One scenario for placement of facilities in western portion of George Mason University's Fairfax campus (courtesy George Mason)
George Mason University plans to focus on athletics facilities first when redeveloping the western portion of its Fairfax campus.
After new sports/recreation facilities are in place, Mason will move forward with developing housing — for both the university community and others — plus retail spaces and community facilities, university officials and consultants told community members on May 22.
Travelers at Dulles International Airport walk to security on their way to their gates (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The start of REAL ID enforcement in early May went without major hassle at Northern Virginia’s two airports.
“The rollout was smooth and uneventful,” Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Thomas Beatty said at the authority’s May 21 board of directors meeting.
Walk into almost any gym in January, and it’s packed.
Walk into that same gym a few months later, and it’s noticeably quieter.
It isn’t because people stopped wanting to be healthier. It’s because most people eventually run into the same problem:
They simply don’t know what to do.
You download a workout plan. You watch videos online. You try different machines. You spend time figuring out exercises, wondering if you’re doing them correctly, and hoping you’ll eventually see results.
For busy adults, that approach rarely lasts.
That’s one reason personalized training has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the fitness industry.
Instead of paying for access to equipment, people are investing in coaching, accountability, and a plan that’s built specifically for them.
That shift is happening nationwide — and locally, Alloy Personal Training has become the go-to answer for busy adults across Northern Virginia.
At Alloy Personal Training, every member follows a personalized program based on their goals, current fitness level, and any limitations they may have. Every workout is coached by a professional trainer, so there’s never any guesswork about what to do next.
Most members train just two or three times each week in 55-minute sessions, making it realistic to fit fitness into a busy schedule.
Unlike large group classes where everyone performs the same workout, Alloy’s small-group format allows each person to follow their own individualized program while still benefiting from the energy and accountability of training alongside others.
For many members, that’s the difference.
It’s not about finding more motivation.
It’s about removing the obstacles that cause people to quit.
You don’t need to spend hours researching workouts.
You don’t need to wonder whether you’re making progress.
You simply show up, and your coach takes care of the rest.
Whether your goal is to build strength, lose weight, improve energy, stay active as you get older, or simply feel better every day, consistency matters more than perfection.
And consistency becomes much easier when you have a plan designed specifically for you.
That’s why more adults throughout Northern Virginia are moving away from traditional gyms and choosing a more personalized approach to fitness.
If you’ve been thinking about getting back into a routine—but haven’t found something you could truly stick with—Alloy Personal Training invites you to experience it for yourself.
Your complimentary Starting Point Session includes a conversation about your goals, an InBody body composition analysis, a movement assessment, and a personalized roadmap designed around you.
With studios in Falls Church, Reston, and Fairfax City, Alloy helps busy adults train smarter—not longer.
Schedule your complimentary Starting Point Session today and discover why so many of your neighbors have made the switch.
Rolling Valley West Park's athletic field at sunset in Burke (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Three of the best places to live in the country can be found in Fairfax County, according to one recently released ranking.
U.S. News and World Report included Burke, Reston and Centreville on its 2025-2026 list of the Top 250 Best Places to Live in the U.S., with the first two taking first and second place, respectively, among Virginia localities.
Tuesday’s primaries are behind us. November is ahead. And the work that wins starts now.
This Friday we welcome Lynlee Thorne of Rural GroundGame and Naomi Beck of Connecting the Dots on proactive election protection — building the defense of democracy long before Election Day. Then Maya Benson of NGP VAN on the organizing tools that free up volunteers to do what matters most.
Flint Hill Centre office building seen from the intersection of Chain Bridge and Jermantown roads (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
No More Pedal Boats at Accotink — “Lake Accotink Park was busy on a beautiful Memorial Day, with people kayaking, hiking, fishing, feeding the geese, playing mini-golf, and enjoying the playground. No one was pedal boating, however, because the pedal boats are no longer available.” The lake has become too shallow for the boats due to a lowered water level for dam inspections and sediment accumulation. [Annandale Today]
Suspect in Murder Trial Flees — “A man accused of killing a young mother in Reston, Virginia, went on the run, on the very day his murder trial was supposed to begin. Police say the defendant recently fled to Canada. Fairfax County prosecutors say it’s exactly what they warned would happen after a judge first let the man out on bond, then later let him remove his GPS monitor.” [NBC4]
Man Who Set Car on Fire Sentenced — “A Fairfax County man arrested by U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 8 after he tried to set his car on fire with what authorities described as homemade napalm along First Street NW, near the Grant Memorial, has been sentenced.” [Patch]
Affordable Housing Waitlist to Open — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) will be accepting waiting list applications for both privately-owned and Fairfax County-owned Project-Based Voucher (PBV) units Monday, June 2, 2025, through Sunday, June 8, 2025.” [FCRHA]
School Board Approves Revised Budget — “Fairfax County’s school board approved a nearly $4 billion budget Thursday that will give educators a raise but may also result in more students in their classrooms … As part of the cuts, the district is also changing the way it staffs schools.” [WTOP]
Metro Advances Train Automation — “Metro’s effort to fully automating the agency’s trains inched one step closer to the finish line on Friday, as the Green and Yellow Lines became the latest to undergo the transition.” Metro CEO and General Manager Randy Clarke says the transit agency hopes to expand automation to the Blue, Orange and Silver lines in June. [WTOP]
Hockey Player Retires With World Record — “Nearly 50 years ago, at the age of 35, Linda Sinrod laced up her ice skates for the first time since graduating college. She had just been laid off from her job and decided to rekindle her passion for figure skating on an icy pond in Annandale … Last month, Sinrod hung up her skates for the last time, at age 84. She holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest woman to play ice hockey.” [Washingtonian]
Tips for Staying Safe This Summer — “The pools are open, beaches are filling up and the sun is shining longer each day. While summer brings fun and freedom, it also brings unique safety challenges we need to prepare for during the hot months ahead.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm, with a high near 63. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation and rainfall amounts could range from three quarters to one inch. At night, there’s a 60% chance of precipitation with a low around 59, and lighter winds after midnight. [NWS]
Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm, with a high near 62 and east winds reaching up to 22 mph. A 90% chance of precipitation brings three quarters to one inch of new rainfall. For Wednesday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely, accompanied by a cloudy low of 59 and easing winds. With a 60% chance of precipitation, total rainfall averages below a tenth of an inch, unless affected by thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
Golfer on course (photo via Courtney Cook/Unsplash)
A golfing renaissance and introduction of next-generation playgrounds were among the 2024 success stories for the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA).
“We’re in the business of fun,” FCPA Executive Director Jai Cole said on May 20 at a joint meeting between the park authority board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Housed in two restored 18th-century barns, the venue at 1635 Trap Road hosts concerts and performances mainly from October through May — when the Filene Center is typically closed. It also has space for patrons to enjoy food and drinks during the summer season.
F45 has closed its studio at Faraday Park (photo by Adam Rubinstein)
F45 Training has changed up its routine in Reston.
The fitness chain closed its Reston Station franchise at Faraday Park (11201 Reston Station Blvd) after May 12 in order to consolidate its operations in the area at Reston Town Center, the gym’s future owner told FFXnow.