Around Town

Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 12, 2025.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • Fairfax lets archers loose on local deer population (23715 views)
  • JUST IN: Smithsonian to expand Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly (12675 views)
  • What to know about tomorrow’s special election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District (8535 views)
  • Defense contractor’s plan for major expansion in Fairfax unites Youngkin and McKay (7321 views)
  • BREAKING: Physical therapist charged with sexually assaulting patient at Inova campus (7019 views)
  • After winning election to Congress, Walkinshaw resigns from Fairfax County board (5610 views)
  • Parking restrictions considered to stop overflow of boats on Hunter Mill District streets (5598 views)
  • More eateries coming to former Whole Foods spot in Idylwood (5222 views)
  • Fairfax City’s new Shake Shack will open next week (4646 views)
  • West Falls Church man charged with strangling girlfriend, who died (4428 views)
  • BREAKING: James Walkinshaw projected to win special election for Congress (4207 views)
  • Army Ten-Miler Expo moving to Springfield due to National Guard (3978 views)
  • 📅 Upcoming events

    Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

    Here are the events planned for Sunday:

    ☀️ Saturday’s forecast

    Expect sunny skies with a high near 83 and a calm wind shifting to the south at 6 mph during the afternoon. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 62 and a steady south wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

    🌅 Tonight’s sunset

    The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

    We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋


    Countywide

    The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Sept. 9) adopted a package of new guidelines for relocating tenants when affordable apartments are slated for redevelopment, acquisition or condominium conversion.

    “The overarching goal is to assist displaced tenants in moving to safe and affordable replacement housing convenient to their employment or school, while facilitating tenants’ return to preserved affordable units to the greatest extent possible,” county staff said in the report’s overview.


    Sponsored

    Incredibly excited to wrap up an awesome first summer. I’ve learned a lot, and I thought I’d share some of those lessons with you.

    1. Hiring a JMU intern is a great idea.

    This summer we were lucky enough to hire a young man from Woodbridge named Owen, who is a rising senior at JMU. He was exactly the spark we needed to help us push through our first busy summer season. We’ve already made him a job offer for next summer when he graduates, and we’re hopeful he’ll join us full-time.

    2. People are generally helpful and want to see you succeed when you’re first starting out.

    Over the summer, I was amazed by how many people wanted to help me get a strong start in my business. There were definitely times when I knew folks might not need a new roof, but they were still kind enough to let me come by, take a look, and give them a free estimate just in case. It was inspiring and motivating to know that there are strangers out there who don’t even know me but still want to see me win.

    3. Hard work solves most problems.

    From the beginning, I’ve been honest about having a lot to learn in this industry. What I’ve come to find is that even when I don’t know exactly what I’m doing, hard work will still often get me to the right result. When in doubt, just keep pushing. This is something I’ll remember as more hard times come and as we get ready to go through the cold winter season.

    4. Working with property managers and realtors can be a win-win for everyone.

    This year, we’ve built some great relationships with property managers and realtors. These folks are hardworking and busy, and the last thing they have time to worry about is a roof for their clients. We’ve worked with them to install new roofs, windows, gutters, doors, and siding on multiple occasions.

    5. Some folks will slam the door in your face without thinking twice.

    Things aren’t always easy in this game, and I don’t want to paint an overly rosy picture without talking about some of the hard stuff too. As a new person working hard to get your name out there, it can definitely be a little daunting when someone yells at you or slams the door in your face. Luckily, most people are warm and will at least talk to you, and we’ve appreciated that as we navigate these bumps along the way.

    6. Most homeowners just want transparency and great customer service.

    It’s wild how many contractors out there really can’t be trusted. We’ve come to learn quickly that homeowners just want fantastic customer service and transparency throughout the process. If you can honestly show someone how the process is going to take place and hold their hand a little along the way, you can make almost all of your customers pretty happy.

    7. Homeowners taught me more than any training could have.

    (more…)


    Around Town

    For two days next month, Capital One Center in Tysons will give the arts precedence over traffic.

    The mixed-use development will close its streets on Oct. 4-5 for the first-ever Celebration of the Arts, a free outdoor festival that will offer exhibits, workshops, live music, food vendors and more.


    Announcement

    The Virginia Hurricanes Girls Basketball program is holding tryouts for its 3rd Grade and 5th Grade travel teams, competing in a full schedule this Fall and Winter season. Join a competitive, supportive program built to develop skilled, confident players on and off the court.

    Registration is required at: https://www.virginiahurricanes.net/basketball/aau-teams


    Around Town

    Reston Town Center is extending its free summer concerts into the fall this year with a Shrek-themed ogre-haul.

    The inaugural Rocktoberfest will kick off a week before the concert with a special 25th anniversary screening of “Shrek” in the Pavilion at 11900 Market Street on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.


