Go for the Nails, Leave With the Mail

In a nod to the past, Woodbine Ace Hardware has opened a post office in its store to serve the growing population of the Woodbine subdivision in western Prince William county.

Brenda Pitkin, owner of the store and two other Ace Hardware stores in the county, said she was approached by residents to open a post office because no postal services were available for miles from the Independent Hill neighborhood.

"It seemed to make sense as a convenience factor and seemed like a good business idea for us," Pitkin said.

The post office will offer domestic and international mailing and will sell stamps as a contract unit of the U.S. Postal Service.

Once a day, USPS will come to pick up and deliver mail and packages to the hardware store.

The Woodbine store, at 13418 Dumfries Rd., will have a grand opening tomorrow for the new postal branch. The community is invited to the grand opening, scheduled for 11 a.m. till noon. Representatives from the Postal Service and Ace Hardware will be available to answer questions.

Transportation, and Lunch

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce R. Homer will be a featured speaker at a luncheon Tuesday hosted by the Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce . Homer will discuss transportation plans and problems, particularly in Prince William.

In a 2005 survey conducted by the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, 62 percent of respondents said transportation was the most critical issue facing the region; 52 percent said travel time to and from work had increased in a year.

As secretary, Homer oversees management and budgeting for the Departments of Transportation, Motor Vehicles, Aviation, and Rail and Public Transportation as well as for the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board and the Virginia Port Authority. He is also chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Best Western Battlefield Inn, 10820 Balls Ford Rd., Manassas. The cost is $35, or $30 for members ($25 prepaid). To RSVP, contact Anita Duecaster 703-368-6600, Ext. 13, or aduecaster@pwcgmcc.org .

If you have tips on events or news at Prince William county and Manassas businesses, please submit them to Cecilia Kang atkangc@washpost.comor call 703-392-6553.