The Workhouse Arts Center announced its winter-spring performance lineup.

The eclectic offerings range from a classic, old Hollywood-style jazz singer to a family-friendly, progressive hip-hop artist. Comedy show formats include an audience participation round-table discussion and individual stand-up comedians.

Performances are either part of the OnStage series, organized by the Workhouse Art Center’s Performing Arts team, or the Rahmein Presents comedy series, by Rahmein Mostafavi.

The OnStage lineup of musical artists includes Jazz specialist Stephanie Nakasian, GRAMMY-nominated progressive hip-hop artist Christylez Bacon, instrumental solo percussionist Tom Teasly, award-winning vocalist and Virginia Blues ambassador Bobby BlackHat, and Washingon D.C.-based artist and composer Josanne Francis.

Ramhein Presents’ primary program is its ‘couples therapy’ comedy show, a round-table discussion about the trials and tribulations of love, dating, sex, singlehood, and marriage.

All performances are held at the Workhouse campus at 9518 Workhouse Way in Lorton. Show times vary, including both day and night performances. Prices range from $10 to $25; parking is free. For more information, visit workhousearts.org.

Local leaders and new residents joined the development team of PTM Partners (PTM) and The IDI Group Companies (IDI) on January 25 to celebrate the completion of Viridium, a new 318-unit apartment building with unrivaled amenities on the Occoquan River in Woodbridge.

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On January 17, 2023, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors passed a motion to approve more than $4.7 million of federal funding for a new sidewalk along Prince William Parkway.

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OmniRide’s Service Change will take effect on Monday, January 30.

Schedules for Express, Metro Express, and Local routes will change on that date. OmniRide Connect micro transit pilot program is now operating in Manassas Park. It replaces the OmniRide Local Manassas Park route. Some routes operate from the new Balls Ford Road Commuter Lot in Manassas.

The new schedules are available here https://omniride.com/service/schedules/ .

THE FOLLOWING ROUTES HAVE CHANGES:

OmniRide Express

Note: Manassas – Washington/State Dept. (601) route will be discontinued. Riders can use Gainesville-Washington (611) to get into D.C.

Dale City – Washington (D-100)

NEW routing starts and ends at Dale Blvd & Birchdale, no longer serves Potomac Mills lot or OmniRide Transit Center but continues service to Dale City, Telegraph and Horner Rd lots

Timetable adjustments

Trips added

Dale City – Pentagon & Rosslyn/Ballston (D-200)

NEW routing starts and ends at Dale Blvd & Birchdale

Timetable adjustments

Trip added

• Dale City – Navy Yard (D-300)

NEW routing starts and ends at the OmniRide Transit Center

Timetable adjustments

Trips added

• Dale City – Mark Center (D-400)

NEW routing trips start and end at Dale Blvd & Birchdale

Timetable adjustments

• Lake Ridge – Washington (L-100)

Timetable adjustments

• Pentagon stop added to later morning trips
• Lake Ridge-Pentagon / Crystal City (L-200)

Timetable adjustments

• Eliminated last morning trip due to low ridership
• Montclair (MC-100) — now a separate schedule from MC-200
• NEW routing — starts and ends at Dale City lot. NEW AM routing at L’Enfant Plaza

Timetable adjustments

• Montclair to Pentagon (MC-200) — now a separate schedule from MC-100
• NEW routing — starts and end on Benita Fitzgerald at Brahams Drive

Timetable adjustments

• South Route 1 – Pentagon / L’Enfant Plaza / Washington DC (RS)
• NEW routing — stats and ends at Benita Fitzgerald and Brahams Drive. AM rerouting at L’Enfant Plaza changed.

