Police Scooter Catches Fire at Dulles Airport — “Passengers preparing for departure were evacuated for roughly 90 minutes after a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police scooter burst into flames inside the terminal…For reasons not yet identified, an officer’s segway began to smoke before catching fire, creating a dark cloud inside the airport and injuring two officers.” [WTOP]
“Suspicious” Flyers Reported in Fair Oaks — “Officers and detectives from the Fair Oaks District have responded to numerous reports of suspicious flyers portraying bias material over the past two days…While there is currently no specific threat within our community, we are continuing to collect additional information about this incident.” [FCPD]
Herrity Wants County to Address Panhandling — “Pat Herrity, a long-serving Republican lawmaker representing the county’s Springfield district, has said he plans on reintroducing an ordinance next month to restrict panhandling that is closely modeled after the policy adopted by neighboring Loudoun County. Loudoun’s ordinance bans the exchange of objects between roadways, and allows police officers to cite those who ignore the ordinance after multiple warnings” [DCist]
Local Teacher Gets Winnings for World Cup Bet — “Kris Benton has finally received his winnings for bets he placed through the BetMGM app after they were originally canceled due to an ‘obvious error with odds.’ The Fairfax County teacher placed bets for a total wager of more than $3,000 on the Netherlands vs. Vietnam match in the Women’s World Cup through the app.” [WUSA9]
Springfield Company Banned From Working in D.C. — The Springfield-based construction company Prestige Drywall LLC “has been barred from working in the District for five years as part of a settlement with D.C.’s attorney general over alleged wage theft. The settlement…includes nearly $360,000 in restitution to more than 200 employees who were unlawfully deprived of overtime pay and benefits.” [Washington Business Journal]
Police Encourage Safety for First Day of School — “On August 21st, coinciding with the much-anticipated first day of school in Fairfax County, FCPD aims to promote a safe and enjoyable start to the school year by encouraging parents, guardians, and community members to adopt safe transportation practices and help ensure the well-being of our young students.” [FCPD]
Route 50 Lane Closures Planned in West Falls Church — “Beginning Monday night, Aug. 21, eastbound Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard) will have lane closures between Graham Road and Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) for milling and paving work…Through Monday night, Sept. 18, the single-lane closures will occur Sunday nights through Thursday nights between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night.” [VDOT]
County Library Staff Win Award — “FCPL IT team members Gary Goodson and Atnaf Ameha were recently awarded the 2023 Public Library Innovator Award from the Virginia Library Association. This award recognizes public librarians or public library project teams who have made an outstanding contribution to advance the mission of a public library in Virginia through an innovative project, program or service during the nomination period (2022).” [FCPL/Facebook]
It’s Monday — The forecast for Monday indicates partly sunny conditions with a high temperature reaching around 94°F. As the evening approaches, expect increasing cloudiness and a low temperature settling around 71°F. [Weather.gov]
A new traffic pattern is in effect on Reston Parkway after a crash in July damaged two beams on the bridge over the Dulles Toll Road.
The left lane of the road is closed to reduce the weight placed on the damaged beams. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is working to arrange the repairs on the underside of the bridge.
“Having lost a lane of capacity on southbound Reston Parkway, a longer term pattern was put in place to regain some capacity in the form of a choice lane,” Ellen Kamilakis, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Transportation, told FFXnow.
The truck crash happened several months ago, Kamilakis said. The left lane of the the southbound Reston Parkway over the toll road was closed on July 10.
While the left lane is still closed, the ramp to the eastbound toll road was re-striped as an exit and thru lane.
Hey Restonians! We know the left lane of SB Reston Pkwy over @dulles_toll_rd was closed after the bridge hit on 7/10. We're making a traffic pattern change to regain capacity. The left lane is still closed, but the ramp to EB DTR was restriped as an exit *and* a thru lane. pic.twitter.com/ha5ykz7AYg
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) August 16, 2023
After more than a year-long pause, the redevelopment of downtown Herndon appears to be moving again.
