Michael Cecere, a resident of Montclair, former board president for Historic Dumfries, VA, and a current American History teacher in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia Community College, has written his tenth book on the American Revolution.

The book, entitled, A Universal Appearance of War: The Revolutionary War in Virginia, 1775-1781, chronicles the war in Virginia from start to finish. Cecere sheds light, and recognition, on many overlooked Virginia engagements. Readers will discover that although the war started off modestly in Virginia, it concluded with a dramatic flourish that required bold action and some good fortune for the allies to succeed.

. The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board instilled its 2015 slate of officers at its monthly meeting today.  The following were unanimously approved by the Operations Board in December and took on their new roles starting today:

• John Cook, Fairfax County Supervisor, as Chairman
• Gary Skinner, Spotsylvania County Supervisor, as Vice Chairman
• Paul Smedberg, City of Alexandria Councilor, as Secretary
• Maureen Caddigan, Prince William County Supervisor, as Treasurer

 “Having such respected and knowledgeable public officials that really care about improving transportation serve as VRE Operations Board officers is a recipe for VRE’s continued success,” said Doug Allen, CEO of VRE.

[The 2015 VRE Operations Board officers are (left to right) Gary Skinner, John Cook, Paul Smedberg and Maureen Caddigan]

The Board of Directors of Potomac Health Foundation announced Susie Lee as its new executive director. As executive director, Ms. Lee will provide oversight of the Foundation’s grant making and operations and lead the Foundation in a strategic planning process. Susie Lee was previously Director of Grant Programs at the Foundation.

Ms. Lee brings more than 16 years of public health experience to the position. She has worked at the local, national, and international levels managing public health programs and monitoring grants to ensure effective implementation and improved health outcomes. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.

Potomac Health Foundation is an independent foundation whose mission is to improve the health of the community by increasing access to primary health care for the medically underserved, reducing the incidence of preventable disease, and supporting innovation around emerging health needs.

Monza of Historic Manassas will be collecting gently used coats to donate to SERVE of Manassas in exchange for a $25 Monza or Carmello’s gift card and free hot chocolate and coffee on Fridays and Saturdays in January at Monza at 9405 Battle Street in Old Town Manassas, Va. For more information, go to eatmonza.com.

“Winter is here, and we’re all pulling out our warm coats, many of us have more than one, while the neediest of our community go without a proper coat for the coldest of days,” said Alice Pires, owner of Carmellos and Monza in Historic Manassas, Va. “Help us support SERVE by dropping off a coat, and warm up with a free hot cocoa and gift card,” said Pires.

Join the Neville Empowerment Network Inc. and friends, for an afternoon of inspirational/motivational stories, testimonies, and information at the second annual “You CAN Do Anything Too” symposium!

In life, we are all faced with adversity, and have struggles to overcome. Sometimes, it seems there is no end in sight, but this symposium will be full of personal accounts that will reaffirm for all who attend, that anything is possible, no matter what you are faced with, there exists a higher power that will pull you through! By the time participants listen to our speakers, at this symposium, it will be confirmed, that “You CAN Do Anything Too!”

Panelists:

Moderator: Mrs. Marlo Thomas Watson, owner of The Marlo Company, Inc

Ms. Hala Ayala- of PWC NOW

Mr. DJ Jordan of the Virginia Board of Social Services and PWC Fatherhood Initiative

Mrs. Simeaka Melton- Founder Rising Above Expectations Youth Services, inc.

Mr. Atif Qarni- of the Virginia Small Business Administration

Mr. Donald Anthony Wheeler- of ATIBA Youth Intervention Services, LLC!

Special Guest Speakers:

DrWilliam Flip Clay, Author of Post Traumatic School Disorder: Empowerment Strategies for African American Males. He will be presenting, “From the Cradle to the Grave: Saving Our Sons!”

Dr. Bernadine Futrell, Co-Owner of Make The Future, and Author of www.5SecondParenting.com. She will be presenting, “Closing the Prenatal and Preschool Gap!”

Mrs. Alejandra Hall, Co-Owner of The Animated Child. She will be presenting, “Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: How Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals Can Contribute!”

Mrs. Ann Alexis-Hamilton, Mary Kay Independent Sales Director, and Inspirational Speaker. She will be presenting, “How to Work Through Life’s Challenges in Joy!”

Click here to see photos from last year’s Symposium!

Event Schedule

12:00pm-1:00pm: Vendor Reception
1:00pm – 1:45pm: Opening/Panelist Discussion*
1:45pm – 2:00pm: Break
2:00pm – 3:30pm: Special Guest Presentations*
3:30pm – 3:45pm: Closing Keynote Speaker*
3:45pm – 4:30pm: Closing Networking Reception

Sponsorship Opportunities: We are currently accepting donations from sponsors, to keep this event FREE for the community! If your organization would like to make a donation towards this symposium, please pay via PayPal, or mail a check payable to:

Neville Empowerment Network, Inc.

