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prince william l iving
Rebecca Barnes
PRINCE WILLIAM LIVING PUBLISHER
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Rebecca Barnes, Katherine Gotthardt, Carole Keily, Erin Pittman, Jessica Schmitt, Bennett Whitlock
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Mark Gilvey
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Katherine Gotthardt
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Prince William Living, the premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly by Prince William Living, Inc. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living © Copyright 2025 by Prince William Living, Inc.
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Love is in the Air
Cozy up by the fire this month and take in our stories of love from right here in Prince William. They’ll warm your heart and remind you why we love this community. Love is indeed in the air in PWC.
from the Publisher
Spread a little love of your own at home with your family this month in celebration of National Love Your Pet Day on Feb. 20. Come together creatively to love on your furry family members. Our Family Fun article is filled with ideas to pamper your pet.
Starting to go a little stir crazy from the cold days inside? You’ll find a cure within the pages this month. Home and Hearth will help you start planning your garden. Grab a pencil, paper, cup of tea, and blanket. Settle in front of the fire and start dreaming of your spring garden. Want to get out of the house? Destinations is packed with ideas of things to do all month long. From plays to Valentine’s Day crafts and celebrations, there’s something for everyone.
Maybe you’re looking for some fun date ideas. Vinny’s NY Pizza not only serves up great food, but they’ve got a fantastic focus on community, too. Read their story in Local Flavor. Follow a meal up with a stroll through some of Prince William’s gorgeous art galleries. In our On a High Note section this month, we’re featuring artist Valerie Larson. Check out her story and learn where to view and purchase her work.
Each month we feature a nonprofit in our Giving Back section, because the heart of Prince William Living is supporting these organizations. This month we’re sharing Connections FRC’s story. This family resource center on wheels is rolling into neighborhoods and providing support right where it’s needed.
Our Your Finances article will help you learn how to prepare financially if disaster strikes, while Health and Wellness is packed with heart health tips for American Heart Month.
Enjoy!
Rebecca Barnes Publisher, Prince William Living Magazine
In Prince William, Love is in the Air
By Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt
From Cupid to red roses to little hearts with arrows poking through, February gushes with images of love. As a result, many people view Valentine’s Day as just another day for sappy movies with too many jewelry commercials and February purely as winter’s last hurrah. The Prince William area proves otherwise, though, demonstrating authentic love does exist, and people are practicing it and celebrating it in a variety of ways.
Love Comes to Occoquan
On Dec. 13, 2024, Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline Smith hosted the first “Seal the Deal” celebration in the Town of Occoquan. Amidst the glow of holiday lights and floral decorations, couples embraced the romance of the season. With the holidays underway and the promise of new beginnings in the coming year, the Clerk’s “Seal the Deal” civil ceremonies provided couples a stress-free, affordable, and personal way to marry.
Eighteen couples exchanged vows in intimate civil ceremonies during “Seal the Deal,” the Circuit Court Clerk’s office reported. Surrounded by family and close friends in the Town Hall, each couple stood beneath a crafted arch as they made a commitment to one another. The ceremony’s simplicity ensured that the focus remained on their vows and devotion, according to the Circuit Court Clerk’s office official statement.
Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline Smith at Seal the Deal event in Occoquan
Seal the Deal event
This modern approach to the wedding experience provided couples with an exclusive moment to marry, without the stress of planning an elaborate wedding or the burden of excessive costs. By embracing simplicity and the beauty of the Occoquan community, “Seal the Deal” offered a modest and heartfelt experience.
The town’s ambiance added to the warmth of the event, the statement said. Surrounded by charming shops, boutiques, and the picturesque riverside, Occoquan made the celebration feel more intimate and special. Couples could stroll through the historic district, attend the post-ceremony Firelight Night event, and enjoy a celebratory meal at a local restaurant. The community’s involvement helped make the “Seal the Deal” experience memorable for the newly married couples.
In the world of the Circuit Court Clerk’s office, “With an emphasis on personal connections, vows, and the town’s beautiful surroundings, “Seal the Deal” at Occoquan resonated deeply with couples. The event embodied winter romance in a way that was meaningful, simple, and full of love.”
Tying the Knot in Manassas
Less than an hour from Occoquan, couples seeking to celebrate their love publicly will also have the opportunity to do so in Manassas on Feb. 14, the official day of love. Smith will lead the 2025 Valentine’s Day Bash, the 7th annual civil celebrant event held in the city.
Between 20 and 40 couples typically get married at the Manassas celebration, according to Candi Choi, Communications and Community Outreach for the court clerk’s office.
Each year, couples gather to celebrate love and share in the joy of their special moments. With a warm and festive atmosphere, the event invites everyone to be part of the celebration. The local community adds depth to the occasion, offering thoughtful gifts and experiences that make the day even more memorable for couples and guests alike, according to Choi.
“Couples love the event; we typically have more demand than we can satisfy on one day. Celebrating with our couples gives us the opportunity to balance our work with the satisfaction of bringing people together. It’s a reminder that our community is fundamental to everything we do. It’s an absolute joy,” said Smith.
This annual celebration creates a unique space where diverse cultures and traditions — both old and new — can come together to share a truly special moment of love. Weddings and vow renewals are meaningful rituals that showcase the rich diversity of our community and the many ways love is expressed.
The Circuit Court Clerk's ceremonies stand out for their flexibility, embracing a variety of traditions, and allowing couples to celebrate their love in a way that is personal and romantic, Choi said.
“The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office has a history of celebrating weddings on Valentine’s Day, but the tradition faded away over the years,” said Smith. “When I became Clerk, I knew I wanted to bring back the tradition. The Circuit Court handles some of the toughest cases, but the Clerk’s Office also handles some of the most joyous occasions in people’s lives: adoption, buying a new home, and of course, marriage.”
The Valentine’s Day Bash unites friends, family, and locals to celebrate couples from all backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, according to the office’s official statement. It is an elegant event that highlights how love is deeply rooted in society and transcends all boundaries.
Smith said, “It’s the wedding event of the season, filled with so much joy and excitement that it’s hard to contain the energy within the walls.”
One couple who tied the knot last year recalled, “We felt like movie stars…. They had the most wonderful ceremony for us. It was just beautiful.”
Much like a traditional wedding, couples walk down an aisle lined with rose petals, passing under a floral arch as they exchange vows in front of their loved ones. After the ceremony, couples enjoy photo stations and refreshments.
Each couple receives a gift bag filled with thoughtful items from local businesses.
