The Annandale Volunteer Fire Department station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Some equipment and staffing challenges remain, but Fairfax County’s 12 volunteer fire departments are positioning themselves for ongoing improvement after a solid fiscal year that ended June 30.
That was the message delivered by Fairfax Volunteer Fire Commission chair Shawn Stokes to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Oct. 8).
A Fairfax County Police Department drone (via FCPD)
A congressional committee is urging Fairfax County to rethink its approach to the use of drones — specifically those manufactured in China.
In a letter sent to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last month, top members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party raised national and economic security concerns related to the county’s use of drones made by DJI Technologies.
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
Beem Light Spa will take up space at the Midtown building in Reston (Image via Google Maps).
A light therapy and infrared sauna is coming to the Midtown at Reston Town Center.
A Fairfax County permit application shows that Beem Light Sauna will open at 1864 Explorer Street, Suite B. The business submitted plans for interior alterations to allow sauna suites and restrooms on Monday (Oct. 7).
Creative Collective's holiday pop-up shop is returning to Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Halloween is still lurking around the corner, but Tysons Corner Center has a treat in store for anyone who wants to get a head start on their Christmas shopping lists.
Returning to Tysons after a stint at Fair Oaks Mall in 2023, Creative Collective will open a pop-up holiday shop at the mall on Oct. 25, occupying a currently vacant space on the first floor across from Camp through Dec. 24.
Are you concerned about your memory? Or a family member's?
Memory screening is the first step in evaluating cognitive problems. It's easy and quick to be screened. The is a series of questions that evaluates short term memory, visual-spatial skills, attention, language fluency, and abstract reasoning. The visit will last about 2 hrs and includes a debriefing with a physician.
Fairfax Nonprofit Joins Hurricane Milton Response — “Members of the nonprofit, Tidewater Disaster Response, had been working to ease suffering in western North Carolina but rushed down to Florida this week to be in the path of Milton.” The civilian organization deployed a four-person “swift water rescue team that’s been cross trained with chain saw and route clearance operations.” [WTOP]
Beyer Family’s Auto DealershipsAcquired — “A Fairfax-based investment group has acquired a majority stake in Beyer Auto Group. Open Road Capital closed a deal today (Thursday) on the family business of U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), the congressman confirmed with ARLnow.” [ARLnow]
Global Earthquake Drill Coming Up — “Knowing what to do before a big earthquake can determine how well you survive and recover. Join in and participate in the world’s largest earthquake drill at 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17. Register today so that you or your organization will be counted.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Army to Study D.C. Area Water Supply Alternatives — “The District and its Virginia and Maryland suburbs are dependent on the Potomac River as the main — or sole — source of drinking water … The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is set to begin a three-year feasibility study of ways to bolster the resilience of the area’s water supply.” [WTOP]
Playground Near Fairfax Station Closed for Construction — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on replacing the wooden border that surrounds the playground at Country Club View Park. Active construction activities are scheduled to begin on October 10. Weather depending, work is anticipated to be completed by October 18.” [FCPA]
N. Va. Houses Go All Out for Halloween — “If you’re looking for more than jack-o-lanterns and scarecrows, visit the houses that have some of the best Halloween decorations across Northern Virginia.” Options include The Historic Herndon Halloween House, which teamed up with The Beastro at Queens Row to create a “space alien-themed display.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Friday — Expect sunshine and a high of around 68 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind between 5 and 8 mph. In the evening, the sky will remain clear with temperatures dropping to approximately 48 degrees, and a southwest wind of around 6 mph. [NWS]
Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
☀️ Friday’s forecast
Expect sunny skies and a high of 67 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 5 to 8 mph. As night falls, the sky will remain clear with the temperature dropping to a low of around 47 degrees, and a southwest wind blowing at approximately 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
Flint Hill volleyball team (courtesy of Flint Hill School)
It took a few weeks of tinkering for the lineup to be firmed up for the Flint Hill Huskies.
Now firmly in place, the arrangement has helped the perennial power girls high-school volleyball team improve, own a 17-2 overall record, and as has been the case for so many seasons, be ranked No. 1 in the Division 1 Virginia private-schools state poll.
Potomac School's Sasha Minky and Charlie Ortmans (Potomac School athletics)
Sasha Minsky and Charlie Ortmans are teammates again — this time in college.
The graduates of the Potomac School in McLean, where they were standout high-school cross country and track and field runners, are underclassmen on this fall’s men’s cross country team at Harvard. Ortmans is a sophomore, Minsky a freshman.
Southbound West Ox Road at Tilton Valley Drive (via Google Maps)
An Oakton man has died after he was hit by a driver while riding an electric bicycle in the Fair Oaks area yesterday (Wednesday), the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release today.
Officers responded to the intersection of West Ox Road and Tilton Valley Drive at 12:14 p.m. for a crash involving a bicyclist who was struck by a gray Kia sedan, according to police scanner traffic.