Prince William Living December 2013

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GEORGETOWN CATERERS ACT II

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TASTE OF TANDOOR A CULINARY DESTINATION

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prince william living December 2013

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

PRINCE WILLIAM through the Years Winter Bounty‌ Year-Round Farmers Markets PAGE 12

CASA: Lighting the Way for Abused Children PAGE 24 www.princewilliamliving.com

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table of contents December 2013 Vol. 3 No. 12

FEATURE STORY Prince William through the Years ........................4

DEPARTMENTS from the publisher..................................................3 advertiser index......................................................3 on a high note westmain: Self-Made and on the Rise ..................10

4 Photo courtesy Historic Dumfries, Inc.

destinations Winter Bounty ‌ Year-Round Farmers Markets ................................12 taking care of business Georgetown Caterers: Act II ................................16 family fun Reclaiming the Holiday Spirit ..............................20 giving back CASA: Lighting the Way for Abused Children ..................................................24 local flavor Taste of Tandoor: A Culinary Destination ........................................28

12 Photo courtesy Taylor Lenz

calendar ..............................................................32 tambourines and elephants î “ing 1 ................................................................35

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

24 Photo courtesy Jhenny Michalek, Simply Creative

prince william living December 2013 | 1

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com Contributing Writers Carla Christiano, Emily Guerrero, Jesse Harman, Michelle Hurrell, Kristina Schnack Kotlus, Luanne Lee, Dr. Christopher Leet, Peter Lineberry, Ann Marie Maher, Olivia Overman, DeeDee Corbitt Sauter, Vickie Williamson Editorial Staff Emily Guerrero, Peter Lineberry, Val Wallace Photographers Robert Arnold, Chris Lehto, Olivia Overman, Kathy Strauss

Prince William Living 4491 Cheshire Station Plaza, PMB 55 Dale City, VA 22193 Phone: (703) 232-1758 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Editorial offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 2 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Advertising offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 3 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Editorial Have a story you’d like our staff to cover? Contact Prince William Living editorial staff at (703) 232-1758, ext. 2, or at editor@princewilliamliving.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

2 | December 2013 prince william living

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

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

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

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

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

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

from the publisher Time Machine

T

children with a trusted adult in their corner. CASA CIS relies on its dedicated volunteers to fight for the best interests of these children as they go through the court system.

View pictures of the earliest days of Prince William and learn some of the history behind local landmarks in “Prince William through the Years,” pages 4-7. Then continue the journey online, by visiting pwliving.com/timemachine.

It is stories like these that reinforce my own sense of service, engrained by my family at an early age, and that inspired our first annual Prince William Living Giving Back Award. (Look for an announcement of the winner in January.) I encourage you to visit the “Giving Back” section of pwliving.com to read about some of the many organizations working to strengthen the quality of life in Prince William—and to see how you can get involved. There's even a lnk to Volunteer Prince William's database of volunteer opportunities. Whatever your holiday traditions may be, giving back will enrich them even further.

his time of year brings out the nostalgic in me: Recalling past Christmases, wrapping up gifts along with the end of the year.

It’s a natural time to get out the scrapbook (or online slideshow) and reminisce. Now we invite you, our Prince William Living family, to sit by the fire and join us on a journey to the early days of our community.

Ready to create new family memories? “Family Fun”, on page 20, and our monthly calendar on page 32, offer a ton of ideas. From planetarium shows to holiday classics such as “The Nutcracker,” December is full of activities that will draw you out of hibernation and into the community.

The holidays can also kindle a desire to help the less fortunate.

Each month in “Giving Back,” we feature organizations that would welcome your assistance. On page 24, read about CASA CIS (Court Appointed Special Advocates Children Intervention Services), a local group that provides abused and neglected

Advertiser Index ACTS ..........................................................................................36 Alpha Pets ................................................................................36 Ameriprise–Whitlock Wealth Management ............................31 Apple FCU ................................................................................31 Arcadia Run Apartments ..........................................................15 Airlie ..........................................................................................36 B101 ..........................................................................................21 Bargain Relo................................................................................9 Beacon Electrical Services ......................................................36 Bella Vita....................................................................................23 Best Western Battlefield Inn ....................................................27 CAP Accounting, LLC................................................................31 Christ Chapel ............................................................................36 City of Manassas Park—Parks & Recreation ............................9 Confidence Realty ....................................................................30 Creative Brush Studio ..............................................................36 Cruise Planners ........................................................................36 Dance Etc...................................................................................34 Dansk Day Spa at Occoquan....................................................22 Discover Prince William & Manassas......................................33 Draped Window ........................................................................36 Emeritus Senior Living ..............................................................7 EuroBronze................................................................................36 FURR Roofing............................................................................22 Gaeltek, LLC ..............................................................................34 Gainesville Ballet ......................................................................15 GEICO ..........................................................................................9 Golden Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics ............................14 Historic Manassas, Inc. ............................................................34

From our family to yours, have a warm and wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely, Rebecca Barnes Prince William Living Publisher

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

prince william living December 2013 | 3

Frees tone Point

Frees tone Point

Occoquan Bridge

PRINCE WILLIAM through the Years

By Carla Christiano, Contributing Writer

4 | December 2013 prince william living

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ven if you’ve lived in an area for a while, it can be easy to forget what it used to be like. You may not recall the farm where a subdivision now is or the airport that a shopping center replaced.

In greater Prince William, we have seen lots of changes. Formed with land from Stafford County in 1731, Prince William County included not only its present territory, but the counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, some of Fauquier and the city of Alexandria as well.

Within the current county boundaries, several incorporated towns and even two independent cities—Manassas and Manassas Park—add to the fabric of the community. Decidedly rural in character, Prince William remained that way for decades until the mid-20th century.

Recalling a landscape much different than today, longtime residents remember when Occoquan was the bustling hub on the county’s east side throughout the 1930s. One resident recalled Woodbridge having more hog farms than Manassas.

With the completion in 1964 of the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, now I-95, the eastern end of Prince William was transformed from family farms into a suburban satellite of Washington, D.C. Less than 50 years later, the west side is facing a similar situation as Haymarket and Gainesville boom with new residents.

Yet it was a long time before the population grew. From the first U.S. census in 1790 to the 1950 census, Prince William’s population only climbed from 11,615 to 22,612. But with the start of the housing boom, those numbers jumped to 50,164 in 1960 and to 111,102 in 1970. e most recent census in 2010 shows Prince William County’s population at 402,002 residents.

To help tell the story of these changes, Prince William Living has gathered images depicting the community’s transformation over the years. Join us as we take a photographic walk down memory lane.

Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway/Route 1 A 1919 photo of Jefferson Davis Highway near Dumfries shows a muddy mess of a road that was not easily navigated. It was common for cars to get stuck in the mud, requiring the use of other vehicles or horses to pull them free. e road was conceived in 1913 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy as part of a transcontinental highway running through the Southern states. At the time, it was common for private organizations to identify a route, name it and promote its use, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

To eliminate confusion for highway travelers, the U.S. adopted a numbered highway system in the mid-1920s, replacing the myriad of named trails across the country. However, a lot of U.S. Route 1 in Virginia is still called Jefferson Davis Highway.

Locally, the highway was not paved until 1927, the year it received its Route 1 designation. By 1933, only a handful of area roads, such as Occoquan Road and Routes 28 and 29, had been paved.

