Prince William Living August 2015

PAGE 20

CHALKBOARD PAINT

PAGE 26

PAGE 35

GLORY DAYS GRILL

HERE’S YOUR SIGN

prince william living August 2015

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

FREEDOM OF THE SKIES PAGE 4

American Recycling Center: Learning by Seeing PAGE 12

Robotics in Prince William County Public Schools PAGE 34

www.princewilliamliving.com

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table of contents August 2015 Vol. 5 No. 8

FEATURE STORY View from Above: Freedom of the Skies................4

DEPARTMENTS from the publisher...................................................3 advertiser index.......................................................3 on a high note Under the Sea to the Top of the Trees: Annie Malloy Brings it Alive in her Artwork.........10

4 Photo by Robert Jinks

destinations American Recycling Center: Learning by Seeing................................................12 giving back Haymarket Husband and Wife are Angels for Haitian Orphans................................... 14 taking care of business Q Integrative Healthcare: Angela McConnell’s Mission.................................18 family fun Chalkboard Paint..................................................20

14 Photo courtesy Helping Haitian Angels

local flavor Glory Days Grill: Food and Drinks for the Home Crowd.............................................26 calendar...............................................................30 lifelong learning Robotics in Prince William County Public Schools.......................................................34 tambourines and elephants Here’s Your Sign...................................................35

COLUMNS

26 Photo by Mark Gilvey

health & wellness.................................................16 home & hearth.....................................................24 your finances........................................................28 Discover Prince William & Manassas................31 prince william living August 2015 | 1

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com Contributing Writers Eve Baker, Amy Falkofske, Helena Tavares Kennedy, Ann Marie Maher, Olivia Overman, DeeDee Corbitt Sauter, Tracey Zemitis Schaefer, Tracy Shevlin, Michael Spiro, Niki VanEch, Tenisha Waldo, Bennett Whitlock Editor in Chief Emily Guerrero Copy & Production Editors Peter Lineberry, Dan Verner Photo Editor Amanda Causey Baity Photographers Amanda Causey Baity, Mark Gilvey, Robert Jinks, Helena Tavares Kennedy Marketing Director Amanda Causey Baity Graphic Design and Production Alison Dixon/Image Prep Studio Online Submission Manager Paul Keily

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.

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by Prince William Living, Inc. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living. Š Copyright 2015 by Prince William Living, Inc.

About the Cover

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.

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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 | August 2015 prince william living

Our photographer Robert Jinks had the opportunity to view Prince William from above, riding in classic aircraft, during Vintage Flyover, an event at Manassas Regional Airport commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day. See more photos online at pwlphotos.com

from the publisher Adventure Awaits

W

hen I was a small child growing up in Dale City, my father owned a plane. He kept it in our garage with the wings unattached, and would tow it (and the wings) over to Woodbridge Airport to fly.

While that airport is long gone, replaced by homes and stores decades ago, many in Prince William still take to the skies for leisure, work and community causes, often flying from Manassas Regional Airport. For the August feature, “Freedom of the Skies” (page 4), Amy Falkofske talked to some of these local pilots to see what draws them to flying, also getting advice for those interested in learning this skill as a hobby or profession.

If you prefer your entertainment to take place without leaving the ground, you may want to check out this month’s Destinations (page 12), all about the Interactive Learning Center and tour at American Disposal Service. Designed to make science education fun, the center takes you into the inner workings of how recycled

Advertiser Index ACTS...........................................................................................36 Ameriprise–Whitlock Wealth Management.............................28 Apple FCU..................................................................................28 Beautiful Moments by Amy......................................................36 Best Western Battlefield Inn.......................................................9 Boys & Girls Clubs.....................................................................36 Brookdale...................................................................................32 CAP Accounting, LLC.................................................................29 CASA...........................................................................................36 City of Manassas Park—Parks & Recreation...........................23 Dance Etc......................................................................................9 Discover Prince William & Manassas......................................31 Dominion Eye Care....................................................................29 Edgemoor Art Studio................................................................36 FURR Roofing...............................................................................9 Greater Prince William Community Health Center.................36 House of Mercy..........................................................................33 IKEA............................................................................................25 Inova...........................................................................................17 Imagewerks................................................................................36 Imagine...................................................................................... C4 Jabs Construction/Electrical.................................................9, 31 Keep Prince William Beautiful..................................................36 Magnificent Belly Dance...........................................................36 Mark Gilvey Creative.................................................................36 Mary Washington Healthcare.................................................. C2 MightierThan................................................................................9

items are sorted and prepared for new usage, as well as offering tips on the proper way to handle your own recycling.

Speaking of recycling, in Family Fun (page 20), let Amanda Causey Baity show you how to repurpose items you may have, or can get inexpensively at thrift stores, into new and usable chalkboard pieces. Her DIY paint recipe also means you can customize the color to suit your decor.

Then, as summer draws to a close, check out all the great events right in your own backyard. Ann Marie Maher of Discover Prince William and Manassas shares a number of historically themed activities for the whole family (page 31), and our calendar (page 30) highlights more ways to stay entertained before the kids head back to school. Movies, bands, golf, bake-offs and more are just some of the adventures that await as you enjoy Prince William Living.

Sincerely, Rebecca Barnes Prince William Living Publisher

Okra’s .........................................................................................29 Patriot Scuba................................................................................9 Peggy and Bill Burke, Virginia Realty Partners, LLC...............24 Piedmont Physical Therapy......................................................16 Potomac Place............................................................................29 Potomac Shores Golf Club........................................................17 Prince William Chamber of Commerce.....................................8 Prince William County Fair.......................................................23 Prince William Courage.............................................................21 Prince William Ice Center..........................................................23 Prince William Library Foundation...........................................17 Robert Jinks Photography........................................................36 Semper K9..................................................................................36 Splash Down Waterpark...........................................................33 Stonebridge................................................................................32 Tackett’s Mill..............................................................................33 The Arc of Greater Prince William/INSIGHT............................36 The Pope Institute......................................................................32 Tiny Dancers..............................................................................22 TODOS Super Market................................................................16 Town of Dumfries......................................................................23 VanEch Studio............................................................................31 Vintage Moving & Storage.................................................33, 36 Vision Finders Design................................................................36 Washington Square Associates................................................36 Westminster at Lake Ridge.......................................................21 Winestyles..................................................................................16 Yellow Cab.................................................................................36

prince william living August 2015 | 3

VIEW FROM ABOVE

Freedom of the Skies

By Amy Falkofske | Photos by Robert Jinks

I

f you’ve been a Prince William resident for any length of time, you know it’s a beautiful place to live. But have you ever seen it from the air? Brian McAndrew, a private pilot for over 15 years, has done so many times, and praises both the beauty of the region and the feeling of freedom that comes with flying over it.

“It gives you a whole new perspective on our area. You realize how really beautiful this area is. It’s a sense of freedom,” said McAndrew, who lives in Manassas.

It’s that perspective and freedom that draws many to flying, both personally and professionally.

Former Bristow resident Geoff DeBeauclair, who recently relocated to Rhode Island, wanted to fly from a young age. He had his first solo flight at the age of 16, and his pilot’s license by the time he was 17. DeBeauclair echoes McAndrew’s sentiments.

“It’s the freedom that it gives you to see things from a different perspective…and you’re in control of the plane…and it gives you some satisfaction getting [the plane] to do what you want it to do,” he said.

Bob Hepp, who owns four Aviation Adventures flight school franchises, including one at Manassas Regional Airport, learned to fly at a young age as well. As a member of the U.S. Army, Hepp used his G.I. Bill benefits to get instrument, commercial, multi-engine and instructor flight ratings.

4 | August 2015 prince william living

“Aviation is one of those things, it’s a passion. …For the people that enjoy and do it, it really changes your life,” said Hepp.

For Cliff Jordan of Woodbridge, the desire was always there, but the pilot’s license came later in life. “I always wanted to be in the air, looking down; kind of like a God’s-eye perspective,” he said.

“It wasn’t a life-long passion like it is with most people. Nor do I really want to fly professionally either. I like the regular job that I have, so I do the flying as a diversion.”

A Boon for Prince William In addition to giving local pilots a fresh perspective, flying has a tremendous economic impact on the Prince William region, which includes Manassas and Manassas Park. A 2011 economic impact study commissioned by the Virginia Department of Aviation found that the Manassas Regional Airport, the busiest executive general aviation airport in Virginia, contributed over $234 million and more than 1,000 jobs to the local economy.

