A sign for Graham Center in West Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
When it got approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors this fall, VHC Health and Intuitive Health’s planned hybrid emergency room and urgent care facility was touted as a clear upgrade for West Falls Church’s Graham Center, transforming the aging strip mall with an innovative health care resource and much-needed road safety improvements.
However, for the small businesses that in some cases have been housed at the Graham Center for decades, the impending redevelopment has brought stress and upheaval, as they consider whether to relocate or possibly close their doors for good.
The Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
In 2023, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors allocated $15 million to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Service Board to construct or renovate a crisis receiving center for youth behavioral health emergencies.
After more than a year, however, Fairfax has yet to pick a location – the next step to getting the center operational.
SAVE THE DATE! December 4-6, 2026 Experience the magic of the holiday season at this beloved event that has offered truly unique, handcrafted treasures for more than four decades. Find pottery, glass, jewelry, fashion accessories, woodwork, artisanal foods, and more from eighty exceptional regional artisans. Come discover the perfect gifts, treat yourself to lunch at the onsite café, and celebrate the spirit of the season with us! A juried show since 1982.
• FREE parking | 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA 22101 • Proceeds support the NVHG Scholarship Program for college art students • Tote bags will be given to the first 200 attendees each day • MCC has accessible entrances and restrooms
Comstock has proposed allowing a pedestrian bridge between the two office buildings under construction in Reston Row (via Urban Ltd/Fairfax County)
With construction progressing on Reston Row, developer Comstock is looking to add a pedestrian amenity that it hopes will attract office tenants to the growing neighborhood near the Wiehle Metro Station.
Comstock submitted plans to Fairfax County on Dec. 22 for a potential pedestrian bridge over an internal road that would enable workers to cross from one upcoming office building to another.
The former Souvlaki Bar in Oakton (staff photo by Jared Serre)
Oakton residents craving gyros, spanakopita and more will have to get familiar with a new eatery in 2025.
After closing on Dec. 21, the neighborhood’s SouvlakiBar at 2930 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 111, is in the process of rebranding due to a partnership with a fellow chain of Greek restaurants.
In its 14th year of production, Skye Ballet Center presents The Nutcracker. The absolutely gorgeous ballet will take place on Saturday, November 28th at 2 pm and 6 pm. Join us to a wonderful start to the holiday season!!
SBC Nutcracker South Lakes High School 2:00 and 6:00 pm
Difficult Run in Great Falls on Dec. 29, 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Driver in Fatal Hit-and-Run Still Unknown — “A Fairfax County family is still searching for answers after a devastating hit-and-run crash claimed the life of their matriarch, Mary Wong. The crash happened on Huntsman Boulevard near Bridle Wood Drive just before 8 p.m. on December 27th, 2023 — just two days after Christmas.” [FOX5]
Metro Construction Finishes Ahead of Schedule — Metro resumed normal service at 5 a.m. today (Monday) after suspending operations on parts of the Blue, Orange and Silver lines in D.C. for 10 days of track repairs and upgrades. The construction work finished a day early and “more than $450,000 under budget.” [WMATA]
Motorcyclist Killed in Fair Lakes Crash Identified — Police are continuing to investigate a crash that killed motorcyclist Michael Yung of Lorton at West Ox Road and Piney Branch Road on Friday (Dec. 27). Detectives are looking at whether “speed was a factor” in the crash, which saw Yung collide with an SUV that was turning left in the intersection. [FCPD]
Police Investigate Reston Burglary — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division are seeking the community’s help in identifying suspects who burglarized a business and stole electronics in Reston on Christmas Eve.” Police say four people broke into the business in the 1600 block of Reston Parkway and stole electronics around 5 a.m. on Dec. 24. [FCPD]
Critic’s Take on Year’s Best New N. Va. Restaurants — “I’ve been through the good, bad, and forgettable this year, all to bring you a list of my favorite Northern Virginia restaurants of 2024. From vegan soups to dry-aged fish, these are the new restaurants that I’ve measured most favorably.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
This Silver Line Station is Metro’s Least Used — “About 400,000 people ride Metro trains daily, making it the second-busiest subway system in the country behind New York City’s … But at Loudoun Gateway, the second-to-last stop on the Silver Line extension, there is never any bustle,” with an average of 317 people entering the station each day this year. [Washington Post]
Community Centers Start Lending Tech Devices — “Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services is pleased to announce the new Technology Lending Program available at 12 NCS centers.” Any county resident can borrow technology, such as Canon EOS cameras, 3D printers and, in the future, Chromebooks, for 14 days. [NCS]
Local Student Builds Career on TV, Broadway — “Braden Allen King grew up in Fairfax County and watched as his dad and brother took part in local theater productions, and his mom taught dance, with his sister dancing at her studio. So, it wasn’t much of a shock to anyone in his family when he decided he wanted to pursue a career as an actor.” [Fairfax County Times]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly cloudy morning followed by gradual clearing and a high around 57°F. There will be west winds blowing at 8 to 11 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. As for Monday night, the sky will be mostly clear with temperatures dipping to around 38°F. A southwest wind of around 5 mph will become calm in the evening. [NWS]
By nearly upsetting the host team, the West Springfield Spartans went from a much-welcomed 11th-hour replacement savior of sorts to a spoiler at the George Long Holiday boys basketball tournament at Wakefield High School.
The Spartans eventually lost to the host Wakefield Warriors, 55-53, in a seesaw opening-round Dec. 26 game of the eight-team, three-day high-school tourney.
Brad Leydig, left, and Kevin Roller (courtesy of Chopticon basketball)
As he continues head-coaching duties of a boys varsity high-school basketball team in Southern Maryland, Brad Leydig credits two people for influencing his career path.
Those impressions were made when Leydig was a student/athlete at Madison High School in Vienna, learning from the Warhawks’ late head football coach Lenny Schultz and current head boys hoops coach Kevin Roller.
Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
🌧️ Saturday’s forecast
Expect rain and patchy fog with a high near 49 and a light south wind at 3 to 6 mph. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation, with potential accumulations ranging from a quarter to half an inch. Saturday night, anticipate more rain, a low around 49, and a south wind at 5 to 7 mph. The probability of precipitation is 80%, with new amounts possibly reaching between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.
We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
The intersection of Piney Branch Road at West Ox Road in Legato (via Google Maps)
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash Friday evening (Dec. 27) on Piney Branch Road near Costco in the Legato area.
The road is currently closed at West Ox Road after police and emergency medical services were dispatched to the intersection at 6:36 p.m. for a crash involving a motorcyclist and the driver of a 2021 GMC SUV, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