Freestone Point Although gambling was illegal in Virginia in the 1950s, J. Carl Hill figured out a way around the law. An old statute designated Maryland’s state line at the high water mark at Freestone Point, an area on the Potomac River between Dumfries and Woodbridge. Gambling was legal in Maryland at the time.

In 1957, Hill opened a floating casino, the S.S. Freestone, 300 feet offshore and within Maryland’s jurisdiction. e 220-foot, four-deck moored boat, which patrons and staff accessed by a wooden pier, featured 200 slot machines, a restaurant and a cocktail lounge with live music and dancing. e lounge also skirted the law because while legal in Maryland, selling liquor by the drink was illegal in Virginia. (continues on page 6) prince william living December 2013 | 5

Drugs tore in Haymark et, 1941 (continued from page 5) Hill had ambitious plans for Freestone Point. e pier, a boardwalk, three swimming pools, snack bars, a parking lot for 2,000 cars and the beginnings of a children’s amusement park were built. However, despite the casino’s popularity, opposition to it grew. e Virginia and Maryland legislatures worked together to close all offshore casinos along the Virginia shore. As a result, the casino shut its doors just two years after opening.

Other facilities at Freestone Point remained open until 1962.

Hill eventually sold the land to the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company, which donated it to the Virginia State Parks system in 1978.

Debra Harman of Woodbridge remembers visiting Story Book Land in 1960. It had been her dream to go to Disneyland, but this was much closer. Like many kids growing up in the 1960s, she was a “freak” for fairy tales, she said. However, the park wasn’t just about that. “ey had rides. ey had trains. It was exciting,” Harman recalled.

Although Story Book Land closed before Harman ever got a chance to take her own son there, she said she wishes he had been able to experience it, too. “It had a little magic to it,” said Harman.

Families can still enjoy Freestone Point, which is now part of Leesylvania State Park. A fishing pier exists where the old pier was. Instead of casinos, you will find hiking trails, picnic shelters and group camping. In summer months, the public is invited to free concerts on the marina.

e Puppet Company, based in Glen Echo, Md., tried transforming the old Story Book Land site into the “Whimsy Woods” in 1994, but could never raise the needed funds. e site is now an empty wooded lot next to a storage facility and has been cleared of all its magical old buildings. Yet the memories live on in all the children who visited there. e “Story Book Land Alumni” Facebook page has more than 5,400 members.

Story Book Land

Manassas Regional Airport/ Harris P. Davis Field

Before Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens, there was Story Book Land off Route 1 in Woodbridge.

In the 1920s, Manassas wanted an airport but did not have the funds in its budget. So in 1931 a group of local investors paid about $6,000 for 94 acres off of Route 234 to build an airport “for the future benefit of the citizens of Manassas.”

From 1959 to 1981, many area families wandered across the “Billy Goats Gruff” bridge into 10 wooded acres of sites based on Mother Goose rhymes and fairytales. Children could explore Ali Baba’s cave, walk through a crooked house, sit down next to little Miss Muffet and be a part of the stories.

Stor y Book Land , 1 960

6 | December 2013 prince william living

For 14 years Manassas paid $1 a year to lease the property and then finally purchased it outright in 1945. Facing encroaching development in the area, the town moved the airport in 1964 to its current site at 10600 Harry J. Parrish Blvd. e new airport, which began with a single 3,700-foot paved runway, has greatly expanded. e public-use Manassas Regional Airport, also known as Harris P. Davis Field, now encompasses 888 acres, has two paved runways and is home to more than 400 aircraft. e Manaport Plaza Shopping Center, located at Route 234 and Irongate Way on Sudley Road, sits on the site of the old airport. e center’s name combines the city name with “airport” to reflect its history.

Occoquan Mill

Emeritus Eme riitus Senior r Senior Living Manassas Juncti on Occoquan Mill House Iron manufacturing was Occoquan’s first major industry, but it became known as a mill town in the second half of the 18th century. e heart of its mill complex, the main or merchants’ mill, continued in operation until 1924, when the main structure burned in a fire caused by the Occoquan Electric Light and Power Company. Left in ruins for a time, the administrative mill house component was restored and today is the Mill House Museum, located at 413 Mill Street and operated by the Occoquan Historical Society.

Emeritus at Lake Ridge offers a wide range of services from retirement living, assisted living, memory care, to shortterm respite stays. If you are looking for a new place to call home without the hassles of daily living, we are committed to helping you and your family find the right fit.

Call C learn all us today to schedule a tour and to lear n more wee have mor re about the many benefits w have to offer!

Continuing the Journey If you enjoyed taking this journey back into the early days of Prince William, it doesn’t have to end. Visit pwliving.com/timemachine to view more photographs of days past. Have photos you would like to share? Submit them, along with your name and a brief description, to editor@princewilliamliving.com.

Carla Christiano is a native of Prince William County, admitted history geek and a technical writer for Unisys. She can be reached at cchristiano@princewilliamliving.com.

Photos courtesy of Flip City of Manassas and John Collier, City of Manassas, Deborah Harman, Robert Hart, Historic Dumfries, Inc., Library of Congress, Occoquan Historic Society and the Office of Supervisor Frank Principi.

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prince william living December 2013 | 9

on a high note

westmain

Self-Made and on the Rise

By Jesse Harman, Contributing Writer

Photos courtesy westmain

T

he success of a musical group is often judged by more than just the quality of its repertoire or the talent of its members. Defining characteristics of musical acts that have made it big are passion, ambition and cohesiveness within the group. Local rock band westmain embodies these. e group has never missed a show for anything less than a special event or an emergency, members said, and the quartet shares a home. It doesn’t get much more cohesive than that.

Music in Boston and Davis studied music at Radford University in Radford, Va. Rothman has a less formal history with music. “Music was never really a big part of my life growing up. It was more sports for me,” he said, adding that in school he was dedicated to playing baseball.

However, after high school, he “went in the complete other direction,” he said. He taught himself to play the guitar and started writing songs.

e origins of the band members dot the Northern Virginia geography. Guitarist and songwriter Tommy Rothman, 27, is from Manassas. Lead guitarist Paul Davis, 25, and bassist Seth Morrissey, 26, are from Middletown in the Shenandoah Valley.

Drummer Ed Zigo, 28, hails from Fairfax.

Also a self-taught musician, Zigo said that music originally appealed to him in the same way that a game would appeal to a child. e stories behind the music fascinated him, and he forged a path to create his own, he said.

Diversified Musical Background

e group got its start in 2007 when Davis and Rothman met while both attending Radford University. “Paul approached me once at an acoustic show I played,” Rothman said. “He said he wanted to play bass for me. … I’d find out later that he didn’t actually play bass, but he managed to get away with it.”

Morrissey and Davis both have rich backgrounds in genres such as jazz, funk and country. Morrissey attended Berklee College of 10 | December 2013 prince william living

During Rothman's junior year, he met Zigo at a solo gig in a Fairfax pub, and the duo brought Zigo on board as their drummer. e current lineup solidified in 2009 when Morrissey joined the group on bass. e quartet settled on the name “westmain” and then set out to make the band’s name and music known. Its first few years, the group performed only locally throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, Zigo said. e band eventually began playing at venues across the country. e group’s music can be described as accessible pop rock, but there are notable splashes of blues and funk influences as well. e strong dose of pop-driven melodies thumping over hard rock reflects the varied musical experience of the band members. “You really start from nothing,” said Morrissey. “But you hear these different things you want to do and that you’ve never heard before, and that’s what keeps me going.”

