FFXnow - Fairfax County, Va. local news

Showers with a potential thunderstorm are expected after 2pm, reaching a high near 82°F and accompanied by a 3 to 6 mph northeast wind. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation and possible new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch. On Saturday night, showers and potentially a thunderstorm are likely before 2am, followed by a chance of showers. Expect a low around 66°F and a 6 mph east wind, with an 80% chance of precipitation and new rainfall amounts ranging from a quarter to half of an inch. 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. 👋

Around Town

Culinary festival ‘Taste of FFX’ coming to Fair Oaks Mall tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published June 13, 2025 at 3:45PM

Empanadas De Mendoza is among the food vendors scheduled for Fair Oaks Mall's Taste of FFX festival (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fair Oaks Mall is hosting a Taste of FFX event tomorrow (Saturday), featuring a mix of local dining and regional chains.

The event is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.

A post from Annapolis Sailboat Show

Discover What’s Possible on the Water at the Annapolis Sailboat Show

Published September 10, 2026 at 10:45AM

The sailing lifestyle starts with a single moment. A breeze filling the sails. A quiet morning on the Bay. A weekend exploring new places with nothing but the horizon ahead.

For generations, the Chesapeake Bay has inspired sailors with its protected waters, charming waterfront towns, and endless opportunities to explore. It’s a place where a short afternoon sail can become a lifelong passion, and where every trip on the water offers a new adventure.

Every fall, the Annapolis Sailboat Show brings that lifestyle within reach.

From October 15–18, downtown Annapolis transforms into a celebration of sailing, bringing together beautiful sailboats, passionate sailors, industry experts, and waterfront experiences in America’s sailing capital.

Walk the docks, step aboard sailboats from around the world, discover new designs, connect with the sailing community, and imagine where the wind could take you next. You don’t have to be an experienced sailor to enjoy the show. You just have to be curious.

Discover Your Place Under Sail

The Annapolis Sailboat Show offers a rare opportunity to experience the sailing world all in one place. Explore sleek performance sailboats built for adventure. Step aboard comfortable cruising yachts designed for weekend escapes. Discover spacious catamarans that offer a new way to experience life on the water.

Every boat represents a different possibility.

Maybe it’s learning to sail for the first time. Maybe it’s planning weekend adventures on the Chesapeake. Maybe it’s simply discovering a new passion you never knew you had. Walk the docks, talk with sailing experts, and explore the boats, brands, and resources that can help make sailing part of your story.

More Than a Sailboat Show

The Annapolis Sailboat Show is more than an event. It’s a celebration of the people, places, and experiences that make sailing special.

Beyond the docks, visitors can experience the best of fall in Annapolis. Stroll historic brick-lined streets, enjoy waterfront dining, browse local shops, and take in views of sailboats moving through the harbor.

Throughout the show grounds, connect with sailing organizations, charter companies, outfitters, and marine experts who help make the sailing lifestyle more accessible. It’s a weekend filled with discovery, community, and the unmistakable energy of a city built around the water.

Learn. Build Confidence. Go Farther.

For many people, sailing is a dream they’ve always wanted to explore but didn’t know where to begin. The Annapolis Sailboat Show helps turn curiosity into confidence.

Take part in educational opportunities designed for every level of experience, including the First Sail Workshop for beginners, Cruisers University for in-depth sailing education, and free daily seminars led by experienced sailors and industry experts.

Whether you’re stepping aboard for the first time or building the skills to go farther, these programs provide the knowledge and confidence to enjoy more time on the water.

Find Your Next Adventure

Sailing is about more than the boat.

It’s the quiet morning sail. The sunset over the harbor. The weekend escape with friends. The feeling of discovering somewhere new. The Annapolis Sailboat Show brings together the boats, people, and possibilities that make the sailing lifestyle so rewarding.

Come step aboard, meet the sailing community, and discover where your next adventure begins.

Learn More

Around Town

Herndon to launch free ‘Town Square Tuesdays’ concert series

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 13, 2025 at 2:45PM

The band Mystic Warriors will kick off the Town of Herndon's new "Town Square Tuesdays" concert series (courtesy Mystic Warriors)

The Town of Herndon is expanding its summer programming this year with a new “Town Square Tuesdays” concert series.

The free, outdoor concerts will kick off next Tuesday, June 17 on Herndon’s Town Square patio (730 Station Street) with Mystic Warriors, a band based in the D.C. area that plays Andean music.

Announcement

EvolveAll Launches Youth Martial Arts Program Built for Homeschool Families

By EvolveAll

Published September 11, 2026

For homeschooling families, finding activities that fit a non-traditional school day can be a challenge. EvolveAll, the martial arts and fitness studio that’s served the local community for more than 15 years, is addressing that gap with a new Homeschool Youth Martial Arts (YMA) program.

The program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:15 to 2:00 PM and follows EvolveAll’s established YMA curriculum, which focuses on discipline, focus, coordination, and self-defense fundamentals for kids ages 5 to 10. Classes are led by EvolveAll’s head YMA Instructor Mr. Christian, who has over a decade of instructing experience. The class size is capped to keep the student-to-instructor ratio low.

Around Town

Vienna to jump start Liberty Amendments Month with parade

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 13, 2025 at 1:45PM

A banner for Liberty Amendments Month hangs over Maple Avenue in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The U.S. Army’s 250th birthday parade isn’t the only procession taking to the streets in the D.C. region tomorrow (Saturday).

