Countywide

The regional electric grid that supplies power to Virginia during times of extreme weather announced a 1,400% increase in some electric costs after its most recent capacity auction. But Dominion officials were quick to assure customers that they would not see an increase in their bills before the end of next year.

PJM Interconnection, which oversees the electric grid serving several mid-Atlantic states, including Virginia, announced the increase for its capacity market. Dominion buys electricity off of capacity markets during peak, or emergency, demands.


News

The Georgetown Pike bridge over I-495 in McLean will partially close for a full weekend later this month so traffic can be shifted to new lanes.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is advising drivers to avoid the interchange during what it’s calling “Stay-Away Weekend” if they don’t want to get caught up in the congestion that’ll likely be created by the lane reductions and ramp closures.


Countywide

Fairfax County has gained a couple spots in an annual ranking of the healthiest communities in the U.S.

The county snagged 14th place, up from 17th in 2022, in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings of the nation’s healthiest communities. It came in higher than Fairfax City (no. 15) and Arlington County (no. 19) but couldn’t beat Falls Church City, which claimed the top spot.


A mixed-use residential building is under construction in Comstock’s Reston Row neighborhood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Virginia Declares State of Emergency — “Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon ahead of Tropical Storm Debby, which is expected to bring multiple days of heavy rainfall and storms to Virginia starting on Wednesday evening.” [Patch]

Reston Pool to Reopen After Vandalism — Lake Newport Pool has closed since Monday (Aug. 5) “due to vandalism. There is broken glass on the pool deck and in the water.” Reston Association announced around 5 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday) that the facility has been cleaned and repaired, so the pool will reopen at noon today. [RA/Facebook]

N. Va. Gets Noticed for Wine — “Northern Virginia was named America’s next great wine region by The Wall Street Journal’s wine columnist Lettie Teague.” Dave McIntyre, the Washington Post’s wine columnist, attributes the region’s growing reputation to more experienced winemakers, state support and marketing. [WTOP]

Fort Hunt Restaurant Changes Ownership — The “popular” Italian restaurant Via Veneto closed on Aug. 1 “so its new owners can make minor changes and reopen later this week under the same name.” The eatery is slated to reopen tomorrow (Aug. 8) at 4 p.m. under Sarai and Jose Navarette, who own the carryout restaurant Roseina’s that’s directly next door. [On the MoVe]

Glasses Recycling Site Moves to Annandale — “When the Lions Clubs’ Eyeglass Recycling Center of Northern Virginia lost its home, Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez stepped up to offer space in the Mason Government Center. Local Lions Clubs collect eyeglasses from people who no longer need them, fix them up, and ship them overseas.” [Annandale Today]

WaPo Rave for New McLean Restaurant — “David Guas, the veteran chef behind Bayou Bakery in Arlington, has rolled out a second place to eat, Neutral Ground Bar and Kitchen in McLean.” Opened in June, the American eatery that replaced Assaggi Osteria & Pizzeria has been dubbed “the most captivating new restaurant in Northern Virginia” by critic Tom Sietsema. [Washington Post]

Falls Church Draws More Grocery Stores — “Already home to a Giant, a Harris Teeter and an Aldi, the city is expected to add a new Whole Foods and Grocery Outlet within the next year or so, according to Economic Development Division Chief Becky Witsman. A Fresh Market is also slated to arrive within the next few years.” [ARLnow]

It’s Wednesday — Showers and thunderstorms are expected, becoming more likely after 2pm, with a cloudy high of 86°F. There’s a 70% chance of precipitation. The night will remain cloudy, with a low around 72°F. [NWS]


Around Town

With D.C.-area athletes riding high at this year’s Summer Games, Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream is serving up gold medal-themed scoops that probably taste sweeter than the real thing.

The Arlington and Vienna ice cream parlor unveiled a limited-time Gold Medal Sundae last Friday (Aug. 2) in honor of Arlingtonian swimmer Torri Huske, a Yorktown High School graduate who’s won five medals — three of them gold — at the 2024 Paris Olympics.


