On Monday, March 31, 2014 the Occoquan District Supervisor’s Office will host a Public Meeting on the Issues of Wildlife and Deer Management in Prince William County.
The meeting is open to the public and will feature presentations from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) and Charles Smith, former Natural Resource Management and Protection Branch Manager for Fairfax County Park Authority and a member of the Prince William Wildflower Society and Prince William Conservation Alliance. Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for a Q&A session.
The meeting will be held on Monday, March 31, 2014 at the Chinn Park Regional Library (13065 Chinn Park Drive, Prince William, VA 22192) in the Chinn Park Community Room from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Brian Lee with the Occoquan District Supervisor’s Office at 703-792-5095.
-Submitted by Occoquan District Supervisor’s Office
The Philadelphia Tavern, located at 9413 Main Street in Historic Downtown Manassas celebrated its 15th year in business February 27th.
Original founder Carl Joseph, previous owner Tim Holland and current owners Mark and Kari Leporatti welcomed friends to celebrate the milestone! It was fun for regular customers who have supported the Tavern over the 15 years to see the previous owners as guest bartenders.
The Philadelphia Tavern, dubbed the “Cheers” of Historic Downtown Manassas, is known for their comfort food, authentic Philly Cheesesteaks and microbrews from Philadelphia! The newly renovated sidewalk allows patio seating and a firepit table, kicking off the next chapter in the success story of this local business!
The Rotary Club of Lake Ridge Virginia will be hosting its 17th annual Celebrity Luncheon on April 23rd at Bistro L’Hermitage in Occoquan to raise money for local and international charities.
The popular fundraiser features local elected officials and community leaders as waiters and waitresses, with a catch. “While everyone can enjoy a delicious lunch from our favorite upscale restaurant, they may find they are missing silverware, napkins and water, “ explained Lance Frye, Lake Ridge Rotary’s President-elect, who is heading up the event. “In order to receive their glass of water, for example, our guests will be expected to tip the celebrities. So once you give your celebrity server a buck, you get your water. It is a fun way to raise money in addition to the ticket price.
The event returns to the five star rated classic French bistro for the third year in a row with celebrities that will include mayors, county supervisors, state delegates and other public officials from local towns, Prince William County and the state of Virginia.
In addition to gourmet food and a festive, fun atmosphere, guests can also participate in the 50/50 cash prize drawing and also win prizes in the raffle.
Tickets are $60 and sponsorships starting at $600 are still available by contacting Warren Aldrich at 571-436-3612 or Lance Frye at 703-929-5595.
About The Rotary Club of Lake Ridge Virginia
The Rotary Club of Lake Ridge Virginia was chartered in 1988 and supports a remarkable variety of humanitarian and educational service projects that touch the lives of both local and international communities. The Club meets every Wednesday at 7:30am at Westminster at Lake Ridge.
About Rotary International
-Submitted by Lake Ridge RotaryÂ
Rotary is a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary’s 1.2 million members hail from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit rotary.org and endpolionow.org.
 Novant Health Haymarket Medical Center opened its doors earlier this morning for care and services. The new four-story, 60-bed community hospital will serve the growing and diverse northern Virginia community. The 221,000-square-foot facility, designed to transform healthcare, houses a full complement of services, including emergency care, surgery, cancer care, women’s and children’s services, including maternity care, imaging, cardiac diagnostics, interventional radiology and critical care. Haymarket Medical Center strengthens Novant Health’s integrated healthcare network in northern Virginia complimenting its other acute care facility – Novant Health Prince William Medical Center, located in Manassas, Virginia.
Haymarket Medical Center, Novant Health’s fifteenth medical center and first prototypical hospital design, features all-private patient rooms with ample space to accommodate family and visitors. All rooms are equipped with computers for bedside documentation – thoughtfully designed to enable nurses to spend more time at the patient’s bedside. Patients are encouraged to play a role in their care with conversation and verification of information. The first floor has a 20-room emergency department, cardiac diagnostics, interventional radiology, a patient care unit, a café, a gift shop, conference rooms, an interfaith room of reflection, financial counseling and guest services. The second floor hosts surgical services with four state-of-the-art operating rooms and one procedure room on one end and women’s and children’s care on the other end with a labor and delivery unit, two dedicated cesarean section operating rooms, a well-baby nursery and postpartum unit. Again, thoughtfully designed to create efficiency for anesthesia services. The critical care unit, medical/surgical unit, inpatient rehabilitation and pharmacy are located on the third floor.
