Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Vienna could kick off Juneteenth celebration this year with parade

Published January 27, 2025 at 3:45PM

The Liberty Amendments Month logo on Patrick Henry Library in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna’s Juneteenth celebration could march into town with some additional pomp this year.

The First Baptist Church of Vienna, which typically hosts the now-annual event commemorating the U.S.’s “second independence day,” has proposed kicking off the 2025 festivities with a parade.

News

Congressman revives proposal to rename Dulles Airport after Trump

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2025 at 2:30PM

The tarmac at Dulles International Airport (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Congressional Republicans are once again pushing to rename Dulles International Airport after President Donald Trump.

North Carolina Rep. Addison McDowell introduced H.R. 691 last Thursday, Jan. 23 to designate the Northern Virginia airport as “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” proclaiming the move a fitting parallel to former president Ronald Reagan’s moniker gracing Washington National Airport in Arlington.

News

Mixed-use development could replace offices near Fairfax County judicial complex

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2025 at 11:15AM

The existing office buildings at 4085, 4101 and 4103 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax City (via City of Fairfax)

A local homebuilder is looking to gauge city officials’ reaction to another mixed-use development proposal for Old Town Fairfax.

After purchasing the contracts for 4085, 4101 and 4103 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax City, Oakton-based Christopher Companies has shared a concept plan with the city that would replace the existing office buildings with apartment and office buildings, townhouses and retail.

News

Comstock rethinks approach to planned senior living building at Reston Station

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2025 at 9:45AM

The existing office building at 1831 Wiehle Avenue in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A search for an operator to run an independent living facility planned for Reston Station’s upcoming Midline district has apparently come up empty so far.

With demolition of the vacant office building currently on the site at 1831 Wiehle Avenue expected to begin this year, developer Comstock Companies is exploring the possibility of delivering age-restricted housing for seniors instead, according to an application submitted to Fairfax County last Thursday (Jan. 23).

Around Town

Photos: Marufuji Japanese Market draws crowd for grand opening in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2025 at 9:00AM

Marufuji Japanese Market's grand opening in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After months of anticipation, Northern Virginia residents got their first look at the new Japanese grocery store in Tysons this past weekend.

Shoppers began lining up well before Marufuji Japanese Market (8520-A Leesburg Pike) opened its doors at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, so anyone who showed up on time found themselves at the end of a queue that past the nearby Starbucks and looped multiple times around Tysons 3 Center’s rear parking lot.

Around Town

Local polar dips and plunges encourage cold water jumps for charity

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 24, 2025 at 3:00PM

The inaugural Kiwanis Polar Dip 2024 at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (photo by Scott Ripley)

After a week of freezing temperatures, jumping into a body of cold water might not sound like the most enticing Saturday activity, but that’s exactly what dozens of Fairfax County residents are expected to do at two upcoming charitable events.

First, Special Olympics Virginia will bring its annual Polar Plunge to the Mosaic District in Merrifield tomorrow (Saturday) from noon to 2 p.m.

News

FCPD: Man charged after drawing gun at Bailey’s homeless shelter

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 24, 2025 at 2:15PM | Updated January 24, 2025 at 2:56PM

Firearm collected by the Fairfax County Police Department (image via FCPD)

Fairfax County police arrested a man earlier this week who allegedly pointed a gun at another person while at the county’s homeless shelter in Bailey’s Crossroads.

Officers were dispatched to the Bailey’s Shelter and Supportive Housing in the 5900 block of Seminary Road at approximately 7:56 p.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 22) for a reported weapons violation, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

News

Georgetown Pike improvements could ease access to Great Falls Library

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 24, 2025 at 11:30AM

Traffic heading west on Georgetown Pike approaching Bucks Lane (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is considering a number of upgrades on Georgetown Pike to make a trip to the library less hazardous for pedestrians.

The proposed improvements will be presented by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) at a community meeting next Thursday, Jan. 30. Held at the Great Falls Grange (9818 Georgetown Pike), the meeting is scheduled to last an hour from 7-8 p.m.

Around Town

Winter Restaurant Week returns with dozens of Fairfax County options

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 24, 2025 at 8:15AM

A pizza with trays of fries from Matchbox (courtesy Thompson Restaurants)

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s (RAMW) Winter Restaurant Week is back.

Starting next Monday, Jan. 27 and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 2, the biannual campaign to promote the D.C. region’s culinary scene will feature more than three dozen restaurants from Fairfax County, along with establishments in the District, Maryland and elsewhere in Northern Virginia.

Countywide

Fairfax County names permanent transportation director after 19 months

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 23, 2025 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Department of Transportation Director Gregg Steverson (courtesy Fairfax County)

Gregg Steverson can finally drop the “acting” from his job title.

The career transportation planner has been appointed as Fairfax County’s permanent director of transportation after intially filling the role on an interim basis following predecessor Tom Biesiadny’s retirement in May 2023, the county announced today (Thursday).