Abortion Rights at Center of Key Election Day Races — “The most-watched races in Tuesday’s off-year general election have all been dominated by the ongoing debate over abortion rights. From a reelection bid for governor in Kentucky to a statewide ballot measure in Ohio to state legislative elections in Virginia, access to abortion has been a frequent topic in campaign debates and advertising.” [Associated Press/WTOP]
Police Investigate Shooting in Bailey’s Crossroads — “Saturday at 4:50 p.m., officers responded to the 3300 block of Glen Carlyn Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads for the report of a shot person. Officers responded and found the victim, an adult man, with two gunshot wounds to his upper body. The man was transported to the hospital for injuries not considered to be life-threatening.” [FCPD]
Scheduling Changes for Wiehle, Route 1 Meetings — Next Monday’s workshop launching a study of Wiehle Avenue in Reston will be in the cafeteria of Langston Hughes Middle School, not at Reston Station as previously announced. In addition, a community meeting on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit project “has been rescheduled from Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, to Jan. 31, 2024, due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts.” [FCDOT]
Woman Reunites With People Who Saved Her Life — “What should have been a normal day for a 65-year-old woman in Fairfax County became life or death. But with the help of eight people, Linda Carr survived. Now, she got to reunite with them during a life-saving reunion event. On Sept. 13, Carr was participating in a Zumba class at South Run Recreation Center when she went into cardiac arrest.” [WUSA9]
Tysons Consultant Bought by Private Equity Firm — Guidehouse “announced Monday it is being acquired by an affiliate of Boston-based Bain Capital Private Equity for $5.3 billion. Guidehouse CEO Scott McIntyre said the sale to a larger private equity sponsor should accelerate the company’s growth both in the U.S. and overseas.” [Washington Business Journal]
FCPD Uses Drones to Investigate Crashes — “The Crash Reconstruction Unit now has its own drone and its own two-person team of trained drone pilots…The unit has been borrowing a drone from crime scene detectives, and they’ve already seen how it helps them investigate and figure out exactly what happened after a fatal accident.” [WJLA]
Burke School Recognizes Veteran Staff and Volunteers — A “smiling kindergarten teacher” who recently wore “a superhero cape for a themed dress-up day” at White Oaks Elementary School “doesn’t need to wear a cape: she’s a real-life hero who served her country before joining Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). She’s not alone: three other staff members and volunteers within the school’s walls have their own stories to share.” [FCPS]
Fort Hunt School Brings Garden Back to Life — “The school garden is thriving again at Stratford Landing Elementary School, thanks to a new garden coordinator, Get2Green lead, parent volunteers and students. About five years ago, the school had a robust garden program led by outdoor learning teacher Mary Charlton, but after her departure in 2021, the garden fell into disuse.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a mostly cloudy day with a high temperature close to 76 and a southwest wind at about 10 mph. At night, the sky will clear up with the low temperature around 48, accompanied by a north wind at approximately 7 mph. [Weather.gov]
Several Reston organizations are partnering once again for an annual Thanksgiving food drive.
Reston Community Center, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and the nonprofit Cornerstones are collecting donations of non-perishable food and other items through Nov. 20.
Items that are needed include the following:
- Grocery store gift cards
- heavy duty clear plastic bins
- toilet paper
- baby wipes
- hygiene items
- cooking oil
- flour
- sugar
- condiments
- dried beans
- canned fruits
- canned meats
- bagged or boxed rice
- quinoa
- cereal
- oatmeal
- coffee
- tea
- shelf-stable milk
Drop-off locations are listed online. They include RCC’s Lake Anne (1609-A Washington Plaza) and Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road) facilities, the Hunter Mill District office at 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, and other options throughout the community.
The community center is also looking for volunteers to help sort and load the donated food on Nov. 23.
In its annual hunger report released in September, the Capital Area Food Bank found that 24% of Fairfax County residents are food-insecure — a rate unchanged from last year.
Maizal, a Latin American street food restaurant, is now open at Plaza America in Reston (courtesy Maizal)
Maizal, a chain that specializes in Latin American street food, is finally up and running in Reston.
The restaurant opened its doors in Plaza America this past Thursday (Nov. 2) — a full year later than the previously anticipated Halloween 2022 opening.
Patrick Mika, Maizal’s marketing and catering director, said he can’t comment on the delay, but the restaurant team is “just happy to be open.”
“We are so excited to finally be able to share our concept with Reston,” Mika told FFXnow. “…We have already had several people walk in from seeing our ‘now open’ banner and they were all blown away by the flavors!”
Located at 11690 Plaza America Drive, Maizal took the place of Zoës Kitchen, the fast-casual Mediterranean eatery that got swallowed up and rebranded by Cava.
A grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 15 at 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m. Customers will be offered a free burrito bowl with any drink purchase, though the “premium meats” — grilled steak and braised brisket — will still cost an extra $2.50.
Mika says Maizal has specialty items that “set us a part from other Latin concepts,” including a variety of arepas, empandas and street tacos. The menu also includes quesadillas, nachos, chips and dips, burritos, and rice and salad bowls. The burritos, bowls and arepas can be ordered as pre-set or build-your-own dishes.
