The Prince William County Minority Business Network held its Holiday Social on De
The monthly socials provide an opportunity for local business owners in our community to learn from one another, fellowship, network, and hear from the monthly featured speaker. The December Social featured Mrs. Nicole Chamblin of Visions Productivity Solution in Woodbridge, Virginia.
Did you know, that Mary Kay Consultants all over the United States, host “Adopt A Grandparent” programs during the holidays?
About a month ago, Mary Kay Independent Senior Sales Director Ann Alexis-Hamilton began organizing in Prince William County to support the “Adopt-A-Grandparent” program for senior citizens residing at the Westminster at Lake Ridge.
The National Center for Urban School Transformation has announced that Weems Elementary School is one of 22 schools from across the country chosen as a finalist for the National Excellence in Urban Education Award. Weems was recognized for generating strong test results, high rates of attendance, and excellent student behavior among each demographic group of students enrolled. “These schools are among the best urban schools in the nation,” stated Dr. Joseph F. Johnson, Jr., Executive Director of the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST), the organization that administers the award program.
“We are extremely proud of this honor,” said Weems Principal, David Rupert. “To be among the finalists for this award is definitely due to the incredible Weems staff and students who work very hard towards high achievement.”
Construction is substantially complete on a new 4-lane bridge on Route 1 over Aquia Creek in Stafford County.
Weather permitting, the new bridge will open to traffic on Saturday, Dec. 20. If inclement weather postpones aSaturday opening, the bridge will open to traffic on Monday, Dec. 22.
Usher in the New Year with a First Day Hike at a Virginia State Park. On Jan. 1, all 36 parks will offer hiking opportunities, contests and special events.
This is the fourth year Virginia State Parks has participated in this America’s State Parks initiative to get people outdoors and into parks.
After all the holiday festivities are done, don’t toss your holiday greenery to the curb. Give your Christmas tree, wreath and other cut greenery a fitting final resting place. Simply remove all ornaments, decorations, tinsel, nails and the tree stand and take the greenery to one of locations listed below to be recycled or repurposed.
For more information on recycling in Prince William County, visit https://www.pwcgov.org/trashandrecycling or call 703-792-4670.
The Prince William County Service Authority will launch a major water and sewer main construction project along Davis Ford Road in January 2015.
The construction of a new water main on Davis Ford Road will help improve the reliability of the water system in the Occoquan Forest residential community. The new sewer main being installed will convey wastewater from the existing treatment plant off Davis Ford Road to the H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility in Woodbridge for treatment. Currently, wastewater from the Occoquan Forest community is treated at a small, localized water reclamation facility. A new pump station will be constructed to replace the aging treatment plant in order to meet stringent Virginia Department of Environmental Quality requirements.
On Saturday, December 13, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), Virginia’s commuter rail service, held its 18th annual “Operation Lifesaver Santa Trains.” Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Santa’s helpers rode the rails and walked through the train to meet, greet and hand out candy canes. Helper elves passed out Operation Lifesaver railroad safety information coloring books and carolers from Riverbend, Chancellor, West Potomac, Thomas Edison, Stonewall Jackson, and Osbourn Park High School choirs made sure everyone was entertained. VRE operated 13 sold-out Santa Trains while entertaining nearly 9,000 attendees from the Manassas, Burke Centre, Fredericksburg and Woodbridge VRE stations during this annual holiday event.
“You can’t believe how much happiness VRE Santa Trains deliver until you experience it yourself” said Doug Allen, VRE’s Chief Executive Officer. “Whether you are a staff member working the trains, a parent, or a caroler, there is no greater satisfaction than seeing the excitement of children’s faces when they meet Santa. It’s rare when we get the opportunity to educate people about railroad safety while spreading holiday spirit but that’s what Santa Trains are all about,” said Mr. Allen.
Wednesday night, Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank J. Principi hosted Virginia Secretary of Transportation, Aubrey Layne, and his senior leadership team at a town hall to discuss Better Transportation in the Woodbridge Magisterial District. “I believe this is the first time that we have had this many transportation leaders in one room in Prince William County”, said Supervisor Principi. Those who attended include:
Within limited dollars available for transportation projects, Secretary Layne briefed the attendees on the new process for funding transportation projects moving forward. “All state projects will now go through a competitive process created with House Bill 2,” Said Secretary Layne. “It requires the Commonwealth Transportation Board to use five factors to rank projects: congestion mitigation, economic development, accessibility, safety and environmental quality.” Secretary Layne also spoke about the Route 1 widening project and Fast Ferry service on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.
Virginia Railway Express riders gave from their hearts and wallets Wednesday and donated a truck full of toys and nearly $19,000 in the commuter rail agency’s annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign. Riders were asked to leave toys on their seats when exiting morning trains and train conductors collected cash and checks from riders, which were then given to the Toys for Tots Program. “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of VRE riders and the number of toys and donations we received today. Undoubtedly Scrooge does not ride VRE,” said Doug Allen, CEO of VRE.
Marine Corps Staff Sergeants Eichelberger and Herbert presented Mr. Allen a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for VRE’s participation in the annual Toys for Tots event. VRE riders have been one of the largest contributors in our service area to the Toys for Tots Program in recent years. VRE and U.S Marine Corps staff will continue Toys for Tots collections this Saturday at stations served during VRE’s 18th annual Operation Life Saver Santa Train events.
