The race to find a replacement for the late Rep. Gerry Connolly has added another contender.
Leopoldo Martínez, a lawyer who once served in Venezuela’s National Assembly, launched a campaign today (Thursday) for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, where he’ll compete for the Democratic nomination in an increasingly crowded field.
DUI Charge for Woman Shot at CIA — “A woman has been charged with driving under the influence after she allegedly sped toward the front gate of the CIA’s headquarters in Fairfax County, Virginia, and was shot by security officers last week.” The 27-year-old woman “is facing charges related to driving under the influence and eluding law enforcement’s attempts to stop her vehicle.” [WTOP]
More Details of Herndon Shooting Emerge — The McLean teen charged with second-degree murder for a fatal shooting in Herndon on May 23 “said he shot a man who jumped in front of the Tesla he was driving and began kicking the vehicle, according to court documents. He told police the man appeared to be reaching toward his waist when he shot him.” [NBC4]
Metro Launches Tap-to-Pay System — “Visitors to D.C. for World Pride, the Fourth of July and other summer events won’t have to line up at fare machines to pay for Metro. Starting Wednesday, riders can pay with their credit cards.” WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke demonstrated the new “Tap.Ride.Go.” system at the Silver Line’s Dulles Airport station yesterday. [Washington Post]
Eden Center Food Hall Now Open — “An Asian food hall and forthcoming nightlife venue is now open at the Eden Center, with a sleek futuristic interior and a variety of mom-and-pop eateries. The Pop-Up District features Thai street food at Eatsy, Vietnamese food at Sun-C, on-the-go Korean barbeque at Honey Pig Cup Bop, coffee and matcha at Doppo, and pastries at The Beat.” [Annandale Today]
More Speed Cameras Considered in Falls Church — “Additional enforcement options for automated speed cameras could be on the Falls Church City Council’s wish list for the 2026 General Assembly.” The city only has one spot that qualifies for a speed camera under existing state law: the school zone for St. James Catholic School on W. Broad Street. [ARLnow]
Funeral Set for Former Supervisor — “A visitation for Hudgins will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, June 6, at Saint Thomas A. Becket Catholic Church in Reston. This will be followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. and a reception from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the church, located at 1421 Wiehle Ave.” [Patch]
Bill on Black History Classes Vetoed — With Gov. Glenn Youngkin in his final year in office, “a Northern Virginia faith leader and parent said she will continue asking state lawmakers to make two African-American history courses count towards the state’s graduation requirements for history.” [Virginia Mercury]
Health Clinics Offer Walk-In Hours — “The Fairfax County Health Department has begun offering walk-in hours for certain clinic services on select days at all five clinic locations … Clinic services offered during walk-in hours are limited and available on a first-come first served basis.” [Fairfax County Health Department]
It’s Thursday — Patchy fog will dissipate by 9am, giving way to mostly cloudy skies and a high near 78. At night, there’s a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, followed by mostly cloudy skies, a low of 64, and some patchy fog after 4am. [NWS]
Visitors to Lake Anne in Reston should find it a little easier to get around soon with new wayfinding signage.
After wrapping up a Lake Anne Economic Visioning Study last fall, Fairfax County is working on a project to bring more signage to Lake Anne and direct visitors, shoppers and residents around the area.
George Mason University plans to focus on athletics facilities first when redeveloping the western portion of its Fairfax campus.
After new sports/recreation facilities are in place, Mason will move forward with developing housing — for both the university community and others — plus retail spaces and community facilities, university officials and consultants told community members on May 22.
Written By: Synergy Design & Construction
In recent years, more families have embraced multi-generational living. Bringing parents, adult children, or grandparents under one roof to share space, care, and resources. Whether it’s to support aging loved ones, save on expenses, or simply stay connected, this way of living requires thoughtful home design to work well for everyone involved.
More homeowners are realizing that with innovative renovations, they don’t need more square footage; they just need better use of the space they already have. That’s exactly the kind of thoughtful remodeling work we specialize in at Synergy Design & Construction.
When designing for multiple generations, one of the most important factors is layout, not size. A successful remodel creates balance: allowing for family togetherness while offering privacy and independence where needed.
To begin, identify individual needs:
Designing with intention means creating areas that support different routines while maintaining a natural flow. This might involve combining open shared spaces with defined zones for separation. Features like sliding doors, acoustic insulation, or flexible-use rooms go a long way in maintaining comfort and harmony for everyone.
Beyond convenience and cost-sharing, multi-generational homes offer emotional and relational benefits. When families plan thoughtfully, these homes can provide:
One of the keys to a successful multi-generational home is carving out individual zones. Think of them as mini-retreats within a shared environment; areas where each household member can rest, recharge, and enjoy a sense of personal space.
