Kids Corner: Buckland Bots win LEGO competition

Congrats to Buckland Bots!

By Tammy Hinkle The Buckland Bot robotics team from Buckland Mills Elementary School won a Judges Award for overcoming obstacles such as quarantines and computer problems that caused them to lose three weeks of work at the regional FIRST Lego League competition in Woodbridge, Va. The team buckled down and worked hard. Team members came to school at 4 a.m. one morning each week and on teacher workdays. “It was more fun than staying at home and being lazy,” said team member Nimet.

Tilly added, “I learned how to code a robot and work as a team!” Their hard work paid off when they earned a spot to the State FLL competition in Harrisonburg, Va. on December 4, 2021. The team had a great time and ended up placing 10th at the table mission.

“I really enjoyed going to the competitions,” said Ayana. “We committed well, and we did really well on the table missions.” This rookie team improved their score by 120 points from the regional competition. “It was exciting to watch how well our robot performed,” said Andy.

Sunday, Jan. 9

BOOKS ON TAP! MONTHLY BOOK CLUB

@ Ornery Beer Company Taproom, 8088 Flannery Court, Manassas Like Books? Like Beer? Books and beer pair perfectly in this beer book club hosted by Ornery Beer Company and Prince William Library. Time: 6 p.m. • Cost: Free • jraghunathan@pwcgov.org

Saturday, Jan. 15

VIRGINIA GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE, INC. MEET & GREET ADOPTION DAY

@ Ornery Beer Company Taproom, 8088 Flannery Court, Manassas Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of German Shepherd Dogs. Come out and enjoy a beer while supporting and finding a new forever home for some wonderful dogs. Food truck on site. Time: 3:30 – 5 p.m. • shepherdrescue.org

Saturday, Jan. 15

CHEF RYAN ROSS NEW YEAR WINE DINNER

@ Event Center at The Winery at La Grange, 4970 Antioch Road, Haymarket This is the first wine pairing dinner of the year at the Winery at La Grange. Enjoy a ride on a symphony of flavors from bite to sip. Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. • Cost: $150 wineryatlagrange.com

Saturday, Jan. 22

RMS MARDI GRAS – 20TH ANNIVERSARY KICK-OFF

@ Sweeney Barn, 9310 Discovery Blvd., Manassas The Renaissance Montessori is turning 20! Come celebrate 20 years of exceptional Catholic Montessori education at the annual RMS Mardi Gras at Sweeney Barn and enjoy festive bites from Pampa’s Fox Catering, craft cocktails from expert mixologist Jim Feehan of Cousins & Co., and live music from Mike Flaherty’s Dixieland Direct Jazz Band. Time: 7:30 p.m. • Cost: $50 before Jan. 14 rmsmardigras.com Saturday, Jan. 29

FREE KIDS MARTIAL ARTS INTRODUCTORY CLASS

@ Premier Martial Arts, 7986 Crescent Park Drive, Gainesville This introductory class is built to help your child grow in confidence, discipline, and fitness. Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. • Cost: Free premiermartialarts.com/gainesville

Friday, Feb. 4

FIRST FRIDAY AROMA WINE TASTING

@ Aroma, 9249 Center Street, Manassas On First Fridays, Aroma Wine Tasting in Manassas will offer their wine flight – four half glasses of wine. Time: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. • Cost: $10 • moraisvineyards.com

Friday, Feb. 4

THE SOUPER BOWL

@ Historic Downtown Manassas, 9201 Center Street, Manassas The Souper Bowl is our annual soup competition that began in 2014. Competitors enter their best soup for a chance to win cash prizes! Tasters will be given a taster pass upon entry; samples will not be handed out to anyone without a taster pass. Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. • Cost: $10 tasting pass visitmanassas.org/event/souper-bowl/2022-02-04

Friday, Feb. 11

CASINO NIGHT

@ The Regency Dominion Valley Golf and Country Club, 15351 Championship Drive, Haymarket Benefits the Father Jon O’Brien Knights of Columbus Charitable Giving Programs. One Triple Crown horse race ticket ($500 to winner), blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, slots, money board (operated by professional gaming company), raffles, prizes, silent auction. Open to public. Must be 21 years or older. Time: 6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. • Cost: $75 per person, includes Italian buffet dinner. Cash bar fjobkofc.org/casino-night/ or contact Jeff Carnicelli at jeffcarn@comcast.net Tuesday, Feb. 15

BEAU SOIR ENSEMBLE AT HERITAGE HUNT

@ Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club, 6901 Arthur Hills Drive, Gainesville Beau Soir Ensemble reschedule performance includes music by Rameau, Alexander Jacobsen, Mel Bonis, Sydney Guillaume and Glinka. Time: 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. • Cost: Free heritagehunt.net

Saturday, Feb. 19

POP UP! MINI SUCCULENT TERRARIUMS

@ Ornery Beer Company Taproom, 8088 Flannery Court, Manassas Succulent Mini Terrarium Pop Up table. All materials provided: glass planter, succulent, and decorations. Walk-ins only. No tickets required. All ages. Time: 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $10 each (cash, Venmo or PayPal) hello@creationnation.events

Hello January

Saturday, Feb. 19

TAKE THE PLUNGE TO SUPPORT SPECIAL OLYMPICS

@ Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge Join and/or donate to our team “PWCPD” or create your own team. Remember – wear your costume! Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. polarplunge.com/prince-william

Sunday, Feb. 20

2022 TEEN EXPO

@ 9509 Lee Court, Manassas, Va. Come see the latest trends in the area for Quinceanera or sweet 16 parties. Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. • Cost: Free with preregistration, $10 at the door xcenioevents.com/2022-teen-expo

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