Planning is underway for stream restoration at Sugarland Run North.
At a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 11, the board unanimously approved an agreement between the county and the Town of Herndon to design and construct the project.
The $3.9 million project would restore roughly 2,350 linear feet of Sugarland Run, which is located in the Sugarland Run watershed. The project will begin roughly 1,200 linear feet north of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail crossing with Sugarland Run.
Sugarland Run South runs from Elden Street to the previously finished southern end of the project.
The town has asked the county to fund the design and construction of the project over four fiscal years.
“In addition to improving the environment and water quality, this partnership with the Town of Herndon is an example of implementation of effective and efficient government practices consistent with the County’s Strategic Plan,” county staff said a July 11 memo.
Staff noted that the partnership with Herndon will save the county time and administrative costs that would have piled up if the project was administered under the county’s own stormwater program.
The agreement is possible because the Town of Vienna, the Town of Herndon and Fairfax County have agreed to share some stormwater service district fees in order to meet stormwater management requirements for the Chesapeake Bay.
At a recent Herndon Town Council meeting, John Irish, the town’s deputy director of public works, noted that the primary goal of the project is to absorb and direct energy in a way that protects the geology of the stream. The project will improve the aquatic habitat of the area, address local flooding, and improve the safety and instability of eroded banks.
Channel erosion from the increased volume and velocity has led to significant nutrient and sediment pollution, along with the loss of habitats.
Construction on the northern project is expected to start in fiscal year 2026, which would start on July 1, 2025. Design work will begin in fiscal year 2024, according to the town’s website.
Photo via Town of Herndon newsletter
The coming winter’s leaf collection season might be Fairfax County’s last.
The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has proposed terminating the leaf vacuum services it provides to thousands of residents after each fall, citing rising costs and “operational issues.”
A survey seeking public input on the recommendation has launched and will remain open until Aug. 18.
“During the 2022-2023 season, the program experienced numerous setbacks including collection delays, staffing shortages, a larger volume of leaves than normal, and inclement weather,” DPWES said in a news release. “After assessing the service, County staff propose to discontinue vacuum leaf service when the upcoming season concludes, along with the tax imposed for the service.”
Approximately 25,000 residents get leaf collection service through the county, according to DPWES, whose Solid Waste Management Program staff works with private contractors to vacuum up leaves from the curb three times a season, typically between November and January.
The collection areas are established through resident petitions and supported by a special tax based on property values. The eight areas that the county currently has are concentrated in the east, including parts of McLean, Idylwood, Bailey’s Crossroads, Lake Barcroft and Fort Hunt.
Last year, the county encountered delays in its leaf collections as it wrangled with staff shortages, equipment issues and an earlier-than-usual leaf fall.
DPWES says those issues could affect its ability to provide reliable service going forward, and customers have also raised concerns about lingering leaves disrupting public safety, including by:
- Blocking storm drains, creating flooding concerns
- Contributing to pedestrian and vehicle conflicts when pedestrians are forced to walk in streets
- Creating fire hazards from vehicles parked on leaves
- Presenting slip-and-fall hazards from people walking on slippery leaves
- Reducing on-street parking
Other considerations include increased costs and environmental issues. DPWES grinds up the collected leaves into mulch that’s distributed at various sites for free.
From the press release:
The County is facing increased costs to provide vacuum leaf collection. Due to the need for an additional contractor, overtime for County employees and temporary contractors support workers, it is estimated the 2023 season will incur an approximate $900,000 deficit and another predicted $400,000 deficit at the end of fiscal year 2024. The service also conflicts with the County’s adopted sustainability policies to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
The upcoming 2023-2024 collection season will take place as scheduled, since residents were already charged back in January, DPWES says.
In addition to filling out the survey, residents can weigh in on the proposal to end services by leaving a voicemail or texting “leaf collection” to 703-890-5898, Project Code: 2159.
A final decision will be made this fall by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
ArtsFairfax wants you to help it keep track of all the public art popping up around Fairfax County.
The county’s designated, nonprofit local arts agency recently launched an online Public Arts Locator to identify and map out murals, sculptures and other installations placed in the community, either permanently or on a temporary basis.
The app currently shows 94 works of art, including a few that fall outside the county’s borders in Arlington and Manassas. It can be searched by location and different categories of art, such as murals or street fixtures.
