"a view from fair lakes" spring 2013 edition

Fair Lakes in Bloom!

Break the Brunch MoldFight Pesky Pollen

Inspiring NeighborsGreat Gardens

PLUS:News, Sports,Entertainmentand more

fromA

A Q u A r t e r l y P u b l i c A t i o n f r o m t h e f A i r l A k e s l e A g u esPring 2013

www.FairLakes.com2

www.FairLakes.com 3

FeaturesThe Egg Came First ..................................... 8Dollars for Scholars................................... 19

DepartmentsLetter from the League .............................5..News from the View.................................... 6Tending the Trends .................................. 10Neighborhood Watch ............................. 12Health & Fitness ......................................... 14Retail Directory ........................................... 16The Chef Suggests .................................... 20Beauty on a Budget ................................. 23Home & Garden ......................................... 24In the Spotlight .......................................... 26Faces in Fair Lakes ..................................... 31

A V i e w F r o m F A i r L A k e s

A View from Fair Lakes is published quarterly by

the Fair Lakes League. Established in 1984,

the League serves to preserve and support the

148-acre Fair Lakes Community and its many

amenities, including the lakes, landscapes,

hiking trails, signage and community common

areas. League activities include sports teams and

tournaments, special events, community fund-

raising and a complimentary weekday shuttle to

and from the Vienna Metro station for residents

and employees of Fair Lakes.

Fair Lakes League offices are located at

125..00 Fair Lakes Circle, Suite 400

Fairfax, Virginia, 22033

Visit us at www.fairlakes.com

For information on advertising opportunities, contact [email protected]

www.FairLakes.com4

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Dear League Members and Friends,

Happy BIRTHDay To uS! Just this time last year, we introduced the brand new A View from Fair Lakes to our community. The magazine strives to bring together neighbors and visitors, restaurateurs and diners, shop

owners and customers, and businesses and clients. It has been a pleasure to produce this journal; it has brought us closer in touch with the people who make Fair Lakes such a special place to live and we hope it has given our readers a greater appreciation of this vibrant neighborhood.

But that’s not all we’re celebrating this spring! Fair Lakes is prepping for some of our time-honored and cherished traditions. one such special event is our 16th annual Golf Tournament at Westfields Golf Club, sponsored by Shorenstein properties and the peterson Companies. This always-fun and very worthy charity event will take place on June 6th and will again benefit the Food for others community food bank. a special addition to the Tournament this year will be the Sartorial Splendor award, inspired by the crazy and colorful clothing at the 2012 Tournament.

Fair Lakes Volleyball kicks off april 29! We can’t wait to see our community teams spike their hearts out! Lastly, we’re thrilled to yet again be sponsoring Dollars for Fair Lakes Scholars, and will be sifting through applications to award $3,5..00 prizes to three deserving students. you’ll find info for everything in this issue.

again, we would like to thank all of you for your support of A View from Fair Lakes. It has been wonderful to learn more about everyone that fills these pages, and we can’t wait to learn more. We hope that through this magazine, the Fair Lakes community in which you live, work, and play becomes just a bit fairer.

Sincerely,

The League

A Q u A r t e r L y P u b L i c A t i o n F r o m t h e F A i r L A k e s L e A g u e

www.FairLakes.com6

Around Fair Lakes…

16th Annual Golf Tournament The 16th annual

Fair Lakes League

Golf Tournament will be held Thursday, June 6 at Westfields Golf Club! The

Tournament will include a luncheon

and prizes – and naturally, great golf!

Registration begins March 15; check

“What’s Happening” on our website plus

social media for details!

Fair Lakes Volleyball League Co-ed volleyball season starts april 29!

Those who live or work in the Fair Lakes

community may form teams in one of two

leagues: a League, for more advanced,

competitive players, or B League, for

beginners. Games are played Monday

through Friday on the sand courts near

SRa International. Registration packets,

League rules and

player waivers can

be found at

www.fairlakes.com.

Register by April 12.

Fair Lakes Lit LoversWe are still seeking avid bookworms for

our local book club! If you are interested

in joining the Fair Lakes Lit Lovers,

please send a message to fairlakes@

powerscommunications.net. We strongly

encourage individuals, friends and groups

to join.

N E w S F r o M t h E V I E w

If you or your organization has any news or upcoming event that may be of interest to members of the Fair Lakes community, please contact us at: [email protected]

www.FairLakes.com 7

And elsewhere in Fairfax…

Les 7 Doigts de la MainCome see the critically acclaimed

acrobatic troupe pSy perform the work of

seven directors who seek to change the

way we see circus arts. Get your tickets

soon ($24-48); shows are at 8pm/ 2pm and

8pm on March 29 and 30, respectively, at

George Mason university’s Center for the

arts. Visit cfa.gmu.edu for info.

