As the calendar turns to fall, the Alden Theatre in McLean is preparing for a new year of movies, music, theater and other entertainment.
Visits by two original cast members of the musical “Rent” and “Hollywood Shuffle” director and star Robert Townsend are among the highlights of the 2026-2027 season formally unveiled this week by the McLean Community Center’s performing arts venue (1234 Ingleside Avenue).
From annual exams to more intensive procedures, dental practices across Fairfax County provide critical care to keep their patients’ teeth looking clean and healthy.
Here are the nominees for “Best Dentist in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite practice below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18.
Voting for the Best Summer Camp in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Gym or Fitness Center in Fairfax County. The results are now official:
More than 16,000 residences and businesses in Fairfax County lack power following last night’s powerful thunderstorm.
As of 10 a.m., power outages were affecting approximately 16,464 Dominion Energy customers in the county, plus another 607 customers in Fairfax City, according to the utility’s outage map.
After an unanticipated delay, Great Falls Lodge Bar and Grill is finally opening its doors.
Previously expected to open earlier this summer, the restaurant is now set for a soft launch at 9835 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls Center this coming Monday, Sept. 7, according to owner and chef Neel Kamal.
Groundbreaking Planned on Trump Arch — “Excavation work is set to start over the next two weeks at Memorial Circle, where the Trump administration plans to build a towering, gilded arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.” A construction timeline was announced even though the project hasn’t received final approval and is facing a lawsuit. [ARLnow]
Spanberger Visits Apartment Project — Gov. Abigail Spanberger and other elected officials visited Merrifield on Wednesday (Sept. 2) for a tour of Conifer Realty’s 80-unit affordable housing development on Telestar Court, which broke ground in June 2025 and is on track to finish construction this December. The office conversion project was touted as an example of “the commonwealth’s efforts to address a growing housing shortage.” [WTOP]
Flock Camera Opposition Gaining Steam — “One town in Northern Virginia recently voted to immediately remove all of its Flock cameras. Now, Virginia lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are considering a statewide ban … Fairfax County police said [license plate reader] technology has assisted in nearly 900 arrests and helped locate 57 missing persons since November 2022.” [NBC4]
Spanberger Skeptical of Flock Ban — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said calls to ban automatic license plate reading cameras, such as Flock devices, are ‘overly simplistic,’ instead vowing to work with lawmakers on a solution to protect privacy while also maintaining the ability for law enforcement to investigate crimes.” [WTOP]
Student Advocates for Pediatric Cancer Research — “Darya Golesorkhi, 15, of Reston entered South Lakes High School this week as a sophomore. While she and her peers in Fairfax County Public Schools navigate new districtwide restrictions on generative artificial intelligence in classrooms, Darya is heading to Capitol Hill on Friday, Sept. 18, to champion AI’s life-saving potential.” [The Connection]
Fairfax Water Seeks Public Input — “Your Water, Your Voice! Fairfax Water is hosting customer focus groups to better understand your experiences and help shape the future of our services. If you’d like to share your thoughts, apply here by September 14, 2026.” [Fairfax Water/X]
Mental Health Hospital Sold — “HCA Healthcare has sold Dominion Hospital in Seven Corners to Hill Valley Healthcare for $25.2 million, the Washington Business Journal reported on Sept. 1. The 116-bed Dominion Hospital, located at 2960 Sleepy Hollow Road, provides behavior and mental health services for children, teens, and adults.” [Annandale Today]
Regional Apple-Picking Options Limited — “Apple-picking season is here — but one of fall’s favorite pastimes will be shorter, sparser or canceled altogether at some D.C.-area orchards after last spring’s devastating frost … Local apple lovers may find higher prices and fewer varieties.” [Axios DC]
It’s Friday — Expect increasing clouds with a high near 91°F and a heat index up to 101°F. Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 2 pm, with a 40% chance of precipitation. Overnight, there’s a 50% chance of rain before 2 am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of around 72°F. [NWS]
A person died this afternoon (Thursday) after getting trapped under a tour bus outside Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded at 5 p.m. to the Filene Center at 1551 Trap Road for a report of an individual getting trapped under a commercial bus, according to scanner traffic.
NOVA Parks and Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Park supporters are teaming up with local law enforcement to encourage the safe use of e-bikes and other electric mobility devices.
After kicking off in Loudoun County on Aug. 1, the educational initiative will continue this month with free events along the 45-mile-long W&OD Trail hosted by the Fairfax County, Herndon and Vienna police departments.
A Fairfax County supervisor is pressing his colleagues to add funding for additional ballot drop boxes to support future elections.
Currently, the county operates a single permanent voter dropbox at the Fairfax County Government Center, for a community of about 1.1 million people spread across approximately 400 square miles.
A pair of commercial centers in Fairfax County could get some updates after changing hands last week in a $58 million deal.
The McLean and West Fairfax commerce centers were acquired on Aug. 28 by the Fairfax-based commercial real estate firm Aggregate Real Estate Investors, which also took over two properties in Loudoun County as part of the transaction with Chantilly’s Clarke-Hook Corporation.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering tightening rules around funding awarded to nonprofit and regional organizations.
Each year, supervisors distribute about $26 million to the organizations through what is known as the Contributory Fund.
