Ikea Considering Full-Service Restaurant in Chantilly— “The Swedish home goods retailer recently filed an application to open a full-service facility in Northern Virginia, reports say.” [Patch]
Traffic Shift for Route 29 Widening — “On Tue 9/16, 9:30a-7p, NB Rt 29 from Clifton Rd/Stringfellow Rd to Hampton Forest Way/Meadow Estates Dr will have lane closures to implement a traffic shift as part of the Route 29 Widening Project. #VaTraffic” [VDOT]
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Sept. 9) adopted a package of new guidelines for relocating tenants when affordable apartments are slated for redevelopment, acquisition or condominium conversion.
“The overarching goal is to assist displaced tenants in moving to safe and affordable replacement housing convenient to their employment or school, while facilitating tenants’ return to preserved affordable units to the greatest extent possible,” county staff said in the report’s overview.
Reston Town Center is extending its free summer concerts into the fall this year with a Shrek-themed ogre-haul.
The inaugural Rocktoberfest will kick off a week before the concert with a special 25th anniversary screening of “Shrek” in the Pavilion at 11900 Market Street on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
In need of pants hemming, alterations for evening wear or a quick fix on a ripped garment? Tailors across Fairfax are ready to help.
Here are the nominees for “Best Tailor in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite place below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26.
Voting for the Best Hiking Spot in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Ramen Restaurant in Fairfax. The results are now official:
Some Fairfax County School Board members hope closer collaboration with their Board of Supervisors’ counterparts will make for smoother future budget processes than was experienced earlier this year.
Fairfax County Public Schools needs to convince local elected officials and the broader community that “we are being as strategic as possible with every dollar,” Mason District School Board member Ricardy Anderson said during a school board work session on Tuesday (Sept. 9) about budget planning and communications strategies.
Dulles Day is coming in for a landing this Saturday (Sept. 13).
The annual Special Olympics Virginia fundraiser will return to Dulles International Airport for a 34th year with a variety of activities, including the signature Dulles Plane Pull organized by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police Department.
Beltway Lane Closures Planned in Tysons — “Lane and ramp closures will begin Friday at 9 p.m. and continue until 9 a.m. Sunday on the northbound lanes of the Capital Beltway between Leesburg Pike and the George Washington Parkway. Triple lane closures and ramp closures will be in effect Friday and Saturday nights, VDOT said, and a single lane closure is planned all day Saturday” as construction on the new I-495 Express Lanes continues. [WTOP]
Homeless Shelter Operator Scrutinized — “Staff at the homeless shelter in Bailey’s Crossroads and other shelters run by New Hope Housing are not being paid on time, have seen their health benefits canceled, and have been spending their own money for supplies like toilet paper and food.” Fairfax County’s housing office says the nonprofit is currently “out of compliance” with its contract, and New Hope Housing is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after a supportive housing resident died in a fire. [Annandale Today]
Virginia Eases Covid Vaccine Rules — “In recent days, residents of Virginia and other states began to need a prescription from their primary care provider in order to get a COVID vaccine, a change prompted by shifting federal requirements. An order the Virginia Department of Health issued Wednesday now makes it easier for eligible Virginians to get vaccines in the weeks ahead by dropping the prescription requirement.” [Virginia Mercury]
Superintendent Statement on Shootings — In light of “the senseless and devastating attacks at Evergreen High School in Colorado and at Utah Valley University” on Wednesday (Sept. 10), Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid assured families that school officials “continue working hard to ensure everyone is safe as this remains a critical priority at FCPS.” [FCPS]
State and Dems Clash Over University Boards — Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera recently instructed university rectors to ignore directives from Senate Democrats telling them not to recognize contested board appointees. “Senate Democrats have rejected a long list of appointments to boards of Visitors this year, accusing them of being too partisan. The rejections have left multiple vacancies on the boards. 10 GMU board members have been removed, along with seven at VMI and five at UVA.” [Virginia Scope]
Stuff the Bus Food Drive Returns — “Fastran buses, along with Fairfax County Fire Department trucks, will be at several sites from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. [tomorrow] for this Hunger Action Month event to combat hunger. Please consider donating non-perishable food items and gift cards at the below locations.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]
Taste of Annandale Coming Up — “This year’s Taste of Annandale promises to be bigger and better than ever. This family-friendly community festival with more than 100 vendor booths is Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike.” Attractions include live music, a 5K, a petting zoo, a chili cook-off and more. [Press release]
Ken Burns Doc Preview at Mount Vernon — “Registration opens September 24 to see Emmy and Grammy Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns unveil his latest documentary series at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. Burns will offer remarks and share clips from the six-part series ‘The American Revolution’ on Oct. 29.” [ALXnow]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high of around 81 degrees and a north wind at about 6 mph, shifting to the east in the afternoon. On Friday night, the skies will be mostly clear with a low temperature near 60 degrees. [NWS]
Fairfax County supervisors and advocates on Tuesday (Sept. 9) celebrated the progress in integrating local residents with disabilities into the elections process.
