Anne Clark

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I can hardly wait for Thankgiving to be over so that I can have my friends over for the annual Dickens' Village luncheon. My family and friends have helped me make a tradition out of decorating my home for the holidays.

If you love to decorate for the holidays like I do, you aren't going to want to miss the Northern Virginia Christmas Market this year at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. Hours on Friday and Saturday are 10am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm. Admission is $8 for adults and kids under twelve attend free.

You can get in for $7 if you bring a canned food donation for the Capital Area Food Bank.

If you need more information, or directions, call 757-417-7771.

Prince William County's Competition for the World Trade Center Steel Memorial at Freedom Park

Prince William County in Virginia has acquired steel from the wreckage of the World Trade Center in New York. County officials plan to incorporate the steel beam into Freedom Park, but currently have no design. They are looking for inspiration among their residents.

You don't need to be a designer or architect to enter. Anyone with an idea needs to keep an eye on the county's website about the design competition. Here's the criteria a winning design will follow:

A design respectful of the steel that will minimize changes to it.

A design that will allow visitors of the of memorial to touch it.

A design that is complementary of the other memorials in Freedom Park.

A design that is visible from the Prince William County Parkway.

If you wish to put yourself to work on this task, it is probably best to first visit the county's Freedom Park to view the current memorials there. Freedom Park is located on the grounds of the McCoart Government Complex off the Prince William County Parkway.

Haymarket Day will be on Saturday, September 17th for 2011. Rain date will be the following day, Sunday Setpember 18th.

Festivities start at 9am and end at 4pm. As usual, there will be a parade at 9:30 through the main drag of Old Town Haymarket. The parade reviewing stand wil be on the lawn of the Haymarket Police Department. Also on the lawn of the police department, later in the day, you'll find the Navy Band and other musical acts playing and this is where you'll be able to enjoy a Hot Air Balloon ride. This is also where you'd bring donations for Haymarket's Regional Food Pantry.

My favorite part of Haymarket Day is the craft area. Crafters will be set up through out the entire town, not limited to one area as previous years.

If you want to get a really early start, there will be a breakfast at the Town Hall at 7am by the Haymarket Woman's Club. Town Hall Center will also be the site for miniature Nascar race cars later in the day.

Naturally, food vendors will be linining the streets, including businesses that grace main drag every day like Cupcake Heaven, Pizzarama and Foster's Grille.

Get on your walking shoes and get ready to spend the afternoon taking in Haymarket's equivalent of a fall festival. You'll love it!

Tyler Elementary First Grade School Supply List for the 2011-2012 School Year

If you've been waiting to do your back to school shopping, this weekend is it. The Tuesday after Labor Day is when Tyler Elementary School will be back in session.

The school supply list for Tyler Elementary first grade students is as follows:

1 pair of child size metal scissors

1 school box

1 two pocket folder (plain color)

1 composition book, wide ruled

1 1-subject spiral notebook, wide ruled

Oddly enough, there are supplies specific to the sex of your child. These will be shared classroom supplies.

Boys:

1 box Crayola markers, broad tip

1 bottle of liquid soap

1 large box of tissues

Girls:

1 pack of 4 dry erase markers

1 bottle of hand sanitizer

1 box of zip top baggies (quart or gallon size)

Get your Tyler Elementary first graders ready for the first big day of school. If you want to print our your own list, or want to check the lists for another grade, click here.

Prince William County Public Schools Bus Schedule: School Year 2011-2012

The Prince Willilam County Public Schools bus schedules are out. No matter what public school your child is attending in Prince William County, the bus schedule can be found on the Prince William County Public School's website by clicking here.

There is also a number you can call for the personal bus schedule adminstrative coordinator for each school. So if you have questions or concerns about your child's bus schedule, please reach out to the designated contact listed on the website.