Features - Page 33 of 139 - Potomac Local News

Prince William County Deputy Chief Jarad Phelps Retires, Appointed Chief in Jacksonville, N.C.

Published August 2, 2024 at 7:00AM | Updated August 4, 2024 at 8:47AM

Prince William County Deputy Chief Jarad Phelps has retired after over 28 years of service. Phelps has been appointed as the Chief of Police for the Jacksonville Police Department in North Carolina.

“Jarad has served the Prince William County community with the utmost distinction for nearly three decades,” said Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham. “I sincerely congratulate him on his second chapter and future success, and I know he will serve the community of Jacksonville with the same compassion and professionalism he has shown here.”

Wild Waylon’s BBQ Settles Down in Stafford

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 1, 2024 at 10:00AM | Updated August 5, 2024 at 1:02PM

Wild Waylon's BBQ

Nestled in the corner of a Stafford shopping center, a new restaurant has arrived off White Oak Road: Wild Waylon’s BBQ, a family-owned restaurant that has quickly made a name for itself with its scratch-made barbecue and weekend specials.

Founded by the Murphy family—David and Molly, and David’s parents Tom and Linda—Wild Waylon’s BBQ is the culmination of a lifelong passion for cooking and a deep love for barbecue. David Murphy said he grew up smoking pork for family events alongside his father, Tom. He followed his mother’s footsteps, working in restaurants after college. In 2023, David and his mom Linda worked in the same restaurant and decided it was time to launch their own family spot. Waylon is David’s son, and the restaurant’s namesake.

New Season Announced at Workhouse Arts Center: From Dracula to Jesus Christ Superstar

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 1, 2024 at 8:30AM

The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton announced its 2024-2025 theater season, featuring a lineup of musicals and comedies. The season begins with “Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors” from September 6 to October 27, followed by “Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame” from December 7 to January 12, 2025. “Clyde’s” will run from March 8 to April 6, and “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be performed from May 10 to June 15. Shows will be held on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 to $40 on the Workhouse Arts Center’s website.

Press release:

Riverside Center Transitions to Non-Profit, Promises Big Changes Ahead

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 30, 2024 at 2:00PM | Updated August 4, 2024 at 8:49AM

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts Director Patrick A'Hearn speaks about the theater's transition to a non-profit corporation.

Uriah’s Note: Members always get the first read of our original reporting. Thanks for your continued support.

Updated July 31 — The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts held a press conference on Monday, July 29, 2024, to announce its transition from a for-profit business to a non-profit entity. Theater Director Patrick A’Hearn made the announcement, outlined the theater’s new direction, and announced upcoming changes.

New Specialty Van Enhances Animal Control Operations in Prince William County

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 29, 2024 at 10:00AM | Updated August 4, 2024 at 8:51AM

The Prince William County Animal Shelter has introduced a new van equipped with 10 adjustable kennels, enhancing the efficiency and comfort for animal control operations. This addition is a significant upgrade from the existing four-by-four vehicles that house fewer vehicles and lack modern amenities.

Debbie Haight, spokesperson for the county animal shelter, detailed the van’s layout and its capacity to adapt to various sizes of animals. “It has 10 containers, and these units can be modified to accommodate larger animals if necessary,” Haight explained. Unlike the current units that require animals to be brought back immediately due to inadequate facilities, the new van features a sophisticated HVAC system, allowing officers to manage multiple pickups without returning.

Faycez-U-Know Band Plays Dumfries First Summer Concert of the Season

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 28, 2024 at 10:41AM

Concert goers dancing near the stage [Photo: Uriah Kiser]

The event featuring the Faycez-U-Know Band played from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees are brought lawn chairs to enjoy the live music, family activities, and food trucks.

Additional concerts are planned for August 10 and August 24. Admission is free.

New Playground Opens at Aquia Landing Park

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 28, 2024 at 10:28AM

New playground amenities at Aquia Landing Park.

Stafford County welcomed a new addition to Aquia Landing Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its latest playground installation. The event, overseen by Aquia District Supervisor Monica Gary, celebrated the arrival of new play equipment designed to accommodate the park’s unique environment, including space constraints and a high flood risk. The $144,000 project introduces a play set featuring a slide, swings, and climbing apparatus.

Gary shared her personal connection to the park during her speech. “When we were looking for a home about ten years ago, we drove down Brook Road and ended up here at a quiet landing,” said Gary. “There was no playground yet, but we really enjoyed the facilities here. It was a nice place to be for our family.”

Flock Talk: Class at Animal Shelter to Teach Chicken Behavior

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 25, 2024 at 9:58AM

Fairfax County Animal Shelter teams up with Adopt-a-Bird-Network for a class titled “Flock Talk: An Introduction to Chicken Behavior” on Sunday, July 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Lorton Campus, located at 8875 Lorton Road in Lorton.

The class aims to educate both new and experienced chicken keepers and individuals interested in learning more about chickens. It will explore various aspects of chicken behavior, including the social structure within flocks, the behavior of roosters, chicken communication methods, and their feeding and foraging habits. The session will also offer tips on maintaining the health and well-being of chickens.

Sally Struthers Returns: Riverside Center for Performing Arts presents ‘Love Letters’

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 24, 2024 at 10:45PM

Riverside Center for Performing Arts showcases “Love Letters,” featuring Sally Struthers and Patrick A’Hearn, for a limited two-week engagement ending August 4, 2024.

“Love Letters” centers on the lifelong correspondence between Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, childhood friends from affluent backgrounds. Their story unfolds through exchanges of letters and postcards, revealing their personal journeys and romantic tensions spanning decades. The play navigates their separate paths through school, careers, and tumultuous personal lives, culminating in a poignant conclusion.

Pied Piper Theatre’s Senior Intensive Presents Anastasia the Musical (Youth Edition)

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 24, 2024 at 10:42PM

Bricks & Minifigs of Woodbridge sponsors an ARTfactory Pied Piper Theatre Intensive, Anastasia the Musical.

Anastasia: The Musical is a 60-minute adaptation of the Broadway musical. The story unfolds from the end of the Russian Empire to the 1920s Paris. A young woman seeks to resolve the mystery of her past while a Soviet officer tries to stop her. She teams up with a con man and a former aristocrat on a journey to find a home, love, and family.