptu meetings here.”

“On Wednesdays and ursdays we have maybe 50 to 100 people come in a night. Fridays and Saturdays … we probably have a few hundred,” said Jesse Johnson, one of BadWolf ’s brewmasters. “We already have some regulars and new faces every day we’re open.”

ese include Austin Haynes of Manassas.

“Jeremy and Sarah are old friends of mine, and they’ve made an incredible, welcoming environment,” he said.

“Everyone is friendly, and they have acoustic guitars sitting out for anyone to pick up and play. ey have different beers every day, and all of them are great. My favorite is the Englishish IPA.” Reviews on Yelp.com, where the brewery has a 5-star rating, have been positive. On opening day, a patron from Manassas posted, “ere is something for everyone here. You can get a pint glass, a 4-ounce sampler or a growler to go. … I've got a feeling the BadWolf Pack will be growing.”

While beers from craft breweries can be found in grocery aisles across the nation these days, Meyers thinks on a smaller scale.

“I plan on staying a local brand. In the next couple of years I plan on expanding to a 15- to 20-barrel system brewhouse and stay at that,” he said. “I think people get caught up in this idea that if you’re not growing you’re dying, but I want to ensure I can have full control of my product … and make sure my workers get a living wage and that I’m comfortable where I am for as long as I want.”

Paul Keily recently graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a degree in English and a concentration in creative writing. He lives in Fredericksburg where he substitute teaches and is searching for professional opportunities. He can be contacted at pkeily@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living October 2013 | 13

health & wellness What Is that Chest Pain I’m Having?

By Christopher Leet, MD, FACC Emeritus et’s face it: everyone gets chest pain from time to time. Chest pain is one of the most common complaints that emergency room doctors evaluate.

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There are certainly scary statistics supporting the need to check out the cause. American College of Cardiology statistics indicate that one-third of people having a bona fide heart attack will have a cardiac arrest within the first 30 to 60 minutes. If this happens in the ER, the outcome is usually good, but not if it happens elsewhere. For that reason, people are urged to promptly seek attention.

However, the vast majority of chest pain complaints are due to other causes. A “twinge” lasting a few seconds is not a heart attack. It is more likely muscular. Also, if you can walk it off, it’s highly unlikely to be the heart. Exercise will invariably make heart pain worse. Chest pain relieved by a dose of antacids indicates heartburn.

While symptoms can vary from person to person, the pain of a heart attack is typically very distinctive. Having had one myself, I know that there can be sweating, frequently nausea and also a feeling of doom. Much attention is paid to different symptoms in women versus men. What both sexes have in common is a feeling of “Something is really wrong!”

Usually, there is discomfort, if not quite pain, in the chest, frequently felt also in the left arm or neck. Sometimes breathing difficulty is more prominent. If that awful feeling of impending doom persists, call for an ambulance. Do not go by passenger car. For heart attack patients, the immediate care that arriving emergency medical technicians (EMT) provide can make the difference between life and death.

Manassas resident Dr. Christopher Leet, now retired, practiced medicine for nearly 40 years, specializing in cardiology and internal medicine.

14 | October 2013 prince william living

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taking care of business

Ian and Lindsey Colton Climbing eir Own Mountain

By Jennifer Rader, Contributing Writer

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ey now offer indoor climbing and rappelling lessons and an outdoor school that hosts guided climbing trips, as well as safety, body development and yoga classes at the center.

Prince William Living caught up via email with this busy entrepreneurial couple to find out how they brought a passion of theirs into business practice and created a community health asset.

PWL: What are the story, motivation and inspiration behind your start?

Coltons: Rock climbing and outdoor life have always been our family’s passion. Climbing creates a strong bond and builds trust that we wanted everyone to have the opportunity to experience.

Building a climbing gym was our vision and lifetime passion.

However, we first had to locate a unique space in a place where our climbing community would be able to grow and thrive.

PWL: How did you choose the City of Manassas as your location? What factors went into this decision?

Coltons: After a significant amount of research, we found that Prince William County and Manassas are home to a huge number of families and individuals that live an active lifestyle.

16 | October 2013 prince william living

PWL: How do you keep operations new and innovative to positively impact your business?

Coltons: Rock climbing is a niche field. Being on the forefront of our field is paramount. We are frequently called upon to provide consultation and expertise to schools, organizations and government agencies. Vertical Rock provides instruction and certification to individuals and families ranging from beginner to advanced skills. We are continually learning by exploring new ideas and investing in employee experiences, training and education.

PWL: Did you ever think you would become entrepreneurs?

Coltons: Absolutely. Once we decided to build Vertical Rock and establish a climbing community, nothing could hold us back.

PWL: What challenges had to be overcome?

Coltons: ere were a great number of challenges in opening a climbing gym. One challenge was in the construction phase of Vertical Rock, which was a massive undertaking. e

y Chris Lehto

Open since 2010, Vertical Rock started out as a nine-year vision and goal of two rock-climbing aficionados: owners Ian and Lindsey Colton. Prior to opening, the center was constantly in development in their minds while they both worked full-time jobs, they said.

Creating Vertical Rock was a natural fit for the area, and a perfect home for the facility.

