Fairfax County leaders hope to soon have a better gauge of how much they’re getting back from tax revenue sent to Richmond.
The Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to direct County Executive Bryan Hill and staff to return before the end of the year with an analysis of how many local tax dollars flow to the state government, and how much comes back.
The American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA) is no longer planning to transform its administrative offices in Reston into a new headquarters.
With its office needs declining, the member-owned nonprofit, which provides life insurance, mortgages and other financial services to members of the U.S. military community, has shifted its focus instead to housing, according to a rezoning application submitted to Fairfax County on June 24.
Challenge to Felon Voting Ban Allowed — “The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear Virginia’s bid to scuttle a lawsuit challenging an 1869 state constitutional provision that imposes a lifetime voting ban on convicted felons, one of the toughest restrictions in the United States.” Attorney General Jason Miyares had appealed a lower court’s ruling that a lawsuit from two men represented by the ACLU could proceed. [Reuters]
Virginia to Phase Out Styrofoam — “Starting July 1, 2025, food vendors with 20 or more locations in Virginia must stop using containers made from expanded polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as Styrofoam. By July 1, 2026, all other food vendors must follow suit.” The impending ban stems from legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2021. [FOX5]
Lawsuit Over GMU Board Appointees — “A Fairfax County court will soon weigh in on whether leaders at three of Virginia’s universities broke the rules by allowing rejected appointees to remain in their governing boards — despite Senate Democrats voting to remove them earlier this month.” The lawsuit takes issue with four George Mason University board members, including former state trade and commerce secretary Caren Merrick, as well as appointees to the Virginia Military Institute and University of Virginia. [Virginia Mercury]
Shredding Events Falsely Advertised — “Residents have recently reported arriving at Fairfax County facilities for shredding events that were falsely advertised on a suspicious website. These events are not associated with the county and we urge you to take steps to avoid misinformation and potential scams.” [Fairfax County Government]
Seafood Restaurant Coming to Fairfax City — “Diners will soon be able to enjoy wild-caught and farm-raised seafood at a new restaurant coming to the Kamp Washington Shopping Center. Property owner GRI-Regency Centers is currently working to refit the 3,030-square-foot space formerly occupied by Mod Pizza at 11048 Main St. for California Fish Grill Casual Kitchen.” [Patch]
Vienna Relocates Library Mural Event — Vienna has moved today’s farewell event for the “Liberty Amendments Month” mural on Patrick Henry Library to the council chambers at Vienna Town Hall due to the expected heat. “There will be an opportunity to take photos at the mural after the commemorative ceremony,” which will start at 3:30 p.m. [Town of Vienna/X]
Summer Safety Tips — “Whether you’re heading to the pool, walking your dog, or just enjoying the warm weather, safety is key. The Fairfax County Police Department is here to help you enjoy the season responsibly. Here are some simple, yet critical tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer.” [FCPD]
Kids Compete for Jr. Ranger Title — Layla Moore, a fourth-grade student from Burke, and Ivy Usher, a 7-year-old from the Woodlawn area, are both finalists in the National Wildlife Federation’s Jr. Ranger contest, whose winner will receive $20,000, among other rewards. Voting in the latest round is open online until 7 p.m. on Thursday (June 26). [WTOP]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny and hot conditions with temperatures reaching a high near 97 and heat index values up to 107. Night brings a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 pm and 2 am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 76. Winds will be light and variable. [NWS]
Another scorching day is on the horizon for the D.C. region.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for tomorrow (Wednesday), warning that high temperatures and humidity could push the heat index up to 108.
The govenator is coming to Northern Virginia, and he’ll be here to welcome some of the nation’s newest citizens.
Former California governor and “Terminator” star Arnold Schwarzenegger will give the marquee address at a naturalization ceremony at George Washington’s Mount Vernon on the Fourth of July. Schwarzenegger will address over 100 newly sworn-in citizens at 10 a.m.
Roughly half of the Republicans seeking to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District condemned the process — but not the result — used by the Trump administration’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash the federal workforce.
Speaking to voters at a forum on Sunday (June 22), three of the candidates expressed a distaste for the way in which tens of thousands of federal government workers have been fired since President Donald Trump took office in January, allegedly to reduce spending.
Parking passes are now available for the annual Independence Day fireworks at Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive) in Reston.
This Saturday (June 28) will bring a full day of festivities to the park, capped off with an early Fourth of July fireworks show in the evening.
Written By: Synergy Design & Construction
The way we use our homes has changed, and continues to evolve. As hybrid work becomes the norm and families balance everything from remote meetings to multigenerational living, today’s spaces need to work harder, smarter, and more flexibly than ever before.
That’s why multi-purpose rooms have become one of the most sought-after remodeling features for homeowners in Northern Virginia.
At Synergy Design & Construction, we believe the most beautiful spaces are the ones that adapt to your life, not the other way around. And multi-purpose rooms are one of the most effective ways to make your home not only more livable, but more functional for the long haul.
Put simply, a multi-purpose room is a space designed to intentionally support more than one function. While a formal dining room may only get used a few times a year, a multi-functional room is designed to earn its keep every day.
Here are just a few examples of how homeowners are putting this concept into action:
Instead of dedicating square footage to single-use rooms, multi-purpose design allows you to get more out of every inch of your home.
