FFXnow is the definitive local news source for Fairfax County, featuring countywide coverage and hyperlocal reporting on the Reston and Tysons areas. This article was written by an editor or other member of FFXnow's full-time staff.
Fairfax is home to plenty of outdoor patios and restaurants to enjoy the scenery this spring and summer.
Here are the nominees for “Best Outdoor Dining in Fairfax” as part of our new FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite restaurant below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 9 a.m. Friday, May 23!
Voting for the Best Ice Cream Shop in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on The Best Garden Center in Fairfax. The results are now official:
Guidehouse headquarters office and other buildings along International Drive in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
FCPS Boundary Review Enters New Phase — Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid shared on Wednesday (May 7) that the first phase of a systemwide school boundary review process is complete. For the second phase, draft scenarios will be presented at a series of community meetings, starting at Oakton High School next Thursday (May 15). [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Local McDonald’s Adopts Age Restrictions — The McDonald’s in Rose Hill (5600 Franconia Road) has a new policy limiting dine-in service to customers who are at least 21 years old. The rule was prompted by a “melee” at the fast-food restaurant last week, where “young people” were seen on video “fighting and standing on tables and heard cursing.” [NBC4]
Opening Day for Falls Church Ice Cream Shop — “D.C.-area creamery Ice Cream Jubilee plans to open its next location at noon at 151 W. Falls Station Blvd in Falls Church, joining the development’s growing retail landscape.” The business opened its first Fairfax County location at Reston Town Center last year. [ARLnow]
VHSL Transgender Athlete Policy Ratified — “The Virginia High School League ratified its transgender student participation policy Wednesday [at] its executive committee meeting.” The committee previously voted on Feb. 10 “to change the policy in compliance with President Donald Trump’s executive order to keep transgender women from playing on women’s high school sports teams.” [Inside NoVA]
Driver in Fatal I-66 Crash Seeks Witnesses — “A law firm representing an Uber Eats driver who was injured during a fatal motorcycle crash is seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed the collision that occurred April 27 on I-66.” The firm is looking for information to support a “potential legal suit against Uber Eats.” [Patch]
One Reston Contractor Acquires Another — “Reston government contractor Tyto Athene LLC has acquired Reston cloud security firm stackArmor Inc., extending its recent growth through M&A.” StackArmor will retain its name and branding, and all of its approximately 50 employees “are staying on,” including its co-founders, who will enter leadership roles in Tyto’s new subsidiary. [Washington Business Journal]
Local Park Celebrates Milestone Anniversaries — “Despite a steady drizzle that seemed perfectly suited for the occasion, more than 450 visitors flocked to Huntley Meadows Park on Sunday, May 4, to celebrate Wetlands Awareness Day and mark two major milestones: the 50th anniversary of Huntley Meadows Park and the 200th anniversary of Historic Huntley.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Friday — There’s a 70% chance of precipitation, with showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm. The day will be mostly cloudy with a high near 64. Friday night brings a 30% chance of showers up until 8pm, then mostly clear skies with a low around 50. [NWS]
Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly before 3pm, with a high near 63 and a northwest wind of 6-10 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation and potential rainfall amounts varying between a half and three quarters of an inch. For Friday night, there’s a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, followed by a slight chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. The night will be mostly clear with a low of 49 and a northwest wind of 8-10 mph. Precipitation chance is 20%. See more from Weather.gov.
Noteworthy: Totally renovated, amazing home gym space, mudroom
Renovated colonial on a beautiful flat . 31 acre lot. The fantastic curb appeal of this home features a covered front porch, new concrete driveway along with a great front yard. The foyer has a coat coat closet and powder room, which leads to a family room with fireplace, recessed lighting, tons of natural light and newer windows and hardwood floors throughout the main and upper levels. The dining room has French doors to the newer Trex deck overlooking the fully fenced flat backyard with storage shed.
The kitchen was renovated in 2017 and features white shaker soft close cabinets with an island and extra wine bar and desk area, stainless steel appliances, gas cooktop, and Quartz counters. The original carport was converted into a home gym with mini split heating/cooling, cubbies/mudroom, and a storage area perfect for outdoor tools, bikes, toys, etc. The upper level features a primary suite with recessed lighting, two custom closets, and an en-suite bathroom with glass enclosed shower.
The three secondary bedrooms each share an updated large hall bath with tub. The basement has brand new carpet, built-ins, fireplace with brick surround, and a door to the yard. There’s a bonus den space perfect for an office. The utility room has storage, laundry, and a full bath. Vienna is a vibrant small town with a strong community. Enjoy the Vienna Farmers Market, Chillin’ on Church, ViVa Vienna, Oktoberfest, and the Halloween Parade. This house sits just 1.1 miles from the Vienna metro. Brand new HVAC.
