F.C. Bulletin: Jan. 28, 2026
1) Restaurant Week Extended to Feb. 8
2) Richmond: State Sen. Salim's ICE Restrictions
3) FCPS Launches Virtual Reality Training Course
4) Photo Treasures from the MRSPL Digital Archives
Falls Church Restaurant Week Extended to Feb. 8
Given the snow storm in our area, we were delighted to hear that the third Falls Church Restaurant Week has been extended through Sunday, Feb. 8.
"Good evening, Chris, I hope you're staying warm! As you know, the third Falls Church Restaurant Week is underway, but winter had different plans than we did!," organizer and owner of Preservation Biscuit Tricia Barba wrote to us Jan. 26. "Due to the recent snowstorm, we’ve extended the Restaurant Week through Sunday, February 8, giving diners extra time to explore the city’s culinary scene. 44 of our 60+ participating restaurants opted in to the extension, so there’s even more deliciousness to enjoy. With favorites and new spots alike, it’s a perfect chance to support local restaurants while sampling all the flavors Falls Church has to offer."
The Passport Challenge has been extended too!," Barba wrote. "Folks can pick up a Falls Church Restaurant Week Passport at Clare & Don’s, Dominion Wine & Beer, Harvey’s, or Preservation Biscuit Company, visit at least eight participating restaurants, collect stamps, and turn it in by Monday, February 9 to be entered to win a $100 gift card. Three winners will be randomly selected. Passports can also be printed at home to play along."
For more on F.C. Restaurant Week, see our recent interview with Mayor Hardi here:
Christopher Jones
In Richmond: State Sen. Salim's ICE Restrictions
Following breaking news from Minneapolis concerning protests over two separate recent killings by federal agents during U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, we published (below) a Jan. 26 analysis of Va. Del. Marcus Simon's constituent statements in response to the news, and Va. Gov. Abigail Spanberger's Day One "first steps" to "rein in ICE" in the Commonwealth.
Christopher Jones
Later on Jan. 26, we heard from the office of Va. State Sen. Saddam Salim (37th District) who, having read our piece, wanted to let us know what measures he's proposing in Richmond with regard to ICE.
Following is from a Jan. 26 statement from Salim's office:
Senator Salim Introduces SB351, SB352 & SB783 to End ICE Abuses in the Commonwealth of Virginia
"ICE has murdered another Minnesotan, and we need to call it what it is: state violence, plain and simple. When federal agents can kill citizens in broad daylight, block investigations, and get away with it, the rule of law isn’t on life support, it has flatlined.
"In response to Governor Walz’s call for an end to the violent occupation of his state, the [U.S.] Attorney General demanded access to Minnesota’s voter rolls, recalling President Trump’s 2020 demand that Georgia find the votes he needed to stay in power.
"This isn’t just mismanagement, it is a constitutional crisis. If we let fear control the narrative now, we lose our rights, our communities, and the very idea that the government should protect life, not take it. We have to remember that when peaceful citizens start to be targets of state violence, it is exactly at that moment that we either let fear close our eyes, or we insist that no agency, no badge, and no president is above the law or the value of a human life.
"The three bills I introduced share one goal: ensuring that immigrants, protesters, and all Virginians who value peace and justice know the Commonwealth of Virginia and its law enforcement agencies are on their side."
ICE-related Senate Bills Co-Sponsored by Va. State Sen. Saddam Salim:
SB351: "Proposes to prohibit certain civil arrests, including those by federal immigration agents (ICE), in or around state courthouses. It shields individuals attending court — parties, witnesses, and family members — from civil detention, requiring a reviewed judicial warrant for any arrest."
SB352: "Aims to restrict law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while on duty, with limited exceptions. It mandates penalties, potential civil liability for violations, and directs the creation of a model policy."
SB 783: "Provides that no agency of the Commonwealth, law-enforcement agency, or locality shall enter into an agreement authorizing any law-enforcement officer, as defined in the bill, or employee of such agency or locality to perform a function of an immigration officer unless such agreement is in writing and includes certain provisions and conditions. These provisions of the bill expire on June 30, 2028. The bill also adds to the list of data that the State Police, sheriff's offices, and local law-enforcement agencies are required to collect for the purposes of the Virginia Community Policing Act whether a federal immigration officer was present during an investigatory motor vehicle stop, a stop-and-frisk, or any other investigatory stop conducted by a law-enforcement officer or State Police officer and, if so, if such federal immigration officer took any action that would constitute a violation of state law if not committed by a person acting under the color of federal law."
To contact State Sen. Sadim's office email: senatorsalim@senate.virginia.gov.
FCPS ACE Launches Cutting-Edge Virtual Reality Career Programs to Bridge the Skills Gap
Following is based on a Jan. 20 press release from FCPS ACE:
Northern Virginia’s manufacturing sector is on the rise, but the demand for highly skilled professionals far outpaces the current talent pool. Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education (FCPS ACE) is breaking new ground to address this gap with the launch of immersive, next-generation virtual reality (VR) training courses tailored for the region’s most in-demand manufacturing and skilled trades careers.
Unlike traditional classroom-based instruction, FCPS ACE’s innovative approach blends instructor-led online coursework with hands-on VR simulations — delivered directly to learners’ homes.
Equipped with the latest VR headsets and controls, students gain practical, real-world experience in a safe, instructor-guided environment, making workforce training both flexible and effective. This program is designed to prepare Fairfax County and Northern Virginia residents for the evolving needs of local manufacturers, allowing them to build crucial skills on their own schedules without compromising safety or quality.
A diverse range of career pathways are now available, including Mechatronics, Manual Machinist, CNC Machining, Robotics, Welding, Toolmaking, Process Technology, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality Inspection, Robotics, and more with new courses added regularly to keep pace with industry advances. Each course provides learners with immersive simulations that mirror actual manufacturing environments — transforming the way tomorrow’s workforce is trained and opening new doors for job seekers and employers alike.
By providing flexible, safe, and highly effective training experiences, FCPS ACE is empowering both job seekers and employers to thrive in a rapidly evolving sector. FCPS ACE’s commitment to innovative education demonstrates the potential of technology-driven learning to shape the workforce of tomorrow.
For more info contact: Lana Sansur at lsansur@rmr.com, or phone (301) 978-1772.
Sampling the New Digital Archives of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library
Tooling around the new Digital Archives of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, we were intrigued to explore their new online trove of over 700 seemingly random, yet catalogued and fascinating historical photographs, a collection beginning with local photos from the late 19th century.
One particular photographer's work jumped out to us immediately, the beautifully composed and historically significant shots of Quentin R. Porter (1918-1982).
Who was this Porter feller? "Quentin R. Porter (1918-1982) operated Porter Studios on Broad Street in Falls Church, Virginia from the 1940s-1970s," according to the Fairfax County government. "He photographed a variety of Northern Virginia scenes including businesses, events, car accidents, passport photos, clubs, schools and more."
Here are three sample photos in the MRSPL Digital Archives that give a sense of the quality of Porter's works and what they might tell us of the times and locales:
For a Fairfax County Index of Porter's photos go here. "This collection consists of over 66,000 negatives Porter took when he operated his business from 1943-1977," Fairfax County government says.
By Christopher Jones
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