Announced on June 17, the closure wasn’t planned or requested by events organizer Celebrate Fairfax, which has called the PARC its home since it opened in 2021. But the nonprofit is approaching the news with a positive outlook, using the occasion to reflect on the venue’s impact on local residents, artists and businesses.
Panda Express under construction in Herndon (staff photo by Emily Leayman)
Construction is well underway to transform Herndon’s former Burger King into a future Panda Express.
The Chinese American chain is “tentatively” aiming to open at 598 Elden Street in late July, though the timing could be affected by any construction delays, Panda Express public relations representative Brittany Rouse says.
Address:1114 Ware Street SW Neighborhood: Vienna Woods Type: 7 BR, 5 (+1 half) BA single-family detached – 4844 sq. ft. Open House: Saturday, June 27th, 12-2 pm Listed: $1,999,999
Noteworthy: Resort-Inspired Custom Home Minutes from Downtown Vienna
Exceptional luxury custom home in the highly sought-after Vienna Woods community. Built in 2023, this stunning Craftsman-style residence sits on a quiet 0.29-acre lot and offers 4,844 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space with 7 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms.
The elegant interior features soaring ceilings, hardwood flooring, designer lighting, and an open-concept layout ideal for modern living and entertaining. A spacious dining room flows seamlessly into the family room, while the gourmet chef’s kitchen impresses with premium cabinetry, high-end appliances, a large center island, double sinks, and a bright breakfast area with direct backyard access. A main-level bedroom with an en-suite bath provides flexibility for guests or multi-generational living.
Upstairs, the luxurious owner’s suite offers dual walk-in closets and a spa-inspired bath with double vanities, a soaking tub, and a custom-tiled walk-in shower. Three additional bedrooms and two full baths, including a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, complete the upper level. The fully finished lower level adds exceptional versatility with a spacious recreation room, gym/bedroom, bonus room, and an additional bedroom with an en-suite bath. Outdoor living is equally impressive. The private backyard retreat features a swimming pool with a modern retractable cover for year-round enjoyment, a pool house with a recreation area, kitchenette, and full bath, plus a spacious patio and fenced yard. Ideally located near Southside Park, Yeonas Park, downtown Vienna, the W&OD Trail, Tysons Corner, Metro access, and within the highly rated Madison High School pyramid.
Voting at Cunningham Park Elementary School in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted on June 23 to petition the Circuit Court to place two bond referendums on this year’s general election ballot.
County leaders will seek voter support on Nov. 3 for a $180 million parks bond and $75 million human services bond to support a number of capital improvements.
Shaza Edris (via Fairfax County Police Department)
The driver believed to be involved in a crash that killed a pedestrian on Fairfax County Parkway last December has turned herself in and been charged in the pedestrian’s death.
Shaza Edris, 20, of Fairfax, was charged with felony hit and run involving in death, and using a handheld personal communications device while driving, the Fairfax County Police Department announced on Friday (June 26).
The George Mason Friends will hold their semi-annual Fall Book Sale at George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale from Wednesday evening, September 23 through Sunday, September 27, 2026.
A Preview Sale will be held on Wednesday evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for a $20 entry fee per adult. A no entry fee, General Sale, will begin on Thursday, September 23 and run through Sunday, September 27, with hours 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily.
A red car parked at Fair City Mall in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Driver Rescued From Chantilly Pond — “This afternoon, @ffxfirerescue & @FairfaxCountyPD rescued a person trapped inside a vehicle after it crashed into a pond near Walney Rd & Westfields Blvd. Responders formed a human chain to bring the driver safely to shore. She was treated for minor injuries.” [FCPD/X]
Restaurants Support Earthquake Relief — “While large search and rescue missions are underway in the South American country, the Venezuelan restaurants in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are working around the clock organizing donations … The earthquakes have killed more than 1,400 people and injured more than 3,000.” [NBC4]
Dulles Airport Overhaul Backed by United — “Discussions between United (NASDAQ: UAL), the Transportation Department and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority are ‘going on in earnest,'” according to United Airlines Vice President of International Regulatory and Policy Steve Morrissey, who said the reported proposal for sped-up renovations is the Trump administration’s “preferred option.” [Washington Business Journal]
Lincolnia ABC Store Closing — “The Virginia ABC store at 6343 Columbia Pike in Barcroft Plaza is permanently closing. The store’s last day is July 12.” The Lincolnia area will still have an ABC store in Landmark Plaza at 6206 Little River Turnpike. [Annandale Today]
Capital Beltway Trail Now Open — “The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban [on Saturday] officially opened the new 495 Express Lanes Extension’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail … Hundreds of community members gathered [that] morning in the future Scott’s Run Nature Preserve annex parking lot to celebrate the opening of the approximately 2.5-mile trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and family-friendly fitness events.” [VDOT]
Va. Seeks More Reporting on Data Center Water Use — “New regulations taking effect next January will shine more light on how much water data centers use in Virginia — though information on specific facilities is still protected as a trade secret. And a state budget amendment seeks to add more reporting requirements.” [VPM News]
Colleges Support Three-Year Bachelor’s Degrees — “Higher education leaders in Virginia and Ohio announced Thursday that they will join forces to create a model for three-year bachelor’s degrees, cutting the traditional timeframe of obtaining the credential by one year.” [Virginia Mercury]
Historic Blenheim Closes for a Week — “Historic Blenheim will be closed June 29-July 8. The city is renovating the lobby of the modern Civil War Interpretive Center building. The grounds remain open, including goat viewing, and house tours will resume after renovations are completed.” [City of Fairfax]
New Legal Notice — Public hearing on school boundaries July 13, 2026, 6 p.m. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. At night, skies will be mostly clear, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
Expect showers and possible thunderstorms throughout the day, with patchy fog before 11am and a high of around 82°F. Light winds will shift to the south in the afternoon. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with potential rainfall between a quarter and half an inch. In the evening, showers and possible thunderstorms are likely before midnight, becoming scattered later. Patchy fog may develop after 2am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of around 68°F. Winds will be calm, and the chance of precipitation is 60%, with potential rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, higher in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
Workers on the roof of a Burke area home on June 23, 2026 in the aftermath of a June 22 storm (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)
A fundraiser originally planned to support Alzheimer’s disease research has expanded its mission to include families in Burke affected by Monday’s thunderstorm.
Local resident Kim Pollard has partnered with Bunnyman Brewing in Burke (5583 Guinea Road) to collect donations this Sunday (June 28) for both her Walk to End Alzheimer’s team fundraiser and nine families who lost their homes in the storm on June 22.
Fireworks light up the night at the Workhouse Arts Center (courtesy Workhouse Arts Center)
Some of the biggest fireworks shows in the county are kicking off this weekend, as America prepares to mark its semiquincentennial on July 4.
In the week ahead, local communities and organizations will offer everything from classic community celebrations to alternatives to traditional fireworks displays, such as a daytime option at Mount Vernon or the Fairfax County Park Authority’s new patriotic drones lights show at Lake Fairfax Park.
Dump truck crashed on Route 17 in Bealeton on June 25, 2026 (via Fauquier County Sheriff's Office)
A Herndon man was arrested Thursday after a hit-and-run involving a dump truck that eventually burst into flames in Fauquier County.
On Thursday afternoon, deputies responded to a vehicle fire involving a dump truck on Route 17 in Bealeton. Once on scene it was determined the dump truck caused a three-vehicle crash. The dump truck was fully engulfed in fire, and the driver had fled on foot.
