Fairfax County Public Library’s children’s collection has gotten a big funding boost.
Friends of Reston Regional Library, a volunteer-run organization that supports and promotes Reston Regional Library and Herndon Fortnightly Library along with the rest of the library system, donated $100,000 for the collection.
“This is a major donation for our group and we’re very excited to spread the word, especially as the County is about to publish its draft budget,” the organization wrote in a statement to FFXnow. “We know the library’s collection has so far been seriously underfunded.”
The gift will be used this year to purchase more copies of books that the system already has, as well as new book for young readers. It will help fund the purchase of children’s non-fiction books, picture books and children’s and young adult fiction books.
The check was officially presented on Sunday (Feb. 4) to FCPL Director Jessica Hudson at the Friends’ Mystery and Thriller book sale at Reston Regional Library.
FCPL is seeking a permanent increase in funds to bring its children’s collection up to date. County Executive Bryan Hill will release his proposed fiscal year 2025 budget on Feb. 20.
Consideration of legislation to make Fairfax County eligible for a casino has officially been put on hold until 2025.
The Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted 13-2 this morning (Tuesday) to continue Senate Bill 675 to next year, affirming a recommendation made last Thursday (Feb. 1) by its resources subcommittee.
The vote came after a failed effort by state Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-33) to more forcefully table the bill from Sen. Dave Marsden (D-35), who has advocated for a casino in Tysons specifically as a potential revenue boost for both Fairfax County and the state.
Urging her fellow committee members to pass the bill by indefinitely, Boysko says “hundreds and hundreds” of local community members had voiced opposition to a possible casino at a town hall she and other representatives of the Reston and McLean areas held on Saturday (Feb. 3).
The town hall drew over 400 people, according to Boysko’s office. The senator told FFXnow that she has also received “thousands and thousands of letters and emails and calls from constituents” opposed to a casino.
“We’ve heard [the opposition] all year long,” Boysko said at the committee meeting, recalling a doctor’s appointment she had last summer where the doctor told her that he didn’t want a casino in the area. “…I ask my colleagues to respect the will of the neighbors I have.”
In addition to emphasizing the opposition from area residents, Boysko and Sen. Barbara Favola (D-40) warned that Marsden’s bill sets a new precedent for determining where casinos can be built in Virginia.
The five localities currently eligible for a casino — Portsmouth, Danville, Bristol, Norfolk and Richmond — all requested that authority from the General Assembly, as has Petersburg, which is being considered as a replacement for Richmond after the voters in the state capital rejected a referendum twice.
Though they didn’t officially oppose the legislation, Fairfax County leaders have stressed that they didn’t ask for the county to be added to the list of eligible casino hosts and weren’t consulted about the proposed development.
SB 675 also deviates by laying out criteria that limits potential sites for a casino to somewhere in Tysons near a Silver Line Metro station outside the Capital Beltway. Comstock is reportedly eying the abandoned Exclusive Automotive Group lot at 8546 Leesburg Pike, according to Marsden.
“This would set a precedent that is very different from our current framework, and I don’t want to go down that path,” said Favola, who represents Arlington.
However, Marsden argued that a casino would bring in substantial new revenue at a time when offices are struggling and Metro needs more funding from Virginia, D.C. and Maryland to avoid potentially drastic budget cuts.
The envisioned casino development from Comstock would also include a conference center, hotel and concert venue, he noted.
“There’s no reason right now for people to come to Fairfax County,” Marsden said. “…We don’t get visitors, we don’t have tourism.” Read More
Spice Village will house the restaurant brand Nash & Smash (via Google Maps)
Nash & Smash is bringing its brand of fried chicken, smash burgers, and Nashville-style sandwiches to the Herndon area.
Spice Village, a food hall in Village Center at Dulles (2501 Centreville Road), is now selling items from Nash & Smash. The hall also has food from restaurants like Peri Peri Original and Kallisto Steakhouse, according to company representative Zayan Abbasi.
The Ashburn location of Peri Peri Original — a partner restaurant of Nash & Smash — will also sell items from the company.
As first reported by The Burn, more rapid expansion is on the horizon for Nash & Smash.
“We are opening around eight to 10 locations this year,” Abbasi said.
The company’s flagship stores will be located in Manassas, Silver Spring, Baltimore City and Richmond. Those locations are expected to open sometime this year, he said.
Customers can order from Nash & Smash online through the Herndon location.