Monitored by the nonprofit’s staff, the app is free for anyone to use and includes a survey where people can submit the address, images and descriptions of works of art that they’ve seen.
“If the artwork is available in a public setting and accessible day and night, we want it captured in this inventory,” said Lisa Mariam, ArtsFairfax’s senior director of grants and services and project lead for the Public Art Locator.
The locator was developed by ArtsFairfax and the county’s Department of Information Technology using aerial imagery, map layers and other geographic information systems data. It was designed by GIS analyst Chip Galloway, according to a July 13 press release.
ArtsFairfax says the locator was created in conjunction with its ongoing development of a public art master plan, which will serve as a “blueprint” for the county as it evaluates existing works and plans for future ones.
The app’s launch came on the heels of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors accepting a master art plan focused on facilities. Both that plan and the one on public art are being guided by the Fairfax County Arts Committee, which consists of both county staff and volunteers.
“The ArtsFairfax Public Art Locator will be a critical planning tool as we continue work on the County’s Public Art Master Plan,” ArtsFairfax president and CEO Linda Sullivan said. “By crowd-sourcing public art in our community, this inventory will help us identify where there are gaps and greater needs for community enhancement and creative placemaking.”
Virginia Releases New Policies on Transgender Students — “The final model policies…include many of the same guidelines with an emphasis on parents’ rights ‘to make decisions with respect to their children.’ The policies, a version of which each of Virginia’s schools systems would be required to adopt, outline that teachers and other school personnel may not refer to a student by a different name or pronoun unless parents request the switch in writing.” [The Washington Post]
Northern Virginia Center Expansion Gets Support — The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval last week of Virginia Tech’s proposed campus redevelopment near the West Falls Church Metro station. Proponents said the promised affordable housing and more transit-oriented focus are necessary, while some critics feared the new buildings will overshadow existing condominiums. [Gazette Leader]
Republican Challenges Tim Kaine for Senate Seat — “Hung Cao, a retired U.S. Navy captain who entered the political spotlight last year with an unsuccessful bid to unseat Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.), announced Tuesday that he will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Sen. Tim Kaine (D) in Virginia’s 2024 elections.” [The Washington Post]
Vienna Police Issue Hundreds of Traffic Citations — The Vienna Police Department’s stop sign enforcement campaign in June yielded “220 stop sign citations and a total of 108 citations issued for other various traffic violations.” Vienna Police Chief Jim Morris says traffic safety is one of the department’s “biggest priorities” throughout the year. [Vienna Police press release, Facebook]
Container Store Lands Space at Springfield Plaza — “The Container Store has inked a deal for a new big box location at Springfield Plaza, where it will join a Whole Foods Market scheduled to open this fall at the retail center at 7206 Old Keene Mill Road.” The new store, which will occupy about 15,282 square feet of previously subdivided space, is expected to open in summer 2024. [Washington Business Journal]
Lorton Residents Get Glimpse of Vision for Future — “Lorton’s community center and library were filled with charts and maps Saturday, July 15, which showed the possible evolution over the next several decades of the Lorton area…[A consultant] said most people gave positive feedback on the plan and said they hoped for a Lorton with ‘more there, there.'” [On the MoVe]
Compromise Proposed on National Airport Flights Increase — “The compromise amendment from Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, calls for adding seven round-trip flights at the airport, instead of the 28 that some lawmakers had previously proposed…Virginia and Maryland lawmakers have argued against expanding the number of flights at the airport, saying they would add to delays and frustrations for fliers.” [WTOP]
Virginia NAACP Questions Voting Rights Restoration Process — “Saying Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s new policy echoes Virginia’s racist past, the state conference of the NAACP on Tuesday released a platform of proposed changes to the way the commonwealth restores voting rights to ex-felons.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Wednesday — Expect isolated showers followed by possible thunderstorms after 11am, partly sunny weather with a high near 88 and a low around 71. The chance of rain is 40%. [Weather.gov]
A virtual theater launched by South Lakes High School alumni is officially closing its curtains.
Walking Shadow Readers Theatre announced the company’s closure in an email on Monday (July 17). The company closed due to lack of capacity, a team member said.