The report noted that services conducted from the airport include aerial inspections and surveying, agricultural spraying, traffic news reporting and transport of executives, celebrities and government officials.

Owned by the City of Manassas, 420 aircraft are based there according to Richard Allabaugh, who oversees airport operations.

Onlookers watch aerobatic displays during the annual Manassas Airshow, held at Manassas Regional Airport in May.

He said that in 2014, 82,130 operations took place there, with 45 percent being local (originating and ending at the airport) and 55 percent “transient,” with flights that originate from other airfields.

“What most people don’t realize,” said McAndrew, “is that smaller airports actually bring in a lot of money to communities through not just employment through the airport, but through the use of the airport for commerce. It might not be huge jets coming in, but smaller airplanes bring supplies, they bring jobs, so it’s something that brings quite a bit of resources to a community.” “[It’s a] very nice airport and well-maintained,” said DeBeauclair, adding that it is close to mass transit like the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), has rental cars available and is unique in that “you can have ready access to the Washington, D.C. area” without having to fly into the much-busier Reagan National or Dulles International airports.

The airport also brings the community together with events such as the Annual Manassas Airshow and Open House, which features aerobatic performances and tours of the Freedom Museum, located onsite. In May, the airport was one of the launching points for the Vintage Flyover, commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Traffic-Free Travel In addition to boosting the local economy, flying has other perks. Just ask any pilot who has watched snarled Northern Virginia traffic from the cockpit of an airplane.

“It’s nice to be able to just run down to Nags Head in two hours, or Ocracoke in two and a half hours, have some seafood lunch and then come home,” said Jordan. “So, while everybody was sitting in traffic taking six to eight hours to get down to [the] Outer Banks, I flew down there in two and a half hours, had lunch and came home on Memorial Day.” Hepp’s daughter, Stacey Deal, works at the Manassas office of Aviation Adventures and is a pilot. Hepp’s son, Robert Hepp, Jr., is a pilot as well.

Hepp relayed that this can be a time saver. Once, he flew himself, his wife and granddaughter to Disney World. His son flew a second plane with his family, and Deal piloted a third plane with her husband. Rather than spending 15 hours in a car or worrying about airport security, Hepp said they made it to their vacation destination in five hours.

Safety & Cost: Misconceptions Unraveled While many associate flying with freedom and convenience, not everyone looks favorably on being even a passenger in an airplane, especially a small one.

“I think a lot of people are afraid of small airplanes, and because airplane crashes are so noteworthy, but I’ve had a lot more training in an airplane than I have had in a car, and people don’t think twice about getting in a car or jumping on a motorcycle,” said Jordan. “A pilot is skilled and trained for emergencies and weather contingencies and things like that, and so being a pilot, I (continues on page 6) prince william living August 2015 | 5

(continued from page 5)

View of Prince William from a B-17 during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Flyover, an aerial event commemorating D-Day.

think, really gives you a different perspective of looking at things from a safety perspective.”

Darren Hall, who planned to become a doctor but caught the pilot bug at the U.S. Air Force Academy 35 years ago, said that he couldn’t be more impressed with airline safety. “It’s hammered in you from the moment you start training,” said Hall, who recently retired from the Air Force and is now a pilot for Southwest Airlines.

Others may be interested in taking to the skies as pilots, but shy away from the idea because of the cost.

“I think people have a tendency to be afraid of how much it would cost, but when you really look into it a little more— and there’s different cost-saving techniques you could do—it is within the grasp of many who didn’t think that they could actually do it,” said DeBeauclair.

“I think people certainly have a misconception that it’s an outrageously expensive hobby…it’s not overly expensive,” McAndrew concurred. “You’re not going to be able to fly a jet or anything, but you can pick up or rent a smaller aircraft for a reasonable rate.”

Becoming an Aviator

learning Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and understanding air space, aerodynamics, parts and controls, as well as preparing for the FAA Airman Knowledge Test.

During flight training, which Hepp recommends doing in conjunction with ground training, you learn how to perform an inspection of the airplane, taxi the airplane and ground steer with your feet instead of the yoke or the steering wheel. With an instructor, you also practice climbs, descents, turns, slowing, normal cruise speeds and maneuvers.

The next lesson in flight training includes the instructor teaching you how to do steep turns and operating the controls to neutralize the effects of the wind.

Then…you fly solo.

“Every pilot that’s ever flown an airplane remembers the day that they soloed, because it’s a big deal,” Hepp said.

After that you mainly work on navigational skills with systems such as global positioning, “as the crow flies,” and ground-based systems which are helpful in bad weather. The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of in-flight training to receive a pilot’s license.

For those who are ready to jump in the cockpit, Hepp said training comes in two parts: ground training and behind-thewheel flight training.

Advice for the Would-Be Pilot

Ground training is the more academic portion. You learn the signs and the rules of the road, so to speak. This portion includes

“Make sure that you’ve got both the time and the money to go completely through [flight school], so that you don’t have any

6 | August 2015 prince william living

Whether flying interests you as a hobby or profession, area pilots shared advice for getting started.

CAF Gulf Coast Wing’s B-17 Texas Raiders preparing for the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Flyover, in commemoration of D-Day.

interruptions to your schedule,” recommended Hepp. “Every time you stop, it’s going to cost you more money to get going again.”

“I think the biggest resource that someone has to have that wants to learn how to fly is time,” said McAndrew. “You want to be able to give it several hours a week and the more time you can give it per week, the faster you can obtain your private certificate, and that will save you considerable money in the long run because you’re not having to repeat lessons.”

Jordan’s advice is to start young. He points out that children as young as 14 can start taking classes and that pilot’s licenses can be issued at age 17. That, according to Hepp, can give teenagers an edge on their college applications. He said that he’s seeing high school kids coming in to get their pilot’s license for just that reason.

Hepp also indicated that if you have an interest in a career in flying, now is a good time. The reason: “We’ve seen some pilot shortages in the last 15-20 years, [but] nothing like what’s coming our way right now.”

One reason for this is that many Vietnam-era pilots are about to hit the mandatory retirement age of 65, Hepp explained. Also, aviation is expanding globally, and some countries don’t have the ability to produce enough pilots themselves. As a result, China and nations in the Middle East often make it lucrative for American pilots to work in their countries, said Hepp, adding to the pilot shortage in the U.S. He also said that two of the biggest aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, have a five-year backlog on their order books. “The

large aircraft manufacturers all have backlogs of orders for their planes,” explained Hepp. “That reflects the increasing demand of aviation. That same demand for pilots is [also] increasing.”

However, Hepp said that more and more of his students want to go the professional route.

Beyond Fun and Profit For McAndrew and other pilots, flying can also be a way to give back. He is a member of Angel Flight, a national and regional nonprofit that matches pilots with people who need medical services in other areas but can’t afford travel expenses. McAndrew and his colleagues fly these patients to their appointments for free.

“I enjoy flying in general, but…being so lucky that I’m able to give back to those that are really in need is what makes it really worthwhile to me,” said McAndrew.

Whether for a hobby, profession or way to contribute to the greater good, flying offers a way to rise above the day-to-day world.

“You find that it’s actually relaxing because all of the stuff that has you bound to earth like your job, tend to kind of melt away for that little bit of time you’re up there,” said McAndrew.

Amy Falkofske (afalkofske@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance writer and the owner and photographer of Beautiful Moments by Amy Photography. She lives in Bristow with her husband and two sons. prince william living August 2015 | 7

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on a high note

Under the Sea to the Top of the Trees Annie Malloy Brings it Alive in her Artwork

By Olivia Overman

F

or Montclair-based muralist, painter, illustrator and teacher Annie Malloy, passion for art is palpable in the work she creates.

“I have had a passion for art since I can remember. My parents were very supportive and let me paint murals in their home,” said Malloy. “My first one was an under the sea theme I did in 6th grade. I did a small mural after that in my room and then a large Jungle Book-themed mural in their game room. All of the murals are still in their home.”

Malloy’s time at Savannah College of Art and Design allowed her to further hone her talent, working with “some of the best and most inspirational teachers. Don Rogers and Mohamed Danawi were two of the most memorable,” Malloy said. She graduated with a degree in illustration in 1999.

