Morning Notes

County to Update Zoning for Data Centers — “Several board members expressed concern that some zoning districts currently allow for the development of data centers by right…Committee Chair Karen Smith (D-Sully) suggested that the board begin the process of updating the zoning ordinance at its next meeting on March 19, which received unanimous support from the other board members.” [Patch]

Covid Survivors Revisit Inova Fairfax Hospital — “This week marks four years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic and 7News Health and Wellness Reporter Victoria Sanchez caught up with two survivors after first sharing their stories in 2020. Titou Phommachanh and Rodrigo Valderrama greeted each other with a hug in front of Inova Fairfax Hospital. Before the two became the faces of COVID-19 in Northern Virginia four years ago, the men had never met.” [WJLA]

McLean Resident Details IVF Experience to Senator — Sen. Tim Kaine hosted a roundtable in Ballston on Friday (March 8) to hear from advocates, doctors and other stakeholders about the importance of in vitro fertilization as an option for prospective parents. Participants included McLean resident Jay Timmons, who used IVF and surrogacy to have children with his partner. [ARLnow]

Annandale Mourns Community Leaders — “Two people well-known in the community who helped make Annandale a better place passed away in recent days. Everett (Kip) Germain III, the president of the Annandale Boys & Girls Club, died suddenly on March 6 at the age of 67. Don DiSpirito, a longtime volunteer with the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), passed away on Feb. 26, at the age of 90.” [Annandale Today]

McLean Residents Meet New School Board Rep — “The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) welcomed new School Board member Robyn Lady (Dranesville District) to its March 6 board meeting and promptly peppered her with questions on school renovations, safety and enrollment.” Topics included the planned Dunn Loring elementary school. [Gazette Leader]

Warm Weather Accelerates Cherry Blossom Blooming — “Boosted by exceptionally mild weather, the cherry blossom buds continue to race toward peak bloom at near record speeds. On Tuesday afternoon, the National Park Service announced that the blossom buds reached Stage 4 out of 6, or ‘peduncle elongation’…This means we could be close to peak bloom by the weekend and hitting peak early next week.” [Washington Post]

New Vienna Restaurant Wins Over Post Critic — “Right this minute, though, the place I’m most smitten by unfolds in a former Greek diner in the Virginia suburbs. Named for the street it’s on in Vienna, the Maple Room is brought to you by real estate developer Christos Sarantis and his wife, Effie, who also own four casual SouvlakiBar establishments in the area.” [Washington Post]

Coffee Vendor Sets Up Off-Season Shop in Hybla Valley — “The McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market won’t officially reopen until April 17, but vendor Brandon Berryhill of the Traveling Shepherd Coffee Company faithfully shows up every week in the offseason to provide customers with their favorite brews.” [On the MoVe]

It’s Wednesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 71 degrees and a west wind of 5 to 8 mph. The evening will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to a low of around 47 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind of 3 to 5 mph. [Weather.gov]

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