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Issue 115
Friday, May 6, 2022
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

Sunday is Mother's Day. Thank you to all those who have filled the role of Mother for someone. I hope you are celebrated this Mother's Day, and every day. You can learn about the history of Mother's Day in issue 64.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Chair's Calendar
Religious Festival
Monday, May 2, Chair Wheeler participated in Eid ul Fitr prayers at Dar Al Noor Islamic Community Center. The religious festival marks the end of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan (issue 61). Eid is a time for charity and forgiving and a celebration of life and togetherness. The day begins with a special prayer at mosques and is followed by family visits and gift-giving.
National Small Business Week
Wednesday, May 4, Chair Wheeler supported National Small Business Week (NSBW) by visiting J Tred Woodworking, a veteran owned, family business in PWC. His handmade rustic wooden flags and farmhouse style signs and decor were so impressive and unique, she bought two pieces that now hang in her office, like the ones below. NSBW is May 2 through May 5.
Josh Tredinnick is US Army combat veteran who proudly served his country with the 10th Mountain Division. After recovering at Walter Reed from an IED injury while on foot patrol in Afghanistan, he medically retired from the Army. He missed the military greatly and struggled to find a job that would bring the same happiness that he had in the Army.

Josh found that working with his hands and taking something from raw materials to a finished product gave him a sense of accomplishment and is truly the best form of therapy. His love for the military and our country flows directly into every handmade wooden flag and farmhouse style sign he crafts in his workshop located in PWC.
Water Facility Tour and Discussion
Wednesday, May 4, Chair Wheeler joined US Congressman Gerry Connolly for a tour of the PWC Service Authority's H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility. The tour was followed by a roundtable discussion hosted by Representative Connolly that included Calvin Farr, PWC Service Authority CEO, and 10 additional panelists. You can find a video of some of discussion on the Service Authority's Facebook page.
H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility

Named for Mr. H. L. Mooney, the former Administrator of the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Dumfries-Triangle Sanitary District, construction was completed in 1979 under the EPA's Clean Water Act Grant Program. The first major upgrade was completed in 1997 and increased treatment capacity. A $131.7 million upgrade in 2010 helped further safeguard the Chesapeake Bay through more intensive nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The project also expanded the facility’s treatment capacity to accommodate continuing growth in the County.

Through a variety of techniques, the facility is able to reduce pollutants in wastewater by 99%. It also removes approximately 140 tons per year of phosphorous and 730 tons per year of nitrogen from the water before it is discharged into Neabsco Creek, a Potomac River tributary. Watch the video below to get a virtual look inside the facility and learn more.
Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, May 5, Chair Wheeler joined Neasbco District Supervisor Victor Angry at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Welcome to Dale City sign. Special thanks to Virginia American Water, which oversees both water and wastewater service for the residents of Dale City, for its donation that made the sign a reality. American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The headquarters for its PWC operations is in Woodbridge.
Dale City
Dale City is a Census Designated Place that was the idea of a real estate developer, Cecil Don Hylton who, it is said, chose the term because it aptly describes the "hills and dales" of the area. Consisting of 15 square miles, the 2020 Census cited the population at just over 72,000. In addition to being home to the Hylton Memorial Chapel and the very popular Dale City Independence Day parade, the vibrant community offers a wide range of amenities.
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COVID-19
Thursday, May 5, the FDA announced it has limited the authorized use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to individuals 18 years of age or older:
  • For whom other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate.
  • Who elect to receive the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Two Key Points in the Announcement

  • After conducting an updated analysis, evaluation and investigation of reported cases, the FDA has determined that the risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, a syndrome of rare and potentially life-threatening blood clots in combination with low levels of blood platelets with onset of symptoms approximately one to two weeks following administration of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, warrants limiting the authorized use of the vaccine.

  • The FDA has determined that the known and potential benefits of the vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 outweigh the known and potential risks for individuals 18 years of age and older for whom other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, and for individuals 18 years of age and older who elect to receive the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

You can read the full announcement here.
The CDC v-safe After-Vaccination Health Checker is a smart-phone based tool that allows users to register the COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters they have received, and any adverse events experienced after each dose. After you create your online account, it provides you personalized and confidential health check-ins via text messages and web surveys so you can quickly and easily share with CDC how you, or your dependent, feel after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about v-safe here.
Important Details
Please note that v-safe:
  • Is NOT an official record of being vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • Does NOT give medical advice.
  • CANNOT schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

If you receive a vaccination or booster reminder text from v-safe, it is NOT from the Virginia Department of Health. Learn more about this in the Prince William Health District May 2 update here.
Resources
Protecting Yourself and Others:
Latest Data:
How to Get Vaccinated:
How to get tested:
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BOCS
Next Meeting
Tuesday, May 10
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm

