The Bowlero sign at Tysons Galleria is coming down next month, but bowlers can rest assured — the lanes aren’t going anywhere.
Starting in early February, the arcade, bowling, and sports bar venue will be renamed Lucky Strike Entertainment as part of a company-wide rebranding. Formerly known as Bowlero Corporation, the company officially adopted the Lucky Strike Entertainment name on Dec. 12.
Fundraiser Set Up for Drowning Victims’ Families — “Community members have raised thousands of dollars Saturday night for the funeral expenses for two men who were killed after their car was submerged” in a Chantilly pond. Driver Karna Kadka had three children, while passenger Nischal Bhatta had left his native Nepal about six months ago to live in the U.S. on a student visa, per a Gofundme page. [WUSA9]
FCPS Reopens Schools on Time — For the first time since winter break began in mid-December, Fairfax County Public Schools started classes in line with its regular schedule today (Monday) after a week of weather-related closures and delays. “Thank you again for your trust and patience during last week’s challenges,” Superintendent Michelle Reid said when announcing the decision. [FCPS]
Former TGI Friday’s Restaurant Has Been Leased — “DLC, the relatively new owner of the Springfield Commons shopping center, recently updated its site plan to show Jason’s Crab House in the 6,300-square-foot space formerly occupied by the troubled Fridays chain.” State corporation filings suggest the new tenant is affiliated with a series of businesses that includes 54 Restaurant at nearby Springfield Town Center. [Washington Business Journal]
Pricey Home Sales Tied to Incoming Trump Admin — “Last year, the Washington area experienced its highest number of homes selling for $5 million or more in over a decade, with a significant spike in sales during November and December ahead of the new administration, according to Bright MLS data.” [Axios DC]
Stir-Fry Chain Expanding to Barcroft Plaza — “Honeygrow, a fast-casual restaurant specializing in stir-fry bowls and salads, is coming to Barcroft Plaza. It will be located at 6464-A Lincolnia Road in the space formerly occupied by Chico’s Natural Pet Market. It’s expected to open in July, says Issa Abuelhawa, manager of the Honeygrow in Tysons.” [Annandale Today]
Newington-Area Trail Maintenance Delayed — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is providing an update on the ongoing trail maintenance project in South Run Stream Valley Park … Unfortunately, the colder-than-anticipated December temperatures have necessitated postponing the remaining repairs until the spring, when warmer weather will allow for proper paving and completion of the work.” [FCPA]
Head of Kevin Bacon’s Local Nonprofit Shares Story — “Fast forward to 2007 when Kevin Bacon decided to launch a Northern Virginia-based nonprofit organization supporting impactful initiatives to sustain and enrich local communities … Now at the helm of SixDegrees.org is Stacy Huston, Executive Director,” who spoke to the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority about making the transition from business development to the nonprofit world. [FCEDA]
It’s Monday — Expect a sunny day with a high around 40°F and calm winds shifting to the west at about 5 mph in the afternoon. The night will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 20°F and a northwest wind blowing at 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]
Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area could be hit with another round of snow starting tonight (Friday), though it’ll likely be much less intense than the storm that passed through on Monday (Jan. 6).
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for much of the region, including Fairfax County, projecting 1 to 2 inches of snowfall between 10 p.m. today and 7 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday).
Proposals to streamline the process of applying for community special event permits from the county government won the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s general support on Wednesday (Jan. 8).
However, with a number of details left unresolved, members deferred final action on whether to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the changes to next Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Older adults looking for a more affordable place to live in Fairfax County will have the opportunity to get in line for an apartment next week.
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) will accept waitlist applications for its affordable housing properties reserved for seniors from 8 a.m. on Monday (Jan. 13) through Sunday, Jan. 19 at 11:59 p.m.
Fairfax County Public Schools has anointed a new principal for its prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ).
Michael Mukai, a TJ alum who currently serves as the principal at West Springfield High School, was hired after a nationwide search following the departure of Dr. Ann Bonitatibus, who led the magnet school for about seven years, FCPS announced yesterday (Thursday).
Local police have finally nabbed a man they believe has repeatedly peeped into people’s homes at the Alister Falls Church apartments in Idylwood.
A 49-year-old Idylwood man was arrested on Wednesday (Jan. 8) and charged with five counts of peeping into an occupied dwelling, the Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Thursday).
Winning First Hike Photos Unveiled — The Fairfax County Park Authority got submissions from more than 400 people for its 2025 First Hike Fairfax photo contest. Best-in-show prizes were awarded in four categories — scenery and landscapes, people, wildlife, and pets, along with director’s and judge’s choice awards. Voting for a People’s Choice Award is open through 5 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 14). [FCPA]
Seafood Restaurant Arrives in Chantilly — “Despite frigid temperatures and blustery weather, Ford’s Fish Shack in Chantilly launched this Tuesday just in time for dinner … The Chantilly outpost marks the restaurant chain’s third sit-down venture, joining locations in Ashburn in Lansdowne.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Fairfax City Seeks Acting City Manager — The Fairfax City Council voted on Tuesday (Jan. 7) to contract an executive search firm that will recommend candidates for acting city manager after former city manager Laszlo Palko was terminated in December. Assistant City Manager Melanie R. Zipp is filling the role for now after her predecessor, Valmarie Turner, previously the city’s deputy manager, left for a job in Roanoke. [City of Fairfax]
New Korean Restaurant in the Works — “Oiso Korean Street Food is expected to have a soft opening in March in the retail strip anchored by Giant in central Annandale, says owner and chef William Kim. Oiso will be located at 7133-C Columbia Pike between Wellbeing More and a vacant storefront being renovated for a future Bonchon restaurant.” [Annandale Today]
Falls Church Considers Bicycle Plan Updates — “An update to the Falls Church Bicycle Master Plan has the potential to remake some city streets. But only if there is more effort put into turning aspirations to reality than has been the case with the existing plan, adopted in 2015, according to some members of a key advisory panel.” [ARLnow]
GMU School Aims to Continue Jimmy Carter’s Legacy — “A school on George Mason University’s campus in Fairfax, Virginia, started over 40 years ago as a small center with a handful of faculty members in the 1980s. Since its opening, it has emerged as one of largest conflict resolution schools in the world, and ever since 2020, the school has honored former President Jimmy Carter.” [WTOP]
Meeting on Lincolnia Park Pavilion Rescheduled — “The Fairfax County Park Authority has postponed the public meeting on the proposed pavilion at Green Spring Gardens due to inclement weather. The meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, will now take place on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Clouds will increase throughout the day, reaching a high near 30, with northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph shifting to light west winds in the afternoon. Snow is expected Friday night, primarily after 1am, with a low temperature around 25 and light south winds. There is a 90% chance of precipitation, and new snow accumulation may be less than an inch. [NWS]
Fairfax County Public Schools will be back in session tomorrow (Friday).
After four straight snow days that extended a two-week winter break, FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid announced this afternoon that schools will open on a two-hour delay.
For some Fairfax County students, this week’s snow days have been a welcome postponement of their return to school from a winter break that began on Dec. 23. Others, however, face the risk of going hungry during the extended school closures.
With over 35% of its student population coming from low-income households, defined by their eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, Fairfax County Public Schools has spent the past few days distributing thousands of food kits to students and families in need.