Now, she is the one passing along artistic inspiration as an art instructor at Forest Park High School, where she teaches first-year art students a basic foundation in “two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and visual literacy experiences with a focus on the elements and principles of design,” according to the school’s website. Malloy has taught art in Prince William County Public Schools since 2002, including six years at Benton Middle School and two years at Rockledge Elementary School.

Malloy also teaches private art classes with approximately four students per session, and holds summer art camps at her home during the month of July.

10 | August 2015 prince william living

Setting a Mood with Murals When not teaching art, Malloy is busy creating works of her own. “I started with pencil drawings and then experimented with colored pencil, oil paint, watercolor and acrylic paint. I like acrylic paint the best because it dries fast,” Malloy said. “I was an assistant to an artist in Great Falls for about a year [after college] and then started advertising on my own a few years after that.”

Murals soon became her signature. “I love to paint murals because it becomes a permanent fixture in a home or place of business. It can set the mood in a room or create a more interesting atmosphere,” Malloy said. “I like to work large and help people think of ideas that make a statement about themselves or their business.”

This type of statement is exactly what the Geck family was looking for when first opening Brittany’s Restaurant and Sports Bar in Lake Ridge eight years ago. They turned to Malloy for help.

“We were looking to create a uniqueness as far as entryways go,” said Bob Geck, owner of Brittany’s. “[Malloy] painted crossed pool sticks with pool balls as a focal point and off to the side is a dart board in colors. The numbers [on the dart board] are raised, almost three dimensional. She did a great job.”

In addition to her commercial work, Malloy has murals in children’s rooms, living rooms and kitchens under her belt.

Describing her inspiration for these projects, she stated that the

Photos courtesy Annie Malloy

With the release of “The Magic Nation” book series, Annie Malloy is realizing a lifelong dream of illustrating children’s books.

Like many of her paintings, this piece is inspired by Annie Malloy’s childhood on a Florida horse farm.

children usually inspire the art for their room, while for other parts of the home, her clients usually have their own ideas which Malloy then elaborates upon.

Malloy is also working with her sister, Elizabeth Denham, to realize a lifelong dream of releasing a series of children’s books—“The Magic Nation.” Written by Denham and illustrated by Malloy, the first book in the series, “Moving Day,” will be released on September 1. A press release described the book’s illustrations as “vibrant, colorful hand drawings done in color pencil, that move from the real world to an imagined one throughout the story.”

Client Lauren Kushin of Fairfax said that when she had her first baby, she had a vision of turning her son’s room into something like the jungle animals from Pottery Barn. “Annie brought that vision to life by painting jungle animals that resembled the bedding, with her own artistic flair. I was thrilled with the outcome and recommend Annie’s work to anyone looking to transform a room with painted murals,” Kushin said.

Creating Smaller While murals are a favorite of Malloy’s, she also enjoys working on a smaller scale. Her acrylic paintings on canvas typical feature farm scenes, reflective of her youth. “I grew up on a horse farm in Pensacola, Florida,” said Malloy, who moved to Prince William with her husband, an area native.

“I have always loved horses and I love the sweetness of the cow’s face. I decided to paint on small canvasses and putting them together like a puzzle...then I thought of connecting them with wire to make it look like a fence or barbed wire. I wanted them to be realistic and have a lot of detail,” Malloy said.

For her illustrative work, which has a variety of themes, Malloy uses whatever media she feels is suitable for the piece she is working on. These include acrylic paints, colored pencils and watercolor, and are typically done as book covers or magazine illustrations.

Inspiring Others Asked what advice she would give to budding artists, Malloy said, “Never to give up on [your] dreams. If you have a passion for art it should always be a part of your life. You can always do other work but you should never stop creating art.”

Malloy, who works for the school system and as a freelance artist, shared another piece of wisdom: “Doing work for others is great for an income, but if you are always doing work for other people you can forget why you love it. If you are trying to figure out what will sell or how to get famous you won’t have success. You have to create from yourself in order for others to see your true talent.”

To learn more about Annie Malloy and her work visit www.muralsbyanniemalloy.com.

A graduate of American University’s School of Communication, Olivia Overman writes articles for online and print publications.

She can be reached at ooverman@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living August 2015 | 11

destinations

American Recycling Center Learning by Seeing Photos and Story by Helena Tavares Kennedy

L

ooking for somewhere unique to take your kids before summer is over? Instead of “recycled” ideas like the local park, pool or library, perhaps try a different place. One with big trucks, fast-moving machines and a chance to interactively learn what they can do to help the environment: the new Interactive Learning Center and tour at American Disposal Services (ADS)’ American Recycling Center.

Located on Central Park Drive in Manassas, ADS opened the center the day after Earth Day 2014. Already, it has hosted over 1,000 people for tours, said ADS Public Relations Director Anna Wilkinson.

At the ribbon cutting last year, Tom Smith, Prince William County Solid Waste Division Chief, presented ADS with an award—made of 100% recycled glass, of course—for its commitment to waste reduction in Prince William County.

The ADS Recycling Center processes recyclables from the DC area and much of Northern Virginia, not just Prince William. General Manager Jim Langemeier said the facility typically saves over a halfmillion cubic yards of landfill space per year, or about 450 tons per day, by diverting material away from landfills and giving it new life as recycled goods. The center also provides employment for about 50 workers.

“We are thrilled American Disposal decided to locate this facility in Prince William County. Not only is this site great for the environment, it has already created quality jobs for Prince William residents,” said Corey Stewart, Chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.

Interactive Learning The American Recycling Center tour starts with the Interactive Learning Center. A knowledgeable employee, usually Wilkinson, who helped create the center, walks visitors through displays outlining the steps that various materials go through to become saleable recycled goods.

12 | August 2015 prince william living

Activities include seeing which kinds of recyclable metals are magnetic, mimicking a process that the center uses to sort recycled materials.

There are hands-on activities such as taking a large magnet and seeing which kinds of recyclable metals are ferrous (or magnetic, like steel cans) to mimic the center’s “Steinert Magnet” sorter that separates out valuable steel from other metal recyclables. You can also have a good time separating the different kinds of plastic containers such as PET plastics and HDPE plastics (both forms of polyethylene) and learn why certain ones are easier to recycle than others. A display holding different types of recyclable materials with fun facts allows kids and adults alike to see what recycled pellets and other materials look like firsthand.

Lastly, there is a four-minute film that showcases the entire process at the facility, from when material first comes in to how it is baled and packaged to be sent to manufacturers that turn it into new goods. Cardboard—mostly from online shopping containers— can be recycled into newspaper; today’s steel cans might form tomorrow’s bicycle frame.

The 1,000–square foot Learning Center easily accommodates school or daycare groups, scout troops, and others for an interactive and educational field trip.

Truck Scale and Tipping Floor After the indoor Interactive Learning Center activities, the ADS tour guide takes visitors outside, weather permitting, to the truck scale so they can see how trucks are weighed when they arrive.

Perhaps the most exciting part, however, is when you go to view the tipping floor, watching the collection trucks tip their cargo out, while an ADS bulldozer-style truck feeds the material into a giant conveyor belt that travels up to the sorting equipment. Be prepared for loud popping noises as the trucks drive over plastic containers, glass bottles and other items!

The Viewing Room After a short walk around the building and up one flight of stairs to the viewing room, you can watch the employees who are handsorting the recyclables coming from conveyor belts and looking for contaminants, or non-recyclable materials. Contaminant removal is required in order to meet criteria set by the companies that buy the recycled material. For example, a recycled paper company may buy ADS’ baled paper only if it meets a 2 percent or less contamination rate, meaning there must be 98 percent pure paper in each bale.

Unfortunately, Langemeier said, they often find non-recyclables mixed in, such as food, clothing, diapers, plastic bags and other items that can cause damage to machines. “We are trash farmers, but we don’t get any government subsidies,” he jokingly said.

Plastic bags, wrappers, wires and strapping can all jam the machines and sorters, cause fires in the rotating disks and even shut down the center for 30 minutes at a time while employees climb onto the equipment with knives to cut the contaminants off. “That is why educating kids and adults in this area about what can and cannot be recycled is so crucial, and why we created our Interactive Learning Center,” said Wilkinson.

On the way back to the learning center, guests will also get a visual treat as they see huge bales of beautifully colored recyclables all ready to go to manufacturers of recycled goods. The canned items, plastic bottles and paper are all compactly squished in their own bales, resembling works of art as they await their future.

