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After moving from Alexandria to Woodbridge Virginia we settled into our new home, unpacked. Nine days after we moved in my husband and I set out to buy the dog I had been dreaming of for the last ten years. You see, that’s another thing you give up being in the military service, is having a dog. So we came home that day with a well-breed, tiny Yorkshire Terrier.
I was so happy, named her Bo Belle and set out to raise her the right way. The first thing I searched for online was “Prince William County Dog Park.” To my horror nothing came back in that search. The nearest dog park was thirty-miles away.
I would have never bought the house in that area had I known that there was no dog park in Prince William County. I used social media to fine like-minded people in the county and set out to change that. There was a lot of support for a dog park in the county both from residents. County law makers were finally willing to entertain the idea, because they know through county surveys that residents listed the need for dog parks as one of their priorities for improvements to this county parks and recreations system.
Within a few months, a group of county residents formed a dog park support group called “Prince William County Dogs.” We have spent countless hours in county meetings and negotiations with the Prince William County Park Authority, which is now called Parks and Recreation.
Last year we raised $17,000 through fundraisers and donations. This paid for fencing, and pet waste stations. We have county permits and are making the last finishing touches on the dog park before it officially opens April 27. Our county officials have told us they will not pay for a dog park and will not pay to maintain it, so we have to raise money to keep it open. In the county’s master plan it recognizes the need and states that it will work with support groups, such as ours, to help establish dog parks in the county.
Now that the dog park is built we need to raise funds yearly to keep it open. To do that we plan on one main fundraiser each year in the spring. This year the “2nd Annual Dog Walk for a Dog Park ” fundraiser is at Lake Ridge Park on Sunday, April 21, 2013. It’s $5 to walk a dog. Last year 190 dogs signed up to walk and it was a glorious event! Lots of fun for dogs and their humans too!
Local vendors have will participate and show and sell dog items like bandanas, pupcakes from our local dog bakeries (yes, we have them in this county), as well as items for humans. We already have 120 dogs signed up in the first two weeks since registration has been open. To pre-register for the walk go to pwcdogs.com, events. To find out more information on the dog park join us on facebook, Prince William County Dogs.
We still need a name for the dog park and resdients are asked to submit their idea for a name on our website. It located on Minnieville Rd, between Sturbridge Rodd and Colby Drive. Their is ample parking, just drive through the black gate just off Minnieville Road., then walk up the path to the higher ground and the dog park is right there.
We so happy that this dog park as a side for small dogs to and only dogs 25 lbs or less will be allowed in this area. Small dogs are allowed in the large dog area, however its risky because when large dogs run and play with other large dogs sometimes the smaller dog gets in their way and although not intentional the small dog get ran over. Being a small dog owner myself I have observed that smalls dogs have learned not to run in a dog park with large dogs and hence they don’t get much exercise, nor do they get the full dog park experince. A chance to run and play with other dogs.
There’s still more work to be done at the dog park and always will be. If you want to join our dog park support group, find our yahoo group PWCDogs.
See you at the dog park!
-Submitted
Submitted News
On Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 2 p.m., the Town of Dumfries will be celebrating the grand opening of Ginn Memorial Park, located at 3876 Graham Park Road in Dumfries.
The Town of Dumfries was able to secure a Community Development Block Grant in 2011 to purchase land for a neighborhood park at that location. In a relatively short time, the Town has been able to complete the site work for the park and add several improvements to include a multi-purpose field, a basketball court, horseshoe pit, and playground equipment, etc. for use by its residents. Many additions are being planned for the park in future years to continue to provide recreational opportunities for the community.
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The first annual Sassy Spring Craft Show will be held at Buckhall United Methodist Church on April 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come to 10251 Moore Drive, Manassas VA, 20111 to add wholesome sass to your weekend.Â
Grab delicious baked goods made by the Buckhall Bakers, and try the 5-Star Chili recipes of the Buckhall Chefs. Then stroll through the displays of 25 local artisans, crafters and vendors. Smell the scents of essential oils and see the photography, jewelry, hand-woven textiles, crochet and knitted accessories, wreaths, floral arrangements, wood crafts, yard art, clothing, pillows and stuffed animals, paper crafts and cards, quilts and quilted accessories, gift items, decorative glassware, hair accessories, nail art, stained glass art, pottery, and more.
