Prince William Living November 2013

PAGE 10

CAROLE BELLACERA TRUTH IN FICTION

PAGE 24

MEALS ON WHEELS

PAGE 35

FOR REAL

prince william living November 2013

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

The Changing Face of the Family PAGE PAGE 44

Manassas Hosts Region’s Largest Veterans Day Parade PAGE 12

Jaspen Boothe: Empowering Female Veterans PAGE 16 www.princewilliamliving.com

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table of contents November 2013 Vol. 3 No. 11

FEATURE STORY e Changing Face of the Family..........................4

DEPARTMENTS from the publisher..................................................3 advertiser index......................................................3 on a high note Carole Bellacera: Truth in Fiction ........................10

4 Photo courtesy Laurent Mambourg

destinations Manassas Hosts Region’s Largest Veterans Day Parade ..............................................12 going places Jaspen Boothe: Empowering Female Veterans ......16 family fun Putting ankfulness into Action ........................20 giving back Prince William Meals on Wheels: Delivering Food and Compassion ........................24 local flavor Presto! Pizza: Where Freshness Is Key ........................................28

12 Photo courtesy VETPAR, INC.

calendar ..............................................................32 tambourines and elephants For Real................................................................35

COLUMNS health & wellness ................................................14 home & hearth ....................................................26 your finances ......................................................30 Discover Prince William & Manassas................33

16 Photo courtesy Umbrella Syndicate

prince william living November 2013 | 1

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com Contributing Writers Rebecca Barnes, Lisa Collins-Haynes, Abbey Howarth, Michelle Hurrell, Helena Tavares Kennedy, Kristina Schnack Kotlus, Ann Marie Maher, DeeDee Corbitt Sauter, Val Wallace, Bennett Whitlock, Vickie Williamson Editorial Staff Emily Guerrero, Peter Lineberry, Val Wallace Photographers 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 Lauren Jackson 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 | November 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 e More ings Change...

H

aving grown up in Dale City, I have seen firsthand the change from sleepy little bedroom neighborhoods to the engaged and complex community that we are today. As we attract new residents and grow, there is more diversity in how we live and even what comprises a “typical” household. Helena Tavares Kennedy explores some of the ways we have changed—and stayed the same—in the November feature, “e Changing Face of the Family” (page 4).

Veterans Day parade in Manassas, complete with floats, dance troupes and color guards. You’ll find details on this Nov. 9 event in “Destinations” (page 12).

Speaking of tradition, we began a new one last month, with the launch of our first annual Prince William Living Giving Back Award. Taking our “Giving Back” department to this next level has long been a goal. So it is with much anticipation that we open it up to the second phase—with nominations tallied, now it is time to vote.

One of those changes is more people choosing to spend their golden years here. Some enjoy an active retirement, taking advantage of the recreational and cultural venues that have popped up over the years. For seniors who are homebound or disabled, services such as Meals on Wheels make it possible to age in place with dignity. In “Giving Back” (page 24), Val Wallace gives us a look into this nonprofit that offers clients a hot meal and a watchful eye.

Go to princewilliamliving.com/givingbackaward to read about our outstanding nominees and help us select the first Giving Back recipient. You’ll support a deserving not-for-profit and learn about the inspirational work being done to enhance the quality of life here in greater Prince William.

Of course, some things stay the same. Steeped in military history and a long tradition of supporting our troops, there is no shortage of patriots in our community. We even host the D.C. area’s largest

Sincerely, Rebecca Barnes Prince William Living Publisher

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 ..........................................................................................21 Bargain Relo..........................................................................9, 36 Barn, Inc.....................................................................................19 Beacon Electrical Services ......................................................36 Bella Vita....................................................................................23 Best Western Battlefield Inn ....................................................23 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....................................................22 Discover Prince William & Manassas......................................33 Draped Window ........................................................................36 Edgemoor Art Studio................................................................36 Emeritus Senior Living ..............................................................7 EuroBronze................................................................................36 FURR Roofing............................................................................22 Gaeltek, LLC ..............................................................................34 Gainesville Ballet ......................................................................15 GEICO ..........................................................................................9 Golden Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics ............................14

Historic Manassas, Inc. ............................................................34 Imagewerks ..............................................................................36 Lavender Retreat ......................................................................15 Magnificent Belly Dance ..........................................................36 Merry Maids ..............................................................................22 Minnieland Academy................................................................19 Nova Music Center ..................................................................23 Novant Health ..........................................................................C4 Options for Senior America ....................................................36 Parrish Services ..........................................................................8 Patriot Scuba ............................................................................27 Peggy and Bill Burke, Virginia Realty Partners, LLC ..............26 Pope John Paul The Great High School ..................................18 Potomac Place ............................................................................9 Prince William Chamber of Commerce ..................................19 Prince William Historic Preservation Society ..........................11 Prince William Ice Center ........................................................15 Realistic Art Photography ........................................................36 Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center ............................C2 Simply Stunning Faces ............................................................27 SPARK........................................................................................23 Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center ....................................27 Tackett’s Mill Center ..................................................................19 The MarketPlace at Madison Crescent ..................................36 Tiny Dancers ............................................................................22 Upscale Resume Services........................................................36 Washington Square Associates ..............................................36 Westminster at Lake Ridge ......................................................34 WineStyles ................................................................................23 Yellow Cab ................................................................................36 Your College Planning Coach ..................................................31

prince william living November 2013 | 3

The Changing Face of the Family

By Helena Tavares Kennedy, Contributing Writer

T

he American family once typically consisted of a husband, wife, an average of 2.5 children and a dog. However, there is no longer a “typical” American family. e face of the family in the U.S., and certainly in greater Prince William, is constantly evolving.

You can see it all around you: a young, multi-racial couple enjoying lunch at the local restaurant, a single dad with his kids in tow at the grocery store. e multi-generational family up the street, with young children, their parents and grandmother sharing one home, or friends consolidating expenses as roommates.

Reasons for this evolution are as varied as the face of the family today. Equality and diversity have gained ground, opening opportunities. Societal norms have changed as tolerance has increased and more people feel that we don’t have to all fit into the historical stereotypical norm.

Economic factors also play a role. For instance, in this upsidedown housing market, some couples continue to live together while going through—and sometimes even following—a divorce.

Meanwhile, a tough job market has led to more college graduates returning to the nest.

4 | November 2013 prince william living

The Diversified Face of Prince William Prince William’s population, which is continually growing and becoming more racially and ethnically diverse, exemplifies the dramatic changes in the American household over the past decade and beyond.

An estimated 418,000 people live in Prince William County, according to county government statistics for the second quarter this year. at’s a significant increase over the 402,000 people who lived in the county in 2010, and that number already represented a jump of more than 43 percent over the nearly 282,000 county residents reported in 2000, based on U.S. census data.

e percentage of individuals older than 65 who live with others in Prince William, such as children or grandchildren, has grown.

Additionally, the size of households has increased slightly, despite a small dip in the number of children younger than 18 living in homes. is indicates that in addition to the traditional nuclear family, households may include grown children, elderly parents and other relatives or friends.

Here are some statistics for Prince William County based on results from the 2011 American Community Survey and the 2010 U.S. Census: n e county’s population is about 62 percent white (including Hispanics and Latinos), more than 20 percent African American, nearly 8 percent Asian, more than 4 percent two or more races, less than 1 percent Native American and about 5 percent other races, based on data for 2011. In terms of ethnicity, more than 20 percent of the county’s population is Hispanic or Latino. n About 19 percent of county residents are foreign born. n In 2010, there were about 131,000 households in Prince William County. County demographers estimate that the number of “housing units” (137,000 in 2010) climbed to nearly 143,000 the second quarter of this year. n About 74 percent of residents own their home. n e average number of people per household is slightly more than three.

