From George Mason University’s School of Music:
George Mason University Jazz Department, Fairfax Law Foundation, and
Prince William Bar Foundation Pair Up to Raise Funds for Legal Aid and ScholarshipsFriday, November 10at 8 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts CenterSaturday, November 11 at 8 p.m.
Center for the ArtsFAIRFAX—George Mason University’s School of Music presents the Woody, Bird, and Diz Jazz4Justice™ Concert on Friday, November 10 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas and Saturday, November 11 at the Center for the Arts in Fairfax. More information and tickets are available at hyltoncenter.org and cfa.gmu.edu.
The concert is presented in partnership with the Fairfax Law Foundation and Prince William Bar Foundation, and it will raise funds to support vital community legal services and George Mason University Jazz Scholarships. There will be an open jam session hosted by George Mason University students following each performance. Read More
The African Children’s Choir will perform at Manassas Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3.
From an email:
The African Children’s Choir melts the hearts of audiences with their charming smiles, beautiful voices and lively African songs and dances.
The program features well-loved children’s songs, traditional Spirituals and Gospel favorites. Concerts are free and open to all. A free-will offering is taken at the performance to support African Children’s Choir programs, such as education, care and relief and development programs.
Music for Life (The parent organization for The African Children’s Choir) works in seven African countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. MFL has educated over 52,000 children and impacted the lives of over 100,000 people through its relief and development programs during its history. MFL purpose is to help create new leadership for tomorrow’s Africa, by focusing on education.
The African Children’s Choir has had the privilege to perform before presidents, heads of state and most recently the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, for her diamond jubilee. The Choir has also had the honor of singing alongside artists such as Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, Michael W. Smith, and other inspirational performers!
Promotional support of this community concert is greatly appreciated.
The African Children’s Choir is a nonprofit humanitarian and relief organization dedicated to helping Africa’s most vulnerable children today so they can help Africa tomorrow.
No tickets, donations welcome.
From an email:
Fellow American Prize-winning piano soloist Anthony Michael Cornet returns as special guest artist for the Manassas Symphony Orchestra’s Silver Anniversary Season opening concert on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 7:30 PM, under the baton of Music Director James Villani. Dr. Cornet is performing American composer Edward MacDowell’s distinctive Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor. He last appeared with the MSO in 2015 with a spectacular performance of George Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue
Dr. Cornet is establishing a reputation as an emerging artist with a penchant for expressive playing and tour-de-force virtuosity. He is a prize winner in many nationally and internationally recognized piano competitions and recently made his Carnegie Hall debut as a First Prize Winner in the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition. He returned to New York City to perform at the Dicapo Opera Theatre Concert Hall, Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center, and the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center. Read More
James Kirkland is seeking political office for the first time, for the office of Manassas Park Commissioner of Revenue.
But he’s no stranger to local politics as Kirkland’s wife, Rachel, is the Chairman of the city school board.
This election season, we’re asking candidates who wish to reach our readers a “why you should vote for me” email by Oct. 27, 2017.
Kirkland sent us this email below:
If elected Commissioner of Revenue, I hope to provide Manassas Park elected officials with reliable and timely data so that our leaders can make data-driven decisions. I will provide accurate assessments and billing, greater transparency, and excellent customer service for our residents.
Having spent the last decade administering databases for the Chancellor’s Office of D.C. Public Schools( DCPS), I really enjoy helping parents and students get the support they need from afterschool and summer programs in the district. I’m hoping to do the same supporting my neighbors here in the park. My experiences include transitioning DCPS Out of School Time Programs from the previous student information system to a new system and linking it with our online enrollment for both DCPS’s Summer Learning Program and the DCPS Afterschool Program. I also manage and administer the Out of School Time’s online payment system, collecting revenue of almost a million dollars annually.
As I was gathering signatures to be on the ballot, I heard story after story of improper billing, missing bills, lack of response to emails, and rude phone etiquette. The one story that struck closest to home was from my mother. My parents moved to the Park a couple years ago and my mother, who is very organized, took all of her paperwork to City Hall and asked for their help making sure they had the information they needed for personal property tax on her car. Months later, she receives a bill with a late charge, never having received an original bill. Knowing how organized she is, I highly doubt the correct bill was ever sent. Everyone knows Manassas Park pays some pretty steep taxes for Northern Virginia, and we certainly deserve better customer service for what we’re paying. I’m running to be part of that solution. Read More
MANASSAS — In a unanimous vote, the Manassas City Council on Monday cleared the way for a charity to purchase, and fix the beleaguered East End Mobile Home Park.
