Around Town

The Fairfax County Park Authority has composed a slate of summer shows, including Grammy honorees, drive-in movies and a range of dancers.

Nearly 200 live events will take place across more than a dozen locations between June 1 and Aug. 31.


News

Fewer parking spaces will be required in the expansion of Reston Town Center than previously anticipated.

During its May 7 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to vacate the parking reduction that it granted developer Boston Properties (BXP) when the project known as RTC Next was originally approved in 2018.


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.


Countywide

With just days to go before Fairfax County Public Schools finalizes its fiscal year 2025 budget, teachers voiced frustration this week with the news that school employees will get lower-than-expected pay raises.

As it stands, the Fairfax County School Board is on track to adopt a revised budget that includes a 3% pay increase for all school employees, down from the initially proposed 6%, starting July 1.


News

The Town of Herndon has taken a crucial step towards constructing a new pedestrian bridge along Hunters Creek Trail, which could be ready as soon as the end of August.

The Herndon Town Council approved a special exception on Tuesday (May 14) that clears the way for a replacement of the worn-out 1970s-era bridge in Runnymede Park. The bridge was shut down last year due to safety concerns after being deemed “structurally unsound.”


Countywide

Fairfax Connector is gathering public input on a plan to adjust bus service while increasing fares by 12.5%.

The Connector is increasing its base fare from $2 to $2.25 and express fares from $4.25 to $4.80 to match Metrobus fares, which will increase in an effort by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to address a budget shortfall.


Around Town

Two relative newcomers to Fairfax County’s dining scene have found favor with the Washington Post’s food critic.

Tom Sietsema, a critic for the newspaper since 2000, included The Maple Room in Vienna and Peter Chang in McLean on his round-up of the 26 best new restaurants in the D.C. area. The list was published yesterday (Wednesday) as part of a spring 2024 dining guide to celebrate “what’s new, but also what’s worth your time and money,” Sietsema wrote.


Countywide

Northern Lights Seen Over National Mall — “Rare, possibly one-of-a-kind video has emerged of the northern lights dancing over the National Mall and Washington Monument. Even though clouds in the D.C. area mostly obscured the epic display of auroras…a short window opened up just before dawn Saturday when the clouds parted. [Washington Post]

Tysons Auto Dealerships Up for Sale — The Koons dealership site at 2000 and 2050 Chain Bridge Road, which was considered for redevelopment by Comstock, “is now being marketed for sale as a Home Depot-anchored mixed-use district.” Marketing materials say the property is available “for three different opportunities: a ground lease, a sale and a joint venture.” [Bisnow]