A tea shop is opening a second location in Herndon.
Mr. Wish, a shop that serves up bubble teas and fruit beverages, plans to open at Herndon Centre (472 Elden Street).
A spokesperson for the company’s first Herndon location at 1242 Elden Street says that the new location is more focused on serving the Reston area.
The current Herndon location has no plans to close or relocate, the company representative told FFXnow. The company didn’t provide a timeline for opening the new cafe.
The business launched in 2006 in Taichung, Taiwan by Mr. Wish in an effort to share “natural and fresh tea beverages to the world,” according to the company’s website.
The men includes winter specials like ginger milk tea, grapefruit green tea, and berries fiber jelly tea.
A neurological disease that’s fatal to deer has been detected in Fairfax County for the first time ever.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was found in an adult male deer killed by a hunter in the Vienna area this past October, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) reported Friday (Jan. 13).
The department says it confirmed the diagnosis with a sample obtained shortly after the deer was taken to a taxidermist in late October
“At the time of harvest, no outward signs of disease were noted, and the deer appeared to be in good condition,” DWR said in a news release. “Because this is the first CWD-positive detection in Fairfax County, a county bordering Disease Management Area 2 (DMA2), the DWR conducted an extensive forensic investigation to confirm the harvest location of this deer.”
Disease Management Area 2 encompasses Loudoun, Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, Page, Rappahannock counties, where four instances of the disease — including one in Loudoun County — were detected during the 2021-2022 deer-hunting season.
First detected in Virginia in 2009, CWD is caused by an infectious protein called a prion that get transmitted to deer through saliva, feces, and urine from infected deer as well as through contaminated soil, according to DWR.
It can take months or even over a year after being exposed for infected deer to show symptoms, which include “staggering, abnormal posture, lowered head, drooling, confusion, and marked weight loss,” the department says.
While the disease isn’t known to be infectious or dangerous to humans, pets or livestock, DWR advises all hunters with deer from CWD-positive areas to get them tested and avoid eating meat from animals that test positive.
The department also recommends against transporting deer carcasses or parts with brain or spinal cord tissue from Fairfax County to an area where CWD hasn’t been detected before. Deer parts should be put in double bags and disposed of in a landfill or a trash bin, where they can be collected.
The state says it won’t make any regulatory changes in response to the CWD detection in Fairfax County until after the current hunting season, but drop sites where deer heads can be taken for CWD testing will be added before the next season. Right now, the closest options are in Loudoun.
Though deer-hunting season is mostly over in Virginia, Fairfax County is one of several localities included in the state’s urban archery program, which restricts hunters to deer without antlers and lasts through March 26.
In an effort to manage local deer populations, Fairfax County is allowing hunting with bows and arrows at over 100 parks in its 2022-2023 archery season, which runs through Feb. 18. Testing for CWD has been conducted throughout the county in recent years as part of its deer management program.
“Since the 2019-2020 season, over 750 deer have been tested, with this being the only detection to date in the county,” DWR said.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s wildlife management staff, which has been assisting with CWD surveillance efforts since 2019, will work with DWR to “determine any new rules or regulatory changes that will occur.” It will also help identify testing options for hunters participating in the county archery program or on private property.
This has evidently been a year for new diseases in local nature. Last week, the county announced that beech leaf disease has been found in three parks, putting one of the area’s most common tree species at risk.
The atmosphere of the recently opened Reston Town Center Metro station will get a boost with artwork planned for this year.
Artist George Bates is working on artwork inspired by Reston’s founder Bob Simon and the statement “You can’t have a Utopia of one.”
The artwork, titled “Ethos,” is made of ceramic grit printed on safety-glass art panels.
Areas near the entrances of the stations at Ashburn and RTC will be replaced with glass art panels with images inspired by the communities around the station and poetry by local poets, according to Sherri Ly, a spokesperson for Metro.
