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Good Morning, Dale City! 🌞
We’ve officially climbed half the mountain known as the workweek. The view from here looks suspiciously like Friday in the distance.
In today’s Dale City Spotlight:
😂 Make Me Laugh
🏈Who Will Win?
📰 Local News
🎉 Local Events
🏫School News
🍏Health-Wise
💰 Smart Money Daily
💡Business Spotlight
🍽️ Recipe of the Week
🌤️ Sky Watch: Weather Forecast
“We are what we repeatedly do.” ~ Aristotle
Reflection: Your daily habits quietly determine the direction of your life.
Make Me Laugh😂
A man called customer service and heard,
“Your call is very important to us.”
Twenty-five minutes later he was still on hold.
His wife asked, “Are you still waiting?”
He nodded.
“Apparently I'm extremely important.”
🏈 WHO WILL WIN?
Think you can predict Thursday Night Football? Pick the winning team AND nail the exact final score and you could win a Wilson NFL MVP Football! 🏆Keep it for bragging rites or give it to someone as a gift.
If no exact prediction. Pick the correct winner and come closest to the final score to earn our Closest Call Award!
⏰ But hurry — when the countdown hits 0:00, entries close!
Pick the Winner. Predict the Score. Beat the Clock. 🏈
Local News 📰
Prince William Personal Property Taxes Due October 5
Prince William County is reminding residents that personal property taxes are due Monday, October 5.
The same deadline applies to business tangible-property taxes. Residents who believe they should have received a bill but haven't are encouraged to contact Taxpayer Services rather than wait until the deadline.
Payments can be made online, by phone, by mail or in person.
Source: Prince William County Tax Administration
🍽️ Wonder's Final Preview Day Is Today
After months of watching this one, we're almost there.
Wonder Smoketown Station holds the final day of its soft-opening preview today, ahead of its official grand opening Thursday. The Chamber calendar says registered preview guests can receive a meal worth up to $15 while Wonder conducts its final testing and adjustments.
Official Grand Opening
Thursday, September 17
Ribbon cutting: 10:30 a.m.
13257 Worth Avenue, Woodbridge
Wonder plans to offer food from more than 20 restaurant concepts through a single order. PotomacLocal →
Remember That Mysterious Smell? Still No Confirmed Source
We now have more information about the strange sulfur or “rotten egg” odor many residents reported Saturday across Dale City, Lake Ridge, Woodbridge and other parts of Prince William County.
Prince William Fire & Rescue responded to 21 calls for possible outdoor gas leaks between about 7:20 a.m. and 1:18 p.m. Saturday. Crews also detected the odor, but their four-gas meters returned normal readings. Washington Gas reported no system problem, and local water and wastewater facilities reported no issue.
As of the latest reports, no source has been identified. So if you smelled it—you definitely weren't the only one. PotomacLocal →
New Bridge Restores Broad Run Trail Connection
A trail connection that disappeared during flooding in 2018 has finally returned.
Prince William County recently opened the new Rocky Branch Bridge along the Broad Run Trail in the Braemar/Dunbarton area. The replacement bridge is 55 feet long and six feet wide, with a deeper foundation designed to better withstand future flooding.
The project restores an important pedestrian connection for nearby neighborhoods.
Community Meeting Thursday Will Focus on Transmission Lines
Prince William residents concerned about proposed transmission lines have another opportunity to hear and participate in a community discussion Thursday.
The meeting runs 7–8:30 p.m. at Nokesville Volunteer Fire Department, 12826 Marsteller Drive. County officials note that no votes will be taken and no formal county business will be conducted. Continue Reading →
🚒 Fire & Rescue Wants Woodbridge Residents’ Input Tomorrow
Prince William County Fire & Rescue is developing its next strategic plan and wants residents involved.
A Woodbridge community session will be held:
Thursday, September 17 | 2–4 p.m.
Potomac Library
2201 Opitz Boulevard
Residents can share priorities and expectations for future fire and rescue services.
More Free Programs Arrive for Prince William Residents 55+
Prince William County Parks & Recreation and the Area Agency on Aging are expanding the Senior Center Without Walls program.
Adults 55 and older can participate in free activities including chair yoga, computer-skills classes, AARP presentations, social programs and holiday workshops at Veterans Memorial Park and the Pat White Center through December.
The program is designed to make senior services easier to access without requiring residents to travel to a traditional senior center. Continue Reading →
Local Events 🎉
🏫School News
Friday Night High School Football Returns with Exciting Matchups and Local Rivalries
Get ready for Friday night lights! High school football teams across Prince William are gearing up for an action-packed evening on the field.
