“You want a beer?” If John knew you, he was not shy about offering a beer and inviting you into his office, which was chock full of papers, memorabilia, and his coveted binder that contained the complete history of Dragon Song from its earliest days – all in picture and article form. The shop ever smelled of incense and cigarette smoke, and was filled with vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, tapestries, shirts, and a host of other gifts and collectibles. Dragon Song was, Dragon Song.
Southern Serenity Jewelry and Gifts, owned by Darcy, opened in late October at 9411 Battle Street in Old Town Manassas. Darcy makes most of the jewelry herself, custom pieces in many styles, and the new shop also carries gifts and a children’s line, Little Divas & Dolls.
Southern Serenity Jewelry and Gifts recently opened at 9411 Battle Street in Old Town Manassas. The shop is new, and it fills a spot that had been vacant. The owner, Darcy, spent time researching the area before she decided to take the space, and she is excited to be in Old Town!
Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for the World of Travel Show 2027 on Saturday, February 6, 2027, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in The BlackBox at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown.
Meet representatives from 13 respected travel brands covering family and adults-only cruises, premium and luxury ocean voyages, European river cruises, expedition and Galápagos adventures, small-ship sailing, guided land tours, and customized vacations.
Thursday and Friday trash collections in Haymarket will be delayed by one day over Thanksgiving, the Town of Haymarket said, relaying guidance from American Disposal Services.
Christmas trees will be collected during the first two weeks of January on regular yard-waste days. Leaves and grass must go in biodegradable paper bags or clearly marked containers, and brush must be bundled and no longer than 4 feet, with a limit of 10 bags and 10 bundles per pickup. Recyclables should be placed loose in the recycling container, and cardboard should be flattened. American Disposal Services can be reached at 703-368-0500.
Drivers on northbound Route 123 (Gordon Boulevard) in Woodbridge now use a new left-turn lane at the traffic signal to reach southbound I-95, the Virginia Department of Transportation said.
The new turn opened about 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. The existing northbound Route 123 loop ramp to southbound I-95 has been permanently closed, and the former merge onto southbound I-95 has been eliminated. The change is part of a larger I-95 and Route 123 interchange project scheduled for completion in late 2028.
Manassas City Public Schools is inviting residents to a community input session on its 2028-2032 strategic plan from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Mayfield Intermediate School, the school division said.
The division said the session will help identify priorities and values that will guide the schools. People who cannot attend will have another chance to comment through a community survey in early 2027.
Fredericksburg lit its Christmas tree Saturday night at Riverfront Park, the annual kickoff that is the first tree lighting in the Potomac Local News region.
The Stafford Christmas Parade returns to Pratt Park on Saturday, December 19, at 3 p.m. with the theme “Home for the Holidays – A Country Christmas.”
Presented by the Stafford County Agricultural & Homemaking Fair, the parade starts and finishes at the YMCA gate entrance at 120 River Road. Lineup is behind the baseball field. The judging stage is near the bathrooms at the River Road entrance.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The letter below is from Ken Brevett of Manassas. The views are the writer’s.
Dear Editor,
