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 independent bookstores hope to draw visitors with new ‘passport’ program

By Angela Woolsey
Fonts Books and Gifts in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

For this year’s Independent Bookstore Day, local bookworms will be encouraged to collect not just new literary titles, but also places to buy them.

More than a dozen shops across Northern Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia have teamed up for a new “Passport” program, giving customers a chance to win prizes if they visit different locations.

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News

Lake Anne cooling service to launch ahead of expected heat wave

By Angela Woolsey
Residences along the Chimney House Road side of Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

RELAC Water Cooling will begin delivering air-conditioning services to residents and businesses in Reston’s Lake Anne area this weekend — ahead of its official launch date of May 22.

The volunteer-run utility announced today that it will “go live” tomorrow (Saturday) to test its services, providing chilled water from the artificial lake to cool 635 residential and commercial properties.

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Countywide

Metro board approves new budget, but Virginia funding remains a question mark

By Angela Woolsey
The Franconia-Springfield Metro station entrance (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The cost of riding Metro trains and buses will go up, starting July 1, when the transit agency’s new budget takes effect.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) board of directors approved a $4.8 billion fiscal year 2025 budget yesterday (Thursday) that will increase fares by 12.5%, including by ending the flat $2 rate for weekend and late-night rides introduced in 2021 and expanded in 2022.

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News

Tysons Forest task force recommends steps for preserving 65 acres of woods

By Angela Woolsey
Volunteers assembled at Tysons Forest for an Earth Day nature walk and litter cleanup (via Fairfax County Department of Cable and Consumer Services)

The continued development of Tysons doesn’t have to come at the expense of its remaining natural green space, argues a recent report on ways to preserve 65 acres of forest in the urban center.

A community task force has recommended two dozen actions that could help preserve and even enhance wooded areas collectively known as Tysons Forest, including tree plantings and clean-up efforts. Dated March 24, the report was formally accepted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 16.

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News

NEW: Reston library will close this summer for renovation

By Angela Woolsey
Reston Regional Library (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Planned facility upgrades will require the Reston Regional Library to close for an extended period this summer.

Friday, June 28, will be the last day of public operations for the aging building at 11925 Bowman Towne Drive before construction on interim renovations starts on July 1, Fairfax County Public Library announced yesterday (Thursday).

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News

Solar panels activated atop Spring Hill Rec Center as energy project nears finish

By Angela Woolsey
The Spring Hill Rec Center now has an active rooftop solar panel array (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

The Spring Hill Rec Center in McLean is now being partly powered by the sun.

The Fairfax County Park Authority announced today (Thursday) that it has turned on a new, 307-kilowatt solar panel array on the roofs of the recreation center’s gym and indoor swimming pool at 1239 Spring Hill Road.

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Around Town

Stellina Pizzeria to open at Capital One Center in Tysons this month

By Angela Woolsey
Stellina Pizzeria will open at Capital One Center in Tysons on April 30, 2024 (photo by Anastasia Markova)

Stellina Pizzeria has a launch date for its upcoming Tysons restaurant.

The D.C.-based chain will open its largest location yet at Capital One Center (1610 Capital One Drive) in Tysons next Tuesday, April 30, at 4 p.m. The occasion will be marked with an offer of free tiramisu to the first 50 customers who make a purchase.

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News

Motorcyclist killed in crash with car on Old Keene Mill Road

By Angela Woolsey
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash at the Old Keene Mill Road and Shiplett Blvd intersection in Burke (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 8:25 p.m.) A motorcyclist was killed last night (Wednesday) in a two-vehicle crash just outside the Rolling Valley shopping mall in Burke, police say.

Officers and a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue medic were dispatched to the intersection of Old Keene Mill Road and Shiplett Blvd around 10:05 p.m. for a crash involving a motorcycle and car, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

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Around Town

New Route 7 shared-use path featured in upcoming ‘Tour de Hunter Mill’ bicycle ride

By Angela Woolsey
Left to right: Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling President Bruce Wright, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn and Reston Bike Club Vice Chairman Joel Kuester team up to promote the upcoming Tour de Hunter Mill community bicycle ride (courtesy Hunter Mill District Office)

The annual Tour de Hunter Mill bicycle ride will kick into full gear early next month with new routes designed to show off sights and amenities throughout the district.

Registration is now open for the fourth iteration of the May 5 community bike ride, which was introduced in 2021 by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.

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Around Town

Taste of Tysons festival showcasing mall’s eateries to return in May

By Angela Woolsey
People line up for samples from Seasons 52 at the first annual Taste of Tysons in 2023 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Tysons Corner Center visitors will get another opportunity to sample the mall’s culinary scene this spring.

After drawing a big crowd when it launched last year, the Taste of Tysons is set to return for a second year on May 4. More than 40 eateries throughout the mall will participate, offering free food bites from noon to 2 p.m.

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