Image via Google Maps
Metro Optimistic Worst Budget Cuts Can Be Avoided — “Metro is likely to escape extreme cuts that would have decimated the region’s public transportation after D.C., Maryland and Virginia leaders vowed to make up nearly half a billion dollars of the transit system’s budget shortfall, Metro officials said Monday. The infusions must still be finalized through votes…over the coming months.” [Washington Post]
Murder Charge Dropped in Hybla Valley Shooting — “D’Mari Norris, a young father, died after he was shot three times outside the Mount Vernon Square Apartment Homes in Fairfax County in late August 2022…In court on Monday, the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office dismissed the murder charge against the accused killer,” stating that they lacked the evidence to disprove the defendant’s self-defense argument. [NBC4]
Protestors Camp Outside Secretary of State’s Home Near McLean — “Protesters angry over Israel’s assault on Gaza have become a regular presence outside [Antony] Blinken’s residence in Northern Virginia, with some camping out for days in roadside tents. Palestinian flags and handmade signs express their fury at a diplomat who has become the face of President Biden’s policy toward the conflict.” [New York Times]
County Sees Uptick in Opioid Overdoses — “Opioid overdoses in Fairfax County, Virginia, are rising in part because of the cost and accessibility of counterfeit pills that are often laced with fentanyl, county leaders said during a recent committee meeting…There were 404 non-fatal opioid overdoses in the county in 2023, compared to 304 in 2022, according to county data.” [WTOP]
Valentine’s Day Events Coming to County Parks — “The Fairfax County Park Authority has many activities to usher in the big day of adoration. Whether you are into chocolate, animals, do-it-yourself crafts or good ol’ fashion togetherness, love is all around in our parks! Check out these fun activities to enjoy the holiday that commemorates love.” [FCPA]
Chain Saws Stolen in Fairfax City — “City of Fairfax Police released photos taken by a surveillance camera that show a man they say stole two chainsaws from a city business…On Jan. 17, the man in the photos entered the Lowes department store located at 4080 Germantown Road and took two electric chainsaws without paying.” [Patch]
Springfield Gas Station Could Add Convenience Store — “The owner of a Shell station in the Springfield area of Mason District is proposing to add a convenience store and double the number of fuel pumps…The proposal calls for a new 3,982-square-foot convenience store, possibly operated by 7-Eleven.” [Annandale Today]
Vienna Inn Celebrates 64th Anniversary — “Much has changed in Vienna since 1960, but the Vienna Inn remains a mainstay for chili dogs and neighborly camaraderie. In February, the restaurant will celebrate its 64th anniversary with…special menu offerings, kids nights, community fundraisers with Mayor Linda Colbert and other guests, contests, giveaways and more.” [Patch]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 47 degrees, accompanied by a northeast wind at 7 to 9 mph. In the evening, clear conditions will continue, with the temperature dropping to around 29 degrees, and a north wind at approximately 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
The battle to integrate Fairfax County Public Library and other library systems in the region will be the focus of a Reston-based event for Black History Month.
Authors Chris Barbuschak and Suzanne LaPierre will offer a look at the overlooked history of segregated library services in Northern Virginia at the Feb. 21 event organized by Reston Museum. It’s slated to begin at 7 p.m. at Reston Community Center’s Lake Anne facility (1609-A Washington Plaza North).
The program focuses on the librarians’ book, “Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries.”
“We are thrilled to have Mr. Barbuschak and Ms. Lapierre speak at our February program about their book,” Reston Museum Executive Director Alexandra Campbell said. “Those interested in reading the book in advance can purchase the book at the museum or the day of the program. It is an insightful book and I encourage everyone to read it.”
The book highlights how libraries were inaccessible to Black residents — even after the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education that found segregation to be unconstitutional. Ultimately, civil rights activists used protests and lawsuits to gain equitable library services.
The 208-page book, which was published last January, is available online. Registration for the upcoming author talk is available through Reston Museum’s website.
Two Virginia lawmakers are proposing sweeping measures to improve the state’s provision of special education services as criticisms from parents and the federal government over Virginia’s compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act continue.
Sponsored by Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, and Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, the proposals would create a statewide system to oversee the development and use of individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with special needs, require more training for educators about how to provide inclusive special education instruction, set up eight regional “special education parent support centers” and provide additional specialists to divisions.
“It’s no secret we are failing our students with disabilities in Virginia,” said Coyner during a Jan. 30 hearing on the legislation.