Here’s more from Metro on the artwork:
The artwork is multifaceted and thought of as a dialogue in which everyone can participate. Bates’ design for the station can be seen as referencing artistic movements and philosophies such as Brutalism, Modernism, Wabi-Sabi, and Universal Constructivism, or as an echo of the biophilic character of Reston’s history of natural and environmental integration, growth, and togetherness. It may also be experienced as a representation of emotional delight, as the “Play” from the “Live, Work, Play” maxim of Reston’s founding vision. Ultimately, it’s about the past, present, future, enduring ideas, and histories that transcend time.
Bates has created 10 large-scale public artworks in the U.S. and several more are in progress. His work focuses on exploring the plastic nature of systems, communities, complexities, and the reality of society in relation to art.
“Both Reston Town Center and Ashburn have similar concepts,” Ly wrote in a statement to FFXnow.
Metro expects to install the artwork in the summer, she said.
The art was commissioned by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority through its Art in Transit initiative.
Four of the six new stations in phase two of the Silver Line — Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington-Dulles International Airport, and Loudoun Gateway — all have new artwork.
Several other stations also have artwork. A temporary installation called “Community in Motion” at the Tenleytown station brings a mix of color to construction barricades. It’s designed by artist Tamao Nakayama.
Loose Dog Caught on Beltway Near Alexandria — “#VSP received a call Saturday evening (1/14/23) for a dog running loose on I-495 at Eisenhower Ave in Fairfax Co. Thx to an alert motorist, troopers were able to get an exact location & rescue this sweet daredevil. He made himself right at home in the warmth of Trooper S. Barden’s patrol car, as the troopers waited for Fairfax County Animal Control to arrive on scene.” [Virginia State Police/Facebook]
Ex-Police Chief Accused in Sex Trafficking Lawsuit — “Testifying under the pseudonym ‘Jane Doe’ in an explosive civil trial in Alexandria, Va., the woman claimed that now former Fairfax County police chief Edwin C. Roessler, captain James Baumstark and officers Michael O. Barbazette and Jason J. Mardocco violated federal law by obstructing efforts to investigate and prosecute a madam named Hazel Sanchez” [The Washington Post]
Reward Offered for Unsolved Springfield Murders — “The FBI Washington Field Office, along with our partners from the Fairfax County Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the 1998 murders of Sherry Ann Culp and her unborn child, Kelsey, in Springfield” [FBI]
New Route 1 Bus Station Names Proposed — “At the upcoming Jan. 17 meeting of the Richmond Highway BRT Executive Committee, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) plans to propose name changes for several future BRT stations — including a few that were not among the original three potential renamings discussed …at an open house last October.” [On the MoVe]
Virginia Offers Incentives for FBI HQ — “A key Virginia legislative commission in November quietly approved an incentive package worth more than $10 million for the FBI headquarters project, to be awarded if the federal government chooses Springfield for the agency’s new home.” The package likely involves capital investments such as traffic improvements, not cash. [Washington Business Journal]
Halal Gyro Eatery Nears Opening in Mount Vernon — “Shah’s Halal Food, a New York-based food company that operates restaurants and food trucks and carts throughout the northeastern United States, is opening a restaurant at a small retail plaza at Russell Road and Richmond Highway…The restaurant [is] tentatively scheduled to open within the next week according to franchise manager Atiq Bahrami” [On the MoVe]
Tysons REI Building Changes Hands — “A building occupied by outdoorsy retailer Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) has traded hands in Tysons, Va. Qualified Opportunity Fund LLC has sold 8209 Watson Street, a 32,857-square-foot stand-alone retail building, to an unnamed institutional buyer from Dallas for $20.4 million.” [Commercial Observer]
Cub Run Rec Center Gets New Pool Playground — “Splash in the zero-depth entry and in-water playground offering slides, water jets, cannons and sprays. Older swimmers can slide into fun on either a 30-foot-high slide that exits the building in an enclosed tube or a 20-foot-high slide with an open tube, float in the current channel (lazy river) or spin around in the water vortex.” [FCPA/Facebook]
McLean Chocolate Festival Coming This Month — “The Rotary Club of McLean welcomes the public to attend the 11th annual McLean Chocolate Festival, to be held on Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the McLean Community Center. The event, a fund-raiser for the club, will let attendees taste the sweet offerings of area chocolatiers and enjoy family fun.” [Sun Gazette]
It’s Tuesday — Light rain in the morning and afternoon. High of 50 and low of 36. Sunrise at 7:26 am and sunset at 5:13 pm. [Weather.gov]
Camp Sunshine’s 15th polar dip — Freezin’ for a Reason — will return to Reston’s Lake Anne Plaza on Feb. 11 for a final hurrah.
