Herndon town leaders didn’t find much success with the 2024 “streeteries” outdoor-dining initiative.
However, they’re hopeful some tweaks in 2025 will provide the data needed to determine whether to move forward with the effort on a permanent basis.
Washingtonian’s annual ranking of the “100 Very Best Restaurants” in the D.C. region has arrived, and several Fairfax spots made the cut, both from the county and the city.
Joon, the high-end Persian restaurant that chefs Najmieh Batmanglij and Christopher Morgan opened in Tysons in 2023, once again led the way, coming in at no. 24 — one notch down from its placement on the 2024 list.
Bird Flu Cases Reported in Virginia — “Two cases of bird flu have been detected at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia, marking the first time the highly contagious virus has been found at the facility in its 30-year history. The cases come on the heels of at least three other recent outbreaks in the Washington region that have already killed an estimated 1 million chickens and put officials on alert.” [Washington Post]
People and Dogs Rescued from Apartment Fire — Firefighters responded yesterday (Wednesday) to the 7300 block of Route 29 in West Falls Church for a fire in a “garden style” apartment building. “Firefighters assisted multiple people with evacuations and rescued two dogs from an apartment … No civilian or firefighter injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Mosaic District Might Get a Fitness Center — A zoning verification letter submitted to Fairfax County this week suggests Onelife Fitness is planning to open a facility at 2910 District Avenue that’s “larger than 30,000 square feet and ‘includes pool(s).'” No one involved would comment, but the space has been vacated by Custom Ink, whose lease expires on March 31. [Washington Business Journal]
Founder of West Falls Church Security Company Dies — “Gene Samburg, founder of Falls Church, Virginia-based Kastle Systems, has died at age 83. Samburg may be best-known for the building security cards and fobs carried by thousands of D.C.-area office workers, and tens of thousands more across the country.” [WTOP]
Bill Seeks to Close Education ‘Loophole’ — Legislation proposed by state senator and former Fairfax County School Board member Stella Pekarsky would require parents who are homeschooling their children to submit documentation of their teaching qualifications and their kids’ academic progress. Virginia currently has an exemption for parents who opt out of public schools for religions reasons. [WRIC]
Pilates Studio Opens in Mount Vernon — “Club Pilates Hybla Valley plans to open at Mount Vernon Plaza on Jan. 23. The studio, which specializes in Reformer-based Pilates training, recently posted on social media that bookings are available via their app … Club Pilates is located at 7702 B-D Richmond Highway.” [On the MoVe]
Celebrate Lunar New Year at Providence Community Center — “Supervisor Palchik is thrilled to invite you to her inaugural Lunar New Year Open House, a joyous event honoring the cultural heritage of our Asian communities! This family-friendly celebration will feature cultural performances, Chinese Calligraphy, arts, traditional cuisines, and fortune cards.” [Eventbrite]
Lorton Nonprofit Celebrates 50th Anniversary — “The Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025 — a time when the nonprofit’s services are in increasingly high demand, yet a degree of uncertainty looms.” The organization realized its founder’s vision of a “supermarket of human services” when it moved into the new Lorton Community Center in 2022. [On the MoVe]
It’s Thursday — It will be mostly sunny with a high around 32 degrees and calm winds shifting to the south at 5 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low of about 17 degrees, as calm winds turn to the northwest at 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) officials are hoping connections made in 2024 will pay off in the form of additional service options to Asia in 2025.
Authority staff attended three conferences in Asia over the past year, with a total of 51 face-to-face meetings promoting the D.C. region and Dulles International Airport.
Northern Virginia’s high cost of living is driving more residents to leave for areas where their money stretches further, a new report shows.
The report, published this month by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, found that nearly 158,000 people moved out of the region in 2022, nearing a record set during the pandemic in 2020. At the same time, only 128,000 people moved in — a sharp drop compared to pre-pandemic years.
Written By: Synergy Design & Construction
Your home should reflect your unique personality and adapt to your evolving lifestyle. If you want to upgrade your home without adding a home addition, there are countless ways to transform your home while staying within its current footprint.
From reimagining your kitchen to optimizing unused spaces, here are five impactful ideas to inspire your next home remodel.
1. Reimagine Your Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home — where meals are made, conversations happen, and memories are created. A kitchen remodel can completely transform how your home feels and functions. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, entertaining friends, or helping with homework at the island, a well-designed kitchen can make everyday life easier and more enjoyable.
To start, think about how you use your kitchen and what improvements would make the biggest difference. Do you need more prep space? Is your layout less than ideal for hosting gatherings? By identifying pain points, you can create a design that better suits your lifestyle.
Even within your home’s current footprint, the possibilities are endless. Modernizing the layout can improve efficiency, while custom cabinetry offers tailored storage solutions. Consider adding an oversized island that serves as a hub for cooking, dining, and socializing. Stylish upgrades like quartz countertops, a statement backsplash, or stainless-steel appliances can elevate the design. Don’t forget the details — smart storage, under-cabinet lighting, and modern hardware can make your kitchen both functional and beautiful.
2. Don’t Forget About Your Entryway
The Fairfax County Planning Commission thinks the county might want to revisit its time limits on food trucks.
Commission members requested at their Jan. 15 meeting that the Board of Supervisors consider increasing the existing limit of four hours at a single location.
Bold goals in 2025? Or just trying to find a fitness routine?
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That’s where Rehab 2 Perform’s complementary movement physical can help.
Designed to assess your body’s mechanics, this personalized evaluation identifies any movement imbalances, mobility restrictions, or areas of weakness that could hold you back — or worse, lead to injury. Think of it as a proactive approach to staying strong, mobile, and pain-free throughout the year.
At Rehab 2 Perform, we provide a modern approach to physical therapy that is movement and excise based. Our expert team will provide actionable insights tailored to your needs, ensuring you perform at your best in and out of the gym. Whether your goals include running your fastest mile, lifting heavier weights, or simply keeping up with your busy lifestyle, we’ll help you stay on track and move your best.
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Let’s make this your strongest year yet!
Marriott’s new hotel at Reston Town Center is ready to start accepting guests.
Operated by Donohoe Hospitality Services, the dual-branded AC Hotel and Residence Inn opened today (Wednesday) at 1975 Opportunity Way, delivering 267 rooms conveniently located along Metro’s Silver Line for travelers coming in from Dulles International Airport.
Virginia lawmakers are moving forward with a bill to crack down on the misuse of the “homeless” designation by school officials to recruit student athletes. House Bill 1656, introduced by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, also prohibits officials from accepting money or gifts intended to influence a student’s decision to transfer schools for athletic purposes.
The legislation narrowly advanced to the full House on an 11-10 party-line vote in the House Education Committee. No lawmakers spoke on the bill ahead of the vote.
