Great Falls volunteer firefighters are set to bartend at The Old Brogue this Thursday (March 14) to raise funds for the casualties of the Feb. 19 Sterling house explosion, including Sterling Volunteer Fire Company firefighter Trevor Brown.
Fundraising hours will take from place from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday.
The Old Brogue (760 Walker Road) first opened on Saint Patrick’s Day in 1981. The Malone family took over the pub’s operations and ownership in 2022.
“What makes The Old Brogue truly special is both its rich history in Irish hospitality dating back to the first steakhouse opened in Derry, Ireland, and the charming and warm environment of The Old Brogue that has earned its place as a pillar of the community today,” Patrick Malone, a spokesman for The Old Brogue, said.
Customers are encouraged to bring cash and “tip big” at the event.
The house explosion killed Brown, a 45-year-old firefighter and father of three who had been with the Loudoun County volunteer department since 2016. Fourteen others were also injured.
The fire was the result of a leak involving a 500-gallon underground propane tank and a un-contained propane tank that moved around the structure that was ignited by an unknown ignition source, according to Loudoun County fire officials.
Property damage extended to at least six additional homes, resulting in damages of roughly $2.5 million.
The Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department works with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s career staff out of Station 12 at 9916 Georgetown Pike.
A regional staple in the arts community is returning to Reston Town Center this May.
Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art is organizing the Tephra ICA Arts Festival — formerly known as Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival — on May 18 and 19, bringing more than 200 artists from across the country to RTC.
“Tephra ICA Arts Festival has a long-standing reputation for excellence, yet every year we seek to hone and find ways of advancing its impact, audience reach, and onsite experience as a beloved community event,” festival director Hannah Barco told FFXnow.
This year, the festival will include thematic guided tours of artist booths and designated hours for artist demonstration.
Reston Town Center Association will also simultaneously launch its summer concert series — Reston Concerts on the Town — with a free public concert at the pavilion (1825 Discovery Street) on the night of May 18. Attendees will be able to take advantage of the association’s sip and stroll offering, which allow customers to drink alcoholic beverages from select restaurants within a pre-designated zone.
As in previous years, RCC will present a contemporary performance. This year’s selection is “Danielle Hatch’s All is in Motion, Is Growing, Is You,” a site-specific textile installation with an accompanying performance at the RTC Fountain Plaza. Both pieces draw on the founding of Reston, particularly the idea of the collection in the process of community building.
Volunteers can sign up online. Sponsorship slots are also available.
South Lakes HS Wins State Basketball Title — South Lakes High School’s varsity boys team handily defeated Patriot High School 65-39 on Saturday (March 9) to win the Class 6 state boys basketball championship. The Seahawks won with a “stellar supporting cast” led by junior guard Jordan Scott, who scored a game-high 23 points. [Washington Post, Inside NoVA]
Virginia’s Prison Population Drops — “Virginia’s prison population shrank 10.5% between 2021 and 2022, per the latest Justice Department data…That’s the greatest decline of any state during a period when the U.S. was seeing its prison population increase for the first time in nearly a decade.” [Axios Richmond]
Justice HS Searches for New Principal — “Fairfax County Public Schools has begun the process of finding a new principal for Justice High School, following the announcement that Tiffany Narcisse is leaving. FCPS Region 2 Assistant Superintendent Megan Vroman will host a virtual meeting for staff and community members on Tuesday, March 12, at 6 p.m., to discuss the hiring process and answer questions.” [Annandale Today]
Elected Representatives Highlight Legislative Wins — “Several members of the U.S. Congress and Virginia General Assembly who represent local districts recently highlighted their legislative successes,” including funding for a “Mason Neck Trail — Northern Segment” project in Lorton and a bill signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin that codifies the right of LGBTQ Virginians to marry. [On the MoVe]
Former Congressman Buys McLean Mansion — “A former Missouri congressman who made the successful leap to lobbyist life recently plunked down $2.95 million for a 10,000-square-foot McLean mansion. Alan Wheat, chairman of D.C.-based Wheat Shroyer Government Relations, acquired a seven-bedroom, 10-bath home on Alvermar Ridge Drive in late February.” [Washington Business Journal]
Area Restaurants Offer Special Meals for Ramadan — “Ramadan just began and several D.C. restaurants are serving special meals” through April 9, including Fava Pot in the Shops at West Falls Church. Ticketed dinners at Joon in Tysons and the Marriott in West Falls Church will, respectively, raise money to help Syrians in need and provide aid in Gaza. [Axios DC]
Reston Association Corrects Board Candidate Statements — “Reston Association Elections Committee Chair Ed Abbott today issued a statement regarding candidate profiles in the current 2024 Board of Directors Election.” A sentence in one profile “was inadvertently omitted in candidate information that was sent to RA voters in their ballot packets,” Abbott said. [RA]
Meet Dulles Airport Security Dogs — “Airport security dogs play a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of airports everywhere, including at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. They have a remarkable sense of smell, allowing them to sniff out even the faintest traces of explosives, narcotics or other prohibited substances.” [WTOP]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high around 68 degrees, accompanied by west winds ranging from 9 to 14 mph and gusts reaching 22 mph. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy with a low near 45 degrees, as west winds decrease to 3 to 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 3:35 p.m.) Congress has passed another short-term budget package, averting a partial shutdown of the federal government just hours before a midnight deadline.
