Community members express support for national parks and their workers at a Resistance Rangers rally on March 22, 2025 at Great Falls Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The steady stream of visitors who descended on Great Falls Park this past weekend likely noticed little amiss, as they enjoyed a hike, picnic and scenic views of the Potomac River on a balmy spring day.
But the couple dozen protestors who lined a path near the McLean park’s visitor center on Saturday (March 22) fear that may soon change, if the Trump administration’s plans to terminate hundreds of federal workers and open up more public lands for resource extraction move forward.
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.
Herndon High School’s Culinary Challenge-winning Creamy Dreamy gnocchi soup, garlic bread dippers and zesty sunshine salad (courtesy Real Food for Kids)
A dish inspired by one gathering among friends will now be served in schools across Fairfax County.
With a “Creamy Dream” gnocchi soup complemented by sides of whole wheat garlic soup dippers and a Zesty Sunshine Salad, four students from Herndon High School won the competitive lunch category at the 13th annual Culinary Challenge, held this year at Hayfield Secondary School (7630 Telegraph Road) on March 8.
A water fountain and walking path behind L’Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Where to See Cherry Blossoms in D.C. Area — “D.C.’s most famous cherry trees along the Tidal Basin are approaching peak bloom, and you can see beautiful cherry blossoms throughout D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.” Fairfax County options include Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Wolf Trap and the Van Gogh Bridge at Lake Anne in Reston. [NBC4]
Foul Play Not Suspected in Prosecutor’s Death — “Jessica D. Aber, the former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia who died at age 43, had long suffered from a serious medical condition, and police have told those close to her that they do not suspect foul play, two family friends told The Washington Post.” [Washington Post]
Youngkin Vetoes Minimum Wage, Gun Bills — “Monday was Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s deadline to take action on the roughly 900 bills that Virginia’s legislature approved to send his way. Monday afternoon saw over 300 signatures and a handful of vetoes,” including of legislation that would’ve raised the state’s minimum wage and banned assault weapons in public spaces. [Virginia Mercury]
Fairfax County Hires New I.T.Director — “Matt Harrison has been appointed director of the Department of Information Technology (DIT), effective Monday, April 21. Harrison will succeed Greg Scott, who is retiring after decades of service to Fairfax County.” He most recently led the IT department at Stafford County. [Fairfax County]
Staff Move into New Seven Corners Fire Station — “The Fort Buffalo Fire Station has finally been completed. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department posted a short video on Facebook on March 20 showing staff moving in. A grand opening is expected to be scheduled in May.” [Annandale Today]
Forthcoming Restaurant Offers Food Truck Preview — “Flavor Hive, the restaurant coming to a former Wells Fargo building in Annandale, is under construction, but it’s already ‘open.’ Flavor Hive food trucks parked on the site are attracting long lines of customers drawn by the company’s huge social media presence and its signature dish – the ‘walking taco chips bag.'” [Annandale Today]
Recently Opened Clothing Store Reports Steady Business — “Mayor Catherine Read joined local business leaders for a ribbon cutting ceremony on [March 20] to welcome the new J.Crew Factory store to Fairfax City Mall … Since its opening on Feb. 13, the J. Crew Factory store at 9650-42 Main St. has already seen a steady influx of customers, according to store director Helen Hajibadri.” [Patch]
Nearby: New State Park Could Be Established in Loudoun — “After initial efforts to have the home of President James Monroe turned into a state park hit resistance in the Senate, Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday morning announced he would include funding to support the park through a budget amendment.” [Loudoun Now]
It’s Tuesday — Clouds will increase throughout the day, reaching a high of around 61 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind blowing at 7 to 11 mph. On Tuesday night, there is a 50% chance of rain before 2 am, followed by mostly cloudy conditions and a low temperature of around 41 degrees. The west wind will be around 7 mph. [NWS]
Local author and Fairfax County Public Library librarian Luis D. Aponte invites parents and community leaders to an empowering discussion inspired by his book “A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting.” Drawing on seven years of research into more than 1,200 U.S. school shooting incidents, he shares practical, nonpartisan, research‑based steps families and schools can use to strengthen safety and emotional well‑being. Discover hopeful, community‑building solutions that help every child feel supported and able to thrive. Attendees receive two free ebooks, with a paperback signing to follow.
Adults. No registration required. Free event. For more information, visit ASafePlaceBook.com.
The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Annual Mixed Beverage Application – Sports Facility, Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.
Jimmy Bae/Partner
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.
Clouds will increase throughout the day, reaching a high near 61 and accompanied by west winds at 7-11 mph, gusting up to 24 mph. On Tuesday night, expect scattered showers mainly before 11 pm, followed by gradual clearing and a low around 38. A northwest wind at 5-7 mph will persist, with the chance of precipitation at 30%. See more from Weather.gov.
Two suspects in the March 24 burglary at Dominion Defense in Newington (screenshot via FCPD)
Two teenagers accused of ramming a vehicle through the doors of a Newington gun store before fleeing with nearly two dozen stolen firearms have been arrested.
Both 16 years old, the juveniles are believed to have been part of a three-person crew that burglarized Dominion Defense at 7200 Fullerton Road, Suite 2 around 1:30 a.m. today (Monday), swiping 21 firearms — 19 long guns and two handguns — from the store, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The annual festival honoring Reston founder Robert E. Simon’s birthday will return to Lake Anne Plaza on April 5 from 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. under a new name that organizers believe more clearly conveys the event’s “spirit of enjoyment and celebration,” Reston Museum Executive Director Lisa Watts says.
A collision between a truck and a sedan led to a fire on I-66 West prior to Nutley Street (via FCFRD/Facebook)
A truck caught fire after colliding with a sedan on I-66 in the Vienna area earlier this afternoon (Monday), requiring a shutdown of all westbound lanes.
Units with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to I-66 West prior to Nutley Street for the crash around 1:15 p.m., per scanner traffic.