We m e e t aga in .
Community Issue Summer 2012
health
leadership
business
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community
CommunitMatters e
Community. We all hear about it, we often read about it, but what exactly is it that makes the idea of ‘community’ so important? Why does community matter? In this issue we will do our best to introduce, inform, and educate the reader on all the things that make community and quality of life paramount. Starting with the Commonwealth, this edition of Communit-”e” Matters introduces the reader to a few reasons why the State of Virginia is a great place to reside. From cost of living to average income, Virginia ranks as the #1 place to make a living; check it out on page 2. Community, however, or a sense of community, doesn’t just happen. Deciding where you want to live, work, or play is only one part of making your community vital – it’s also what you do that influences the quality of life of any neighborhood. Check out how the City of Hampton, Virginia is nationally and internationally recognized for their efforts in community building. Speaking of community building, the fabulous group of adults just above the headline are members of the ‘Buddy Club’. When a facility was closed last year in another jurisdiction these adults lost space to meet and socialize. With the new Manassas Park Community Center open, we couldn’t think of a better place to bring these adults to leisurely recreate at their own pace. Meeting every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, these ‘Buddies’ would love to meet you and show you around - better yet, why wait... meet them on Page 4.
-newsletter
In Manassas Park, schools play an integral role in our jurisdictional sustainability. In addition to their educational function, a school can provide an anchor in any neighborhood by creating a large work center and a diverse community profile. Read about how collaboration between local government and schools is a critical key to community building on page 5. Schools are not the only asset that strengthens our city, by the way. Safety and security are two important factors one considers when choosing a place to live. Read about how the Manassas Park Fire and Police Departments are two agencies that keep rising to the challenge on pages 6 and 7. Whether it’s the reaccreditation of the Police Department or the community programs the Fire Department supports, the public safety departments are a big part of what makes Manassas Park pretty special. As I close out the first year of newsletters, I hope you have found them to be useful and informative. The next edition will takes us back into ‘Heath’ as we explore that topic with another year under our belt. With July 4th just around the corner I would like to invite everyone out to Signal Hill Park to view the annual Independence Day fireworks. The show begins around 9:15 p.m. and it’s a spectacular 30 minutes you won’t want to miss!! Thanks again for taking the time to read Communit-”e” Matters and if I don’t run into you on the 4th, whether you find yourself poolside, lakeside, or surfside – happy Summer!!
Catherine
Catherine Morretta, Director
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Quality of
Hey Virginians...
Life
When MoneyRates.com sought to determine where the best place to make a living in America was, they conducted a state-by-state study. Hey Virginians, guess what, your state was ranked the place to make a living!
#1
States were looked at and judged on the following: Average income, Cost of living (based on the ACCRA Cost of Living Index), State income tax rate (based on the bracket for the state's average income) and Unemployment rate.
We hear about it all the time. Quality of life. But what makes our life ‘quality’? Check out some of these definitions:
When compared to the 2011 results, Virginia jumped from 4th to 1st place this year! {CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER WHY}
“WHAT IS QOL? QOL, reflects the difference between the hopes and expectations of a person and their present experience.” -Janssen Quality-of-life Studies “Our definition of quality of life is: The degree to which a person enjoys the important possibilities of his/her life.” - Quality of Life Research Unit, University of Toronto. “In quality of life research one often distinguishes between the subjective and objective quality of life. Subjective quality of life is about feeling good and being satisfied with things in general. Objective quality of life is about fulfilling the societal and cultural demands for material wealth, social status and physical well-being.” - Quality-of-Life Research Center, Denmark There are essentially two perspectives taken in quality of life research: social indicators research which considers the elites' valuation of what the people need, and conventional quality of life research which studies what people want, in order to improve their quality of life. - Quality of Life, Ramkrishna Mukherjee, Sage Publications, 1989. {CLICK HERE FOR MORE}
10 Best
Wine Travel Destinations
Quality of life can be measured many ways! Home to 160 wineries and 16 wine trails, Virginia was recently named ‘One of the Best 10 Wine Travel Destinations of 2012’ by Wine Enthusiast. A little wine never hurt anything!! Begin your Virginia wine journey in Washington, D.C., and take in terrific wineries via scenic drives through Loudoun County and Charlottesville. {CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO}
What’s Your Ideal Community? Check out this incredible video, provided by the Atlantic {CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE}, that asks ‘one simple but profound question: What does community mean to you?’.
Click Play to see what other people are saying!
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Community Building...It’s a Process Are you spending time volun- tribute to the success of a comteering at the local church, little munity building effort. league, girl scout troop or {CLICK HERE FOR MORE} Rotary club? Did you know that while you were donating your time for these worthy causes you were also ‘building community’? Here are some factors, 28 to be exact, that relate to the community building process. Who knew?!
1.
Characteristics of the community. These are the social, psychological, and geographical attributes of a community and its residents which con-
Recommended Surfing: CEOs For CITIES.com CEOs FOR CITIES is a global learning community and partnerhip network that connects urban leaders to eachother and to smart ideas and practices for making cities successful. In CITY VITALS it’s Report, CEOs FOR CITIES developed a detailed set of statistical measures for urban leaders to understand their city’s performance in four key areas: talent, innovation, connections and distinctiveness. {CLICK HERE} to read more about the four key areas.
