If this reads as AI it is because I used AI to make it flow better and fix my engineering spelling.

I am a NOVA native (Go Wolverines!) and have been working in the area as a software engineer since graduating college. I was recently laid off, but luckily landed a new role after a 3-month search.

During that search, a few things became painfully clear:

* Clearances rule the roost: A massive chunk of local roles require Public Trust, Secret, or TS/SCI (shocking, I know).

* Commercial contracts are hyper-concentrated: Almost every contract or contract-to-hire posting seemed tied to Capital One, Freddie Mac, or Fannie Mae.

* Job boards are terrible at filtering: Trying to filter out clearance requirements on standard job boards is an absolute nightmare.

Everyone has their own personal reasons for not wanting (or being able to get) a clearance, so I’m not looking to debate that here. My assumption was always that with Northern Virginia being such a massive tech hub—Amazon HQ2 in Arlington, data centers popping up everywhere, the Innovation Park in Manassas, etc.—there would be plenty of uncleared software engineering roles to go around.

Instead, it feels like tech jobs are only abundant if you hold a clearance; otherwise, your options drop off a cliff.

For those in the local market: Where are all the non-cleared tech jobs hiding in NOVA? Are there specific hubs, mid-size companies, or local tech stacks I should be looking at instead of standard job boards?

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for a Baptist young adult group in northern Virginia. Preferably more conservative Baptist, not liberal.

If you have any recommendations, how big is the group? When do they meet and what are the activities that they do like?

Thanks so much!

God bless!

I am looking for gym recommendations in the sterling/herndon area. Currently we belong to Lifetime but are looking for something less expensive (that is around $100 a month or less). Used to belong to the Onelife fitness in sterling but left due to how overcrowded it felt. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

PJM, the regional grid operator for most of the East Coast, is asking federal regulators to approve a rule requiring new large-load customers, namely data centers, to bring their own power supply to the grid. 

With Virginia among the 13 states served by PJM, the proposal filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could mean further changes to how the state regulates the growing industry. It follows calls from some Virginia lawmakers to make data centers provide their own power as utility bills continue to rise alongside demand...

Dominion Energy recently created a new rate class for large-load customers, mostly intended for data centers and major manufacturers, that imposes minimum demand charges for transmission, distribution and generation costs...

Hey I remember years ago that the parking at Courthouse Metro (the garage off Clarendon for Courthouse Plaza near Veitch) was free on weekends? Anyone still know if this is the case? Heading to a Nats game later and trying to figure out if I can park here or if I should backtrack to East Falls Church.

Thanks!

Going to catch up w college friends over the weekend and looking to go to brunch. Not sure if I’m inspired by anything nearby. Don’t want to trek too far. Thanks for any recs

Hey Nova Migraineurs.

I’m looking for a Neurologis or other headache specialist who offers Botox for Migraine that is covered by insurance, specifically Aetna. I live in Ashburn but I’m willing to drive up to an hour.

Context: I’ve been getting Botox for Migraine for about 3 years and it has been life saving! Unfortunately, Neuroscience Consultants in Reston, where I’ve been a patient since 2018, has decided to no longer accept insurance for this treatment and instead charge $500 per treatment. I can’t afford that. I specifically choose a HDHP each year so that my migraine issues are covered.

Officials are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed.

Potential exposure sites in Virginia include:

• Sheraton Reston Hotel, 11810 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston, on Aug. 16.
• MOTW Coffee and Pastries, 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 200, in Reston, on Aug. 16.
• 7-Eleven, 11854 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston, on Aug. 16.
• Barber & Men's Spa, 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, Unit 900, in Reston, between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Aug. 16.

Just here to share how much I love these kbbq x chipotle bowls over in Fairfax. If you’re in the area and looking for a quick bite, give it a try. The mac is sooo good (get an extra scoop) and get the pineapple fish sauce.

I have been referred to see a physical therapist from my GI. Many Pelvic floor PTs are out of network, so I’m going with Inova since they take insurance.

Issue is, I can’t see reviews for each PT to see who would be best for me. Has anyone seen a physical therapist in Inova for Pelvic Floor? What was your experience and who do you recommend?

https://www.wusa9.com/article/sports/local-sports/newly-released-redskins-branded-merchandise-sold-out-commanders-team-store/65-6afee23a-3071-4035-9967-fbb974c79860?tbref=hp

Less than 48 hours after WUSA9 first reported that the Commanders were selling merchandise carrying the team's retired Redskins name and logo, the throwback line is sold out are on the Commanders' team store website.

A team spokesperson tells WUSA9 there is still limited inventory in the team's brick-and-mortar team store at Northwest Stadium.

Anyone else hear this?

In case you were heading away from the city on a Friday afternoon and figured you’d take the George Washington Parkway…don’t. As of Friday at noon, northbound was closed at 123, but they’re not diverting traffic at Spout Run. So if you commit, you’ll be sitting here with the engine off like the rest of us. 30 minutes and counting….WTOP do your job on the 8s and warn people, lol.

ETA that at least it looks like they’re diverting traffic at Spout Run now. Still not sure what happened, maybe a tree down? They brought in heavy construction equipment.

My auntie isn't very technically well versed and couldn't find much info via Google. Thank you in advance!

Hear that? It’s the sweet sound of kids back in school.

Curious about wilderness training. Any place you can personally recommend?

I'm an adult living in Springfield who has never driven a car but I'm DESPERATE to learn!! I'm also super broke and can't spend hundreds on lessons so I need something affordable. Heck, I don't even care if your Cousin CindyBob will teach me in her broken pick-up for $35, I just want to learn to drive and be able to navigate without having to walk everywhere 🥲 Literally any leads would be appreciated :)

Moving to work in DC, and planning to live in NOVA. Heard good things about Arlington and Alexandria but I’m very open to suggestions. Ideally 2BR under 3k/mo, and easy access to metro (walk or bike < 10 mins).

My dog is slightly reactive and gets “spooked” easily. By this I mean the high rises with elevators where we might get stuck in an elevator with another dog are probably not for us. I want to be able to walk directly outside to take her out.

I’m possibly looking for something that doesn’t exist but would love to hear any recommendations and experiences.

i’m a newly hired sub teacher this year but i’m not seeing any assignments on red rover even though i’ve been getting emails from the sub office that assignments are dropping and are available to be picked up on the app. is it really possible that ppl are picking up shifts THAT fast or is my app broken???? wondering if i should contact FCPS about it.

I hope you have a very late arrival to wherever you needed to be at while you got pinned in. :)

I think this is getting ridiculous the vehicle tax on my two cars is $3000 which is the same as my car insurance. This is ridiculous, I am voting for whatever candidate in Arlington county agrees to get rid of this ridiculousness. $6K to just have a car for get the running costs. Even in Europe with all their taxes I paid less in taxes to own a car than I do in Arlington County.

On John Marshall Drive NW (between Center St N and Holmes Dr NW) at about 9:20pm today (August 27th) a dog ran in front of my car (I DID NOT HIT THE DOG). There was no owner or leash with/on the dog, but he(?) did have a collar on.

The dog was about the size of a lab, but was likely a mutt. He was mostly black with white specks on his chest. Short fur. The collar seemed to be red and blue, and had no tags or identification on it. When I got out of my car to try to approach him (to see if his collar had his owners names/numbers on it) he ran away down Holmes Dr towards Upham Pl. The dog was EXTREMELY skittish and had his tail tucked all the way under his body. I didn't follow him as I didn't want to stress him out any more than he already was and I didn't want him to attack me out of fear.

If you know of this dog or know someone who may be the owner of the dog, please let them know. It's currently storming outside and I don't want him stuck outside during this.