A pet resort has officially opened its doors to cats and dogs in Reston.
Giving Tree Pet Resort, a nearly 13,000-square-foot facility on a 1.7-acre piece of land on Association Drive, offers group daycare, individual daycare, getaway boarding and a day camp.
Owners can choose between tiered rooms like a presidential suite — which includes a 55-inch 4k Television, premium bedding and two forest walks — and a forest view deluxe room.
The business began when one of the owners adopted Dori, a mini schnoodle, but when the owner, Young, and his wife had to return to work, they struggled to find a place for their furry friend to spend during the days.
“Unfortunately, there was a serious lack of facilities nearby and the quality of the facilities that were available was not impressive,” a Giving Tree spokesperson told FFXnow. “Hence, him and his brother-in-law, Han, started to do some market search and found out that Reston had a pressing need for a pet resort — not [just] any, but one that will meet the standards of care of pet owners in Northern Virginia while being conveniently located.”
The owners settled on a location at 1912 Association Drive. The site was structured to accomplish the owners’ vision of serving the community and offering interactive and enrichment programs.
The business opened on July 1. It also offers grooming services, cat boarding, and a chauffeur pet taxi.
The pet resort could add an outdoor component if Fairfax County approves Giving Tree’s recently submitted request for a special exception. The business anticipates that the outdoor areas will be used by about 20 dogs at a time out of the 60 dogs expected at the facility, on average, each day, according to the application.
Memorial Created for Teen Killed in Crash — “The uncle of a teenage girl killed in a fiery crash in northern Virginia said she just left church service and was heading to eat with her brother and friends when the deadly collision occurred. Henry Zarco brought a stuffed teddy bear, flowers and a balloon” to the crash site on Burke Centre Parkway. [FOX5]
Telegraph Road Ramp Closes in Newington — “The ramp from Telegraph Road (Route 611) to southbound Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) will be closed from 10 a.m. Thursday, July 20 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 31 for stormwater pipe repairs…Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]
Homeless Resident Advocates Meet in Reston — “Advocates for Fairfax County’s unhoused population joined local faith leaders and elected officials on a wooded hill in Reston last week to show their support to the residents of the homeless encampment located there. It was also an opportunity for the residents to share their personal stories.” [Patch]
Former Herndon Resident Sentenced to Prison — “Former Herndon resident Vincent Sarikey, 35, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to 25 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse material, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.” [Patch]
On-Road Bicycle Lanes Coming to Reston — “VDOT has notified the county that Glade Drive in Reston is scheduled to be repaved this week, weather permitting, between Sunrise Vally Drive and Reston Parkway. The project includes adding bikes lanes to provide a connection between Sunrise Valley Drive’s side path, the Fairfax County Parkway Trail and the Turquoise Trail.” [Hunter Mill District News]
New Lorton Police Station and Animal Shelter Almost Done — “The new Lorton District Police Station and Fairfax County Animal Shelter — Lorton Campus are expected to open sometime in September 2023, according to Fairfax County officials. Construction of the $33 million facility…began back in March 2021.” [On the MoVe]
Virginia Allows Blood Type on Driver’s License — “Virginians can now choose to indicate their blood type to include on their driver’s license, an effort designed to assist first responders in the event of an emergency…The new initiative was prompted by legislation, patroned by state Sen. George Barker, that was passed during the recent General Assembly session.” [Gazette Leader]
Wolf Trap Welcomes “Jurassic Park” This Weekend — “Steven Spielberg’s iconic blockbuster ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993) celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer. This Saturday, the National Symphony Orchestra performs the score live for a screening at Wolf Trap.” In an interview, NSO Pops Conductor Steven Reineke marvels at how “the movie holds up so well.” [WTOP]
It’s Thursday — There’s a likelihood of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm today, despite a predominantly sunny day with highs around 88°F. The odds for precipitation are set at 40%. At night, showers and thunderstorms are possible, mainly before 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 71°F. Precipitation chances rise to 70%. [Weather.gov]
After months of review, the Virginia Department of Education has released a final set of policies guiding public schools on how to treat transgender students — including many that contradict the policies currently used by Fairfax County Public Schools.
