Fairfax County Board Adopts New Budget — “Fairfax County lawmakers Tuesday approved a budget that raises the residential tax rate by 3 cents, a reflection of the lingering economic impacts of the pandemic and uncertainty over the Virginia state budget…The Board of Supervisors approved the budget on a 9-1 vote without comment, with Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) opposing.” [Washington Post]
Gunfire Reported in Fair Lakes Neighborhood — “According to Fairfax County police, the shooting was reported during a gathering at one of the townhouses in the Fair Lakes community. Upon arrival, officers encountered a large group of people leaving the home. Video footage captured people desperately seeking refuge and calling for help amidst the chaos.” [FOX5]
N. Va. Schools Concerned by Water Gun Game — “School officials in Northern Virginia are urging students to stop playing a game that is reportedly scaring residents and leading to police reports of teens carrying weapons…The assassins game is a social media trend that has become very popular among high schoolers in Fairfax and Loudoun counties. It consists of teens using water guns to spray other students, kicking them out of the game.” [WTOP]
Developers Seek to Connect Tysons Projects — “Ten years after the Silver Line accelerated Tysons’ growth by bringing four new Metro stations to the area, efforts are still underway to link together sections of the 4.3-square-mile Northern Virginia submarket. There has been some progress, but Tysons still needs many more crosswalks, bridges and public pathways before it realizes its vision of a connected urban place, developers said Thursday at Bisnow’s Future of Tysons event.” [Bisnow]
Lorton Police Station Gets New Commander — “Maj. Alan Hanson has been named the new station commander at Lorton District Police Station, effective May 4, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD).” Hanson replaced “acting station commander, Anthony Stancampiano, who had been serving in that capacity since Capt. Richard Morvillo retired in January.” [On the MoVe]
Vienna Public Works Open House Coming Up — “All aboard for fun with Town of Vienna Public Works Day, Thursday, May 16, from 2-6 p.m., at the Northside Property Yard, 600 Mill St., NE, Vienna! This year’s Vienna Public Works Department open house features big trucks, public safety displays, giveaways, snacks and more.” [Town of Vienna]
It’s Wednesday — Showers and thunderstorms are possible before 8am and after 2pm, with mostly cloudy skies gradually becoming sunny and a high near 87. The chance of precipitation is 30%. At night, there’s a 50% chance of precipitation. Expect increasing clouds and a low around 65. [NWS]
Wag N’ Wash has set a grand opening date for its Vienna store, more than a year after it took over 144 Maple Avenue West from Loyal Companion.
The pet supply and grooming retailer officially announced its expansion into Virginia last Friday (May 3). The new locations in Vienna and Arlington (2501 N. Harrison Street) will be formally introduced to their respective communities with a weekend-long grand opening celebration on May 18-19.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating the grand opening of our Arlington and Vienna stores that will provide high-quality products and hygiene care for dogs throughout the D.C area,” Wag N’ Wash CEO Chris Rowland said in a press release. “…Wag N’ Wash is not your typical dog product store, it’s a destination that offers specific services and products catered to the well-being of dogs and we cannot be any prouder to gain a foothold through our brand’s first-time entrance into Virginia.”
Both stores previously belonged to Loyal Companion, which shuttered all of its stores in Virginia at the end of February 2022 after its parent company filed for bankruptcy. The pet wellness chain had five locations in Fairfax County, including in Vienna, Tysons, Merrifield, Herndon and Fair Oaks, and two in Arlington.
Rowland says Wag N’ Wash acquired Loyal Companion’s shops in Vienna and Arlington’s Lee-Harrison Shopping Center because it understands “how important it is to have a local dog shop in the community.” The staff at both stores was retained, but the takeover involved “enhancing management,” according to Wag N’ Wash.
The stores were also remodeled after Wag N’ Wash took ownership of them. In addition to self-serve dog wash stations and full-service grooming salons, they offer dog food, toys, apparel, collars, leashes and other pet care products.
“Both stores now have a new dog wash, bigger selection of products and even some new faces (as well as familiar favorites) in our grooming salon,” said Marilyn Christman, the team leader at both stores. “Come see what all the excitement is about during our Grand Opening events.”
The grand opening festivities will include a variety of promotions, including free dog washes and a dog treat bar. In Vienna, the local dog care and training provider Hunter Mill Retrievers will be on site.
