Author: Angela Woolsey

Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.

Around Town

Local polar dips and plunges encourage cold water jumps for charity

By Angela Woolsey
The inaugural Kiwanis Polar Dip 2024 at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (photo by Scott Ripley)

After a week of freezing temperatures, jumping into a body of cold water might not sound like the most enticing Saturday activity, but that’s exactly what dozens of Fairfax County residents are expected to do at two upcoming charitable events.

First, Special Olympics Virginia will bring its annual Polar Plunge to the Mosaic District in Merrifield tomorrow (Saturday) from noon to 2 p.m.

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News

FCPD: Man charged after drawing gun at Bailey’s homeless shelter

By Angela Woolsey
Firearm collected by the Fairfax County Police Department (image via FCPD)

Fairfax County police arrested a man earlier this week who allegedly pointed a gun at another person while at the county’s homeless shelter in Bailey’s Crossroads.

Officers were dispatched to the Bailey’s Shelter and Supportive Housing in the 5900 block of Seminary Road at approximately 7:56 p.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 22) for a reported weapons violation, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

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News

Georgetown Pike improvements could ease access to Great Falls Library

By Angela Woolsey
Traffic heading west on Georgetown Pike approaching Bucks Lane (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is considering a number of upgrades on Georgetown Pike to make a trip to the library less hazardous for pedestrians.

The proposed improvements will be presented by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) at a community meeting next Thursday, Jan. 30. Held at the Great Falls Grange (9818 Georgetown Pike), the meeting is scheduled to last an hour from 7-8 p.m.

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Around Town

Winter Restaurant Week returns with dozens of Fairfax County options

By Angela Woolsey
A pizza with trays of fries from Matchbox (courtesy Thompson Restaurants)

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s (RAMW) Winter Restaurant Week is back.

Starting next Monday, Jan. 27 and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 2, the biannual campaign to promote the D.C. region’s culinary scene will feature more than three dozen restaurants from Fairfax County, along with establishments in the District, Maryland and elsewhere in Northern Virginia.

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Countywide

Fairfax County names permanent transportation director after 19 months

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County Department of Transportation Director Gregg Steverson (courtesy Fairfax County)

Gregg Steverson can finally drop the “acting” from his job title.

The career transportation planner has been appointed as Fairfax County’s permanent director of transportation after intially filling the role on an interim basis following predecessor Tom Biesiadny’s retirement in May 2023, the county announced today (Thursday).

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Around Town

Winter-themed ‘Ice-travaganza’ to take over Reston Town Center

By Angela Woolsey
Ice skating at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston Town Center will embrace the season this weekend with a new wintry event.

“Ice-travaganza” will bring ice sculptures with live carving demonstrations, free hot chocolate, a live DJ, an ice skating performance and other winter-themed activities to the town center’s Mercury Fountain plaza and pavilion at 11900 Market Street on Saturday, Jan. 25.

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Around Town

Arlington bakery to replace former Skorpios Maggio’s in Vienna

By Angela Woolsey
Cupcakes from Bakeshop, which is expanding to Vienna (courtesy Bakeshop)

A longstanding family-owned restaurant in Vienna will soon be converted into a bakery whose website declares that “everyone is family.”

Bakeshop, which got its start 15 years ago in Arlington, is taking over the storefront at 421 Maple Avenue that was vacated last summer by Skorpios Maggio’s Greek Family Restaurant.

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Around Town

Tysons Japanese grocery store set for grand opening this weekend

By Angela Woolsey
A sign for Marufuji Japanese Market and The Tile Shop in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Marufuji Japanese Market is ready to welcome Tysons shoppers.

As promised, the highly anticipated grocery store will celebrate its grand opening at 8520-A Leesburg Pike this Saturday, Jan. 25, with festivities beginning at 10 a.m.

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Around Town

Washingtonian ranks these Fairfax County restaurants among the D.C. area’s 100 best

By Angela Woolsey
Chicken and beef satay skewers from Southeast Impression in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Washingtonian’s annual ranking of the “100 Very Best Restaurants” in the D.C. region has arrived, and several Fairfax spots made the cut, both from the county and the city.

Joon, the high-end Persian restaurant that chefs Najmieh Batmanglij and Christopher Morgan opened in Tysons in 2023, once again led the way, coming in at no. 24 — one notch down from its placement on the 2024 list.

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News

Man charged with firing gun near Lincolnia school

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County police car lights flashing (file photo)

A Lincolnia man is facing multiple charges after police say he fired several gunshots in the residential neighborhood where he lives.

Officers responded to the 6400 block of Montrose Street in Lincolnia at 1 p.m. last Friday, Jan. 17 after a neighbor called 911 to report a “suspicious noise” from possibly as many as 12 gunshots, according to scanner traffic.

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