Prince William Living April 2016

PAGE 10

REBEKAH NAOMI WILBUR

PAGE 27

STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND

PAGE 28

BAR LOUIE

prince william living April 2016

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Meet the Makers PAGE 4

Locust Shade Park PAGE 12

Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute PAGE 20

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table of contents April 2016 Vol. 6 No. 4

FEATURE STORY Meet the Makers.....................................................4

DEPARTMENTS from the publisher...................................................3 on a high note Rebekah Naomi Wilbur: Sweet Success.................10

4 Photo by Mark Gilvey

destinations Locust Shade Park: Balancing Nature and Recreation .........................12 giving back Raising the Bar: Prince William County Bar Association Serves the Region’s Underserved......... 16 taking care of business Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute...........................20 family fun 10 Essential Photos to Take of Your Children.......22 lifelong learning Strangers in a Strange Land...................................27 local flavor Bar Louie: A Bar and a Restaurant Walk into a Bar‌.................................................28

12

calendar...............................................................32 advertiser index....................................................36

COLUMNS health & wellness.................................................18 home & hearth.....................................................26 your finances........................................................30 Discover Prince William & Manassas................33

26 Photo by Rob Jinks

prince william living April 2016 | 1

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com Contributing Writers Amanda Causey Baity, Carla Christiano, Amy Falkofske, Kim Howard, CAE, Paul Keily, Joe Lowe, Ann Marie Maher, Jo McCarthy, Tracy Shevlin, Dan Verner, Marianne Weaver, Bennett Whitlock, Niki Van Ech Editor in Chief Kim Howard, CAE khoward@princewilliamliving.com Copy Editor Apryl Motley Photo Editor Amanda Causey Baity Photographers Amanda Causey Baity, Delia Engstrom, Robert Jinks, Amy Falkofske, Mark Gilvey, Kathy Strauss Marketing Director Amanda Causey Baity Graphic Design and Production Alison Dixon/Image Prep Studio Online Submission Manager Carole Keily Advertising Account Executive Michelle Geenty Prince William Living, the premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly

by Prince William Living, Inc. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living. © Copyright 2016 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 $15 (Continental U.S.) for one year.

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

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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Visit www.pwliving.com for 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.

About the Cover The Maker Movement is a global community of inventors, engineers, artists, programmers and tinkerers that are bypassing traditional production models—once the domain of big corporations and multi-million dollar factories—to design and build for themselves.

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 | April 2016 prince william living

See more photos online at pwlphotos.com.

from the publisher Enjoying the Spring in Prince William

A

pril is finally here and with it, warmer weather. Some however, will still be inside, creating and building. This month’s feature, “Meet the Makers” by Joe Lowe, introduces us to those go-go gadget inventors, both students and adults alike, who put the tech in “high tech” (page 4).

For those of you who love the outdoors, find out what adventure awaits in April’s destinations,” Locust Shade Park-Balancing Nature and Recreation” by Carla Christiano (page 12). A park with hidden amenities as well as an unofficial tie to the Marine Corps. Find out what is happening and what is going to happen at this multi-faceted attraction.

Imagine relocating in another country and trying to learn a whole new language as an adult. That’s exactly what hundreds of adults in Prince William do as they try to assimilate into our community.

This month’s Lifelong Learning “Strangers in a Strange Land”

by Dan Verner introduces us to several people who strive to learn English as a way to better communicate with their new neighbors.

You can also learn about the programs that help them (page 25).

Don’t forget to check out our calendar of events at pwliving.com/ events. With the deep freeze behind us, I hope you will get out and explore all that Prince William and Greater Manassas has to offer this spring!

As spring fever hits, you might head outdoors to take photos.

April’s Family Fun teaches us the “10 Essential Photos to Take of Your Children” by Amanda Causey Baity. If you aren’t a natural born photographer, these handy tips will make you look like pro and help you document your children for years to come (page 20).

Sincerely, Rebecca Barnes Prince William Living Publisher

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Meet the Makers

By Joe Lowe

Neighbors are sending high-altitude balloons into the stratosphere, high school students are building advanced robots, and elementary kids are designing their own 3D-printed eyeglasses.

What’s going on in Prince William?

4 | April 2016 prince william living

O

n a cold Saturday morning in early February, Battlefield High School’s gym and hallways filled with an assortment of drones, computers, 3D printers and even a humanoid robot, as Prince William residents, young and old, shared their high-tech secrets and achievements with one other and a stream of curious onlookers at the Haymaker STEM Expo in Haymarket.

Many of those in attendance consider themselves members of the Maker Movement, a global community of inventors, engineers, artists, programmers and tinkerers that are bypassing traditional production models—once the domain of big corporations and multi-million-dollar factories—to design and build for themselves.

The objects they create, which range from prosthetic arms to tote bags to giant LED screens, may have little in common, but their Makers—as those within the movement are known—share a common objective: to transform themselves from passive consumers into active creators.

This goal holds enormous attraction for thousands across the country who enjoy hands-on learning and delight in the thrill of inventing, and the movement is growing at a dizzying pace.

In the last decade, more than 200 independent Maker groups have sprung up in U.S., and Etsy, an e-commerce website focused on handmade items, now features the work of over one million artisan sellers. This has boosted the demand for 3D printers—a favorite Maker tool—and other Maker services to over $2 billion annually. Meanwhile, Maker conferences, or Faires, have been known to draw more than 100,000 attendees.

Even the White House hosted its first Maker Faire last year.

Manassas Innovation Garage: Building a Maker Movement in Prince William At first glance, Prince William may not seem like an ideal incubator for the Maker Movement. But for Ed Danis, a local Maker who started one of the county’s first Maker groups last year, the Manassas Innovation Garage, the area holds much potential.

As an engineer with Lockheed Martin, Danis knows Prince William is attracting big-name tech companies, most notably at Innovation Park. The 1,600-acre corporate park, located outside Manassas, is home to over two dozen tech companies as well as George Mason’s Science and Technology Campus.

And many of the 2,000 plus people working there, employed in science, IT and engineering fields, couldn’t be better equipped to become Makers.

Besides Innovation Park, Manassas is also home to an impressive number of industrial businesses, including metal, iron and welding shops. Joining industrial know-how and high-tech talents, in Danis’ opinion, is the recipe for creative success.

Lockheed Martin engineer Ed Danis started one of the county’s first Maker groups. Joining industrial know-how and high-tech talents is the recipe for success, according to Danis. Prince William County offers both.

“The more skills we can bring together,” he noted, “the more innovative our projects are going to be.”

As a former robotics mentor at Bristow Run Elementary School, Danis knows that Prince William County’s schools offer a range of Maker-related activities to their students, and that a large, committed group of parent-volunteers enthusiastically support those programs.

The problem, as he sees it, is a lack of opportunities for Makers outside the schools.

Lacking funds to build a Maker workshop—or MakerSpace— Danis created a Meetup group online to connect with other builders and lay the foundation for a Maker community.

The group now meets monthly at the Bull Run Regional Library to discuss project work, and as Danis hoped, it attracts a diverse group of Makers. These include physicists, artists, engineers and business-minded tinkerers, who range in age from 13 to 60.

The group’s creative output has not stalled for lack of a designated building space. Working at home, Danis and his colleagues have already built a high-altitude reconnaissance balloon, complete with sensors and recording equipment that they will launch into the stratosphere later this year. (continues on page 6) prince william living April 2016 | 5

(continued from page 5) “We’re also working on a satellite ground station to track the balloon and send it commands,” Danis mentioned. “In the future we want to work on controlled parachute descents, something that NASA has asked the public to help with.”

