Opinion

Poll: The best Middle Eastern restaurant in Fairfax County

By FFXnow.com

In the mood for some falafel, shawarma or fresh hummus and pita? Fairfax has some excellent options for Middle Eastern cuisine.

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

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 9 a.m. Friday, June 6.

Voting for the Best Swimming Facility 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 Outdoor Dining Spot in Fairfax. The results are now official:

  1. Red’s Table
  2. L’Auberge Chez Francois
  3. Sweetwater Tavern
Countywide

Fairfax County to rewrite 25-year-old massage therapy regulations

By Scott McCaffrey
A massage-therapy establishment on Route 7 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors signaled initial support on Tuesday (May 20) for moving forward with the first rewrite of the county’s massage therapy regulations in a quarter-century.

Staff have proposed shifting regulatory oversight from the county’s Department of Cable & Consumer Services to the Health Department. Individual massage therapists would no longer need to obtain a county license or pay the associated fee, as they’re already licensed by the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

Go to Fairfax County to rewrite 25-year-old massage therapy regulations Read more
Sponsored

A letter from a guy trying to build something honest

By Sponsor
Smiling young man in a white shirt and black jacket with an All Team Exteriors logo, indoors.

Hi Fairfax,

My name is Drew, and I wanted to take a moment to tell you about what I’ve been working on as I try to make my way in the world.

This past year, I took a leap that honestly scared me. I challenged the comfortable path I’d been on and built something new with trusted partners and friends: a local roofing and home‑exterior company called All Team Exteriors. On paper, it’s a business. But in my heart, it’s something much more personal than that.

I don’t just want to make a living here — I want to contribute something meaningful to a place that’s helped mold me.

Why I started All Team Exteriors

I’ve worked in environments where professionalism, follow‑through, and integrity weren’t optional — they were the baseline. But when it came to home services, especially roofing, I saw how often homeowners were left frustrated, confused, or ignored. Slow responses. Vague communication. Contractors disappearing mid‑project.

And I thought:

Someone young, hungry, and honest should try to fix this.

So… I’m giving it everything I’ve got.

What I’m trying to build

All Team Exteriors isn’t a giant corporation. It’s not some out-of-state outfit with a call center. It’s me — and a small team of people committed to doing things the right way. We spent an extensive amount of time training under a perennial award-winning roofing company in Arizona this winter and learned what great looks like.

We’re bringing modern tools, photo-documented inspections, real-time updates, fast communication, and a “do what we say we’ll do” mentality. Not because it looks good in a brochure, but because that’s how I’d want someone to treat my own family.

So far we are off to an absolutely amazing start. It’s been a great first summer and we’d love to help you as well. You can give us a call anytime at 703-705-7207 for an absolutely free inspection and estimate on your roof, siding, gutters, doors, and windows. I’d love to have a chance to swing by and meet you and take a look at how we can work together to make your home safer and more secure.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I sincerely hope we can help you and your family soon.

Around Town

Buzzy coffee shop Shotted closes temporarily at Tysons Corner Center

By Jared Serre
Shotted's second-floor storefront at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A wildly popular local coffee shop is moving once again to a larger location within Tysons Corner Center.

The second-floor storefront for Shotted closed earlier this month ahead of the move, which was partly necessitated by ongoing updates to the sprawling mall’s layout.

Go to Buzzy coffee shop Shotted closes temporarily at Tysons Corner Center Read more
Countywide

Dulles Airport sees spring travel surge, setting stage for busy summer

By Scott McCaffrey
Travelers in a security line at Dulles International Airport in April 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

An especially strong March and a record-setting day in April seem to foreshadow a positive summer for Dulles International Airport.

The airport recorded 1,103,722 passenger enplanements this past March — its second-best passenger total ever for that month, according to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Chryssa Westerlund.

Go to Dulles Airport sees spring travel surge, setting stage for busy summer Read more
Countywide

Morning Notes for May 23, 2025

By FFXnow.com
U.S. flag hangs over a seating area at Fair Oaks Mall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Voter Registration Deadline Nears — Next Tuesday (May 27) is the last day to register to vote in the June 17 Democratic primary, which will determine the party’s nominees for Virginia lieutenant governor and attorney general. Starting May 28, same-day registration will be available, but new voters must cast a provisional ballot. [Fairfax County Office of Elections]

Lane Closures Lifted for Memorial Day — “The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, May 23, until noon on Tuesday, May 27. While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time.” [VDOT]

Connolly Remembered for Silver Line Role — “Congressman Gerry Connolly’s legacy in Northern Virginia includes his contribution to the Silver Line project and its lasting impact. Transportation Reporter Adam Tuss takes a look back.” [NBC4]

FCPS to Continue Early Release Days — “Fairfax County Public Schools will continue the early release schedule for elementary schools next year but will switch from Mondays to Wednesdays. During the current year, FCPS launched a pilot program in which elementary students were dismissed three hours early on select Mondays” to give teachers more planning and training time. [Annandale Today]

Tysons Office Building for Sale — Morning Calm Management is marketing the seven-story building at 1945 Old Gallows Road for sale. The office building was 55% leased when the Florida-based investment firm acquired it in 2019, but after a $1.5 million renovation completed in 2020, it’s now 92% leased, proving particularly attractive to medical tenants. [Washington Business Journal]

Lake Accotink Park Now Hiring — “Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, Virginia, is hosting drop-in interviews every Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m., starting May 20 through June 10, 2025. Stop by the Visitor Center to explore job opportunities, complete an application and interview on the spot! No appointments are necessary!” [FCPA]

Parks Foundation Welcomes New Board Members — The Fairfax County Park Authority Board confirmed four new directors to the board of the Fairfax County Park Foundation, its fundraising arm. Ben Aiken, Paul Berry, Mark Buenavista and Alyssa Keefe will now serve on the foundation’s board through June 20, 2028. [FCPA]

It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching around 67 degrees and a west wind blowing at 9 to 14 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. The night will be mostly clear with lows near 50 degrees and a west wind ranging from 6 to 11 mph. [NWS]

Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for May 22, 2025

By FFXnow.com

Good Thursday 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 — May 22, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Friday’s forecast

The weather will be mostly sunny with a high temperature near 66 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 9-15 mph and gusts reaching up to 23 mph. For Friday night, expect mostly clear skies and a low temperature around 48 degrees, with west winds at 7-11 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.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Countywide

Education Department launches investigation of FCPS over TJ admissions

By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testifies before a House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing on the US Department of Education on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Fairfax County Public Schools over its admissions policy for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ).

The department announced today (Thursday) that it has opened an investigation into whether policy changes designed to diversify the magnet school’s student body violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race.

Go to Education Department launches investigation of FCPS over TJ admissions Read more
News

New data may help Fairfax with flood mitigation, lower insurance rates

By Scott McCaffrey
A flooded neighborhood road (courtesy DPWES)

Fairfax County leaders now have a new tool in addressing the flood-prone properties in the county.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously accepted a new report last Tuesday (May 13) updating and detailing the county’s list of “repetitive-loss areas” — properties that have seen two or more claims of over $1,000 in losses through the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP.

Go to New data may help Fairfax with flood mitigation, lower insurance rates Read more
News

Grants approved for road safety projects in Tysons and Annandale

By Vernon Miles
Westpark Drive at Greensboro Drive in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved grants this week for a suite of projects, including two in Fairfax County aimed at improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

The projects, approved at a meeting on Wednesday (May 21), include major improvements for Tysons and Annandale.

Go to Grants approved for road safety projects in Tysons and Annandale Read more
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