Countywide

Settle in for a potentially stormy night as Debby, now a tropical depression, is expected to reach the mid-Atlantic region.

The National Weather Service has issued Tornado Watch for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, in anticipation of the storm, which first made landfall in Florida as a hurricane on Monday (Aug. 5). Fairfax County also faces a Flood Watch and a Coastal Flood Advisory.


News

Reston Association’s summer camps have donated over 1,000 pounds of cans for a local food pantry with a “Cans from Campers” food drive.

Over nine weeks, the kids and teens participating in Reston Camps — which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year — collected a total of 1,120 pounds of cans to benefit South Lakes High School’s food pantry, according to RA Recreation Manager Katherine Caffrey.


News

Dunn Loring Center in Merrifield has been quiet since Fairfax County approved a redevelopment of the 1980s-era office building more than three years ago.

Rest assured, though, that the planned apartment building with retail is still in the works, says property owner and developer Elm Street Development, which hopes to start construction at 2722 Merrilee Drive in 2025.


Event

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.


News

Lego Discovery Center is planning a big birthday bash to celebrate its first anniversary in Springfield.

The 32,000-square-foot play area dedicated to all things Legos will kick off the birthday festivities at 9:45 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) — exactly one year after it launched — by announcing a name for its giraffe outside Springfield Town Center.


News

Meta, the technology company that owns Facebook and Instagram, appears to be planning a dramatic downsizing of its office space in Reston Town Center, the Washington Business Journal says.

A listing on the commercial real estate database CoStar indicates that two floors of the office building at 1818 Library Street will become available in June 2025, the WBJ reported yesterday (Wednesday). That would amount to 51,000 square feet or two-thirds of the roughly 75,000 square feet of office space that Facebook leased in 2019.


Around Town

A bakery is coming to a vacant space in Vienna’s Jades Shopping Center — but not the one initially planned.

Shilla Bakery & Cafe will be moving in at 340 Maple Avenue West, according to a banner that recently appeared above the storefront.


Countywide

Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors plans to use $260.6 million in unspent funds for improvements to roads, schools, parks, public safety and other community services.

The surplus is due to increased revenue, decreased spending and funds left from the American Rescue Plan Act, County Executive Bryan Hill said in a July 29 memorandum to the board.


Countywide
Rain falls on Park Street in Vienna despite the sun shining (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Tropical Storm Debby Coming to Area — “Tropical moisture from Debby will track northward with excessive rainfall potential from the Carolina’s and eventually into the Northeast corridor…The heaviest period of rain is predicted for Thursday,” while the strongest winds are anticipated tomorrow (Friday). [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Report Highlights Metro Worker Conditions — “The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, citing that incident and others, is exploring whether it has the power to force Metro to change its rules related to employee fatigue, a subject of contention between workers and the agency for years.” The watchdog’s latest report found an increase in trains running red lights intended to prevent collisions. [Washington Post]

McLean Candy Company Eyes Merger — “Mars Inc., Greater Washington’s largest private company, is [in] advanced talks to purchase the maker of Pringles, Cheez-It crackers and Eggo waffles, according to multiple reports.” The potential acquisition of Chicago-based Kellanova would reportedly be worth as much as $30 billion, though it could “face regulatory scrutiny” like the pending Capital One and Discover merger. [Washington Business Journal]

Animal Shelter Seeks Owners of Found Pets — The Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS) is trying to find the owners of nine different pets found around the county between July 30 and Aug. 3. The animals include dogs, cats, a rabbit and a parakeet. “Found pets may be located at our Lorton Campus or Michael R. Frey Campus in Fairfax; please call or email us to confirm the pet’s current location.” [FCAS/Facebook]

Public Transportation Survey Still Open — “How can we improve transportation in the Metropolitan Washington area? We want to hear your feedback! Complete the DMVMoves Survey by Sunday, Aug. 11.” The DMV Moves task force, which launched in June, is collecting public input to inform a long-term plan for funding Metro and other public transportation systems in the D.C. region. [Fairfax County/Twitter]

Kayakers to Race on Potomac River — “Crowds will gather in Great Falls Park this month to watch as advanced whitewater kayakers take to the water, racing one by one down the 60-foot vertical drop of rushing water.” The 36th annual Great Falls Race will return this Saturday (Aug. 10) with the race starting at race at 10 a.m. and a festival at 2 p.m. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Indigo Girls Coming to Wolf Trap — “Margot Robbie cruised to their music last summer in the box-office blockbuster ‘Barbie.’ Now, the folk-rock duo Indigo Girls plays Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia, on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25, sharing a bill with Melissa Etheridge by swapping who will open and close each night.” [WTOP]

Local Author to Give Memoir Tips — Former George Mason University biology professor Dr. Caroline Crocker will talk about memoir-writing at Lorton Library on Saturday. Crocker, who has written multiple historical non-fiction and children’s books, will have books for sale and sign books after her presentation. [Fairfax County Public Library]

It’s Thursday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms, with a high near 80. There’s an 80% chance of rain, potentially up to half to three-quarters of an inch. Anticipate similar conditions at night with a low around 75. [NWS]