COMMUNITY EVENTS
BDI Leadership Network presents Fuel & Fire Forum
Friday, April 25 Fuel & Fire Forum A Unique Experience for You and Your Business By BDI Leadership …
Prince William Public Libraries brings back 'Lit Con', April 21–May 4
Last year's first-ever Lit Con was a huge success, helping to introduce thousands of people to graphic novels and manga. Prince William Public Libraries is excited to bring Lit Con back from April 21–May 4.
ARTfactory presents Super Con April 26-27
ARTfactory's SuperCon is geared to be an extraordinary two-day celebration for all ages interested in pop culture, fandoms, comics, graphic novels, cosplay and gaming.
Pied Piper Theatre presents ' The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical' this May
ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre will present  "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical", a high-energy, adventure-filled production based on the best-selling novel by Rick Riordan. Demigods, gods, and monsters come to life on stage through the incredible talents of youth theatre.
6 surprising health benefits of gardening
Hers gets into the weeds of all the science-backed ways gardening can enhance overall well-being.
How to effortlessly elevate outdoor entertaining
(BPT) - Whether it's a backyard gathering, a park picnic or a casual evening on the patio, spring and summer offer countless opportunities to entertain in the fresh air.Bezel, the newest addition to …
TOP NEWS STORIES
Emergency vehicles arrive on the scene of a collision between a truck and a train on Bristow Road, April 15.

Train Collides with Truck on Bristow Road

Serious Crash Investigation – April 15 at 9:21 a.m., officers responded to the area of Milford Road and Bristow Road in Bristow (20136) to investigate a crash involving a train striking a …
Mary Munford Elementary School, where Stephen Poore's children attend. Mary Munford is part of Richmond Public Schools.

‘So many steps backwards’ - Disabled students will suffer from DOE cuts, advocates say

Trump’s plan would shift IDEA [Individuals with Disabilities Education Act] to the Department of Health and Human Services, which recently announced plans to eliminate 10,000 employees. But IDEA is an education law, and moving it would require congressional approval. A lawsuit challenging the move has already been filed.
THOUGHT FOR FOOD
Grain & Grog Captures the Spirit of Friends and Family
When Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine solicited suggestions for places to go for winter cocktails, the magazine received an overwhelming response from people recommending a new restaurant …
Free Little Food Pantry 'Replenishes' Haymarket Community
One aspect of a good community project is that it brings the community together. That is exactly what happened with The Haymarket Free Little Pantry.  Naomi Schneider, 17, a life-long …
A Taste of Culture: Culture Cup in Gainesville, blends coffee & heritage
For owner Nikki Brown, who opened the cafe last year, the space represents a vision that’s deeply rooted in African American history, community engagement and human connection. 

How one innovative company is addressing the rising costs of coffee

(BPT) - Whether it's served hot or iced, sweetened or black, coffee remains one of the most popular beverages in the United States — and the world. According to Drive Research, 73% of Americans …

THIS MONTH
Tom Osina, a Manassas City councilmember, and Jill Spall, a Manassas School Board member, pose for a photo while holding an American flag and a sign.

‘Hands Off!’ protest in Manassas draws hundreds

Over 1,000 people turned out along Center Street in Manassas Saturday for a “Hands Off!” protest opposing the Trump administration’s first few months of directives. County and …
A Florida-based developer is proposing about 1000 rental units on three parcels adjacent to the beleaguered Manassas Mall to transform it into a mixed-use urban neighborhood. Parcels one and two are along Ashton Avenue, while parcel three is along Rixlew Lane. Sudley Road is in the top right of the image.

Developer submits new vision for Manassas Mall area

A Florida-based developer is proposing about 1,000 rental units on three parcels adjacent to Manassas Mall to transform it into a mixed-use urban neighborhood. The area along the Sudley Road …

Prince William Police Reports Violent Crime Decreased in 2024

Prince William County Police released its 2024 Crime Recap, Friday, highlighting a decrease in violent crimes.
NEWS & CRIME
Community Sponsored News
Prince William County to Offer Grants Supporting the Arts
Grants for arts organizations are available through the New and Emerging Grant and the General Operating Grant, both funded by Prince William County Government.
Take OmniRide For A Better Commute
As the federal workforce returns to in-office work, discussions around traffic and parking availability have intensified. OmniRide offers commuters better alternatives to driving alone.
Fauquier Health Names April VanBuecken DAISY Award Honoree
April VanBuecken, RN, DNP, MHSA was named Fauquier Health’s DAISY Award Honoree for the fourth quarter of 2024.
LIFESTYLES & COMMUNITY

Changing Directions : Local Theater Director Deb Hansen Encourages Everyone to Play their Part 

Deb Hansen (center) and fellow actors attending Atlantic Acting School are on their way to see "Awesome 80s Prom," in New York City.