This is Maizal’s first Fairfax County location, but it’s part of the same restaurant group as Mezeh Mediterranean Grill, which can be found at Reston Town Center West, among other sites. Mika previously told FFXnow that the company’s familiarity with Reston through Mezeh led them to bring Maizal to the area.
Maizal now has five locations total, including two D.C. restaurants, one in Ballston and one in Charlottesville. Additional locations are expected to open at L’Enfant Plaza in D.C. and Pentagon City Mall in Arlington by the end of this year, Mika said.
Early voting is over, and Election Day 2023 is less than 24 hours away.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday). Virginia now allows same-day registration, though those voters will cast provisional ballots that are counted and validated later by the Fairfax County Electoral Board.
Mail ballots can be placed at dropboxes at all polling sites throughout the day. They can also still be sent to the Fairfax County Office of Elections (12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323) but must arrive by noon on Monday, Nov. 13 to be counted. In addition, the voter’s year of birth and the last four digits of their social security number needs to be written on the return envelope in lieu of the previously required witness signature.
As of last Wednesday (Nov. 1), almost 9% of registered voters had voted early in person or returned a mail ballot, amounting to about 64,000 votes, according to Fairfax County election officials. Last time this election cycle came around in 2019, there were 36,584 absentee votes total and an overall 44.3% turnout.
This year’s general election is focused on local and state offices, with every Board of Supervisors, school board and General Assembly seat up for grabs. Vienna is also holding mayoral and town council elections in November for the first time.
Board of Supervisors
Chairman
- Jeff McKay (D)
- Arthur Purves (R)
McKay, the incumbent, was elected in 2019 after serving as supervisor of the Franconia District — then known as Lee District — since 2008. Citing mental health services and pedestrian safety among his top priorities this year, he faces a challenge from Purves, president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance and a frequent critic of the county’s taxation and spending practices.
Braddock District
- James Walkinshaw (D)
- Carey Campbell (I)
No Republican candidates came forward to challenge Walkinshaw, who also didn’t get pulled into the Democratic primary in June. Chief of staff for Rep. Gerry Connolly before getting elected in 2019, he is once again facing off with independent Carey Chet Campbell, a Green Party member who’s now on his sixth campaign for Braddock District supervisor.
Dranesville District
- Puneet Ahluwalia (R)
- Jimmy Bierman (D)
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, who’s retiring after four terms in office, has endorsed Bierman as his successor. The McLean resident and former Dranesville District Democratic Committee chair has identified diversifying the local economy, addressing climate change and creating “viable transportation options” as his top priorities.
Bierman is squaring off with a Livingtston Group lobbyist and former Fairfax County Republican Committee first vice chairman. Calling politicians “out of touch” and “out of control” on his website, Ahluwalia lists his key issues as property taxes, public safety, education, recreation and the pay raise approved earlier this year for the incoming board.
Franconia District
- Rodney Lusk (D)
- Paul Beran (R)
- Mark T. Welch (I)
When he launched his reelection bid last year, Lusk told FFXnow that he hopes to continue championing affordable housing, full funding for schools, bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements and criminal justice reform.
Affordable housing is also a priority for Beran, who says he founded the advertising company Advertel. Per his campaign website, the Republican candidate is also focused on public safety, education and creating a “Great American Walk of Fame” to honor war heroes, first responders, historic figures and others along Richmond Highway, among other issues.
Welch, a longtime Springvale resident and former federal government employee, told On the MoVe that his priorities, if elected, would be “keeping the tax rate stable, improving public safety and focusing education dollars for the classroom.”
Hunter Mill District
- Walter Alcorn (D)
- Indira Massey (R)
Seeking his second term in office, Alcorn highlights his role in creating the county’s co-responder program and decision not to advance development proposals for Reston’s golf courses on his campaign website, which also lists pedestrian and bicyclist safety, affordable housing and climate change among his top issues.
An entrepreneur who was born in the Soviet Union, Massey says on her site that she decided to run for office to “demonstrate that immigrants from all around the world can and do embrace American conservative values.” If elected, she would support incentives to recruit more police, oppose tax increases and advocate for a limited government.
Mason District
- Andres Jimenez (D)
- Terry Modglin (I)
Jimenez and Modglin are vying to replace retiring Supervisor Penny Gross. In his second bid for the Mason District seat, Jimenez is an at-large Fairfax County planning commissioner and executive director of the environmental advocacy group Green 2.0, while Modglin identified himself to Patch as a veteran and consultant with the Fresh Start Refugee Assistance Center.
Mount Vernon District
- Dan Storck (D)
- Richard Hayden (R)
- Christopher Morgan (I)
If reelected, incumbent Storck told On the MoVe that he would advocate for investments in education, public safety, housing, green land use policies and development, the workforce and the future Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit system. Per his website, Hayden is a real estate agent and volunteer who wants to improve school standards, reduce taxes and “modernize” the police department with training and equipment.
President of the Stratford Landing Citizens Association, Morgan’s policy positions include preservation of trees and the tidal shoreline, opposition to the planned homeless shelter in Penn Daw and support for widening Richmond Highway, though he opposes the exclusive BRT lanes.