In addition to funding the Justice Department, Housing and Urban Development, and other key agencies, the slate of bills passed 75-22 by the Senate on Friday (March 8) includes $12.7 billion in “pork” — money designated for local projects requested by lawmakers for their constituents.
In a joint press release, Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced that Fairfax County and other Virginia localities will be among the beneficiaries of the more than 6,600 projects that got funding, per the Associated Press.
“I’m proud that we secured funding for 105 community projects across Virginia that will improve transportation, upgrade water infrastructure, support health care, and more,” Kaine said. “I urge Congress to take up the rest of the government funding bills as soon as possible.”
According to breakdowns provided by Warner’s and Rep. Gerry Connolly’s offices, the biggest allocation for Fairfax County is $4.1 million “to fund a new homeless and domestic violence shelter for families.”
The county’s existing domestic violence and family shelters have exceeded their useful lives, but instead of building new facilities, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority is planning to convert an existing “extended stay” hotel that will be able to house about 50 families a day.
“Site acquisition activities are ongoing, with the goal of securing a location that is well-served by transit, and close to jobs and services,” FCRHA spokesperson Allyson Pearce said.
Connolly’s office says the site “will entail combining rooms, creating service and office space, and other changes to the existing hotel setup,” noting that converting an existing building instead of constructing a new one will enable the county “to deliver this essential, brand new facility years earlier than might otherwise be accomplished.”
The county has two shelters specifically for people fleeing domestic violence — Artemis House and Bethany House — and two shelters that accommodate people with children — the Katherine Hanley shelter outside Centreville and the Patrick Henry shelter in Seven Corners.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved plans in August 2022 to replace the Patrick Henry shelter with supportive housing after some delays related to land acquisition challenges.
The appropriations package also includes funding for several road and pedestrian projects:
- Spring Street widening from four to six lanes between Herndon Parkway and Fairfax County Parkway ($1 million)
- Fox Mill Road and Pinecrest Road intersection improvements in Herndon ($850,000)
- Silverbrook Road and Lorton Road intersection improvements ($850,000)
- Sidewalk on Ninian Avenue and along Bush Hill Drive to improve safety and accessibility for Bush Hill Elementary School students in Rose Hill ($850,000)
- Gunston Road shared-use path from Julia Taft Way to the Pohick Bay Golf Course entrance in Lorton ($500,000)
- Compton Road bicycle and pedestrian path from the Bull Run Special Events Center access road to the Cub Run Stream Valley Trail in Centreville ($500,000)
- Stone Road trail from the I-66 interchange to an existing trail along southbound Route 28 in Centreville ($500,000)
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation applied for federal grants last summer to fund the Bush Hill and Compton Road projects. Read More
Local police have uncovered a drug operation in Reston that involved the discovery of 1,800 THC vape cartidges, 36 pounds of marijuana and other narcotics, along with guns.
The Fairfax County Police Department says its Gang Intelligence Unit uncovered the stash after they were alerted in February to a juvenile suspected of dealing narcotics and illegally possessing firearms.
The investigation led detectives to execute three search warrants for homes last Friday, March 8. At the juvenile’s home in the 11500 block of Cypress Point Circle, detectives found a 9mm rifle, handgun, ammunition, suspected psilocybin mushrooms, and suspected narcotics, according to the FCPD.