Reston-based developer Comstock Companies has filed a revised site plan for the long-anticipated project, which will transform nearly 5 acres of land into a mixed-use community with 273 apartments and roughly 17,000 square feet of retail. A new arts center and a 726-space parking garage are also planned.
At a Herndon Town Council meeting earlier this month, acting town manager Scott Robinson said the town received the revised site plan, which he described as a “big step” in “reworking their design to bring it up to the current code.”
The revised site plan was not immediately available for review.
Comstock declined to offer any comment on the redevelopment project, which is a public-private partnership between the company and the town.
The company elected to pause the project in July last year due to “economic conditions.” The cost of the $101 million project increased by $25 million due to issues related to materials, labor and workforce restrictions, FFXnow previously reported.
The pause can be in place for up to two years since it went into effect. That means the latest construction would begin is April 2024.
The project was anticipated to break ground nearly two years ago.
A sign on a fence surrounding the site of the project has since said “excitement is building.”
Last Chance to Weigh in on Proposed End of Leaf Collections — “@ffxpublicworks is proposing to discontinue vacuum leaf service after the upcoming winter season. A final decision will be made by the Board of Supervisors this fall. A survey is now open through Aug. 18.” [Fairfax County Government/Twitter]
Resident Artist Shares Tysons Love With Merchandise — “As a Tysons resident, the businessman-turned artist who goes by able6 enjoyed seeing the community grow and develop. Now he believes Tysons should get some new branding — and art should be a key part of it…He’s set up an Etsy shop and has growing interest in orders of prints and tote bags.” [Patch]
Police Find Fentanyl With Seven Corners Traffic Stop — “A traffic stop for a fraudulent temporary license plate led to a drug arrest in Seven Corners on Aug. 14, the Fairfax County Police Department tweeted…A search of the vehicle netted 47 suspected blue M30 fentanyl pills, additional counterfeit temporary license plates, and evidence of narcotics distribution.” [Annandale Today]
Election Officers Wanted, Especially Republicans — “We need more election officers! We especially need people who wish to represent the Republican Party, so we have equal numbers of officers representing the two major parties on Nov. 7. Officers perform non-partisan duties, however. Apply now” [Fairfax County Office of Elections/Twitter]
Yoga Studio Celebrates Return to Fairfax — “Sun & Moon Yoga is a locally owned, community-supported school of yoga that has operated in Northern Virginia since 1994.” After closing its Fairfax City location during the COVID-19 pandemic, the studio will reopen at 3975 University Drive today (Friday) with a 3 p.m. ribbon-cutting, followed by a free class and refreshments. [Fairfax City EDA/Facebook]
School Resource Officers Train for New School Year — “Fairfax County school resource officers were trained on Thursday to handle the spike in violence and drug use they’ve seen since the start of the pandemic. They spoke with News4’s Aimee Cho about what they see and what role they play in trying to help students.” [NBC4]
Fire Department Gives Out Donated School Supplies — “Shortly after 10 a.m., a few large and mid-sized SUVs started pulling into the bays of the Penn Daw Fire Station just off Route 1 in the Belle Haven area…Members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Service were putting out a different kind of fire — the stress of getting kids ready to go back to school.” [WTOP]
It’s Friday — The weather forecast for Friday is sunny with a high temperature of approximately 84 degrees. During Friday night, the sky will be clear and the temperature will drop to around 61 degrees with a northwest wind blowing 6 to 10 mph. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 9:05 p.m.) Local police are investigating an armed robbery that took place last night (Wednesday) at Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston.
Police arrived on the scene at around 8 p.m. to investigate the incident. No injuries were reported.
At least one suspect reportedly displayed a handgun, a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Police Department told FFXnow.
“This incident is still an active investigation, and no other information can be provided at this time,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement.