Federal law requires states to provide all students with disabilities a “free appropriate public education.” Among the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is that schools must offer an IEP and that “every child should have the chance to meet challenging objectives,” according to a 2017 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
“This bill ensures that there is monitoring of this civil rights law at the state level, and it’s very necessary,” said Kandise Lucas, a special education advocate, during a recent House Education subcommittee meeting.
Virginia has almost 181,000 students receiving special education services this school year, an increase of nearly 7,000 students from a year ago. But the state has struggled to meet the demands of students with disabilities.
Virginia has repeatedly been criticized by the federal government for problems with providing special education services. A June 2020 report by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs determined that Virginia “does not have the procedures and practices that are reasonably designed to enable the state to exercise general supervision over all educational programs for children with disabilities.”
The Virginia Department of Education disputed some of the findings, saying the federal office included “factual inaccuracies.”
However, in a Feb. 17, 2023 letter from OSEP, the office identified “significant new or continued areas of concerns” with how the state was complying with supervision, dispute resolution and confidentiality requirements in IDEA. In particular, it concluded Virginia “does not have procedures and practices that are reasonably designed to ensure a timely resolution process” for complaints and said at least five districts were not adhering to IDEA regulations.
Individual school divisions have also been faulted by federal officials. In November 2022, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights found Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia’s largest school district, had failed (link added by FFXnow) to provide thousands of students with disabilities the education they were entitled to receive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
State reviews have also echoed many federal criticisms. In 2020, the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission identified major shortcomings in the state’s provision of special education services, including low-quality IEPs, a lack of knowledge among educators about how to effectively support students with disabilities and shortfalls in the Virginia Department of Education’s oversight of local divisions.
Researchers who reviewed 90 randomly selected IEPs found about half lacked goals for academic progress or improved functioning, which are required by federal law. About 37% of parents believed the services outlined in their child’s IEP were only “somewhat” or “not at all appropriate.”
A third of the special education directors interviewed by JLARC said only half or fewer administrators and general education teachers in their division had the knowledge or skills necessary to support students with disabilities. However, researchers pointed out that state regulations only required “minimal” training in special education for administrators.
Overall, the report observed Virginia students with severe, less common or multiple disabilities graduated at a rate lower than those with more common disabilities. Additionally, it found a persistent shortage of special education teachers, with many school divisions relying on underprepared teachers to fill gaps.
A statewide IEP system, additional training and parent support centers
Coyner and Favola pitched their legislation this week as a way to address many of the problems identified by the federal government and JLARC.
“Most of the things that the federal government has hit us with is about compliance, and while compliance must happen, it doesn’t guarantee great instructional practices and that all students are served the best they can be in the commonwealth,” said Coyner, a former Chesterfield School Board member, at a Tuesday hearing.
“At the end of the day, we want our school systems to serve every child,” Favola told a Senate panel Thursday.
While the bills are identical in many respects, the House version of the legislation includes a formal definition of an IEP and more requirements for school boards to provide teachers with training.
A key proposal of both would create a statewide system to oversee the development and use of IEPs for students with special needs. In addition to providing a model for schools to use in crafting IEPs, the system would provide guidance to school boards on how to use them and include data-tracking capabilities.
Amendments to the legislation would allow schools that already have their own version of an IEP tracking and oversight system to opt out of the state system.
The proposal would also require training for educators about how to provide inclusive special education instruction and would task school boards with providing “high-quality professional development in instructional practices” for special education.
Mike Asip, policy and legislative chair for the Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education, said at a Jan. 30 hearing that “professional development for general ed teachers and administrators is critical to making them a fully informed team about the needs of students with disabilities.”
Public colleges and universities would also be required to instruct aspiring teachers in teaching in inclusive settings, or classrooms that meet the individual needs of students.
“This is a very comprehensive, robust bill that can focus on inclusion and focus on quality education for all of our kids,” said Tonya Milling, executive director of the Arc of Virginia, an advocacy group for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, at the Jan. 30 hearing.
To increase resources for parents, the legislation would set up eight regional special education parent support centers, staffed with a special parent ombudsman who would systematically track and report questions and concerns raised by parents of special education students to the state.
Additionally, school boards would have to hire at least one full-time special education parent engagement specialist to help parents navigate the referral, evaluation, eligibility and IEP processes.
Both Favola and Coyner are asking for $14.2 million over the next two years to pay for divisions’ special education parent engagement specialists and $8.1 million for the creation of the Virginia IEP system, professional development, teacher coaching and eight additional state ombudsman positions.