Learning From Neighborhoods. What determines a neighborhoods ‘holistic heatlh’? How can a locality create an environment where youth can contribute to the community’s quality of life? What is neighborhood capacity and why is it important to build a sustainable community? Would you be surprised to find out the that City of Hampton, Virginia is nationally and internationally recognized for their efforts in community building? {CLICK HERE TO READ THIS INSPIRING REPORT}
Parklets: The Next Big Tiny Idea in Urban Planning A recent article in Governing Magazine spoke of ‘the next big idea in urban planning’, localities giving up parking spaces and other large impervious surfaces in order to incorporate green public spaces for people to sit. These places are called Parklets! Beginning in 2005 in San Francisco and now taking hold in communities such as Boston, urban communities are turning 3 parking space sized lots into an urban oasis with park benches and shade trees. {CLICK HERE} to read more.
4 Active Kids Say Quality of Life is Better. A recent study from the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, reported that adolescents that are physically active scored higher on the quality of life scale than their sedentary peers. Surprised? {CLICK HERE FOR MORE}
The Time is Ripe - for Community Gardens. Any piece of land gardened by a group of people is considered a community garden. There are tons of benefits to ‘urban agriculture’ opportunities in your neighborhood: 1. Improves the quality of life for people in the garden 2. Provides a catalyst for neighborhood and community development 3. Stimulates social interact 4. Encourages self-reliance 5. Beautifies neighborhoods {CLICK HERE FOR MORE}
A diverse park system includes amenities for all potential park users. The Manassas Park Dog Park, an off leash exercise area in Costello Park, was built with and supported by donations of time and money from our dog enthusiasts. Dogs are able to exercise and socialize in a fun and inviting atmosphere. To visit the Manassas Park Dog Park, follow the signs along Manassas Drive or {CLICK HERE} to get directions.
Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month. The National Recreation and Park Association encourages all communities to GET WILD about parks and recreation! Do you think one month is enough? {CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MORE FROM NRPA} View your Department of Parks and Recreation’s July events and programs {HERE}.
Meet the Manassas Park Buddy Club
This fabulous group of adults are participants of the Manassas Park Buddy Club. The Buddy Club, a unique self facilitated adult day program for individuals with disabilities and their companions, began through a simple request from a parent, Linda Posten. Less than one year later, this request has
computer lab, watching a movie, walking in the park, or simply socializing with their peers - the Buddy Club participants are as excited to be in Manassas Park as staff is to have them on-site! We love our Buddies!!! If you would like to volunteer to help or know of an adult friend or family member that would benefit from the Buddy Club, please contact Tony Thomas. {CLICK HERE}
grown from three participants to 26...and growing. With full access to the Community Center resources, these adults pursue leisure at their own pace every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-2:30pm. Whether it’s participating in a therapeutic yoga class, a group water aerobics session, using the {CLICK HERE} to see pics of our Buddies!
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A
Community Oriented Approach
In Manassas Park, as in many cities and towns, “schools serve as anchors that support greater community interaction, engagement, and pride”. In addition to creating a ‘work center’ in the Blooms Crossing neighborhood, the elementary school campus also creates a sense of community through the diverse socioeconomic composition of its students. How is this possible? Check out this great read, Local Governments and Schools: A Community Oriented Approach,
from the ICMA press. Collaboration is key in building community. We couldn’t agree more! {CLICK HERE}.
Great Schools Collaborate By involving a wide range of people in local land use planning, we can make a great community. An example of collaboration in Manassas Park is the recent Safe Routes to School Grant to build a pedestrian access through an industrial corridor to the high school. The Department of Public Works worked with the city school system to craft a proposal that ultimately achieved an awarding of funds, 1 of 18 in the State of Virginia, necessary to complete this long awaited project. Impressive! {CLICK HERE TO READ MORE}
Let’s face it, our kids simply are not as active as they could be. 1 out of every 3 children are obese. Diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma - all chronic obesity related ailments - are rising in our children. To help bring national attention to a problem those of us in public
parks and recreation are all too familiar with, First Lady Michele Obama launched the Let’s Move Campaign in 2009. Intended to provide the tools for communities to raise a healthier next generation, the Let’s Move Campaign dedicates its efforts to solving the challenge of childhood obesity. Political affiliation aside, this is a message we all can get behind! {CLICK HERE TO READ MORE}
The Little Team that Did!
If you thought it was a coincidence that the Manassas Park High School Boys Soccer team won the State of Virginia VHSL ‘A’ championship last year... well, think again. For the second year in a row, this team defied the odds and took home back to back championships! Congrats to the boys - what an inspiration to our community! {CLICK HERE} to read about it.
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Fireworks Safety for Kids
With the July 4th celebration just around the corner, fireworks are everywhere. To ensure you and your kids make happy memories this summer, follow some of these common sense tips to make the most out of the festivities:
Never try to make your own fireworks. Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents. Steer clear of others.
Don't hold fireworks in your Kids should never play with hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. fireworks. Buy only legal fireworks.