Our location is close to some of the most beautiful climbing and hiking areas in the country. e City of Manassas and its development team provided us with tremendous support and made us feel very welcome to the community as new small business owners.

Photo courtes

s the cooler days of fall start to limit outdoor activity, retreating indoors shouldn’t be a signal of sedentary life. Maintaining your level of activity, or perhaps planning for a new spring adventure, can be found at Vertical Rock Climbing and Fitness Center, located at 10225 Nokesville Road in Manassas.

Photo courtesy Chris Lehto

construction alone took well over a year, and multiple engineers were engaged in designing and building the rock walls and entire facility. Safety is integrated into everything we do.

PWL: What has been the most effective way to get Vertical Rock in front of potential consumers?

Coltons: Word of mouth [has] been the most effective form of advertising. A safe, clean, friendly and hospitable community environment make for great experiences. A great experience leads to return visits and positive feedback.

PWL: What is your future vision for your company?

Coltons: Vertical Rock is advocating the sport of climbing as an [alternative] to anyone that is looking for a new, exciting and community-oriented sport that can be performed year round, indoors and outdoors. We have and will continue to make climbing a more accessible sport for people of all ages to enjoy.

We strongly encourage youth and senior participation through instruction and team events.

PWL: What advice would you give to others considering starting a business?

Coltons: Passion is contagious. Find passion in everything you do for your company and your employees, and clients will thank you for it. Work then becomes fun and the long hours and tremendous effort that [are] required leads to great personal satisfaction.

A former nonprofit development director for more than 10 years, Jennifer Rader is a freelance writer who is also studying nutrition and preparing for her massage therapy certification. She lives with her son and husband in Manassas and can be reached at jrader@princewilliamliving.com.

October Classes at Vertical Rock Vertical Rock and Fitness Center holds a variety of classes every month, open to everyone, according to the business’s class calendar at climb-va.com/events. The classes vary in price based on the type of class. Members receive discounted prices. Here are some of the offerings listed for October: ● “Get Ready, Rock Ready!”: This is a 45-minute, physically demanding, high-intensity group training session, designed to help participants achieve their goals on the big wall. Expect many bodyweight exercises, unconventional methods of training and some free weights and kettlebells. No two sessions are alike and all are welcome. Class Schedule: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. ● “Climbers Flow and Restorative Yoga”: This beginners’ class for all climbers alternates each week between “Vinyasa flow,” which matches movement with breath, and “Restorative Yoga,” a method using bolsters and supportive props to modify traditional poses. The hourlong class utilizes poses that increase range of motion, stretch muscles, strengthen connective tissue and improve balance. The class is designed to gently open the body to deeply relax and support healing of connective tissues. Class Schedule: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. ● “Kids’ Night on the Rocks”: In this two-hour “group open climb,” children enjoy a night of climbing under the guidance and watchful eyes of the center’s climbing staff, while the kids’ parents get some time off. The class is for ages 6 to 12. Class Schedule: Fridays at 7 p.m.

prince william living October 2013 | 17

family fun

Monster Marshmallows!

By Kristina Schnack Kotlus, Contributing Writer

T

here’s something about fall that brings out my inner Martha Stewart. I love fall crafts, fall food, apple cider, that crispness in the air and leaves crunching under my shoes. If I can decorate it, bedazzle it, glitter it or pumpkin it up, you should either prepare for me to get crafty or hide whatever it is from my glue gun and its wrath.

Crafts and festive foods that I can do with my kids are even better, since, like most parents, keeping them engaged and inspired is important to me, too. Last year, we created “Monster Marshmallows” as a way to ride out the cake-pop trend without actually having to form cake into balls and wait for them to cook. e crafty recipe here for this tasty treat lets your children create their very own, edible Frankenstein. However, there is no end to the characters that they can create. You can easily alter “Monster Marshmallows” to be anything you want.

Try dyeing the frosting purple and using a chocolate wafer cookie with a chocolate kiss on top to make a witch. Or use the same purple frosting, add one eye, a candy corn horn, and fruit leather “wings” for a flying purple people eater. Inventing new monsters is almost as fun as eating them afterwards.

18 | October 2013 prince william living

Since the project involves food coloring, I’d recommend dressing your “mad scientists” in play clothes or, better yet, an apron before getting started. Here’s the basic recipe:

Frankenstein’s Monster-Mallows Ingredients • 1 bag of jumbo marshmallows • 48 lollipop sticks • 1 large can of white or vanilla frosting, or 2 cups if using homemade • Candy eyes • Chocolate sprinkles or black sugar • Candy bones • Food coloring or cake dye Directions 1. Prepare your space by lining several cookie sheets with aluminum foil.

2. Fill a shallow plate with chocolate sprinkles or black sugar.

3. Open the bags of candy eyes and bones and set them aside. (continues on page 20)

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(continued from page 18) 4. Select a bowl or container that is narrow and medium height if possible. You’ll want to have your frosting deep enough so that you can dip your marshmallows. Using a wide and flat container will make the process harder.

