The Fairfax Machine
@fairfaxmachine.bsky.social
News and stories from Virginia’s largest county, by a former Washington Post editor who lives here, too.
https://fairfaxmachine.substack.com/
https://fairfaxmachine.substack.com/
This weekend in NoVA: The McLean Chocolate Festival, Improvicon, Jurassic Quest, Lunar New Year celebrations and maple-syrup boils.
Friday Download, 1/24: McLean Chocolate Festival, Improvicon, Lunar New Year celebrations and maple-syrup boils
The week’s top Fairfax County headlines, the weekend forecast and things to do — for one last time before my new-job break.
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
January 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
This weekend in NoVA: The McLean Chocolate Festival, Improvicon, Jurassic Quest, Lunar New Year celebrations and maple-syrup boils.
Michael Graham arrived at the Reston community center 43 minutes before his latest attempt to heal the discourse of the nation, wearing the three-day stubble of a young dad and the smile of a dogged American optimist.
Bridging U.S. divides, a dinner at a time
Worsening polarization is splitting families, friends and neighbors. Can this Reston project help heal it?
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
January 19, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Michael Graham arrived at the Reston community center 43 minutes before his latest attempt to heal the discourse of the nation, wearing the three-day stubble of a young dad and the smile of a dogged American optimist.
Here are 17 ways to spend the weekend around NoVA, if you’re up to brave the cold — including a massive records sale, the NoVA Wine Expo, and MLK weekend service events:
Friday Download, 1/17: Fairfax Record Riot, NoVA Wine Expo and a battle of the bands
The long weekend’s forecast and 17 ways to spend it, plus the week’s top Fairfax County headlines
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
January 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Here are 17 ways to spend the weekend around NoVA, if you’re up to brave the cold — including a massive records sale, the NoVA Wine Expo, and MLK weekend service events:
A Machine system update: I got a job
A Machine system update: I got a job
I’ll take a few months off from this newsletter as I settle in. Then I’ll figure out what the next phase here looks like.
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
January 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
A Machine system update: I got a job
A little more snow is coming, so The Machine hopes everyone is following the time-honored Northern Virginia tradition of stockpiling food and toilet paper for a rapture-level event.
Here’s the latest forecast and 12 weekend happenings around NoVA:
Here’s the latest forecast and 12 weekend happenings around NoVA:
Friday Download, 1/10: More snow, an old English new year party, the Fairfax Funky Flea, and the Commanders in the playoffs
The weekend forecast and things to do, plus the week’s top Fairfax County headlines
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
January 10, 2025 at 1:41 PM
A little more snow is coming, so The Machine hopes everyone is following the time-honored Northern Virginia tradition of stockpiling food and toilet paper for a rapture-level event.
Here’s the latest forecast and 12 weekend happenings around NoVA:
Here’s the latest forecast and 12 weekend happenings around NoVA:
Reposted by The Fairfax Machine
I wrote about Gannett’s plan to kill off one of the last pieces of American legacy media to resist financialization: The Associated Press.
mattdpearce.substack.com/p/wall-stree...
mattdpearce.substack.com/p/wall-stree...
Wall Street declares war on the Associated Press
Gannett and Reuters come for one of the final corners for legacy media that had resisted the financialization of journalism.
mattdpearce.substack.com
January 2, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I wrote about Gannett’s plan to kill off one of the last pieces of American legacy media to resist financialization: The Associated Press.
mattdpearce.substack.com/p/wall-stree...
mattdpearce.substack.com/p/wall-stree...
Snow is coming this weekend. Before it does, stop by Herndon’s Beach Resort day and pretend it’s summer.
Here’s the detailed forecast and our weekly list of things to do around NoVA — including the Big Flea, tribute shows and the Capitals’ Kids Day in Ballston.
Here’s the detailed forecast and our weekly list of things to do around NoVA — including the Big Flea, tribute shows and the Capitals’ Kids Day in Ballston.
Friday Download, 1/3: A pre-snow pool day in Herndon, a Bon Jovi tribute and two vintage markets at Dulles Expo Center
The weekend forecast and things to do, plus the week’s top Fairfax County headlines
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
January 3, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Snow is coming this weekend. Before it does, stop by Herndon’s Beach Resort day and pretend it’s summer.
Here’s the detailed forecast and our weekly list of things to do around NoVA — including the Big Flea, tribute shows and the Capitals’ Kids Day in Ballston.
Here’s the detailed forecast and our weekly list of things to do around NoVA — including the Big Flea, tribute shows and the Capitals’ Kids Day in Ballston.
