I once read a book by Seth Godin, titled “Linchpin-Are you Indispensable?” It was an interesting book that expounded on the idea of making oneself indispensable in the workplace and therefor, invaluable to the company. I think Godin was intent on teaching us self-worth and creating our own space in the world, but I thought that concept “indispensable” was not a great idea. After all, how do you take vacations if you’re indispensable? What if you move? What happens when you die?

I’ve belonged to many great groups and organizations and I always try to get folks to plan ahead, get young, quick minds involved and folks who can physically meet the challenges of our obligations. It’s important that we mentor and encourage the next generation to become involved in their community.


Good morning Prince William – It’s back to school time at SERVE and volunteers are needed this week on August 19th from 3-6pm and August 20th from 9am-1pm to distribute backpacks to the kids with new school supplies. Its super fun and so easy! Please email Jan to sign up for this fun event at: [email protected]

· ACTS in Dumfries is looking for good volunteer listeners to help out with their crisis intervention hotline. This wonderful service has been around for a long time and extremely beneficial to so many individuals. You will receive a super training to give you all the skills needed. The trainings are September 20th, 27th and October 4th. Please call (703) 221-1144 for more info. This is another wow job. Secondly, please mark your calendars for Saturday October 18th for the Annual 5K I Walk to benefit services to the homeless. This year’s event is at Pfitzner Stadium at 10am. Gather your friends and family for the perfect way to spend a beautiful fall day. Please visit their website: iwalkforacts.com for all the particulars.


Good morning – It’s back to school time at SERVE and volunteers are needed this week on August 19th from 3-6pm and August 20th from 9am-1pm to distribute backpacks to the kids with new school supplies. Its super fun and so easy! Please email Jan to sign up for this fun event at: [email protected]

· ACTS in Dumfries is looking for good volunteer listeners to help out with their crisis intervention hotline. This wonderful service has been around for a long time and extremely beneficial to so many individuals. You will receive a super training to give you all the skills needed. The trainings are September 20th, 27th and October 4th. Please call (703) 221-1144 for more info. This is another wow job. Secondly, please mark your calendars for Saturday October 18th for the Annual 5K I Walk to benefit services to the homeless. This year’s event is at Pfitzner Stadium at 10am. Gather your friends and family for the perfect way to spend a beautiful fall day. Please visit their website: iwalkforacts.com for all the particulars.


DUMFRIES, Va. – The Lazy Pig BBQ and Catering is a southern carry-out restaurant located off of U.S. 1 in Dumfries. The restaurant is housed in a small, rambler house that has been converted into a commercial space. 

At The Lazy Pig BBQ and Catering, barbecue lovers will find their favorites like macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, cornbread, and collard greens. The Lazy Pig’s ribs, pulled pork, and briskets are all smoked on site in their two large smokers that sit in front of the restaurant. 


Weather permitting, at 11 p.m. Friday night, August 15, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will close the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-395/95 from the Washington D.C., line to the end at Dumfries Road (Route 234) until 8 a.m. Saturday, August 16, and again on Saturday night at 11 p.m. until 8 a.m., Sunday morning, August 17. The closures are needed for overnight construction on the 95 Express Lanes Project.

Schedule of HOV hours of operation:


WOODBRIDGE, Va. — If a satellite elections office in Woodbridge closes on Saturdays, what will that mean to you?

That’s what the Prince William County Electoral Board wants to know. The board, and the elections office it oversees, is responsible for conducting elections within the county – everything from presidential elections to state and local offices.


WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Both Amber and Trey Porter attended Potomac Senior High School where they played basketball.  Both siblings assisted their teams on a successful first round appearance to the Virginia State Basketball Championship held at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia; with Trey and the Panthers most recently winning a State Championship title in March 2014.

Now, the duo plays college basketball separate from one another for the first time in three years; Amber at Stetson University located in DeLand, Fla. and Trey at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.


GAINESVILLE, Va. – On August 12, a 31-year-old woman told police that a female suspect assaulted her and stabbed a 36-year-old man who also lived at the house. According to the report, the suspect left the scene but was arrested by police and both the victims and suspect were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

Here’s the latest from Prince William police:


The Poetry Society of Virginia, a statewide organization promoting the writing and enjoyment of poetry, has appointed Bristow poet Katherine M. Gotthardt Vice President of the Society’s Northern Region. The Northern Region includes the D.C. Metro area, Stafford and Fredericksburg. As VP, Gotthardt will coordinate existing local programs, create new programs, raise the profile of the Society and recruit new members.

Gotthardt holds an M.Ed. with a writing concentration and has been writing and teaching for more than 20 years. A former community columnist for the News and Messenger, Gotthardt taught college level writing online and in the classroom and English as a Second Language (ESOL) at the Manassas Regional Adult Detention center. She currently freelances as a writer and editor, sets up websites and blogs, teaches blogging and writing and reports for Haymarket Beat.


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