5. Microwave your frosting for 20 to 30 seconds until it is a pourable consistency, but not hot or fully liquid.

6. Tint your frosting to the desired color green and allow to cool slightly while you insert the sticks about three-quarters of the way into the marshmallows.

7. Next, dip each marshmallow into the frosting until it is just covered, and allow any excess to drip off.

8. Dip the stick-free end into the sprinkles as “hair” and set your creation on the aluminum foil until almost set. Add eyes and bones, and enjoy.

While marshmallows are nut- and legume-free (Kraft-brand marshmallows are on the peanut-safe list) as well as gluten-free, many brands include gelatin, which contains pork byproducts. Families who follow religious dietary restrictions regarding pork, or who do not eat meat, may want to pick up Dandies Marshmallows at Wegmans. ey are vegan and made in a factory free of tree nuts and peanuts.

As an optional—but encouraged—last step, send photos of your children’s creations to Prince William Living. It is always fun to see the innovative twists that our readers add. Post photos on Facebook or Pinterest and tag @Prince William Living or email them to editor@princewilliamliving.com.

Kristina Schnack Kotlus is a local mother of three children and the owner of PWCMoms.com, a resource for parents and families in Prince William County.

Visit her site or Facebook page for an events calendar, reviews and more ideas for fall fun.

20 | October 2013 prince william living

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giving back

THE HOUSE

A Place for Youth to Call Home

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By Helena Tavares Kennedy, Contributing Writer

ounded by Helen and Ron McCormick and their son Todd in November 2005, e House, Inc., takes a whole-person approach to helping students achieve success in school, at home and in the community. e mission of the organization, located in Woodbridge, is to “give direction to students that will protect their future and influence.” e organization has garnered numerous awards, including being named “one of the best small charities in the Washington, D.C., region” for 2013-2014 by Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. “e House provides a safe place for those who might otherwise be home or on community streets, unsupervised,” said Sheri Warren, who serves on the organization’s board. Warren is the director of grant programs for Potomac Health Foundation, a private, independent health organization in Woodbridge and one of e House’s sponsors.

“[e House’s] programs make the time spent together constructive time where students are growing mentally, physically [and] emotionally. While students are the primary focus, they also effectively involve the parents … and community members as volunteers or on their Board of Believers,” Warren said. e organization offers fourth through 12th graders opportunities to attend before- and after-school programs on e House’s campus and to participate in weekend, evening and summer day camps, according to Todd McCormick, executive director. “e House is a different choice and [provides] a different quality by incorporating a variety of approaches to meet and address the adversity and complexity of youth and families,” McCormick said, adding that more than 150 students and their families participate in various activities each week at the organization, centrally located off Prince William Parkway at 14000 Crown Court.

Students have access to a multitude of programs and services framed around academic improvement, leadership and enrichment, physical and mental health, life skills and college and 22 | October 2013 prince william living

Young guests enter a ceremonial sword arch at The House's annual "A Cinderella Ball."

career preparation. ey can also let loose, enjoying campus features such as the turf dodgeball field, pool and ping-pong tables and air hockey.

“What happens during out-of-school time is the most important factor in determining pre-teen and teen success, both in school and in life,” McCormick said. e House reaches beyond the walls of its educational and recreational facility with such events as the annual “A Cinderella Ball,” a prom for students with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. e ball is held at the e Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., near the White House.

A virtual school is also available, giving middle and high school students who have been suspended or expelled from school an opportunity to make up coursework online.

In developing e House’s curriculum and programs, founders consulted a network of corporate executives, investors, military personnel and middle and high school decision-makers, McCormick said. “[We] put our energies together to redefine what out-of-school programs should look like in Prince William County. At its creation and continued implementation, the

Photos courtesy The House

After laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Arlington to honor those who have served, students in The House’s Summer Leadership Program spent the day touring Washington, D.C.

programs meet youth where they are and ensure that all young people graduate from high school with college access,” he said.

McCormick said that e House relies on its network of sponsors, volunteers and corporate partners to help its staff not only nurture the success of area children, but to help them thrive and blossom.

“While a degree from Prince William County Schools is undeniably an enticement for a student, that is not the only thing that matters. We have to look at the whole person,” he said.

With that concept in mind, e House partnered with Potomac Health Foundation, which awarded e House a grant in September 2011 to develop ways to encourage youth to learn and practice healthier habits, Warren said. One initiative: A teenspecific health program called “Fitting In.” “e project has been a great success, teaching kids how to grow and prepare fresh foods [and] encouraging them to try various types of exercise,” Warren said. “In the first year, ‘Fitting In’ [participants] realized a 25 percent improved BMI [body mass index]. at is incredible. Even for young people it is difficult to move a BMI in such a short amount of time.”

Potomac Health Foundation is also a partner in e House’s “EmpowerMEnt” program, established in 2012 to address the mental health of youths. Warren explained that many students enrolled have experienced trauma, reside in foster homes and are all too familiar with crisis.

“What [the children] don’t always have are the tools to work through these issues and ultimately overcome their circumstances,” she said. “e House engaged George Mason [University] social workers for this effort. True to form, [e House staff] address the needs through innovative means—using recreation as the venue for counseling sessions.” e House also has “EmpowerMEnt Student Leadership Summits,” designed to encourage students from underserved

populations to develop into leaders. ese day-long conferences feature speakers such as Ted Leonsis, owner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment (majority owner of teams such as the Washington Capitals).