The theater will officially go dark on July 31.
“When we began during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, our aim was to help keep theatre alive while the world shut down,” Walking Shadow Readers wrote in the announcement. “With your support, our virtual platform proved to be a resounding success, more than we imagined! The successes we’ve experienced make it that much more difficult to announce we have decided this past 2022-2023 season was our last.”
The model was established in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. It kicked off in June 2020 as a casual reunion of South Lakes drama alumni before organizing virtual readings and performances.
The theater celebrated its first season with a One Acts Festival, which featured eight short plays in the summer of 2021. The program was streamed on YouTube.
Since it was founded, the theater presented developmental readings of 26 new plays — some of which became published works or were presented in person once theaters reopened. It offered new and up-and-coming playwrights a chance to have their work reviewed and experienced.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to help establish and participate in this new theatrical medium these past three years,” the company wrote. “Working with playwrights as their stories evolve, and hearing artists give voice to the characters the world has yet to meet, has been an incredible adventure.”
The team thanks its playwrights, guest artists and audience members for their support. In a response to a request for information to FFXnow, the team declined comment.
(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) The long-fought activism of one local resident has culminated in the Fairfax County Police Department changing its approach to publicly identifying where crimes occur.
Arlington-based blogger Dave Statter announced on Wednesday, July 12 that Police Chief Kevin Davis has committed to having FCPD public information officers and social media channels use community names, rather than postal addresses, in public safety announcements, clearing up decades of confusion.
A crash in the Fort Belvoir area, for instance, will no longer be described as happening in Alexandria, when the city’s limits are almost 10 miles away.
(1) NEW: My battle of 40 years is over. 2 weeks ago @ChiefKDavis committed to having @FairfaxCountyPD stop using phrases like “Alexandria/Falls Church section of Fairfax County”. Instead, they’ll use community names within the county. As you can see it has already begun. (more) pic.twitter.com/wCy4tTeTHP
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) July 12, 2023
Known for his coverage of fire, EMS and police issues on Twitter and his blog, Statter argues that relying on postal addresses when informing the public of crime and safety incidents leads news outlets to share “imprecise” reports that associate murders or robberies in the wrong jurisdiction.
He says this issue is most relevant in Falls Church and Alexandria, two independent cities that share often unclear boundaries with Fairfax County.
The frequent conflation of the two cities with Fairfax County stems from the U.S. Postal Service giving a large swath of Fairfax County residents with Falls Church and Alexandria addresses, Statter claims. These addresses are provided to news outlets by PIOs when pinpointing the location of a crime, giving “people the impression that more crime was occurring in Alexandria [and Falls Church] than what was actually occurring,” Statter told FFXnow.
“The postal service created these artificial boundaries that don’t align with the real political boundaries that are on the map,” Statter said. “And you will often find a national story that says something that occurred in a town somewhere, but it really didn’t occur in that town — it was outside that town in a different jurisdiction. So it’s a problem that people have ignored for many years. I’m trying not to let them ignore it.”
The “general confusion” around city and county limits has also left many residents scratching their heads over where they really live and generated constant citizen inquiries to local governing bodies, Falls Church Communication Director Susan Finarelli says.
“People try to pay taxes to the city of Falls Church when, in fact, they live in Fairfax County,” Finarelli said. “…It is something that City of Falls Church government employees deal with all the time. I even copy and paste a statement of, ‘Oh, thank you so much for your email. Your address is actually in the Fairfax County part of Falls Church. Here’s how you can contact Fairfax County for that service.’”
To remedy this issue, which he says is not only endemic to Northern Virginia but the entire country, Statter has spent 41 long years advocating for PIOs and news outlets to instead use community and neighborhood names, such as Bailey’s Crossroads or Mount Vernon. Read More
Another ice cream shop is coming to Reston Town Center.
Ice Cream Jubilee is slated to open its Reston in early 2024, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer Laura O’Shaughnessy tells FFXnow.
“Our customers have been asking us for years to expand and offer locally made delectable treats in more locations. We found this great location and are thrilled to have the opportunity to serve more customers our locally made ice cream and to be part of the Reston…community,” O’Shaughnessy said.
It will be located at the intersection of Market and Explorer streets, the same block as the new Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Food blog The Burn first reported the news.
