Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
As summer vacation is coming to an end, there are still a few weeks left before school starts to make memories with your family.
As a mom of three and a Realtor, I really try to be intentional about spending quality time with my kids. I challenged myself to have “dates” with each child to create special memories. Here are a few experiences that made a lasting impact on us!
A trip to the City of Fairfax Regional Library to see a puppet show or just grab a few books to engage with together later. Followed by a quick walk across the street to cool down at the Splash Pad and then to grab a treat at the legendary Woody’s Ice Cream. A perfect combination for all ages.
Point 50 StoryWalk is an opportunity to read “Nugget and Fang Go to School” and engage with businesses in Fairfax’s Point 50 Shopping Center. There are 15 stops with pages from the book featured in storefront windows plus additional fun activities along the way.
We had such an adventure at Roer’s Zoofari in Vienna. The new ownership did make changes to the overall experience which was great for those of us who love to feed the animals! Roer’s Zoo guarantees laughs and memories for the entire family. After a few hours at the zoo, we headed to Playa Bowl at Reston Town Center for the best acai bowls in the area. Our favorite is the Electric Mermaid!
When the heat’s too intense or the rain showers the day away, leave it to Chuck E. Cheese for a power hour of old school fun. $17.99 for ALL you can play for an hour. Also, who doesn’t love a quick Trader Joe’s stop to grab a few of those yummy staples to bring home?
Scramble has saved us this summer several times. Both the Falls Church and Alexandria locations are fun for all ages. They have thought of everything from quiet space to take a call or food options you will not regret. Great place for a PlayDate or just to get the wiggles out.
After hours of play at Scramble Falls Church we always head over to one of our favorite spots for a bite. Fava Pot offers authentic Egyptian food that everyone in our family loves from the hummus with pita bread to the grilled chicken seasoned to perfection — and don’t forget the famous fava beans!
When in Tysons we like to visit Bowlero, the newest bowling alley in the area. And they are still offering 50% summer game passes. This bowling alley is amazing! Of course, you will have to stop by Jeni’s at The Boro for your sampling of the most gourmet flavors in the area.
Pro Tip: 2 half scoops is the way to go so you can taste two flavors!
Explore Fairfax with Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney.
Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | [email protected] | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Reston Community Center has hired a new director of offsite and collaborative programming in an effort to expand beyond the walls of its two facilities.
Maggie Parker, who most recently served as executive director of Partnership Reston, will take on the role, which includes directing offsite programming like the summer concert series and family-friendly events in area neighborhoods.
While free school lunches ended nationally earlier this summer, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will still offer free meals to students at a select number of schools.
Earlier this month, FCPS announced that it will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which distributes breakfast and lunch to students attending schools in low-income areas at no cost.
I-66 Lane Closure in Vienna Area Starts Tonight — “The left travel lane on I-66 East between Cedar Lane and I-495 will be closed beginning around 9 p.m. Friday, August 19, through 5 a.m. Thursday, August 25, to allow for continued construction of the future I-66 Express Lanes…Drivers should plan for traffic delays and consider alternative routes during this period.” [VDOT]
Superintendent Says FCPS Prepared for New School Year, Despite Gaps in Staff — “Out of the 15,000 teachers employed by FCPS, about 150 of them are part of the residency program. But a look at Fairfax County openings still shows a lot. By our count, more than 350. The county says that where they still have vacancies, central office staff with teacher licenses will be asked to cover until a permanent teacher has been hired.” [WUSA9]
Korean Bakery Opens in Annandale — “The Tous les Jours bakery and café opened Aug. 15 in the East Gate Shopping Center in Annandale. The shop, at 4243 John Marr Drive, offers pastries, bread, fancy cakes, muffins, donuts, croissants, scones, buns, macarons, and other baked goods.” [Annandale Today]
Kingstowne Developer Plans Land Sale — “The Halle Cos. looks poised to sell off a Kingstowne parcel approved for multifamily development, its last piece of a sprawling retail-dominated site…Halle now has the final piece of the puzzle — a 4.7-acre parking lot sandwiched between Kingstowne Village Parkway and Kingstowne Towne Center — under contract with The NRP Group, a Cleveland-based real estate developer and manager.” [Washington Business Journal]
Firefighters Deliver Backpacks for Students — “On Tuesday, August 16, members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, our retiree group, public safety partners Fairfax County Police Department, along with various community groups, came together at Station 11, Penn Daw, to provide 1500 backpacks and school supplies for deserving kids.” [FCFRD]
Fairfax Connector Changes Coming This Fall — “Later this fall, the Fairfax Connector bus service is set to make several service and fare changes, including changes to routes in the Springfield and Tysons areas. The changes are set to go into effect Oct. 1.” [WTOP]
Reston Hospital Patient Walks After Tractor Accident — “Yussif Alhassan did something last week that some might’ve thought impossible five months ago. He stood up and walked. On March 13, Alhassan arrived in the emergency room at Reston Hospital Center after his entire lower body had been crushed by a tractor.” [Patch]
County Well-Represented Among Fastest-Growing Companies — “This year, 113 Fairfax County-based companies, along with 72 companies located in additional Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance jurisdictions, made the Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s 5,000 fastest-growing privately held companies.” [Fairfax County EDA]
GMU Reaches 50-Year Mark — “George Mason University in Fairfax is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year…Northern Virginians and outsiders alike have seen Mason transform into a hub for technology, politics, and more — and they’ve seen Mason transform the region along with it.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Friday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 86 and low of 68. Sunrise at 6:27 am and sunset at 8:00 pm. [Weather.gov]
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Step back in time!
