A deer stands next to a discarded pumpkin in Vienna (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Annandale Man Arrested on Child Porn Charges — “Fairfax County Police charged an Annandale man with multiple counts relating to the possession and production of child sexual abuse materials.” Police say the man was identified based on a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about someone uploading sexual material involving children. [Annandale Today]

Shots Fired Near Fairfax City Apartments Under Investigation — “City of Fairfax Police are investigating a shooting incident that took place early Friday in the Fairfax Square neighborhood. Someone discharged a firearm around 4:10 a.m., in the 9900 Block of Fairfax Square, according to police. Investigators found casings and projectiles at the scene.” [Patch]

Annandale Condo Building Condemned After Fire — The Nov. 23 fire at the Talltree South Condominiums is still under investigation. “Because the fire investigators found asbestos in the building, the nine families who live there are prohibited from getting into their apartments to get their possessions. They haven’t been told when they’ll be able to move back — only that it could be six months to a year.” [Annandale Today]

McLean Man Runs Seven Marathons in a Week — A man from McLean recently “ran seven marathons on seven different continents in just seven days. Longtime marathon runner Frank Fumich started his adventure with a race in the frozen wasteland of Antarctica on Nov. 15 as part of The Great World Race.” [WTOP]

New Korean Restaurant Opens in Falls Church — “A new Korean steakhouse is now open in Falls Church, from the owners behind Honest Grill. Seoul Prime is an intimate, elegant dining experience with an emphasis on high-quality cuts of beef … The new restaurant is at 106 Founders Ave. in the Founders Row apartment complex.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Kids Fly to “North Pole” from Dulles Airport — “Early Saturday morning, a crowd of almost 100 kids was buzzing with excitement as they waited to board their ‘North Pole’-bound flight out of Dulles International Airport … The annual flight, which took off from Dulles for the first time 34 years ago in 1990, provides an incredible journey for children battling life-threatening illnesses, and their families.” [NBC4]

Local Firefighters Warn of Increase in Fires — Cooking-related fires are a common call for service at this time of the year, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Battalion Chief Matt Tamillow. “Tamillow told WUSA9 they also see an increase in fires caused by space heaters and fireplaces as the temperatures start to drop.” [WUSA9]

It’s Tuesday — Expect a slim chance of rain after 1pm, cloudy skies, and a high around 61 with calm winds picking up to 5-7 mph from the south later in the day; 20% probability of precipitation. Tuesday night brings rain, potentially heavy, a low of 55, south winds at 7-10 mph, and a 100% chance of precipitation; new rainfall may reach up to three quarters of an inch. [NWS]


Countywide

Fifteen options are now on the table, as regional and state leaders mull ways to establish dedicated funding for Northern Virginia transit operations.

A full range of funding options for Metro and other public transportation systems was presented to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) on Thursday (Dec. 5), including new taxes and fees.


Countywide

Fairfax County School Board members and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid took formal steps last week to address the alleged athletic recruiting irregularities at Hayfield Secondary School that have roiled the entire community.

At the school board meeting on Thursday (Dec. 5), Reid offered her first public mea culpa for the crisis of confidence in Fairfax County Public Schools leadership sparked by its handling of the controversy around Hayfield’s football program.


Free photos with Santa and holiday fun for all ages.

Celebrate Fairfax invites you to join the 4th Annual Winter Market at The PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike) on Saturday, December 14, from 12-5 p.m.!

Step into a winter wonderland filled with festive holiday spirit and discover unique gifts from 20+ local makers, artisans, and crafters. The Winter Market offers an array of family-friendly activities, local performances, and creative inspiration to make this holiday season truly memorable.

In addition to one-of-a-kind holiday shopping, guests can enjoy free photos with Santa, making it a special day for families and kids of all ages.

Be sure to stay for the much anticipated reveal of the People’s Choice winner from the Create-Inspire-Empower Art Exhibit, with this event marking the last chance to view over 200 incredible art pieces.

Celebrate Fairfax is thrilled to bring this community together for a day of free, festive fun. Join us for a joyful celebration and make new holiday memories at The PARC at Tysons!

For more information, visit Celebrate Fairfax Presents Winter Market 2024.


News

Inova Health System will soon expand its Reston footprint with a new medical office at Reston Station.

Inova 360° Concierge Medicine, the nonprofit healthcare system’s subscription-based primary care program, has signed a lease for 4,505 square feet at 1880 Reston Row Plaza, a 10-story office building now under construction near the Wiehle Metro station, Reston Station developer Comstock announced last week.


