Mike Salmon

Summer’s Here and Possibly Time to Stay Put

Fairfax County has plenty of options for a “stay-cation” this summer.

Summer Stay-Cation

Shaved Ice, Burritos and Food Trucks are a Hit at Taste of Springfield

Burke Author at the Taste Event with Historic Novel

Taste of Springfield

Bike To Work Day, Month of May Tradition

An upbeat activity for an upbeat month heading into summer.

BTW 2022

Blast from the Past: Time Capsules

These historical preservation tidbits are popping up everywhere.

Time Capsules

Virginia Room is Fairfax Library System’s Research Lab

Many family historical mysteries are uncovered here.

Virginia Room

Banks and Eateries Play Musical Chairs in Vienna

Some here are switching places while other bank branches are closing across the country.

Banks closing

County Art Contest Focuses on Water Conservation

High school artists called on to explore “One Water” theme.

Art contest

New FABB Official Provides a Look From Across the Pond

Biking experience in Denmark provides a different angle for local biking.

New FABB member

Musicians and Artists Ease the Cancer Experience

Soothing sounds echo through the lobbies at the Inova cancer centers around Northern Virginia.

Inova treatment

Fairfax Skaters Made the Cut for the 2022 Olympic Games

Local spotlight shines on the speed track and figure skating rink.

Local Olympians

Snow and Schools in Fairfax County

The communication and snow removal system continues to evolve to keep all the boxes checked.

Snow and school

Paving and Warm Weather are in Tandem This Year in Northern Virginia

There is a map and system to where the paving goes.

August is hot, and the drivers trying to get back to a normal routine have probably hit a pothole or two out on the roads, but VDOT is out there with the paving crews, putting down pavement on 1,145 lane miles throughout the paving season, which goes until November.

Streams Get a Lift from a County Program

‘Operation Stream Shield’ is called a win-win-win.

Operation Stream Shield

‘Strategic Underground’ Throughout Fairfax County

Dominion Power is undergrounding wires.

During the frequent thunderstorms that are forecasted throughout the summer, flashlights and candles may have been the short-term answer in the past, but Dominion Energy has another option with a program they are offering called ”Strategic Underground,” so the lines won’t be exposed when lightning strikes and other mishaps.

Fairfax County Police Armed with a High-Tech Dog Nose

New K-9 can sniff out thumb drives and cell phones that may be evidence.

The Fairfax County Police Department has a new tool to fight cyber crimes and it’s a black Labrador retriever named Browser, that specializes in sniffing out computer-related evidence like thumb drives, cell phones or laptop computers that may have been used by criminals, particularly in child exploitation.

Tysons Moves Closer to ‘Bike Friendly,’ With Planned Bike Bridge

VDOT’s project will expand bike access for shopping and commuting.

Vienna project

Ripe Red Tomatoes, Juicy Peaches Highlight Area’s Farmers Markets

County’s markets are hopping as they go into National Farmers Market Week in early August.

National Farmers Market Week

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities Rise in the Fairfax County Area

Road design, speeds, lighting and negligence are factors.

This spring has seen several fatal pedestrian accidents, possibly signaling a warning to drivers, pedestrians and transportation engineers that more could be done to lessen these fatalities in Fairfax County.

Biking and Trail Use Continues to Grow in Northern Virginia

Pit Stop gathering is out, but Bike to Work Day is still on for May 21.

It’s been 20 years since Bike to Work Day began, and it grows each year, showing that there is another side to commuting that uses no gas, has health benefits and is fun, even if it’s only one day a year for many.

Greenheart Juice Shop Opens in Vienna

Healthy juices, foods and attitudes highlight the new place along the bike trail

The “MJ” is a juice mixture of celery, cucumber, kale, spinach, parsley, lemon, mint, pineapple, apple and ginger, and a top seller among juices at the Greenheart Juice Shop that just opened off the bike trail in Vienna.

Bicycling in Fairfax County Looking to Expand

Meetings planned this month to develop the ‘Active Fairfax Plan’

With the warm weather approaching, Fairfax County is holding a series of meetings to hear thoughts about active transportation in the county, and this input will be used in their Active Fairfax Transportation Plan to integrate the existing Bicycle Master and Trails Plans.