The Changing Composition of Households e composition of local households is also changing. Multigenerational families living in one home, single parents, same-gender couples, non-family households and empty nesters were once a rarity in Prince William, but no more.

“If you look at our demographics over the years, households today are much more varied than they used to be, allowing us a wide range of diverse perspectives in our county,” said Bill Vaughan, demographer for Prince William County. Each quarter his department posts on the county’s website the latest demographic information for Prince William.

“The Typical Family Is Different Because Society Is Different” Behind these trends and statistics are real people, such as Tim and Beth Mickens, whose story helps explain the changing face of the family. Originally from Fredericksburg, this multi-racial couple raising a young child said their commute to Chantilly had become too much. ey moved to Manassas to be closer to work and their parents and extended family. “e biggest challenge for families today, besides financial concerns, is time,” Beth Mickens said. “Our modern society demands us to work long hours and commute long distances to the point where all we have left is the weekend to do chores and spend some time with our family. ere’s no doubt that we have (continues on page 6) prince william living November 2013 | 5

ickens

Between 2000 and 2011, the county’s Hispanic population grew by more than 213 percent; the Asian population by more than 198 percent and the number of African Americans increased by 60 percent, according to information from the U.S. Census Bureau. While still a relatively small percentage of the population, the number of Native Americans grew by more than 117 percent. e number of whites increased by 33.5 percent.

Beth Mickens treats her daughters to Kline's Freeze in Manassas. Mickens and her husband Tim moved to Manassas to reduce their commute and carve out more family time.

Photo cour tesy Beth M

Manassas and Manassas Park, independent cities within the Prince William area, have also experienced growth. Between 2000 and 2010, Manassas grew from 35,000 people to 37,821, according to results from the 2010 U.S. Census. Manassas Park’s population increased more than 42 percent, from 10,000 in 2000 to 14,273 in 2010.

(continued from page 5)

Multi-Generational Living Is a “Priceless Benefit”

to take personal priorities into perspective when talking about time in modern society, but still the demands for work make it tough. We just seem to be busy all the time.”

Karen Russell calls herself the “caretaker of the zoo.” In addition to Russell, her multi-generational household includes her two teenage children, her father and her 35-year-old brother, who has Down syndrome. Until their recent deaths, the household’s members also included Russell’s mother and paternal grandmother.

ere are other differences for families today compared to households of the past, she added. “e typical family is different because society is different,” she said. “A major difference for us is the fact that our interracial relationship and our child, who is of mixed races, are more socially accepted than [they] would have been before. But also the way we raise our children, the way we discipline them, the time we spend with them is different from before.”

“It was quite a challenge for about 10 years when we all lived in this one home together. Sharing bedrooms was a challenge and still is now as I share my bedroom with my teenage daughter,” she said. “Daily simple tasks like what to have for dinner tonight or what to watch on TV became major family battles.”

Mickens said children once played outside more and families did more things together. “Now it seems there are completely separate, independent roles within a family that [don’t] involve the others.” She sees this changing, however. “I think families are beginning to go back to their roots. Parents are shutting off the TV, closing the computers and taking children outside to play, sitting with them and playing board games, exercising, etc.”

“The biggest challenge today for families, besides financial concerns, is time. Our modern society demands us to work long hours and commute long distances.”

— Beth Mickens

Key Is How, Not Where, You Live

In addition to the tight quarters, Russell said caring for her brother is another ongoing challenge. “My dad and I help care for him, change his diapers, take him to doctor appointments,” she said. Russell has thought of getting a bigger place so that she and her daughter can have their own rooms, but the family cannot afford it. “I can’t really have a full-time job because of having to care for my brother,” Russell explained.

Isabelle de Vooght and her husband Laurent Mambourg moved to Manassas Park from Belgium five years ago for a job opportunity in Manassas. ey considered moving to the U.S. with a young child an adventure and a rare opportunity, de Vooght said.

Russell sees a number of pluses to the family’s living arrangement, however. “Financially we are better off this way than each of us living separately. And my kids really got to know and be close to their grandmother and great-grandmother,” she said. “My kids are also very close to my father … so all this is a priceless benefit for them that will always be in their hearts.”

Photo courtesy Matt Cali

ey loved living in Prince William so much that they had their second child while living in the area and recently purchased their own home in the region, she said. “e neighborhoods in the county are great. …

You still see kids playing in the street,” de Vooght said. “Just the other day during Isabelle de Vooght and her daughters. my daily run, some kids down the street were hosting a lemonade stand. at is something you pictured 50 years ago, but it was so refreshing to see still happening today.”

6 | November 2013 prince william living

Photo courtesy Frank Guerrero

Today’s families need to ensure they take the time to live with their children and enjoy them, she said. “ere is pressure on everyone today, working parents, children. Competition is very present, especially in school with sports, grades, etc., even at very young ages,” de Vooght stated. “So we have to be careful and expose our children to the wide variety of activities while still spending time with them, hugging them, loving them. e key is not where you live, but how you live.”

From left, Pat Venti, Brenda Murphy and Joy Rensch are members of the Silver Foxes, an over-55 social group based in Lake Ridge.

“Appreciate What Has Evolved and Embrace It” On the other end of the spectrum are Prince William’s empty nesters and retirees. Former teacher Brenda Reid Murphy, soon to be 85, has lived in Prince William since she was 1 year old, moving with her family from Alexandria, where she was born. “e population here was so limited back then.

When I graduated from Occoquan High School in 1945 there were 14 people in my graduating class,” said Murphy, adding that there was only one male in her graduating class since the others were all off serving the nation in World War II. Murphy cares for her 55-year-old paraplegic son— diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 39. By 42 he could not walk, and Murphy has been caring for him ever since. He lives in the house next to hers, which has been retrofitted for his wheelchair with a ramp so that he can still have some independence.

Murphy said she enjoys her time with him, her weekend visits from her daughter who lives in Fairfax and her activities and groups. “Everything is [spiraling] up to an interesting tomorrow, and I look forward to every new day,” Murphy stated.

To keep active, Murphy walks a mile a day, and is involved in a variety of clubs and activities, including “Silver Foxes,” an over-55 social group based out of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church in Lake Ridge.

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e group represents another feature of the face of Prince William families: seniors. Murphy said that when a congregant proposed forming the club, the church’s priest gave his blessing, but doubted that Prince William had enough seniors for the group to succeed. It has since grown from 20 members to 120.

Prince William’s growing and changing community comes with challenges and opportunities. “I think with such population growth there comes a medley of good and bad, such as a lot more traffic problems, but also a lot more diversity and things to do in the area,” said Murphy. “You need to appreciate what has evolved and embrace it.”

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

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prince william living November 2013 | 9

on a high note

Carole Bellacera Truth in Fiction

By Michelle Hurrell, Contributing Writer

“C

arole has a flair for Americana. Reading one of her novels is the literary equivalent of viewing a Norman Rockwell painting; the longer you stay with the work, the more nuances are revealed,” said Hope Tarr, author of numerous historical and contemporary romance novels.

loose-leaf notebook. Her first published novel, “Border Crossings,” features a couple living amidst the political violence of 1990s Northern Ireland. e book was nominated for a RITA® Award, which recognizes outstanding romance novels and novellas.

However, local author Carole Bellacera desires to be a writer undefined by genre. She succeeds Carole Bellacera by delivering truly unique stories.

Many of her novels deal with the common theme of a woman fighting to define herself, although this dilemma is dealt with distinctively in each book.

