The CIA is hiring, though its recruiters can’t comment in detail on why.
The McLean-based intelligence agency joined over 65 other employers at the University of Virginia’s Northern Virginia campus in Merrifield last month for a career fair that drew hundreds of college students as well as recent (and not-so-recent) graduates, all of them scrambling for a foothold in an uncertain economy.
Protestors filled the sidewalks around the Route 50 and Stonecroft Blvd intersection in Chantilly yesterday (Wednesday), rallying against a nearby ICE facility with reportedly inhumane conditions.
Stories emerged in recent weeks of dire conditions inside ICE’s Washington Field Office, where immigrants picked up during the Trump administration’s takeover of D.C. are being detained.
Fairfax families now have a vibrant new destination for creative exploration — a dedicated children’s art studio has officially opened its doors, bringing with it one of the largest selections of children’s art programs in the area.
A Vision Rooted in Community
The journey behind this new studio is a simple but meaningful one: a belief that every child in the Fairfax community deserves access to quality art education. That conviction became the driving force behind building a space where young people can discover, create, and grow — not just as artists, but as individuals.
“We wanted to provide the opportunity of art education to the Fairfax community,” the studio shared.
More Than 40 Art Forms Under One Roof
What makes this studio particularly remarkable is its breadth. Children have access to more than 40 varieties of art, offering a rare opportunity to explore disciplines far beyond the typical drawing and painting classes. Whether a child is drawn to sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, or illustration, there’s a path here waiting to be discovered.
The philosophy is intentional: instead of narrowing a child’s focus too soon, the programs are designed to let curiosity lead the way. Children are encouraged to try, experiment, and explore until something clicks — because finding a true passion is just as important as developing a skill.
Programs Built for Every Child and Every Schedule
The studio has been thoughtfully designed to meet families where they are, with age-appropriate programs that build skills progressively and purposefully. Here’s a closer look at what’s available:
Tiny Hands (Ages 3–4)
Art is a skill developed over time, and it all starts here. In Tiny Hands classes, children begin to express themselves through art in guided, small group activities that encourage community, collaboration, and relationships. This two-year program introduces young learners to drawing, painting, clay, printmaking, collage, design, and more — laying the foundation for a lifelong creative journey.
Intro to Art (Ages 5–6)
This two-year program introduces children to beginning art skills, tools, and basic vocabulary. Students are encouraged to explore different mediums and express their growing interests, working with clay, printmaking, charcoal drawing, painting, design, montage, watercolors, sculpture, stained glass, and more. Along the way, they’ll learn about color theory — including primary, secondary, cool, and warm colors — while gaining self-confidence and earning recognition for their creations.
Beginning Art (Ages 7–8)
Building on the foundation of Intro to Art, Beginning Art is designed for children ready to deepen their skills and grow more comfortable with art tools. Students expand their art vocabulary, apply their knowledge of color theory, and explore design principles through hands-on creating. This two-year program offers opportunities to work with charcoal, mono printing, clay, ink, color design, collage, self-portrait, watercolors, balsa wood carving, sculpture, and much more.
Art 1 (Ages 9+)
Art 1 is the foundation of the studio’s four-year curriculum — a class designed to maximize and maintain each child’s art interest as they develop a higher level of skills and knowledge. Students also begin building their personal portfolio. Projects include ebony pencil from photomontage, charcoal still life, India ink design, and scratchboard art, with a strong focus on line, value, and texture. Later in the program, students dive into an in-depth study of color theory and apply it to a series of color design projects. Art 1 also includes hand building with clay.
Time is running out to weigh in early on the future of Fairfax County’s Mount Vernon District facilities.
County staff and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck’s office are soliciting input on potential improvements to the governmental center, fire and police stations, and public library through a community survey that’s scheduled to close after tomorrow (Friday).
The National Museum of the American Indian’s Native Cinema Showcase is an annual celebration of the best in Native film. The festival celebrates the best of Indigenous film, spanning documentaries, features, animations, and short-format films by Indigenous filmmakers from across the Western Hemisphere and Arctic.
The Water Mine in Reston is closing out the summer this Saturday (Sept. 6) with the return of its annual “Dog Daze” event.
The Gold Rush-themed water park, which is located in Lake Fairfax Park at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, will become a pooches-only zone from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. after concluding its human operations for the season on Monday (Sept. 1).
SPEAKERS
Pat Herrity, Springfield District Supervisor
Arthur Purves – FCTA President
Meal: $50, including tip, taxes and salad.
