The Centreville Task Force provided input on Fairfax County's comprehensive plan amendment for Centreville (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Centreville could get a defined town center with more walkable, mixed-use spaces over the next few decades if Fairfax County adopts a proposed amendment to its comprehensive plan.
The amendment lays the groundwork for connecting parts of Centreville that are split by I-66 with pedestrian pathways and potentially an extension of New Braddock Road; expanding the availability of affordable and mixed-use housing; and enhancing public transportation, including a potential location for a hypothetical expansion of Metro’s Orange Line.
Whether your kid enjoys getting active outdoors, expressing their artistry or volunteering in the community, Fairfax County offers plenty of options for keeping students busy outside the classroom.
Here are the nominees for “Best After School Programs in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite program below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 5.
Voting for Best Tutoring Service in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, May 29 at 8:30 a.m.
A few weeks ago, we voted on the Best Title Company serving Fairfax County. The results are now official:
Introducing Kokua at The Mather—Now Welcoming Residents
At Kokua, we believe that every stage of life holds possibilities for creativity, purpose, and growth. Located in the heart of Tysons, Virginia, Kokua offers a fresh, hospitality-driven approach to care developed by Mather, a nationally recognized pioneer in the senior living space with more than eight decades of experience. Newly opened in 2025, Kokua blends care with our research-driven approach to deliver personalized wellness tailored to individual needs.
For a limited time, Kokua is welcoming new residents seeking assisted living or memory support in the DC area with exclusive move-in incentives. Nestled in a lively urban neighborhood, our LEED-Gold certified community incorporates biophilic design that brings the outside in to enhance health and wellbeing.
THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED SPACES
In our assisted living and memory support neighborhoods, residents enjoy a collection of thoughtfully designed spaces that feel like an upscale hospitality destination.
Multiple restaurants offer chef-prepared cuisine with flexible, open-hours service, complemented by demonstration kitchens, art and music studios, as well as gathering spaces. A spacious outdoor terrace, Marzenia Salon, and beautifully appointed amenity areas create opportunities for wellness, connection, and everyday enjoyment.
FOCUS ON PERSONALIZED WELLBEING
Residents enjoy opportunities to choose from enriching programs, meaningful social opportunities with experiences such as sensory walks, meditation, acupuncture, Reiki, songwriting workshops, poetry readings, Sensory Symphony Swim, and more.
Assisted Living in Ādar
Ādar means “respect”, and Kokua delivers. Here, our team encourages residents to be as independent as possible, for as long as possible. Each one-bedroom apartment home (ranging in size up to nearly 900 square feet) offers generous space and thoughtful design, complemented by assistance with daily living tasks and emergency response systems for peace of mind.
Memory Support in Miran
Miran means “peaceful”—another pillar in the Kokua way of life. Private suites are designed for those with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or similar cognitive conditions. Our person-centered approach embraces individual strengths and needs, with an interdisciplinary team and through social events, wellness programs, creative arts, and more.
Kokua offers the next generation of care in Ādar and Miran, true to our commitment to highly personalized service rooted in respect for each individual.
With a limited number of residences available and exclusive move-in incentives currently offered, now is an ideal time to explore the personalized care and quiet luxury that Kokua at The Mather has to offer.
A Step In Time Chimney Sweeps is proud to provide professional chimney services for homeowners for over 25 years. As part of our Summer Special, we are currently offering professional chimney inspections to help homeowners prepare their fireplaces and chimney systems before the heavy winter burning season begins again.
Our experienced team specializes in chimney inspections, chimney cleaning, chimney repairs, chimney relining, chimney cap installation, crown repairs, masonry work, fireplace services, wood stove installations, dryer vent cleaning, and much more.
Join us for a delightful Sunday afternoon at the BlackRock Center for the Arts as Cruise Planners Beth & Rod present a special travel-inspired matinee featuring the beloved film Under the Tuscan Sun.
The 2026 ArtsFairfax Awards will go to Bruce Berlage, Karen and Jim Cleveland, the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation and Thomas Beveridge (courtesy ArtsFairfax)
Support for the arts can take different forms, as evidenced by the honorees who will take center stage this fall at the 2026 ArtsFairfax Awards.