Timetable adjustments

• Tysons Corner (T)

Timetable adjustments

• Stafford-Washington (543)
• Timetable adjustments
• Pentagon added to first and last trip in both AM/PM
• Stafford-Pentagon (942)

Timetable adjustments

• AM trip discontinued and PM trip added
• Manassas-Washington (601) — DISCONTINUED. Alternate Gainesville/Manassas-Washington/State Department (611).
• Manassas-Pentagon (602)
• NEW routing — starts and ends at Balls Ford lot
• Timetable adjustments

Trips added

• Manassas-Dulles Corridor/Reston/Herndon (608) — NEW Route
• Service from new Balls Ford Commuter Lot to USGS Geographic Science Center in Reston
• Connections to Metro Silverline (to Dulles Airport) and other regional buses
• Gainesville/Manassas-Washington/State Department (611)
• NEW routing — now serves Balls Ford lot

Timetable adjustments

Trips added

• Gainesville-Pentagon / L’Enfant Plaza / Navy Yard (612)

Timetable adjustments

Trip added

• Haymarket-Rosslyn / Ballston (622)
• NEW routing — starts and ends at Heathcote lot. University lot added to route.

Timetable adjustments

Trips added

• Western Express Connector (62) — NEW Route
• Provides timed connections to Route 60 at Balls Ford Lot
• Limestone to Balls Ford to University in morning
• Balls Ford to University to Linton Hall in evening

OmniRide Metro Express

Linton Hall (61) route will be discontinued. Passengers can ride new Western Express Connector (62) to Balls Ford Lot to connect with Manassas Metro Express to Tysons Metro Station.

Manassas (60)

• All day service to/from Tysons Metro
• First 3 am trips start on Centreville Rd @ Shoppers Square
• Last 3 evening trips end on Centreville Rd @ Leland
• Balls Ford Lot added to routing

OmniRide Local

Note: Manassas Park (68) — Route discontinued and replaced with OmniRide Connect microtransit service.

Manassas North-NOVA Campus (65N) — NEW routing, now separate schedule from route 67

• Direct Access to Manassas Mall
• Direct Access to Portsmouth Commuter Lot
• New Routing from Hub-PWC Courthouse to Manassas Mall
• Irongate Way routing eliminated

Manassas North-Balls Ford Lot (65B) — NEW routing, NEW separate schedule from routes 65N and 67

• Operates between the Western Hub and the Balls Ford Lot
• Direct access to Manassas Mall
• Timed transfers at Western Hub to Route 96

Manassas South to Manassas Park (67) — NEW routing, separate schedule from 65N and 65B routes.

• Service hours extended to match 65N
• New routing along Portner / Breeden / Mathis
• Euclid routing discontinued

Dale City

• First three morning trips start at Chinn Center
• Provides early options for residents on Prince William Pkwy to connect to Express routes

Woodbridge/Lake Ridge

• Loops A & B routing altered around Tackett’s Mill
• No longer serves stops on Harbor Dr & Tackett’s Mill Dr
• Serves stop at Tackett’s Mill Commuter Lot
• New timepoint is Lake Ridge Commuter Lot
• East – West Express (96)

Timetable adjustments

Added trip

Contact OmniRide Customer Service at 703-730-6664 or [email protected] for more information.

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is excited to announce the appointment of William “Jake” Jacoby as the new chief of police.

Jacoby has served as the college’s assistant chief of police for ten years. Following a nationwide search, Jacoby was named to succeed Chief Dan Dusseau, who retired in May 2022.

Jacoby has nearly four decades of police experience in Northern Virginia. He is familiar with the region’s police forces, especially in the leading four jurisdictions where NOVA’s campuses are located.

“The safety of our college community is of critical importance at NOVA,” said John Ferrari, (USA, ret.) NOVA’s new vice president of finance and administration. “With his extensive police background, Jake will ensure that the public safety of the College remains the top priority and that our students, faculty and staff are in the best of hands. Our award-winning police force is proud to continue to serve.”

Before coming to NOVA in 2012, Jacoby retired from the Fairfax County Police Department. While in Fairfax, he served in various senior operational roles. He also served as an assistant station commander, supervising approximately 125 officers and numerous civilians.