Tours are free and typically last 90 minutes. Reservations are required, since the tours are guided by actual ADS employees in addition to their normal duties. To learn more about what happens to your recyclables once they leave the curb, call 703-368-0500 or email Wilkinson@adsimail.com to schedule a tour.

To view videos about the facility and get more information, visit www.thinkbeforeyouthrow.org.

Helena Tavares Kennedy is a freelance writer and nonprofit communications director who has recycled since she was 5 years old, implemented a dorm room paper recycling program in college, teaches her children about composting and recycling, served on the board of Keep Prince William Beautiful, and yet was still awed and inspired by the ADS tour and is glad to spread the word. She can be reached at hkennedy@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living August 2015 | 13

giving back Haymarket Husband and Wife are

Angels for Haitian Orphans

By Tracey Zemitis Schaefer

S

leeping on a cement floor, the children were malnourished and ill from drinking contaminated water. Their distended bellies were full of worms. And they would change Debbie Harvey’s life forever.

Harvey didn’t see it coming. A Cincinnati native who said she had “no volunteer work – nothing” in her background, Harvey graduated from Ohio State University, got married a few weeks later and moved to Haymarket with her husband, Bill, in 1987.

Photos courtesy of Helping Haitian Angels

Harvey worked for a few years, then decided to stay home with her three children. When she turned 40, she became certified as a personal trainer, earned her real estate license and was leading a full life in Northern Virginia.

“Then Haiti came,” she said, “and now I do nothing but Haiti. Happily.”

A Life-changing Trip For the past seven years, Harvey has served as the executive director of Helping Haitian Angels (HHA), a nonprofit organization that provides medical care, shelter, food, clean water and schooling to Haitian orphans in Cap-Haitien, situated on the Caribbean country’s north coast.

Harvey founded HHA in 2008 with her husband, the owner of Harvey Insurance Agency, who loves to travel and had been doing missionary work in Haiti for years. He repeatedly asked his wife to join him on one of his trips. She repeatedly turned him down.

A chance encounter with orphans in 2008 has grown into a life’s mission for Debbie Harvey, co-founder of the nonprofit Helping Haitian Angels.

“He asked me to go a ton of times. In 2008, he said, ‘I would love for you to meet my Haitian friends and family,’” recalled Harvey.

“It was the way he said it. He convinced me.”

During their visit, a woman came to the Harveys asking for help. “[Bill] told me that if we helped everyone who grabbed us, we’d never get anything done,” recounted Harvey. “But I told him I was going to hear what she had to say. … And that’s when everything changed. Next to my wedding and the birth of my children, it was one of the most monumental days in my life.”

Still, Harvey was reluctant, agreeing to only come for a few days.

“I had three kids of my own at home, one of whom had some medical issues,” she said.

The woman led the Harveys to a dilapidated building occupied by 35 orphaned children. Most of them were younger than 10 and starving. They showed visible effects of protein, iron and

14 | August 2015 prince william living

other nutritional deficiencies. Some had raw, open sores from drinking contaminated water. They had no blankets, towels or pillows.

local children. It is a model for a teaching methodology called Matenwa. “Hardly anyone in Haiti is doing it, but the success rates are phenomenal,” said Harvey.

Moved, the Harveys provided temporary relief in the form of clothes, food and mats to sleep on. “I was crying in the hotel that night,” she said. “I thought, we have to do something.”

First developed in 1996, Matenwa uses Creole as the language of instruction, making it unique among Haitian schools, which typically teach in French. Instead, French is offered as a second language. Child-centered learning is stressed, and corporal punishment is not allowed.

Bill Harvey told his wife to think about it for 30 days. It was easy, he cautioned, to be deeply affected by the children in Haiti only to have the memories fade once back in the U.S. It would be natural to feel overwhelmed into inaction at the prospect of making a difference in Haiti. It is the poorest country in the Americas and one of the poorest on earth. Thousands of orphans seek food and shelter in Haiti each day. The devastating 2010 earthquake created an additional 150,000 orphans in just a matter of moments. Still, for Debbie, the image of those 35 children would not fade.

“Three days later I woke Bill up at 3 in the morning,” Harvey said. “I said, ‘I have to do something because these kids are dying.’” Just one month from the day she first met the orphans, she launched Helping Haitian Angels.

A Village of Angels If the Harveys were going to make a difference, they realized they’d need to raise money. “We had a party at our house, and we told our friends and family don’t come if you’re not bringing a checkbook,” said Harvey.

Through the school, and in other ways, the reach of Helping Haitian Angels now extends into the nearby community. “The community knows us and loves us. We always try to be good neighbors,” said Harvey. “We support the townspeople by buying their fruits, vegetables and eggs. We also provide medicines and spring water. They send their children to our school.”

The Harveys also hire Haitian workers to do all of the construction in the village, bringing much-needed jobs to the community.

A Sustainable Future Kay Anj also is home to goats, chickens and sustainable farming, and Harvey says HHA hopes to be completely sustainable one day. Volunteers and workers have dug wells to provide clean drinking water and, last April, an organization called Tilt-AWorld surprised the children by building a playground.

Helping Haitian Angels is 100 percent privately funded, and receives support from several other charitable groups, such as Florida-based Food for the Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the United States, said Harvey.

The Harveys broke ground on two transitional homes – one for boys and one for girls – in June and are currently seeking additional funding for the buildings. According to Haitian law, “When a young person turns 18, he or she must leave the orphanage,” Harvey said. “These transitional homes will help our children who turn 18.”

With that first event, the Harveys raised enough funds to rent a small house in Cap-Haitien and hire a few local “mamas” – the Haitian equivalent of nannies – to look after the children. The Harveys also enlisted the help of a local school.

A director’s home will also be built on the campus. “We’ll have an American couple move down to the village and manage along with a Haitian couple,” said Harvey, adding that they also hope to break ground on a medical clinic in the next few years.

That initial start has now flourished into a village known as Kay Anj (“Angel House” in Creole) that houses and supports some 40 children and is one of only three legal orphanages in the region.

The village contains eight family homes; four of the eight village homes are currently occupied.

Harvey is in talks with the IBESR – Haiti’s equivalent of a department of children and family services – to bring 40 more orphans to the village. “Living as a family is the best way to raise an orphaned child,” she explained. “We bought eight family homes that will have a mama and hopefully a dad, and we’ll have 10 children in each home.”

The church in the village was built first, opening on Easter Sunday 2014. “Everything is about love,” she explained. “And God is first.”

Good Neighbors Beyond the Village Harvey is particularly proud of the village school, which opened in October 2014 and serves both the orphans of Kay Anj and

Overcoming Obstacles Another goal of the Harveys is to serve as a refuge for Haitian child slaves, called “restaveks” (from the French words meaning “stay with”). “Seventeen percent of girls age 8 to 18 are documented restaveks, but they say the true number is more like 33 percent,” said Harvey. “About 10 percent of restaveks are boys.”

According to UNICEF, restaveks are children often forced to work as domestic servants without pay, and frequently subjected to abuse by their caretakers. “We have a couple of girls with us now who were past restaveks,” said Harvey, who enlists a child psychologist to work with these children. She recounted the story of one former restavek now living safely in Kay Anj. “This girl came to us with whip marks, scars and bruises on her arms and legs,” Harvey said. “They didn’t let her go to school, and they beat her. It’s heartbreaking.” (continues on page 22) prince william living August 2015 | 15

health & wellness August is National Immunization Awareness Month

By Ashton Wagner

I

f you have children going back to school this August, you’ll want to make sure they are up-to-date on any immunizations required by their school.

Vaccines help the immune system build up resistance to dangerous diseases and contain “the same germs that cause the disease, but the germs have been either killed or weakened to the point that they don’t make you sick,” according to the “Parents’ Guide to Childhood Immunizations,” released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Common vaccines include those for pneumonia and rotavirus diarrhea – two of the biggest killers in children under 5. For adolescents and adults, vaccines are also available to prevent the flu and meningitis, as well as cervical and liver cancer.

Dr. James Min of Novant Health Bull Run Family Medicine listed required or recommended vaccines for students: n Kindergarten – Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP), polio, measles-mumps-rubella and chicken pox vaccines are required. n Middle school – DTaP booster is required; human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and meningitis vaccine are recommended. n High school – Meningitis vaccine booster is recommended for those ages 16 to 18. n College – Meningitis vaccine is required if not already received.

