Stafford County Sun, December 11, 2015

INSIDE:

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Beth Sholom celebrates Light festival

Santa visits for lunch, laughter

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13

Colonial Forge takes on Stafford

Test your thinking with puzzles

DECEMBER 11, 2015

VOLUME 27, NUMBER 39

75¢

VIEWPOINTS, PAGE 4 | PUZZLES, PAGE 13 | CLASSIFIEDS, PAGES 14, 15

INSIDENOVA.COM

School board bids Reinboldt farewell TRACY BELL

Stafford County Sun

Commercial space and 450 apartment units are coming to property off Garrisonville Road opposite Travis Lane, at the bottom portion of the photo.

Mixed-use community off Garrisonville in the works TRACY BELL

Stafford County Sun

A mixed-use community set to take root off Garrisonville Road in North Stafford is expected to bring more than 450 apartment units and 500,000 of commercial space to an undeveloped area across from Travis Lane.

Based in the Garrisonville Election District, Stafford Village Center is also set to include a gas station, retail shops and office space.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors approved the development in October after several deferrals, and agreed to a conditional-use permit allowing for vehicle fuel sales.

The Pence Group, which developed Stafford Marketplace, is spearheading the

project, and Ebenezer United Methodist Church owns the undeveloped land.

According to discussion, some of the apartment units will be situated on top of retail and office space.

“There is a lot of support in the community for this. People are excited,” said Stafford Supervisor Laura Sellers, R-Garrisonville, following the vehicle fuel-sales vote.

Supervisor Jack Cavalier, I-GriffisWidewater, said that evening that during his time knocking on doors for his re-election campaign, he heard a lot from people who want specific restaurants, retail stores and grocery stores in the county.

“I believe this development will help us get those things,” Cavalier said. “It will be a good project for Stafford County.”

Five supervisors ultimately supported the project, while Supervisors Meg

Bohmke, R-Falmouth, and Robert Thomas, R-George Washington, weren’t quite convinced despite The Pence Group addressing the board.

During the discussion, Pence also alluded to discussions about a possible movie theater within the development, but did not elaborate.

Supervisor Cord Sterling, R-Rock Hill, admitted that he has reservations about the overall project but decided to cautiously support it.

“I’ll lean in the direction of support for this project but I’m hesitant about apartments,” he said.

Some supervisors agreed that The Pence Group’s good reputation helped earn the project more support.

Tracy Bell can be reached at tbell@staffordcountysun.com.

The Stafford County School Board recognized outgoing member Dana Reinboldt on Tuesday for her 12 years of service on the board.

Reinboldt, who leads the Griffis-Widewater District, lost her bid for re-election in November, and her term will end at the end of December.

“It was a privilege to serve the children and citizens of Stafford for the past 12 years,” she said. “It has been an honor to work with all of the staff members at Stafford County Public Schools.”

She thanked her family, the Stafford County Public Schools staff, the school board, students, friends, neighbors and the community, noting that she is “truly touched and grateful” for the recognition and for her time serving on the board.

School board members said that Reinboldt always put the students first and that if anyone truly loved his or her role on the board, it was her.

All of the board members, as well as Superintendent Bruce Benson and a variety of staff, thanked her for her service over the course of the meeting.

“One of the things I’ve been so proud of is the way our board has conducted itself at our meetings and the example we’ve set for our children,” Reinboldt said.

She mentioned some of the accomplishments she’s most proud of, including work on enhanced security entrances in the schools, activity buses, a 10-point grading scale that allowed students to compete with neighboring localities, codes of conduct and of dress, before-and-after child care for community and staff, and the addition of roundtables for school principals and support staff.

In the November elec- REINBOLDT PAGE 10 tion, Emily Fallon prevailed

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REAL STORIES FROM THE EXPRESS LANES

“The Express Lanes have given me all kinds of time.

It’s really a love story.”

Friday, December 11, 2015 • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

- Stephanie S. Fairfax Station, VA

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Stephanie truly has an Express Lanes love story. She is a young 71 years old and lives in Fairfax Station. Her sweetheart is 77 and lives in Montgomery County, Maryland. Before the Express Lanes, they had to fight traffic on 495 to see each other. Now, however, she says meeting up is a breeze with the Express Lanes and they no longer let traffic keep them apart. The Express Lanes have opened up all kinds of pathways for Stephanie — including one to her heart.

See more real stories from the Lanes at ExpressLanes.com

Stephanie’s story was one of our winning entries in our “Express Lanes Love Story” promotion.

COMMUNITY

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Stafford supervisor seeks feedback on gridlock TRACY BELL

Stafford County Sun

Stafford County Supervisor Paul Milde, R-Aquia, rented a billboard along Interstate 95 to unite local residents frustrated by gridlock.

The billboard, situated just south of the Garrisonville Road exit in North Stafford, reads, “STUCK IN TRAFFIC?” It then instructs people to text #EndGridlock to 313131, using social media such as Twitter and Facebook to bring light to their struggles in local traffic.

The sign also reminds drivers not to text while they are driving.

Along with the recent billboard and social media efforts, Milde’s campaign includes a petition. It’s all meant to create a collaborative voice of residents to speak to Richmond and ask

for a solution to the area’s traffic problems, Milde said, adding that currently there is no plan to add any lanes on I-95 south of mile marker 142.

“When the express lanes were extended to Stafford and opened a year ago, it instantly added 44 minutes to the commute each week of people crossing Stafford,” Milde said. “We were promised phase two would begin soon after phase one. Phase two would’ve taken the express lanes all the way to Massaponax. Now we are gridlocked during rush hour.”

Milde said that 30,000 people live and work in Stafford, and even more come from the south to work in Stafford or Quantico. Those people have all seen a degradation in their commute, he noted.

On Nov. 24, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said in a released statement:

“...We will fix the bottleneck on the southern end in Stafford County, and travelers will have the choice of taking an express trip from south of Garrisonville Road all the way up to the [Washington,] D.C. line. This represents a true multi-modal solution offering commuters a reliable trip so they can reach their destination faster in one the most congested regions of the country.”

According to the plan, the project will extend 95 Express Lanes by approximately two miles past the point where the current flyover carries southbound traffic to exit 143/Garrisonville Road in Stafford County. A reversible single lane would be built, eventually splitting into northbound and southbound merge ramps.

Construction is estimated to begin in 2016 and take two years

to complete.

Despite the announcement, Milde said that the governor and the Commonwealth Transportation Board “have no credible plan to address this problem and that is unacceptable.”

“The proposed two-mile extension of the HOT lanes to a point just immediately south of 610 will not do anything measurably to address the problems...” said Milde, adding that the Virginia Department of Transportation’s own study shows that.

“Cleverly last week the governor rolled out his plan to extend the HOT lanes north through Arlington and tried to give the impression that the two-mile southern extension was something worthwhile,” Milde said.