Providence District
- Dalia Palchik (D)
- Brian Murphy (R)
Seeking reelection, Palchik lists her priorities as fully funding Fairfax County Public Schools, reducing the county’s carbon footprint and building a community that’s inclusive, healthy and walkable. Murphy, a realtor for Samson Properties, cites crime, taxes, consumer protection and “parental rights” as his chief concerns.
Springfield District
- Pat Herrity (R)
- Albert Vega (D)
- Corazon Foley (I)
The only Republican currently on the board, Herrity was first elected in 2007 and advocates for reducing taxes and government spending, road improvements to address congestion and improve safety, and addressing crime. He has frequently brought up “panhandling” as an issue, leading the board to recently approve funding for a study.
Chief technology officer for the consultant Building Momentum and founder of the nonprofit Athena Response, which assists with disaster responses, Vega champions affordable housing, inclusivity, more efficient public transportation, transparency around public safety and other changes in his bid to unseat Herrity.
In a Patch profile, Foley, a former diplomat and intelligence officer, said her top priority, and the reason she decided to run for supervisor as an Independent Green Party candidate, is to ensure the construction of a new Senior Center Without Walls for the Burke and West Springfield area. The county held meetings on a proposed facility at Huntsman Square last month.
Sully District
- Kathy Smith (D)
- Keith Stone Elliott (R)
Smith is campaigning for a third term as Sully District supervisor, listing affordable housing, school funding, road improvements, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and economic development among her priorities.
Elliott, a property manager and McLean High School graduate, says on his website that he’s running to reduce spending and taxes. He also supports “common sense” land development, which would include studying the concept of a Historic Centreville District, and he proposes an ombudsman for the county.
School Board
While the school board races are nonpartisan, candidates can get endorsed by political parties, which is marked in parentheses.
At Large
- Cassandra Aucoin (R)
- Maureen Brody (R)
- Saundra Davis (R)
- Peter Gabor
- Ahmed Mahdi Hussein
- Ilryong Moon (D)
- Ryan McElveen (D)
- Kyle McDaniel (D)
- Linda Ann Pellegrino
This crowded race features none of the three at-large incumbents, but it does have two former school board members in Moon and McElveen, who are attempting to regain the seats they stepped away from after 2019.
Braddock District
Instead of seeking reelection as an at-large member, Sizemore Heizer has opted to run for the seat being vacated after three terms by incumbent Megan McLaughlin. A disability advocate first elected in 2019, she faces a mother in DeStefano who says she’s running to “give parents a voice a gain” after getting frustrated by school closures during the pandemic, a sentiment shared by many of this year’s Republican-endorsed candidates.
Dranesville District
- Paul Bartkowski (R)
- Robyn Lady (D)
A lawyer and parent of three FCPS students, Bartkowski says he represented plaintiffs who challenged the school system’s mask requirements during the pandemic, calling for “academic excellence over ideology.”
Lady is a small business owner and former director of student services for Chantilly High School, according to her website, which points to staffing shortages, achievement gaps and crowding in schools, especially in the Tysons area, as some of the issues that need to be addressed.
Franconia District
- Kevin Pinkney (R)
- Marcia St. John-Cunning (D)
A former interpreter and family liaison for FCPS, St. John-Cunning was restored to the ballot last Wednesday (Nov. 1) after getting disqualified a week earlier in a legal battle over her candidacy petition. Her website says she’s committed to “improving academics, the development of the whole child, to supporting educators, staff, parents and community engagement, and assuring equity and inclusion.”
Pinkney, a lawyer, says on his campaign website that he “watched with concern as FCPS lowered academic standards and became distracted by social movements and fads that do not advance education, and that bring division and rancor.” His policy proposals include competitive pay for teachers, a redesign of English as a Second Language programs and technology to “reinforce windows” for security purposes.
Hunter Mill District
- Harry Jackson (R)
- Melanie Meren (D)
One of just three school board members seeking reelection to their current position, Meren cites funding for outdoor classrooms and security vestibules among the accomplishments of her first term on the board, listing learning, employment and safety as her priorities.
Advocating for “world-class education services for children and adult learners,” parental rights and security, Jackson was a central figure in the Coalition for TJ, which sued the school board over changes to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s admissions policies, and the right-wing organization Parents Defending Education. He has also faced a defamation lawsuit and dropped an early bid for a school board seat after he was criticized for laughing at an autistic student.
Mason District
Anderson, the incumbent, says on her campaign site that she decided to seek reelection to continue her work on the school board, particularly the fight for equity and “needs-based allocation of resources” such as staff and facilities. A former professor at George Washington and Radford universities, Froemling Ball told the Washington Post that she wants to tackle learning losses, bullying, an audit of the FCPS budget, and teacher and supply shortages.
Mount Vernon District
- Mateo Dunne (D)
- Stori Zimmerman (R)
A lawyer, entrepreneur and former vice president of advocacy for the Fairfax County Council of PTAs., Dunne says his priorities include increasing access to education and addressing learning losses and achievement gaps, according to his website.
“I have fought for our children, families, and educators for 10 years, and I will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen our public schools,” Dunne said in a statement. “I will work tirelessly to ensure the School Board preserves the legacy of excellence while expanding opportunities for all children.”