Released Tuesday (July 18), the “model policies” generally direct schools to require that students use names, pronouns and facilities, such as bathrooms, based on their legal sex as designated in their official school records. All local public school systems are obligated by state law to adopt a version of the policies.
FCPS, which has provided protections for students based on their gender identity since 2020, says it’s now “reviewing” the new policies from the state.
“FCPS remains committed to an inclusive learning environment for each and every student and staff member including those who are transgender or gender expansive,” FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a statement. “Our schools will continue to be safe and respectful learning spaces.”
Rolling back rules issued by the state in 2021 that let students use names, pronouns and facilities matching their gender identity, the new policies require school employees to refer to students by the name and pronouns corresponding to the sex displayed on their official school records.
Employees can use a different name or pronoun if a parent provides written permission, but even with a parent’s consent, the name and sex in school records can only be changed if a legal document, such as a birth certificate, passport or driver’s license, is provided.
The document says the use of bathrooms and other facilities must also be based on sex, even as it acknowledges that an appeals court found denying students access to bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity to be discriminatory.
Participation in school activities, including athletics, will also be determined by sex, though the state law requiring the VDOE to develop the model policies on transgender students explicitly excluded athletics from consideration.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin lauded the policies as affirming the importance of parents being engaged in their children’s lives.
“The VDOE updated model policies reaffirm my administration’s continued commitment to ensure that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their child’s education, upbringing, and care,” he said in a statement. “Public comment, input, and concerns were carefully evaluated and assessed to formulate the updated model policies.”
All children in Virginia deserve to have a parent engaged in their life and to be treated with dignity and respect.
I am committed to ensuring that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their child’s education, upbringing and care.https://t.co/eywLB6h15n
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) July 18, 2023
The policies are largely the same as an earlier draft released last fall that spurred student protests across the state in support of transgender rights and drew over 70,000 public comments.
The Pride Liberation Project, a student-led LGBTQ advocacy group that organized the protests, blasted the final document as “Don’t Be Trans” policies — echoing the “Don’t Say Gay” moniker used by critics for a Florida law that banned discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.
The VDOE policies represent “an attempt to force LGBTQIA+ students back into the closet,” the PLP said, urging school districts to reject them.
“Don’t Be Trans would have prevented me from graduating,” said Bas Rawat, a current George Mason University student who graduated from high school in 2022. “School was the only place where I could be myself because my household wasn’t supportive. These guidelines will deny thousands of Virginia students the chance to be themselves.”
When the draft policies came out, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution opposing the proposals as harmful to students and the county, while the school board issued a statement affirming its commitment to supporting transgender and other gender-nonconforming students.
Providence District School Board Representative Karl Frisch, the county’s first and thus far only openly gay elected official, called the model policies “unconscionable and dangerous,” noting that the Virginia Department of Health recently removed pages with resources for LGBTQ youth from its website.
“We must do everything we can to protect, support, and affirm transgender and nonbinary students so they can focus on learning rather than being distracted by the weight of other people’s hate,” Frisch said. “That starts with standing up to careless political leaders who should know better than to bully children.”
The policies were also criticized by Stella Pekarsky, who currently represents Sully District on the school board and is campaigning for a state senate seat this November.
“The Youngkin Administration’s Transgender Model Policies send a cruel message to some of our most vulnerable children,” Pekarsky said in a tweet from her campaign account. “As a parent, my heart breaks that anyone could target kids that are already dealing with so much in their young lives. They deserve love & acceptance.”
The Youngkin Administration’s Transgender Model Policies send a cruel message to some of our most vulnerable children. As a parent, my heart breaks that anyone could target kids that are already dealing with so much in their young lives. They deserve love & acceptance.
