Consideration of a meals tax has gained most of the attention this budget cycle, but Fairfax County supervisors also are looking at increasing the transient-occupancy tax paid on hotel stays.
If adopted next month, the increase from 4% to 6% on stays of less than 30 days will raise an additional $13 million in the coming fiscal year, said Phil Hagen, director of the county’s Department of Management and Budget.
Basketball coach and teacher credited for intervening in West Potomac High School stabbing — “West Potomac girls basketball coach, Joe Petrucelli, has been identified as a hero for intervening to restrain the assailant.” [Twitter]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 79 and calm winds shifting to the south at 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Friday night, there’s a 70% chance of showers, mainly after 8pm, with temperatures dropping to around 64. Winds will be from the southeast at 8 mph, and new precipitation amounts may be less than a tenth of an inch. [NWS]
Suspect who shot at two officers has previous traffic stop encounter — “Officers attempted to pull over Wali in 2018, but he didn’t stop initially, later stopping at a shopping center, police said. He was charged with felony speed to elude, resisting arrest and running a red light. His concealed carry permit was suspended following that incident.” [NBC]
At-large School Board member no-show at court hearing — “Last Friday in courtroom 2B of the Loudoun County Circuit Court, when the judge called out the next case on the docket, “Blue Label Aviation Inc. v. Robert Kyle McDaniel,” there was one notable absence. McDaniel, the defendant in the case and a current at-large member of the Fairfax County School Board, was nowhere to be seen.” [Fairfax Times]
No one hurt in Fairfax County garbage truck fire — “No one was hurt in a Thursday garbage truck fire in Fairfax County, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.” [DC News Now]
Fairfax families now have a vibrant new destination for creative exploration — a dedicated children’s art studio has officially opened its doors, bringing with it one of the largest selections of children’s art programs in the area.
A Vision Rooted in Community
The journey behind this new studio is a simple but meaningful one: a belief that every child in the Fairfax community deserves access to quality art education. That conviction became the driving force behind building a space where young people can discover, create, and grow — not just as artists, but as individuals.
“We wanted to provide the opportunity of art education to the Fairfax community,” the studio shared.
More Than 40 Art Forms Under One Roof
What makes this studio particularly remarkable is its breadth. Children have access to more than 40 varieties of art, offering a rare opportunity to explore disciplines far beyond the typical drawing and painting classes. Whether a child is drawn to sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, or illustration, there’s a path here waiting to be discovered.
The philosophy is intentional: instead of narrowing a child’s focus too soon, the programs are designed to let curiosity lead the way. Children are encouraged to try, experiment, and explore until something clicks — because finding a true passion is just as important as developing a skill.
Programs Built for Every Child and Every Schedule
The studio has been thoughtfully designed to meet families where they are, with age-appropriate programs that build skills progressively and purposefully. Here’s a closer look at what’s available:
Tiny Hands (Ages 3–4)
Art is a skill developed over time, and it all starts here. In Tiny Hands classes, children begin to express themselves through art in guided, small group activities that encourage community, collaboration, and relationships. This two-year program introduces young learners to drawing, painting, clay, printmaking, collage, design, and more — laying the foundation for a lifelong creative journey.
Intro to Art (Ages 5–6)
This two-year program introduces children to beginning art skills, tools, and basic vocabulary. Students are encouraged to explore different mediums and express their growing interests, working with clay, printmaking, charcoal drawing, painting, design, montage, watercolors, sculpture, stained glass, and more. Along the way, they’ll learn about color theory — including primary, secondary, cool, and warm colors — while gaining self-confidence and earning recognition for their creations.
Beginning Art (Ages 7–8)
Building on the foundation of Intro to Art, Beginning Art is designed for children ready to deepen their skills and grow more comfortable with art tools. Students expand their art vocabulary, apply their knowledge of color theory, and explore design principles through hands-on creating. This two-year program offers opportunities to work with charcoal, mono printing, clay, ink, color design, collage, self-portrait, watercolors, balsa wood carving, sculpture, and much more.
Art 1 (Ages 9+)
Art 1 is the foundation of the studio’s four-year curriculum — a class designed to maximize and maintain each child’s art interest as they develop a higher level of skills and knowledge. Students also begin building their personal portfolio. Projects include ebony pencil from photomontage, charcoal still life, India ink design, and scratchboard art, with a strong focus on line, value, and texture. Later in the program, students dive into an in-depth study of color theory and apply it to a series of color design projects. Art 1 also includes hand building with clay.
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 24, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect showers and thunderstorms after 5pm with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 78. South winds will be 6 to 10 mph, gusting up to 18 mph, and a 30% chance of precipitation. Friday night’s forecast includes showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, more likely between 8pm and 2am, and continuing after 2am. It’ll be cloudy with a low around 64, southeast wind at 9 mph, gusting up to 20 mph, and a 70% chance of precipitation. Rainfall amounts may vary between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 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.
NOVA Parks and the Town of Vienna are celebrating the planting of new trees at an Arbor Day event in Vienna tomorrow (Friday).
The commemoration will be on the Vienna Town Green (144 Maple Avenue E) from 3-4 p.m.
The Reston Museum is excited to announce that the much-anticipated Reston Home Tour will take place from 10:00AM to 4:00PM Saturday, October 17th. The tour will feature six fabulous residences throughout Reston. Visit the homes at your own leisurely pace and enjoy the special touches, unique styles and specially crafted designs of each home. Tickets can be purchased at the Reston Museum located on Lake Anne Plaza or online at restonmuseum.org.
The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) announced today (Thursday) that a 15-year-old student has been charged with malicious wounding after a stabbing that occurred yesterday at West Potomac High School.
According to FCPD:
A Manassas man who fled Inova Fairfax Hospital last February while getting treatment has admitted to poorly choosing his getaway vehicle.
Rickey Ramone Lowe Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny on Wednesday, stemming from his theft of a private transport ambulance at the hospital.
An event celebrating the flavors of Tysons Corner Center eateries is making a comeback next weekend.
Taste of Tysons Corner is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, from 1-4 p.m. at Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Road), and will feature a mix of food and events.
Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (April 22) gave the county school system an extension totaling nearly a full year to submit planning documents for expansion of Centreville High School.
The action did not sit well with the supervisor in whose district the school is located.
Opponents outnumbered supporters as the public weighed in Tuesday (April 22) on the imposition of a countywide meals tax.
Adding a meals tax on top of the sales tax for restaurant meals and prepared foods would “really be a burden” both to the industry and “economically exhausted consumers,” Jim Rafferty of the Glory Days Grill restaurant chain told Fairfax County supervisors during a public hearing.