The company, which has two locations in D.C. and one in Arlington, started in 2014. It’s known for atypical ice cream flavors like baklava, toasted s’mores and banana bourbon caramel.
The ice cream and gelato shops in Reston Town Center are Ben & Jerry’s, Pitango Gelato, and sweetgreen.
Photo via Ice Cream Jubilee/Facebook
Canadian Wildfires Affect Local Air Quality Again — “The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Tuesday for Northern Virginia. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups.” [NWS]
Fairfax City Water Rescuers Assist Vermont After Floods — “The Arlington County Fire Department announced Sunday morning, that just the night before, they had teamed up with the City of Fairfax Fire Department to deploy eight swift water rescuers to Vermont to assist the state.” As of Friday (July 14), the storms that hit Vermont last week have been tied two deaths due to flooding. [WUSA9]
Republican Challenges State Sen. Adam Ebbin — “Sophia Moshasha, a technology advocate, will run as a Republican challenger to state Sen. Adam Ebbin in the heavily Democratic 39th District this fall. Moshasha officially announced her candidacy Monday. The 39th District consists of the city of Alexandria, the Crystal City area of Arlington and the Bailey’s Crossroads area” [Inside NoVA]
Chick-fil-A Might Be Coming to Lorton — The fast food company has “filed a sign permit application for a ‘new Chick-fil-A build’ at 9405 Lorton Market St. in Lorton, on an undeveloped portion of Regency Centers’ Lorton Marketplace.” A public relations firm said Chick-fil-A would “very much like to have more restaurants in Fairfax County” but has “no new locations to confirm at this time.” [Washington Business Journal]
Longtime Arlington Tattoo Parlor Relocates to Bailey’s Crossroads — “Rick’s Tattoo on Langston Blvd is moving at the end of the month. The long-time Arlington tattoo parlor, self-described as the oldest in Virginia, was established in 1980 at 4818 Langston Blvd…The shop is moving just over the county line to Bailey’s Crossroads.” [ARLnow]
Marshall HS Grad Goes Pro in Pickleball — “What started as a curiosity for [Alix] Truong became a healthy addiction, to the point where she gave up tennis and a typical high school life to play pickleball full time. She is embarking on a tour, playing competitions across the country and could be blazing a path for young players to pursue a career in pickleball.” [The Washington Post]
Reston Library Hosts Plant Swap This Thursday — “Thinking of starting a flower/vegetable/herbs garden? Stop by the Reston Library to pick up a plant! If you have any extra plants, please bring them along to share with the community. Registration is not required, but much appreciated.” [Fairfax County Public Library]
Blood Drive Coming to McLean — “As blood supplies in Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C., area remain low, the McLean Volunteer Fire Department is teaming up with Inova Blood Donor Services again to hold a blood drive on July 28. The Inova bloodmobile will be located in the fire department’s lower parking lot, at 1455 Laughlin Avenue” [Patch]
It’s Tuesday — There’s a possibility of showers and thunderstorms primarily after 5pm today with widespread haze clearing before noon. The day will mostly be sunny with temperatures hovering around 92, dropping to a low of nearly 71 at night. The chance of rainfall is 30%. [Weather.gov]
Traffic concerns were among the top issues flagged in a survey of Town of Herndon residents.
Despite those frustrations, the survey by Priority Metric Group found high levels of satisfaction with town services and quality of life in the town.
Priority Metrics Group owner John Barrett emphasized that the results are based on a weighted sample, specifically for household income and ethnicity, in a presentation to the Herndon Town Council on July 11.
He said respondents were repeatedly instructed that the survey is intended to evaluate town services, not issues beyond the town’s purview.
Most respondents — a little over 60% — in the survey were white, while 16% of the sample was Hispanic, 15% was Asian and 7% was Black. Comparatively, the town’s population is 31% Hispanic, 41% white, 14% Asian, and 6% Black, according to the latest U.S. Census data.
The average survey participant lived in the town for 13 years, and 84% worked outside of the town. Roughly 15% of respondents plan to move from the town in the next year, largely due to the cost of living or housing.
The survey found that most respondents were very satisfied with professionalism of the police, trash and recycling services, and customer service at both the Herndon Municipal Center and the Herndon Community Center.
