Greetings, Prince William – Please join the staff at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park for Park Day 2024 on April 6, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Park Day is a nationwide event that encourages Civil War enthusiasts to help maintain, restore and preserve Civil War sites through volunteerism. Volunteers are needed for projects such as litter pick up, cleaning cemeteries, and trail maintenance throughout the 140-acre park. Please wear sturdy work shoes, bring gloves, and remember sunscreen. Tools and snacks will be provided. Please meet in the parking lot off Iron Brigade Avenue. You’ll feel great getting outdoors with friends and family as you clean up and beautify this piece of Civil War history! No signups necessary, just show up. Please contact [email protected] or call 703.366.3049 for more information.
- Animal lovers, the Pet Food Pantry at City of Manassas Animal Shelter needs donations of pet food to help those who temporarily need assistance in feeding their pets. Donations of dry and canned pet food plus treats for dogs and cats, pet food for small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.) and cat litter are welcome! Items can be brought to the animal shelter at 10039 Dean Drive, Manassas 20110. If your kids are looking for a Spring Break service project, they could hold a pet food drive! Please call 703.257.2420 for more information and shelter hours.
- And animal lovers in Prince William County, you haven’t been forgotten! Prince William County Police Department is holding a Fill the Cruiser event for the County’s Animal Services Center March 28, 12 p.m.- 2 p.m. Come by the Central District Police Station, 5036 Davis Ford Road in Woodbridge and help load up the police vehicle with your donations of pet food, pet toys, kitty litter and more to feed those furry friends! Please visit https://bit.ly/3TkJF9W for a list of requested items. Please email [email protected] or call 703.792.6465 for more information.
- Brain Injury Services (BIS) needs volunteers to be PALS (Providing a Link for Survivors) for survivors of brain injury. This is a one-to-one friendship program for brain injury survivors; the program connects BIS clients with volunteers who can help them socialize in the community and rebuild social skills through friendship. Once a month outings for coffee, walks, lunch, etc. can help a client get their life back on track following such a traumatic occurrence! Please visit www.braininjurysvcs.org/volunteer/ for more information, email [email protected] to learn how you can help.
- You can make a difference in the life of a child! CASA Children’s Intervention Services needs volunteers age 21+ who care about children growing up in a safe, permanent and loving home. The staff will hold their next Virtual Information Session on March 27, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Learn how you can help protect abused and neglected children in your community by becoming a volunteer advocate. Please email [email protected] or call 703.330.8145 to receive the link to the meeting or to inquire about alternate dates.
- If you need service hours for school, church, etc., the Town of Dumfries is holding their Dumfries Spring Clean-Up on April 6, beginning at 9 a.m. Everyone’s welcome! Volunteers will meet at 17757 Main Street in Dumfries for check-in. Fresh air, volunteering with friends and family, cleaning up the community – what a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning! Please visit https://bit.ly/48E96Ka to register, call 703.221.3400, ext. 119 or email [email protected] to learn more.
- Come out April 6 and be a River Hero! Friends of the Occoquan is holding their Spring River Cleanup at 5 different sites in Prince William County, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Preregistration is recommended by emailing [email protected]. Bottled drinks and snacks will be available. Enjoy your Saturday morning with friends by doing your part to keep the source of our drinking water safe and pristine! Please visit www.friendsoftheoccoquan.org and scroll down the Home page for more information.
- You can celebrate Earth Day with Leopold’s Preserve! They need volunteers to help plant 200 donated trees on their facility at 16290 Thoroughfare Road in Broad Run on Saturday, April 20. Two shifts are available, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.. This sounds like a wonderful activity for the whole family! Please visit www.leopoldspreserve.com/calendar to sign up. Please email [email protected] or call 571.358.2098 to learn more.
- Use your skills and knowledge of English to make a difference in the lives of immigrants and refugees in our community! Literacy Council of Northern Virginia’s English Empowerment Center (EEC) needs volunteers age 18+ to teach English to beginning-level learners at various locations in Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Falls Church, Herndon, Lorton, Reston, and also online. They have a particular need for volunteers for classes in Lorton, Alexandria, and Annandale. Prior teaching experience is preferred but is not required - training, curriculum, and support will be provided. EEC also seeks committed office volunteers to assist with administrative tasks, special events, and data entry. Please come to an information session/volunteer orientation on Thursday, April 4, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. over Zoom. For more information or to RSVP for the orientation, email [email protected].
- Save the Date and get a jump on spring cleaning! Prince William County Solid Waste Division will hold a Free Document Shredding Event March 30, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. or until trucks reach capacity. The event is located at Pfitzner Stadium parking lot, 7 County Complex Court, Woodbridge. This is for residents only, unavailable for businesses and commercial patrons. Please visit www.pwcva.gov/events/free-paper-shredding-residents for more information, email [email protected] to learn more.
- StreetLight Community Ministries still needs volunteers who can provide a nourishing dinner for 30 people each night at the Bill Mehr Drop-In Center, 14716 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge through March 31. Meals should be prepared at home and provided in disposable aluminum pans or serving trays; drop off is between 6:15 p.m. - 7 p.m. only. Desserts and sides are also appreciated but not required. It’s a fantastic group project, and you’ll feel great knowing you are providing a delicious homecooked meal for our homeless neighbors! Please visit https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/lowvd4/ to sign up. If you sign up to bring a meal and cannot honor your commitment/make it on time, please email [email protected] or call 571.677.2883.
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This week, we’re thrilled to host Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman of the Prince William County School Board, and Jennifer Wall, Gainesville District Representative, for an engaging discussion on the state of education in Prince William County on the next Potomac Local News Podcast.
Rania Lateef, a senior at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and the Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, daughter of Prince William School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, has been named one of 40 finalists in the prestigious 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS). Selected from nearly 2,500 applicants nationwide, Rania is recognized for her groundbreaking research on the effects of artificial light and circadian disruption on biobehavioral systems in Drosophila melanogaster. Her work highlights the impact of sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances on physical and mental health.
Rania credited her success to the supportive academic community of Prince William County Public Schools, her teachers Stephanie Brown and Dr. Alexis Patanarut, and her unique opportunities at GS@IP. As a finalist, she has already won $27,000 and will compete for additional awards totaling over $1.8 million during a week-long event in Washington, D.C., in March 2025. Rania’s journey emphasizes the power of passion and commitment in achieving meaningful scientific discoveries.
The Woodbridge District invites residents to join a Community Update Town Hall Meeting hosted by Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin. This virtual event offers an opportunity for residents to stay informed about the latest developments and initiatives in the community.
Details of the Town Hall:
Date: January 29, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
Residents can participate in the meeting by joining the Zoom session.
On January 24, 2025, at 12:25 a.m., Sergeant E.E. West responded to a single-vehicle crash at the McDonald’s on Wonder Road. An intoxicated driver, identified as Juan Gomez Alvarez, 38, of North Carolina, entered the drive-thru at a high rate of speed, struck a sign, and came to rest at an awkward angle, blocking the lane.
Gomez Alvarez displayed red, glassy eyes and had a strong odor of alcohol. The investigation revealed that he had been convicted of DUI in New York just the previous day, making this his second offense in five years. He was charged with DUI second offense, refusal, and destruction of property and was taken to Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
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.
