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There is a rich legacy of African American history in Prince William County. The Prince William County Historic Preservation Division takes great care in researching and interpreting the stories that speak about African American experiences throughout this region.

The history of Lucasville is one such story about a strong African American community that developed in our area after the Civil War. The strength and determination of this community of about 100 people, is evident with the legacy left by the Lucasville schoolhouse.  Approved in 1883 and built in 1885, construction paid by the Prince William County School Board, costs totaled $267.13.  The school operated from 1886 to 1926, although attendance waivered through the years, a commitment to keeping the school open demonstrated their belief in the value of an education.

During this same time, Frederick Douglass was one of the most prominent African Americans in the county; he too valued the power of education.  Douglass said, during his keynote speech for the opening of the Manassas Industrial School, “To found an educational institution for any people is worthy of note; but to found a school in which to instruct, improve and develop all that is noblest and best in the souls of a deeply wronged and long-neglected people, is especially noteworthy.”

There are many opportunities for visitors to learn and experience something unique during the month of February, from visiting the historic school to the Ben Lomond slave quarters. You can join us as we celebrate African American History Month, February 10 at Lucasville School, where we will share stories about the Lucasville community and celebrate the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial.

The Ebenezer Men’s Choir will kick off the celebration with song and the youth group will follow, reading aloud passages from an 1894 Frederick Douglass speech.  Prince William County Historic Preservation Division will also give away one special editionNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass to each family in attendance with schoolchildren, while supplies last.

Later in the month, you are welcome to join us for an exclusive opportunity to spend the night in an original slave quarter, where historians and interpreters will share stories about the people who lived at Ben Lomond, how they worked to survive and to resist.  

If you would rather not spend the night, you might enjoy a day program, where visitors can explore the historic home and original slave quarter, learning about the enslaved population at Ben Lomond in the years before the Civil War.

The Slave Quarter at Ben Lomond is one of only three to survive in Prince William County today! Reservations are required as space is limited. For more information on these events, please visit pwcgov.org/history or call 703-367-7872.

China, the biggest buyer of recyclable materials, notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it would be imposing a ban on the import of a broad range of recyclable materials including plastic, waste paper, and textiles from 2018. As the primary exporter of recyclable materials to China, the United States will be hit hardest by the ban.

 “Wishful” and “dirty” recycling reduces the value of the commodity household recycling becomes once it is collected. Many people throw more than they should into their recycling containers because they think “the hauler will sort it at the facility,” and so they don’t feel the need to be extra cautious about how they sort.

When the average person looks at their recycling bins, they don’t see a $117 billion industry or make the connection that the simple act of sorting plastic, cardboard, paper and cans supports over 500,000 jobs in the U.S., which in turn sustains many other local businesses and services that communities rely on.

In a recent report published by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, recycling in the City of Manassas has created 347 jobs and provides an estimated $80 million to our local economy.

The economic impact does not end there. The disposal cost for trash is $60 per ton.

By diverting cardboard, hard plastics and paper from the waste stream, businesses can reduce their waste disposal costs while supporting the local economy. The City of Manassas has public cardboard disposal dumpsters located behind Harris Pavilion, behind Taps and Apps and at Public Works – so you can dispose of your recyclables for free!

If you don’t believe there is a value to recycling, think again. When you don’t recycle – you pay.

Start your business recycling by doing three simple things:

• Pick one recyclable (cardboard, paper, hard plastic, cans)
• Set your recycling container in an easy to find location
• Let your customers and staff know that you recycle

The City of Manassas is working in partnership with our contractors and other regional jurisdictions to develop policies and outreach information that clearly explains recycling requirements and improves public understanding of the economic and environmental consequences of recycling contamination.

Call Monica Boehringer on (703) 257-8256  or send an email to: [email protected] for more information and assistance with your business recycling needs.

I have a 1 bedroom condo for rent. $1100 per month. Mention this post on Potomac Local to get all utilities included. It’s located in Occoquan Ridge just outside of Occoquan. Close to VRE, I95 & 123 perfect for a young professional. Absolutely no smoking. It’s on the bottom floor of a 4 level building so it has a separate entrance, a small patio and “yard” that is away from all the others. Please email val6466[at]gmail.com if you’re interested.

