Neighborhood news: Prince William Community Band to hold festival

Woodbridge, Va. - The Prince William Community Band will be hosting the 2nd annual Prince William Community Band Festival beginning at 2 p.m. May 23 at the Sean T. Connaughton Community Plaza.

This will be a joint concert with the following bands: Alexandria Citizens Band, Dunbar Saxophone Quartet, Alexandria NOVA Band, Occoquan Heavy Metal Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, and Prince William Community Band. Each band will play for 30 to 45 minutes, followed by the combined band at 5:15 p.m. The Connaughton Community Plaza is located at the Prince William Government Center, 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge. The event is free.

Woodbridge Music Club

The Woodbridge Music Club presents the Attacca String Quartet, Amy Schroeder & Keiko Tokunaga, violins, Luke Fleming, viola, and Andrew Yee, cello, on May 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12975 Purcell Drive, Manassas.

The Woodbridge Music Club (www.WoodbridgeMusicClub.org) is an affiliate of the Virginia Federation of Music Clubs and the National Federation of Music Clubs. The club serves the citizens of Prince William County by sponsoring performances, student recitals, and student music competitions. Funding is provided in part by a grant from the Prince William County Park Authority.

Community Initiative -- 2010 Project

Woodbridge residents are invited to participate in the Spring Clean-up/Beautification Project on May 22. Join Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank J. Principi and the Woodbridge Potomac Community Civic Association as they remove trash and landscape the area along Route 1 from the bridge to the corner of Dawson Beach Road.

Civic groups, churches and the general public are encouraged to participate in this community initiative that is part of an on-going effort to enhance the image of Woodbridge and give the community a face-lift. This is a wonderful way to meet your neighbors, get some exercise and be a part of the New Woodbridge. Volunteers will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the VRE parking lot on U.S. 1. Refreshments, trash bags, gloves and vest will be provided. Bring your own rakes, shovels, clippers and brooms. For more information and to register, please call 703-792-4646 or go to www.newwoodbridge.org.

6th Annual senior fitness testing

In honor of Older Americans Month, those 60 years young can participate in the Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center's 6th Annual Senior Fitness Testing. This six-station fitness testing is May 19 at 11:30 a.m. and is followed-up with results and refreshments on May 26 at noon. See how you compare to the national standards and enjoy the afternoon with your peers!

Health Fair

The community is invited to a Health Fair at Hylton High School, 14051 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge, on May 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Health screenings will include Type 2 Diabetes and Body Mass Index.

A diverse group of health and wellness service providers will be on site. Sentara Potomac Hospital, Northern Virginia Healthy Kids Coalition, Prince William County Health Department, Life Enhancing Dentistry and a variety of other health care and physical fitness professionals will be on hand. Prince William County's own Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, a 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, will speak on the benefits of physical fitness. For further information, call 571-830-8431.

Patriotic BBQ

Potomac Place has provided us with a number of fun activities. It will be hosting a Patriotic BBQ on May 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Stop by for great food, conversation, fun activities and to show your patriotism. RSVP by May 20th. For more information call 703-494-3817 Potomac Place is located at 2133 Montgomery Ave., Woodbridge.

Volunteer Recruitment Fair

Volunteer Prince William will host a Volunteer Recruitment Fair on May 22 at Chinn Fitness & Aquatics Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. outdoors in front of the Chinn Center. Please stop in for a visit and talk with representatives from many community organizations in search of new volunteers. In case of inclement weather, look for the fair inside the Chinn Center.

Participants will be: Amateur Radio Emergency Services; American Cancer Society; American Diabetes Association; American Red Cross, Prince William Chapter; BEACON; Citizen Corps; Girl Scouts of America; Medical Reserve Corps; Moms for Safe Wireless; NOVA Fuller Center for Housing; OAR of Fairfax; Prince William County Park Authority; Prince William Special Olympics; SAVAS; Westminster at Lake Ridge, Yes You CAN, Young Lady Young Man. Volunteer Prince William welcomes you to stop in for a visit and talk with representatives from many community organizations in search of new volunteers.

Contact Bonnie Nahas at 703-369-5292, Ext. 202 or bnahas@volunteerprincewilliam.org for more information.

Conversations on Aging

The Area Agency on Aging will present "Conversations on Aging" for older adults, family members, caregivers, or those who are just interested in aging services and programs. Listen, discuss and share your thoughts on elder rights and justice, healthy aging, caregiver programs, and the aging network services supporting diverse needs.

The program will be held May 20 at 10 a.m. at Woodbridge Senior Center, 13850 Church Hill Drive. Other opportunities to participate are on May 18 at 7 p.m. at Manassas City Hall, and May 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Manassas Senior Center. For more information, call 703-792-6400.

Revival Services

Revival services will be held at Marsh Road Baptist Church, 1514 Old Marsh Road on May 20 to 23 at 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. on Sunday morning. Evangelist Dr. Roy L. Branson of Bristol, Tenn., is a noted author and founder of Landmark Christian Ministries, who has served in most states and several foreign countries. For directions or information, please call 703-494-6644 or 703-491-2980.

Beta Tau

Beta Tau Woodbridge Chapter of ESA, installed new officers for 2010-2011 on Apr. 26 at the Globe & Laurel in Stafford. Jane Shamblin, past Virginia state president, performed the installation ceremony. New officers are Kathy Gibbons, president; Pat Holtsclaw, vice president; Doris Hood, secretary; Jane Shamblin, treasurer; Diane Mockabee, educational director; Sandy Reed, parliamentarian. Awards were presented by current president Sandy Reed: 35 Year Service Pin to Doris Hood; First Pearl to Phyllis Porch; Woman of the Year to Jane Shamblin for her achievements.

If you would like more information about Beta Tau, please contact Jane Shamblin at 540-899-9876. ESA is open to those eighteen and over.

Bunny Mahar reports your neighborhood news from the Woodbridge area every Saturday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Bunny at woodpotnews@aol.com.