Monday, October 10, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
News from York County
Free public lecture about Lafayette on Oct. 19
October 5, 2011
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
Journalist and historian Marc Leepson will give a talk at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at York Hall about his latest book, "Lafayette: Lessons in Leadership from the Idealist General."
The book, Leepson's seventh, is a concise biography of the Marquis de Lafayette, the renowned Frenchman who commanded a division of Continental Army troops at the Battle of Yorktown.
Leepson's book, published by Palgrave Macmillan this spring in its World Generals Series, was chosen as a Military History Book Club Selection. This "concise biography concentrates on Lafayette's military and diplomatic accomplishments during the American and French Revolutions," Publishers Weekly said in its review of the book. "Drawing from a number of historical sources, including Lafayette's own memoirs, Leepson gives this most restless man an affectionate and engrossing portrait."
Leepson's other books include Desperate Engagement, a history of the Civil War Battle of Monocacy; Flag: An American Biography, a history of the Stars and Stripes from the beginnings to today; and Saving Monticello, a complete history of Thomas Jefferson's house. Leepson lives in Loudoun County, Virginia, and teaches U.S. history at Lord Fairfax Community College in Warrenton.
Tickets are not required, however seating is limited. Complimentary refreshments will be served and copies of the book may be purchased and signed by Leepson immediately following the presentation. The lecture is sponsored by the York County Historical Committee. For more information, call (757) 890-3508.
# # #
October 5, 2011
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
York County offices will adhere to this schedule for the Veterans Day holiday on Friday, Nov. 11:
| All Government Offices | closed |
| All Courts | closed |
| Libraries | closed |
| York-Poquoson Social Services | closed |
| Virginia Cooperative Extension Service in York County | open |
Collection of garbage and recyclables will not be affected by the holiday. Residents are reminded to place their garbage and recyclables at the roadside by 7 a.m. as collection takes place earlier on holidays due to there being less traffic on the roadways. The compost facility and transfer station located on Goodwin Neck Road will be open; however, the administrative offices of the Waste Management Center will be closed.
For more information about the Veteran's Day office closing schedule, call the Public Information Office at 890-3300.
# # #
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you no longer wish to receive notices from this list, simply unsubscribe here
NOTE: This email was sent via a mail server that does not receive incoming mail. DO NOT REPLY.
County offices to close for Veteran's Day
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
New from York County
Trick or Treating on Oct. 31 between dusk and 8 p.m.
October 4, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This year's hours for trick-or-treating in York County will be from dusk until 8 p.m. on Halloween, Monday, Oct. 31.
Children age 12 or younger may trick-or-treat and should be accompanied by an adult. Residents are asked to turn on porch lights to identify homes that wish to receive trick-or-treaters.
To ensure a safe Halloween experience, the York County Department of Fire and Life Safety and the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office recommend the following safety tips:
- Use makeup instead of masks. Plastic or rubber masks can impair a child's vision. If masks are worn, advise children to lift their masks while traveling from house to house and when crossing the street.
- Make sure costumes and shoes fit properly to avoid tripping hazards.
- Purchase Halloween costumes (including wigs, capes and props) that feature a "flame-resistant" or "flame-retardant" label.
- Bright and/or light-colored costumes are easier to see at night.
- Carry a flashlight or light-stick, and attach "glow-in-the-dark" items or reflective tape to the front and back of children's costumes.
- An adult should accompany younger children. Older children not accompanied by an adult should travel in groups of at least three. Plan an itinerary and set a time for children to return home.
- Avoid houses where porch lights are off.
- Do not allow children to accept unwrapped candy or fruit, and check all treats before allowing children to eat them. Any suspicious candy should be reported to the Sheriff's Office as soon as possible.
- Keep children away from candles and other flame sources, especially when in costume. Advise children to stay away from jack-o-lanterns with candles and all open flames and heat sources. Be sure children know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothes catch fire.
- Keep your jack-o-lanterns away from landings or doorways where costumes could brush against the candle flame. Consider using a glow stick or battery powered light instead of candles.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks, hay, and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and all decorations away from all open flames and heat sources.
- Keep all exits (doors and windows) clear of decorations to keep escape routes open.
- If your child is attending a party or sleepover at someone else's home, instruct them to locate the exits and plan how they would get out in an emergency.
# # #
Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 9-15
October 4, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
What's the best way to protect your family from fire? Be ahead of the game.
With more than 360,000 home fires reported in the United States in 2009, your best defense is a good offense. That's why the York County Department of Fire and Life Safety is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association Oct. 9-15 to let our community know "It's Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!"
This year's campaign focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires: cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials. Additionally, it urges people to protect their homes and families with life-saving technology and planning.
