Five Things to Know

1.  Volkswagen donates two Beetles to the Automotive Shop Program at Osbourn High School. The Automotive program is a two-year course designed to provide students entry-level occupational skills and assist them with learning how to diagnose and repair systems found in modern automobiles. The donated cars will expose the students to the latest automotive technology. The Beetle donation is a result of efforts coordinated by Delegate Jackson Miller (R-Manassas) and Volkswagen Group of America, based in Herndon, Va.

2. Our area will host hundreds of students from across the country this week as they arrive for a national underwater robotics competition. Hosted by the Prince William County Schools, the 2012 National SeaPerch Challenge will be April 11-13, with the competition taking place April 12 at the Manassas Park Community Center. SeaPerch challenges students to build a robot that can compete in an underwater obstacle course and salvage operations challenges. After the competition, students will tour local companies who specialize in robotics and the Manassas National Battlefield Park.

3. April is 'Litter Enforcement Pick Up' Month. In its second year, the goal of 'Litter Enforcement Month' is to raise awareness of litter, illegal dumping, and the environmental and social effects they have on our communities. The purpose of this partnership is to not only restore the integrity of our local watershed resources, but to improve the quality of our neighborhoods and economy while reducing crime across the region. For more information on Litter Enforcement Month in April, visit www.TrashFreePotomac.org.  To find information on the 24^th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup, which coincides with Litter Enforcement Month, visit www.PotomacCleanup.org.

4. Celebrate Earth Day and win a free t-shirt! Recycling rates in the City of Manassas have been at 45 percent in the past, and they’re hoping to increase that number in 2012 and 2013. Those residents that participate in the city’s Recycle Right Program by properly sorting and recycling throughout April will receive one free T-shirt per household. The City of Manassas also offers tips on what to recycle and when. For more information, go to www.manassascity.org or call 703-257-8219.

5. The final budget 'mark up' worksession on the FY 13 proposed city council budget will take place Wednesday, April 11, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The Manassas City Council will present their Proposed FY 13 Budget and CIP on Monday, April 16, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 13 Budget and CIP will be held on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

What else should we know? Tell us in the comments. It just might make it in next week's edition.