Montclair resident Diane Burnette is among parents whose children have benefitted from programs at e House. She enrolled her daughters Brooke and Victoria, as well as several children she fostered, she said. “[e organization] gave a $1,000 scholarship to my first foster teen, and it encouraged her to enroll and graduate from nursing assistant school,” said Burnette. “When she started [at] e House, she wasn’t sure that she’d be able to graduate; someone had already convinced her that she wasn’t smart enough. …e House wouldn’t let her quit. So she didn’t quit.”

“Having friends and adult mentors at e House made me feel important and valued,” said Burnette’s daughter, Brooke, a Forest Park High School junior. “I am now an ‘Advanced Placement’ honor student. I run track, and I am a varsity cheerleader. … I was very shy before attending e House, and my confidence grew there. I was exposed to so much. It really is a place to learn about being a leader.” e House welcomes contributions. “Every donation will aid in the current and future lives of the youth e House reaches. at will provide a long-term positive impact,” McCormick said.

For more information about e House, Inc., visit www.thehouse-inc.com.

A nonprofit marketing director, Helena Tavares Kennedy also enjoys freelance writing in her spare time. She has lived in Manassas with her husband and two children for 12 years and can be reached at hkennedy@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living October 2013 | 23

home & hearth Expressive Teens’ Rooms

By Vickie Williamson Custom Framer and Interior Designer

eenagers are apt to express themselves in numerous ways. One is to personalize their living space, which is often their bedroom.

Here are some ways to help them do that:

T

Where others have branches, we have roots.

n Give them freedom to choose the color scheme, within reason. If your 15-year-old wants neon orange walls and floors, you might need to use your veto powers. n Let them help build their own headboard. This is where the creative juices really start to flow. Have your teens research ideas online or search antique and salvage stores for items that can be refinished or repurposed into the perfect headboard for their space. n Shop for practical bedding that fits their design ideas.

Many great bedding products can be found online or at local retail establishments. Or have the bedding custommade with a fabric of their choosing. This does cost more, but provides endless possibilities. n Help them select window treatments that are creative as well as functional and practical. Use layering for greater creative expression. Consider unique items such as fishing poles or pool cues for curtain rods. Ready-made window treatments are the most affordable; custom-made treatments provide greater control over design. n Include a media center. Most teens these days have or need their own media center. Use a small dresser or chest of drawers dedicated to personal electronics. n Let them add accessories, wall décor and lighting. Girls may enjoy making their own jewelry hanger for the back of the door. Also, visit your local craft store and gather supplies, such as fabrics, ribbons and stencils, to turn a typical bulletin board into something amazing.

PEGGY BURKE

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Giving your teens freedom to express their individual creative ideas allows them to feel valued and integral to the family. It also gives them a place to escape the stresses of being a teen in today’s world. One caveat: “Go to your room” may need to be replaced with “Go sit in the living room.”

Prince William resident Vickie Williamson owns Fine Design Custom Framing & Interiors in Woodbridge. She has worked in the fine art, framing and decorating industry for more than 25 years and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

24 | October 2013 prince william living

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local flavor

Photo courtesy Chris Lehto

Silver Diner

Healthful Choices Redefine the American Classic

By Lauren Jackson, Contributing Writer

G

reasy burgers and artery-clogging desserts are practically synonymous with the American diner.

However, this is not so for Silver Diner. Since 2010, the restaurant chain has been steadily creating more meals geared toward the health-conscious and people with dietary restrictions.

From its sparkling chrome exterior to its retro red booths inside, the restaurant transports guests to the bygone era of American diners of the 1950s. With bright lights and miniature jukeboxes at each table, it’s a setting where “e Fonz” would fit right in.

26 | October 2013 prince william living

But “e Fonz” might be confused by some items on the eatery’s new menu, which reflects customer demand for more wholesome and locally produced foods. Silver Diner updated its offerings to include gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and heart-healthy choices, according to Sergio Mendez, general manager of Dale City’s Potomac Mills Silver Diner, which he said opened 22 years ago.

“Lately, the community, the people, have been changing lifestyles,” Mendez said. “We really focus on the health for the community.”

Photo courtesy Chris Lehto

Judging from the crowd at Silver Diner in Dale City on Smoketown Road (near Potomac Mills Mall), the menu changes are a hit. So is the restaurant’s classic American style. Before opening the first Silver Diner in Rockville, Md., in 1989, franchise co-founders Robert Giaimo and Executive Chef Ype Von Hengst spent a year visiting hundreds of classic diner-styled restaurants across the country to incorporate into their eatery the best of what they found.

Menu with a Nutritious Twist

Sergio Mendez, general manager of Potomac Mills Silver Diner in Dale City.

Like the franchise’s other eateries, the Dale City restaurant gets its meat, vegetables and other ingredients from more than 15 local

Photo courtesy Silver Diner

Photo courtesy Silver Diner

Silver Diner takes new twists on old classics, like these “Greek Lamb Sliders,” with tzatziki and feta.