The Town of Vienna will host a parade of its own to kick off its fifth annual Liberty Amendments Month celebrations, which shine a light on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 19th amendments to the U.S. Constitution for bringing the country closer to its egalitarian ideals, at least on paper.

Event

Inner Peace Summit: A Day to Recharge. Reconnect. Renew

September 20, 2026 12:00 pm -5:00 pm

Event location

Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum - Virginia

14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200, 2nd floor

Chantilly, Virginia 20151

Add to Calendar

In a world that moves faster than ever, inner peace is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity.

Join us for the Inner Peace Summit, a transformative gathering where leaders, professionals, educators, public servants, families, students, faith communities, wellness advocates, and spiritual seekers come together to discover practical tools for living with greater clarity, resilience, compassion, and purpose.

Opinion

Poll: The best bar and nightlife spot in Fairfax County

By FFXnow.com

Published June 13, 2025 at 11:15AM

From casual breweries and laid-back sports bars to live music spots, Fairfax County has plenty of great venues for a fun night out.

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

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 9 a.m. Friday, June 27.

Voting for the Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant 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 Sushi Restaurant in Fairfax. The results are now official:

Ariake Japanese Restaurant
Sushi Umi
Tachibana Japanese Restaurant

#FFXnow Reader Choice

Countywide

FCPD trainer and other experts urge action to prevent deaths at police academies

By Associated Press

Published June 13, 2025 at 10:00AM

The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

By RYAN J. FOLEY Associated Press

A panel of experts called Wednesday for policy and cultural changes to prevent deaths linked to heat and exertion at the nation’s police academies, and insisted that urgent action is needed to save the lives of recruits.

Countywide

Fairfax board authorizes studies of proposed developments with some last-minute alterations

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 13, 2025 at 9:15AM

Dranesville United Methodist Church's housing proposal had been proposed for removal from county study, but was kept on the list (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County supervisors wrapped up the 2024-2025 Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) cycle at their meeting on Tuesday (June 10) with a few tweaks to recommendations from the Planning Commission.

Projects that made the cut will now be placed on a county staff work plan for further review and community outreach. Rejected submissions can return in the next cycle, expected to start in about 18 months.

Countywide

Forecast: Possible rain awaits military parade, Father’s Day in Fairfax County

By FFXnow.com

Published June 13, 2025 at 8:30AM

DC News Now meteorologist Jackie Layer forecasts rain in Fairfax County on June 13-15, 2025 (courtesy DC News Now)

There’s a chance it might rain on the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday parade in D.C. tomorrow (Saturday).

Scheduled to roll down Constitution Avenue starting at 6:30 p.m., the military parade championed by President Donald Trump will follow a full day of festivities — and protests — that could be hit by a storm system expected to pass through the region this weekend.

Countywide

Morning Notes for June 13, 2025

By FFXnow.com

Published June 13, 2025 at 7:30AM

Two people stand on the Van Gogh Bridge at Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Harmful Algae in Burke Lake — A blue-green algae bloom that could pose health risks to people and animals has been identified at Burke Lake, prompting the Fairfax County Park Authority to advise avoiding contact with the water “until further notice.” The park authority says it’s “monitoring the situation and coordinating with state and local health officials.” [FCPA/Facebook]

ICE Arrests in Annandale — “Four people were arrested by ICE on June 10 inside the immigration court in Annandale. They had been waiting for their cases to be heard, reports John Cano, a senior organizer with the Legal Aid Justice Center … As of [Wednesday], there was no information on whether the individuals taken by ICE had their cases dismissed or where they live.” [Annandale Today]

Anti-Trump Protests Coming — “The protests coincide with the day of Trump’s planned military parade in DC. The parade, celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday, is being held on the same day as Trump’s birthday.” More than a dozen protests are planned in Northern Virginia, including in Fair Lakes, Alexandria and Arlington. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Falls Church Movie Theater Opens — “A new movie theater in Falls Church is opening its doors tomorrow (Friday). The new Paragon Theaters at 112 Founders Avenue will offer $8 movie tickets now through June 30 to welcome its first guests. The location originally planned to open over Memorial Day weekend.” [ARLnow]

New Restaurants Along Richmond Highway — “First Watch, a restaurant chain specializing in made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch, opened its new Alexandria location in Groveton June 9, according to a company spokesperson.” Over in Penn Daw, prolific D.C.-area chef Peter Chang has leased space for a restaurant at South Alex. [On the MoVe]

Planned Bicycle Path Wins Support — “A proposal to add a 10-foot-wide path for bicyclists along Haycock Road has won informal support from the Falls Church Planning Commission … The effort is being conducted in coordination with transportation-safety improvements along Shreve Road just to the south, also under the direction of Fairfax County officials.” [ARLnow]

Positive Start for Automated Metro Trains — “The safety oversight panel monitoring Metro’s rail system said in the first 10 days of automated train operation on the Green and Yellow Lines, there have been significantly less station overruns than when the system was implemented earlier on the Red Line.” [WTOP]

It’s Friday — Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 3pm, with a partly sunny high of 89°F and south winds of 3-6 mph. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation at night, which will be mostly cloudy with a low of 71°F. [NWS]