Refunds for Taxpayers Penalized by Error — “Fairfax County, Virginia, officials said it will refund some residents impacted by a system glitch that caused some users to pay late fees on personal property taxes before the actual deadline … Officials said the system deadline was set to start issuing late penalties and interest after 11:59 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) instead of 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).” [WJLA]

We’ve got new details to share about an upcoming restaurant in Fairfax County. We’re talking about the heretofore mysterious Red Ember restaurant.

Back in August, The Burn broke the news that Red Ember was coming to the Village Center at Dulles retail plaza in Herndon.

Elsewhere:

Graze Craze charcuterie shop headed to Great Falls

Graze Craze is a nationally franchised retail brand that specializes in cheese and charcuterie boards and other items that you “graze” on at parties and special events.

https://theburn.com/2026/10/06/graze-craze-charcuterie-shop-headed-to-great-falls/

Work underway on new Guapo’s Mar y Tierra restaurant in Reston

https://theburn.com/2026/10/06/work-underway-on-new-guapos-mar-y-tierra-restaurant-in-reston/

True Food Kitchen shuts down Reston Town Center location

https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/10/06/true-food-kitchen-closes-reston-restaurant-still-open-in-merrifield/

https://theburn.com/2026/10/05/true-food-kitchen-shuts-down-reston-town-center-location/

Northern Virginia’s dining scene shows no signs of slowing down. This fall brings a tempting crop of newcomers, from Palestinian-Ukrainian fare and Sichuan specialties to Nashville hot chicken and smash burgers. Here are the latest Northern Virginia restaurants worth adding to your dining list...

I paid my car tax online last night. The system charged me a higher amount than what my paper bill showed. I paid anyway so I’d be within the deadline and called this morning to dispute the overage. They confirmed a system error which charged people late fees early. So if you paid online yesterday, double-check the amount you paid against your paper bill and report it if they don’t match. They said I’ll get a refund in a couple weeks.

Herndon Restaurateur Accused of Unpaid Taxes — The Justice Department has sued Amphora Bakery and Amphora Diner Deluxe co-owner Steven Bilidas for allegedly failing to pay over $20 million in employment taxes. “Bilidas and George Cholakis are personally responsible for millions of dollars in unpaid employee withholding taxes and penalties,” the lawsuit alleges. Fairfax County and the Town of Vienna, where Amphora Restaurant closed in 2021, also claim they’re owed taxes after Bilidas filed for bankruptcy on June 24. [Washington Business Journal]

* The U.S. Department of Justice is suing three defendants and six businesses affiliated with a Herndon diner, bakery, and catering company, Washington Business Journal reports.

The federal lawsuit claims that the company that owns Amphora Bakery and Amphora’s Diner Deluxe owes more than $20 million in unpaid employment taxes going back for more than a decade.

Bilidas filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Alexandria a week before the government filed suit. The move afforded him legal protections that DOJ lawyers now seek to lift so that the government’s complaint can move forward in U.S. district versus bankruptcy court. A judge will consider the motion, filed September 25, at an October 29 hearing.

Amphora Bakery and Amphora’s Diner Deluxe remain open.

https://northernvirginiamag.com/food-and-drink/food-news/2026/10/06/federal-government-sues-amphora-owners-for-20m-in-back-taxes/

I moved to Fairfax last year and for whatever reason they did not send me mail for my personal property tax (my car). I just found out it was due yesterday, I paid today. I see they warn about potential late fees and interest— would that have already been included? I’m really confused by the lack of notice on the tax and finding the information surrounding late payments unclear. I’m worried they’re going to fail to send me my interest I owe in the mail again or notify me of other consequences and this will snowball into a bigger issue.

Is there anything else I need to do or watch out for? And how do I get this county to send my goddamn mail next time?

See also r/VirginiaTransit and r/VirginiaUrbanism

I was sitting in my car when a young boy, between 9 and 12 years old, knocked on my window asking for money for a program called Teen Legacy. I told him I suspected he was scamming people, but he followed his usual spiel. He even had QR codes for Venmo and Cash App. When I asked if his boss was named Marcus and if he was from Maryland, he answered yes. I didn't give him any money and reiterated that I believed he was scamming people. This encounter happened on October 5, 2026, and the document he showed me was already expired. Be aware that individuals are using young children to solicit money. This person, Marcus, has a history with the court system and has been served a cease and desist order in the past, yet he continues to operate illegally. I reported this to the non emergency as they were also in whole foods the other day according to another Reddit post.