Tracy Bell can be reached at tbell@staffordcountysun.com.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS LIBRARY SYSTEM HAS NEW DIRECTOR A veteran of the local library system has been chosen to take the reins as director of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library.

Martha Hutzel has worked for the CRRL since 1988 in positions from head of the Circulation Department to branch manager of the Snow, Porter and England Run libraries.

At the England Run Library, which she has managed since 2013, she oversaw successful community-wide programs such as the Festival of Makers in 2014 and CRRL-Con, a comic book convention, in 2015, according to a news release.

Prior to that, she was the Porter Library in North Stafford.

Hutzel is very active in community organizations, having served as secretary and president of the North Stafford Rotary Club; as a Steering Committee member of the Chamber of Commerce Network of Enterprising Women; and as an Advisory Board member of the Leadership Colloquium at the University of Mary Washington. She was elected president of the Virginia Library Association for the 2015-2016 year.

“The Library Board is very pleased to have someone of Martha’s caliber take this important position of leadership in the community,” Kathryn Miller, chair of the Library Board, said. “We feel sure that her expertise in library leadership, advocacy, community relations and library management will benefit library customers, staff and the community at large.”

CRRL NAMED NATIONAL STAR LIBRARY The Central Rappahannock Regional Library is again a “Star Library,” having been awarded four stars for the second

year in a row and with the star designation for the eighth year in a row. Only two other Virginia libraries earned stars this year.

The award is presented by the Library Journal Index, a national rating system designed to recognize America’s best public libraries, according to a news release.

Library Journal has measured how public libraries are used by their residents by analyzing data reported annually by public libraries to their state library agencies and compiled nationally by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The Index compares what libraries deliver to their users with the money they have, based on circulation and visits, program attendance and public Internet computer use, statistics that clearly define libraries’ increasingly crucial role in their communities.

“We are thrilled to continue to find our library ranked among the nation’s best,” CRRL Interim Director Caroline Parr said. “It says a lot about our staff as well as about our overwhelming public support that we have been honored in this way yet again.”

POLICE TO HOLD GUN GIVEBACK THIS SATURDAY The second annual Gun Give-Back is Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

at Fredericksburg Police Headquarters, 2200 Cowan Blvd, Fredericksburg.

The Gun Give-Back lets gun owners surrender any unwanted firearms for proper and safe disposal to ensure their firearms never end up in the hands of criminals or children, according to a news release. The give-back is open to Stafford County residents.

For every firearm turned in, philanthropist and Fredericksburg resident Doris Buffet will make a $100 donation to be equally distributed among four charities: Cops and Kids (Shop with a Cop), Empower House, Micah Ministries and the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter.

Two new elements were added to this year’s event. The Fredericksburg Police Department and Sheriff ’s Office will have gun-locks available for free to anyone who would like one.

Additionally, some unwanted firearms surrendered will be donated to the Virginia Department of Forensic Science to assist with research.

“The Gun Give-Back event keeps unwanted firearms out of the wrong hands and provides peace of mind to those who surrender their unwanted guns,” said Fredericksburg Police Chief David Nye. Ammunition will not be accepted.

At last year’s Gun Give-Back, 67 unwanted firearms were surrendered.

Stafford seeks input for website redesign Stafford County is planning a redesign of its current website and invites input to help make the site more user friendly.

The redesign is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to enhance customer service, according to a news release. Obtaining input from those who use the website will help staff in design improvement to meet users’ needs.

Interested individuals can provide feedback by taking an online survey on the county’s official site.

For more, call the county’s public information office at (540) 658-4894.

The redesigned website is scheduled to go “live” in early 2016.

STAFFORD COUNTY SUN • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • Friday, December 11, 2015

ON-ROAD EMISSIONS TEST SITES DEPLOYED IN STAFFORD You no longer have to go to a gas station for that biennial emissions test.

On-road vehicle emissions inspection sites have been deployed across Northern Virginia as part of a new program authorized by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

The first local location will be along Garrisonville Road, west of Joshua Road, on Dec. 28. On subsequent days the location will change.

Dates and locations are at www.rapidpass.org/VaPublic/Home/Locations.

The program, called RAPIDPASS Virginia, lets drivers meet their emissions inspection requirement during daily driving routines.

“Motorists simply drive through conveniently located on-road testing equipment positioned throughout Northern Virginia to have their vehicle emissions measured,” according to a news release from ETEST Corp., which manages the testing centers.

“Owners of well-maintained, cleanrunning vehicles will receive notification of a passing emissions inspection via mail, or motorists can go online to www.rapidpass.org and enter their license plate number to check if their vehicle has been processed as clean,” the release said.

Inspection fees can be paid online or through the mail.

ETEST has deployed 15 RAPIDPASS on-road emissions systems, which will be moved around 150 mobile inspection sites in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park.

The on-road test can be administered in less than a second and costs the same ($28) as testing at a service station.

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VIEWPOINTS EDITORIAL

Established 1987 Volume 27, Issue 38 (540) 659-4466 www.InsideNoVa.com/ news/stafford/

P.O. Box 2522 Stafford, VA 22555 Postmaster: Send address changes to: Circulation Manager, PO Box 2522, Stafford, VA 22555.

Published weekly by HPR-Hemlock LLC, d/b/a Northern Virginia Media Services. ©Stafford County Sun. 2015. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced without permission.

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Friday, December 11, 2015 • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

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ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE bpowell@staffordcountysun.com (540) 395-9176

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (703) 771-8831

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FOR NEWS, CONTACT: ALEKS DOLZENKO EDITOR adolzenko@staffordcountysun.com (540) 208-8059

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CORRECTIONS The Stafford County Sun wishes to present a fair and accurate news report each week. It is the policy of the newspaper to correct all errors.

If you have a concern about a story or photo published, please contact the managing editor at (540) 659‑7897

Our kids get help It’s up to all of us to make sure that youngsters get a good start in life; after all, they are the generation that will keep the country going ahead instead of falling behind some of the others who are striving to be in the top spot of the world.

Students need all the help we can give them so they don’t get tripped up by all the ruts they encounter on the start of their road in life.

Parents or guardians get first responsibility and first chance to set the compass that children start to follow.

Eventually parents get help when the kids enter the education system. The schools provide the bulk of schooling materials on that road to development.

Teachers and other educators also personally help out the families with donated school supplies not provided by the school system.

The parent and teacher organizations hold sales and events to raise funds to help provide items that will make learning easier.

The next tier of help on the road of

education comes from a somewhat unexpected source: philanthropic clubs and organizations that have no direct affiliation with the school system.

Lions International and Rotary clubs service organizations, among their other goals, take it upon themselves to ease the burden of parents, teachers and schools in helping students.

As we wrote in last week’s paper, the local organizations have helped students by donating dictionaries in the case of the Rotary or by checking the eyesight and hearing of students, as in the case of the Lions.