"In 2009, 2,565 people died in home fires," said York County Fire Chief Stephen Kopczynski. "Nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions like having working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan, keeping things that can burn away from the stove and always turning off space heaters before going to bed. Fire is a dangerous opponent, but by anticipating the hazards, you are much less likely to be one of the nearly 13,000 people injured in home fires each year."
The York County Department of Fire and Life Safety offers the following tips for protecting your home and family from fire:
- Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
- Have a three-foot "kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters.
- Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
- If you smoke, smoke outside.
- Use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy table.
- Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
"While preventing home fires in York County is always a priority, it is not always possible," Kopczynski said. "York County's residents need to provide the best protection to keep their homes and families safe in the event of a fire. This can be achieved by developing an escape plan which you practice regularly and equipping homes with life-saving technologies like smoke alarms and home fire sprinklers."
The following tips will help keep your family safe if there is a fire in your home:
- Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home (including the basement).
- Interconnect all smoke alarms in the home so when one sounds, they all sound.
- Test smoke alarms at least monthly and replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond when tested.
- Make sure everyone in your home knows how to respond if the smoke alarm sounds.
- Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible ways out. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.
- If you are building or remodeling your home, consider installing home fire sprinklers.
The Department of Fire and Life Safety will be hosting two fire station open houses during Fire Prevention Week to promote "It's Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!" Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the power of prevention and available technologies to protect their own families from fire.
Sunday, Oct. 9 – 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fire Station Open House
Fire Station No.1 5751 George Washington Memorial Hwy. in Grafton
Saturday, Oct. 15 – 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fire Station Open House
Fire Station No. 3 114 Hubbard Lane, in Bruton
If you cannot attend one of the scheduled events, York County Fire Officials invite you to stop by any fire station for additional information and/or call 757-890-3600 weekdays between 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. To learn more about "It's Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!" visit NFPA's website at www.firepreventionweek.org.
###
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you no longer wish to receive notices from this list, simply unsubscribe here
NOTE: This email was sent via a mail server that does not receive incoming mail. DO NOT REPLY.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
News from York County
County offices to be closed Oct. 19 for Yorktown Day
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
York County offices will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 19, in observance of Yorktown Day, the anniversary of the victory at Yorktown.
County offices, York County Public Libraries and York-Poquoson Social Services will be closed that day, as will the county's Waste Management Center offices.
The General District Court, Circuit Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, as well as the York County Virginia Cooperative Extension office will be open. Please note that the courts will be closed Monday, Oct. 10, for Columbus Day.
Collection of garbage and recyclables will not be affected by the holiday. The compost facility and transfer station located on Goodwin Neck Road will be open, however the administrative offices of the Waste Management Center will be closed.
For more information about the Yorktown Day office closing schedule, please call the Public Information Office at 890-3300.
###
Register by Oct. 17 for the Oct. 26 Senior Safety Summit
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
The Peninsula Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (S.A.L.T.) Council will conduct its annual Senior Safety Summit at Northside Christian Church in Yorktown on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Attendees will hear Juanita Ballenger from the Office of the Attorney General speak about frauds and scams targeting seniors; Attorney Susan I. Jean will speak about government benefits to safely keep seniors in their homes; Kathleen Ryan from the National Organization to End Financial Abuse will discuss the warning signs of financial exploitation; Liz Linthicum, a personal trainer, will demonstrate exercises to help improve balance; and Carla Veney will highlight travel opportunities.
The day will begin with a free Shred It event from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. in the church parking lot. Bring old papers and mail to shred and lessen your chance of becoming a victim of fraud. A continental breakfast and registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony at 9 a.m.
The registration fee, which includes lunch, is $6 and the registration deadlineis Oct. 17. No money will be accepted on the day of the summit.
Northside Christian Church is located at 1300 George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown (accessed by either Emerson Lane or Coventry Blvd.). In addition, there will be more than 25 exhibitors on hand to answer questions, and there will be door prizes.
The Senior Safety Summit is a joint community effort of the local Police Departments, Sheriff's Offices, AARP, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Foster Grandparent Program, York County Community Services, Humana, Transitions Family Violence Services, and Newport News Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.
For more information on registration and payment, call 595-9037.
###
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you no longer wish to receive notices from this list, simply unsubscribe here
NOTE: This email was sent via a mail server that does not receive incoming mail. DO NOT REPLY.
Republican Campaign Precinct Walks Schedule
Please come out to help elect our Republican Candidates!
Neighborhood walks to distribute literature and/or knock on Republican doors have been scheduled for Saturday October 1st for the Tom Harmon 2nd Senate District and Gordon Helsel 91st House District Campaigns.
We will meet at the Oasis Restaurant at 8:30 AM for breakfast (Dutch Treat) before finishing walking the Wythe Precinct for Tom Harmon. If you don't want breakfast, you can still meet us there at 9:15 AM to get instructions, materials, and an area to walk.