Good Morning Prince William – Mark your calendars for Saturday February 10th for our Volunteer Recruitment Fair at Manassas Mall from 11am-2pm. We have over 25 local agencies attending that can inform you of their volunteer opportunities to make the best use of your time, talent and passion. We’ll be at the Macy’s Court so come on by!

· CASA Children’s Intervention Services is looking for volunteer advocates to represent a child suffering from abuse or neglect right here in our community. This is a very special volunteer job! Come to their next volunteer information session on Wednesday February 28th from 6-7pm at the offices of Imagine in Old Town Manassas- 9415 West Street to learn about this job and the extensive training afforded to you. Please call Suzanne at (703) 330-8145 or via email:[email protected] to learn more.

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The arts are alive in Prince William County! Yes, Prince William County has a rich tradition of promoting the arts. Although there are many options for your time, the culture and tradition of the arts are a sure bet in entertaining and providing many hours of enjoyment for you, your family, and friends.

So where can you find a complete list of art and art-related programs in Prince William County?  If you are like most people, when you have a question like the one posed, you immediately click onto Google or simply ask Siri.

Google “art in Prince William County” and the first entry that comes up is the Prince William Arts Council. What exactly does this council do, and how do they promote art in Prince William County?

Here is the short answer: The Prince William County Arts Council (PWCAC) is a membership organization serving the Greater Prince William Area, including Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. The vision of the Prince William County Arts Council is to be the go-to resource for the local arts.

The Arts Council provides year-round programming in performance and cultural arts, representing both professional and amateur endeavors. The council provides networking, development, and marketing opportunities for members. Membership includes non-profit and for-profit arts organizations, individual artists, civic groups, and businesses that support the arts in Prince William County.

The Prince William County Arts Council is a division of the Prince William County Department of Parks and Recreation.  Terraya Lewis is the Arts Recreation Specialist for Parks and Recreation. She acts as the liaison between the advisory group of volunteers and members representing the Arts Council and Parks and Recreation.  

“My role is to support the mission of both entities and to guide the Prince William County Arts Council through the necessary procedures so it can function as a County-funded program.  I am personally not a member; however, I am beyond inspired by the vibrant, lively, blending of music, dance, literature, visual design, and theatre right here in Prince William County,” Lewis explains.

Amelia May, Chair of the PWCAC Board of Directors shares her love of the arts and her expertise with members and fellow board members at the monthly meetings. “This council is just like the arts here in Prince William County: we are both thriving. My fellow board members are volunteers, like me, and we are thrilled to celebrate the arts in our community,” May shares.

In addition, the Prince William County Arts Council also hosts two events every year:

Arts Alive!

The Kathleen K. Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence

Every fall, the Hylton Center for the Performing Arts is the setting for the Arts Alive! This annual festival features various art forms from chorale and opera singers, to actors and Poets Laureate, who share their talents, and promote art throughout all areas of the County. There is literally something for everyone.  Best of all, admission is free and includes hands-on art-related activities for kids of all ages!

Established to recognize artists, arts organizations, volunteers, educators, and businesses in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park, the Kathleen K. Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence provide prestigious recognition on behalf of Seefeldt’s legacy of public service and support for the cultural arts. Community supporters and municipal officials present winners of each category including dance, theater, music, literary, and visual arts organizations.

Check out the PWCAC website at pwcartscouncil.org and see why the Prince William County Arts Council is the resource for the local arts.

Lenore Beetar isn’t like most 92-year-olds.

Her life has always been about movement, grace and energy, qualities vital to a dancer. For four years, from 1944 to 1948, Beetar was a Radio City Rockette.

But, over the summer, her daughter, Lenore Reeves, noticed her once lively mother was suddenly acting differently.

“I just knew something was wrong because she wasn’t being herself. I kept saying to her, ‘You’re so out of breath. You don’t have any energy. There’s something wrong here.”

That’s when she took her mother to see a doctor, who put her on a heart monitor. The monitor showed Beetar’s heartbeat was dropping, explaining some of her recent symptoms. Beetar was referred to Electrophysiologist, Dr. Aysha Arshad.

Electrophysiology is a subspecialty within cardiology where doctors train in rhythm disorders and how to fix them. Often these disorders are corrected with an implant device, most commonly known as a pacemaker.