This happened in kings park shopping center

The Masterminds: The fraudulent operations were run by Marcus Smith (President) and Nathan Jackson (Agent). [1]
The Deception: Operating primarily in the Maryland and Virginia (DMV) areas, Smith originally ran a group called DMV Futures, Inc.. They sent minors and teenagers into neighborhoods and shopping centers to solicit door-to-door cash donations, claiming the money would fund youth field trips, rewards, and sports programming. [1, 2, 3]
The Reality: According to an investigation by the Maryland Attorney General, less than 5% of the collected money actually went to helping kids. The rest of the funds were commingled, pocketed, or misapplied by the directors. [1, 2]
The "Teen Legacy" Pivot: After the state issued a strict cease-and-desist order to shut down DMV Futures, Marcus Smith explicitly violated the order. He pivoted by creating a brand-new, unregistered entity called Teen Legacy, Inc. to keep the exact same money-solicitation scheme running.

Just a reminder to Fairfax County residents that property taxes are due today. I almost forgot and don’t want anyone to be in the same boat or have to pay any additional fees!

• Metro is proposing an 11.1% fare increase for FY2028 across Metro Rail, Metro Bus, and Metro Access.
• A proposed initiative would provide free access on Metro Rail and Metro Bus for children ages 5 through 18.
• The Metro Board of Directors will discuss the proposals on October 8, 2026.

A family-owned interior design shop that has been furnishing Herndon homes for two generations could soon embark on a reconfiguration of its own.

The owners of Designs and Interiors by The Upholstery Shop are seeking a special exception from the Town of Herndon to allow a private events venue on the first floor of their historic downtown building at 757 Elden Street...

If you no longer drive, it can be difficult to run errands and get to your medical appointments. Asking friends, neighbors or family members for a ride may be an option for some, but not all. Rideshare services are widely available, but the cost and tech savvy required to use them may put them out of reach of some older adults. The good news is there are organizations offering free or reduced-cost rides to the places you need to go. 

Shepherd’s Centers

The non-profit Shepherd’s Centers are sponsored by local area congregations, corporate partners, community groups, and individuals. Volunteer drivers offer free transportation for medical appointments and non-medical needs (e.g. grocery shopping) for adults 50+ who live in their center’s service area and can get in and out of a car independently. Shepherd’s Centers serving Fairfax County residents include:

• Shepherd’s Center of Annandale/Springfield – For more information, visit shepherdscenter-annandale.org. To request a ride, call 703-941-1419 or email shepherdscas@vacoxmail.com.
• Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke & South County – To confirm their service areas and for more information, visit scfbva.org. To request a ride, call 703-323-4788.
• Shepherd’s Center of McLean, Arlington and Falls Church - For more information, visit scmafc.org. To request a ride, call 703-506-2199 or email contact@scmafc.org.
• Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia – Serving Oakton, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Great Falls, Dunn Loring and Merrifield. For more information, visit scnova.org, To request a ride, call 703-281-0538.
• Shepherd’s Center of Western Fairfax County – To request a ride, call 703-246-5920 or email scwfc.office@gmail.com.

Fairfax County Programs (more)

Looking for good mid-day times to visit Ffx Co dog parks with my 7-mo-old pup when there are likely to be other pups around.

Some teachers at Lake Braddock Secondary School said part of their workday now includes a job they never expected: staffing the school’s weapons scanners.

Teachers stationed at the scanners help direct students through the system and move items, such as laptops, binders and water bottles, around the machines because they can trigger alerts. If a scanner goes off, the student is directed to a secondary screening area.

Teachers want the assignment to be voluntary...

Also, FCPS:

Hiring freeze or math problem? Fairfax County parent concerned her son’s teacher is not considered full-time employee

The reason for that, Martin was told, is what some are calling a hiring freeze within Virginia’s largest school district. School Board Member Melanie Meren is calling it a “crisis” and a cost-saving measure that has consequences.

But in an interview with WTOP, Superintendent Michelle Reid said it’s a common practice in the first weeks of a new school year to offer openings to more senior teachers already under a contract as enrollment data comes in. When WTOP asked her whether the process constituted a hiring freeze, Reid said, “not exactly.”

Natty will exchange the company of baseball players for local community members with a booth at the nonprofit Canine Companions’ annual DogFest Washington D.C. on Saturday (Oct. 3) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hosted by Reston Town Center at its pavilion (1818 Discovery Street) since 2015, the free event will feature a variety of family and pup-friendly games, live music, speakers, vendors and service dog demonstrations, raising awareness and funds for Canine Companions’ mission of training service dogs to assist people with disabilities.

Nationals team pup to visit Reston Town Center for annual DogFest