A close-up of a computer chip (via Adi Goldstein/Unsplash)
Fairfax County is giving financial boosts to several local startups that are developing technology to improve communications, make agriculture more efficient and more.
The county’s Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI) announced last Thursday (Sept. 5) that it has selected eight companies for the second round of its Fairfax Founders Fund (FFF), which provides up to $50,000 in grant funding and technical assistance to “promising, early-stage startups” that could “disrupt industries” and create new jobs.
“Three Kings Weep,” an exhibit by Jamaican-born artist Ebony Patterson, will be on view from Sept. 21 through Dec. 14 at Tephra’s Reston Town Center gallery (12001 Market Street, Suite 103).
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
The upcoming Virginia Native American Festival at Riverbend Park will include bow-and-arrow demonstrations (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)
The Virginia Native American Festival is set to return to Riverbend Park (8700 Potomac Hills Street) in Great Falls for its 24th year.
Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the annual celebration of Native American cultures and traditions has been a staple in the county since 1997. However, it was put on hold for a couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Lime e-scooter parked on the sidewalk in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Construction Begins on Pickleball Facility — “Construction has started on the Down the Line indoor pickleball center in the long-vacant Kid’s Choice building. The facility, at 4317 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, will have 18 full-size pickleball courts, seven state-of-the-art golf simulators, and a sports bar, says developer Jenni Bae. She anticipates opening in 2025.” [Annandale Today]
Poll Shows Support for Nonpartisan Fairfax City Elections — “Fairfax Commonsense PAC, a political action committee formed in 2021 by former Democratic State Sen. Chap Petersen, commissioned the poll to determine how much support there was for the city to continue its tradition of nonpartisan elections.” Most respondents (67%) said city elections should stay nonpartisan. [Patch]
Lawmakers Divided Over Dulles Greenway’s Future — “Greenway critics, including former Republican state delegate David Ramadan and current Democratic state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Loudoun), now want to push the SCC to force Greenway tolls down and ideally force its owners to sell the road to the commonwealth.” [Washington Post]
Tysons Play Among D.C. Theatre Week Options — “Theatre Week brings shows by more than DC-area companies under their umbrella with discounted prices” from Sept. 26 through Oct. 13. Ticket sales began yesterday (Monday), including “The Waverly Gallery” from the Tysons-based company 1st Stage. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Flooring Stores Might Stay Open After All — “Richmond, Virginia-based LL Flooring, the former Lumber Liquidators, which announced plans to liquidate and close all stores last week, has agreed to a last minute deal that will save thousands of jobs and keep hundreds of its stores open.” The private equity firm F9 Investments will buy 219 stores, their inventory and a distribution center. [WTOP]
Sculpture Exhibition Coming to McLean — “The McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) and Washington Sculpture Group are collaborating on the upcoming ‘Sculpture NOW 2024’ exhibition, to be held Sept. 12 to Oct. 26″ inside the McLean Community Center.” The exhibit will feature works finished within the past two years by over 60 sculptors. [Gazette Leader]
Oktoberfest Celebrations Along Richmond Highway –“In two weeks, the 189th Oktoberfest kicks off in Munich, Germany. Around the Richmond Highway Corridor meanwhile, preparations are underway for several local celebrations. Following are some details on the festivities, listed in order by date.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high temperature close to 85 degrees. Night will be mostly clear with a low temperature near 59 degrees; the northeast wind at approximately 5 mph will become calm during the evening. [NWS]
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
Expect a sunny day with a high temperature of around 82 degrees and a northwest wind at approximately 7 mph. As for Tuesday night, the sky will be mostly clear with a low temperature near 58 degrees. There will be a northeast wind of around 5 mph which will become calm as the evening progresses. See more from Weather.gov.
The Fairfax County Public Schools administrative center in Merrifield (file photo)
Fairfax County school officials fear Virginia’s new accreditation system could disproportionately harm schools with large populations of English learners and students with disabilities.
The Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The former Fairfax County Police Department officer who fatally shot a D.C. man suspected of shoplifting two pairs of sunglasses from Nordstrom at Tysons Corner Center might not face a trial after all.
Defense attorneys for Wesley Shifflett filed a motion in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Friday (Sept. 6) seeking to “quash” the grand jury indictment that charged the former police sergeant with involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of a firearm for killing Timothy Johnson on Feb. 22, 2023.
Community members gather at the airfield for Dulles Day (courtesy MWAA)
An annual fundraiser supporting Special Olympics Virginia is set to return to Dulles International Airport next week.
The 32nd annual Dulles Day is scheduled to be held Saturday, September 14. Entry to the event is free, but visitors can participate in a variety of activities with a donation.
A buck in the brush along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax County let loose its archery program aimed at controlling the local white-tailed deer population this past Saturday (Sept. 7).
The Fairfax County Deer Management Archery Program allows qualified bowhunters to hunt deer in areas where firearm use is restricted or not an effective or sustainable method. The program started in 2010 to minimize the impacts of an overabundance of deer.