{CLICK HERE FOR MORE TIPS}
When it happens to you, will you be prepared? How will you respond when a disaster strikes where you live or work? If you haven’t given it much thought, don’t worry, Ready NOVA, Preparedness Planners have developed basic emergency plans for businesses and families that can help guide you while creating your own emergency plan. Easy to access and easier to use. {CLICK HERE} and get prepared.
2 Ways Out The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced the 2012 Fire Prevention Week theme as ‘Have Two Ways Out!’. Recognized every October, local Fire Departments will encourage families across the country to prioritize fire escape planning and practice. {CLICK HERE} to read more about the program. Click “Play” to watch the video!
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Manassas Park Selects New Fire Chief! In April, Chief David Dixon began his service to the City of Manassas Park. A welcomed addition to an already stellar department, Chief Dixon comes to the city with over 30 years of fire and rescue and supervisory experience. {CLICK HERE FOR MORE}
There’s an App for That! The American Red Cross just released it’s ‘American Red Cross App’ for iPhone and Android devices. With this FREE App, you can have expert advice for everyday emergencies in the palm of your hand! {CLICK HERE}
Fire & Rescue Departments of NOVA The Fire & Rescue Departments of Northern Virginia, a regional coalition of 14 member jurisdictions, aims to provide the Northern Virginia region with the best possible emergency services through shared use of resources and coordinated emergency response. {CLICK HERE} to see how Manassas Park collaborates with the NOVA region!
7 Happy 40th Anniversary Neighborhood Watch! This great community policing effort, created by the National Sheriffs Association, began in 1972 via a grant from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. Developed to assist local law enforcement by adding extra ‘eyes and ears’ in any neighborhood, the Neighborhood Watch continues to positively impact areas citizens are actively reporting suspicious activities. Read more about the Neighborhood Watch {HERE}. If you are interested in beginning a watch program in your neighborhood,
{CLICK HERE}.
V.I.P.S
As a partner program to the G.W. Bush administration ‘Citizens Corps’, the Volunteers in Police Service (V.I.P.S) aims to provide support and resources to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement by utilizing volunteers. Did you know the Manassas Park Police Department is an active member of the V.I.P.S program? Check out the national program {HERE}. To go directly to the MPPD site, {CLICK HERE}.
Community Resource Officer
The City of Manassas Park has a specifically trained police officer to act as a liaison between the community and the police department. Focusing on crime prevention, the Community Resource Officer works with various citizen groups through activities such as personal safety, workplace violence, burglary prevention, identity theft, holiday safety and gang awareness. Officer William Quesenberry is the Community Resource Officer for the city - email him {HERE}...or check out the Manassas Park Police Department website to view the type of community services the MPPD supports, {HERE}.
Manassas Park Police Department Accreditation You may have read that the Manassas Park Police Department received accreditation in 2003 and was recently reaccredited. But what does that mean to you? Accreditation increases the law enforcement agency’s ability to prevent and control crime through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services to the community it serves. A successful accreditation process, with oversight provided by the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, enhances the communities understanding of policing and increases public confidence. {CLICK HERE} to read more on the accreditation process.
Save the Date: August 7th I O N AL N I N AT G H T OUT
Block off your calendar - cancel your plans - leave work early and get over to Signal Hill Park for the annual National Night Out (NNO)! NNO, in it’s 29th year, is a neat crime prevention event that is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, implemented by the Manassas Park Police Department, is geared to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anti crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. Check out the national site {HERE}.
If you missed last year’s NNO, check out this video!
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Your GUIDE to Summer fun! upcoming summer events
The Manassas Park
MOSAIC
Summer Camps
6/23: Family Fun Night - Luau 5pm-7:30pm at Signal Bay Water Park 6/29: Summer Movie - Happy Feet 8pm at Signal Hill Park 7/4: July 4th Celebration 5pm at Signal Hill Park 7/13: Summer Movie - Dolphin Tale 8pm at Costello Park TM
7/21: Raise the ‘Woof’ Pup Rally 12pm-3pm at the Manassas Park Dog Park
CLICK HERE!
Summer Extended Care Are your out of school days covered? The Extended Care Program at the Manassas Park Community Center is a licensed daycare program through the State of Virginia Department of Social Services. This summer your child will embark on many journeys that are planned for each 2 week session. Activities include: • Trips to Leesylvania State Park, Blandy Experimental Farm, Leesburg Petting Zoo and Atlantis Water Park • Mad science workshop • Reptiles Alive! • Water games at MPCC
7/21: Family Fun Night - Christmas in July 5pm-7:30pm at Signal Bay Water Park 7/27: Summer Movie - Cars 2 8pm at Signal Hill Park 8/17: Summer Movie - The Lorax 8pm at Costello Park 8/25: Canine Wellness Day 12pm-3pm at the Manassas Park Dog Park
Our Extended Care Program is offered to Residents and Non-Residents of Manassas Park. For info, contact Sue Jurjevic {HERE}.
{CLICK HERE}
Ask us about our MEMBERSHIP EXCHANGE PROGRAM and how you can get FREE ACCESS to the Community Center by volunteering your time with us!