A search of a home in the 11201 block of Reston Station Blvd led to an even bigger haul: six pounds of marijuana, over 880 suspected THC vape cartridges, 160 suspected THC edibles, 690+ suspected Adderall pills, and further evidence of narcotics distribution, according to police.
A third search warrant in the 1500 block of Scandia Circle also uncovered 1000+ suspected THC vape cartridges, suspected THC oil, Marijuana seeds, and further evidence of narcotics distribution.
The 27-year-old resident of the Reston Station Blvd home was charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute schedule I/II narcotics and four counts of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.
Two Reston men are facing multiple charges — including attempted murder in one case — after allegedly getting involved in police pursuits on the Capital Beltway last Thursday (March 7).
The first chase began around 9:54 p.m. when a Virginia State Police trooper moved to stop a Jeep Cherokee SRT for reckless driving on I-495 near S. Van Dorn Street in Rose Hill, according to the VSP.
“The Cherokee refused to stop for the trooper and a pursuit was initiated,” state police said. “During the course of the pursuit, the driver of the Jeep threw a firearm out the window. The firearm struck the ground and then the trooper’s vehicle.”
After the chase got off the Beltway, the driver hit the trooper’s vehicle with the Jeep at the Braddock Road and Twinbrook Road intersection in the Kings Park West area, the VSP said. The Jeep ultimately came to a stop on Twinbrook Road.
The driver — identified by police as Jevon T. Mark, 23, of Reston — was taken into custody and charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, eluding police, throwing missiles, reckless driving and one felony count of hit and run.
Police also detained and released two passengers in the vehicle, and the gun reportedly thrown out of the Jeep was found.
“The incident remains under investigation,” the VSP said.
The second high-speed chase of the night came less than an hour later. At 10:45 p.m., the VSP were alerted by a Maryland law enforcement agency to a stolen 2015 Chevrolet traveling across the American Legion Bridge into Virginia.
When a state trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop on I-495 near Braddock Road, the driver refused and sped away at a high rate of speed, the VSP said. State police attempted to bring the vehicle to a stop near the Glebe Road exit in Arlington using a “pursuit intervention technique.”
Though fuzzy, a traffic camera video captured by public safety watcher Dave Statter shows the vehicle careening into a ditch by the exit ramp.
According to the VSP, the driver crawled into the trunk of the vehicle to try and hide from the troopers, who took him into custody without incident.
During the pursuit, the car rammed into one of the trooper’s cars. The trooper suffered minor injuries.
Abiselome Belachew, a 21-year-old Reston resident, has been charged with attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer, one felony count of hit-and-run for hitting the trooper’s vehicle, one felony count of eluding police, auto theft and driving on a suspended license.
General Assembly Approves State Budget — “Virginia lawmakers wrapped up their 60-day legislative session Saturday by approving a two-year budget that includes pay raises for teachers and state employees, increases education funding and extends the state sales tax to cover digital services.” [Associated Press]
Man Gets Prison for Killing Lorton Landlord — “A Prince William County man was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison for slaying his 72-year-old landlord in Lorton. Brian Sayrs Jr., 28, pleaded guilty in August to second-degree murder and concealing a body in the June 2021 killing of Emily Lu, who was found dead about 50 days after she vanished following what authorities said was a rent dispute with Sayrs.” [Washington Post]
County and Herndon Police Chiefs Clash — Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard asked last week for graduation certificates for her officers to be reissued with an English signature after Fairfax County Police Criminal Justice Academy head Maj. Wilson Lee signed them in Chinese. DeBoard says Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis “inappropriately accused me of being racist,” while the FCPD said it doesn’t plan to reissue the certificates. [NBC4]
Man Sentenced to Prison for Tysons Carjacking — “A Maryland man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a series of carjackings and an attempted carjacking in 2022.” The 22-year-old man from Hagerstown pleaded guilty to carjacking four people at gunpoint between May 15 and June 1, 2022, including one incident in Tysons, and attempting a fifth carjacking on June 6. [WTOP]
Architecture Firm Moves Out of Tysons Office — “This week the firm [KTGY] began working out of the 15,000-square-foot home it designed for itself in Alexander Court, 2001 K St. NW, cementing a long-planned move from Northern Virginia that firm leaders say will play a role in reinvigorating downtown.” The company’s D.C. area office had been at 8609 Westwood Center Drive since 2010. [Washington Business Journal]
Volunteers Wanted for Earth Day Celebration — “Join us for Fairfax County’s largest official Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 20, at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly…The event attracts nearly 5,000 people from across Fairfax County annually. Volunteers are needed to fill shifts throughout the day in a variety of capacities.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Former Tysons Area Delegate Honored — Former delegate Mark Keam returned to the Virginia State Capitol on Friday (March 8) when his successor, Del. Holly Seibold presented a resolution “commending” his 13 years as a state legislator. Keam says he “can’t thank my Delegate enough for being so thoughtful and kind to do this, even though it was not at all necessary.” [Mark Keam/Facebook]
Fairfax Symphony Premieres New Composition — “Among the things to admire about the [Fairfax Symphony Orchestra] is its commitment to variety…Saturday night’s concert at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts represented a particularly well-struck balance: two sizable portions of music from Syrian American composer Malek Jandali, including the world premiere of his ‘Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra,’ followed by a heroic dose of Beethoven.” [Washington Post]
It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a high of 53 degrees, accompanied by strong northwest winds of 26 to 28 mph, and gusts reaching up to 47 mph. The clear night will bring a low temperature of around 40 degrees, with west winds of 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. [Weather.gov]
An Indian restaurant appears to be taking over space in Herndon vacated by Mellow Mushroom last year.