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STAFFORD, Va. – Local bakery, The Icing, has recently been awarded three major designations within the wedding industry. The Icing was named the best wedding cake bakery in the 2013 Wedding Professionals Edition of Virginia Bride, an honor given to only one bakery in the entire state. The Icing also snagged best wedding cakes by The Knot’s Best of Weddings and Bride’s choice from Wedding Wire. The awards come at the same time that the bakery was chosen to create Miss America, Caressa Cameron’s December wedding.
Lynn Drake, owner operator of The Icing says “It’s truly amazing to be recognized by state and national publications who are leading the trends in the wedding industry. I employ a team of eleven specialized artists and culinary experts to make sure that all of our brides get a cake that looks and tastes better then they could have imagined. These honors just solidify our desire to continue to set the cake and pastry trends for brides in our region.”
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Brooke Point High School students dressed in Blue on March 1 for National dress in Blue day for Colon Cancer Awareness. Freshman Danielle Cornwell, whose father battled with stage IV colon cancer, is leading the charge at her school this March along with the school’s Learn & Serve program.
Danielle states, “It was hard to watch my dad fight colon cancer. Not many people talk about colon cancer and I use to get upset every time I saw a breast cancer commercial and nothing for colon cancer. So I am breaking the silence, someone has too.”
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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. -- The Merrimac Farm Master Naturalist Program, beginning on May 23, is a fun way to learn about nature close to home and meet new friends.
People from previous sessions are now having a great time monitoring bluebirds, investigating vernal pools, facilitating camera trapping for the Smithsonian, monitoring stream health, learning more about and speaking up for environmental protection.
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MANASSAS, Va. -- Aradia Fitness is proud to announce the opening of its new location in Virginia. The studio, located at 9705 Liberia Avenue, is on the 3rd floor of the Gold’s Gym building in Manassas. With over 12 studios across the US and Canada, Aradia Fitness is North America’s largest pole dancing and sensual movement company. Since its inception in 2003, Aradia Fitness has taught thousands of women the art of pole dancing.
“I am thrilled to open this studio,” said Aradia Fitness NOVA owner, Melissa Rose. “I’ve been teaching pole dance over five years and researched several different companies before deciding to partner with Aradia. They have a fantastic program that focuses on building strength and making pole dance fitness accessible to the everyday woman.”
Aradia Fitness NOVA offers pole dancing and specialty fitness classes to women of all ages, shapes and sizes. “We truly have something for everyone,” Rose said. “Our pole dancing program is great, but we have a variety of off-the-pole classes, too.”
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RICHMOND Va. — A press release sent this evening from the governor’s office means good news for Stafford County as well as nearby residents looking for work.
More in an edited press release:
Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Greencore Group PLC, an Ireland-based, leading international manufacturer of convenience foods, will invest $5.75 million to expand its first Virginia food processing facility in Stafford County following the April 2012 acquisition of the former Marketfare Foods, LLC. In addition to servicing Marketfare Foods’ principal customer of 20 years, 7-Eleven, Greencore will also service a significant new contract from the Stafford County operation, creating 350 new jobs.
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MANASSAS, Va. — Prince William Health System celebrated Certified Nurses Day on March 19 by honoring its 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; Cynde Sturm, RN; Seong Kim, RN; Jamie Stern, RN; William “Topper” Cramer, RN; Amy Ebert, RN
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MANASSAS, Va. – April orders for SHARE food packages can be placed now through Saturday, April 6, at the House of Mercy, a nonprofit organization in Manassas.
“The packages are priced at about half their grocery store value. For only $22, you can buy about $45 worth of food,” said Kellie Ross, executive director at the House of Mercy.
