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Hey Prince William County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Ghost walks fundraiser, a major tech acquisition, and first friday + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Spooky season tradition: Dumfries' Weems-Botts Museum will host its popular Ghost Walks fundraiser throughout October, with 7 or 9 p.m. tours sharing true local paranormal stories. Proceeds support Historic Dumfries Virginia educational programs -- learn more about the tours.
Election Day in Virginia: Virginia voters head to the polls today for primaries, including GOP contests for U.S. Senate and the 10th District, and Democratic races in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th and 9th -- see the full ballot details.
A busy week for local tech: Philadelphia-based 2X acquired Manassas startup Knownwell, valued over $400 million, and named founder David DeWolf as its new CEO, marking a major Prince William tech exit with fresh leadership direction -- see the full business roundup.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Go hit the links: This week, play a true links-style round at Bristow Manor Golf Club, an 18-hole Ken Killian design with a full-grass range to groove it. Finish with a bite at the pub on the flagstone patio beside the club’s 19th Century manor.
Popcorn with personality: Popcorn Monkey is the family-run candy spot locals lean on for craveable gourmet popcorn from savory to sweet, hard-to-find nostalgic candy, retro sodas, and creamy homemade fudge. Swing by for a movie-night upgrade or a just-because treat you absolutely deserve this week.
Charburger night, anyone? Foster's Grille is the friendly neighborhood gathering place where simple, fresh food is made to order. This week, go for their famous Charburger, a generous half-pound of 100% fresh, never frozen beef chargrilled over an open flame, plus jumbo wings, hand-cut fries and extra-thick shakes.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🏀 Higher Level Basketball @ City of Manassas Community Center | Tuesday (8/4) at 6:00 PM – Let the kids swap screen time for court time at the City of Manassas Community Center, a free Higher Level Basketball program for ages 8 to 13. All skill levels welcome, with training Tuesdays and Thursdays. Expect layups, teamwork, and blissful post-practice quiet.
👶 Baby Story Time @ Haymarket Gainesville Library | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:30 AM – Whether your sidekick is mastering peekaboo or drooling on board books, this cozy meetup dishes out stories, songs, and gentle play for babies and their sleep-deprived grownups. It runs weekly, registration required, which feels oddly official for a crowd still impressed by bubbles.
🧺 Historic Manassas Farmers Market @ Harris Pavilion | Thursday (8/6) at 8:00 AM – Whether you’ve been buying eggs from the same guy since the flip phone era, or you’re just here for peaches and people-watching, the Historic Manassas Farmers Market delivers. Harris Pavilion on Thursdays, the commuter lot on Saturdays, fresh picks, neighborly banter, and zero pretense.
🎊 First Friday in Old Town Manassas @ Historic Downtown Manassas | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – First Friday in Old Town means our neighborhood block party, with bands, food, games, DJs, shopping, strolling, and sanctioned sipping. Shops stay open late, kids burn energy, parents find patience. Keep your cup inside the DORA lines, no outside booze, and we all leave friends.
🥕 Gainesville Farmers Market @ Virginia Gateway | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – At the Gainesville Farmers Market, Blackstone Honey Bee Farms brings pure, golden honey, velvety whipped honey, beeswax candles, and pollen straight from the hive. Pantry-friendly, gift-ready, and guaranteed to upgrade toast, it delivers a better buzz than your third coffee.
🧘 Free Guided Meditation Class @ Potomac Community Library (Woodbridge) | Saturday (8/8) at 11:00 AM – A free guided meditation class is dialing down the chaos with mental silence, mindfulness, and that elusive inner peace. Come as you are, sit still for once, and leave balanced, relaxed, and weirdly joyful, like your brain finally found the dimmer switch.
🥕 Dale City Winter Farmers Market @ Dale City Farmer's Market (Woodbridge) | Sunday (8/9) at 8:00 AM – Winter in Dale City means a market full of hardy greens, squash, apples, local honey, fresh breads, and ready-to-eat comfort bites and sweet treats. Fuel your stews, roasts, and chili, then let the house do the bragging. Leave the pups at home, service animals only.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Prince William County report Weather forecastToday — High: 86°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 6%
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind 0 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 87°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 56%
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis former model home in Laurenwood Estates delivers over 8,000 square feet of polished living on 1.2 landscaped acres. Soaring ceilings, walls of windows, custom molding, and wide white oak floors set the tone, while the Wolf and Sub-Zero kitchen, luxe primary suite, theater room, pool, deck, and pergola keep the spotlight on style and comfort.
Take a peek inside → |
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