A few matches into the Northern Virginia Scholastic Ice Hockey League, the Herndon/South Lakes club team leads the Adams Division with a 4-0 record, with the multiple-time defending champion Langley Saxons at 4-1 with a four-match winning streak.
Also in the division, the Madison Warhawks are 2-2, the Oakton Cougars 2-3 and the McLean/Chantilly high-school squad 1-3. Langley and Herndon/South Lakes meet later in the season.
Fairfax County elected officials intend to take the same position on a proposed Tysons casino in 2025 that they held during the 2024 legislative session.
While some individual members have expressed explicit opposition to the possibility, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as a whole has hedged its bets: it has concerns but isn’t averse to getting the power from Richmond to conduct a referendum on the matter.
This holiday season, we’re partnering with Brx American Bistro to create a cozy, memorable experience for you and your loved ones.
At Rossen Landscape, we believe in making every moment spent at home meaningful and inviting, so we’re adding a touch of seasonal charm to your space to help set the stage for unforgettable gatherings.
🎁 Here’s what’s included in our Holiday Giveaway:
🍽️ A $150 Gift Card to Brx American Bistro.
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🌿 Bonus: A stylish planter pot that fits perfectly into the firepit, transforming it into a decorative piece when not in use.
✨ How to Enter
Follow @RossenLandscape and @brxamericanbistro.
More Ways to Win
1️⃣ One additional entry for each person you tag and would like to share this experience with.
2️⃣ Sign up for Rossen and BRX’s email lists for an additional entry.
3️⃣ Share this post to your story for an additional entry.
Let’s make your holiday season a time for connection, warmth, and celebration. Enter for your chance to create memories that last a lifetime!
Giveaway ends December 20. Winner will be announced on December 23.
✨Good luck!
As Fairfax County Public Schools considers revising its cell phone storage policy, students are calling for a more consistent approach across classrooms, citing concerns about uneven enforcement.
The school system is currently testing a phone-free pilot program at select middle and high schools to evaluate the impact of stricter limits on student cell phone use. Once the pilot concludes, the school board plans to use the collected data to develop an updated policy aligned with new Virginia Department of Education guidelines, which must be adopted by school boards statewide by Jan. 1, 2025.
South Lakes High School’s parent-teacher-student association (PTSA) will get a holiday season boost from a local business for its food pantry and other activities.
Throughout the coming week, the Reston location of Great Clips will donate money to the PTSA for each paying customer it sees. The fundraiser is set to launch tomorrow (Saturday) and continue through Friday, Dec. 20.
Reston Native Engaged to Selena Gomez — “While Gomez, a global superstar, and [Benny] Blanco, a chart-topping producer, have captured worldwide attention, it’s Blanco’s Northern Virginia roots that make this romance even more special for NoVA fans.” Born in Reston, Blanco attended Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Fairfax City Police Chief to Retire — “Erin Schaible announced on Thursday that she was retiring as the chief of police for the City of Fairfax Police Department. Schaible was hired as Fairfax City’s first female chief in January 2019.” The news came after the Fairfax City Council voted to terminate City Manager Laszlo Palko on Tuesday (Dec. 10), but a police spokesperson says the timing is coincidental. [Patch]
Boundary Adjustment Considered for Lincolnia School — “The Parklawn Elementary School community came together Dec. 11 to hear Fairfax County Public School’s plans for a boundary study to relieve overcrowding … The Parklawn boundary study is separate from the ongoing FCPS district-wide boundary study, which is looking at all county schools.” [Annandale Today]
Park Authority Releases Call for Farmers’ Market Vendors — “Calling all local farmers and food producers! Applications are now open for food producers to participate in the wildly popular Fairfax County Park Authority Farmers Markets in 2025. If you’re passionate about what you grow or make, this is your chance to share it with the community!” [FCPA]
Police Station Hosts Winter Clothing Donation Drive — “The Fair Oaks District Station is hosting a Winter Coat, Hat, and Glove Drive to support local children in need this winter season. [The] drive ends: Saturday, Jan. 4. Your donations will make a huge difference by keeping kids in our community warm throughout the colder months.” [Fairfax County Government/Twitter]
Pricey McLean Mansions Land Buyers — A 16,000-square-foot home at 1113 Langley Lane with “an indoor sports court that doubles as an entertainment pavilion” has a buyer who’s expected to pay over $11 million. Another mansion in the Langley Farms neighborhood — a 14,000-square-foot house at 1150 Chain Bridge Road with a sauna, tea house and outdoor koi pond — is also now under contract after being listed for over $22 million. [Washington Business Journal]
Where to See Christmas Lights in N. Va. — “Looking for the best and brightest neighborhood Christmas lights? Check out our annual list of some of Northern Virginia’s most popular neighborhood holiday light displays, plus a few professional twinkling winter wonderlands.” [Inside NoVA]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies during the day with a high temperature close to 41°F and a gentle breeze from the northeast. Heading into Friday night, the skies will turn mostly cloudy with temperatures dipping to about 28°F, accompanied by a 6 mph northeast wind. [NWS]
George Mason University officials opened community engagement efforts on Wednesday (Dec. 11) to determine a development plan for the 190-acre western portion of the school’s main campus in Fairfax.
The forum at the Fairfax City Hall attracted about 100 participants and was designed to “usher in a process that gets the community engaged,” Andrew Lieber, the university’s senior associate athletic director for capital planning, said.
By the Fairfax County government’s math, local residents are being shortchanged nearly $570 million annually in education funding by the state government.
Facing a $292.7 million gap between expected revenues and expenses projected for the coming fiscal year, county leaders would like their state lawmakers to leave from Richmond next year with some of that funding in hand.
The full impact of Comstock’s decision to halt its plans for a mixed-use development in downtown Herndon is still solidifying, but at least one ripple effect of the project appears to be irreversible.
The independent bookstore A Thousand Stories announced earlier this month that Saturday, Dec. 21 will be its last day in business. In a push to clear its shelves, the store at 750 Center Street is offering extended hours and discounts of 20% to 40% off all items until it closes.
1st Stage Theatre is set to dazzle audiences this winter with its latest production, Laughs in Spanish by acclaimed playwright Alexis Scheer.
Opening this weekend, the play promises a lively and heartwarming exploration of culture, family, and the comedic chaos of life.
Laughs in Spanish takes audiences on a journey to sunny Miami, where the bustling art scene becomes the backdrop for a riotous tale of love, mischief, and identity. With its richly drawn characters and Scheer’s signature wit, the play is both a love letter to Latino culture and a celebration of the universal joys and challenges of human connection.
“We’re thrilled to bring this vibrant story to Tysons,” said Alex Levy, Artistic Director at 1st Stage. “Alexis Scheer’s work is brimming with humor, heart, and cultural authenticity. It’s a perfect way to warm up the winter season and bring our community together for a shared laugh.”
From the vivacious energy of Miami’s art galleries to the heartfelt family dynamics, the show offers an unforgettable experience for audiences of all backgrounds.
In keeping with its mission to foster local arts and engagement, 1st Stage will host post-show community conversations with the cast and creative team following select performances. These conversations provide audiences a deeper dive into the themes of the play and the artistic process behind it.
Whether you’re looking for a night of laughter, a poignant exploration of culture, or simply a great night out, Laughs in Spanish is a must-see. The show runs through December 29, with performances at 1st Stage’s intimate and welcoming theater in Tysons.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.1stStage.org. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an evening of laughter, connection, and artistic brilliance right here in your community.
For more information, visit 1stStage.org or follow 1st Stage on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
