Around Town

The locally owned businesses at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston hope residents will still have an appetite for shopping after they get stuffed on Thanksgiving and scramble to take advantage of (or avoid) Black Friday.

Several shops at the plaza will offer discounts, specials and other deals throughout the day on Small Business Saturday, which falls this year on Nov. 30, according to OmBaked CBD Boutique, one of the participants.


Countywide

The first major redesign of Metro’s bus operating network since the system’s founding in the early 1970s will help Fairfax County riders and those across the region, local transit leaders say.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) board of directors approved the Better Bus Network redesign last Thursday, Nov. 21. Two years in the making, the changes aim to create a more seamless, easy-to-understand system for riders that’s also more efficient for the transit agency.


News

At least one gunshot was reportedly fired at apartments in Tysons Towers, a senior living community off of Gosnell Road near the Greensboro Metro station.

Police officers responded to the 8500 block of Tyspring Street in Tysons at 7:58 p.m. last Friday (Nov. 22) after receiving a call for a “missile” fired into an occupied dwelling, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.


Event

It’s time to get festive. In partnership with Angelika Film Center, the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan is rolling into Mosaic to kick off the season! Take photos with the iconic Coca-Cola Polar Bear and see the truck before it heads to the next stop on its nationwide tour.

Catch Elf on the big screen, enjoy kids activities and face painting, send a letter to Santa and soak up all the festive fun!


News

The Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) is voicing strong objections to safety improvements proposed by the Virginia Department of Transportation for Walker Road, arguing that the plans could make the rural roadway more hazardous rather than safer.

VDOT released an assessment in October of the 2-mile stretch connecting Colvin Run Road to Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. The report recommends several safety improvements, including clearing vegetation, installing new signage and replacing the one-lane bridge over Piney Run with a two-lane structure.


Around Town

The clock is ticking on Whole Foods Market’s time in Idylwood.

The grocery store has rolled out signs at its Idylwood Plaza location (7511 Leesburg Pike) announcing that it will relocate “soon” to Falls Church City, where it will anchor the new Broad and Washington development at 103 E. Broad Street.


News

A former Fairfax City property manager will serve two years in prison for embezzling money from the 70-plus homeowners’ associations she served.

Rose Kasande Bailey, a 60-year-old Warrenton resident, was sentenced to two years in prison yesterday (Tuesday) after pleading guilty in August to wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.


Around Town

A new facility allowing kids to work on their soccer skills year-round is expected to open in the Kings Park West neighborhood next month.

KidsUnited, which uses soccer as a means of athletic and emotional development for kids, is targeting a December grand opening for its forthcoming Fairfax location, a company spokesperson told FFXnow.


Countywide
The Washington & Old Dominion Trail bridge over Center Street in Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

County Shares Holiday Giving Guide — “There are many ways to support your neighbors and community this holiday season. We’ve rounded up a list of giving opportunities right here in Fairfax County.” Options include the Toys for Tots campaign, a Winter Gear Donation Drive hosted by the Providence District office, and gift card and food donations. [Fairfax County Government]

Help Wanted for Annandale Fire Victim — “Deveri White has launched a fundraising drive to support her friend and coworker, Catherine ‘Kitty’ Dragonera, who was injured in a fire at her apartment in Annandale in the early morning of Nov. 23. The fire totally destroyed Kitty and her husband Matthew’s apartment at 4925 Americana Drive, and they lost everything.” [Annandale Today]

Undeveloped Tysons Site Sold — “A piece of the 40-acre Scotts Run development that was approved for a high-rise apartment project has traded hands for the second time in five years. Northmarq announced Friday it brokered the $18.5M sale of the 1.3-acre site, and a spokesperson for the brokerage told Bisnow the buyer was Falls Church-based Rushmark Properties.” [Bisnow]

Fairfax City Ice Cream Shop Reopens With New Owners — “Earlier this year, Sugar Mama’s Ice Cream closed [its] doors, but new owners Neel Vaidya and Palak Pael decided to reopen the long-time Fairfax City favorite. The couple also owns and runs Troy’s Italian Kitchen in Arlington … On Friday, the couple celebrated Sugar Mama’s grand reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.” [Patch]

Groveton School Hopes to Phase in Montessori Program — “Administrative leaders from Bucknell Elementary School (ES) in Groveton recently informed FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid that based on feedback from the school community, they would recommend phasing in a Montessori program for Pre-Kindergarten through third grade students from the 2025-2026 through the 2028-2029 school years.” [On the MoVe]

Police Make Arrest in Woodlawn Robbery — A 36-year-old man was charged with robbery, drug possession and obstruction of justice after allegedly robbing a woman at knifepoint on Nov. 22. The victim told police who responded to the 8200 block of Richmond Highway around 3:58 p.m. that the man “approached her with a knife, pushed her to the ground, and took her handbag.” [FCPD]

Springfield Record Factory Keeps Vinyl Alive — WTOP recently got a backstage tour of Furnace Record Pressing, one of the world’s largest independent vinyl record pressing companies. “Metallica bought a majority stake in Furnace’s operation about a year ago, and the Northern Virginia team said they’re grateful that the heavy metal giants have allowed them to continue to make records their way.” [WTOP]

It’s Wednesday — Expect increasing clouds and a high of 54 with calm winds in the afternoon. Rain will begin late tonight, accompanied by patchy fog and a low of 45; precipitation chances are 90%, with up to a quarter-inch expected. On Thanksgiving Day, rain will continue until early afternoon, followed by dissipating fog by 10am. The high will be around 54. [NWS]