Two joint walks for Gordon Helsel and Tom Harmon will meet at 12 Noon Saturday.
One group will meet at Syms Middle School on Fox Hill Road to finish walking the Syms Precinct.
Another group will meet at the Helsel HQ in Poquoson (corner of Wythe Creek Road and Victory Blvd) to walk the Running Man area (York County Bethel Precinct).
We will be distributing literature for both campaigns and/or knocking on Republican doors to talk to folks about getting out to vote for our conservative candidates.
Please come out to help elect our Republican Candidates!
Carl Anderson
Chairman, 2nd Senate District and 91st House District Committees
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Aerial Spray
Langley AFB will be conducting an Aerial Spray Flight for mosquitoes next week starting Monday, 3 Oct. The plane will spray the last two hours of daylight on 3-5 Oct and depart on Thur, 6 Oct. The spray area plan is as follows.
- Mon, 3 Oct- Langley, Poquoson & York County (Hampton if added)
- Tue, 4 Oct – Newport News, Ft Eustis & Naval Weapons Station
- Wed, 5 Oct-Portsmouth, Craney Island & (York County if not finished Mon)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you no longer wish to receive notices from this list, simply unsubscribe here
NOTE: This email was sent via a mail server that does not receive incoming mail. DO NOT REPLY.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
News from York County
History detectives wanted for Historical Committee
September 21, 2011
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
The year 2012 will mark the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Peninsula Campaign of the Civil War.
The York County Historical Committee is searching for individuals with an interest in the Civil War or any part of the 400 years of York County history. The committee meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in York Hall, 301 Main Street, Yorktown.
Applications to join the committee can be found on the York County website under Boards and Commissions, http://www.yorkcounty.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1798.
For more information about the committee, call 757-898-0782.
###
Campfires and Home Fires – A Civil War Living History
September 22, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The York County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee is proud to co-sponsor, along with the Poquoson Museum and the City of Poquoson, "Campfires and Home Fires – A Civil War Living History" this weekend in Poquoson.
The event is scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 24-25, at the Poquoson Museum, 968 Poquoson Avenue, and will feature Artillery, Infantry and Cavalry demonstrations, Union and Confederate army camps, a Civil War-era surgeon, numerous period re-enactors, and much more.
Camp hours are 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Artillery demonstrations will take place at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, and on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The conclusion to Saturday's activities will occur Saturday evening with a presentation of the true, documented Civil War ghost story, Dolly Mammy, which occurred in Poquoson. On Sunday afternoon there will be a concert of Civil War-era music by Robin Welch and fellow musicians.
The weekend will offer something for everyone. In case of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled.
For more information, call Barbara Whitlow at 757-868-6899 or Mary Clemons at 757-630-3396.
###
Senior Center Announces October Programs
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
A variety of educational and entertaining programs are being offered at the Senior Center of York in October.
Participation is open to seniors age 55 or better and their spouses, regardless of age. The center is located in the Washington Square Shopping Center at 5314 George Washington Memorial Highway (Rt. 17), and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The center is closed all county holidays.
Reservations are required for all sessions and are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, stop by the center or call 898-3807. For more information, please visit www.yorkcounty.gov/communityservices.
Flu Shot Registration Begins Tuesday, Oct. 4. Remember to mark your calendarsto register for your annual flu shot. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. on Oct. 4. Please call 898-3807 or stop by the Senior Center at 5314 George Washington Memorial Highway to reserve a time slot for your free shot. Time slots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and York County residents will have priority. The flu shots will be administered on Friday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. No fee or Medicare billing will be involved.
Senior Center of York 2011 Annual Fundraiser, Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come support this annual special event which will include a white elephant sale, bake sale, craft fair, and prize drawings. It is a great time to do some post spring cleaning so bring your donated goods (except for clothing) to the center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please tag items with your suggested prices. Limited pickup may be available for anyone wishing to donate larger items. Bake sale items (baked goods only) such as bread, cake, pie, brownies and cookies may be delivered Friday, Oct. 7 or on the day of the event at 8:30 a.m. Please call in or sign up at the front desk by Oct. 7 if you can bake these items, and can also help with this event. For more information, call 898-3807.
Scrapbooking & Greeting Cards, Monday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. Join us as Cathy Fowler of Creative Memories shows how to make beautiful cards and assists you with your scrapbook. These cards and your personalized scrapbook create lasting memories and make wonderful gifts for your loved ones. Note: Please limit to four cards. For more information and to register, please call 898-3807 by Oct. 7.
Health Day: "Making Healthy Food Choices" on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 12:45 p.m. Do you really know what five grams of fat or 230 milligrams of sodium looks like? Join us for an eye- opening discussion about the ingredients in processed foods as well as learning tips on making healthier choices. A Sentara certified dietician will be the guest speaker. To register, call the Senior Center at 898-3807.
