Virginia’s main hospitality industry group has unveiled the finalists for its annual Ordinary Awards, and a few Fairfax County businesses and residents made the list.
In contention for “Hotel of the Year,” one of 24 categories, is The Watermark Hotel at Capital One Center in Tysons. It will compete with The Georges in Lexington and River’s Rest Marina & Resort in Charles City, the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA) announced yesterday (Thursday).
As Fairfax County leaders explore adding new sources of revenue, an advocacy campaign has emerged in opposition to a potential tax on prepared food.
Though many Northern Virginia localities already have meals taxes, a nonprofit called Fairfax Families and Workers Against the Food Tax that publicly launched last week argues the tax would be unpopular with Fairfax County residents, who narrowly rejected the idea at the ballot box twice before.
A local kabob chain is expanding its footprint in Northern Virginia.
Moby Dick House of Kabob is planning two new locations in Fairfax County — one in Great Falls and one in McLean, according to county permits.
New Covid Vaccines Approved — “The Food and Drug Administration approved new mRNA coronavirus vaccines Thursday, clearing the way for shots manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to start hitting pharmacy shelves and doctor’s offices within a week.” [Washington Post]
TikTok Star Boosts Fairfax Restaurant — “MMA fighter turned TikTok star Keith Lee has brought his food review tour to the D.C. area and is already showing how much of an impact his ‘effect’ has on local restaurants. On Tuesday, Lee, who has over 16 million followers on the app, visited Okonomi Asian Grill in Fairfax” and later donated $2,000. [WTOP]
Sandwich Shop Opens in Huntington — “JAWA Sandwich Shop opened for business in early August at Huntington Gateway. The store, owned by Seung Lee, features a variety of grilled and hot sandwiches like brisket pastrami on sourdough; specialty sandwiches like tropical shrimp salad; grilled panini and deli sandwiches, as well as soups and salads.” [On the MoVe]
VDOT to Lift Lane Closures for Labor Day — “VDOT will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, Aug. 30, until noon on Tuesday, Sept. 3…Additionally, VDOT offers several resources to help plan travel ahead of time.” [VDOT]
Repairs Needed at Park Basketball Courts — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin repairing the basketball courts at Groveton Heights Park and Centre Ridge North Park. Construction is expected to begin this week, and weather permitting, take approximately three weeks to complete.” [FCPA]
Fairfax City to Promote Solo Driving Alternatives — “The City of Fairfax is celebrating ‘Get There Differently’ during the whole month of September — which includes Car Free Day on Sept. 23 — by encouraging residents to try an alternative to drive-alone commuting.” Incentives include free day passes for Capital Bikeshare rentals, a raffle and surprise prize giveaways to CUE bus riders. [City of Fairfax]
Spirit Halloween Stores Already Popping Up — “In Fairfax, Spirit Halloween will open in the former Charming Charlies store at, 11794 Fair Oaks Mall, 104A. The store is listed as ‘coming soon’ without a specified date.” The seasonal retailer is already open at Tysons Corner Center and Seven Corners, with stores in Bailey’s Crossroads and Rose Hill coming soon. [Patch]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with temperatures reaching up to 84 degrees and light, variable winds. As night falls on Friday, the skies will be mostly clear with temperatures dropping to around 61 degrees, accompanied by a south wind blowing at 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
A man charged with killing a Reston couple in 2017 died this morning after being taken to a hospital from Fairfax County’s jail.
Nicholas Giampa, now 24, was found “unresponsive” in his cell at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center around 1:58 a.m., prompting a deputy to announce “a medical emergency,” according to posts from the Fairfax County Police Department and Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office.
Fairfax County will soon begin shutting down a homeless encampment that has occupied woods near the Inova Emergency Room in Reston for years.
The county’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness announced today (Thursday) that “no trespassing” signs will be posted around the site known informally as “The Hill” next Tuesday (Aug. 27). A fence will be constructed on Sept. 10 to formally close the property.
After considering applicants from around the country, Reston Community Center (RCC) has decided to promote from within for its next executive director.
The community center announced yesterday (Wednesday) that its board of governors has selected current RCC Deputy Director BeBe Nguyen to succeed Leila Gordon, who will retire after 16 years with RCC on Dec. 13.
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS) will waive adoption fees this Friday through Sunday (Aug. 23-25).
The shelter has more than 160 animals waiting for adoption, it said in a press release. That includes cats, dogs, guinea pigs, mice and rabbits.
Police Search for Kingstowne Robbery Suspects — A worker was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a commercial robbery in the 5700 block of Kingstowne Blvd on Aug. 7. Police say the employee “attempted to stop” a man and woman from leaving the store after they took merchadise without paying. The woman then “discharged pepper spray at the employee.” [FCPD]
Circus Coming to GMU — “Tickets for the upcoming performances of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus in Fairfax are now on sale. Billed as The Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Bros. will be bringing more than 75 performers from 18 countries and presenting 50 circus acts from March 23 to April 6, 2025 at EagleBank Arena” on George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. [Patch]
Metro Workers Secure New Contract — “Metro workers will have to take at least 10 hours off between shifts and see some caps to their raises, under the terms of a new union contract signed Wednesday…The changes address long-standing concerns over worker exhaustion as well as high labor costs.” [Washington Post]
State Police Release Annual Crime Data — “Virginia had fewer homicides, but more vehicle thefts and drug arrests, during 2023, according to the annual statewide report released Aug. 20 by Virginia State Police…There were 20,824 violent-crime offenses reported last year versus 20,549 in 2022, a 1.3 percent increase.” [Gazette Leader]
Events Venue Opens in Hybla Valley — “Tucked away toward the rear of an unassuming Richmond Highway strip mall, a former mattress and furniture store has been transformed into a high-end event and meeting space. Known as Vista Banquet Hall, the new facility has been a labor of love for its owner, Lydia Kassa, who first started searching for a space to open it four years ago.” [On the MoVe]
Learn About Fairfax City School Bond Projects — “There will be a school bond referendum on the city ballot for the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election — and you can learn more about it at community engagement sessions on Aug. 22, Sept. 30, and Oct. 15.” The requested $220 million in bonds will be used to renovate the Providence and Daniels Run elementary schools and replace Fairfax High School’s roof. [City of Fairfax]
Kristin Chenoweth Teases Wolf Trap Show — “You’ve seen her on Broadway and on TV. Ahead of her September 13 show at Wolf Trap, this Emmy- and Tony Award–winning actress talks about what she’s been up to and the magic you’ll see on stage,” where she’ll perform with fellow movie, TV and theater actor Alan Cumming. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunshine and a high around 79°F with a northwest wind at 5 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, reaching a low of approximately 58°F with calm winds. [NWS]
Eventually, Ferndale Avenue will get curb bump outs, additional crosswalks and marked parking lanes, changes intended to slow down traffic and protect pedestrians.
First, though, Town of Herndon staff are reviewing options for temporary, more immediate safety measures that can be implemented ahead of the long-term traffic calming project, which has no set funding or completion date yet.
