The Fairfax County Park Authority is looking for feedback on proposed improvements to Oakton Community Park.
The authority is holding a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19 to discuss the project.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is looking for feedback on proposed improvements to Oakton Community Park.
The authority is holding a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19 to discuss the project.
Fairfax County’s volunteer fire departments are persevering in an era of change, local leaders were told earlier this week.
The current situation can be summed up as “good,” but “nothing is ever just a one-word answer,” Shawn Stokes, chair of the seven-member Volunteer Fire Commission, said when delivering the organization’s annual report to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Fairfax families now have a vibrant new destination for creative exploration — a dedicated children’s art studio has officially opened its doors, bringing with it one of the largest selections of children’s art programs in the area.
A Vision Rooted in Community
The journey behind this new studio is a simple but meaningful one: a belief that every child in the Fairfax community deserves access to quality art education. That conviction became the driving force behind building a space where young people can discover, create, and grow — not just as artists, but as individuals.
“We wanted to provide the opportunity of art education to the Fairfax community,” the studio shared.
More Than 40 Art Forms Under One Roof
What makes this studio particularly remarkable is its breadth. Children have access to more than 40 varieties of art, offering a rare opportunity to explore disciplines far beyond the typical drawing and painting classes. Whether a child is drawn to sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, or illustration, there’s a path here waiting to be discovered.
The philosophy is intentional: instead of narrowing a child’s focus too soon, the programs are designed to let curiosity lead the way. Children are encouraged to try, experiment, and explore until something clicks — because finding a true passion is just as important as developing a skill.
Programs Built for Every Child and Every Schedule
The studio has been thoughtfully designed to meet families where they are, with age-appropriate programs that build skills progressively and purposefully. Here’s a closer look at what’s available:
Tiny Hands (Ages 3–4)
Art is a skill developed over time, and it all starts here. In Tiny Hands classes, children begin to express themselves through art in guided, small group activities that encourage community, collaboration, and relationships. This two-year program introduces young learners to drawing, painting, clay, printmaking, collage, design, and more — laying the foundation for a lifelong creative journey.
Intro to Art (Ages 5–6)
This two-year program introduces children to beginning art skills, tools, and basic vocabulary. Students are encouraged to explore different mediums and express their growing interests, working with clay, printmaking, charcoal drawing, painting, design, montage, watercolors, sculpture, stained glass, and more. Along the way, they’ll learn about color theory — including primary, secondary, cool, and warm colors — while gaining self-confidence and earning recognition for their creations.
Beginning Art (Ages 7–8)
Building on the foundation of Intro to Art, Beginning Art is designed for children ready to deepen their skills and grow more comfortable with art tools. Students expand their art vocabulary, apply their knowledge of color theory, and explore design principles through hands-on creating. This two-year program offers opportunities to work with charcoal, mono printing, clay, ink, color design, collage, self-portrait, watercolors, balsa wood carving, sculpture, and much more.
Art 1 (Ages 9+)
Art 1 is the foundation of the studio’s four-year curriculum — a class designed to maximize and maintain each child’s art interest as they develop a higher level of skills and knowledge. Students also begin building their personal portfolio. Projects include ebony pencil from photo montage, charcoal still life, India ink design, and scratchboard art, with a strong focus on line, value, and texture. Later in the program, students dive into an in-depth study of color theory and apply it to a series of color design projects. Art 1 also includes hand building with clay.
Fairfax County Public Schools this week celebrated the launch of a new program to help young learners make safe choices in the water with an immersive “water safety festival” featuring visits from Olympic swimmers.
Students from grades 3-5 gathered at the Skyview High School swimming pool on Tuesday (Oct. 13) to try out the basics of swimming, paddle from inside an inflatable boat, and hear from two-time Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones. Maritza Correia McClendon, an Olympic silver medalist, also visited earlier in the day.
A Herndon man was recently arrested on drug and weapons charges after allegedly attempting to sell fentanyl to an undercover police detective, the Fairfax County Police Department announced this morning (Thursday).