While the concept isn’t new, the demand for multi-purpose spaces has skyrocketed in recent years. Since 2020, more of us are working from home, hosting out-of-town family, or making room for aging parents. For homeowners in Reston and surrounding areas, flexible design has become a creative and cost-effective solution to meet modern living needs without requiring a home addition.
It’s not about squeezing multiple functions into one room and hoping for the best. A well-designed multi-purpose space should feel intentional, cohesive, and easy to use. Here’s how we help our clients achieve that balance:
Before diving into the design details, we ask:
Answering these questions early on helps shape the floorplan, furniture selection, and built-in features so the final result actually fits your lifestyle.
Incorporating multiple functions in a single room works best when each one has a clear place. That doesn’t mean you need walls, just smart zoning. We often use:
Even in a small room, these subtle cues make a big difference in how the space flows.
When space is at a premium, versatility is key. Some of our go-to solutions include:
We help clients select pieces that look great and function beautifully without clutter or compromise.
If you’re using a space for multiple activities, organization becomes even more important. That’s why we always build in smart storage, including:
It’s all about getting more from the square footage you already have.
We’ve worked with homeowners throughout Northern Virginia to bring multi-functional spaces to life. Here are two recent transformations that show what’s possible when design meets intention:
In the Carpers Farm neighborhood, our clients asked us to transform their basement into a welcoming, high-performance space. The result? A full basement remodel featuring an open-concept layout with custom bar, gaming area, and TVs for entertaining and a guest bedroom that doubles as a home office, thanks to a custom Murphy bed and built-in storage.
Another family had lived in their Vienna home for over a decade and wanted their already-finished basement to better reflect their needs and taste. We opened up the layout, removed outdated storage closets, and created a spacious rec room complete with a walk-up counter, wet bar, and entertainment zones. In a previously unfinished area, we added a new bedroom, full bath, and functional closets making this lower level ready for hosting, relaxing, and overnight guests alike.
A successful remodel doesn’t just change how a room looks, it changes how you live in it.
At Synergy Design & Construction, we take the time to understand how your home currently functions, and how it could serve your life better. Whether you’re looking to renovate a single space or reimagine your entire layout, our team brings creativity, craftsmanship, and care to every detail.
Thinking about enhancing your home?
We’d love to help you bring it to life. Visit renovatehappy.com to explore our portfolio and get in touch about your next project.
Drivers who seriously injure or kill a pedestrian in a crosswalk in Fairfax County will now face the potential of jail time, under changes set for approval this week.
The Board of Supervisors is slated to approve a slew of amendments to the Fairfax County Code today (Tuesday), bringing local laws into alignment with changes made by the General Assembly.
Police Conduct Trainings in Fairfax City — “The City of Fairfax Police Department, City of Fairfax Fire Department, and George Mason University Police Department will be conducting trainings 7 to 11 a.m. Tues., June 24 through Fri., June 27 at JA Finance Park (4099 Pickett Rd.). Please do not be alarmed if you see activity in this area during these times.” [City of Fairfax Police/Facebook]
Early Voting Begins in Special Election Primaries — Starting at 3 p.m. today (Tuesday), Democrats can head to the Fairfax County Government Center to vote early in a “firehouse” primary to determine their party’s nominee for the 11th Congressional District special election. Republicans will have one day of early voting on Friday (June 27) before both parties hold their primary elections on Saturday (June 28). [WAMU]
I-495 Widening Project Makes Progress — “The final phase of the $660 million, 2.5-mile Capital Beltway expansion in Virginia is in the home stretch after nearly four years. Crews plan to mark another milestone on June 27 when they are scheduled to shift the Outer Loop southbound lanes to begin completion on a key phase of the project.” [WTOP]
Beyer Launches Reelection Bid — “Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) has announced that he is seeking reelection as U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, which includes Alexandria. Beyer, who turned 75 on June 20, has been reelected five times to represent the district, serving since January 2015.” [ALXnow]
ICYMI: Harris Teeter Closing in Tysons — Harris Teeter confirmed last night (Monday) that it will close its store in the Lofts at Park Crest (8200 Crestwood Heights Drive) on July 20, one of five closures planned this summer. When it opened in January 2009, the grocery store was the first to serve Tysons in two decades. [FFXnow]
New Ramen Bar in Falls Church — “Honoo Ramen Bar, a new Japanese restaurant, is now open at the West Falls development in Falls Church. Offering a wide menu of ramen, sushi, cocktails and Japanese entrees, the new restaurant is currently soft opening at 153 W. Falls Station Blvd.” [ARLnow]
Dems Outpace GOP in Fundraising — “Democrats in Virginia have built up a hefty fundraising advantage for their effort to reclaim the governor’s mansion in a race seen as a bellwether for the party in power in Washington heading into the 2026 midterms.” [Associated Press]
Winter Flights Added at Dulles Airport — United Airlines “will launch two nonstop routes to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Vail/Eagle County, Colorado. Both are out of Dulles International Airport … They will operate weekly on Saturdays beginning on December 20 and run through April 4.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a sunny, hot day with temperatures reaching up to 101°F and heat index values as high as 111°F, accompanied by a 3 to 6 mph northwest wind. The nighttime will be mostly clear with a low temperature around 79°F and a light northwest breeze. [NWS]