Salads at Silver Diner feature seasonal produce, often from local farms.

farms throughout Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. e foods it receives include free-range turkey, antibiotic-free beef and chicken, all-natural milk, farm-fresh eggs and fresh seasonal produce.

from scratch and is fresh. We do have a lot of organic products as well.”

Mendez said he has witnessed the positive reaction from patrons at the Dale City restaurant as they discover healthful, innovative menu selections at the classic American diner, he said. “We do have wonderful feedback from our guests talking about the excitement for the new items and our healthy options,” he said. “e best steak in a non-steak restaurant. e flat-iron steak on their new fresh organic menu was very terrific!!!” posted a Manassas resident on TripAdvisor among online reviews for Silver Diner in Dale City. “My wife and I love the new menu. Silver Diner is different from other places in variety and quality. … Will be back for the steak!!!!”

Among the most popular of the new healthful meals is “Santa Fe Roasted Veggies,” which appeals to people with gluten allergies with its tasty mix of quinoa, eggplant and other ingredients seasoned with chipotle, he said. Also popular is “Pesto Veggie Pasta,” a delectable combination of whole-wheat angel hair, butternut squash and lemony pine nut pesto with garlic roasted eggplant, roasted red pepper, spinach, basil and sunflower seeds.

Meat lovers can try new takes on old favorites, such as “Greek Lamb Sliders,” garnished with tzatziki and feta cheese.

Even the dessert menu includes healthful choices. To satisfy the sweet tooth of the health-conscious, the diner offers such treats as gluten-free “Brownie Latte” and a lactose-free, vegan chocolateraspberry shake. e restaurant still offers many of the old American diner specialties. “Hickory Smokehouse Cheddar Burger,” “Classic BLT” and all-day breakfast offerings provide guests with classic diner fare. But even these timeless meals take on a more healthful twist at Silver Diner. e bacon is nitrate-free, the meat is free-range and all ingredients are fresh.

“We don’t serve any frozen products to our guests,” said Mendez.

“Whatever we have is actually something that has been prepared

Focused on Helping Kids Eat Healthy Additionally, the franchise’s new focus on healthful eating includes helping ensure that children in the communities Silver Diner serves eat more nutritious meals. e chain’s “Kids’ Nights,” held on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., incorporate fun activities that not only entertain, but educate and excite children about eating healthier.

As part of the franchise’s “Eat Well, Do Well” program, the diners also partner with local schools to raise funds to improve health and fitness programs at the educational systems. e Dale City Silver Diner has partnered with Dale City Elementary School, Mary Porter Traditional School in Woodbridge and Henderson Elementary School in Montclair, Mendez said.

Patrons can support Silver Diner’s “Eat Well, Do Well” program by signing up for the chain’s customer rewards card, which is also a prepaid card. Five percent of purchases made with the card is donated to a school of the diner’s choosing. rough the program, the Silver Diner franchise has donated more than $400,000 to schools since 2010, according to information about the program on the chain’s website.

Silver Diner’s steps to help children eat healthful foods have not gone unnoticed. e franchise won the 2013 MenuMasters Award for Best Healthful Innovations for its kids’ menu, which it changed so that all entrees come with a fruit or vegetable and milk or juice.

French fries and soda are only available on request. e franchise also expanded its kids’ menu to include healthful fare fitting the National Restaurant Association’s “Kids Livewell” criteria, according to Nation’s Restaurant News, which annually presents the MenuMasters Awards, sponsored by Ventura Foods, each May in Chicago.

(continues on page 28) prince william living October 2013 | 27

(continued from page 27) Silver Diner is among inaugural members of the program, according to the National Restaurant Association, which launched the initiative in July 2011. is voluntary industry program promotes giving families healthful food choices for their children when dining out.

Hospitality—A Recipe for Success

He said that this dedication to service, combined with flavorful food and a fun, throwback atmosphere, has allowed the Silver Diner franchise to flourish. Silver Diner Development, Inc., now has more than 15 eateries throughout Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. It’s reportedly the largest chain of diners in America with the highest average sales per store of its kind.

Silver Diner in Dale City is located at 14375 Smoketown Road.

For more information about the new menu, children’s activities and “Eat Well, Do Well” program, visit www.silverdiner.com.

Photo courtesy Silver Diner

Silver Diner’s mission is to provide not only the highest quality food, but also service, with a commitment that “service is always attentive, fast-paced, high energy,” according to Silver Diner’s brand statement, which cites developing a personal relationship with customers as the center of the restaurants’ hospitality. “We treat our guests just like a friend,” said Mendez. “We are here to provide a good service and good food to our guests.”

Dale City Silver Diner’s interior reflects the 1950s retro style of all the franchise’s eateries.

Lauren Jackson is a student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., where she is pursuing a degree in English and journalism. She lives in Prince William. Contact her at ljackson@princewilliamliving.com.

Prince William County Historic Preservation Events Battle of Bristoe Station 150th Commemorative Weekend October 12-13 10am-7pm, Saturday 11am-3pm, Sunday

FREE Tours, music, lectures, living history demonstrations will represent the soldiers and units present at the battle in 1863.