“He said he wanted to play bass for me. ...

I'd find out later he didn't actually play bass, but he managed to get away with it.”

Tommy Rothman about fellow band member Paul Davis

Growing Fan Base e band is building a loyal following. eir songs have been played at special events such as weddings, and one dedicated fan went so far as to reschedule surgery to see westmain perform, said Zigo. One of their biggest honors, he said, was when the band was asked to donate their music to a campaign video for e Truth 365, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of the need to fund pediatric cancer research.

“Parents started writing to us,” said Zigo. “Kids started writing to us, too. It was eye-opening. …

It really makes you question the effect your music can have on people.”

“It’s obviously not something you’re thinking about when you write the song, but it just shows how it can affect people in different ways,” added Rothman.

Following westmain’s success so far, Zigo said the band is only getting started. “Our goal for 2014 is to make our livings being full-time musicians,” he said. “We love playing music together. We love hanging out together. We live together. We’d be totally nuts not to take it to the next level.”

Westmain will be back at the Tally Ho eatre on Dec. 7 when the group will open for the band Fastball. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. To learn more about westmain and to see a calendar of its upcoming shows, visit westmainmusic.com.

Releases “Glamour Fades” Before crowdsourcing and public financing via sites such as Kickstarter became more mainstream, the group decided to save its gig money until it had enough to record an album, focusing on live shows versus recording, Zigo said.

On having to muscle through five-hour performances in various bars and other establishments, Davis said, “It’s very humbling, for sure. ese people aren’t really there to see you.”

Jesse Harman is a student at George Mason University where he is studying sociology with a goal to become a documentary filmmaker.

He lives with his family in Woodbridge and can be reached at jharman@princewilliamliving.com.

“We really had to earn every bit of applause from those crowds,” added an enthusiastic Zigo with a laugh.

After three years of saving, westmain released its debut album, “Glamour Fades,” in 2012. “One of the things we’ve always been able to pride ourselves on is that we financed this album entirely by playing shows,” said Zigo. “at’s why it took so long to make.

We went out, and we played.”

In July, westmain performed at the Tally Ho eatre in Leesburg. e show pitted the Northern Virginia group in a showdown with Holly Would, a band from Southern Virginia. Westmain members refer to the event as a defining moment for their band. “We pretty much stole the show, it felt,” said Rothman. “ere were a ton of people there, and everything just went right. It felt like a real, professional show.”

In October, westmain opened for award-winning alternative rock band emmet swimming at e State eatre in Falls Church.

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prince william living December 2013 | 11

destinations

Winter Bounty…

Year-Round Farmers Markets

By Michelle Hurrell, Contributing Writer

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farmers market buzzes with opportunity. Hoping that their labors will be fruitful, vendors set out their produce and wares. Customers arrive faithfully, strolling the rows in anticipation of returning home with fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables, homemade jellies and other foods.

For years, as the last auburn leaves fell from the trees, the joy of this hunt would end as the markets closed for winter. Luckily, this bittersweet farewell is no longer necessary in greater Prince William. e farmers markets of Old Town Manassas and Dale City now remain open year-round. While fresh vegetables don’t make an appearance, plenty of non-seasonal items are available, including meats, jams, honey, spices, nuts, baked goods, coffee, kettle corn and even pizza.

Manassas Farmers Market Gets Shoppers in Holiday Spirit

Jeff Adams is the vendor manager of the Dale City winter farmers market, where he sells pasture-raised meat from his Walnut Hill Farm at Elm Springs, LLC, in Fredericksburg.

“ere are still opportunities in winter to get healthier and fresher food and to support the local economy,” Historic Manassas, Inc., Events Coordinator Annie Blewett said.

makings for a plentiful Sunday brunch: fresh meats, eggs and jams.

e market has what you need to start a brisk winter morning, such as hot coffee or tea and baked goods. You can also get the

Additionally, there are plenty of items to get you in the holiday spirit, such as cinnamon nuts, kettle corn and other stocking

12 | December 2013 prince william living

Photo courtesy Ginny Adams

e second winter season of the Old Town Manassas Farmers Market began Nov. 9. e market, which is located in the Harris Pavilion during the regular season and in Lot B near the Old Town Manassas Train Depot during winter, is open Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., before returning in April to its peak season hours of 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturdays through ursdays.

stuffers. You’ll also find handmade pine wreaths and pumpkin and apple pies made with farm-fresh fruit. Vendors such as Miriam Moya sell homemade knit sweaters and other clothing, letting you give the gift of warmth.

Dale City Market Gives Sense of Community

e Dale City market includes many of the same types of offerings sold at the Manassas Market, but with its larger size, has additional specialty items, including soaps, lotions, chocolates, pickles, seafood and wood-fired pizza.

“Many times there are items you cannot get at the store,” said Betty Finney, the market’s coordinator, adding that the market also offers “a chance to interact personally with the person who makes or grows the product.”

Virginia Rote, a retired nurse who has lived in Prince William since 1971, echoed that sentiment. She said she enjoys shopping at the Dale City market year-round because “there is a nice community feeling and a sense of gathering and an opportunity to speak with your neighbors.”

Rote said she also likes the variety of goods available, and that they are sold at reasonable and fair prices. “You know the food is local and fresh, not sitting in a warehouse after being trucked around,” Rote said. “e quality one finds in the summer season is there all year long,” said the Dale City winter market’s vendor manager Jeff Adams, who owns Walnut Hill Farm at Elm Springs, LLC, in Fredericksburg. “From a vendor point of view, winter is a time to get to know each other, because summer is too busy. You get to know their products and their stories,” he added.

Adams and Marty Nohe, Coles District supervisor on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, were instrumental in getting the Dale City winter market off the ground. Adams said that he mentioned the possibility of a winter market to Nohe and his wife Kristina Nohe, a regular customer. e supervisor then brought the idea before the board, which approved the plan when Adams offered to manage the winter market.

Made-to-Order Offerings Both the Manassas and Dale City markets offer food made to order. Adams prepares specific cuts of meats and poultry to order, as do Manassas market vendors Patrick and Bettina Lane, who own Wildwood Farm, LLC, in Mineral, Va.

Photo courtesy Taylor Lenz

e Dale City winter market, in its third year, starts Dec. 15 and runs through the end of March. e open-air farmers market, one of the largest in the region according to Prince William County Parks and Recreation, is open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the VDOT commuter lot on the corner of Dale Boulevard and Gemini Way, behind Center Plaza Shopping Center. It is a producer-only market, where sellers grow or make all their products, with more than 50 vendors in peak season.

Local honey is one of the treats available at winter farmers markets in Prince William.

At the Dale City market, Leesburg-based Four Seasons Seafood also offers food made to order. James (Everett) and Gloria Headley, own the business and the James E. Headley Oyster Company in Callao, Va. eir menu includes fresh Northern Neck oyster and crab delicacies, including gluten-free crab cakes.

For a taste adventure, try their crab chili, made with or without beans and beef.

Some market vendors also sell baked goods made to order. e Hummingbird Bakery, owned by Sara Piddington of Manassas, takes special orders at the Manassas farmers market. Piddington allows customers to choose from 13 flavors of bread and select two ingredients from a 22-item list of fruits, nuts and even Oreo cookies.

Not to be outdone, Haymarket-based Cakes by Shelby, run by Shelby Biancaniello, a vendor at both markets, has a pie bar featuring mini shells with fillings such as cream and banana. e vendor also has a cupcake bar, where cupcakes can be customized with different cake flavors and a variety of icings and toppings.