— Stella Pekarsky (@Stella4Senate) July 19, 2023
A 2023 national survey by The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that provides crisis support services to LGBTQ youth, found lower rates of attempting suicide among transgender and nonbinary youth who reported that their schools affirm their gender identity, the ACLU of Virginia noted in a statement opposing the model policies.
“Not only does VDOE’s decision dismiss the will of the majority of Virginians it’s meant to serve, it willfully disregards evidence-based best practices and existing law,” ACLU of Virginia Senior Transgender Rights Attorney Wyatt Rolla said. “These policies recklessly endanger the safety of trans youth across the Commonwealth, who deserve to learn free from fear, stigma, and discrimination.”
The policies appear to conflict with state and federal law as well as Virginia High School League eligibility criteria, according to the legal organization, which represented Gloucester County student Gavin Grimm in his case over his school’s policy requiring him to use a separate restroom.
For now, the ACLU chapter said it will wait to see how local school boards approach the policies before taking any action.
“We are analyzing the model policies and will be watching to see how school boards implement the policies and whether that implementation harms transgender and nonbinary students,” an ACLU of Virginia spokesperson told FFXnow.
A Fairfax County proposal to overhaul parking regulations has attracted opposition from a local citizens group.
In a letter to the county, the Reston Citizens Association, a nonprofit citizen advocacy group founded in 1967, said the Parking Reimagined proposal does not fully consider the impact of the changes on Reston and the county overall.
“The RCA strongly urges that this proposal be withdrawn until at least such time as its conformity with the letter and the spirit of the One Fairfax Policy, the ADA, and other guiding principles can be achieved,” the letter states.
Specifically, two-page letter asserts that the changes will “significantly and adversely impact low-income, blue-collar workers, minorities, the elderly and disabled citizens.”
The effort kicked off in August 2021 when county staff began exploring ways to update an article of the zoning ordinance that regulates off-street parking and loading. Overall rates and regulations haven’t been comprehensively reviewed since 1988.
The initiative is intended to modernize those requirements and generally analyze parking and loading supply, demand factors, and loading trends.
On July 12, the county released a staff report on the issue ahead of Fairfax County Planning Commission hearings planned on July 26 and a Board of Supervisors hearing on Sept. 26.
“Significantly reducing unnecessary parking requirements in Metrorail station areas creates a return on the County’s investment in rail transit by aligning non-auto transportation options with transit access,” the staff report reads. “Reducing unnecessary parking supports placemaking as identified in the strategic plan and fosters a built environment where members of the community want to gather and where businesses can grow.”
If approved, the changes would go into effect on Jan 1.
The most significant change is a tiered framework that sets parking requirements based on factors like the availability and type of transit and the allowable density of development. County staff say it’s the “most critical new component” of Parking Reimagined.
Suburban centers have a proposed rate of 90% of the base parking requirement for nonresidential uses and multifamily units, while revitalization areas have a proposed rate of 80% of the base rate. Transit Station Areas and the Tysons Urban Center have a by-right rate of 70%, while transit-oriented development areas have a 60% rate. Some areas within those categories vary.
The proposal also allows the county to approve shared parking reductions and transit-based reductions of up to 30%.
In response, RCA asserts that the proposal doesn’t take into account a full range of transportation factors, including planning for future road, bus and rail routes and changes in employment and retail configurations.
RCA also calls the premise of the proposal — lower resident vehicle usage — “unrealistic” for the next 20 to 25 years, along with the minimum parking rates for multifamily units in revitalization areas, transit station areas, and transit oriented developments.
The organization also disputes the county’s rationale that reducing off-street parking will improve the environment, noting that the proposal doesn’t require developers to add green space and trees in exchange for off-street minimum parking.
The letter also flags the Reston Town Center area as not having enough access for cars, pedestrians and bicyclists.
“The RCA appreciates the significant work staff has put into this proposal and the outreach they conducted, and we stand ready to continue to work with staff to develop a proposal that will serve the citizens of Reston and Fairfax County in the years ahead,” the memo states.
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]