Fairfax Civil War Day

Head to the Historic Blenheim Estate on

Saturday, april 27 to relive one of the most

prominent chapters of our nation’s history.

Celebrate the Civil War’s Sesquicentennial

with period music, living history, children’s

activities, and tours.

Spotlight on the Arts Festival

Sponsored by the City of Fairfax, George

Mason university, Northern Virginia

Community College and the City of Fairfax

Schools, Spotlight on the arts is an annual,

three-week celebration of dance, music,

and drama. The program runs from

april 19 to May 6; for details visit

www.fairfaxspotlight.org.

N E w S F r o M t h E V I E w

www.FairLakes.com

A telltale sign of spring are Easter Eggs: colorful, pastel nuggets filled with little goodies, hidden in a bush or nestled in a basket. The tradition of decorating and hiding Easter eggs is older than Christianity, but how did such an odd custom – meant to commemorate one of the most sacred holidays in Western religion – come to be? And more importantly, how can you put your own modern touch on these imaginative ova?

It is widely believed that Easter evolved from ancient anglo

Saxons who celebrated the arrival of spring with a festival in honor of their goddess Eostre. She represented fertility and the arrival of spring, light, and the rising dawn. When Roman missionaries arrived in Britain at the time, they blended some of the Saxon traditions into their celebration of the resurrection of their savior, Jesus Christ. The egg is a sign of rebirth and new life in many cultures around the world. During spring festivals and holidays like Norwuz, the Iranian New year, celebrated on the first day of spring, decorative eggs were brought out to celebrate rebirth. It is believed that following the Crusades, Macedonians became the first Christians to bring this tradition to the Western world. In the 13th century, they honored the resurrection of Christ by painting an egg red, symbolizing the blood of Christ. Easter eggs became important to Christians of Eastern or orthodox Churches. In the ukraine and poland,

they became pyzanky (from pysaty, “to write”). pyzanky are eggs

coated in wax (or a similar material) and etched in

relief to bear intricate shapes and symbols. In

Russia, Easter Eggs came to be an icon of decadence when the Czar alexander III commissioned an Easter gift to his

T h e egg Came FIrsT

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wife from the jeweler peter Carl Fabergé. Today, jewel-encrusted Fabergé Eggs are some of the most precious artifacts in the world. Today, in the uS, we decorate and hide eggs as a fun family tradition. our president throws an annual Easter Egg Roll the Monday after Easter, when children convene on the White House lawn to race their hard-boileds to the finish!

how will you put your spin on easter eggs?

1. Make your deviled eggs devilishly precious by dying the egg whites! Follow your normal recipe, but before filling your egg white half shells, soak them in food coloring to make them pastel!

2. Sprinkle small round stickers from office supply stores across your hard-boiled shells!

3. Create a family “Bird’s Nest” or Easter Egg Basket filled with notes, pictures, Easter Eggs, and more!

4. Before Easter, passover, or a special dinner, create individual Easter Eggs as placeholders. Write your guests’ names on colored eggs and place them around the table.

5... Give a gift of Easter Eggs (or, better yet, Cadbury Eggs) in a recycled, ornately decorated egg carton!

Did you know?

1. according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest Easter Egg ever made was 25.. feet tall and weighed over four and a half tons. It was supported by a steel frame and made primarily of chocolate and marshmallow.

2. It takes a hen roughly 24-26 hours to lay an egg. according to the Incredible Egg, in our nation there are about 280 million hens that together produce about 75.. billion eggs a year.

3. president Rutherford B. Hayes began the White House Easter Egg Roll in 1878.

4. Easter is the second biggest holiday for candy sales after Halloween.

5... Some manufacturers have begun producing Eggs that beep, click, or make other sounds for visually impaired children.

6. Though the origins of the Easter Bunny are dubious, some believe he comes from German immigrants in pennsylvania who introduced “ochterhase,” an egg-laying hare.

www.FairLakes.com10

t E N d I N G t h E t r E N d S

Is there anything more pleasant than

brunch? Devised for the worn-out,

worked-over crowd, brunch can be the

most comforting time of the week. Lately

it’s become an urban phenomenon, with

long lines at dining establishments a

regular Sunday sight. But as temperatures

climb, head outside and skip the wait for

a table! Read on to learn how to host an al

fresco picnic Brunch.

once your brunch crew has decided

to rough it outdoors, split up menu

responsibilities so each person brings

one dish, drink, or accessory. you might

choose to have a local spot like Bagel Buddies or Whole Foods handle the

foodstuffs, but if you’re feeling inspired,

check out the recipes on our Brunch with

Fair Lakes pinboard (www.pinterest.com/

fairlakesleague). pack dishes in a fancy

cooler or picnic basket from Target

or World Market, which both offer

baskets for settings that range from

romantic to rowdy.