Two speakers Thursday said they wished the bill addressed problems with the special education teacher pipeline given the “extraordinary shortage” of teachers and the state’s reliance on provisionally licensed teachers.
Favola acknowledged the bill does not fix the teacher pipeline issue but said there are ways to address those concerns through the regulatory process or by creating incentives.
Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax, who supported the bill, said she too was worried about special education teachers.
“The workload is immense,” Pekarsky said. “The type of issues that they are dealing with are significant. There is significant burnout, people are leaving the profession and we know that our students with IEPs probably need the most highly qualified experienced teachers.”
Agency efforts
Outside of the General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Education this October announced the creation of a workgroup to help develop what it’s calling the “2024 Roadmap for Special Education.” It also is creating a dedicated team that reports directly to the superintendent of public instruction to monitor how school divisions provide special education services and assist them as needed.
Last year, Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons commissioned Robert Pasternack and Nathan Levenson, two special education experts, to conduct external evaluations of Virginia’s special education programs.
The two experts identified similar issues as the Office of Special Education Programs and offered recommendations, some of which are included in Coyner and Favola’s legislation.
Pasternack’s report concluded the department should “provide much quicker feedback to divisions regarding findings of non-compliance and required corrective action following VDOE monitoring” and should increase its efforts to notify parents of tools available to them, such as mediation and the state’s special education ombudsman
Levenson’s recommendations included setting a higher bar for success for students with disabilities and adopting a “multi-pronged” approach to increasing the role general education plays in serving students with disabilities
Levenson wrote that while VDOE “may feel that they are already working on these recommendations … how they work on them must be refined. Outside third-party support will likely be required to help create a new normal way of helping guide, support, and pressure school systems. These recommendations call for adaptive, large-scale change, not minor tweaks to current practice.”
Photo via Element5 Digital on Unsplash. This article was reported and written by the Virginia Mercury, and has been reprinted under a Creative Commons license.
Ornery Beer Company Public House has officially dropped its plans for a location at Herndon’s Arrowbrook Centre (2340 Silver Arrow Way).
The company’s CEO Randy Barnette says plans fell through due to issues with securing financing for the project. The news was first reported by The Burn.
Inflation in the wake of the pandemic added 25% to the project’s costs, making a loan challenging and “adding uncertainty to the profitability of the location,” Barnette told FFXnow.
“The developer, The Ruth & Hal Landers Charitable Trust, was an outstanding partner in the pursuit of the location,” Barnette said. “I wish we could be a tenant for decades with them. Their charitable trust was built from the original cattle & dairy farm that occupied all that area up from the 50s until the early 80s.”
The brewery had hoped to open towards the end of last year, bringing a full-service restaunt and brewery with three barrels to the site. It was designed to be similar to the Fairfax location.
Arrowbrook — still a relatively new development south of the Dulles Toll Road near the Innovation Center Metro station — welcomed the bakery and restaurant Paris Baguette in November. Other upcoming tenants include a South Asian grocery story and a spin-off of a Peter Chang restaurant.
One Dead, Six Hospitalized After Annandale Crash — “Fairfax County Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash in Annandale, Virginia that sent seven people to the hospital Sunday morning, including one man who died en route…People who live in the area tell WUSA9 they’re shocked to see this happen but they said there’s been a long history of drivers speeding” on Braddock Road, where the crash occurred. [WUSA9]
Alleged Brothel Operators Indicted — “Three people arrested and charged in November 2023 in connection to brothels operating in Boston and Northern Virginia have been indicted by a federal grand jury…According to charging documents, the defendants operated an interstate prostitution network with multiple brothels in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts, as well as in Fairfax and Tysons.” [WTOP]
Virginia Poised to Allow To-Go Cocktails — “Virginia lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favor of making cocktails to-go a permanent part of the restaurant industry across the state…The legislation, which was passed by both the House of Delegates and the Senate, would remove” the July “sunset” for a measure that allowed cocktail deliveries during the pandemic. [WTOP]
Park Authority Lines Up Black History Month Events — “Embark on a journey of cultural richness and historical significance this Black History Month with several programs in Fairfax County parks. Join us in honoring and exploring the vibrant tapestry of Black heritage though interactive events, programs, exhibits and offerings for all ages.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
