Nokesville Biz  May, 2004

NBA to Play Major Role in Nokesville Day Activities

The articles have been in the papers, the banner is up over Fitzwater Drive. Other signs will be popping up letting everybody know that Nokesville Day is Saturday, May 15. This one promises to be the best one ever (especially if the weather cooperates), with a great variety of high-quality crafters, breakfast sponsored by the Nokesville Elementary PTA, a great parade, Lions Club Sight and Hearing Van, moonbounce and much more.

Once again, the NBA is responsible for the entertainment. The second Nokesville Idol Contest will give those with talent a chance to show off to a big audience and perhaps walk away with cash or other prizes. This year, however, entrants will be limited to no more than 2-1/2 minutes to allow greater participation by other potential stars. In addition, they must register before their performance in order to give the panel an idea of their style.

The judges will be Congressman Tom Davis, radio comedy show co-host Mike O’Meara, local actress Anne Flosnik, and Karen Cruise of Comcast Cable.

The area’s popular Bull Run Troubadours also will perform selections from their repertoire of barbershop, patriotic, gospel and contemporary music.

Of course, the NBA booth will be available so that businesses and associates can learn about and join the group. Businesses can sign up for listings and ads in the Nokesville Business Directory, which will be available free to the community in October. Sweatshirts and T-shirts with the Hawkins barn are back by popular demand and will be offered for sale.

A spring quilt – lightweight for those nights that still require a little more than a sheet – will be raffled off. Handmade by the Martha Early Sewing Circle of the Nokesville Church of the Brethren, it’s on display at the Nokesville Patriot Bank. Tickets for the "Spring Garden Patch" are $2 each or three for $5. Proceeds will help purchase a sound system for the increasing number of NBA-sponsored events. Contact Stan Keys before Nokesville Day or visit the booth. The drawing will be at 2:00PM on Nokesville Day.

The NBA needs help from its members, who now total about 70. We have to run the booth and for the very first time, we hope to have a float or walkers in the parade. It’s time for new and older members to get involved! Several of the members who are normally available have other obligations on that day, such as work or other organizations and events, so you really are needed to make NBA’s participation in Nokesville Day work.

If you are willing to do your part to help the NBA improve Nokesville, please contact Jim Hobbs or Dan Desmedt.

Raise Your Visibility in the Nokesville Business Directory

The NBA is taking ads for the 2004 - 2005 Nokesville Business Directory, which will be available on Ruritan Brunswick Stew Day, October 16.

The Directory has been one of the NBA’s most important projects since its first issue in 2001. It lists Nokesville-based businesses by category and alphabetically and gives area-wide businesses a chance to better highlight themselves through advertisements at a great price. It’s been known as one of the first resources local residents use to find services in their own community. Those living in Braemar, Brentsville and Manassas may also find the booklet helpful if they’ve had the opportunity to get it.

The NBA prints about 500 directories. Most are given out on Brunswick Stew Day and the remainders throughout the year at Patriot Bank (Nokesville) and the Nokesville Neighborhood Library.

Businesses will receive their applications through the mail within the next few days. They can also contact Dona Swanson or visit the NBA booth on Nokesville Day for more information. The deadline for the submission of ads is August 1, 2004.

SPOTLIGHT ON... OLD WORLD TILE

He Brings Genuine Italian Artistry into Your Home

When one wants beautiful, high-quality, Italian-style tile work, there’s no business better to contact than Giovanni Sansone’s Old World Tile.

Sansone was born and raised in Naples, Italy. As a young man, he worked for a construction company which, as typical in Italy, handled all aspects of that industry. There, Sansone discovered his love of tile work; it allowed him to use his natural talent – creativity.

"When you start to do intricate things [with tile], that’s when it starts to get fun," Sansone remarked.

Working with ceramic and porcelain tile, natural stone and marble. Sansone specializes in design and remodeling of floors, showers, countertops, backsplashes and fireplaces. He also does specialty work such as ceramic tile tables and trays and rustic wall designs

He loves to work art into his tile because he is also an artist and wants that artistry to be an intrinsic part of his business. Apparently, that is a major aspect that sets him apart and keeps him busy. Most of his customers come through word of mouth.

"It’s been great," Sansone said. He admitted modestly that people like him and the work he does.

"I’m very precise....I measure and measure and measure until it’s right."