News

The clock is ticking on a chance to live in Tysons rent-free — if you’ll agree to restore and maintain the historic property.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is accepting applications until Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. for a resident curator for Ash Grove, one of the county’s few still-standing houses from the 18th century.


Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education is launching more than 250 new courses for the trades, construction, IT and health care.

The new courses include in-person, hybrid and asynchronous offerings in line with the program’s focus on “new collar” workforce development, according to a school system news release. New collar defines high-paying professions that combine technical skills with specialized education rather than a four-year degree. Those roles are found in industries with high demand for workers in Northern Virginia — especially the trades, health care and technology — according to Paul Steiner, head administrator of FCPS Adult and Community Education, also known as ACE.


Colored kites hang over Matcha Cafe Maiko in Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

FCPS Details Cell Phone Storage Pilot — “Starting on the week of Sep. 2, students at certain middle schools will receive a Yondr pouch, which is magnetic and can only be unlocked at an unlocking station at the end of the day.” The schools participating in the pilot will be Frost, Irving, Luther Jackson, Poe, Robinson Thoreau and Twain. [WTOP]

Route 1 Communities Struggle to Stay Cool — The Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination recently worked with several community groups to provide air-conditioning units to Harmony Place Trailer Park residents in Hybla Valley. However, the local nonprofit United Community has had to repeatedly close its food pantry “due a malfunctioning AC system.” [On the MoVe]

Korean BBQ Restaurant Coming to Fairfax City — “Chosun Hwaro Korean BBQ Restaurant is hoping to open its new location in the empty retail space in the Boulevard VI development within a month, a company spokesman told Patch on Monday.” Founding partners Sun Kim and Sung Kim started the business with a restaurant in Ellicott City, Maryland. [Patch]

Reston Community Center Offers Online Survey — Reston Community Center’s five-year strategic plan survey, which collects feedback on its facilities, programs and priorities, is now available online through Sept. 2. This year’s survey is particularly interested in what residents want to see from RCC’s Lake Anne facility. [RCC]

FCPD to Visit National Night Out Events — “This year, National Night Out is on Tuesday, August 6th. This is a chance for neighbors and law enforcement to come together and build lasting relationships through various community events like block parties, festivals, parades, and cookouts.” [FCPD]

Langley Student Medals in Geography Competition — “Ryan Minton, a rising sophomore at Langley High School, secured a top-12 finish at the 2024 International Geography Championships, held in Vienna, Austria. Students from 21 U.S. states, 16 countries and Hong Kong competed, showcasing geographical knowledge and analytical skills.” [Gazette Leader]

Volunteers Assemble School Bags for Students — “More than 75 volunteers put together 2,000 backpacks full of school supplies in less than two hours in a highly coordinated assembly line arrangement. The annual event, known as the Great Assembly, took place Aug. 3 at the Moose Lodge in Bailey’s Crossroads.” [Annandale Today]

Farmers’ Market Week Underway — “Join the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Farmers Markets as we proudly participate in National Farmers Market Week from Aug. 4 to 10. Farmers Market Week will be celebrated at all 10 Market locations and will include a recipe swap and free reusable bags – perfect for your fresh finds!” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

It’s Tuesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, sunny skies, and a high near 95, with heat index values reaching 100. At night, the chance of precipitation increases from 50% to 60%. It’ll be mostly cloudy with a low around 74. [NWS]


Countywide

Fairfax County is seeking feedback on its current solid waste management practices and strategies for achieving “zero waste.”

Open from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, the survey asks residents to share their opinions on how the county handles solid waste and possible ways it could divert 90% of trash from landfills and incineration. Participants have the chance to win a $100 gift card.


Around Town

A boba tea chain that has won over the Windy City now hopes to capture hearts in the D.C. area.

Chicago’s Te’Amo Boba Bar is venturing to the East Coast for the first time with a cafe at the Mosaic District in Merrifield, where it’ll open at 8190 Strawberry Lane, Suite 5, next to Pastry Xpo on the ground floor of the Vantage Apartments.


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