The city was ready to pay $1.9 million for the park along Route 28 after its owner, East End Mobile Home Park, LLC, did not fix leading sewage in the park. City leaders had planned to force out some 300 people who live in 58 trailers in the park, demolish the trailers, and fix the leasing sewage problem.
Last night, city leaders approved the first of a two-part agreement to allow an $1.4 million “alternate purchase agreement” for Catholics for Housing to buy the property and fix the sewer system which now leaks raw sewage into storm drains that collect rainwater, which is then treated at a regional water treatment facility that produces drinking water.
“There is no more important reason for this journey than the residents of East End,” said Karen Devito, the charity’s executive director.
Residents who came to witness the city council vote on the matter shed tears of joy after the vote.
Now, city staff will work with the charity to ensure it meets all the conditions set forward by the city to bring the trailer park’s sewage system up to code. Once city officials determine the conditions can be met, the charity will be allowed to purchase the property without further action from the City Council.
“I have to admit I thought this was not a viable project for Catholics For Housing,” said DeVito.
The charity spoke with other trailer park owners and experts, then developed a plan to move forward with the sale. The foundation has purchased over 20 properties in Prince William County and the surrounding areas. It manages three apartment complexes, each in Alexandria, Fairfax, and Fredericksburg.
Councilman Marc Aveni motion the council to approve the agreement.
“The protects public health, this protects city taxpayers…,” he said.
Two incidents snarled commuters on Yates Ford Road this morning.
The first was a crash at Esther Court.
From Prince William police:
“…occurred at Ethel Ct at 6:55AM. It was a three-vehicle accident. One of the drivers was cited for following too closely.”
The second was in Fairfax County.
From Fairfax County police:
“Around 9:11 hours this morning, Oct 17 in the area of Old Yates Ford and Kincheloe Rd, there was an 18 wheeler attempting to turn around causing traffic backup.”
@FixRoute28 sent us the featured image for this post showing the backup on Google Maps.
We’ll be talking about Yates Ford and Davis Ford Roads, and the regular traffic backups commuters face on this popular road linking Fairfax and Prince William counties, at our town hall event on Thursday.
If you drive this route on a regular basis, you should attend this free event.
From Virginia Railway Express:
“The Manassas station parking garage will be closed this Saturday and Sunday, October 21 and 22, for striping work. Towing will be enforced.”
From Puzzle Palooza:
We are very excited to be opening our second location in Manassas at 9411 Main St. Suite 101, the Trusler Hall Building, next to Philly Tavern. Our goal is to be open at 10 AM Monday morning November 13. We will be spending the entire weekend moving in and setting up shop. We will be open seven days a week starting at 10 AM till 7 pm M-F, with later hours in the evening on weekends.
As with their initial space, we will be featuring Puzzles and Puzzle accessories, books, brain teasers and puzzle games from four pieces to 40,000 pieces ranging from ages toddler to elderly. We started our first location in Occoquan 2013 and have watched it grow over the past five years into our own little empire.
We are listed as # 1 in “Things to Do in Occoquan” on Trip Advisor and feel honored and proud of the support from customers and the community. Puzzle building Is a common hobby/love for us since childhood and after visiting several out-of-state Puzzle/hobby shops, we knew that it was what we wanted to do. We quickly learned that it reconstituted the ideal framework of “family fun” and supported longtime traditions.
Read More
MANASSAS — Police swarmed Downtown Manassas about 4 p.m. after a report of shots fired.
A neighbor who lives on Main Street just south of the railroad tracks near the Manassas Museum called 911 to report hearing gunfire. Police were unable to find a gun. However, they were able to locate juveniles whom they believed were involved in the incident.
Police believe a pellet gun was used in the incident, according to city spokeswoman Patty Prince.
No one was injured.
Officers were posted near the intersection of Center and Main streets, and Liberty and West streets for the shots fired investigation.
About a block away on Liberty Street, police and fire and rescue crews were called to a separate incident at a water tower for a report of trespassing. It appeared police had one juvenile in custody.