“What I have always enjoyed about Carole’s books is that no two novels tell the same story. Each book takes you into a different world,” said playwright, screenwriter and author Kathryn O’Sullivan, who is also a professor at Northern Virginia Community College.

In “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” an adulterous senator’s wife must find solid footing after her family’s discovery of her affair. In “Understudy,” a young girl struggles to find her own identity after taking over the life of a friend killed in an accident.

“Lily of the Springs,” her latest published work, casts a spotlight on an abused wife facing few viable options of escape in the 1950s, a time when a woman’s worth was solely determined by her male relationships.

Bellacera, who lives in Manassas, writes every day, at the local Panera Bread or Starbucks. “I write on a schedule, whether I feel like it or not. Nine times out of 10, inspiration comes when I start writing. It just takes over,” she said.

Bellacera’s gift of storytelling emerged when she was a child. At the age of 12, she wrote and illustrated a novel of several pages in a 10 | November 2013 prince william living

Currently the author is revising her new book about a nurse’s harrowing experience in the Vietnam War. e title, “Incense and Peppermints,” from a famous ’60s song, evokes thoughts of something bittersweet and mysterious, juxtaposing the incense used to mask the smell of marijuana smoke with the sweet peppermint taste of childhood.

Stephanie Elliott, an employee at Working Partners Ltd., a London-based fiction packager, was Bellacera’s editor for “Border Crossings,” “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” and also her novel “Spotlight.” “I enjoyed working with Carole. She writes very relatable female characters who have to make such difficult decisions. You understand personally how they feel,” Elliott said.

“She writes with a lot of emotion, and her writing pulls you in.

You don’t want to take a break from the characters or the books; they stay with you.”

Bellacera also creates unforgettable characters. “Whether hero or heroine, villain or somewhere between the dualities, Carole’s characters are vivid portrayals of the human condition ... [and] always make her books a straight-through read for me,” said Tarr.

Editing specialist Danielle Poiesz, owner of New Jersey-based editing service Double Vision Editorial, is familiar with Bellacera’s work. She said after reading “Lily of the Springs,” “I was drawn

into not only Lily’s life, but into her spirit. She is a wonderfully real character who jumps off the page, and readers will be able to relate to [her] in some way.”

As it turns out, it is a story born of truth. ough the reader spends much of the book mentally pleading with Lily to leave the unpredictable Jake, the cycle of abuse that leaves Lily frozen and inert is accurately portrayed. “Lily was based on my mother’s relationship with my father,” Bellacera said.

In addition to being a published author, Bellacera is a mentor and teacher. She teaches two online writing courses for Long Ridge Writers Group®, a program that for 20 years has taught thousands of aspiring authors how to improve their writing and succeed in the market. Available at www.longridgewritersgroup.com, her courses are entitled “Breaking into Print” and “Shape, Write and Sell Your Novel.”

Bellacera is quick to offer advice to would-be novelists, suggesting that they create a storyboard that not only maps out their entire book, but includes drawings or cut-out images of what their characters and settings look like.

For example, she developed an imagined floor plan of the apartment where her character Lily “lives.” “My storyboard is my own personal road map. It is my security blanket,” Bellacera said.

She cautions writers to not be so tied to the storyline that it deters the writing from developing naturally, and also speaks of the value

of researching the setting. She traveled all the way to Ireland to make certain “Border Crossings” was accurate.

“Be a rock star in your own life,” Bellacera advises her students, implying that a well-lived life is the basis for good writing. She also cautions, “Writers always hear the word, ‘No.’ Never let it stop you.”

Of her own work, Bellacera admitted that in the past she was obsessed with writing, but is “enjoying life now by embracing other interests,” she said. ose include jewelry making and singing. She said that last year she sang as Marilyn Monroe at a USO-type dinner show at e American Legion in Manassas. e show, “Shining Stars of Liberty,” was a fundraiser for Fisher House, a nationwide program offering a home away from home for families of patients receiving care near major U.S. military and Veterans Administration medical centers.

Information on Bellacera’s interests, including a link to her jewelry shop’s website plus full-screen trailers for her books, can be found on her website, www.carolebellacera.com.

Freelance writer Michelle Hurrell is a recovery support specialist for McLean-based PRS, Inc. She teaches classes at the organization’s D.C. Recovery Academy, which opened this April in the nation’s capital. e academy helps those with intellectual disabilities and individuals with mental illness or substance abuse challenges reclaim and achieve personal and professional success.

prince william living November 2013 | 11

destinations Manassas Hosts Region’s Largest Veterans Day Parade

By Abbey Howarth, Contributing Writer

O

n Nov. 9 at 11 a.m., the streets of Old Town Manassas will transform into a celebration of pride and patriotism, as area residents gather for the Greater Manassas Veterans Day Parade, reported to be the largest Veterans Day parade in Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C., area.

“It places the City of Manassas as the epicenter for area patriotism and recognizing area veterans’ sacrifice,” said Paul Locigno, spokesperson for the Greater Manassas Veterans Day Parade Committee. is is the fifth anniversary of the parade, which is organized by local Post 10 of e American Legion. Officially named the Robert V. McMaugh Memorial Post, it is located near Old Town Manassas.

Ginger Harvey, publicity and media contact for the parade since it began in 2009, added that spectators young and old will be interested in the antique and modern military vehicles as well as the local high school bands, dance troupes, military personnel, pipe and drum corps and police and fire color guards marching in the parade. e event is free and open to the public. Harvey, a Nokesville resident and a longtime supporter of the Manassas event, called the parade “a moving experience.”

Special Tribute for Desert Shield/ Desert Storm Vets Event coordinators select one military conflict to specifically recognize at each parade, Locigno said. World War II was featured in 2009, Korea in 2010, Vietnam in 2011 and the Cold War in 2012.

12 | November 2013 prince william living

Photo courtesy VETPAR, INC.

Each year, the parade grows in both participants and viewers, according to Locigno, who said the annual event has attracted up to an estimated 6,000 people in years past.

Active U.S. military and veterans of the country's armed forces will be among participants marching in the parade.

e 2013 parade will contain a special tribute to those who served in U.S. operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Desert Shield was the U.S. buildup of forces in the Gulf and Saudi Arabia’s defense from August 1990 to mid-January 1991.

Operation Desert Storm immediately followed, kicking off the Persian Gulf War with a 42-day massive U.S.-led air offensive in Kuwait against Iraqi forces.

Of the parade and other Veterans Day celebrations, Locigno said, “It’s important for the public to recognize that many of their family members, friends and neighbors [in the military] sacrificed their youth and well-being and placed educational and career opportunities on hold in service to their country.”

Finally Being Recognized Photo courtesy VETPAR, INC.

Harvey, who has family ties to the event, appreciates this. “e parade is such an inspiration for the individuals honored, their families and to the community,” she said.

Honoring the men and women who protect our nation, Manassas hosts the largest Veterans Day parade in the Washington, D.C., area.

Only One Grand Marshal This Year Breaking from tradition, the parade will have one grand marshal this year. Past parades have each had five grand marshals, one from each branch of service, Locigno said. e committee selects each parade’s grand marshals, highly decorated officers, from throughout the region based on the conflict that they served in, according to a statement from the parade committee. is year, the committee named Joseph Ortiz, an E-5 enlisted U.S. Army veteran and resident of Manassas, as the 2013 parade’s sole grand marshal. “As a community, we are honored to have Mr. Ortiz as our grand marshal this year,” Harvey said. “[We are] convinced of the importance of highlighting the selfless contributions of the Desert Shield and Desert Storm citizenveterans who chose—at great sacrifice—to place family, education and career advancement unselfishly behind to serve our nation in a time of need,” said the parade committee in a prepared statement to the media.