More details on the Vienna celebration from Wag N’ Wash:
- Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19: FREE dog washes, a $5 reward for every $50 spent (4x points on any purchase), a dog pool and local rescue, Hunter Mill Retrievers, will be onsite from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday, May 18: Ribbon-cutting ceremony from 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. with the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, FREE scratch card offer, FREE goodie bags for the first 100 neighbors, FREE photo station, a kid’s coloring contest, kid’s face painting starting at 10 a.m. and a visit from the Vienna police from 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Sunday, May 19: FREE small bag of dog food for the first 100 neighbors, FREE dog treat bar, a cutest pet contest and kids face painting starting at 11 a.m.
In addition, neighbors will have an opportunity to win either a $250, $100, or $50 gift card by entering the locations’ grand opening raffles. There will also be a $10 off coupon given to all who enter the drawings. For more information regarding Wag N’ Wash in Arlington’s grand opening promotion and to enter, text “arlington” to 34653, or visit qkly.co/wnw/arlingtongiveaway. For further information on Wag N’ Wash in Vienna’s grand opening promotion, text “vienna” to 34653, or visit qkly.co/wnw/viennagiveaway.
Located in the Vienna Shopping Center next to Don Pollo, Vienna’s Wag N’ Wash is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Another Japanese restaurant in Herndon is expanding into Tysons.
Coming on the heels of Sushi Umi’s soft opening last month at Scotts Run, Umai Ramen and Rice Bowl anticipates launching its new sister restaurant, Umai Ramen and Donburi, at Tysons West this summer, according to owner and chef Jaa Preeyaporn Aroonchokthawon.
Umai had hoped to open its new location at 1500-C Cornerside Blvd — District Taco’s former site — this month, but a slow permitting and inspection process has made a June opening more likely.
“We’re waiting for the sprinkler inspection,” Preeyaporn Aroonchokthawon told FFXnow. “It takes a month already…We have a drop ceiling at the bar. We cannot do that because we’re waiting for the sprinkler inspections…That’s why we try to postpone a little bit.”
Preeyaporn Aroonchokthawon and co-founder Sirinda Liwlompaisan started Umai Ramen and Rice Bowl in September 2019, aiming to combine popular Japanese dishes with influences from their native Thailand, according to the restaurant’s website.
Located at 482 Elden Street in downtown Herndon, the restaurant serves a variety of traditional and specialty ramen soups, including curry and vegan options. The menu also features curry, teriyaki and katsu rice dishes as well as Thai chicken rice, courtesy of Kindi Chicken Rice, which can be found in the same location.
When the Tysons West space opened up, Preeyaporn Aroonchokthawon saw it as a “good opportunity” to add a second location that’s both bigger and closer to some of Umai’s customers, who come from as far away as Alexandria, Springfield and even Maryland.
At 3,212 square feet, Umai Ramen and Donburi will be roughly three times the size of its 700-square-foot predecessor, allowing it to serve more customers and offer more food and drink options.
Preeyaporn Aroonchokthawon says the menu will be generally the same with some additions, including fresh fish donburi and noodle salads. The Tysons location will also have a bigger bar that can serve liquor and more cocktails. Umai’s Herndon restaurant, which will remain its flagship, is mostly limited to beer and sake.
“There will be more fun in Tysons, because we will have more space to work on the food, and there will be more variety of food,” Preeyaporn Aroonchokthawon said. “People complain [in Herndon] about waiting in line too long, but [with] this, we can accommodate more people, and we can do bigger groups.”
