Metro Nova Creative is adding a creative twist to fundraising in downtown Fredericksburg: Business owner Dan Craddock announced that his team will surprise a different non-profit organization each quarter with unique designs on t-shirts, stickers, and merchandise. 

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First Friday returns to Historic Downtown Manassas on Friday, February 7, 2025, with one of its most beloved events—the Souper Bowl. This highly anticipated food festival, where attendees sample an array of soups from local restaurants, has officially sold out.

For those lucky enough to have secured tickets, the Souper Bowl offers a unique culinary experience, allowing participants to venture through downtown, tasting a variety of soups from both returning favorites and new contenders. Each restaurant has put its best ladle forward, hoping to win the title of best soup in town.

Here’s What’s on the Menu:

This year’s lineup features an eclectic mix of flavors, from classic comfort food to adventurous international dishes.

• Rangoli – Hot and Sour Soup @ Manassas Olive Oil
• Vera’s Kitchen – Desta’s Lentil Soup @ Kerbobble Toys
• SEMIFREDDO – Roasted Corn Soup @ Totally Vintage Design
• Ashton Family Restaurant – Beer and Chicken Soup @ Freedom Museum
• Zach Murphy – “Jeff Kha Gai” (Thai Coconut Soup) @ Calico Jack’s
• Monza / Carmello’s – Tomato Basil Bisque @ Shining Sol
• Honey and Ivy Gluten Free – Cocoa Cloud Dessert Soup @ Honey and Ivy
• Voodoo Brothers Cajun Creole – Voodoo Chili @ Studio Luxe And The City
• Mariachis – Mexican Beef Soup @ The Things I Love
• Doug’s Deli & Taproom – Tomato Basil Soup @ Black Metal Mercantile
• Hog Shack Bar-B-Q – Brunswick Stew @ Old Towne Man Cave
• Puerto Rico Cafe – Asopao de Pollo @ Grounds Central Station
• Lume – Pork Belly Ramen @ Dabble_CRC
• Zandra’s Taqueria – Pasta e Fagioli @ Popcorn Monkey
• Philadelphia Tavern – Tortilla Soup @ Fillagreen
• Crossroads Tabletop Tavern – Borschty-Borsch-Borsch-Borscht (aka Muppet Stew) @ Ashby Jewelers
• City Tavern – Clam Chowder @ District Hemp Botanicals
• The Bone – Chicken Tortilla Soup @ Sinistral Brewing Company
• Chef Donnella Pearson – Brazilian-Inspired Tomato Soup @ The Meredith House
• Ashton Family Restaurant’s Meat Chili – Paired with Texas Roadhouse’s fresh-baked bread @ Aroma Wine Tasting

With a mix of bold flavors and comforting classics, this year’s Souper Bowl promises to be an unforgettable event for soup lovers.

Which Soup Will Reign Supreme?

As attendees explore downtown and taste each soup, they will have the chance to vote for their favorite. The restaurant or chef with the most votes will earn bragging rights until next year’s competition.

First Friday’s Souper Bowl is just one of the many signature events that bring the Manassas community together each year. While tickets are no longer available, those who secured their spot are in for a treat.

Stay tuned for the winner announcement—and if you missed out this time, mark your calendars for next year’s event.

Award-winning brand Always Flavored is relocating across the street from 610 to 619 Caroline St., with plans to open by March 31, 2025. The move allows for an expanded selection of hot sauces, seasonings, and gourmet products, plus tastings and events. The announcement comes as the brand celebrates recent award wins:

• Ritabeata's Mild Sauce – 2nd place (International Flavor Awards)
• Peri Peri Sauce – 3rd place (2025 Scovie Awards)

A grand opening celebration is planned.

More in a press release:

Always Flavored, the award-winning, locally sourced brand known for its premium hot sauces, seasonings, and gourmet offerings, is excited to announce the relocation of its store from 610 Caroline St to a new, expanded location at 619 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. The move is expected to be completed no later than March 31, 2025, with hopes of opening sooner. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the company, allowing it to better serve its growing customer base while continuing to support the local community.

