Usher in the New Year with a First Day Hike at a Virginia State Park. On Jan. 1, all 36 parks will offer hiking opportunities, contests and special events. 

This is the fourth year Virginia State Parks has participated in this America’s State Parks initiative to get people outdoors and into parks. 

The first 100 participants at each park will receive First Day Hike bumper stickers. Groups of two or more that complete a hike can enter to win overnight stays, annual passes and special First Day Hike hats. A First Day Hike photo contest will give participants more chances for prizes.

For all contest details, visit https://bit.ly/2015hikes.

A complete list of First Day Hike offerings is available at https://bit.ly/VSP1stday. Some programs require advance reservations or have limited space. While specific programs are planned, park visitors can choose a self-guided activity at a fitness level that meets their needs. 

A sample of what will be offered:

• Caledon State Park in King George County will feature its annual Possum Present Hunt (a Christmas version of an egg hunt). 
• Half the fun of visiting False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach is getting to the park. After a bus trip through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, participants will enjoy a geocaching challenge.
• Jim Klakowicz, retired park manager and Friends Group president, will share his experiences from the early days of Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge as part of the park’s First Day Hike experience.
• New River Trail State Park in Foster Falls is offering a First Day Hike 10-mile bike ride. Use your own bike or rent one from the park. 
• Twin Lakes State Park near Farmville will have its second annual GPS Poker Hike, which combines GPS navigating and trivia questions into a hiking challenge.
• Seven state parks will provide refreshments ranging from hot chocolate to eggnog: Bear Creek in Cumberland County, Belle Isle in Lancaster County, Caledon in King George County, James River in Gladstone, Pocahontas in Chesterfield County, Sky Meadows in Delaplane and Smith Mountain Lake in Huddleston. 

Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks activities and amenities or to make a reservation for one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Customer Care Center at 800-933-7275 or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

After all the holiday festivities are done, don’t toss your holiday greenery to the curb. Give your Christmas tree, wreath and other cut greenery a fitting final resting place. Simply remove all ornaments, decorations, tinsel, nails and the tree stand and take the greenery to one of locations listed below to be recycled or repurposed.  

• The Prince William County Landfill at 14811 Dumfries Road in Manassas.  Monday – Saturday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The facility is closed New Year’s Day. 703-792-4670

• The Balls Ford Road Compost Facility located at 13000 Balls Ford Road in Manassas. Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The facility is closed New Year’s Day. 703-792-4670

• Leesylvania State Park located at 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive in Woodbridge (off Neabsco Road). Trees may be dropped off at Shelter 2 and will be used for habitat.

• Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) located at 5399 Wellington Branch Road in Gainesville.  Dec. 26 – Jan. 12. The drop off area is located in the front parking lot in the area outlined with the orange safety cones. NOVEC will deliver the wood-chip mulch to interested customer-owners at no charge, visit novec.com for order form. For more information contact NOVEC at 703-335-0500 ext. 1633 or 1661, or [email protected]. 

For more information on recycling in Prince William County, visit https://www.pwcgov.org/trashandrecycling or call 703-792-4670.

The Prince William County Service Authority will launch a major water and sewer main construction project along Davis Ford Road in January 2015.

The construction of a new water main on Davis Ford Road will help improve the reliability of the water system in the Occoquan Forest residential community. The new sewer main being installed will convey wastewater from the existing treatment plant off Davis Ford Road to the H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility in Woodbridge for treatment. Currently, wastewater from the Occoquan Forest community is treated at a small, localized water reclamation facility. A new pump station will be constructed to replace the aging treatment plant in order to meet stringent Virginia Department of Environmental Quality requirements.

The installation of the new water and sewer pipes is expected to cost $5.6 million and be completed by fall 2015. Traffic will be managed on Davis Ford Road and delays are to be expected during the construction process.

The Service Authority will hold an open house event at its headquarters on January 15, 2015 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to address any questions regarding the project. The Service Authority is located at 4 County Complex Court in Woodbridge. Please email [email protected] with any questions about the open house or the project.

