After getting boxed in by the Mosaic District, the owners of Merrifield’s Alliance Center condominiums are looking to revitalize the half-century-old commercial property so it’s more in line with its neighbor.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval last Wednesday (Dec. 4) of a comprehensive plan amendment that will set parameters for more intense mixed-use, residential development on the 3.2-acre parcel at 2929 Eskridge Road.
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]
Will the third time be the charm for the Madison Warhawks in the football team’s quest to win its first state championship?
Next Saturday (Dec. 14) in Harrisonburg, Madison will play in a state-title game for the third time in four years, having been defeated in its 2021 and 2022 appearances.
Awards have been piling up for recently chosen all-region Offensive Player of the Year Dominic Knicely.
6D North Region coaches made all-region selections earlier this week, with the senior runningback taking the top honor for an offense. He also was chosen as the first-team All-Purpose Offensive Player of the Year.
As the 2024-25 high-school swimming and diving season begins, the Langley Saxons have an impressive championship streak in the works.
The boys team has won five straight significant postseason titles, including Liberty District, 6D North Region and Class 6 state crowns last winter. The season before, Langley won region and state crowns, after a second-place finish in the district.
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!
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.
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.
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.
The new year promises to bring at least one sure bet: First Watch cafes will continue to spring up across Fairfax County.
After opening its largest restaurant yet in Fair Lakes this summer, the national chain is expanding to three more locations in the county, all of them expected in the first half of 2025.