Firefighters Participate in Rescue Challenge — “Who’s that suspended from ropes under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge? It’s your friendly neighborhood technical rescue operations team. From 5/6-5/9 #FCFRD is participating in the 28th Annual Rescue Challenge. This training involves scenarios including a rescue under the bridge.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Oyster Bar Coming to Old Town Fairfax — “Local chef and restauranteur Bill Hamrock will be opening Kelly’s Oyster House and Bar at 4069 Chain Bridge Road in Old Town Fairfax. The building is the former home of the Capital Ale House. Hamrock already owns and operates Hamrock’s Restaurant, which is located just down the street at 3950 Chain Bridge Road.” [Patch]
Improvements Proposed for Annandale Greenway — “A handful of urban planning students at Virginia Tech developed a plan for enhancing and promoting the Annandale Greenway. The greenway is a 4.5-mile pathway connecting park trails and sidewalks between Annandale Community Park and Green Spring Gardens.” [Annandale Today]
Food Bank Seeks Donations for Lorton Warehouse — Capital Area Food Bank is working to expand its warehouse in Lorton in response to “a growing need for food in the D.C. area.” The nonprofit still needs to fund about $1 million of the $35 million project. “‘We’re hoping that the public will be able to help us address that gap,’ Muthiah said.” [WTOP]
McLean Cybersecurity Startup Lands $2.5M in Funding — Bricklayer AI has raised $2.5 million “to continue building out an artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to fill” what founder Adam Vincent says is “a chronic shortage of qualified cybersecurity experts.” The funds will enable the 14-month-old startup to “triple its workforce over the next year to 15 full-time employees” and look for office space, potentially in McLean or Arlington. [DC Inno]
McLean Students Win Performing Arts Scholarships — “Twelve young local artists were awarded 2024 James C. Macdonald Performing Arts Scholarships by the McLean Community Center. The annual scholarship competition began with preliminary auditions in February and culminated with a final competition on stage at the Alden Theatre on April 17.” [Gazette Leader]
Community Tours Mount Vernon Native Gardens — “At the first-ever Native Garden Tour and Open House at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center, around 75 to 100 visitors had the opportunity to tour the native perennial gardens, native tree plantings and stormwater rain gardens that were installed around the building over the past several years.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Tuesday — Showers and possible thunderstorms after 11am, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 78. Light winds turn southeast at 6 mph in the afternoon, and a 50% chance of rain. Night will be cloudy with a low near 65 and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. [NWS]
The Fairfax County Department of Animal Sheltering (DAS) will likely assume the duties of the Animal Protection Police, starting this summer.
At a mark-up session last Tuesday (April 30), the Board of Supervisors indicated that it will implement the consolidation by transferring a position from the Fairfax County Police Department and creating a new chief animal control officer (ACO) as part of the fiscal year 2025 budget, which is scheduled to be formally adopted tomorrow (Tuesday).
However, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity argued that eliminating animal protection police officers (APPOs) is not in the best interest of residents, echoing concerns raised by the county’s police union that the new arrangement might reduce officers’ benefits and impact both public safety and animal welfare.
“We still haven’t addressed what’s gonna happen with wildlife services,” Herrity said. “‘I will figure it out later’ is not good enough when you’re looking at a major restructuring like this. We heard overwhelming opposition from a very diverse group of our residents…from employee groups to HOAs, to wildlife rehabilitators to environmentalists. There’s been no cost impact analysis done.”
The county sees the creation of the ACO position as the first step in the planned consolidation, which will take 18 to 24 months to fully implement, according to the DAS budget. If it’s approved, most funding and positions will be included in next year’s proposed budget.
Herrity proposed amending the FY 2025 budget, which will take effect on July 1, to remove the position transfer, but the motion died without a vote after no one seconded it.
Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman argued that civilian animal control officers could handle the services provided by APPOs, freeing up police officers to focus on higher-priority calls.
“Most emergency calls from Animal Services in Fairfax County are not law enforcement matters,” Bierman said. “The majority of calls or requests for assistance…involve minor code violations.”
Staff have been instructed to provide additional information about the roles of DAS staff and police officers under this new structure and any changes in their approach to wildlife and other services.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said the board will focus on best practices regarding the new configuration moving forward.
“This is not an easy decision, but from what I have seen, the potential impact and improvements on our current offerings are excellent in many ways,” she said. But I think we could really use—as we’ve all agreed—some improvements in the way it’s communicated and structured, meeting our needs, wanting to continue to be the best, and looking at best practices.”
Reducing police involvement in animal control
County staff proposed in January that animal control officers, supervised by the DAS, take over the responsibilities of the animal protection police, including animal care and law enforcement.
They argued that since few animal service emergencies require police action, many tasks can be handled by trained civilians, reducing the need for police involvement in every situation.
“Most emergency calls for animal services in Fairfax County are not law enforcement matters,” DAS Director Reasa Currier told FFXnow in an email. “Most calls are requests for assistance with injured, ill, orphaned, or stray animals, or involve minor code violations.”