It was 90 years ago that the Lions were challenged by Helen Keller to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”

The Lions will organize a Worldwide Week of Service on Jan. 10-16 to help the nearly 800 million people facing hunger and poverty every day.

The Rotary, started 105 years ago, began as a club to exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.

There must be a better way It seems to me…the diminishing recog- Scandinavia and perhaps the Netherlands.

But the U.S. differs from all other counnition of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor caused me to realize that with each tries in ethnic integration because of its passing year our memory of past wars general history, including all the wars in which we have been involved. We started becomes dimmer or disappears. by fighting and slowly defeating Perhaps this is a good thing. the Native Americans in battles Forgiveness is a major virtue and skirmishes and came to and if shared by all maybe there terms by absorbing them, wouldn’t be any wars. In some not necessarily fairly, into the parts of the world there is no country we created. forgiveness and hate between We fought the French over religious or political groups land and finally came to terms continues for centuries, one HARVEY GOLD with them. We fought the generation after another.

British because they forced their The Middle East is a major example of such lingering hatred that won’t will on us to obey their actions without any go away. Some of the Balkan countries recourse. We fought them to be free and to have the right to live as we wished. We have similar attitudes.

Sometimes these hatreds travel as people came to terms with them with the help of emigrate and bring their hatreds stuffed in an old enemy France.

But the British didn’t give up and in 1812 their baggage. But, once unloaded from the baggage, the hatreds often dissipate with they struck us again, and after a brief war we came to terms again. Now they have passing generations.

The United States of America has been become our closest ally.

We fought with Mexico over land and we the melting pot of the world with a multitude of ethnic groups bringing all sorts eventually took Texas from them. Then we of baggage from a multitude of countries. came to terms and established the border And this diversity has built a country between the two countries. Now Mexico that has given the world, including all is our peaceful neighbor and every day the countries from which the immigrants Mexican citizens try to cross the border to fled, discoveries and advances in the fields live among us.

We even fought with Cuba and came of art, medicine, science, mathematics, transportation, electronics and education, to terms only to have the government we came to terms with be overthrown. Then among many others.

This has shown the world that people Cuba became our enemy again, an enemy of different ethnic backgrounds can live we tried to unsuccessfully overthrow.

Many Cubans fled by air and boat to together, work together, discover together and learn together while praying separately settle in the U.S. and most became U.S. citizens. Recently we have been coming to or debating from different points of view.

To be fair, there are other countries terms with Cuba and restoring relations.

In the 20th century we fought Germany that have done much the same, notably England, Australia, France, countries in twice. We defeated the Kaiser’s army and

The organization spread worldwide and even participated in the battle against polio.

But on the local level, who knows what effect a simple book of words and their definitions can have on the life of a child, a child who may grow to be a writer, legislator, thinker.

Proper glasses will allow a pupil to see the words, see paintings, see the world in a clear and focused view. A hearing test will determine if the child can even hear and understand what is being taught.

While the stories may not be headline grabbers, we have to take time to thank the clubs for what they do.

The members of these organizations quietly go on making contributions to the youth of America.

After all, sight and knowledge may keep a student from getting and using a gun. almost 30 years later the army of the insane dictator who was responsible for millions of deaths.

Astonishingly, twice within the same century, we came to terms with the Germans. Now they are among our closest allies.

In 1941 the Japanese sneakily attacked us and we fought a brutal war that resulted in millions of lives lost. The war ended with our using the devastation of atomic warfare, resulting in cities being demolished.

We came to terms with the Japanese, helped them rebuild their country and become our trusted ally.

North Korea attacked South Korea and we took arms against the North. Finally, we came to terms, uncertain as they are, with the North.

Next came Vietnam with an ugly long war and, once again, we came to terms with a former enemy. Now we have open trade with that country and many of their citizens have come to our country and obtained citizenship. Trade and travel between us now exist.

All these wars were fought by U.S. residents whose ancestors once were our enemies and with whom we fought wars.

So what seems to happen is that people have to leave their country and come here because they hate their cruel governments; and when we find ourselves in war with their country, they fight for us against their old country.

But when we all come to terms, everyone becomes friends and those who immigrated go back and visit their old countries, and our economies mesh and we encourage travel to see the peoples of countries that fought against us.

It seems to me, there must be a better way to run a world.

Harvey Gold can be reached at info@staffordcountysun.com.

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Rabbi Michael Weinstein, of the Beth Sholom temple in Stafford County, lights the shamash, or attendant, candle of the Menorah to mark the beginning of Hanukkah on Sunday evening at sunset in Fredericksburg. The eight-day commemoration recalls the miracle of one-day’s lamp oil lasting eight days. The occasion gave the congregation time to gather in fellowship, prayer and song, along with hearing the new rabbi offer his holiday message.

ALEKS DOLZENKO/ STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

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Francesca Heim, of Fredericksburg, joins the congregation of Beth Sholom Temple as they share doughnuts and some warm beverages before the lighting of the Menorah.

Lauire Weinstein, a cantor intern and wife of the rabbi, and Paul Weiner perform a cappella before a crowd of some 150 congregants and friends of Beth Sholom Temple on Sunday, the first night of Hanukkah. The festival of lights lasts eight days.

Christmas Celebrations 12/13 Christmas Cantata 12/20 Carol Sing 12/24 Children’s Musical Candlelight Service

10:45 am 5 pm 5:30 pm 8:00 pm

Summit Presbyterian Church summitpresbyterianchurch.org 256 Shelton Shop Road Stafford, Virginia 22554 540-659-2306

Regular Worship Times 8:30 am | 10:45 am Beth Sholom Rabbi Michael Weinstein shares holy words with the congregation on Sunday evening before the lighting of the first light.

Join us as we Celebrate the Christmas Holidays

STAFFORD COUNTY SUN • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • Friday, December 11, 2015

Scott Heilig-Roby prepares to spin a dreidel as he waits for the start of Hanukkah, the festival of lights.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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High School Play: ‘The Diviners’

7 p.m.; Stafford High School auditorium

Recommended for adolescents, adults. Tickets at door: $5 students; $7 adults

Dec. 12

Holiday Drop & Shop

Stafford Gymnastics Center

6:30- 9:30 p.m.;$20. Drop off kids; holiday shop. Ages 5-12; pre-register and sign release.

540-658-5115; www.staffordparks.com

Christmas Family Day Noon to 3 p.m.

Marine Corps Museum

18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle usmcmuseum.org

Pancakes for Lillian

8 a.m. to 11 a.m. breakfast

Falmouth Elementary school cafeteria

$5 per person ($20 max per family). Pre-registration required. Elf shop, silent auction, Santa photos. Benefits FES student fighting leukemia. stafford.falmouth.schoolfusion.us

Dec. 14

Dec. 19

Holiday Concert

11:30 a.m. to noon Marine Corps Museum

Dec. 12, 19, 20

18900 Jefferson Davis, Hwy., Triangle Quantico Marine Corps Band to perform usmcmuseum.org

Rikki’s Refuge Re-Tail 3503, Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg

Flip & Jingle Holiday Party

Pictures with Santa

Dec. 5, 12, 19; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dec. 6, 13, 20; 1 to 4 p.m.