This event, Choi said, celebrates couples while demonstrating the heart of the community — coming together in support of love, connections and lasting memories for all who attend.
Marriage license applications must be on file with the Circuit Court Clerk's Office prior to the ceremony. For more information on getting a marriage license application, go to pwcva.gov/ department/circuit-court/marriage.
Support and Care, Unconditionally
There’s more to love than just the romantic type, however. There is love of helping others through mission-centric work, as demonstrated by Carmen Flores of Manassas-based Because Of Why, LLC. Her and her team’s love are cemented in a commitment to guiding teens toward self-discovery and personal transformation. “We believe true growth comes from a foundation of unconditional support, trust, and genuine care for each individual’s journey,” Flores said.
Because of Why is a youth development coaching organization focused on creating purpose-driven leaders so that they can make their own powerful choices and change the world in their own ways, according to Flores. She and her team work with the youth 18 and under to develop strong mindsets, leadership skills,
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and personal growth habits. According to Flores, this is done in four ways: one-to-one personalized coaching, group coaching, workshops for students and teachers, and after-school and community programs.
“Our mission is to help the youth become purpose-driven leaders so that they can make their own powerful decisions and make a positive difference in the world in their own way,” Flores said. We value courage, integrity, ownership, and discipline. By helping young people develop these qualities, we equip them to lead with purpose and make meaningful contributions to their communities.”
Love can also come in the form of believing in youth even “when they may not believe in themselves, being their biggest cheerleader until they can be their own, connecting them with all the opportunities we come across, teaching them the things all adults wished they had learned soon and so much more,” said Flores.
She and her team practice what they call “tough love” combined with unwavering support. “It’s about challenging students to raise their standards and face life head-on, while also providing a safe space for growth, mistakes, and self-reflection,” she said. “This balance fosters independent yet supported transformation.”
But knowledge alone is not power, according to Flores. It is potential power. “Just like every young person has the potential for greatness, it takes action to make a difference. When they understand acting and living purposefully, they unlock the power to lead their own lives and make a positive impact through their actions every day.
Our mission is to stand with them, challenge them, and empower them every step of the way to take meaningful and powerful action
as purpose-driven leaders. Through programs like ours, we can create a generation of strong, self-aware leaders who know their worth and are ready to contribute meaningfully to the world.”
For more information, email contact@itsbecauseofwhy.com or visit itsbecauseofwhy.com.
Love of Arts, Self, Community
Kim B Miller is on a mission to help people love the arts and themselves by understanding how the arts have inherent value and the power to transform their lives. The 2020 PWC, Manassas, and Manassas Park Poet Laureate, she is a spoken word poet, a haikuist, an author, and a speaker. And while she is based in Prince William, Miller travels anywhere in the world to perform poetry, facilitate workshops, or speak. Her values travel with her, carrying love wherever she goes.
“The arts are one of the beautiful things that bind the community together. They strengthen us. They help us see each other’s pain and joy,” she said. “I want to inspire the community to appreciate how poetry and all art forms can connect, uplift, and transform emotions.”
Her values reflect love through her commitment to creating empowerment and connection, Miller said. “I believe in the power of language. I value the need for others. I want them to feel whole.”
Miller described her readings, presentations and workshops as exploring the imagery of words to give people an outlet, a quiet place, a noisy mess… “In other words, their own space to create.”
That in itself is an act of love. And because Miller believes love
Growth mindset and Purpose Driven Leaders Workshop @GOG
Presenting at Porter Traditional School
should start from within, she tries to help people see the love that already exists or help them create new avenues of self-love, she said. “That starts with embracing their accomplishments and their gifts and actually listing them.”
Accepting imperfections is another activity Miller leads groups and individuals through, but to do that, she said, people must acknowledge what she calls “the whole you.” She explains this through what she calls “Kimisms.”
“One of my Kimisms is ‘You are not just the sum of your mistakes. You are a whole person,’” she said. “This involves deciphering the negative talk that many have incorporated into their daily routine or inner thoughts. Once those are identified, they work on replacing them with positive truths, not perfection. If love is open to being imperfect, then solutions can blossom.”
Miller’s reach is broad. She said she hopes to help youth “who think they must look a certain way to experience inclusion.” But she does the same kind of work for any age. “Words love you no matter what your size is or how popular you are, or how old you are,” she said.
Through her work, Miller said she strives to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. “Serving those who do and don’t have a voice means empowering both the outspoken and the silent,” she said. “I’m ministering to the seen and the unseen to embrace who they are.”
Some of the people who are not seen or heard are creatives, according to Miller. Creatives, in general, are overlooked and unappreciated by many people, she said, in particular, spoken word poets. “Spoken word poets are often one of the last groups to be acknowledged, despite their profound impact on culture and society. Our work is frequently overlooked or underestimated. We are asking to be included not at the last minute, but at the inception of the event. We add value to programs.”
Other realities include the difficulty of earning a living as an artist. “The arts are not an easy path; they come with challenges like ‘Is that a real job?’ and financial instability,” she said. “However, the community can play a real role in changing that narrative by acknowledging all creatives and offering paid opportunities. By valuing the arts, communities can help artists thrive.”
Helping communities to learn to love themselves, love the creative process, and ultimately love the arts are all steps in the right direction.
Learn more about Miller’s work at kimbmiller.com.
Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt, an award-winning poet and author with Prince William roots, believes in the healing power of love. Her 13th book, ‘The World Has Changed from When I Last Was Here’ was released in November 2024. Learn more at ChangedWorldPoetry.com.
Kim B Miller
Indoor Fun This February
By Carole Keily
Ah, February! Whether it’s snowy and cold, unseasonably warm, or just those dull gray days, there’s always something in Prince William to brighten your mood. Looking for fun places to go this month no matter the weather? We’ve got you covered!
Historic Occoquan
Valentine Photo Booth: Capture unforgettable moments! Whether it’s a romantic couple’s shot, a fun family portrait, or a selfie with friends, come create wonderful memories. Feb. 8 to 16. Check loftgallery.org for hours. The Loft Gallery, 313 Mill Street, Occoquan
Make a Valentine: Kids are invited to come make a valentine! Open to all ages/created for ages 4 to 10. Free, no RSVP needed. Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tiny Supply Co., 125 Mill Street, Occoquan
Leaves & Literacy Book Club: Leaf & Petal has its own book club. Leaves & Literacy offers visitors a chance to discover and discuss new books, drink delicious tea, and get an exclusive handmade item! Advance registration required: 703-498-7552. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 6 to 8 p.m., Leaf & Petal, 201 Union Street, Occoquan
Hylton Performing Arts Center
These shows take place at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas. Tickets: hyltoncenter.org.
