To assist Operation Homefront, Manassas Mall is collecting school supplies for military families with kids in grades K-12, thru Aug. 14; all donations will benefit Operation Homefront’s Back-to-School Brigade.

Debbie Gilbert, a renowned flute player, conductor, artistic director and flute teacher who lives in Broad Run, has been selected to conduct the National High School Flute Choir at the National Flute Association (NFA) convention in Washington, DC Aug. 13-16. Gilbert will also conduct The Woodbridge Flute Choir at the convention on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.

The names of four recent arrestees on drug charges in Haymarket are being withheld while town police continue their investigation, according to a statement from interim police chief Greg Smith.

Stop for a free Children’s Day at Weems-Botts Museum, 3944 Cameron Street, Dumfries, VA, 22026 this Saturday, Aug. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. Meet Heather Butts, have a High Tea in the park, see a Civil War hospital, and have a hand at make-and-take crafts to take home!

A STEM coordinator, backpack runners, receptionists, field trip chaperones, mentors, teacher for basic email and web searching skills, grant writer, information updaters, greeters, ID checkers and community health workers are among upcoming volunteer opportunities in our community.

Since 9/11, many organizations have emerged to assist the wounded in adapting to their new life-styles.  One such group, Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) a 501c3 non-profit corporation, provides encouragement, training and equipment to wounded veterans since 9/11 who want to learn or relearn the game of golf.   

A new Manassas Museum guest exhibit, Partisans Among Playmates: American Childhood and the Civil War, brings to life the experiences of children living in both the North and South during the conflict. The exhibit, opening on Aug. 7 and running though Nov. 15, is free to the public.

Colonel Christian F. Wortman, US Marine Corps, currently the Commander of The Basic School, MCB Quantico, will speak at the Freedom Museum on July 26. He will discuss The USMC Basic School and the future of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Prince William Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension is offering Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP), a six-week discussion group for parents and others who want to learn more effective ways to communicate and discipline. It is available in English and in Spanish.

Get a taste of the sea nearby July24, 25, 26 when Fauquier Community Theatre will present its version of Disney's Little Mermaid Jr. on stage at 4225 Aiken Drive, Vint Hill.