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FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Ten years ago, Egor Bond was having a difficult time convincing potential landlords that opening an escape room business would be a success.

"The way I was trying to explain the concept is that we were here to entertain people," Bond told Patch on Friday. "We will walk them in. They will pay us money. But don't worry, they're going to have fun."

That turned out not to be the best pitch and Bond continued trying to sell the idea to other property owners. It didn't help that had immigrated to the U.S. two years earlier and had a heavy accent.

But then Bond got lucky.

While working as an Uber driver, Bond picked up a passenger in D.C. and dropped them off in the middle of Fairfax City. Looking around, he wondered if this could be the place to open his business. With the help of a business development grant from the city, his hard-to-sell concept became a reality.

On Friday, Bond and his wife Anna celebrated their 10th anniversary as the co-owners of Bond's Escape Room at 3949 University Drive.

On hand to help them celebrate the occasion were Mayor Catherine Read and Councilmember Anthony Amos, as well as representatives from Fairfax City Economic Development, the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Read presented the Bonds with a plaque from the city recognizing their 10 years as business owners in Old Town.

Friday's celebration was also an opportunity to announce the rebranding of the escape room as Bond's Entertainment Center, which offers 15 entertainment experiences. These include two new virtual reality arenas, a game show experience, and rooms for birthday parties, business meetings, and team-building activities.

Thanks to its success, Bond's Entertainment has expanded into three different levels at their original location on University Boulevard. The company also opened a second location at 2800 Clarendon Blvd. Suite 910, in Arlington in 2019.

"You should be aware of what industry and business outside are doing, but you should stick to your own thing and never let it go," Bond said, when asked what he's learned in operating his own business for 10 years. "Because of that, I immediately started investing in and establishing our own team, so we can build better and more and more high-tech experiences ourselves. We wouldn't have to outsource it in any way. That was the right choice."

A member of the Fairfax City Council has been named one of Northern Virginia’s “40 Under 40” for 2026 in honor of his professional and civic contributions.

Anthony Amos will be among those celebrated at two events set for April 14, jointly sponsored by Leadership Fairfax and the Leadership Center of Arlington.

“This program celebrates emerging leaders who demonstrate exceptional and impactful leadership in their professional and personal spheres within the Northern Virginia region,” the organizations said in a joint statement announcing the honorees.

Amos, 27, said he greatly appreciated being included in the ranks of 2026 honorees.

“This diversity in representation is truly remarkable, and I’m honored to be one of the selected with such esteemed company,” he told FFXnow, adding:

“This 2026 cohort of the Northern Virginia 40 Under 40 is expansive and impacts day-to-day operations at all levels. Government contracting, secondary and post-secondary education, nonprofits, local government — this selection of honorees speaks on every sector and topic that you can imagine.”

In 2023, Amos was among 11 candidates contesting the six seats on the Fairfax City Council. He emerged victorious, finishing fifth, and is expected to seek reelection when council seats return to the ballot this November.

Amos’s engagement extends beyond his service on the city council. He has been active in the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce and a number of regional groups, including the League of Women Voters and the NAACP.

In 2024, Amos earned a master of public policy degree from George Mason University. Professionally, he is a development associate with the Michaels Organization, addressing affordable housing development throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

At the state level, Amos serves as a member of the Virginia Charitable Gaming Board.

Leaders of the organizations sponsoring “40 Under 40” said those receiving the 2026 awards spanned a wide spectrum of community engagement.

“Their leadership and civic engagement stand out as stellar examples of inspirational leaders working to build thriving communities,” Leadership Fairfax President and CEO Kia Cole-Hines said.

“In a quickly evolving world, this year’s honorees shine a light on the values of curiosity, innovation, empathy and service,” added Lisa Fikes, president and CEO of the Leadership Center.

“Through both their professional and personal lives, they are meeting the moment and making a positive impact in our region,” Fikes said.

An online celebration of honorees is slated for April 14 at 11 a.m., with a reception taking place at 4:30 p.m. at Caboose Commons in Merrifield.

