Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Vienna dreams of a pool to replace former Faith Baptist Church, which may be demolished

Published May 10, 2023 at 10:30AM

Vienna's former Faith Baptist Church, now known as the Annex (via Town of Vienna)

The Vienna Town Council appears inclined to raze the former Faith Baptist Church, as a study continues to sift through ideas for the long-term future of the site now known as the Annex.

A vote on whether to demolish the now-vacant building at 301 Center Street South has been set for June 5. While no decision was made, a majority of council members indicated at a conference session Monday (May 8) that they would rather knock down the structure than invest money in maintaining it.

Countywide

Data center boom prompts Fairfax County to take new look at rules, environmental impacts

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 9, 2023 at 3:40PM

Fiber optic cables (via Kirill Sh on Unsplash)

As Northern Virginia continues to cement its position as a global base for data centers, Fairfax County leaders say the time has come to reevaluate the impact of the facilities and, potentially, set some boundaries for the future.

At its meeting this morning (Tuesday), the Board of Supervisors directed county staff to research environmental issues linked to data centers and what’s being done to address them. Staff will also develop guidelines for site locations and the process for approving them.

Around Town

Student percussionists to celebrate 10 years of Vienna Jammers with a bang at Capital One Hall

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 9, 2023 at 2:15PM

The Vienna Jammers backstage for the Big Jam at Capital One Hall in 2022 (photo by David Reynolds Jr.)

In the beginning, there were the Brute Red Trash Cans.

The simple, plastic buckets were among the first instruments utilized by the Vienna Jammers, along with PVC pipes, bits of metal and other construction materials lying around Vienna Elementary School.

Around Town

Apple is planning bigger, ‘reimagined’ store at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 9, 2023 at 11:20AM

Apple is planning a "new chapter" for its store at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The original Apple store is apparently angling for an upgrade.

Temporary walls advertising “a new chapter” for the company at Tysons Corner Center have been erected next to Victoria’s Secret, the mall announced on April 30, suggesting a new, bigger location is in the works at the home of Apple’s first-ever retail store.

News

Vienna police officer gets award for hiring ‘feat’ amid national staffing challenges

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 8, 2023 at 1:30PM

Sgt. James Sheeran is awarded by the Rotary Club of Vienna for his work hiring new officers (courtesy Vienna Police)

One of Vienna’s police officers recently got some kudos for giving the department a major staffing boost at a time when law enforcement is struggling with recruitment regionally and nationally.

Sgt. James Sheeran was named the Vienna Police Department’s “Employee of the Year” by the Rotary Club of Vienna, which presented its 2023 Rotarian M. Jane Seeman “Service Above Self” award to the sergeant at a banquet on April 19.

Countywide

County boosts funding for affordable housing, library collections and more

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 8, 2023 at 11:45AM

Inside the City of Fairfax Regional Library (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Thanks to higher-than-anticipated revenue, Fairfax County gave a financial boost last week to its affordable housing goals, public library collections and park facilities, among other initiatives.

Before taking a preliminary vote on the next budget, which will be adopted tomorrow (Tuesday), the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved nearly $10.7 million in changes to the current fiscal year 2023 budget — known as the third-quarter review — when it met on May 2.

Around Town

Yama Chen’s Sushi has opened at last in Vienna

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 8, 2023 at 11:00AM

Yama Chen's Sushi House is now open in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Yama Chen’s Sushi House — not to be confused with nearby Sushi Yama — is now open in Vienna.

The growing chain restaurant opened its newest location in the Vienna Plaza Shopping Center on April 16. The 1,500 square-foot space at 320 Maple Ave West was formerly occupied by a Jersey Mike’s Subs.

News

D.C. man killed in Bailey’s Crossroads shooting, police seek suspect

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 8, 2023 at 10:15AM

Police are looking for a suspect after two men were shot in the Build America Plaza parking lot in Bailey's Crossroads on May 7 (via Google Maps)

One man was killed and another remains hospitalized after a shooting yesterday (Sunday) at Build America Plaza in Bailey’s Crossroads.

Fairfax County police were dispatched to the 3800 block of South George Mason Drive for reports of a shooting around 2:19 a.m., the department reported.

News

BREAKING: Pedestrian dies after crash involving fire engine in Reston

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 8, 2023 at 9:45AM

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue engine lights (file photo)

A pedestrian was killed after being run over by a fire engine near the Reston Glade Apartments early this morning (Monday).

A medical unit with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched to Glade Drive at Dosnia Court near Dogwood Elementary School for a medical emergency around 2:19 a.m., according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

Around Town

Call Your Mother’s mini mobile deli is now open in McLean

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 5, 2023 at 10:15AM

Call Your Mother's Lil Deli has opened at the Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean (photo by Tim Casey)

The “Lil Deli” from D.C. hot spot Call Your Mother is now serving up bagels, coffee and more in McLean.

Representing the self-described “Jew-ish” deli’s first foray into Virginia, the mobile truck opened for business in parking lot of the Chesterbrook Shopping Center (6216 Old Dominion Drive) yesterday.