FCPS Argues for Federal Funding — Fairfax and Arlington county public schools “made their legal arguments in federal court Wednesday in their lawsuit against the Department of Education. At the heart of this case is the debate on which restrooms transgender students may use.” The attorney representing the schools says Loudoun and Alexandria are expected to join the lawsuit. [NBC4]
New Analysis Warns of Recession — “Economists point to a number of contributing factors in Maryland, Virginia and the D.C. A new analysis by Moody’s, the financial services company, highlights federal workforce layoffs, canceled federal contracts, high inflation and interest rates and a slowing housing market as signs of economic trouble.” [FOX5]
Visit to Springfield Intelligence Agency Nixed — “Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia had arranged meetings with top officials this Friday at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which analyzes data from spy satellites for the Pentagon and the intelligence community, but said his visit was abruptly canceled late Tuesday night after [Laura] Loomer attacked him and the agency’s director online.” [Washington Post]
Hospitals Urged to Speak on Funding Changes — Warner and Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott “delivered warnings about looming federal funding changes that will affect health care access and affordability in the years ahead. Both lawmakers expressed frustration with some hospital chains in Virginia for not speaking out about how the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ reconciliation bill that Congress passed this summer will impact health care providers and patients in the state.” [Virginia Mercury]
Reston Lab Helps Close Sexual Assault Case — “For the first time in history an identical twin has been convicted of a crime based on DNA evidence.” Russell Marubbion, 54, was convicted on Aug. 21 of sexually assaulting a gas station cashier in Woodbridge in 1987. “The landmark case was cracked by Reston’s Parabon NanoLabs and its genetic genealogy chief, CeCe Moore.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Yarn Shop Opening in Falls Church — “Entangled will sell supplies and host events for knitters and crocheters at 103 Rowell Court. Kelly Schnapp, a Coast Guard veteran, federal employee and longtime knitter from Falls Church, hopes to help customers ‘escape from everyday stress’ and connect to art.” [ARLnow]
Cut-Through Permit Zones Approved — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 approved two ‘residential cut-through permit zones’ in Mason District. One of the zones is between Sleepy Hollow Road, Juniper Lane, and Leesburg Pike. The other one affects homes between Columbia Pike and Old Columbia Pike … Residents of those zones can apply for a permit online or in person.” [Annandale Today]
Inova Blood Drive in Chantilly — “Medical emergencies have left Inova’s blood inventory for Type O blood critically low. Inova is in need of all blood types, but a boost to the supply of Type O will help patients significantly. Therefore, the Sully District, in cooperation with Inova, is hosting a blood drive this Monday, September 8, at the Sully District Governmental Center from 2pm – 6pm.” [Sully District newsletter]
It’s Thursday — Thunderstorms are possible after 5pm, with increasing clouds, a high near 86, and a 30% chance of precipitation. At night, expect showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, followed by a chance of showers until 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 65. [NWS]
Full name(s) of owner(s): Ramsai Fairfax Hospitality LLC
Trading as: Hilton Garden Inn Fairfax (trade name)
(Location where business will trade): 3950 Fair Ridge DR, Fairfax, VA 22033
Moe Gahche, General Manager
Ramsai Fairfax Hospitality, LLC
The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Hotel Application – Hotel with Mixed Beverages Restaurant, Wine, Beer, Mixed, Consumed On and Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.
NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or (800) 552-3200.
Good Wednesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 3, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect showers and thunderstorms after 5pm, accompanied by increasing clouds and a high near 86°F. South winds will range from 8 to 15 mph, with potential gusts up to 28 mph, and a 30% chance of precipitation. Thursday night, there’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, followed by showers until 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 64°F, southwest winds of 6 to 10 mph, and a 30% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Almost two months after President Donald Trump signed his so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law, the legislation’s health care implications remain hazy.
Adopted on July 4, the federal budget reconciliation package introduced a number of changes to Medicaid, Medicare and the marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that could lead to an additional 10 million uninsured people in the U.S. by 2034, according to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) most recent estimates.
Fans of bloodshed and Bikini Bottom can both get their fill at the Workhouse Arts Center (9518 Workhouse Way) over the next few months.
The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton announced last week that its 2025-2026 performing arts season will include four popular plays, all featuring live music.
The museum’s annual Native Art Market features award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists from across the Western Hemisphere. This event invites lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Indigenous artists and learn about the traditional arts and contemporary Indigenous creativity. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture.
