Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

No roller rink at Mosaic District this year, but ice skating may be planned

Published March 6, 2023 at 11:45AM

Some roller skaters use the Mosaic District's temporary rink during summer 2022 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Mosaic District roller skating rink won’t come back this year, but the development is still holding out hope for ice skating in the future.

Rink Management Services Corporation, which operates Mosaic Skateland, has decided it won’t “be doing any roller skating during this warm weather season,” Fairfax County’s planning staff told the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) at a Feb. 1 meeting.

Around Town

Play about Underground Railroad will take ‘flight’ in McLean tomorrow

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2023 at 3:45PM

The McLean Community Center's Alden theater will host a performance of the one-act play "Freedom Flight" (courtesy MCC)

The spirit of Black History Month will extend into March at The Alden in McLean.

For tomorrow (Saturday) only, the McLean Community Center’s theater will host a one-act play by the Ohio-based company Mad River Theater Works “that brings the history of the Underground Railroad to life,” according a news release.

Countywide

Local Army veteran awarded Medal of Honor at White House for saving lives in Vietnam War

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2023 at 2:15PM | Updated March 5, 2023 at 10:16PM

Paris Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in a Vietnam War battle that unfolded 58 years ago (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A Vietnam War veteran who now lives in Fairfax County was awarded the Medal of Honor at the White House today (Friday) — a recognition that supporters believe is nearly six decades overdue.

Retired Army Col. Paris Davis learned last month that he would receive the U.S. military’s highest honor for his actions in a battle against North Vietnamese forces on June 17-18, 1965, when he led an assault and saved multiple fellow soldiers despite being wounded.

Countywide

Shootings by Fairfax County police will be reviewed by research group

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2023 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County police car with lights flashing (file photo)

The Fairfax County Police Department has agreed to undergo an independent review of its policies and practices after seeing an increase in shootings by officers over the past year.

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a D.C.-based nonprofit that has looked at the department before, will conduct a “broad examination” of officer shootings since 2021 to “identify any performance patterns, deficiencies, or trends,” the FCPD said today (Friday).

Around Town

South Block’s McLean juice bar will open Monday, topping off owner’s homecoming

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated March 3, 2023 at 2:12PM

South Block's McLean juice bar will open on Monday, March 6 (courtesy Sue-Jean Kang)

(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) Opening day is on the horizon for South Block’s new McLean cafe.

The local juice and smoothie chain will open its latest location at 8 a.m. on Monday in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center (6246 Old Dominion Drive), according to a spokesperson and the website.

News

Vienna rain garden project expected to help slow traffic gets more county funding

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 2, 2023 at 2:15PM

A rain garden, also known as a bioretention area, at an elementary school (via Fairfax County)

A stormwater retention project in Vienna that officials say will help contain runoff and slow down traffic is set to get another infusion of Fairfax County funds.

The county’s Board of Supervisors authorized staff last week to provide an additional $54,000 for the Town of Vienna’s Tapawingo and Kingsley road urban bioretention project. The vote took place without discussion at the board’s Feb. 21 meeting.

News

Reston nonprofit proposes housing for low-income adults near Fairfax Towne Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 2, 2023 at 1:15PM

Cornerstones Housing Corporation has proposed a 34-unit, all-affordable residential building near Fairfax Towne Center (via DCS Design/Fairfax County)

In the future, currently undeveloped land on Route 50 across from Fairfax Towne Center could host housing for adults at the low end of Fairfax County’s income spectrum.

The Reston-based nonprofit Cornerstones Housing Corporation (CHC) has partnered with the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA), which owns the 1.1-acre property, to potentially build a three-story, 34-unit residential building at 12116 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway.

Countywide

Report: Herndon HS football coach challenges for Fairfax County sheriff

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 2, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated March 2, 2023 at 12:32PM

The Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) A law clerk and former D.C. police officer who also coaches freshman football at Herndon High School has launched a primary challenge against Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid.

Kelvin Garcia announced yesterday (Wednesday) that he will campaign for the Democratic nomination, positioning himself as a more progressive alternative to Kincaid.

Around Town

SCOOP: Bruster’s Ice Cream poised to open in Vienna today

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 2, 2023 at 10:15AM

Bruster's Real Ice Cream will open in Vienna today (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream is ready to roll up its window in Vienna.

The latest franchise from the Pennsylvania-based ice cream company will open for business today (Thursday) at 237 Maple Avenue in Glyndon Plaza, a public relations representative confirmed to FFXnow.

News

FCPD: Gun found in home of couple involved in apparent murder-suicide

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 2, 2023 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County police car (file photo)

An 86-year-old man appears to have shot his wife and then himself at their home in the Wakefield area on Tuesday (Feb. 28), police say.

Fairfax County police officers were called to a house in the 8900 block of Walker Street near Annandale around 10:15 p.m. after a friend found the bodies of Janos John Gertler and 73-year-old Eva Anna Vas.