William Hong of William Hong Photography produced this short video that captures the flora and fauna on display at the newly rediscovered Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Unbelievably, the tiny island in the middle of Occoquan Bay (known as Holiday Island, Dogue Island, Smoot Island, or Rock Island) has turned up for sale! The county assessment? $2,500 The list price? $477,000 ouch! Here is the virtual tour, courtesy of MRIS.

For some unknown reason, the address of the island is 15751 Featherstone Road. The island is 1/4 acre and zoned A-1 (agricultural) but you could probably talk Corey Stewart into rezoning the island for commercial office space.

Correction: A previous version of this story included photographs of Conrad Island.

January 19th – 22th

January 27th – 29th

February 17th – 19th

March 9th – 11th

March 23rd – 25th

Despite strenuous opposition from over 100 Occoquan residents and well-spoken appeals from many, including Mayor Porta and James Phelps, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to rezone Tanyard Hill Road for commercial development.

Specifically, developer Ken Thompson will now be permitted to build a 32,500 square foot office building on an old windy road with dire traffic, drainage and erosion problems. The motion passed 5-3, under the unwavering support of Chairman Corey Stewart.

In favor of rezoning:

- Corey Stewart
- Wally Covington
- Peter Candland
- John Jenkins
- Maureen Caddigan

Opposed to rezoning:

- Michael May
- Martin Nohe
- Frank Principi

It is the official position of the Town of Occoquan and OccoquanWaterfront that the planned commercial development is flawed and will only exacerbate the existing traffic and flooding problems in town. The impact will be most keenly felt in November, 2015 – when the Prince William County Board of Supervisors is up for reelection.

No snow on the ground this year but this time-lapse video of the construction of Phase III of the Occoquan Reach community captures the impact of Snowmageddon in January 2010.

Calling all Occoquan residents: Please attend the Board of County Supervisors meeting on January 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the McCoart Administration Building to oppose the Oaks III rezoning request.  The Chairman of the Board, Corey Stewart, has flipped. He now supports the developer and is pressuring other members of the board to do so as well.

Please consider emailing the members of the Board of Supervisors to respectfully request that they support the Town of Occoquan in opposing the rezoning request and the accompanying negative storm water and traffic impact that will result.

Santa will visit with children during boat rides on the Miss Rivershore on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18.  Rides with Santa will leave from the Town Dock on Saturday at 10:00, 11:00, noon, and 1:00, and on Sunday at 11:00, noon, and 1:00. Telephone Rivershore Charters at 703-498-4348 for availability and prices.

My all-time favorite portrait of the Historic Town of Occoquan! Photo by T_13 Photography.

Occoquan 5th Flight from Paul Thompson on Vimeo.

After a lot of rain, the Occoquan River is no joke. This 30 second video was shot from Nathaniel Ellicott Footbridge on the North side of town.

Wedged along the side of Occoquan Road, Bistro L’Hermitage is the apex of fine dining in Occoquan. The low-slung, cozy French restaurant serves up flavorful dishes in memorable style. The menu is constantly changing but the simple flavors are always delicious.

Bistro L’Hermitage is the closest you’ll come to Top Chef without traveling 20 miles north to DC and you don’t have to take my word for it. Nowadays, even veteran restauranteur Tom Sietsema from the Washington Post ventures into Prince William to dine. Mr. Sietsema labeled Bistro L’Hermitage an Editor’s Pick in his October 18th review.

If you find yourself lucky enough to dine at Bistro L’Hermitage, remember to say hi to Youssef!

Visit Occoquan on Saturday, November 12, for a new event: Art on the Block from 2-6 p.m. See more than 60 artists exhibiting their works in four galleries on one block. There will be a reception at each of the galleries with many artists on hand to talk about their work. The four participating galleries are:

• The Artists’ Undertaking
• The Loft Gallery
• Art A La Cart
• Kelly’s Artbox

Generally speaking, green markers are kept to the RIGHT when leaving a harbor and red markers are kept to the RIGHT when returning to harbor, thus coining the famous phrase: “Red, Right, Return”

Learn more about the marinas located along the Occoquan River.