News

Editor’s note: This is the first is a series of columns that aims to share the lighter side of Slugging – the popular commuting method used on Interstate 95 / 395’s High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes. Read on to find out how you can win $50 in gas.

By Laura Cirillo

MANASSAS, Va. – The Manassas Boys & Girls Club has received over $10,000 from the United Way Community Impact Grant to be used to upgrade the site’s Club Tech program to “center of excellence.”

Club Tech is an ambitious, multi-year initiative led by Microsoft and Comcast to provide all Boys & Girls Clubs with state-of-the-art software, hardware and programming to build youth members’ computer skills and integrate technology in core program areas. The Club Tech program at the Manassas Boys & Girls Club will give up to 1,500 annual youth members each year, from ages 5 to 17, access to a curriculum that advances their computer literacy skills through a 12-unit series. The program also bridges the gap for youth who don’t have access to a cell phone, computer or an Internet connection at home.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Would you know what to do in a tornado? The key is to plan now for what to do in an emergency. Join Prince William County Government in participating in the annual Tornado Preparedness Day Drill in March to practice taking cover from tornadoes.

Last year, 51 tornadoes hit Virginia, the second highest number on record. Ten people died, more than 100 were injured, and 212 homes and 17 businesses were destroyed. Nearly every part of the state was affected, including northern Virginia.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — The Boys & Girls Club’s Youth of the Month program encourages good citizenship and civic responsibility. Adult mentoring and guidance reinforce the disciplines needed for a life of public service.

Each month, staff selects a Youth of the Month who demonstrates exemplary character and often serve as leaders to their peers. The Youth of the Months for March of the 2011-2012 school year are Jada Thomas, Emily Mills, and Zainay Akanbi.

RICHMOND, Va. — Recreational trail grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 are now available to nonprofit organizations and government entities. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has approximately $1 million to award in trails grants through the Recreational Trails Program. The deadline for preliminary applications is April 13, 2012 at 4 p.m.

The Recreational Trails Program is a federal matching reimbursement grant program established to provide and maintain recreational trails and trails-related facilities. The program requires a 20 percent match from applicants.