Mason Cabaret 2025: Broadway’s Prince, The Musicals of Hal Prince: In this annual event, student vocalists bring their all to the stage, celebrating some of the biggest and brightest names in music and theater. Friday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m.
Elena Moon Park & Friends: Celebrate folk and children’s music from around the globe with Elena Moon Park & Friends. This performance is sensory friendly. Saturday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m.
The Acting Company Presents The Comedy of Errors: Tony Award nominee Christina Anderson’s 2022 modern-verse translation of one of Shakespeare’s earliest works, The Comedy of Errors. Saturday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m.
The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Presents The Music of Janelle Monáe: This concert explores the music of Janelle Monáe through the lenses of Love, Liberation, and Joy. Musicians from The Army Band have curated a performance highlighting the Afrofuturistic aesthetic through the music of this innovative artist. This performance is presented in collaboration with the Veterans and the Arts Initiative at George Mason University. Thursday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre
Black History Month Tours: Stop by Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre for a day of special tours focused on the stories of the county’s African American residents with a focus on the era from 1822 to 1893. Hear some of the stories from the area about the enslaved people in central Prince William County, free blacks, African American Civil War veterans, the joy of emancipation, the lingering legacy of Reconstruction, and the beginning of the Jim Crow era. Tours are approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Saturday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m., Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road,
Parks & Recreation Programs for Kids
My Special Valentine Dance:
This annual Valentine’s dance is the perfect opportunity for children to dress up and spend time with their favorite adult chaperone. With music, games, activities, and light refreshments. For kids aged 3 to 12 with an adult chaperone. Saturday, Feb. 8, 4:30 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m., Sharron Baucom
Dale City Recreation Center, 14300 Minnieville Road, Dale City
Junior Chefs Present Frosted with Love: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a cake-decorating activity just for kids. Bakers will decorate their own 6-inch cake with sprinkles, frosting, and heart-shaped decorations. For ages 8 to 12. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center, 14300 Minnieville Road, Dale City
It’s in the Bag: Learn how to make sensory bags for hours of fun. All materials provided. For children aged 2 to 5 with a parent or guardian. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 10 to 11 a.m., Pat White Center at Ben Lomond, 10501 Copeland Drive, Manassas
Prince William Public Libraries
Blind Date with a Book: Check out a specially wrapped book from sponsoring branches, log the book in Beanstack, and repeat. Each book you log in will enter you into a drawing for a prize. Available at Bull Run, Haymarket Gainesville, Independent Hill, Lake Ridge, Manassas City, Montclair, and Nokesville libraries. Young Adult books also available at Haymarket Gainesville, Lake Ridge, Manassas City, and Nokesville libraries. Offered Feb. 3 through 17.
Keily is Prince William Living’s Online Editor.
Carole
giving back
Direct to Doorsteps, Help Where Needed
By Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt
Imagine the impact of a community center rolling into a neighborhood, offering support, services, and opportunities right then and there. That’s the idea behind Connections Family Resource Center, a mobile unit bringing essential services and educational programs to underserved families where they live.
Officially launched in January 2024, Connections FRC works with like-minded organizations and agencies committed to uplifting the families and children of the City of Manassas and surrounding areas. Volunteers, partnering organizations, and local neighborhood and community leaders come together under the Connections banner.
Riding in on the Connections FRC RV, their goal is to ensure resource accessibility so that no family is left behind. Together, they aim to break down barriers and foster stronger, more connected communities.
Collaborating for Community
The novel approach to launching and maintaining a successful resource center on wheels while collaborating with multiple entities has required tremendous coordination.
Connections FRC is sponsored by nonprofit GainesvilleHaymarket Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Manassas, and Bull Run Rotary Club of Manassas. It is funded by Rotary, statewide nonprofit Families Forward Virginia, the Jeffress Trust Foundation in collaboration with George Mason University and Georgetown South, and private donors. Fundraising and volunteer recruitment have been continuous efforts, as have been event planning and execution. But every bit of support has helped the FRC to meet its mission of addressing five protective factors:
Parental resilience – Helping parents overcome challenges and maintain their independence.
Social connections – Strengthening communities through relationships.
Knowledge of parenting and child development – Equipping families with tools for success.
Concrete support in times of need – Providing immediate, effective assistance to keep families together.
Social and emotional competence of children – Ensuring the next generation grows up prepared for the future.
These factors are key to not just promoting healthier communities overall, but to preventing child abuse and neglect, according to research by Families Forward.
“Our mission is to ensure all families, youth and children are safe, healthy and nurtured, and have equitable access to resources and opportunities to thrive in their communities,” said Haymarket Gainesville-Haymarket Rotary Club member Chris Robinson, a driving force and founding volunteer behind the FRC.
A Village Approach Succeeds
The mobile model seems to be working.
In just its first quarter, the mobile FRC had over 1,000 families participate directly in Connections events and educational programming. These programs covered topics ranging from at-risk youth coaching, domestic violence prevention, health and mental health, literacy, financial literacy, anti-trafficking, family wellness, and more with community partners.
Connections also served over 2,500 hot meals to families in affordable housing areas and invested in local hunger relief, clothing, and hygiene programs. Additionally, they collaborated with NOVA Food Rescue to deliver another 2,160 weekend backpack meals to families in need.
Outreach and events took place in Manassas-area neighborhoods, at local schools and fairs, and in community centers — wherever the Connections RV could park.
Through a collaboration with Carmen Flores, co-founder and coach at Manassas-based Because of Why, LLC, Connections has now helped more than 150 students through relationships built with Metz Middle School, Georgetown South Community Center, local communities, and organizations with youth development programs. Flores and her team led interactive sessions designed to help these children grow leadership and confidencebuilding skills.
“We are building the boys and girls now so we don’t have to fix the men and women later,” Flores said. “Connections has truly become a ‘connector’ of opportunities for our community.”
Connections’ volunteers and leaders come from all areas of the private and public sector. One face seen regularly is Master Police Officer Thomas J. (TJ) Rodriquez, Community Vitality Officer for the City of Manassas Police.
“The FRC's mission emboldens my beliefs of a Guardian mindset as a nearly 27-year veteran in law enforcement, where it is critical to build trust and collaboration with the families we serve,” he said.
