Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Jun 24, 2024

By FFXnow.com

Good Monday 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 — Jun 24, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect sunshine and a high temperature of 92°F, with a light and variable wind that will turn to southwest at 5-9 mph in the afternoon. As for Tuesday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low of 74°F and a south wind at around 10 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.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Countywide

JUST IN: Drought warning issued for N. Va., including Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey
A drought indicators map from June 24, 2024 shows low streamflow in Fairfax County (via Department of Environmental Quality)

The recent heat wave and a lack of rain could lead to a drought in much of Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says.

The department issued a drought warning advisory today (Monday) for the Northern Virginia and Shenandoah regions, announcing that “a significant drought is imminent.”

Go to JUST IN: Drought warning issued for N. Va., including Fairfax County Read more
Around Town

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee opens first D.C.-area cafe in Vienna

By Angela Woolsey
Inside Qamaria Coffee in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A growing Yemeni coffee company is now welcoming visitors to its first brick-and-mortar home in the D.C. area.

Qamaria had a soft opening for its new Vienna cafe on May 21, serving hot and cold drinks as well as freshly baked pastries in a 1,900-square-foot space at 124 Maple Avenue West that was previously occupied by Viva Sol Juice.

Go to Qamaria Yemeni Coffee opens first D.C.-area cafe in Vienna Read more
News

Traffic and parking top concerns about Old Town Fairfax arts center plans

By James Jarvis
A new performing arts center is proposed in Old Town Fairfax (via DMS Architects/City of Fairfax)

Community members recently got a closer look at the proposed performing arts center in Old Town Fairfax, including plans to mitigate traffic and increase parking.

Fairfax-based developer Ox Hill Companies held a virtual town hall on June 12 where it unveiled initial designs for a 2,410-seat concert hall that could accommodate up to 4,127 standing guests, along with a 170-room hotel, a 100-seat black box theater and a 26,000-square-foot convention center.

Go to Traffic and parking top concerns about Old Town Fairfax arts center plans Read more
Event

Malls of JRKO Card Show

Poster for 'The Malls of JRKO Card Show' featuring a smiling kid with a backpack and several fantasy creatures, holding a red card; event date September 19, 2026 at Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA; free admission.

Fair Oaks Mall

11750 Fair Oaks Mall

Fairfax, Virginia 22033

Website Contact Social

The Malls of JRKO show is a first of its kind opportunity for all members of the TCG community. Whether you’re a veteran vendor, a brand new tcg vendor, a seasoned collector, or a parent who just wants to take their kids to their first card show, this show is made for you!

We strive to build an incredible family friendly environment with tons of giveaways, children’s activities, incredible collector opportunities and digital guides for all levels of experience. You can find all our community resources on our linktree including a road map of all the progress and effort going into the event.

Go to Malls of JRKO Card Show Read more
Around Town

Early Fourth of July celebration to light up Reston’s Lake Fairfax Park

By Jamie Rogers
Fourth of July fireworks at Lake Fairfax Park (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

The Fairfax County Park Authority will celebrate American colonists’ declaration of independence from Great Britain a little early this year, hosting its annual fireworks celebration this Saturday (June 29) at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston.

The event starts at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive well before dark — at noon — giving attendees plenty of time to find the choicest spots for live music and the 9 p.m. fireworks show. There is no admission to the park after 8:45 p.m.

Go to Early Fourth of July celebration to light up Reston’s Lake Fairfax Park Read more
Around Town

Metro to throw summer party for transit enthusiasts at Franconia station

By Acacia James
The Franconia-Springfield Metro station entrance (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Metro is planning to spend the summer hyping up the D.C. region’s public transportation, starting with a family-friendly celebration for transit lovers this Saturday (June 29).

The inaugural Metro Fest at the Franconia Metro station is open to the public at no cost. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include arts and crafts, games, entertainment, snacks, water, and Metro-branded giveaways, according to a press release.