Hansen decided to direct the musical “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play,” but not in the traditional manner. Rather than having the cast of 19 adults and four children just stand at microphones, Hansen plans to have them move about the intimate space.

MASTERS IN MARTIAL ARTS : Kwon’s Champion School of Gainesville inspires generations 

Master Eric Kwon helps students find their potential at Kown

Eric Kwon’s career took a different path from what he intended. In 2001 he graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in chemistry. After completing one of the university’s …

From Country Boy to Country Hero: Decorated veteran recounts life as a Vietnam medevac pilot

Douglas Moore as a young military pilot.

Col. Douglas E. Moore of Haymarket considers himself a country boy from Arkansas, but there’s more to him. Not only did he serve his country honorably as a pilot and soldier, but he also wrote …

Bristow Author Publishes Third Book in Nightmarish Series 

"Gathering Storm" is J.D. Toepfer

Highway to Hell Local author publishes third book in nightmarish series  BY KATHERINE MERCURIO GOTTHARDT    When it comes to the place of eternal suffering, John …

Curious Kids

Are twins allergic to the same things?

If one has a reaction to a new food, is the other more likely to as well?
An allergic reaction happens when your immune system overreacts to something that should be harmless. Whether that happens can be thanks to your genes, your environment or a combination.

Why do dogs love to play with trash?

Dogs will be dogs.

While you might not like how your trash smells, to your dog it is an appealing buffet brimming with apple cores, banana peels, meat scraps and stale bread.

Your next favorite story won’t be written by AI – but it could be someday
Good storytelling relies on sound writing, believability, creativity and lived experience. AI has become skilled at the first two but still falls short on the second two.
5 books to help you better understand today’s campus protests
Every so often, a cause ignites a sustained fury on college campuses across the nation. In 2020, it was Black Lives Matter. In 2011, it was Occupy Wall Street. In the 1980s, it was apartheid in South Africa. Right now, it’s the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. …
How ‘Dune’ became a beacon for the fledgling environmental movement − and a rallying cry for the new science of ecology
“Dune,” widely considered one of the best sci-fi novels of all time, continues to influence how writers, artists and inventors envision the future. Of course, there are Denis Villeneuve’s visually stunning films, “Dune: Part One” (2021) and “Dune: Part Two” (2024). …
W.E.B. Du Bois’ study ‘The Philadelphia Negro’ at 125 still explains roots of the urban Black experience – sociologist Elijah Anderson tells why it should be on more reading lists
W.E.B. Du Bois is widely known for his civil rights activism, but many sociologists argue that he has yet to receive due recognition as the founding father of American sociology. His groundbreaking study, “The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study,” …
Betty Smith enchanted a generation of readers with ‘A Tree Grows in Brooklyn’ − even as she groused that she hoped Williamsburg would be flattened
Eighty years ago, in the winter and spring of 1944, Brooklyn-born author Betty Smith was entering a new chapter of life. A year earlier, she was an unknown writer, negotiating with her publisher about manuscript edits and the date of publication for her first book, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” …
Food stories from around the web

Fresh Fish Hot Off the Grates: 5 tips for perfectly grilled seafood

(Family Features) Whether you're a seasoned grilling expert or new to backyard barbecuing, expanding your menu with seafood offers a fun, flavorful way to bring life to outdoor entertaining. Master the art of grilled seafood with these tips.

6 Expert Tips to Keep Your Routine on Track Ahead of National Exercise Day

(BPT) - Wellness is a full-body experience that requires creativity to avoid burning out and losing sight of your end goal. Ahead of National Exercise Day on April 18, Sports RD, Dawn Jackson …

Building a dock? 5 factors to consider

(BPT) - If you own a home by the water, you understand that a dock is much more than a place to park a boat. It's a sundeck, a diving platform, a fishing perch and a year-round spot for stargazing …

Six ways to get ready for a national park trip

(BPT) - From the geysers of Yellowstone to the granite cliffs of Yosemite, America's national parks remain a premier destination for outdoor exploration. For many travelers, visiting national parks …