Champagne Punch (courtesy Martha Stewart, 2009)

- 1 thinly sliced peach

- 1 cup raspberries

- 1 cup blueberries

- 1/3 cup simple syrup

- 1 bottle champagne (substitute

sparkling cider for virgin cocktails)

Combine peach, raspberries, blueberries, and

simple syrup in pitcher. Stir in champagne.

Sausage Balls (courtesy Paula Deen, 2005)

- 1 package ground breakfast sausage (1 lb)

- 3 cups all-purpose baking mix

- 4 cups grated sharp Cheddar

- 1/8 teaspoon pepper

For the dip:

1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon mustard

preheat oven to 375..˚F and spray baking

sheet with cooking spray. Combine first

four ingredients, kneading with your hands,

then form the mix into balls about 1 inch

in diameter. Lay balls on cookie sheet and

bake for 18-20 minutes. When they’re done,

pack them in a large Tupperware

container, with dip mixed

in a smaller Tupperware

container. Bring toothpicks

for easy munching!

Picnic Brunch

www.FairLakes.com 11

www.FairLakes.com12

Meet Doug Sherburne of the

Elan Condominiums, formerly

with the uS Navy, and originally

hailing from Rhode Island. after almost 30

years in the military, Doug settled with his

family in nearby Springfield and launched

a civilian career working with three

government contractors. Doug has since

“downsized” his career and now enjoys

spending time with his two daughters and

five grandchildren who live in Fairfax and

Loudoun Counties.

Doug is a popular and active member

of our community, lending his keen eye

for detail and spirit to his condominium

complex and church. When his wife

pushed for a move, Doug was finally

swayed by the all-inclusive feel of Élan and

Fair Lakes, enjoying the accessibility to

stores like Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods. and during the Blizzard of 2009,

Doug fondly remembers sitting back with

his wife in the living room “feeling very

snug” without a driveway or sidewalk to

shovel! He’s gotten to know plenty of his

neighbors, and is glad to have made so

many friends in the three years he’s lived

here.

Doug gives back by serving as the

Board Secretary for Élan Condominiums,

helping it keep its sterling reputation as a

haven for urban living and casual luxury.

He shows his pride for Élan by attending

meetings for the Budget & Finance,

Facility & Grounds, and Communications

Committees. He feels it’s important to

keep abreast of how his community

is spending its resources, maintaining

its grounds, and presenting itself to

visitors. and if you’re a fellow resident

of Élan, Doug encourages you to join

the Communications Committee which

is always looking for new input, and

currently seeking a volunteer to format its

N E I G h B o r h o o d w a t c h

Doug Sherburne: A serviceman brings service to Fair Lakes


monthly newsletter.

perhaps Doug’s most significant work is

with his church, Messiah united Methodist

Church of Springfield. With fellow church

members, Doug brings tons of yummy

egg salad sandwiches to Martha’s Table,

a group that’s dedicated to feeding and

providing relief to Washington’s most

needy. Doug is one of 25.. volunteers

that help in the sandwich program, and

has been lending a hand making and

delivering the sandwiches to distribution

centers for seven years.

as a previous serviceman himself, Doug

is Co-chairman of the Military Ministry, a

program that delivers care packages to

servicemen in some of the world’s most

desolate and strenuous combat zones,

from Iraq to afghanistan to Kuwait. Doug

and his peers take name solicitations from

anyone in the area, then fill boxes with

tons of goodies like homemade cookies,

toiletries, and cosmetics – the kind of

things a soldier would be hard pressed to

find near his station.

as americans, we’re proud of the work

that Doug does, but as Fair Lakers, we’re

just glad to call him “neighbor.”

If you would like to submit a

name for the Military Ministry

program, Doug suggests

waiting until Fall, since packages go out in

January. please email [email protected]

with the name of the service member, his

or her deployment information and dates,

plus a valid apo address.

N E I G h B o r h o o d w a t c h

Doug feels it’s important to keep abreast of how his community is spending its resources, maintaining its

grounds, and presenting itself to visitors.

Ironically, the year’s most beautiful

season can also bring one of nature’s

most formidable beasts: allergies. With

greener trees and more fragrant flowers

comes pollen – plus itchy eyes, stuffy

noses, and wheezing. The first step,

naturally, is to pinpoint your trigger,

see a doctor, and find the right dose of

antihistamine to treat the issue. But allergy

season can last up to weeks or months,

so how can you minimalize the damage

caused by pesky pollen? The obvious

answer is to admire flowers from afar

(you never know where new triggers lie!),

but here are a few more tips:

Be diligent about your hygiene. our hair attracts tons of pollen, so it’s

important to shampoo it daily, particularly

before we go to bed so it doesn’t

pollenate pillows and linens. Do laundry

often, washing linens in hot water once a

week; do not line dry outside.

