News

Vienna’s Juneteenth celebration could march into town with some additional pomp this year.

The First Baptist Church of Vienna, which typically hosts the now-annual event commemorating the U.S.’s “second independence day,” has proposed kicking off the 2025 festivities with a parade.


News

Congressional Republicans are once again pushing to rename Dulles International Airport after President Donald Trump.

North Carolina Rep. Addison McDowell introduced H.R. 691 last Thursday, Jan. 23 to designate the Northern Virginia airport as “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” proclaiming the move a fitting parallel to former president Ronald Reagan’s moniker gracing Washington National Airport in Arlington.


Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid is requesting an additional $268.3 million from the county for fiscal year 2026, with most of it going toward a 7% across-the-board pay raise for teachers and staff.

The raise, costing $213 million, is part of a newly negotiated collective bargaining agreement between the school board and the recently formed Fairfax Education Unions. Whether the county can afford it, however, is still an open question.


News

A local homebuilder is looking to gauge city officials’ reaction to another mixed-use development proposal for Old Town Fairfax.

After purchasing the contracts for 4085, 4101 and 4103 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax City, Oakton-based Christopher Companies has shared a concept plan with the city that would replace the existing office buildings with apartment and office buildings, townhouses and retail.


Event

The Malls of JRKO show is a first of its kind opportunity for all members of the TCG community. Whether you’re a veteran vendor, a brand new tcg vendor, a seasoned collector, or a parent who just wants to take their kids to their first card show, this show is made for you!

We strive to build an incredible family friendly environment with tons of giveaways, children’s activities, incredible collector opportunities and digital guides for all levels of experience. You can find all our community resources on our linktree including a road map of all the progress and effort going into the event.


News

A search for an operator to run an independent living facility planned for Reston Station’s upcoming Midline district has apparently come up empty so far.

With demolition of the vacant office building currently on the site at 1831 Wiehle Avenue expected to begin this year, developer Comstock Companies is exploring the possibility of delivering age-restricted housing for seniors instead, according to an application submitted to Fairfax County last Thursday (Jan. 23).


Around Town

After months of anticipation, Northern Virginia residents got their first look at the new Japanese grocery store in Tysons this past weekend.

Shoppers began lining up well before Marufuji Japanese Market (8520-A Leesburg Pike) opened its doors at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, so anyone who showed up on time found themselves at the end of a queue that past the nearby Starbucks and looped multiple times around Tysons 3 Center’s rear parking lot.


Countywide
A Silver Line Metro train passes the Adaire Apartments in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

‘Pancake’ Ice Forms on Potomac River Near Great Falls — “Because of prolonged cold weather, pancake ice has formed on the Upper Potomac River near Great Falls. The circular slabs have been spinning and colliding with one another for days while trapped in the river’s eddies.” [Washington Post]

One Person Hospitalized by Newington Forest Fire — Fairfax County firefighters responded on Saturday (Jan. 25) to a fire at a home in the 8000 block of Steeple Chase Court. “Units arrived with a working fire and occupant trapped. Crews rescued the occupant via ground ladders and contained the fire to a single unit. 1 civilian transported with non life threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/Twitter]

Man Sentenced to Prison for Kidnapping and Theft Plot — “A man was sentenced in D.C. court Friday for his role in a kidnapping and high-end robbery of two victims at an Alexandria address in Fairfax County. Robbie Terrell Clark, 27, of Washington, D.C., will serve 108 months in federal prison in relation to the September 2022 kidnapping and robbery.” [Patch]

FCPS Officials Promise to Defend Students From ICE — “As fears mount following President Trump’s threat to deport many more immigrants, including those here legally, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid told Annandale Today, ‘We are committed to the fullest extent of the law to protecting our students and staff.’ Reid said she met with all the principals last week” and sent a letter to the community on Saturday. [Annandale Today]

Fairfax City Chooses Acting Manager — “Following a special meeting on Jan. 21 to discuss interviews for city boards and commissions and other personnel matters, the Fairfax City Council unanimously appointed Bryan Foster to serve as acting city manager … He will begin his new role on Monday, Jan. 27.” [City of Fairfax]

Falls Church Considers West End Redevelopment — “Falls Church’s ongoing redevelopment spurt could next focus on 15 acres of mostly industrial land in the community’s West End. City leaders have invited a contingent from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) … for a look at what the city calls its Gordon Road Triangle.” [ARLnow]

Reston Summer Camp Registration Coming — “Reston Community Center’s summer camp program has grown significantly under [Jeff] Morgan’s leadership, now featuring about 70 specialty camps designed for kids ages 6 to 17 … The 2025 summer camp season runs from June 16 through Aug. 15. Registration opens Feb. 1 for Reston residents and those that work in Reston and Feb. 8 for non-residents.” [Fairfax County Government]

Herndon Theater Postpones Shows Due to Illness — “Due to illness in the cast and crew, the opening of NATIVE GARDENS has been postponed by one week. All performances the weekend of January 23-26, 2025 have been canceled. Patrons with tickets to the canceled performances will be contacted by the Box Office shortly.” [NextStop Theatre/Instagram]

It’s Monday — Expect a partly sunny day that will eventually transform into full sunshine, with temperatures peaking around 45°F. Winds will come from the southwest, blowing at 5-10 mph. For Monday night, anticipate an increase in cloud coverage and lows near 31°F. [NWS]


Sports

Two have moved on to college sports, while one remains at Oakton High School, but all three Toole-family siblings are plenty busy and productive in athletics.

Girls basketball and softball player Sophie Toole is a junior standout in both sports at Oakton, currently helping the hoop team to a 15-1 record this winter season. She leads the team in many statistical categories.


Sports

It took a bit, but once the Oakton Cougars “calmed down” they took control of the road game against their biggest neighborhood basketball rival en route to a comfortable victory.

After trailing 17-12 early in the second quarter, Oakton (15-1, 3-1) rallied to defeat the Madison Warhawks, 56-34, Friday (Jan. 24) in a Concorde District girls high-school game.