Author: Emily Leayman

Emily Leayman is a senior reporter at ARLnow, ALXnow and FFXnow. She was previously a field editor covering parts of Northern Virginia for Patch for more than eight years. A native of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, she lives in Northern Virginia.

News

Potential Oakton transportation improvements need more study, residents say

By Emily Leayman
The scope of Fairfax County's Oakton congestion mitigation and safety study (via FCDOT)

As part of a transportation study spurred by a planned redevelopment of the former AT&T campus in Oakton, potential roadway changes were presented at a community meeting on Tuesday (March 10).

The Oakton Congestion and Safety Study was initiated by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as a follow-up to its unanimous approval of a comprehensive plan amendment to allow mixed-use development on the company’s now-vacant, 33-acre Oakton office campus in 2025.

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Countywide

Stuff the Bus food drive returns this weekend across Fairfax County

By Emily Leayman
Stuff the Bus collection in 2025 (courtesy of Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services)

Fairfax County’s Stuff the Bus food drive to restock local food pantries will return to sites across the county on Saturday (March 14).

Eight grocery store parking lots will serve as collection points from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each site will benefit a different local food pantry. Residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable food or gift cards at the collection sites.

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Around Town

Spring to arrive with Easter Bunny, cherry blossom events at Tysons Corner Center

By Emily Leayman
Blossom Bash at Tysons Corner Center in 2025 (courtesy of Tysons Corner Center)

Spring fever is starting to appear at Tysons Corner Center, with the first day of the new season a little more than a week away.

The mall is hosting several seasonal programs, including the Easter Bunny’s return and official National Cherry Blossom Festival events. The cherry blossom-themed events will coincide with D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs between March 20 and April 12.

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News

Providence Rec Center closing for two-week maintenance project

By Emily Leayman
The Fairfax County Park Authority's Providence Rec Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Visitors to the Providence Rec Center will have to find another location for their workouts later this month.

The Fairfax County Park Authority announced plans yesterday to close the facility at 7525 Marc Drive in West Falls Church from Monday, March 23 to Sunday, April 5 for maintenance and upgrades.

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Around Town

Mosaic District restaurants partner for late-night pop-ups

By Emily Leayman
Mom and Pop at night in the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two eateries around the Mosaic District’s central green space are teaming up to bring new late-night experiences to the mixed-use district.

On two Saturdays (March 7 and 14), NAJA Mediterranean and Mom & Pop will host a late night shawarma and coffee pop-up outside the latter’s location (2909 District Avenue in Merrifield) from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

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News

Fairfax City sidewalk project rejected for federal funding

By Emily Leayman
Norman Avenue west of the Chain Bridge Road Service Road (via Google Maps)

The City of Fairfax will have to look for other funding means to add a new sidewalk after it missed out on potential financing from the regional Transportation Planning Board.

The city had applied for $3.25 million in funding to construct a sidewalk on Norman Avenue between the Chain Bridge Road Service Road and Hill Street. The funding would have covered a significant part of the project’s $10.8 million estimated cost.

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Around Town

Arlington-founded bakery aims to open Vienna location this spring

By Emily Leayman
A sign for Bakeshop has appeared on the future storefront at 421 Maple Avenue East in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Arlington-founded Bakeshop is getting closer to opening in the former location of Skorpios Maggio’s Greek Family Restaurant in Vienna.

Monica Garcia, the general manager at Bakeshop, told FFXnow that the bakery expects to open at 421 Maple Avenue East in early April. The business had originally hoped to open sometime in 2025.

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Around Town

Moo Thru targets summer opening for next ice cream shop in Burke

By Emily Leayman
Moo Thru's future location in Burke (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Moo Thru, a Virginia-based ice cream franchise, is working to open its next ice cream shop in Burke.

Franchise owner Morgan Johnson confirmed to FFXnow that the shop plans to open this summer at Burke Town Center (6025H Burke Centre Parkway). The timing is dependent on permit approvals and construction.

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Countywide

Braddock school board seat to be decided today, as redistricting referendum nears

By Emily Leayman
Vote dividers at a Fairfax County polling place for the 2023 general election (file photo)

Some voters will cast ballots in a special election for the Braddock District seat on the Fairfax County School Board today (Tuesday), while early voting for a statewide congressional redistricting amendment will begin later this week.

Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m. throughout the Braddock District. The special election is only open to registered voters in the Braddock District, but district residents can also register and vote a provisional ballot on Election Day at their assigned polling place.

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Countywide

Newly approved FCPS bus plan leaves out some elementary, middle schoolers

By Emily Leayman
A school bus on Lawyers Road near Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After approving new school attendance zone boundaries in January, the Fairfax County School Board opted to provide bus transportation to affected high school students, but not their elementary and middle school counterparts.

The school board voted 7-4 last Thursday (Feb. 26) to approve bus transportation for Fairfax County Public Schools high school students who have been drawn into new school boundaries but are eligible to remain in their current school.

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