
EEOC Finds Support for Sexism Claims Against Fire Department — “The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) wrote a letter [last] month supporting [Kathleen] Stanley’s 2018 claim that the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department retaliated against the battalion chief by changing the terms and conditions of her employment after she stepped down as the interim women’s program officer.” [The Washington Post]
Man Fatally Shot on New Year’s Eve in Lorton — Fairfax County police are investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday night (Dec. 31) in the 9500 block of Unity Lane in Lorton. Police say they found Nahom Beyene, 42, of Lorton, in the threshold of a doorway with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. He died at the scene. [FCPD, WTOP]
Fair Oaks Chick-fil-A Closed — Chick-fil-A closed its location in Fair Oaks Mall on Friday (Dec. 30) after 22 years of operations. The fast-food company didn’t explain its decision, which was announced just one day earlier on Facebook, but there are still other locations in the area, including in Fairfax City, Fair Lakes and Vienna. [Patch]
Lorton Community Center Gym Now Open — “The new Lorton Community Center and Library were unveiled to the public at a highly attended ribbon-cutting ceremony in mid-October officiated by Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck. The facility’s gymnasium remained closed to the public at that time since its flooring was installed incorrectly.” [On the MoVe]
Postmodern Belgian Writer Dies in Reston — “Claude Krijgelmans, Belgian postmodern Flemish writer, died in his sleep on Dec. 5, 2022, at his home in Reston. He was 88. Known for illustrative prose and experimental language, producing his first book at 19, Krijgelmans published some 16 works.” [Patch]
How Fairfax County Became a Tech Hub — “While government contracting has been a boon for the region, Fairfax County has also grown to attract commercial technology companies, Taylor adds. In the county alone, there are 44,000 open jobs, about 30% of which are in the tech industry, according to the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA).” [Virginia Business]
McLean Historical Society Nears 30 Years — “The McLean Historical Society will celebrate its 30th anniversary Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave. There will be several speakers who will offer brief vignettes of early McLean, including Palmer Robison, Dan DuVal, Lindesay Aquino and Carole Herrick.” [Sun Gazette]
Get Preview of 2023 General Assembly Session — “Before Virginia’s 2023 legislative session convenes on January 11, get a preview from area State Senators Chap Petersen (Dist. 34) and Jennifer Boysko (Dist. 33) on January 4. The 7:00 pm program will be held via Zoom hosted by the Patrick Henry Community Library and Vienna Area and Reston-Herndon AAUW Branches.” [FCPL]
It’s Tuesday — Possible light rain overnight. High of 66 and low of 50. Sunrise at 7:28 am and sunset at 5:00 pm. [Weather.gov]
Recent Stories

The Dragons Concord is now open at 11215L Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030! After some delays with construction, we’ve finally opened our doors and are accepting tabletop gamers of all types to come down and enjoy our tailored gaming space.
We have 7 tables exclusively dedicated to TTRPG and Miniature wargaming, including 3 custom gaming tables in their own private, themed gaming rooms. This isn’t the normal game store and while we do have a selection of harder to find retail in the back, our focus is on providing play space and gaming services such as an active roster of storytellers with regular scheduled games you can book through our website or Meetup (www.meetup.com/dragons-concord-gaming).
If you’ve been wanting to get into tabletop or miniature gaming, but haven’t because you couldn’t find a group or a comfortable place to play, come down and check us out!

Are you seeking a confidential space where you can explore your emotions, overcome challenges, and find inner peace? Look no further than our dedicated psychotherapy service! We understand that life can be overwhelming at times, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
At Peaceful Mind Solutions, our passion lies in helping individuals like you navigate life’s complexities and find the strength to thrive. Our skilled and compassionate therapist is committed to creating a warm, non-judgmental environment where you can express your thoughts and feelings openly. With our personalized approach, we tailor each session to address your unique needs and empower you to overcome obstacles.
Through evidence-based techniques and a deep understanding of the human mind, our therapist will guide you on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or simply seeking personal growth, we’re here to provide guidance and practical tools for lasting change.
Unveiling of West Ford historical highway marker
Gum Springs will be celebrating 190 years of its founding by freedman West Ford on Saturday, June 17, 2023. To kick-off the celebration, there will be an unveiling of a Virginia historical highway marker for West Ford on Fordson Road
Charity Live Music Concert
Ukrainian Charity fundraiser concert at South County High School on June 13, 2023.
All proceeds will go toward Ukrainian funds “Mriya Charity” and “Dai Lapu Drug”, that help kids and animals affected by war.
The concert will include performances by