These zones may include:
For instance, a basement suite with a full bathroom may be ideal for grandparents or adult children. If that’s not an option, you might consider converting a formal room into a cozy bedroom. The goal is to create separation without sacrificing connection.
If you have elderly family members or plan to age in place yourself, remodeling with accessibility in mind is key. The right updates make life easier now and ensure the home continues to serve you for years to come.
Helpful design features include:
At Synergy Design & Construction, we believe accessible design should enhance, not compromise, the beauty of your home. Our team carefully selects materials and finishes that are both functional and refined.
You don’t necessarily need an addition to make your home multi-generational. With creative space planning, you can enhance function without expanding your home’s footprint.
These can include:
These updates are often faster, more cost-effective, and less disruptive than full-scale additions, while still providing a major lifestyle improvement.
Multi-generational living comes with many voices and needs, so open communication is essential. Here are a few ways to keep the planning process organized and respectful:
That’s where Synergy Design & Construction shines, collaborating closely with families to create homes that feel intentional, inclusive, and built to evolve.
Multi-generational living reflects a return to connectedness—one that many families find deeply fulfilling. With the right remodel, your home can become a space that supports every generation in comfort, privacy, and style.
If you’re considering updating your home to better support your family’s evolving needs, working with a design-build expert like Synergy Design & Construction can make all the difference. Whether it’s reconfiguring your layout or creating a suite for a loved one, a personalized remodeling approach can help you make the most of the home you already have.
The start of REAL ID enforcement in early May went without major hassle at Northern Virginia’s two airports.
“The rollout was smooth and uneventful,” Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Thomas Beatty said at the authority’s May 21 board of directors meeting.
Three of the best places to live in the country can be found in Fairfax County, according to one recently released ranking.
U.S. News and World Report included Burke, Reston and Centreville on its 2025-2026 list of the Top 250 Best Places to Live in the U.S., with the first two taking first and second place, respectively, among Virginia localities.
No More Pedal Boats at Accotink — “Lake Accotink Park was busy on a beautiful Memorial Day, with people kayaking, hiking, fishing, feeding the geese, playing mini-golf, and enjoying the playground. No one was pedal boating, however, because the pedal boats are no longer available.” The lake has become too shallow for the boats due to a lowered water level for dam inspections and sediment accumulation. [Annandale Today]
Suspect in Murder Trial Flees — “A man accused of killing a young mother in Reston, Virginia, went on the run, on the very day his murder trial was supposed to begin. Police say the defendant recently fled to Canada. Fairfax County prosecutors say it’s exactly what they warned would happen after a judge first let the man out on bond, then later let him remove his GPS monitor.” [NBC4]
Man Who Set Car on Fire Sentenced — “A Fairfax County man arrested by U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 8 after he tried to set his car on fire with what authorities described as homemade napalm along First Street NW, near the Grant Memorial, has been sentenced.” [Patch]
Affordable Housing Waitlist to Open — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) will be accepting waiting list applications for both privately-owned and Fairfax County-owned Project-Based Voucher (PBV) units Monday, June 2, 2025, through Sunday, June 8, 2025.” [FCRHA]
School Board Approves Revised Budget — “Fairfax County’s school board approved a nearly $4 billion budget Thursday that will give educators a raise but may also result in more students in their classrooms … As part of the cuts, the district is also changing the way it staffs schools.” [WTOP]
Metro Advances Train Automation — “Metro’s effort to fully automating the agency’s trains inched one step closer to the finish line on Friday, as the Green and Yellow Lines became the latest to undergo the transition.” Metro CEO and General Manager Randy Clarke says the transit agency hopes to expand automation to the Blue, Orange and Silver lines in June. [WTOP]
Hockey Player Retires With World Record — “Nearly 50 years ago, at the age of 35, Linda Sinrod laced up her ice skates for the first time since graduating college. She had just been laid off from her job and decided to rekindle her passion for figure skating on an icy pond in Annandale … Last month, Sinrod hung up her skates for the last time, at age 84. She holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest woman to play ice hockey.” [Washingtonian]
Tips for Staying Safe This Summer — “The pools are open, beaches are filling up and the sun is shining longer each day. While summer brings fun and freedom, it also brings unique safety challenges we need to prepare for during the hot months ahead.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm, with a high near 63. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation and rainfall amounts could range from three quarters to one inch. At night, there’s a 60% chance of precipitation with a low around 59, and lighter winds after midnight. [NWS]
A golfing renaissance and introduction of next-generation playgrounds were among the 2024 success stories for the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA).
“We’re in the business of fun,” FCPA Executive Director Jai Cole said on May 20 at a joint meeting between the park authority board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
F45 Training has changed up its routine in Reston.
The fitness chain closed its Reston Station franchise at Faraday Park (11201 Reston Station Blvd) after May 12 in order to consolidate its operations in the area at Reston Town Center, the gym’s future owner told FFXnow.