FCPS Awarded Funding for New Teachers — “The Virginia Department of Education has announced funding for the current fiscal year for the Mentor Teacher Program, which provides resources for educators with zero previous experience entering the teaching ranks. Fairfax County will receive $137,782 under the program (highest statewide), with Arlington garnering $14,874.” [Gazette Leader]
Arts Advisory Committee Formed for Mason District — “Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez established a Mason Arts Advisory Committee to review Fairfax County’s Master Arts Plan and propose art-related activities in Mason District that align with that plan…The Mason Arts Advisory Committee, chaired by local artist James Albright, will hold four initial meetings to bring artists and groups in Mason District together to review the Master Arts Plan.” [Annandale Today]
Mount Vernon HS Dedicates Wing to Marine Training Program Alumni — “Dozens of Mount Vernon High School (MVHS) students and alumni, family members and community members converged on the school Jan. 31 for a special ceremony honoring the men who founded and led the school’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MCJROTC) program for many years.” [On the MoVe]
Vienna Police Get First Female Motor Officer in Decades — “Officer Keyser just made history by becoming the first female motor officer in the Town of Vienna Police Department in a whopping 75 years! After acing the Fairfax County Motor Officer traffic school, she’s now out in the streets of Vienna, making sure that everyone follows the traffic laws and stays safe.” [Vienna Police/Facebook]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of around 50 degrees and a gentle northeast wind at approximately 6 mph. As night falls, the sky will remain mostly clear, and temperatures will drop to a chilly low of around 28 degrees. The north wind will continue at a speed of 3 to 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
Two of three races for Reston Association’s board of directors will be competitive in this year’s election, which takes place in March.
Four seats are open on the nine-member board.
Three candidates are running for two at-large directors seats that go for three years. Three people are also vying for one seat as apartment owners’ representative.
The race for South Lakes District representative — a three-year term — has one candidate: current board member Jennifer Jushchuk.
Voting will unfold from March 1 to April 1 and is open to all Reston Association members “in good standing,” who can cast online or mail-in ballots, RA said in its announcement of the candidates.
Here’s a breakdown of each race based on submitted statements from each candidate:
At-large candidate (three-year term)
Izzy Santa: A Reston resident since 2014, Santa works as a senior director of government affairs for a Fortune 500 company and has served as cluster homeowners’ association president. In the past, she advocated for pedestrian improvements near Sunrise Valley Elementary. She hopes to improve existing amenities managed by RA and prevent member assessment increases.
Jalal Mapar (incumbent): Mapar, who has lived in Reston for more than 30 years, is a senior executive. He hopes to implement a strategic plan for maintaining Reston’s infrastructure as development grows, improve service to membership and focus on fiscal responsibility.
Darin Skelly: Skelly, who moved to Reston in 2005 and is a vice president at a Fortune 500 company, wants to get Reston more of a voice in Fairfax County decisions, protect it from “crazed” growth and development, and make Reston the best community in the country.
South Lakes District (three-year term)
Jennifer Jushchuk (incumbent): A Restonian since 2014, Jushchuk is a trade association executive and mother. She also co-founded Save Our Sunrise, a South Lakes group that focuses on issues along Sunrise Valley Drive. She hopes to focus on fiscal responsibility, advocacy, resource management and improved communication.
Apartment Owners’ Candidate (two-year term)
Carolina Mejia: Mejia says her experience on nonprofit and corporate boards and as a RA volunteer would be assets to the board. She hope to boost community engagement, improve financial sustainability and maintain infrastructure.
Margaret Perry (incumbent): A resident of Reston for 13 years, Perry has served on the board twice. She describes herself as a strategic thinker and problem solver, and hopes to focus on working with senior management on a strategic plan for Reston.
Lynda McCann Ovington: A resident of the Reston Glades apartments since 2013, Ovington says her previous experience on other boards will help her serve RA’s board. She hopes to work closely the rental community and provide consistency with services.
Fairfax County may continue waiving permitting and installation fees for electric vehicle chargers, following an initial trial period of 18 months that showed mixed results.
At a land use policy committee meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 30), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said he hopes to extend the trial period by one year.
Despite losing revenue from the waived fees, the county should find ways to reduce barriers for EVs, particularly since there are already many existing barriers, McKay argued.
“From a value statement standpoint, being able to say that we do not charge [for] permits to encourage people to adopt EVs, I think, should be our standard,” he said.
It was unclear how much eliminating the fees incentivized installation of EV charging equipment — if at all, county staff said in a presentation. Between October 2022 and October 2023, fees for 38 commercial permits and 858 residential permits were waived.