As Will Rogers said, “e farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.” While winter is traditionally a time for sleeping late, making fires and staying indoors, vendors from Dale City and Manassas said they are optimistic that homemade goods and a chance to know neighbors will bring shoppers outdoors to the markets.

For a list of winter vendors at both markets, see this article in “Destinations” on pwliving.com.

Michelle Hurrell is a freelance writer and a recovery support specialist for PRS, Inc., a nonprofit organization with three locations in Northern Virginia. Hurrell teaches classes at the PRS Mount Vernon Recovery Academy, helping those with intellectual disabilities and individuals with mental illness or substance abuse challenges reclaim and achieve personal and professional success. She can be reached at mhurrell@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living December 2013 | 13

health & wellness The Great Cholesterol Debate

By Christopher Leet, MD, FACC Emeritus mong “New Agers” and conspiracy theorists, etc., there is an ongoing debate that elevated cholesterol is not the cause of heart attack and stroke, and that the increasing use of statin drugs (Lipitor , Crestor and others) is a conspiracy among doctors and big Pharma to make money.

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As with all conspiracies, there is a grain of truth, but the rest has been blown way out of proportion. Nobody has the answer to the cause of heart attack or stroke, because the cause is a multifactorial problem. There is no conspiracy here.

High cholesterol is not the cause of heart disease, but it is a cause. Other factors include obesity, family history, smoking, diabetes, stress and high blood pressure.

Physicians properly consider all of these in assessing an individual’s risk. Treatment is then focused on eliminating as many risk factors as possible.

If high cholesterol is an issue, and diet is unsuccessful in lowering it, then statin drugs are very effective. Recent studies in The New England Journal of Medicine indicate that the average cholesterol of the population is on the decline, in spite of the obesity epidemic. The decrease has been attributed to a widespread use of these drugs.

Objections to the drugs are based on cost and side effects.

While there is no drug that is free of side effects, statins are generally well tolerated, except by a few patients who develop muscle pain. There is also a possibility of undefined memory problems.

For those who prefer natural substances to help reduce cholesterol, many recommend Chinese red yeast rice. This will lower cholesterol, mainly because the active ingredient is a statin (lovastatin, brand name Mevacor ). ®

Indeed, all statins were actually derived from the same fungus used to make red yeast rice, and so they are natural substances to a degree. However, they are much more refined, without the contaminants present in unregulated dietary supplements.

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

14 | December 2013 prince william living

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taking care of business

Georgetown Caterers

Act II

By Emily Guerrero, Editor-in-Chief

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usband-and-wife team Tyler and Gloria Rouse first started Georgetown Caterers in 1990 in Woodbridge while living in Manassas. e venture combined the culinary skills of Tyler, a chef, with Gloria’s business sense as a bookkeeper.

After 20 years in business, the two decided to retire, closing Georgetown Caterers in 2010 and leaving the catering event rental business behind. However, like many people who love what they do for a living, their retirement turned out to be shortlived. By last December, Georgetown Caterers was back in business at the Rouses’ office on Mill Street, where they opened Mill Street Studio in 2011 to fulfill a retirement dream. e studio, which they continue to operate, exhibits the work of local artists and offers art classes.

Prince William Living caught up with Gloria Rouse to learn more about her business’s second act.

PWL: How did Occoquan end up as your home base?

Rouse: Originally we bought the business from Linda Robertson. It was called Robertson's Catering. She was based in the PS Business Center [in Woodbridge]. So that is where we started out.

I came to Occoquan in 1991 and fell in love with the town. I rented an office at 414 Mill Street and later, in 2001, had the 16 | December 2013 prince william living

Photo courtesy Chris Lehto

rough the years, the company developed a reputation for exceptional service and high-quality food, even catering the 4th of July celebration on the National Mall in 2002. As business grew, the Rouses moved their company to larger locations with bigger commercial kitchens and more office space, eventually building their office at 416 Mill Street in Occoquan. In 2008 they also began renting out catering event space for the owners of Rockledge Mansion, located nearby at 440 Mill Street. When the Rouses needed more space later for their growing company, they expanded their office and business kitchen.

Customer demand and a love of what they do drew Gloria and Tyler Rouse out of retirement. They reopened Georgetown Caterers in December 2012 after a two-year hiatus.

office built that I am currently occupying. Tyler and I bought the current office [at 416 Mill Street] back in 2001 from Ronald and Joy Houghton who owned Rockledge Mansion. We had the office and kitchen built so we could be in Occoquan to do events at the mansion, which had been remodeled as event space to include a ballroom that seats 120.

PWL: Why did you decide to open an art studio after your 2010 retirement?

Rouse: We still owned the space and decided to open an art studio there. I wanted to pursue some of the things that I never had time to do before. So I offered writing classes, sculpting classes, painting classes and I took them all. My interest in the [arts] goes way back. I actually was on the ground floor with the Potomac Business Committee for the Arts.

Photo courtesy Kathy Strauss/Imagewerks

Georgetown Caterers co-owner Gloria Rouse also manages event rentals at historic Rockledge Mansion in Occoquan.

PWL: What was the inspiration for operating a catering company from within the studio space?

Rouse: is was a simple choice. We had “Dinner in the Gallery.” Who wouldn’t want to have good food surrounded by beautiful art? e commercial kitchen is upstairs so it was quite simple. We also offered the space to small parties of 20 or less. It grew from there.

I guess you might say I still wanted to be retired, but Tyler missed cooking. We were still being approached by friends and family to do weddings, and we had sold all the vans, trucks and equipment. It made us think that we left an empty spot where the company used to be. So we decided to start catering again. ere was an opportunity for me to be the salesperson for Rockledge Mansion [again] in 2012, and it was the perfect opportunity to offer our catering with the rental of the property.

We cater a few things off site, but most of it is at Rockledge or within Occoquan. at’s home.

PWL: What have you found to be the most effective way to attract customers and build loyalty?

Rouse: We rely mostly on word of mouth for our weddings and also some advertising in the wedding magazines, social media and websites. I believe that the wedding that I am working on at the moment is the most important thing in the world, as it is to the bride I am working with. My brides tell me that they are happy to work with me because I am so calm.

PWL: You are operating on a smaller scale this time around.

Would you say that you two are officially out of retirement now?

Rouse: Technology made it easier to scale back. I am able to answer the phone literally anywhere, and send information everywhere. I am busy, and there really isn’t much time to be retired. I think that retired part will come when I find another me to fill in while I am off playing. Till then, I will be grateful to all clients, past and present, who have made my business a success.

PWL: What has owning your business meant for your lifestyle?

Rouse: e business has given Tyler and [me] the opportunity to meet a wide range of interesting people. We are very richly blessed with our clients and friends. Tyler and I have always traveled in January for our wedding anniversary. e catering allows us to do this because of the seasonal wedding business.

I am very grateful for the opportunity.

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

Rouse: Love what you are doing and make sure you are good at it. We are looking forward to filling our weekends with wonderful weddings and events, for years to come.

For more information on Georgetown Caterers, call 703-615-8565 or visit www.georgetowncaterers.net.

Emily Guerrero is editor-in-chief at Prince William Living and a freelance writer. She lives in Lake Ridge with her husband and three sons, and can be reached at editor@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living December 2013 | 17

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family fun

Reclaiming the Holiday Spirit

By Kristina Schnack Kotlus, Contributing Writer

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et’s have what I like to call a “moment of honesty.”

