Town of Occoquan: “The Town of Occoquan announces free shuttle service into the historic district, Saturdays this fall beginning September 2 and running through December 16, 2023. This free service runs from the VDOT lot on Route 123 & Old Bridge Road and drops off at Mamie Davis Park in historic Occoquan, Saturdays, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.”
“To catch the shuttle, park at the Old Bridge VDOT commuter lot, located at 1325 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge. Then catch the shuttle at the VDOT bus shelter.”
“The shuttle runs roughly every 20 minutes, depending on local traffic. Get dropped off at the gazebo in the middle of historic Occoquan. From your drop off at Maimie Davis Park, go shopping. eat out, have fun!”
“To get back, hop the shuttle from Maimie Davis Park back to the VDOT lot. The shuttle takes you back to the same spot you parked.”
“Due to various events in Occoquan this season, shuttle service will be extended on the following Saturdays:”
- “Sept. 2, from 12 p.m.-9:30 p.m, to include music on Mill’s concert in River Mill Park;”
- “Oct. 28, from 12 p.m.-11.p.m., to include Spirits & Spirits’ Haunted Maze experience;”
- “Dec. 2, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m, to include events for HolidayFest.”
“Excluded from the free service is Saturday, Sept. 23 during the Fall Arts and Crafts show, when the festival shuttles will run 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. all weekend for $8 per person, 2 people for $15. Fall Arts & Crafts Show shuttle tickets will be made available in advance of craft show weekend, Sept. 23 & 24.”
The shuttle service is free to the public, and service animals are welcome.
For more info on Occoquans free Saturday shuttle service this fall, and other events, see visitoccoquanva.com
NOVA Community College: “CAF RISE ABOVE Squadron (formerly known as the CAF Red Tail Squadron) is an educational outreach program that brings to life the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) – America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel.”
The visual exhibit will be featured at the Manassas Regional Airport from Aug. 22-27: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The free RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit features a fully functional mobile theater that shows two original short films telling the story of the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASP, and the obstacles they both overcame to be able to serve their country during WWII.”
“The exhibit will include a restored P-51C Mustang – one of the Redtail airplanes made famous by the Tuskegee Airmen.”
The lead sponsor for the CAF RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit is the Epsilon Sigma Boule Foundation. The event is free and reservations are not required.
To learn more about the event, click here.
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation: “The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation has begun construction work on the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park Pavilion, part of the expansion of Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, adjoining the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia.”
“The pavilion is part of a larger enhancement of Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, scheduled to be finished in Spring 2024. When completed, the Park will feature 17 additional memorial locations, three new rally points, a new memorial wall for unit plaques, space for over 22,000 new commemorative bricks to be placed along with pathway, and almost another mile of ADA compliant pathways for visitors.”
“The pavilion is made possible through the generous contributions of Marine veteran, distinguished entrepreneur, visionary leader, and philanthropist Tim Day, his wife Sandy Day, and the Timothy T. Day Foundation.”
“Tim and Sandy Day’s generosity has transformed the landscape of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Heritage Center,” said Major General James W. Lukeman, president and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.”
“Tim and Sandy have enhanced Semper Fidelis Memorial Park and the National Museum of the Marine Corps with spaces where visitors from around the world will come to remember the sacrifices of Marines now and for future generations.”
“The pavilion’s footprint and landscape design will evoke the image of a senior enlisted rank insignia in the Marine Corps. Benches will be spaced for quiet reflection and a tranquil view will be seen from inside the pavilion looking out to the National Museum of the Marine Corps and surrounding grounds.”
Other features of the park expansion include Marine medium girder bridge: a lightweight bridge that can be assembled without help from heavy equipment, ass well as new footbridge.
For more information, visit the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation website at marineheritage.org.
Sentara Health: “Sentara Health is a sponsor of the Prince William County Community Foundation’s (PWCCF) 2023 Back-to-School Community Event, contributing $25,000 through its Sentara Cares initiative.”
The 2022 Back-to-School Community Event drew more than 2,500 community members with over 40 sponsors. The event distributed 1,000 backpacks, 400 food boxes, and countless resources from community partners to families in Prince William County. PWCCF expects this year’s event to reach even more community members.
“The PWCCF Back-to-School Community Event taking place on August 11 and 12, 2023, celebrates the promise of the upcoming school year by connecting families and their students to valuable school resources, activities, and community supports to promote academic success.”
“The 2023 event has been expanded to two days and will include a Vaccination Clinic on August 11 in Woodbridge and Manassas (with dental screenings and cleanings at the Manassas location) for school-aged children.”
“Vaccination Clinics are on Friday, August 11, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in two locations: Freedom High School, 15201 Neabsco Mills Road., Woodbridge, and at Unity Braxton Middle School, 10100 Lomond Drive., Manassas. Currently, dental services will be available at the Manassas location, only.”
“On Saturday, August 12, the Back-to-School Community Health & Wellness Expo will feature free backpacks filled with school supplies, games, entertainment, food boxes, giveaways, and helpful information from a wide-range of community partners. In addition, the Sentara Family Health Connection Mobile Clinic will be on hand on Saturday to help families with their primary care health needs.”