Jacoby’s selection followed a rigorous national search with over 50 candidates applying from major urban and rural areas, other colleges and universities, the FBI, and other federal law enforcement agencies.

“NOVA Police is one of the country’s premier college police departments. I intend to enhance the culture of safety established by Dan Dusseau,” said Jacoby. “We will continue to emphasize the professional development and approachability of our police force, and our community outreach efforts to keep our operations transparent and to empower NOVA community members with the information they need to keep them safe, both on and off campus.”

Jacoby likes to travel, play golf, and catch up with NOVA students on the campuses in his spare time.

Stafford High School Assistant Principal Benjamin Diggs has been named the 2023 Outstanding Secondary School Assistant Principal of Virginia by a panel of school leaders representing the Principal Awards Committee of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP). "Mr. Diggs embodies the spirit of our learning community," said Stafford Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor. "He is an exceptional leader, strong administrator, and sincere role model for students and staff. In addition to supporting others, he continually seeks personal growth opportunities in our school system. We are proud of him, and congratulate him on this truly worthy designation." Diggs is regularly seen in the halls and classrooms, spreading positivity and enhancing school climate. His interactions with staff, students, and families are purpose-driven, aimed at ensuring meaningful post-secondary outcomes for every student so that they are prepared for life after graduation. His work ethic and boundless energy come from his belief that "whatever it takes...you do the hard work." "VASSP seeks to recognize exemplary performance among middle and high school assistant principals in the Commonwealth, said VASSP Executive Director Dr. Randy Barrack. "It is exciting when we can identify and showcase administrators like Ben Diggs in school administration." Diggs' enthusiasm, professionalism, and reliability extend far beyond Stafford High School. When needed, he buckles himself into the driver's seat of a school bus, volunteering to drive for field trips that provide experiential learning. Additionally, he volunteered to drive an elementary school bus route taking 66 elementary students home when their driver became ill. "My students are my life. This honor is truly a reflection of the hard work they put in every single day," said Diggs. "I am also proud to be surrounded and supported by other incredible leaders who share the same goals - to make life better for our students." Diggs has served as assistant principal of Stafford High School since 2020. Before becoming assistant principal, Diggs was an Instructional Technology Resource Teacher and department chair at North Stafford High School. He will be honored for his accomplishments at the June 2023 Virginia Middle and High School Principals Conference & Exposition and recognized nationally at the 2023 National Principals Conference this July.

This new year, organizations are accepting volunteers willing to transport veterans, donate blood, teach language skills, and much more.

Greeting – They Served Us, Now You Can Serve Them! Volunteer Prince William needs Volunteer Drivers aged 21+ who can provide transportation for veterans and their spouses/widow to medical appointments, supermarkets, retail, and houses of worship. Volunteers must pass criminal background and driving record background checks, have valid Virginia driver’s licenses, and have a vehicle liability insurance policy. You’ll feel great as you make new friends while providing transportation to veterans who otherwise struggle to have their daily and medical needs met! Please email [email protected] to learn how you can get involved. This opportunity is made possible by a grant from Potomac Health Foundation.

BEACON for English Language & Literacy is recruiting Volunteer Teachers, Tutors, and Substitutes for their spring classes, March 20-June 8. Volunteers are provided with a formal textbook curriculum that incorporates listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Volunteers use the textbook to develop a lesson plan that provides additional opportunities for practice that emphasizes conversation practice and student engagement. You’ll feel great as you help adults gain the confidence and learn the language skills needed to get a job, communicate with their children’s teachers, talk with their doctor, or pursue higher education! Apply today – please visit https://beaconliteracy.org/get-involved/volunteer-application/ or email [email protected] for more information.

Birthright of Woodbridge is looking for volunteers to offer loving, confidential, non-judgmental support to those who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. Many volunteer opportunities are available, full training and mentorship is provided for volunteers so you can best help the women who need you! Volunteers are needed both mornings and afternoons. Please email [email protected] or call 703.583.1178 for more information.