In 2016, Fairfax County divided animal care and control functions between the DAS and the police department, but the new system has been “ineffective” and led to “gaps in service,” Currier says.
Under the proposed changes, animal control officers would assume a role similar to that of the APPs, managing all service calls, including investigations of animal cruelty, execution of search warrants, and administering rabies vaccinations.
According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, ACOs must complete at least 120 hours (three weeks) of basic training, covering areas such as animal sciences, animal-related law and basic law enforcement.
Unlike animal protection officers, ACOs won’t train at the police academy, but the FCPD would still provide support for criminal investigations involving animals when needed, per the DAS website.
Difference in training and loss of benefits
During a budget public hearing last month, the Southern States Police Benevolent Association’s (SSPBA) Fairfax County chapter, the recognized union for FCPD officers, urged supervisors against consolidating the two services, citing concerns regarding employee equity and public safety.
Several members said their training at the police academy prepares them to handle a broader range of dangerous situations that ACOs may not be equipped to handle without similar training.
“I would never ask anyone to do this job without sending them to the police academy,” SSPBA member and APPO Kathleen Prucnal said at an April 16 meeting. “…I’m doing on that training every time I walked up to a door alone with a difficult job that had to be done. Every time I initiated contact with a known gang member. Every time I was alone on a dark highway putting a suffering animal out of its misery. The job takes a toll.”
Prucnal and others also raised concerns about a potential loss of benefits for any animal protection police officers who become ACOs instead of staying with the FCPD.
Although pay and retirement would remain unchanged, several members noted that police can get federal benefits typically available to first responders, including workers’ compensation, disability retirement, and state and federal health insurance.
“This proposal claims that no change in pay or retirement would happen, but what has not been discussed is the change of benefits for the traumatic scenes exposure to hazardous materials or protection and benefits my family should I be killed in the line of duty,” SSPBA member and APPO Taylor Naumoff said. “If I were to choose to become an ACO, I forgo the benefits provided to law enforcement officers and potentially leave my children without their mother and any assistance should the worst occur.”
SSPBA Fairfax County Vice President Siobhan Chase says the objections to the consolidation aren’t meant to diminish the work of ACOs in other jurisdictions, but the union believes animal control is more effective when handled by fully sworn law enforcement officers.
“The current proposal is built upon providing the new ACOs with the state minimum training (3 weeks) as a cost-saving measure,” Chase told FFXnow by email. “The link between domestic violence, animal cruelty, child abuse, and other interpersonal violence speaks to how this training is necessary for ACOs.”
Going forward, developers in the Town of Vienna will be required to save trees, not just replace them.
After years of study and discussion, the Vienna Town Council voted on April 29 to adopt a new tree conservation ordinance and create an advocacy committee in a bid to preserve and expand the town’s declining canopy.
Effective July 29, the town code amendments require anyone building on at least 2,500 square feet of land to cover 10 to 25% of the property with tree shade, depending on its zoning district. The developer must try to preserve existing trees before removing and replacing them to meet the 20-year canopy requirement.
If they fall short of the requirement, developers can contribute cash to a new Tree Preservation and Planting Fund that the town will use to fund planting projects in the community.
The new Tree Advocacy Committee replaces an existing tree board under the Conservation and Sustainability Commission (CSC). Made up of nine appointed residents, it will advise and assist the town with issues related to plant conservation and management, including by crafting an urban forest management plan and helping staff compile annual reports.
Anticipating concerns or questions from affected property owners, Councilmember Jessica Ramakis suggested before last week’s vote that the town should stress the benefits of the policy changes when communicating them to residents.
“There are positive environmental impacts. I think the tree canopy in the town is something that is valuable for that reason,” she said. “…Also, I think a lot of residents in the town find it to be part of the character of the town, so there are a lot of benefits, to be sure.”
Despite its designation as a “Tree City” by the Arbor Day Foundation, Vienna’s tree canopy has dwindled over the past decade, shrinking by 163 acres, or 13%, between 2011 and 2021, according to a report released in October 2022.
Per a town press release, about 38.7% of Vienna currently has tree cover — a rate lower than that of Falls Church City (46%) but higher than Arlington County (38%) and Alexandria City (32.5%).