Cost: $10 for a 4x6 holiday photo; Children, pets, families. 540-891-5300 or walk in.

Dec. 13

1 to 3 p.m.; Stafford Gymnastics and Recreation Center

Gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, crafts, snacks. $15; pre-registration and release, 540658-5115; staffordparks.com

Dec. 17

Woodbridge Community Choir Holiday Concert

Senior Citizen Council’s Christmas Luncheon

2 to 3:30 p.m.; Marine Corps Museum

11:30 a.m.; Rowser Building, Stafford

18900 Jefferson Davis, Highway, Triangle usmcmuseum.org

Ages 55+; $5 with a Dec. 6 deadline. Checks payable to Kitty Fund.

Stafford County Christmas Parade 6 p.m.; Courthouse Rd., Stafford Stafford Hospital to BPHS 540-840-8992 or stockroad691@aol.com

School-Aged Open Gym 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Stafford Gymnastics Center, 500 Nelms Circle, Falmouth $20/date plus $14 registration if not previously registered for year.

Stafford Crime Solvers’ Holiday Parade 6 p.m.; Courthouse Road vicinity Stafford Hospital to BPHS Seeking student/school participants. Gordon Shelton: 540-840-8992,stockroad691@aol.com

45th Annual Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. Candelight Tour of Historic Homes

Saturday, Dec. 12 & Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Join us for a weekend tour of beautifully decorated historic homes in downtown Fredericksburg. Be sure to visit the Tour Gift Shop for your free tour book and purchase the collectible 2015 Candlelight Tour holiday ornament.

For more details regarding ticket Evening Tour & Cocktail Party purchase and historic hom e locations please Saturday, December 12, 2015 visit www.hffi.org or For a truly unique Candlelight Tour experience, join us call 540-371-4504 for the Evening Tour from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Advance tickets: $25 followed by a festive Holiday Reception at the Inn Day of tour tickets at the Olde Silk Mill from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. available: $30

The Porter Library, 2001 Parkway Blvd. in North Stafford, hosts a used book sale the first weekend of the month, except January.

Friday, December 11, 2015 • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

ALEKS DOLZENKO| STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

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BUSINESS

Calypso kennels celebrates milestone TRACY BELL

Stafford County Sun

Friday, December 11, 2015 • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

It was September 1990 when Calypso Boarding Kennels first opened its doors for business in Stafford County. This past fall, its staff happily celebrated the facility’s 25th anniversary.

The kennel serves dogs, cats and other animals, and focuses on boarding, grooming and doggy daycare.

Calypso is family owned and operated, with the brother-sister team Jeff Chaffin and Lori Chaffin Hayes serving as its co-owners.

Chaffin Hayes, who also manages the kennel, joined her brother in the business three years ago and credits his childhood love of animals as the catalyst for the business. It was his dream since the age of 10 to care for animals, and their parents helped build the kennel.

“Growing up we always had animals,” she said. “We wanted a place where animals could go and where their owners would feel safe. ...We are very invested and passionate about the care we provide these pets.”

Jeff Chaffin was educated in applied science/veterinary technology and worked in the veterinary field as a

8

A West Highland Terrier gets a makeover in the grooming room at Calypso Boarding Kennels, which is in the 25th year of operation in mid-county.

ALEKS DOLZENKO| STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

technician specializing in emergency care prior to opening the kennels.

He also has experience breeding and showing Golden Retrievers.

Chaffin Hayes said she enjoys dog sports with her two Australian shepherds.

The siblings don’t train dogs at Calypso, instead focusing on the facility’s other services, with help from about 25 employees.

“It’s a business but it’s a calling,” she said. “You can’t be in this kind of business without having a passion for these animals. ...Holidays, busy times; we’re always there.”

Chaffin Hayes noted that many of the facility’s initial clients are still clients today.

“We want to build a relationship with the owners, provide care to their pets and have the pets go home happy and healthy,” she said. “There’s no room for error here.

We make sure we do the best for them.”

The facility offers a variety of accommodations, including standard runs, extra-large runs, a senior pet area and luxury pet suites. Calypso doesn’t discriminate against dog breeds, temperaments, neuter-spay status or age, and its goal is to individualize care for each pet, Chaffin Hayes said.

In addition to services for dogs, Calypso has a cattery to care for felines.

It can also care for guinea pigs, birds and hedgehogs, she added.

Chaffin Hayes said that the company survived many economic downturns over the years when people did not have disposable income to use their services.

“We’ve made it through that, and we believe it’s because we are the best in the area,” she said. “We really value our clients.”

She noted that clients often mention that their pets are unfazed to see them when being picked up. It’s a loving, caring environment, she said, and the animals take note of it.

Playtimes are completed on an

Calypso Boarding Kennels co-owner Lori Chaffin-Hayes welcomes guests in the reception area.

ALEKS DOLZENKO| STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

individual basis, as there is no group play. The goal is for the pets and their families to each feel like they are the No. 1 priority.

Chaffin Hayes said that some people believe that pet sitters are the way to go in order to keep animals comfortable in their own homes. However, animals are social, she said, and they get needed attention throughout the day at Calypso.

Even social pets can become stressed, she said, so utilizing the one-on-one approach with a staff member helps that.

Some dogs might want to play ball, just sniff around or be loved on, she explained.

“They don’t have to vie for attention and affection,” she said.

Calypso is also supportive of area animal shelters. The facility has an angel tree in its building this holiday season to benefit the Stafford SPCA, and anyone interested may stop by to pick up an “angel.”

Calypso Boarding Kennels is located at 14 Enterprise Court in Stafford County, and serves Stafford, Fredericksburg and surrounding areas of Northern Virginia.

For more, visit calypsokennels.com or call 540-720-0050.

Tracy Bell can be reached at tbell@staffordcountysun.com.

Superman had foster parents Kids in our community need super parents like you to foster or adopt.You can be the wind beneath their cape.

SHELTER PETS OF THE WEEK

AUDIA is a 5½-year-old Calico Tabby.

She is laid-back and would prefer a nice, calm home. She would be perfect for a senior or retired household. Audia can be seen at the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA, (540) 898-1500.

COPPER is a tri-color English fox hound who has been neutered. He is micro-chipped. Copper is number 69823 at the Stafford County Animal Shelter, (540)-658-PETS.

KOLBY is a 5-year-old black Lab who has been spayed. She is house broken and good with kids. Kolby is number 70197 at the Stafford County Animal Shelter, (540)-658-PETS.

