Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Vienna to rejuvenate Maple Avenue and Church Street landscaping

Published June 23, 2023 at 2:15PM

The Town of Vienna's planters on Maple Avenue are set to be replaced after 20 years (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new crop of plants will take root this fall along Maple Avenue and Church Street, the Town of Vienna’s main commercial roadways.

LSG Landscape Architects, a landscaping firm contracted by the town, will present its proposed design for the new planters next Thursday (June 29) after sharing the concept with the Vienna Town Council this past Tuesday (June 20).

News

Upcoming Tysons strategic plan will pinpoint area’s strengths and areas for improvement

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 23, 2023 at 11:00AM

Development continues at Scotts Run in Tysons East (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After introducing itself earlier this year with a website update and some cherry blossom-related events, the Tysons Community Alliance is now digging into the area’s strengths, needs and what needs to be done to set it up for future success.

Picking up where the now-defunct Tysons Partnership left off, the nonprofit community improvement organization launched a strategic planning effort for Tysons this week by convening a series of work groups that will focus on different topics, such as residential development, transportation and parks.

Around Town

Women’s fitness studio sets sights on summer opening in Vienna

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 22, 2023 at 1:30PM

The locally owned gym StarFit Studio is coming soon to Vienna's Cedar Park Shopping Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Northern Virginia gym aimed at women hopes to flex its way into the Town of Vienna this summer.

StarFit Studio is expanding from its existing Arlington and Alexandria locations to the Cedar Park Shopping Center. The business has leased a 1,740-square-foot space at 266 Cedar Lane, according to property manager First Washington Realty’s website.

News

Falls Church Metro stations to reopen next week, as rail replacement enters new phase

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 22, 2023 at 10:15AM

Commuters wait at the closed Vienna Metro station for an express shuttle to Ballston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Some good news is on the horizon for local Metrorail riders: the West and East Falls Church stations are set to reopen on Monday (June 26) after a 23-day closure.

The bad news? The Vienna and Dunn Loring stations will remain closed through July 16.

Around Town

Springfield Town Center to celebrate LGBTQ Pride night for first time

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 22, 2023 at 9:30AM

Drag queen Evry Pleasure will perform and have a meet-and-greet at Springfield Town Center's inaugural Pride Night Out (courtesy Springfield Town Center)

A Pride Month celebration is coming to Springfield Town Center for the first time ever.

The shopping center at 6500 Franconia-Springfield Parkway will host its inaugural Pride Night Out tomorrow (Friday) from 6-9 p.m. in the lower level Grand Court area near Starbucks.

Countywide

Fairfax County Democrats oust two established senators, as incumbents prevail in local races

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 21, 2023 at 2:15PM

Stella Pekarsky and Saddam Azlan Salim defeated established senators George Barker and Chap Petersen in the 2023 Democratic primary (courtesy Stella Pekarsky for Senate, Salim for Senate)

Fairfax County’s General Assembly delegation will look drastically different next year after a pivotal Democratic primary yesterday (Tuesday) that also bolstered incumbents in most county-level races.

In two upsets, Sully District school board representative Stella Pekarsky eked out a win over veteran state Sen. George Barker for the 36th District nomination, while Fairfax Young Democrats vice president Saddam Azlan Salim ousted Sen. Chap Petersen in the 37th District.

News

McLean Volunteer Fire Department to upgrade ambulance with donation from home tours

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 21, 2023 at 11:00AM

The McLean Volunteer Fire Department is planning to replace one of its ambulances (courtesy MVFD)

The McLean Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) will soon get a new and improved ambulance, thanks in part to the success of a recent “Kitchen and Garden Tour.”

The Woman’s Club of McLean, a local charitable group, presented a check with the $13,000 raised by the tour to the fire department on Monday (June 19), fulfilling a promise that got deferred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

News

FCPD: Driver was speeding in fatal Seven Corners crash, charged with manslaughter

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 21, 2023 at 9:45AM | Updated June 21, 2023 at 3:28PM

Northbound Arlington Blvd at Patrick Henry Drive in Seven Corners (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 3:30 p.m.) The driver behind a fatal April 21 crash in Seven Corners was speeding at over 100 mph, Fairfax County police now say.

The Fairfax County Police Department has identified Mirza Baig, 26, of Alexandria as the driver responsible for the crash, which killed 37-year-old Christina Hamilton and injured both Baig and a passenger.

Countywide

BREAKING: Descano declared winner in Commonwealth’s Attorney race

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 20, 2023 at 10:00PM | Updated October 11, 2023 at 6:13PM

Voters fill out ballots in the 2023 Democratic primary at Cunningham Park Elementary School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 1 a.m. on 6/21/2023) The Fairfax County Democratic Committee has congratulated incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano as its nominee in one of the most closely watched races in the 2023 Democratic primary.

Descano received about 55.4% of the vote over challenger Ed Nuttall, who ended with 44.6% after shrinking a larger early deficit, according to the Virginia Department of Elections’ unofficial results.

Countywide

Low voter turnout so far in Fairfax County’s Democratic primary

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 20, 2023 at 3:00PM

Voting in the 2023 Democratic primary is underway at Bailey's Community Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Voter turnout for today’s Democratic primary has been more of a trickle than a stream, despite some pivotal races appearing on the ballot in Fairfax County.

By 1 p.m., just 2.6% of registered voters had cast a ballot today, the Fairfax County Office of Elections reported. That put the total turnout for the primary at an estimated 7.2%, including early in-person and mail voting.