Schools

Already nearly at a record high, student enrollment in Falls Church City Public Schools is expected to grow consistently in coming decades.

With 2,711 students as of Sept. 30, the five-school district is currently just 10 students shy of its record 2,721 students in 2016, according to a recent report to the Virginia Department of Education. The report predicts enrollment will pass the 3,000 mark in 2027, before growing to about 3,250 in 2040 and 3,430 in 2050.


Sports

The fieldhouse at Meridian High School Stadium will receive a $600,000 refresh and upgrade under a proposal unanimously approved by Falls Church City School Board members on Nov. 12.

The appropriation was part of a series of one-time-funding requests approved by School Board members, totaling just under $1.5 million in school funds and $400,000 in city-government funds.


Around Town

After three years in the works, Pop-Up District, a new food hall and lounge at Eden Center, plans to open for business sometime next month.

The hall will offer two distinct experiences depending on the time of day, company president Jay Tran told ARLnow. The space is designed to be a casual coffee, food and treat destination during the day, before transitioning into a Vietnamese-inspired evening lounge for drinks, EDM and dancing at night.


News

Things weren’t official until the Electoral Board convened Thursday evening (Nov. 14) to certify it, but Arlington’s vote count for the 2024 election is now complete.

“At this point it’s really just double-checking everything,” county elections director Gretchen Reinemeyer said at the start of a post-election Electoral Board meeting held Wednesday (Nov. 13).


News

Is 2025 the year Falls Church follows neighboring Arlington in enacting ranked-choice voting to elect its governing body?

It’s a question that will be answered in coming months by the seven-member City Council, whose members will have to address both logistical and philosophical issues before coming to a decision and setting the timetable.


News

The concept of granting religious organizations more flexibility to create affordable housing on their properties is a good one, Falls Church officials say.

But city leaders remain wary of pending legislation in Richmond that could handcuff local-government zoning powers in order to obtain that outcome.


Around Town

A new cafe highlighting Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines is opening this week in Falls Church.

Cafe Zevian, a Mediterranean concept by Adem Kaplan, will be located at the bottom of The Kensington senior living facility at 700 W. Broad Street. Opening at 7 a.m. each day, the restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner options including an array of meat and vegetable dishes.


News

Add Falls Church to the list of Northern Virginia localities where elected officials are worried about implications of Donald Trump’s victory.

“Things may very well change fairly dramatically,” City Council member David Snyder said last Wednesday (Nov. 6), the day after a national election that swept the former president back into office and saw Republicans potentially controlling both houses of Congress.


News

Falls Church’s two new elected officials are likely to be on the dais when their respective bodies next convene.

Both the City Council and School Board will meet Tuesday evening (Nov. 12). And if paperwork requirements are met, the two victors in special elections will be sworn in before those meetings begin.


Around Town

Restaurants across Arlington and Falls Church received acclaim in Northern Virginia Magazine this month.

The magazine’s list of the “50 Best Restaurants in Northern Virginia” in 2024 featured 14 establishments from the county and The Little City. Featured cuisines ranged from sushi and Italian, to Vietnamese and tapas.


Around Town

A new Latin and Tex-Mex restaurant is currently hosting its soft opening in Falls Church.

Casa Mariachi Bar and Grille expects to hold a grand opening sometime next week at 133 E. Annandale Road, manager Tony Flores told ARLnow. The restaurant serves an expansive menu featuring tacos, quesadillas, burritos, fajitas and platters.


News

Falls Church’s consideration of zoning changes to permit standalone accessory-dwelling units in single-family neighborhoods is drawing sharp contrasts.

At a Monday (Nov. 4) City Council work session, some on the body argued the proposal would be a win for local homeowners.


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