Satisfaction was lowest when it came to traffic flow, with just 52.3% of respondents saying they’re “satisfied” or “very satisfied responses” compared to 64.7% in a 2018 survey.
The survey also gauged thoughts on the conditions of the town’s sidewalks and streets, the overall appearance of the town, the police department’s ability to address neighborhood problems, traffic and parking code enforcement, and access to town facilities for people with disabilities.
Overall, the town continued to receive average performance ratings on six criteria, but declined on six others, including overall appearance and neighborhood safety. The most substantial decline was related to traffic.
Key issues related to the appearance of the town include challenges on Elden Street, the stalled redevelopment of downtown Herndon, and overall trash and cleanliness of the town and parks.
Still, 88% of residents are satisfied or very satisfied with quality of life in the town.
Most respondents pointed to Herndon’s small town appeal as the community’s most magnetic factor by far.
“Even though you’re kind of in the middle of this hub of activity right next to Dulles, right next to D.C…is this small community feel,” Barrett said. “People love it.”
The tennis courts at Bready Park in Herndon are slated for major upgrades — one of several renovations projects undertaken by the town’s park and recreation department this month.
All six courts at 814 Ferndale Avenue will be closed today (Monday), as crews work to install new fencing and replace the court surface, bubble structure and mechanical equipment.
Players can turn to Chandon Park (900 Palmer Drive) and Bruin Park (415 Van Buren Street) for playing options. Parks and recreation programs will also be relocated to Bruin Park to ensure “uninterrupted” access for participants, according to a news release from the town.
The tennis courts are expected to reopen by Oct. 9, according to the town.
In addition, the indoor pool at Herndon Community Center will close starting July 22. Crews plan to remove lighting fixtures, repair tail and replace the boilers and ultraviolet (UV) light systems. General maintenance and application of a new white coat is also planned.
The pool is expected to open on Sept. 11.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused by these temporary closures but believe that the resulting improvements will greatly enhance the overall enjoyment of our facilities,” the town wrote in a statement. “We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our valued citizens and patrons during these projects.”
The town also plans to build a new picnic pavilion at Haley Smith Park. While the impact to parking will be minimal, the town will set up a restricted area around the new facility. Work is expected to begin today (Monday) and end on July 28.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new pavilion is scheduled for Aug. 16 at 11 a.m.
Photo via Herndon Community Center/Facebook
Man in Custody After Shots Fired Call — “Officers responded to the 13600 blk of Lee Jackson Mem Hwy in Chantilly for a shots fired call. Preliminary, there are no injuries, and all parties are accounted for. There is no apparent threat to the public at this time…Officers have one adult male in custody.” [FCPD/Twitter]
Eggs Rescued From Dumpster Result in Chicks — “More than 20 chicks have found homes with veterinary staff after being rescued from a dumpster in Fairfax County, Virginia. Late last week, Fairfax County Animal Protection Police were called to a shopping center in West Falls Church, where over 1,000 eggs had been abandoned in a dumpster.” [WTOP]
Ceiling Collapses on Springfield Family — “A few members of the Porter family watched part of their ceiling collapse from inside their Springfield home. The moment, captured on video, was posted on TikTok and viewed more than 65 million times. Nobody was hurt, and the family is still able to occupy the home and have a plastic sheet blocking off the impacted room.” [DC News Now]
Marijuana Sales in Virginia Unlikely Under Youngkin — The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services commissioner said not to expect “any further moves towards legalization of adult recreational-use marijuana” during Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s term. While Maryland launched a recreational cannabis market just days earlier, the possibility of sales in Virginia has “been in political limbo for years to detrimental effects.” [The Washington Post]
Police Share Tips for Ride-Share Safety — “Every year, major rideshare companies document the number of sexual assault incidents reported to their company. Although Fairfax County does not have as many reported incidents as other major metropolitan areas, since the beginning of 2023 FCPD has had three separate ride-share incidents reported in our communities.” [FCPD]
Tysons Venture Capital Firm Launches With $50 Million — “Tysons-based Flintlock Capital was founded by Seda Goff and Joe Shamess, general partners who are planning to invest in early-stage companies across the country within financial technology, what they refer to as ‘frontier’ technologies — artificial intelligence, robotics and space — and in companies that are looking to bring tech into aging industries.” [Washington Business Journal]
Herndon Tech Company Relocates HQ to Reston — “Seerist Inc., which works in threat and risk intelligence, has signed a lease for 8,395 square feet at 11440 Commerce Park Drive, landlord Comstock Holding Companies Inc. (Nasdaq: CHCI) announced. Seerist is moving from 13221 Woodland Park Road in Herndon.” [WBJ]
Gardens at Former Nike Site Get Grand Opening — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce the official ribbon-cutting for the Laurel Hill Community Garden Plots. Join Supervisor Dan Storck, Park Authority Board Member Linwood Gorham and others at the official opening of the new facility located in Lorton.” [FCPA]
It’s Monday — During the day, it’ll be sunny with a high temperature around 92. In the evening, expect a slight possibility of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, with about a 20% chance of rainfall. The night will be partly cloudy and temperatures will drop to approximately 72. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) A new nightclub and bar has taken over space formerly occupied by Outback Steakhouse in Herndon.
