Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Nov 15, 2024

By FFXnow.com

Good Friday 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 — Nov 15, 2024.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Toxic gases in Reston Station office building sickened workers, tenant alleges (6062 views)
  2. UPDATED: Three killed in Reston and Oakton crashes over Veterans Day weekend (5580 views)
  3. One-stop-shop for Lego bricks opening soon in West Falls Church (3501 views)
  4. Upscale Japanese restaurant Modan begins serving Tysons diners (2725 views)
  5. Chicken salad eatery unveils plans for grand opening in Chantilly next week (2280 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 59 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 11 to 16 mph and gusts as high as 26 mph. For Saturday night, the skies will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 38 degrees and winds from the northwest at 6 to 11 mph. 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.

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. 👋

Sports

Chantilly defeats Langley to win region-tournament volleyball crown

By Dave Facinoli
Chantilly gathers with the region-championship banner (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Their strategy of building early leads in as many sets possible worked and won a region volleyball championship for the Chantilly Chargers.

Host Chantilly (22-2-1) defeated the Langley Saxons, 3-1, Wednesday night (Nov. 13) in the title match of the girls 6D North Region high-school tournament. The region crown was the Chargers’ second in three seasons, as the squad also topped Langley in the 2022 final at Chantilly.

Go to Chantilly defeats Langley to win region-tournament volleyball crown Read more
Sponsored

McLean Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival – DEC 4th-6th

By Sponsor
Image from McLean Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival - DEC 4th-6th

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

For additional information please visit:
www.nvhg.org
www.mcleancenter.org 

Sports

Volleyball players from Chantilly, Langley, Madison chosen all-region

By Dave Facinoli
Langley's Claire Mo makes a return (photo by Deb Kolt)

Two girls volleyball players each from the Langley Saxons and Madison Warhawks were chosen first-team all-6D North Region for performances during the 2024 high-school season.

From Langley, junior setter Claire Mo was chosen first-team, as well as the region’s Player of the Year, and senior hitter Ana Toumazatos made the first team. The two helped Langley win the Liberty District tournament, then finish second in the region tourney to the Chantilly Chargers.

Go to Volleyball players from Chantilly, Langley, Madison chosen all-region Read more
Around Town

New art exhibit in Fort Hunt brings ‘Frankenstein’ to life

By Vernon Miles
Michelle Gagliano's artwork for Frankenstein on display at the Nepenthe Gallery in Fort Hunt (courtesy photo)

At its core, “Frankenstein” is not a pretty story, and new artwork on display in Fort Hunt doesn’t shy away from highlighting the darker, uglier side of the groundbreaking novel.

A new exhibit at the Nepenthe Gallery and Frame Shop at 7918 Fort Hunt Road shows off the artwork in a new, illustrated edition of “Frankenstein” from publisher Bond & Grace.

Go to New art exhibit in Fort Hunt brings ‘Frankenstein’ to life Read more
Event

2026 White House Holiday Open House

Event location

The White House

600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC, District Of Columbia 20500

Add to Calendar

NoVa Youth Ensembles was recently selected to perform at the White House during the 2026 Christmas season at the Holiday Open Houses. Being chosen to perform at the White House is an incredible honor, and we are excited to represent Fairfax and Loudoun counties during this special time of year. As The White House welcomes visitors each Christmas season, performers have the unique opportunity to share their musical talents and holiday cheer. In the past, only a few dozen performer groups have been selected from over 1,000 applicants.

Go to 2026 White House Holiday Open House Read more
Countywide

VDOT testing app that shows real-time parking demand at commuter lots

By Angela Woolsey
The parking lot for the Virginia Railway Express Backlick Road station in Springfield (via Google Maps)

The Virginia Department of Transportation is experimenting with a mobile app that will enable commuters to find available parking spaces in real time at select lots.

The app ParkZen began collecting data at six parking lots, including three in Fairfax County, this month for an initial evaluation period slated to continue until January 2025, VDOT announced on Tuesday (Nov. 12).

Go to VDOT testing app that shows real-time parking demand at commuter lots Read more
Countywide

FCPS superintendent secures early, 4-year contract extension

By Scott McCaffrey
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid has had her contract extended (via Fairfax County Public Schools/YouTube)

Dr. Michelle Reid is going to stick around as superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools.

Though her existing contract was set to run through June 2026, the Fairfax County School Board voted yesterday (Thursday) to give Reid a new four-year contract that could bring her annual salary close to a half-million dollars by its conclusion.

Go to FCPS superintendent secures early, 4-year contract extension Read more
News

Tysons group hopes to expand beautification efforts with VDOT’s help

By Angela Woolsey
The Tysons Community Alliance's beautification project for the Route 7 and Route 123 interchange is underway (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) is turning to the Virginia Department of Transportation for support in its effort to spruce up the area’s highway interchanges.

Building on an ongoing pilot project focused on the Route 7 and Route 123 interchange, the booster organization plans to apply for the state’s Comprehensive Roadside Management Program (CRMP), which lets sponsors landscape and maintain in areas within VDOT’s right-of-way.

Go to Tysons group hopes to expand beautification efforts with VDOT’s help Read more
News

Puppy stolen from pet store in Chantilly, police say

By Angela Woolsey
A 10-week-old maltipoo puppy was taken from the Chantilly pet store XO Pups (via XO Pups/Instagram)

Two men walked into a pet store in Chantilly last month and left with a puppy they didn’t pay for, police say.

The Fairfax County Police Department released photos pulled from security camera footage today (Friday) that show the reported larceny, which occurred on Oct. 16.

Go to Puppy stolen from pet store in Chantilly, police say Read more
News

Woodland Park housing project near Herndon wins planning body’s support

By Scott McCaffrey
Developer Pulte Homes is seeking to add residential buildings to the Caywood at Woodland Park office park in Herndon (via Fairfax County)

A proposal for new housing in the Woodland Park community near Herndon is moving to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday (Nov. 13) to approve the plan by Pulte Homes to put two five-story buildings with 72 total residential units on a parcel near the intersection of the Dulles Access Road and Centreville Road, just north of Sunrise Valley Drive.

Go to Woodland Park housing project near Herndon wins planning body’s support Read more
View More Stories