Elected Officials Sworn in During Dec. 12 Ceremony
James City County held a formal investiture ceremony for recently elected officials on Dec. 12.
The Honorable Judge Holly Smith swore in Board of Supervisors members Ruth Larson (Berkeley District), John McGlennon (Roberts District), Barbara Null (Stonehouse District), Commissioner of the Revenue Richard Bradshaw, Commonwealth’s Attorney Nate Green, Sheriff David Hardin and Treasurer Jennifer Tomes during a small ceremony attended by family members of the elected officials.
Artists Wanted for Yorktown Juried Art Show; Applications Due February 1
Applications for the 2024 “Art at the River” Juried Art Show are due no later than Thursday, Feb. 1, according to York County. The event will take place on Sunday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown.
Artwork accepted includes original works in: Painting, Clay, Glass, Fiber, Basketry, Leather, Wood, Graphics, Photography and Mixed media. Items must be conceived and executed solely by the exhibiting artist, and all work must be for sale during the show with the artist present.
The application and complete information are available at artattheriver.com. To receive an application by mail, send an email to AATR2013@outlook.com or by mail to Art at the River, 107 Clearbrooke Landing, Yorktown, VA, 23692. The application fee is $25.00. Invitations to participate in the Juried Art Show will be issued on Friday, March 1, the county said.
For more information, please call Committee Chair Kathy Wahl at 757-288-0761.
Chesapeake Bank Named One of the 2023 Best Banks to Work For 11th Consecutive Year
KILMARNOCK — Chesapeake Bank announced it has been named one of the 2023 Best Banks to Work For by American Banker.
featured at americanbanker.com. On the 2023 list, Chesapeake Bank was ranked No. 61.
Virginia Natural Gas warming local underserved families through donation of 250 coats
Virginia Natural Gas will donate 250 brand-new winter coats to local underserved children and families across Hampton Roads, it announced.
Through a partnership with Operation Warm, the energy company will gift 250 new winter coats to ForKids, a local not-for-profit that provides emergency shelter to families and children while working to achieve stability for families and a lifetime of success for children.
This is the third year VNG has worked with Operation Warm gifting a total of more than 600 coats to local children. Since 1998, the nonprofit organization has worked with individuals, community organizations and corporations to provide coats to more than 4 million children across the United States.
Literacy for Life receives $35,000 from Sentara Health to support Pathways to Skilled Careers
Literacy for Life, a leading community-based literacy organization, announced a contribution of $35,000 from Sentara Health to assist with Multiple Literacies: Pathways to Skilled Careers.
The $35,000 donation from Sentara will be utilized by Literacy for Life to improve the
wellness of the community by leveraging the power of education to reduce economic instability for individuals and families, it said. Literacy for Life will provide adult learners with one-to-one tutoring for basic skill development; classes in financial literacy, work skills, and digital literacy; and career coaching.
Coast Guard reminds commercial fishermen of safety while at sea
The Coast Guard reminds commercial fishermen to ensure they have the correct lifesaving equipment onboard their vessel before leaving the dock.
Multiple Coast Guard crews conducted boardings of commercial fishing vessels transiting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries Dec. 1-7 in a planned operation focused on ensuring compliance with all applicable safety requirements within the commercial fishing fleet.
The Coast Guard teams boarded 14 vessels and terminated the voyage of four vessels due to unsafe conditions, it said The vessels were issued citations for lacking survival craft and critical lifesaving equipment.
The Coast Guard noted it offers courtesy examinations for commercial fishing vessels. The exams are voluntary, free and conducted dockside at the owner’s convenience and will not result in any violations. To schedule a courtesy examination, please contact the Coast Guard at 757-439-8444.
Divaris Real Estate Named Exclusive Listing Brokerage for Merchants Square
Divaris Real Estate, Inc. announced that it has been engaged by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as the exclusive listing brokerage for Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square.
Principal leasing responsibilities are undertaken by Dave Redmond, Senior Vice President, and Elizabeth Napolitano, Assistant Vice President, with leadership and direction from Gerald S. Divaris, Chairman and CEO, from the firm’s Virginia Beach headquarters office.
Renovations at the James City County Recreation Center Continue As Scheduled
Renovation work at the James City County Recreation Center continues on schedule, the county said.
The overall project includes the demolition and restoration of the locker rooms, catering kitchen and floor work. The project, which began Sept. 18, is anticipated to be completed in 15 weeks.
The projects are part of the County’s Capital Improvement Project program and planning for the project has been in place for several years. Specific construction dates are determined by a variety of factors and are communicated upon our notification.
The county noted that the upgrades may cause some disruption to routines. Center passholders who prefer not to use the facility during renovations can request to freeze their pass during the renovations or can request a refund of their balance of time on their membership. For more information or to consider the pass options, stop by the Front Desk or call 757-259-4200.
VDOT Launches New Website
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recently launched its new website, which it said prioritizes user experience and makes popular content, such as real-time traffic alerts and resources for business partners, easier to find.