For Public Comment Time options visit SpeakUp! Prince William. Remote speakers must sign-up by 5:00 pm on Monday, May 9. In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.
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County News
Summer Games
Friday, June 10, and Sunday, June 12, Special Olympic athletes from Prince William County, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park will be participating in the state-wide Summer Games in Richmond. The premiere event will be held at the University of Richmond.
Volunteers Needed
While volunteers are needed year-round for Special Olympic events, hundreds are needed for the Summer Games in Richmond. You can learn about the variety of opportunities to be a part of this very special event and register to volunteer here.
Flame of Hope Run
June 5-10, Law Enforcement Torch Run members will carry the Flame of Hope 5,100 miles throughout the Commonwealth to raise funds and awareness for the 51 Special Olympics Virginia athletes competing in Orlando at the 2022 USA Games. This year, participants can join local law enforcement agencies in community runs or run at their pace at their place! Another way to support the event is to sponsor a runner! Learn more about the event and the ways you can become involved here.
Representing Prince William County in Team Virginia at the 2022 USA Games are:
Call For Artists
Keep Prince William Beautiful is partnered with the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, PWC Neighborhood Services, PWC Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Amazon Web Services InCommunities, and Apple Federal Credit Union on a Beautification Project. The focus is to improve the community and ridership experience by providing dedicated and consistent litter removal, as well as installation of public artwork for designated OmniRide bus shelters across PWC.
Artists, or Artist Teams, are invited to review the project Request for Qualifications for details and submit the application form located within the document by 5:00 pm Friday, May 27, to be considered to participate in this public art opportunity, themed "ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY." Up to five Artist or Artists Teams may be selected as finalists and will be invited for a site visit and interview prior to final selection.
Important Information
All artists interested in submitting a letter of interest/application are required to attend a virtual informational session on Tuesday May 17, at 6:00 pm. Register for the zoom meeting here.
Recycling Made Easier
PWC Solid Waste Division offers recycling bins and bags free of charge to community groups and non-profit organizations hosting special events in the County. The bins are suitable for collecting plastic bottles, aluminum cans and are loaned on a first-come first-served basis. Submit your Special Events Recycling Bin Agreement at least one week online here. You can also find a PDF form to print, complete and submit here.
Safety Tips
May is peak grilling season and according to the 2022 State of the Barbecue Industry Report by the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association, grill sales and grilling out are at or near all-time highs. Whether you are a 'seasoned" outdoor cook, or this is you first year, please review the information below from the National Fire Protection Association to keep you and others safe.
Grill Safety for Apartments and Condominiums:
  • PWC Fire Prevention Code prohibits the use and storage of any device that uses flammables, (i.e., gasoline, charcoal lighter, liquefied petroleum gas or propane) on a balcony.
  • DO NOT use grills or smokers within 15 feet of any apartment, condominium, or building/structure.

You can learn more about grill safety in apartments and condominiums in PWC here.
Keeping Houses of Worship Safe
Thursday, June 9, at 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, the Crime Prevention Unit of the PWC Police Department is hosting a Securing Your House of Worship. The informative presentation, intended to encourage Houses of Worship to become more involved in reducing the opportunity for crimes to occur on their premises, will be held at the Western District Police Station, 8900 Freedom Center Boulevard in Manassas. Each person wishing to attend must register individually. Learn more and register to attend here.
Reminder
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County Happenings
Stamp Out Hunger
Saturday, May 14, is the annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive. Everyone is encouraged to participate by leaving a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, pasta, rice, or cereal next to their mailbox before the regular mail delivery Saturday, May 14.
The National Association of Letter Carriers is the chief organizer of the event, which is the nation’s largest one-day food drive and held the second Saturday in May across the country. This year marks a return to the traditional event after two years of holding an online donation drive due to COVID-19. Learn more about the food drive in the video below.
Saturday, May 14, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) Hunger Prevention Center Warehouse in Dumfries will need volunteers to offload donations collected by Mail Carriers during the Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive. For more information, contact Shirley Couteau via email at scouteau@actspwc.org or phone at 703-441-8606 extension 288.
Some Specialty Summer Camps
PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Office of Historic Preservation is offering a variety of History Summer Camps. Open to children ages 8-13, topics include the life of indigenous peoples on the Potomac River, the Civil War, Virginia history, farm life, mock trials and detective work, and more. Learn more and register here.
The Teen Chinn Summer Camp is open to ages 12-14 for one week or all summer. Some of the field trips are to SplashDown Waterpark, Spy Museum, Defy, Waterworks Waterpark, Fun Land, Natural History Museum, Leesburg Animal Park, Mount Vernon, Skate N Fun Zone, a Mystics Game, bowling, DC Zoo, and lazer tag. Learn more and register here.
There's More Themed Summer Camps
Find out about the wide variety of PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism camps in its 2022 Summer Camp Guide and webpage.
By the Light of the Moon
Sunday, May 15, and Monday, May 16, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm, enjoy a Full Moon-Inspired Yoga Practice and Meditation the Neasbco Creek Boardwalk in Woodbridge. The fun, creative flow practice will build heat and strength, as well as open your body, while celebrating all the stimulating full moon energy. Bring a mat, blanket, water and wear appropriate clothing. The event is weather permitting. Learn more and register here.
Did You Know?
The full moon of May is called the Flower Moon because it is the time of year with the densest bloom. In North America, bluebells, violets, and phlox cover the lush green land, making it bold and vibrant. Naming moons allowed humans to keep track of the seasons.
Reminders


  • Friday, May 20, Bike to Work Day will be celebrated at "pit stops" located throughout PWC. Register to participate here.
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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.