In response to what his work’s biggest challenge is, Sansone said it’s always a challenge. Because most customers have an idea of what they want, each job is unique. Sansone can offer other ideas the customer may not have visualized. Other customers rely on him to design their space.

"Regular installation usually turns into a design installation," he said.

The most difficult part of tile work is surface (base) preparation. Without the correct support structure, the tile work won’t stay.

Sansone orders his tile from Dal-Tile, the largest such manufacturer in the country and an importer of Italian and Greek materials. He is licensed and insured and guarantees his work.

Giovanni Sansone moved to the States in 1999. After working for other tile companies, he launched Old World Tile in July 2002. When he met his future wife Kathy in Italy, he couldn’t speak English and she couldn’t speak Italian! But they worked it out and now own a farm in Nokesville. Kathy handles the marketing and accounting for Old World Tile and is a program manager for emergency communications in the US Court system.

Old World Tile can be reached at 703-753-0742.

Expo was a Success!

The Nokesville Business Expo in February, sponsored by the NBA, was a successful first try, so it will do it again next year, maybe twice!

Several area businesses, churches and organizations participated and a lot of people stopped in to check them out. A few visitors walked away with prizes, such as Nokesville gear, a Patriot Bank (Nokesville) starter account, and computer service.

The feedback was mostly positive but next time the hours will be shorter, no more than three. The NBA thanks the Nokesville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary for helping out by serving free refreshments for participants, and all those who put money in the boot to support the NVFD.

General Meeting Highlights

February 17, 2004

• Jim Hobbs recognized Stan Keys for his work on the quilt raffle and tree ceremony and Scott Lewczak for his work on the sign and decals.
• Guest speaker and NBA member Mike Wineholt addressed new tax laws and their effects on business owners.

March 16, 2004

• A Business Problems Committee was suggested to address local business concerns, including complaints, inspections, permits. All information forwarded will remain confidential. Please contact Tony Slaga at ajslaga@nokesville.net.
• There was a discussion on improvements to the 2005 Business Expo.
• The 2^nd Annual Nokesville Idol Contest will limit participants to no more than 2-1/2 minutes. Participants for the one-hour program should submit applications in advance of their performance.
• Proposed was a new sign to allow other Nokesville organizations and businesses to be included at the entrance of Nokesville.
• Old photos of Nokesville are still needed for the quilt which will be raffled off on Brunswick Stew Day in October. If you can help, please contact Stan Keys at 703-594-3654.

April 20, 2004

• Volunteers are needed to man the NBA booth on Nokesville Day and to participate in the parade. If you can help raise the visibility of the NBA by working the booth for a short period or riding in the parade, please contact Jim Hobbs.
• NBA is looking for several members to host network socials. In addition, we want to occasionally meet for breakfast as another way for members to share their issues, ideas and concerns.
• If you have any ideas, book titles, etc to share, please email Jim Hobbs. He passed around The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success, a best-seller by Andy Andrews.
• Hobbs and other NBA members will meet with Congressman Tom Davis and representatives from the PWC Planning Commission, Dominion Power and Verizon on April 27 for discussions and tour of the Nokesville streetscape.
• The deadline for placing ads in the Nokesville Business Directory is early August.
• Businesses will receive details in letters around the first week in May.

Upcoming Events

• May 15 – Nokesville Day, sponsored by the Nokesville Ruritan Club. Food, crafts, parade, community service booths, activities. Contact John Kelly at 703-791-5634 for parade entry, Gail Williams at 703-594-2669 for vendor space.
• May 18 – NBA General Meeting, 7:00PM at Nokesville Volunteer Fire Department.
• May 21 – Golf Tournament, sponsored by Nokesville Elementary School (NES) PTA at Prince William Golf Course. Contact Pat Cianflone at 703-594-2155.
• June 5 – Nokesville United Methodist Church 8^th Annual Community Cookout. Contact Rev. Joe Klotz at 703-594-2141.
• June 5 – NES 75^th Birthday Celebration, sponsored by NES PTA. Contact Pat Cianflone at 703-594-2155.
• June 12 – Nokesville Brownie Troop 5638 Yard Sale. Starts at 8:00AM at NES parking lot. Contact Therese Houser at 703-753-0714.
• June 15 – NBA General Meeting, 7:00PM, NVFD.
• Bingo – every Wednesday, 7:00PM, NVFD. Contact Gloria Monroe at 703-754-8455.