Neighborhood news: Bookmark contest at library

Happy New Year!

From Jan. 4 until March 6, the Chinn Park Regional Library will hold its annual Bookmark Art Contest for children in grades K-5 who reside in Prince William County, Manassas or Manassas Park. Children are invited to design a colorful bookmark expressing the theme: No Butts about Reading!

Pick up an entry form from any branch of the Prince William Public Library System or download it from the library's Web site. Each child may submit only one entry, with the form on the back completely filled out. All semi-finalists will be invited to attend a program with Erica S. Perl, author of "Chicken Butt," "Chicken Bedtime is Really Early" and "Ninety Three in My Family."

A first-place winner for each grade level will be awarded a gift certificate to the Chinn Park Friendshop. The grand prize winner will receive an autographed copy of the author's newest book as well as a gift certificate to the Friendshop. Prizes will be awarded April 11 at 2 p.m. Entries must be turned in at the information desk at Chinn Park Regional Library by 5 p.m. March 6. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Chinn Park Regional Library in honor of Jenny Foxworth, a friend of the Chinn Park Regional Library. For more information, visit the library at 13065 Chinn Park Drive in Woodbridge or call 703-792-4800 (voice) or 703-792-4876 (TTY)

Genealogy help

Bull Run Regional Library offers "The Genealogy Doctor Is In" on Jan. 7 and 21 at 10, 10:45 and 11:30 a.m. Don Wilson, head of RELIC (the Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center for genealogy and local history at Bull Run Regional Library), reserves two mornings each month for free, private sessions to mentor persons researching their family history. A 30-minute session can be used to discuss and analyze a historical or genealogical problem that has stumped you.

Bull Run Regional Library is at 8051 Ashton Ave. in Manassas. To reserve a slot, please call RELIC at 703-792-4540 or email relic2@pwcgov.org. RELIC staff is available to help with research all hours that the library is open. To be notified of upcoming programs and new resources in RELIC, please visit http://www.pwcgov.org/library/relic/whats new in relic.htm.

A New Year wish

May this new year see the fulfillment of all your dreams. Until next week.

Fay Wallace reports your neighborhood news from the mid-county area every Friday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Fay at faymary@aol.com.