The Dranesville and Sully districts had the most residential permits issued, while the Providence District led the way when it came to commercial permits. The 38 commercial permits issued during the waiver period represented an increase from 19 permits in 2021, 11 in 2020 and just one in 2019.
The data doesn’t include the number of chargers installed through each permit.
John Friedman, an engineer in the county’s Department of Land Development Services (LDS), said it’s difficult to directly correlate the fee waiver with EV utilization.
“We had hoped to be able to collect enough information to determine whether or not having a zero permit fee actually incentivizes installation. We weren’t able to do that because you don’t actually know why people are doing things,” Friedman said, adding that staff were surprised by the relatively high number of residential permits.
The county missed out on $125,000 in revenue over the trial period — a loss that Friedman was concerned likely needs to be offset by increases in other LDS fees.
“The big issue for us is the lost revenue,” Friedman said.
Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw said the societal benefits of EV further the county’s equity goals.
“Everybody benefits if even an affluent person decides to move forward with an EV,” Walkinshaw said.
McKay hopes to file a board matter for consideration at the board’s May meeting, giving county staff time to continue evaluating the impact of the fee waiver on utilization. The current fee waiver pilot program will end on May 1.
A new pizza restaurant has opened its doors in Herndon.
Wiseguy Pizza, a concept by Reston-based Thompson Hospitality, announced yesterday (Thursday) that it is now open at 1142 Elden Street, taking over the company’s former Big Buns Damn Good Burgers location, which closed less than a year after opening.
Thompson Hospitality decided to swap the concepts “for several reasons,” Chief Operating Officer Alex Berentzen said in a statement.
“Our proximity to another Big Buns within just 5 miles led us to consider the opportunity to embrace the Herndon community even more fervently,” Berentzen said. “This strategic move aligns with our commitment to expanding our dynamic portfolio throughout the DMV region. We look forward to sharing Wiseguy’s incredible offerings with the Herndon area.”
This is Wiseguy Pizza’s first location in the Fairfax County area. Started in 2012 by a Turkish immigrant, the business can currently be found in D.C., Arlington and Wheaton, Maryland. An expansion to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is in the works, according to the company’s website.
The space on Elden Street is designed to serve mostly carry-out customers. Its operating hours are:
- Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight
- Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The pizza features sauce from California, cheese from Wisconsin, olive oil and Parmiagiano-Reggiano from Italy. The menu offers rotating specials, like Korean chicken and paneer tikka, as well as a cauliflower, gluten-free 10-inch pizza crust. Vegan and vegetarian options include mushroom truffle, buffalo and backyard pie.
Big Buns closed its Elden Street location on Sept. 4, 2023 after opening in late 2022. The burger joint can still be found at Reston Station.
State Legislators Plan Town Hall on Casino — Sen. Jennifer Boysko, Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra and other Fairfax County representatives will hold a town hall at McLean High School tomorrow (Saturday) “to hear public concerns and comments” about the bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County. The legislation won’t get a vote this year, but it “will re-emerge during the 2025 General Assembly Session and can be voted on by the Senate.” [Jennifer Boysko]
County Library Marks 85th Birthday — “We are incredibly proud of how far we have come in providing access to books, programming and other resources in the last 85 years. We have a lot planned by way of celebrating this milestone so we hope you join us, not only as we look back, but also as we look forward to what we can achieve in the many years to come.” [Fairfax County Public Library]
New Street Landscaping Requirements Adopted — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 23 adopted changes to the Zoning Ordinance on landscaping. The amendment increases the requirement for landscaping in parking lots, adds provisions on street frontage landscaping, establishes shade structure requirements for parking lots, and makes other changes.” [Annandale Today]
Why N. Va. Population Growth Is Slowing — “Virginia is seeing its slowest population growth since the Civil War thanks to steep costs, remote work and declining birth rates…Richmond and Bristol continue to grow, while Northern Virginia continues to decline. Lombard told WTOP that housing and remote work are the drivers of this.” [WTOP]
Local Office Buildings Declining in Value — Brandywine Realty Trust reported on an earnings call that four of its office properties in the D.C. area collectively lost $115 million during the fourth quarter of 2023. The properties weren’t named, but the firm said three of them are in Northern Virginia and one in Maryland. Brandywine has 14 office buildings in Fairfax County, including ones in McLean, Herndon and Fair Lakes. [Washington Business Journal]