According to the county’s police scanner, six juveniles were seen near the 15th hole on the golf course. A female individual reportedly displayed a hand gun.
The juveniles were reportedly seen attempting to steal golf carts, according to the scanner.
Earlier this month, police confirmed that several golf carts were stolen from the golf course at 1711 Clubhouse Road and later recovered.
FCPD did not provide any additional information about the incidents.
This fall, Fairfax County will launch a guaranteed income pilot program, following in the footsteps of neighbors including Arlington County and Alexandria.
The upcoming Fairfax County Economic Mobility Pilot (FCEMP) will begin providing families with monthly payments totaling $2 million to “promote economic stability and social capital,” according to a press release.
The monthly payments of $750 will go to 180 eligible families chosen via application over the course of 15 months, with the funds being considered untaxable COVID-19 disaster relief that families have the freedom to choose how to spend.
The amount was determined by evaluating the cost of living in the county and the anticipated amount of time necessary to observe and assess the effects of guaranteed income on participants’ lives, a county spokesperson said.
Eligible families will also get access to optional financial coaching from United Way of the National Capital Area‘s Financial Empowerment Center, a partnership with Britepaths and the county, the county spokesperson continued.
“Like other basic income programs, the FCEMP promotes dignity and self-determination by enabling residents to take ownership of their own life and spending decisions,” the county website says.
Eligible applicants must be 18 years or older, have at least one child aged 16 or younger living in their household, and be employed with an income that falls between 150% and 250% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Level. They must also live in one of the following zip codes: 22306, 22309, 20190, 20191, 22041, 20170, 22003, 22150, 20120 or 20151.
The zip codes were chosen by overlaying current Opportunity Neighborhood boundaries and the zip codes they serve with the county’s Vulnerability Index, which analyzes a variety of factors such as race to determine vulnerable areas within the county, a county spokesperson said.
Through the pilot, the county says it hopes the regular payments will result in improved physical and mental health, improved educational outcomes for the children, increased economic stability, higher full-time employment rates, and increased housing and food security.
The pilot specifically aims to help certain households that “earn too much income to be eligible for assistance programs like TANF and SNAP but are struggling to make ends meet or are unable to take financial steps that would allow for economic mobility,” the county says.
As a result, households receiving public assistance benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Income, will not be eligible. However, participants won’t lose their eligibility if they experience any changes in income or public assistance benefits during the pilot.
Supported by a partnership with Beam, a startup that helps administer cash assistance and social safety net programs, the application portal will go live on Sept. 23 and remain open until Oct. 3. Applications will be electronic only, and those selected will be notified via email or text.
The county has also partnered with George Mason University on a study of the pilot. Researchers will collect information from optional personal questions on the application “to understand the impact that unrestricted cash payments have on the economic and social well-being of working households,” the county says.
Participation in the study will not affect an applicant’s likelihood of receiving cash payments.
“Establishing a baseline understanding of families participating in the FCEMP is needed to inform a fully realized program over time,” the county says. “Thus, the FCEMP will measure the economic mobility gains and overall wellness of participants who choose to take part in the research component.”
The FCEMP is authorized by the Board of Supervisors and funded by the county’s general county and American Recovery Plan Act’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
Photo via Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash
(Updated at 10:50 a.m. on 8/18/2023) A new hair salon is coming soon to Reston’s Plaza America.
Sola Salons is slated to open this summer at 11674 Plaza America Drive, a company spokesperson told FFXnow.
“Sola Salons provides high-end, fully equipped private salon studios to independent beauty professionals in addition to the customizable suites at a variety of prices and sizes,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement.
Fairfax County’s permit database shows that permits for alterations to the space are currently under review.
Founded in 2004, Sola Salon has over 650 locations throughout the country, including ones in Tysons, Fairfax City’s University Mall and Springfield.