Join a Reston Museum docent for the last walking tours of the summer! A free guided walking tour exploring Reston’s founding occurs Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
Tour starts at the Reston Museum and lasts approximately 30 minutes. The tour explores how Reston revolutionized America’s suburban neighborhoods. Advanced registration is encouraged to secure attendance, as tour size will be limited.
Those who wish to sign up for a tour can register here.
Marketing for this program is supported by the Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant in partnership with George Mason University and Reston Association.
Employee bonuses, facility improvements, and a study of middle school start times are among the priorities that Fairfax County Public Schools can now fund, thanks to some financial leeway from…
Five regional contemporary artists will highlight Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art‘s bi-annual Mary B. Howard Invitational. The group exhibition — slated to take place at the institute’s Reston Town Center…
Celebrate Fairfax Inc. will close out the summer tomorrow (Friday) with an outdoor bash and some tunes. The nonprofit organization best known for staging the annual Celebrate Fairfax! Festival will…
(Updated at 3:25 p.m.) Another Amazon Fresh is coming soon to Fairfax County, according to a report. The Washington Business Journal reports that Amazon.com Inc. is seeking subcontractors to renovate…
Registration is open now for the 15-week fall season of the Encore Chorale of Fairfax, a local group that sings an eclectic mix of music from many eras, and Fairfax ROCKS, a rock & roll chorus that sings favorite hits from the 50s through the 80s. No auditions needed!The Chorale meets Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning September 6th at St George’s United Methodist Church. Fairfax ROCKS meets Fridays, beginning September 9th, 10:30 a.m. to noon at Church of the Good Shepherd in Vienna. Leading both groups is David Lang, prominent choral conductor, vocal coach, professional accompanist and concert organist throughout the greater Washington area.
The season will culminate in a concert that is free and open to the public. Come join a fun community of older adult singers, meet new friends and experience joy. Tuition: $190 per person per program.
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The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Employee bonuses, facility improvements, and a study of middle school start times are among the priorities that Fairfax County Public Schools can now fund, thanks to some financial leeway from staff vacancies and state revenue.
The school system has about $90.9 million left over from fiscal year 2022, which ran from July 1, 2021 to June 30 of this year, FCPS leaders reported to the school board during its last regular meeting on July 14.
Five regional contemporary artists will highlight Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art‘s bi-annual Mary B. Howard Invitational.
The group exhibition — slated to take place at the institute’s Reston Town Center gallery from Dec. 10 through Feb. 26 — features the work of regional artists selected through a months-long application process.
“In acknowledge of the many traumas that have been endured individually and collectively over the past two years, this exhibition will explore the concepts of rest and reprise as a starting point for the artistic process,” event organizers said.
Silver Line Phase 2 Drill Held Up by Rust — “Metro’s Silver Line is set to start running farther into Northern Virginia soon after years of project delays — but rust on the rails delayed an emergency drill Wednesday in Ashburn. Crews were set to simulate a real-life emergency starting at 8 a.m…Safety devices could not be installed quickly, and the drill was delayed more than two hours.” [NBC4]
Off-Campus GMU Students Moving in May Affect Traffic — “City of Fairfax Police are advising residents and commuters that The Flats on University will be moving in their residents on Friday, August 22. Move in begins at 7:30 a.m. and will end at 5 p.m…One section of Democracy Lane will be one way starting at the intersection of University and Democracy Lane.” [Fairfax City Police/Twitter]
Virginia Postpones Update of School History Standards — “The Virginia Board of Education delayed proposed revisions to state standards for history and social studies lessons at a Wednesday meeting, the first held with the five-member majority newly appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.” [The Washington Post]
Jury Duty Questionnaires Hit Mailboxes — “You may be one of approximately 70,000 Fairfax County or City of Fairfax residents receiving a jury duty questionnaire in the mail soon. Here is some helpful information to make the process easier…” [Fairfax County Government/Twitter]
Fairfax City Introduces First Electric Vehicle — “Fairfax City’s first electric vehicle (EV) in fleet has hit the street: a new all-electric Nissan Leaf, embellished with a stylish decal, to showcase the city transition to zero emissions. The EV will replace the gas-powered vehicle currently used by the CUE Bus team to shuttle drivers to their shifts every day.” [City of Fairfax]
Park Authority Hires Veteran Prince William Planner — “Brendon Hannafin is the new development director for the Fairfax County Park Authority…Hannafin took the job after retiring from the Prince William County Government, where he spent 22 years working on planning parks there and preserving a string of historic properties.” [Potomac Local News]
Centreville Pond to Be Partially Drained — “Walney Pond will be drawn down partially between Sept. 12 and Sept. 16, 2022. The drop in water level will accommodate the installation of a dry fire hydrant at the pond. Little to no impact is anticipated to wildlife.” [FCPA]
Vienna Band Names New Leader — “With a new music director in place, the Vienna Community Band is gearing up for its 2022-23 season and is seeking musicians to join the effort. Gilbert Corella, who currently serves as conductor of the Loudoun Symphonic Winds…has been tapped to succeed Cornelius Young, who recently hung up his baton in order to spend more time with his family in Maryland.” [Sun Gazette]
It’s Thursday — Clear throughout the day. High of 84 and low of 64. Sunrise at 6:26 am and sunset at 8:01 pm. [Weather.gov]
A one-day beautification project is slated to take place next month at Lake Fairfax in Reston.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking volunteers for a community stewardship celebration at Lake Fairfax Park on Sept. 24.