The wonderful staff at Boxes of Basics has posted their volunteer sign-up schedule for February! Volunteers aged 10+ are needed to help sort clothing donations, select outfits for a specific child, and pack a box of basic clothing for a child. They also need donations of gently used children’s clothing. You’ll feel great as you help a low-income child get through these cold winter months with warm clothing and maybe even a warm coat! To volunteer, please visit http://bit.ly/3J3dM1T. Please visit their website at http://www.boxesofbasics.org to learn more.

Brain Injury Services needs PALS volunteers to be matched in a one-to-one friendship with a survivor of a brain injury for monthly outings in the community or friendly visits to their home. You’ll feel great as you help empower a client through the act of human connection! Please email [email protected] or call 703-451-8881, ext. 232, to learn more.

Are you interested in being a disaster volunteer? The City of Manassas CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) needs volunteers who can help with city events and respond to emergencies. A training course for new members will start in February and will end with a live disaster exercise. Your work will help your community stay safe, especially if a disaster should strike! Please visit http://www.manassasva.gov/cert to find out more and apply.

Save the Date! The awesome folks at Habitat for Humanity Prince William County are hosting a Women’s Day Build on April 27! The project is to be announced, but get those hammers, saws, and nails ready to do some good work benefiting vulnerable families in the community; this sounds like a great team-building opportunity for your office! Please email [email protected] to learn more.

You can help feed food-insecure families! SERVE has an Urgent need for Food Recovery Drivers, age 21+ to support their food assistance program. Drivers are especially needed for Saturday runs, 8 am-12 pm and 12:30 pm-3 pm. Volunteers drive to area grocery stores/restaurants to pick up food donations and deliver them back to the Hunger Resource Center in Manassas. Be prepared to lift boxes weighing up to 50 pounds. Training is provided along with an agency van, and teens can ride with drivers to help. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one shift a week for at least 6 months – your work will help over 650 families who face food insecurity each month! Please email [email protected] for more information.

SERVE’s Family Shelter needs volunteer groups of 5-7 people who can prepare home-cooked meals for its residents in January and February. It’s a terrific team-building opportunity for families or small groups! Volunteers provide, prepare and deliver nutritious meals for about 60 guests on weekends and holidays. Groups can either serve in person or prepare and drop off the meal. Please visit http://www.nvfs.org/get-involved/volunteer/ to view available meals, email [email protected] or call 571.748.2674 to learn more.

If you’re an Honorably Discharged or Retired Veteran wanting to help other veterans, here’s a terrific opportunity for you! The Veteran’s Treatment Docket, a program of Prince William County Government Criminal Justice Services, is looking for volunteers age 21+ to act as Veteran Mentors to engage, encourage and empower fellow veterans that are involved in the criminal justice system. Duties include be available by phone/video or other means to assist docket participants and be there for your veteran. This may include nights and weekends. A 12-month commitment is required; training is provided. You’ll feel great as you share your own veteran experiences and help a fellow vet get their life and affairs back on track again! Please visit http://bit.ly/3HBNZxe for details, and email [email protected] for more information.

If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at http://www.volunteerprincewilliam.org.

Thanks so much for all you do in our community.

Southbound Route 17 Business (Warrenton Road) in Stafford County will be reduced to a single travel lane between Heartfields Lane and Washington Street for a road maintenance project.

Work will occur during daytime hours for about two weeks, starting Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Travelers can expect brief delays between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. Weather permitting, once crews mobilize Tuesday, work is expected to occur every day until complete, including weekends.

Crews have detected a void underneath the pavement near a previously deteriorated drainage pipe, which has already been replaced. VDOT and contractor crews will drill holes in the asphalt and fill them with grout, which will harden and fill the void.

Motorists can find real-time information on lane closures, work zones, traffic, and other incidents on 511Virginia.