Harvey’s father, Darrell Harvey, has marched in every Greater Manassas Veterans Day Parade with members of his chapter, the 617 Vietnam Veterans of America, which includes veterans from throughout Prince William and also the Stafford and Fredericksburg areas, the older Harvey said. Each year, about 10 chapter members march alongside a vehicle adorned with banners reading “VVA Chapter 617.”

For Harvey and other veterans who served in Vietnam, returning to the United States after combat was far from a warm reception, he recalled. With the political turmoil surrounding the conflict, Harvey remembered, “People would spit on us.” More than 40 years later, the annual parade is quite the departure. “It’s a good feeling to know that we’re finally being recognized,” he said. “It’s real rewarding to hear people clapping for you.”

Arrive Early and Listen In addition to showing her appreciation for members of the military, Jones said she attends the parade to learn from them. “It’s fun to hear history from the people who experienced it,” she said.

Jones’ advice to would-be parade goers is to get an early start, arriving before traffic picks up and parking spots become scarce. en choose a breakfast spot along the parade route. She said veterans will fill many of the nearby restaurants.

Ortiz served with distinction in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a crew chief on a helicopter in 4/7 Cavalry, according to information on the parade website. He’s an active member of e American Legion Post 10 as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Her go-to is Deli Depot, a veteran-owned restaurant on Center Street that serves a special buffet before the parade. “It’s fun to sit there and listen to the veterans … [and get] a massive history lesson from many different time periods, and to hear the differences—people who have fought in the desert, Pacific Rim, Europe,” said Jones.

Reminder of What’s Important

e parade starts at the intersection of Quarry Road and Prescott Avenue, and then marches down Center Street, ending just past West Street. More information on the parade, including a map of the parade route, is available at www.vetpar.org.

While veterans of these conflicts will receive special attention at this year’s parade, the annual event will honor all U.S. military veterans, past and present.

“It continues the storied military history of the City of Manassas by marching on the same street as the Union soldiers marched on when debarking the trains from Washington for both battles of Bull Run,” Locigno said.

“You feel like you’ve gone back in time,” stated Woodbridge resident Jen Jones, who said she attends the event every year.

“Seeing the veterans walk through the streets of Old Town takes you back to a simpler time and reminds you of what’s important,” she said.

Lifelong Prince William resident Abbey Howarth recently graduated from e College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, with a bachelor’s degree in art and art history. Her work has been published in national publications, including USA Today College. She operates Soccer for Success, a nonprofit agency bringing soccer to elementary students in under-served areas. She can be reached at ahowarth@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living November 2013 | 13

health & wellness Caring for Caregivers

By Rebecca Barnes Prince William Living Publisher

ccording to the American Society on Aging, during any given year more than 65 million people in the U.S. provide care for chronically ill, disabled or aged family members or friends.

A

Whether driving loved ones to the doctor, helping them in the middle of the night, making appointments or overseeing their financial affairs, chances are you or someone you know performs an average of 20 hours a week of care.

My mother provided seven years of care for my grandmother when I was growing up. Now, after four years of assisting with my own mother’s care until her passing last spring, I have seen and felt the difficulties being a member of the “sandwich” generation can bring. Caregivers can have a myriad of emotions and reactions, including exhaustion, stress, guilt, depression and even anger.

Caregivers need your love and support. A few ways you can help: n Offer to sit in for them so that they can take time to do weekly errands. n Provide a meal during the week. n Give a gift certificate for a massage or a restaurant to give them “me” time. n Gather friends to assist with yard work for caregivers or those they care for. n Send flowers to brighten their day. n Offer to help decorate for the holidays. n Mail a card or a note of encouragement. n Add them to your prayer list and ask those in your faith community to lift them up in their thoughts.

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

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Publisher of Prince William Living and also Public Information Officer for the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department (OWL VFD), Rebecca Barnes is a lifelong resident of Prince William. You can reach her at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com.

14 | November 2013 prince william living

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going places

Jaspen Boothe Empowering Female Veterans

By Helena Tavares Kennedy, Contributing Writer

Final Salute, Inc., provides support.

It is the only organization in the Washington, D.C., area and only one of a few nationally that offers housing to homeless female U.S. military veterans and their children, according to Ms. Veteran America, which named the organization the beneficiary of its 2012 competition.

Haymarket resident Jaspen (Jas) Boothe, founder of Final Salute, Inc., said she is on a mission to create a safety net for her sisters in arms. A veteran captain in the U.S. Army, where she served for 13 years, she was scheduled in 2005 to deploy to Iraq when struck by two life-changing blows. First, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, her hometown at the time. e storm rendered her homeless and destroyed all her possessions.

Just one month later, Boothe was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Discharged from the military due to her illness, she was in need of a job and a place for her and her young son to live. Boothe said that when she sought services as a veteran, she was told to look into welfare and other social service programs— a process she described as “demeaning.”

16 | November 2013 prince william living

Photo courtesy Umbrella Syndicate

M

ore than 55,000 women U.S. military veterans across the nation are homeless, based on information from the nonprofit organization Final Salute, Inc. Let that number sink in. ese are women who have fought and served our country, but found little support when needed.

“People think of military in high regard and think, ‘Oh, they’ll be okay,’ but we aren’t,” said Boothe.

“We face the same economic issues, divorce, domestic violence, job downsizing ... just like any other American.”

Following extensive treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, Boothe went into remission, eventually joining the U.S. Army Reserve. She also began a job search which led her to the D.C. area. She has since married a U.S. Marine combat veteran, and her son, now grown, is joining the U.S. Air Force. However, Boothe said she always remembered her trials.

A Calling to Help Other Women Vets “When the idea of creating Final Salute came to mind in 2010, I remembered Mark Twain’s quote that says, ‘e two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.’ I embraced it when I realized this was my calling,” said Boothe.

She took a two-pronged approach for Final Salute. “H.O.M.E.” (Housing Outreach Mentorship Encouragement) provides temporary shared housing, along with resources for transitioning back to independence. For female veterans who are still in homes, but struggling financially, “S.A.F.E.” (Savings Assessment and Financial Education) covers expenses such as utilities or a month’s rent.

Photo courtesy Umbrella Syndicate

While funding was difficult at first, Boothe said once she helped others understand the lack of services for female veterans, donations came in quickly. e group now operates three group homes for female veterans and their children.

A Final Salute home in Fairfax houses eight women veterans and their children. A house in Alexandria is home to 10 families. A volunteer also lives in and manages each of these homes. A third home, in Ohio, houses one woman and her children.

Final Salute Chairman of the Board Brian Drummond, son of Navy veterans, said he was stunned at how many homeless female veterans there are. “I was even more stunned that Jas was trying to help them one at a time,” he said.

Boothe said part of the problem is that most other programs focus on the disabled or addicted. Other veterans who fall on hard times can slip through the cracks.

Compounding the problem: More than half of shelters either don’t accept children or have restrictions based on age or number of children, according to the Government Accountability Office. is lack of services comes at a time of increasing need. e U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that while overall veteran homelessness rates are dropping, the rate for female veterans is rising. “Women veterans are three to four times more likely to be homeless than male veterans,” Boothe said.

Since adding an online application process in April 2012, Final Salute has received more than 400 requests for assistance.

Boothe said the organization, staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers, has helped 125 applicants since the first home opened in November 2011.

“We can only serve about a third [of applicants] right now,” stated Boothe. “We wish we could serve everyone.”

Helping Veterans Start Over Women from all over the country turn to Final Salute for help.

