Making it as a small business today can be difficult, but small business leaders in the Fredericksburg area can look to the University of Mary Washington’s Small Business Development Center for lessons on succeeding. The center guides future entrepreneurs in pursuit of economic growth through education, consulting, connecting, and supportive research.

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Jurassic Quest is set to roar into the F Fredericksburg Expo Center from May 10 to May 12. The three-day extravaganza promises a journey through 165 million years of Earth’s history, featuring lifelike dinosaurs and a range of hands-on activities for all ages.

Attractions include a scientifically accurate dinosaur herd, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a real fossil exhibit, bounce houses, and inflatable attractions. New for 2024 are interactive experiences like “Raptor Run” races and “Rope-a-Raptor.” Guests can also enjoy the Raptor Training Experience and meet interactive baby dinosaurs such as Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex, and Trixie the Triceratops.


The project was made possible through a public/private partnership between Stafford County, the Langley Flight Foundation, the Stafford County Historical Society, the Stafford Regional Airport, and private donors. The aircraft will be on permanent display at the airport, along with interactive kiosks with educational programming on the science and history of flight.

The Foundation is hosting a community open house on May 11th from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Stafford Regional Airport with aviation activities for kids and aerodrome demonstrations every half hour. Aerodrome No. 5 was one of several experimental aircraft developed by Samuel Pierpont Langley, the Secretary of the Smithsonian, in the mid-1890s to demonstrate heavier-than-air mechanical flight. Powered by a 1.5 hp steam-powered engine, the unmanned aerodrome weighed just over 24 pounds and flew 3,330 feet over 1 minute and thirty seconds on May 6, 1896, in Stafford County. T


City of Manassas Press Release: The City of Manassas honored eight volunteers for their extraordinary contributions to the community in 2023 during a volunteer reception and dinner on Tuesday, April 23.

Those honored are:


In “They’re Playing Our Song” now at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, Carson Eubank and Ashlee Waldbauer command the stage with a dynamic energy that transports the audience into the heart of the comedic journey. Eubank’s portrayal of Vernon Gersch, a wisecracking composer in search of a new lyricist, is solid, and his piano playing is so authentic that you’d swear he’s actually at the keys (which he proved he could really do at the Stafford County Business reception held at The Riverside on Wednesday, April 24, 2024).

Meanwhile, Waldbauer’s portrayal of Sonia Walsk, who experienced early songwriting success and is and is in awe of Gersch’s accomplishments, exudes energy, pulling the audience right into the passenger seat of his car on the dramatic drive out to Long Island and on to her moving rendition of “I Still Believe in Love,” (with which Waldbauer also wooed the crowd during an impromptu performance at the business reception).


Raina Chan has a knack for singing – a knack her parents noticed when she was just two years old. From performing the national anthem at several capital area-area sports events to singing at the Philippine president’s visit to Washington, D.C. in 2023, Chan has wowed audiences for years.

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Rappahannock Education Farm (REF) Manager Rich Larochelle said he and a squad of volunteers prepped a 360-square-foot plot of Fredericksburg farmland to plant hundreds of seeds of produce last week.

Nearly 3,000 people in the Fredericksburg area suffer from food insecurity, according to Stacker, a government data-collection website. Food-insecure households can’t afford regular access to healthy meals. The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank supplies food to 31,000 people every year.


“The Town of Dumfries of Virginia is honored to announce its participation as an official stop on the National League of Cities (NLC) Centennial Roadshow: 100 Years, 100 Cities. This initiative is part of NLC’s year-long celebration, marking a century of commitment to advancing local government and advocating for the interests of cities, towns, and villages nationwide,” notes a press release from the Dumfries Town Government.

“During the roadshow stop in the Town of Dumfries, we will have the opportunity to tour the new construction site of the Rose Gaming Resort, a testament to our Town’s growth and development. Additionally, we will visit the Town’s outdoor fitness court, a vibrant space that promotes wellness and community engagement, reflecting our commitment to a healthy and active lifestyle.”


In 1892, K.N. Goolrick opened the Goolrick pharmacy on Caroline Street in Fredericksburg, specializing in things people wanted, like milkshakes and medicine.

Fast forward 132 years, and the pharmacy is still there, but the windows are whitewashed because this iconic landmark is getting a major renovation as it adapts to the times. And soda fountain fans need not worry; the historic soda fountain behind the café bar will be a focus of the new pharmacy.


Crimson Coward, a new restaurant specializing in hot chicken, has recently opened in Fredericksburg next to Mary Washington University. The owners, the husband and wife team of Naveed Javed and Aman Naveed, bring years of experience in the restaurant industry to this venture.

Naveed and Aman are not newcomers to the restaurant scene in Fredericksburg, having been part of the community for almost two decades. Their journey began with Vocelli Pizza in 2008, and since then, they have expanded to four pizza delivery locations across the area.


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