CBRE’s website shows that Plaza America has three vacancies, the largest of which is a nearly 6,500 square foot space. The restaurant Brown Bag recently closed its location at the shopping center, paving the way for Taïm Mediterranean Kitchen to move in this fall.
Summer Restaurant Week starts later this month across the region, with more than 30 Fairfax County businesses scheduled to participate.
The biannual event by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is intended to encourage diners to eat out during a sometimes-slow time of the year for restaurants.
Hundreds of restaurants are participating during this year’s summer edition, including several Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport eateries — a first for the campaign.
“This year’s Summer Restaurant Week cycle is a special one,” RAMW President and CEO Shawn Townsend said in the press release. “Not only does the promotional week take place during the DC Jazz Festival, we have multiple restaurants participating from our region’s airports, allowing both locals and travelers to the area to take part in the special offerings.”
The restaurants offer brunch and lunch menus for $25 a person and dinner for $40 or $55 a person. There will also be alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink specials as well.
There will be 32 Fairfax County restaurants participating in the upcoming edition, which will run from Monday, Aug. 28 through Sunday, Sept. 3.
Dulles Airport
- Bistro Atelier — French cuisine
- Bracket Room — Sports bar
- Carrabba’s — Italian food
- Chef Geoff’s — American food
- Devil’s Backbone — Gastropub fare
- District Chop House — Steakhouse
- The Washington Burgundy and Gold Club — American classics
Merrifield
- 2941 Restaurant (2941 Fairview Park Drive) — French cuisine
- Alta Strada Mosaic (2911 District Avenue) — Italian food in the Mosaic District
- B Side (8298 Glass Alley) — American food in the Mosaic District
- Matchbox (2911 District Avenue) McLean, and Reston locations) — Pizza in the Mosaic District
- TRIO Grill (8100 Lee Highway) — American food
Reston
- Founding Farmers (1904 Reston Metro Plaza) — Locally sourced food and bar at Reston Station
- Matchbox (1900 Reston Metro Plaza) — Pizza at Reston Station
- North Italia (11898 Market Street) — Italian food at Reston Town Center
- Morton’s (11956 Market Street) — Steakhouse at Reston Town Center
- PassionFish (11960 Democracy Drive) — Seafood restaurant at Reston Town Center
- Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar (1871 Explorer Street) — Peruvian food at Reston Town Center
- The Melting Pot (11730 Plaza America Drive) — A fondue restaurant
Tysons/McLean
- Agora Tysons (7911 Westpark Drive) — Greek/Mediterranean/Turkish
- American Prime (1420 Spring Hill Road) — Steakhouse
- Circa at The Boro (1675 Silver Hill Drive) — American bistro
- Earls Kitchen + Bar (7902 Tysons One Place) — American food at Tysons Corner Center
- Founding Farmers (1800 Tysons Blvd) — Locally sourced food and bar at Tysons Galleria
- Jiwa Singapura (2001 International Drive) — Singapore cuisine at Tysons Galleria
- Joon (8045 Leesburg Pike, Suite 120) — Persian food in Fairfax Square
- Matchbox (1340 Chain Bridge Road) — Pizza in McLean
- North Italia (1651 Boro Place) — Italian cuisine at The Boro
- The Capital Grille (1861 International Drive) — Steakhouse and seafood restaurant in Tysons Corner Center. The Fair Lakes location at 12169 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive is participating as well.