However, Boothe said several clients living in the agency’s Virginia homes are from the area, including Army Reservist Chiquita Chavis, who lived in Prince William prior to being accepted into H.O.M.E. Upon returning to her position as a defense contractor in 2010 after a tour in Afghanistan, “I had to interview for my job. … It was like starting over after coming back from deployment,” Chavis said.

She said that she was fired shortly following the birth of her daughter. About the same time, her child’s father, also in the Army Reserve, could not work due to an injury. “We were stuck, until I met Jas at a job fair,” said Chavis.

Her babysitter for the fair had fallen through, and so Chavis was job hunting with her daughter in tow. Seeing this, Boothe offered to watch the baby while Chavis met with employers.

Residents at the Final Salute home in Alexandria receive shelter and resources for transitioning back to independence.

Chavis did land a job and received financial assistance from Final Salute, but “once you get behind, it’s hard to catch up,” she said. Boothe later welcomed Chavis into a Final Salute home. Chavis said she has since been promoted at her job, and is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan again in December.

Empowering Women Boothe designed Final Salute to empower the women in its programs. H.O.M.E. residents must take courses in finance, budgeting and résumé writing and attend job search-related events weekly if unemployed. Boothe said the most gratifying part of what she does is “being able to change a life, and, in some instances, being able to save a life.”

She added that she doesn’t want to be in business 20 years from now. “I want to get to the root cause of homelessness and stop it. I don’t want to keep putting band-aids on a national issue,” she said.

To that end, Boothe is garnering attention for her cause. She has been a guest on television programs such as Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” and ABC’s “Katie!” with Katie Couric. CNN named Boothe one of its 2013 “CNN Heroes,” recognizing her on its annual award show of the same name.

“My hope is that the government steps up and implements its own program to help women veterans stay out of homelessness,” said Boothe.

To learn more about Final Salute, including information on volunteering or donating, visit finalsaluteinc.org.

A nonprofit marketing director, Helena Tavares Kennedy also enjoys freelance writing in her spare time. She has lived in Manassas for 12 years with her husband and two children and can be reached at hkennedy@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living November 2013 | 17

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family fun

Putting Thankfulness into Action

By Kristina Schnack Kotlus, Contributing Writer

W

hen my family celebrates Passover, there’s a beautiful song called “Dayenu” that we sing at the end of the Haggadah (the text recited during the Seder dinner). When I asked my husband to bring me the words so that I could write my anksgiving column, he looked at me with a slight amount of concern, and asked me to confirm that I knew Passover was in the spring.

I have a degree in comparative religious studies, and I’ve been cooking for Passover the 10 years of our marriage, but I did recently have 16 hours of brain surgery, so it was a fair question.

It’s just that this song is perfect for right now. In the midst of financial and government uncertainty and busy fall schedules, with cold weather creeping in and heating bills creeping up, I wanted to remember “Dayenu.” Loosely translated, it means “It would have been sufficient.” Sometimes, when you’re being thankful as a family, it helps to count your blessings that way.

Whether or not you thank a deity, the universe, or fate, counting your blessings is a good practice for any time of year, but especially as we approach the holiday literally named for giving thanks. It’s almost Pollyanna in practice, but you start out with “If we hadn’t starved this year, it would’ve been enough, but we had more than enough to eat.” (Maybe even a little too much for some of us.)

Or it could be, “If we would’ve had clothes to wear, it would’ve been sufficient, but we had enough money to pick up a few new outfits.” For me, it’s a good reminder on my bad days that I survived surgery and can walk and talk, even when things hurt.

Wonders never cease when you realize how far from the baseline you are. With a child who is rapidly approaching his “tween” years and seems convinced that everything we say is “not fair,” counting our blessings is a special kind of family fun this year.

Sometimes the best way to handle a disgruntled child is with appreciation.

Whether you reinforce that thankfulness with words or actions, I hope that you’ll take time this season to realize what would be 20 | November 2013 prince william living

sufficient in your life, and how beyond that you are, or if you’re not beyond that baseline right now, how you have been in the past and will be again in the future. ankfulness is so important to being happy in general and has helped my family weather a number of storms.

Here are a few ideas for putting your thankfulness into action this November:

Paper Chain We’re huge fans of the paper chain of thankfulness at our house, because we’re cheap. I know you’re supposed to say “frugal,” but there’s no two ways about hacking up construction paper. It’s the cheap option, and we love it.

Have each family member write on a strip of the paper something he or she is thankful for. Attach the strips to make a chain, using tape or a glue stick to secure the edges. Add new “links” every day this month. We like to do this after dinner. By anksgiving Day, you’ll have a lovely chain of fall colors to decorate your home.

If you’d like to class it up and go green, ScriptureArt.com has a dry-erase “cornucopia” set, for about $30. It allows your family to update its list as often as you would all like, and it’s reusable year after year.

A Helping Hand If your family needs a little less talk and a lot more action, check out ACTS (Action in Community rough Service). Our family was recently able to volunteer there on a Saturday morning.

Even our 5-year-old was able to help count cans and boxes for the nonprofit organization’s “Operation Turkey,” and I hear ACTS frequently needs rice and beans measured into smaller bags.

Older children and teens can be even more help: stocking goods, moving boxes or helping with other “heavy-lifting” tasks. For (continues on page 22)

prince william living November 2013 | 21

(continued from page 20) other volunteer opportunities in Prince William, visit volunteerprincewilliam.org.

Fall Cleaning If adding one more thing to your schedule isn’t in the cards, but you’d still like to be thankful in a more physical and less abstract way, help others and yourself by calling for a family purge. “We’re so blessed we’ve got to give it away” is the mantra. By giving away your unused and unneeded items, you’ll be helping others and gaining some extra space in your home.

Set a timer to make it fun by seeing who in your family finds in five minutes the most number of items to donate. You can schedule a home pickup through gooddonor.org, which works with a number of area charities.

Nonprofits with shelters or thrift stores, such as ACTS in Dumfries and SERVE in Manassas, will often accept donations as well. Just call ahead to make sure that they need the types of items you are donating.

A Place(mat) of Thanks Finally, for the “awwww” factor, help your younger children trace their handprint to create the iconic “handprint turkey” placemat. On each “feather,” have them write why they’re thankful for each guest attending your dinner.

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Having personalized placemats with statements like “Grandma reads to me” or “Papa plays hockey” will remind all of your guests how much they are appreciated.

If you would like to share photos of your anksgiving “family fun” with us, email them to editor@princewilliamliving.com or tag @Prince William Living in your photos on Facebook. From my family to yours—have a wonderful and thankful holiday.

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.

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giving back PRINCE WILLIAM MEALS ON WHEELS

Delivering Food and Compassion

By Val Wallace, Contributing Writer

“M

ost of them are unable to get out of the house, and my heart goes out to them.

You have to have a lot of compassion [in] this job,” said Bob Mitchell of the clients he delivers meals to as a volunteer for Prince William Meals on Wheels. e Manassas resident, who’s been delivering the program’s meals for three-and-a-half years, chose to volunteer after he retired from his federal job and found himself at home “bored and depressed … doing nothing,” Mitchell said. “I decided that I needed badly to get out of the house and to help others.”

e Prince William Area Agency on Aging oversees the local Meals on Wheels, along with more than 20 other programs designed to assist area seniors and help improve their quality of life, Gilbert said. e agency is part of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

Cooks at each senior center prepare the program’s meals, which are delivered once daily at lunchtime Monday through Friday to Meals on Wheels’ 240 clients throughout Prince William, Gilbert said. During the fiscal year that ended June 30, volunteers, whom Gilbert described as the “backbone of the program,” delivered about 32,000 meals, she said. at’s an average of more than 133 meals per client.