Ibiza Nightclub Bar & Grill opened on July 7 at 150 Elden Street. The business is the brainchild of two Honduran brothers Jimmy and Yonis Matute, who are seeking to reinvigorate the nightclub scene in the area.
Elena Beleniuc, a spokesperson for the business, told FFXnow that they wanted to create an elegant place for locals to “decompress.”
“Since we got here we always worked in the restaurant and nightlife industry and wanted to revolutionize the industry,” Beleniuc said. “We started our first business in West Virginia and it was a success. We brought the community together there and decided to do the same with our hometown, Herndon. We are young, full of life and ready to work hard and contribute the local economy.”
The location includes happy hour plates and drinks, a private event space and entertainment.
The business is closed on Mondays and open on Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. The business closes on Sunday at 2 a.m., but the opening time is not confirmed yet. The owners hope to offer brunch, a company spokesperson told FFXnow.
(Correction: Ibiza told FFXnow that the operating hours posted to its website were inaccurate. The correct hours and restaurant name are now shown.)
Outback Steakhouse relocated down the road to 365 Elden Street last year.
(Updated at 11:55 a.m.) Fairfax County has a new plan that could help inform arts venue development in the county for the next 20 years.
Adopted unanimously by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday (July 11), the 49-page Fairfax County Master Arts Plan: Facilities includes an inventory of the county’s arts venues, an examination of gaps in resources, options for funding new facilities and more.
Members of the county board said that, in the past, they have lacked some key information when trying to establish arts facilities.
“We were kind of operating under good guidance, but largely in the dark in terms of some of the technical components and what makes sense and where you do these in the county and in what types of communities, and so the work that the task force has done is amazing,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said.
The facilities plan takes into account the county’s strategic plan, adopted in October 2021. For example, its formulation involved “inclusive engagement,” which the facilities plan says was among the drivers of the strategic plan.
“Extensive analytical data was collected through interviews and personal discussion with a wide range of arts and community leaders, as well as residents of both majority and minority ethnic or racial makeup,” the facilities plan reads.
The facilities plan also aligns with One Fairfax, which is the county government and school board’s racial and social equity policy.
“Equity and diversity goals should be paramount in the development of venues that will support arts activities from ethnically diverse perspectives and approaches,” the plan reads.
Among the plan’s recommendations is an expansion of “support facilities,” which could include vacant buildings converted for temporary arts use and storage facilities for costumes, props and scenery.
A consultant’s study conducted in 2019 as part of the plan found that cost is the top consideration for local arts organizations when they decide what venues to use, leading many to go outside of the county or utilize facilities like churches and community centers that aren’t designed for the arts.
Marketing organizations, venues and specific events is also a challenge, tending to be “cost-labor-time intensive and drastically underfunded.”
Following Capital One Hall’s opening in Tysons in 2021, new venues have been proposed for Fairfax City, Reston, Falls Church City, Chantilly, and the Herndon area, among other sites.
The report also outlines funding possibilities for capital projects, including bond referendums, an entertainment tax and private donations.
The facilities plan came out of work by the Master Arts Plan Task Force, which formed in 2009. Before the board adopted the plan Tuesday, it passed a resolution recognizing the task force “for their achievements.” Members of the task force, including chair Leila Gordon, attended the meeting.