Since the stores all start creeping up the “holidays” to the point where you start seeing Santa in August, by the time the actual season arrives, you’ve heard “Jingle Bells” so many times that you’re cheering for the antlered beast in “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” And if the woman in front of you in line doesn’t stop chatting with the cashier so you can go home, you just may deck her halls.

I understand.

However, sometimes all you need to get back in the holiday spirit is a little break from the shopping frenzy and a little fun with your family. Seeing the joy on a child’s face can be just the reminder you need that this season—with all its lights, snowflakes and happiness—can be a magical time.

Celebrating the season of lights with your children is especially fun in Greater Prince William. With a number of secular and religious celebrations and activities in the community, there’s something for just about everyone. Here are a few highlights.

Look for additional ideas in the online calendar at princewilliamliving.com/events.

Tree Lightings On Friday, Dec. 6, make time to enjoy old-fashioned family fun at the “Merry Old Town” celebration in Old Town Manassas. e holiday fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with holiday music and at 6 p.m. when Santa arrives at the Manassas Train Depot via the VRE. e tree lighting is at 6:30 p.m. at the Manassas Museum.

Carriage Rides Horse-drawn carriage rides will leave from the Manassas Train Depot and take you around Old Town from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. the Sundays of Dec. 8, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. ere is no admission charge for this event.

Plays and Performances Join the Workhouse Arts Center, located at 9601 Ox Road in Lorton, for a Saturday afternoon of adventure with Vianlix Mestey’s original story, “In Santa, We Believe,” live onstage. Just 20 | December 2013 prince william living

when you thought everything was going great, Santa’s workshop grinds to a halt! Will Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves do what it takes to make sure Christmas Day happens? Come find out as this tune-filled story unfolds.

Show dates: Saturdays, Nov. 30 to Dec. 28.

Show time: 1 p.m. (55-minute show, with one intermission).

Parades e 68th annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade will take place on Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. Line up along Center Street for a good view of all the entries in this year’s annual procession. e shops in Old Town Manassas also hold an annual gingerbread house contest. Visit participating shops and vote for your favorite. e Town of Dumfries holds its 39th annual Christmas Holiday Parade on Dec. 14 beginning at noon at Town Hall (17755 Main Street).

Nativities e Worship Center, a non-denominational church in Woodbridge, offers the popular “A Living Nativity” Dec. 12-14 at the Hylton Memorial Chapel, located at 14640 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge. e free event, which is from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., drew more than 10,000 people last December, according to the Worship Center’s lead pastor, Ron McCormick.

In eight lighted scenes with costumed actors, “A Living Nativity” tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. e scenes, accessible by car and on foot, are staged along the entrance road on the gated chapel grounds, McCormick said. For more information, call 703-928-2105 or visit www.theworship-center.com.

Ice Skating e Harris Pavilion in Manassas has outdoor ice skating for $8 per adult and $7 per child (age 10 and younger). Skate rentals are available for an additional $3. Hours vary. Check www.harrispavilion.com/ice_skate.php for details and the (continues on page 22)

prince william living December 2013 | 21

(continued from page 20) Harris Pavilion’s event calendar for hours.

In January, skating is free on Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ice skaters only pay for skate rental. e Haymarket IcePlex offers indoor ice skating for $7 per adult and $6 per child (age 12 and younger). Skate rentals are an additional $3. Hours vary. Check out www.haymarketiceplex.com for more information.

Prince William Ice Center in Dale City charges $7 ($6 for seniors) as general admission to its indoor rink. Excluding holidays and when school is on break, the price drops September through May to $6 on Tuesdays and ursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., when skate rental is also only $1. Skate rental other times is $3.

on the production at the Hylton Performing Arts Center include Manassas Ballet eater, which has multiple performances scheduled Dec. 20 through Dec. 23. Asaph Dance Ensemble will perform “Clara’s Christmas,” which is based on “e Nutcracker,” Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

No matter what you do to celebrate this season of lights, I hope it’s merry and bright for all of you.

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

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

Additionally, Prince William Ice Center has “Snow and Story” times, when children may play in the “snow” shavings and then hear a story and enjoy hot chocolate. Visit www.pwice.com for details.

Musical Offerings e Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas has several seasonal concerts planned, including: n

Chanticleer: “A Chanticleer Christmas,” Dec. 1 at 4 p.m.

n

Danú: “Christmas in Ireland: An Nollaig in Éirinn,” Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.

n

Manassas Chorale: “’Tis the Season!”

Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

n

American Festival Pops Orchestra: “Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season,” Dec. 13 at 8 p.m.

n

Vienna Boys Choir: “Christmas in Vienna,” Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.

Woodbridge Community Choir will present its annual Christmas concert on Dec.14 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. at the Ferlazzo Building, located at 15941 Donald Curtis Drive in Woodbridge.

Nutcracker Performances e season would not be complete without a performance of “e Nutcracker.” Dance companies putting 22 | December 2013 prince william living

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giving back

CASA Lighting the Way for Abused Children

By Peter Lineberry, Contributing Writer

W

Photo courtesy Robert Arnold, Realistic Art Photography

hen cases involving children arrive at Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, judges will often request a representative from CASA CIS (Court Appointed Special Advocates Children’s Intervention Services) to assist for the duration of the case.

Advocates are trained volunteers whose sworn mission is to serve the best needs of the children, ensuring their safety and well-being while providing the court with critical information.

CASA for Children is a national nonprofit association that Superior Court Judge David Soukup formed in 1977 in Seattle, where he began recruiting and training volunteers to supplement child placement decisions made by judges like him and traditional “guardians ad litem”—court-appointed attorneys.

Soukup found that these attorneys often lacked the necessary time and training to protect children’s long-term interests. In contrast, volunteers the judge recruited focused on only one or two cases at a time and could better get to know the child and, therefore, provide a clearer picture. e concept was a success and soon spread nationwide. Today the National CASA Association, headquartered in Seattle, is a network of more than 900 community-based programs throughout all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Locally, CASA CIS, formerly known as CASA of Greater Prince William, began operating in 1994. e second largest CASA program in the commonwealth, the Manassas-based group covers Virginia’s 31st Judicial District (Prince William) and added the 20th District (Fauquier and Rappahannock counties) in 2012.

More than 500 children receive comfort and aid from roughly 140 CASA CIS volunteers each year, said CASA CIS CEO Charlyn Hasson-Brown, who herself had foster and, later, adoptive parents as a youngster.

24 | December 2013 prince william living

CASA CIS staff members (left to right) Toni Lightfoot, Laurel Schaepman, Sheryl Rogers, Ben Gimeno and Brook Norgart.

Seated, Charlyn Hasson-Brown and Tara Reber.

The Many Roles of CASA Advocates At its heart, CASA’s job is to provide an extra set of eyes and ears for the court. According to CASA CIS Director of Advocacy Services Carolyn Graham, volunteers conduct an independent investigation to learn their assigned child’s needs and then work to meet those needs. ey present their findings to the judges, social workers and others and afterwards monitor court orders for compliance.

Advocates meet with the child regularly to build a compassionate relationship. “We’ve gotten to this point,” said Graham, “because the people that they have trusted have hurt them, and have caused them not to be able to trust.”

Many children CASA helps have special educational needs due to autism, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or

eative

Helping to establish a safe and permanent residence for abused children is another priority. (“Casa” is Spanish for “home.”)