“Herd Immunity” Helps All

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that vaccines are effective 90 to 100 percent of the time.

However, some children are not able to get them for medical reasons or because they are too young. This leaves them without protection, therefore relying on “herd immunity.”

As explained by the CDC, this refers to the phenomenon where if “even if one child gets sick, the disease will probably not spread because it has nowhere to go. If the sick child comes in contact only with children who are immune, the disease will die out.”

The safety and efficacy of vaccines is proven, Min said.

“Unfortunately, people, especially in the United States, are afraid of vaccines because of what they’ve read on the Internet,” he added.

Ashton Wagner is a PR specialist at Novant Health, and can be reached at awagner@novanthealth.org.

16 | August 2015 prince william living

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taking care of business

Q Integrative Healthcare Angela McConnell’s Mission

By Tracy Shevlin | Photo by Robert Jinks

W

hat is now an award-winning company, recognized as a Prince William Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year, stemmed from one woman’s frustration with the medical community. While dealing with a family illness, Angela McConnell, the Dale City Civic Association’s 2015 Catherine Spellane Citizen of the Year, saw a way to improve the system. She founded Q Integrative Healthcare, LLC based on her belief in a better way to do business and care for patients.

PWL: Please explain the basics about your business and how it came about.

McConnell: I started the business three years ago, but the idea was born of my own experience when my son was diagnosed with hypophosphatemia, a rare genetic condition. We saw a lot of specialists and, individually, each was very good. However, there was no coordination of care. The burden was on us to know and keep track of each doctor’s treatment approach and what they felt was essential in his care and treatment. It became clear that we would have benefited from a coordinated care program.

I work with healthcare providers to help them implement more integrative, person-centered care programs. The philosophy of integrative person-centered care is to involve patients in their plan for treatment and wellness. It involves an integrative approach bringing in other providers to act as part of a patient team: those that may offer, for example, expertise in nutrition and/or counseling or other areas outside of primary care. This team approach to care provides a comprehensive approach to patient health promotion, disease prevention and patient education.

18 | August 2015 prince william living

PWL: As a business, how is Q Integrative promoting this patient-centered concept?

McConnell: We offer basic education first and establish shortand long-term goals, then work with healthcare providers to develop patient-centered care programs that best meet these goals, within their criteria such as resources, time and needs. We consult on best practices and technologies and provide programs that are tailored to the clinic’s workflow processes, record systems, staff and patient population.

PWL: How has your model for care been received in the medical community?

McConnell: This model has been received extremely well and federal policies are moving toward more person-centered care and health promotion, but many clinics still do not operate in that manner. It’s not an extremely profitable reality yet, but we are getting there and more [of these] services are starting to get reimbursed if you know how to code for them.

PWL: What are the obstacles to integrative person-centered care?

McConnell: First, doctors only get paid for specific reimbursable services. For example, they don’t get paid for all necessary counseling, nutrition services or wellness plan coordination in most cases. Secondly, providers are not aware, nor trained, on this model of health care and delivery, so it’s difficult to introduce such a new concept into an already busy practice with overwhelmed providers. That’s where I come in.

An additional benefit to this integrative healthcare approach is

Angela McConnell created Q Integrative Healthcare after recognizing a need for improved coordination between doctors and treatment options.

She was named the Dale City Civic Association’s 2015 Citizen of the Year.

that it would support chronic disease prevention and save money on many different fronts.

A 2011 study by the CDC [Centers for Disease Control] found that of the 2 trillion dollars spent on healthcare in the U.S., 75 percent is spent on chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Implementing an integrative person-centered model could save the U.S. billions of dollars, but that is only the direct benefit. Indirect benefits include happiness and wellness and productive, healthy people.

PWL: What are your plans for the future for you and Q Integrative Healthcare?

McConnell: For me personally, I am completing my PhD in Health Administration and feel strongly about bringing this model more into academia. I enjoy working with clinicians, but integrating the integrative care concept needs a multi-pronged approach starting at its foundation—education. Consulting with organizations on how to develop and implement this care and delivery model is a worthwhile venture, but it also needs to be taught to those at the beginning of their careers in the healthcare industry from providers to administrators. It’s a team approach not just for the patient but for the healthcare staff as well.

Additionally, I am writing a white paper for George Mason and other interested universities that will describe the importance of introducing integrative person-centered care curriculum in order to keep up with workforce needs and our changing healthcare system. The paper will discuss how multiple academic/research institutes across the U.S. and internationally have adopted this concept into their curriculum, and studies the positive potential

in so many areas from patient health to lower healthcare costs.

PWL: If people reading this could take away one thing about integrative person-centered care, what would you want that to be?

McConnell: People need to be involved and knowledgeable in their own health and wellness and of those [whom] they’re responsible for. They need to ask questions about what their options are in treatment and care. Providers do not always offer the full range of options to patients due to time constraints and limited amount of information. I want those providers, clinics, hospitals in the healthcare community to know they have options in healthcare and delivery.

My end goal is to help people be as happy and healthy as possible. This will have ongoing effects in improved wellness, greater happiness, better relationships and greater productivity at work and at home. The greater Prince William area is a wonderful place to live, work and play. Let’s be our healthiest so we can do just that.

For more information on Q Integrative Healthcare, LLC, visit integrativehealthva.com.

Tracy Shevlin is a native Virginian and long-time Manassas area resident. She is a full-time administrative assistant and parttime student at George Mason University completing her degree in Business Communication. She can be reached at tshevlin@ princewilliamliving.com. prince william living August 2015 | 19

family fun

Chalkboard Paint T

Photos and Story by Amanda Causey Baity

hese days it seems like everything has a chalkboard on it.

It’s hard to not get sucked into the fad, which can give you unlimited space for ever-changing creativity just by painting a wall in the house or the front of your fridge with chalkboard paint. This versatile product can let you turn just about anything into a functional chalkboard.

Here is a special project that I did with chalkboard paint when I was pregnant with my youngest child. I am an avid thrift store shopper and one of my favorite places in Prince William to search for bargains is B-thrifty in Woodbridge. On a day where all items were 50 percent off, I got two wooden boxes for $7.50.

Using a cute fabric that was on clearance at a local fabric store, I created a padded top that doubled as a seat cushion.

Next, using homemade orange chalkboard paint (custom matched to the fabric), I painted the boxes with two coats and allowed them to dry for 24 hours.

Store-bought chalkboard paint can be expensive, and it usually comes in just two colors: black or green. Not that black and green aren’t awesome, but what if you want a pink chalkboard, or possibly a bright orange one? No worries…you can make it yourself in any color you like.

Just follow these simple instructions: n Gather 1 cup of latex paint in the color of your choice and 1 tablespoon of unsanded grout. n Mix extremely well…and that’s it! Your very own custom chalkboard paint. n To store, put in an airtight container. Eventually the plaster will harden at the bottom, so it’s best to make smaller batches.

20 | August 2015 prince william living

(continues on page 22)

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(continued from page 20) Once you have mastered the (easy) recipe, the options are endless. Turn your child’s bedroom into a canvas, create a family message board by the front door or paint mini-chalkboards on the kids’ cups so they keep track of and use the same one throughout the day.

Depending on the project and your child’s age, they can help you brainstorm new chalkboard surfaces and even help with the painting. Just make sure they are wearing craft-friendly clothes and that they are painting in a well-ventilated and protected area, using an old sheet or drop cloth to protect floors.

We’d love to see your own chalkboard paint creations. Just tag them #PWLiving and we’ll share our favorites on Prince William Living’s social media pages.

Two plain wood boxes from the thrift store were later transformed into toy chests that doubled as chalkboards, using homemade chalk paint.

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

(continued from page 15) Other cultural differences also present challenges. “There are so many things done differently in the U.S. than in Haiti,” Harvey said. “It’s third world versus first world. It’s a much simpler life.”

Still, Harvey emphasized that it is not her goal to “go into their country and try to impose our American ways on them,” she explained. “We are always learning.”

Nor is it the organization’s aim to adopt the orphans out to people from other countries. “Our goal is to foster Haiti’s future leaders,” said Bill Harvey. “We want our kids to grow up to help their country.”

Debbie travels to Haiti once a month and spends an entire month there in both the summer and fall. She said HHA also relies heavily on other volunteers, taking about 100 helpers from the U.S. there per year.

Some have gone on as many as 25 trips.

“There’s just something about Haiti,” she said. “It steals your heart.”

