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

Vienna ramen restaurant Akai Tori to close for good tonight

By Angela Woolsey
Akai Tori Ramen and Yakitori is closing its doors in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Perhaps the commercial building at 234 Maple Avenue East in Vienna is just not meant to be a ramen shop.

Its current occupant, Akai Tori Ramen & Yakitori, will dish out its last noodle soup bowl today (Thursday) before permanently closing its doors at 7 p.m. The restaurant announced the closure “with a heavy heart” via social media on Monday (Feb. 26), and it was first reported by Patch.

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News

Construction to begin on McLean Central Park upgrades in March

By Angela Woolsey
A project to revitalize McLean Central Park will update and expand the playgrounds, add new walkways and relocate pedestrian lights (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Nearly two years after updating its vision for the future of McLean Central Park, the Fairfax County Park Authority is ready to start work on some of the planned upgrades.

Imperio Construction, a Delaware-based company contracted by the park authority, began mobilizing on the site at 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd this week, and active construction is expected to start during the first week of March.

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Around Town

New Fairfax pickleball center serves up grand opening with pro players exhibition

By Angela Woolsey
Down the Line Sports Center's Fairfax location has five indoor pickleball courts (courtesy Fairfax City Economic Development)

Professional pickleball players, local officials and community members are expected to turn out in abundance for the upcoming grand opening of Down the Line Sports Center in Fairfax City.

After a soft opening in early February, the indoor pickleball facility at Courthouse Plaza (10390 Willard Way) will officially introduce itself to the city tomorrow (Thursday). The event will kick off at 5 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting, followed by a meet-and-greet with six pro athletes visiting from around the country.

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News

Rehabilitation planned for Dulles Toll Road bridge over Route 123 in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey
Eastbound Dulles Toll Road over Route 123 in Tysons (courtesy VDOT)

The Dulles Toll Road bridge that officially separates Tysons from McLean is in need of some major upkeep.

At a public meeting tomorrow (Thursday), the Virginia Department of Transportation will share its plans to rehabilitate the toll road’s eastbound lanes over Route 123 (Dolley Madison Blvd). The proposed project will replace the bridge’s concrete deck, parapets and steel beams.

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Countywide

Park Authority passes on sports complex proposals but still open to ideas

By Angela Woolsey
One of the baseball diamonds at Patriot Park North, Fairfax County's first official sports tourism development (via Fairfax County Park Authority/YouTube)

The Fairfax County Park Authority is still scouting for its next sports tourism project.

After opening Patriot Park North, a $28 million baseball and softball facility, near George Mason University last spring, the park authority put out a call in June for potential private partners on a new, multi-sport tournament complex that it hopes could benefit both residents and visitors.

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Countywide

Fairfax County will be under Wind Advisory starting Wednesday night

By Angela Woolsey
U.S., Virginia and Fairfax County flags on a pole blow in wind on a rainy day (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Updated at 10:25 a.m. on 2/28/2024 — The National Weather Service has moved up the start time for its Wind Advisory to 3 p.m. today (Wednesday).

Earlier: A Wind Advisory has been issued for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County.

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News

Vienna’s Navy Federal Credit Union faces lawsuit alleging racial discrimination

By Angela Woolsey
Rev. Al Sharpton, attorneys and plaintiffs announce a racial discrimination lawsuit against Navy Federal Credit Union (via National Action Network/YouTube)

(Updated at 11 a.m. on 2/28/2024) Allegations of racist lending practices against Navy Federal Credit Union have solidified into a class action lawsuit.

Attorneys representing nine members of Navy Federal filed a complaint in federal court on Feb. 20 alleging that the Vienna-based financial institution “systematically discriminates” against people of color, particularly Black, Hispanic and Native American applicants, when determining whether to approve mortgage loans.

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Around Town

Vienna Restaurant Week to return for third year with over 40 participants

By Angela Woolsey
Businesses in and near Vienna will offer special deals during Vienna Restaurant Week, returning March 3-10, 2024 (courtesy Caboose Tavern)

(Updated at 4:30 p.m. on 2/28/2024) The Town of Vienna will kick off March with its third annual Restaurant Week.

More than 40 restaurants in the town will offer special deals during the promotional campaign, which will run from March 3-10. For the first time, the town will celebrate the week by hosting a drop-in social event near the Town Green on Tuesday, March 5 from 4-6 p.m. with giveaways and live music.

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Countywide

Poll: Have you been affected by the lack of Fairfax Connector service?

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax Connector buses parked at the West Ox Bus Facility (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 10:30 a.m.) Fairfax Connector is now in its sixth consecutive day without service, as workers continue their strike for better pay, benefits and working conditions.

More than 600 bus drivers and mechanics ceased working last Thursday (Feb. 22) when their union — Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 — called for a strike after months of negotiations with Transdev, the private company that operates Fairfax Connector, for a new labor contract to replace one that expired on Nov. 30.

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News

McLean man pleads guilty to Covid relief fraud involving casino gambling, real estate

By Angela Woolsey
Casino chips (photo via Chris Liverani on Unsplash)

A McLean resident has pleaded guilty to spending federal COVID-19 relief funds intended for his home business on personal expenses, including gambling and real estate payments.

Mehdi Pazouki, 65, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday (Feb. 23) to defrauding the Small Business Administration of approximately $455,000 in loans created to help businesses survive during the pandemic, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of Virginia.

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