- Wildfire (2001 International Drive) — Steak and seafood in Tysons Galleria
- Wren (1825 Capital One Drive South) — Japanese restaurant at Capital One Center
County Releases Draft Outdoor Dining Rules — “Fairfax County officials are crafting a proposed zoning-ordinance amendment to make permanent some of the relaxed outdoor-dining rules implemented during the pandemic, but also address concerns about noise and the number of seats.” Virtual meetings on the proposal were held last week and on Tuesday (Aug. 15), with public hearings expected in early 2024. [Gazette Leader]
Tysons Nonprofit Opens Drone Testing Range — “Research and development nonprofit MITRE, with dual headquarters in McLean, Virginia and Bedford, Massachusetts, cut the ribbon this week on a new drone testing range near Orange, Virginia. The facility will be used to experiment with small, uncrewed aircraft systems and serve as a proving ground to develop, test and evaluate new drone, counter-drone and autonomous systems.” [WTOP]
I-95 Express Lanes Are Now Complete — “The last planned extension of the I-95 Express Lanes is set to open late Thursday night, and with the opening, Virginia will have longest reversible toll lane in the nation at more than 45 miles long. The 10-mile extension, which officials are calling FredEx, runs from Aquia Harbor to Fredericksburg” [DCist]
Woodlawn Dunkin’ Donuts Now Open — “The new Dunkin’ with a drive-through opened Aug. 12 at Woodlawn Shopping Center. According to a store employee, the business will hold a grand opening sometime in the next few weeks, though an exact date hasn’t yet been determined.” [On the MoVe]
Overnight Traffic Stops Start on Beltway Ramps in McLean — “Four nights of intermittent traffic stoppages are scheduled to occur beginning Thursday, Aug.17 on the ramps connecting Georgetown Pike and I-495 South as well as at the intersection of Georgetown Pike and I-495 South for traffic signal work as part of the 495 NEXT project. These stoppages, which may be up to 30 minutes each, will occur between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.” [VDOT]
Twirling Encouraged at Annandale Dress Shop for Dancers — “Inside, Julie Wilson runs a business here in the family home, known by those who need to know as Encore Ballroom Couture. It’s considered the ballroom dance industry’s leading consignment and consignment-rental dress company.” [Washington Post]
Repairs Planned for Cross County Trail in Fairfax — “Tibbs Paving will be making repairs and paving the stretch of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail from Route 50 to Thaiss Memorial Park (City of Fairfax) starting on or about Tuesday, Aug. 22, weather permitting. It is anticipated that work should be completed by Friday, Sept. 1.” [FCPA]
Lake Accotink Celebration Coming Next Week — “Join the Fairfax County Park Authority for a free, family-friendly celebration at Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m…This one-day celebration is free for all participants and all activities are first-come, first-serve.” [FCPA]
It’s Thursday — There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with mostly sunny skies and a high of 88. On Thursday night, a slight chance of precipitation continues until 2am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 72. [Weather.gov]
A new exhibit at the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art in Reston delves into the metaphor of portage — the act of carrying a boat or goods over land between two bodies of water.
Created by five artists — Ashley Freeby, Noella Garcia, Jeff Huckleberry, Jackie Milad and Michael Rakowitz — the exhibit “Choosing to Portage” will open on Sept. 8 with an artist talk from 6-8 p.m. It’s the second in a series of three exhibitions that mark the institute’s 50th anniversary.
According to Tephra, the included artworks investigate issues like the “absurdities of white masculinity, the erasure of indigenous cultures, police killings of Black men, the visibility of Iraqi culture in the US, the ravages of war, and the need for public acts of grieving.”
“The featured artists wield agency as they navigate the turbulent waters of contemporary identity,” Tephra wrote in a press release. “In doing so, they forge paths for us to embrace the complexity of cultural heritage and embody our collective inheritance as simultaneously burden, responsibility, and empowerment.”
Here’s more from the institute on what’s in the exhibit:
In material and imagery, the artworks index the lived experience of cultural heritage. Gallery visitors will first encounter a meticulously made quilt of bold pink, black, white, and blue squares made by Ashley M. Freeby’s grandmother; and around the corner is Freeby’ Attempt #1 to Remake Grandma’s Square Quilt in which the squares do not quite line up. Imported jars of date syrup – some full some empty – and a glass cutting board emblazoned with a logo using the colors of the Iraqi flag are among the objects set on a table as part of Michael Rakowitz’s Enemies and Kitchens installation.