To learn more about Helping Haitian Angels or to donate, visit 22 | August 2015 prince william living

Bill Harvey at the orphanage in Haiti run by he and his wife Debbie.

helpinghaitianangels.org, or follow Facebook.com/HelpingHaitianAngels.

Tracey Zemitis Schaefer has been a freelance writer and editor for 20 years, having published articles on topics as diverse as nutrition, parenting and film. She lives in Bristow with her husband and two sons.

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home & hearth Tips for Designing Your Outdoor Living Space

By Niki VanEch

F

or me, outdoor living begins in May, soon after the Tulip Poplar has dropped all its flowers and I lay the outdoor rugs in my seating areas, place the cushions on the furniture and in a snap the space becomes inviting and cozy. However, it’s never too late to create an extension of your indoor living space. Here are a few tips on bringing the comforts of home outside:

We have roots, where others have branches.

Layout: Take the same amount of consideration when laying out your outdoor patios and decks as you do with your interior spaces. Think about traffic patterns, view, conversation and balance.

Color: When the weather is warm, traffic tends to flow in and out of the house with ease. Your color palette should do the same. Tie things together with pillows and textiles that transcend your interior color palette. Also keep in mind how the colors will blend with the stain and paint colors on your decks and patios.

Accessories: Lanterns, dishes, vases, beverage containers and furniture are all now built to withstand the elements.

Look for accents in the same style and color palette as your home to create a cohesive look.

Textiles: Outdoor fabrics are no longer limited to solids.

There are hundreds of mildew and fade resistant fabrics in a wide variety of patterns, textures and colors. Mix and match as you would do inside.

Ambiance: If the space doesn’t feel right, you won’t spend time there. String lights, candles, torches and the glow from a fire pit all create a mood. Hidden speakers with WiFi can turn the space from a relaxing sanctuary to a lively social event. And my favorite: water fountains, which add serenity and can help drown out noise pollution.

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

Her home furnishings store, VanEch Studio, is located in Occoquan, Va. Her website is VanEchStudio.com. Like her at facebook.com/VanEchStudio.

24 | August 2015 prince william living

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local flavor

Glory Days Grill Food and Drinks for the Home Crowd

By Michael Spiro | Photos by Mark Gilvey

“G

lory Days.” What comes to mind when you hear the phrase? Childhood memories? High school sweethearts? Evenings at the ballpark? That Bruce Springsteen song, possibly? For Prince William residents, a local sports bar might be the first thought. Especially if you’re hungry.

Glory Days Grill, a sports-themed casual restaurant, has been a staple in Northern Virginia since 1996, when its first location opened in Burke. The name of the restaurant, which now has 15 locations in Virginia, and a handful in West Virginia, Maryland and Florida, is a moniker aimed at reminding clientele about the “‘good ’ole days’ of sports and famous moments in sports history,” according to the restaurant’s website. The “moments” indoctrinated on the walls of the restaurant should make most fans feel at home. Photos and newspaper clippings take you back in time to major championships and milestones in sports history.

But the restaurant, with locations in Woodbridge, Manassas and Gainesville, caters to more than just sports fans. The menu offers very affordable entrees, as well as some items you wouldn’t expect to see at the average sports bar, such as gluten-free dishes cooked in separate fryers from other food. A smaller seasonal menu also ensures that there’s always something new to try.

“It’s Just Like Cheers” Tom Brown, a special education teacher at Godwin Middle School in Woodbridge, said that he frequents the bar and grill often and loves the chicken wings, a dish that has won awards for the chain over the years, including “Best Wings” in Northern Virginia’s 2015 reader survey.“To me and the guys that hang out there, it’s just like Cheers,” Brown said.

In addition to wings, the restaurant offers Americana comfort foods like Philly cheesesteaks, Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers, 26 | August 2015 prince william living

baby back ribs and seafood. Along with salads and sides, Glory Days offers “Boston Clam Chowdah,” which the restaurant claims is the same recipe served in Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox. If there’s room for dessert, look for the salted vanilla caramel crunch cake, baked cobblers or Oreo “sliders” with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge for dipping.

The Glory Burger is brushed with zesty BBQ “The best part of the sauce and topped with fried onion straws, restaurant for me is bacon, cheddar cheese and a fried egg. the food, and the people I work for,” said Glory Days Woodbridge General Manager (or “Coach” in Glory Days parlance) Geoff St.Germain. From Warrenton, St. Germain has been with the company for 18 years, starting as a server at the original Burke location.

Glory Days stocks a full bar, and the Manassas location boasts a 2014 “Best Bartender” win from InsideNova for employee James Jennings. Non-alcoholic beverage options abound as well, such as flavored lemonades, iced teas and sodas.

General Manager (or “Coach”) of the Woodbridge location, Geoff St.Germain has been with Glory Days 18 years, starting as a server at the original Burke location.

Choose Your Viewing Adventure “My favorite thing on the menu is the wings with Glory Sauce,” Jackie Liammaytry, a bartender at the Woodbridge location, said. “But the best part about the restaurant is that it’s a family.

You get the best service that you wouldn’t get anywhere else. I’ve been to other sports bars, and the service just isn’t like it is here.”

In addition to the service, a benefit is the ability to customize your viewing (or listening) experience. Each booth and table has a volume-controlled speaker so you can tune in to one of the 25 or so TVs around the facility, listening to the sporting event or other program of your choice. Or, listen to your favorite music on a tableside TouchTunes jukebox, with new songs downloaded daily.

Each Glory Days carries all sports packages (MLB Extra Innings, NFL Sunday Ticket, etc.), making them a go-to for many area sports lovers. During the qualifying matches and championship game for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Woodbridge location hosted viewing parties. Liammaytry said that so many fans filled the restaurant to cheer on the U.S. women’s national soccer team that some days guests had to be turned away.

Sports-themed Outreach Promotions tend to be both food and sports centered. You’ll find a Glory Days wing stand at Pfitzner Stadium, home of the Potomac Nationals, where you can get wings and fries along with the restaurant’s signature sauces as you root on the home team.

Liammaytry recommends the Glory Days Grilling Sauce, a billed combination of “BBQ, honey and heat.”

An online coupon also offers a promotion that gets you an order of free boneless wings when any local hockey team—from the Washington Capitals to college and even youth teams—scores

five goals or more in a game. See Glory Days’ Facebook page for details. Other specials include $5.99 burgers on Mondays, $5.99 tacos on Tuesdays and a Friday fish fry priced at $9.99.

It stands to reason that Glory Days’ community giving is sports themed as well. For instance, the Woodbridge location is a sponsor of the Prince William Courage soccer league, along with local softball and high school sports teams. The chain also sponsored the 2015 World Police & Fire Games, an international competition that drew 12,000 public service officials to Northern Virginia this summer to compete in events such as mountain biking, ice hockey and volleyball.

There are also incentives for area children to learn. Brown noted that in exchange for earning good grades, his students can win coupons and gift certificates supplied by Glory Days.

“We are really a part of the community, and we offer a ‘Dining for Dollars’ program where sports teams and even churches can hold fundraisers at our restaurant,” St.Germain said.

So whether you’re looking to relive the glory days, or just catch a game and a good meal, Glory Days Grill has proven to serve Prince William well.

Michael Spiro is a former journalist with the York Daily Record in Pa., who relocated to Woodbridge in 2014.

He now works as a proposal writer in Alexandria, and is enjoying exploring his new community. He can be reached at mspiro@princewilliamliving.com.

Locally, Glory Days Grill has locations in Gainesville, Manassas and Woodbridge. All open at 11:30 a.m. daily, and close at 11 p.m. on Sunday and at midnight MondaySaturday. To learn more, visit glorydaysgrill.com. prince william living August 2015 | 27

your finances Tips for Managing the Costs of Your Kids’ Sports

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Back in the day, kids often honed their athletic skills at the neighborhood park. Organized sports teams, camps and clinics have now replaced these pick-up games. What’s more, the cost of youth athletics has dramatically increased over time.

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Second, keep the following in mind: n You can always say no to a sport if the cost is too far outside your budget and look at other options. Keep an open financial dialogue with your children so they have a better understanding of the big picture. n An intramural team may be a more affordable alternative to a traveling team because they tend to have fewer practices and games and to rely on volunteer coaches rather than paid ones. n Team meetings can be an opportunity to ask important questions, for example, “Do the kids really need new warm-ups every year?” or “Can we reduce the number of out-of-town travel trips per season?” n You can help get your child’s team involved in fundraising activities to help generate revenue and offset costs.

