When Woodbridge resident Patricia Breeden first started as a cashier at her local Food Lion grocery store, Bill Clinton was president. On average, a dozen eggs cost less than a dollar, and a gallon of milk typically costs less than three dollars. The now 30-year employee of Food Lion says she’s seen a lot of changes in the grocery industry and was recently recognized by the grocery chain for her career milestone.
“I've seen a lot of changes in the last few decades, especially with the technology we use on a daily basis,” Breeden said. “And, of course, the prices have changed so much during that time, too.”
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With over 7,000 miles of coastline, Mexico offers a unique cuisine scene with more than just traditional Mexican dishes. In fact, Mexican seafood has long been a popular fare in areas like Cancun, Tampico, and Baja California. Now, diners in Northern Virginia can taste many popular Mexican seafood dishes at Mariscos Cancun Mexican Seafood and Grill restaurant in Manassas.
For founder and owner Cesar Lopez, a resident of Manassas, the restaurant’s elaborate menu was inspired by similar restaurants in the Houston area, but may yet be unfamiliar to many diners in Northern Virginia, he admits.
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The president was joined by the Secretary of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator, the AmeriCorps CEO, and members of Congress to announce $7 billion in grants through the EPA’s “Solar for All” grant competition, which provides funding to states, municipalities, and nonprofits to deliver residential solar power to 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Additionally, the president announced the start of the American Climate Corps, a federal jobs initiative to hire 20,000 Americans to build clean energy and climate resiliency projects around the country. The American Climate Corps is modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps, a workforce initiative started by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt following the Great Depression in 1933. The Civilian Conservation Corps developed and built the Prince William Forest Park in Triangle.
“It’s fitting to be here in Prince William Forest Park … [the Civilian Conservation Corps] put Americans to work to conserve our country’s natural resources. Thousands of young Americans built this park, providing jobs, recreation, hope and healing at the time,” the president said. “We know today, we face another kind of existential threat that requires equally bold and clear action.”
Biden said the effects of climate change were wide-reaching across the globe, and that last year’s Earth Day was the hottest Earth Day on record. In announcing the “Solar for All” program, Biden said that energy costs are some of the biggest costs for low and moderate-income families. The program will save households more than $350 million in electricity costs annually – or approximately $400 per household – according to a White House statement.
“‘Solar for All’ will give us more breathing room and cleaner breathing room,” Biden said. “It’s going to also create 200,000 good paying and union jobs over the five years in communities that need it the most.”
In addressing jobs, the president said the American Climate Corps would “bring out the best in young people to do what’s best for America.” Americans can apply to join the Corps through a newly launched website, climatecorps.gov, which will feature 2,000 positions in 36 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and are hosted by organizations specializing in clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience.
“You’ll get paid to fight climate change, learning how to install those solar panels, fight wildfires, rebuild wetlands and weatherize homes, and so much more that will protect the environment and build a clean energy economy,” Biden said.
According to a White House statement, Corps members will have access to an apprenticeship program from the North American Building Trades Unions’ nonprofit partner, TradesFutures. The statement also said 13 states have already launched statewide Climate Corps programs and will work with the American Climate Corps to provide increased opportunities and projects to combat climate change.
Derrick Anderson, a Republican congressional candidate for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, countered the president’s assertions and said his energy policies benefit other countries rather than Americans.
“Joe Biden’s energy policies are benefitting China — with our taxpayer dollars —while Americans are hurt badly. Biden is helping the same country that’s buying up land near our military installations and is sending military-aged males over our porous border,” Anderson said. “Biden should be apologizing to Virginians, not giving speeches. When I’m in Congress, I’ll do everything I can to reverse Biden’s mess.”
The president will participate in additional events this week to commemorate Earth Week and highlight his administration’s actions against climate change, according to The White House statement.
Today’s visit marks the second to Prince William County in 2024. He kicked off his campaign with Vice President Kamala Harris in January at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. President Barack Obama visited Prince William County in 2012, marking the last time a Democrat running for the White House visited the county, once regarded as a must-stop bellwether for national elections for candidates of both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Obama held a campaign rally at Richard G. Pfitzner Stadium, formerly the home of the Fredericksburg Nationals (Potomac Nationals), where he arrived via helicopter.
