Welcome to Just Outside DC — the only local newsletter that feels like getting spontaneously upgraded to first class.

THE BIG IDEA

Hundreds of Fairfax County workers rally for Tysons Casino.

Let's take it from the top, shall we? We're all aware of the big Tysons casino proposal that's got everyone's knickers in a twist. But in case you need a refresher...

The dream is a billion-dollar Vegas-style casino and entertainment district plopped right in the heart of our beloved Tysons Corner. Yep, smack dab in the middle of the least walkable part of NoVA that we all know and love/loathe.

The details? Oh you know, the usual high-rolling accoutrements:

• A fancy hotel + casino with a convention center to lure corporate folk

• All the restaurants, shops, and entertainment your heart could ever desire

• Plus, a sprinkle of affordable housing to appease the NIMBY crowd

The big sell is the promise of 5,000 new jobs and at least $350 million in tax revenue annually. Not too shabby, eh?

But as you well know, the neighborhood folks are doubling down on their resistance. They're convinced this big gamble will create a traffic nightmare, spark a crime wave, and tank property values.

The developers and pro-casino union workers aren't folding though. They rallied in full force earlier this week on Tuesday, hundreds strong, determined to push this dream across the finish line.

And you know the drama's only just beginning, right? The Senate squashed their hopes earlier this year, but Team Casino is headed back to the legislature in January to try their luck again.

If (and it's a big if) they catch a hot streak in Richmond, this whole billion-dollar shebang could amazingly end up on a countywide ballot for us voters to make the ultimate call.

In the meantime, expect the campaigns on both sides to go into overdrive. The anti-casino troops already have a big community forum planned for Sunday to rally more opposition.

One thing's for certain though — this fight is quickly becoming an all-in, winner-take-all battle for the future of Tysons as we know it. No bluffing, folks. The stakes simply don't get any higher.

Bulletin Board 📌 

Reader Restaurant Recommendation: One of our readers, Josiah, recommends you guys check out L'auberge Chez Francois. It’s a classic French spot in Great Falls that was voted the #1 most romantic restaurant in the DC metro area.

QUICK HITS

• National Geographic is opening their Museum of Exploration in the heart of DC by mid 2026 🗺️ 

• The principal of Thomas Jefferson High School has stepped down to pursue a different role in the school division 🏫 

• Ruthie’s All Day in Arlington is opening up a second location in Fairfax Corner 😋 

• A bunch of local breweries made waves at the Great American Beer Festival — you can check out the winners here 🍻 

• Long before Moo Deng, the DC area had its own famous pygmy hippo. His name was Billy 🦛 

LIVE EVENT LOWDOWN

• DC Zinefest | a space for zine makers and self published artists/writers to share their work with the community — tomorrow at the MLK Memorial Library ✏️ 

• Halloweekend at The Perch | a Halloween party 11 stories in the sky in Tysons tomorrow 🏙️ 

• Rock the Block | the final concert of the 2024 series is happening tonight in Fairfax 🤘 

• Halloween at the Boo-ro! | a family friendly Halloween bash at The Boro tomorrow afternoon 👻 

• 2024 International Gold Cup | the legendary horse racing event is back in Middleburg VA on Sunday 🏇

• Nightmare in Navy Yard | the DC area’s biggest Halloween party is back tomorrow at Capital Turnaround 🧟 

• Heritage India Festival | the DC area’s biggest South Asian cultural festival is back at Dulles Expo Center this weekend🥻

• NSO Spooktacular | National Symphony Orchestra’s Halloween concert returns at the Kennedy Center 🎻 

• Home Rule Music Festival | a night of music, food, and community at Alethia Tanner Park in DC this weekend 🎸 

• Witchcraft in the Walls | there’s a witch at the Carlyle House. Gather evidence to bring her to trial, all while protecting yourself from her spells 🧹 
  6th Annual Food Wine & Art Fest | sample from local restaurants + wineries tomorrow at Halstead Square 🍷 

• Mount Vernon Trick-or-Treat | collect candy on the grounds with 18th century entertainment and activities tomorrow 🍬 

• Del Ray Halloween Parade | the 28th annual parade is back along Mount Vernon Avenue this Sunday 🎉 

• Haunted Theater | The State Theatre in Falls Church transforms into an 80s-themed fright fest this weekend with a costume contest and tribute performance by the Legwarmers 🕺 

• Drive-In Movie | come dressed up to Eden Center tonight for a drive-in screening of Beetlejuice (1988) 🎞️ 

• Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest | come face-to-face with magical creatures tomorrow at Morven Park in Leesburg 🦉 

• Factory of Fear | the 3rd annual haunted house event inside the ARTfactory in Manassas 😱 

• Halloween Party in the Woods | bring your costume, play some games, and enjoy the food at Dillon’s Woods tomorrow 🌲 

• Night of the Living Zoo | an adults-only Halloween party at The Smithsonian tonight 🦁 

• Falls Church Halloween Carnival | costume contents, carnival games, and candy at Cherry Hill Park tomorrow 🎡 

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

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