VDOT’s website was last redesigned in 2008. The new website is accessible for all types of users, including those accessing on mobile devices, needing translation options, or using assistive technology.
Virginia 511 resources have also been integrated to help the public quickly access real-time traffic information, VDOT said. The new website features equivalent auditory and visual content alternatives, translation options, tags to group information, and streamlined viewing and functionality for mobile browsers.
Visit the new VDOT website on desktop and mobile devices at vdot.virginia.gov.
Virginia ABC Announces Dates for Alcohol Education and Prevention Grant Applications
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) will begin accepting applications for the 2024-25 Alcohol Education and Prevention Grant program on Jan. 1, the ninth year Virginia ABC is offering grants to support alcohol education and prevention programs and projects across the Commonwealth.
Since 2013, Virginia ABC has awarded an average of $80,000 each year through its grant program to Virginia organizations working to prevent underage and high-risk drinking. Organizations are eligible to receive up to $10,000 each to support evidence-based programs that have a long-lasting impact and encourage partnerships between organizations.
Proposed projects must address prevention in one or more of the following focus areas:
- underage drinking
- providing or serving alcohol to youth
- high-risk drinking
Applications are available online and an application guide to assist applicants and provide more information about the program are available at abc.virginia.gov/
Drive Safe Hampton Roads’ Annual Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Appreciation Day is Monday
Drive Safe Hampton Roads’ (DSHR) Specialized Transportation Safety Committee will be working with the federal, state, and local police motor carrier units and inspectors to conduct an annual Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Appreciation Day On Monday, Dec. 18 from 9-11 a.m. (Rain date is Dec. 19)
This event is held to promote highway safety. Drive Safe Hampton Roads and Hampton Roads’ law enforcement motor carrier teams will come together to distribute educational materials and to remind drivers to buckle up. Commercial motor vehicle drivers are encouraged to participate. Along with safe driving materials, food and refreshments will be provided.
Theevent will be held at the southside Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel Inspection Station on Interstate 664 North, in the city of Suffolk.
2024 Working Wood in the 18th Century Conference Welcomes Attendees In-Person and Virtually Jan. 25-28
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (CWF) will host its annual Working Wood in the 18th Century Conference Jan. 25-28 both virtually and in-person.
This year’s conference will explore how 18th-century craftspeople passed down their craft through a combination of written materials and oral tradition, according to CWF. Tradespeople, curators and scholars from Colonial Williamsburg will be joined by guest presenters Christopher Schwarz, woodworker, author and publisher of Lost Art Press; Dan Faia, master cabinetmaker and educator; and Whitney L.B. Miller, author of Henry Boyd’s Freedom Bed.
The full conference agenda is available at colonialwilliamsburg.org/working-wood. All lectures will take place in the Hennage Auditorium at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.
Scholarships, special pre-conference programs, a woodworking showcase, and a tool swap are available for in-person attendees only, as are special room rates at Colonial Williamsburg hotels for conference registrants. Guest and companion programs are available for specific activities and should be registered for in advance.
In-person registration is $395 per person and includes presentations, evening receptions, conference dinner, continental breakfasts, and coffee breaks. Virtual-only registration is $150 per person and includes access to all general session presentations through the conference streaming platform. Both include a seven-day ticket voucher to Colonial Williamsburg’s Art Museums and Historic Area, valid for redemption through Dec. 31, 2024. Registration and payment in full are required by Jan. 1.
Additional information and registration is available at colonialwilliamsburg.org by visiting the “Learn” section and clicking “Conferences,” and by calling 1-800-603-0948 toll-free or via email at educationalconferences@cwf.org. Follow Colonial Williamsburg on Facebook and @colonialwmsburg on Twitter and Instagram.
York County Economic and Tourism Development Receives Two 2023 Pinnacle Awards
The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) recently recognized York County Economic and Tourism Development during the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Ceremony held at the 66th Annual IFEA Convention, Expo & Retreat.
The Association presented the County with two awards in the prestigious IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition. Awards were won in the following categories:
- Silver Award – Best Instagram Site for Visit Yorktown
- Silver Award – Best Street Banner for Sounds of Summer Concert Series
Awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments and top-quality creative, promotional, operational, and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world. They were handed out in 70 different categories including TV/radio, social and multimedia; print and merchandise, in addition to festival and event programs.
AARP Virginia Fraud Alert: Check it Twice Before Donating
AARP warns that telling the difference between a real charity and a con can be a challenge. Legitimate charities make a big push at year-end for last-minute annual donations scammers know this and make their own end-of-year push to line their pockets.
According to AARP, if a charity solicits a donation, even if the first instinct is to contribute, be careful. Many fake charities have legitimate-looking websites and names, making them hard to discern as fraudulent. Others are registered nonprofits but devote little of the money they raise to the programs they promote.
AARP suggests researching the charity on sites such as give.org, CharityNavigator.org or CharityWatch.org to make sure that it’s legitimate and to find out what percentage of their donations are actually used to serve their stated mission versus paying for overhead and fundraising.