In his spare time, Danis is building a humanoid robot, printing all the parts he needs with a 3D printer. He gives motivational speeches to aspiring high school engineers and plans to use the robot as a tool to engage and encourage the students.

Danis hopes that the Manassas Innovation Garage will have a similar effect on the wider community and become an educational resource for Prince William County residents.

“For those in the workforce looking for new skills, it’s a great way to acquire a knowledge of electronics, computer science and physics,” he said, “and if you’re still trying to figure out your career path, there are opportunities to learn about industrial trades, too.”

Mountain View Elementary: A High-tech Future for Local Children In 2014, Mountain View Elementary School’s principal, teachers and parent community challenged themselves to improve students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Their answer was to create a MakerSpace.

Instructional Technology Coach Terry Kapp-Guiffré to convert a story room into a fully-functioning MakerSpace. And with financial support from the University of Mary Washington, the PTO and parent community, Mountain View bought necessary tools and supplies, which included everything from a 3D printer to power tools and yarn.

Excited by the opportunities, teachers and their classes have gone far beyond the school’s minimum activity requirements for the MakerSpace. According to Schrecker, the MakerSpace has been so popular with faculty that the “biggest challenge was keeping it supplied and not double-booking.”

“This really takes precedence in their lives...”

During its first year in operation, the MakerSpace yielded an impressive assortment of student-inspired items: 3D-printed eye glasses, hand-held coops for 3D-printed baby chicks and straw rockets. “Kids absolutely love going in there and making new things,” Kapp-Guiffré said.

With technical assistance from George Mason University, the school’s then principal Michelle Schrecker worked with its

Student interest was so great that Kapp-Guiffré collaborated with the school’s librarian to build two technology stations in the library where children could work on their own.

Elementary school students participated in the Haymaker STEM Expo by displaying their projects during the event.

Children get involved with STEM activities through innovative technology and iPads.

6 | April 2016 prince william living

tournaments, including first place at the FIRST World Championship for robotics in 2014.

To win, the team designed and built a robot from scratch in six weeks, which then outperformed other robots in completing designated engineering challenges.

With the help of adult mentors, students build their robots in two rooms at the high school that have been converted into Maker-like spaces, complete with 3D printers, laser engravers, a milling machine and a lathe.

In addition to the robotics team, Drake and her colleagues have established cyber defense and computer science teams. But due to financial and staffing constraints, they can only accept a fraction of the students hoping to join.

Those that do join immerse themselves in the effort. “This really takes precedence in their lives of its members,” said Justine, co-president of the robotics team. “Many times we’ll end up working on projects until 9 p.m. on school nights.”

The hard work pays off. Drake said that all of her team members have gone on to college, and many have embarked on successful careers. “My former students have some of the best jobs,” Drake said. “They’re at Google, Microsoft, IBM, NSA and Lockheed Martin.”

Hands-on demonstrations with robotics allows spectators to learn more.

When other schools found out about the MakerSpace, Mountain View began receiving visits by school administrators and staff from Prince William County and beyond.

Joe Lowe (jlowe@princewilliamliving.com) lives with his wife and daughter in Gainesville. After working for many years with the National Park and Forest Services, he is now employed with an environmental non-profit in Washington, D.C.

“Our MakerSpace has become a springboard for schools hoping to launch similar projects throughout the region,” said Adriane Harrison, Mountain View’s current principal. “It’s about helping others repeat this success in their schools.”

On April 12, Mountain View will open its doors to the public when it hosts the Western End Tech and STEAM Fair featuring tech-related projects from elementary schools throughout western Prince William County.

Battlefield High: Champion Robot Builders Many Prince William County schools have adopted robotics and Maker-related curriculum components, but none have produced more spectacular results than Battlefield High School in Haymarket.

When Battlefield opened in 2004, the school hired Gail Drake, a former computer science professor, to teach technology courses.

Drake founded the school’s robotics team the following year and quickly led it to become one of the nation’s pre-eminent high school teams.

Since building its first robot with a part kit, scrap metal and a lamp shade, Battlefield’s team has won multiple international

The X-bots are a community-based FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team dedicated to sharing the wonders of STEM and FIRST. prince william living April 2016 | 7

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Rebekah Naomi Wilbur

Sweet Success Story and Photos By Amy Falkofske

A

s a child in Staffordshire, England, Montclair resident Rebekah Wilbur of Rebekah Naomi Cake Design developed a passion for making and decorating cakes, and you might say life events led her to be the successful sugar artist and cake decorator she is today.

“My mom was a baker, not professionally, but she always baked. As a child, I looked through her cake decorating books and thought that I would love to do that. When I got married in 2009, I was researching cake decorators for my wedding, and I thought why don’t I just give it a go, so I made my own wedding cake. And I loved it. After that, I started making cakes every now and then. That was really my first taste of wanting to do this professionally,” said Wilbur.

Nothing happened for Wilbur right away. At first she was merely known as someone who could make cakes. Then she eventually worked her way into a cake decorating business.

10 | April 2016 prince william living

“I’ve been decorating for a long time, but I started the way that a lot of cake decorators do, where you start being known, ‘oh she can make cakes,’ and then you get friends calling you saying, ‘Hey, can you make my daughter’s birthday cake?’” she said.

Wilbur’s business, Rebekah Naomi Cake Design, took off three and half years ago and grew in two different directions.

For a while, her identity in the Northern Virginia area was as a wedding cake person, while her online presence was that of a sugar artist—someone who makes flowers, bows, lace and other designs out of sugar. That side of her business included teaching and doing online tutorials for people around the country who didn’t have access to that kind of knowledge where they lived.

While she was doing wedding cakes, she was the exclusive cake decorator for two wedding/event planners in the Metro/DC area, Sharia Barksdale, CEO and director of events at Eclectic Fete and Jennifer Vanderpuije, owner of CTG Event & Design.

As a sugar artist, she is recognized as a Satin Ice Artist of Excellence and has become a brand ambassador for that company, which makes the gum paste and fondant that Wilbur uses to make her cake decorations.

Recently she stopped taking personal wedding orders to focus on the teaching side of her business, which she loves. She has just been hired by Stacked in Ashburn, Va., to teach cake decorating and sugar art starting in late May. The school will be the first professional cake decorating school in the U.S. Erin Schwartz, the owner of Stacked and cake artist, has cake decorating contacts from all over the world and is happy to have found a decorator such as Wilbur here in Virginia.

“Social media really connects everybody in the cake industry.

Wilbur’s inspiration for her cakes used to start with the bride and groom bringing her a picture of something they saw and liked and her tweaking it to make it personal for them. Now, she has a style all her own, getting inspiration from runway fashions.

I have teachers coming in from other countries, and then I see Rebekah, who is in Virginia, and that’s even better,” said Schwartz.

Wilbur has also been hired by American Cake Decorating magazine to do a variety of tasks like collaborating with other cake decorators on tutorials. And a number of her cakes have been featured in the magazine.

Though she will miss doing wedding cakes, Wilbur is looking forward to this new development in her career.

“I’m really excited. I’m conflicted because I love doing cakes, but realistically things have to change because I have a young family and although I love wedding cakes, it’s a huge commitment.

I can’t do everything and I love teaching more, so I was going to try and carry on with the wedding cakes for at least another year. I just can’t do it. There’s just so much going on that I want to be involved in that I feel like it would be really unfair to clients to not be in a position to be completely committed to a masterpiece.”