Zimmerman’s website says she has worked “as an educator in and out of the classroom for 25 years.” Her stated priorities are academic excellence, parents’ rights, safety and security, transparency, fiscal responsibility and compensation.
Providence District
- Karl Frisch (D)
- Anthony Arthur Sabio (R)
Elected to school board in 2019, Frisch said when announcing his reelection campaign that he wants to “give every student safe and inclusive public schools with exceptional educators and equitable access to the rigorous academics and other opportunities they need to be successful after graduation.”
Sabio’s campaign bio says he has “decades of experience” working in the U.S. Navy, Secret Service and CIA, and his platform focuses on school safety, mental health and academic excellence. He has proposed expanding mentorship and trade and vocational school programs for students.
Springfield District
Anderson is an FCPS graduate working as a contractor for Defense Department youth programs, per her campaign website, which lists funding, special education support, representation for students in military families, and science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education as her “core issues.”
Bixby-Eberhardt, a real estate agent, says his priorities are creating more opportunities for students, improving student health and public safety, and simplifying the process for getting special education services.
A disability rights advocate and former special education teacher, Tisler wants “to restore academic excellence and the joy of learning for the children of Fairfax County.” Her priorities include “empowering parents,” advocating for “rigorous curriculum and instruction” and reducing bureaucracy to better serve children.
Sully District
- Seema Dixit (D)
- Cynthia Lang Walsh (R)
Vying to succeed Stella Pekarsky, a nominee for the 36th State Senate District, Dixit is a mother of two FCPS students, and Walsh is a Freedom of Information Act officer who wrote a book about autism that questions the effectiveness of vaccines.
Dixit says she’s running to advocate for a school district “where every student, regardless of their background, has access to high-quality education and support services, while Walsh told the Washington Post that she wants to protect “the innocence and safety of children” from explicit materials and trafficking.
Other
General Assembly
The state races look a little different this year after redistricting in 2021 placed several incumbents representing parts of Fairfax County in the same districts. Many veteran legislators opted not to seek reelection, while others got defeated in primaries.
The county is represented in the House of Delegates by districts 4 and 6-19 and in the State Senate by districts 33 to 39. Sample ballots with the candidates, along with those in the Vienna and Clifton races, can be found on the county’s Office of Elections website.
Circuit Court Clerk
- Gerarda Culipher (R)
- Chris Falcon (D)
Current Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk John Frey is retiring after 32 years in the position. He has endorsed Culipher, his chief deputy clerk, over Falcon, the deputy clerk court in Arlington. Both candidates say they would prioritize customer service and accessibility, but they differ on the extent of their support for making public records available online for free.
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Incumbent Steve Descano is the only candidate on the ballot after winning the Democratic primary in June, but his primary opponent, Ed Nuttall, recently endorsed a write-in campaign after getting removed from the Fairfax County Democratic Committee.
Sheriff
First elected in a 2013 special election, Stacey Kincaid is the county’s first female sheriff. Her bid for a third full term is now uncontested after she defeated primary challenger Kelvin Garcia with 75% of the vote.
Soil and Water Conservation
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District works with the county to prevent erosion, reduce runoff and generally preserve local water resources, such as Lake Accotink. There are seven people vying for its five-seat, nonpartisan board of directors:
- Dana Barakat (D)
- Rhonda Bitterli (D)
- Mary Ellen “Mell” Flynn (R)
- Chris Koerner (D)
- Debra Maddrell (R)
- Edward Monroe, Jr.
- Mary Strayhorne (R)
School bond referendum
FCPS is asking voters to approve a $435 million bond referendum that will fund several school construction and renovation projects:
- Construction — Dranesville, Armstrong, Herndon, Lees Corner, Brookfield, Willow Springs and Bren Mar Park elementary schools
- Planning/Design — Franklin Middle School and Waples Mill, Cub Run, Poplar Tree, Virginia Run, Centre Ridge, Union Mill, Sangster and Saratoga elementary schools
Approved by the school board on May 25, the project list also includes $9 million to relocate three classroom modulars, $10 million to address inflation-related cost adjustments to previously approved projects and $2.5 million to install security vestibules.
