News

It’s not getting its name on an NFL stadium like a Herndon-based competitor, but Navy Federal Credit Union will still make its presence felt in the community this September.

On top of organizing an annual charity 5K, the military-serving financial institution is looking to improve a wetlands area on its headquarters campus in Vienna. The project will be presented to the town’s Board of Architectural Review at an 8 a.m. work session tomorrow (Wednesday).


Countywide

After two years of meticulous data collection and analysis, Fairfax County’s Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is moving into the second phase of its ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan.

Starting today (Tuesday) at 6 p.m. at the Graham Road Community Center in West Falls Church, FCDOT will host a series of in-person and virtual open houses throughout the fall to gather input from residents on enhancing the county’s extensive network of pedestrian trails and bicycle pathways.


Around Town

Time is running out for Vienna residents to grab a giant cookie from MidnighTreats without having to leave town or pay a shipping fee.

The bakery at 167 Glyndon Street SE will close for good after this Saturday (Sept. 7), less than two years after opening in owner and founder Johnny Nguyen’s hometown. MidnighTreats announced the closure last Friday (Aug. 30) in an email to members of its rewards program.


A walkway to the Filene Center’s loge in Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Falls Church Man in Classified Docs Case Detained — “A civilian engineer for the Air Force who is accused of mishandling more than 150 pages of classified documents will be held in jail as he awaits trial, a federal judge in Alexandria ruled Thursday…Gun, a dual citizen of Turkey and the United States, was arrested…shortly before he was scheduled to fly to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.” [Washington Post]

Tysons Rents Are Region’s Highest — “Tysons recorded the highest median apartment-rental rate across the Washington region in August, according to new data, with tenants typically spending 4 percent more than they did a year before. The median apartment-rental rate of $2,666 for the month in Tysons compares to $2,203 for the Washington region as a whole.” [Gazette Leader]

West Falls Church Restaurant Changes Owner — “Panagiotis Fotopoulos, the new owner of the region’s storied Anthony’s Restaurant on Annandale Road just outside the City of Falls Church, has been running the establishment since June 1 while the long-time previous owners” take an extended trip to Greece. The name, employees and the majority of the menu will be retained. [Falls Church News-Press]

Virtual “Stuff the Bus” Food Drive Returns — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed September 2024 as Hunger Action Month in Fairfax County. From Sept. 1-30, 2024, individuals and community groups can make monetary donations directly to local non-profit organizations that provide food assistance in Fairfax County.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]

Airline Revives Dulles Airport Service — “Low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines will return to Dulles International Airport this fall for the first time in years, launching service to two southern destinations already served by rivals Delta and United. The Denver-based carrier…will begin service from Dulles (IAD) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta and Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Nov. 14.” [Washington Business Journal]

Metro Shakes Up Social Media Approach — “When [Whitney Nichels] was hired as Metro’s vice president of communications late last year, it wasn’t to make viral videos. But as part of her role overseeing the agency’s messaging on everything from police interventions to long-term financing, she has also casually revolutionized its Instagram and TikTok accounts.” [Washington Post]

Quantum Tech Conference Coming to Tysons — “Registration is open for the third annual Quantum World Congress, set for September 9-11, 2024, at Capital One Hall in Tysons…This year’s theme, ‘Convergence,’ focuses on exploring the value at the intersection of quantum technologies and adjacent fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, photonics, optics, and cryogenics.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]

Tysons Library Book Sale This Week — “Friends of the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library will host its next quarterly book and media sale Sept. 5-8 at the library, 7584 Leesburg Pike. A wide array of items will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Donations of items are welcomed in advance of the sale, and volunteers also are needed.” [Gazette Leader]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high near 75, accompanied by a gentle 6-8 mph northeast wind. As nighttime falls on Tuesday, watch for increasing clouds and a low around 56. An east wind at 5 mph will become calm later in the evening. [NWS]


News

Fairfax County police arrested a man this week who’s believed to have exposed himself in a West Falls Church neighborhood multiple times.

Officers responded to Fairmont Street and Woodberry Lane in the Tremont Gardens community around 1:22 p.m. on Aug. 20 for a report of a man exposing himself.


Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This week’s column is sponsored and written by Hannah Wolf of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Hannah at 724-561-4816.

Hey there, coffee lovers! Looking for that perfect caffeine kick or a cozy spot to unwind?

Whether you’re a morning riser or a night owl, a visit to a local coffee shop can be just what you need. Today, I’m excited to take you on a tour through three fantastic coffee spots in southern Fairfax County, each offering not just delicious drinks but also a welcoming space to connect, unwind, and savor the moment.

Bread and Water Company

Meet Bread and Water Company! This gem started at local farmer’s markets and quickly became a beloved fixture in the Belleview area.

Why You’ll Love It:

  • Freshly Baked Goods: From mouth-watering pastries to delectable apple pie, everything is baked on-site.
  • Versatile Menu: Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and come back for lunch with their delicious soups.
  • Evening Delight: At night, their buns transform into gourmet dishes at their dinner restaurant, Bun Papa.
  • Outdoor Seating: Perfect for a sunny day. Don’t miss their seasonal specialty, the pumpkin pie latte — it’s a must-try!

