A new audit report suggests ways Fairfax County leaders can improve collection rates and recoup more of the costs of providing ambulance services.
Even as that discussion starts, the county is working to collect payments for ambulance services provided last year after encountering problems with a contractor that left many bills in limbo.
Vienna residents officially have less than a month to check out books and other materials from Patrick Henry Library before it closes for a long-anticipated renovation.
The branch’s last day of service at 101 Maple Avenue East will be Friday, May 9, though any materials on hold will need to be picked up by May 6. Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) finalized the date after providing an update to its Board of Trustees on Wednesday (April 9).
Incredibly excited to wrap up an awesome first summer. I’ve learned a lot, and I thought I’d share some of those lessons with you.
1. Hiring a JMU intern is a great idea.
This summer we were lucky enough to hire a young man from Woodbridge named Owen, who is a rising senior at JMU. He was exactly the spark we needed to help us push through our first busy summer season. We’ve already made him a job offer for next summer when he graduates, and we’re hopeful he’ll join us full-time.
2. People are generally helpful and want to see you succeed when you’re first starting out.
Over the summer, I was amazed by how many people wanted to help me get a strong start in my business. There were definitely times when I knew folks might not need a new roof, but they were still kind enough to let me come by, take a look, and give them a free estimate just in case. It was inspiring and motivating to know that there are strangers out there who don’t even know me but still want to see me win.
3. Hard work solves most problems.
From the beginning, I’ve been honest about having a lot to learn in this industry. What I’ve come to find is that even when I don’t know exactly what I’m doing, hard work will still often get me to the right result. When in doubt, just keep pushing. This is something I’ll remember as more hard times come and as we get ready to go through the cold winter season.
4. Working with property managers and realtors can be a win-win for everyone.
This year, we’ve built some great relationships with property managers and realtors. These folks are hardworking and busy, and the last thing they have time to worry about is a roof for their clients. We’ve worked with them to install new roofs, windows, gutters, doors, and siding on multiple occasions.
5. Some folks will slam the door in your face without thinking twice.
Things aren’t always easy in this game, and I don’t want to paint an overly rosy picture without talking about some of the hard stuff too. As a new person working hard to get your name out there, it can definitely be a little daunting when someone yells at you or slams the door in your face. Luckily, most people are warm and will at least talk to you, and we’ve appreciated that as we navigate these bumps along the way.
6. Most homeowners just want transparency and great customer service.
It’s wild how many contractors out there really can’t be trusted. We’ve come to learn quickly that homeowners just want fantastic customer service and transparency throughout the process. If you can honestly show someone how the process is going to take place and hold their hand a little along the way, you can make almost all of your customers pretty happy.
7. Homeowners taught me more than any training could have.
There are a lot of local options to get food on wheels. From kabobs and Korean food to ice cream and tacos, food trucks across Fairfax County deliver a whole variety of mobile eats.
Here are the nominees for “Best Food Truck in Fairfax” as part of our new FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite food truck below? If not, write them in!
Traveling to Italy, looking to learn a new language, or want to brush up on existing Italian skills? The Italian Cultural Society has provided Italian language lessons since 1974, and recently expanded its services to Northern Virginia. This fall, kids and adults can take lessons at our new location at the Vienna Community Center. Saturday, in-person classes are taught by native Italian speakers.
Adults can meet other community members interested in Italian, build real-world language skills (like how to order at a restaurant, purchase tickets at a station, or ask for directions), and learn more about Italy’s culture, art, and history while also acquiring the grammatical skills and vocabulary needed to advance in the language. Kids will learn through age-appropriate games, crafts, songs, and more. Our Virginia Chapter courses start at age 2 and go all the way up the 8th grade.
Multiple new thoroughfares line the course for next month’s Tour de Hunter Mill bicycle ride.
Registration is now open for May 4’s event, which will be the fifth annual bike ride through Fairfax County’s Hunter Mill District.
Clear Out. Shred Securely. Give Back.
Sept. 19th | from 9-12 | Bring your unwanted documents to be securely shredded on-site by Priority 1 Shredding while helping support our local community!