    Event

    Come join Reflex Improv as we celebrate 10 years of laughs on Saturday, September 19 at 7pm. The improvised comedy show starts at 7pm and runs between 90 minutes and two hours. The show is open to all-ages, however the content may be adult in nature at times, so parental guidance is highly suggested.

    Reflex Improv offers beginner and advanced classes across northern Virginia (Arlington, Chantilly, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Reston) and Annapolis. The next session begins 9/10!


    Opinion

    In need of pants hemming, alterations for evening wear or a quick fix on a ripped garment? Tailors across Fairfax are ready to help.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Tailor in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite place below? If not, write them in!

    Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26.

    Voting for the Best Hiking Spot 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 Ramen Restaurant in Fairfax. The results are now official:

    1. JINYA Ramen Bar
    2. Umai Ramen & Rice Bowl
    3. Marumen

    News

    Some Fairfax County School Board members hope closer collaboration with their Board of Supervisors’ counterparts will make for smoother future budget processes than was experienced earlier this year.

    Fairfax County Public Schools needs to convince local elected officials and the broader community that “we are being as strategic as possible with every dollar,” Mason District School Board member Ricardy Anderson said during a school board work session on Tuesday (Sept. 9) about budget planning and communications strategies.


    Around Town

    While McLean awaits the arrival of a permanent downtown arts center, residents will be treated to a temporary showcase of local artists at the Chesterbrook Shopping Center.

    The McLean Art Gallery is set to open behind Starbucks at 6224B Old Dominion Drive on Sept. 17, the McLean Art Society announced Monday (Sept. 8).


    Around Town

    Dulles Day is coming in for a landing this Saturday (Sept. 13).

    The annual Special Olympics Virginia fundraiser will return to Dulles International Airport for a 34th year with a variety of activities, including the signature Dulles Plane Pull organized by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police Department.


    Countywide
    Looking up at the Skymark apartment building in Reston Town Center from RTC West (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

    Beltway Lane Closures Planned in Tysons — “Lane and ramp closures will begin Friday at 9 p.m. and continue until 9 a.m. Sunday on the northbound lanes of the Capital Beltway between Leesburg Pike and the George Washington Parkway. Triple lane closures and ramp closures will be in effect Friday and Saturday nights, VDOT said, and a single lane closure is planned all day Saturday” as construction on the new I-495 Express Lanes continues. [WTOP]

    Homeless Shelter Operator Scrutinized — “Staff at the homeless shelter in Bailey’s Crossroads and other shelters run by New Hope Housing are not being paid on time, have seen their health benefits canceled, and have been spending their own money for supplies like toilet paper and food.” Fairfax County’s housing office says the nonprofit is currently “out of compliance” with its contract, and New Hope Housing is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after a supportive housing resident died in a fire. [Annandale Today]

    Virginia Eases Covid Vaccine Rules — “In recent days, residents of Virginia and other states began to need a prescription from their primary care provider in order to get a COVID vaccine, a change prompted by shifting federal requirements. An order the Virginia Department of Health issued Wednesday now makes it easier for eligible Virginians to get vaccines in the weeks ahead by dropping the prescription requirement.” [Virginia Mercury]

    Superintendent Statement on Shootings — In light of “the senseless and devastating attacks at Evergreen High School in Colorado and at Utah Valley University” on Wednesday (Sept. 10), Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid assured families that school officials “continue working hard to ensure everyone is safe as this remains a critical priority at FCPS.” [FCPS]

    State and Dems Clash Over University Boards — Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera recently instructed university rectors to ignore directives from Senate Democrats telling them not to recognize contested board appointees. “Senate Democrats have rejected a long list of appointments to boards of Visitors this year, accusing them of being too partisan. The rejections have left multiple vacancies on the boards. 10 GMU board members have been removed, along with seven at VMI and five at UVA.” [Virginia Scope]

    Stuff the Bus Food Drive Returns — “Fastran buses, along with Fairfax County Fire Department trucks, will be at several sites from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. [tomorrow] for this Hunger Action Month event to combat hunger. Please consider donating non-perishable food items and gift cards at the below locations.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]

    Taste of Annandale Coming Up — “This year’s Taste of Annandale promises to be bigger and better than ever. This family-friendly community festival with more than 100 vendor booths is Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike.” Attractions include live music, a 5K, a petting zoo, a chili cook-off and more. [Press release]

    Ken Burns Doc Preview at Mount Vernon — “Registration opens September 24 to see Emmy and Grammy Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns unveil his latest documentary series at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. Burns will offer remarks and share clips from the six-part series ‘The American Revolution’ on Oct. 29.” [ALXnow]

    It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high of around 81 degrees and a north wind at about 6 mph, shifting to the east in the afternoon. On Friday night, the skies will be mostly clear with a low temperature near 60 degrees. [NWS]