When possible, such as if an offending parent has been removed from the household, advocates may recommend that children remain in their homes, with safety plans in place.

Photos co urtesy of Jh enny Micha lek, Simply Cr

other learning disabilities. As court stewards, CASA volunteers gather information from the child’s teachers, such as whether the child arrives at school hungry, dirty or tired. Volunteers often aid in creating individualized education plans, Graham said. She added that for this reason, retired teachers and nurses often make excellent advocates.

“We know that children, no matter by and large what is done to them … want to be with their siblings, with their toothbrush, with their dog, with their bed and blanket,” said Graham. “at’s their comfort.”

CASA staff and volunteers cannot discuss the organization’s ongoing cases because of confidentiality laws, but hypothetical situations sting the mind just as easily. A toddler is beaten. A young child is molested. An older child faces abandonment.

“I want to do the very best that we can possibly do for the children,” said Hasson-Brown. “I want our folks to be dedicated, committed to that child’s needs—a child that really, really needs to have someone focus on them because of all that’s happening to them.”

CASA CIS relies on donations and events such as its "Evening Under the Stars" gala to fund the group's efforts to protect children who have entered the family court system.

Making a Positive Difference

Training classes, which begin next in mid-January, total 40 hours over eight to 10 weeks, with some study done online. Graham said that because of high demand for CASA’s services, “the minute that they [volunteers] are sworn in, they get a case.”

“Because of the privacy laws for children who’ve been abused, the community can’t really know about them. …[ere is] no way to study the difference that CASA can make,” said Hasson-Brown.

However, information on the national level indicates that these volunteers make a positive difference. Hasson-Brown pointed to a 2007 U.S. Department of Justice study, which found that children who enter the court system and are assigned a CASA: n Receive more services than children without a CASA. n Are less likely to return to the judicial system re-abused. n Spend less time in foster care. n Are more likely to be adopted. ese improved outcomes have a ripple effect in the larger community. Left unchecked, child abuse and neglect lead to an increased likelihood of juvenile arrest, substance abuse and other tragic scenarios, explained Hasson-Brown. She said that CASA sees its mission as critical, not only to the youth in its care, but to society as a whole.

Lending a Helping Hand Nearly 90 percent of current advocates are female. “We need men, because children need good examples of men,” said Hasson-Brown. e organization also needs more Spanishspeaking advocates.

CASA CIS is funded solely through grants and donations, said Hasson-Brown. She added that corporate grants have dried up with the economic uncertainty in recent years. To fill this gap, CASA CIS hosts themed fundraisers throughout the year, including “Ladies Night Out with Santa” in December and a retro party in April. “Evening Under the Stars,” held each September at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, is the group’s signature event and is billed as the oldest and largest charitable gathering in Old Town Manassas. e most recent “Evening Under the Stars” brought together more than 1,000 benefactors for a night of food, dancing and bidding on auction items, Hasson-Brown reported. CASA raised nearly $200,000 that night, or close to a third of its annual operating budget. Hasson-Brown said that is enough to cover the yearly needs of about 150 at-risk children.

In the end, that is what it is all about. Said Hasson-Brown, “Every child who’s been abused or neglected deserves to have an advocate, a special someone.”

For more information about this organization, including ways to get involved, visit www.casacis.org.

Peter Lineberry, who lives in Dale City, is on the editorial staff of Prince William Living and a regular contributor. He can be reached at plineberry@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living December 2013 | 25

home & hearth Holiday Décor

By Vickie Williamson Custom Framer and Interior Designer

he holiday season, with its opportunities to decorate, is my favorite time of year. It’s become a family tradition to go in the attic and pull out all the boxes of holiday décor just a few days after Thanksgiving. It’s a time to pack away some of the everyday and bring out the glitzy, over-the-top seasonal items. Some are sweet and made by my children.

Others are handed down from previous generations.

Some are just tacky, but loved.

T

Where others have branches, we have roots.

Key points to remember when decorating this holiday season: n Less is more. Think “understated elegance.” A few strings of lights and garland can add the perfect touch of sophistication. Most commonly these are added to the front door, stairways and hearths. Spice up the garland with flowers, bows and natural elements. n Color is key. I may be picky, but for me the holiday décor should coordinate with my home’s color scheme. I’ve made color-coordinated tree skirts, floral arrangements and other decorations. Ribbons and bows are carefully chosen to complement the room. Yes, I even match the wrapping. I especially like gift bags because they can be reused. My family knows this and accepts it lovingly. n Make it fun. Many families cherish taking that ride to find the perfect “real” tree. For others, getting the box out and fluffing the limbs of the smushed-up artificial tree is just as enjoyable. I recommend gardening gloves and long sleeves for this. If you can, get the kids involved. Put on your favorite holiday music or movie.

Adding hot chocolate or another treat might help get the rest of the family interested, too.

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Whatever holiday traditions you may choose, enjoy this time of year and the shared time with loved ones. Happy holiday decorating.

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

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local flavor

Taste of Tandoor A Culinary Destination

By Olivia Overman, Contributing Writer

L

ooking to stop for lunch or dinner while holiday shopping or celebrating the season with co-workers? Seeking a restaurant with great service and fresh, healthful food and where the hustle and bustle disappears when you enter its doors? Taste of Tandoor, just minutes from the shopping mecca of Potomac Mills Mall, could be the right eatery for you.

which may deter some diners from trying it.

However, the restaurant’s chefs are willing to adjust per order the spice level of any dish, and chicken tenders are among offerings on the children’s menu. e restaurant’s popularity has grown so much that Mathur opened a second eatery, called Guru, in 2003 in Fredericksburg. “People asked me to open up a restaurant down there, so I did,” he said. His wife, Roshni Mathur, manages that food establishment, where she is also head chef.

Nestled in a shopping center at 13836 Smoketown Road in Woodbridge, Taste of Tandoor may not be noticeable at first glance.

But inside awaits an elegant setting with subdued lighting, cloth napkins, Indian artwork and fine Indian cuisine.

Owner Devainder Mathur

“e business has grown one customer at a time. Once they have the courage to come in, then they keep coming back,” said owner and Executive Chef Devainder Mathur. Indian food is known for its complex spices,

28 | December 2013 prince william living

A Lifelong Love

Taste of Tandoor’s cuisine originates primarily from the northern part of India, where Mathur grew up. Dishes such as butter chicken, lamb vindaloo and chicken and tikka masala stem to his childhood in New Delhi, he

said, adding that there are also a few nods to southern Indian dishes, such as biryani, courtesy of his wife.

“I began experimenting with cooking when I was in fifth grade in New Delhi, when I was getting ready to go to school, and my mother was too busy,” said Mathur. It was from these early experiments that his love for food grew, ultimately leading to his opening Taste of Tandoor in 1999.

Mathur came to the endeavor prepared, with a degree in business management from Delhi University and years of culinary experience under his belt. He honed his cooking skills working at the five-star Hyatt Regency Delhi and Maurya Sheraton Hotel and Towers, both in New Delhi. He also worked for a number of restaurants in Washington, D.C., prior to opening Taste of Tandoor.

Extensive Menu Options e restaurant offers an extensive selection of dishes, including appetizers, soups and salads, chicken, lamb and seafood specialties and a range of tandoori choices. Chefs employ the tandoor, a clay oven, to turn out a variety of fresh homemade breads, as well as meats, poultry and seafood, which are marinated overnight and then skewered and broiled.