Other objects are in vitrines, such as Noelle Garcia’s Revolver (Cowboy Gun), a beaded recreation of the classic gun in sparkly silver and lavender glass beads, drawing critical attention to how Western museums, in the legacy of colonization, have represented indigenous cultures.
Photo documentation selected from Jeff Huckleberry’s performances over the last 20 years, show the artist toiling with the “tools of the trade”: lumber, power tools, cheap beer, coffee grounds, and paint.
With jewel tones, bright yellows, pinks, and lush greens, and even some rainbows, the vivid colors in Choosing to Portage provide a sense of vitality and persistence to the work of building a better world out of the one we have inherited.
The exhibit is on display through Nov. 18. It will be accompanied by “a diverse set of public lectures and workshops,” including an indigenous beading workshop led by Noelle Garcia and a closing performance by artist Jeff Huckleberry.
Located in Suite 103 at 12001 Market Street in Reston Town Center, the institute is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fairfax County Public Schools has officially announced that it will not implement the Virginia Department of Education’s recently finalized model policies regarding transgender and nonbinary students.
Yesterday (Tuesday), FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid released a statement confirming that FCPS won’t adopt the new guidelines after a “detailed legal review” found that its current policies are “consistent” with state and federal law.
The statement notes that gender-expansive and transgender students will continue to be referred to by their chosen names and pronouns, given access to school programming and facilities based on their gender identity, and “have their privacy respected,” regardless of their gender identity or legal sex.
“Let me be clear that FCPS remains committed to fostering a safe, supportive, welcoming, and inclusive school environment for all students and staff, including our transgender and gender expansive students and staff,” Reid wrote. “We believe that supporting our students and working with parents and caregivers are not mutually exclusive; we already do both and will continue to do so. We know that students can only learn effectively when they feel safe and supported.”
The policies that FCPS plans to keep in place directly oppose Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s guidance, which has two main requirements:
- Students must participate in school activities and use school facilities according to their sex legally assigned at birth rather than gender identity
- Parents must provide written consent if a student wants to go by a name and/or pronouns that differ from what appears on the student’s official records
Youngkin has characterized the policies as keeping parents involved “in conversations about their child’s education, upbringing, and care.”
Waves of backlash from LGBTQIA+ advocates have rippled across the state since late 2022, when Youngkin first announced his proposed changes to former governor Ralph Northam’s previous policies.
FCPS Pride, an LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization for employees and other adults affiliated with FCPS, played a leading role in advocating for FCPS to take a firm stance against Youngkin’s policies and in favor of transgender and gender-expansive student rights.
FCPS Pride co-chair Robert Rigley Jr. says the state guidelines — which he nicknames the “Don’t Be Trans” policy — make transgender and non-binary students feel unwelcome in Virginia schools and “remove civil and human rights.”
“[The policy] makes it so that some adults have veto power over someone’s gender identity, which from a queer person’s point of view is absurd,” Rigley Jr. said. “…It steals agency in particular from transgender children. It says that you are not in control of your identity at a very basic level, and it turns families and schools against one another, battling over children who are among the most vulnerable children in this state.”
“It traumatizes a whole generation of queer kids in Virginia,” he continued.
FCPS Pride and nine other community organizations held a rally at Luther Jackson Middle School (3020 Gallows Road) in Merrifield. Originally intended as a protest for FCPS to take a clear stance against Youngkin’s policies, the rally transformed into a celebration after the release of Reid’s statement.
“I wanted to share that the morning that this round of these policies came out, my high school student came to me with tears in his eyes and literally said, ‘Can’t we just exist?’” Chris McCormick, a mother of two openly transgender FCPS students, said. “Today I was proud to share with him, ‘Yes, you can.’”
