PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY — (Press Release) National Battery Day is February 18. This is a day to recognize the device that energizes the things that make our lives more convenient. But if handled improperly or disposed of improperly, batteries can have a dark side.

Batteries can be harmful to the environment. They are made from a variety of different chemicals and metals including alkaline, silver-oxide, nickel, metal-hydride, lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion, and zinc-carbon. When thrown in the regular trash, batteries decay in landfill sites and could leak into the groundwater, which pollutes soil and water in the community.

QUANTICO – (Press Release) On February 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the National Museum of the Marine Corps hosts the second annual “Heroes Among Us” event for active duty military, veterans and their family members.

Motivational speakers and representatives from service organizations, both private and government, will be on hand to provide information about benefits, military-to-civilian transition programs, warrior care, education assistance, support-through-sports events, and family assistance programs.

WOODBRIDGE — Silver Sparkles, an annual family fun day to raise funds and awareness for Brain Tumor and Brain Cancer research, will be back at Competitive Edge Athletic Performance Center in Woodbridge on March 2.

To date, the event has raised nearly $40,000 for brain cancer research, while having a great time doing it.