Leave pollen at the door. Begin a no-shoes rule in your house,

since they can track pollen throughout

the house and into carpets. Before

you bring the dog in from an

outdoor romp, brush his coat, and

consider giving him a weekly bath.

Change your diet. Load up on Vitamin C-rich foods like

grapefruit, kale, oranges, or other leafy greens

and citruses; Vitamin C will help your immune

system and unclog sinuses. Quercetin,

a vitamin found in green tea, black tea,

apples, berries, and red onions, has also led

researchers to believe it blocks histamines.

When possible, wear sunglasses, scarves and gloves. They’ll help keep pollen off your fingers

and out of your eyes, especially if you

touch your face often.

Stay inside. This is a no-brainer, but hard to abide by on

beautiful sunshiny days. Still, stay inside as

much as possible. pollen will be most active

in the morning, and particularly on warm,

dry, and windy days. If you must exercise

outdoors, try to do it when it’s cloudy and

wet. at home, keep windows closed, and

if it gets hot, opt for the aC in lieu of fans,

which can attract pollen from the outside

and disperse it throughout the air.

www.FairLakes.com14

h E a L t h a N d F I t N E S S

GESUNDHEIT! How to get past your pollen problems


Health care, hair care. Quick bites, date nights. Petrol, money and more.Shop the Shops at Fair Lakes.

at fair lakes

16 Visit www.fairlakes.com for additional information about these businesses.

Fair Lakes Center

Mass MerchandisersBJ’s Wholesale Club ...................................803-0200Target ...............................................................449-7100Walmart...........................................................631-945..0

Electronics, Home FurnishingsBest Buy ..........................................................631-3332Home Sweet Home Furniture ..............802-75..63HomeGoods .................................................222-6914Kirkland’s ........................................................222-1826Lamp Factory outlet .................................818-7430RadioShack ....................................................802-6704World Market ................................................5..02-9777

Apparel and ShoesDSW Designer Shoe Warehouse .........815..-5..425..Lane Bryant ...................................................818-3749payless ShoeSource ...................................5..02-9114Torrid ................................................................222-0397

JewelryJared the Galleria of Jewelry ................818-8218

Children & ToysToys R us .........................................................803-105..0

PetspetSmart .........................................................802-1027

Sporting Goods & HobbyGolf Galaxy ....................................................5..63-3960Michaels ..........................................................449-1846Modell’s Sporting Goods ........................968-2700Sports authority ..................................coming soon

LiquorVirginia aBC ..................................................803-0049

ServicesExxon ................................................................802-0178Fair Center Cleaners ..................................5..02-1031united Bank ..................................................5..02-1800Verizon Wireless ..........................................5..02-7900

Restaurants and Fast Foodapplebee’s .....................................................802-985..5..Bagel Buddies ..............................................631-8700Burger King ...................................................802-0312Cantina D’Italia ............................................631-275..2Chipotle Mexican Grill .............................222-1117Guapo’s Mexican Restaurant ................818-0022Jason’s Deli ....................................................449-0924olive Garden .................................................631-4840Red pepper ....................................................5..02-9407Red Robin.......................................................5..02-0334Sakura Japanese Steakhouse ...............802-5..800Starbucks ........................................................5..02-7800Star Thai Cuisine .........................................222-5..45..2Subway ............................................................222-2900Tony’s Ny pizza ............................................5..02-0808Tsunami Sushi ..............................................449-8404Wendy’s ...........................................................968-0266

Health & BeautyFair Lakes Dental.........................................222-1230GNC ...................................................................802-9347Hair Cuttery ...................................................830-8344plaza Nail ........................................................378-6245..Sally Beauty Supply ...................................222-095..0ulta Beauty ....................................................222-6060

Cards & GiftsJJ’s Hallmark Shop .....................................818-8177

Note: All area codes are 703 unless otherwise specified.