Gordon gave a presentation about the plan to the board’s economic initiatives committee in March. Even as the board accepted the plan at Tuesday’s meeting, members and Gordon noted the plan’s status as a “living document.”
“Now we have a solid plan for supporting the wonderful array of arts venues already available in Fairfax County as well as to realize the venues of the future that will continue to provide encouragement to artists and welcoming spaces for all to enjoy,” Gordon said at the meeting. “This is a living plan designed to achieve our goals while responding to change.”
Dozens of dogs at Fairfax County’s animal shelter have become infected recently by a respiratory illness known informally as “kennel cough.”
While it’s common to see some canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) cases, the current wave has been exacerbated by more dogs staying in the shelter for longer periods of time, according to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS).
As of yesterday (Thursday), 42 of the 67 dogs in the shelter at 4500 West Ox Road were symptomatic with CIRDC, which has cold-like symptoms such as coughing and a runny nose, Fairfax County Department of Animal Sheltering Director Reasa Currier told FFXnow.
“Every dog has received an individualized treatment plan from our veterinarian and most dogs are improving quickly without the need for medication,” Currier said, describing the symptoms as generally mild.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, CIRDC comes from a variety of viruses and bacteria and is spread through respiratory droplets. Dogs can catch it through close or direct contact with infected animals, sneezing and coughing, and exposure to contaminated objects, such as toys or water bowls.
Kennel cough doesn’t affect humans and other kinds of animals, but it can spread quickly in congregate settings like a shelter, in part because it’s contagious before symptoms appear. The illness also thrives in humidity and is “exacerbated by stress,” FCAS says.
The shelter says it has “robust daily cleaning protocols,” and staff have been “carefully monitoring all dogs for symptoms,” separating those that are symptomatic from the healthy animals.
However, the biggest challenge has been the size of the shelter’s dog population, which neared 100 dogs earlier this summer.
“[There are] more dogs in our care than the staff and facility can adequately support and dogs remaining in our care for extended periods of time,” Currier said. “Our animal population has increased by 25% over the same period last year while the number of days animals spend in our care has also increased as adoptions have slowed.”
Crowding is an issue at shelters nationwide, as some of the over 23 million households that reportedly adopted a pet during the COVID-19 pandemic reevaluate that decision.
The surge in pet surrenders reflects “complex social and economic circumstances,” led by people moving or encountering other housing-related challenges, Currier says. Though 70% of renters in Fairfax County own a pet, many apartments don’t allow pets, place restrictions on the size or breed, or require a fee or deposit.
Increasing costs for veterinary care and pet supplies, particularly food, may also affect someone’s ability to keep their pet, according to Currier.
In the hopes of encouraging adoptions and reducing surrenders, FCAS is promoting its available pets more frequently, reviewing its adoption process to reduce barriers, and providing more resources to pet owners, including free or low-cost vet care and free temporary boarding for those in crisis.
The shelter is also seeking volunteers who can foster large dogs and asking anyone planning to surrender a dog to try to postpone it for at least two more weeks. Owners are advised to ensure their pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations before turning them in.
“There is not one easy solution to the increase in homeless animals, but it is something we must tackle through multipronged efforts,” Currier said. “We appreciate the support we receive from our generous community who keep our pet food pantry stocked and our team of dedicated volunteers and fosters who allow us to continue to provide exceptional, individualized care to every animal who come in the shelter’s doors despite the growing need.”
Who let the fox in? Restonians did after they selected the furry creature as the community’s official icon.
In survey results announced today (Friday), the animal prevailed over two other options — a heron and woodpecker — for a project between Friends of Reston, Public Art Reston and Reston Association.
A poll took place in May and garnered more than 2,800 votes. Local artists Tracie Griffith Tso, Ben Morse and Dana Scheurer designed the proposed icons.
RA says the fox will be fabricated into replicable cast sculptures that will be painted by local artists in the coming months. Through a public auction, the replicas will then be auctioned off. Funds will be used to support local public art projects.
“Thank you to our wonderful community partners, artists, and residents who made the first phase of the Icon Project a success,” RA wrote in a statement. “Friends of Reston, Reston Association, and Public Art Reston look forward to working together on the continuation of this initiative.”