Join Us To:
~Securely shred your unwanted documents
~Protect your personal information
~Help care for our environment
~Make a donation to help those in need
Non – Perishable Food or Personal Care Donations are welcome and appreciated!
New car, bicycle and pedestrian improvements could be coming to a major Springfield area interchange, just west of the Springfield Town Center.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking feedback for a study assessing potential operational transit and bicycle/pedestrian improvements on Franconia Road near the interchange with I-395, I-95 and nearby Commerce Street.
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) plans to throw a party next month celebrating the latest addition to its system.
After more than a year of construction, the trails, play area and fitness zone at Idylwood’s new Ruckstuhl Park are now open to community members.
Airplane Wings Clipped at DCA — “A plane clipped the wing of another passenger jet carrying several members of Congress on a taxiway at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday afternoon.” No injuries were reported in the collision, which involved an American Airlines flight headed for South Carolina striking another flight bound for New York City. [WTOP]
Contentious Fairfax City Trail Project Delayed — “Fairfax City Council voted unanimously during its Tuesday meeting on a motion not to advertise the controversial George Snyder Trail Project in its present form. The motion, which was introduced by Councilmember Tom Peterson, also directed city staff to explore possible modifications to the project.” [Patch]
Possible Development Near Bren Mar Park Draws Questions — “Of the four development proposals for Mason District reviewed at a community meeting on April 9, the only one to draw concern from residents was a townhouse project on Edsall Road … Bruce Olcott, the representative for the developer, said the project would be a high-end townhouse community with about three dozen homes” adjacent to Bren Mar Park. [Annandale Today]
Automated Metro Trains Raise Red Flags — “Two eye-opening reports released Tuesday are raising concerns about safety on Metro. One details how two trains came within 400 feet of a head-on collision, and another could delay automatic train operation from moving beyond the Red Line.” [NBC4]
Money for Route 28 Bypass Project Returned — “The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to reimburse the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority nearly $7.5 million in funds related to the Route 28 bypass project. The board voted to cancel the project during its Feb. 4 meeting,” citing uncertainty about Fairfax County’s commitment to the regional project as a contributing factor. [Inside NoVa]
Reston Energy Efficiency Firm Has New Leader — “GridPoint Inc., a Reston company that helps its customers reduce commercial building energy costs, has tapped an insider to be its next CEO as it prepares to enter a new stage of growth following a recent $45 million capital infusion.” Derek Booth was promoted from his chief operating officer role this week. [DC Inno]
Pepsi Challenges Coke in Tysons Face Off — “From April 11 to the 13, Pepsi invites local residents to take the Pepsi Challenge and decide for themselves if they prefer Pepsi Zero Sugar over its rival Coke Zero Sugar. The event is open to challengers from noon to 7 p.m. at Tysons Corner Center at 1961 Chain Bridge Rd.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Falls Church Debates Trash Collection Funding — “Falls Church City Council members appear as divided as ever on how costs for trash collection in single-family neighborhoods should be funded. At a Monday work session, Council members split almost down the middle on whether to shift to a fee-for-service model or to stick with funding weekly trash services through the city.” [ARLnow]
It’s Friday — Expect showers with a high near 54, a northeast wind of 8 to 10 mph, and a 90% chance of precipitation bringing three quarters to one inch of rain. There’s a 100% chance of showers at night with a low around 44 and a north wind of 11 mph with gusts up to 21 mph. [NWS]
Good Thursday 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 — Apr 10, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect a rainy day with a high near 54 and a northeast wind of 7 to 10 mph, with a 90% chance of precipitation and potential for half to three quarters of an inch of rainfall. Tonight, rain will continue before switching to showers after 2am, with lows around 43, wind speeds of 11 mph and gusts up to 21 mph, alongside a 90% chance of precipitation and similar rainfall amounts. 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.
A Tysons parking lot that has been slated for development for over a decade now could finally see some activity of the recreational variety instead.
The Arlington-based sports company Epic Padel is proposing to build six temporary padel tennis courts on surface parking for the Greensboro Park offices at 8200 Greensboro Drive, according to a rezoning application submitted to Fairfax County last Friday (April 4).