Visit www.fairlakes.com for additional information about these businesses. 17

The Shops at Fair Lakes

Specialty Retail & Servicesalliance Bank ................................................631-6411Fair Lakes automotive .............................449-0022Fair Lakes Cleaners ....................................818-065..8Fair Lakes Sunoco ......................................378-2141Fair Lakes urgent Care Center .............222-35..5..5..The Finishing Touch Salon .....................968-2875..State Farm Insurance ................................818-8100

Restaurants & DiningBlue Iguana ...................................................5..02-8108China Taste ....................................................802-5..888Jersey Mike’s Subs ......................................5..02-3036Joe’s Crab Shack ..........................................968-2601Logan’s Roadhouse ...................................803-85..5..9McDonald’s....................................................968-3620paisano’s ..........................................................266-1400pizza Hut .................................................... 222-5..700

Hotel & HospitalityMarriott Residence Inn ............................266-4900

Fair Lakes Businesses

Hotel & HospitalityHyatt Fairfax at Fair Lakes .......................818-1234NoVa Bar & Grill ...........................................818-1234(Hyatt Fairfax at Fair Lakes)

Restaurants, Dining & CateringSilver Spoon Caterers ...............................631-7475..Taco Bell ..........................................................449-8990

Servicesalexandre de paris .....................................222-7661Fair Lakes Eye Care - Lori a. Butler .....449-6739Keller Williams Realty ...............................995..-945..3

East Market at Fair Lakes

Grocery & Diningpei Wei asian Diner ...................................803-4466Starbucks ........................................................865..-7071Whole Foods Market ................................222-205..8

Specialty Retail & ServicesChesterbrook academy preschool ....803-7920Dick’s Sporting Goods .............................803-0300East Market Dry Cleaners .......................222-1391InStyle Nails Spa .........................................261-6711Kohl’s ................................................................802-8063La Boxing .......................................................376-85..86Language Stars ............................................364-5..15..0Massage Envy...............................................322-9797portrait Innovations ..................................222-05..88Radiance Med Spa .....................................222-0173Reflections of you Salon .........................272-8181 The upS Store ..............................................818-0977uptown pet Bistro & Boutique .............272-8767

Apartment Livingarbors at Fair Lakes ...................................631-7373Bainbridge Fair Lakes ........................coming soonCamden Fair Lakes .....................................222-3086eaves Fair Lakes ...........................................818-2332Windsor at Fair Lakes ................................631-0736

Fair Lakes CommunitiesElan CondominiumsFair Lakes CondominiumsFair Lakes Square TownhomesFair Lakes TownhomesGates of Fair LakesGreens at Fair Lakes TownhomesNorth Lake TownhomesStonecroft CondominiumsWater’s EdgeWillow oaks

Co-Sponsored by:

Owner and Operator of Office Properties Nationwide

$440 per Foursome ($110/person), which includes:

n 18 Holes of Golf including Cart

n Continental Breakfast

n Post Tournament Awards Ceremony with Buffet Lunch

n Open Bar

n Practice Range Balls

n Contests including Closest to Pin, Longest Drive and Straightest Drive

n Raffle Drawings, Gift Bags and More

For more information, go to

fairlakes.comFor more information, go to

fairlakes.comor contact

[email protected]

The Fair Lakes League invites you to join us...

Mark your calendars! Golfers

of all levels are invited to enjoy

a complete program of events

including 18 holes of golf (including

cart), a continental breakfast and

buffet lunch, open bar, raffle

drawings, contests, gifts for each

player, a special awards ceremony

and more!

Registration begins March 15th.

www.FairLakes.com18

Beyond the manicured gardens, the

diverse retail, and the glossy

buildings, what makes Fair Lakes special

is its people. We are a community of

artists, business people, chefs, merchants

and creative thinkers whose success is

earned through motivation, hard work

and education. We also believe in

creating and seizing opportunities.

In that vein, the Fair Lakes League

created the Dollars for Fair Lakes

Scholars. Now in its fifth cycle, the

program encourages Fair Lakes

residents and employees – or their

dependents – to pursue meaningful

achievements in their academic or

post- graduate careers. The scholarship

awards its recipients with assistance for

books, tuition, and other educational

expenses. Judges are culled from

the Fair Lakes League Board of

Trustees, the Fair Lakes League

architectural Review Board, and

Human Resources Directors and other

professionals from the Fair Lakes League

business and retail communities.

a lot goes into selecting three

deserving scholars each year.

Decisions are based on the

candidates’ essays, awards and honors,

academic achievement, and volunteer

or civic participation. past honorees

have included coaches, youth leaders,

substitute teachers, food drive leaders,

animal rights activists, international

exchange students, and program

coordinators. our scholars have gone

on to lead their peers and pursue

amazing careers in health and fitness,

education, business, foreign relations,

information technologies, and the

military. We can’t wait to see what

2013’s applicants have to offer.

Dollars for Fair Lakes Scholars is

open to Fair Lakes residents, employees,

and their dependents. This year the

League will award three (3) candidates

a prize of $3,5..00 each. Applications can be found at www.fairlakes.com on the “What’s Happnening” board and are due by June 3, 2013.

