News

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Oct 23, 2026

By FFXnow.com

Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.

📈 Today’s most-read stories

  1. Poll: The best Chinese restaurants in Fairfax County
  2. Seven-story apartment building in Fairfax City set to open in 2027, developer says
  3. Reston condo neighborhood cheers addition of electric vehicle charger

🕗 More from today

Everything else we published today, Oct 23, 2026.

📣 Announcements

Workshops You’ll Love at Art House 7
Explore exciting fall workshops at Art House 7! Coming up October 24–25, master artist Teresa… [Announcement]

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Fairfax County, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

⭐ Featured events

🗑️ Shred Day with Lafayette Federal
Oct 24: Shred your documents safely and free [Event]

Party at the Polls- Celebrate Vote Early Day!
Oct 24: Celebrate early voting! [Event]

Child Safety Fun Fair & Car Seat Check
Oct 25: Get your child car seat inspected by a Nationally Certified Technician for FREE! [Event]

Interchangeable String Quartet & Friends
Oct 25: Total Program Length–2 hours. Free, no ticket required. Donations welcome supporting the St. Anne’s Food Pantry. [Event]

Building Your New Mom Village Mixer
Oct 29: First-time pregnant moms, new moms and perinatal providers – let’s connect! Note: this location is near MOSAIC DISTRICT. [Event]

Alloy! Celebration & Cocktail Party
Oct 29: Tephra ICA Celebration and Cocktail Party [Event]

Diwali: A Celebration of Inner Light – Hosted by the Brahma Kumaris
Nov 1: Celebrate the spirit of Diwali with us at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center for a joyful and uplifting afternoon for the whole family. [Event]

Dialogue for Democracy
Nov 3: Dialogue for Democracy invites high school students from across the DMV to George Mason University. [Event]

How Retirement Communities Work – A Free Workshop
Nov 4: Interested in learning about how Continuing Care Retirement Communities work, but don’t know where to start? Join us on 11/4 to learn more! [Event]

Submit events, announcements, or home listings to FFXnow.

🌤️ Weather update

Today: Fairfax County saw a high of 64° at 2:45 p.m. (3° below normal), a low of 41° at 3:52 a.m., no rain and a peak gust of 18 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 62. East wind 2 to 6 mph.

Thanks for reading!

Around Town

Photos: Cow ‘race’ draws families to Frying Pan Farm for fall fun

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Jubilee and her handler race down the track. (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A crowd cheered on the winner of a race last night (Thursday) at Frying Pan Farm Park, as she approached the finish line. But Jubilee could only be coaxed to wear her crown and sash for a reluctant minute: for a Jersey cow, alfalfa and grains from local breweries were the true prize.

Jubilee was one of seven bovine contenders who took to the “track” — a smooth path around a corral — during the seventh annual NASCOW FundRACER to help support the animals at the farm (2709 West Ox Road) in the Frying Pan area south of Herndon.

Go to Photos: Cow ‘race’ draws families to Frying Pan Farm for fall fun Read more
Sponsored

Reston Station Presents: Fall-A-Palooza Featuring Gonzo’s Nose

By Sponsor
Image from Reston Station Presents: Fall-A-Palooza Featuring Gonzo's Nose

Fall-A-Palooza Brings Free Seasonal Fun to Reston Station

Fall into the fun at Reston Station’s Fall-A-Palooza on Sunday, October 25, from 4–7 p.m. Celebrate the season with an afternoon of live music, family-friendly activities, delicious food, and harvest-inspired drinks at 1900 Reston Metro Plaza in Reston.

A live DJ kicks off the festivities from 4–5 p.m., followed by the cover band headliner Gonzo’s Nose from 5–7 p.m., bringing an energetic soundtrack to your fall afternoon.

Between songs, explore a petting zoo, let the kids bounce into the fun at the bounce house, or add a little sparkle with glitter tattoos. Outdoor games and a photo booth offer plenty of ways to play and capture the day, while Sip-n-Stroll lets guests enjoy a festive drink as they explore.