Greenheart Juice Shop Opens in Vienna

Healthy juices, foods and attitudes highlight the new place along the bike trail.

Greenheart Juice Shop

Housing Values Increase and This Will Soon Be Felt in Tax Bills

The county juggles the tax rate, but higher tax bills are on the horizon.

Home Assessments Increase

At Dog Parks, the Clean-Up Bag is a Must

Walks are important for the family dog, but so is scooping the poop.

Scooping the Poop

Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Wins Eight Awards

The Noman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control wastewater treatment plant was recently recognized for their “Tertiary Filters Rehabilitation Project,” and “Rehabilitation of Three Equalization Basin and Ancillary Facilities,” by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) in its annual Mid-Atlantic Region awards.

Promoting Tysons: ‘America’s Next Great City’

Tysons rental market grows with pandemic: Large apartments, pricing popular in suburban location

The Tysons Corner area has been recognized recently for their apartment availability, signaling another area where the rapidly growing suburb is becoming the place to live for the professionals in Northern Virginia.

Pandemic Layoff Spurs Artist to Paint Window Mural in Vienna

After the pandemic forced Pet Valu to close in Alexandria this month, the employees looked elsewhere for a job, but the Pet Valu manager was hired by Loyal Companion pet supply store in Vienna.

Fairfax County Police Patrol on Bikes to Enhance Community Relations

Neighborhood Patrol Units are in every district.

The boots on the ground for the Fairfax County Police Department include the numerous bicycle squads cruising throughout the county, keeping communities safe while interacting with the public on a daily basis.

Artifacts Tell the Nation’s Story at the New Army Museum

The display cases, first-hand accounts and newsreel footage showcased in the museum.

In 1861, when the Civil War was just starting, Capt. Josiah Sawell was attacked by a pro-secession mob while passing through Baltimore with the 6th Massachusetts Volunteer infantry.

Express Lanes May Link to American Legion Memorial Bridge

Last stretch may be express lanes next with “495 NEXT.”

Celebrate Fairfax: Outlook Not Good

Outside or not, thousands gathered for rides, entertainment and food could be a super spreader.

Celebrate Fairfax plans in question

Deer Hunting in Fairfax County Controls Herd Populations

Bow hunting program nets hundreds of deer each year.

Imagine walking through wooded county park and all of a sudden, you see a person armed with a bow and arrow up on a stand in a tree.

Deer Hunting in Fairfax County Controls Herd Populations

Bow hunting program nets hundreds of deer each year.

Deer hunting

Four Road Projects Move Forward in Transportation Approval Chain in Fairfax County

Road projects are spread throughout County.

Transportation in Fairfax County got a boost lately when the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority moved forward on four projects in the county that are designed to help traffic congestion.

In Fairfax County, Adopt-A-Road is a Hit

County has highest participation in Virginia.

With everyone concentrating on social distancing these days, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway is a possible option to clean the roadsides, get some sun, and practice social distancing while doing a good deed.

Orange Line Stations Closing All Summer

Metro’s platform project continues; riders urged to seek other routes.

Last summer it was the blue line’s turn; this summer it’s the orange line stations closing, part of WMATA’s Platform Improvement Project. The Vienna, Dunn Loring, and both East and West Falls Church Metro Stations, as well as all Silver Line service, will be closed from May 23 through Sept. 7, WMATA said. West Falls Church Metro Station will remain open as both Silver and Orange Line trains can pass through the closed stations but will not stop at them.

New Mayor to Work for #OneVienna

Linda Jane Colbert grew up in Vienna and looks at her new position as an opportunity for all.

In a local election last week, Vienna now has a new mayor, Linda Colbert, who has deep roots in the town and a few goals in mind that surround her campaign slogan of “#OneVienna.”

Stay-at-Home Order Allows More Time for Road Construction in Virginia

When traffic is down, the crews extend time with lane closures, resulting in project progress.

The quarantine that seems to have no end is having some positive impacts. With most businesses closed and most people staying home most of the time, rush hours have been minimal, gas use is down, local streets are becoming the roads less traveled. For road crews, this is time to pick up the pace.