Dollars for Fair Lakes scholarsFostering Young Minds and Promising Pupils


www.FairLakes.com20

Guapo’s:Tex-Mex Remixed in Northern Virginia

For over 20 years, Hector and Rocio

Rincon’s lauded Tex-Mex cantina

Guapo’s has been serving avid

patrons throughout the DC area. Here at

Fair Lakes, we’re proud to host one of the

chain’s five bustling restaurants.

although each eatery seems plucked

straight out of San antonio, the family

behind Guapo’s is homegrown. The

Rincons settled here in Northern Virginia

in the late 1970’s. all four siblings

graduated from Fairfax County public

schools and attended Virginia state

colleges. With an extreme sense of family

pride, the Rincons strove to carve out a

space in the community for themselves,

while giving back to it at the same time.

With that mission in mind, brothers Hector

and Rocio opened the original Guapo’s

in 1990, and that mission still drives the

business today.

The restaurant industry is fiercely

competitive and Guapo’s has succeeded

by adhering to four main pillars of

business. Firstly, the restaurant strives for

quality: dishes include only the freshest

items, which are never sacrificed to lower

priced ingredients. Second in Guapo’s core

values is its commitment to cleanliness.

Everything from the facilities to the floors

to the tabletops sparkles, lending the

spot a bright, clean atmosphere. Third

on the list of Guapo’s main tenets is the

best in customer service: the staff refer to

customers as “guests,” whom they cordially

host. Finally – and most important to

Guapo’s – is respect: the team cherishes

their guests and are happy to welcome

anyone and everyone to partake in their

delicious Tex-Mex fare. The hard work has

paid off, earning Guapo’s the title as one

of the Top Ten Nachos in the uS, according

to the Wall Street Journal, and has also

been featured on “The Today Show.”

The Fairfax team is especially happy

to call Fair Lakes home because of their

easy fit in the community. according to

one staff member, even more so than

other restaurants, the Guapo’s Fair Lakes

embraces family. Instead of a rowdy

football crowd on Sundays, he’s happy

to host parents and kids for a relaxed,

carefree brunch. He’s pleased to be part of

the bustling shopping center that is Fair

t h E c h E F S U G G E S t S


Lakes Center and appreciates the diversity

the community brings to his restaurant.

Like the patrons, Guapo’s itself is

versatile and diverse, branching out and

serving up a fresh new approach to Tex-

Mex. The chain has opened four “pollo La

Brasa” eateries, or on-the-go rotisseries

that offer rotisserie chicken, sandwiches,

and Guapo’s classics. and we’d be remiss

not to suggest you consider Guapo’s

catering! If you’re dining in, some of the

more popular dishes are fajitas from the

grill, carne asada, ceviche, a Guapo’s

signature margarita, or “Guapomole.”

Served in a traditional Mexican melcojete,

Guapomole is Guapo’s answer to everyone

else’s guacamole, and is graciously shared

with our lucky readers!

Guapomole

2 avocados

Tomato, diced

Red onion, finely diced

1-2 tbsp lemon juice

Dash of salt, or more to taste

1 pinch black pepper

1-2 tsp cilantro

½ tsp cumin

Halve avocados and mash into a bowl (or

preferably, melcojete). Fold in tomatoes

and onions. Slowly incorporate lemon

juice and seasonings to taste. Serve with

corn chips.

Come by Guapo’s, have a famous

margarita, and see how the Rincons have

brought Fair Lakes south of the border!

Guapo’s Fair Lakes Center1305..0 Fair Lakes Center(703) 818-0022www.guaposrestaurant.com

t h E c h E F S U G G E S t S

www.FairLakes.com22

Making an authentic New York bagel is an art that

few have mastered … Thank goodness we’re one of them.

Serving authentic kettled bagels in 26 different flavor varieties,

sensational signature sandwiches, hearty homemade soups and delicious drinks from the espresso bar 7 days a week.

We cater too! Ask about our beautiful party platters.

R ETA I L • WH OLESA LE • CATER I NG13081 Fair Lakes Shopping Ctr • Fairfax, VA 22033 • 703-631-8700 • bagelbuddies.biz

Last summer, america shone brightly

with the power of neon. once an

archaic memory of the Reagan years,

neon came back as a fresh new statement

and taught us all the joy of color. and it

hasn’t gone away! as the weather starts

to warm up, let your beauty blossom by

mixing neutrals and neon. Nestled among

softer hues, hints of vibrant color bring

attention to all the right features – one at

a time. Here’s how to do it:

Eyes: “Enhanced minimalism,” as Vogue calls it,

was the trend at this year’s Spring 2013

shows, with bright pops of color on the

eyes or lips. But for everyday wear, keep

matte eye shadow at home; it’s a little

extreme! Instead, after applying a primer,

choose a sheer color that will last: try

Revlon Color Stay Quads, which offer

vibrant colors with toned-down neutrals.

you can choose a bright neon for your

eyes and apply a sheer lip gloss, or a

muted shade for your eye while you play

up your lips.