Eastbound traffic on I-66 passing Fair Oaks (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
FBI Standoff Near McLean — An individual barricaded himself inside a house in the 3600 block of N. Abingdon St. yesterday (Wednesday) morning, drawing “a large contingent” of FBI agents, crisis negotiators and other law enforcement to the residential neighborhood. Armed personnel were spotted at nearby Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean, which was apparently used as a staging area. [ARLnow]
Culmore Library Closed Today — “Culmore Library will remain closed Thursday, May 8 due to continuing repairs. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please check back at this page or on our website Friday morning for the latest information regarding the branch’s operational status.” [Fairfax County Public Library/Facebook]
Kennedy Center Performers Plan Boycott — “When President Donald Trump descends on the Kennedy Performing Arts Center next month for a high-dollar fundraiser and a performance of ‘Les Misérables,’ he won’t be seeing the usual cast performing, sources told CNN. At least 10 to 12 performers in Les Mis are planning to sit out the show on June 11.” [CNN]
Fairfax City Council Adopts New Budget — “It took two votes, but the Fairfax City Council unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and a new real estate tax rate during a contentious meeting Tuesday night at city hall.” The adopted tax rate of $1.055 per $100 of assessed value was lower than what City Manager Bryan Foster proposed in February and the council advertised in March. [Patch]
How Federal Cuts Are Affecting Housing Market — “The Department of Government Efficiency began making large cuts to the federal workforce back in February, and new data suggests how the regional housing market is being affected. The latest weekly report from Bright MLS continues to find that there is an uptick in new listings coming online in the DC area, but the market is not being flooded.” [DC UrbanTurf]
I-95 Ramp in Lorton to Close Overnight — “Weather permitting, the ramp from northbound I-95 to Lorton Road (Route 642, Exit 163) will be closed from 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 8, to 4 a.m. Friday, May 9, for paving … Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]
New Condos Under Construction in Chantilly — Commonwealth Place at Westfields Belle Haven Collection, a new development with 81 stacked condominiums, is emerging at 4751 Sully Point Lane in Chantilly. “Thirty Belle Haven units have been completed, and the builder, Toll Brothers, anticipates completing construction on all homes by early 2026.” [Washington Post]
Reston Native on Selena Gomez Partnership — Benny “Blanco and pop star Selena Gomez announced their engagement late last year, and have chronicled their relationship in a new album, I Said I Love You First. We asked Blanco about his NoVA childhood, his early love of music, and his artistic collaborations with Gomez.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Thursday — Expect showers after 2pm, partly sunny skies, and a high near 78; there’s a 50% chance of precipitation. Night brings a 70% chance of rain with mostly cloudy skies, a low around 58, and a northeast wind at 3-6 mph. [NWS]
Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms from 2pm to 5pm, followed by more likely showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm. The day will be partly sunny with a high of 78°F and calm wind shifting to southeast at 5 mph in the afternoon. Precipitation chance is 60%, with rainfall under a tenth of an inch, although higher in thunderstorms. For Thursday night, showers and possible thunderstorms prevail mainly before 2am, with continued chances thereafter. The low will be around 57°F, and light wind turns northeast at 6 mph after midnight. Precipitation chance rises to 80%, with rainfall amounts between half and three-quarters of an inch possible. See more from Weather.gov.
A bridge at Royal Lake Park in Kings Park West (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
New Law Limits Youth Social MediaUse — “Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the Consumer Data Protection Act into law last week, cracking down on the amount of time young people can spend scrolling on social media. The measure, which had bipartisan support in the state’s general assembly, bans kids under 16 from using social media for more than one hour every day.” [WTOP]
Area Airports See Increased Passenger Volumes — “April was a busy month for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International (IAD). Both airports recorded their highest checkpoint volume of 2025 on April 11, TSA reported.” [WJLA]
ICE Agents Target D.C. Restaurants — Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents reportedly visited several restaurants in D.C. yesterday (Tuesday), asking to confirm their employees’ eligibility to work in “what is shaping up to be one of the city’s most high-profile examples yet of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.” [Washingtonian]
Reston Golf Course Developers Propose Funds — “The owners of Reston National Golf Course have offered to pay the Reston Association $8.5 million as part of an alternate plan in case the county rejects its proposal to redevelop the golf course property.” The offer was made in a letter to RA’s Board of Directors and CEO Mac Cummins last Friday (May 2). [Patch]
Coffee Shop Opens RestonExpansion — “Reston’s new café, De Clieu Coffee & Sandwich, opened its doors to a steady stream of customers Tuesday morning. The additional location for this Fairfax eatery, a partnership between Chang Koh and Jade Lee, is a renovated building at 2235 Soapstone Drive.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Vienna to Host Wellness Expo — “A healthy lifestyle as you age is the aim of Vienna’s health fair, the Wellness and Safety Expo. This year’s free event, tailored for adults age 55+, will be held on Friday, May 9, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE.” [Town of Vienna]
Herndon Theater Performances Canceled — “Due to illness, all opening week performances of Footloose (May 8-11) have been canceled. If you have tickets to any performance this week, our box office will be reaching out to you shortly to assist with rescheduling. Thank you for your patience and understanding.” [NextStop Theatre Company/Instagram]
It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high temperature near 76 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at 6 to 9 mph. Moving into Wednesday night, the skies will turn partly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 59 degrees, with calm winds. [NWS]
Expect mostly sunny skies and a high of around 76, accompanied by a 6 to 10 mph northwest wind during the day. The night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 58 and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.