Whether you're cheering for your local school or just love the energy of the game, this week's schedule offers exciting matchups and hometown rivalries. Gather your friends and family and don't miss the chance to support student athletes and enjoy the spirited atmosphere this Friday. This Friday’s Schedule👇
🎓 NEW: Six PWCS Students Named National Merit Semifinalists
Six Prince William County Public Schools students have been named 2027 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. PWCS has now published a dedicated story announcing the students. Continue Reading →
Battlefield Alum Caleb Woodson Named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Caleb Woodson, a former standout at Battlefield, has been recognized as the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week. This honor highlights his impressive recent performance on the field, where he made significant contributions to his team's defensive efforts.
📚 Reading & Math Family Webinar Thursday
PWCS families can participate in a live webinar:
Thursday, September 17 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
The session will explain changes in English language arts and math, including the Star Reading assessment for grades 3–11, and provide parents with strategies for supporting learning at home. Continue Reading →
PWCS has a busy week ahead: a School Board Meeting Sept. 16, a Family Engagement session on what's new in English Language Arts and Math Sept. 17, and no school Sept. 21 for Yom Kippur. Read more →
⏰ PWCS Parents Have a September 18 Deadline
PWCS families have until Friday, September 18 to complete the Annual Back-to-School Packet in ParentVUE. The packet keeps emergency contacts and other important student information current. That's only four days away, so it has much more immediate value to parents than some of the older school awards we've been carrying.
Health-Wise🍏
Probiotics Aren’t Just for Your Gut Anymore
Research suggests that people with healthier teeth may also have a healthier balance of bacteria in their mouths. This community of microorganisms—known as the oral microbiome—can play an important role in dental health.
Scientists continue to study how diet, oral hygiene, and other factors affect this delicate balance and what it could mean for preventing cavities and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Free Report→
💰 Smart Money Daily
💵 401(k) Balances Just Hit a Record High — But Are You Actually on Track?
If you’re saving for retirement through a workplace plan, there’s some good news: retirement account balances have soared to record highs.
Fidelity’s latest analysis credits this upswing to a strong stock market, helping 401(k) and 403(b) balances bounce back from earlier dips this year. Even with ongoing economic uncertainty and talk of an AI bubble, retirement savers are seeing unprecedented growth in their accounts. More→
The Surprising Kindle Hack 15 Million Readers Already Know About
Every day, the ebook editions of huge New York Times bestsellers are discounted to just $2. While most are unaware, readers with the inside scoop are filling their libraries with these deals.
Readers are finding these savings through a free service called BookBub.
It sends you deals on bestselling ebooks – starting at $2. No subscriptions. No monthly fees. Just books you actually want to read, at prices that don’t make you do a double-take.
You can expect:
• Personalized picks based on your reading taste
• New deals every day to find new favorites
• Flexibility to buy from all major ebook retailers
Given a single ebook can cost $15 or more – and avid readers can spend over $100 on ebooks a year – these savings add up fast.
BookBub’s deals are only available for a limited time. Sign up to see what’s on sale today.
Business Spotlight🔦
Montclair Family Restaurant
We offer a large selection of menu options, from our hearty breakfast platters and daily specials, to our slow-roasted rotisserie chicken and gourmet desserts.
Down Home Comfort Cafe
At our cafe, we strive to bring you the flavors and traditions of the South through our carefully crafted menu. From classic Southern favorites such as fried chicken, fried and smothered pork chops, red beans and rice, potato salad, collard greens, and cornbread to innovative dishes that blend traditional flavors with modern culinary techniques, our culinary team ensures every dish is a memorable taste sensation. Visit Them Here→
Recipe of the Week 🍽️
🥘One-Pan Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Potatoes
A hearty, fast dinner for a Monday when you don't want to spend all night cooking.
Ingredients (serves 4): 1.5 lbs sirloin steak, cubed • 1 lb baby potatoes, halved • 4 tbsp butter • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp paprika • Salt and pepper to taste • 2 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions: Boil potatoes until fork-tender, about 10 minutes; drain. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, sear steak bites 2-3 minutes per side, remove. Add butter and garlic to the pan, then return potatoes and steak, tossing to coat. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve.
🌤️ Weather
As you step into the day ahead, don’t measure your progress only by the big accomplishments. Give yourself credit for the small victories, the quiet improvements, and the days when simply showing up required effort. You don’t have to move quickly. You don’t have to have everything figured out. Just take the next step, because “forward is still forward.”
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