She described the target clientele as “adults 60 years and older who are homebound, basically unable to prepare a meal on their own 24 | November 2013 prince william living

Photo courtesy Sean Floars

Mitchell is one of about 93 volunteers for the local Meals on Wheels, officially called the Home Delivered Meal Program, said Sue Gilbert, site manager of the agency’s Manassas Senior Center. Gilbert is in charge of the program, along with Kathy Ambrose, site manager of the agency’s other senior center, located in Woodbridge.

Prince William Meals on Wheels volunteer Bob Mitchell of Manassas prepares to load lunches into his car to deliver to the program’s clients.

without difficulty, of course, and who are unable to participate in the congregate program, meaning that they can’t come to the senior centers.”

For those who can leave their homes, the agency’s Congregate Nutrition Program provides seniors age 60 and older with lunch Monday through Friday in each center’s dining room. Last fiscal year the centers served 17,000 lunches to a total of 892 congregate program clients, Gilbert said. ose age 55 to 59 can also eat lunch at the centers for a small fee ($5.75), she added.

Gilbert said licensed dietitians develop all meal plans. Each meal “meets a third of the DRI, which stands for the Dietary Reference

Intake,” she said. “Whatever makes up that meal is based on the nutrients.”

Meals on Wheels goes beyond providing a nutritious meal. “In addition to delivering a hot meal, [the volunteers] do a daily check on folks, and oftentimes [they’re] the only person the client may see in a day,” Gilbert explained. “ey bring back to the center any information that they feel is important in terms of the clients’ well-being. If there are any concerns … we pass it right onto their social worker.”

“If it is clear that [the caller needs] somebody to come into the home to complete the assessment, then a supportive services specialist is assigned,” Tierney said.

Photos courtesy Sean Floars

Each Meals on Wheels client is assigned to one of the agency’s four specialized social workers, called supportive services specialists, said Courtney Tierney, director of the Prince William Area Agency on Aging. Becoming a Meals on Wheels client starts with a call to the agency at 703-792-6374, where one of its three information and referral specialists will begin an assessment process.

Mitchell has been delivering meals for the local home meal delivery program for three-and-a-half years.

e program’s goal is “to help people in our community remain in the community in their place of choice for as long as possible,” Tierney stated. She said there’s been a bias in federal and state funding toward institutionalization, but “that is shifting towards the community, which is a good thing. … ere is support [and] long-term services available … and one of those supports is Meals on Wheels.”

Meals on Wheels receives federal funding under the U.S. Older Americans Act of 1965, which mandated the program nationally, Tierney said. e program is also funded by local government and donations from participants and community groups, said Gilbert.

Gilbert added that Meals on Wheels and congregate program clients are not charged. Instead, they are asked to donate whatever they can afford based on a sliding chart of suggested donations according to monthly income.

Despite donations and funding, “we couldn’t operate the meals program or the senior centers without volunteers. ey are vital to our operation,” Tierney said. “We’re always looking for volunteers to deliver meals, and we welcome businesses, too, if a business wants to accept a route once a week.”

Mitchell, who volunteers every ursday, delivers to 12 clients on his route, which takes him about three hours to complete “because I talk so much,” he laughed. “You get to know the people on your route,” he said. “I’m doing more than just delivering food. I … give companionship.”

He’s also alert to problems or needs, which he addresses immediately if he can or else reports to Gilbert, he said. One example: “A woman actually said to me, ‘I’m so lucky. I just got a phone call, and I won $100,000. All I have to do is mail them $3,500.’ I said, ‘Don’t do that whatever you do,’ and I … told Sue, [who] sent a case worker out,” he said.

For wheelchair-bound Julie McDonald, a client for almost two years, the program has been a blessing. “anks to Meals on

Elwood Berry is among 12 clients on Mitchell's route.

Wheels, I’m fed daily and well, and safe. It really gives you a sense of security that there will be somebody popping by, even if it’s just for five minutes,” said McDonald, a Manassas resident. “ey’re like guardians.”

McDonald said the meals are delicious, and she receives a monthly menu listing the meals and what day each will be delivered. ere’s a wide variety, she said, and “the volunteers who deliver them are just the nicest people. … ey’re caring. ey’re considerate. ey’re polite. … ey’re extremely dependable. … ey make my life so much easier.”

Freelance writer Val Wallace, of Manassas Park, is a regular contributor to Prince William Living and is also on the magazine’s editorial staff. She can be emailed at vwallace@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living November 2013 | 25

home & hearth Family Room Realities

By Vickie Williamson Custom Framer and Interior Designer

amily room, great room, living room—whatever you call it, it’s the space where family gathers. The family room is the warm embrace of comforting arms, where you can come as you are, shoes are not required and formality is shunned.

F

Where others have branches, we have roots.

A current design trend in housing is a small, more formal living room and a much larger room near the kitchen for the family-gathering room. Many homeowners have eliminated the living room space and opted for a home office for the family computer.

It’s a sign of the times that we no longer need a formal space to entertain guests. In our fast-paced and less formal society, most gatherings end up in the kitchen anyway. Let’s compare a family room of 40 years ago to one today.

Past: n The family room or den is often smaller than the living room and located near the kitchen or at the back of the house. n Wood paneling prevailed and shag carpet in strong colors was coveted. The small television had rabbit ears and three channels. n Plaid upholstered furniture was all the rage, with better “for-company” furniture carefully positioned in the living room. A recliner for dad was required seating.

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n A flat-screen television, often carefully positioned above the fireplace mantel, adorns the focal wall. Drywall, chair rail and crown molding prevail.

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n Hardwood flooring or neutral-colored carpets are coveted, and a grouping of oversized leatherupholstered seating is preferred.

No matter how you refer to the most important gathering space in your house, the family room is where we entertain, are entertained or just relax in the company of friends and family.

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.

26 | November 2013 prince william living

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local flavor

Presto! Pizza Where Freshness Is Key

By Lisa Collins-Haynes, Contributing Writer

T

he famous food critic Craig Claiborne once said, “Cooking, when done with care, is an act of love.”

Nothing could be truer of the food made by Tom Nonnan and Pina Gambino-Nonnan at Presto! Pizza in Lake Ridge.

On Dec. 6 the Nonnans will celebrate three years of owning the family food establishment. e couple took a leap of faith and started the business, after years of experience in the restaurant industry, when a pizzeria closed, creating an opportunity to purchase the space. e secret to their business’s success, according to GambinoNonnan, is “fresh ingredients and excellent customer service.”

Every part of the pizza is made from scratch, from the dough to the homemade sauce, she explained. “We don’t use anything from a can. We hand chop our salads and even grow our own herbs,” Gambino-Nonnan said. Almost as proof, oregano can be seen growing from a flower pot in front of the pizzeria.

28 | November 2013 prince william living

Additionally, they only use extra virgin olive oil imported from Italy, stated Gambino-Nonnan, who hails from Sicily.

“Absolutely the Best Pizza I’ve Ever Had” Patron Svea Krajack, during a visit to Presto! Pizza with her children, said the pizzeria, recommended by another family years ago, is the only place her family goes for pizza.

“I’m [originally] from Philly, so I’m accustomed to quality food and flavors. I’ve found that and more at Presto and because of the fresh ingredients they use, it’s the perfect meal to have after a long day,” said Krajack, a Lake Ridge resident who was picking up dinner following a visit to the Prince William County Fair. Her children agreed that Presto is a family favorite.