Lips: When wearing a bright lipstick,

keep your eye shadow neutral and

minimal (if you use any at all, or

try Naked’s great line of palettes).

For punchy color that will last all

day, first line and fill your lips with

a shade from urban Decay’s Super

Saturated High Gloss Lip Color,

then fill it in with a sheer gloss

(nude or a similar color to the liner).

Nails: Lately lots of ladies have been

playing with the trend of painting just one

digit a different color. We suggest painting

nine of your digits with a neutral shade

– try one of Deborah Lippman’s Crème

Lacquer – and picking

one digit to pop in a hue

like China Glaze’s “For

audrey” (a sea foam mint

reminiscent of Tiffany’s).

Look for all these products

at ULTA Beauty or Sally Beauty Supply (both at

Fair Lakes Center).

B E a U t y o N a B U d G E t

Neon & Neutrals: Make your features POP!


www.FairLakes.com24

h o M E & G a r d E N

How does your garden grow?

This season, build your own box

garden! With a few tools from your

garage, building a raised garden box

is easier than you think, with gratifying

rewards. Whether you want beautiful

blossoms or delicious veggies, here’s how

to get started. after reading, head to the

Garden Center at Walmart for all the stuff

you need!

1. Find a location in

your yard that gets

full sun exposure

for at least 8 hours

a day. Mark off

your garden box

parameters (typically

a 4-foot square or

4x8-foot rectangle)

with spray paint or

stakes.

2. Make room for the

timbers by digging

soil out of the

perimeter of the

box. With a spade, dig about 4 inches

from the inside of the box’s dimensions

and 6 inches outside the dimensions.

This will allow you to install the timbers

under soil level and hold the box in

place.

3. Choose a rot-resistant lumber like

redwood or cedar for the timbers.

Cut four timbers to the dimension of

the garden box. The timbers should

be about 6 inches thick – this height

allows the box a warmer growing

environment, prevents weeds, and

gives you the freedom to amend the

soil. MaKE SuRE the wood you’ve

chosen hasn’t been chemically treated

– certain chemicals can hurt your

plants and be dangerous if consumed.

4. Secure the planks at their corners by

hammering in two or three 4-inch nails

from the outside.

5... appoint metal

stakes flush outside

the edges of the

box, about 2 feet

apart. This will hold

the box in place

and prevent the

wood from bowing.

6. Fill the bottom of

the box with 2

inches of pea gravel

for water drainage.

on top of that,

place a piece of

water-permeable

weed prevention fabric cut slightly

larger than the dimensions of the box.

Staple excess fabric to the inner sides

of the timbers.

7. Fill the box with high-quality topsoil

mix from Walmart or a local gardening

center. a good mix is 75..% topsoil, 25..%

organic compost. Let the soil settle for

2 weeks before you plant anything.

Then let your garden grow!


Take an Adventure with Language Stars

this Summer!

Enroll NOW

and receive

$50 OFFSummertuition!

Fun foreign language immersion camps and classes in Spanish, French, German and Mandarin

Bring the World to Your Child

®

Now enrolling for Summer programs! Call 866-55-STARS or visit languagestars.com to enroll today!

• Play-based curriculum• Dynamic native speaking teachers• Choose from 7 DC area locations• Day and week-long camps available

“The staff is superb, it is amazing to see how natural this is for kids. The way Language Stars teaches makes for a great experience and ease of learning.” – Language Stars Fairfax parent

Voted #1 Foreign Language Learning Program for Children by Washington Family Magazine!

www.FairLakes.com26

I N t h E S P o t L I G h t

Since she was old enough to hold a

pair of scissors, Tamara anderson has

adored doing people’s hair. “When

you do someone’s hair,” she said in a 7th

grade journal, “they look good; they feel

good for looking good; and I feel good

for making them feel good.” This Northern

Virginia native began working on clients

at the tender age of 15.., apprenticing for

the woman who’d eventually inspire her to

do her life’s work. Linda Farr’s home salon

in Haymarket was where Tamara learned

the basics, and where she stayed through

her education at Virginia Tech and NoVa.

at Linda’s insistence, she entered Virginia’s

apprenticeship for Cosmetology program,

and later, moved to California, where

she attended beauty school and got her

license.

With plenty of experience under her

belt at a relatively young age, Tamara

finally moved back to Virginia in her

early 20s. Here, her mother told her

about a salon that had opened up in the

burgeoning community of Fair Lakes. She

started working at The Finishing Touch

in January of 1991, and within four years,

bought it from its previous owner.

