Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Senator makes case for casino in Tysons as part of future entertainment district

Published October 11, 2023 at 3:30PM

A train pulls into the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

If Fairfax County were to get a casino, state Sen. Dave Marsden would prefer to see it in Tysons, not Reston, as has reportedly been proposed.

The prospect of a casino has drawn strong pushback from both residents and some elected officials, but Marsden argues that the county needs to consider all options to diversify its commercial tax base, as the office market continues to lag in the pandemic’s wake.

Countywide

D.C. area office cleaners win pay raises in contract agreement, avoiding strike

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 11, 2023 at 11:45AM

Del. Holly Seibold speaks at 32BJ SEIU's strike vote rally for Fairfax and Loudoun county office cleaners (courtesy 32BJ SEIU)

The workers who clean office buildings around Fairfax County won’t have to hit the picket lines anytime soon.

The union representing about 9,100 commercial office cleaners in the D.C. area reached a tentative agreement yesterday (Tuesday) for a new contract with property owners in the Washington Service Contractors Association (WSCA), averting a potential strike.

Around Town

Aerial dance studio set to open in Merrifield this fall

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 11, 2023 at 11:00AM

Aerial Candy owner Candy Cantu practices on a lyra at the new Merrifield studio (courtesy Aerial Candy)

An aerial dance studio based in Maryland will swoop across state lines this fall with an expansion into Merrifield.

Aerial Candy is transforming an industrial space at 2801 Merrilee Drive that was being used for storage into a studio where dancers can train with aerial silks, hoops and other specialized equipment.

News

Man dies weeks after three-vehicle crash on Fairfax County Parkway

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 11, 2023 at 9:30AM

Northbound Fairfax County Parkway approaching Loisdale Road in Newington (via Google Maps)

A three-vehicle crash on Fairfax County Parkway in Newington has taken a fatal turn, about a month after it occurred.

James Berry Gautier, an 83-year-old Burke resident, has died roughly four weeks after a van collided with his car near Loisdale Road, the Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Tuesday).

News

New signs encourage Vienna pedestrians and drivers to see ‘Eye to Eye’

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 10, 2023 at 3:30PM

Members of the Vienna Transportation Safety Commission, which includes the Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and residents install a sign for the new "Eye to Eye" safety campaign (courtesy Vienna Transportation Safety Commission)

Some new traffic signs have popped up around Vienna, but unlike traditional stop or speed limit signs, these yellow, reflective placards are intended more for sidewalk users than road users.

Volunteers with the Vienna Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) started posting the signs on pedestrian signal poles around town in late September for their “Eye to Eye” campaign, which encourages walkers to make eye contact with drivers before stepping into a crosswalk.

News

County leaders ‘in shock’ over violence in Israel and Palestine, board chair says

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 10, 2023 at 1:30PM

The flags outside the Fairfax County Government Center flags are at half-staff after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack against Israel (via Fairfax County/Twitter)

Family members of a Fairfax native and Woodson High School graduate are among the 150 people reportedly taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas when it attacked Israel on Saturday (Oct. 7).

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay acknowledged the violence that has now gripped Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory of Gaza for four days to open today’s board meeting.

Countywide

Nearly 1 in 4 Fairfax County residents are food insecure, report finds

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 10, 2023 at 11:45AM

My Market is stocked with both perishable and nonperishable food (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Finding sufficient, quality food remains a challenge for many people across the D.C. area, even with the immediate economic disruptions triggered by the pandemic in the rear view mirror, the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) says in a new report.

Released last month, the nonprofit’s 2023 Hunger Report found that the region is still seeing elevated levels of food insecurity that are nearly identical to what was reported a year earlier. In Fairfax County, 24% of residents are food insecure — the exact same percentage as in 2022.

Around Town

Sneakers sculpted from ‘high-end trash’ will set foot in Tysons Corner Center this week

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 10, 2023 at 11:00AM

Falls Church artist Andy Yoder's sneaker sculpture exhibit "Overboard" is coming to Tysons Corner Center (courtesy Overboard)

Take a seat, Ben Affleck. A new artistic statement about Nike’s trendy Air Jordans is coming to town.

Falls Church artist Andy Yoder’s well-traveled exhibit “Overboard” will take up residence at Tysons Corner Center starting this Friday (Oct. 13), the latest installation resulting from the mall’s ongoing collaboration with local arts agency ArtsFairfax.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 10, 2023 at 8:15AM

A seating area on Wilkins Plaza at George Mason University's Fairfax campus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

GMU’s Fall for the Book Kicks Off Today — After a week of preview events, George Mason University’s annual book festival officially returns today for its 25th anniversary. The festivities will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a talk by roller derby skater Gabe Montesanti about her new memoir and continue through Saturday (Oct. 14). [Fall for the Book]

Police Investigate Linked Thefts and Vehicle Break-Ins — “Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division, are investigating a series of vehicle break-ins and package thefts that occurred between October 3-4. The suspect is believed to be responsible for breaking into several vehicles and stealing items during the late-night hours in both the Fair Oaks and Reston police districts.” [FCPD]

Around Town

Halal hot chicken chain coming to Vienna in first step of N. Va. expansion

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 9, 2023 at 2:30PM | Updated October 11, 2023 at 10:36AM

The Red Bird, a hot chicken chain, is coming soon to Vienna's Cedar Park Shopping Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 10:35 a.m. on 10/11/2023) A fledgling hot chicken chain with ambitions of becoming “the next Chick-fil-A” is flocking to Northern Virginia, starting with the Town of Vienna.

Signs for The Red Bird recently emerged in the windows of the former McDonald’s at the Cedar Park Shopping Center, which hasn’t yet identified the new tenant on its site plan. Mickey D’s abruptly vacated the 1,353-square-foot space last summer after more than a decade there.