“We’re glad to see that our school district is one that’s going to stand up when our students are facing abuse at the state level,” first grade teacher Emily Vanderhoff echoed. “You know, school is starting up in less than a week. I know I’ve heard from these families who the parents and their children have been scared to see what school is going to look like for their child when they walk in the door on Monday. And I know that teachers and other school staff want to affirm these students, and they need to know that their district has their back.“
Others also used the rally as an opportunity to denounce Youngkin’s administration for promoting what they see as regressive and harmful policies.
“[This is] teaching the rest of the commonwealth a lesson on how to handle a bully because that’s what Glenn Youngkin is and his administration are,” Del. Marcus Simon (D-53) said. “They’re an administration full of bullies. They’re taking out their frustration and anger and distracting us from their own failings by picking on our trans and nonbinary students. The only way to stand up to them is to say, ‘No, we’re not going to do it, go away, leave us alone.’ We’re going to do it the right way here in Fairfax County.”
The rally was followed by a march of over 80 community members along the west side of Gallows Road in sight of the WMAL broadcast tower, a location “specifically” chosen “to label that there are ‘media’ that generate animosity towards LGBTQ people,” according to Rigley Jr.
Though activists in attendance of the rally took yesterday night as a rare victory, many cautioned that the battle is far from over, encouraging more people to get involved with their local community and vote in local officials who will protect transgender rights.
Yesterday, Spotsylvania County Public Schools became the first district in Virginia to adopt the new model policies.
“The fight for human rights against an enemy that’s seeking to seize the rights of women, of minorities, of immigrants, LGBTQIA — it’s real,” said Mateo Dunne, who is seeking to represent the Mount Vernon District on the school board and said he has an openly gay daughter. “And with the radical Supreme Court and the radical governor, with radical candidates for president, we have to fight, now and everyday for the rest of our lives to ensure everyone’s basic human rights and dignity are respected.”
A playground behind Reston’s Home Depot is slated for replacement.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is currently in the midst of developing a site plan for the project at Reston North Park, which is located along Stevenage Road near Reston Parkway.
“The playground at Reston North Park is among those next in line for replacement,” Ben Boxer, a spokesperson for the park authority, said.
The new facility will include accessible components and features like play platforms, slides, swings, climbing and sensory features for children from ages 2 to 12, according to the county.
It will also include site upgrades, including a poured-in-place playground surface and improvements to sidewalks surrounding the park.
A timeline for the project has not yet been set, but it’s expected to cost $1.6 million.
“The construction schedule is yet to be determined and is pending the completion of the site and funding plans, material availability and other factors,” Boxer said.
Image via Google Maps
Annandale Church’s “Black Lives Matter” Banner Vandalized — “Someone tore down banners at Little River United Church of Christ in Annandale during the night of Sunday, Aug. 13. One banner said ‘Black Lives Matter.’ The other said ‘Be the church'” and phrases like “fight for the powerless,” “reject racism” and “embrace diversity.” [Annandale Today]
Tysons Concourse Office Buildings Acquired — “A Rockville developer has acquired a 1980s-era office complex near Metro’s Silver Line in Tysons with an eye toward eventually redeveloping it as a mixed-use property with a focus on residential.” The new owner, Berman Enterprises LP, says its short-term plan is to lease the twin seven-story buildings at 1593 Spring Hill Road, but it will later evaluate “what a redevelopment could look like.” [Washington Business Journal]
FCPD Promotes New Internal Affairs Commander — “John Lieb has been promoted to Major and will serve as Commander of the Internal Affairs Bureau. Major Lieb previously served as the Captain of the Franconia District Police Station.” Police Chief Kevin Davis also announced promotions for director of crime control strategies and data analytics, the operations support bureau’s traffic division captain and captain of the IAB’s compliance division. [FCPD]
Hot Chicken Restaurant Opens in Annandale — “New location alert!! @hangryjoeschicken is
