Around Town

A host of festivities are scheduled for South Block when it opens next weekend in Fairfax City.

The juice shop chain will throw a celebratory block party for its new store at 9672 Main Street in Fair City Mall on Saturday, Jan. 18.


Countywide

Older adults looking for a more affordable place to live in Fairfax County will have the opportunity to get in line for an apartment next week.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) will accept waitlist applications for its affordable housing properties reserved for seniors from 8 a.m. on Monday (Jan. 13) through Sunday, Jan. 19 at 11:59 p.m.


Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools has anointed a new principal for its prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ).

Michael Mukai, a TJ alum who currently serves as the principal at West Springfield High School, was hired after a nationwide search following the departure of Dr. Ann Bonitatibus, who led the magnet school for about seven years, FCPS announced yesterday (Thursday).


News

Local police have finally nabbed a man they believe has repeatedly peeped into people’s homes at the Alister Falls Church apartments in Idylwood.

A 49-year-old Idylwood man was arrested on Wednesday (Jan. 8) and charged with five counts of peeping into an occupied dwelling, the Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Thursday).


Event

Flowers, Fine Art & Fashion is an immersive cultural experience presented by People of The Garden LLC, where nature, creativity, and modest couture converge in a breathtaking indoor garden setting.

Guests will journey through a living landscape featuring dramatic floral installations, botanical art, and a one-of-a-kind rectangular runway designed around lush greenery and sculptural plantings. Throughout the evening, attendees will experience a curated runway presentation showcasing modest fashion designers, alongside original fine art, artisan vendors, and interactive floral experiences.


Countywide
A mound of snow blocks parking spaces in Merrifield’s Providence Place, formerly the Pan Am Shopping Center (photo by Susan Woolsey)

Winning First Hike Photos Unveiled — The Fairfax County Park Authority got submissions from more than 400 people for its 2025 First Hike Fairfax photo contest. Best-in-show prizes were awarded in four categories — scenery and landscapes, people, wildlife, and pets, along with director’s and judge’s choice awards. Voting for a People’s Choice Award is open through 5 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 14). [FCPA]

Seafood Restaurant Arrives in Chantilly — “Despite frigid temperatures and blustery weather, Ford’s Fish Shack in Chantilly launched this Tuesday just in time for dinner … The Chantilly outpost marks the restaurant chain’s third sit-down venture, joining locations in Ashburn in Lansdowne.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Fairfax City Seeks Acting City Manager — The Fairfax City Council voted on Tuesday (Jan. 7) to contract an executive search firm that will recommend candidates for acting city manager after former city manager Laszlo Palko was terminated in December. Assistant City Manager Melanie R. Zipp is filling the role for now after her predecessor, Valmarie Turner, previously the city’s deputy manager, left for a job in Roanoke. [City of Fairfax]

New Korean Restaurant in the Works — “Oiso Korean Street Food is expected to have a soft opening in March in the retail strip anchored by Giant in central Annandale, says owner and chef William Kim. Oiso will be located at 7133-C Columbia Pike between Wellbeing More and a vacant storefront being renovated for a future Bonchon restaurant.” [Annandale Today]

Falls Church Considers Bicycle Plan Updates — “An update to the Falls Church Bicycle Master Plan has the potential to remake some city streets. But only if there is more effort put into turning aspirations to reality than has been the case with the existing plan, adopted in 2015, according to some members of a key advisory panel.” [ARLnow]

GMU School Aims to Continue Jimmy Carter’s Legacy — “A school on George Mason University’s campus in Fairfax, Virginia, started over 40 years ago as a small center with a handful of faculty members in the 1980s. Since its opening, it has emerged as one of largest conflict resolution schools in the world, and ever since 2020, the school has honored former President Jimmy Carter.” [WTOP]

Meeting on Lincolnia Park Pavilion Rescheduled — “The Fairfax County Park Authority has postponed the public meeting on the proposed pavilion at Green Spring Gardens due to inclement weather. The meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, will now take place on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m.” [FCPA]

It’s Friday — Clouds will increase throughout the day, reaching a high near 30, with northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph shifting to light west winds in the afternoon. Snow is expected Friday night, primarily after 1am, with a low temperature around 25 and light south winds. There is a 90% chance of precipitation, and new snow accumulation may be less than an inch. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Thursday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jan 9, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

🌨️ Friday’s forecast

Expect clouds to increase in the sky, reaching a high temperature near 30°F, while northwest winds blow at 5-10 mph and possibly gust up to 20 mph. Later, on Friday night, snow is likely after 10pm, with the skies remaining cloudy and a low temperature around 25°F. Light south winds will accompany this 70% chance of precipitation, potentially accumulating about an inch of fresh snow. 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.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.


Sports

At least eight former Flint Hill Huskies boys high-school varsity basketball players are continuing to play the sport at different levels in college.

One of the most notable is 6-foot-11 graduate student Noel Brown at Division I St. Bonaventure University.


Sports

The process took longer and became more involved than hoped, but Ivan Maric eventually achieved his goal of becoming a place-kicker in college football.

The McLean High School graduate was the starting kicker during the 2024 season for the Division III University of Mount Union football team (14-1) in Alliance, Ohio — a squad that finished second in the NCAA playoffs.


Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools will be back in session tomorrow (Friday).

After four straight snow days that extended a two-week winter break, FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid announced this afternoon that schools will open on a two-hour delay.