In addition to Amos, 2026 honorees include:

Fairfax County government offices are closing early on Monday and meetings are canceled due to severe weather.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Due to the front of severe weather expected to move through the region on Monday afternoon and into the evening, Fairfax County government granted unscheduled leave beginning at 1 p.m. to all employees.

Fifty-two Virginia counties are under a tornado watch Monday as a series of severe thunderstorms that could produce heavy rains, and damaging winds with gusts up to 80 mph are forecast to hit Virginia Monday, forecasters say.

All three Fairfax County courts – circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations — as well as the Courthouse will close at 1 p.m. on Monday.

All community centers, rec centers and libraries will close at 5 p.m.

Fairfax County's Land Development Services will be closing in-person customer service counters at 3 p.m. on Monday due to inclement weather.

The budget town hall meeting hosted by Supervisor Walter Alcorn and School Board Member Melanie Meren scheduled for 7 p.m. at Lousie Archer Elementary School in Vienna has been cancelled.

In Fairfax City, the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. has been canceled. The next regular scheduled planning commission meeting will be held on April 13.

All administrative offices at George Mason University in Fairfax will close at 1:30 p.m. on Monday due to the severe weather. In-person classes and events that begin at or after 1:30 p.m. will not meet on campus.

"Students should wait for more information from their instructors about an alternative plan for learning and/or check their syllabus for instructions," according to a GMU alert. "Synchronous and asynchronous online courses may continue online as planned, unless students receive a message with an alternative plan from their instructor."

Information and services about Fairfax County are available online at any time. To find specific department status updates, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/status.

A Tornado Watch and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings issued earlier today (Monday) for Fairfax County have been canceled or expired, but an Areal Flood Warning is now in effect until 6:30 p.m.

“Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring,” the 3:33 p.m. alert said. “Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall. Low-water crossings are inundated with water and may not be passable.”

According to the NWS, runoff combined with 1 to 2 inches of rain has resulted in “multiple” reports of flooding along I-495 south of the American Legion Bridge. An additional half-inch of rain is possible in the warned area, which includes Tysons, Reston, Annandale, Vienna, Falls Church, Burke and Chantilly.

A few roads across the county have closed since rain began to fall in earnest earlier this afternoon. According to Fairfax Alerts:

This morning, the NWS issued a Tornado Watch and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, originally scheduling the former to stay in place until 7 p.m. today, with thunderstorms and strong winds forecast throughout the afternoon and evening.

“Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and tornadoes are likely this afternoon and evening,” the NWS said in a hazardous weather outlook just after 11 a.m. “There is the potential for significant damage from wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph as well as an isolated stronger tornado.”

A #TornadoWatch has been issued for NOVA District through 7pm this evening. Damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are possible. Have a plan in place to seek a substantial shelter if needed. Report road hazards to https://t.co/12wxgee8pi or 800-FOR-ROAD. pic.twitter.com/90QFyLQWsd

— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) March 16, 2026

????️ Tornadoes can strike quickly—be prepared! If you're in a house ????, head to the lowest level or an interior room like a bathroom or closet with no windows. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Remember, cover your head and neck to protect yourself. pic.twitter.com/hrRDYZybnK

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) March 16, 2026

In fact, thunderstorms bringing 60 mph wind gusts have already been spotted in the Fredericksburg area, moving northeast toward Northern Virginia, prompting the NWS to issue the thunderstorm warning at 11:17 a.m.

The warning initially applied to southwestern Fairfax County, including Centreville and Clifton, before shifting to northern Fairfax until 12:30 p.m.

“Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall,” the NWS said. “This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible.”

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Centreville VA, Dale City VA and Manassas VA until 12:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/G0wTJ77V5o

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) March 16, 2026

In anticipation of the severe weather, Fairfax County Public Schools announced last night that students will be released three hours early and all afternoon activities on school grounds will be canceled.

George Mason University is also calling off in-person classes and events on its campuses after 1:30 p.m., advising students to wait for more information about alternative plans from their instructors.

“It is anticipated that the university will resume normal operations on Tuesday,” GMU said. “Employees are expected to continue their work responsibilities remotely, regardless of scheduled telework days or agreements.”

