On Wednesday, May 29, Stafford’s newest Panera location is opening its doors at 6 a.m., where the first 50 guests will receive a year’s worth of of free Your Pick Two® meals. 

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The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is staging a production of “The Wizard of Oz.” This classic tale follows young Dorothy Gale as she travels from Kansas to the magical Land of Oz. Audiences will join Dorothy on her journey along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City in this stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s work, which includes the iconic score from the MGM film.

Performances are scheduled as follows: Wednesday matinees will have meal service from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., with show-only arrivals at 12:45 p.m., and the performance starting at 1:30 p.m.. Thursday to Saturday evenings will have meal service and appetizers from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., show-only arrivals at 6:45 p.m., and the performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees will feature meal service and appetizers from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., show-only arrivals at 2:15 p.m., and the performance starting at 3 p.m.


When Woodbridge resident Patricia Breeden first started as a cashier at her local Food Lion grocery store, Bill Clinton was president. On average, a dozen eggs cost less than a dollar, and a gallon of milk typically costs less than three dollars.

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The highlight of the “Greatest Half in History” was Samuel Yakulis, Jr., a 20-year-old from Stafford, who claimed victory with a time of 01:13:27. “I’ve done the five miles in recent years, but with that being discontinued, I decided to move up and give it a shot,” said Yakulis in a press release. Last year, Yakulis won the Semper 5ive with the second-fastest time in the event’s history at 26:34.

Jonathan Ladson, 32, from Woodbridge, finished just over a minute behind Yakulis with a time of 1:14:33. James Erickson, 38, from Woodberry Forest, Virginia, secured third place with a time of 1:15:55.


Forest Park High School’s special education students, affectionately known as the ‘A’ Street Bruins, recently enjoyed a memorable evening at their annual prom, organized by Special Education teacher Ashley Tayon. The event, held on Saturday, May 11, was a celebration of the students’ achievements throughout the year, complete with music, dancing, and delicious food.

Ashley Tayon, who leads the ‘A’ Street Bruins, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to showcase her students’ accomplishments. “Each year, we come together for a night of recognition and fun,” she said. “It’s a chance for our students to dress up and enjoy themselves in a glamorous setting.”


The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) is gearing up to host its much-anticipated annual event, the 10th Annual CRRL-Con, at the Howell Branch Library in Stafford County. Scheduled for Saturday, May 18, from noon to 4 p.m., this event promises a jam-packed day of entertainment for comic enthusiasts of all ages.

Library spokesman Sean Bonney shared, “CRRL-Con has become a staple event in our community, bringing together fans of pop art, comics, anime, manga, and cosplay. It’s a celebration of creativity and storytelling.”


Performing outdoors at the YARD live music venue stage, Hayes is known for his solo performances that span a variety of musical genres, including country, classic rock, pop/soul, folk, and original compositions.

With over two years of experience entertaining audiences at breweries, wineries, pubs, restaurants, weddings, and more, Hayes brings an energetic and melodic vibe to his live shows. Farm Brew Live, located at 20109 Discovery Boulevard, will provide the perfect setting for music enthusiasts to enjoy an evening of live acoustic entertainment.


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