“We are fortunate to have had the vision of our board of trustees who had the foresight to bring care where it is needed – in western Prince William County,” said Melissa L. Robson, RN, BSN, MHA, president of Novant Health northern Virginia market. “Now, the communities we serve will no longer have to travel for high-quality care that is close to home.”
The hospital’s main entrance, at 15225 Heathcote Boulevard, provides ample space for vehicles to drop off and pick up patients. In addition, free valet service is offered Monday through Friday. Also located at the main entrance is a landscaped courtyard generously donated by the Novant Health Auxiliary. All entrances to the hospital, including the emergency room located at the rear of the facility facing Interstate 66, are located for easy patient access. A separate ambulance entrance nearest to the onsite helipad is away from the main entrance to provide patient privacy.
-Submitted by Novant Healhtcare
Stafford’s 350th Blue Ribbon Anniversary Committee and the North Stafford Rotary Club are finalizing plans for the May 3 Founders Day “Presented by The Free Lance-Star Media Companies” event, and invite the public to a special meeting to learn about the activities planned for that weekend including the traffic safety plan.
The meeting will take place on Thursday, April 3, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level conference room at the Stafford Hospital, 101 Hospital Center Boulevard, Stafford, VA 22554.
Founders Day, organized by the North Stafford Rotary Club, will feature a hometown parade beginning near Stafford Hospital and ending at Brooke Point High School, historical re-enactments, and Via Colori street painting demonstrations. The popular Stafford County Schools Fine Arts Festival, coordinated by Stafford County Schools, will also take place that day. The parade will start at 9:00 a.m. on May 3 and the Fine Arts Festival will begin at noon that same day at Brooke Point High School.
The day’s events will impact traffic along Courthouse Road, Brooke Road, and the area around the Stafford Hospital and Brooke Point High School. The traffic management safety plan has been approved by the Virginia Department of Transportation, and public safety personnel will be at the April 3 meeting to explain the road closures and answer questions from residents. The schedule for the weekend follows:
SCHEDULE
Friday, May 2
Setup begins at Brooke Point High School and Stafford Hospital
Saturday, May 3
6:00 a.m. ………………………………………………. Partial closure of Courthouse Road
(One lane in each direction will be closed)
6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. ……………………………… Arrival of Parade Participants
8:00 a.m. ………………………………………………. Full Closure of Courthouse Road for Parade
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m……………………………… Parade
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ……………………………. Partial Opening of Courthouse Road
1:00 p.m………………………………………………… Courthouse Road Re-opens
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ……………………………. Fine Arts Festival and History Square
Sunday, May 4
Fine Arts Festival and History Square ……….. 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Founders Day marks the second major event of Stafford’s anniversary year. More than 4,300 people attended “Celebrate Stafford 350,” which launched the yearlong celebration, at the Stafford Marketplace on Saturday, January 4, and even more are expected at Founders Day. The special event is being sponsored by The Free Lance-Star Media Companies, Stafford Hospital Foundation, NSWC Federal Credit Union, Atlantic Builders, and Assist2Sell. In addition to the North Stafford Rotary Club, other partners for Founders Day are Via Colori, Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center, and the Patawomeck Indians of Virginia.
Other major events for Stafford’s 350th celebration are:
June 25 — Celebration Stage Opening will take place at Pratt Park and will provide a lasting legacy and permanent location for programs, events and performing groups.
October 18 — “Wings and Wheels.” This event at the Stafford Regional Airport will commemorate Stafford’s proud military heritage with flight demonstrations, military exhibits, and a motorcycle and antique car show.
November 1 — “Trail to Freedom Tour/Rowser African-American History Wall Opening.” Explore and honor the African American story in Stafford through a tour that commemorates the lives, strengths, personal stories and struggles of Stafford’s African American citizens.
In addition, there are many yearlong activities planned for the whole family to commemorate Stafford’s 350th anniversary, including a special 350th anniversary lecture series sponsored by the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. The first lecture begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch at 1201 Caroline Street in Fredericksburg. The lecture, titled “George Washington, Spymaster: How America Outspied the British and Won the Revolution War,” will be given by Thomas B. Allen, children’s book author. Mr. Allen will sign books after his lecture.