“Pacemaker is a device that can help patients with a low heart rate. It can also help in patients with alternating slow and fast heart rates where medicines may be needed, which can aggravate the slow heart rhythm. So, a pacemaker would stabilize a heart rhythm in that circumstance,” explains Dr. Arshad.

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Dr. Arshad explained to the family the benefits of a pacemaker. The workings of the device weren’t foreign to them since a close relative had one, but Reeves’ worried her mother’s memory issues could cause problems with recovery. That’s when they started exploring the Micra Pacemaker, the world’s smallest pacemaker, as an option.

It’s something many of Dr. Arshad’s patients are pursuing.

“It’s a miniaturized device containing revolutionary new technology. It’s delivered directly into the heart and cosmetically appealing since there’s no scar. The device itself is as small as a vitamin pill.”

For Lenore Beetar and her family, the recovery time and limited restrictions were key. Beetar spent one night in the hospital before being released. Her daughter says the results were instantly noticeable.

“She had the energy she hadn’t had in three months, it was unbelievable! It made an immediate difference.”

As for the soon-to-be 93-year-old, she barely knows the device is there. “I feel fine. I don’t even think about it! If you asked me about it, I’d say, ‘Oh, I think I have it,’” she shares chuckling.

Reeves recommends the device to everyone, sharing her mother has had little discomfort. Beetar agrees, “I didn’t feel anything!”

“There was no pain, no tenderness. They went in through the groin, it was a couple of stitches and some light bruising. It was very simple from a patient standpoint,” adds Reeves.

It’s been just three months, but already Beetar is back to her vivacious self. And, on a recent shopping trip, she was able to keep searching for deals, just like the old days.

“The procedure was a no-brainer for us,” says Reeves, “It gave my mom her quality of life back.”

Dr. Arshad reminds women their heart disease and heart attack symptoms may be different than men’s. While men are known to have crushing chest pains, women may have jaw or neck pain. They may be sweaty, or like Beetar, have a difference in exercise capacity.

If you’re experiencing chest pains, seek immediate medical attention. To find an Electrophysiologist or Cardiologist who’s right for you, contact 1-800-SENTARA or find a provider at sentara.com.

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“Be Ego Free” – the second part of the FreshySites Ethos.

This mantra flows seamlessly from the first component of our Ethos Serve the Customer.

As we said in our previous post, without the members of our client family, we wouldn’t be here. We always strive to impress upon our clients that they’re our top priority through making customer service and support best practices an integral part of the FS process.

Being ego-free is another way we effectively serve each and every one of our customers.

Whenever we’re collaborating with one another, and with clients, each one of us makes a concerted effort to treat whoever we’re working with the utmost respect and kindness, always making them feel comfortable and valued.

Acting with an air of arrogance is not the FreshySites way.

Everyone on our team, as well as each one of our clients, has something to offer. We value the differences in our team members’ skills and abilities because it makes us stronger as a unit and better able to serve our various clients’ different needs.

We’re confident in our individual team member’s talents and abilities, as well as our team’s collective skills and capabilities.

However, we recognize that we’re not perfect. Though we may be experts in certain fields, there is always more to learn – from each other and from our clients.

Being ego-free is an essential part of that, as well as ensuring the business-to-client relationship is both respected and trusted.

You couldn’t trust us to take your business or organization’s message and effectively communicate it to the public through a beautiful website if you felt like we didn’t listen to your input because we thought ours was better.

At FresySites, you’ll never feel like that. Once you’re a member of the FS client family, you and your input will always be valued first and foremost.

FreshySites – a regionally focused company with national reach and operations, dedicated to serving our clients through being ego-free.

FreshySites is a fast-growing website design firm dedicated to creating beautiful websites, while consistently delivering best-in-industry customer service and support. Founded in 2011, FreshySites has quickly expanded into the largest in-house WordPress web design shop on the East Coast. Our Washington D.C. office was founded in 2012 by Vincent Consumano. With additional offices, we have the team, resources and tools to serve our local – and national – clients through website mockups, creative briefs, revision rounds, and Search Engine Optimization audits. FreshySites is determined to take our regional clients’ online presence to the next level, ultimately helping them to grow and thrive. Explore our website to learn more about us, see our portfolio of work and become a part of our client family today!”