Town staff unveiled the proposed tree conservation ordinance last May, noting that adding preservation rules would align Vienna with Fairfax County. The town has had 20-year canopy standards since 2014, but it didn’t dictate how developers should meet the required minimums.
Though it was a priority for the town council, the road to adoption was prolonged by debate over the structure of the amendments, including whether they should be enforced by the planning or parks and recreation department. The town also sought Virginia’s permission to set a 10-year canopy requirement, but state Sen. Saddam Salim’s bill died in the General Assembly.
Calling the vote “a long time coming,” Mayor Linda Colbert and Councilmember Chuck Anderson gave kudos to former council members Steve Potter, Nisha Patel and Ed Somers for their efforts in advancing the tree conservation measures.
“I was hoping he could be here tonight, because Steve put his heart and soul into this. It was extremely important to him,” Anderson said. “…There’s a lot of people who worked on this, but this was Steve’s passion, and I think he’s probably drinking some sort of red [wine] in our favor tonight to see this pass.”
Barnes & Noble has closed up shop at Tysons Corner Center for the year.
Yesterday (Sunday) was the bookstore’s last day serving customers in the two-level space it has occupied since the mall’s expansion wing opened in 2005. In the month leading up to the closure, shelves were emptied and some areas closed, including the cafe, as the store cleared merchandise through “last chance sale” discounts.
Fortunately for local book lovers, the chain’s absence won’t be felt as long in Tysons as it was in Reston: Barnes & Noble announced that it will return with “a beautiful new store here in Tysons Corner Center,” as first reported by Northern Virginia Magazine.
“We thank our wonderful Tysons Corner booksellers for their many years of hard work and dedication,” the B&N Tysons Corner team said in the announcement. “They, as we, cannot wait to welcome you back into our brand-new bookstore.”
Barnes & Noble is still in the planning and design stages for the new store, but it hopes to reopen in the late spring or early summer of 2025, according to Janine Flanigan, the company’s senior director of store planning and design.
With the move, Barnes & Noble will trade approximately 30,000 square feet of space for a one-level, almost 17,000-square-foot spot that was vacated by Arhaus when the furniture store relocated to Tysons Galleria in 2021.
The store will follow the theme-oriented layout that Barnes & Noble adopted for new locations after CEO James Daunt took over in 2019. Expect “light oak-colored bookcases” with Victorian lace and a “soft pink paint color,” Flanigan told FFXnow.
“The store is designed [by] creating book rooms for categories that lead one on a journey of discovery,” she said. “…The store will house all the best books, toys, games and gifts that our customers expect from their Barnes & Noble store.”
Flanigan confirmed that the smaller location will still have “well curated selections” of DVDs, Blu-Rays, CDs and vinyl music, along with an “updated” B&N Café.
The bookstore’s last days in its current spot came during a busy weekend for the mall, which hosted its second annual Taste of Tysons Corner on Saturday (May 4). Renovations to improve the look and accessibility of some parking garages are also under construction into October.
During its temporary closure in Tysons, Barnes & Noble is encouraging customers to visit its other locations in the Spectrum at Reston Town Center and the Mosaic District in Merrifield. The Northern Virginia Book Crawl showcasing local independent bookstores is also underway.