Grounded Coffee

Nestled between Telegraph Road and S Kings Highway, Grounded Coffee is a popular spot for the Kingstowne, Groveton, and Hayfield neighborhoods.

Why You’ll Love It:

  • Ethical Brews: All their coffees are fair trade and organic.
  • Decadent Treats: Indulge in croissants, pain au chocolat, cupcakes, and made-to-order sandwiches.
  • Kid-Friendly: There’s a cute game area for kids, so moms can catch up over coffee.
  • Inviting Vibe: Think French café with Parisienne decor. Plenty of seating makes it ideal for conversations or quiet work sessions.
  • Seasonal Specialty: The crème brûlée latte is so delicious, you’ll keep coming back for more.

Cervantes Coffee Roasters

The first thing you’ll notice at Cervantes Coffee Roasters is the intoxicating aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans. This woman-owned business sees coffee as their passion and you can definitely see that in the entrance display highlighting their personal relationship with the growers of their single-origin coffees.

Why You’ll Love It:

  • On-Site Roasting: They roast all their coffees right there, ensuring the freshest brews.
  • Hidden Gem: Although the exterior is unassuming, the interior offers a welcoming, industrial vibe with plenty of seating. They also offer classes on coffee roasting and brewing, as well as host events.
  • Award-Winning Blends: Take home a pound of their award-winning Quixote blend or try their Swiss-process decaf — no harsh chemicals and tastes just like regular coffee — I promise you won’t be able to tell the difference!

Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to work, a cozy nook to read a book, or a friendly spot to catch up with a friend, these local coffee shops in Fairfax County offer much more than just a caffeine fix. Next time you need a break, consider visiting one of these local treasures.

I’ll see you there!

Do you love these spots? Are there others I should check out? Let me know in the comments or send me an email.


News

Construction continues at Capital One’s headquarters campus in Tysons, this time to turn vacant land near the McLean Metro station into urban parks.

Work on the future Capital One East and “Block D” parks has been underway for months. In addition to providing open space and recreational amenities, the projects will deliver hundreds of new parking spaces, though it’s unclear whether the lots will be free or paid.


Clouds over Tysons Blvd beyond Tysons Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Great Falls Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud — “The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia announced on Thursday that a Great Falls man pleaded guilty on July 23 to wire fraud. Court documents revealed 56-year-old Rick Tariq Rahim, deceived customers who wanted to invest using his automated trading bots,” losing over $300,000 of his clients’ money in stock trades. [DC News Now]

Adult Learners Get Free Laptops — “A hundred local adult learners enrolled in workforce development classes received free refurbished laptops at an Aug. 24 special event at the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub (WISH) in Hybla Valley. The giveaway was made possible by a partnership between business and nonprofits.” [On the MoVe]

How Luggage Is Handled at Dulles Airport — “Ever wonder exactly how your checked baggage gets to your destination? WTOP can take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of how United Airlines handles luggage for the 53,000 passengers flying in and out of Dulles International Airport this Labor Day weekend.” [WTOP]

Historic Annandale House to Open for Tours — “Take a tour historic Oak Hill, one of the oldest homes in Fairfax County, on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This annual open house provides a wonderful occasion to go back in time and rediscover our community roots.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

McLean Nonprofit Seeks Volunteer Drivers — “Shepherd’s Center of McLean-Arlington-Falls Church is seeking additional volunteers to support its mission of providing free transportation to seniors for medical and dental appointments or to run errands to grocery stores and pharmacies…The center has added 43 new riders this year, so there’s a continued need for additional volunteers.” [Gazette Leader]

Fairfax City Junk Hauler to Expand — Last year, George Mason University graduates Jacob Weigel and Jeremiah Hankerson “got some money together, bought a truck and started Junk Runners, a Fairfax-based junk removal business.” The pair recently “received a $10,000 national grant from Jobber, which they’re going to use to grow Junk Runners by purchasing a second truck.” [Patch]

County Wins Awards for Boosting Economy — “Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI) programs were awarded three 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).” The Fairfax Founders Fund, which gives grants to tech startups, was recognized, as was Visit Fairfax for a multimedia video brochure and a campaign to draw visitors from Philadelphia. [DEI] 

It’s Friday — The sky will be cloudy heading into Labor Day weekend with a high temperature near 78 and a 30% chance of precipitation. At night, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. The low temperature will be around 70. [NWS]


Countywide

Fairfax County is under several Severe Thunderstorm Warnings this afternoon.

Strong, slow-moving storms popped up over the county shortly before 4 p.m. and have continued to overspread the area. The warnings cover Tysons, Centreville, Vienna, Oakton and other areas.


Countywide

The upcoming Labor Day weekend is anticipated to be a busy one for travel, including at Dulles International Airport.

United Airlines, the airport’s biggest carrier, says it will average more than 240 nonstop flights per day to and from Dulles over the holiday weekend, starting today (Thursday) through Monday (Sept. 3). The number of departing flights will be up 10% compared to last year’s Labor Day weekend.


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