Lake Barcroft

We are a family with a kid approaching bar mitzvah age looking for a progressive synagogue. We were members of a local reform congregation for several years but left because the synagogue would not condemn Israeli genocide. We miss the music, sense of community, and Hebrew school education. We are strongly progressive and will not attend a synagogue that does not acknowledge Palestinians are people.

While we live in Alexandria, we are willing to drive.

Like I’ve had a long day and the last thing I needed was a bunch of pale faced twats telling me I should be happy I wasn’t aborted. I told them to get fucked but now I’m in a bad mood. Anyway vote yes, folks.

Smaller-sized dog, maybe 10 pounds or so. Got their food and left.

Cool or not cool?

Hi everyone, I know school quality is a frequent topic here, and I've read through past threads, but I would really appreciate some fresh perspectives on our specific situation. I'm self-conscious about this post because it can come off as me being elitist, ignorant, etc. but here goes:

My wife and I have been house hunting for the past six months. We are planning to start a family soon and want to live in Arlington or Falls Church to keep our commutes manageable. Because we are planning for kids, school quality is top of mind for us. Obviously, this means spending much more on a mortgage, and with low inventory and recent interest rate increases, I'm worried we're going to be priced out of those highly-rated school districts.

I grew up attending top-rated FCPS schools, so I don't have personal experience with schools that carry lower GreatSchools ratings. From my research, it seems many of these lower ratings are driven by demographic and socioeconomic factors rather than a lack of teaching quality. In theory, a child from a supportive, resource-rich household can thrive and get an excellent education anywhere. Given that, it seems like there's little downside to choosing a more affordable house with lower-rated schools.

For those who chose a school with lower test-score ratings, what has your actual experience been? Did you notice any downsides regarding peer groups, classroom environment, extracurriculars, or academic engagement? Does a high percentage of ESOL classmates affect the learning experience? I want to ensure our future kids are surrounded by a strong peer culture that values learning, and I’d love to hear from parents who have navigated these same choices in the area. Thanks in advance!

My 75 year old mother just went on a rant about how she’s voted yes for decades but the county keeps coming back and asking for more money. I told her that it’s basically just a formality, they have to ask for permission to borrow money to fund the projects, so they have to keep asking each time. I told her she should only vote no if the money is going to a cause she doesn’t support, not just because she’s tired of them asking to borrow money or because her taxes keep going up. I told her it would have been better to just leave that portion blank rather than vote no.

Is there a better way I can explain this to her?

She says the county already has plenty of money to maintain parks, they should use what they already have and not borrow more to buy expensive land to build new ones… I figured they wouldn’t ask to borrow money unless they actually needed it. Is there something I’m misunderstanding here?

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some advice about a towing company in Northern Virginia.

My AWD Mazda CX-5 was towed from my apartment because I forgot to display my parking sticker. That was completely my fault, and I have no issue with the tow itself.

However, I’m about 99% sure they towed my AWD vehicle without using dollies and dragged the rear wheels.

When I went to pick up my car, it started, but the electronic parking brake wouldn’t release, so I couldn’t drive it. The employee told me to call management the next morning.

When I called, the managers were extremely rude, wouldn’t let me explain anything, and threatened to charge me another day of storage if I didn’t remove my car by 11 AM.

I had to call another tow truck to take it to Mazda. Even the second tow truck had to physically drag my car onto the truck because the rear wheel was completely locked.

After 3–4 days at Mazda, they told me the battery was weak and the right rear brake caliper and electronic parking brake actuator needed replacement. I ended up paying for the repairs.

The interesting part is that Mazda’s written report specifically mentions noticeable drag marks on the tire from the vehicle being moved while the brake was locked. However, they couldn’t definitively confirm the original towing company caused the damage.

When I asked the towing company for pictures showing how they towed my car, the manager accused me of lying, insisted they always operate professionally, and refused to provide any photos.

I’m currently trying to obtain security camera footage from my apartment complex to confirm exactly what happened.

My question is: Do you think I have a realistic chance of winning if I take this company to small claims court? Or would I just be wasting my time and money?

Has anyone experienced something similar or have any advice? I’d really appreciate it

does anyone know what happened at scotts run? 10+ police cars and lots of ambulances. the smaller parking lot was also tapped off.

I want to meet post grad school dudes but not sure where ppl hangout. And I am not a bar frequenter but do like some sports watching
And pls dont say hinge I love irl connection

Not sure if this is a new thing? We scheduled service for winter, sales person came and of course told us we need a whole new system :/
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated 🙂

In or near old town Alexandria. Anyone know a good place to pick up hot breakfast for about 30 ppl? IHOP was great (hot, plentiful, accoutrements included) but hoping to mix it up.

Would need to pick it up before 7 am. Thinking there must be options I can’t find online. Thanks!

