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Issue 88
Friday, October 22, 2021
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

The Virginia Department of Health, following recommendations by the FDA and CDC this week, has expanded COVID-19 booster vaccinations (see article below). This is excellent news!

However, it only is effective in our efforts against COVID-19, if people take action. Per the CDC COVID-19 Integrated County View, Prince William County community transmission rate continues to be in the high category. Please, if you are eligible for the booster shot, get one. By working together with the scientific and medical community, we can move beyond the pandemic.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Chair's Calendar
Thursday, October 21, Chair Wheeler attended the Investiture of President Gregory Washington as George Mason University's eighth president.
"What drew me to Mason was its mission to insist that excellence and inclusivity are not seen as merely compatible. In fact, each is required for the other to exist."
President Gregory Washington
George Mason University
Tuesday, October 19, Chair Wheeler, joined Potomac District Supervisor Bailey and Woodbridge District Supervisor Franklin in honoring the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Prince William County Chapter, Inc. with a commendation for their tireless work in Breast Cancer awareness in our community.
Saturday, October 16 Chair Wheeler participated in the 16th annual Autism Society of Northern Virginia Walk and Family Funfest. The event was held at Unity Reed High School in Manassas and the walk was on the school's track. Chair Wheeler joined School Board Supervisor Justin Wilk and a team from Swans Creek Elementary.
Saturday, October 16 Chair Wheeler attended the annual Haymarket Day street festival. It was jammed-packed with people from all over PWC and had a wide variety of vendors, great food and live performances.
Thursday, October 14, Chair Wheeler attended the Amazon Web Services fiber-optic fusion splicing course certificate ceremony and networking session. Nearly 40 participants learned the basics of broadband technology in the two-day course, held at Northern Virginia Community College Woodbridge campus, School Board Chair Dr. Lateef, who had encouraged one of the participants to take the course, also attended.
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COVID-19
Update on Booster Shots and 'Mixing and Matching' Doses
Effective Friday, October 22, eligible Virginians can receive boosters for Moderna and Johnson and Johnson as outlined below. If you are considering getting a booster dose by 'mixing and matching,' the Virginia Department of Health urges you to first consult with your doctor or healthcare provider to assist you in making the best decision for your own situation. To find free vaccines at a location near you, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-829-4682.
For individuals who received either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at six months or more after completion of their initial series:
  • 65 years and older
  • 18 years and older who live in long term care settings
  • 18 years and older who have underlying medical conditions
  • 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk settings


For individuals who received a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine a single booster dose is recommended at least two months after for those 18 years of age and up.
Walk-ups Welcome for COVID-19 and Flu Vaccinations
Saturday, October 23, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, the Prince William Health District Mobile Clinic Unit will be at the City of Manassas Park's Latino Festival at 99 Adams Street in Manassas Park. Walk-ups are welcome for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.
When You Should Wait to be Vaccinated
The Prince William Health District has provided the following advice on when you should wait to get a COVID-19 vaccine:

  • If you were treated with certain medicines for your COVID-19 infection, you should wait at least 90 days after your last treatment to get vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information.
  • You should not get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are currently infected with the virus or experiencing symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about when it’s safe to be vaccinated.
Get the Shot
If You Need to be Tested for COVID-19
If you think you may have COVID-19, ways you can be tested include:

The Uninsured and Underinsured can receive free testing at
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BOCS
Next Meeting
Tuesday, November 9
  • 2:00 pm Regular Meeting at the McCoart Administration Building, One County Complex Court in Prince William
  • 6:00 pm State Delegation Meeting at the Realtor Association of Prince William Building, 4545 Daisy Reid Avenue in Woodbridge
Hyperlinks to the meeting agenda and signup for Public Comment Time will be in a future issue.
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County News
Wednesday, November 3, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, PWC and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments are inviting the community to a virtual public forum to learn about the Regional Fair Housing Plan (issue 69) and provide input. The dialogue will focus on:

  • Racial and ethnic segregation in access to housing.
  • Access to communities with high quality schools, good jobs, and public transportation.
  • Fair housing enforcement.
  • Housing challenges faced by families with children and voucher holders.
  • Access to housing for persons with disabilities.