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SIMBA is a 5-year-old American Staffordshire terrier mix. She is loyal, affectionate and playful. She is looking for an active, fun-loving owner. Simba can be seen at the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA, (540) 898-1500.

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Santa and Mrs. Claus stop by for lunch

Two-year-old Milana Torrice, of North Stafford, wasn’t too sure about meeting the man with the white beard and disclosing her wishes for Christmas presents during Lunch with Santa at the Rowser Building.

Santa and Mrs. Claus make a grand entrance for lunch with kids and parents at the Rowser Building. County staff and senior volunteers, totaling 55 in all, helped organize the visit and lunch.

Friday, December 11, 2015 • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

PHOTOS BY ALEKS DOLZENKO| STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

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Santa drops by to visit children and their parents during Lunch With Santa on Dec. 4 at the Rowser Building in Stafford County.

Cyrus Pohwala and his 3-year-old daughter, Alondra, of North Stafford, finish a Christmas sing-along led by Stafford County Parks and Recreation staff before having lunch.

Rylyn Quinton-Milleson, 2, of North Stafford, gets a closer look at an illustration during a story reading by Suzanne Smith, left, county recreation manager, as all wait for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive. The county’s Lunch with Santa program dates back more than 20 years, according to Smith.

Church to host free dinner on Christmas If you are homeless or don’t have family to be with on Christmas, members of Shiloh New Site Baptist Church in North Stafford are here to help.

The congregation of the church at 2982 Jefferson Davis Highway, north of Garrisonville Road, is hosting a free dinner from 1 to 4 p.m. on Christmas Day.

The dinner will include turkey, ham, candied yams, green beans, potato salad, stuffing and a variety of desserts, according to organizer Christie Jones.

Those needing a ride to the church should call (540) 659-3326.

Santa’s sending letters to kids, after you write first Yes there is a Santa Claus — and the Postal Service can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child’s letter, complete with a North Pole postmark.

According to the Postal Service, here are the steps for your child to get a letter back from Santa: 1. Write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole.

2. Later, when alone, open the envelope and write a personalized response.

3. Insert the response letter into an envelope and address it to the child.

4. Add the return address: SANTA,

NORTH POLE, to the envelope.

5. Ensure the envelope is affixed with a First-Class Mail stamp.

6. Place the complete envelope into a larger envelope — preferably a Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope — with appropriate postage, and address it to: North Pole Postmark Postmaster 4141 Postmark Drive Anchorage, AK 99530-9998 “Letters from Santa” must be received by the Anchorage postmaster no later than Dec. 15. Santa’s helpers at the Postal Service, will take care of the rest.

REINBOLDT

FROM PAGE 1

over Reinboldt for the Griffis-Widewater school board seat by 1,247 votes to 960 votes. She won with 55.99 percent of the ballots cast.

School board members Dewayne McOsker, George Washington District, and Patricia Healy, Rockhill District, also ran for re-election in November and won their campaigns.

Also at the meeting, the school board: ■ approved the 2016-17 high school course catalog.

■ deferred a vote on a track repair project at Stafford High School. The board will revisit the subject at its second

VISIT US ONLINE AT

InsideNoVa.com/ news/stafford meeting in January.

■ chose not to move to action an informational item on a grant request for the Virginia Preschool Initiative Startup and Expansion. The $50,000 request would serve additional VPI students in 2016-17. Some school board members were concerned about the money, which could be used to hire a teacher instead, they said, but acknowledging the program as a good one.

School board member Nanette Kidby, Garrisonville District, said that these are students who need help, and she would have supported the request; however the item was not moved to action for a vote.

Tracy Bell can be reached at tbell@staffordcountysun.com.

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Colonial Forge stumbles in quest to make history DAVID STEGON

For the Stafford County Sun

When he’s not coaching the Colonial Forge basketball team, Jason John teaches freshman world history with a syllabus that touches on everything from the pharaohs of Egypt to the British Empire.

On the court, he is working with a dynasty of his own.

The Colonial Forge boys’ basketball team already made history, winning Stafford County’s first state championship in basketball in 2014. The Eagles repeated last year, beating the eventual 5A and 4A champions along the way, proving the previous season was no fluke.

Now the Eagles look to make history again. In records dating back more than 100 years, the Virginia High School League lists only seven schools across all classifications to capture three consecutive state championships.

But Tuesday night served as a reminder that the title will not be handed to them. The Eagles lost 63-59 to Stafford, just their fourth loss (against 55 wins) dating back to the beginning of the 2013 season.

“When you start looking at records and history you lose sight of what’s in front of you,” John said after his team’s loss. “For us it’s always been about the

next game. I know it sounds cliché, but that’s how it’s always been here.”

Colonial Forge faces the challenge most defending state champions come across: roster turnover. As junior and senior players tend to dominate varsity rosters, for a team to have a prolonged winning streak it’s up to the next class to carry the torch.

John hopes this year’s team can make a run, in part, because the previous versions never relied on one dominant player to score. Guard Carion Eaton returns as the only starter, but will be leaned on as one of the team’s core players along with guard Clarence Miles and forwards Dominick Bogier and James Shellington.

Freshman guard Josh Sarratt joined them in the starting lineup Tuesday night.

“We have our core group of returners and then other players that will find their role,” John said. “For everyone, though, it’s taking on new responsibilities.”

The Eagles will face challenges on the way. They are playing a holiday tournament at Westfield and face improved competition both in Stafford County with Stafford High School the perfect example. Conference 4 also presents a challenge, including Hylton, which returns all starters from last year’s squad that handed Colonial Forge one of its

Colonial Forge head coach Jason John tries to inspire his teamduring the final minutes in Tuesday night’s game. Stafford won 63-59.

MARCUS J. WILSON SR.| FOR THE STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

two losses last season.

After Tuesday’s loss, John reminded his team that they will always have a target on their back because of the previous two years’ success. It’s up to this team, though, to create its own identity.

“We’re counting on a different group of players that still need to come together

in a lot of ways,” John said. “I told them that one game does not define their season, but what matters is showing up to practice the next day ready to work.

That’s what it’s always been for us: what’s next and how can we get better.”

Dave Stegon can be reached at info@staffordcountysun.com.