“As a volunteer and part of the leadership team, I’ve seen how the FRC has established itself in such a short time and has become a discussion in the community, specifically as a conduit to families for much-needed resources and education.”
Robinson described Connections as a hand-up. “The FRC empowers parents to raise children in safe, nurturing homes and help families achieve self-reliance through local solutions tailored to their unique needs,” he said. “By meeting people where they are, we're not just providing services — we're building relationships, empowering individuals, and weaving a tighter fabric of community support that uplifts us all.”
Rodriguez added, “Our team's unwavering dedication could only be accomplished with our community partners' support, which focuses on building strength and resilience at the neighborhood level. Creating connections ensures all families are safe, healthy, nurtured, and empowered with equitable access to thrive.”
For more information, visit manassasfrc.org and follow them on Facebook.
Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt is an advocate for building healthier individuals and stronger communities. An award-winning author and poet as well as an avid volunteer, she has worked with the Prince William Living team for more than 10 years. Learn more about her at KatherineGotthardt.com.
Photos courtesy of Connections
Volunteers helping unpack food sponsored by Connections FRC from Fresh World in Manassas for the Metz Middle School Food Pantry
Connections Team for Sweet Julia Grace Foundation fundraiser finishing a race (From bottom to top: Marisela Murray, Nick Kirkland, Chris Robinson, TJ Rodriquez, Carmen Flores, Donna Flory)
your finances
Are you financially prepared if disaster strikes?
By Bennett C. Whitlock III Private Wealth Advisor
Natural disasters — from floods and wildfires to hurricanes, tornadoes, and snowstorms — seem to be in the news all too frequently. As you watch or read stories about the challenges facing victims of the latest disaster, you might try to convince yourself that it will never happen to you:
Nearly everyone, however, may be exposed to a natural disaster at some point. Keeping you and your family safe is the ultimate priority but so is mitigating the impact of financial loss. Taking steps to be financially prepared for such an occurrence can determine your readiness to handle a life-changing event. Here are some things to keep in mind to help you prepare.
Put the proper protection in place. There may be no more important step than to make sure you have appropriate insurance coverage that is current and up-to-date. This includes property and casualty insurance to protect your home, vehicles and other possessions. You’ll want to make sure your coverage is sufficient for the replacement value at today’s prices. If you believe you could be subject to a flood, you’ll need to look into a separate flood insurance policy provided through the National Flood Insurance Program. It’s important to note, most traditional homeowner policies do not cover flood damage.
Also make sure you and your family have sufficient health insurance in place should medical attention be required during a disaster.
Have cash on hand. It isn’t unusual for many of the services we take for granted to be out of commission if a natural disaster should strike. For example, power may be out, which means ATMs will be unable to dispense cash. Internet and cell phone service could be limited as well, making it difficult to conduct any transactions online.
One solution is to make sure you keep a reasonable amount of cash safely tucked away in your home, so you have money that’s available to use when you need it. During times like these, most purchases may require cash. Be sure you’ve got sufficient cash on hand that would meet your needs for a few days if you have to contend with such a drastic circumstance.
Protect key documents. Important documents should be stored in a safety deposit box at a bank. This includes birth and marriage certificates, Social Security cards, passports, and titles to your home and cars. If you have important household information stored on your computer, make certain it is backed up on a hard drive that is in a safe place. Keeping information
on a safely stowed thumb drive that you can grab and keep with you in case of emergency may also be helpful.
Maintain an emergency fund. Your sources of income may be interrupted, either by an inability to work due to injury, or because the business where you are employed may not be able to operate for a period of time. Be sure you have at least six months of living expenses set aside in a liquid, emergency fund to meet your expenses if you should be unable to work for an extended period of time.
Natural disasters can be devastating in so many ways. While the above tips are some of the ways to financially prepare for a natural disaster, there may be additional actions you can take depending on the severity of the event and your individual circumstances. But remember: the more you can do in advance, the better prepared you will be.
Bennett C. Whitlock III, CRPC®, is a Private Wealth Advisor and CEO with Whitlock Wealth, a private wealth advisory practice with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice since 1994. To contact him visit whitlockwealth.com, call 877-WHITLOCK or email whitlockwealth@ampf.com. Offices are located at 12848 Harbor Dr, Ste 101, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 and in Downtown Historic Manassas at 9073 Center Street, Manassas VA 20110.
health & wellness
10 Changes You Can Make to Keep Your Heart Healthy
Provided by UVA Health
Your heart is a workhorse, so keeping it healthy and strong is essential. The changes you make today can reduce your risk for heart disease and help you live a healthier life well into the future.
Here are 10 heart healthy steps to get started on now:
1. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess weight puts added strain on the heart. A body mass index (BMI) of 18-25 is ideal for most people, though that can vary based on the amount of muscle in your body.
“Obesity drives so many things, from diabetes and hypertension to high cholesterol and heart disease — all the things we're trying to prevent,” says Ara Maranian, MD, a cardiologist at UVA Health Cardiology Manassas, UVA Health Cardiology Warrenton, and UVA Health Cardiology Haymarket. “Everybody has a perfect weight they want to be in their mind, but from a medical standpoint, a body mass index under 25 really does lower the risk for heart disease.”
A newer and perhaps more accurate way to measure your risk level is the Body Roundness Index. The BRI measures your waist-to-hip ratio. “If you notice your waist circumference getting larger, you're going to want to change your diet, increase your exercise, and get that down,” says Maranian.
2. Control Blood Pressure
The goal is to keep your blood pressure under 130/80. The 130 is your top number (systolic). It shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and pumps blood. The bottom number (diastolic) shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. People over age 80 may have numbers slightly higher than that range, and that's normal, Maranian says.
You can often manage your blood pressure on your own with diet and exercise. But some people may need medication.
3. Manage LDL Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is the one to watch. LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. It's the so-called “bad” cholesterol. LDL can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, which can cause heart attack and stroke.
Lowering LDL through diet or statin medication can reduce your risk of heart disease. Many people can lower their LDL with foods low in carbohydrates and saturated fats. “Fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats can help lower your cholesterol,” Maranian says. “Different diet fads come and go year after year, but the general, basic, healthy diet hasn't changed.”
4. Know Your Coronary Calcium Score
If you already have risk factors for heart disease, your coronary calcium score can determine your overall heart attack risk. A coronary calcium scan is a CT imaging test that shows how much calcium buildup you have in your arteries. The test can help doctors determine if you need treatment, though it’s not always covered by insurance.