ArtsFairfax announced earlier this month that this year’s recipients of the annual awards will be longtime McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) donor and board member Bruce Berlage, Reston community leaders Karen and Jim Cleveland, the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation and D.C.-area singer, conductor and composer Thomas Beveridge.
A map for ViVa Vienna on display at the 2025 festival (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Attendees of this weekend’s ViVa Vienna will have an opportunity to give back to the community in more ways than one.
Inova has partnered with Vienna-based Bards Alley Bookshop for a blood drive that will take place during the annual festival this Sunday and Monday (May 24-25).
Memorial Day and America250 banners in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Lane Closures Lifted for Memorial Day — “The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, May 22 until noon on Tuesday, May 26. While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time.” [VDOT]
Flights From Ebola-Affected Countries Sent to Dulles — “The Secretary of Homeland Security is ordering all U.S.-bound flights carrying travelers who were in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the past 21 days to land only at Washington–Dulles International Airport following the discovery of a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak.” [FOX5]
Construction Funds Cover VDOT Shortfall — “The Commonwealth Transportation Board voted to transfer funds from construction projects and other areas to address a $193 million budget shortfall caused by increased spending on storm response and employee bonuses during Wednesday’s business meeting.” [Virginia Mercury]
AI Bills Fall by Wayside — “Most of the AI bills proposed by the General Assembly during the 2026 session were pushed aside over concerns that Trump would make good on his threat to sue and withhold broadband funding from states that pass laws stifling the technology’s growth.” [VPM News]
Arrests in Lego Retail Thefts — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division have charged two suspects involved in nearly $10,000 worth of stolen merchandise, including LEGO sets, small appliances, and clothing, from stores across Fairfax County.” The cases date back to December 2025, targeting Target, Home Depot and Walmart. [FCPD]
Fairfax Connector Bus in Crash — Two lanes of Herndon Parkway were closed yesterday afternoon (Thursday) due to a crash involving a Fairfax Connector bus, the Herndon Police Department (HPD) said. Fairfax County police said “that no injuries were reported, and only minor damage occurred.” [DC News Now]
New Laws to Manage Invasive Species — “The measures make new opportunities for localities to collaborate on invasive control, set new requirements on the state Department of Transportation’s management of plants on highways and close a loophole on how plants are prohibited from sale in the commonwealth.” [VPM News]
Free Rec Center Access for Veterans — “In recognition of Memorial Day, the Fairfax County Park Authority invites veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families to enjoy complimentary access to select park amenities and activities on Monday, May 25.” The deal includes recreation center access, camping at Lake Fairfax Park and, for active service members, wagon rides at Frying Pan Farm Park. [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect rain before 5 p.m., followed by showers, with a high of around 61°F. East winds will be 9 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, and an 80% chance of up to a quarter-inch of precipitation. Friday night will have showers until 11 p.m., then more rain, with a low of about 51°F, east winds at 8 to 13 mph, and a 100% chance of similar rainfall. [NWS]
Expect showers with a high near 59°F and an east wind of 8 to 10 mph. There’s a 90% chance of rain, with new precipitation amounts ranging from a tenth to a quarter of an inch. Showers will continue into Friday night, with temperatures dropping to around 51°F and an east wind of 7 to 9 mph. There’s a 100% chance of rain overnight, with new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. See more from Weather.gov.
Fairfax County Spelling Bee 2026 winner Laasya Mohan, a fourth grader at Floris Elementary School, and runner-up Aadhya Vijayakumar, an eighth grade student at Rocky Run Middle School, with their trophies (photo by Karen Bolt/FCPS)
Laasya Mohan has a study routine: first, the fourth grader at Floris Elementary School sorts spelling words by topic. Then, she further divides them into two lists — the ones she feels sure that she knows how to spell, and ones she feels unsure of. She examines the roots of words and considers language patterns. Finally, her mom quizzes her.
The intense process often lasts five hours a day — but it has paid off.