Wilbur’s inspiration for her cakes used to start with the bride and groom bringing her a picture of something they saw and liked and her tweaking it to make it personal for them. Now, she has a style all her own, getting inspiration from runway fashions.

“It’s such an easy thing to translate into cake, the beautiful colors, themes, the florals, the fabrics, there’s so much there that you can use for inspiration,’” said Wilbur.

“She definitely pulls a lot of inspiration from fashions, and that’s one of the qualities that I love about her work. She can literally take an image of a dress and dream up a magnificent cake that she sketches and then works to actually create it in person, and I’ve seen her do it a couple of times and it’s really an amazing feat,” said Barksdale.

“She has such a great wonderful style. She makes very elegant cakes, but all of her designs are very original which is something that you don’t always see with cake decorators,” said Schwartz.

Wilbur is in high demand and has a busy year ahead of her. Early this month, she’ll be demonstrating at the Atlantic City Bakery Expo. Later on in the month, she will again be demonstrating at the National Capital Area Cake show. She’ll be teaching at the Stacked school in May and September of this year. Her work will also carry her out of the state and the country. In October, she’ll be filming with the Avalon Cake School in Denver. Then in early November, she’ll be demonstrating at Cake International in Birmingham, UK. To learn more about Rebekah Naomi Cake Design, go to her website at rebekahnaomicakedesign.com.

Amy Falkofske (afalkofske@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance writer, and the owner/photographer of Beautiful Moments by Amy Photography. She is working on an MA in film-television with a concentration in script writing from Regent University. She lives in Bristow with her husband and two boys. prince william living April 2016 | 11

destinations

Locust Shade Park Balancing Nature and Recreation

By Carla Christiano

A

t Locust Shade Park on the southeast edge of Prince William County, there is a constant hum of traffic from I-95 to the west and Route 1 to the east. Yet the noise doesn’t seem to bother the fishermen gathered around Lefty Hamilton pond angling for trout, nor an otter who is angling for the fishermen’s bait.

“I don’t want to catch one of those,” said Dan from Manassas Park, pointing to the otter. He sees the otter closing in on his line and finagles it away. He comes to the park near Quantico from Manassas Park because “they don’t have good fishing up that way.” He likes the park. “They’re friendly here. It would be a lot quieter if Route 1 weren’t there, but you can’t have everything,” he said. Although he has seen about 50 people fishing at the lake some days, most people don’t know about the park. “You have Quantico right there, and half the people there don’t know about it,” he said.

Locust Shade Park Manager Chad Tyrrell has heard that before.

“One of the common responses we have from a first-time customer is ‘I’ve driven by here six thousand times and never knew that it was here,’” he said. Tyrrell, who has been park manager for almost two years, would like that to change. He

12 | April 2016 prince william living

uses Facebook and the Parks and Recreation Leisure magazine to promote park programs, and the nearby National Museum of the Marine Corps has also brought the park some exposure. Prince William County’s Community Centers and Park Manager Janet LaFleur confirmed an increase in park visitors as a result of the museum, but park officials don’t know the exact impact because the park does not track all visitors.

Although Locust Shade Park does not have a formal partnership with the Marine Corps, Brent Heavner, communications services division chief, said, “The land that is now Locust Shade Park was at one time Marine Corps Base Quantico. And likewise, land that the museum sits on was transferred to the county as part of Locust Shade Park and then given back to the Marine Corps Heritage foundation for the site. In a broad sense, the history of Locust Shade Park is a history of a partnership of the Marine Corps and Marine Corps base Quantico.” Created from a land transfer to the county from the Marine Corps in 1975, Locust Shade Park was one of the first parks established by the Park Authority (now Department of Parks and Recreation). Opened in 1982, the now 295-acre park was named after the Harrison family estate “Locust Shade” in recognition of the family’s public

The Jean C. Smith Amphitheater can seat 500 and is an ideal place for outdoor entertainment.

Batting cages can be rented for team practice or just 2 tokens for 15 pitches.

service in Northern Virginia. Harrison family members served as justices, county lieutenants, ambassadors, sheriffs, military officers and representatives to the House of Burgesses in colonial Virginia, according to “Locust Shade Park—A History.”

fields or indoor pools that are very busy. On the other you have a property like Locust Shade that gives children the opportunity to learn in outdoor spaces or smack a golf ball or drop a fishing line in the lake. It’s that balance of recreational opportunities in Prince William County that is amazing, and Locust Shade is part of that balance,” he said.

Undiscovered Amenities Although known primarily for its forested setting, the park offers eight pavilions for parties and picnics, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a lighted golf driving range, three playgrounds, a newly renovated batting cage and the eight-acre man-made lake stocked with trout and catfish seasonally. Its 500-seat amphitheatre, which Tyrell called “a hidden gem,” will host approximately 12 environmental education and family-based events from May to mid-October.

Despite the park’s amenities, park officials still struggle to get even regular visitors to realize all the park has to offer. People come for a single reason, and then they leave. “They come to hit at the batting cage and play for 20 minutes, then they leave, and they don’t realize there’s another 290 acres behind that they have never even explored,” Tyrrell said. To help visitors discover more about county parks like Locust Shade, LaFleur said there is a new tool called Parks and Recreation Finder, which can help visitors navigate trails and find amenities in a park. “It’s a powerful tool even for someone who already uses our parks to learn about new and exciting things to do,” Heavner said.

Future Plans for the Park As for the future, park officials have no major projects planned for Locust Shade. “We’ve done some stream mitigation there.

Everything else would basically be cosmetic or based on safety or operation of the park,” LaFleur said. Nothing planned would change the character of the park. “Right now it is well-aligned to what the community seems to want out of that recreational space. We don’t have people banging on the door to build a new athletic facility there,” Heavner added.

To Heavner, Locust Shade Park exemplifies the county’s balanced portfolio of parks. “On the one hand, you might have

Carla Christiano (cchristiano@princewilliamliving.com) is a native of Prince William County, admitted history geek and a technical writer for Unisys.

Fishing at Locust Shade Because Locust Shade is a participant in the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Urban Fishing Program, its eight-acre man-made lake is stocked with trout five times from Nov. 1 to April 30. Trout fishing is limited to just those months and requires a special trout license in addition to a Virginia fishing license. Locust Shade Park is the only Prince William County park to participate in the program. In the summer the department also stocks the lake with catfish, and the lake has bluegill and largemouth bass as well. Neither swimming nor personal watercraft are allowed in the lake.

Locust Shade Park

4701 Locust Shade Drive, Triangle, VA • 703-221-8579 pwcgov.org/government/dept/park/locustshade/ Pages/default.aspx

Parks and Recreation Finder gisweb.pwcgov.org/webapps/parksfinder/ No entrance fee There is a fee for the driving range, miniature golf, batting cage, seasonal mini camps and some amphitheatre events. Park pavilions can also be rented for a fee.

prince william living April 2016 | 13

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giving back

Raising the Bar:

Prince William County Bar Association Serves the Region’s Underserved

By Marianne E. Weaver

M

embers of the Prince William County Bar Association (PWCBA) don’t just pay lip service to their mission “to maintain the honor and dignity of the practice of law, promote the administration of justice, encourage the professionalism and collegiality of its members, and contribute to the quality of life in the community.” The more than 400 attorneys and members of the judiciary have made it their mission to work together to serve the community, focusing on underserved groups: youth, seniors, veterans and the homeless.

schools to distribute the “So You’re 18” handbook and discuss many legal issues the students will be facing.

“We are the 2015 Bar Association of the Year for the state of Virginia,” said Brad Marshall, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney and PWCBA director.