“Community Health & Wellness Expo will take place on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Freedom High School in Woodbridge.”
Jeff Joyner, president of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center said, “Sentara Health is proud to be a sponsor for this year’s annual Community Back-to-School Event. At Sentara, we’re working to ensure that all members of our communities have access to resources they need to live healthy lives – and we want to make sure all children are prepared to succeed in the new school year, and we look forward to meeting families in the community on August 12.”
The event is free and open to children and parents in Prince William County.
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation: “The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation announces the addition of the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, the Navy’s official Chorus, to its Summer Concert series.”
”The Sea Chanters will perform on August 10 at 7 p.m. on the outdoor plaza at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia. The chorus performs traditional choral music, sea chanteys, patriotic fare, opera, Broadway and contemporary music.”
“Shows begin at 7 p.m and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. The Museum, Medal of Honor Theater, Rifle Range and Museum Store will remain open for extended hours until the concerts begin.”
”Tun Tavern will also hold extended hours from 4 – 6 p.m. Outdoor concessions will be available during the performance. Admission and parking are free and open to the public for all concerts.”
For more information on the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s Summer Concert Series and other summer programming, visit marineheritage.org
InsideNova: “An unsuccessful candidate in the 19th District House of Delegates primary claims the results were illegitimate and has asked that Democratic leaders nominate her instead, a move that party operatives say they’re legally unable to do.”
“Woodbridge resident and former FBI employee Makya Little lost her party’s nomination to Prince William County Historical Commission member and Woodbridge native Rozia Henson by 49 votes.”
“However, she claimed Democratic Party leaders in Prince William and Fairfax counties violated “party rules in a manner that manipulated voters to ensure their desired outcome.”
Meanwhile, Maria Martin, a Republican seeking the 29th District Virginia State Senate seat in Prince William and Stafford counties, is appealing her appeal for a recount, saying she’s unhappy about the recount process.
The recount upheld Nikki Rattray Baldwin’s two-vote victory over Martin in a June 20, 2023, Republican Party Primary Election.
Town of Occoquan: “Congratulations to Tom and Mary Craig, whose submission “Heron’s Haven” was selected by the Occoquan Town Council from more than forty entries submitted in the inaugural “Name the Island” contest held during Occoquan’s Riverfest and Craft Show in June.”
“The contest, which will be held annually at Riverfest, asked participants to submit a name for the island adjacent to the Route 123 bridge that sits on the remains of a dike built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1893. A sign will be placed on the island designating it as “Heron’s Haven” and displaying Tom and Mary’s names through June 30, 2024.”
“After a new name is selected from entries during 2024’s Riverfest and Craft Show, the “Heron’s Haven” sign will be given to Tom and Mary.”
“The survey, developed in partnership with the National Association of Counties and conducted by the Center for Digital Government, identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, including initiatives that streamline the delivery of government services: provide data analytics to allow decisions based on performance and outcomes; enhance cybersecurity; and apply innovative and emerging technologies to county priorities.”
“Stafford gained recognition for its Virginia Smart Community Testbed, which houses developing technologies for the commonwealth. These developments include Internet of Things platforms that will fully integrate with 5G and other new and emerging technologies for smart cities.”
“The test bed is a “shared knowledge platform” to develop relevant smart technology solutions. It’s a public-private partnership with multiple industry partners focusing on practical use cases to produce innovative solutions using smart technology.”
“Winning a Digital Counties Survey award was a goal for our County. To that end, we have worked hard to refine and enhance our offerings along with implementing new technology,” said Stafford Chief Director of Information Services Andrew Spence.
To see a complete list of winners, please visit govtech.com.
Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety: “REACH Homeschool in Fredericksburg was among the 21 award winners recognized during the annual Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO) Awards Banquet held Saturday night, July 15, at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg”
“REACH Homeschool was presented two awards for their efforts to prevent teen driver-related crashes, fatalities, and injuries. A student from REACH and the YOVASO club sponsor, were also recognized for their ongoing support of YOVASO and youth traffic safety initiatives.”
“Two former YOVASO club members, Mandy Adkins, Director of Parks and Recreation for Botetourt Co.; and Callie Clary, fourth grade teacher for Roanoke City Public Schools, gave the keynote address. Adkins and Clary joined YOVASO in honoring the schools, youth groups, students, teachers, and law enforcement from across Virginia who demonstrated exemplary efforts during the 2022-2023 school year to encourage safe driving and passenger safety among teenagers.”
REACH Homeschool Group won the Outstanding Club Recognition award, while Windsor Kanazawa of REACH Homeschool Group won the Youth Leadership Award. The Sponsor of the Year Award went to Kim Ylisela of REACH Homeschool.
YOVASO is Virginia’s peer-to-peer education and prevention program for teen driver safety. It is a program of the Virginia State Police and is funded by a grant from the Virginia DMV Highway Safety Office. The program has existed since 2001 and works with schools and youth groups across the commonwealth to improve young driver and passenger safety.
