Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Vienna Arts Society revives painted bench project to support businesses

Published July 26, 2022 at 1:30PM

A bench hand-painted by a volunteer artist was placed near the Vienna Town Green in 2019 (via Vienna Arts Society)

The Town of Vienna will usher in spring next year with color and creativity, thanks to a partnership between the Vienna Arts Society and local businesses.

The nonprofit organization revealed last week that it is bringing back the “Take a Seat, Vienna” project first introduced to mark its 50th anniversary in 2019.

Countywide

National outbreaks of salmonella include cases in Northern Virginia

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 26, 2022 at 11:45AM

A chicken on the move (via James Wainscoat/Unsplash)

Between the COVID-19 pandemic and growing concerns about monkeypox, a recent, national surge in salmonella cases linked to live poultry has flown relatively under the radar.

However, the bacteria has spread to 48 states since early February, infecting 572 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Northern Virginia hasn’t been immune.

News

Korean steakhouse, Shake Shack in the works at Tysons’ Pike 7 Plaza

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 26, 2022 at 10:15AM

The restaurant Ingle Korean Steakhouse will serve Korean barbecue at Pike 7 Plaza in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new Korean barbecue restaurant from the man behind Tysons Galleria’s Donburi is creeping closer to making its debut on the other side of Route 7.

Owner James Jang had envisioned opening Ingle Korean Steakhouse at Pike 7 Plaza in April 2021, but supply-chain disruptions and other complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a more protracted journey to existence.

Countywide

Fairfax County plans for new Covid vaccine, as cases hold steady

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 25, 2022 at 3:00PM

A vaccinator at the Fairfax County Government Center's COVID-19 vaccine site (via FCHD/YouTube)

A fourth vaccine has entered the fight against COVID-19.

The Gaithersburg-based company Novavax received an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month for a two-dose vaccination designated for unvaccinated people 18 and older.

News

Brace for noise and traffic changes from Georgetown Pike bridge demo

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 25, 2022 at 1:30PM

Drivers coming onto I-495 South from the GW Parkway will be detoured while the north side of Georgetown Pike bridge is demolished (via VDOT)

Nights are about to get noisier in McLean, as work begins in earnest this week on the demolition of the Georgetown Pike bridge over the Capital Beltway.

As early as Wednesday (July 27), construction crews working on the I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project will start demolishing the northern side of the bridge, which is being replaced and widened to fit six lanes and a new 6-foot-wide sidewalk.

Around Town

Opening this week, Indian restaurant Rasa brings heat to Mosaic District

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 25, 2022 at 10:15AM

The fast-casual Indian eatery Rasa will open its Mosaic District location on July 30 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new fast-casual Indian restaurant has arrived at the Mosaic District, filling a gap left in the Merrifield neighborhood’s dining options by Choolaah’s departure.

Rasa, a small but growing chain started in D.C. by two friends, will fully open its first Fairfax County location to customers this Saturday (July 30). Details about the grand opening will be forthcoming, the business said in an Instagram post on Friday (July 22).

Countywide

Most-read Fairfax County stories of the week: July 18-22

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 3:50PM

Thomas A. Edison High School along Franconia Road (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

The weekend is almost here. Before you search for relief from this weekend’s heat wave 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:

News

Possible rebuild and land sale in store for 52-year-old McLean church

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 2:15PM

Garfield Memorial Christian Church on Great Falls Road in McLean (via Google Maps)

Garfield Memorial Christian Church wants to stay in McLean, but in order to do so, it may need to sell part of its land.

The church’s board of trustees is seeking a special permit from Fairfax County that would enable it to construct a new, two-story building on a 0.87-acre portion of its property at 1731 Great Falls Street, according to an application filed on July 11.

Around Town

Free food alert: Insomnia Cookies gets grand opening in Fairfax

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated July 22, 2022 at 4:28PM

Insomnia Cookies is opening a bakery at University Mall in Fairfax City (courtesy Insomnia Cookies)

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) Insomnia Cookies has set up shop in Fairfax County.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the late-night bakery chain will open the doors of its new location at University Mall (10669 Braddock Road, Suite D-7) with a 13-hour grand opening event — and yes, there will be free cookies.

Around Town

Chopathi India Kitchen now open at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 10:15AM

A rice bowl with fish and malai, a butter-based sauce from Northern India (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A fast-casual Indian restaurant is now dishing out briyani, dosa wraps and more at Tysons Corner Center.

Chopathi India Kitchen quietly opened next to Chipotle on the Nordstrom side of the mall earlier this month after a build-out that took over a year, according to county permits.