More Ways to Help Your Heart
Other ways to keep your heart (and the rest of your body) healthy:
5. Get moving: Aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity, like walking, each week.
6. Quit smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease.
7. Manage stress: Relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga can help.
8. Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night.
9. Take medications as prescribed: If your doctor prescribes meds for blood pressure or cholesterol, take them as directed.
10. Talk to Your Doctor
Regular check-ups can help you identify and manage your risk factors. Talk to your primary care provider or ask for a referral to see a cardiologist if you:
n Are worried about your risk factors
n Have a family history of heart disease
n Notice changes in your stamina, blood pressure, or overall health
“It’s always nice to see someone who's thinking down the line,” says Maranian. “We can determine what we're going to do to keep you healthy or reduce your risk of ending up like your family member. I enjoy those preventive visits.”
Make an Appointment
Call 703-828–0982 to make an appointment with one of the UVA Health heart experts in Manassas and Haymarket.
UVA Health has three local facilities accredited as chest pain centers by the Society of Chest Pain Centers: UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center, UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center, and UVA Health Prince William Medical Center. Accreditation means higher quality care for heart attack patients, leading to faster diagnosis, better treatment, and improved outcomes.
Amanda Wose Photography
modern venue where rustic charm meets elegant
in historic Manassas, Virginia.
family fun
Celebrate NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET Day
By Erin Pittman
Do your kids think you have a favorite? Do they insist it’s the baby of the family or the perfect, rule-obeying eldest child? Show them all who’s actually your favorite on February 20 – National Love Your Pet Day! Pull the family together to celebrate the furry family members with some fun family projects and togetherness.
Make Pet Treats
Making homemade treats is a fun way to involve the entire family in celebrating your favorite pup or kitty. A quick Google search will yield a variety of recipes to choose from. What’s Fido’s favorite? Peanut butter? Cheese? Take your pick!
Young children can help with simple tasks like mixing the batter for pet treats, while school-age children can read the recipe, and gather ingredients. Solicit the help of teens to handle hot pans going in and out of the oven.
If your favorite feline doesn’t care for baked treat, plant them some pet grass! Wheatgrass is a cat favorite. Children of all ages can decorate a pot or container for planting and can assist with the planting. Seeds begin sprouting in just a few days and are easy to grow. Adding greens to your cat’s diet is healthy, fun, and a great way to show them love.
DIY Pet Toys
Gather around the crafting table to create some fun for your pets. Start by having everyone become a toy inventor and put forth their best ideas for pet toys. You can spark ideas by stocking a supply box and setting it on the table during the session. Once you have a few ideas, your family can choose a couple to make or try all the ideas!
Stock your supply box with things like pom poms, bells, pipe cleaners, felt, yard, string, cotton and fleece fabric, needles, and thread. Be sure toys do not contain small
parts that could become choking hazards for pets. Don’t forget to throw in some catnip for the kitties! If you have a bird, hanging toys are easy to fashion, and hamsters and gerbils will love creations from cardboard tubes.
Photo Shoot
What better day to make your pet feel like a celebrity than National Love Your Pet Day? Set a timer and have everyone spend five to 10 minutes collecting fun props to use for a photo shoot. Think hats, scarves, sunglasses, Hawaiian shirts, and more.
Take turns being the photographer and have everyone pose with your pet. You might even choose to fill a collage frame, or simply cover the refrigerator, with the glamourous photos from your celebration.
Pampering
Daily life moves at such a fast pace, it can be easy to let too much time pass between regular pet care tasks. Take some time to talk about all the tasks that keep your pets healthy throughout the year.
Teach kids responsibility through caring for your pets. Put all the care tasks on the calendar for the year and assign them to a family member to complete. Include nail trimmings, brushings, ear cleanings, flea treatments, medications, and whatever else your pet needs to stay at his or her best!
Pet Stories
Everyone loves a feel-good story, so add a story time to your day. Young children can read a pet-themed book aloud snuggled up with Rover or Tigger. Older children might enjoy writing and illustrating a story. Provide some writing prompts using Chat GPT or Claude to
incorporate the use of technology into the project. Ask teens to scan the news or social media for a feelgood pet story to share at dinner. Sites like The Dodo frequently share heartwarming stories of pets doing good.
No matter what else you do to celebrate National Love Your Pet Day, make sure to work in plenty of time to snuggle your pet, because what do pets and pet lovers love more than that?
Erin Pittman is Editor in Chief of Prince William Living. She and her family live with their Chocolate Labrador, Sage; Great Dane mix, Tyson; and Russian Blue cat, Marley, who is the true king of the castle. Everyday is National Love Your Pet Day in the Pittman house.
| MARCH 1, 2025 | 7:30 PM
local flavor
Vinny’s New York Pizza Serves Up Authentic Food with Friendship and Love
By Jessica Schmitt | Photos by Mark Gilvey
There is nothing like having a great meal of delicious food made from the freshest ingredients. But that food tastes even better when it is prepared by people who make it their mission to put a smile on the customer’s face. At Vinny’s New York Pizza in Manassas, that is exactly what you will find: people who pour their heart and soul into making delicious food so that the customers feel happy and loved.
Who is Vinny?
Vinny’s New York Pizza is owned and operated by Vincenzo Di Giovanni, who took over the restaurant Jan. 1, 2024. Vinny moved to Manassas in 1989 at 18 years old and has become wellconnected within the community. Having been in the restaurant business a long time, he wanted to have an establishment that focused on providing the highest quality food while also being a place where everyone could feel safe and loved. As a familyrun business, he and his family work to provide great food and service to the local community. His goal above all else is to make people happy and to be a friend to people who need it. He says, “If I can make someone smile, that is the best gift I can have.”
Authentic, Homemade Food
Vinny’s New York Pizza serves classic pizza and Italian cuisine. All of their food is made in-house or imported from Italy, from the pizza dough to the sauce. Everything on the menu is made with attention and care. The staff tries each item of food before it makes it to the menu to ensure it is something they are proud to offer. Vinny has a motto, “If I don’t eat it, nobody should eat
it.” They also adjust dishes to accommodate allergies and special requests. Just because it’s not on the menu doesn’t mean it can’t be ordered. If Vinny has the ingredients, he will make whatever the customer requests.
A customer once requested a seafood dish she had while visiting Naples, Italy. Seeing he had the ingredients, Vinny agreed to replicate it for her. Upon tasting it, the customer felt that she was transported back to her time in Italy, with the only difference being the view outside the window. This is representative of the desire to serve that Vinny has for all of his customers.