Beginning at noon, spectators will gather to watch registered participants plunge into the lake — or take a “chicken dip” with just toes — to raise funds for Camp Sunshine, a nonprofit that organizes retreats for families who have kids with life-threatening illnesses.
“The Virginia Polar Dip has a unique aspect that adds to the fun,” Gail Toth, event founder and organizer, said. “We have a one-hour succession of splashes that brings plenty of cheers and laughter from the crowd of spectators.”
The event is the final dip after Toth and the team anticipate reaching their fundraising goal. Organizers hope to raise $100,000 for the charity in an effort to reach a $1 million target set when the event began in 2008.
Online event registration is open. On-site registration begins at noon on the day of the event, followed by the beginning of the polar dip at 2 p.m.
The fundraising model encourages registered participants to raise or donate a minimum of $100 to plunge into the frigid waters of the lake. Participants receive an event t-shirt.
The event was started by the Toth family, who took part in Camp Sunshine in 1996 when their 3-year-old daughter was a cancer patient. The family brought the event to Virginia to support other local families after they took part in a dip in New Jersey.
The inaugural Virginia event in 2008 brought 2,199 dippers to the lake.
Event organizers note that Reston Association does not maintain the lake for swimming standards. Typically, swimming is not allowed in Lake Anne.
Updated at 5:10 p.m. — Patrick Aylas, the suspect in Thursday’s alleged arson incident, has been taken into custody, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says.
Earlier: Local police are looking for a Reston man wanted in connection with a Thursday morning fire on Shadbush Court.
Patrick Aylas, 54, is wanted in connection with the ongoing arson investigation.
Fire crews arrived on the 11500 block of Shadbush Court at around 4:15 a.m. yesterday to find a single-family home fully engulfed in flames, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Fire investigators quickly determined the cause of the fire was arson. No injuries were reported.
According to authorities, the police department is “actively searching” for the man.
“Call 911 with info and do not approach,” the department tweeted.
WANTED: 54yo Patrick Aylas is wanted for arson related to a house fire that occurred this morning in the 11500 blk of Shadbush Ct, Reston. @FairfaxCountyPD officers are actively searching for him. Call 911 w/ info and do not approach. pic.twitter.com/RQxENsNyHx
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 12, 2023
At 4:15 a.m. today (1/12), units were dispatched for a house fire in the 11000 block of Shadbush Court in Reston. Units arrived to find a single-family home fully involved in fire. No reported injuries at this time. Fire Investigators on scene to determine cause. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/WldBgLwhO7
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 12, 2023
Sheriff’s Office Warns of Scam — “A man claiming to be a Sheriff’s deputy named Lt. Myles is calling community members saying he is collecting fines related to charges against them. This is a scam! The Sheriff’s Office will never call you asking for money. You may report scam calls to the police non-emergency number, 703-691-2131.” [Hunter Mill District News]
Person Pulled Out of Crashed Vehicle — “Thursday afternoon, units were dispatched for a vehicle crash w/a person trapped at Westfields Blvd and Stonecroft Blvd. Rescue Squad 421, Fair Oaks, worked diligently to extricate the patient. Two people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Demolitions Loom for Richmond Higway Buildings — “Seven of the properties were acquired by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in preparation for the Richmond Highway Corridor Improvements project…The sites anticipated for demolition include a couple of residential buildings and a former convenience store, service station, pet boarding business and auto clinic.” [On the MoVe]
Possible Metro Fare Hike Would Hit Suburbs Hardest — “Transit officials have said the fare increase is modest, with riders seeing a 5 percent hike, on average. But for those who travel the farthest, the increase could add more than $2.50 to a ride, depending on the time of day.” [The Washington Post]
Local Man Arrested for Alexandria Burglary — “A 24-year-old Fairfax County man faces assault and battery charges after allegedly breaking into an apartment near Fort Ward early Monday morning, according to Alexandria Police…The suspect allegedly breached the apartment and assaulted the victim, who did not go to the hospital.” [ALXnow]
