This week, the FDA and the CDC recommended pausing the use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine out of an abundance of caution while they investigate an extremely rare possible side effect. In response, Dr. Danny Avula, Virginia Department of Health Vaccine Coordinator, stated Virginia is halting all Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccines until that investigation is complete. The Prince William Health District announced it has switched from administering the J&J vaccine to the Pfizer vaccine at the Metz Middle School Clinic this week. Virginia is continuing its vaccine rollout with the other two authorized vaccines, developed by Pfizer and Moderna.

On Sunday, April 18, all Virginians age 16 and older, will be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine (issue 60). This expansion of eligibility comes as Virginia reaches a new milestone in its vaccination program with approximately half of all adults in the Commonwealth having received at least one dose. The Northam Administration anticipates that all Virginians who want a vaccine will be able to get at least their first dose by the end of May. 

Virginians seeking an opportunity to get vaccinated may have to wait for an appointment, as demand for vaccination is expected to continue to outpace supply in many parts of the Commonwealth. Those who were eligible under Phase 1 who cannot find an appointment should pre-register for a priority appointment at vacinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-VAX-IN-VA.

Don't forget to register for Chair Wheeler's Countywide online community engagement session (issue 59) on Wednesday, April 21, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm! The rebranding discussion will be on a variety of topics ranging from the look of the County Seal to how to create economic development opportunities in PWC.

Saturday, April 6, Chair Wheeler was a special guest at the Opening Day festivities for PWC Girls Fast Pitch Softball at Andrew Leitch Park in Dale City. After missing the opportunity to host the annual event in 2020, they were thrilled to celebrate the first game of the season. Before the first pitch was thrown, there were prizes raffled off, goods from sponsors shared, along with thank-yous extended and honors acknowledged.

On Monday, April 12, Chair Wheeler attended a vaccination event hosted by Serving Our Neighbors (SON). The mobile clinic administered vaccines to 70 homeless citizens in PWC. SON is supported by Manassas Presbyterian Church, in partnership with PWC Department of Social Services, West End Advocacy Group, and Feeding Friends to assist the homeless community in Manassas.

On Tuesday, April 13, Chair Wheeler participated in the County's annual "plant" a pinwheel garden as part of the PWC Department of Social Services Pinwheels for Prevention. The event is held during Child Abuse Prevention Month (issue 60) to recognize the importance of safe, stable, and nurturing environments for all children.

Thursday, April 22 is Earth Day! It all started on April 22, in 1970 when 20 million Americans - 10% of our population at the time - participated in the first Earth Day. April is also considered Earth Month. Our region has made great progress improving our environment.

On Saturday, April 10, Chair Wheeler participated in an Earth Day celebration. The event was jointly sponsored by Keep Prince William Beautiful (KPWB) and IKEA, who hosted it at their Woodbridge location parking garage. There were games, prizes, activities, and a whole lot of Earth Day fun was shown to this planet we call home.

Speaking of IKEA, did you know it is one of the most active corporations with respect to environmental sustainability (issue 60). In fact, in 2012 IKEA officially plugged-in a solar energy system atop its store in Woodbridge, which at that time, was the largest in Virginia. Its clean energy production is the equivalent of reducing 439 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 86 cars, or powering 55 homes yearly.

The month of April was recognized as Fair Housing Month. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law on April 11, 1968, prohibiting housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, disability, sex, familial status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. As laid out by the U.S. Congress, the BOCS committed to the mission of providing fair and equal housing opportunities to all and recognized that fair housing contributes to the wellbeing community and economy, which are further strengthened by diverse and inclusive communities.

The day of April 18 was proclaimed as the 400th anniversary of the birth of Guru Teg Bahadur, a hero of the Sikh religion, and as Human Rights and Religious Freedom Day. Nearly 30 million Sikhs around the world celebrate Bahadur's birthday. The ninth Guru of the Sikh Religion, he championed religious freedom for all and criticized forced religious conversions. His vocal protests led to his untimely death. Among Sikhs, Bahadur was fondly known as Dharam Di Chador, or Shield of the Religious, for his sacrifice.

Tuesday, April 20

Budget Markup at 7:30 pm

visit SpeakUp! Prince William.

In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.

The PWC Service Authority has selected Mr. Calvin D. Farr, Jr., P.E., as its new General Manager effective May 17. Mr. Farr has 24 years of experience in the utility industry and is currently the Director of the Department of Public Utilities for the City of Richmond, which serves more than 500,000 customers within the City of Richmond and its surrounding counties.

Mr. Farr's career has included implementing capital improvement programs, enhancing operation and maintenance practices, championing asset management programs, and maintaining a strong environmental compliance record. He holds an Executive Masters of Public Management from the University of Maryland, Masters of Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University. Mr. Farr is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

PWC Service Authority is the largest combined water and wastewater utility in Virginia, serving more than 360,000 customers. It has received numerous awards and is a nationally recognized model for excellence, sustainability, industry best practices, and environmental stewardship.

The County has begun its biennial community survey, which provides reliable and valid data to help guide strategic decisions made by the BOCS. An independent market research firm located in Va. Beach, Issues and Answers Network, Inc., will reach out to 1,600 randomly selected citizens from across the County to participate. Conducted via telephone, the survey will take approximately 15 minutes. Multi-lingual surveyors are available as needed. The survey will run through May 6 and information obtained from the survey will be presented to the BOCS in early September.

The Marcus-David Peters Act, signed into law in late 2020, takes a comprehensive approach to ensure Virginia provides a health-focused and trauma-informed response to behavioral health emergencies. The Marcus Alert System, requires localities to establish, by July 1, a voluntary database to provide mental health and emergency contact information for use in 9-1-1 emergency response situations.

Aburi Gardens International - African Cuisine

14830 Build America Drive, Woodbridge

Arepas Capitol - Gourmet Venezuelan Cuisine

14091 Noblewood Plaza, Woodbridge

Dolce Amore Sweets - Peruvian Bakery

8641 Sudley Road, Manassas

Eda's Latin Food - Nicaraguan Cuisine

9071 Liberia Avenue, Manassas

Mofongo Steakhouse & Grill - Puerto Rican Cuisine

14035 Nobelwood Plaza, Woodbridge

Ramadan ( Arabic Ramaḍān) is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the Holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier each year, allowing it to fall in every season throughout a 33-year cycle. This year, Ramadan began on the evening of Monday, April 12 and will end on either Tuesday, May 11, or Wednesday, May 12, depending on the appearance of the new moon.

The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam ​and it is a period of introspection, heightened worship, and increased charity and generosity. Muslims hold that the scrolls of Abraham, Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran were revealed during Ramadan, For Muslims, God forgives the past sins of those who observe the holy month with fasting, prayer, and faithful intention.

On Tuesday, June 8, Virginia will have a Democratic primary election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. All Democratic and Republican primary candidates for the House of Delegates representing PWC will also be on the ballot. Details on how to participate in early in-person voting, which starts Friday, April 23, are below. Be sure to bring your acceptable ID.

To learn how to vote in the primary by Mail or Absentee visit the Office of Elections Early Voting site. The last day to register to vote is Monday, May 17.

Mr. James L. Hicks, Jr. 65, of Dale City, VA passed away on Thursday, April 8. Born August 9, 1955, in Phenix City, Alabama, he served 33 years in the U. S. Army, as Special bandsmen/Corps Sergeant (manager) in the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and Electronic Shop Manager in the Signal Corps in Korea and Fort Riley Kansas. Mr. Hicks marched with and served as, the President, Music Master, Treasurer, and Instructor of the Potomac Ancient Fife and Drum Corps of Arlington and Vienna Virginia.