“We are excited to stay in downtown Fredericksburg and continue being part of this vibrant community,” said Rita Witte, founder and owner of Always Flavored. “This new space will allow us to connect with our customers in a more personal way, host exclusive tastings and events, and further our mission of providing high-quality, locally sourced flavors to the community.”

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In this Potomac Local News Podcast episode, host Uriah Kiser sits down with Craig Wade, President of the Prince William Association of Realtors, and Matthew Rathbun, President-Elect of the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors. They discuss the latest trends in the local real estate market, the impact of rising interest rates, and the challenges first-time homebuyers face in Northern Virginia.

The conversation also dives into the region’s housing inventory, with insights on the growing demand for homes and the lack of affordable options, especially in areas like Prince William, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. Craig and Matthew share their predictions for 2025, the future of smart growth, and the importance of balancing development with affordability.

Whether you’re considering buying or selling a home or just interested in local real estate trends, this episode offers valuable insights from two experts in the field.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more local news and conversations!

A new Home Depot is set to open in Gordon Plaza, marking a significant step in the redevelopment of North Woodbridge.

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At the Jan. 27 Manassas City Council Meeting, the Department of Economic Development detailed the economic health of the city in the past year as new businesses entered the city and tourism increased.

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Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) will soon embark on a new initiative to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) student opportunities, thanks to a $1 million donation from the Silver Companies. Founded in Fredericksburg and now headquartered in Florida, the regional real estate company has pledged the investment to help build a new CTE Center, set to be named after Larry D. Silver, the company's founder and a graduate of James Monroe High School.

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A journey from DC’s Capitol Hill to the Shenandoah mountains led Emily Woodhull to Fredericksburg’s music scene. The 23-year-old singer and songwriter just released her first single, “Virginia, I’m Home.”

Woodhull grew up in Washington, D.C., and learned to play piano, guitar, ukulele, and drums by the time she was sixteen. Woodhull became the opening act for her father’s band, “The NativeMakers,” as they toured DC.

A visit to James Madison University (JMU) in the Shenandoah Valley #musicalley helped her fall in love with Virginia. After attending JMU, Woodhull took a gap year and moved to Fredericksburg in 2021, planning to enroll in Germanna Community College. A fan of true crime, Woodhull was interested in the criminal justice program.

She’s fallen in love with the area, saying, “I love Fredericksburg with all my heart. It has had such an important role in my career, and I’m so blessed to call it my home.”

Woodhull’s connection to Fredericksburg deepened as she became involved with the local music scene. “There are so many talented bands in our city, ranging from soft rock to Americana to country to metal to bluegrass,” she explained. Performances with local artists like Jerry Wade, Rob Ralston, and JD Roberts helped build Woodhull’s musical career. 

Woodhull credited Roberts with helping her musical career develop. She said, “By inviting me to sing with him during his shows, he helped me get my name out there and booked me at venues when I didn’t have any shows. He’s been a big help with helping me learn the ropes of the industry and teaching me tricks, and he has given me great advice. I’m grateful to know him and to call him my friend.”

Woodhull’s debut single, “Virginia I’m Home,” was born from her experiences in Virginia. “The song starts, ‘I was 18 when I came rolling in. You opened up your doors and took me in just like a friend,’ which is about my start at JMU and when I first lived in Virginia,” she said. The song serves as her “love letter to the state.”

Woodhull described her musical style as rooted in Americana, though she brings elements from her past interest in hard rock. “I used to be a drummer and into hard rock, so I’d love to make country music with heavy drums and bass,” she said. A small sampling of her influences includes Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Turnpike Troubadours, and Ella Langley.

Although she has been surrounded by music for much of her life, Woodhull didn’t realize until she was 20 that she could make a career out of it. “I got a direct message on Instagram from a scout for a development firm in Nashville and it all got started from there,” she recalled.

The process of recording “Virginia I’m Home” took her to Nashville, where she worked with music producer Joshua David Cockerham in his home studio. “We had a Zoom call before meeting about what I wanted the song to sound like,” she shared. “I got to choose which instruments got to be in and I felt listened to.” Woodhull recorded two songs in the studio in 2023.