As first reported by The Burn, Maharani Palace — which does not appear to have an online presence yet — expects to open at 1030 Elden Street, according to a sign posted at the door.
Located in the Crossroads of Dulles office condominiums, the banquet-style restaurant will include a garden room, a room for gatherings, and something called a “Ghungroo Lounge,” the sign on the door says.
It’s unclear when the business is expected to open, but the signage indicates the location is “coming soon.” The restaurant doesn’t appear to have an online presence yet, as the website on the sign doesn’t work.
FFXnow reached out to Rock Creek Property Group, which owns the Crossroads of Dulles, but didn’t hear back by press time.
Mellow Mushroom, which served handcrafted pizzas and wings, closed in May 2023 after about a decade in Herndon.
The business continues to serve customers from its location with Chantilly, along with others throughout the country. A location is planned in Vienna, though it’s unclear when construction will start on the mixed-use development where it’ll be located.
Hopes that Gov. Glenn Youngkin might sign a bill legalizing retail sales of marijuana in Virginia faded fast this week as Democrats blocked one of the governor’s top priorities: the plan to bring a professional sports arena to Northern Virginia.
As recently as Wednesday, according to multiple Capitol sources, the cannabis bill was being raised in closed-door budget talks with the governor as one of several Democratic priorities that could conceivably have been part of a package deal with the arena.
But the prospects of a grand policy bargain appeared to collapse Thursday as Democrats revealed a budget proposal without Youngkin’s arena plan, prompting the governor to say he was less inclined to look favorably on Democratic priorities. In a news conference (link added by FFXnow) on the Capitol steps, Youngkin said the arena deal Senate Democrats rejected involved up to 30,000 jobs and $12 billion in economic impact.
“And, bluntly, you want to talk about putting a cannabis shop on every corner?” Youngkin said. “I don’t quite get it.”
The governor said several other topics had been part of an “overall discussion” with Democrats. However, he suggested the rejection of an economic development project that could’ve drawn bipartisan support isn’t going to make him more likely to approve bills that passed mostly along party lines.
“I think this really sets us meaningfully back,” Youngkin said.
Del. Paul Krizek, D-Alexandria, a key sponsor of the marijuana proposal, said hopes for the bill were not high.
“As those great philosophers Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin would say, ‘It’s up in smoke,’” Krizek said.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, pointed to Youngkin’s comments on cannabis as evidence that it’s the governor who’s refusing to budge on issues that have popular support.
“He just basically flat out said one of our biggest priorities he’s not willing to consider,” Surovell said. “This governor wants to set the terms of every single negotiation as if he’s the sole arbiter of what’s reasonable in a bipartisan environment. That’s just not how it works. … If he wants something, he’s got to give us something.”
Youngkin can’t veto the marijuana bill immediately, because it technically hasn’t been sent to him yet. After this week’s developments, it may only be a matter of time. Youngkin said again Thursday that he doesn’t have “any interest” in greenlighting a retail marijuana market during his four-year term.
