Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Invasive hydrilla plant resurfaces at Lake Thoreau in Reston

Published August 1, 2025 at 9:15AM

RA's environmental team took photos on July 29, 2025 showing hydrilla blooming in Lake Thoreau (courtesy Reston Association)

Like a monster in a horror movie franchise, the hydrilla that long plagued Lake Thoreau before lying low over the past couple of years has now returned.

Though past management efforts have seen some success, the invasive aquatic plant, whose full scientific name is Hydrilla verticillata, has resurfaced in “significant quantities” throughout the lake this summer, Reston Association announced on Monday (July 28).

Around Town

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma to perform with Fairfax Symphony Orchestra in new season

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 31, 2025 at 3:45PM

Yo-Yo Ma (photo by Jason Bell)

Acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma is tuning up for a visit to Fairfax County later this year.

Ma, a household name even outside the classical music world, will perform with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts on Dec. 6 as part of the local ensemble’s 2025-2026 season.

Countywide

Storms could bring flash flooding to Fairfax County this afternoon

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 31, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated July 31, 2025 at 1:23PM

Excessive rainfall risk for D.C. area on July 31, 2025 (via National Weather Service)

After several days of hot, muggy weather, a major cooldown is in store for the D.C. region in the wake of storms expected to land this afternoon (Thursday).

However, the heavy rain will bring a risk of “significant flash flooding,” according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a Flood Watch for the entire area, including Fairfax County.

Countywide

GMU faculty describe tense mood on campus as possible vote on president’s future nears

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 31, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated July 31, 2025 at 1:21PM

George Mason University students and faculty protesting outside a Board of Visitors meeting on May 1 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The next meeting of George Mason University’s Board of Visitors could be among the most heavily scrutinized in the Northern Virginia school’s 53-year history.

In addition to revisiting an anti-diversity-programs resolution that was tabled in May, the board is scheduled “to discuss the performance goals” of GMU President Gregory Washington during a closed session at its annual meeting tomorrow morning (Friday).

Around Town

Simply Social Coffee is brewing an expansion to Reston

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 31, 2025 at 9:15AM

A sign and building permits for Simply Social Coffee can be seen in a window above Expressions Dental Care at Reston's Sunrise Valley Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Construction is underway on a new coffee shop in Reston.

Simply Social Coffee, which can currently be found in Vienna’s Cedar Park Shopping Center and next to Burlington Coat Factory just outside Fairfax City, has been working on a third location in Reston at 11511 Sunrise Valley Drive, Unit 9.

Around Town

China Wok closed after more than three decades in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 31, 2025 at 8:30AM

China Wok's storefront at Pike 7 Plaza in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

China Wok has carved up its final Peking duck.

The old-school Chinese restaurant permanently closed its doors at Pike 7 Plaza in Tysons at the end of July, wrapping up a 34-year run.

Countywide

Programs that support solar panel installations warn residents of expiring tax credit

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 30, 2025 at 3:45PM

Rooftop solar panels on a house in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Time is running out for Fairfax County homeowners to get a federal tax credit for adopting solar energy.

The reconciliation bill passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on July 4 will eliminate a residential clean energy credit that lets residential property owners deduct 30% of the cost of installing rooftop solar panels, solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and other clean energy systems from their federal income taxes.

News

Lake Anne cooling system falters again amid summer heat

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 30, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated July 30, 2025 at 2:32PM

Homes overlook Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Residents of Lake Anne in Reston are once again enduring a heat dome with limited relief after a crucial component of their cooling system failed.

A temporary rental pump installed in late June after residents reported experiencing temperatures of 85 degrees or higher during a heat wave has failed, Reston RELAC President Mark Waddell told customers in an email on Monday (July 28).

Around Town

Greenheart Juice closes Reston shop, plans transition into cafe

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 30, 2025 at 10:00AM

Greenheart Cafe's new menu items will include a chicken caprese and kale pesto sourdough sandwich (courtesy Greenheart Cafe)

Greenheart Juice Shop is planning to take on a new form, one that required it to shed its short-lived Reston location.

Less than a year after opening, the local juice and smoothie chain has closed its doors at North Point Village Center. This past Monday (July 28) was its final day of business, founder and director of operations Alicia Swanstrom confirmed to FFXnow.

News

Work to begin on extending I-495 ramp in McLean, affecting traffic

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 30, 2025 at 8:30AM

The merge area from northbound I-495 to the George Washington Memorial Parkway will be temporarily reduced to one lane, starting July 30, 2025 (via VDOT)

The I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project will introduce another change to the traffic patterns in McLean tonight (Wednesday).

Construction crews are scheduled to begin work this week on an extension of the northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway Inner Loop) ramp to southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway (GW Parkway), requiring the highway to be narrowed.