Stafford County Public Schools have partnered with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant program to create the first student-run tax preparation program in Virginia.
The VITA grant program is an IRS initiative designed to support free tax preparation for the under-served demographics such as persons with low-to-moderate income individuals, people with disabilities, the elderly, and those who speak limited English.
While most VITA programs are run by nonprofits and staffed by adults, the Stafford School Work-Based Learning Team has chosen to connect with the IRS Office of Stakeholder Partnerships to give students studying accounting the chance to train, volunteer, and earn work-based learning experience.
Colonial Forge High School is home to 14 students who are certified with the IRS, with an additional three from Mountain View High School. These students are equipped with the same knowledge and must take the same exam that any adult must take to volunteer in such programs.
VITA has five remaining clinics for this tax season, three of which are during the month of March. The next clinic will be at Colonial Forge High School on Friday, February 17. Appointment times are listed for 3 to 4:30 p.m., 4 to 5:30 p.m., and 5 to 6:30 p.m. Following that, VITA will hold a clinic at Mountain View High School with slots from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22.
During March, VITA will hold a clinic at Colonial Forge High School on Saturday, March 4 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., another at CFHS on Saturday, March 25 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., and the final clinic for this tax season which will be held on Wednesday, March 29 from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at Mountain View High School.
All of the clinics listed also allow for either virtual or in-person tax appointments, though clients must still visit a physical clinic to verify their identity before taking part in a virtual session.
A limited number of appointments may be made at tinyurl.com/scpsvita or by calling 540-658-6115.
February 18 is National Battery Day — A day be aware of how to properly dispose of the power sources.
Properly disposing of batteries not only prevents pollution, but recycling also saves metals and minerals that can be used in new products. Proper battery preparation for recycling is also essential to prevent fires while in transit since batteries rubbing together create the risk of sparks, fires, and explosions.
This puts waste management employees, transportation vehicles, equipment, and waste and recycling facilities in danger.
It is important that batteries are not placed in the regular recycling bin, or trash can. Set them aside in a non-metal container after taping the ends until you can take them to a battery collection site for proper handling. Taping the ends prevents batteries from short-circuiting and possibly causing a fire.
Call2recycle.org, a leading consumer battery recycler, recommends duct tape or non-conductive electrical tape.
Prince William County residents can bring various types of household batteries and lead-acid automotive batteries to the Prince William County Landfill or the Balls Ford Road Compost Facility Monday through Saturday.
These facilities do not accept hybrid/EV batteries used in electric cars. Contact a car dealership or auto parts retailer for EV battery recycling. Electronic items that contain batteries can be brought to the County Landfill on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition to the two county facilities, several retail outlets also make battery recycling convenient. Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, Staples, or battery specialty stores like Batteries Plus and Interstate Battery all have battery-recycling programs. Mom’s Organic Market has an extensive recycling center that accepts many battery types. Earth 911 and Call2recycle are online resources for battery recycling drop-off locations and battery recycling mail-in program options.
For more information on recycling in Prince William County, visit pwcva.gov/trashandrecycling and pwcva.gov/disposalguide.
Manhattan Pizza’s location in Gainesville applied for a Virginia ABC permit alcohol. The state agency must approve the license.
The restaurant sits at 13841 Heathcote Boulevard, and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday through Sunday.
This Manhattan Pizza location is similar to the one at 1610 Publix Way in Stafford, Virginia, which opened on June 21, 2022.
Manhattan Pizza offers a ‘build your own pizza’ option with a small pizza starting at $13, medium for $17, or large for $22. Appetizers start at $4, while children’s meals such as chicken tenders cost $5.
The restaurant also has range of specialty items such as Greek Gyros, Stromboli, and Calzones.
According to the Manhattan Pizza website, co-owners and brothers Jack Azar owned a deli in Houston, a food truck in San Diego, before opening Manhattan Pizza in New York City.
On Saturday, March 4, 2023, the Rappahannock Hunt Club will host its Annual Point-to-Point Race in Boston, VA. The races will take place at The Hill, at 13257 Durantes Curve, Boston, Va., just off Route 522.
This steeplechase event has been arranged by the Rappahannock Hunt Club for over 70 years and will feature eight races over timber and on the flat.
Three of the races will be for the ponies – the courageous riders and keen ponies are sure to bring a smile to all attendees. Thoroughbreds from Virginia and neighboring states run for the blue ribbon and bragging rights in this sporting competition.
The first race will start at noon, with gates opening at 10 a.m. to allow ample time for parking, tailgate arrangements, and conversation. Spectators can view the races from the hilltop, providing a view over the entire racecourse, or be a part of the action along the rail where horses and jockeys prepare to run and cross the finish line.
There are limited prime parking spaces available, with ample parking for general admission. Pets are not allowed, except for service animals. In case of inclement weather, the races will be run on Saturday, March 11.
Online ticketing for reserved parking spots is available through Eventbrite from January 20 until March 2, 2023. To reserve and pay for prime parking, visit tinyurl.com/RHP2PRaces2023tickets. General admission tickets are available only on race day at the gate for $10 per person.
On March 15, 2023, the Osbourn High School PTSA will host a Create with Kindness program for Manassas families, made possible by National PTA and TikTok, where they will participate in conversations about digital kindness, responsibility, and safety, as well as TikTok's parental controls.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
T. Benton Gayle Middle School in Stafford County qualified for the 2023 National Convention in all areas at the Virginia Regional Leadership Summit.
Twenty-three of GMS's Junior Beta Club members attended the leadership summit, the first in which the school has participated. The school also received an Outstanding Leadership School award.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Every year, The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Network of Enterprising Women (CNEW) chooses a different, local nonprofit and raises money throughout the year at their quarterly events. On January 17, CNEW presented the 2022 nonprofit of the year, Empowerhouse, with a $9,000 check.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Always Flavored, the flavor-centric Sauce and Seasoning company in Fredericksburg, is celebrating two second-place honors from the 2023 Scovie Awards for its Sweet Virginia Love BBQ Sauce in the Barbecue Sauce-Unique category and Ritabeata's Mild Hot Sauce in the Prepared Sauce-Prepared category.
"We couldn't be more excited that our products were recognized and appreciated at such a national and international level," Rita Witte, owner, and founder said. "It is gratifying and pleasing to know our sauces keep tantalizing and dazzling the taste buds of even some of the toughest food critics." The judging comprised 80-100 culinary experts and is usually held the first Monday between the New Mexico State Fair and Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This year's competition had 934 entries from 151 companies across 37 states and 12 countries, which included, but weren't limited to, England, Hungary, Germany, Canada, and Australia. Always Flavored creates sauces, seasonings, and condiments, including a growing line of hot sauce flavors, barbeque sauce, and various spices and rubs. All products are sourced locally. Ritabeata's Mild Hot Sauce is a fermented sauce made with moderate heat with jalapeños, serranos, and long chilies. Sweet Virginia Love BBQ Sauce is a balance of sweet and savory for beef, poultry, and fish dishes with low heat. On Nov. 20, 2022, Always Flavored opened its first bistro and retail store at 1711 Princess Anne Street in downtown Fredericksburg. Before opening the bistro, Always Flavored sold products through its online store at alwaysflavored.com and farmers' markets, local events, and several local stores.
Germanna announced the lawmaker's visit in a press release after the event had concluded.
This follows a development from October in which Germanna announced a $15 million Stafford County public-private expansion deal that will triple its training space there, meaning many more critically needed cybersecurity professionals will be graduating.
