County roundup

By Staff

Published: November 22, 2008

Tree Trimming Remembrance Day ceremony scheduled for Dec. 13

Visitors can place red ribbons on trees to remember those who have died in alcohol- and drug-related crashes at the annual Tree Trimming Remembrance Day.

The event is Dec. 13 at 1:30 p.m. in the atrium of the James J. McCoart Administration Building. The Prince William County Office on Youth will hold the event, which is free and open to the public. It begins with a performance by the vocal ensemble from Freedom High School, and includes announcement of the winners of the annual poster contest. This year's theme was "Ask Me, See Me, Be Me! I'm Drug Free."

According to event coordinator John Brinkheide, chairman of the Community Substance-Abuse Prevention Task Force, attendees will include local teens, officials from the Board of County Supervisors, the courts and the local school systems, members of area civic associations and the Knights of Columbus. The Office on Youth and Prince William Community Services sponsor this event to help prevent alcohol and substance abuse by young people.

For more information, please call the Office on Youth at 703-792-6095.

Volunteers of month honored

The Prince William office of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) has named its volunteers of the month for July, August and September. They were honored for the difference they have made in the lives of Prince William residents.

Robert Pemberton was recognized posthumously for his work in the Parent Education Program. For more than two years, Robert facilitated parenting classes for parents of teenagers. His positive and open approach gave parents the encouragement to adopt new skills while strengthening existing skills. Robert touched many lives throughout his life. We are most appreciative of his commitment to making a difference in the lives of Prince William families.

Darlene Jones has been a 4-H volunteer in Prince William County for 18 years. Darlene is the 4-H volunteer organizational leader for the Raising Acceptable Bunnies By Ideal Training (R.A.B.B.I.T.) 4-H Club, a rabbit project club for youth ages 5 to 18. She has been a 4-H volunteer leader for Prince William County 4-H Fair Camp and 4-H Children's Barn at the fair for all of her years of service. She is hard working, innovative, fun and most of all, dedicated to teaching youth life skills.

Kathy Burch was in the 2007-08 Master Gardener Volunteer Training class, and has already volunteered more than 255 hours. She has been an instrumental figure at the Teaching Garden; has helped with plant clinics, the Great 'Scapes lawn education program, and the lawn and garden show, and has also helped with administrative support tasks. VCE is indebted to Kathy for her support, sense of volunteerism, community spirit and commitment to supporting VCE.

VCE's more than 675 volunteers provided more than 25,000 hours of service in the past fiscal year. For more information on the programs offered in Prince William County, visit http://www.pwcgov.org/VCE.

Prince William holiday closings

Here are holiday closings for Prince William County government offices, Circuit and General District Courts, Landfill and Prince William Public Libraries.

• Government offices: Closed Thursday and Friday,  Dec. 24 and Dec. 2, as well as on Jan. 1.

• Courts: Same as county buildings with the addition of being closed on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. .

• Landfill: Closed at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

• Libraries: All libraries will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday and Friday. In addition, neighborhood libraries (Dale City, Dumfries, Gainesville, Independent Hill, Lake Ridge and Nokesville) will be closed on Nov. 29. All libraries will be closed Dec. 21 and Dec. 28,  Dec. 24 and 25, and Jan. 1. In addition, all libraries will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Prince William Edition, Nov. 24

This week's Prince William Edition is "Safe and Sound," a program designed to bring missing children home to their families. This show profiles several young people who cannot be found and a way to contact the Prince William Police Department if viewers recognize any faces. The program airs Mondaythrough Nov. 30.

Prince William Edition is a five-minute, weekly public affairs program featuring the latest news and information on Prince William County government. Prince William Edition airs on CNN Headline News, which is either Channel 28 or 29 for Comcast cable subscribers in the county.

The program can be seen seven days a week at various times.