McLean HS Graduate Wins World Series — “Congrats to McLean HS alum Josh Sborz, who threw the final strike to win the World Series with the Texas Rangers…Sborz also pitched for the University of Virginia, where he led the Virginia Cavaliers to the 2015 College World Series title and was named MVP.” [FCPS/Facebook]
Politicians Make Final Pre-Election Pitches — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared in Virginia “to urge Democrats to vote against the Republican legislative candidates championed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R)…Volunteers and campaign staffers fanned out in districts across the state Saturday, urging residents to cast ballots immediately on the last day of early voting or whipping them up to visit the polls Tuesday.” [Washington Post]
FCPS to Review Grading Policy Changes — “Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia is planning to reconvene its equitable grading practice advisory committee soon, Sloan Presidio, the school’s chief academic officer, said at last week’s school board meeting. The committee, Presidio said, is planning to review some of the grading policy changes that the…school system made last year.” [WTOP]
New Reston Movie Theater Company May Revive Other Sites — “Look Dine-In Cinemas is scouting Greater Washington for lifeless movie theaters to reanimate, now that it’s planted its flag with an initial location in Northern Virginia…The company is focused for now mainly on retrofits of former theaters, a model that is faster to market than building new.” [Washington Business Journal]
Officials Celebrate Finish of Route 29 Path — “The Virginia Department of Transportation and Fairfax County celebrated today the new continuous shared-use path along northbound Route 29 between Vaden Drive and Nutley Street…The project constructed missing segments of the shared-use path along the roughly one-third of a mile stretch of northbound Route 29.” [VDOT]
Supreme Court Hears Case on Red Flag Laws — “If the Supreme Court overturns the federal law that prevents someone with a domestic violence restraining order from owning firearms, some worry about what this means for red flag laws.” Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano says he fears the court will “continue down this extreme path” and invalidate federal and Virginia laws. [WUSA9]
Veterans’ Day Events Planned Around Route 1 — “Veterans Day falls on Saturday, Nov. 11 this year, and in commemoration of the observance, several organizations and places around the Richmond Highway Corridor are holding events over the next few weeks. Following are several of the events we’re tracking” [On the MoVe]
A Deep Dive Into Centreville History — “Centreville, Virginia, derived its name from its central location among key Northern Virginia cities and towns. Originally called Newgate in the 1760s, this name was inspired by a local tavern owned by William Carr Lane, which took its name from a London prison.” [Ghosts of DC]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 63 degrees and light winds that will increase from the south at 5-8 mph in the afternoon. At night, the skies will turn mostly cloudy and the temperature will dip to about 53 degrees. [Weather.gov]
Updated at 8:40 p.m. on 11/8/2023 — The community workshop has been relocated to the cafeteria of Langston Hughes Middle School (11401 Ridge Heights Road).
Earlier: Fairfax County is formally launching a new study on how to shift Wiehle Avenue from a car-dominated, suburban road to a multimodal, urban street.
The Wiehle Avenue study kicks off with an in-person community workshop on Nov. 13.
After diving into the background and purpose of the study, the county will open the floor for attendees to brainstorm ideas on how to improve the road between Sunrise Valley Drive and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Reston.
The ideas proposed by the community will later be refined into three concepts “to test in future (year 2030) scenarios” by the Fairfax County Department of Transporation and its consultant, Fehr & Peers, FCDOT spokesperson Freddy Serrano says.
“[The scenarios] will give us an overview of how potential changes may affect traffic operations and accessibility and comfort for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users,” Serrano told FFXnow. “We will take these concepts and the resulting future analysis back to the public early next year and will solicit their feedback to arrive at a preferred concept for Wiehle Avenue.”
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors initiated the Wiehle Avenue study as a follow-on motion after approving TF Cornerstone’s Campus Commons redevelopment plan in 2019.
The project prompted vigorous debate on the safety of a proposed pedestrian crossing at the intersection Dulles Toll Road ramps and Wiehle Avenue. An alternative is being explored after the developer offered $1.65 million instead of developing a solution.
The county previously convened a study group to evaluate options for that crossing, but the group didn’t support any of the developer’s proposals.
FCDOT says this new study will take a broader look at the corridor and how it may have been affected by the opening of Metro’s Silver Line extension last year.
“This effort is expected to identify new and improved bicycle/pedestrian facilities and intersection treatments, as well as evaluate the potential reconfiguration of vehicular lanes and/or widths for current and future land use scenarios,” the department said in a news release.
The community meeting takes place from 5:30-9 p.m. in the second floor conference room of 1900 Reston Metro Plaza. A light dinner will be provided. RSVPs are encouraged through an online feedback form.
A nearly 10-acre site just outside Herndon that is currently used as a cricket field is on the path towards redevelopment.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Oct. 24 to transfer county-owned land at 135000 Dulles Greene Drive to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority for an affordable housing project.
No specific development proposal has come to light yet, but the project is intended to boost the county’s stock of affordable housing in a transit-oriented area near the Innovation Center Metro station.
The project would feature a 10-foot-wide shared-use trail connecting the station to residential neighborhoods to the east.
Mike Lambert, manager of the county’s real estate services division, noted that the Fairfax County Park Authority and county staff are working to identify an alternate location for the cricket field.
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust said he was happy staff and the FCPA were looking into other options. The Capital Cricket Premier League will continue to use the field until construction begins — which could be as early as spring 2027.
Foust said that gives the county plenty of time to identify more options for cricket players.
“This is a pretty exciting opportunity to advance affordable housing goals,” Foust said, adding that the project will be a “win-win” once the alternate cricket field is selected.
The vote simply turns the land over to FCHRA. Additional public hearings will be scheduled once a development plan is proposed.
Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday — “This weekend, as you move your clocks back one hour to mark the end of daylight savings, don’t forget to check your smoke alarms to ensure they work…If your alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.” [FCFRD]
Self-Driving Vehicles Tested in I-395 Express Lanes — Virginia Tech “researchers and an entourage of public safety, industry and highway officials have been using the stretch of toll road outside the nation’s capital this fall for self-driving demonstrations, hoping to develop solutions to common problems arising in the technology’s deployment. The simulations come three years into extensive research that has resulted in promising findings but has also come with moments of disappointment.” [Washington Post]
Police Seek Help Finding Indecent Exposure Suspect — “Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau are asking for the community’s help in identifying a suspect believed to be related to multiple indecent exposure cases in Bailey’s Crossroads…Detectives completed a composite sketch of the suspect and are asking for the community’s help in identifying the man.” [FCPD]
More Details of Potential Fairfax County Casino Bill Shared — Sen. David Marsden says his planned bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County would set the stage for a new entertainment district in Tysons. He told Patch “that he would not reintroduce the bill he submitted in January. Instead, he’s expanding the bill, adding a performance space and conference center.” [Patch]
Lincolnia Restaurant Closes After 20 Years — “It was a bittersweet Halloween for fans of the Foxfire Grill. The popular restaurant at Pinecrest Plaza closed for good on Oct. 31 following a Halloween party that drew a large crowd…In September, Foxfire owner Terri Fox announced plans to close the restaurant after Edens, the owner of Pinecrest Plaza, doubled the rent. The space has been leased to a Japanese ramen restaurant called Kajiken.” [Annandale Today]
Future of Virginia Gun Laws Hinges on Election — “The politics surrounding gun control have been at a standstill in Virginia due to its divided government, but that could take a hard turn depending on what happens in the state’s closely-watched election that’s coming up on Tuesday…All 140 General Assembly seats are on the ballot in the election.” [WTOP]
Groveton Neighborhood Now a Historic Site — “At the intersection of Shiver Drive and Jube Court in Fairfax County, the street signs double as a kind of victory post. They signal the triumph of Jube Shiver Sr., a Black schoolteacher who couldn’t buy a house in 1960 because of racially restrictive housing covenants — so he built his own neighborhood. A subdivision called Randall Estates.” [Washington Post]
Woodburn Park Parking Lot to Close for Renovation — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin resurfacing and painting work at the Eakin Community Park parking lot located at 3401 Prosperity Ave…Work is expected to begin on Nov. 6, and is expected to conclude by the end of November 2023, weather permitting. The parking lot will be closed for the duration of the project.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high temperature near 59 degrees and a south wind blowing at 5 to 8 mph. On Friday night, the weather will be partly cloudy with a low temperature around 39 degrees, accompanied by a south wind at around 7 mph. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 1:45 p.m. on 11/3/2023) The Blue Ridge mountains are the focus of the latest exhibit at the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art in Reston.
The exhibit “Metopic Ridge” by Eleanor Mahin Thorp, an artist and educator, features paintings of the mountains that explore stability and change.
An opening reception and artist talk is slated for Friday (Nov. 3) from 6-8 p.m. at Tephra ICA at Signature (11850 Freedom Drive). The exhibit ends on Feb. 4.
Here’s more from Tephra on the scope of the exhibit:
Through her discerning gaze rocks are more than geological entities; Instead, they metamorphose into vessels of history and human connection. Drawing inspiration from the fascinating transformations depicted in Persian miniatures, Thorp traces the hidden figures and forms in the rocks. Her paintings reveal the duality of rocks’ existence as both a firm witness to time and a medium for that which is intangible.
Thorp, who works in Richmond, approaches her work through the lense of Persian animism and constructs images of stone faces by searching for figures in rock. She received master’s degree in fine arts from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a 2023-2025 visual arts fellow with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
“It is often said that the world is built by the way you see things around you. Thorp’s painting asks us to contemplate the layers of reality that exist beyond the surface – the palpable, the invisible, and the divine,” said Sandy Cheng, 2023 ArtTable curatorial fellow at Tephra ICA and the exhibit’s curator.
The exhibit is being presented in partnership with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Visual Arts Fellowship program.
(Correction: There was no members-only preview for “Metopic Ridge” as initially stated in this article. The exhibit is free and open to the general public.)
The exhibit is located at Tephra’s satellite gallery in the Signature apartment building. Visitors are welcome Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The first of 10 blocks slated to redevelop Isaac Newton Square in Reston is officially moving forward.
At a meeting on Oct. 19, the Fairfax County Planning Commission voted in favor of the project, which includes a seven-story apartment building with 345 units on the northern end of the property at 11410 Isaac Newton Square North.
Commissioners lauded developer APA Properties for their efforts in creating a placemaking neighborhood.
“It’s a really nice application. It looks great architecturally,” Braddock District Commissioner Mary Cortina said.
Hunter Mill District Commissioner John Carter praised the developer and architects for the overall design of the project and the inclusion of significant open space, calling the neighborhood a “great step forward for us and Fairfax County.”
“This is a highly customized project,” Carter said. “We don’t see that often.”
Overall, the development plan calls for 2.8 million square feet of new construction, including 2,100 residential units, around 300 hotel rooms, 260,000 square feet of office space and nearly 69,000 square feet of retail space.
The development is bounded to the south by the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, to the west by Hidden Creek Country Club, and to the east by Wiehle Avenue.
Andrew Painter, the developer’s land use attorney, said the approval of the first block of development is “an important step in realizing the vision of a redeveloped Isaac Newtown Square.”