Proposed Bill Would Count Fetus as Person for HOV Lanes — “A Virginia bill would deem a pregnant person’s fetus a passenger in a car, thereby allowing the vehicle to use the car pool lane on highways. Reproductive rights activists say the legislation amounts to a thinly veiled attempt by anti-abortion Republican lawmakers to further curtail abortion rights” [NBC News]
Big Tysons Developments Expected This Year — “The Washington, D.C., area may be seeing a slowdown in new construction starts, especially in the office sector, but a series of large-scale developments are slated to reach completion this year.” Those include Capital One’s third office building at its Tysons headquarters campus and Skanska’s Heming apartment high-rise in Scotts Run. [Bisnow]
Park Authority Starts Esports Club — “Do your kids and teens ages 11-17 love to play video games online? The Fairfax County Park Authority is helping to get young gamers off the couch, out of the house and into the community with the new Esports Club at Audrey Moore Rec Center. Drop-in sessions are offered on Friday evenings, Jan. 20 to Feb. 24, 2023 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.” [FCPA]
Fairfax County Dominates Best Korean BBQ List — Washingtonian has a list of the best Korean barbecue joints in the D.C. area, and all of them can be found within Fairfax County limits, though one entry (Meokja Meokja) is in Fairfax City. [Washingtonian]
Frying Pan Park Hosts MLK Service Day — “Introduce your young ones to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day as we gather at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center to learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and the importance of giving back to our community…The program runs from 10:30 to 11:30 am.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Light rain in the morning. High of 63 and low of 40. Sunrise at 7:27 am and sunset at 5:09 pm. [Weather.gov]
Boasting the most proposals for redevelopment and zoning changes, Reston and the Hunter Mill District will get two open houses to discuss several major applications to change Fairfax County’s zoning guidelines.
The process — known as the Site Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) — opens up the county’s comprehensive plan to land use changes. After receiving dozens of proposals, the county’s Board of Supervisors selected 75 nominations, 13 of which are in the Hunter Mill District.
Most developers argue that increased residential development is needed to account for aging and underutilized office space and fill a need for more housing.
The first virtual meeting is set for Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. It will cover three key proposals.
The owner of Commerce Metro Center wants to expand residential development as part of its mixed-use project at 11440 Commerce Park Drive.
Similarly, the owners of 1893-1897 Preston White Drive want to expand the residential component of their project by a floor area ratio of up to 2.0. A cluster of office buildings on Association Drive could also see expanded housing as part of its mixed-use project.
The second meeting is slated for Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. and will cover four nominations.
RMC Owner LLC wants to pursue a 100% residential project at 12120 Sunrise Valley Drive. Reston Corner (12001, 12005, and 12007 Sunrise Valley Drive) could also see more residential uses, while RTC Partnership (1760 Reston Parkway) hopes to allow high-rise apartment use.
The owners of 1950 Roland Park Place want to add a public use component to their project to fill in for a requirement that the development have non-residential uses.
A third meeting is planned on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. Applications to be discussed on that meeting include Michael Faraday Court, Samuel Morse Drive, Brookfield Properties, and Crowell Road.
This is not the last opportunity for public comment on the nominations.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission will determine which nominations will be reviewed for inclusion into the county’s Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work program. After the program is reviewed, the Board of Supervisors is expected to vote in the spring.
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By Kara Osborne, Esq.
On January 5, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a rule that would ban U.S. employers from imposing non-compete clauses on workers.
The Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapter J, Part 910 (b)(1) defines non-compete clauses as “a contractual term between an employer and a worker that prevents the worker from seeking or accepting employment with a person, or operating a business, after the conclusion of the worker’s employment with the employer.”