Editor’s note: Potomac Local News covered this story remotely and was not provided with advance notice of the president’s visit.
Kevin Sandell is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.
Raina Chan has a knack for singing - a knack her parents noticed when she was just two years old. From performing the national anthem at several capital area-area sports events to singing at the Philippine president’s visit to Washington, D.C. in 2023, Chan has wowed audiences for years.
Now the Stafford County high school student has a new accomplishment: singing on national TV.
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Just four miles from Manassas Regional Airport, the busiest General Aviation airport in Virginia, students at Unity Reed High School in Prince William County are learning the aviation maintenance trade courtesy of a donated aircraft to the school. The aircraft will allow the students to gain hands-on maintenance experience in a trade that is experiencing a critical manpower shortage nationwide.
Scott Kenney, an Aviation Maintenance teacher at Unity Reed High School and Woodbridge High School, said the aircraft is a Viking Dragonfly, a two-seater plane with a cockpit less than four feet across. Summit Helicopters, a Salem, Va.-based company, donated the aircraft. Kenney said he was “very happy” to receive the donation and that it would help enhance students’ education and interest in aviation maintenance.
“[This program’s goal] is to enrich the education of the students in the field of aviation maintenance and to prepare them for any future school or career they may choose,” Kenney said.
The Aviation Maintenance Programs at Unity Reed High School and Woodbridge High School teach equipment safety, maintenance publications and records, airframes, engines, and electricity and give students insight into aviation careers. Kenney said 17 students are enrolled in the program at Unity Reed and another 15 at Woodbridge High School.
As part of their curriculum, the 32 students take Aviation Maintenance I and II courses and recommended classes like Technical Drawing, Introduction to Engineering and Design, or Construction Technology. The school has a large maintenance bay to accommodate the aircraft, disassemble the engine and avionics, and teach repair techniques for engine and cockpit components.
For Unity Reed seniors Kevin Salazar Ramirez and Eddie Quezada, using a real aircraft in conjunction with the school’s aviation program allows them to test their skills.
“The best aspects of the class are the hands-on projects like disassembling an aircraft reciprocating engine,” Ramirez said. He added that remembering some of the steps involved in disassembly can be challenging.
Both students said they intend to earn aviation maintenance technician certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration and believe the school’s aviation maintenance program can “open [future students’] eyes to the aspects of [the] aeronautics and aerospace industry.”
According to industry estimates, a shortage of nearly 18,000 aviation mechanics nationwide in 2023 could skyrocket to 43,000 by 2027. The Aviation Technician Education Council predicts the industry needs at least 20% more mechanics than are currently being trained to meet the immense demand.
Kenney said he is proud to “play a role in encouraging our students to pursue various fields of aviation” and to prepare them for Aircraft Maintenance Technician Schools or apprenticeships.
Kevin Sandell is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.
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Jim Bailey, 54, a resident of Gainesville since 1997, has been umpiring Little League softball and baseball for 12 years and was selected among thousands of umpire candidates nationwide to serve in the 2024 Little League World Series. According to the league, appointment as a volunteer umpire for a World Series event is the highest honor the organization can bestow on an umpire.
“Being named an umpire at one of our seven World Series events is an honor that thousands of Little League umpires strive for each year and has long been known as an opportunity to showcase their hard work and give back by helping to provide a fun and memorable experience for the hundreds of participants from around the world,” said Stu Hartenstein, Little League Director of Umpire Development and Operations, in a press release announcing the umpires’ selections.
Even for Bailey, a veteran official with over a decade of experience on the field, the Little League World Series opportunity still gives him mixed emotions.
“I am nervous and excited,” Bailey said. “…I want to make sure I do my best.”
He said the selection started with a lengthy process that began with Little League training classes and then umpiring at state tournaments. After umpiring there, selected umpires move up to regional tournaments, which are evaluated by Little League regional training staff.
