home & hearth

By Katherine Gotthardt Sponsored by Molly Maid of Western Fairfax. Co. When someone mentions Molly Maid, basic house cleaning might be what comes to mind. That’s accurate, but only to a point when it comes to Molly Maid of Western Fairfax Co. For these Molly Maid franchise owners serving western Prince William County and beyond, cleaning isn’t just about making …

Provided by GFWC Woman’s Club of Manassas The GFWC Woman’s Club of Manassas is hosting their Annual Holiday House Tour on Sunday, Dec. 9 from 1:00-4:00 p. m. Four homes in Historic Downtown Manassas will be on the tour. Liberia House will host refreshments, entertainment, and an ornaments sale. Historic District merchants will display their unique merchandise, available at their …

By Belinda Jacobson-Loehle, Jacobson Realty and Home Staging Sponsored by Jacobson Realty and Home Staging First-time homebuyers looking to purchase a home in Prince William County may be qualified for VHDA financing programs that assist with both down payments and closing costs. There are specific guidelines to determine if buyers are eligible. Income Guidelines The First Time Homebuyer Program, or …

By Amy Taylor Sponsored by Squeaky Clean Bins You probably don’t think too often about cleaning your outside trash bin. After all, its sole purpose is to hold stinky, nasty garbage. So why bother cleaning it if you’re just dumping trash in it again? As it turns out, there are several good reasons to have a clean trash bin. A …

Provided by Prince William County September is National Preparedness Month, and the Prince William County Office of Emergency Management is trying to help people in the community prepare for any emergency that may arise. This year’s theme for the month is “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.” As part of National Preparedness Month, the county is participating in the National …

By Deborah Campbell, Prince William County Solid Waste Division Disposable plastic is an oxymoron.  Unless you burn it, plastic never really goes away.  Too much of it becomes pollution or litter. Plastic pollution clogs our waters and kills marine animals and other life. It even seeps into our bodies in chemical form. We use lots of plastics. According to EcoWatch.com, …

Provided by Prince William County ​Master Gardeners may be volunteers, but they are pros when it comes to just about all things gardening. They know about insects, plants, plant diseases, soils, pest and nutrient management, pesticide safety, vegetables, weeds and wildlife, and they can help people get greener, healthier lawns. And they are looking for other people who may be …

Provided by Prince William County Pests like Spotted Lanternflies and Hemlock Woolly Adelgids might be sucking the life out of the trees in your yard, literally. “Trees help us in so many ways, such as sustaining other plants and animals, providing storm water and energy benefits and giving us beauty,” said Valerie Huelsman with Prince William County’s Mosquito and Forest …

By Melinda Myers Spots and patches of a white or gray talcum powder-like substance on your plants mean powdery mildew has infected them. This is one of the most widespread fungal diseases, and it attacks a wide range of plants. You can reduce the risk of this disease with proper plant selection, maintenance and, if needed, organic intervention. Powdery mildew is most common during hot dry weather. Wet foliage …

UPDATE: Voting has now ended, and we have a winner….Moxie! Moxie’s family will receive one hour of free cleaning by Molly Maid WFC. Congratulations to Moxie and to all the cute pets who made an appearance on our Facebook page. Stay tuned for more on this pet pic event and other #PWLiving Facebook fun. We’ve got lots of  ideas circulating, …