Interior of Vinny's Pizza
Vinny’s offers a large menu with a variety of classic Italian dishes such as pizza, pasta (think homemade lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs, and baked ziti), seafood, chicken, salads, and more. Pizza can be ordered by the slice and customized. They also have many gluten free options, including gluten free pizzas that rank first on the app “Find Me Gluten Free” and a gluten free cheese ravioli made in Italy. Their extensive dessert menu consists of treats made at Impasto Italian Bakery in Fredericksburg. They offer tiramisu, almond cake, cheesecakes, chocolate cakes, and lemon cakes, as well as gluten free options such as gluten free tiramisu and gluten free carrot cake from Italy. To wash it all down, they have beer and wine options. Vinny says that you could eat at the restaurant seven days a week and never have to try the same thing twice!
The Vinny’s Experience
Vinny works tirelessly to provide the best possible experience for customers. It is the type of place where families can come in and enjoy a great meal together for a great price. The service is kind, and the atmosphere is that of enjoying a meal at a close friend’s house. Beyond the high-quality food and excellent service, Vinny makes it a point to keep his food affordable. Recognizing the difficulty of the times, he wants to ensure that everyone can enjoy the food.
Vinny and his staff view every customer who walks through the door as a friend, and they want more than anything for people to leave with a smile. Vinny makes it a point to try to get to know his customers. He wants people to feel at home when they enter his restaurant.
Vinny’s and the Community
Vinny has been part of the local community for a long time and has gotten to know a lot of people. Now, he gets to see the connections he has made in the context of his restaurant. He has employees who he knew when they were babies and whose parents he knew when they were just dating. Many customers come to eat at Vinny’s because of their personal relationship with him.
Vinny also loves giving back to the community he calls home. He has given gift cards and coupons to the people who work at the shopping center where the restaurant is located, so they can enjoy lunch on their breaks. He donates pizzas to schools. He also personally donates food and money within the community. But his greatest contribution is providing a place where people feel safe, loved, and cared for while eating delicious food at the restaurant.
Vinny’s hope is that people know that he is there for them, whether that is for a slice of pizza, a cup of coffee, or a conversation. In his eyes, being nice is free, and he wants to be a friend to all. He loves meeting people face to face and does his best to provide for everyone he meets. He encourages people to come into the restaurant and chat at 11674 Sudley Manor Dr, Manassas. Vinny’s New York Pizza can also be reached by phone at 703-257-7877 or email at vinnysnypizza@gmail.com.
Jessica Schmitt is a contributing writer for Prince William Living and can be contacted at jschmitt@princewilliamliving.com.
Pizza can be ordered by the slice or customized with a variety of toppings.
on a high note
Learning from the Masters, Learning from Life: VALERIE LARSON, ARTIST
By Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt
Through myriad moves, adventures, and experiences, art has been a constant in Valerie Larson’s life. The visual artist and graphic designer has lived in Manassas for more than 20 years, but her route was a journey across the globe and through the decades.
Larson was born in Takoma Park, Maryland. Her father’s position as a foreign service diplomat took the family to Ecuador, Finland, and Germany where Larson lived until she was 13. They then moved to Washington, D.C.
After completing high school in the area, Larson earned a B.A. in Fine Arts, specializing in watercolor, from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. While there, she met her husband, Rich, and the couple moved to Maryland — first Rockville, then Germantown — until Rich Larson’s work brought them to Manassas in 2001.
Manassas is where the Larsons raised their children Robert and Christina, and it’s where they remained as Valerie Larson grew to be a familiar face in the local art community.
In 2018, Larson joined Manassas Art Guild where she said she has met dear friends and talented artists. The same year she began selling her work at Calico Jack’s in Manassas. She then joined Art a la Carte Gallery in Occoquan in 2023. And while she has done graphic design and illustration for over three decades now, Larson’s heart lies in fine art.
Learning from the Masters
Larson began creating at a young age. Attracted by watercolor and pen and ink, Larson admired artists like da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dürer, and van Gogh, who she said is her “alltime favorite artist…. fearless, with an innate desire to share his appreciation for the beauty in this world.” Larson said she thinks of him often as she creates.
A whimsical design for one of Larson’s social media posts. Design by Valerie Larson.
Larson also learned from the impressionists and enjoys working with light. She appreciates how it “drapes over people, animals, places, and objects to reveal their three-dimensionality,” she said.
Emulating the masters, Larson developed her skills over the decades, creating detailed, engraving-style drawings that include architectural subjects. She also learned to perfect watercolor portraits of animals, people, and places.
For Larson, art transcends technique. Art is a powerful mood creator, said Larson, who described herself as a positive person always looking for the beauty around her, whether in small moments or grand landscapes. “Those emotions come through
when a painting is successful,” she said. “It makes me smile to see people understand the joy I felt when painting a subject.”
Her work is also deeply rooted in philosophies about learning and life. According to Larson, Michelangelo said at age 87, “I am still learning,” and those are some of the words she lives by.
“It’s important to remember that we will never know everything and can continue to learn from other artists and the world around us,” Larson said. “The beauty of art is that there’s always something new to discover, evolving as we learn about new materials and techniques and have new experiences in life.”
Like many artists, Larson said profound loss has influenced her work. The loss of her son Robert to a reckless speeding driver many years ago impacted her tremendously. But loss also helped her understand what matters most in her life. “Our most valuable possessions in this life are our memories and relationships, and I love knowing that my custom artwork celebrates both, whether it’s a treasured pet, place, or experience,” she said.
Citing this philosophy, Larson recalled recently receiving a commission request outside her normal scope. A family friend requested a portrait of the Huey helicopter he flew in Vietnam in the 1970s. After extensive phone calls and researching specifics about the Huey model he and his fellow Team Cougar pilots flew, Larson said she succeeded in creating what became a treasured painting.
“The painting represents much more than a helicopter,” according to Larson. “It’s about the camaraderie and lifelong friendships he made because of his life-changing experiences.” Larson was touched when the friend who commissioned the
work sent her a Team Cougar pin and made her an honorary member of their team. “I will wear it proudly on my coat lapel,” she said.
Challenges Accepted
Outside of overcoming life’s obstacles while striving to bring her artistic vision to life, Larson said she has struggled with finding balance between commissioned work and the other art her soul craves. She said she is a “work in progress” in that regard.