On Saturday, December 13, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), Virginia’s commuter rail service, held its 18^th annual “Operation Lifesaver Santa Trains.” Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Santa’s helpers rode the rails and walked through the train to meet, greet and hand out candy canes. Helper elves passed out Operation Lifesaver railroad safety information coloring books and carolers from Riverbend, Chancellor, West Potomac, Thomas Edison, Stonewall Jackson, and Osbourn Park High School choirs made sure everyone was entertained. VRE operated 13 sold-out Santa Trains while entertaining nearly 9,000 attendees from the Manassas, Burke Centre, Fredericksburg and Woodbridge VRE stations during this annual holiday event.

“You can’t believe how much happiness VRE Santa Trains deliver until you experience it yourself” said Doug Allen, VRE’s Chief Executive Officer. “Whether you are a staff member working the trains, a parent, or a caroler, there is no greater satisfaction than seeing the excitement of children’s faces when they meet Santa. It’s rare when we get the opportunity to educate people about railroad safety while spreading holiday spirit but that’s what Santa Trains are all about,” said Mr. Allen.  

 

Wednesday night, Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank J. Principi hosted Virginia Secretary of Transportation, Aubrey Layne, and his senior leadership team at a town hall to discuss Better Transportation in the Woodbridge Magisterial District. “I believe this is the first time that we have had this many transportation leaders in one room in Prince William County”, said Supervisor Principi. Those who attended include:

• Aubrey Layne, Virginia Secretary of Transportation
• Grindly Johnson, Deputy Secretary of Transportation
• Charles Kilpatrick, Commissioner of Virginia Department of Transportation
• Jennifer Mitchell, Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transit
• Mike McGurk, Senior Corporate Relations Associate for Transurban
• Doug Allen, Chief Executive Officer for Virginia Railway Express
• Al Harf, Executive Director of Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
• Dic Burke, Transportation and Land Use Director, Va. Department of Transportation
• Tom Blaser, Director of Prince William Department of Transportation

Within limited dollars available for transportation projects, Secretary Layne briefed the attendees on the new process for funding transportation projects moving forward. “All state projects will now go through a competitive process created with House Bill 2,” Said Secretary Layne. “It requires the Commonwealth Transportation Board to use five factors to rank projects: congestion mitigation, economic development, accessibility, safety and environmental quality.” Secretary Layne also spoke about the Route 1 widening project and Fast Ferry service on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.

Mike McGurk, spokesman for Transurban, answered many questions from the audience about the I-95 Express Lanes, set to open on December 14. There will be a two week trial period for commuters to test it out before having to pay the tolls beginning on December 29.

Tom Blaser announced that there is funding coming from NVTA to expand Neabsco Mills Road from Dale Boulevard down to Route 1. Al Harf of PRTC announced the looming fiscal cliff in regards to public bus service. As gas prices continue to decline, so does sales tax revenue collected by PRTC to fund local bus service. Doug Allen of VRE informed the attendees that his company is continuing to look for opportunities to increase the number of trains to expand service for commuters.  

“Woodbridge residents are tired of sitting in traffic,” says Supervisor Principi. “We are very appreciative of Secretary Layne’s time and leadership on the many transportation projects coming out of the ground in Prince William County.” Supervisor Principi is committed to building a New Woodbridge, a smart growth community that attracts high-paying jobs, reduces traffic congestion, and preserves residential neighborhoods. There is over $1 billion of new public/private money invested in the Woodbridge Magisterial District. Better Transportation is a tenant of the vision of a New Woodbridge aimed at providing transit options to residents by investing in transportation infrastructure, expanding service, and completing sidewalks and trails.

For more information on New Woodbridge, please visit www.NewWoodbridge.org.

New Life Anointed Ministries Int’l (The Life) moved its administrative offices from Marumsco Plaza to 12680 Darby Brook Court in Brooke Centre Plaza in Lake Ridge on December 1, 2014. Sunday Worship Services will continue to be held at 9 a.m. at CD Hylton High School, 14051 Spriggs Road in Woodbridge.

The Life will hold an open house at its new administrative offices in Brooke Centre Tuesday, December 23, 2014 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm.