Lincolnia Stream Under Restoration — “The restoration of a section of Turkeycock Run in Lincolnia is expected to be completed in May. The project consists of stabilizing the stream banks using natural channel design beginning at the culvert under Little River Turnpike and extending approximately 300 feet downstream, says Sharon North of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services.” [Annandale Today]
Falls Church Seeks Artists to Decorate Utility Boxes — “The City of Falls Church welcomes artwork submissions from local graphic designers and artists for four electrical box wraps. Select artists (up to a maximum of four) will be awarded $1,250.00. The submission deadline is February 9, 2024, at 5 p.m.” [City of Falls Church]
Vienna Embraces Cloud to Secure Financial System — “In an effort to boost cybersecurity, the Vienna Town Council on Jan. 29 unanimously agreed to have Tyler Technologies move its software for the town’s financial system to the ‘cloud’…If the town suffers a cyber-attack, the cloud-based system will provide backup for the financial system and reduce the amount of downtime involved, officials said.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Friday — There is a 20% chance of brief showers before 1pm, followed by mostly cloudy skies and a high temperature near 49 degrees. Winds will come from the north at 6-14 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. Friday night, expect partly cloudy conditions with a low of around 31 degrees and a 10 mph north wind. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 11:30 a.m. on 2/2/2024) The push to allow a casino in Fairfax County has stalled — at least for 2024.
A Virginia Senate subcommittee voted this afternoon (Thursday) to “continue” Senate Bill 675 until next year so a more in-depth analysis of the potential casino can be conducted.
The postponement came despite apparent support for the proposal by Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-18), who chairs the Senate Finance & Appropriations resources subcommittee and quipped that she’s been called “the casino queen” during the meeting.
Sen. Dave Marsden (D-35), who patroned the bill that would make Fairfax County — specifically Tysons — eligible for a casino, previously told FFXnow that he was hopeful it would pass, noting that Lucas, who also chairs the overall finance committee, “likes [the] bill.”
However, some senators, led by Creigh Deeds (D-11), questioned whether the county had been sufficiently studied as a possible host locality. Tyler Williams, a subcommittee staffer, confirmed that the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission looked at Northern Virginia as part of a casino gaming study in 2019, but Fairfax County wasn’t being considered individually at the time.
The study estimated that a Northern Virginia casino would employ 3,200 workers and bring in an additional $155 million in tax revenue to the state, including about $100 million that Virginia residents are currently spending at out-of-state casinos, such as MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
“I would like to see some updated projections, because I would like to keep this bill alive,” Lucas said before the subcommitte voted.
Marsden first introduced legislation that would allow a casino along the Silver Line last year, but the bill was quickly withdrawn to allow for more research. Patch reported in September that the proposal would be revived during the 2024 General Assembly session, with developer Comstock targeting the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station area as a possible site.
However, after Reston Association and other community groups began to marshal opposition to the impending legislation, Marsden filed a bill on Jan. 17 with criteria that narrowed the potential locations to Tysons. The bill advanced to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee from a general laws committee on Jan. 24.
Marsden has argued that a casino could give Fairfax County a new source of tax revenue with the office market in flux, and he maintained at today’s meeting that the bill is intended to give the county the authority to make its own decision. If the bill eventually becomes law, a voter referendum would still be required to authorize a casino.
“I think it’s time to send this to the local government [to] make their own decisions about this. There’s plenty of local control here,” Marsden said.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors hasn’t adopted an official stance on the legislation, but members made their reservations clear in a legislative committee meeting last Friday (Jan. 26) and in a letter that Chairman Jeff McKay sent to General Assembly leaders.
In addition to questioning whether the county would actually reap the revenue benefits touted by casino proponents, the supervisors stressed that they hadn’t requested the authority for an establishment and hadn’t been consulted by Marsden or the prospective developers.
According to Marsden, Comstock’s vision includes a conference center, arts venue and hotel, along with a casino.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn told the resources subcommittee that he’s “a strong no” on the possibility of a Fairfax County casino. Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert and Herndon Town Councilmember Naila Alam also stated that they oppose SB 675.
“I’m very happy that the subcommittee members listened to the community and the people elected to represent them,” Alcorn said in a statement, thanking Colbert and Alam for joining him in testifying. “It is a big victory for everyone who cares about good government!”
Marsden says he’s “disappointed” by the outcome, while that the vote still keeps the bill alive until 2025.
