Madison fullback Matthew Weiler will be a returner next fall (photo by Deb Kolt)
Anytime a high-school team accomplishes what the Madison Warhawks did in football this fall, the natural question is: What about next year?
So what about the 2025 season for the Warhawks? Will Madison have the potential to win a sixth straight 6D North Region championship and again challenge to capture its elusive first state title?
George Mason University winter 2024 commencement student speaker Caroline Oduro (via George Mason University screenshot)
George Mason University has ushered a new class of graduates out into a world that they were told yesterday (Thursday) is filled with both opportunities and challenges.
“Believe it or not, your learning journey is just beginning,” George Schindler, former president and CEO of the technology firm CGI, said during winter commencement ceremonies held at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax.
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.
Bonchon specializes in Korean fried chicken (courtesy Bonchon)
Bonchon is back in Herndon.
After temporarily closing last year amid customer complaints, the Korean fried chicken chain reopened its franchise at Franklin Farm Village Center (13320 Franklin Farm Road) in the Oak Hill area on Wednesday, Dec. 18, under new ownership.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announces a budget proposal on Dec. 12, 2024 that would require localities to comply with federal immigration detainers or lose funding (Photo by Austin Stevens, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin)
Undocumented immigrants in Fairfax County and elsewhere in Virginia could face threats on two fronts in the new year, with both national and state elected leaders proposing policies targeting that population.
As incoming president Donald Trump plans mass deportations, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin unveiled a budget proposal this week that would require local governments to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and withhold funding from those with cooperation-limiting policies, including Fairfax County.
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.
Northern Virginia Association of Realtors 2025 preview (via NVAR)
Potential economic and political headwinds are unlikely to derail sales and price increases Northern Virginia’s 2025 housing market, industry experts believe.
That’s good news for prospective sellers, but purchasers, especially first-time homebuyers, could face continued challenges, according to a 2025 housing market forecast publicly unveiled on Tuesday (Dec. 17) by George Mason University researchers and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR).
The forthcoming Charleys Cheesesteaks in Bailey's Crossroads (staff photo by Jared Serre)
A sandwich and wings chain is ready to open the doors to its new location in Bailey’s Crossroads.
Charleys Cheesesteaks could open its new franchise at 3556 South Jefferson Street, Unit E, in the Crossroads Place Shopping Center this weekend. Pallets of cardboard boxes, each adorned with the company’s logo, could be seen being taken into the storefront Wednesday (Dec. 18) afternoon.
Northbound Fairfax County Parkway over Elden Street (via Google Maps)
A Reston man is facing criminal charges for his involvement in a recent fatal crash on Fairfax County Parkway.
The Fairfax County Police Department says Ayaan Usmani, 23, was drunk and speeding when he lost control of the 2019 BMW M850I he was driving near Elden Street around 2:40 a.m. on Nov. 23.
The Mosaic District in Merrifield has a decorated Christmas tree in Strawberry Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
GMU Student Charged With Plotting Anti-Israel Attack — A freshman at George Mason University “faces one count of demonstrating how to manufacture an explosive with intent to murder internationally protected persons.” Investigators that the 18-year-old was planning “an attack on Israel’s general consulate in New York using a bomb, assault rifle or suicide vest.” [Washington Post]
Police Investigate Reported Drone Sightings — “The drama over drones that began in New Jersey has led to thousands of sightings nationwide, including hundreds in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. In Virginia, the Virginia Fusion Center, located within the Homeland Security Division of the Virginia State Police, said it has received more than 150 tips regarding drone activity in the Commonwealth.” [WTOP]
Flu Vaccine Rates Down for Children in D.C. Area — “Fewer kids are getting flu shots so far this season in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, per new CDC data.” In Virginia, vaccine coverage is at 45.1% so far this year, compared with 49.9% last year — a lower decline than what has been reported in D.C., Maryland and nationwide. [Axios D.C.]
Local NAACP to Host CasinoDiscussion — The Fairfax County NAACP will host a panel discussion on the proposed Tysons entertainment complex at the Gum Springs Community Center on Jan. 7, 2025. Participants will include potential developer Comstock, the No Casino Coalition, the Northern Virginia Labor Federation and George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis Director Terry Clower. [Patch]
New Owner for Seven Corners Apartment Building — “The Jefferson, a 310-unit apartment building in Seven Corners, has changed hands, the Washington Business Journal reports. Eagle Rock Properties acquired the complex, at 6166 Leesburg Pike, on Nov. 20 from Capital Investment Advisors LLC for $65.65 million.” [Annandale Today]
Glasgow Middle School Names New Principal — “Fairfax County Public Schools named Lisa Barrow the new principal of Glasgow Middle School. She has served as principal of Cooper Middle School in McLean since 2020 … Barrow was principal of Sleepy Hollow Elementary School from 2011 to 2016.” [Annandale Today]
Over $2M Donated to County Parks — “The Fairfax County Park Foundation Board joined with members of the Park Authority Board and Fairfax County Supervisors Andres Jimenez (Mason District) and Rodney Lusk (Franconia District) to commemorate the more than $2.1 million in monetary contributions received in 2024 to support park programs and initiatives throughout the county.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy conditions with a high near 43 and a calm wind turning northeast at 5 mph in the afternoon, coupled with a 50% chance of rain. The chance of rain will lessen to 30% before 1 am, while temperatures dip to around 32. The northwest wind will increase to 6-11 mph with gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]
Scattered snow showers will turn into a mix of rain and snow between 10am and 1pm, followed by rain showers after 1pm. Expect patchy fog between 4pm and 5pm with temperatures reaching a high near 41. Winds will shift to the north at 5-7 mph in the afternoon and precipitation chances are 50%. For Friday night, isolated snow showers are possible before 1am, while patchy fog is expected between 7pm and 10pm. The sky will be mostly cloudy with a low temperature around 31, accompanied by a 7-11 mph northwest wind. The chance of precipitation is 20%. See more from Weather.gov.