He has just under two years remaining, and if Democrats retake the Executive Mansion in 2025, the bill sent to Youngkin this year could potentially be the starting point for future legislative efforts. Read More
It’s been 20 years since an iconic sculpture honoring Reston’s founder Robert E. Simon was unveiled at Lake Anne Plaza.
To celebrate the anniversary of the sculpture’s installation, Reston Museum is hosting an event featuring its creator, artist Zachary Oxman. The event will take place at Reston Community Center Lake Anne (1609-A Washington Plaza North) next Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
“We are thrilled to host Mr. Oxman for our March program,” Reston Museum Executive Director Alexandra Campbell said. “It’s a perfect start to our Founder’s Day 20th-anniversary celebrations, highlighting the installation of the ‘Bronze Bob’ sculpture. We will also feature photographs from the sculpture’s original unveiling throughout March at the museum.”
The event will also feature longtime Restonian Cheryl Terio-Simon, widow of Bob Simon Jr. and author of the book “Community is What It Is All About: An Ode to Lake Anne.”
The artist talk is free, but registration is required.
Known officially as “Untold Stories” and informally as “Bronze Bob,” the statue will get a full anniversary celebration next month as part of Founder’s Day, which will be held on April 6 this year.
Oxman’s sculpture has become a “cherished symbol of Reston’s rich heritage,” Reston Museum says.
A Carnegie Mellon University alumnus with a bachelor’s of fine arts degree, the artist is also the brain behind Convergence, a sculpture at the Aperture Apartments in Reston Station.
“His career and contributions to public art underscore a deep connection to community and storytelling through sculpture,” Reston Museum said.
After updating its parking standards last fall, Fairfax County is conducting an online survey seeking feedback from the community on its current supply of accessible/ADA parking spaces.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted new parking standards last September for the first time in 35 years through its Parking Reimagined initiative. Among other changes, the amendment created a tiered system for parking requirements based on a development’s density and proximity to transit.
A spokesperson with the county’s Land Development Services (LDS) says discussions about the potential impacts of the updated requirements on the supply of accessible parking prompted the board to approve a review of the standards.
“The county is analyzing whether a higher requirement to compensate for the change in baseline parking rates is appropriate and implementable,” the spokesperson told FFXnow.
Currently, accessible parking requirements are based on the overall number of spaces provided for a use, such as an apartment building, retail store or restaurant. The rates are based on federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements as well as Virginia’s state requirements.
“Text was already added to the new requirements to preserve a stable amount of accessible parking even when general parking supply is reduced either with new parking rates or parking adjustments,” the LDS spokesperson said. “However, there was some concern that our new baseline rates would create a gap that requires less accessible parking.”
Potential changes could be broadly applied or targeted to certain circumstances. Additionally, there could be recommendations on the management of accessible spaces, such as standards for additional signage.
The online survey will be “essential in helping the department develop recommendations,” the LDS spokesperson said.
“The survey was created to get a better understanding of accessible parking experiences from those who need and use it,” they said. “From that, we can determine how we should look at potential changes to parking requirements.”
The survey is available until April 15.
Prospect Iffy for Wiz and Caps Stadium in Alexandria — “A visibly frustrated Gov. Glenn Youngkin made a last-minute appeal to the Virginia legislature to support the Potomac Yard arena ahead of the General Assembly adjourning on Saturday…Senate Finance and Appropriations Chairwoman L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) told the Washington Post [on Wednesday] that the Potomac Yard arena won’t be in the budget compromise.” [ALXnow]
Design of Route 1 BRT Stations Under Revision — Fairfax County’s “Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project team continues to work on art design concepts for five of the nine future BRT stations…The county finalized artwork for windscreens to be located at the Lockheed, Hybla Valley, Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir stations” based on concepts submitted last year by high school students. [On the MoVe]
How FCPD Defused Barricade Situation — “It was a bitter cold February night, and the townhouse community along Butterfield Lane in Annandale was flooded with officers…responding to a call of shots fired inside of one of the homes that quickly escalated into a barricade situation. The first responders on the scene, however, were not alone in de-escalating the situation.” [WJLA]
FCPS Adopts Guidelines for Meditation Spaces — “FCPS has developed a regulation to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division.” The regulation took effect on March 1 and sets guidelines for designated areas where students and staff can “engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
