After an initial round this spring, Fairfax County is bringing back its initiative that offers free trees for residents to plant on their properties.
Partnering again with the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, the county’s Urban and Community Forestry Division will limit giveaways for the first two weeks, starting today (Monday), to people living in neighborhoods that rank “high” or “very high” on the federal Social Vulnerability Index.
Fairfax County Public Schools students are heading back to the classroom today (Monday), a familiar sight that might inspire nostalgia and stress among even non-parent residents.
However, in recent months, Fairfax County and the school system have adopted a number of changes to policies and services that are taking effect during the new school year, particularly around the use of technology in the classroom.
1st Stage is gearing up for week two of The Logan Festival of Solo Performance, presented with generous support from The Revada Foundation and Eileen Mandell, running from August 20 – 30, 2026.
This innovative festival, acclaimed in The Washington Post with “three plays prove the power of one,” will gather award-winning solo performers from across the country for performances, workshops, discussions, and events. The 2026 festival features three dynamic productions:
Baron Vaughn: Cycle Breaker
Written and Performed by Baron Vaughn
Directed by Aysan Celik
Nothing brings your own childhood into focus like raising your own children. Married 40-something father, Baron Vaughn digs into his own past to understand how it formed him and how he’ll approach parenthood in his funny and deeply human solo show. Baron explores his relationships with his parents and grandparents as he uncovers the values he wishes to instill and the damage he’d rather not pay forward to his own children. Part stand-up comedy, part memory play, Baron Vaughn: Cycle Breaker is a meditation on family and what it takes to truly break a cycle.
It Ends With Guinea Pigs
Written and Performed by Diana Gitelman
Directed by Faline England
What begins as the reluctant adoption of two male guinea pigs unexpectedly becomes a portal into generational trauma, cultural identity, marriage dynamics, motherhood exhaustion, hamster-related murder guilt, and an eventual emotional awakening. We journey from non–self-care Soviet Jewish roots to pigs, lice, and healing through pig poop. The guinea pigs—objectively useless—become absurd spirit guides, opening the door to unprocessed grief tied to Frisky and “Babushka” (Grandma). Along the way, they help forge new boundaries and rebuild self-worth, culminating in a love of self, life, and, oddly…these pigs.
LET IT BE ART! Harold Clurman’s Life of Passion
Written and Performed by Ronald Rand
Through the unforgettable performance by award-winning actor Ronald Rand, audiences are invited on an inspiring journey that celebrates the life, passion, and humor of the legendary Harold Clurman, known as “the Elder Statesman of the American Theatre”. As co-founder, with Lee Strasberg and Cheryl Crawford, of the famed Group Theatre of the 1930s — considered by many the most significant ensemble art theatre in the history of the American Theatre — Clurman helped revolutionize not only the American Theatre, but American acting in every facet. LET IT BE ART! honors the breadth of Clurman’s legacy and the transformative power of theatre.
The Logan Festival of Solo Performance runs from August 20-30, 2026. The final week of performances will have showtimes as follows:
Baron Vaughn: Cycle Breaker: Tuesday, August 25 at 7:30pm; Saturday, August 29 at 5:00pm; Sunday, August 30 at 7:30pm
It Ends With Guinea Pigs: Wednesday, August 26 at 7:30pm; Thursday, August 27 at 7:30pm; Saturday, August 29 at 7:30pm; Sunday, August 30 at 2:00pm
LET IT BE ART!: Friday, August 28 at 7:30pm; Saturday, August 29 at 2:00pm; Sunday, August 30 at 5:00pm
Please email the box office at boxoffice@1ststage.org for reservations.
General admission tickets are $20 per show and $10 per show for Students with valid ID. Individual tickets can be purchased online at www.1stStage.org or by emailing the 1st Stage box office at boxoffice@1ststage.org.
