Businesses are opening back up, and once again, workers are being asked to bike to work.
After taking a hiatus last year due to the pandemic, the annual Bike to Work Day in the Washington area will be held tomorrow. There are several outdoor pit stops in the region, including six in Prince William County and one in Manassas, where riders can stop off for a free t-shirt and for some water (we’ll list those locations at the bottom of this post), and participants must register online for an appointment in which to visit the pit stop and get the free t-shirt.
While you at the pit stops, be sure to wear a mask. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, which organizes the event, writes in a press release:
Safety measures in compliance with CDC guidelines will be in effect at all pit stop locations to ensure participants and volunteers remain safe. Precautions include:
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Zero-tolerance mask enforcement.
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Pre-selected check-in times for staggered arrival times, with 25-30 bicyclists per 30-minute timeslot.
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Physical distancing requirements, including six-foot distancing, one-way traffic flow, hand sanitizer stations, and appropriate signage.
That “zero tolerance” mask enforcement policy comes as leaders in Virginia and Washington, D.C. lifted mask mandates for vaccinated people.
We asked Bike to Work Day organizers why participants in Virginia still needed to wear a mask, especially when the pit stops are outdoors. Our question:
- Can you expound on the zero-tolerance mask enforcement requirement? As Virginia has dropped its mask requirement for the vaccinated, why should vaccinated Virginians who would participate in this event be forced to wear a mask?As we’ve seen https://news.bswhealth.com/en-US/releases/baylor-scott-white-sports-therapy-research-publishes-new-data-on-impacts-of-mask-wearing-on-sports-performance, wearing a mask while exercising reduces oxygen to the body by nearly 30%.
Organizers largely dodged the question, emailing us this response:
“We’re excited to host a Bike to Work Day event that is both celebratory and safe for all participants regionwide. For that reason, we’re asking volunteers and participants to wear masks within pit stop areas where they could be in close proximity to others, in accordance with CDC guidelines.”
–Nicholas Ramfos, Commuter Connections Director
Those pit stops in Prince William County and Manassas include:
- Dumfries at Town Hall Community Center
- Haymarket Bicycles
- Manassas – George Mason University
- Manassas – VRE Station
- Rippon Landing VRE Station
- Woodbridge – Chinn Center (morning & afternoon)
- Woodbridge – VRE Station
This is the 20th year for the bike event in the Washington, D.C. area.
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Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman At-Large of the Prince William County School Board, has entered the race for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, positioning himself as an education-focused candidate in a crowded Democratic primary. With years of experience overseeing Virginia’s second-largest school division, Lateef brings a track record of pushing for increased teacher pay, improved graduation rates, and infrastructure investments—all issues he hopes to prioritize at the state level.
An Education-First Platform
Lateef, an ophthalmologist and longtime public servant, has served on the Prince William County School Board since 2018. Under his leadership, teacher salaries have increased by 61%, making the county more competitive with neighboring school divisions. Additionally, the county’s graduation rate has risen to 95%, the highest in its history.
When the toilet gets clogged, or the pipe springs a leak, it might be time to call Mr. Rooter, the newest plumbing place in Fredericksburg, to fix the problem.
Officials gathered on Thursday, January 30, 2025, to cut the ribbon on the new Westwood Center office just east of I-95.
“When we started Mr. Rooter here in Fredericksburg, we set out to create not just another plumbing service, but a local business that our community can trust — whether it is for routine plumbing repair, an emergency fix, or a major installation,” said Gilbert Mwenedata, owner of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Fredericksburg. “We’re proud to be part of this wonderful community, and we look forward to building lasting relationships with our neighbors, customers, and other local businesses,” he said.
The Haymarket Town Council is set to meet tonight, Monday, February 3, 2025, at 7 p.m. to receive an update from the town manager on several ongoing projects and initiatives. The meeting will occur at the Council Chambers, located at 15000 Washington St., Suite 100, in Haymarket.
Among the key topics on the agenda, town officials will discuss:
Park Sidewalk Project: Progress continues on the asphalt work, tree planting, and signage installation along Washington Street, with lighting and benches set to be delivered soon.
Stormwater Assessment Program: Officials have identified three major problem areas for stormwater drainage improvements, with full surveying expected to be completed by April 2025.
Town Center Development: Town staff are reviewing the latest submission of the site plan, with discussions focused on prioritization and financing.
Highpointe at Haymarket: The rezoning application for a proposed workforce housing project remains on hold.
ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