After a community celebration — which will feature a light breakfast and remarks by local officials — volunteers will begin beautifying the park.
Naturalists will be on site to help volunteers plant trees near the park’s core areas, remove invasive plants, and help with other beautification efforts.
Three candidates are running for three seats on Reston Community Center’s Board of Governors.
The annual vote — known as the preference poll — will feature incumbents Beverly Cosham and Paul Thomas, along with Shane Ziegler.
Voting begins on Sept. 3. Each property owner in Small District 5 will receive a ballot in the mail, which must be received by 5 p.m. on Sept. 29. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5 p.m. the following day.
County Offers New Covid Vaccine — “Starting this week, adults 18 years of age and older who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine and are interested in getting one, can now make an appointment for the recently authorized Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted. Due to limited availability, Novavax will only be offered by appointment only.” [Fairfax County Health Department]
Teen Takes Stand in Springfield Murder Trial — “A teenager on trial in the killings of two Fairfax County high school students took the stand Tuesday and said he was defending a friend when he opened fire inside a Springfield, Virginia, home last year…Ersheen Elaiaiser, 17, was shot twice in the chest and 16-year-old Calvin Van Pelt was shot once in the back at a home in the 8000 block of Winding Way Court, prosecutors said. Both teens died.” [NBC4]
Detective Testifies in Tysons Shooting Case — “A detective told the Fairfax County court that Noah Settles, 22, of Southeast D.C., fired three times inside the crowded mall on June 18, over Father’s Day weekend. The shooting caused scared shoppers to run for exits and hide inside the mall. The mall was temporarily closed by authorities.” [NBC4]
Chicken Restaurant Coming to Annandale — “O’my ChiQ & Bar is expected to open in late September at 7023 Columbia Pike in Annandale. A patio is under construction. The restaurant will specialize in rotisserie, grilled, and barbecue chicken and barbecue ribs, says the future manager, who now works at Omy Hot Pot on Annandale Road.” [Annandale Today]
Firefighter Rescues Stuck Kitten — “Kitten stuck in a storm drain? No problem for the crew of Engine 409, Mount Vernon, B-Shift! Probationary Firefighter James Gupton made the grab to get kitty to safety! @FairfaxCountyPD Animal Protection took the kitten to @fairfaxanimals for eventual adoption.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Fairfax Speed Cameras Will Be Back Monday — “Speed enforcement cameras have been installed in SCHOOL ZONES on Old Lee Highway, Route 236/Main Street, and Jermantown Road, near the city’s four schools and two Fairfax County schools (Woodson High School and Frost Middle School).” [City of Fairfax Police Department/Facebook]
Community Center and Day Care Workers Needed — “The Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood & Community Services is hosting an Open Hire Event on Wednesday, August 31 to fill multiple Activity Facilitator and SACC Day Care Teacher positions located at various community centers and SACC program sites…The event takes place August 31 from 5-7 p.m. at the Pennino Building.” [NCS]
Family-Owned Fairfax Restaurant Gets Notice — The winners of WTOP’s Top 10 contest are pretty Arlington and Maryland-centric, but Captain Pell’s Fairfax Crabhouse on Fairfax Blvd managed a runner-up mention in the “Best Seafood” category. Other local restaurants are featured further down the lists, which were determined by the news outlet’s readers and listeners. [WTOP]
It’s Wednesday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 81 and low of 65. Sunrise at 6:26 am and sunset at 8:02 pm. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) A transgender woman’s lawsuit alleging discrimination at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center will be allowed to move forward in a potentially landmark decision in the fight for trans rights.
Former inmate Kesha Williams can pursue her complaint arguing that the harassment she experienced at the county jail violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, a U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled in an opinion released today (Tuesday).
“We could not be happier with how the return of the Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta went!” Reston Museum Executive Director Alex Campbell wrote in a statement to FFXnow. “The boat designs were amazing and it was wonderful to connect with the community again through this favorite event. This event always brings joy, but this year’s race was truly something special.”
YMCA won the navigator race, while Cinder won the skipper race. The people’s choice award — selected based on attendee votes — went to Mr. Matt and the WildFlowers. The Titanic award went to Terraset Elementary School.