Marshall said typical topics include student aid and college loans, landlord issues, security deposits, roommates, marriage, child support, buying a car, credit card issues, contract and real estate law and criminal defense: “We cover anything you can think of.”

According to the Virginia State Bar Award announcement, the award recognizes “lasting and exemplary contributions to the legal community and the community at large in Virginia.”

PWCBA was recognized not only for the outstanding communication and continuing education opportunities it provides to its members, but also its many law-related community outreach activities.

Serving the Region’s Youth PWCBA is a voluntary, professional, nonprofit organization composed of 480 attorneys and members of the judiciary. Their longest-running program, “So You’re 18,” started in 1999.

It educates high school seniors about their new rights and responsibilities. Through partnerships between PWCBA and local public school administrations, the program is implemented in all three local public school systems—Manassas City Public Schools, Manassas Park City Schools and Prince William County Public Schools. PWCBA members volunteer to visit the 16 | April 2016 prince william living

“PWCBA doesn’t wait for students to approach adulthood before introducing them to the legal system,” said Jeanie Wiethop, Esq., PWCBA president-elect, who has been a presenter. “We try to paint a picture of how their responsibilities and rights change when they turn 18—the right to vote or sign a lease—and how the criminal justice system will treat them differently as adults.”

By the time the class of 2015 graduated, he said at least 6,800 high school seniors had participated in the program.

“That is a generation of young people,” said Alissa N. Hudson, PWCBA executive director. “PWC Bar is dedicated to making model citizens of our youth.”

Public school eighth graders are invited to participate in the court tours/mock trial program. Designed to encourage careers in law and law enforcement, the program engages PWBA members in leading tours through the courthouse, explaining the different levels of courts and introducing students to judges, attorneys, interpreters and law enforcement personnel. After the tour, students participate in a mock trial.

“One year students observed a felony criminal docket,” Hudson said. “The students saw a 19-year-old, still a senior, convicted of a drug distribution charge. That hit home with what the consequences could be.”

Photo courtesy of Brad Marshall, PWCBA

Inside the classroom public middle school students also participate in the PWCBA-sponsored “Character Counts” essay contest. Since 2000, students have submitted essays on one of the six pillars of good character: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship. Volunteer attorneys choose the winners, who receive cash and commemorative prizes.

“Focusing on good character always, always, always has positive results,” said Amy Covell, director of school counseling at Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School. “Participating in the “Character Counts” essay contest allows our students to put their good character on display. The fundamental exercise of writing the essay allows students to sharpen their writing skills, and brainstorming about the pillars of good character taps into their thoughts on what good character means to them.”

In the region’s public elementary schools, PWCBA supports National Young Readers Day. Not only does PWCBA send readers into the schools, but the organization also purchases one book to donate to every elementary school library in the three school jurisdictions.

In 2012, the PWCBA’s Young Lawyers Group started working with local at-risk families, including those living in temporary shelters.

Beyond the Classroom PWCBA members often interact with local youth in more personal settings as well.

Karen Horowitz, Northern Virginia Family Service Director of Volunteer and Internship Engagement, said volunteer groups often come to the 92-bed facility in Manassas to prepare meals for the residents, about 40 percent of which are children.

The Underserved

Engstrom

“But for the Prince William Bar, that is not enough,” she said.

“They come the last Sunday of every month. They bring the food and prep onsite. They do activities. They talk to the residents and hang out with them. They put a lot effort into making the residents feel comfortable and welcome in the environment.”

Photo by Delia

“Students come to us in many ways—foster care, delinquent charges, some through adoption,” Marshall said, adding that these are the children served by the “Beat the Odds” program, which is based on the National Children’s Defense Fund model.

Cooking breakfast at the SERVE Emergency Shelter is a great example of The PWCBA Young Lawyers Group community service projects.

The PWCBA also strives to serve other underserved communities: senior citizens, first responders and veterans.

Marshall said PWCBA members, case workers, probation officers and school officials nominate students who they feel should be recognized for academic achievement and social progress.

Honorees who are graduating seniors pursuing further education are awarded scholarships that, generally, cover the costs for one year at a local community college. Undergraduates are given a laptop. All honorees are assigned a mentor, who is a member of PWBA.

“Every single student has a mentor, so they have someone on call at all times,” said Marshall, noting that about 15 students are honored each year.

Awards are presented at a formal banquet thrown in their honor.

“Everyone gets dressed up—even if we have to buy them dress shirts and ties,” Marshall said. “This is a world-changer for them; it completely opens up educational opportunities. We want to show them that they have hope for the future.”

According the PWCBA website, each May since 2006, PWCBA members join forces with the PWC Area Agency on Aging to celebrate Law Day and Older American’s Month. Volunteers visit senior centers to offer seminars on topics including life, disability and umbrella insurance.

The PWCBA also has sponsored the “Wills for Heroes” program, which offers free wills for first responders and their spouses. Recently, the program expanded to provide wills and veteran- directed home and community based services for the Prince William Area Agency on Aging.

“Once veterans separate from the service, most are no longer eligible to access legal services,” said Barbara Diehl, MSW, CIRS-A-D, a supportive services specialist and veteran directed HCBS services coordinator with the PWCArea Agency on Aging. “Our agency serves a large percentage of veterans (and/or (continues on page 18) prince william living April 2016 | 17

health & wellness Talking to Your Kids About Alcohol

By Kim Howard, CAE

A

pril is Alcohol Awareness Month. Just because a substance is legal, this doesn’t make its use any less of a societal problem. Let’s review some staggering facts. n Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the U.S. n The typical American will see 100,000 beer commercials before he or she turns 18. n Alcohol is a primary factor in the four leading causes of death for young people ages 10-21.

Need some tips on talking with your teen? As a parent, you can be a primary source of positive and reliable information.

According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, here are some basic guidelines to assist you: Listen before you talk. As parents we want to have “all the answers.” Sometimes we are so anxious to share our wisdom—or our opinion—that we don’t take the time to listen. For kids, knowing that we are really listening is the most important thing we can do to help.

Talk to your child and ask open ended questions. Talk to your child regularly about their feelings, friends and activities. Try to avoid questions that have simple “yes” or “no” answers.

(continued from page 17) their spouses) who are 55+. I was looking for a way/service that could benefit those veterans with limited resources. I reached out to the PWC Bar Association and ultimately, to their pro bono committee. The PWC Bar Association liked the idea and agreed to take this on as a pro bono service in 2015.”

Based on survey results, Diehl said, the program is a success.

“Many veterans also commented that this service was needed in our community and should be provided again in the very near future,” she said.

In June 2015, the Virginia State Bar named the PWCBA the Bar Association of the Year, which recognizes lasting and exemplary contributions to the legal community and the community at large in Virginia.

Marianne Weaver (mweaver@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance editor and writer. She earned a B.A. in English from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.J. from Temple University. She lives in Gainesville, Va., with her husband and two children.

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Be involved. Get to know your child’s friends and continue to educate your child about the importance of maintaining good health—psychological, emotional and physical.

Set expectations, limits and consequences. Make it clear that you do not want your children drinking or using drugs and that you trust them not to. Talk about possible consequences, both legal and medical, and be clear about what you will do if the rules are broken.

Be honest and open. Care about what your children are going through as they face and make decisions that will affect their lives now and for the future.

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Be positive. Talking about these issues with your children can build bridges rather than walls.

Discuss family history. Both research and personal experience have clearly documented that addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that can be linked to family history and genetics. If you have a family history of problems with alcohol or drugs, be matter of fact about it, as you would any other chronic disease, such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer. For more information, visit ncadd.org.