Meanwhile, she also has had issues with artistic identity. A selfdescribed neat, organized, “recovering perfectionist,” Larson questioned, at times, whether she was a “real artist.”
“I’m not bohemian, dramatic or flighty, the typical stereotypes associated with artists,” she said. “I like logic, math, organization and cleanliness.” Those traits seemed contradictory.
Then Larson discovered the famous artist Georgie O’Keeffe also loved order and cleanliness in her work area, and, according to Larson, O’Keeffe lined up her paint colors neatly for the next day’s work. “That’s when I knew the two concepts could live in harmony, and my need for a clear mind and space is only a means to an artistic end. It has no bearing on whether I’m creative or not,” she said.
Larson also used to worry that bystanders would be critical of her work when she painted in public or participated in an artists’ outdoor event.
“I’ve discovered happily that people just enjoy watching the process and talking with me about my work,” she said.
Now, Larson enjoys giving painting demonstrations at Art a la Carte Gallery as she talks to bystanders. “It’s also fun when you can inspire a young visitor to try a new medium or encourage them to pursue the type of art they enjoy most,” she said.
Keeping her work in the public eye are Larson’s winning images displayed on banners in downtown Manassas. The banners are part of Historic Manassas Inc.’s competition that features local artists’ work on lamppost banners in Old Town Manassas from April through November.
“I’ve had a variety of pet portraits and landscapes featured on banners,” she said. “If you’re walking around Old Town, make sure you look up and enjoy all of the beautiful artwork featured on 70 lampposts.”
More of Larson’s work can be seen or purchased at Calico Jacks at 9115 Center Street, Manassas, and Art a la Carte Gallery and Gifts at 310 Mill Street, Occoquan. For questions and commissions, visit vlartdesign.com.
Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt is an award-winning author and poet who has worked with Prince William Living for more than 10 years. While she dabbles in drawing and painting, she will tell you she is jealous of “real” visual artists. Learn more about her at KatherineGotthardt.com.
A collage of Larson’s various watercolor subjects, including pet portraits, still lifes and landscapes. Design by Valerie Larson.
home & hearth
Get a Head Start on Your 2025 Garden This Winter
By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher of Prince William Living
When the snow starts to fall and the chill keeps you indoors, there’s no better way to spend a cozy snow day than diving into seed catalogs and planning your dream garden for 2025. Whether you’re looking to expand your flower beds, grow more vegetables, or try new herbs, this is the perfect time to explore exciting new varieties and prepare your garden from the ground up — literally.
Preparing Your Soil: The Winter Advantage
Winter is an excellent time to work on your garden soil. Virginia’s compact clay soil can be challenging, but with a little off-season effort, you can create the perfect growing environment. One of the most efficient ways to do this is by building raised beds.
Why Raised Beds?
n Control your soil type: With raised beds, you get to dictate the quality of your soil, bypassing the dense clay that often hampers drainage.
n Better access: Raised beds bring your garden closer to you, making it easier to plant, tend, and harvest.
n Efficient composting: You can easily incorporate your own recycled compost to enrich the soil.
Building a Raised Bed
Start by removing the top layer of grass. Then, consider “doubledigging,” which involves:
n Removing the next 6-8 inches of topsoil.
n Loosening the soil beneath by another 6 inches.
n Mixing the topsoil with compost or organic matter before replacing it.
Raised beds should ideally be 3 to 5 feet wide, so you can reach into the middle without stepping on the soil. When choosing materials for your raised bed borders, go for durable options like cedar wood, brick, or block. You can also purchase raised bed kits from garden supply stores, but be cautious not to use chemically treated wood.
Winter’s Role in Soil Preparation
During winter, the freeze-thaw cycle naturally aerates and improves drainage in your garden beds. Spend a few hours
tilling the soil and adding organic matter, such as compost or ashes from your fireplace. Fireplace ashes are rich in potassium and help neutralize acidic soil, while coffee grounds are perfect for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries.
What’s New for Your 2025 Garden?
Once your raised beds are ready, it’s time to think about what you want to plant. The 2025 garden season has some exciting new offerings in flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Here are a few varieties you might want to try:
1. Cosmic Purple Carrots
These eye-catching carrots are purple on the outside with a yellow-orange center. They grow to about 6-7 inches in length and are sure to be a hit with kids, adding a fun pop of color to your garden and dinner table.
2. Korean Black Edamame
A unique twist on the popular edamame, this black variety is sweet and perfect for soups, stir-fries, or snacking right out of the pod.
3. Lavender Mini Blue
This dwarf variety of lavender grows to about 10-12 inches tall and 12-15 inches wide. Its compact, sturdy stems and fragrant
flowers make it a wonderful repeat producer in your garden. Plus, lavender is known for attracting pollinators, making it a beneficial addition to any landscape.
4. Black Cherry Tomatoes
Looking for a new tomato to try? The Black Cherry Tomato produces small, dark fruits in black, purple, or brown hues. These 1-inch tomatoes are known for their sweet flavor and are perfect for adding a burst of color to salads and salsas.
5. Enchantress Hydrangea
For your landscape, consider the new Enchantress Hydrangea from Monrovia. This hydrangea produces strong blooms 7-9 inches across on striking ruby-colored stems. Depending on your soil’s pH, you can enjoy blue blooms in acidic soil or pink blooms in more alkaline conditions. As the flowers fade, they take on a beautiful cream-to-green hue, making them perfect for drying and arranging in vases.
Dreaming of Spring
Now is the time to start planning, browsing seed catalogs, and researching the newest varieties for your 2025 garden. Don’t let the cold weather get you down—spring will be here before you know it. With a little preparation and planning now, both you and your soil will be ready to hit the ground running as soon as the weather warms up. So, grab a warm drink, settle in with your seed catalogs, and start dreaming of the garden to come!
Rebecca Barnes is the Publisher of Prince William Living magazine and Brides & Weddings magazine. She is a lifelong resident of Prince William and a volunteer with OWL VFD. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her blended family, being a Grandma, visiting Walt Disney World, reading, and sleeping.
calendar
Winter Farmers Market
Sat. Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Commuter Parking Lot
9024 Prince William Street, Manassas
Cozy up at the Winter Farmers Market. Each Saturday, shop for fresh, local produce, baked goods, warm beverages, and more: perfect for your winter pantry. Don’t miss the chance to support your favorite vendors and discover new seasonal delights all winter long!
13th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Exhibition
Through Feb. 22
Hours Tues. to Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas
Featuring expressive and original works of art, this student artwork from Prince William County Public Schools represents the creative talents of students from elementary to high school. The visual arts program in PWCS prepares students to be visually innovative and to develop an awareness and appreciation of visual art.