“No one has any other ideas to give Fairfax County a brighter revenue future,” he told FFXnow.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay praised the resources subcommittee’s vote as “the right thing” to do, hopefully enabling the community to learn more about the proposed casino project.
The Senate finance committee will formally vote on whether to accept the subcommittee’s recommendation next Tuesday (Feb. 6).
“We only learned many of those details in dribbles as the bill was sorted out and after it was introduced, and we still do not have all of the information we need,” McKay told FFXnow. “The community deserves to know all the details of a major proposal like this, details such as what is actually included in the proposal, the proposed site, potential revenues, community impacts, traffic impacts, and more, before the General Assembly considers it.”
Another intravenous hydration clinic has opened its doors in Reston.
The Dripbar opened earlier this month on Jan. 10 at 11790 Baron Cameron Ave in Unit D.
The business offers IV vitamin and hydration therapy. Another business with a similar concept is slated to open next month on Reston Station Blvd.
“Through our IV Hydration services, we aim to offer a convenient and effective way for community members to replenish essential nutrients, rehydrate, and revitalize their overall well-being,” Louise Smith, co-owner of the Reston location, said. “Whether it’s recovering from a strenuous workout, combating dehydration, or seeking a wellness boost, our IV’s are designed to cater to diverse needs.”
The Dripbar says its IV drip therapy services provide health benefits, from nutrient boosts to support during cancer treatments. It has 99 locations across the U.S., but the Reston franchise is its first one in Northern Virginia.
The business is closed on Mondays but operates from 10-7 p.m. on other weekdays. It’s also open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 pm and on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Fairfax County wants to consolidate the duties of its Department of Animal Sheltering (DAS) and Animal Protection Police (APP).
Under the new arrangement, DAS would oversee both animal care services and enforcement of animal protection laws, which would be carried out by animal control officers (ACO), according to the recommendation from DAS and the Fairfax County Police Department.
Staff presented the proposed changes to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a safety and security committee meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 30).
In 2016, the county chose to split animal care and control functions between the DAS and the police department, a decision that did not “result in a successful integration of two separate departments working together to provide animal services,” the proposal says.
DAS currently manages two public animal shelters, one on West Ox Road in the Fairfax area and a second campus that opened in Lorton last October. The FCPD’s Animal Protection Police unit deals with encounters between humans and animals, including wildlife and potential criminal situations involving pets.
Under the proposed changes, ACOs would have “nearly the same” scope of authority as Animal Protection Police Officers (APPO) and would handle all calls for service, including for:
- Issuing a summons, obtaining search and arrest warrants
- Investigation of animal cruelty and neglect
- Investigation of animal fighting
- Investigation of animal bites
- Response to sick, injured, or stray companion animals
- Rabies vaccination and dog license enforcement
FCPD would continue to assist with criminal investigations, and ACOs would still get required training through the Commonwealth of Virginia, but they wouldn’t go through the police academy as APPOs do.
DAS Director Reasa Currier said having the two separate services has presented challenges for decades, and other jurisdictions that have consolidated their departments are seeing success.
“Jurisdictions that have recently moved to a consolidated model report significant benefits, including increased compliance rates, decreased shelter intake and a trusting community,” she said.
Describing animal services as a “highly specialized and technical field,” Currier said providing those services through one department “ensures we’re embracing industry best practices.”
She said the proposal would also enhance the health and safety of the community, and it’s in direct alignment with the county’s One Fairfax policy and equity goals.
In addition to their law enforcement duties, ACOs would connect pet owners with several services, such as free pet food and supplies as well as free and low-cost veterinary care.
“It is important to note that this proposed model does not replace enforcement for animal cruelty and neglect,” Currier added.
Deputy Chief of Police Lt. Robert Blakely said the changes would allow police officers to focus more on enforcing the law and would have very little impact on animals and people in the community.
“An animal control officer can enforce all of Virginia’s animal control laws as it pertains to domesticated animals running at-large and rabies vaccinations and county ordinances,” Blakely said.
Police Chief Kevin Davis said the people calling for service would see a similar process. For example, residents would still call the Department of Public Safety Communications through 911 or the non-emergency number, and the department would still dispatch animal control officers to respond to the scene.
“In the very few cases that police were needed to assist, police would then be added to that call, just as we are today,” Davis said.
The proposal could be included in the county executive’s advertised budget for fiscal year 2025, which will be presented on Feb. 20. The Board of Supervisors will then decide whether to adopt the reorganization.