Another customer wrote on Presto! Pizza’s Facebook page, “Y’all made us feel so wonderful today when we came in. We loved our pizzas! Specially my gluten-free pizza! Absolutely the best pizza I’ve ever had!”

Photos courtesy Chris Lehto

Delivering First-Class Customer Service e Nonnans’ family and staff also know that equally valuable to providing a quality product is delivering first-class customer service, Gambino-Nonnan said. Each staff member has been trained to answer the phones correctly and work with customers, ensuring that they are always satisfied.

Presto! Pizza is not only family owned, but also family oriented. e owners and staff get to know their customers, share in their lives and even watch their children grow, GambinoNonnan explained.

Participating in a “Community of Kindness” Presto! Pizza staff make pizza from scratch using traditional Italian methods and ingredients.

Presto! Pizza has also gotten great results from its community endeavors, she said, adding that her family believes in the “community of kindness” and that by giving, they will, in turn, receive.

When asked about a signature dish, Gambino-Nonnan said she believes it is the Pizza Margherita. It’s described on the menu as the “Queen of Pizza,” with crushed Roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, Romano cheese, fresh basil and extra virgin oil.

She said that participating in silent auctions for area schools, church fundraiser events and other charitable efforts have allowed the pizzeria owners to get to know their neighbors and to contribute to the people of Prince William.

Krajack swore by the Cu Casciu Focaccia. “I can eat the whole box by myself on the drive home,” she said.

Gambino-Nonnan welcomes all to the family’s business at 4135 Merchant Plaza in Lake Ridge. ere’s always a special going on and the menu offers something for everyone, she said.

View the full menu and current specials online at www.prestopizzas.com.

e secret behind their popular pizza? “ere’s no secret. We like to share what we know with people, and we know that freshness is the key,” said Gambino-Nonnan. “We don’t use generic products.

It’s worth [it] to pay more, [because the] results, they are great.”

In addition to its namesake dish, Presto! Pizza offers pasta, baked specialties, salads, deli sandwiches, hot wings and an assortment of desserts.

Preserving Italian Tradition

Lisa Collins-Haynes lives in Woodbridge with her husband and daughter and is a freelance entertainment and travel writer and selfprofessed out-of-control travel spirit (OCTS). She invites everyone to follow her travel blog at www.octsblogger.wordpress.com. She can be reached at lhaynes@princewilliamliving.com.

In making pizza from scratch, the traditional Italian way, the Nonnans are preserving what some say is becoming a lost art. is April, ABC News reported that Italy was experiencing a shortage of Italian pizza makers. e report cited long hours, hard work and relatively low pay as reasons given for the decline.

Gambino-Nonnan said the report saddens her and that her family business will be a legacy for her children. e family is already integral to the business, she stated. She said that her two grown sons and daughter, along with her three grandchildren, all help and know every aspect of the business’s procedures.

She added that she and her husband of 37 years work well together and she would be lost without him by her side in running the pizzeria. Couples working together successfully “can be done— with patience, respect, setting goals together and keeping in mind what is best for the customers they service,” she stated. prince william living November 2013 | 29

your finances Dos and Don’ts of Asset Allocation

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC ® Private Wealth Advisor

sset allocation refers to diversifying your investments among different kinds of asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, real estate and cash. While this does not assure a profit, a diversified portfolio can help you weather the market’s ups and downs. Here are a few dos and don’ts.

A

DO: n Rebalance annually. Pick a date each year to review your portfolio. Perhaps also review your asset allocation during a mid-year financial check-up. Volatile market conditions or a major life event may prompt you to rebalance as well. Note that rebalancing may result in trading fees and realized gains or losses. n Stick to your long-term asset allocation strategy.

Rebalance your portfolio to match your fixed goals or percentages instead of trying to predict where the market is headed. Maintaining consistency in your strategy is generally the best way to ride out economic headwinds. n Consider tax implications. To help avoid big tax bills, ask your tax or financial professional whether putting your investments in tax-sheltered accounts might be right for you.

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DON’T: n Take on more risk than you can tolerate. Risk tolerance should reflect your financial situation. If you wouldn’t be able to handle a nosedive in the market, adjust your asset allocation to lessen your risk. Alternately, you may be too conservative based on your time horizon and financial goals. Reassess your risk tolerance regularly. n Hold too many investments as a diversification strategy. If you invest in more than one mutual fund with the same objective, such as aggressive growth, those funds can carry the same risk. A sound asset allocation strategy requires true differentiation across various investment classes. n Expect asset allocation to do it all for you. There is no magic bullet for investing success. Asset allocation is simply a strategy that may help improve your investing results.

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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november

calendar “Dracula”

Nov. 1-2 • 8 p.m.

Nov. 3 • 2 p.m.

Gregory Family eater hylton performing arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle / Manassas Prince William Little eatre returns to the classic horror story with its stage performance of “Dracula.” Tickets: $15 per adult; $12 per senior, active military and students age 12 and older; $8 per child younger than 11. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 703-993-7550 or email hylton@gmu.edu.

Seventh Annual Fall Gallery Walk Nov. 1 • 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

West street / old town Manassas Old Town Manassas merchants will display artwork by local artists. Follow the balloons to each destination. Organized by Historic Manassas, Inc. Free. For more information, call Sarah McHugh at 703-361-6599 or email smchugh@historicmanassasinc.org.

Holiday Bazaar and Rummage Sale Nov. 2 • 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. prince William senior Center 9320 Mosby street / Manassas e Friends of the Prince William Senior Center at Manassas, Inc., will host the organization’s annual holiday bazaar and rummage sale. e bazaar includes a raffle, handmade crafts, holiday decorations, homemade baked goods and a snack bar.

Gently used items are being accepted for the rummage sale. Free admission. Call 703-792-6405 for details. e senior center is one of two in Prince William operated by the Prince William Area Agency on Aging.

“Arts for Everyone”

Nov. 2 • 7:30 p.m. hylton performing arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle / Manassas e Manassas Symphony Orchestra (MSO) kicks off its 21st season with a music concert and art exhibition in conjunction with the Fine Arts Department of Manassas City Schools. e concert combines French composer Maurice Ravel’s musical arrangement of

Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” with students’ visual interpretation of the music. e concert closes with John Rutter’s breathtaking “Magnificat,” when the MSO is joined by more than 100 members of the Osbourn High School Concert Choir. Tickets are $20 for adults, $14 for seniors 62 or older and educators with a valid school ID and free for students with a valid student ID. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.hyltoncenter.org.

“Nature Visions” Photo Expo Nov. 8 • 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Nov. 9 • 9:45 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 10 • 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. hylton performing arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle / Manassas is three-day photo expo includes more than 15 advanced classes and lectures, including a full-day seminar on Nov. 8 with noted commercial photographer Bryan Peterson, followed by his keynote address on Nov. 9. Hands-on learning includes iPhone photography and photographing live raptors (hawks, owls and falcons) in a natural setting. Expo is organized by seven area photo clubs. Partially funded by Prince William County. Free admission, vendor demos and classes for beginning photographers. Prices for advanced classes vary. $85 for Peterson’s seminar. For more information, visit www.naturevisions.org, email info@naturevisions.org or call 703-594-6423.

Potomac Blockade Boat Tour Nov. 9 • 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.

Greater Manassas Veterans Day Parade Nov. 9 • 11 a.m. – Noon Center street / old town Manassas e fifth annual parade will include a special tribute for Desert Shield and Desert Storm U.S. veterans. U.S. Army veteran Joseph Ortiz of Manassas is the event’s grand marshal. e parade includes several veteran association units, high school bands, pipe and drum corps, military and police and fire color guards, antique and modern military vehicles and local and national military units. Free.

