It’s my town: Manassas lad lands top Pokemon rank

A national champion…

Alexander Baxter, a 14-year-old from Manassas, put his Pokemon card-trading skills to the test recently at the Pokemon Trading Card Game National Championship in St. Louis.

Battling in a fierce two-day competition against more than 1,200 of the nation's top Pokemon TCG players, Baxter crushed the competition and finished the tournament with a top-8 ranking.

With this finish, Baxter has earned an invitation and travel award to compete for the title of World Champion at the elite TCG World Tournament in San Diego, Calif., in August.

Pokemon organized play events provide an outlet for young people to succeed in a highly competitive but intellectu-ally challenging environment with the brightest of their peers.

In the national competition, the players were separated into three divisions: Junior Division (born in 1998 or later), Senior Division (born from 1994 to 1997) and Masters Division (born in 1993 or earlier).

The world championships are an invite-only event, and players must participate in a qualifying tournament or achieve a high premier ranking to receive an invitation.

Baxter had won at the local level which allowed him to advance to the national competition.

The Bull Run Regional Library will be showing films based on the comedies of William Shakespeare at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday and July 23 and 30. The library is located at 8051 Ashton Ave., Manassas. For more information call 703-492-4530.

The Guilty Ones SportBike Club will sponsor a benefit charity event, Guilty Ones SportBike Fest,  on July 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Prince William Fairgrounds, Manassas.

According to Ryan Stoffregen, president of the club, 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The day's activities will include a stunt show by 540 boyz, dyno machine, bikini contest, food and beverage vendors, DJ Incredible and live performances from Mic Mess and State of Balance.

Some of the sponsors include Manassas Honda Kawasaki, Colgan Powersports, Brook Cycles, Handmade Tattoo, Apex, Mortons BMW and Lee & Associates Realty.

An indoor flea market featuring crafts, antiques, jewelry, toys, attic treasures, new and used goods, knick-knacks, rummage and clothing will benefit the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company on Aug. 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will take place at the firehouse, 9322 Centreville Road, and will include a snack bar. Vendors are wel-come and tables are $25. For more information call 703-335-8167 or .

Roz Minett, Capital Hospice Center, will speak about the facts and myths of hospice at a meeting of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Manassas Chapter 356, on July 15 at the Hibachi Buffet & Sushi restaurant, 8121 Sudley Road, Manassas on July 15.

Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and the meeting will follow the program at 12:30 p.m.

The Bluebird Tour Program, operated by the Prince William Area Agency on Aging, has space available on some upcoming trips.

They include the National Christmas Center, Paradise, Pa., on July 18; Tangier Island Cruise, Crisfield, Md., on July 20; Stratford Hall, Stratford, on July 23; American Music Theatre "The Golden Boys," Lancaster, Pa., on July 26; and Winterthur Museum and Country Estate Tour, Winterthur, Del., on Aug. 5.

…for more information, call 703-792-7433.