This weekend in NoVA: Menorah lightings, comedy shows, a Harry Potter movie-theater marathon, and the last gasps of Christmas:
Friday Download, 12/27: Menorah lightings, a Harry Potter movie marathon and Fredericksburg’s Riverside Christmas Spectacular
The weekend forecast and things to do, plus the week’s top Fairfax County headlines
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
December 27, 2024 at 2:05 PM
This weekend in NoVA: Menorah lightings, comedy shows, a Harry Potter movie-theater marathon, and the last gasps of Christmas:
Reposted by The Fairfax Machine
Reposted by The Fairfax Machine
NewsGuard, which prizes its nonpartisan criteria, has become a prime target of the GOP’s battle against disinformation watchdogs.
This company rates news sites’ credibility. The right wants it stopped.
NewsGuard, which prizes its nonpartisan criteria, has become a prime target of the GOP’s battle against disinformation watchdogs.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 24, 2024 at 5:11 PM
NewsGuard, which prizes its nonpartisan criteria, has become a prime target of the GOP’s battle against disinformation watchdogs.
Happy Friday! Here’s the forecast for the weekend in NoVA and 17 ways to spend it, from caroling at Reston Town Center to an oddly timed lobster festival to the annual Stafford Christmas Parade.
Friday Download, 12/20: Mount Vernon fireworks, Frank Lloyd Wright home tours, and Greenberg’s Great Train & Toy Show
The weekend forecast and things to do, plus the week’s top Fairfax County headlines
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
December 20, 2024 at 2:23 PM
Happy Friday! Here’s the forecast for the weekend in NoVA and 17 ways to spend it, from caroling at Reston Town Center to an oddly timed lobster festival to the annual Stafford Christmas Parade.
Mike Graham, Tysons Corner Center’s 38-year Santa, has watched the mall and the world change from his Christmas set.
The Machine visited to ask him 10-ish Questions.
The Machine visited to ask him 10-ish Questions.
The only constant in NoVA is the Tysons Santa
Mike Graham has watched the mall and the world change from his Christmas set. The Machine visited to ask him 10-ish Questions.
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
December 17, 2024 at 2:26 PM
Mike Graham, Tysons Corner Center’s 38-year Santa, has watched the mall and the world change from his Christmas set.
The Machine visited to ask him 10-ish Questions.
The Machine visited to ask him 10-ish Questions.
Looking for something fun and wintry to do this weekend?
Here are a dozen ways to spend it around NoVA and D.C. — from Del Ray’s Candy Cane Bar Crawl to Swissmas in Springfield to the latest round of holiday markets.
Here are a dozen ways to spend it around NoVA and D.C. — from Del Ray’s Candy Cane Bar Crawl to Swissmas in Springfield to the latest round of holiday markets.
Friday Download, 12/13: Herndon WinterMarkt, Del Ray Candy Cane Bar Crawl, Swissmas at the Swiss Bakery, and Occoquan s’mores
The weekend forecast and things to do, plus the week’s top Fairfax County headlines
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
December 13, 2024 at 2:03 PM
Looking for something fun and wintry to do this weekend?
Here are a dozen ways to spend it around NoVA and D.C. — from Del Ray’s Candy Cane Bar Crawl to Swissmas in Springfield to the latest round of holiday markets.
Here are a dozen ways to spend it around NoVA and D.C. — from Del Ray’s Candy Cane Bar Crawl to Swissmas in Springfield to the latest round of holiday markets.
Reposted by The Fairfax Machine
BREAKING: Comstock drops plan to redevelop downtown Herndon
BREAKING: Comstock drops plan to redevelop downtown Herndon | FFXnow
Featured Event
www.ffxnow.com
December 11, 2024 at 2:46 AM
BREAKING: Comstock drops plan to redevelop downtown Herndon
Reposted by The Fairfax Machine
Massive energy use by data centers could lead to higher electric bills.
annandaletoday.com/massive-ener...
annandaletoday.com/massive-ener...
Energy demand is soaring in Virginia due to the boom in data centers, and that could result in higher utility bills for residential customers.
Energy demand is soaring in Virginia due to the boom in data centers, and that could result in higher utility bills for residential customers.
annandaletoday.com
December 11, 2024 at 4:34 PM
Massive energy use by data centers could lead to higher electric bills.
annandaletoday.com/massive-ener...
annandaletoday.com/massive-ener...
Reposted by The Fairfax Machine
Last month, I fell down an absolutely bizarre rabbit hole trying to figure out who was ripping off articles from Oregon journalists.
What I found was identity theft, plagiarism and an absolutely terrifying future for local journalism led by AI scammers.
My latest:
What I found was identity theft, plagiarism and an absolutely terrifying future for local journalism led by AI scammers.
