A battle is brewing once again over the prospect of a casino in Fairfax County.
As opponents continue to organize, including under a No Fairfax Casino Coalition that mostly consists of homeowners’ and citizen associations, several labor unions have now come out in support of the casino and entertainment district envisioned in Tysons by the developer Comstock Companies.
A Vienna restaurant will close its doors indefinitely next month as it looks for a new home.
The Mixx Delight’s last day of business at 448 Maple Avenue East will be Nov. 17, the restaurant shared on social media earlier this week. The closure was not the restaurant’s choice, co-owner Phi Tran told FFXnow.
In his 15th year, and as the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra begins its 67th season, Music Director and Conductor Christopher Zimmerman knows what’s made the symphony flourish, and he says playing new music by living composers has been one of the leading tickets.
“The FSO and I have expanded the repertoire that we present quite considerably, particularly in the area of new music by living composers,” Zimmerman said. “From the beginning of my tenure, we have performed brand new pieces and pieces by the great, well-known composers that are perhaps a little off the beaten track, as well as those on the beaten track, of course.”
While the environment is generally a priority for Fairfax County, issues related to trees and invasive plants appear likely to take a backseat to other concerns when local elected officials lobby their state counterparts in the General Assembly next year.
At its legislative committee meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 15), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors reviewed a number of proposals for promoting tree conservation and addressing invasive species from the Fairfax County Tree Commission and Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC).
National Airport Could Add More Long Flights — “Five airlines have received tentative approval to run new long-haul flights out of Reagan National Airport.” The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that it intends to grant one extra round-trip flight per day to San Antonio, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Francisco and San Diego. [ARLnow]
Mount Vernon Estate to Partially Close for Rehab — “On Nov. 1, the bulk of Washington’s famous home is due to close for several months as it undergoes the next phase of its largest-scale rehabilitation in over 150 years.” Various restoration projects have been undertaken at the Mount Vernon estate in recent years, with this latest work expected to wrap up in 2026. [Washington Post]
Gainesville-to-Reston Commuter Bus Could Be Axed — “Two new OmniRide commuter bus routes serving Warrenton and Front Royal and traveling into Washington, D.C., will be considered in a series of upcoming public hearings that will also involve discussion around the proposed elimination of the Gainesville-to-Reston route.” [WTOP]
Local Teen Stars in German Movie — “Tamino Beba, a freshman at West Springfield High School in Fairfax County, had always loved movies, and being in one had always been a ‘far fetched dream’ until one day that dream came true. Beba’s family had heard about a casting call for ‘Woodwalkers,’ a German-language movie series based on the novels of the same name by German author Katja Brandis.” [NBC4]
Tour de Mount Vernon Returns — “Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck invites you to join us for a Community Bike Ride AND Youth & Family Ride on Saturday October 19 2024, starting and ending at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.” Registration remains open for the event, which costs $35 per rider and starts at 8:30 a.m. [Mount Vernon District Office]
Halloween Movie Screening in Tysons Tonight — “To honor one of our favorite Halloween films of all time, The Boro will host an outdoor screening of Practical Magic on October 18 starting at 7:00pm in Boro Park.” Attendees can get a drink ticket for a midnight margarita, receive a palm reading and buy soap and lotion from a local vendor. [Eventbrite]
Trail in Burke to Close for Repairs — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will be conducting trail maintenance and repairs along the Huntsman Lake Trail beginning Oct. 21. The repairs include repaving work and replacement of timbers along the trail. Weather pending, the trail will reopen Oct. 26.” [FCPA]
Photos of Fairfax County Wanted — “Do you have stunning photos capturing the essence of Fairfax County? Whether it’s from a local park, a community event, a breathtaking skyline, a departmental gathering, or a newly launched initiative, we want to see them! Fairfax County is seeking exceptional images to feature in the Third Annual [Strategic Plan] Report.” [The Walkinshaw Advisory]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high temperature of around 67 degrees and a north wind around 9 mph. The night will be clear and cool with a low temperature of around 44 degrees and a north wind ranging from 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]
Pam Piligan’s journey to completing marathons in all 50 U.S. states was itself a marathon, spanning two decades and countless hours of training, traveling and running.
All that work paid off when the Vienna resident crossed the finish line at the base of the majestic Teton Mountain Range in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Saturday, Sept. 28, allowing her to fill in one final state on her home map of Navy Federal Credit Union’s branches.
As Fairfax County’s guaranteed income pilot reaches the one-year mark, officials say they’re identifying the residents most in need, as they work to improve social services programs.
Launched in October 2023, the Economic Mobility Pilot — funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the Fairfax County Human Services Council’s Innovation Fund — provides $750 in unrestricted monthly payments to 180 randomly selected households.
As the 2025 General Assembly session approaches, Fairfax County leaders are hoping for the best while bracing for the worst when it comes to unfunded mandates and associated costs handed down from Richmond.
“We can’t continue to sustain all these state operations that are dropped in our lap,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at a meeting of the board’s legislative committee on Tuesday (Oct. 15).
Bring the whole family to enjoy Day of the Dead weekend events at the National Museum of the American Indian!
Participate in activities including dance performances, artist demonstrations, the unique art of sawdust carpets, coloring activities, and paper marigold and mask making.
Visitors are also invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones on the ofrenda (altar), or commemorate them by writing their names on a butterfly and attaching it to the memorial arch.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free at the National Mall
More details at AmericanIndian.si.edu.
Fairfax County leaders say it likely will be up to Congress to give public libraries relief from a complex and costly process of obtaining electronic materials.
In its first joint meeting with the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees in three years, the Board of Supervisors heard from the local library system on Tuesday (Oct. 15) on its efforts to get e-books and other electronic items without breaking the bank.