Starts at the corner of Quarry Road and Prescott Avenue. For more information, visit www.vetpar.org, email gch1130@aol.com or call 571-641-5350.

“Tribute to Freedom” Nov. 10 • 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. national Museum of the Marine Corps 18900 Jefferson Davis highway / triangle e New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County will perform “Tribute to Freedom,” a patriotic concert to honor those who serve, and have served, in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the U.S. Coast Guard. A highlight will be a musical tribute, including “JFK: Rise, Fall, Immortality” by Kurt Bestor, to U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who served with distinction in the U.S. Navy and was assassinated 50 years ago this month.

Other songs will include the national anthem (“e Star-Spangled Banner”), “Let Freedom Ring” and other favorites.

Free admission to the museum and concert. Open to the public. For more information, visit www.newdominionchoraliers.org or call 703-590-2147 or 703-498-8906.

“Chips 4 Charity” Nov. 15 • 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Greater prince William Community health Center 13200 Marina Way / Woodbridge Benefiting Prince William area charities, “Chips 4 Charity, Casino Royale at the Harbour” is an elegant evening of table games, prizes, musical entertainment and food and drink. Proceeds go to co-hosts

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

32 | November 2013 prince william living

Discover Prince William & Manassas

Di

PW

here is something magical about this time of year. Twinkling lights start to appear in windows, temperatures drop and merchants and managers of our numerous attractions deck out the community for the holidays.

T

Prince William and Manassas feature numerous unique holiday events. Experience them with your friends and family this year.

Holiday celebrations commence in December with “Merry Old Town,” something I look forward to yearly. From the Christmas parade to the free carriage rides and the arrival of Santa on the commuter train, the City of Manassas truly embraces the spirit of the holidays.

Ann Marie Maher President and CEO Discover Prince William & Manassas

The festivities in Old Town Manassas kick off Dec. 6 with a tree lighting at the Manassas Museum and continue through Sunday when the merchants host their annual open house, complete with refreshments and live entertainment.

Also glimpse into traditions from the past. The Prince William County Historic Preservation Division’s program Dec. 7 at Rippon Lodge covers holiday celebrations from colonial Virginia to World War II. Take a candlelit tour of the home, visit with Santa and enjoy special children’s activities.

Disco

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Facebook.com/pwcman Facebook.com/pwcmanassas

Additionally, a Civil War-era Santa will make an appearance Dec. 7 at the Brentsville Courthouse. Take photos with the big man in red, who will don his suit from 1862, and create decorations for your tree. Also listen to a traditional Christmas service in the historic Union church on site.

At Ben Lomond Historic Site, discover how the enslaved community celebrated the holidays. On Dec. 14, tour the slave quarters as well as the house by candlelight as the former enslaved community of Ben Lomond comes to life through livinghistory vignettes.

Visit our website, DiscoverpWM.com, for information on more seasonal events, and don’t forget to also check out the schedule at the Hylton Performing Arts Center for a complete list of holiday shows.

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. of the event: the Greater Prince William Community Health Center, Prince William Soccer, Inc., and the Rotary Club of Woodbridge, which supports several local nonprofit organizations. $90 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.Chips4Charity.org.

Panther Pride 5K Race Nov. 16 • 8 a.m.

Bristow Run elementary school 8990 Worthington Drive / Bristow Bristow Run Elementary School will hold its second annual family-friendly “Panther Pride 5K” and first annual one-

mile “Global Tech Trot” to raise money for the school’s global education initiative, including its “Global Garden” currently under renovation, and to upgrade its technology. All levels, from marathoner to casual walker, are encouraged to participate. Registration is $25. Register online at www.dcroadrunners.org/sign-up/ panther-pride-5k or 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. at the school the morning of the race. $5 discount for Bristow Elementary School teachers and for families with three or more members registering. Event organizer is D.C. Road Runners. Visit pantherpride5k.org for more information.

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By DeeDee Corbitt Sauter, Contributing Writer

We stood speechless, side by side, in his room. I didn’t even look at him, although neither words nor actions were necessary to communicate. The silence made him jumpy.

“What? What?” Pre-teens can sound incredibly erudite.

Still not making eye contact, I finally spoke. “Tell me about this room.

Tell how you define ‘clean.’ Then tell me how it applies to this space.”

His response should not have surprised me; as the mother of two boys, I should find nothing surprising. But when he referenced a reality show as his first line of defense, it indicated to me that his standard of living was certainly not in line with the rest of the family’s. It also was abundantly clear that I would need to revise my TV-watching rules and perhaps ban television altogether.

My 12-year-old actually believed that if his room was not cluttered enough to be condemned, if he could see parts of the floor and if television cameras were not waiting to show the world his collection of trash, then it was not a significant problem. He was mistaken. My initial silence was not because I lacked words; I was giving him the opportunity to make sense. He failed to impress me.

The issue is not about his ability to clean. He has successfully completed a chore list since he was 2 years old. Of course, it included responsibilities such as “Put stuffed animals on the bed” and “Brush teeth.” Regardless of the complexity of the chore, he has historically appreciated the joy of a job well done. At least he used to.

There are a large number of programs that focus on children. Jon and Kate have eight children, but the fact that she produced six of them simultaneously with the help of modern medicine apparently warranted the need to create an entire series about, well, raising eight children.

However, they have nothing on the Duggars, who have 19 children.

Their youngest child is younger than their oldest grandchild. Although they lack superpowers, just living without government support with relatively few tabloid-style stories has earned them cameras in their home for more than a decade.

“When he referenced a reality show as his first line of defense, it indicated to me that his standard of living was certainly not in line with the rest of the family’s.”

Because of their diminutive stature, the pumpkin-estate-owning Roloff family parents deserve celebrity-status attention and additional income for the constant spewing of their opinions. Another “little” family recently adopted a “little” person from China. Other than their unique size, there seems to be nothing else that supports the need for an entire show.

Although I had heard gossip that TLC, The Learning Channel, had very little to do with actual education, I scoffed at that rumor. I assumed that one could not include the word “learning” to name an entire television station if it was not true. I was mistaken. This was becoming a bad family habit.

The anxiety and stress that impact the family and individuals affected with hoarding issues are captivating. The extreme cases portrayed on TV make it appear as if this is not an unusual occurrence. So if you compare your floor with the stack of garbage lining the abodes of the stars each episode, you would most certainly come out a winner. And, like my son does, it becomes too easy to justify the small piles of odiferous garments as insignificant.

A little investigation into “reality” shows proved that they are far from documentaries. In fact, they seem to be single-minded, subjective, opinionated, nonresearch-centered peeks into the lives of the mundane with a twist of daily horror to make the audience feel good about themselves and their decisions.

I love TV. I love everything about it. I love the crime and humor. I love the company and education. I love that it stays up late with me when I am trying to finish a project. I love old shows and new shows, fiction and fact. I don’t know if this is true, but I bet almost everyone in this country has a way to view TV shows or even movies.

Honey Boo Boo has nothing to do with bees or bee stings, despite what the title suggests. It spotlights the adventures of a family dripping with poor language, horrible eating habits, nasty manners and unintelligible speech. Many of my friends love this show because apparently these people are hilarious. Comedy and laughing are essential ingredients needed to decrease stress, but I would rather have my youngest mock the antics of a cat-and-mouse cartoon chase and not try to emulate the behavior of “real” people to garner attention. But that’s just me.

It’s clear that I cannot ban television. My love for it outweighs the horrors it brings into my home. But I have learned a lesson.

Whether it’s watched on the small screen or found on the bedroom floor, reality bites.

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

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