For those who like a little bit of everything, or are new to Indian cooking and not sure what they would like, a lunch buffet is available daily at $8.99 during weekdays and $10.99 on weekends and holidays. Buffet patrons come to sample the vegetarian or chicken samosas, masala chicken, lamb and seafood options, Mathur said.

Photos courtesy Olivia Overman

“I put on extra dishes for the weekend buffet, and I also include other original dishes so people have more flavor,” he said. In addition, diners will find a large selection of vegetarian offerings.

“Vegetarian dishes are made by the same method as nonvegetarian, just without the meat,” said Mathur.

“I come here particularly for the vegan dishes,” said one Woodbridge resident who frequents the restaurant weekly. “I either sit down or carry out.”

Stacey Smith, also of Woodbridge, said she likes the vegetarian menu’s expansive choices and flavorful fare. Smith and Emily Moore, of Lake Ridge, dine at the restaurant a couple of times a month, the two said. “I love the buffet,” Moore stated. e loyalty of these types of regular customers helped the restaurant weather the federal government shutdown the first half of October. Mathur reported that even though many of his customers were furloughed, they continued to come in to help support the local business—and to get their tandoori fix.

Introducing New Fare In October, Mathur introduced a new selection of appetizers and entrees. “I just saw so many new faces in the restaurant, I thought I should do it,” he explained. New additions include Chicken Cochin, with onion, garlic, curry leaves, mustard seeds, dried red chili and slow-roasted coconut. e new Chicken Methi Malai also includes yogurt and a chef’s special secret sauce.

Taste of Tandoor offers an extensive selection of fine Indian cuisine, including an assortment of meat specialties, a range of tandoori choices and a variety of vegetarian dishes.

Mathur teams with his chef, Mohammad Saleh, to develop new recipes and dishes. e two have worked together for a number of years, Mathur said. eir creations consistently receive rave reviews on Yelp.com, where the restaurant boasts a four-star rating.

Taste of Tandoor opens at 11 a.m. daily seven days a week, closing at 10 p.m. Sunday through ursday and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. e buffet is offered from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, the dining room is available for private events. For more information, visit www.tasteoftandoor.com or call 703-897-7200.

A graduate of American University’s School of Communication, Olivia Overman writes articles for online and print publications. Overman can be reached at ooverman@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living December 2013 | 29

your finances Parents: Tips on Applying for Federal Student Aid

By Luanne Lee, CCPRS f you have a college-age student, the hair-pulling process of completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—the ticket to scholarships, grants and student loans—will soon be upon you. Every college student should file the FAFSA. Your student could be eligible to receive merit scholarship dollars no matter how much you earn or have in savings.

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n Do it online (www.fafsa.gov). The online FAFSA calculates and enters total amounts into the correct fields for you. n Double check your answers. Errors and omissions slow things down, which can make you miss out on some, or possibly all, of your financial aid.

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n Don’t delay filing your tax return. File an estimated FAFSA in January using your 2012 federal tax return.

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Luanne Lee, CCPRS, is a certified college planning relief specialist and owner of Your College Planning Coach, based in Manassas. Learn more at www.yourcollegeplanningcoach.com or call 703-928-9036.

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december

calendar YOPW Winter Concert

Dec. 1 • 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Potomac High School 3401 Panther Pride Drive / Dumfries e younger string ensembles of the Youth Orchestras of Prince William (YOPW) begin their concert series in December. YOPW’s Wind Symphony will join them in the string ensembles’ first performance of the season. $10 per adult; $6 per student and senior; Free to children age 6 and younger. Tickets are available at the door. Visit www.yopwva.org for more information.

“Merry Old Town” Christmas Celebration and Tree Lighting Dec. 6 • 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Manassas Museum 9101 Prince William Street / Manassas Holiday music begins at 5:30 p.m., and Santa arrives via a Virginia Railway Express train at 6 p.m. at the Manassas Train Depot on 9431 West Street in Old Town Manassas. He will hear the Christmas wishes of all the children at the nearby Harris Pavilion and help light the Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m. at the Manassas Museum. e celebration also includes carols, live music and free hayrides.

For more information, email smchugh@historicmanassasinc.org or call 703-361-6599.

Hylton Planetarium Shows

Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 • 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

C.D. Hylton High School 14051 Spriggs Road / Woodbridge Stage effects, haze machines and loud music will be part of the action at the Irene V. Hylton Planetarium’s public shows in December. e “Laser Holidays” show is at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. each night, and the “Star of Bethlehem” show is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Dec. 1 at the Hylton High School main office and are also sold at the planetarium box office the night of the shows. Tickets are $10 per person, cash only. Please bring exact change. Seating is limited. For more information, email kilgorae@pwcs.edu or visit http://hylton.groupfusion.net.

Greater Manassas Christmas Parade Dec. 7 • 10 a.m. – Noon Old Town Manassas Train Depot 9431 West Street / Manassas Arrive early for a spot along the route to watch the 68th annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade. Free. Event organizer is Historic Manassas, Inc. For more information and the parade route, visit www.gmchristmasparade.org or call 703-369-9030.

A Visit from Santa Dec. 7 • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Dec. 8 • Noon – 3 p.m.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Road / Bristow Santa Claus will visit, donned in the suit he wore in December 1862 when artist omas Nast made one of the first known illustrations of the jolly old elf. Santa was shown giving gifts to soldiers in the field at Fredericksburg, Va., during the American Civil War. Guests during Santa’s visit can make old-time holiday decorations and Pomander balls with citrus fruit and cloves to take home for decorating their tree or give as gifts. Photos with Santa are available at $5 for a 4-by-6-inch image or $10 for an 8-by-10-inch photograph. On Sunday, join Historic Faith Ministries at 10 a.m. for a traditional Christian Christmas service at the Union Church. Free. For more information, call 703-792-5618.

Manassas Chorale “’Tis the Season!” Winter Concert Dec. 7 • 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle / Manassas Enjoy the festive spirit of the Manassas Chorale’s “’Tis the Season!” as the 100voice chorale, 30-voice ensemble and live orchestra offer holiday songs from around the world as well as traditional Christmas favorites. Tickets, at $18 and $20, are available online at www.hyltoncenter.org and at 888-945-2468 (both adding service fees) or at the Hylton Center box office. Free to George Mason University students and to children age 12 and younger. For more information, visit www.manassaschorale.org/events and www.hyltoncenter.org/calendar.

Donated items are accepted at the concert to go to the Manassas nonprofit organization SERVE for people in need.

A Rippon Lodge Christmas Dec. 7 • 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road / Woodbridge Take a candlelight tour of Rippon Lodge and experience holiday celebrations from colonial Virginia through World War II. Visit with Santa in the cabin during your stay. Tours are on the half hour.

Reservations are required for candlelight tours. Visits to Santa are free. Please dress for the weather; some activities are outdoors. Tours are $10 per person; free to children age 5 and younger. For more information, call 703-499-9812.

“The Nutcracker” Dec. 7 • 5 p.m.

Dec. 8 • 3 p.m.

Osbourn Park High School 8909 Euclid Avenue / Manassas e Northern Virginia Youth Ballet (NVYB) presents its full-length, professional production of the holiday classic. e performance features international guest artists Melissa Zoebisch, Alexandru Glusacov and Dimitri Vistoropskiy. NVYB’s performance includes talented young dancers, sets and costuming from Russia, as well as special effects.

Tickets purchased online at academyofrussianballetva.eventbrite.com are $20 per adult and $15 per child and senior. Tickets are $5 more at the door.