Kim Howard, CAE (khoward@princewilliamliving.com) is the editor in chief of Prince William Living, the parent of two teenagers and the daughter of a recovering alcoholic.

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By Tracy Shevlin | Photos by Rob Jinks

O

nce thought of as a Hollywood extravagance, cosmetic surgery has become more accessible than ever. With advancements in non-surgical and less invasive procedures, cosmetic surgery is a booming mainstream business.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Americans spent $12 billion on cosmetic surgery procedures in 2014.

patients. Of course, some procedures like breast augmentation or labiaplasty are gender specific, but most procedures and injectable treatments can be performed on men or women.

This trend is also occurring close to home. With at least 15 cosmetic surgeons in the Northern Virginia area, Prince William Living spoke with Dr. George Bitar, a board certified plastic surgeon named a Top Doc by Washingtonian, with offices in both Fairfax and Manassas, to gain insight about this business and learn more about the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute.

PWL: Does your practice take insurance?

PWL: What should patients know or ask before choosing a cosmetic surgeon?

Bitar: Patients should take the time to learn about the risks and benefits regarding a specific procedure, and they should not be rushed into a decision. They should ensure that the surgeon is board certified and that they perform the procedure they are interested in on a routine basis. If it is not a common procedure for that doctor, they should choose another doctor who does the procedure on a routine basis. They should inquire whether the surgeon has hospital privileges, in case something should go wrong during the procedure.

PWL: Is your practice exclusive to women?

Bitar: No, absolutely not! Approximately 15 to 20 percent of our patients are men. We are mindful that our offices are decorated in a unisex fashion so that men feel comfortable, too.

Many of the procedures we do are not specific to male or female 20 | April 2016 prince william living

The most common surgical procedures for men include abdominal sculpting with liposuction, where we help men achieve six-pack abs, rhinoplasty for the nose, neck lift and gynecomastia, which is male breast reduction.

Bitar: No, cosmetic surgery generally isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t covered by insurance.

However, we do partner with financing companies that offer low monthly payments.

PWL: Within the cosmetic surgery specialty, what sets your practice apart from others?

Bitar: Several things set us apart, including our training as cosmetic surgeons, the breadth of the services that we offer and our innovative techniques. Dr. Lickstein and I are both board certified plastic surgeons and served in two residency programs, one for general surgery and one for cosmetic surgery. We also have an extremely specialized staff. Not all practices can boast about that level of experience.

We also offer a comprehensive menu of surgical procedures and non-surgical treatments that allow our patients more options. Not all practices offer a full scope of services. This is important because a practice that does not offer a specific procedure, may offer the patient the next best thing among the ones available, which may or may not be what is best for the patient.

Lastly, we are continually evaluating our techniques to improve outcomes for our patients. For example, we use an underarm

Dr. Bitar said that 40 percent of their procedures can be done in their offices.

approach when we perform breast augmentation surgery.

Through the use of innovative methods like the Kellar Funnel, we are able to place the implant in the breast without handling the implant, which greatly reduces the risk of infection. It also minimizes scarring and speeds healing because there is less bruising, no cutting of the muscle tissue and no loss of nipple sensation.

PWL: With offices in Prince William and Fairfax, why do you do your major surgeries in Fairfax?

Bitar: There are a couple of reasons that we choose Fairfax Hospital. First, Fairfax Hospital is one of the top 50 hospitals in the country. Also, when we opened the practice in 2002, Fairfax Hospital had 75 plastic surgeons on staff there. What that meant to us was that Fairfax had the staff, equipment and skilled personnel to handle these procedures easily. In contrast, Prince William hospital did not have the right equipment or staff to accommodate us.

While the number of surgeons has increased over time and the facilities have improved in the Prince William area, we have developed a working relationship with the staff at Fairfax.

internet presence and a mobile-friendly site is most important because we have so much information available on our site, including before and after pictures and patient reviews.

Customer service is also a key component for our business because we often have repeat customers who return for new procedures as well as recommending us to their friends and family members.

PWL: We have heard that non-surgical treatments are very popular. Can you tell us about a few of them that you offer at the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute?

Bitar: We offer many non-surgical skin and body enhancements and anti-aging skin care treatments that include the latest and most effective technologies and products available. We offer a variety of laser treatments, Coolsculpting for fat reduction and Ultherapy for skin tightening. Additionally, our two licensed medical aestheticians are on staff to perform facials, chemical peels, dermabrasion and micro needling.

For additional information on the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, please visit their webpage bitarinstitute.com.

However, I should add that that 40 percent of our procedures can be done in our offices.

PWL: With such a specialized practice, how do you market your business?

Bitar: We market in multiple ways, including online and social media, community outreach and beauty clinics. Having a strong

Tracy Shevlin (tshevlin@princewilliamliving.com) is a native Virginian and long-time Manassas area resident. She is a graduate of George Mason University where she is also an office manager. prince william living April 2016 | 21

family fun

10 Essential Photos to Take of Your Children

By Amanda Causey Baity

A

s a photographer, you’d think that my house displays tons of amazing photographs of my children. Wrong!

Everyone is guilty of being “too busy,” myself included.

Take the time to capture these memories as they do pass by so quickly. Once you have them captured, be sure that you are downloading them and actually doing something with them other than posting on social media or emailing to grandma and grandpa. Here are 10 essential photos to take of your children each month. I am also sharing some of my favorite apps and websites that will help you organize, edit and display your masterpieces around your home.

1. A Portrait: A monthly portrait is a great way to track time.

What expression do you get when you tell your child to smile? Find out by capturing his reaction each month in the same location. This is a great way to gauge the changes in your little one’s face over time.

2. New Mannerisms: Especially in the early stages, little ones gain new expressions and new mannerisms almost daily. They learn new mannerisms by watching us. These little bursts of imitation seem to come and go, so make sure to grab the camera while they’re fresh and cute.

3. Siblings, Family and Friends: As difficult as it may be to gather little (or big) ones together for a photo, give it a try.

It’s nice to have monthly photos recording their growth and play together. You might even get more than you bargained for when you put them together. Who cares if they are being mischievous? That will only show off their personalities.

22 | April 2016 prince william living

4. Playtime: There are serious moments, and then there are the fun ones! Whatever they do to learn, interact and develop, get the shot.

5. Bath Time: Bath time is a nightly ritual full of photo opportunities, so be sure to grab the camera at least one night out of the month. Fill the tub with bubbles and let the fun begin!

6. Squeaky-Clean: After the bath is a great time to let your little one play, free on the bed. Snap away while she crawls and jumps before bedtime. You are sure to fill your camera with smiles and giggles when she crashes into pillows and blankets. (continues on page 22)

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(continued from page 20)

What Would Happen to Them If Something Happened to You?

7. Favorite Toy: What toy can’t your child live without this month? If it changes from month to month, this will be a great photo op, one that he will love to look back at years from now. Photograph him while he’s playing and let him stand proud for a perfect little pose.

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kids like story time or bike riding.

Whatever role he plays in your family with your kids is one that’s photoworthy.

8. A New Trick: It’s amazing what children learn over the course of a month. What is she mastering this month? Is she taking lessons or teaching herself a new trick?

Whatever the craft, be sure to capture the moments as she learns what it means to practice and discipline herself.

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Once you have captured your photos, it is time to organize and print them.

There are several great apps that you can download for help. Do some research and check to see which app works best on your platform. I use several different apps that download and backup the photos I take on my cell phone. This ensures that I always have my memories just in case my phone is lost or damaged.