Hey r/nova — back with this week's roundup for Oct 30–Nov 1. Same deal as the last few weeks: I put these together every Thursday in a free newsletter (NoVA Family Weekend), and I'm posting the full list here too. Last time you added events I'd missed — keep that coming. Halloween itself is Saturday this year, and the two biggest parades are actually Wednesday night, so I'm including those up top so nobody misses them:

Wednesday Oct 28 — parade night (bonus, before the weekend)
• Vienna Halloween Parade — Maple Ave, Vienna. The 80th annual, running since 1946. This year's theme is "Haunted History: 250 Years of America." Floats, bands, antique cars, and costumed kids marching the half-mile from Branch Rd to Center St. Kids in costume can march without registering — meet at 6pm at United Bank (374 Maple Ave E) — and can grab a free goodie bag at the Caffi Field Pitching Lanes after. Steps off at 7pm. Free. Rain or shine.
• Leesburg Kiwanis Halloween Parade — King St, Leesburg. The 70th annual, running since 1957 — one of the oldest Halloween parades in the country. Decorated floats, marching bands, and candy tossed along King St from Battlefield Pkwy to Catoctin Circle. New start time this year: 6:30pm (streets close ~5:45pm). Free. Rain or shine. It's also a food drive for Loudoun Hunger Relief, so bring a can if you go.

Friday Oct 30
• Spooky Celebration — Sterling Community Center, Sterling. Candy, crafts, games, and a costume party for kids ages 2–10 with their grown-ups. Noon–3pm (also Sat noon–3pm). Fee-based; pre-registration required through Loudoun PRCS.
• YMCA Reston's Trunk or Treat — YMCA Fairfax County Reston, 12196 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston. Decorated trunks in the Early Learning side lot, trick-or-treating, games, and activities. Costumes encouraged. 4–6pm. Free, but reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
• Mall-O-Ween — Dulles Town Center, Sterling (Center Court, Level 1 near JCPenney). Storefront candy trail, themed crafts, a magician, face painting, and characters. 4–6pm. Free.
• Hill-O-Ween — Eastern Market, 225 7th St SE, Washington, DC. Capitol Hill's 20+ year family tradition: moon bounces, face painting, a DJ dance party, costume fun, and treats in front of the market. 4–6pm. Free. Metro to Eastern Market station — parking is a bad bet.
• Fall Fun at Royal Lake Park — 5216 Pommeroy Dr, Fairfax. The Park Authority celebrates the park's new trail improvements with the Wonder Wagon and a naturalist-led fall nature walk around the lake, with a few Halloween-inspired surprises along the way. 5–7pm.
• Halloween in the Park — Franklin Park, Purcellville. Follow a lit trail and collect treats along the way, check out giant Halloween inflatables, navigate a not-so-scary maze, and visit with Frankenstein. Costumes encouraged. 6–8pm. Free.
• Bat Walk at the Bend — Riverbend Park, Great Falls. For International Bat Week: learn about bats on an educational scavenger hunt through the woods, then make a bat decoration to take home. Ages 5+. 7–8pm.

Saturday Oct 31 — Halloween
• Costume Parade & Contest — Mill St, Historic Occoquan. Mayor Earnie Porta (aka Iron Man) leads the parade down Mill Street to River Mill Park for costume judging — cutest, scariest, funniest, most original, and family/group. Line up near the Riverwalk Shops (125 Mill St) by 10am; parade runs 10am–noon. Then trick-or-treat your way back through the downtown shops. Free, no registration.
• Old Town Manassas Fall-O-Ween — Manassas Museum Lawn, 9101 Prince William St, Manassas. Kids' costume parade at noon, pet costume parade at 1:30pm (prizes for both), festive marketplace, arts & crafts, and treats. 10am–3pm. Free, pet-friendly, rain or shine.
• Alexandria Fall-O-Ween — John Carlyle Square Park, 300 John Carlyle St, Alexandria. The City of Alexandria's family Halloween celebration: kids' costume parade, pet costume parade, festive marketplace, arts & crafts, costume prizes, food and drinks, and a Día de los Muertos celebration woven into the day. 11am–5pm. Free. Rain or shine.
• Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon — George Washington's Mount Vernon. Collect candy around the historic grounds in a special Mount Vernon treat bag, meet George and Martha, watch 18th-century blacksmithing/baking demos and a magician, and join the costume parade from the upper garden at 3:30pm. 2–5pm. Ticketed: $26 for candy-collectors ages 11 and under, $31 ages 12+ collecting. Bonus: kids eat free at the Mount Vernon Inn that evening, 5–8pm. This one sells out.
• Halloween Spooktacular — Village Centre Green, 772 Walker Rd, Great Falls. Pet parade and costume contest 3–4pm, haunted house run by Boy Scout Troop 55, live music, and trick-or-treating with local merchants 5–7pm. For kids 12 and under. 3–7pm. Free. Rain or shine.
• Mosaic Halloween Spooktacular — Mosaic District, Merrifield/Fairfax. Trick-or-treat at participating shops and restaurants, then spread a blanket in Strawberry Park for Hocus Pocus on the big screen at 6pm. 4–7pm. Free.
• Festival of Frights & Trunk or Treat — Old Firehouse Center, 1440 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean. Music, games, food, contests, and candy. 5–8pm. Free; kids under 10 must be with an adult.
• And then the main event: neighborhood trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Fairfax County sets no official hours — dusk is the norm, winding down by ~9pm.