"Let's Go to the Movies," Friday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. The York County Library and the Senior Center of York will present the 2009 movie, "The Blind Side" (PG13).ThisAmerican semi-biographicaldrama was written and directed by John Lee Hancock. The storyline features Michael Oher, an offensive lineman who plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. Oher, who has also had an impoverished upbringing, is adopted by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy played by Tim McGraw and Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock. Popcorn and beverage served. Please call 898-3807 to register for this program.
Culture Day, "History, Humor, and Haunts" Thursday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. Presenter Barbara Whitlow, Vice President of the Poquoson Historical Society, will speak on ghosts and folklore of Poquoson including Nell, a lady who would board the boats of local watermen and the notable Dolly Mammy of Messick. Following the program, there will be some fun games and trivia about Poquoson and more. Light refreshments will be served. Please register by calling 898-3807.
Oktoberfest Birthday Bash, Friday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. Entertainers Marietta Ayers and Val Fuller of Up Tempo will provide an upbeat, energizing, and interactive, authentic German Oktoberfest celebration. Tuned cowbells, accordion, guitar, yodeling, vocals and the stumphfiddle will be featured in this program. As always, you do not have to be celebrating a birthday to attend this event. Cake and beverage will be served. For more information and to register please call 898-3807.
AARP Driver Safety Program, Oct. 24 & Oct. 25. This program is designed for drivers age 50 or better, and will take place on Monday, Oct. 24 from 12:45 – 4:45 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. The cost for this two-day program is now $12 for members of AARP and $14 for non-members.Fees should be paid by check and made out to AARP. Class registration may be made in person at the Senior Center, by phone, or by mail. Note: AARP membership, which cannot be processed the day of a class, is not required for class registration. There is no "behind the wheel" driving performed in this program. Drivers age 55 or better must attend both classes to receive the state mandated three-year automobile insurance reduction. Many insurance companies are giving insurance reductions to drivers age 50+ with the same attendance requirements. Those less than age 55 should check with their insurance company to see if they are entitled to the three-year insurance reduction. Class enrollment is limited to 25.
Senior Safety Summit, Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Northside Christian Church. The Peninsula Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (S.A.L.T.) Council will conduct its annual Senior Safety Summit at Northside Christian Church located at 1300 George Washington Memorial Highway (accessed by either Coventry Blvd. or Emerson Lane). Speakers will present on the warning signs of financial exploitation, frauds and scams targeting seniors, government benefits to safely keep seniors in their homes, travel opportunities, and exercises to help prevent falls. You can also bring your old papers and mail to be shredded for free from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. In addition, there will be more than 25 exhibitors on hand to answer your questions. The registration fee is $6 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Please call 595-9037 for information on registration and payment, or pick up a form at the Senior Center of York. The deadline for registration is Oct. 17.
Computer General Use. The computers are available for general use Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. unless the lab is reserved for programmed activities. Currently, classes are held on Tuesdays in the lab. To use the computers you must sign in at the Senior Center front desk. For upcoming computer classes, please call us beginning Oct. 12 for information on registration and space availability.
NOTE: Senior Center CLOSED Wednesday, Oct. 19 in observance of Yorktown Day.
Mark Your Calendar
Senior Center's 20th Anniversary Open House Celebration, Friday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. You are cordially invited to come celebrate and commemorate 20 years with us! There will be a brief program and exhibits created by Senior Center patrons will be on display. Light refreshments will be served after the program. Please RSVP between Oct. 24 and Nov. 16. Call 898-3807 for more information.
###
Senior Center to host White Elephant Sale on Oct. 8
September 22, 2011
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
The public is cordially invited to donate to and/or participate in the Senior Center of York's 2011White Elephant (Yard Sale Items), Bake Sale and Craft Fair on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This event will be held at the Senior Center, which is located at 5314 George Washington Memorial Highway, in the Washington Square Shopping Center in Grafton. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Senior Center.
Donations, such as household items, crafts, and articles other than clothing may be delivered to the Center Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bake sale items (baked goods only) such as bread, cake, pie, brownies and cookies may be delivered Friday, Oct. 7 from 12-4 p.m., or on the day of the sale at 8:30 a.m.
The Craft Fair will feature a wide array of crafts, including knitting, crocheting, paintings and more. Tickets can also be purchased for a chance to win some great door prizes! Those donating items for the sale are asked to tag their items with suggested prices. Limited pickup may be available for anyone wishing to donate larger items. For more information, please call the Senior Center of York at 898-3807.
###
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you no longer wish to receive notices from this list, simply unsubscribe here
NOTE: This email was sent via a mail server that does not receive incoming mail. DO NOT REPLY.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)