Featuring keynote speaker: Dr. James I. Robertson Jr. Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Parking at Bristow Shopping Center, Bristow (with shuttle bus service) 703-366-3049

All Hallows Eve

October 25, 11am-4pm $5 per child Wear your costume to our kid and family friendly Halloween party. Play games, enjoy treats and hear stories.

Spirits of Rippon Lodge

October 25 - 26, 6-9pm daily $10 per person Take a candle light tour of Rippon Lodge hear spooky tales and see the sites.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge 703-499-9812

www.pwcgov.org/historicpreservation 28 | October 2013 prince william living

Madison Crescent FALL CONCERT SERIES September 28 • Burgers October 5 • Just What I Needed October 12 • Eddies Mom Band 4 PM - 6 PM WƌĞƐĞŶƟŶŐ ůŝǀĞ ŵƵƐŝĐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂǁŶ Ăƚ

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In case of inclement weather, please check our website and Facebook page for up to date announcements.

Concert series hosted by the stores and shops at The MarketPlace at Madison Crescent.

The The MarketPlace MarketPlace at at Madison Madison Crescent Crescent • Gainesville, Gainesville, VA VA At the intersection of Rt. 15 JJames ames Madison Hwy & Rt. 29 Lee Hwy madison-cr madison-crescent.com/Marketplace escent.com/Marketplace fac facebook.com/TheMarketPlaceatMadisonCrescent ebook.com/TheMarketPlaceatMadisonCrescent

@MadCrescentVA adCrescentV @M VA

Visit our Facebook page for details. facebook.com/TheMarketPlaceatMadisonCrescent Cash prizes: 1st place $50 • 2nd place $25 • 3rd place $20 Rain or shine.

The line for face-painting will close at 4:30pm.

prince william living October 2013 | 29

your finances Financial Advice for the Big 4-0

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC ® Private Wealth Advisor

ou survived the surprise party and put away the gag gifts. Now, at age 40, an important milestone, it’s time to take a serious look at your finances. Although it may be challenging, saving a manageable amount while time is on your side will allow you to achieve lasting financial security. Tips that can help:

Y

n Examine the big picture. Consider what you’re trying to achieve. List all your financial obligations and goals— from daily expenses to long-term plans. Then prioritize them, being honest with yourself about the “need to haves” (retirement savings) and “nice to haves” (full tuition for your college-bound child). n Re-evaluate your financial products and policies. Ensure you’re making the most of your options. This is a critical time to maximize your qualified retirement savings. If your employer offers a 401(k) match, take advantage of it, and save the allowed amount in an IRA as well. n Set limits. Establish boundaries with family members if they request financial help. Lending and borrowing within your family can lead to both financial and emotional stress. Have realistic expectations before providing assistance. n Educate your children. Guiding your children to financial independence is good for your financial future and theirs; instill fiscal responsibility early. Speak to them openly about money, and teach them to spend and save responsibly. Lead by setting positive examples.

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n Prepare for change. Having a contingency plan can help you minimize the risk that events such as disability or divorce will jeopardize your financial security. Have an emergency fund and sufficient insurance for unforeseen events. Also establish or update your will and guardianship plan. n Seek advice. Consult professionals, such as a financial advisor and attorney. They can help guide you to make rational—rather than emotional—financial decisions.

Enjoy this new stage of life, while keeping your long-term financial goals in sight.

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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prince william living October 2013 | 31

calendar Bird Walk and Bagels

october

Oct. 5 • 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Metz Wetlands and Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road / Woodbridge Join local birding experts on a guided walk of Metz Wetlands and Rippon Lodge Historic Site and discover the locations’ diverse population of song and raptor birds. After the walk, the group will enjoy bagels at Rippon Lodge. Tours of the house are included. Bring binoculars and guide books. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. No pets please. Reservations are required. $10 per person. Free to children younger than 6.

For details, call Rippon Lodge at 703-499-9812.

Bristoe Station Campaign Bus Tour Oct. 5 • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park / Bristow Enjoy a full day with an in-depth tour of sites and battlefields that made up the Bristoe Campaign. Stops include Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, Auburn, Remington and Buckland. Historians will explain how this important campaign impacted soldiers, civilians and the outcome of the Civil War. Price: $85 per person and includes a box lunch.

Reservations are required. Space is limited.

Call 703-366-3049 for more information and to make reservations.

Potomac Blockade Boat Tour

Oct. 5 and Oct. 19 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Leesylvania State Park 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive / Woodbridge Cruise along the Potomac River shoreline and view sites that were critical to the Confederate forces’ successful blockade of Washington D.C. from September 1861 through March 1862. Local historians will discuss the significance of the blockade and of the gun batteries and camps that supported the Confederate efforts. e cruise will include the preserved batteries at Freestone Point and Possum Nose, as well

as Evansport and Shipping Point. Boat departs from the dock at Leesylvania State Park. Tour includes lunch selected from a menu. $40 per person. For more details and to reserve space and order lunch, call 703-792-4754.