Motorcyclist Critically Injured in Annandale — Fairfax County police officers responded yesterday (Sunday) afternoon to “a motorcycle crash at Braddock Rd and Pine Rd in Annandale. The adult male rider was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.” [FCPD/X]
Drought Warning Still in Place — “Despite significant rainfall, the Drought Monitoring Task Force (DMTF) has continued the existing drought advisory statuses for Virginia.” With groundwater levels still at “emergency” status, Northern Virginia remains under a drought warning advisory, meaning a “significant” drought could be imminent and voluntary steps to conserve water are encouraged. [Virginia DEQ]
Three Arrests for Herndon-Area Shooting — “The shooting broke out near Birch Run Circle and Elm Tree Drive, near the Herndon and Reston area on Aug. 19 … Around 2:43 a.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire in the area, where a man reported that a 17-year-old he knew fired several shots at his vehicle.” The teen and two adults have been arrested, Fairfax County police say. [DC News Now]
Proposed Head Start Changes Concern Advocates — “Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families proposed significant changes to the program, framing them as measures to reduce federal regulatory burden, restore local flexibility and give greater authority to states, programs, and parents.” The Virginia Head Start Association, however, says “the proposal risks the program’s future.” [Virginia Mercury]
AI Hiring Tools Used by Va. Contractors — State procurement records indicate that artificial intelligence technology that can identify hiring applicants, scan resumes and “conduct one-way interviews” have been used “by state agencies and offices, including the Department of Motor Vehicles and the attorney general’s office. Records show that in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the AG’s office had yearly subscriptions with the AI hiring company TestGorilla B.V.” [VPM News]
Burger Food Truck Plans Restaurant — “S&P Burger, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Fairfax, this fall. The new restaurant will be located at 11055 Main St., Fairfax,” and is aiming to launch in October. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Thousands Cited for Unsafe Driving — “Between August 10 and August 16, officers issued 16,235 citations and warnings, including 6,162 citations and 10,073 warnings, making Wave 3 the largest enforcement effort of 2026. These results highlight the continued importance of traffic safety and driver accountability across Fairfax County.” The Road Shark campaign will return for a fourth wave on Oct. 12. [FCPD]
Footbridges Replaced in Reston — “The Footbridge 60 & 64 replacement projects have been completed, and associated pathways have been reopened. These footbridges will serve Reston’s pathway users for decades and will also support maintenance/ emergency vehicle access to remote sections of the pathway.” Additional footbridges will be upgraded “in the coming years.” [Reston Association]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny weather today with a high of around 84°F and a light west wind picking up to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Tonight will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 61°F. The northwest wind will be around 6 mph, calming down in the evening. [NWS]
Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 21, 2026.
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
Expect showers and thunderstorms in the morning, with rain likely continuing into the early afternoon, then a chance of more showers and thunderstorms later. Highs will reach around 79°F, with east winds at 3 to 7 mph. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with rainfall amounts between half to three-quarters of an inch possible. Saturday night brings a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mostly cloudy skies, and a low near 67°F with light and variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.
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. 👋
Join us on September 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM (Eastern Daylight Time) at 12000 Government Center Pkwy for Pender’s First Annual Angel Fund 5K!
This fun community event supports the Angel Fund at Pender Veterinary Centre, which helps pet owners in Northern Virginia cover unexpected veterinary costs when finances are tight. For over 50 years, Pender Veterinary Centre has been proud to care for pets and their families, and this 5K is all about bringing everyone together to celebrate that bond.
To help kids in Fairfax County fight hunger after school, a colorfully painted school bus is visiting their neighborhoods in the evenings.
The nonprofit Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) hosted an event yesterday evening in Hybla Valley to debut a brand-new, converted school bus that delivers free after-school meals to local kids.
The iconic Washington Dulles Airport Marriott has at least a few more years of life before being imperiled by potential redevelopment.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board members voted Wednesday (Aug. 19) to extend the lease on the 21-acre hotel site at 45020 Aviation Drive for two years, until Sept. 30, 2029.
A Fairfax County jury found an Alexandria man guilty yesterday (Thursday) of fatally shooting a man during an attempted vehicle break-in in Woodlawn last year.
Tavon Tykee Ferguson was convicted of second-degree murder and use of a firearm while committing a felony after an eight-day jury trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court.
Whether you’re aiming to build muscle, increase flexibility or just get in some post-work exercise, you’re bound to find a match for your fitness needs among the variety of gyms in Fairfax County.
Here are the nominees for “Best Gym or Fitness Center in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite gym below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4.
Voting for the Best Spa and Wellness Center in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Aug. 28 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Veterinarian in Fairfax County. The results are now official:
As Fairfax County Public Schools students prepare for their first day of school next Monday (Aug. 24), the Fairfax County School Board is making its own back-to-school to-do list. Near the top of the agenda: an updated digital literacy curriculum.
A work session on Tuesday (Aug. 18) provided a glimpse of the tasks ahead for the school board this year, and staff’s efforts over the summer to implement high-profile mandates around the curriculum, including updates related to artificial intelligence literacy.