Advanced registration is required here.
New Library Resource
Patrons of the Prince William Public Libraries (PWPL), now have free access to Book Browse, including its premium content, through the PWPL Digital Library. Book Browse is a leading book recommendation and review website. To sign up for a Digital Library Card, click here and select "Don't have a PWPL library card?"
In addition to in-depth reviews, BookBrowse offers:

  • "Beyond the Book" articles that explore historical, cultural, and contextual aspects of each featured book. 
  • BookBrowse's twice-monthly membership magazine.
  • Previews of new and notable books publishing soon.
  • More than 200 recommended reading lists, by genre, time period, setting, award winners, and a wide range of themes. 
  • Handpicked "If you liked this, try these" recommendations.
  • Rich information and guidance for book clubs.
  • Quizzes, book news, polls, author interviews, and book giveaways.
Reminders
Through Saturday, October 30, the PWC Office of Elections has multiple locations for early in-person voting. Find sample ballots here. If needed, use the Citizen Portal to identify your Voting District.
PWC is inviting residents and businesses to share their thoughts and ideas on ways to use the second allotment of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Learn more and submit your idea here.
Starting Saturday, October 30, the PWC Landfill on Dumfries Road Saturday and Sunday hours will be 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Monday through Friday hours will remain 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
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County Happenings
Wednesday, Oct. 27, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, the Crime Prevention Unit of PWC Police Department invites County residents to its annual “Trunk or Treat.” The event is free and will be held in the Macy's main parking lot at Manassas Mall, located at 8300 Sudley Road in Manassas. Come out for treats and practical crime-prevention tips. PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism's Ranger Team will be also be there. For more information, call 703-792-7270.
Haunted Tour
Saturday, October 30 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the PWC Office of Historic Preservation is hosting a Prince William Haunted Car Caravan Tour. Learn about the people, events and maybe a ghost or two that allegedly haunt a few of the County's historic sites while enjoying some Halloween treats! The tour starts at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, goes to the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, and ends at the Ben Lomond Historic Site. Cost is $25. Advanced registration is required and limited to the first 15 cars.
Model Train Event
Saturday, October 30, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, October 31, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, the National Capital Trackers (NCT), a club of “O” Gauge electric train enthusiasts, will have their model trains running in Leatherneck Gallery at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Admission to the Museum and event is free.
Parade and Costume Contest
Saturday, October 30, from 10:00 am to12:00pm, the Town of Occoquan is holding a family-friendly Occoquan Costume Parade & Contest. Parade participants should line up near the Riverwalk Shops at 125 Mill Street. The parade concludes at River Mill Park, where costume judging will take place. Judging categories include: cutest, scariest, funniest, most original, and family/group. 1st place winners in each costume category will be awarded $25 gift certificates that can be used in select businesses throughout town. There is no fee to participate.
Calendar Reminders
Saturday, October 23, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, bring your unused or expired prescription medications to one of the three locations to safely and legally dispose of them.
Saturday, October 23, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, the free, community-wide mega paper shredding event is open to residents only and has a limit of four boxes of confidential documents.
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County Kudos
Department Receives Four Awards
The Virginia Council on Economic Education has selected Ms. Schenell Agee, supervisor of Library Media Programs and Research for PWC Public Schools, the 2021 Virginia Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year. Through Ms. Agee’s leadership and advocacy, PWCS librarians and educators have regular access to training and resources for bringing economics concepts and good financial decision-making skills to students at all levels.
Some of these options include training on the Reading Makes Cents program for grades K-5 and the Stock Market Game for grades 4-12. PWC Public School librarians had the highest participation in the Reading Makes Cents program for the last several years. Two schools won for having the highest participation rate in each of the seven regions and received $500 worth of financial literacy books for their school libraries. This past year, Ms. Agee was chosen as part of a taskforce that will soon unveil a new program to deliver additional instructional resources and library bound books into the hands of students who have the most profound need.
“Ms. Agee is a strong advocate for her school division, a strong advocate for equitable access to high-quality material, and a strong champion for the greater good of all. Her dedication to the students of Prince William County, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, through her division’s librarians and her innovative approach to thought leadership in the advancement of literacy, shine bright throughout our state as a beacon of excellence in education.”
O. Kate Scott
Associate Director for the Center for Economic Education
Department of Economics at George Mason University
Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 482,000 residents.