Get ready to usher in the festive season with joy and sparkle at Stafford County’s 3rd Annual Tree Lighting Festival on Friday, December 8, starting at 6 p.m.! Nestled at the heart of the holiday spirit, the George L. Gordon, Jr. Government Center transforms into a winter wonderland for a free night of enchanting celebrations.

Live Musical Performances: Immerse yourself in the melodies of the season with captivating live performances by local school choirs and bands. The musical talents of the community will set the perfect tone for a night filled with holiday spirit.

Santa’s Arrival: Bring the little ones for a magical encounter with Santa himself! Capture the joy on your children’s faces as they meet Santa, take photos, and share their holiday wishes.

Parade: Witness a spectacular parade featuring marching bands, festive floats, and entertaining acts.

Family Activities, Food Trucks and Vendors: Delight in the festive atmosphere with family-friendly activities, artisans, crafters, and delicious treats from local food vendors.

Tree Lighting Ceremony: Gather around as we illuminate the towering holiday tree, marking the official start of the season. Feel the warmth and glow of the lights as the community comes together for this heartwarming tradition at 8 p.m.

Convenient Transportation: Parking is hassle-free at the VDOT 630 commuter lot, with convenient buses shuttling guests to and from the government center all evening. ADA buses will be available for accessibility.

Don’t miss Stafford County’s most anticipated holiday event! Join us at the George L. Gordon, Jr. Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554. Unwrap the magic of the season with an unforgettable night of joy, laughter, and community spirit. See you there! Find out more information at www.staffordcountytreelighting.com.

View the Full Schedule!

Sentara Therapy Center located on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge, currently has availability for our community’s littlest patients.

Offering comprehensive pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapies. Our therapy team specializes in doing Co-Treat sessions where the child can work with multiple specialties at the same time for a dynamic team approach.

Call 855-852-9066 to schedule your child’s appointment.

As Howard Rudat, candidate for the Stafford Board of Supervisors representing the Rock Hill District, has been talking to the residents of Rock Hill over the last several months, he has been hearing from many people who aren’t currently happy.

Their top two issues have been consistent: First, they are upset that there was a costly legal settlement in which the Board of Supervisors agreed to pay a $500,000 fine to the Trump Department of Justice along with untold additional legal fees and time spent by the County staff gathering data for the investigation, time they weren’t supporting County needs, all stemming from the development of a Muslim cemetery in the Rock Hill District.  Crystal Vanuch, the sitting supervisor, hasn’t even apologized, let alone paid any money back to the county.  Rudat states that under his watch, he would never put the county in such a precarious legal position or negative spotlight.

Second, residents are not being heard. “She [Crystal Vanuch] doesn’t respond to our emails or return our phone calls. It’s like once she decided to run for Congress last year, she forgot about us people in Stafford,” said Richard C.

Rudat says Rock Hill residents have a right to be concerned. As an example, he points out that because recurring county costs were paid using one-time federal money, the county plans to use revenue from the Meals Tax to cover the recurring costs in future years.  Per County Resolution R21-127, 100% of revenue from the Meals Tax is dedicated to Stafford County Public Schools. This Meals Tax generates over $1,000,000 annually and that money is being siphoned away from the schools to pay other county bills. Again, Rudat points out that under his watch, there will be a well-constructed county budget that has no “Rob Peter to pay Paul” provisions.

Rudat notes that residents are pleased to learn that he has 30 years of experience in the Army and another 14 years as a local business owner in Stafford. Rock Hill residents are confident that he will keep communities safe, fund schools, and bring new businesses to Stafford so everyone can enjoy calling Stafford home.

Crystal Vanuch is running to continue to represent Rock Hill District residents on the Stafford Board of Supervisors. For years, Crystal has said that uncontrolled residential growth is the biggest problem Stafford County residents face.

Our neighbor to the north, Prince William County, has been the victim of uncontrolled residential growth for years, which has led to a 70% increase in crime, huge increases in taxes, and has plagued the schools with overcrowding. Sound familiar?

She’s voted for ZERO development projects

Stafford has nearly 5,000 homes, which include many apartments and townhomes and some income-restricted apartment buildings in North Stafford. Vanuch has voted for ZERO of these projects because she understands the impacts on the taxpayers.

She knows that every one of these projects adds children to the already overcrowded schools and stresses our public safety to the max. Stafford runs out of EMS units from time to time because of increased call volume, our deputies find themselves running north to south during shifts just to keep up, and our schools are packed to the gills.

So, what is the solution? Vanuch says, “We have to stop allowing residential developers to get away with maximum density projects that don’t pay for themselves and shift the costs to the taxpayers, plain and simple. If we do that, then we can focus on building the schools we need NOW, building the fire stations, building roads desperately needed, and hiring enough deputies for our current population.”

It’s not that simple

The message about affordable housing is interesting because those who say Stafford needs to supply housing for just teachers, educators, nurses, and first responders clearly don’t understand the laws in Virginia. Virginia is a Dillon rule state, which means Stafford only has the authority the state gives them.

