Author: FFXnow.com

Circuit Court Welcomes New Judge — “Patrick M. Blanch will be presented with his official commission as a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge on Friday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Courthouse…The public is invited to attend the investiture ceremony.” Blanch officially joined the circuit court when he took his oath of office on April 1. [Fairfax County Government]

Reston Library Reopens to Public — “The Reston Regional Library welcomes you back…Doors open at 10 a.m., following 10 weeks of renovations that included upgraded lighting, refurbished bathrooms, a first-ever water bottle filling station and carpet replacements.” [Supervisor Walter Alcorn/Facebook]

Yoga Studio Coming to Belle View — “Belle View Shopping Center is now fully leased following the signing of a new tenant at a unit that was recently vacated. Jess Purtell Yoga, a yoga studio, will soon be opening at the space between Roy Rogers and GOLFTEC.” [On the MoVe]

Bailey’s Crossroads Community Center Renamed — “Descendants of Minnie Peyton, residents of the Springdale community, and Fairfax County officials cheered as a new sign was unveiled designating the Bailey’s Community Center as the Minnie H. Peyton Community Center at Bailey’s.” The renaming was celebrated at a ceremony on Saturday (Sept. 14). [Annandale Today]

Dance Studio to Open in Annandale — “International Dance anticipates opening in the former Treasure Trove spot in the Annandale Shopping Center in early October. The dance studio will offer lessons in ballet, tap, lyrical dance, jazz, modern dance, and Broadway dance for children ages 3 and above, teens, and adults.” [Annandale Today]

Reston Contractor Buys Fairfax IT Firm — “CACI…said early Monday that it would pay $1.275 billion in cash for Azure, a 17-year-old engineering firm that develops radio-frequency hardware and software for the Department of Defense. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025.” [Washington Business Journal]

Local Restaurant Chain Celebrates 50 Years — “When Randy Norton opened a tiny Fairfax City pizza restaurant in 1974, he had no idea he would one day become a restaurant tycoon…Norton is now celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ultra-successful dining chain he and wife Patsy built from the ground up — Great American Restaurants.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Parking Restrictions Approved Near Madison HS — “Trash, lawn damage and safety were among factors Fairfax County supervisors considered before unanimously agreeing Sept. 10 to expand the Madison Residential Permit Parking District (District 11)” to Carey Lane between Jerry Lane and Vale Road after residents reported “large numbers” of students parking there. [Gazette Leader]

It’s Tuesday — Expect cloudy conditions with a 50% chance of showers and a high near 75. Tuesday night will see a 60% chance of precipitation, including potential thunderstorms, with a low around 67. Rainfall amounts could range from a quarter to half an inch. [NWS]

Pedestrian in Fatal Franconia Road Crash ID’d — Fairfax County police have identified the pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run crash on Franconia Road on Friday (Sept. 13) as 43-year-old Springfield resident Julio Cesar Pasassi. Crash Reconstruction Unit detectives are still working to identify and find the driver. [FCPD]

Lake Accotink to Be Temporarily Lowered — “The Fairfax County Park Authority plans to begin an assessment of the dam structure at Lake Accotink in mid-September. To carry out the study, the water level in the lake will be lowered by up to five feet, which is expected to expose the muddy lakebed in many areas.” [Annandale Today]

Police Focus on Trespassing Issues — “The Mount Vernon Police District’s new station commander, Maj. Matthew Luik, told attendees of the Mount Vernon Community Advisory Committee meeting Sept. 12 that the station is working with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to prevent trespassing at vacant parcels along the Richmond Highway Corridor.” [On the MoVe]

NHL Team Partners with Herndon Company — “The LA Kings have announced a new strategic, multi-year partnership with Herndon-based Iron Bow Technologies, which marks Iron Bow’s first official sports partnership in Los Angeles,” the team announced earlier this month. “Iron Bow’s logo will appear on the front of all the Kings’ away jerseys.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]

Eden Center Hosts Moon Festival — “This year, bakery owner Vinh Tran said they made more than 500 mooncakes in preparation for their busiest day of the year: the Eden Center’s Moon Festival celebration Saturday. The Vietnamese shopping center hosts the annual event to honor the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated in many Asian cultures.” [Washington Post]

Local Restauranteurs to Compete in Capital Food Fight — “The Capital Food Fight is back this fall for its 20th year, presenting an evening of great food with some of the region’s best chefs to support DC Central Kitchen in its mission to combat hunger.” Four chefs will engage in a competition at the Anthem in D.C. on Nov. 7, while over 60 restaurants hawk samples to attendees. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Latino Conservation Week Underway — “The Fairfax County Park Authority proudly honors the cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities during Hispanic Heritage Month and Latino Conservation Week. Park enthusiasts are invited to join in celebrating the diverse traditions that have shaped our nation and local community — particularly within our parks.” [FCPA]

