ribbon cutting

Historic River Farm secures permanent protection after fight over potential sale

Published May 1, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated May 4, 2026 at 4:55PM

River Farm welcome sign (photo by Tadi Abedje)

Once part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation, River Farm is now a historic landmark that has been owned by the American Horticulture Society (AHS) for over five decades. Its gardens and scenic views play host to special occasions such as weddings and memorial services.

The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and American Horticulture Society announced that River Farm has received formal, permanent protection with a conservation easement, a milestone celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this afternoon (Friday).

Around Town

Japanese lifestyle store Ebisu opens today in Seven Corners

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 1, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated May 1, 2026 at 11:02AM

Ebisu, the Japanese god of fortune and the company's mascot, seen inside its Seven Corners store (photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

The Seven Corners store that once housed a Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts is getting a makeover as a new Japanese lifestyle store filled with Hello Kitty and Pokémon plushes and figurines, imported snacks and drinks, beauty products, and household goods.

Ebisu will host its grand opening at 6320 Seven Corners Center at 11 a.m. today (Friday). The ribbon-cutting also marks the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and will feature a traditional lion dance performance.

Around Town

McLean Project for the Arts unveils first exhibit in new center, opening tomorrow

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 29, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated April 29, 2026 at 6:29PM

The paintings "Hanging Out" and "Magdi" by artist Yasmine Iskander (courtesy McLean Project for the Arts)

The McLean Project for the Arts will celebrate the realization of its anticipated downtown expansion with a tribute to the power of the abstract.

The late abstract painter Yasmine C. Iskander will headline the inaugural exhibition at the MPA Berlage Arts and Education Center, which is set to open at 6910 Fleetwood Road with an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow (Thursday).

News

Resource center for adults with disabilities launches in Hybla Valley

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 23, 2026 at 1:45PM

The nonprofit SPARC celebrates the opening of its new Hybla Valley Community Center location and launch of a Mobile Exploration Lab with a ribbon-cutting (courtesy SPARC)

A nonprofit that provides day programs for adults with disabilities has expanded its services to Hybla Valley.

Joined by local and state-level elected officials as well as program participants and their families, Specially Adapted Resource Centers (SPARC) celebrated the opening of its newest site at the Hybla Valley Community Center (7950 Audubon Avenue) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday (April 17).

News

VHC Health expands women’s center to Tysons to meet demand

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 17, 2026 at 1:45PM

VHC Health and local officials, including Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, celebrate the opening of the Charlotte S. Benjamin Center for Women's Health in Tysons (courtesy Image Caffeine Photography)

The thousands of patients who visit VHC Health in Arlington for pregnancy-related services and other women’s health needs can now find similar care in Tysons.

The nonprofit health system celebrated the launch of a new location for the Charlotte S. Benjamin Center for Women’s Health at its Tysons Pavilion (1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 210) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 9.

News

Renovated Mount Vernon Woods Park to celebrate grand opening this weekend

By Tadi Abedje

Published April 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

The renovated Mount Vernon Woods Park includes a new playground (photo by Tadi Abedje)

After months of renovations, Mount Vernon Woods Park is set to officially reopen to the public during a ribbon-cutting ceremony this Saturday (April 18).

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it will have activities for people of all ages, including skateboarding demonstrations with Fairfax Surf Shop, soccer and community recreation, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority.

News

New Franconia Governmental Center seen as a model for future facilities

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 13, 2026 at 8:30AM

County leaders cut ribbon on new Franconia Governmental Center (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

After a relatively brisk 25 minutes of speeches followed by the snip of a red ribbon, the new Franconia Governmental Center opened to the public Saturday morning (April 11).

That moment represented the culmination of “two and a half — plus — decades of planning,” said Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk at the dedication ceremony, which attracted hundreds to the facility at 7130 Silver Lake Blvd, located south of Manchester Blvd and east of Beulah Street.

Countywide

Regional teen detox and crisis center opens next week in Fairfax County

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published March 20, 2026 at 10:30AM

Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Northern Virginia Adolescent Treatment Center in Chantilly (photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A new center for teens struggling with addiction and their mental health has opened in Chantilly.

Government officials and community members gathered yesterday at the Northern Virginia Adolescent Treatment Center for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 16-bedroom facility — located 4211 Walney Road, near a county-run detox center that serves adults — will offer residential, medically managed detox services to youth patients from throughout the region beginning next Tuesday (March 24).

News

Completed path gives residents direct route to Innovation Center Metro station

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2026 at 2:45PM

Fairfax County officials celebrate the completion of the Innovation Station North Neighborhood Access project (via Fairfax County/YouTube)

After more than a year of construction and a decade of planning, residents who live north of the Innovation Center Metro station near Herndon can finally walk or bike directly to the transit stop.

Fairfax County officials cut a ribbon last Friday (Feb. 27) to celebrate the completion of the Innovation Station North Neighborhood Access project, which added a shared-use path and two pedestrian bridges to connect the neighborhoods along Farougi Court and Apgar Place to the Metro station’s kiss-and-ride lot.

News

Virginia officials promise traffic relief with new I-495 toll lanes opening this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 21, 2025 at 3:30PM

Officials cut a ribbon to celebrate the impending opening of new I-495 Express Lanes (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After more than three years of construction, the new Capital Beltway toll lanes in McLean will welcome their first drivers on Sunday (Nov. 23), just in time for next week’s Thanksgiving travel rush.

Though the start of tolling operations has been delayed by a day due to expected rain tonight (Friday), Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and other officials gathered this morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in anticipation of the occasion at the Hyatt Regency hotel at Tysons Corner Center.