Around Town

In 1976, Jimmy Carter won the presidential election over the Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, Queen Elizabeth traveled to Virginia for the nation’s bicentennial, and “Happy Days” was appointment TV for millions of Americans.

That same year, the Town of Herndon created its Parks and Recreation Department with just one full-time staffer and one Fairfax County-owned park.


News

Jim Larranaga liked to bring in sports psychologist Bob Rotella for two reasons.

The George Mason University men’s basketball coach did so if he believed an individual player needed some help. Or he did so if he felt he had a good team that needed some extra clarity to tap into their potential.


Countywide

As county and regional leaders gathered yesterday (Wednesday) to mark the 40th anniversary of the Fairfax Connector bus service, nearly everyone wanted to get a photo taken with John Ashford.

Ashford was one of the original drivers when the local bus system began operations in September 1985, and he remains behind the wheel today.


Around Town

A new mural is taking shape in McLean.

Jeremy Jarvis, an Ohio-based artist whose works have been displayed around the world, has been commissioned by the McLean Community Center to transform an exterior wall of the Old Firehouse Center (1440 Chain Bridge Road) into a celebration of its 50th anniversary.


Around Town

The first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired in Concord, Massachusetts, 250 years ago this Saturday (April 19).

To commemorate the war’s 250th anniversary, there will be a variety of events around Fairfax County over the next few weeks, continuing a year-long, statewide VA 250 initiative.


Sports

McLean Little League will kick off the competition for its 70th anniversary season on Saturday, April 5 with the traditional 9 a.m. parade from McLean High School to the league’s three-field complex on Westmoreland Street.

“We are expecting an exciting day of events, starting with the parade,” league official Autumn Price told FFXnow. “It will be a fun morning and day.”


Around Town

The McLean Community Center (MCC) is now old enough to qualify for its own “Seniors in Action” program.

The community center will start celebrating 50 years of providing events, cultural enrichment, classes and other services with a special event tomorrow (Saturday) at 7 p.m. in the Alden Theatre (1234 Ingleside Avenue), kicking off a full year of festivities.


Countywide

Fairfax County’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th birthday isn’t on the move just yet, but it soon will be.

A “mobile museum” housed in a recreational vehicle is expected to be the county government’s signature educational offering during the 2025-26 celebration of America’s declaration of independence from England, members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors heard Tuesday (Oct. 8).


Around Town

The Washington Capitals are throwing back to the 1970s with an upcoming visit to George Mason University’s Fairfax campus.

As part of its 50th anniversary season, D.C.’s NHL team will bring a free youth tournament known as the Capitals Street Hockey Extravaganza to EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Circle) on Saturday, Nov. 16, briefly reviving what was once the largest street hockey clinic in existence.


Around Town

A nonprofit organization in downtown Herndon is celebrating 50 years of giving back to the community.

The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area, a faith-based nonprofit organization that distributes affordable home goods, clothing and other items, marked its 50th anniversary this month. The milestone will be formally celebrated at an invite-only event in late October.


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