“Country Fair & Auctions” Oct. 5 • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“Youth For Tomorrow” Campus 11835 Hazel Circle Drive / Bristow Don’t miss this annual event, in its 28th year, to benefit “Youth For Tomorrow,” a residential home and private school for at-risk teenagers. Fun for kids of all ages, the fair includes food, rides, activities, live music and a Minnieland children’s area. $10 per adult; $5 per child ages 4 to 16; free to children 3 and younger.

Free parking and shuttle available at two locations. Call 703-396-8415 for more information or visit www.YouthForTomorrow.org.

Tree Planting Oct. 5 • 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

K-9 Gunner Memorial Park 13000 Minnieville Road / Woodbridge e planting includes areas surrounding the popular Prince William County dog park and the adjacent slope leading to the parking lot and dry storm water pond.

Help make your community more attractive and slow the flow of storm water runoff. Trees and shrubs will be on hand for planting. Bring a smile and a shovel.

Bringing other work tools is also appreciated. Lunch is provided. Sponsors include Fairfax Water, Prince William County Parks, Lake Ridge Parks & Recreation Association and Prince William Conservation Alliance (PWCA). RSVP to PWCA at alliance@pwconserve.org or call 703-499-4954.

“Paint! Manassas” Exhibit Oct. 5-31 • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Grounds Central Station 9360 Main Street / Manassas Paintings from the seventh annual “Paint!

Manassas” competition, held Sept. 14 in Old Town Manassas, will be exhibited.

All entries will be on display during the “Fall Jubilee” on Oct. 5 in Old Town Manassas. Winning paintings will remain on exhibit through the end of October. e artworks depict Old Town and surrounding scenic areas.

Freedom Museum Hangar Dinner and Dance Oct. 5 • 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Manassas Regional Airport Terminal 10600 Harry J. Parrish Blvd. / Manassas e Freedom Museum holds its annual 1940s-theme dinner and dance in the airport terminal where the museum is located. is year, the band “Swing Machine” will perform music from the “Big Band” era. e event includes a catered buffet dinner, cash bar and silent auction. Chef George Richa, owner of Old Town Caterers & Deli in Manassas, will cater the dinner. e Patch has included him in its “Patch Picks” among the top chefs in Manassas. Attendees can come in casual attire, but are encouraged to wear period dress or their uniform if they have one. Proceeds go to the museum’s building fund. $80 per person.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.freedommuseum.org or at the museum. For more information, visit the website or call 703-393-0660.

Manassas Chorale Fall Concert Oct. 6 • 3 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle / Manassas Join the Manassas Chorale as it goes “on the air” in its fall concert, “A Hylton Home Companion,” including songs from seven decades in a variety “radio show” featuring the 100-voice Chorale, 30-voice Ensemble, soloists, instrumentalists and even “commercials.” Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC). e Prince William County Arts Council, Virginia Commission for the Arts and the City of Manassas provided partial funding. Tickets are available at www.hyltoncenter.org, by calling 888-945-2468 and at the Hylton Center box office. For more information, visit www.manassaschorale.org/events or email manassaschorale@live.com.

Nature Trail Walk Oct. 12 • 1 p.m.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Road / Bristow Take a guided tour along the nature trails at Brentsville and learn about the plants and animals in this part of Virginia. $5 per person. Free to children younger than 6. For information, call 703-365-7895.

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

32 | October 2013 prince william living

Discover Prince William & Manassas

Di

PW

ith fall here, the holidays will soon be upon us. It’s the perfect time of year to plan family gatherings and reunions with friends. Let the staff at Discover Prince William & Manassas help you showcase our area to your out-of-town guests.

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It can get crowded when hosting guests at home. From bed-andbreakfasts and hotels to extended-stays, Prince William and Manassas include accommodations that fit any budget. We can make recommendations. Also visit our website to use our new online booking engine.

Ann Marie Maher President and CEO

In addition, our sales team can recommend restaurants that offer Discover Prince William & Manassas options for special holiday parties and group dining. Or try our new progressive dining program. Restaurateurs in Occoquan have created a unique dining experience that allows groups to savor a variety of cuisine from the eateries and dessert shops in this historic town.

Be sure to bring your visitors to our community’s numerous attractions and historic sites. Our website lists sample itineraries that will help you plan a full day of fun. Take a spin at the outdoor ice rink in Old Town Manassas, step aboard a helicopter at an exhibit in the National Museum of the Marine Corps and bargain hunt at Potomac Mills, which features more than 200 shops and restaurants.

Disco

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Facebook.com/pwcman Facebook.com/pwcmanassas

If you’re planning a reunion, wedding, meeting or special event for next year, our sales team can connect you to a unique local site. Plus, our planning services are free. From the Old Manassas Courthouse, site of the 1911 Peace Jubilee, to a pavilion surrounded by thousands of acres at Prince William Forest Park, there are numerous one-of-a-kind places that will make your event memorable.

For more information about our services, and on local attractions and accommodations in Prince William and Manassas, visit us at DiscoverPWM.com or call 703-396-7130.

Ann Marie Maher is the president and CEO of Discover Prince William & Manassas.

For more information about what’s going on in Prince William and Manassas, visit DiscoverPWM.com.