All ticket sales are final. For more information, call 703-368-2268 or visit AcademyofRussianBalletVA.com.

Group, military and educator discounts are available. e group also hosts a Girl/Boy Scout backstage tour and question-and-answer session.

Brentsville Holiday Concerts Dec. 14 • 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Road / Bristow Get in the holiday spirit with an evening of seasonal music at the historic Brentsville Union Church. e Brentsville District High School Chorus will perform two concerts. Enjoy hot cider and cookies by a warm bonfire. e site will be open 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Free. For more information, call 703-365-7895.

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

32 | December 2013 prince william living

Discover Prince William & Manassas

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PW

his holiday season, send family and friends a taste of Prince William & Manassas. Our shops, museum gift stores and local attractions have wonderful gifts that are perfect for that hard-tobuy person in your life.

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Tucked away in the tiny town of Historic Occoquan is Spinaweb, where shoppers can find blankets, scarves, placemats and other hand-woven items created right on site. The shop is a unique gem in town and truly an inspiration, as many of the workers are part of The Arc of Greater Prince William/Insight, Inc.’s adult vocational program for people with developmental disabilities.

Ann Marie Maher President and CEO Discover Prince William & Manassas

For those who love games and puzzles, visit the newly opened Puzzle Palooza Etc. to purchase a puzzle that features a beautiful image of Historic Occoquan. These are just a few of the unique shopping options you will run across when exploring this charming town.

Old Town Manassas is another treasure trove for holiday shopping. For instance, visitors can buy paintings from the artists at Creative Brush Studio. Or head to the neighboring city of Manassas Park to visit QMT Windchimes and select from more than 600 chimes to create that perfect gift.

Disco

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Facebook.com/pwcman Facebook.com/pwcmanassas

Our local museums are also great places to find gifts that represent our community.

Visit Echoes, Manassas Museum’s store, for limited-edition prints and books about the city, or stop by Manassas National Battlefield Park for postcards and other collectibles for that Civil War buff in your life. At the National Museum of the Marine Corps, in Triangle, purchase holiday ornaments, Marine coins and other items that commemorate this branch of the military.

With so many boutiques and unique local gifts in our area, I know everyone can find a way this holiday season to share a piece of our great community and history. For more on specialty shops, visit DiscoverPWM.com.

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

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

Slave Holidays at Ben Lomond

Woodbridge Community Choir Christmas Concert

Dec. 14 • 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Drive / Manassas Take a candlelit tour of the main house and slave quarters to learn how the enslaved community celebrated the holidays and resisted the institution that enslaved them. Ben Lomond’s enslaved workers of long ago come to life in living history vignettes that provide a unique perspective into that period of American history. Tours are every 30 minutes. $7 per person; free to children age 5 and younger. Advanced reservations are suggested, but not required. For more information, call 703-367-7872.

Dec. 14 • 8 p.m.

Dec. 15 • 3 p.m.

Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building 15941 Donald Curtis Drive / Woodbridge e Woodbridge Community Choir will sing familiar holiday tunes as well as songs that will become new favorites. For more information, call 703-680-0198, email wcc_info@woodbridgecommunitychoir.org or visit www.woodbridgecommunitychoir.org.

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

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By DeeDee Corbitt Sauter, Contributing Writer During the tedious months prior to the birth of my oldest son, my husband George and I spent what seemed like endless hours trying to agree upon the perfect name. Our child would be exceptional with infinite potential, and his name would need to reflect his greatness.

Lists upon lists were compiled. Names were crossed off for a myriad of reasons: “Oh! I know someone with that name, and he was so mean!”

“The first and last names don’t match!” “That name rhymes with a body part, and he will be mocked!” “That will be difficult to spell!” “That is not even a real word!” “The initials will spell something vulgar. Wait; that could be fun. Wait, no. …”

Finally, the day equally dreaded and anticipated arrived. Contractions started and our bundle of joy came mewling into the world. I was exhausted and in pain. Sure, he was cute (and wrinkly), but, honestly, his potential name was the last thing on my mind after we were introduced. I did not care. My husband, on the other hand, who had spent the previous day advising me to breathe while he was able to comfortably take catnaps, could not stop staring at him. A tear balanced on his lower eyelid.

Without shifting his gaze, George whispered a single word. We had narrowed the list to two probable names, and in the moment he met our son, my husband requested one of those names. Frankly, with the way I was feeling, he could have suggested something normally reserved for pets, and I would not have cared. I just wanted sleep and something to drink, and more sleep. Did I mention sleep? I agreed to anything he said. He must have been overjoyed: a perfect baby and an overly accommodating wife. Thus began my son’s life.

Most parents I know go through a similar process. Everyone needs toilet paper and a name. At some point, somewhere, I read that a certain population believes that the name can be sacred. Knowledge of the true name can give power to the person who utters it. I can’t remember if this is a modern people or some ancient community. Maybe I read it in a fantasy sci-fi novel. Perhaps I made it up entirely. The bottom line is that a name is important, and significant time is spent choosing it.

So what is the purpose of the nickname?

At a Boy Scout campout, when my oldest child fell into and was mauled by horned attack bushes, and then bled from tiny woodland scratch marks and had to be pulled to safety, he was christened with a new name, and he felt special. A bevy of boys dubbed him “Thorn” and my child could not have felt prouder. A friend of his accidentally sliced his own left hand with a knife and required several stitches. He was thereafter referred to as “Lefty.” Original. My husband’s nickname in the Air Force was “Laundry Man.” I don’t even want to know the story behind that.

Nicknames seem to identify or reinforce a caricature-type personality trait or remind people of a somewhat disturbing event. They are most assuredly not something a parent would choose. But I have noticed an alarming trend. Even after choosing the perfect name for their child, some parents are obsessed with creating a cute and lasting nickname.

I can’t even count the number of children I know who are referred to as “Thing 1” or “Thing 2” from Dr. Seuss. I actually know adults who want to be referred to similarly, but I can’t imagine my friends yelling “Hey, Thing!” at me from across a crowded Starbucks.

“Even after choosing the perfect name for their child, some parents are obsessed with creating a cute and lasting nickname.”

Characters from books or movies are common, but proper names have been chosen in part due to the nickname potential. “I will name him Edward, and call him Eddie.” “His initials are ‘JR’ so we’ll call him Junior.” Why not go with that in the first place? “Suzie is so much gentler than Suzanne. That’s what we’ll call her.”

I have a friend whose birth certificate reads “Jennifer.” But in the past few decades that I have known her, she has gone by Jenn, Jenny, Jenni (with a heart over the “i”) and JenJen. Her persona changed ever so slightly with each new life event. I can’t keep up. She often corrects her family at reunions, although no one listens to her.

I was born “Carmen Regina.” Through a series of unfortunate events and mispronunciations, I was DeeDee by the time I entered school. It’s been decades since anyone referred to me by anything else, and so I no longer consider this a nickname. It is simply who I am.

But when friends call me “Queen DeeDee,” that is another matter entirely. I am no longer confused about the practice, but embrace it wholeheartedly. It started in a sign-language class and morphed into a full-fledged, consistent moniker that was initially embarrassing, but is now second nature. Nicknames seem to defy logic, but provide a sense of community and acceptance. I can certainly attest to this when “Queen” is shouted across the room. It’s an inner-circle acceptance.

Genuflection is not necessary. Neither are nicknames. But they can be fun.

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

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