Welcome to Just Outside DC — the only local news source that’s more satisfying than peeling a tangerine in one piece. 

THE BIG IDEA

No dice for Tysons bill — residents double down against casino plans.

At a recent Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, locals showed up in force, sporting snazzy "No Tysons Casino" T-shirts and armed to the teeth with anti-casino arguments.

Some background:

• State Sen. David Marsden pitched a bill for a casino in Tysons Corner, but it's been put on ice until 2025.

• Residents are urging the Board of Supervisors to speak out against the plan.

• Even if a public referendum is held, it would not directly decide the fate of the casino proposal.

Why they’re against a casino:

Some people who live in and around Tysons are worried it’ll change the community for the worse, mostly citing the following:

• More traffic congestion (as if Tysons needs more of that!)

• Decreasing property values

• A potential crime spike

• Enabling gambling addiction

• Lack of union wages and protections for casino workers

The pro-casino crowd argues that a casino could boost the local economy. But opponents are calling for a fresh study to see if the numbers really add up. After all, we're talking about Tysons here – not exactly hurting for cash, right?

What's next?

The ball's in the Board of Supervisors' court now. State Senator Marsden says he does not want to move forward without a neutral, non-opposed stance from the Board of Supervisors at the minimum. But come 2025, whatever decision they might make, it doesn’t look like the anti casino crowd is going away any time soon.

Bulletin Board 📌 

Reader Restaurant Recommendation: One of our readers, Myrtle, recommends you guys check out La Bettolla Italiano in Arlington. Myrtle says this place has the best rosemary loaf served fresh out of the oven 🍞 

QUICK HITS

• Check out this AI-powered radio station set in a fictional version of Woodbridge, VA in the 1930’s 📻️ 

• Vote for your favorite local restaurant in the 2024 Northern Virginia Breakfast Wars here 🍳 

• The fastest man in the world has been crowned and he’s from Alexandria, Virginia. His name is Noah Lyles. Here’s his ab workout so you can be as fast as him 🏃‍♂️💨 

• Virginia made the top 10 on the most aggressive drivers list by state according to Forbes 🚘️ 

• The Virginia Lottery contributed almost one billion dollars to help improve public schools last year 🎒 

LIVE MUSIC

• Breakin’ Even Fest | three nights of punk in Washington DC starting tonight.

• Fort Hunt Concert Series | the Blue Breeze Band are performing on Sunday at Fort Hunt Park

• Battle Street Live | a weekend outdoor live music experience in Old Town Manassas with food and drinks.

• Friday Night Music | local artist Jason Masi is performing at the outdoor bistro at Potomac Point Winery tonight.

• Lyle Lovett | the country icon is returning to Wolf Trap tonight with his Large Band at the Filene Center. 

• Friday Night Live | the DC area’s best outdoor concert series continues tonight with a mashup performance by Social Call + Pool Boys 

LIVE EVENT LOWDOWN

• Stargazing at Fort Hunt | the Perseids meteor shower is tomorrow night and can be seen at Fort Hunt Park ☄️ 

• Alexandria Sidewalk Sale | the 15th annual event is back tomorrow with 60+ boutique stores participating 🛍️ 

• Sipping Under the Stars | Potomac Point Winery is doing an outdoor screening of The Proposal (2009) on Sunday. There will be a food tent with wine, cheese, and more 🍷 

• Prince William County Fair | the fair is back in Manassas starting today until August 17th 🎢 

• Crab Feast 2024 | an all-you-can-eat afternoon of crabs, corn, and more tomorrow at Aslin Herndon 🦀 

• One Loudoun Mall Carnival | the carnival just opened up in Ashburn and is continuing through August 🎡 

• BBQ & Bluegrass | Breaux Vineyards in Purcellville is hosting the annual BBQ celebration tomorrow 🍖 

• Watermelon Bash | the perfect way to cool off in the summer tomorrow at Eden Try in Fredericksburg 🍉 

• Sunsets & Sangria | enjoy the sunset overlooking the nearby mountains tonight at The Winery at Bull Run ⛰️ 

• Taste Leesburg | food + alcohol tasting and live entertainment starting tomorrow at 5pm in Downtown Leesburg 🍻 

Thanks so much for reading today’s issue of Just Outside D.C.

Are you new here? We write about the latest stories and events happening in Northern VA every week.

If you like what you just saw, you can get posts like this delivered to your inbox every Friday afternoon. Just use the form below to get signed up! 📮 

Want to sponsor the newsletter?

Look, we get it. Your business wants more customers.

And our kind, intelligent, and good-looking audience members want to find out about great local products and services.

(plus we need to pay rent)

Does that sound like a win-win-win to you? Fantastic. You can reach us here.

Let’s dance! 💃