9. A Picture with Mom: Put down the camera and join the fun! Chances are good that mom is taking most of the family photos, so relinquish control of the camera from time to time and make sure you’re being photographed with those sweeties.

Hug and kiss and let dad shoot away.

There are lots of great scrapbooking apps that allow you to print up to 12” x 12” pages when you make your memory books. You can also use apps to create printed photo books that are bound to highlight special occasions and seasons or compile a family yearbook every year. A tradition we have is to give these photo books as gifts to our family for holiday gifts each year. Hopefully, this will encourage you to take the photos that are crucial to memory making.

10. And a Picture with Dad: Don’t forget dad! Equally important are the photos with dad. Parents age at the same rate as kids, so document dad as he ages gracefully with baby by his side. Think about capturing dad doing a routine task with the

Amanda Causey Baity (acausey@ princewilliamliving.com), Prince William Living’s marketing director and photo editor, lives on a farm in Manassas with her family. You can follow her blog to see more crafts, recipes and farm life at vandorenfarm.com.

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home & hearth A Quick Guide to Leaning and Layering Art

By Niki VanEch

Y

ears ago I lived in an old house with plaster walls, and if you have ever tried to put a nail in plaster, you know the agony. Out of necessity, I resorted to “leaning” much of my art work. I found that leaning allowed me the flexibility of moving objects around with less commitment to their placement. Beyond the practical, leaning is also a less formal way of displaying objects in your home, lending itself to a casual elegance. Leaning allows you to layer art and/or mirrors into groupings that add dimension, yet take up less space than if you had hung them on the wall.

We have roots, where others have branches.

Here are a few tips for leaning and layering you can adopt in your home: n Architectural items, mirrors and shutters are great objects to lean. n Try leaning on your mantel, sofa table, entry table, bookshelves, and for large items consider leaning them on the floor. n When layering your leaning objects, always put the largest object in the back, working forward with the smaller objects. n Additionally, when layering your objects, slightly overlap one object to the next to give a cohesive look. n When leaning mirrors, always check what is being reflected in the mirror since the reflection essentially becomes the “art.”

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n If you have a heavy object that is leaning and have kids or pets in the home, consider securing the leaning object with a hook to the wall at the top to prevent it from tipping over.

Have fun with this technique. I think you will find it adds a great deal of interest to your tablescapes and vignettes.

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

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

26 | April 2016 prince william living

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lifelong learning Strangers in a Strange Land English for Speakers of Other Languages in Prince William County

By Dan Verner

S

even years ago, Edwin Garcia came here from El Salvador speaking little English. He knew he had to learn the language to run his contracting business, and while he picked up some from television, radio and other media, and his friends helped him, he wasn’t satisfied. Last September, his pastor advised his congregation to take ESOL classes.

“I knew I had to do it,” Edwin said in a clear, lightly accented voice. “The class has been good for me. I am speaking better English, and people in the class come from all over, so we have to speak English.” He said, “I would tell anyone who comes to the U.S. to take English classes. It helps with running your business, making friends and pursuing your education.”

While still predominantly Hispanic, ESOL students in Prince William have recently come “from countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, with large numbers coming from Bangladesh and West African countries,” according to Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William Executive Director Debbie Abbott.

“They all find they need instruction in English to survive and prosper.”

Learning another language is difficult for most adults, but fortunately, a number of dedicated people are here to help.

Retired county elementary school teacher Glenna Ohlms, an ESOL teacher at Manassas Baptist Church for 25 years, has seen the program there grow from two students in 1990 to over 100 now. She became involved because, “I realized there are many people in our area who are interested in learning English, and I love to teach.”

Several programs fill the needs of immigrants. Brooke Hammond Pérez, director of Hogar Immigrant Services (a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington), notes that “Hogar teaches ESOL and citizenship classes to over 1,700 immigrants each year at nine sites throughout Northern Virginia.” Abbott’s organization serves between 675-750 adult learners and employs 200 professionally-trained volunteer tutors. Hammond Pérez said, “Our biggest challenge in working with these students is a lack of resources. This includes, but is not limited to transportation, time and child care.”

Hammond Pérez speaks of the rewards of “watching students learn enough English that they gain employment, get a better job or become U.S. citizens. They always come back to thank us and share their success stories, which motivates others to keep working towards their goals.” Abbott adds, “It’s all so inspiring and

encouraging and makes us want to do more to help others.”

Abbott also notes that “we encourage and celebrate our students’ successes, such as getting jobs, volunteering at their children’s schools and women learning to drive a car for the first time. No success is too small to recognize, and some of our classes start with the question, ‘Who has a success story to share today?’ We encourage students to learn from each other and leave their comfort zones.”

It’s not all serious business in the ESOL classes, however. Many programs celebrate holidays, achievements and the end of the school year. Hammond Pérez says, “At the end of each semester at our nine sites, we have a potluck party. Students bring food from their countries of origin to share with others. They receive certificates of completion. Volunteer teachers come to celebrate with students. In addition, when a student passes the naturalization interview and successfully becomes a U.S. citizen, we have parties.”

Abbott notes that her funniest moment came when she discovered she ate “cow tongue as part of an ESOL class party, not knowing what it was until I overheard one student tell another student. It looked and tasted like chopped steak; the class laughed hysterically upon seeing my reaction. Apparently in Mexico it’s a delicacy, and some students were upset there wasn’t enough left for them.”

Learning another language as an adult is difficult, but Prince William offers numerous opportunities for those who come to our shores. Thanks to the energy, commitment and creativity of those who teach them, English language learners soon become, in the words of the old Southern Harmony hymn, “No more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home.”

For details on where to find several ESOL classes in Prince William, please check our online issue at princewilliamliving.com.

Dan Verner (dverner@princewilliamliving.com) is the author several books and was named “Best Writer in Prince William County (Virginia)” for 2014 AND 2015 by readers in a “Best of Prince William poll taken by Prince William Today newspaper. Find out more about him at danverner.com. prince william living April 2016 | 27

local flavor

Bar Louie A Bar and a Restaurant Walk into a Bar…

By Paul Keily | Photos by Rob Jinks

B

ar Louie was founded as a mom and pop bar in Chicago in 1990. After success with their business, they decided to expand and began partnering with various investors over the years. They now have locations throughout the country and are headquartered in Addison, Texas. Here in Prince William County we have two Bar Louie locations in Gainesville and Manassas.

Every Bar Louie has similar decor with a glass motif running along the ceiling. Every so often a broken, shattered design appears. This was inspired by an old story from the original Bar Louie restaurant where a bartender, disgruntled by his view that the restaurant was “selling out,” threw a bar stool through a large glass mural.

Drinking Time

Bar Louie offers 30 beers on tap and dozens of cocktails.

When a restaurant has the word “bar” in its name, you would expect a diverse offering of drinks, and Bar Louie lives up that expectation. They have 30 beers on tap, including everything from the hop-heavy Rebel India Pale Ale made by Sam Adams to Heritage Brewing’s Honey Ginger Wheat Ale to imported beers like Dos Equis and Guinness.

and New Zealand. You have your choice between a number of “Beautiful Blondes” or “Fiery Redheads.”

Beyond beer, Manager of the Manassas location Melissa Hildebrand said, “We have dozens of cocktails, including the Clover, or ‘the Mantini’ as it’s come to be known due to it’s popularity among men, which is made with Hennessy, Maker’s Mark, fresh-squeezed orange and lemon juices and agave nectar.

Another customer favorite is our Strawberry Lemonade Sangria, which is made from fresh strawberries, lemons and Ruffino wine.”