This proposed rule not only would prevent employers from entering into non-compete clauses with their employees but also would require employers to rescind existing non-compete clauses within a specified period of time.
The proposal comes after President Biden called for the FTC to ban or limit clauses in employment contracts that restrict workers’ freedom to change jobs. FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said in a statement, “The freedom to change jobs is core to economic liberty and to a competitive, thriving economy,” and “Non-compete block workers from freely switching jobs, depriving them of higher wages and better working conditions, and depriving businesses of a talent pool that they need to build and expand.”
The FTC estimates that this proposed ban could dramatically increase wages by almost $300 billion per year.
Prior to this proposed rule the FTC issued new guidance on how it would exercise its authority to regulate “unfair methods of competition” under Section 5 of the FTC Act.
The proposed rules states that the use of non-compete clauses would be an “unfair method of competition for an employer to enter into or attempt to enter into a non-compete clause with a worker; maintain with a worker a non-compete clause; or represent to a worker that the worker is subject to a non-compete clause where the employer has no good faith basis to believe that the worker is subject to an enforceable non-compete clause.”
Employers could argue that non-compete clauses allow for broad protection of their trade secrets and investments, but as shown by the FTC and in comments made by President Biden, the clauses are overused at virtually every level of employment and deprives workers of their ability to grow within their field and pursue a higher salary.
Should the proposed rule pass, it might require employers to shift focus on protecting their innovations with the use of confidentiality clauses and compliance with trade secret laws rather than reliance on overly broad non-compete clauses that stifle competition and economic growth.
With this proposed ban on non-compete clauses, workers would have the ability to change jobs more freely causing employers to become more focused on protecting their employees, their working conditions, and the wages they earn.
It should be noted that within the proposed rule there is one narrow exception that applies to individuals selling a business: their ownership interest in a business or the business’ operating assets in total. These specific non-compete clauses would remain subject to federal antitrust law. Should the proposed rule go into effect it is likely to face many legal challenges.
If you are an employee in need of employment law representation, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook and Twitter.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, School of Business, and the Carter School of Peace and Conflict Resolution invite prospective students to attend our in-person Arlington Graduate Open House.
This is the perfect opportunity to explore your graduate school options, meet your future professors face-to-face, connect with our admissions team, and find out where a George Mason graduate degree can take you next.
When: Thursday, January 19, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Van Metre Hall Multipurpose Room
3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201
This event will be held at Van Metre Hall at Mason Square in Arlington. Hourly parking is available in the Van Metre Hall Garage. The campus is also metro accessible (Virginia Square — Orange or Silver lines).
To learn more about the 40+ graduate programs at George Mason University’s Arlington campus, register for the open house or fill out our inquiry form.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
As Fairfax County starts expanding its efforts to curtail cut-through traffic clogging up neighborhood streets, a new corollary could allow local residents to skirt those limits.
Currently, there are three neighborhoods around the county with cut-through mitigation restrictions. Those restrictions involve signs that prohibit turns into those neighborhoods from major transit corridors during the morning and/or evening rush hours.
While the restrictions aim to prevent local streets from getting clogged up by drivers trying to get around traffic on major highways, that also makes it difficult for residents on those streets to legally access their homes.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is considering shifting to a “residential cut-through permit zone,” which would let residents in the affected neighborhoods get permits for their vehicles. Signs that currently prohibit turns during rush hour would be changed to say “resident permit required.”
The draft ordinance would include specifications for eligibility for permits, set rules and permit fees, and provide information on enforcement and penalties for violation.
Fairfax County is also looking to expand its cut-through mitigation project to five neighborhood streets, including preventing cut-through traffic from rocking down to Electric Avenue.
- Dead Run Drive and Carper Street in McLean
- Thomas Avenue in Great Falls
- Electric Avenue/Williams Avenue/Overlook Street in Tysons/Vienna
- Allen Avenue in Falls Church
- Hidden Meadow Drive in Chantilly
The proposal was scheduled for review at the Board of Supervisors transportation committee meeting in December but got pushed back to its next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Tatte Bakery and Cafe is opening a new location in Reston.