Third, remember to plan for the future. For every dollar you spend on sports today, consider investing the same dollar amount in a college savings plan for your son or daughter.

Since athletic scholarships are few and far between, this will help ensure that your long-term goal of a college education for your child isn’t compromised by your current investment in their athletic development.

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

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calendar Tackett’s Mill Farmers Market

Tuesdays | 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Tackett’s Mill Commuter Lot Harbor Drive, Lake Ridge Find produce, meat, jams, bread and more each Tuesday now through November.

Market is held in the parking lot directly behind the McDonald’s. More info: facebook.com/TackettsMill.

Manassas Farmers Market

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Thursdays & Saturdays | 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Harris Pavilion & Parking Lot B 9201 Center Street, Manassas Thursdays in Harris Pavilion, and Saturdays in Lot B, find fresh produce, meats, beverages, baked goods, artisan crafts and more. SNAP accepted. There’s also an evening market on Tuesdays at the pavilion, 5 - 8 pm. More info: historicmanassasinc.org.

Haymarket Farmers Market Saturdays | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Town Hall Parking Lot 5000 Washington Street, Haymarket Find Virginia-grown foods from a variety of vendors. More info: townofhaymarket.org.

Yoga on the Lawn

Saturdays | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15500 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge Join certified yoga instructor Hamuri Allen for an hour long Vinyasa yoga practice with views of the Potomac River.

Beginners welcome. Bring a yoga mat, towel and water. $5 per class or 5 classes for $20 or 10 classes for $45. More info: 703-499-9812.

Dale City Farmers Market

Sundays | 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Center Plaza Commuter Lot 14090 Gemini Way, Dale City The area’s largest producer-only market, featuring fresh produce, meat, dairy and other food products, along with handmade goods. More info: 703-670-7115, ext. 227.

Movie Night at Historic Brentsville Aug. 8 | 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow 2nd Annual Brentsville Movie Night.

Enjoy an old movie the way they were meant to be seen. Movie starts at nightfall.

Sands of Iwo Jima will be shown. Bring chairs and/or blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Basic Civil War Camp Aug. 10 – Aug. 14 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas Children will participate in activities designed to develop a better understanding of soldier life during the American Civil War. $130 per child, ages 8-12, reservations required. More info: 703-792-8320 or pwcparks.org.

The Second Annual Heritage Hunt SMGA Golf Tournament Aug. 14 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club 6901 Arthur Hills Drive, Gainesville SMGA tournament to benefit the Bull Run Warrior Retreat in Haymarket.

Foursomes will play for prizes in a friendly format. Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m.; 10 a.m. shotgun start, 3:00 p.m. reception.

More info: 703-625-4993.

Prince William County Fair

Aug. 14 – Aug. 22 Prince William County Fairgrounds 10624 Dumfries Rd, Manassas The Prince William County Fair is the largest County Fair in the state of Virginia. Includes livestock exhibits, home arts exhibits, tractor pulls, a rodeo, demolition derbies, baby contests, games, carnival rides, live music and midway shows. Tickets $5- $20 per person. More info: www.pwcfair.com.

Crazy for Cookies Presented by the Aubergine Chef Aug. 19 | 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Chinn Park Regional Library 13065 Chinn Park Dr, Woodbridge Bakery teams compete to make the best cookies. 30 slots available for middle and

high school students. More info: 703-792-4800.

Band Blowout

Aug. 21 | 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Bull Run Regional Library 8051 Ashton Ave, Manassas, VA 20109 Say farewell to summer at this after-hours party featuring local bands, refreshments and good company. For students in grades 6-12. Space limited. Are you a teen who plays in a band? Is your band interested in playing for this event?

Register by Aug. 7. More info: 703-792-4863.

Manassas Civil War Weekend

Aug. 21 - Aug. 23 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Manassas Museum 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas Activities include Civil War at the Junction, a living history commemoration with military and medical demonstrations, AfricanAmerican interpretation, music, food, bourbon tasting and a re-enactment remembering General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s 1862 raid on the railroad junction.

College Planning Workshop Aug. 25 | 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Central Community Library 8601 Mathis Ave, Manassas Felice Rollin’s workshop is designed specifically for high school juniors and their parents, and will provide a monthby-month plan for making college happen. More info: 703-792-8360.

Music at the Marina - U.S. Army Band Downrange

Aug. 29 | 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Leesylvania State Park 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge Downrange directs the spotlight on this dynamic group of active-duty musicians—talented vocalists and a powerful rhythm section. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic basket. $5 parking fee. More info: usarmyband. com/event-calendar.html.

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

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

30 | August 2015 prince william living

Discover Prince William & Manassas

DiscoverPWM.com

C

elebrate our area’s rich heritage by attending one of the many historic events and activities planned throughout Prince William and Manassas this August. Kick off the month at the Manassas Museum Lawn for the National Night Out Towne Ball on August 4, with vintage teams playing baseball as it was played during the Civil War era.

That same weekend, come to Ben Lomond Historic Site in Manassas. Ran as a plantation for the 100 years leading up to the Civil War, on August 8 this history is highlighted with an event that showcases the Virginia cash crops grown on the property in the 1700s and 1800s. Tastings and samples of Virginia whiskey and cigars will be available as well.

Ann Marie Maher

President and CEO Discover Prince William & Manassas

Then, take in an event that spans 66 years of area history, when the Prince William County Fair comes to town August 14-22. Began in 1949 to promote the local agricultural industry, the fair continues to have displays of farm animals and 4-H Club exhibits, as well as agricultural competitions throughout the week. Carnival rides, games, shows and food vendors have been added to the fair attractions over the years.

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History buffs will want to check out Civil War Weekend in Historic Downtown Manassas, August 21-23, when the town gets a blue and gray makeover for the anniversary of the Second Battle of Manassas/Bull Run. There will be a flurry of activities from live music and dancing to the largest Civil War parade in the area.

Experience living history, civil war encampments, historians and attractions for all ages.

Additional Civil War events are planned throughout August at Manassas National Battlefield Park and at Prince William County Historic Preservation sites in commemoration of the battles that took place in our area. For more information on historic attractions and the latest events visit discoverpwm.com.

Ann Marie Maher is the President/CEO of Discover Prince William & Manassas. For more information about what’s going on in Prince William and Manassas, visit DiscoverPWM. com or visit us on facebook/pwcmanassas.

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Sometimes life holds an endless list of challenges, until you discover an ABUNDANCE of SOLUTIONS. If you have questions about senior living, we have answers. Aging is often difficult with a seemingly endless number of decisions and changes. Let us offer simple solutions. We’ll share with you information on your many options and offer a helping hand to assist you on your journey.

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Businesses, join House of Mercy in collaboration with St. Lucy Project to provide food in 21 counties.

For as little as $250, Sponsor the joint effort of these two groups to provide nutritious and tasty food to families in 21 counties across Northern Virginia.

The 2015 Campaign to End Hunger, the annual fundraiser for House of Mercy, has attractive sponsorships available for this community event on Saturday October 17.

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lifelong learning Robotics in Prince William County Public Schools

By Eve A. Baker

R

obotics may be the most common extracurricular activity in local schools. “Every Prince William County school has at least one robotics program,” said Denyse Carroll, K-12 STEM Education Coordinator for SPARK, the Education Foundation for Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS).

In the 2014/2015 school year alone, more than 2,000 area students got experience building, programming and controlling robotic creations.

This experiential learning doesn’t end with the school year; PWCS held nearly two dozen robotics and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) camps held during the summer break.

The programs are made possible by a wide array of businesses and organizations, including SySTEMic Solutions, an outreach program based out of Northern Virginia Community College.

According to Bryce Lenon, the public relations and marketing director for SySTEMic Solutions, the organization is “a public/ private partnership, a collaboration between schools, private organizations and businesses” with the goal of getting young people involved and interested in STEM classes and careers.

Area tech firms, such as Lockheed Martin and Micron Technology, provide funding as well as employees who serve as coaches and mentors.

There are seven different robotics platforms that the schools use.

According to Carroll, the First Lego League is the platform with which most elementary school students get started. Fourth and fifth grade students are eligible to participate, building a Lego robot kit and programming it themselves.