For more information on these events and other activities, please visit www.stafford350.com. Interested individuals can also sign up to receive a free monthly e-newsletter on the site. Additional information can be found on Facebook at Stafford County 350 Anniversary, Twitter @StaffordCo350 or by emailing [email protected].
The new Simulation Game Institute (SGI) at George Mason University’s Prince William Campus is setup to foster students’ creativity in game design at the same time it encourages them to establish companies that might ultimately find a home in Prince William County.
Christopher Ondrus, the Senior Projects Manager at the institute said the SGI helps students connect with a broader business audience seeking advanced simulation programs. “It’s an incubator for businesses that want to come in and make games based on their training or on things that they actually do, but they don’t know how to make games.”
Another goal of institute, which is one of only six similar programs in the world, is to help student researchers and developers transition into the business world. “We help mentor them,” Ondrus said. “We give them contacts. We want them to go from something really small, expand and eventually leave this place and go somewhere in Prince William County and expand.”
Scott D. Martin, the Founding Director of the Simulation and Game Institute said he believes the institute will attract other businesses as it sends students, and the companies they form, into the community. “I think it brings a new economic engine to Prince William County. This draws other companies from around the region.”
Prince William County Chairman Corey A. Stewart said building such institutions is the result of years of work between community leaders, the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, leaders in the Virginia General Assembly and George Mason University. “Prince William County is very, very proud of the partnerships that we have put together over the last several decades to create this sort of economic development.”
Jeffrey Kaczmarek, the Director of the Prince William County Department Economic Development, said the collaboration would place the county in a position to take advantage of the game development industry. “The whole idea behind this [the Simulation Game Institute] is to grow this industry in Prince William County. The idea is to have these companies grow and expand and then spin out into other locations here in Prince William.”
Prince William Supervisor W.S. “Wally” Covington, III also commented on the partnerships that helped nurture the institute and said the growth of the university has been astounding. “The transformation has been extremely quick and the success has been huge. It could not have happened without partnerships at the local level. It could not have happened without the leadership of the General Assembly and the partnerships that go back decades in helping George Mason. It takes all of us working together. “
“For us, this really is a new cluster of innovation in Prince William County,” said Covington, “Computer game design is one of the fastest growing areas of interest. This is real success.”
Alex Estep, the Art Director for Little Arms Studios, one of the institute’s young companies, said the university has provided his company with a “fantastic opportunity” to grow.
“It’s really exciting work in such a fertile environment,” There are many resources available to us in starting our companies. It’s just a huge sea of potential and talent that we get to work with and alongside.”
-Submitted by Prince William County GovernmentÂ
Leadership Prince William and Youth For Tomorrow have joined forces to expand leadership development programs in the Greater Prince William Area, including a new youth leadership initiative.
Youth For Tomorrow has agreed to partner with Leadership Prince William in several ways:
- Youth For Tomorrow will be a major sponsor of the 1st Annual Evening of Excellence, which is Leadership Prince William’s signature event. The June 13 gala will include presentation of two prestigious leadership awards while raising awareness and funds for Leadership Prince William
- Youth For Tomorrow has also committed $3,000 toward a $5,000 matching grant from Micron Technology Foundation, specifically for Leadership Prince William’s new youth initiatives.
- Youth For Tomorrow will serve as the host site for Leadership Prince William’s new Summer Youth Leadership Camp. This two-week program, available for area students in grades 5 through 10, is modeled on our successful adult program. It is designed to nurture young leaders, expose them to information & experiences in their own community, connect them with local leaders and inspire them to community service.
- Dr. Gary Jones, CEO of Youth For Tomorrow, continues to serve on the Leadership Prince William Board of Regents, guiding the organization’s future direction.
“We are gratified by Youth For Tomorrow’s commitment to Leadership Prince William and our mission,” said Board Chair Jason Hickman. “Their financial contributions, donation of space for our youth camp, and ongoing involvement in our organization highlight Youth For Tomorrow’s belief in making this a better community for all. We are pleased to be partners with Youth For Tomorrow in developing an even stronger leadership base in our community.”
Since 1986, Youth For Tomorrow has reached over 1,000 youth who have been successfully served by YFT’s residential, educational and counseling services. YFT, located in Bristow, serves youth who have been abandoned or abused by family, are homeless, have been expelled from public schools or are in need of therapeutic intervention to address mental health issues.