“At the end of the region tournament, you sit down with the training staff to review your strengths and weaknesses, and are scored based on the review form developed by Little League International,” Bailey said.
Umpires must score well to be recommended for the World Series events. The process can take years for an umpire to be appointed for a Little League World Series. In the 2024 Little League World Series, Bailey will serve as an umpire for the Senior League Softball World Series in Lower Sussex, Del., from July 29 – Aug. 4. The Senior League Division is for boys and girls aged 13-16 years old.
“I appreciate what Little League offers to the children in our community and look forward to being involved for many years to come,” Bailey said. He added that his son and daughter also played baseball and softball, and he often saw the “love of the game” from players and their families and enjoyed the camaraderie with other umpires.
He is one of 13 volunteer umpires officiating the Senior League Division games, and other umpires in the division hail from locations like British Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Philippines, and several U.S. states. The games are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN starting July 27.
Kevin Sandell is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.
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With its fusion of funk, blues, salsa, and soul, Go-Go music holds a special place in Washington, D.C., and surrounding communities. In fact, in 2020, the musical genre was designated as the D.C’s official music. Now, diners in Northern Virginia can pay homage to the Go-Go culture while enjoying burgers and milkshakes in a new restaurant that could make Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers proud.
Burgers@ Manassas held a “soft” opening on February 10 at the Manassas Mall, which offers a wide range of hamburgers, tenders and wings, beverages, and locally baked desserts. As the second “Burgers@” location in the Washington, D.C. area (the other location is in Camp Springs, Md.), the Burgers@ Manassas restaurant brings the familiar musical culture to Prince William County.
“We’ve been getting a lot of great feedback from our customers, who are excited for ‘Burgers@’ to be in Manassas, mainly because nothing like this exists in Prince William County,” said Dennis Green, founder and CEO of the Burgers@ restaurant brand. “…Our Manassas customers and neighbors are all excited to see the Go-Go music culture highlighted in this area, and we’re honored to be able to do this through our restaurant.”
Beyond its extensive menu of sandwiches and burgers, Burgers@ Manassas boasts an impressive 54-foot mural three times larger than the mural at the Maryland location. Green said the mural is a “focal point” that honors local prominent figures who have contributed to the “overall culture in one way or another.”
“Being a native Washingtonian, I’ve always embraced the artistry of Go-Go music since I was a young kid and it is the inspiration behind everything that I do,” Green said. “…It was a no-brainer to incorporate the Go-Go music culture into the brand’s story. Not just with the interior design, but the menu items, as well as the entertainment that we offer.”
Among its best sellers are “The Apollo” burger, which costs $12, the “Soufeast Seafood Burger,” at about $17, the “Jive Turkey” burger at $12, and “The Bay Filet,” at $12.25. Customers can complement their burgers by choosing from over 25 toppings and sauces, and the burgers are made with fresh Angus beef, whiting fish, chicken, or even shrimp.
Green said that while the restaurant undergoes a “soft” opening phase, its grand opening should occur in the next 60 days. The restaurant is open every day, noon until 6 p.m., and is located inside the Manassas Mall at 8300 Sudley Road in Manassas.
Kevin Sandell is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.
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During her monthly “Virginia-Focused Town Hall” Wednesday night, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D – Va. 7, Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania) faced challenging questions from constituents across the district.
Of utmost importance, the representative said, was averting a partial government shutdown, a move that Congress passed just a day later ahead of the January 19 deadline.
“Even the threat of the government shutdown hurts the small businesses, hurts the contractors, hurts the federal employees - certainly across Virginia and certainly across the 7th District,” Spanberger said Wednesday. “…It impacts our economy in Virginia, and we need to be doing appropriations bills on time.”
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Diners in Stafford and those traveling through have a new restaurant to find “down home cooking” in a “cozy place … [that] feels like your dining room.”
The Widewater Grille, a roadside café offering traditional American cuisine at 3846 Richmond Highway in Stafford, opened in August 2023 and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Its co-owner, Chris Council, is a former Marine instructor at the Quantico Marine Corps Base and a Stafford resident since 2005.