GMU Gets Donation for Domestic Violence Research — George Mason University “received a $4.85 million gift to help continue…research in detecting injuries caused by domestic violence, which will now include the use of artificial intelligence…The anonymous donation will allow researchers to build a new AI software that can help identify bruising injuries with a database of different skin colors.” [WTOP]
Vienna Council Reverses Rejection of Sidewalk Project — “The Vienna Town Council, in an unusual third vote taken one week after two previous tallies came up short, voted 5-2 March 4 to proceed with design work for a sidewalk on Johnson Street, S.W.” The council previously voted against awarding a contract, with opposing members “citing opposition to the project from some residents on the street.” [Gazette Leader]
Tree Rescue Event Coming to Park Near Lake Barcroft — “Community members are invited to gather in Sleepy Hollow Park on Sunday, March 10, 12-2 p.m., to learn how to rescue trees being strangled by invasive vines…Participants will learn how to save trees in their yards and take the first steps toward doing this restorative work in local parks. All are welcome; you don’t need experience.” [Annandale Today]
Prep for St. Patrick’s Day With Dancing in Fairfax — “On March 10, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish social dancing. From 3-5:30 p.m., dancers of all levels are invited to step onto the Sherwood Center’s dance floor to live music by the Shepherd’s Pie Ceili Band…Cost is $12/adults, $6/youths” [City of Fairfax]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy skies, with temperatures reaching a high near 59 degrees. An initial northeast wind of 5 to 7 mph will shift to southeast in the afternoon. Tonight, there’s a 30% chance of showers after 1am, and the cloudy conditions will continue with a low around 43 degrees. [Weather.gov]
The Herndon Community Center is planning a week-long series of events later this month to celebrate its 45th anniversary.
The center, which has been provided health, wellness, and recreational activities for the community since its inception in 1976, is inviting residents to participate in the festivities, starting Monday, March 25 and concluding on March 28.
Originally developed in partnership with Fairfax County, the center has expanded significantly from its initial 15,000-square-foot facility into a 56,000-square-foot complex at 814 Ferndale Avenue that includes an indoor aquatic facility, fitness center and racquetball courts, among other amenities.
Bob Williams, director of the Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation Department, expressed pride in reaching this milestone.
“Celebrating 45 years of community service underscores the continuous support from our residents and the dedication of our staff to offer exceptional programs and facilities,” he said in a press release.
The anniversary week will feature a range of activities and special offers, including free-admission fitness classes, themed Zumba sessions and discounts on passes. Highlights of the celebration include:
- Monday, March 25: Kick off the celebration with a series of special fitness classes, including a 45-minute tutorial workout (12 pm & 6 pm), a full-strength workout (6:30 pm), and a 70s themed Zumba session (5:30 pm).
- Tuesday, March 26: Get groovy with another round of 70s-themed Zumba (5:30 pm),guaranteed to get you moving and shaking.
- Wednesday, March 27: Keep the party going with more 70s-themed Zumba (5:30 pm) and a 45- minute tutorial workout (6 pm) designed to help you achieve your fitness goals.
- Thursday, March 28: Close out the week with one last burst of energy with a 45-minute tutorial workout (11 am) and another fun-filled session of 70s-themed Zumba (5:30 pm).
Visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in daily giveaways and engage in a coloring page activity commemorating the center’s 45th anniversary. Additionally, the center is offering promotional deals, including admission for $4.50, a 45-day pass available for $45, and a buy-one-get-one-free offer for individuals aged 45 and older.
Coinciding with the celebration, the Herndon Community Center is initiating a “Swim the Distance in 2024” challenge, where members will swim a total of 45 miles over the course of the year. They can track their progress with forms provided by the center.
River-Sea Chocolate Factory is making progress on its plans to open a production facility in Reston.
The company, which has a retail store and hot chocolate cafe in Chantilly, is seeking to add a location near Reston Station at 11495 Sunset Hills Road, according to county permits.
While River-Sea co-founder Krissee D’Aguiar didn’t indicate exactly when the factory will open this year, she noted that Reston is officially home for her and her business.
“I grew up in Reston and we live in Reston, love Reston,” D’Aguiar wrote in a statement. “Also, as D.C.’s Bean-to-Bar chocolate maker, we wanted to be closer to Metro to be more accessible to customers and visitors in the D.C. area.”
Krissee and Mariano D’Aguiar started making chocolate in 2017 after visiting family in northern Brazil, where they saw the potential of using food to act as a “connecting bridge” between their life in D.C. and Brazil, according to the company’s website.
