Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

McLean Community Center hopes to reach youths with new ambassador program

Published November 22, 2022 at 11:00AM

The McLean Community Center's Old Firehouse Center (file photo)

The McLean Community Center is on the lookout for local teens who are in tune with what kids these days enjoy.

The community center has launched a new MCC Youth Ambassador initiative that invites students from McLean and Langley high schools to provide input on and promote events at their schools and online.

News

Early voting in special election for Vienna area’s new delegate begins this week

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 21, 2022 at 2:15PM

35th House district candidates Holly Seibold and Monique Baroudi (courtesy Laura Goyer Photography, MP Photo Art)

Only a week after finalizing vote tallies from its last election, Fairfax County is gearing up to welcome back voters from several precincts for its next election.

Early voting will begin Wednesday (Nov. 23) to select a successor to Mark Keam, who resigned as delegate of Virginia’s 35th House District in September. A special election will be held Jan. 10, the day before the General Assembly convenes for its 2023 session.

Countywide

Fairfax County firefighters vote to unionize for historic contract talks

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 21, 2022 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue engine ladder (file photo)

Firefighters, medics and other Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department employees will have a union represent them in the county’s first collective bargaining negotiations for public workers in over 40 years.

Over 800 FCFRD workers participated in a 13-day election last month to determine whether to have union representation for contract talks with the county government, which will establish pay, benefits and other working conditions.

Around Town

NEW: Popular New York City falafel eatery is coming to Pimmit Hills

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 21, 2022 at 10:15AM

Taïm Mediterranean Kitchen plans to open a restaurant at Tysons Station in Pimmit Hills in spring 2023 (courtesy Taïm)

A growing fast-casual, Mediterranean restaurant chain that started in New York City will open a location in Pimmit Hills next year.

Taïm Mediterranean Kitchen will bring its lauded falafels to Virginia for the first time with a 1,849-square-foot restaurant in the Tysons Station shopping center at 7502 Leesburg Pike. The company anticipates opening the new location this coming spring, possibly April.

Countywide

Most-read Fairfax County stories of the week: Nov. 14-18

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 18, 2022 at 3:00PM

A Metro employee hands out pennants commemorating the Silver Line Phase II grand opening (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The weekend is almost here. Before you hop on (or lament) the latest addition to the I-66 toll lanes or head to bed for some much-needed sleep, let’s revisit the past week of news in Fairfax County.

Here are the 10 most-read stories on FFXnow this week:

Around Town

Basic Burger brings bagels to Tysons with plans for standalone store

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 18, 2022 at 2:15PM

Basic Burger is opening a bagel pop-up in its Tysons West restaurant (courtesy Basic Burger)

Basic Burger is circling the Tysons area as one potential location for a new, standalone bagel “concept.”

For now, the Arlington-based company will open a New York bagel pop-up in its Tysons West restaurant at 1495 Cornerside Blvd this weekend, Operations Director Jamie Mansy told FFXnow.

Countywide

Tech issues create permitting backlog after county launches online land use system

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 18, 2022 at 11:45AM

The Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County’s new online platform for permitting, zoning and other land use activities has hit a speed bump.

A backlog of applications has emerged since the county finished rolling out its Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) on Oct. 31 due to issues with the technology, Fairfax County Land Development Services confirmed.

Around Town

Menswear company that appeared on ‘Shark Tank’ opens limited-time store at Tysons Galleria

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 18, 2022 at 11:00AM

The start-up Collars and Co. says it invented a shirt style called dress collar polos (courtesy Collars & Co.)

Fresh off a successful appearance on the reality TV show “Shark Tank,” a Bethesda-based men’s fashion start-up will open its first physical store at Tysons Galleria this weekend.

The Collars & Co. pop-up will launch Sunday (Nov. 20) on the mall’s first floor in front of Saks Fifth Avenue. It will stay open through Thanksgiving weekend, departing after Dec. 4, the company announced Wednesday (Nov. 16).

News

Police: Possibly speeding car sails off I-95 ramp in Springfield, killing 19-year-old passenger

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 18, 2022 at 9:30AM

The I-95 North ramp to Franconia Road and the Franconia ramp to I-395 pass each other (via Google Maps)

One person is dead and another critically injured after a car apparently going well over the speed limit drove off an I-95 ramp in Springfield, crashed into trees, landed on a separate highway ramp and collided with another vehicle on Monday (Nov. 14).

According to the Virginia State Police, which responded to the crash at 11:16 a.m., the incident began as 19-year-old Bryan Osorto-Tejeda of Fredericksburg drove a 2013 Honda Accord north on I-95, taking the ramp to go west on Franconia Road (Route 644) “at a high rate of speed.”

News

Family of Bijan Ghaisar marks five years since fatal shooting with vigil

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 17, 2022 at 2:15PM

Fairfax County Police Department footage of Park Police shooting McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar (via FCPD)

It has been five years since U.S. Park Police officers pursued and shot McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar in Fort Hunt, ultimately killing him.

Still seeking closure and accountability for the officers involved, Ghaisar’s family will mark the five-year anniversary of the shooting with a candlelight vigil at the Lincoln Memorial in D.C. at 7 p.m. today.