Features

The Virginia ARTfactory named Talya Rebecca Conroy as its new executive director.

Conroy recently served as Vice President at United Bank. She will take over management of the ARTfactory on July 1, after 17 years in community banking and finance. She is involved in the community, having served as President of the Manassas Park Education Foundation and Chairman Elect with Project Mend A House.

The second Manassas Bee Festival will be held on Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Liberia House and Grounds at 8601 Portner Avenue in Manassas.

Speakers at the event will give presentations about planting native plants, responsible gardening, pollinators, the honey bees, and more. City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis and the city’s Beautification Committee are organizing the event.

Proceeds from the show went to benefit Empowerhouse, a local non-profit dedicated to the cause of stopping domestic violence.

Clothing and accessories from local Fredericksburg stores and boutiques along with donated raffle prizes helped to raise over $2500.00 for Empowerhouse. Raffles prizes included three hand-stitched leather bags donated from the Whelan Collection.

Kenny G will take the center field in Fredericksburg.

The jazz saxophonist best known for his hits “Songbird” and “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme song of Titanic, is one of the best-selling artists of all time with over 75 million records sold.

Water’s End Brewery received a $5,000 grant for its Virginia Brews and Views program.

Water’s End Brewery partnered with the Town of Occoquan and Fredericksburg Main Street Inc. to supply $5,000 in matching funds for the project. Virginia Brews and Views encourages tourism in towns and parks,  inviting visitors and residents to tour before stopping for a pint of locally-brewed beer.