The bar is also stocked with wine. Hildebrand said, “We have a large selection of wine; we carry most varieties and have a lowend and high-end version of each.” The wines predominantly come from California and the West Coast with a few from Italy 28 | April 2016 prince william living

Mondays through Fridays you can join the welcoming crew at your Bar Louie for their Happy Hour, which runs from 4-7 p.m. All beers, wines and specialty martinis are offered at a discounted price. Hildebrand said, “Our Happy Hour has come to be very popular with local school teachers. They like to have a drink right after work, which conveniently falls right during our Happy Hour.”

Hungry? Don’t Worry.

Bar Louie has a long list of appetizers, flatbreads, salads, burgers, sandwiches, plates and desserts. There is something for every taste on their extensive menu. Don’t expect the menu to get stale either; every two to three months, about 10 new items are added.

The Manassas staff: L-R Ron Simmons, Sandra Corado, Melissa Hildebrand, Ashley Morris and Tyler Watkins.

Along with several cocktail options on the drink menu, Bar Louie also offers an extensive food menu.

Hildebrand said, “We take pride in our food here, and everything is made from scratch every morning, so you are getting the food with the freshest ingredients possible.”

were visually appealing as well as delicious. It was just the right amount of food, so I didn’t feel too full. There was just the right amount of spice for me, which was good because I have a low spice tolerance. The bacon on top was an unexpected touch that really worked.”

Every Tuesday night from 5 p.m. to closing (2 a.m.), diners can come out to enjoy Five Dollar Burger Night. All burgers are cooked to order, and chicken breast, ground turkey or portabella mushrooms can be substituted for the beef patties. There are a number of different burgers available from your standard hamburger with cheese to more adventurous offerings, such as the “Chicago Stockyard” burger, which includes peppercorn, parmesan-blue cheese, mushrooms, romaine, onion, tomato and Worcestershire sauce. Hildebrand said that one their most popular burgers is the “Backyard BBQ” burger, which comes with cheddar cheese, barbeque sauce, bacon and fried onion strings.

Diner Tim Huntington of Manassas said, “The ‘Backyard BBQ’ burger was amazing. The beef was coarse ground, but tender.

It tasted like eating ground steak. The barbeque sauce, cheddar cheese and onion strings didn’t overpower the flavor of the beef patty. The tater tots that came with the burger had a raw, fresh potato taste with just the right amount of salt and crispiness. The fried calamari was delicious. It didn’t have an overbearing taste and had a crispy texture. The sauce that came with it added a nice flavor of spice when I used it.”

Patron Diane Taylor of Manassas said, “The Thai chicken flatbread was great. It looks like a little rectangular pizza and tastes like one too. The spice level was perfect. The heat didn’t stay in your mouth too long, and I wanted to go back for more of the spicy kick with each bite. The house-made peanut sauce provided a nice balance to all the hot peppers. The salmon sliders

Beyond the food and drink, Hildebrand said, “I want my Bar Louie to be like the Cheers of 2016, where every customer always feel welcomed and relaxed.”

Robert Bridges of Manassas Park said, “I was very surprised the first time I walked into the Gainesville location. I was expecting just the hostess to welcome me, but all the behind-the-bar employees excitedly shouted out, ‘Welcome to Bar Louie!’ It was definitely a welcome change from other restaurants.”

Bar Louie Gives Back Through a program called Louie’s Love, local aid groups or charities can sign up to get 20 percent of the sales for an evening.

Contact your local Bar Louie today!

The Gainesville location of Bar Louie is located at 14081 Promenade Commons Street in Gainesville, and staff can be reached by phone at 571-222-2850. The Manassas location of Bar Louie is located at 9501 Liberia Avenue in Manassas.

Staff can be reached by phone at 571-359-4850 or email at blmanassas@blro.net.

Paul Keily (pkeily@princewilliamliving.com) recently served as Prince William Living’s online submissions manager and also substitute teaches in the county. prince william living April 2016 | 29

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ith the increase in the number of two-income households over the past few decades, more families are in need of child care during the work week. Having a baby is expensive enough, with the costs of basics like formula, baby food and diapers. When you add in the cost for child care services, you realize how much having a baby affects your cash flow. This makes planning for this expense even more important.

Your child care costs will depend on multiple factors, including the part of the country in which you live, if you are in an urban or rural area, the kind of service you want from the provider and whether you prefer a day care center or an in-home setting. A typical range for day care services is between $100 and $400 per week, per child. Infants require a lower staff-to-child ratio, so the cost of infant care is typically greater than it would be for toddlers.

For many families, child care costs are the second-largest monthly expense in their budgets, trailing only the home mortgage. So how does a family plan ahead for such a shock to its finances? Here are some ideas: 1. Eliminate extra debt, so your budget can absorb the cost for day care when it’s time for parents to go back to work. You’ll be in a better position if you are free from things like credit card balances and student loans.

2. Do a dry run. Test your fiscal readiness by determining the weekly child care expense you expect. Then before the baby is born, get in the habit of setting aside that money and try living within the new budget. It may not be easy, but it’s better to find ways to cover child care costs before you actually incur them.

It’s important to note that some families decide to live on only one income when their children are young. These families find that it doesn’t pay for the lower earner to work full-time only to see nearly that entire paycheck go to the day care provider.

Of course, money is not the only factor in deciding whether to work during the child care years. Future earning potential and a fulfilling career are also important factors to take into account when making the decision. Part-time work or flexible hours may also help limit your day care costs. Consider talking with a financial advisor who can help you sort through all of the options.

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 First Friday

Apr. 1 | 6 – 9 p.m.

Historic Manassas Enjoy the variety of shops and restaurants in Historic Downtown Manassas.

Farmer’s Market

Saturdays | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Lot B, Prince William & West Streets, Manassas Visit the City of Manassas Farmer’s Market Facebook page for each week’s activity. The Farmer’s Market is open April through October. 703-361-6599.

Civil War Trust Annual Park Day Clean-Up Apr. 2 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Bristoe Station Park Iron Brigade Unit Ave., Bristow Volunteer to help restore and preserve Bristoe Station by cleaning cemeteries, picking up litter and performing train maintenance in the 140-acre park.

703-366-3049.

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Dumfries Revolutionary War Weekend and Tavern Night at Williams Ordinary

Sat. Apr. 2 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Tavern Night begins at 7 p.m.

Williams Ordinary 17674 Main St., Dumfries Experience the year 1776 as we commemorate the 3rd Virginia Regiment joining George Washington’s army.

Later in the evening, sample local and historically-inspired beer and food in the area’s oldest original tavern (reservations required; $35).

Breakfast with an Expert: Facebook for Your Business Part 2 Apr. 7 | 8 a.m.

PWAR 4545 Daisy Reid Avenue Suite 150, Woodbridge Join us for a cup of coffee, a bagel and information from an expert who will give you actionable advice you can put

to work immediately in your business.

RSVP princewilliamliving.com/ breakfastwithanexpert/.

Moscow Festival Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty

Apr. 8 | 8 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas Generations of ballet lovers have been captivated by this timeless fairy tale about a beautiful princess waiting in slumber, a vengeful sorceress, and a wicked curse that can only be broken by a true love’s kiss. Tickets $56, $48, $34 Adults.

Civil War Encampment at Brentsville

Apr. 9-10 | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow Join Civil War living historians to learn how military units formed in Brentsville prepared for war. Free; donations accepted. 703-365-7895.