Address:10601 Little Run Farm Court Neighborhood: Little Run Farm Type: 5 BR, 3 (+1 half) BA single-family detached – 3873 sq. ft. Listed: $1,600,000
Noteworthy: Luxury main level living with 2 primary suites
Luxury & Accessibility in One Stunning Home!
This exceptional home offers 3,800+ sq ft of main-level living, including dual primary suites, a guest room, and accessible features that blend seamlessly into the home’s refined style. With soaring 12-ft ceilings, hardwood floors, a sunlit great room, chef’s kitchen, paneled library, and deck with gazebo, the main level is perfect for entertaining or quiet relaxation.
The expansive lower level adds 2,000+ sq ft with a full second kitchen, two bedrooms, rec room, gym, media room, full bath, and 1,200+ sq ft of storage—ideal for multigenerational living or guests.
Sitting on a landscaped .83-acre corner lot backing to trees and a creek, the home offers privacy, curb appeal, and an oversized 3.5+ car garage.
Located near the Silver Line Metro, Reston Town Center, Route 7, Dulles Airport, and top schools, this home delivers elegance, comfort, and unbeatable convenience.
A window washer cleans the Tysons Tower office building (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
VHSL to Vote on Transgender AthleteRestrictions — “Even after Virginia imposed a new ban blocking transgender students from girls’ sports, advocates are making a last-ditch push this week to sway high school sports leaders — challenging a decision that others have applauded.” The Virginia High School League is scheduled to ratify its policy change at a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday). [Virginia Mercury]
Army Helicopter Flights Halted Near DCA — “The Army is pausing helicopter flights near a Washington airport after two commercial planes had to abort landings last week because of an Army Black Hawk helicopter that was flying to the Pentagon … The pause comes after 67 people died in January when a passenger jet collided in midair with a Black Hawk helicopter at Reagan airport.” [Associated Press]
Rock Used in Hybla Valley Business Burglaries — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division are seeking the community’s help in identifying a suspect responsible for multiple burglaries in Hybla Valley.” Police first responded to a burglary call at La Taza Panaderia on April 17 where the suspect reportedly used a rock to break in. [FCPD]
Shooting Survivor Shares Story — “Her own cellphone video captured the start of the terrifying gunfire that changed Esther’s life forever. The six gunshots left her with permanent injuries and, for now, tethered to a tracheostomy tube she must use to speak … Collins Agyei, her son’s father and the man who nearly killed her, was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Thursday.” [NBC4]
New Bank to Open in Annandale — “The new Chase Bank branch at 4250 John Marr Drive in Annandale is expected to open on May 20. New customers who open a personal or business account at the Grand Opening will receive a coupon for $300, says Catherine Morrison, market director for consumer banking at Chase.” [Annandale Today]
Fairfax Connector Service Changes Coming — Fairfax Connector will implement changes to some bus routes starting May 17. “Key adjustments include the introduction of two new routes – Route 652 and Route 670 – designed to improve connectivity and meet emerging transit demands. In addition, Route 599 will be discontinued to optimize system efficiency.” [Fairfax Connector]
New Tech Used to TreatParkinson’s Disease — “Rick Schena, of Alexandria, Virginia, and his doctor at MedStar Health, in McLean, have begun using the latest technology — adaptive deep brain stimulation — in his treatment for Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder.” Schena is the first Parkinson’s patient in the D.C. area to be treated with the technology. [WTOP]
It’s Tuesday — There’s a 60% chance of precipitation today, with potential thunderstorms starting at 11 am and temperatures peaking at 75. At night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 11pm, with increasing clouds and lows around 57. [NWS]