A smaller number of elementary schools and some middle schools use the VEX IQ platform, which involves a combination of programming and remote control technology. Middle and high school programs commonly use VEX, another platform which involves “metal parts, sensors, and pneumatics,” said Carroll.

With all three platforms, students build a robot that they use throughout the school year to participate in competitions, programming or operating it to perform various tasks, such as stacking plastic blocks in groups by color.

With the SeaPerch program, students build an underwater, remotely operated vehicle and use it to complete tasks in a 34 | August 2015 prince william living

pool. Teams face real-world challenges, like capping a runaway underwater oil well. Robotics students also participate in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition.

In perhaps the most exciting and far-reaching program, Zero Robotics, Prince William students made it to the championship, where they communicated directly with the International Space Station as astronauts put their student-programmed satellites through their paces in the orbiting lab.

The robotics activities and competitions “get students excited about STEM with hands-on learning. They are learning without even knowing it,” said Carroll.

Students from the robotics club at Triangle Elementary School recently competed on the world stage at the 2015 VEX IQ Challenge Elementary School world championship in Louisville, Ky., said Ryan Osweiler, the school’s robotics coach. A team of five took 40th place out of 90 international teams. They were singled out with the Amaze Award, “for having a well-built robot while having a good strategy and cooperating as a team,” said team member Layla, age 11.

To learn more, visit www.pwcs.edu.

Journalist Eve Baker is a retired U.S. Marine. She does editorial consulting for the military community and serves in the Marine Corps Reserve. She can be reached at editor@bakereditingservices.com.

tambourines and elephants Here’s Your Sign

By DeeDee Corbitt Sauter Nailed above me was a large, decorated wooden sign: Please turn off all cell phones. No food or drinks allowed in waiting area.

Below that was another large sign, on an identical board, written in Spanish. I can only assume it was trying to spread the same message, but as I can’t read Spanish, it could have just as easily informed everyone in the waiting room that fairies and elves will be given priority seating.

Next to me was an older, bald, soft, round mustached man who cuddled beside a bleached blond 60-something-year-old sporting bubblegum lipstick and matching nail polish. She seemed very upset that the flowers on her flip flops were coming off.

He held his cell phone and told her that he would turn it down since they were in public, but that she just had to see this video.

Perhaps he was partially deaf, perhaps he confused up with down, as there was nothing quiet about the volume of that phone.

Apparently the Need-To-See-Video depicted a giant fish that was scaring a dog. He did not show me; I was only allowed to listen while passive-aggressively peering at the sign and trying to make eye contact with him to display my disapproval.

It did not work. The fish video completed and then was followed by some farm animal antics. Which apparently also could not wait to be seen in privacy. I was privy only to the background music and the inane commentary of the couple.

I have learned over the years that signs can be pretty, institutional, informative or funny. Unfortunately, no one reads them, or if they do, they know that there are no repercussions if the directions on the sign are not followed. As a parent, I have learned that every threat needs a stated consequence or my child simply does not care.

Most grocery stores have one or two cashier lanes reserved for patrons who have less than 10 or 12 items. Unfortunately, many of the clientele can’t count. I’ve noticed most of the patrons, although able to buy the ingredients for an intensely complicated recipe they learned from a TV master chef, are not able to understand that 20 items is NOT the same as 12 items even if there is a “2” in both numbers.

So when the blatantly arrogant customer looks the exhausted cashier in the eye and defies her to say something about the overage of items lining the conveyer belt, the tension can be felt down the aisle. People in line behind the perpetrator start to shift back and forth while gazing at the ceiling. Peering from the corner of their eyes, they simultaneously hope for and dread a true confrontation.

But, nothing happens.

The offender pays for her overabundance of groceries and walks away with her head held high. No consequences; perhaps it is the threat of knowing that the rule-breaker would simply respond negatively to the ubiquitous online satisfaction survey and get the employee in trouble should he or she speak up.

Which reminds me: I should do an online survey or two to bestow positive feedback on the hardworking forces out there who are friendly and actually meet my needs and do their job without whining. They seem to be an exception to the rule.

Unfortunately, I have no desire to have more of my metadata collected, so never mind.

No threatening sign should ever be hung without the realistic repercussions clearly outlined, perhaps with a bolder font, italics, underlines and maybe enhanced with three-dimensional graphics.

I have seen plaques hung in some antique and gift stores that threaten the removal and subsequent sale of miscreant minors to traveling gyspsies. Since I have never seen a costumed gypsy caravan in Northern Virginia, I categorically have no faith that the proprietors of these establishments can deliver on their promise.

Hence, another example of a decorative sign.

Even without the ability or desire to sell children who behave poorly, these signs convey the lighthearted understanding that parents must guide their progeny carefully around the delicate, potentially expensive, merchandise on display. It is implied, with humor, that there may be consequences if poor behavior, bad choices or distracted parents result in broken valuables.

Unfortunately, the neon-lit sign that glows “12 items or less” actually seems to be a double-dog dare to break the rules.

Just like the wooden sign hanging nailed onto the wall above me: Please turn off all cell phones. No food or drinks allowed in waiting area.

Understanding the general uselessness of the posted written word, I ponder whether there would be consequences if I lifted that decorative sign and repeatedly beat that cell phone until it’s a pile of plastic and metallic rubble. And I wonder if that too is a double-dog dare.

DeeDee Corbitt Sauter is a resident of Northern Virginia. Her column, “Tambourines and Elephants,” appears monthly in Prince William Living. prince william living August 2015 | 35

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distribution sites Pick up a free copy of Prince William Living at one of the following fine locations: 15040 Heathcote Boulevard, Gainesville Appliance Connection 7101 Heritage Village Plaza, Gainesville 13851 Telegraph Road, Suite 101, Woodbridge 5101 Waterway Drive, Montclair City of Manassas 12908 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge 9027 Center Street, Manassas 2100 Rippon Boulevard, Woodbridge Discover Prince William & Manassas 9511 Technology Drive, Manassas 10611 Balls Ford Road, Suite 110, Manassas 4290 Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge Edward Kelly Leadership Center 10249 Hendley Road, Manassas 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas 4300 Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge Historic Manassas Inc Northern Virginia Community College Visitor’s Center at the Train Depot Manassas Campus, 6901 Sudley Road 9431 West Street, Manassas Woodbridge Campus, 15200 Neabsco Mills Road Manassas Christian Academy Prince William Association of Realtors 8757 Signal Hill Road, Manassas 4545 Daisy Reid Avenue, Woodbridge Manassas Christian School Prince William County Fairgrounds 9296 West Carondelet Drive, Manassas 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas Manassas Park City Schools Prince William Ice Center One Park Center Court, Suite A, Manassas Park 5180 Dale Boulevard, Dale City Manassas Park – Parks and Recreation Prince William Parks and Recreation 99 Adams Street, Manassas Prince William Public Library System Mason Enterprise Center 14418 Bristow Road, Manassas 10890 George Mason Cir., Bull Run Hall, Rm 147, Manassas 12964 Harbor Drive, Lake Ridge The Merit School of Prince William 12993 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville 14308 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge 8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas 8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas Minnieland 13065 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge 5555 Assateague Place, Manassas 4249 Dale Boulevard, Dale City 12700 Correen Hills Drive, Bristow 18007 Dumfries Shopping Plaza, Dumfries 10368 Bristow Center, Bristow 4603 James Madison Highway, Haymarket 10910 Feeder Lane, Woodbridge 2201 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge 3498 Cranmer Mews, Woodbridge 13923 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge 5255 Merchants View Square, Haymarket 8299 Harness Shop Road, Gainesville

Prince William County Tourist Information Center 200 Mill Street, Occoquan Safeway 4215 Cheshire Station Plaza, Dale City 4240 Merchant Plaza, Woodbridge 2205 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge 12821 Braemar Village Plaza, Bristow Shopper’s Food and Pharmacy 9540 Liberia Avenue, Manassas 14000 Shoppers Best Way, Woodbridge 4174 Fortuna Center Plaza, Dumfries 10864 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas The Sign Shop 2603 Morse Lane, Woodbridge Town of Dumfries 17755 Main Street, Dumfries Town of Haymarket 15000 Washington Street, Haymarket Town of Occoquan Town Hall, 314 Mill Street, Occoquan Town of Quantico 337 5th Avenue, Quantico Virginia Realty Partners 4004 Genessee Place #209, Woodbridge

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