The development is surrounded by a frame of willow oak trees and was first approved in 2019 as a new mixed-use residential neighborhood.
A hiccup on the inclusion of additional low impact development measures (LIDs) — a term for practices like rain gardens that reduce runoff and manage stormwater — was ironed out after the meeting. When site planning begins, the developer has agreed to see if there are more ways to incorporate LIDs in the project.
School Board Races Test “Parent Rights” Movement — “While Fairfax County tends to vote for Democrats, right-leaning parent activists here played an instrumental role in Youngkin’s surprise victory in 2021, which fueled a national GOP focus on culture war issues in education. Next week’s school board race, which is non-partisan, may test whether voters will reward the Democratic incumbents for holding the line against conservative policies — or whether the ‘parental rights’ movement remains a significant force.” [NBC News]
FCPS Investigating Release of Sensitive Student Info — “Virginia’s Fairfax County Public Schools has launched an investigation into the district’s release of tens of thousands of confidential documents containing sensitive student information to a parent advocate last month and has issued an apology to those affected.” [The 74]
New Grocery Store Coming to Mount Vernon — “The long vacant Safeway space at Mount Vernon Square has officially been taken over by Fresh World and is expected to start undergoing construction and renovation by year’s end, according to Joshua Kim, a representative of the Fresh World affiliate that purchased the shopping center back in July 2023.” [On the MoVe]
GMU Addresses Recorded Fight Over Poster — “George Mason University responded on social media Tuesday to a video of a woman taking down and tearing up a poster ‘that appears to depict Israeli children kidnapped as part of the Israel-Hamas conflict.’ The video seems to have been recorded at the Virginia university’s Fairfax location and has been reposted thousands of times since it was uploaded on Monday.” [WTOP]
Property Taking Authorized for Oakton Walkway — “Fairfax County supervisors on Oct. 24 unanimously agreed to use eminent-domain powers to obtain land rights from one property owner in order to proceed with the planned Chain Bridge Road Walkway project. The county plans to build a 5-foot-wide concrete sidewalk along the 1,760 linear feet of the south side of Chain Bridge Road in Oakton between Courthouse and Sutton roads.” [Gazette Leader]
Fairfax Artificial Intelligence Firm Acquired — “Fairfax-based ARInspect, a firm specializing in artificial intelligence products for public sector field operations, has been acquired by Texas software company Tyler Technologies, the companies announced Tuesday…ARInspect’s platform allows public sector employees to work independently to manage all activities in the field.” [Virginia Business]
Update Coming on Route 1 Bus Project — “Fairfax County Department of Transportation will host a meeting to discuss updates on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Join us to catch up on what has been completed, hear a recap of decisions and milestones, and learn about next steps!” [FCDOT]
Holiday Raffle Supports Herndon and Reston Students — The Rotary Club of Herndon is holding a holiday raffle to fund college scholarships for local high school students. The raffle will be open until Dec. 10 with gift cards worth $1,000 as the grand prize. [Raffle Creator]
It’s Thursday — Frost is expected to clear up by 10am, giving way to a sunny day with a high of about 51°F and a northwest wind around 6 mph. The night will be clear, with temperatures dropping to around 34°F and a southern wind near 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
A new dine-in movie theater option debuts tomorrow (Thursday) in Reston Town Center.
LOOK Dine-In Cinema’s grand opening is slated for tomorrow at 11940 Market Street — the previous home of Bow Tie Cinemas, which shuttered more than a year ago.
James Meredith, LOOK’s CMO, told FFXnow that the theater’s dining experience sets it apart from other moviegoing options in the area.
“The new LOOK Dine-In Cinema in Reston offers an elevated dining experience where our made-to-order, chef inspired menu items and craft cocktails are delivered directly to your seat,” Meredith said. “Additionally, every auditorium offers luxury reclining chairs and crystal clear presentation.”
The 11-screen cinema is the company’s first in Virginia. It features luxury seating and dine-in mobile technology that allows guests to order from menus and craft beverages. Items are then delivered to the guest’s seat.
Items on the menu include chicken tenders, crispy wings, loaded mac and cheese, burgers, quesadillas and a honey sriracha salmon bowl.
Those features will help the theater maintain its competitiveness, Meredith said.
“Our guests are looking for a full-service experience that includes great food, their favorite cocktails, state-of-the-art presentation, comfort and variety. At LOOK, we are part of the community and offer favorite content for all of our guests,” he said.
Customers can order more items up to 30 minutes before the show ends.
“I couldn’t be more excited to bring LOOK Dine-In Cinemas to Reston Town Center,” CEO Brian Schultz said. “Our theater is a place for this great community to enjoy, laugh, cry, be inspired, and most importantly, come together. It’s not just about movies; it’s about creating memorable moments and a shared experience that unites us all.”
Tomorrow’s grand opening features only evening showtimes from 5-9 p.m. Movies will include Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” the horror flick “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film.
Another Halloween has come and gone, but the jack-o’-lantern that may be sitting on your stoop isn’t going to get rid of itself.
Instead of trashing the carved-up squash, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is encouraging residents to compost with its annual “PumpkinPalooza” services.