It’s Monday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high of 77 accompanied by an east wind at around 9 mph. Tonight, there’s a 50% chance of showers starting after 2 am, with cloudy conditions and a low of 66. [NWS]

Western D.C. Area Now in Drought — “Few locations in the D.C. area have seen more than a ground-dampening so far this month, and drought concerns are mounting yet again. The District has received just 0.02 inches of rain in September, while Dulles Airport hasn’t even received a trace.” [Washington Post]

Indian Restaurant Opens in Herndon — Maharani Palace Fine Indian Cuisine and Lounge, an “upscale Indian restaurant and banquet hall,” opened yesterday (Thursday) at 1030 Elden Street in the space previously filled by Mellow Mushroom. “Spice Holdings…is behind the new venture. This is the group’s first Virginia location.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Vienna Sidewalk Projects Approved — “The Vienna Town Council has approved two new sidewalk projects. With time running out for spending funds from the Maud Ferris Robinson Charitable Trust, Vienna Town Council members voted Sept. 9 to award” construction contracts for sidewalks on Frederick Street SW and Kingsley Road SE. [Gazette Leader]

Budweiser Horses to Appear at Frying Pan Park — “You’ve seen the Budweiser Clydesdales in Super Bowl ads, but now you can meet in person at Frying Pan Farm Park on Tuesday, Sept 17 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Grab a selfie with them and you’ll be a star at your next Super Bowl party.” [Supervisor Walter Alcorn/Twitter]

Repairs Starting Soon on Mason Neck Courts — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon be repairing the tennis court and basketball court at Mason Neck West Park. Weather pending, active construction is expected to conclude the second week of October 2024.” [FCPA]

Bird Advocates Warn About Light Pollution — “The Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, formerly known as the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, is raising awareness about the impacts of light pollution on birds. DarkSky International is partnering with the National Audubon Society on a Lights Out [campaign] to protect migrating birds.” [Patch]

Taste of Annandale Offers Entertainment Preview — “The Taste of Annandale will feature a packed entertainment schedule all day. The Taste is a free community festival on Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., at 7200 Columbia Pike. The lineup hasn’t been finalized yet, but here’s a preview of the expected performers.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high of around 82. Friday night is anticipated to be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low of 64. [NWS]

D.C. Area to Get More EV Charging Stations — “A few dozen electric vehicle charging stations are coming into disadvantaged communities in Maryland and Virginia, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced.” Fairfax County and city will benefit from the nearly $4 million grant awarded to COG by the Federal Highway Administration. [WTOP]

Virginia Shares Respiratory Illness Data — “Tuesday, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) launched a new Respiratory Illness Dashboard, which replaces several older dashboards. This dashboard provides key insights into respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).” [VDH]

West Falls Development Prepares for Residents — “Phase One of the West Falls Development Project…is nearing completion,” developer Hoffman & Associates shared on Monday (Sept. 9). An apartment building has begun accepting tenant applications, while a condo building “celebrated a grand opening on Sunday after its condos went on sale in March.” [ARLnow]

Deer Management Debate Emerges in Vienna — Vienna Town Council member Charles Anderson suggested exploring ways to control invasive species, including deer, in the town’s monthly newsletter. At the council’s meeting on Monday (Sept. 9), he said he was surprised to receive “15 or so e-mails” in response, and some residents shared their opinions. [Gazette Leader]

FCPS Releases Family Survey Results — “The results of FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey are now available. A key finding showed that 92% of respondents say they ‘feel welcome’ at their child’s school, an increase from 89% in the 2021-22 survey…Thank you to the more than 26,000 parents and guardians who participated!” [FCPS]

FCPD Hosts Mental Health Conference — “The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) hosted a Public Safety Suicide Prevention Conference, drawing over 130 first responders from across the National Capital area. Held on World Suicide Prevention Day, the event highlighted the importance of mental health support for those on the front lines of public safety.” [FCPD]

Celebrate Moon Festival at Oakton Library — “Celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival (The Moon Festival) with Oakton library! Listen to stories and learn some unique Taiwan Moon Festival traditions. There will also be crafts and activities to celebrate the Moon.” The event will take place this Saturday (Sept. 14) from 3-5 p.m. [Fairfax County Public Library]

It’s Thursday — Patchy fog will clear by 9am, making way for a mostly sunny day and a high near 81, accompanied by an east wind of 3 to 8 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy as temperatures drop to around 63, with the southeast wind blowing at 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]