River-Sea has said that it will maintain its retail shop and cafe at 4520 Daly Drive, Suite 100, in Chantilly after the Reston site opens.
Final consideration of state Sen. Saddam Salim’s (D-37) proposal to expand the availability of accessory housing units in Virginia will wait until next year.
A Virginia House of Delegates committee voted on Feb. 23 to table Senate Bill 304, until 2025, suggesting that the delay would give Salim and other legislators more time to refine the bill and collect data on existing local policies allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are known in Fairfax County as accessory living units (ALUs).
In his first term representing the 37th Senate District, which includes Tysons, Vienna, Oakton, Merrifield and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, Salim proposed requiring localities to allow ALUs in residential districts “by right,” meaning the property owner wouldn’t need a special permit that often comes with added fees and public hearings.
Though the bill passed the Senate 22-18 on Feb. 9, it was still being revised up until the House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee’s meeting on Feb. 23. The committee didn’t hear public testimony, but its chair, Del. Candi Mundon King (D-23), noted that seven people had signed up to oppose the bill and three to support it, on top of “extensive” feedback at a subcommittee meeting on Feb. 22.
“There is no concern about accessory dwelling units in concept. I think you saw unanimous support,” Del. Briana Sewell (D-25), who chaired the subcommittee, said. “The issue is fine-tuning the language, and the fact that you even brought forth an amendment today showcases that the work has not been complete.”
Also sometimes known as “granny flats,” ADUs or ALUs are independent, secondary residential units located on the same lot as a single-family house. They can either be attached to the primary dwelling or standalone structures, but as defined by Salim’s bill, they have their own living, bathroom and kitchen space.
Though he doesn’t seem them as a solution to local affordable housing needs, Salim says accessory units are still a useful option for residents who might otherwise be priced out of their neighborhood, including seniors and college students.
“Numerous constituents, including teachers, firefighters, nurses, and other essential workers, have expressed concerns about being priced out of our community,” he said in a statement to FFXnow. “Among the primary impediments to ADUs are local requirements for Special-Use Permits, which substantially inflate costs and delay construction timelines, rendering them financially unfeasible in many cases.”
When talking before the House committee, he recalled how he and his family had to live in other people’s basements after they immigrated to the U.S. from Bangladesh in the early 2000s.
“ADUs would’ve been something that would’ve helped us temporarily, whether it’s a room in someone’s house or a configuration of a bathroom, a kitchen and a bedroom that comes together,” he said. “…Living in those basements allowed us to apply for affordable housing. That took about three and a half years.”
Initially, Salim’s proposal prohibited localities from requiring ALUs to have dedicated parking or an occupant who has a relationship or “affinity” with the people living in the primary dwelling, among other potential restrictions. Some of the provisions would’ve contradicted Fairfax County’s zoning policies, alarming some local officials and residents.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors discussed the bill at a legislative committee meeting on Jan. 26, where staff recommended opposing it for encroaching on local authority to govern land use. The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) also sent a letter expressing concern that the legislation would “nullify” the county’s requirements for ALUs.
Throughout the General Assembly session, SB 304 was significantly amended. The version that went before the House Counties committee allowed localities to require dedicated parking for ALUs, a rental term of at least 30 days, owner occupancy of either the accessory or primary unit, and a size limit of 1,000 square feet or 50% of the primary dwelling, whichever is less.
Salim told the committee that he and his office worked with localities to make “reasonable changes and improvements to the bill,” as long as they weren’t asking to be exempted.
“While I understand local government concerns regarding their jurisdiction, I believe that this bill strikes the right balance, addressing the need for action without imposing too much control from Richmond,” he told FFXnow. “…We remain receptive to stakeholder feedback and will continue to refine the bill over the next year.”
Salim confirmed that King and House Speaker Del. Don Scott (D-88) will send letters to the Virginia Housing Commission, directing it to gather information from localities around the state on their ALU policies. A representative of the commission, which studies and provides recommendations on legislative solutions to housing issues, told the state lawmakers that it should be able to provide that data by July 1.
“I am confident that with this data, the bill will have the votes to become law next year,” Salim said. “Ultimately, Virginia faces a pressing need for expanded housing options, and delay is not an option.”
MCA President Linda Walsh said the citizens’ association hasn’t taken a stance on the amended bill.
“We most likely will take a look during the fall as we start to review the bills that have been held over and any new bills that have been submitted for consideration,” she said.