Sunset over a parking garage near The Boro in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Guns Allegedly Found in Raided GMU Students’ Home — “Court documents, which do not publicly indicate a reason for the search, allege that authorities found guns and magazines inside the home — materials authorities say belonged to the father and brother of the George Mason students.” A lawyer for the family says claims the men posed a threat are “baseless and inflammatory,” and a judge denied Fairfax County prosecutors’ petition to bar them from having guns. [Washington Post]

Tysons Security Company in Demand After Health Care CEO Killing — “Since the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the phones at Global Guardian have been ringing off the hook. The McLean-based company, which provides executive protection worldwide, has experienced a surge in demand for its services.” [WUSA9]

No Injuries From Centreville House Fire — “Just after 3:15pm [yesterday] #FairfaxsBravest responded to a reported outside fire in the 14000 blk of Coachway Drive in Centerville. As crews arrived on scene bystanders alerted the crew that the back of the house was on fire. Firefighters quickly went to work and were able to extinguish the fire preventing major exposure to the rest of the home.” [FCFRD/Instagram]

Bailey’s Crossroads Getting New Signage — “New gateway signage will be developed for the Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners Commercial Revitalization District. The idea is to create a sense of place and branding for the area and encourage redevelopment, says Mike Van Atta, president of the Crossroads + Corners Coalition (C3).” [Annandale Today]

Pilates Studio to Open at Mount Vernon Plaza — “The new pilates studio at Mount Vernon Plaza may be opening just in time for fulfilling some New Year’s resolutions. Club Pilates franchise owner Valyn Jenkins said they are hopeful about starting their soft opening Dec. 31, though it could be pushed to the following week.” [On the MoVe]

Tysons Consulting Firm Head Named CEO of the Year — The Washington Business Journal has named Booz Allen Hamilton CEO, chairman and president Horacio Rozanski its CEO of the Year for 2024. This year, the company “has seen double-digit revenue growth driven by increased government demand for services tied to cybersecurity, defense and the rapid advance of technology.” [WBJ]

Fairfax City Welcomes Veterinary Clinic — “Fairfax business leaders joined Mayor Catherine S. Read on Thursday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome Bond Vet to the city. The urgent care veterinary clinic opened its doors at Scout on the Circle in October.” [Patch]

It’s Monday — Expect rain primarily between 7am and 1pm, with a high temperature of around 52°F. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation, with new amounts ranging between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. As for Monday night, anticipate mostly cloudy conditions and a low temperature near 43°F. [NWS]


Countywide

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Dec. 3) honored students and teams from the county’s public high schools for state-championship performances this fall.

“We have a long list of champions, which is fantastic,” Board Chairman Jeff McKay said during a presentation that helped kick off the body’s final meeting of 2024.


Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This week’s column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of Corcoran McEnearney. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.

Hey Fairfax! Here are my must-do Christmas activities.

The holidays are here, and I’ve got the ultimate guide to celebrating the season in Fairfax!

Whether you’re looking for festive lights, community vibes, or magical memories, this list has you covered. Watch the video for all the details and check out the highlights below. Let’s dive in!

Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Nothing says Christmas magic like strolling through Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights! Picture this: dazzling lights, a half-mile trail, and plenty of hot cocoa. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a s’mores kit — trust me, it’s the perfect family night out.
👉 Plan your visit here!

City Light Christmas Festival — December 18

This event is close to my heart. Join me at the City Light Christmas Festival for an evening of community, music, and holiday spirit. With two shows (5 p.m. and 7 p.m.), festive décor, and local vendors, it’s a chance to make meaningful memories with the people you love. And yes, I’ll be there, so come say hi!
👉 Learn more and reserve your spot.

Tacky Christmas Lights Tour

Break out the PJs, load up on hot cocoa, and hit the road for Fairfax’s Tacky Christmas Lights Tour! This self-guided tour is all about discovering the most over-the-top, dazzling displays in the area. Pro tip: check out the map to make sure you hit all the highlights!
👉 Find the tacky lights map here.

What’s Your Favorite Tradition?

Let me know in the comments below! Whether you’re creating new traditions or revisiting old ones, the key is making memories with the people you one. Don’t forget to watch the full video for more tips and behind-the-scenes fun.

Merry Christmas, Fairfax!

Must-do Christmas Activities

Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | Sharmane@soldbysharmane.com | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180

Corcoran McEnearney, 1320 Old Chain Bridge Road, Suite 350, McLean, VA 22101, 703-790-9090, corcoranmce.com. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.


Countywide

An anticipated two-decade-plus effort to redevelop Fairfax County’s 48-acre judicial complex has taken its first major step forward.

County supervisors approved a conceptual plan on Tuesday (Dec. 3) that ultimately could add four new office buildings, affordable housing and parks to the site at 4110 Chain Bridge Road, adjacent to the City of Fairfax. The construction would bring the amount of development on the campus from 1.4 million square feet to about 2 million.


Countywide

With Fairfax County facing another major budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, local public school leaders are once again confronting difficult decisions regarding teacher pay raises.

This time, though, there’s a twist: Fairfax County Public Schools has a tentative agreement with the Fairfax Education Unions representing teachers and other employees that includes a roughly $150 million request for a 7% across-the-board pay hike for educators and support staff.


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