According to a report by Washington Business Journal, the chain has signed a lease for roughly 3,750 square feet of space at 11910 Market Street in Reston Town Center. The location will include outdoor seating.
The company, which was started by Boston pastry chef Tzurit Or, has a location in Clarendon that opened last year. Another location is anticipated in Old Town Alexandria.
Or told the WBJ that Tatte chose Reston Town Center as a new location so that it could be in “the true core of Reston.”
According to the WBJ, the lease is part of an effort by Reston Town Center owner Boston Properties to liven up the pavilion area, which has been under renovation. The pavilion reopened in November, but construction on the fountain is still ongoing.
“We felt like we needed a food use that would really speak to the community, that would be something that would be a gathering place, so we reached out and said, ‘please, would you come to Reston Town Center, we think we have the perfect space for you,'” Boston Properties Vice President of Retail Leasing Stephanie Friedman told the WBJ. “We added quite a bit of outdoor seating around the pavilion, a lot more soft landscaping and that’s where Tatte shines. Their outdoor seating is very inviting.”
More than three years into a groundbreaking agreement, this spring should bring solar power to one of Fairfax County’s facilities for the first time ever.
The county had 30 sites lined up for solar panels under a power purchase agreement (PPA) initiative that was touted the biggest ever undertaken by a Virginia locality when it was announced in December 2019.
Then, lease negotiations with the company contracted to install and operate the panels stalled, forcing the county to start from scratch with a different provider in July 2021.
“With the pandemic, there were supply chain issues within the solar industry and the cost of some construction materials went up,” said John Morrill, the county Office of Environment and Energy Coordination’s (OEEC) division manager for innovation and sustainability. “The county negotiated and accepted revised pricing from the vendors. But it’s still challenging, and the size of the system is still important to make the numbers work for both parties.”
Though the PPA initiative remains in place, the county is also pursuing other options to outfit its properties for solar power — specifically, incorporating it into new construction projects or enlisting energy services companies to do energy efficiency upgrades.
The solar project expected to be completed first will come from the general contractor hired to build the Sully Community Center, which opened in the Dulles area on Sept. 17.
The contractor is currently getting permits for the solar photovoltaic panels, putting the installation on track for completion by May, according to the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services.
The general contractor route will also ensure that the new Seven Corners Fire Station has solar panels when it opens in spring 2024. The existing station on Sleepy Hollow Road was demolished last month.
Projects are also in various stages of development for the Woodlawn and Reston fire stations, the Spring Hill Recreation Center in McLean, and the Pender building, which hosts the county’s Housing and Community Development offices.
For those sites, the county will buy solar panels from energy services companies hired to install them along with other efficiency upgrades. The fire stations are in the final design phase with delivery target dates in August, while the Spring Hill project is in engineering design and slated for completion in winter 2024.
The county is targeting October for the Pender building upgrades, which are “a bit more complex,” Morrill says. In addition to a rooftop solar array, the project will retrofit the facility’s lighting and replace some other infrastructure, according to a permit under review.
“This combination of approaches gives the county maximum flexibility, as smaller systems…are not suitable to the PPA model,” Morrill said.
In the PPA model, the county contracts a solar provider to install, operate and maintain solar panels. The county isn’t responsible for any of those upfront costs, but it has to pay the provider and utility for the electricity that the panels produce.
According to Morrill, those agreements are most appealing to vendors for large projects, such as the one planned for the I-95 Landfill Complex in Lorton. That array will occupy 40 acres of land and is expected to generate 5 megawatts of electricity.
In comparison, the Sully Community Center project will generate 180 kilowatts, and Morrill estimates that panels approved for Annandale High School — Fairfax County Public Schools’ first PPA project — will generate about 600 kilowatts.
The landfill project is in the design stage, with construction likely starting in 2024 and finishing in 2025, per the OEEC.
Morrill says the county is planning solar panels at “several other facilities” through either the PPA initiative or energy efficiency upgrades, but it’s too early to estimate any timelines.
