Whether you’re planning a major addition or a remodel of a single room, there are contractors across Fairfax County waiting to deliver your dream home — hopefully without breaking the bank.
Here are the nominees for “Best Home Renovation Firm in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite business below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 13.
Voting for the Best Bicycle Shop around Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, March 6 at 8:30 a.m.
Every dog owner knows that greeting — the steady, joyful welcome that makes even the longest day feel worth it. At Giving Tree Pet Resort, we’ve built our daycare and boarding programs around that same devotion: consistent, structured care that feels safe, calm, and genuinely attentive.
We are not a high-volume, drop-off facility. We are a relationship-based pet resort designed for families who want more than supervision — they want peace of mind.
What Sets Giving Tree Apart
As the pet care industry has grown rapidly across Northern Virginia, Giving Tree was built around clearly defined operational standards rather than trends.(more…)
Advance Your Career. Explore Graduate Programs Near D.C.
Are you looking to make a real impact in government or public service? Advanced education can be the key, and it’s closer than you think.
The Schar School offers master’s degrees and graduate certificates designed to help students build expertise, advance their careers, and make an impact in their communities and professions. Located just minutes from Washington, D.C., the Schar School combines rigorous academics with access to the institutions, organizations, and networks shaping policy and public service today.
Students benefit from:
• Renowned faculty with academic and real-world experience
• Hands-on learning through applied research and policy simulations
• Connections to government, nonprofit, and private-sector organizations
• Access to one of the nation’s most dynamic professional environments
Graduate programs are available in areas including:
• Public Policy
• International Affairs
• Public Administration
• National Security and Defense
• Government and Public Management
Explore programs, connect with admissions, and discover the graduate pathway that’s right for you.
The Reston Accessibility Committee, with Ken Fredgren as its chair, gives a Universal Access Leadership Award to Kaiser Permanente's Allan Aziz for his help securing accessibility upgrades (courtesy Ken Fredgren)
After decades of serving his community, a longtime Reston resident and advocate for people with disabilities is now in need of that same community’s help.
Family friends of former Reston Accessibility Committee (RAC) chair Kenneth Fredgren are seeking to raise $75,000 through GoFundMe so he can stay in an assisted living facility.
Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center proposal at full buildout (courtesy of Combined properties via City of Fairfax)
The Fairfax City Council was briefed Tuesday (Feb. 24) on two proposed redevelopments — a revised pitch for the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center and an office-to-residential conversion.
Council members received pre-application presentations on the multi-phase mixed-use development for the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center at 10300 Willard Way and 3922 Blenheim Blvd as well as a potential conversion of an office building into a six-story multifamily residential building at 10340 Democracy Lane.
Flowers, Fine Art & Fashion is an immersive cultural experience presented by People of The Garden LLC, where nature, creativity, and modest couture converge in a breathtaking indoor garden setting.
Guests will journey through a living landscape featuring dramatic floral installations, botanical art, and a one-of-a-kind rectangular runway designed around lush greenery and sculptural plantings. Throughout the evening, attendees will experience a curated runway presentation showcasing modest fashion designers, alongside original fine art, artisan vendors, and interactive floral experiences.
President Donald Trump discusses improvements to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with Kennedy Center Executive Director Richard Grenell in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, August 13, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
A McLean man admitted yesterday (Thursday) to threatening the life of a government official and longtime ally of President Donald Trump.
Scott Allen Bolger, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of making an interstate threat after sending a message on Dec. 23 to special presidential envoy Richard Grenell threatening to shoot him in the head.
A bus shelter on Sunset Hills Road near the Reston Town Center Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Evacuated Homes Could Be Cleared Soon — “Nearly two weeks after a gas leak sparked a home explosion in the Centreville area of Fairfax County, families who were forced to evacuate are finally preparing to return home.” The number of evacuated homes “has now dropped to 19, and officials say those remaining families are expected to be cleared to return as soon as late Thursday night or early Friday morning.” [DC News Now]
Water Activities to Return to Potomac River — “DC Health is set to lift the advisory against recreational contact with the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., weeks after a sewer line ruptured and spilled more than 240 million gallons of raw sewage and wastewater into the waterway. Beginning Monday, residents can boat, fish and let dogs splash along the shoreline in the D.C. section of the river (swimming is not permitted in D.C. waters).” [NBC4]
Bank Moving Corporate HQ to Tysons — “Freedom Financial Holdings Inc., the parent company of the Freedom Bank of Virginia, is relocating its corporate headquarters from Fairfax city to 1750 Tysons Blvd. next month, President and CEO Joe Thomas told me in an interview this week. It’s also opening a new branch there.” Freedom’s home of more than 20 years at 10555 Main Street will still serve as its bank HQ with a branch and operations center. [Washington Business Journal]
Lane Closures on I-395 in Springfield — “Weather permitting, the northbound and southbound I-395 general purpose lanes and 395 Express Lanes will have lane closures at Edsall Road (Route 648/Exit 2) Friday night, Feb. 27; Saturday, Feb. 28; and Sunday morning, March 1, for bridge work … Drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling in active work zones.” [VDOT]
Police Raise Alarm About Home Burglaries — “Police are investigating a string of home burglaries targeting Asian Americans in Fairfax County. The thieves have reportedly taken half a million dollars in cash, jewelry, clothing, handbags and even gold bars. According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the eight burglaries happened within the last two months.” [WUSA9]
Bill to Clarify Legislative Language Finds Support — “HB1299 defines the word ‘shall’ in state code to mean something is mandatory, not just ‘directory,’ or a suggestion. Bill patron and Fairfax Democratic Delegate Karrie Delaney said the bill was needed in the wake of state court rulings that downgraded ‘shall’ to not being required, and, after being in the chamber for almost a decade, she was sick of it.” [WVTF]
Former Federal Workers Reflect on Past Year — Since President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January 2025, “more than 300,000 people left the government through a combination of firings, layoffs, and resignations … The 51st spoke to seven former federal workers to hear how their job losses affected them, what they’ve been up to since, and where they hope to go next.” [The 51st]
FCPD Taps New Communications Director — “Chief Kevin Davis has promoted Alaina Gertz to Director of Communications for the Fairfax County Police Department.” Serving as deputy communications director since joining the FCPD in 2023, Gertz previously worked for D.C.’s police department, managing media relations during major events like the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021 and the 2019 World Series championship festivities. [FCPD]
Bailey’s Crossroads Car Wash Advances — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Feb. 25 recommended approval of a proposal to add a carwash facility at Radley Acura in Bailey’s Crossroads. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a hearing on the proposal on March 17.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 53°F and calm winds becoming southerly at 5 mph in the afternoon. The evening will be mostly clear with lows near 38°F and south winds between 3 and 6 mph. [NWS]
Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching a high of around 53. Calm winds will pick up, coming from the south at 6 mph during the afternoon. Moving into Friday evening, the sky will be mostly clear with lows around 38 degrees and a light south wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
Commerce Street at Amherst Avenue facing Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield (staff photo by James Cullum)
Millions of dollars in federal funds are coming to Fairfax County after a minibus funding package was signed into law earlier this month.
Approximately $7.7 million has been allocated for six different projects, including $3.1 million for a traffic safety initiative focused on Springfield.