NOW OPEN in Annandale, VA. Come and visit us at 7042 Little River Turnpike Space G…We are bringing the heat to you! We’re serving up the best Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich and wings” [Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken/Instagram]
Vienna Library Plans Will Be Finalized Soon — “Design plans for the…new Patrick Henry Library in Vienna, along with a parking structure that also would be used for public parking, are on track to be finalized and presented to the Vienna Town Council this fall, said Jessica Hudson, director of Fairfax County Public Library.” [Gazette Leader]
Local Arts Organizations Awarded Grants — ArtsFairfax has allocated over $590,000 “in Operating Support Grants to 50 nonprofit arts and culture organizations based in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church.” This year, the nonprofit lowered the minimum eligible budget and raised the maximum request allowed “in recognition of the rising costs of labor and materials.” [ArtsFairfax]
Singer to Make Virginia Debut in Reston — “Singer/songwriter and activist Tae Phoenix makes her Virginia debut Friday at 6 p.m., at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston…Phoenix has worked extensively with Herndon-Reston Indivisible, a local political action group…and was honored to make her first Virginia performance in Reston with the support of that group.” [Patch]
Beware Traffic From GMU Move-ins — “Beginning…August 16, until August 20 there will be high traffic volume on George Mason’s campus for Move-In. Freshmen move in August 16 and August 17 from 9am-5pm and Upperclassmen move in August 18-20 from 9am-5pm. Traffic impacts will occur around campus, particularly near Braddock Road, Roanoke River Road, Lots J and K, and the Rappahannock Parking Deck.” [Supervisor James Walkinshaw/Twitter]
It’s Wednesday — The forecast for Wednesday is sunny with a high temperature near 86°F. As night falls, the sky will turn partly cloudy, and the low temperature will reach a mild low of 69°F. [Weather.gov]
More reports of the spotted lanternfly are popping up throughout Fairfax County, according to local officials.
The invasive insect — which is native to China, India and Vietman — has been seen in more areas of the county, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services says.
Officials are asking the public to help kill the pest. So far, the Maryland Department of Agriculture has been working closely with the county to determine how to reduce its numbers.
After first arriving in a grocery store shipment to Annandale, the bugs have primarily proliferated in the western area of the county, including Herndon, Centreville and Chantilly. Infestations have also been reported in Burke and Dunn Loring, according to a DPWES graphic.
The insects feasts on more than 70 plant species, particularly the invasive tree-of-heaven, and is particularly problematic for Virginia, where they’re threatening the peach, apple, grape and wine industries, DPWES says.
“Spotted lanternfly has the potential to cause severe nuisance to residents by feeding on trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants in unusually large numbers and leaving a sticky, smelly mess when they leave,” DPWES said. “While plant mortality is not a widespread concern, the nuisance created by these insects could cause some reactionary behaviors, leading to unnecessary pesticide use and the potential removal of valuable tree canopy and other vegetation.”
Egg masses are common in September and throughout the first few hard frosts. Vehicles help spread the pest around, particularly those near trees or the edges of a forest.
Here’s more from DPWES on how to help:
If you find spotted lanternfly, please report your findings through the mobile app iNaturalist or call 703-324-5304.
You can also report your findings by email at [email protected]. Provide photos and an address with your report.
After careful identification, trap or kill the insect, and scrape and smash the egg mass.
Check your vehicles, trailers and mobile equipment (tractors, bobcats, etc.) before visiting other locations.
Photo via Magi Kern/Unsplash
Construction on two-level garage condominiums near the Innovation Center Metro Station is well underway.
The site at 13570 Dulles Technology Drive — named Overlook at Dulles Tech — will be home to the neighborhood. It includes several pocket parks, a meditation area, a tot lot and an open lawn exercise area.
“Construction began in March 2023 and is expected to be completed in early 2025,” Kiante Chapman, a spokesperson for Stanley Martin Homes, said.
The units start at roughly $603,000. A mix of units are offered, ranging from two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms to three beds and 2.5 bathrooms. The size of the units range from 1,553 square feet to 2,507 square feet.