Even with these projects in the works, Fairfax County has some catching up to do in the race to transition to clean and renewable energy. While its greenhouse emissions from energy use have decreased since 2019, the county government still has some ways to go to meet its goal of carbon neutrality by 2040.
Meanwhile, neighboring Arlington County announced last week that its operations now run entirely on renewable energy sources.
Stuff the Bus Returns This Weekend — “The buses are fueled and ready to roll as…the county’s post-holiday food drive, now in its 12th year…hits the road in the fight against hunger in Fairfax County. Beginning on January 14 and continuing weekly through February 18, Fastran busses will visit local grocery stores to collect nonperishable food donations for area food pantries.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]
Family of Teen Killed in Fairfax Station Crash Mourns — “Ariana Haftsavar, 16, was one of the two teens killed, her family confirmed to News4. Haftsavar’s family said she was a passenger in the car and was headed home from SAT class…Haftsavar’s father said she was a wonderful person, and they don’t know how they’re going to live without her.” [NBC4]
Competitive Kite Flying Frustrates Mason Neck — “In recent months, residents of the Mason Neck section of Lorton — a peninsula populated by farms, vast parkland and wildlife — have been dealing with a rather unconventional problem: kites…These kites, according to residents, are deliberately flown as high as possible or used competitively for kite fighting until their lines snap.” [On the MoVe]
Springfield Supervisor Weighs in on Merit Award Kerfuffle — “We need to be focused on helping each of our students reach their full potential. I am thankful that Attorney General Jason Miyares has opened an investigation into these actions and the possible violation(s) of the Virginia Human Rights Act.” [Pat Herrity/Twitter]
Annandale Townhomes Under Construction — “Construction is well underway on an infill townhome development at the McWhorter Place/Markham Drive intersection in Annandale. Christopher Cos. is building 43 townhouses at the Townes at Little River Crossing development. Three homes have already been sold, reports sales agent Liz Walker.” [Annandale Today]
More Security Vestibules Coming to FCPS — “Construction is scheduled to start this summer on security vestibules for at least 22 Fairfax County schools, according to school board documents. Forty sites are in the design phase and will be submitted to the county for permitting early this year.” [WTOP]
See the New Year’s Photo Contest Winners — “Many [residents] enjoyed the outdoors at one of the Park Authority’s more than 420 parks and along its more than 334 miles of trails as part of First Hike Fairfax 2023…This year, nearly 300 contestants submitted photos showcasing the sights and scenes they experienced.” [FCPA]
Proposed Bill May End School Snow Days — “Snow days would no longer be days off for students if proposed Virginia legislation is passed. A bill prefiled Monday calls for virtual learning days to be required when school districts close for weather…Currently, replacing snow days with unscheduled virtual learning days is only optional under Virginia law.” [Patch]
Woodson HS Alumni Return to Teach — “For these four teachers at Woodson High School, the route to becoming a teacher looks very different. But they now share a common bond: teaching together at the school they graduated from. The four men are all in their first few years of teaching and they all coach sports at FCPS.” [FCPS]
It’s Thursday — Rain in the evening and overnight. High of 63 and low of 41. Sunrise at 7:27 am and sunset at 5:08 pm. [Weather.gov]
By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction
Home remodel on your New Year’s resolution list? A home remodel is a big financial investment and no one wants to make any changes to their home that won’t stand the test of time when it comes to design choices. We’re here to help! This month, we’re sharing what made our team’s list of trends and things we think we’ll be seeing more of in 2023 when it comes to kitchen and bathroom remodeling and interior design.
Fireplaces in Kitchens
The role of the kitchen has changed in the last few decades. They’ve become multi-functional spaces that serve gathering and entertaining needs as well as their day-to-day cooking/prep function. There is now a move taking this one step further by creating kitchens that are ‘cozy’. We like to think we’re trail blazers on this one, but fireplaces in kitchens are regaining popularity as a way to achieve a more intimate and ‘lived in’ feeling.