My latest:
AI slop is already invading Oregon’s local journalism
The Ashland Daily Tidings — established as a newspaper in 1876 — ceased operations in 2023, but if you were a local reader, you may not have known because of an elaborate scam using artificial intelli...
www.opb.org
December 9, 2024 at 4:06 PM
Last month, I fell down an absolutely bizarre rabbit hole trying to figure out who was ripping off articles from Oregon journalists.
What I found was identity theft, plagiarism and an absolutely terrifying future for local journalism led by AI scammers.
My latest:
What I found was identity theft, plagiarism and an absolutely terrifying future for local journalism led by AI scammers.
My latest:
NoVA has a packed slate of holiday events this weekend — from Christmas in Middleburg to holiday craft markets to boat parades in Reston and Alexandria.
Friday Download, 12/6: Tree lightings, holiday craft markets, boat parades in Reston and Alexandria, and park events galore
The weekend forecast and things to do, plus the week’s top Fairfax County headlines
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
December 6, 2024 at 2:29 PM
NoVA has a packed slate of holiday events this weekend — from Christmas in Middleburg to holiday craft markets to boat parades in Reston and Alexandria.
Happy (Black) Friday, all. Here are the top local headlines of the week, a chilly forecast for this weekend and 15 ways to spend it — from tree lightings and parades in Reston and Mosaic District to brewery holiday markets to Old Town Alexandria’s Plaid Friday sales.
Friday Download, 11/29: Holiday parades in Reston and Mosaic, Plaid Friday sales in Old Town Alexandria, and “Elf” with a live orchestra
The weekend forecast and things to do, plus the week’s top Fairfax County headlines
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
November 29, 2024 at 2:28 PM
Happy (Black) Friday, all. Here are the top local headlines of the week, a chilly forecast for this weekend and 15 ways to spend it — from tree lightings and parades in Reston and Mosaic District to brewery holiday markets to Old Town Alexandria’s Plaid Friday sales.
Teachers and staff of Fairfax County Public Schools voted this week to approve three-year contracts, after the first collective bargaining in decades.
Here’s what to know about what it means for employees and for schools, and where taxes (and maybe that Tysons casino) factor in:
Here’s what to know about what it means for employees and for schools, and where taxes (and maybe that Tysons casino) factor in:
Fairfax County teachers just approved a historic contract
What the union deal would change for employees and schools — and where the meals tax and casino might factor in
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
November 27, 2024 at 3:09 PM
Teachers and staff of Fairfax County Public Schools voted this week to approve three-year contracts, after the first collective bargaining in decades.
Here’s what to know about what it means for employees and for schools, and where taxes (and maybe that Tysons casino) factor in:
Here’s what to know about what it means for employees and for schools, and where taxes (and maybe that Tysons casino) factor in:
Reposted by The Fairfax Machine
Sometimes called the “fourth trimester,” the postpartum period is mostly an afterthought in the United States, despite the physical and mental challenges that accompany the life-altering experience of having a baby.
That's where Sanu comes in.
That's where Sanu comes in.
Inside a sleek hotel, new moms find postpartum pampering and sleep
The postnatal retreat in Northern Virginia, which offers services inspired by practices in South Korea, is one of only a few to have opened in the United States.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 24, 2024 at 4:59 PM
Sometimes called the “fourth trimester,” the postpartum period is mostly an afterthought in the United States, despite the physical and mental challenges that accompany the life-altering experience of having a baby.
That's where Sanu comes in.
That's where Sanu comes in.
There’s a chance of snow today in NoVA — but it wouldn’t be the fun kind.
Here are the week’s top local headlines, the forecast for the weekend and 14 ways to spend it around the area, from Mosaic District’s holiday market to the Old Town Cookie Crawl (if you can get off the waitlist):
Here are the week’s top local headlines, the forecast for the weekend and 14 ways to spend it around the area, from Mosaic District’s holiday market to the Old Town Cookie Crawl (if you can get off the waitlist):
Friday Download, 11/22: Cider and cookie fests in Alexandria, a holiday market at Mosaic, and a family fall fair in Springfield
The weekend forecast and things to do, plus the week’s top Fairfax County headlines
fairfaxmachine.substack.com
November 22, 2024 at 3:13 PM
There’s a chance of snow today in NoVA — but it wouldn’t be the fun kind.
Here are the week’s top local headlines, the forecast for the weekend and 14 ways to spend it around the area, from Mosaic District’s holiday market to the Old Town Cookie Crawl (if you can get off the waitlist):
Here are the week’s top local headlines, the forecast for the weekend and 14 ways to spend it around the area, from Mosaic District’s holiday market to the Old Town Cookie Crawl (if you can get off the waitlist):
The Machine’s Bluesky account is booting up ...
November 22, 2024 at 3:05 PM
The Machine’s Bluesky account is booting up ...