Art for Everyone Event
Through March 2
Hours: Tue. to Fri. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun. 12 to 5 p.m.
The Loft Gallery
313 Mill Street, Occoquan
An annual showcase of original art is available at special pricing for a limited time! It’s the perfect opportunity for art enthusiasts looking for unique pieces or anyone starting their journey into the world of art collecting.
Lucasville School Open House
Sat. Feb. 1 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Historic Lucasville School 10516 Godwin Drive, Manassas
Kick off African American History
Month at Prince William County’s historic sites. Visit the reconstructed 19th century school used by the community of Lucasville and learn about Prince William’s African American history after the American Civil War.
Virginia Opera: A Taste of Opera
Wed. Feb. 5 | 1:30 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas
Enjoy a soaring selection of operatic delights performed by talented members of Virginia Opera, the Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Experience exciting, big talent in an intimate performance that includes famous arias and duets from the greatest hits of opera, in addition to Broadway showtunes and other diverse and exciting repertory! Tickets: hyltoncenter.org.
Kid’s Night Out
Fri. Feb. 7 | 6 to 9 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park 14300 Veterans Drive, Woodbridge Ages 5-12. Kid's Night Out is a fun-filled evening designed to give children a night of adventure and excitement while parents enjoy some time off! This program is packed with activities like games, music, arts and crafts. Kids will get the chance to play, socialize, and explore in a safe, supervised environment, all while enjoying snacks and refreshments. Kid's Night Out is an energetic, creative, and interactive experience they won't want to miss! Save your child's spot in advance: pwcparks. info/nightout.
7th Annual Prince William
Native Plant Symposium
Sat. Feb. 8 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Verizon Auditorium, George Mason University 10900 University Blvd., Manassas
Stop mowing, start growing! A native plant symposium for beginners and beyond. Keynote speaker is Doug Tallamy, a noted author and entomologist. Register at tinyurl.com/mrx53hpy.
For the Love of Art & Chocolate
Sat. Feb. 8 | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Art a la Cart Gallery
310 Mill Street, Occoquan
Cultivate a sparkling connection with your date at the gallery, where you can appreciate the works of 29 talented artists. Savor complimentary refreshments and rich chocolate treats. Enjoy art demonstrations.
Upcycled Vintage Postcards
Wed. Feb. 12 | 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Central Library
8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas
Turn classic antique postcards into works of art! Colorful fabric scraps will transform plain mats into one-of-akind frames for unique, vintage wall decorations. First come, first seated, while supplies last.
Galentine’s Happy Hour
Thur. Feb. 13 | 4 to 7 p.m.
Hitchcock Paper Company
125 Mill Street, Occoquan
Gather your gals and come celebrate Galentine's Night with sparkling wine, tasty treats, and of course shopping! Free to attend, no rsvp required.
Firelight Night
Fri. Feb. 14 | 6 to 9 p.m.
Mill House Museum
413 Mill Street, Occoquan
Connect over coffee and dive into a meaningful discussion on community and social capital. Presented by Leadership Prince William.
Who Killed Jolly Roger, An Immersive Murder Mystery
Dinner Theatre
Fri. Feb. 14 | 6:30 p.m. Sat. Feb. 15 | 6:30 p.m. Sun Feb. 16 | 2 p.m.
ARTfactory
9419 Battle Street, Manassas
Who Killed Jolly Roger by Robert J. Leblanc isn’t just another murder mystery—it’s an immersive experience. Attendees are encouraged (but not required) to dress in pirate themed attire and will be entered into a costume contest. There are also opportunities for
guests to participate in the show, join in a 50/50 pirates cash booty giveaway and bid on the looted silent auction treasurers. To purchase tickets, visit virginiaartfactory.org.
Virginia National Ballet: Snow White
Fri. Feb. 14 | 7 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas
Virginia National Ballet’s production of Snow White follows the story of the Disney movie of Snow White and features instantly recognizable music from the movie as well. Brought back by popular demand, the whole family will enjoy this upgraded production featuring gorgeous new backdrops and scenery, with world class choreography and dancing! Tickets: hyltoncenter.org.
Polar Plunge 2025
Sat. Feb. 15 | 8 a.m.
Leesylvania State Park
2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge
Are you brave enough to weather the February elements in support of a worthy cause? The Prince William County Police Department is looking for hardy individuals — or teams of family, friends, co-workers, or organizations — willing to brave the cold temperatures on land, and in the water, to help raise money for Special Olympics. To register as an individual or as a team for “Team
PWCPD,” and for more information, please visit polarplunge.com/princewilliam.
Winter in the Park
Sat. Feb. 15 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
James S. Long Regional Park
4603 James Madison Highway, Haymarket
For ages 5-10 along with a parent/ guardian. Join a naturalist for a guided hike throughout the park's various habitats and experience what life is like for the animals and plants in the winter. Register in advance: pwcparks.info/winterinthepark
Tastes of Home: African
American Culture and American Cuisine
Sat. Feb. 15 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ben Lomond Historic Site
10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas Many Southern dishes have their roots in west and central African culture that enslaved workers brought to America. Participants will be able to prepare and taste African and Southern dishes in the historic slave quarter at Ben Lomond. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the weather. Advance registration is required: pwcparks.info/ hptickets.
Active Adults Hike
Mon. Feb. 17 & 24 | 9 to 10 a.m.
Ben Lomond Regional Park
7434 Ben Lomond Park Drive, Manassas
Ages 55+. Join a naturalist for guided hikes through Ben Lomond Regional Park. Discover the various birds, plants, and natural phenomena that emerge during the late winter and early spring seasons. Each hike promises the chance to see something new and exciting! Register in advance: pwcparks.info/activeadults.
Speak Into Existence Open Mic
Mon. Feb. 17 | 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Clearbrook Center of the Arts 2230 Tackett’s Mill Drive B, Lake Ridge
Speak Into Existence Open Mic is not just an open mic. You can ask questions, get insight, tell us about your business, perform, or just listen. This is a family friendly open mic.
Czech National Symphony Orchestra
Sun. Feb. 23 | 4 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas
The 2022 Gramophone Orchestra of the Year nominee, Czech National Symphony Orchestra (CNSO) makes its Hylton Center debut with a masterful program of fiery, powerhouse works under the direction of Music Director Steven Mercurio. Tickets: hyltoncenter.org.
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