This has been a growing trend in recent years, but adding a pet cleaning station to a mudroom or laundry is now a BIG ticket item. With many of us adding a furry friend to the family during the pandemic, it’s now become a ‘must-have’ for many homeowners when they are building a new home or remodeling an existing one. Nicola, our Director of Marketing, did this in her own home and created not only a dog shower (that also doubles for muddy boot cleaning and other heavy duty cleaning) but also added a built-in dog crate, too.
Butler’s Pantries as an Extension of Kitchens
In the same way the role of the kitchen has changed, our use of ancillary spaces on the main level has also changed. Historically, Butler’s Pantries were reserved for staff as a primary “landing point” for meal service/clean up as they were located between the kitchen and dining room. These days, Butler’s Pantries are an extension of the kitchen, usually with similar cabinetry or design elements (although not always) for a cohesive feel but with a multifunctional purpose. Not everyone has room for a separate Butler’s Pantry, so mixed-use spaces that combine the Butler’s Pantry/Pantry/Laundry/Mudroom are now high on homeowner’s wishlists.
Ready to give your Butler’s Pantry or Pantry some pep? Then read this!
The Un-Bathroom
Emily, one of Synergy’s Interior Designers, has had her eye on this one for a while! But what exactly is an “un-bathroom”? The true un-bathroom has to have more than a fancy vanity and fabric; think an eclectic mix of art on the walls and pieces of furniture that usually don’t go in bathrooms, such as chairs, dressers, fireplaces and, yes, even rugs.
Reeded/Fluted Cabinetry (especially in Bathrooms) and Chunky Countertops
Not ready for the un-bathroom but interested in trying something different? Camille (also one of Synergy’s Interior Designers), is calling reeded/ fluted cabinetry as one of the new looks we’ll be seeing more of in the next few years. Paired with ‘chunky’ countertops, they are a chic addition to any bathroom.
Bringing the Outside In
This one isn’t a new trend, but the importance of bringing the outdoors in is making a repeat appearance on our list this year. As Mina, Synergy’s CEO & Founder says, “our connection to nature is one of the most important aspects of living in our home.” You don’t have to go big (like switching out your windows to have a better view outside), simple changes like adding botanicals, accessories and wooden elements are a simple way to help you feel more grounded and relaxed.
If you are bringing plants into your space, large plants are perfectly able to hold their own in a room. However, grouping smaller plants is the key to achieving a design-thoughtful look. Mina likes odd numbered groupings (think threes and fives). The example below shows how use of similar hues of plant pot colors on a simple white shelf provides a stunning visual. I feel calm just looking at it!
New Twists on Traditional Elements
It started with brass, then wallpaper and then, most recently, oak cabinets. There has been a resurgence of more traditional elements BUT with a totally new twist. Polished brass everything is definitely a thing of the past, but brass has reclaimed its position as a design element that has longevity when done right or used as part of mixed metal fixtures.
Talking of traditional elements, many of us have furniture or other items handed down by family members that we just don’t know what to do with if the design in the home leans more transitional or contemporary. Barbara, Synergy’s Project Coordinator, thinks vintage pieces mixed in with more modern elements is gaining more attention and, when done right, it’s a great way to integrate heirlooms without making a space feel dated.
Missed our posts about design elements that might be dating your home? We had a few! Read Part One here and Part Two here!
Dark, Moody Colors
“Moody” paint color made our list last year, and it’s a trend that grew in popularity over the last twelve months and continues to soar in usage. From walls to trim to ceilings, dark colors continue to pop up everywhere.
Looking for more paint inspiration? Read 2023 Paint Trends and Color Inspiration.
Tile
OK, we admit it. This one isn’t new, but the ever-changing choices and finishes in tile lights us up so it’s on our list again this year. We called the move toward geometric tile some time ago, and that’s a lasting design element that will be around for years to come. Subway tile is also still a highly popular choice, but the rules have changed when it comes to size and finish. What we love about tile these days is that you don’t have to splurge to get a modern, high-end look.
Great interior design should have longevity that lasts for decades and not fall out of fashion by next year. At Synergy, we’re here to help you sort the lasting design trends from the short-lived fads. If you’re ready to work with one of the best home remodeling companies in the area, get in touch and find out what’s possible in your space!
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