Sunday Nov 1 — Día de los Muertos
• Celebración Día de los Muertos at The Wharf — The Wharf, SW Washington, DC. Face painting and sugar skull decorating at Recreation Pier, cultural performances and live music (Sol y Rumba, Mariachi Imperio, La Unica), decorated altars, and a community light procession — bring something glow/illuminated. Activities across M Street Landing, The Grove, Recreation Pier, and Wharf Street. 3–6pm. Free, no tickets needed.
• Día de los Muertos — National Portrait Gallery, 8th and G Sts NW, Washington, DC. Kogod Courtyard performances from 5:15pm (Son de Fandango and DC Folklórico Dance Company), calaveras and papel picado art activities for the community altar, Catrina coloring, and live videomapping projected on the G and 9th Street facade 6:30–8:30pm. Free; registration suggested. Pairs with the Wharf event as an afternoon → evening double if your kids have the stamina — they overlap a bit at the edges.

All weekend / last chances
• Cox Farms Fall Festival — Centreville. Giant slides, the Cornundrum corn maze, the famous hayride, farm animals; a patch pumpkin and cider are included. Fri–Sat 10am–6pm (last entry 5pm); Sun Nov 1 shifts to November hours, 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm). $15–$30 depending on the day (weekends/Halloween are peak); under 2 free. Tickets are online only and this weekend will sell out, so buy before you go. Season runs through Sun Nov 8.
• A BOOtanical Halloween Scavenger Hunt — Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna. Self-guided hunt for the ghosts and goblins hidden around the gardens — finish the sheet and turn it in for a prize. Daily 10am–6pm, and Sunday Nov 1 is the last day. Garden admission plus a small extra fee for the hunt sheet.

What am I missing? Drop it below.

If you want this every Thursday morning: novafamilyweekend.beehiiv.com (free)

Thank you to everyone who has signed up!

I was speaking to my mom about moving to Arlington from Vienna. She told me that it’s a little too fast and city and she’s unsure if I’ll enjoy it. I told her that Arlington is still the suburbs. She told me that it’s considered city living. She said there is nothing suburban about the area.

What would you all say?

Hi! My sister is looking for an in person tutor for her 6th grader to help with math and writing/reading. Nephew has an IEP and is currently in private school (IEP is from when he was enrolled in a public PWC school). Most tutors are online but we def feel he could benefit from in person one on one instruction.

Please let us know any recs! Thanks in advance!

Which NOVA restaurant gets all the hype but left you wondering what you were missing? And which spot deserves way more attention than it gets?

What is your go to order at the underrated spots?

Price doesn’t matter—could be a hole-in-the-wall or a fancy night out. Just curious what’s actually worth it. Not just what’s written in magazines.

My thoughts…

Overrated:

Chutzpah Deli. I just can’t get behind it no matter how many times I try. And they basically have 0 hospitality training.

Coopers Hawk. They’ve been slashing protein portions and increasing menu prices. I don’t mind paying $20 for a salad, but at least give me more than three slices of grilled chicken.

Five Guys 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ll never understand.

Ted’s Bulliten. Meh.

Underrated:

Ravi Kabob in Arlington. The chicken karahi is fire. Even if it’s $40.

Pazzo Pomodoro in Ashburn. They have amazing pasta dishes and sometimes a live Italian singer in the bar area.

Randy’s Prime in Tysons (next to Patsys). The ribeye cap is the best thing I’ve ever had in my life. I think it’s only 5 or 6 oz but worth every penny. And the branzino. It’s on the more expensive side, but worth it IMO.

Sheetz. I know, call me crazy. But 3 brisket tacos with jalapeño ranch + the voodoo fries with Dr. Pepper bbq sauce are legit.

What would you take grandparents from out of town to do near the nova area during the Christmas timeframe? Looking for ideas of activities or itineraries of day/short 2-3 day trips nearby. They’ve been to the dmv area a few times and though they haven’t been to any tours. They’re not used to cold weather

I'm a newly real estate licensed agent deciding between Pearson Smith Realty and Debbie Dogrul Associates (DDA). Which offers better hands-on training, mentorship, support with first transactions, and access to leads? I'd appreciate honest experiences, especially from agents who started without a local network. Thanks!