P. O. Box 34

Triangle, VA 22172

Sponsors will also need to email their logo to: [email protected]

Update: This event is canceled due to winter weather. 

1 Million Cups, or 1MC, was started in Prince William to engage and connect small business entrepreneurs in our area and provide them a weekly event to meet and discuss their business challenges.

Prince William County’s 1MC held their first session in November, 2013 and has been hosting weekly sessions at the Lovey Hammel Lounge at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas from 9-10 am weekly.

Join us on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, to celebrate our first year! Doors open at 8:30 am for networking and coffee. There is no charge to attend and participate.

Homeowners in the Belmont Bay subdivision of Woodbridge plan to attend the Prince William County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13 in an attempt to block a proposal to reverse a previously funded plan to bury utility cables in a 1.25 mile section adjacent to the bridge crossing the Occoquan River.

The Route 1 improvement project has been discussed for at least 20 years and the Prince William County Board of Supervisors approved plans to widen and enhance this major artery through a series of funding resolutions. For the final section, from Mary’s Way to the Occoquan Bridge, no funding was originally included for utility cables to be buried despite the fact that all along the remainder of the Route 1 improvement, these would be buried.

This caused a local outcry and, as a result of citizen and business pressure, a capital project was finally voted on Dec. 3, 2013 allowing for the funding of the burial of the utility cables.

Despite – or because of – the anticipated final approval of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) for the construction contract on January 14, 2015, a last minute motion has been submitted by Prince William Gainesville District Supervisor Pete Candland to defund the project citing unspecified “higher priorities” in the County. Candland previously was part of the minority voting against the funding plan in December 2013.

This section of Route 1 entering the county is frequently referred to as “The Gateway to Prince William County” and residents and businesses alike have frequently expressed concern as to the downtrodden first impression given to visitors to the area, crossing the Occoquan. Leaving the utility cables as they are, after the road widening, will do nothing to dispel this first impression.

Residents and businesses in the surrounding area including many from the Belmont Bay development plan to attend the 2 p.m. Board of Supervisors meeting in the County Administration Building, one County Complex Court, Price William on Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge on Tuesday, Jan. 13 to vigorously oppose the defund motion.

There is a feeling that, despite the long term development plan for the county that notably incorporates the visionary “New Woodbridge” project, there is a risk that the plan will be progressively derailed if Board motions like this one are voted.

Sandra McDonald is starting 2015 with a million bucks.

The Woodbridge woman matched the first five numbers in the December 30 Mega Millions drawing. The only number she missed was the Mega Ball number. That wins Mega Millions’ second prize of $1 million. She bought the winning ticket at the 7-Eleven at 13360 Minnieville Road in Woodbridge. The store receives a $10,000 bonus from the Lottery for selling the winning ticket.

“I saw the winning numbers on the news, and I thought, ‘I don’t remember having those numbers,’” she said. But later in the night, when she couldn’t sleep, she checked the numbers online and discovered she’d won big.

“I don’t believe this!” was her reaction. The winning numbers for that drawing were 3-7-44-63-67 and the Mega Ball number was 12. Had she matched all six numbers, she would have won a jackpot estimated at $172 million.

Her ticket was one of just two nationwide to win the $1 million prize. No ticket won the jackpot in that drawing. Ms. McDonald, who is retired, said she plans to invest her winnings and also pay off debt.

Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesday and Friday nights at 11. Drawings are broadcast on TV stations across Virginia and streamed live at www.valottery.com and on the Lottery’s Facebook page. The odds of winning the $1 million prize in Mega Millions are 1 in 18,492,204.

ANNOUNCING “JANE’S FOOD CLOSET” TO SUPPORT LAKE RIDGE COMMUNITY IN TEACHER’S NAME
DECEMBER 30, 2014

Lake Ridge Middle School (LRMS) and Amy Sills Eggers, daughter of former LRMS teacher Jane Sills, collaborate on establishing “Jane’s Closet” to support Lake Ridge community and needy families.

Principal Christie Taylor originated the name and concept to benefit not only the students of her school but their families as well who are in need. The closet – or pantry housed in the school – will offer nonperishable food items, personal products and seasonal items like hats and gloves that can be sent home or consumed and used at school.

Jane Sills, part of the original team of teachers at LRMS, died in 2005 from an auto-immune disease Scleroderma. She taught until 2001 when she had to retire on disability. Mrs. Sills loved teaching, Lake Ridge Middle and most of all, her students. Upon the tenth anniversary of her death, this pantry will be dedicated in her name.

Lake Ridge Middle School currently serves the needs of approximately 350 students on free or reduced-priced lunches. This percentage is nearly triple of that when Mrs. Sills taught at the school.

Financial contributions to assist with purchases for the closet can be made to:
Checks may be made out to Lake Ridge Middle School with “Jane’s Food Closet” in the memo line and mailed to:
Lake Ridge Middle School
Attn: Jane’s Food Closet
12350 Mohican Rd.
Woodbridge, VA 22192

For a list of accepted item donations, please visit janesfoodcloset.wordpress.com or email [email protected]