Prince William Living Network – After Hours

10th Annual Live Well Festival Apr. 16 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Harris Pavilion 9201 Center St., Manassas It’s time to let the fresh air in, clean those closets out, and rejuvenate! Head over to the Harris Pavilion for free health screenings, fitness classes, kid activities, entertainment, and more.

Prince William Living’s Lunch with the Publisher Apr. 20 | 11:30 a.m.

Prince William Chamber of Commerce 9720 Capital Court, Manassas Learn about getting your press releases published, tying into the power of our social media presence, visibility packages that increase your reach to targeted consumers and tips on how to focus on your message. Lunch is provided

by Okra’s. RSVP at princewilliamliving. com/lunchwiththepublisher.

Potomac Blockade Boat Tour

Apr. 12 | 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Travinia 15001 Potomac Branch Dr. #100, Woodbridge Join our Network! Meet the people behind the award-winning magazine, Prince William Living. RSVP princewilliamliving.com/network.

Apr. 23 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Leesylvania State Park 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge $45 per person; reservations required.

Cruise along the Potomac River shoreline and view sites that were critical to the Confederate forces’ successful blockade of Washington, D.C. 703-792-4754; pwcgov.org/history.

Semper K9 Assistance Dogs Open House

2nd Annual Historic Manassas Bridal Show

Apr. 16 | 12p.m. – 4p.m.

Camp Semper K9 14202 Van Doren Rd, Manassas Join us at Camp Semper K9 and learn more about our mission. Meet our service dogs in training and our local community partners. Demonstrations by Semper K9 volunteers along with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc., & more. Operation Paws For Homes onsite adoptions, music by Skinny Wallace, and Americans in Wartime Museum’s mobile recording studio. More info at semperk9.org.

Apr. 24 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Manassas Museum Lawn 9101 Prince William St., Manassas Come see all the wonderful venues and businesses in Historic Downtown Manassas that can help to make your wedding the wedding of your dreams!

Lost Towns of Prince William County Bus Tour Apr. 30 | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow $80 per person (lunch included); reservations are required. Join local historians as we explore these longforgotten communities. 703-365-7895.

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

32 | April 2016 prince william living

Discover Prince William & Manassas

DiscoverPWM.com

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edding season is about to commence, but before your bride walks down the aisle, plan the perfect bridal shower and bachelorette party for her without breaking the bank.

Prince William and Manassas offer a wealth of attractions where you can create lasting memories with the ladies before the bride’s big day.

Attend the Wedding Expo at Rippon Lodge on June 4 or the Historic Manassas Bridal Show April 24 to meet and greet a variety of local wedding vendors, get up to speed on all of the latest wedding trends and enter to win prizes.

Begin with a relaxing afternoon at the Winery at La Grange. Enjoy picturesque views of the Bull Run Mountains while savoring a dozen Virginia wines. After, experience pure bliss at Tranquility Day Spa where guests can indulge in cupcakes and other treats while being pampered.

Create your own “dine around” experience in Historic Downtown Manassas. Start with tapas at Zandra’s Taqueria and then continue to Monza where you can savor some Italian classics. Finish with a taste of Louisiana and live music at Okra’s Cajun Creole.

Browse through more than 70 specialty shops and restaurants in Historic Occoquan.

Arrange an afternoon tea party at the Pink Bicycle Tea Room and select from a variety of menus, which include finger sandwiches, sweets and unlimited tea. After, create a special gift for your bride’s new home at Paint Your Heart Out, a paint-your-own pottery studio.

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Another option, shop the exquisite name-brand stores for less at Potomac Mills, Virginia’s largest outlet mall. Groups of 10 or more can receive free coupon books and special meal deals.

Prince William and Manassas has everything you need to create a memorable event for your bride. For more ideas and free wedding planning assistance, visit Discoverpwm.com.

Ann Marie Maher is the President/CEO of Discover Prince William & Manassas, the area’s tourism agency. For more information on Discover Prince William & Manassas visit discoverpwm.com.

1-800-432-1792 DiscoverPWM.com prince william living April 2016 | 33

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influential women award Photos by Kathy Strauss | ImageWerks Prince William Living celebrated itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Influential Women Awards at Carmelloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Manassas congratulating the nominees and winners for 2016. Many women in Greater Prince William give of themselves to strengthen our community, leaving their marks on the business world and serving as inspirations to others.

However, a few rose to the top: Bryanna Altman, Kathy Bentz, Diana Paguaga, Marlo Thomas Watson and Ramunda Lark Young. Although each brings different gifts and talents to the table, they all share one common trait. Their passion lies in using their connections to create and cultivate new relationships. They all give back to their community, but are quick to brush off the accolades and pass on the credit to friends, co-workers and colleagues. Congratulations to these Influential Women!

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703.392.6260 www.vintagemoving.com Advertiser Index ACTS...........................................................................................36 Ameriprise–Whitlock Wealth Management.............................30 Apple FCU..................................................................................30 Beautiful Moments by Amy......................................................36 Beitzell Fence.............................................................................34 Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute..............................................15 Blooming Secrets......................................................................23 Boys & Girls Clubs.....................................................................36 Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning......................................3 Brookdale Senior Living Solutions...........................................14 CASA...........................................................................................36 City of Manassas Park—Parks & Recreation.............................9 Competitive Edge......................................................................18 Dance Etc....................................................................................23 Discover Prince William & Manassas......................................33 Everest College..........................................................................34 FURR Roofing.............................................................................23 Greater Prince William Community Health Center.................36 Habitat for Humanity.................................................................33 Hometown Estate Planning......................................................24 Imagewerks................................................................................36 Leadership Prince William..........................................................8 Magnificent Belly Dance...........................................................36 Manassas Ballet Theatre.............................................................8 Mark Gilvey Creative.................................................................36 Merry Maids...............................................................................14

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NOVEC..........................................................................................8 NVP, Inc......................................................................................25 Occoquan Craft Fair...................................................................18 Okra’s .........................................................................................31 Parrish Services........................................................................ C2 Patriot Scuba..............................................................................34 Peggy and Bill Burke, Virginia Realty Partners, LLC...............26 Potomac Shores Golf Club..........................................................9 Pride Air Conditioning & Heating...............................................9 Prince William Chamber of Commerce...................................14 Prince William County Parks and Recreation..........................19 Prince William Courage.............................................................36 Prince William Ice Center............................................................9 Robert Jinks Photography........................................................34 Semper K9..................................................................................36 Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center.....................................31 Tackett’s Mill..............................................................................31 Tailored Living...........................................................................19 Town of Dumfries........................................................................8 Tribute at Heritage Village....................................................... C4 Vintage Moving & Storage.................................................29, 36 Wakefield School.......................................................................31 Westminster at Lake Ridge.......................................................23 WineStyles.................................................................................34 Yellow Cab.................................................................................36

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

Neabsco District John D. Jenkins 4361 Ridgewood Center Drive, Prince William Occoquan District Ruth Anderson 2241-K Tackett’s Mill Drive, Woodbridge Woodbridge District Frank J. Principi Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Suite 140, Woodbridge Prince William Ice Center 5180 Dale Boulevard, Dale City

Prince William Parks and Recreation Prince William Public Library System 14418 Bristow Road, Manassas 12964 Harbor Drive, Lake Ridge 12993 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville 8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas 8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas 13065 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge 4249 Dale Boulevard, Dale City 18007 Dumfries Shopping Plaza, Dumfries 5049 Waterway Drive, Montclair 4603 James Madison Highway, Haymarket 2201 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge Prince William County Tourist Information Center 200 Mill Street, Occoquan 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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