In the 22 years that she’s been working

there, Tamara has turned The Finishing

Touch into a full-service, thriving business

that prides itself on a casual yet respected

rapport with its clientele. Tamara fondly

calls many of them friends, and although

the salon has hosted over 1000 clients, she

and her staff can call any of them by name.

It’s a “neighborhood salon,” with referrals

swirling through local church groups,

pTas, and small businesses. according

to Tamara, the lines between client and

stylist often blur into friendship, and she’s

grateful for the many connections she’s

made through the years.

But don’t let the “neighborhood

Tamara’s Touch


I N t h E S P o t L I G h t

salon” label fool you. The Finishing Touch

strives to be on the edge of the latest

trends and techniques in modern hair

care. While most employees have been

there for over a decade – like Wendy,

Michelle, Susan, and Lynda – Tamara and

her team stay fresh through color classes

and educational seminars. They’ve also

added new stylist yone to the mix! Right

now they’re loving keratin straightening

treatment and ombré fading, stocking their

arsenal with products from J Beverly Hills

and Goldwell (a rich, shiny German color

care line). a few of the salon’s specialists

also offer makeup application and facial

waxing. Be sure to call and book your new

client special soon!

Not one to shy away from a challenge,

the stylists of The Finishing Touch are

happy to keep your look conservative or

bring your hair to a new, adventurous

place. The salon is diverse and energetic,

servicing men, women, and children. add

yourself to the mix and get a great ‘do, too!

Stop by The Finishing Touch today!

The Finishing Touch The Shoppes at Fair Lakes12701 Shoppes Lane(703) 968-CuRLwww.fintouch.com

Don’t let the “neighborhood salon” label fool you. Finishing Touch strives to be on the

edge of the latest trends and techniques.

Authentic Italian Cuisine“For People Who Know and Expect the Best”

Catering

Carry Out

Gift Certificates

13015 Fair Lakes Shopping Center, Fairfax, VA 22033703.631.2752 • Fax: 703.631.0722 • www.cantinaditalia.comMon-Thur: 11am-10pm • Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm • Sunday: 12noon-10pm

Cantina D’Italia

www.FairLakes.com28

Meander down Market Commons Drive and stop for a meal or glass of wine. Relax in our spas and salons. Find the greatest gear and the coolest clothes – for people and for pets alike!


www.FairLakes.com30

Don’t even leave your neighborhood! This is truly the ultimate in shopping convenience, with major retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart, BJ’s Wholesale, DSW, Toys ‘R’ Us, and Best Buy, as well as a wide array of dining options.


This Spring, take a moment to step

out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Take in Fair Lakes’ beautifully

manicured lawns, its pristine roads, and its

sterling buildings – from the inside and

out! our community has Gettier

Commercial to thank for it – a home-

grown, dependable contracting

corporation that makes our Fair Lakes a

wonderful place to live and work.

Gettier Commercial is owned by Scott

Gettier, a man born and raised in Northern

Virginia. Scott has lived all over the region

in his lifetime, calling everywhere from

Great Falls to Leesburg home. one thing

this family man has learned throughout

his life is the value of a well-maintained

property, and the pride it can instill in the

people who call that property their own.

Scott’s journey began when he bought

his first sweeper in 1992 and began

shopping his services around to local

property managers. as a night sweeper,

Scott gained a reliable reputation, joining

a growing network of professional

maintenance executives. Through that

network he built Gettier Commercial into

what it is today: an all-encompassing,

well-oiled team of folks that can ably

handle everything from interior cleaning,

demolition and installation, painting, and

more.

Scott credits Gettier’s success fully to

his teammates. under the devotion and

enthusiasm of operations manager

Manuel Santana, Gettier prides itself as a

corporation that is precise, persistent, and

present. according to Scott, Santana

brought an eye for detail and a hands-on

approach to his fellow staff members, and

the company is all the greater for it. Scott

is proud of the people he works with, and

is glad to constantly follow his mantra to

“surround yourself with good people.”

For over a decade, Fair Lakes has

benefitted from Scott’s diligence and care.

The consistently well-maintained properties

in Fair Lakes can be attributed to Scott,

Manuel, and their amazing crew. Everyone

who lives, shops, or stays in Fair Lakes can

appreciate their concentrated efforts in

keeping Fair Lakes spotless, neat, and well

maintained.

Scott Gettier (left) and operations manager Manuel Santana

F a c E S I N F a I r L a k E S

Gettier Commercial: Making the Fair Lakes vision a reality

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"a view from fair lakes" spring 2013 edition

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