March 5, 2021

Grant Monies Still Available for Eviction Relief; Last Winter Market Tomorrow - Spring Markets Start Up Soon

Apply for the Eviction Prevention Program!
Funding is still available from the Williamsburg Health Foundation’s generous grant to assist eligible residents of York County with rent payments to avoid eviction. Williamsburg and James City County also received funding. Those who have experienced financial loss and are behind in their payments due to COVID-19 can find additional information, including income guidelines and required documentation, on the Eviction Prevention Program page and also on the County’s COVID-19 Connection.

We Need YOU for the Great American Cleanup – March 26-27
The 2021 Great American Cleanup (GAC) is March 26-27 and York County can use your help with our organized cleanup on March 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. when volunteers are asked to help pick up trash along the roadsides of Mooretown Road and Airport Road in the upper County. Rain date for this location is March 27. If you are interested in starting a special cleanup activity, please consider adopting your own neighborhood with a smaller group of volunteers (up to 25 people). For any cleanup event, supplies and support are available from the County: trash bags, gloves, litter pick-up tools, and safety vests can be requested prior to the GAC. Adult supervision is required for participants under 18 and proper attire is required. So, get your group together and help us Team Up to Clean Up! If you would like to participate in keeping York County clean and beautiful, please visit the Waste Management website for details and sign ups.

Come Shop our Final Winter Market Tomorrow (3/6) and Get Ready for Weekly Markets Beginning April 10!
Join us tomorrow, Saturday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at our final Winter Market and purchase seasonal favorites like soups, chowders, and chicken pot pies . . . and also get a sneak peek (and taste) of spring! More than 30 vendors will line Riverwalk Landing selling locally grown, produced, and crafted products. Stock up on farm-to-table meats, eggs, and produce. Don’t miss delicious baked goods, gourmet chocolates, homemade candles, dog treats, local art, and more. Select vendors and artists will also be offering pre-order options for this final winter market. Make sure you follow the event on Facebook to get updates from those businesses on their pre-ordering instructions. Just click on the “discussion” tab. Again, this is the last winter market until the regular weekly season begins April 10 with our Go Green Market! Details available on our Visit Yorktown website.

In the case of inclement weather, just as during the regular season, the market will move into the lower level of the Water Street Parking Terrace. Due to COVID-19, events are subject to change including times, dates, and locations. When shopping the market—please don’t forget your face masks. Vendors and artists will be socially distanced and hand sanitizer stations will be set up throughout the market.

Let’s Celebrate and Get Fit with Parks and Recreation
Celebrate good times, come on! The Senior Center of York has a variety of programs to help you feel good about yourself, and one way to do that is to attend the Birthday Bash! Next Friday, March 12, at 1 p.m., come celebrate your birthday (or someone else’s) with free musical entertainment. Register by March 8. Also at the Center, learn how to draw spring flowers with watercolor, pen, pencils, and ink in the Botanicals Adult Painting Class! This six-week program begins Tuesday, April 13. There is a fee for this program; registration ends April 8. Mixed Doubles Tennis League is now accepting registrations for the Thursday night Round Robin league that starts April 8. Sign up by March 29. And finally for the kiddos, help them learn how to relax and focus with Beginner Yoga for Kids! Ages 6-12 will enjoy this fun, casual program that encourages kids to explore their creativity through dynamic postures in a step-by-step format. There is a $40 fee for residents and $65 for non-residents. Class is held Thursday beginning April 15 and consists of eight one-hour sessions (5:30-6:30. For more information on these and other programs, and to register, visit the Parks and Recreation website.

March is Social Work Month!
Social workers are trained professionals who help people address the barriers that help them live their best life! Their work brings about positive change for individuals, families, and communities. March is Social Work Month and this year’s theme is “Social Workers are Essential.” Join York County in celebrating this month and recognizing all those who choose social work as their profession and the invaluable contributions they make to our community. A variety of assistance programs are available through Social Services, including: Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Emergency Assistance, Family Preservation, Foster Care, Volunteer Services, and so much more. If you or someone you know is in need of help, visit the York-Poquoson Social Services website or call (757) 890-3787. And be sure to thank a social worker today, during the month of March, and throughout the whole year!

York/Poquoson Master Gardeners $1,000 College Scholarship
Incoming York/Poquoson freshmen accepted to a recognized accredited community college, university or college whose field of study is horticulture, botany, or a related field, are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship offered by Virginia Cooperative Extension York/Poquoson Master Gardeners. The deadline to apply is April 9! For more information and the application, visit the York/Poquoson Cooperative Extension website and select “What’s New.”

Now Hiring for Spring and Summer Jobs!

Citizen News Weekly is compiled and published by York County Public Affairs each Friday to share news and events with our citizens and neighbors. This weekly newsletter is placed on our website and delivered directly to your inbox. Questions? Contact Gail Whittaker, Public Information Officer: (757) 890-3310 or whittgl@yorkcounty.gov.