The state does NOT allow the Board of Supervisors to dedicate housing to certain individuals. If developers say “Oh, we will set aside some of the project for them, don’t worry, just approve our project,” there is no way for the Board to enforce it.

So, what does that mean? That means that’s a great way to trick residents into supporting additional housing units for the workforce they want to help. In reality, that means more HIGH-DENSITY uncontrolled housing that shifts the burden to YOU, the taxpayer. Stafford residents got a taste of that this year with a nearly 40% tax increase proposed by some members of the Board of Supervisors.

Crystal stopped the developers

This is a major area of concern for the Chairwoman of the Planning Commission, Kristen Barnes.

“The last four years, I have watched Crystal stand up to the developers and special interests that have built more houses, apartments, and townhouses than our infrastructure can handle.  Developers know that as long as Crystal is in office, they won’t get very far in Rock Hill,” said Barnes.

“Whether it was Vulcan Quarry wanting to expand active mining operations even closer to already established neighborhoods or developers that want to add more and more houses without offsetting traffic impacts or helping add capacity to our schools, Crystal stood in their way. If you don’t like the direction Stafford is headed in, we need more leaders like Crystal to represent our interests, not the special interests, unlike her opponent who these special interest groups support. I hope you will join me in voting for Crystal Vanuch for Rock Hill Supervisor for four more years.”

Vote by Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF VANUCH.

Retired Army Colonel Howard Rudat Wants Safe Communities, Better Schools, Better Economy — and Crystal Vanuch’s Seat on the Board of Stafford Supervisors. 

Howard Rudat wants you to know he is ready to serve Stafford County. Specifically as the Supervisor from the Rock Hill District, in the seat currently held on the Board of Supervisors by Crystal Vanuch. 

The 30-year Army veteran and small business owner prides himself on his leadership experience and personal integrity and draws from his legacy of decades of public service in presenting himself as the candidate best suited to lead Rock Hill into the future. He firmly presents a campaign platform based on three main issues of concern that are personal but apply to every citizen residing in the county: “My priorities are safer communities, better schools, and a vibrant economy,” he says. 

“Stafford needs safe communities for all its residents with first responders that are trained, equipped, staffed and ready to protect each of us. We need an education system that is funded to allow our educators to focus on our children’s growth in a modern, healthy, and safe environment.”

You can see his platform in detail at his website here. 

“I am ready to serve Stafford,” he says. “Our residents deserve entertainment, restaurants, and other quality of life amenities so they can make memories in Stafford. Residents need a government that takes less and does more.”

 Election Day is Tuesday, November 7.

Watch an X video of his campaign statement.

pic.twitter.com/G2EGx8zaOX

— Howard Rudat (@Rudat4RockHill) September 20, 2023

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of autumn and experience the charm of a small-town?

Look no further than the 51st Annual Festival of Leaves in Historic Front Royal! This highly anticipated event, brought to you by the Front Royal Independent Business Alliance, promises to be one of the largest in the Valley. 

The Festival of Leaves would like to invite everyone to enjoy the magic of small-town living and the breathtaking scenery of the Shenandoah National Forest. Families and individuals seeking a day getaway will be captivated by the autumnal beauty showcased throughout the festival. 

Here’s what you need to know about the Festival of Leaves: 

• Date: October 13-14
• Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission: Free to the public

Prepare for an exciting day as you explore the offerings of over 180 vendors, crafters, and artisans. This year, we added a Kids’ Zone featuring 2 bounce houses, face painting, an art center, and games for the entire family. Delight your taste buds with delicious treats from 15 food trucks, and enjoy your favorite beverages at the Beer/Wine/Mead Garden.

The festival will be alive with the sounds of 11 live music acts performing on three stages throughout the day. Let the music guide you as you stroll through the historic district, home to over 50 unique shops, eateries, galleries, and museums. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover hidden gems and support local businesses. 

Bring your family and friends for a day of fun, entertainment, and celebration of small-town living. 

For more information, check out the Festival of Leaves Facebook page.

Mark your calendar and get ready to experience the magic of autumn!

On Saturday, October 21, stop by the Sentara Drive-Thru Flu event to receive your free flu shot.

WHO: Adults (18+). Open to the general public.

COST: FREE

TIME: 8 a.m. until all shots are given. First come, first served while supplies last. No appointment needed!

WHERE: Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, 2300 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge, Va. 22191

Only the standard dose vaccine will be offered. Public Health experts have not recommended one type of flu vaccine more highly than another for people 65 and older. They advise getting any type of flu vaccination as the first and more important step in protecting against the flu.

Do you remember your first museum visit? Or a time you felt inspired walking around a museum? What if you had the chance to help give someone else their best museum memory?

Well now you do!

The National Gallery of Art is recruiting for two volunteer opportunities this fall:

• Visitor experience volunteers, who are the friendly faces behind our information desks.
• School docents, who lead school tours for students in grades PreK-12.

All backgrounds and life experiences welcome; multilingual speakers are encouraged to apply.

Join one of several information sessions held throughout the fall to meet the team, learn more about these opportunities, and apply!

Learn more at nga.gov/volunteer.