The Life is a non-denominational spirit-filled worship center under the leadership of Senior Pastor and Founder Bishop Eugene Reeves with the vision of a multicultural body of disciples loving the unlovable, reaching the unreachable, restoring hurt and broken lives through the power of Jesus Christ. For more information, visit www.TheLifeDC.org or contact Georgette Patterson at (703) 490-7155.

Virginia Railway Express riders gave from their hearts and wallets Wednesday and donated a truck full of toys and nearly $19,000 in the commuter rail agency’s annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign. Riders were asked to leave toys on their seats when exiting morning trains and train conductors collected cash and checks from riders, which were then given to the Toys for Tots Program. “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of VRE riders and the number of toys and donations we received today. Undoubtedly Scrooge does not ride VRE,” said Doug Allen, CEO of VRE.

Marine Corps Staff Sergeants Eichelberger and Herbert presented Mr. Allen a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for VRE’s participation in the annual Toys for Tots event. VRE riders have been one of the largest contributors in our service area to the Toys for Tots Program in recent years. VRE and U.S Marine Corps staff will continue Toys for Tots collections this Saturday at stations served during VRE’s 18^th annual Operation Life Saver Santa Train events.

Toys for Tots campaigns are held in over 290 communities throughout the 50 states. Marines collect new, unwrapped toys from October 1st through December 21st. Thereafter, Marines distribute toys to the needy children of their community through local social welfare agencies and church groups.

Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decora- tions may increase your chances of fire. Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 250 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 170 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together, these fires resulted in 21 deaths and 43 injuries. Follow- ing a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles, and the ever popular Christmas tree from creating a tragedy. Learn how to prevent a fire and what to do in case a fire starts in your home. Make sure all exits are accessible and not blocked by decorations or trees. Help ensure that you have a fire safe holiday season.

Maintain your Holiday Lights

Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing labora- tory.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets

Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.

CANDLE CARE

Avoid Using Lit Candles

If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree!

Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – candles, light- ers or matches.

CHRISTMAS TREES

What’s a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales per- son’s suggestion – “Keep the tree watered. ”Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.

Selecting a Tree

Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be iden- tified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long and, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

Caring for Your Tree

Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your Tree

Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, dis- card it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

Holiday Decorations

Use Only Nonflammable Decorations

All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. If you are using a metallic or artifi- cial tree, make sure it is flame retardant

Don’t Block Exits

Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in the Fireplace

Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.

The office of Virginia State Delegate Richard L. Anderson (R-51) has announced that the Prince William County legislator will host his third annual “51st House District Future Delegate Program” at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond during the months of January and February 2015.

The program is open to students from grades 7 through 12. They may be enrolled in any public or private school, to include home-schooled students. The 51st House District stretches from Occoquan Town westward through Lake Ridge, the county portions of Manassas, and into Brentsville and Nokesville.

All students are welcome to participate, regardless of party affiliation or views. The Future Delegate Program focuses solely on the legislative process and exposes students and families to legislative life in Richmond. The goal is for students to return home after a full day in Richmond with a greater appreciation for the public policy process. Anderson’s goal is to motivate students to pursue public service as their chosen profession as an adult.

On December 16, from 7-8:30pm, Anderson will host an orientation night for prospective student participants in the Powell’s Creek Conference Room at the McCoart Government Center at 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, VA. At that time, he and his staff will brief students and families on the program, answer questions, and hand out and receive applications from prospective participants.

In 2013 and 2014, Anderson hosted a PWC student for an entire day at the Capitol under his Future Delegate Program. The delegate stated that “over the last two years, we hosted nearly 70 students and their families. They stayed by my side for the full day, attending committee meetings, the daily House floor session, press conferences, and meetings with the Governor and other senior elected officials.”

The intent is that only one student will participate each day, so that they experience quality time with their elected representative and are able to focus fully on the legislative process.

Anderson further stated that “I look forward to welcoming another 35 students to Richmond in January and February. I want young people, who are the next generation of leadership in our Commonwealth, to experience Virginia’s legislative process first-hand. I want them to seriously consider a career in public service.”

The program is managed by his 51st House District Neighborhood Coordinator, Ms. Kristina Schnack Kotlus, who can be reached at [email protected].