Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Utility undergrounding dropped from Elden Street widening project

Published June 4, 2024 at 11:30AM

The existing Elden Street and Laurel Way intersection in Herndon (via VDOT)

A long-gestating project to widen East Elden Street will no longer move utilities along the Herndon corridor underground.

The Herndon Town Council approved a resolution on May 28 authorizing the removal of a utility duct bank from the project’s scope after town staff reported that costs had drastically increased from an earlier $57.3 million estimate.

News

Maryland surveys McLean to plan for new American Legion Bridge

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 4, 2024 at 9:30AM

The American Legion Bridge heading into Virginia (via MDOT)

Transportation staff from Maryland crossed the Potomac River last week to gather data in McLean for their long-planned American Legion Bridge replacement project.

According to a notice shared by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) sent a field team last Thursday (May 30) to investigate the drainage along Live Oak Drive.

Countywide

Civil rights activist who fought to desegregate Fairfax County gets historical marker

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 3, 2024 at 3:30PM

A historical marker honoring civil rights activist Lillian Blackwell is unveiled in front of Oakton High School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

When students arrive at Oakton High School, they will now encounter a historical marker honoring civil rights activist Lillian Blackwell, whose own children might not have been allowed inside when the school opened in 1967 if not for her advocacy.

Fairfax County officials unveiled the plaque detailing Blackwell’s legacy, including her fight against the segregation of local public schools and movie theaters, at a ceremony on Saturday (June 1) attended by some of her family members and the students who suggested her for the recognition.

News

Arlington tech company expands to Herndon-area office park

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 3, 2024 at 2:30PM

Two Six Technologies cuts a ribbon to celebrate the opening of its new office at Coppermine Commons (via Two Six Technologies)

A technology company assembled by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s former employer has extended its reach to the Herndon area.

Two Six Technologies held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Wednesday (May 29) to celebrate the opening of its new office at 13865 Sunrise Valley Drive in Coppermine Commons, a three-building campus in the McNair neighborhood just east of Dulles International Airport.

News

Tysons wellness clinic to treat competitive gamers

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 3, 2024 at 1:30PM

The Virginia University of Integrative Medicine Clinic in Tysons (courtesy Virginia University of Integrative Medicine)

A wellness clinic in Tysons will soon offer massages, acupuncture and other treatments to competitive video game players.

The Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM) announced last month that it has been named the official health and wellness partner of the Ultimate Endgamers League (UEL), an esports league based in Stafford. The private university’s clinic at 1980 Gallows Road will provide care to players once the UEL season starts in August.

Around Town

New York’s Carnegie Diner set for grand opening in Vienna this week

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 3, 2024 at 9:30AM

Vienna's new Carnegie Diner & Cafe serves all-day breakfast, sandwiches, burgers and other American food (courtesy Carnegie Diner & Cafe)

A diner that serves all-day breakfast has made its way from the Big Apple to Vienna, giving the town a potential successor to the night-owl-friendly Amphora Restaurant.

Carnegie Diner & Cafe will celebrate its grand opening at 501 Maple Avenue West this Wednesday (June 5) — less than a month after buying the property from the Pagonis family, who had opened Yellow Diner there in early April.

News

Tysons kicks off summer of soccer with visit from U.S. Men’s National Team

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 31, 2024 at 1:30PM

U.S. Men's National Team players Ethan Horvath and Matt Turner with kid at the launch of Copa Tysons, a campaign that will promote soccer throughout the summer (courtesy Tysons Community Alliance)

Tysons will turn into a soccer town for the next two months in conjunction with the upcoming Copa America and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Euro Cup tournaments.

The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) kicked off its “Copa Tysons” campaign on Wednesday (May 29) by welcoming the U.S. Men’s National Team — represented by goalkeepers Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath — to the D.C. area at Bowlero (2001 International Drive, Suite 1695G) in Tysons Galleria.

Around Town

Free dance nights coming to Lake Anne Plaza next month

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 31, 2024 at 11:30AM

People gather for a Thursday Dance Night at Lake Anne Plaza in 2023 (courtesy Lake Anne Washington Plaza Merchants Association)

Thursday nights will be filled with swinging and swaying at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston next month.

The village center will host free dance nights on the waterfront at 1609 Washington Plaza from 6-9 p.m. every Thursday, starting June 6 through June 27, the Lake Anne and Washington Plaza Merchant Association (LAWPA) announced today (Thursday).

News

Man gets prison time for having gun when allegedly shoplifting from Tysons store

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 31, 2024 at 9:30AM

Saks Fifth Avenue in Tysons Galleria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A 27-year-old Stafford resident caught allegedly shoplifting at a Tysons Galleria store will go to prison, but not for the attempted theft.

Najee Lewis, who’s also known as “Bebo,” was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday (May 29) for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a previously convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Countywide

Report: Fairfax County tops $1M in median home sales prices

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 30, 2024 at 3:30PM | Updated June 4, 2024 at 9:30AM

A new house under construction in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A constrained supply of housing has sent prices soaring in Fairfax County, according to new data from a budding real estate startup.

The county’s median home sales price for May exceeded $1 million — $1,033,550, to be precise — which means that half of the homes sold cost more than that, Tomo reports. That’s a roughly 18% increase from the preceding six months of sales, which averaged $870,000, and it surpasses the median price of $882,000 from May 2023.