Battle of Bristoe Station 150th Anniversary Commemorative Weekend Oct. 12 ● 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Oct. 13 ● 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park / Bristow To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Station, which took place Oct. 14, 1863, the Prince William County Historic Preservation Division has planned a weekend of tours, musical performances, lectures and living history demonstrations and encampments. e weekend kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. with a dedication ceremony featuring keynote

speaker Dr. James Robertson, Jr. e Virginia History Mobile will be available on Saturday, and there will be a Youth Activity tent all weekend. Free, although donations are encouraged. Parking is located at the Bristow Shopping Center with shuttle bus service to the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. For more information, call 703-366-3049 or visit www.pwcgov.org and enter a search for “150th Anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Station” for the program itinerary.

Visit www.PWLiving.com for Daily Updates and to Submit Events

1-800-432-1792 DiscoverPWM.com prince william living October 2013 | 33

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tambourines and elephants Do I Need a Passport to Go ere?

By DeeDee Corbitt Sauter, Contributing Writer I used to love to travel. It wasn’t just the planning, anticipation or excitement of the unknown. The very act of stepping onto a plane and taking a huge sniff of jet fuel gave me happy shivers. Travel didn’t have to be by air. I was equally excited to fill a cooler with dollar-store snacks, go to the library for audio books and settle in for a long ride across the country.

Attitudes change. Maybe it’s because I am older, tired or simply cynical, but the very thought of venturing out and going somewhere new breaks me out in hives. Perhaps it is due to the fact that my two children, whose behavior is unpredictable at best, are capable of mithering each other like it’s an Olympic competition. Either way, my delight with traveling has been replaced by a dread of leaving the house.

In the olden days, I also did not have to arrive at the airport five days early simply to make sure that I could pass a security inspection. And when the fields were resplendent with dinosaurs, gas was cheap enough that a jaunt hither and yon was not an unreasonable financial burden.

(Please don’t point out that gas and oil would not have been available in the Cretaceous period; I am choosing to ignore that. I am just pointing out that seeing other parts of the world was neither difficult nor expensive in days of yore.)

Many years ago, when I lived in rural North Carolina, I met a young man who could not understand what I was doing in his state. Not only did I hail from D.C. and was, therefore, a Northerner (although I was technically south of the Mason-Dixon line), but he could not think of any reason ever to get on a plane or leave one’s hometown. I tried to explain the joy, but I made no sense to him.

It was a fascinating conversation, albeit primarily one-sided because mostly he just stared at me as if he could perhaps better understand my motives with his laser-beam gaze than his ears. He could not grasp the desire to listen to a different language or experience a new culture or taste different foods. He didn’t understand my descriptions of clothes worn overseas or traditional music that may involve the Hawaiian ukulele or the Italian mandolin.

I was the polar opposite. I found it confusing to deny wanderlust and adventure because of some idea that travel is dangerous, arduous or unnecessary. Then, I had children. Spontaneously and joyfully experiencing the unknown became a hazy memory. I was convinced those days were over.

But then I joined a gym. Age, medications, poor coordination, sloth, gluttony, etc., have caused a mild increase in girth over time. Nothing terminal, but certainly distressing. So, in an attempt to slow the progression (of age) and improve flexibility, I actually paid money to an institution that has a goal of making me sweat.

Just a few miles down the road to being slimmer, I considered the distance remaining while working on a formula to evaluate my potential dedication to this gym. I looked at available child care and the hours of operation. What I failed to recognize was that I needed a Rosetta Stone course in “GYM.” It is no longer necessary to leave the country, state or even county to cross the threshold of a foreign land.

“I found it confusing to deny wanderlust and adventure because of some idea that travel is dangerous, arduous or unnecessary.

Then, I had children.”

Those familiar with “GYM” speak the language with fluency. Phrases such as “circuit training” make me think I should have paid better attention in physics, but I am pretty sure that is not what they mean. Apparently “reps” and “sets” are different, though I cannot figure out how.

Foods can be vegan, organic or both. Smoothies can be healthy, and Omega-something is important. Regardless, both television and “GYM” tell me that red meat should be ingested sparingly, if at all. The Midwest will be disappointed.

Electrolyte-laden fluids are available for half a paycheck, but I still can’t figure out the required clothing for this strange land. Some people wear tight, dark layers. Others don almost nothing, which forces me to look in their direction.

I clearly stand out as a tourist, toting my plastic water bottle, wearing Walmart shorts and reading the directions on the machines. I don’t own cool earbuds. I did figure out how to use the big earphones with my phone. I wish sunglasses were acceptable so I could stare at the natives and learn the culture without being obvious.

The only difference between my travel today and what I experienced years ago is age. I have learned, though, that there is a middle ground between the beliefs my friend in North Carolina held and the ones I espoused decades ago. First, you don’t have to go far to experience a new culture. I am thinking that next week I’ll try navigating a hospital as a patient.

Second, and most importantly, travel may be a fun adventure, but in the long run, there’s no place like home.

DeeDee Corbitt Sauter is a resident of Prince William County. Her column, “Tambourines and Elephants,” appears monthly in Prince William Living. prince william living October 2013 | 35

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