Leadership Prince William is an independent 501(c) 3 organization. Its 185 alumni include CEOs, entrepreneurs, elected officials, directors, vice presidents, veterans and dozens of community leaders who shape the communities of Prince William County, City of Manassas and Manassas Park. To learn more, contact Kathy Bentz at 571-765-7568, visit www.LeadershipPrinceWilliam.org or email [email protected].
-Submitted by Leadership Prince William.
OWL VFD, usually known for putting out fires and responding to 911 calls, put their hair on the line to raise funds for research to find new cures for childhood cancer. On March 8, 2013, Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department hosted their 9th Annual St. Baldrick’s Event. With 61 heads shaved, OWL VFD raised more than $40,000 and still counting, exceeding last year’s efforts by at least $9,000 dollars.
“A bald head to give a kid with cancer a chance for a cure? Absolutely! It gets a bit cold, but I am happy to help,” says Firefighter Ernest DeSantis.
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation provides grants to research institutions to find new cures for childhood cancer, and find treatments to ensure a better quality of life for patients and survivors. The Foundation funds research projects conducted by established pediatric cancer experts, as well as younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, offering the best available care for every child.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by the ever popular local band, “Type A”. This is in addition to the already jam-packed night that also included a silent auction and a catered dinner.
“Everyone from the shavees to the donors and sponsors are part of the OWL VFD effort to make a difference for children with cancer. We are proud to partner with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and our community,” explained Tony Carroll, OWL’s event coordinator.
-Submitted by OWL Volunteer Fire Department
Weather permitting, portions of the 495 Express Lanes will be closed overnight on Sunday, March 23 and Monday, March 24 for asphalt patching work. The following closures will be in effect:
Sunday, March 23 at 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Monday, March 24:
· Northbound Express Lanes will be closed at the southern entrance beyond the Springfield Interchange (access from the general purpose lanes) for asphalt patching. The Express Lanes will be open to traffic entering from Braddock Road and points north
Monday, March 24 at 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 25:
· Southbound Express Lanes will be closed for asphalt patching south of Gallows Road. All southbound Express Lanes traffic will need to exit at Gallows Road
To minimize the impact to Express Lanes customers, essential maintenance activities are only performed at night. Drivers are advised to pay attention to the variable message signs on the 495 Express Lanes which provide advance notice of closures. For mapping tools and information on how to access and exit the 495 Express Lanes, visit 495ExpressLanes.com.
-Submitted news
MANASSAS, VA — Novant Health celebrated Certified Nurses Day on Wednesday, March 19th, by honoring its 109 board certified nurses. The following nurses are being recognized for their professionalism, leadership and commitment to excellence in patient care:
Certification in Critical Care Nursing (CCRN): Julia Burgess, RN; Rene Ernest, RN; Jan Griffin, RN; Sarah Herbert, RN ; Katie Hoffman, RN; Darcy Jenkins, RN; Janet Moore, RN; Oi- Mei Yau, RN; Alicia Marie Ruiz, RN; Carlos Bernal, RN; Deana Coy, RN; Jacinta Gomes, RN; Donna Rea, RN; Jamie Stern, RN; William “Topper” Cramer, RN; Sondra Abraham, RN; Darryl Hampton, RN; Regina Cullen, RN; Tammy Rogers, RN; Umu Benjamin, RN; Erika Wimbish, RN; Hilary Woodier, RN; Mar Tortajada, RN
Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC): Julia Burgess, RN; Regina Cullen, RN
Cardiac /Vascular Nurse (CV): Betty Wood, RN
Certified Nurse, Operating Room (CNOR): Kathleen Abromavich, RN; Patricia Kerns, RN; Ancy Kulakkattolickal, RN; Oakjoo Lee, RN; Amelia Atwell, RN; Linda Stohon, RN; Mar Tortajada, RN; Terea Diggs, RN; Melissa Fay, RN
Certification in Emergency Nursing (CEN): Pam Smith, RN; Molly Mello, RN; Debra Oakes, RN; Joanne Broomer, RN; Melissa Morin, RN; Tricia Sutherland, RN; Christel McGovern, RN; Victoria Scott, RN; Bridget Hickson, RN
Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN): Jeanie Barlow, RN; LeeAnne Green, RN; Dawn Harris, RN ; Illana Naylor, RN ; Donna Pfost, RN ; Dolores Torres, RN; Jessy Tramontana, RN; Carin Ashbrook, RN; Kathy Stevens, RN
Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN): Gail Behrle, RN; Christine Keaveny, RN; Jillian Powers, RN; Sally Randall, RN
Certification in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB): Theresa Alicea, RN; Claudia Barnish, RN ; Marylou Soto, RN; Jan Dagenhart, RN; Leann McMullen, RN; Christen Grimes, RN; Tracy Flaherty-Byrne, RN; Susan Coxson, RN
Certified Post Anestesia Nurse (CPAN): M. Kate Edwards, RN; Brenda Primus, RN
Certified Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC): Beatrice Holt, RN; Karen Webb, RN; Eileen Caulfield, RN
Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN): Kadi Kanu, RN
Orthopedic Nurse Certification (ONC): Mary Pat Blanchette, RN; Cheryl Philistin, RN
Certified Gastrointestinal Registered Nurse (CGRN): Pamela Patterson, RN; Mark Rubin, RN
Certified in Low Risk Neonatal Nursing (RNC-LRN): Leeann Brown, RN; Michelle Curran, RN; Patricia Irvin, RN; Judy Jenkins, RN; Shanna Leary, RN; Constance Rickerson, RN; Sheryl Roloff, RN; Pamela Scarce, RN; Lisa Whitmer, RN; Carrie Banks, RN; Beth Smith, RN
Certified in Neonatal Intensive Care (RNC-NIC): Maryann Savage, RN; Patricia Irvin, RN; Jane Quinn, RN
Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN): Jan Griffin, RN; Pam Smith, RN; Stephanie Fournier, RN; Jennifer McEachin, RN; Kim Gibbs, RN
Adult Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP-BC): Jan Griffin, RN; Michele Dominguez, RN
Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACNS-BC): Julia Burgess, RN
Psychiatric & Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS-BC): Susan Campbell, RN
Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC): Rene Ernest, RN
Certification in Nursing Professional Development (RN-BC): Michele Poblador, RN; Lily Batayola, RN
Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN): Vivian Mondoloka, RN
Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse (WOCN): Tracy Fields, RN
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC): Teresa Baltuano-Post, RN: Rosemary Wlaschin, RN; Gigi Dann, RN
Certified Childbirth Educator (CCE): Marcy Griffo, RN
Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE): Kathryn Orski, RN; Rosemary Wlaschin, RN\
Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ): Kathryn Moss, RN
Certified Infection Prevention and Control (CBIC): Kathryn Moss, RN
Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC): Tina Stoernell, RN;
Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC): Pamela Patterson, RN
Certified Professional In Healthcare Management (CPHM): Miriana Gomez, RN
Certified Case Manager (CCM): Monica S. Noonan, RN; Susan Wolfe, RN
Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE): Linda G. McMillan, RN: Jane C. Suliga, RN
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN): Christel McGovern, RN
National Certified School Nurse (NCSN): Schelly Harrison, RN; Roxanne Scipio, RN
Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN): William “Topper” Cramer, RN
Certified Transport Emergency Nurse (CTRN): William “Topper” Cramer, RN
Certified Neonatal Pediatric Transport Nurse (C-NPT): Jane Quinn, RN
Accredited Case Manager (ACM): Dorothy Mullenix, RN
Family Nurse Practioner – Board Certified (FNP-BC): Evelyn Saldana, RN
Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN): Karen Foster, RN; Veronica Hall, RN
Board Certification of nurses plays an increasingly important role in the assurance of high standards of care for patients and their loved ones. Nursing, like healthcare in general has become increasingly complex. While a registered nurse (RN) license provides entry to general nursing practice, the knowledge-intensive requirements of modern nursing require extensive post-secondary and continuing education and a strong personal commitment to excellence by the nurse.
Novant Health encourages national board certification for all its nurses. Patients are encouraged to inquire whether there are certified nurses on staff when the visit a hospital or their primary care provider. There are many nursing certification specialties such as medical-surgical, pediatric, pain management, cardiac vascular, oncology, hospice, case management, emergency nursing, critical care and many others. Many nursing certification bodies exist to serve the full range of specialized nursing care offered in the contemporary health care system; national nurse-certifying bodies should be accredited by either the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) or the National Organization for Competence Assurance (NOCA), or both.
Please join Novant Health ABNS, NOCA and the nation’s national nursing certification organizations in honoring those hardworking, dedicated nurses for their professionalism, and a job well done!
— Submitted by Novant Health