The Board of Supervisors designated this week (Sept. 8-12) as Disability Voting Rights Week in Fairfax County, recognizing the need to make voting accessible to the roughly 15% of the local electorate that face disability-related challenges.
Herndon’s tree canopy coverage isn’t bad for a town of its size, but it notably lags behind some of its neighbors, town staff say.
At a work session on Tuesday (Sept. 9), arborist Nick Maletta told the Herndon Town Council that the town currently has 26% canopy coverage, which falls within a standard range but at the lower end of that spectrum.
County Board Schedules Special Meeting — “The Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 9 a.m. to authorize the County Attorney’s Office to petition the Circuit Court, which will then set the date for a special election.” The election would fill the Braddock District supervisor’s seat vacated by James Walkinshaw, who was sworn into Congress yesterday (Wednesday). [Fairfax County Government]
GMU Board Head Rejects Call for Resignation — “George Mason University Rector Charles Stimson informed Democratic leaders in the Virginia Senate that he will not step down from his post on the school’s governing board despite their request for him to do so.” Sens. Scott Surovell, L. Louise Lucas and Mamie Locke argued Stimson’s role as an advisor to the president of the Heritage Foundation is a conflict of interest as Mason faces federal investigations into its diversity policies. [Virginia Mercury]
Two Arrested for Carjacking — A 20-year-old man from Alexandria and a 17-year-old are facing criminal charges in connection with an armed carjacking that occurred in Woodlawn on Monday (Sept. 8). “The victim reported he met with a buyer to sell clothing he advertised online when a second suspect approached him, displayed a firearm, and the two stole his vehicle.” [FCPD]
Swim Club Cell Tower Voted Down — The Mantua Swim and Tennis Club (MSTC) won’t move forward with a proposed project to allow a Verizon cell tower on its property after members declined to approve a necessary amendment to its bylaws, the board of directors said in a statement. “We thank all members who participated in the process and appreciate the engagement from our broader community.” [MSTC]
Mahjong Studio Open in Falls Church — “Local mahjong player Tori Rittinger, who launched Talk Tiles to Me at 113 Rowell Court last week, said she fell in love with the game when a friend got her hooked in 2021.” The new mahjong studio offers lessons for newcomers to the Chinese game, open play hours, event rentals and league nights. [ARLnow]
Tysons Club Plots Return — “Tower Club Tyson’s Corner, the old-school standby in the sky for NoVa’s business types with big wallets, will resurface in late October following a lavish renovation. Around since 1989, the club’s needed makeover to the tune of $1 million includes the addition of two restaurants.” [DC Eater]
Parents Warn About Opioid Overdoses — “Cayden Foster, Sean and Afrodita’s only child, died of a fentanyl overdose in early 2023 at 18 years old. Afrodita found him dead in his bed one morning when he should have been getting ready for school.” The parents have now spoken to thousands of students about the dangers of opioids and stay in contact with the Fairfax County Police Department’s overdose task force. [WTOP]
It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 80 degrees and a gentle north wind at 6 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with lows near 60 degrees, as the northeast wind around 5 mph becomes calm in the evening. [NWS]