STAFFORD PREP SPORTS

PREP BASKETBALL STANDINGS BOYS

GIRLS

Conference 4

Conference 4

(Second meeting counts toward conference)

(Second meeting counts toward conference)

Riverbend Colonial Forge Gar-Field Hylton Forest Park Freedom Woodbridge

Conference Overall 0-0 4-1 0-0 2-1 0-0 2-1 0-0 1-1 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-2

Colonial Forge Woodbridge Hylton Riverbend Gar-Field Forest Park Freedom

Conference Overall 0-0 3-0 0-0 2-1 0-0 2-1 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-3 0-0 0-3

Conference 15

Conference 15

(Second meeting counts toward conference)

(Second meeting counts toward conference)

Potomac Stafford Brooke Point Mountain View North Stafford Massaponax

Conference Overall 0-0 3-0 0-0 3-1 0-0 3-1 0-0 2-1 0-0 2-1 0-0 2-2

Massaponax Potomac Mountain View Stafford North Stafford Brooke Point

Conference Overall 0-0 4-0 0-0 2-1 0-0 3-2 0-0 2-3 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-5

To advertise here, contact Brenda Powell at 540-395-9176 or bpowell@staffordcountysun.com

STAFFORD COUNTY SUN • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • Friday, December 11, 2015

(through Dec. 8)

11

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SPORTS

Holloway returns to George Mason lineup DAVID DRIVER

O

For the Stafford County Sun

Friday, December 11, 2015 • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

ne of the top scorers last season for the men’s basketball team at George Mason University missed the first six games of this season due to a suspension.

So how does first-year head coach Dave Paulsen work senior guard Patrick Holloway, who is from Stafford, into the regular rotation nearly a third of the way into the season?

“Today, not very well,” quipped Paulsen, after the Patriots lost 75-54 at Towson near Baltimore on Dec. 2. “It posts some challenges. One of the things we are trying to figure out is a consistent rotation. It is a matter of getting a level of consistency.”

Holloway, a standout at Paul VI High in Fairfax, played in his first game of the season on Nov. 28 in a win at home against Wright State. He came off the bench and played 13 minutes and scored eight points.

He then came off the bench again at Towson and played 17 minutes and made two of six shots from the field, including one of three from the threepoint range. He finished with seven points, one steal and one turnover in a non-conference game.

Holloway averaged nearly 11 points per game last season under former head

12

Patrick Holloway of George Mason University drives against a St. Bonaventure defender.

PHOTO BY RAFAEL SUANES| GEORGE MASON ATHLETICS

coach Paul Hewitt, whose contract was renewed as Paulsen took over as the new coach. Holloway was suspended the first six games for not living up to the student-athlete expectations at Mason, according to Paulsen.

But the Patriots can certainly use him on the court.

“He is a prolific three-point threat,”

Towson head coach Pat Skerry said of Holloway.

Mason trailed by just two at halftime at Towson but allowed 45 points in the second half. Skerry said that was the best half of the season for the Tigers of the Richmond-based Colonial Athletic Association.

“They really defended well,” Paulsen

said of Towson. “I don’t want to take anything away from the effort they put forth. They did a great job. We just gave them so many second-chance opportunities. They were in a good flow.”

“I am disappointed in the way our guys responded when (Towson) made their run in the second half,” added Paulsen, the former coach at Bucknell.

“We really dug ourselves a hole in the second half. When things don’t go our way we come unglued emotionally. That has to be improved.”

Mason guard Jaire Grayer missed all 11 shots from the field against Towson.

“Hard to win on the road when you have that,” Paulsen said.

Towson was picked to finish seventh in the 12-team CAA while Mason was pegged for the bottom of the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. The two schools are former CAA rivals before Mason left for the Atlantic 10.

The Patriots fell to 3-5 with the loss to Towson and will play Dec. 12 at James Madison in Harrisonburg.

LOCAL PLAYERS ON COLLEGE HOOPS TEAMS Among the Stafford products with Division III college basketball teams this season are TJ Jones (North Stafford) of Mary HOLLOWAY PAGE 14 Washington and Lyndon

Do you have an upcoming event?

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 1401 EAST BROAD STREET RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219

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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking Statements of Qualification for the Route 606 Bridge Replacement over I-95 with 606 Improvements Project from qualified and experienced respondents with design and construction experience of highway facilities. The Project is located in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

The purpose of this project is to replace the existing structurally deficient two lane bridge over I-95 with a bridge constructed for a four lane roadway, providing for left turn lanes onto the interstate, and a sidewalk on each side of the proposed bridge. Improvements to Route 606 include widening Route 606 on the eastern side of the interchange constructing a five foot sidewalk along the southern side of Route 606, portions of a 5 foot sidewalk along the northern side of Route 606, the construction of a intersection at the eastern end of the project, and the relocation of Mallard Road which will tie into the roundabout. The total project length is approximately 0.41 miles.

Questions/clarifications regarding the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be submitted to Stephen Kindy, P.E. (stephen.kindy@vdot.virginia.gov).

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The Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of non-discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.

Submit your event at insidenova.com/calendar

FAMILY TECH | MARK STOUT

Psst, Santa: This is what geeks would like for Christmas

removable battery.

Dear Santa, For iPhones and those Android phones I realize I am a bit old to be writing to you, but I thought perhaps you would without removable batteries, consider a like a few suggestions on what to give portable battery charger. The checkout self-professed geeks like me. Apparently, lines at pharmacies have little ones for $20, but they only charge the phone we are not easy to shop for. once before they have to be Not everything we covet recharged. Bigger — 15,000 to is expensive. For example, 20,000 mah – ones can be had Google Cardboards begin at for $30-$40. They can charge $5. They are cardboard heada phone six times or so before sets — much like the old needing recharged themselves.

View Masters — that hold Amazon makes a clever your phone. It lets you watch little device, the Echo, which 360-degree videos. YouTube brings Star Trek-like conversaeven has a special section for MARK STOUT tions to our lives. the videos so they are easy These $149 devices sit in your home to find. Cardboard lets you experience something close to Virtual Reality for and listen for you to say “Hey Alexa.”

“Hey Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes.” just a few dollars if you already have a Or you can ask it about the weather, to smartphone.

Where it can get expensive is if you read you the news, to reorder paper want to begin making your own videos plates from Amazon or a host of things. or have 360-degree photos. Ricoh makes I’ve used one and it works really well. the Theta S, a small camera that does just Home chefs love it for the timer aspect, as you can have it set multiple timers all that. It cost about $350.

If your records show anyone coming by the command of your voice.

If you have an automatic automobile close to being naughty for cursing about the phone battery giving out diagnostic device, it can interface with too soon, you may want to consider the Echo. You can say “Hey Alexa, how giving them a spare battery and charger much gas is in my car?” and the Echo for their Android phone, if it has a device will tell you.

The automatic and devices of its ilk work with most cars since ‘96 models, talk to an app on your phone and tell you the reasons behind your check-engine light, tell you the mileage you are getting, how fast you’ve gone as well as other useful data about your driving. Teen drivers beware. You do not have to have an Echo to take advantage of it.

Amazon also has a $50 seven-inch tablet this Christmas. It’s no iPad or high-end Android tablet, but it is good enough for reading books, watching movies, Facebooking and playing games.

And at that price, it is something you could give your kids with less fear they lose or destroy it.

It doesn’t come with Google Apps or Google Play store, but if you search the web, you will find ways to load those on this tablet.

I know drones are an invasion of privacy and dangerous if they drop out of the sky or interfere with an airplane, but dang, they look like a lot of fun.