Go to Metro to throw summer party for transit enthusiasts at Franconia station Read more
Around Town

La Sandia closes after 16 years at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey
La Sandia served Mexican food at Tysons Corner Center for over 16 years (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

La Sandia is no longer dishing out fajitas and margaritas in Tysons.

The Mexican restaurant served its final customers yesterday (Sunday), more than 16 years after it opened at Tysons Corner Center. The permanent closure was announced in emails to supporters and on social media on June 10 — a development that FFXnow missed in last week’s round-up of changes at the mall.

Go to La Sandia closes after 16 years at Tysons Corner Center Read more
News

Fairfax County special education teacher charged with assaulting elementary students

By Inside NoVA
White Oak Elementary School in Burke (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County police have arrested a special education teacher at White Oak Elementary School in Burke for assaulting multiple students.

On April 12, Child Protective Services received a referral that a teacher was seen assaulting a student at school, police said in a Saturday news release.

Detectives took on the case and determined that between September 2023 and this April, Elizabeth Yoshimi Nagagata, 62, of Fairfax allegedly assaulted three students on separate occasions, the release said.

On Friday, Nagagata was arrested and charged with seven counts of simple assault. Nagagata was held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond.

Detectives would like to speak with anyone who may have information about this case or others possibly related. Those with information are asked to please call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 4.

Screenshot via Google Maps. This article was written by FFXnow’s news partner InsideNoVa.com and republished with permission. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com
Arlington Blvd (Route 50) approaching Nutley Street in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Construction to Slow Traffic on Dulles Connector Road — “Overnight ‘slow roll’ lane closures are planned next week on westbound Dulles Connector Road (Route 267) between I-66 and Route 123 (Dolley Madison Boulevard/Chain Bridge Road) for work to replace overhead sign structures as part of the 495 NEXT project. The brief closures are scheduled Monday through Friday nights, June 24-28, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.” [VDOT]

Fairfax County Office Values Continue Fall — “This year, the county’s commercial tax base contracted by 1.24%, owing especially to falling elevator office assessments, which account for about a quarter of all nonresidential assessments. It’s the fourth year in a row commercial assessments have fallen when adjusted for inflation,” amounting to a $20 million drop in revenue for the county government. [Washington Business Journal]

Groveton Community Gets School Bus Service — “For decades, students who lived in the Mount Vernon Square community have had to cross busy residential streets and walk along an unpaved and unmaintained path to get to…nearby Hollin Meadows Elementary School.” In response to advocacy by parents and school leaders, Fairfax County Public Schools conducted a review and decided to start providing bus service to the neighborhood on May 28. [WTOP]

Retired Nats Pitcher’s McLean House for Sale — “Longtime Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg announced his retirement from baseball in April after a 13-year career with the team. Now the 2019 World Series MVP’s home in McLean is on the market for $9,750,000.” [Washingtonian]

Mount Vernon Districts Sees Drop in Auto Thefts — “Overall crimes against persons and property in the Mount Vernon Police District are higher thus far in 2024 than over the same period last year, according to data from the Fairfax County Police Department’s (FCPD) Open Data Portal*. Nonetheless, Mount Vernon Station Commander Maj. Marc Mitchell is pleased about the downward trend in one particular area — stolen autos.” [On the MoVe]

Bolivian Restaurant Coming to Fairfax City — “A new Bolivian restaurant appears to be in the works for the Strykers Square shopping center, which is located across the street from the Fairfax City Home Depot.” The shopping center owner filed permit applications with the city in April, and Boliviamanta Kitchen applied for drink permits on May 31. [Patch]

Lake Thoreau Gets New Art Installation — “South Lakes High School’s STEAM Team marks another year of success in partnership with Public Art Reston and Reston Association. Students created a sculpture of hope and renewal amidst our planets pressing deforestation crisis…The natural wood finish of Arboris will illuminate with color after dusk.” [Patch]

It’s Monday — Expect a sunny day with highs around 87 degrees and a northwest wind of 14 mph, gusting up to 24 mph. The clear skies will continue into Monday night, featuring lows near 67 degrees and a northwest wind between 7 and 11 mph. [NWS]

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