A group of Buddhist monks will walk through Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg today (Thursday, February 5th) and tomorrow as part of the Walk for Peace, a 2,300-mile pilgrimage from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. They'll enter Spotsylvania mid-morning on northbound Route 1, with the only public engagement opportunity at Lee Hill Building (10300 Spotsylvania Ave) this evening. On Friday morning, they'll walk through Fredericksburg starting around 7am via Spotsylvania Avenue, Lafayette Boulevard, Sophia Street, and across Chatham Bridge into Stafford. Expect major traffic delays on Route 1 today and on Lafayette Boulevard, Sophia Street, and William Street tomorrow morning (8am-11am). The pilgrimage promotes peace, loving kindness, and compassion. You can track their real-time location at dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/live-map.

The wait is over. A female Asian elephant calf was born Monday morning at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in D.C., the first elephant birth there in nearly 25 years. The baby, born to 12-year-old Nhi Linh and 44-year-old Spike, weighed 308 pounds and is described as healthy, alert, and bright-eyed. She'll spend the next month bonding with her mother and the herd before making her public debut at the zoo exhibit. The public can vote on her name through February 13th, choosing between Linh Mai (spirit blossom), Thảo Nhi (gentle and beloved), Tú Anh (talented and bright), or Tuyết (snow). The Zoo is free and just a short drive from Fredericksburg, so mark your calendars for a visit once she's ready to meet the public.

On Tuesday, February 10th, Fredericksburg is launching something big. Live2Lead FXBG, a full-day leadership event at the Fredericksburg Convention Center, is bringing world-class speakers like John Maxwell and Jesse Cole (owner of the Savannah Bananas) straight to our community, along with local leaders who understand what it takes to build, lead, and grow right here in the 'Burg. This isn't just another conference. It's the start of a long-term leadership movement designed to strengthen our workplaces, elevate our business culture, and connect the people who are driving this region forward. VIP tickets are sold out, but general admission is still available. If you've been thinking about it, this is your sign. Don't miss it. My readers get $20 off. That's $79 instead of $99. Use code DStew at checkout. live2leadfxbg.com

Heavenleigh Villar, who goes by "Hev," is only 12 years old, but she's already recording her own music, performing at open mics around Fredericksburg, and writing songs about confidence, self-worth, and staying grounded. The Spotsylvania seventh-grader has released 12 singles and six music videos with Oddbox Studios in Fredericksburg, all while balancing online school and trying to live a normal life outside of the spotlight. Her new single, "You Can't Help But Like Me," is all about being confident and taking your time with relationships. Her mom, Pamela Mitchell, manages her career while working full-time, and the whole family is behind her as she chases this dream. If you want to support a local young artist who's putting in the work and staying true to herself, check out Heavenleigh's music on Spotify and YouTube.

Okay, can we talk about My Home Thai at Embrey Mill Town Center for a second? This place is stunning. I'm talking about the kind of interior that makes you want to take a picture before you even sit down, but the food is just as good as the space. I went recently and ordered the crispy duck roll, fresh spring roll, chicken pad see ew, and finished with their golden pudding bliss. Every single bite delivered. What I love about this spot is that it works for everything: date night, family dinner, or a solo lunch where you just want to sit somewhere beautiful and eat really good food. They've got vegetarian and gluten-free options, a full bar, and service that actually makes you feel taken care of.