Early Voting Underway for Congressional Races — Fairfax County opened three early voting sites on Friday (May 3) for the June 18 Democratic and Republican primaries, which will determine nominees for multiple House and Senate seats. “An additional 13 early voting sites open on June 8…The last day to vote early in person is June 15.” [Fairfax County, NBC4]
One Injured in Merrifield House Fire — “Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personel extinguished a fire late Thursday night at a two-story home in the Merrifield area. Initial reports said no one was injuried, but a department spokeswoman told Patch on Friday afternoon that one civilian was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.” [Patch]
Star Wars-Themed Drone to Land in Chantilly — “Coinciding with Star Wars Day, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum announced that a new artifact — a new themed Boeing CV2 Cargo Air Vehicle — will go on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center…in May.” The aircraft was outfitted to resemble an X-wing Starfighter for Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge resort. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Dunkin’ Donuts Plans Store in Annandale — “The small building at 7025 Columbia Pike in Annandale undergoing renovations will house a Dunkin’ Donuts shop, according to a building permit posted on the structure. The building was formerly occupied by Annandale Florist but has been vacant since a fire in August 2022.” [Annandale Today]
Report Finds Gender Disparities in Fairfax County — “The report, ‘Gains, Gaps & Goals: The Status of Women and Girls in Fairfax County,’ explored how women and girls fare in economics, health and overall well-being, painting a picture of what one expert called, ‘the good, the bad, the ugly.'” Findings include a wage gap between male and female workers as well as “significant mental health disparities.” [WJLA]
New Student Rep Chosen for School Board — “Megan Sawant, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, has been elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council (SAC) to serve a one-year term as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board, beginning July 1.” [Gazette Leader]
Reston Community Center Celebrates 45 Years — “The Reston Community Center (RCC) is celebrating its 45th anniversary. In a recent episode of the ‘County Conversation’ podcast, Bev Cosham, chair of RCC’s Board of Governors, spoke about what makes RCC so special and highlights its 45th anniversary.” [Fairfax County Government/Twitter]
It’s Monday — Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 2pm, with patchy fog clearing by 10am. Expect mostly cloudy conditions with a high near 80. Monday night, the chance of rain continues, with a low around 65 and light winds. Precipitation chances are 40% in the day and 50% at night. [NWS]
Local morning commuters can save on gas and win a free t-shirt when Bike to Work Day returns to Fairfax County this month.
The 23rd annual Bike to Work Day is scheduled for Friday, May 17, offering residents across the D.C. area the opportunity to celebrate cycling. Fairfax County will host 27 designated pit stops, with additional stops organized by Commuter Connections, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and local governments in the region.
Participants are encouraged to register and visit a pit stop by bike to receive a complimentary T-shirt in this year’s color (orange), along with snacks and door prizes. A total of 110 pit stops will be available throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Most pit stops will operate in the morning, with some offering afternoon hours. Commuter Connections, a regional network of transportation organizations, offers turn-by-turn directions for routes that would take cyclists on safe, bicycle-friendly paths and roads.
While Bike to Work Day is a free event, T-shirts are reserved for the first 16,000 registered participants. All registered participants will be eligible to win grand prizes, including bicycles, through raffle drawings.
Each pit stop will offer amenities, including complimentary snacks, beverages, swag bicycling information and raffle prizes. Cyclists can also join free Bike to Work Day convoys led by experienced volunteers.
Bike to Work Day will proceed rain or shine, though individual pit stops can make adjustments in extreme weather conditions. Participants are advised to bring rain gear and stay informed of updates from their pit stop manager.
A full list of pit stops in the Fairfax County area is below.
Annandale
Centreville/Chantilly
- Near Centreville High School (Clifton)
- Stringfellow Road (Chantilly)
- Sully Government Center (Chantilly)
Fairfax area
- Burke Centre VRE Station
- Fairfax County Government Center
- Fair Lakes Center
- Old Town Square (Fairfax City)
Falls Church area
Reston/Herndon
South County
- Fort Belvoir
- Sherwood Regional Library (Hybla Valley)
- Workhouse Arts Center (Lorton)
Springfield
- Metro Park at Walker Lane
- Saratoga Park & Ride (Newington)
- South Run RECenter
- West Springfield Government Center
Tysons/Vienna area
- Jim Scott Community Center (Oakton)
- MITRE Corporation (Tysons)
- Mosaic at Strawberry Park (Merrifield)
- Oakmont RECenter (Oakton)
- Town of Vienna
- Tysons Corner Center
Local golf professional Larkin Gross has qualified for the 2024 PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, where he will face off with some of the U.S.’s top male golfers in two weeks.
Gross, a Fairfax resident and assistant professional at the Westwood Country Club in Vienna, secured a spot in the Professional Golfers Association of America’s annual tournament after competing in the PGA Professional Championship in Frisco, Texas.
Gross finished inside the top 20 at the Texas event, which was held at Fields Ranch from this past Saturday (April 28) through Wednesday (May 1).
Those who finish in the top 20 at the PGA Professional Championship qualify for the PGA Championship, one of the country’s four major golf championships for men and the only one exclusively for pro players.
Gross tied for the eighth position in the PGA Professional Championship, finishing with the same score of 292 as fellow Virginian, Locust Hill resident Josh Speight, among others.
Now in its 106th year, the 2024 PGA Championship will take place at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 16-19. In addition to Gross, the player lineup includes Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and defending champion Brooks Koepka.