Come hungry for giant Bavarian pretzels, pies, apple cider donuts, cotton candy, gelato, and more. Toast the season with seasonal cocktails and spiked apple cider, or cozy up with hot apple cider and hot chocolate.

Gather your friends and family and make an afternoon of fall’s favorite flavors, lively entertainment, and seasonal fun at Reston Station.

Learn More
News

Seven-story apartment building in Fairfax City set to open in 2027, developer says

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
A rendering of The Botanist apartment building in Northfax (courtesy Middleburg)

A new seven-story apartment building is on track to meet its anticipated completion date in the third quarter of 2027, bringing hundreds of new apartments to the Northfax area of Fairfax City when it opens, its developers said this week.

The structural frame for The Botanist, a 260-unit building on 2.97 acres at 10350 Eaton Place, is now complete, according to the Vienna-based company Middleburg and Capital City Real Estate (CCRE), which has a D.C. office.

Go to Seven-story apartment building in Fairfax City set to open in 2027, developer says Read more
News

Planning commission backs addition of nearly 300 townhomes near Dulles Airport

By Nolan Stout
Rendering of K. Hovnanian's proposed Lincoln Park townhouse development (via VIKA Virginia/Fairfax County)

Fairfax County planners are backing another office-to-residential conversion near Dulles International Airport.

At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval of two rezoning applications to support the Lincoln Park development, which would transform approximately 15 acres of land in the Sully Square area north of Chantilly and south of Herndon into a townhouse neighborhood.

Go to Planning commission backs addition of nearly 300 townhomes near Dulles Airport Read more
Event

Diwali: A Celebration of Inner Light – Hosted by the Brahma Kumaris

Diwali festival poster with a family lighting lamps, festive menu icons, and event details for Nov 1, 2026 at Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center in Charllottly, VA.

Event location

Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center - VA

14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200

Chantilly, Virginia 20151

Add to Calendar

Celebrate the spirit of Diwali with us at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center for a joyful and uplifting afternoon for the whole family.

Enjoy delicious food, meditation, dance, spiritual stories, creative activities for children, candle lighting, blessings, abundance mantras, and more as we come together with family, friends, and community to celebrate peace, love, kindness, and abundance for all.

Go to Diwali: A Celebration of Inner Light – Hosted by the Brahma Kumaris Read more
Opinion

Poll: The best Chinese restaurants in Fairfax County

By FFXnow.com
Chopsticks picking yellow dumpling from a bamboo steamer, multiple dim sum baskets on a table with sauces; circular 'Reader FFX Now Choice' badge overlaid on right.

Fairfax County features a rich and diverse culinary landscape, with Chinese restaurants serving both comfort food and unique flavors. This week, FFXnow invites readers to share their favorite spots for Chinese cuisine.

Here are the nominees for Best Chinese restaurants in Fairfax County as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice awards. Did we miss your favorite Chinese restaurant? Write it in!

Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Voting for Best burger restaurants in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 11:59 p.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best coffee shops in Fairfax County. The full results are now official:

  1. 🥇 Weird Brothers Coffee — 785 votes
  2. 🥈 Caffe Amouri — 522 votes
  3. 🥉 Simply Social Coffee — 208 votes
  4. De Clieu Coffee & Sandwich — 85 votes
  5. Cafein — 52 votes

Recently expanded to Vienna, Weird Brothers Coffee has become a local favorite since brothers Paul and Kenny Olsen launched a mobile coffee bar over a decade ago. Now boasting four locations, the Herndon-based roastery and coffeehouse is as well-known for its community involvement as the creatively named drinks on its “mischief” menu.

A total of 2,050 votes were cast.

See every FFXnow Readers’ Choice winner, past and present, here.

News

Reston condo neighborhood cheers addition of electric vehicle charger

By Angela Woolsey
Eight people stand outside townhouses, presenting a large ceremonial check during a donation event.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn and Waterford Square Condominium Association residents celebrate the installation of an electric vehicle charger (via Hunter Mill District Office)

Reston’s electric vehicle infrastructure continues to grow with the recent installation of a charger at Waterford Square (11500 Fairway Drive).