In addition, Fairfax County is granting all local government employees unscheduled leave starting at 1 p.m. The county’s circuit, general district and juvenile courts and the main courthouse will close early at 1 p.m., and all community centers, recreation centers and libraries will close at 5 p.m.

Early voting at the Mount Vernon and North County governmental centers on Virginia’s redistricting referendum will be cut off at 4:30 p.m. instead of the usual 7 p.m. closing time. The Fairfax County Government Center site closes at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays anyway.

Travelers flying into or out of Dulles International and Reagan National airports could face flight cancellations or delays.

Due to potentially hazardous weather, satellite early voting locations at Mt. Vernon and North County governmental centers will close at 4:30 p.m. today instead of 7 p.m. The Government Center location will close at 4:30 p.m. as scheduled.

Info: https://t.co/dJRYCD6ER9 pic.twitter.com/Dl1itfs36D

— Fairfax County Votes (@fairfaxvotes) March 16, 2026

With the forecast for severe weather this afternoon in the D.C. area, some flights could be delayed or canceled. Please confirm the status of your flight with your airline before coming to the airport. pic.twitter.com/hJ4UgpD1Qy

— Dulles Airport (IAD) (@Dulles_Airport) March 16, 2026

The full Areal Flood Warning is below.

…FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

* WHAT…Small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE…Portions of central Maryland, including the following county, Montgomery and northern Virginia, including the following county, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church and Fairfax.

* WHEN…Until 630 PM EDT.

* IMPACTS…Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall. Low-water crossings are inundated with water and may not be passable.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS… – At 333 PM EDT, emergency management reported that increased runoff combined with 1 to 2 inches of rain has led to multiple reports of small stream flooding of roads along with storm drain flooding along the I-495 south of the American Legion bridge. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen.

– Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in the warned area. – Some locations that will experience flooding include… Centreville… Rockville… Bethesda… Reston… Annandale… Fairfax… Vienna… Falls Church… Mantua… Pimmit Hills… Mclean… American Legion Bridge… Potomac… North Bethesda… Burke… Oakton… North Potomac… Chantilly… Tysons Corner… Wolf Trap… – Please visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety and preparedness information

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe.

FAIRFAX, VA — Fairfax City homeowners could see their annual real estate bill increase by an average of $633 if the City Council adopts the maximum real estate tax rate it set at its meeting on Tuesday night.

The council voted 4-3 to advertise a maximum real estate tax rate of $1.095 per $100 of assessed value for Fiscal Year 2027.

The decision establishes a legal ceiling for the upcoming budget. While the council can adopt a lower rate during final deliberations on May 5, it cannot exceed this advertised limit without restarting the public notification process.

For the average Fairfax City homeowner, the combined annual impact of the advertised tax rate and utility fee increases is estimated at $687.84, or approximately $57.32 per month. This total does not include the additional costs associated with the 0.5 percent meals tax increase.

The advertised rate is higher than the $1.08 rate originally proposed by City Manager Daniel Alexander.

Also See ...

Councilmembers Anthony Amos, Stacey Hardy-Chandler, Billy Bates, and Mayor Catherine Read voted in favor of the higher ceiling to provide more budgetery flexibility. Councilmembers Stacy Hall, Tom Peterson, and Rachel McQuillen voted against the motion.

The potential increase for homeowners is driven by two factors: a 4-cent hike in the tax rate (up from the current $1.055) and a projected 4.3 percent average increase in property assessments.

Estimated Tax Increases By Property Value

Utility Fees And Additional Taxes

The proposed budget also includes adjustments to utility rates and the city’s meals tax:

Total Combined Costs

For the average Fairfax homeowner, the combined annual impact of the advertised tax rate and utility fee increases is estimated at $687.84, or approximately $57.32 per month. This total does not include the additional costs associated with the 0.5 percent meals tax increase.

FY 2027 Budget Plan Timeline

City residents can use Engage Fairfax to provide feedback on the FY 2026 budget. They can also send an email to the mayor or City Council, speak at a council meeting or submit a video for a public hearing. Learn how to use all these tools at the City Meetings page.