I do not know much about them, but I’d want one with a camera. There are ones for thousands of dollars, but there are cheaper ones for about $60. Maybe as a gift, you should give ones without a camera that cost less than $50. These are

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good to learn to fly without risking big bucks when you inevitably crash.

Of course, schlepping around these cameras, extra batteries and tablets can get tiresome. Consider gifting a small shoulder bag for men. My wife calls them a “murse” — man purse — and I’d rather carry a “murse” then have a dead phone.

Keeping a multitude of cables and small do-dads in the bag is a challenge.

Grid-It organizers help. They are small boards with elastic straps on them. I have had a small 5x7 inch one for a while now.

The biggest problem I have in normal use is that items work their way out from under the elastic and drop free in the bag. That’s a hassle. Grid-It now has Grid-It Wrap cases. They are Grid-It boards inside a cover. The covers often hold a tablet too. It should keep items together, and organized.

Links to many of these items are on this week’s Link post at familytechonline.com.

For links mentioned in the column or to share this column online, go to familytechonline.com. For Mark’s contact information, visit markstout.info on the web.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: YEAR IN REVIEW ACROSS

DOWN 1. 27 to 3 2. Kind of account 3. Reduced Instruction Set Computer 4. Turkish bigwig 5. Sandbanks 6. Beyoncé’s 2008 hit 7. Tarzan’s adoptive mom 8. Jiffy or instant 9. Lend a criminal hand 10. Succumbed to gravity 11. Zombie’s skin color 12. Bit attachment

15. Unequivocally detestable 20. Manufacturing site 22. Online pop-ups 24. Reckoned 25. *Major fight winner 26. Flying nuisance 27. True inner self 29. Evergreen trees 31. Livens up 32. Give a boot 33. Happen again 34. *Deflategate star 36. Three-____ sloth 38. In the middle of 42. Best of its kind 45. One of B-vitamins 49. Computergenerated imagery

51. What the bell did?

54. English homework 56. Plural of obelus 57. Kind of drumbeat 58. Respiratory rattling 59. Black tropical cuckoo 60. Hindu serpent deity 61. *They went down with the El Faro 62. Discharge 63. Tracks after rain 64. *Stephen Curry was a master at hitting this shot 67. Easter Rising product

SUDOKU

STAFFORD COUNTY SUN • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • Friday, December 11, 2015

1. C in ROTC 6. A Bartholomew Cubbins accessory 9. From a great distance 13. Dickens’s Heep 14. Credit card acronym 15. Falstaffian in body 16. One with lowest voice 17. South Pacific welcome 18. Capital territory of India 19. *Escaped Mexican drug lord 21. *Formerly Bruce 23. This is well if it ends well 24. Make over 25. Public health promoting org.

28. “____ and sound” 30. Brilliant or magnificent 35. Fast time 37. Australian palm 39. Sometimes done to a relationship 40. Medley 41. *Presidential candidate and celebrity 43. Printing unit 44. Mandarin’s

headquarters 46. ____ crazy 47. Gulf War missile 48. Based on two 50. Change to copy 52. Give it a go 53. Wine and cheese descriptor 55. Jersey call 57. *He visited U.S. with great fanfare 61. *New late night host 65. Hawaiian veranda 66. *____ Paul teamed with Rihanna and Kanye 68. Madagascar primate 69. Set straight 70. ____ you sure?

71. Like one of eight in college basketball 72. Phoenix suburb 73. Swerve 74. Scatterbrained

13

BUSINESS BRIEFS

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Columbia Gas lowers natural gas rates Columbia Gas of Virginia customers will get lower natural gas bills this winter compared to last winter. The approved lower rates mean a 10.72 percent decrease in total monthly customer bills when compared to the same period last year. The rates take effect immediately, according to a news release.

The typical new residential monthly bill is $113.46 compared to the December 2014 monthly bill of $127.09 and is based on a seasonal usage of 100 Ccf, or 100 cubic feet.

“The sustained production of

domestic natural gas is a real success story that continues to result in a positive financial benefit for Columbia’s residential customers, as well as the Virginia businesses and industries that use natural gas to manufacture products,” said Brent Archer, Columbia’s president.

When Columbia Gas is able to purchase lower-priced natural gas on the commodity market, it is passed along in the form of lower rates to the more than 252,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers Columbia Gas serves in Virginia.

NOVEC customers to receive ‘CashBack’ The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative board of directors has authorized the retirement of $3.8 million in patronage capital credits to customer-owners during the December billing cycle.

Current customers who began service with NOVEC between 1993 and December 2014 will see the retirement credited on their December bills in the form of “CashBack.” Former customers who have a retirement of $5 or more will receive checks in the mail.

As a nonprofit, NOVEC uses patronage capital to maintain, improve and expand its electricity distribution system. The co-op’s board of directors votes to return a portion of the capital periodically to its customer-owners.

“We’re in a strong financial position,” NOVEC President/CEO Stan Feuerberg said. “As a result of our cost-containment efforts, the board approved the retirement of this large amount of money — just in time for the December holidays.”

Friday, December 11, 2015 • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • STAFFORD COUNTY SUN

Local radiologists make national list

14

Radiologic Associates of Fredericksburg was recognized as one of the 100 largest privately owned radiology practices in the U.S. for the second consecutive year by Radiology Business Journal.

RAF was among five practices in Virginia earning a spot in the journal’s “Radiology 100” ranking for 2015, down from seven in the

HOLLOWAY

FROM PAGE 12

White (North Stafford) of Lynchburg College.

Jones averaged a team-high 18.8 points in the first six contests for the Eagles.

White started the first five games and averaged 5.2 points per contest. The Hornets host Goucher on Dec. 12.

Mary Washington lost 77-72 on Nov. 18 at Lynchburg as Jones had 16 points and White had seven.

Jones was the UMW athlete of the month for November.

The Eagles host Virginia Wesleyan on Dec. 16 on Fredericksburg/Stafford/ Spotsylvania Schools Night. Virginia Wesleyan is the ODAC favorite, and Lynchburg was picked to finish second.

state that made the listing in 2014, said Richard C. Pierson, a financial consultant for RAF, in a news release.

He added that one trend cited in the “Radiology 100” article which may have played a role in fewer Virginia practices making the list is mergers within the industry, which is characteristic of a mature business sector.

CAA FOOTBALL Junior cornerback Trey Reed (Colonial Forge) and William & Mary lost 48-13 to fellow Colonial Athletic Association foe Richmond on Saturday, Dec. 5, in the Division I-AA national playoffs. Richmond led 35-13 going into the fourth quarter.

JMU wide receiver Brandon Ravenel (North Stafford High) and the Dukes lost 44-38 to Colgate in the national playoffs in Harrisonburg, also on Saturday.

Ravenel had four catches as the Dukes ended the year 9-3. It was the second year in a row JMU lost its first game in the playoffs. Last season Liberty beat the Dukes in post-season play.