“Repurposing them in this manner is more environmentally friendly than throwing them away,” DPWES said in a press release announcing the event.
The county is accepting pumpkins for composting through Nov. 17 at its I-95 Landfill Complex (9850 Furnace Road) in Lorton and the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) near Fair Lakes.
Pumpkins can be dropped off at both facilities between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
“All pumpkins and squash must be free of all decorations, such as paint, glitter and candle wax,” DPWES said. “Those items cannot be composted.”
The county officially introduced its compost outpost for food scraps at the I-66 disposal facility in April after a two-year pilot to demonstrate its effectiveness.
The Fairfax County Park Authority has also added composting drop-offs at all of its farmers markets, though the Wakefield and Kingstowne markets have already ended their seasons. The park authority collected nearly 37 tons of compost last year, when the service launched at five markets before expanding to all sites for 2023.
Hundreds of residential units are on the horizon for two linked, vacant office buildings on Worldgate Drive in Herndon.
According to preliminary plans before the town’s Architectural Review Board, the applicant wants to build a combination of townhouses and apartment units on a 10.4-acre property at the intersection of Worldgate Drive and Elden Street.
If approved, the project would include a 360-unit apartment building, a four-floor building with 52 units and 49 townhouses.
A 487-space parking garage is planned, along with 39 surface parking spots. Stacked private garages will have 104 dedicated spaces while townhouses will have 98 spaces, according to a preliminary site plan from developer Boston Properties.
The proposal to redevelop the buildings at 13100 and 13150 Worldgate Drive first came before the architectural review board over the summer.
“After studying several options, the team opted for a concept which bisects the site to proportion the multi-family and single-family components, partially demolishes the garage, and improves the area connectivity by adding a new street grid,” a presentation on the potential application says.
The apartment building will use half of the garage structure and wrap around it to create internal courtyards and a “urban edge” towards Elden Street and Worldgate Drive. The townhouses are proposed as a series of blocks with townhouses and stacked flats.
The development would add a road from the south to “announce the multi-family amenity from Worldgate Drive” and create a public plaza. A new internal road will connect the townhouses to the apartment building’s entrance, according to the presentation.
The pre-application heads to the ARB today (Wednesday) for remarks. It will then go before the town’s planning commission.
Freeze Watch to Take Effect Tonight — “The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Watch from late Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Temperatures between 26 – 30 degrees are possible. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.” [Ready Fairfax/Twitter]
Renamed Seven Corners Fire Station Welcomes New Engine — “FS28, Fort Buffalo, held a push in ceremony for its new engine, E428. In Sept 2023, the Fairfax County [Board of Supervisors] accepted the recommendation of FS28 members to rename the station from Seven Corners to Fort Buffalo. This is the 1st piece of apparatus to carry the new name.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Springfield Shopping Center Lines Up Tenants — The former Whole Foods Market at Old Keene Mill Shopping Center will be subdivided into six spaces, including one for a relocated Trader Joe’s. Leasing materials indicate that other spaces will be filled by McAlister’s Deli, European Wax Center and Zips Dry Cleaners, and a “high-end” restaurant called Kanji Sushi is set to fill a suite vacated last year by Austin Grill. [Washington Business Journal]
Fix or Demolish Bailey’s Crossroads Property, Judge Says — “The code violations at the dilapidated building in Bailey’s Crossroads that formerly housed the Zaaki restaurant and hookah lounge must be fixed or the owners could be forced to tear it down…The building, at 6020 Leesburg Pike, has been vacant for years. After Zaaki closed, the property became a dumping ground and a nighttime gathering spot for groups of men.” [Annandale Today]
Tex-Mex Restaurant at Capital One Expected This Year — “Upscale Tex-Mex restaurant Ometeo is gearing up for a big, margarita-fueled opening in Tysons Corner before the year’s out…Ometeo will bring big Texas energy to the growing Capital One Center with multiple dining rooms, bars indoors and out, and a huge patio.” [Axios]
County Fire Department Delivers Free Winter Coats — “The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department sent 2,000 free winter coats to local students in need Tuesday morning. Some of the youngest students even got to visit the Virginia firehouse and pick out their jackets. Around 200 preschoolers filed off buses into the Fairfax County Fire Station 11.” [WTOP]
Apartment Rents Tick Up in Tysons — “The median rent of $1,839 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,817 for two bedrooms in Tysons in October was effectively unchanged from a month before but was up 1.1 percent from a year ago, according to new data reported Oct. 31 by Apartment List. No change from September to October shows the relative strength of the community’s rental market, as median rents typically tend to decline toward the final months of the year.” [Gazette Leader]
Reston Education Company Reports Record Earnings — “Shares of Reston-based Stride Inc. have soared to an all-time high in recent days after the online learning company reported record revenue in its most recent quarter. The revenue surge was driven by an unexpected enrollment boost in both its general education and career learning programs.” [WBJ]
It’s Wednesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs near 50°F and northwest winds blowing at 14-17 mph, gusting up to 29 mph. Wednesday night will be clear, with lows around 33°F. The northwest wind will continue at 7-11 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. [Weather.gov]
