Countywide

Hoping to alleviate parents’ concerns about the frequency of disruptions this school year, the Fairfax County School Board has backed a calendar for the upcoming academic year that cuts down on the number of early-release days and nixes Veterans Day as a holiday.

At its meeting Thursday (April 9), the board debated the calendar for the upcoming school year in an effort to cut down on weeks with fewer than five days of classes.


Countywide

As the current school year enters its final stretch, the Fairfax County School Board is considering tweaking the calendar for the next year in response to mounting complaints about disruptions to class schedules.

At the board’s meeting tomorrow (Thursday), members led by governance committee chair Melanie Meren will propose nixing Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Veterans Day as official student holidays and limiting the number of scheduled early release days to four per year.


News

For many small businesses, the holiday shopping season is the most critical time of the year, determining their ability to continue operating, and Mode on Main by Mara is no exception.

The lifestyle boutique in Old Town Fairfax shared on Instagram this week that had processed 611 orders at that point since Nov. 1, leaving it shy of the 1,000 orders it says are needed to ensure it can keep its doors open at 10417 Main Street in 2026.


News

All is bright for the Town of Vienna’s volunteer fire department headed into the thick of the holiday season.

A recent fundraising campaign organized to provide upkeep for Santa’s special sleigh — a 79-year-old antique fire engine — shattered the initial goal by more than $27,000, the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department announced last week.


News

Vending machines that encourage charitable giving are returning to Tysons Corner Center just in time for the holidays.

The Light the World Giving Machines, which are sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, will be unveiled outside the AMC Theatres (7850 Tysons Corner Center) at noon tomorrow (Saturday) and continue operations through Jan. 4.


Around Town

Though fall leaves are still clinging to many trees, wintry events have already started to take over the calendar in Fairfax County.

In addition to Tysons Corner Center’s previously reported holiday lineup, the coming weeks will bring the return of ice skating to Reston Town Center, an expanded McLean Winterfest Parade, multiple Santa photo opportunities and other festive attractions for both Christmas devotees and agnostics.


Around Town

With Halloween in the rearview mirror, Tysons Corner Center is racing right into the winter holiday shopping season, announcing a number of upcoming retail openings and festive events.

New retail


News

Vienna’s volunteer fire department needs help to keep one of its longest-running holiday traditions alive.

The department launched a fundraiser this past Saturday (Oct. 4) to provide upkeep for Santa’s special sleigh — a 79-year-old antique fire engine.


Around Town

The U.S. Army’s 250th birthday parade isn’t the only procession taking to the streets in the D.C. region tomorrow (Saturday).

The Town of Vienna will host a parade of its own to kick off its fifth annual Liberty Amendments Month celebrations, which shine a light on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 19th amendments to the U.S. Constitution for bringing the country closer to its egalitarian ideals, at least on paper.


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