In August 2023, Woodhull quit her job in fine dining to pursue music full-time. “I was scared of burning myself out and falling out of love with music,” she admitted. “But from that day on, I have been doing everything I can for my career.”

Woodhull said her family has been an unwavering support system. “My parents have always had my back and I am so blessed to have them,” she said. “The biggest thing for them is that their children are happy, healthy, and loved.” Woodhull, who has a twin brother, has four brothers and one sister.

Looking ahead, Woodhull aims to continue growing her audience, with her song now played on several radio stations across the country. Stations in Michigan, Texas and Wisconsin have played ‘Virginia, I’m home.’

“I’d love to have my song played on a station in Virginia, especially in Fredericksburg like 93.3 WFLS or Thunder 104.5,” Woodhull said.

Woodhull will play at Fredericksburg’s Sky Bar on February 8. Her full show schedule is available online.

On February 4, 2025, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger sat down for her first interview with Potomac Local News since announcing her candidacy five years ago. Having won reelection in November 2024 with 57% of the vote, the Democrat reflected on her first term’s achievements and shared her vision for the future.

Police, Immigration, and Sanctuary City Status

When asked about Manassas’ approach to immigration enforcement, Davis Younger reiterated that the city’s police department does not conduct immigration raids, emphasizing that such actions are not within their jurisdiction. However, she declined to take a stance on whether local police should share information with federal authorities regarding undocumented individuals, stating that it was not her role to guide the matter.

Davis Younger also addressed concerns over Manassas being labeled a “sanctuary city,” a designation that has put it at risk of losing state and federal funding. She admitted that the city has not yet formulated a plan to replace funding should cuts occur. The City Council has not discussed the issue, and she expressed a “wait and see” approach, hoping financing would not be impacted.

Budget and Taxes

Davis Younger addressed concerns about rising property tax bills despite a flat tax rate, acknowledging the financial strain on residents. While she does not personally support raising taxes, she emphasized the challenges of maintaining essential services like police, fire, and education amid economic uncertainties. She expressed concerns over potential federal and state budget cuts but reaffirmed her commitment to minimizing the financial burden on residents.

Economic Development and City Planning

During her first term, Davis Younger prioritized significant redevelopment efforts, including removing the Olde Towne Inn, constructing Jenny Dean Elementary School, and establishing a community center. She noted that while some recent property acquisitions, like those on Mathis Avenue, were not initially her initiatives, they aligned with long-term city planning efforts to balance historic preservation with economic growth.

Regarding downtown development, she envisions a vibrant, walkable city and has considered models like Reston Town Center. However, she emphasized that Manassas’ small size (10 square miles) necessitates careful planning and selective development.

Data Centers and Regional Development

The mayor discussed the city’s approach to data centers, stating that she supports the four currently approved locations but does not favor rezoning additional areas for such projects. She desired thoughtful, aesthetically considerate placement to ensure they integrate well into the community.

Unlike other localities, Davis Younger does not view economic development as a competition between Manassas and Prince William County, emphasizing collaboration and focusing on what works best.

Governance and Community Engagement

Throughout her first term, Davis Younger worked to increase the visibility of Manassas at the regional and national levels. She fostered relationships with local leaders and attended events to elevate the city’s profile. While she remains committed to community engagement, she acknowledged that some outreach efforts, like public walks, attracted confrontational encounters and may need reevaluation.

She also addressed her decision not to seek voting power as mayor, explaining that she prefers to influence discussions rather than cast direct votes. However, she noted that being unable to vote on budget matters is a drawback.

Veterans Initiatives and Transportation Challenges

As she begins her second term, Davis Younger plans to launch a Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council to support the veteran community better. She also discussed the ongoing debate over the now-canceled Route 28 bypass, which she believes would alleviate traffic congestion in Manassas. With the county potentially voting against the project, she acknowledged the city must explore alternative solutions.

Davis Younger remains committed to fostering a strong sense of community in Manassas, ensuring residents feel represented and involved. She aims to continue improving public services, advocating for responsible development, and keeping Manassas engaged in regional and national discussions.

Here’s the full interview transcript, edited for brevity: Read More