Archive for January, 2010

The Road Ahead

We met on the January 12th and discussed where we would be going in the year ahead. The Gainesville Group is going to take a detailed look at the issues that are on the minds of PWC residents. We’ll explore them, determine the points of view and attempt to organize forums, open to the public, to discuss and explain them.

To accomplish this goal, we have formed the Issues Committee consists of Carol, Judy, Suzanne, and Terry. They have been challenged to develop a method for identifying issues. Once this phase is underway we can look at how to research the identified issues, and begin thinking about appropriate forums.

The year ahead is going to be very exciting. We will have a finger on the pulse of Western PWC and be in a position to advocate for the kinds of policies and laws that will make a real difference in our community.

Our next meeting will be February 8th, 7 pm at Taste of Asian again. Hope to see you all there.

SERVE Food Drive

I want to thank everyone who helped with the food drive this year, especially Pete Henriques, Gloria Moscatello, Joy Kim, Carol Noggle, and Suzanne Hoag for collecting so much food from their neighbors. Though we got a slightly later start than in 2009, we collected 1620 ponds of food for families in need.
The donations were greatly appreciated. I’d like suggestions or ideas on how we can help in the late Spring, maybe a link to Memorial Day. Mary Jo (not our Mary Jo) who manages the food bank told me it costs $2500.00 a month for utilities. Maybe we can do a fundraiser for them? Let me know your thoughts on this.

Highway Cleanup in December

The motley crew ready for duty. The vests were just lovely lol. The effort was worth the 2 mile walk. I tried to make it 4 but cooler heads prevailed. The next clean up will be in March stay tuned for details.

Monthly Meeting February 8 (CANCELLED)

The roads are too slippery to risk driving around tonight. Taste of Asian restaurant, 7921 Heritage Village Plaza, Gainesville, VA.

Topics to include committee updates, issue identification, organizational approach and structure. Come let us know what you think is the number one concern in PWC.

This is just plain fun!!

I won’t say that now I’ve seen everything ,but this is such a fun report I couldn’t resist. It’s a lot better use for those old worn out Barbie’s than a trash can I guess lol.Body Parts Jewlery.

County Comprehensive Plan Updates Coming January 19.

Very soon the BoCS will be acting on recommendations for changing the comprehensive plan, specifically the land use and transportation chapters. This has been ongoing since 2007. It might be good to attend the expected supervisors meeting and hear just what they plan for us int he the next two decades.
Here’s a discussion from Prince William Conserve on two chapters of the county’s comprehensive plan.

Day of Service Food Drive for SERVE

Only a few days left!! If you can’t collect maybe you’ll bring some food by?

Today I am announcing the second annual food drive for SERVE. Last
year we collected 1649 pounds of food in just 11 days. This year I’d
like to collect 2000 – one ton!

I’m asking you to join in the effort. Here’s how you can help:

1.  Modify the flyer for your neighborhood, print it, and
distribute it in your neighbors.

2.  Act as a collection point for your neighbors donations.

3.  On Tuesday January 19th at 11:00am, meet me with your collected
donations at the SERVE Foodbank, 10056 Dean Drive, Manassas VA.

Together we will unload the supplies and SERVE will weigh them. If you
can’t make the delivery on Tuesday I can pick up your donations and
deliver them for you, or you can bring them to our house at 6349
Retriever Lane, Gainesville (in Heritage Hunt). Specific items in
demand are the smallest sizes of disposable diapers, canned
vegetables, spaghetti and pasta, spaghetti sauces, mac and cheese. All
items should be non-perishable though they will take anything.

If you can help as a collector please send me your name and contact
info. If you want to donate please bring your donation to our house. I
will also come get your stuff if you can’t get it here, just let me
know where and when.

The demand for services has doubled in the last couple of years,
primarily as a result of the economy. Many of the people utilizing
SERVE today were donors only a year or so ago. Some of these people
could be your neighbors, friends from your church, or even co-workers
struggling with reduced hours or layoffs. I hope you will devote a few
hours to this effort over the next week.

FLYER

Greetings Neighbors

As most of you know, January 18th has been designated a day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. To that end, I am helping conduct a food drive to benefit SERVE in Manassas.

SERVE, Inc. is a non-profit community organization dedicated to strengthening the Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park community through comprehensive programs and partnerships that provide basic needs and promote economic independence for homeless and underprivileged individuals and families. In the last year demands for their services has increased enormously.

We are looking to collect non-perishable food items to be delivered to the SERVE food warehouse on Tuesday the 19th (SERVE is closed MLK day). Would you be willing to help in this effort by going through your pantry and donating usable items?

If you have any questions give us a call our address and phone number are below. If you can, please drop off your contributions at our home. We will also stop by and pick up your donation if that’s easier and we’ll make sure your contributions are delivered to the SERVE warehouse.

These are difficult times and particularly so for those already facing financial difficulties. It’s become all too clear that misfortune can strike any of us at any time. Your generosity will make a real difference in the lives of hundreds of families in our area.

Thanks for your help in this drive, and I hope 2010 is off to a good start for you and your loved ones.

Your contact info

A New Year Begins – Looking Back, Looking Ahead

In the year ahead we will be taking on the issues that most affect the residents of Prince William County. We plan to explore each issue in detail, discuss it with our neighbors through a variety of forums and then begin advocating for the kinds of legislation or programs that will address the issues.

Read more...

Monthly Meeting January 11

The monthly meeting of The Gainesville Group will be held at Taste of Asian restaurant, 7921 Heritage Village Plaza, on Heathcote Blvd.

This months agenda includes, but is not limited to:

> The focus of the group in the year ahead
> Identifying relevant issues relating to PWC
> Educating ourselves on issues
> Forums for exploring issues
> Advocacy options