David Driver can be reached at info@staffordcountysun.com.

VISIT US ONLINE AT InsideNoVa.com/news/stafford

Classifieds

Phone: 703-771-8831

www.leesburgtoday.com

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Miscellaneous ANNOUNCEMENTS DRPT FY17 PUBLIC NOTICE - The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is accepting applications for transit, rail and transportation demand management (TDM) grants for the 2017 fiscal year. The state’s annual grant application period is open from December 1, 2015, through February 1, 2016. Transit and TDM funds are available through multiple state and federal funding sources to support transit service, human service transportation, senior transportation, ridesharing and TDM programs in Virginia. Eligible project categories include capital purchases, administrative and operating costs, technical assistance, demonstration grants and TDM/ridesharing program costs. Funds are available for passenger and freight rail initiatives through the Rail Enhancement, Rail Preservation, and Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital programs. In addition, funding to provide access to freight rail shipping for Virginia businesses is available year round through the Rail Industrial Access program. Complete details on eligibility and the application procedures for DRPT grant programs are available online. To learn more about transit, rail and transportation demand management funding administered by DRPT, visit www.drpt.virginia.gov. Applications can be filled out online at https:// olga.drpt.virginia.gov/. DRPT has also revised State Management Plans (SMP’s) for the federal Section 5310, 5311, 5316, and 5317 grant programs, awarded to Virginia by the Federal Transit Administration. Draft plans can be found at: www.drpt.virginia.gov/. DRPT is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its services on the basis of race, color or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

For additional information on DRPT’s nondiscrimination policies and procedures or to file a complaint, please visit the website at www.drpt.virginia.gov or contact the Title VI Compliance Officer, Linda J. Balderson, (804) 786-4440, or 600 E. Main Street, Suite 2102, Richmond, VA 23219.

AUCTIONS ABSOLUTE AUCTION Historic Home on 56+/- acres “Mountain Grover” 7375 Secretarys Sand Road, Schuyler, Virginia Friday, December 11, 2015 Auction held on site at 12:00 noon Walker Commercial Services, Inc www.walker-inc.com 540-344-6160 VAAF 549 Carwile Auctions Saturday, December 12th. 210 Acre Farm w/Home & 3 Acre Pond on Charlotte Co. Timber, Fenced, Grass/Cropland. www.carwileauctions.com VAAR392. 434-547-9100 SERVICES DIVORCE – Uncontested, $350 + $88 court cost. No court appearance. Estimated completion time twenty-one days.

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Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney The County of Prince William, Commonwealth’s Attorneys Office is seeking applicants for the position of Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney to prosecute misdemeanors and felonies in Circuit, General District, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts and on occasion act as special prosecutor in other jurisdictions within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Applicant must be able to independently handle case preparation, legal research, brief preparation, review of court dockets, and advise police departments regarding criminal enforcement procedures. Applicant must be a graduate of an accredited law school and be a member of the VA Bar in good standing. Prosecution experience preferred but not required. Salary: DOQ/E (+) excellent benefits.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to the PWC Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, ATTN Paul Ebert, 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 200, Manassas, VA 20110 or email cwofficeadmin@pwcgov.org

by January 1, 2016. EOE.

Intercept Youth Services is hiring for the following positions: Stafford, VA

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• TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PARENT/ TRAINER Intercept’s Treatment Foster care provides family-based treatment and services for youth up to age 18.

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EDUCATION MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES NEEDED! Train to become a Medical Office Assistant! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Training & Job Placement available at CTI! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. 1-888-424-9419.

HELP WANTED - DRIVERS CDL TRAINING FOR LOCAL/OTR DRIVERS! $40,000-$50,000 1ST Year! 4-wks or 10 Weekends for CDL. Veterans in Demand! Richmond/Fredericksburg 800-243-1600; Lynchburg/Roanoke 800-614-6500; LFCC/Winchester 800-454-1400.

HELP WANTED - SALES EARN $500 A DAY: Insurance Agents Needed * Leads, No Cold Calls * Commissions Paid Daily * Lifetime Renewals * Complete Training * Health & Dental Insurance * Life License Required. Call 1-888-713-6020.

MISCELLANEOUS AVIATION Grads work with JetBlue, Boeing, NASA and others – start here with hands on training for FAA certification. Financial aid if qualified. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-245-9553.

We will have an opening in mid-January for a reporter at the weekly Quantico Sentry on the base.

This reporting position covers and photographs events and general-interest stories aboard the base.

This is a temporary full-time position for about 10 to 12 weeks with a competitive salary.

Required skills include proficiency with MS Office products and the ability to write compelling and accurate stories for the military publication. Ability to photograph and process photos is required.

Send resume and work samples to: Aleks Dolzenko at: adolzenko@staffordcountysun.com.

Northern Virginia Media Services, publisher of InsideNoVa.com and four community newspapers in the fast-paced suburbs of Washington, D.C., is looking for a Deputy Editor to help drive coverage online and in print.

This position requires a hard news journalist with impeccable news judgment who can shepherd front-page stories one minute and write breaking crime news the next. This job will require everything from directing reporters, editing copy and helping produce weekly papers to updating social media and writing hard-hitting regional stories.

The deputy editor will also concentrate on bolstering our coverage of Fairfax government, school and crime news, both countywide and in under-served communities such as Reston, Herndon, Burke, Centreville, Springfield and Lorton.

This position will play a vital role in building a cohesive regional news team and requires at least five years experience as a newspaper reporter or editor.

Please email cover letter, resume and clips to Kari Pugh at kpugh@insidenova.com.

Telephone/Data/Digital Cable Technician Experience preferred but not required. Customer Service experience required Apply at: www.cui-cable.careerplug.com SHEET METAL PUNCH OUT HVAC company seeking SM punch out people. Must have some experience with punch out on residential new construction sites. Must have own hand tools, valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

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Northern Virginia Media Services

• Prince Wil iam Today • Sun Gazettes • Middleburg Life • Fort Belvoir Eagle • Quantico Sentry • Stafford County Sun • Washington Family Magazine 703-771-8831

Northern Virginia Media Services seeks a

Digital Production Specialist

to handle a myriad of back-end tasks on InsideNoVa.com and our other web sites and digital products, including mobile apps and e-mail newsletters. The ideal candidate will have a basic understanding of HTML and other fundamental digital terminology and concepts, but detailed expertise is not required. Experience in a news organization or with other public-facing digital media sites is a plus. Experience working with outside vendors as well as internal customers is preferred. This is a hands-on position, and an ability to multitask will be critical. The position can be based in our Woodbridge, McLean or Leesburg office.

Please apply with resume and salary requirements to Nicky Marshok, regional production director, at nmarshok@insidenova.com.

STAFFORD COUNTY SUN • www.insidenova.com/news/stafford/ • Friday, December 11, 2015

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