Residents in the Waterford Square Condominium Association celebrated the addition of a dual-port Level 2 EV charger with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week (Oct. 15) that included Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn among its attendees.

Go to Reston condo neighborhood cheers addition of electric vehicle charger Read more
News

Nearly month-long closure of sidewalk on Georgetown Pike underway

By Angela Woolsey
Two Route 193 signs (East and West) with arrows, set against a partly cloudy sky and highway scene.
East and west signs for Georgetown Pike near I-495 in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A portion of the sidewalk along westbound Georgetown Pike in McLean has been closed for construction.

The closure of the path between Balls Hill Road and the ramp from southbound I-495 began earlier this week and is expected to continue through Nov. 13, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Go to Nearly month-long closure of sidewalk on Georgetown Pike underway Read more
News

Va. transportation head pledges more cooperative approach to revamped I-495 Southside project

By Scott McCaffrey
Traffic heading west on I-495 in Alexandria near South Van Dorn Street (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Virginia’s top transportation official hopes to get regional buy-in on the controversial I-495 Southside proposal early next year.

“This is a really, really important project,” Virginia Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue said at a meeting on Wednesday (Oct. 21) of the region’s Transportation Planning Board (TPB).

Go to Va. transportation head pledges more cooperative approach to revamped I-495 Southside project Read more
Countywide

Morning Notes for October 23, 2026

By FFXnow.com
A skeleton wearing a red coat and holding a United Kingdom flag stands outside Hawk & Griffin in Vienna ahead of Halloween (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Bid to Stop Trump Arch Construction — “Plaintiffs in a lawsuit trying to stop the Trump administration from building a triumphal arch along the Potomac River asked a federal judge on Thursday to halt all construction plans, one day after the National Park Service signaled it would begin work Nov. 5.” [Associated Press]

Armed Robbery in Lorton — Fairfax County police officers responded yesterday morning (Thursday) to a reported armed robbery at the intersection of Laurel Crest Drive and Douglas Fir Drive. “Preliminarily, the suspect displayed a knife, stole property and fled the scene. The adult female victim was not injured.” [FCPD/X]

Bear Spotted in Centreville — “A bear has been spotted wandering through two communities in Centreville, prompting a reminder for residents to secure their trash and avoid leaving food sources accessible. The bear has been seen at Sequoia Farms and Belle Pond Farm, where it has reportedly gotten into trash cans and visited porches.” [WUSA9]

Va. Elections Chief Prepared for Midterms — “Virginia’s top elections official says voters can have confidence in both the integrity of the Nov. 3 midterms and the results, even if President Donald Trump or his allies challenge Republican losses or attempt to interfere with the election process.” [Virginia Mercury]

New Va. Program to Reduce Health Care Costs — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger, other state officials and community leaders rallied at Gethsemane Community Church in Norfolk to tout efforts to decrease health insurance costs ahead of the start of the state exchange’s open enrollment period.” The Virginia General Assembly has created a $150 million fund to subsidize health care coverage for those who left the market after federal subsidies expired earlier this year. [WHRO]

McElveen Honored for Supporting Student Journalists — Fairfax County School Board at-large member Ryan McElveen says he “was deeply honored to stand with our student journalists as I received the 2026 Virginia Administrator of the Year Award from the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisors this week.” [Ryan McElveen/Facebook]

Free Cultural Festival Coming to Lake Anne — “More than 70 vendors offering international foods, clothing, jewelry and other goods will transform Lake Anne Plaza into a bustling marketplace for a free cultural festival on Sunday. Arabian Nights 2026, presented by Arabian Mosaic LLC, will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza, located at 1609 Washington Plaza N. in Reston.” [Patch]

Halloween Events this Weekend — Halloween celebrations will be in full force in Fairfax County starting today (Friday), with events planned through the weekend at The Boro in Tysons, Frying Pan Farm Park, Reston Town Center and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. Other seasonal happenings include fall festivals at Tysons Corner Center and Reston Station. [Out & About Fairfax]

It’s Friday — Sunny with a high near 63 and northeast winds around 6 to 8 mph. Night will be clear, with a low around 40 and a light northeast wind. [NWS]

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