The 19-year-old has been charged with possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II narcotics, possession of a firearm while distributing schedule I/II narcotics, possession of an auto sear, and carrying a loaded firearm in certain localities.
On Sunday, November 15 at 4:00 PM, the St. Andrew the Apostle Concert Series proudly presents The Catholic University of America Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Simeone Tartaglione, for a free afternoon of orchestral masterworks at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Clifton.
Program:
• Paul Dukas – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, best known from Disney’s Fantasia!
• Camille Saint-Saëns – Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor
Soloist: Vasily Popov, cello
• Camille Saint-Saëns – Symphony No. 3 in C minor, “Organ Symphony”
Organist: Michael Murphy
Northern Virginia remains a hot spot for Asian cuisine, judging by the five local establishments that found spots on the Washington Post’s annual ranking of the top 40 restaurants in the D.C. region.
Released yesterday (Wednesday), the 2026 list is the first compiled by new food critic Elazar Sontag, who took over the position in November 2025 following the retirement of longtime reviewer Tom Sietsema.
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is continuing an aggressive push to expand its affordable housing supply with the recent acquisition of land near the Innovation Center Metro station.
The agency announced Tuesday (Oct. 13) that it has purchased two parcels at 3625 and 3627 King Johns Way in the McNair area south of Herndon for nearly $23 million.
The impending closure of the Washington Post’s longtime printing plant in Springfield will cost more than 100 employees their jobs.
The Jeff Bezos-owned media company notified state and local officials on Oct. 7 that the facility’s relocation from 7171 Wimsatt Road to a smaller site in Loudoun County will result in layoffs affecting 118 workers. The layoffs are scheduled to take effect on Dec. 31.
Va. Lagging on AI Expertise, Report Says — “Virginia’s information technology office is not up to speed on artificial intelligence, and the agency that helps draft laws does not have the AI expertise needed to address the quickly evolving technology, according to a state-directed report.” [Cardinal News]
Arlington Removes Flock Cameras — “All county-leased Flock Safety technology had been removed as of last week, in compliance with a County Board vote last month, county spokesperson Ryan Hudson told ARLnow … The decision, which came amid nationwide backlash against the technology and concerns about potential misuse by federal agents, does not affect cameras installed on private property.” [ARLnow]
Good Wednesday evening, Fairfax County. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.
Everything else we published today, Oct 14, 2026.
Fairfax PRISM Tree Invasives Removal October Extravaganza II
Help save a tree! Join Fairfax and Falls Church residents in a community-wide effort to rescue… [Announcement]
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Fairfax County, from our event calendar.
Powering the AI Decade: Data Center Policy Forum
Oct 15: AI is driving data center growth faster than the power grid was built to handle, and Northern Virginia, home to the world’s largest concentr [Event]
🏡 Reston Home Tour Tickets on Sale Now!
Oct 17: Tour six beautiful and unique homes throughout Reston [Event]
Once Upon a Mattress
Oct 17: A Family Friendly musical comedy retelling of The Princess and the Pea! [Event]
11th Annual Walk to Bust Cancer
Oct 18: Walk with us at Fort Hunt Park to support access to breast cancer screening and care across the DMV. [Event]
Big, Bold, Rich Red Wine Super Tasting at Arrowine
Oct 18: Big, Bold, Rich Red Wine, Cheese and Charcuterie Tasting! [Event]
Lunch with Dr. T: Let’s Talk About Perimenopause and Menopause
Oct 23: A free lunch and talk on perimenopause and menopause with Kavita Tripathi, MD [Event]
🗑️ Shred Day with Lafayette Federal
Oct 24: Shred your documents safely and free [Event]
Submit events, announcements, or home listings to FFXnow.
Today: Fairfax County saw a high of 90° at 2:15 p.m., a low of 63° at 5:50 a.m. and no rain.
Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 10pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. North wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday: Rain showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thanks for reading!