local business | FFXnow

Morning Notes

Published April 22, 2022 at 7:30AM

Tulips across from Vienna Presbyterian Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

It’s Earth Day — The Fairfax County Park Authority launched a new Earth Day website this week to provide information on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to promote environmental stewardship. The annual occasion started in 1970 “to generate awareness and support for environmental protection.” [FCPA]

Community Raises $20K for Young Reston Soccer Player — “Aaron, a player in the Great Falls-Reston Soccer Club, recently told his coach that he couldn’t come to practice because he didn’t have any cleats. The elite soccer player explained that he was one of the 15 people who’d been displaced by a fire at the Stonegate Village Apartment complex in Reston on April 10.” [Patch]

Around Town

As Independent Bookstore Day nears, Vienna shop reflects on five years of building local literary community

By Rick Horner

Published April 20, 2022 at 3:00PM

Bards Alley bookstore in Vienna (file photo)

The next few months will be busy ones for Vienna’s local, independent bookshop.

First, there are Independent Bookstore Day celebrations to prepare for on April 30. Then, in July, Bards Alley will mark its fifth anniversary since opening its doors at 110 Church Street NW in 2017.

Countywide

Two Tysons-based companies ranked among top 10 places to work in U.S.

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 19, 2022 at 10:30AM

Approaching Capital One's headquarters in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

At many businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed worker frustrations and fueled labor conflicts, but that apparently isn’t the case at two of Tysons’ most prominent employers.

The hospitality giant Hilton and financial corporation Capital One both made the top 10 of Fortune’s 2022 list of the “100 Best Companies to Work for” in the U.S., released on April 11.

Countywide

Reston bakery Nordic-Knot competes for $60k prize in national contest

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 15, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:42PM

The business is one of 10 finalists in the country (Photo via Studio-M Photos & Jennifer Heffner Photography)

A Reston-based pretzel bakery is vying for up to $60,000 in prize money from a national small business competition sponsored by Barclays Bank.

The only finalist from Virginia, Nordic-Knot was chosen from a pool of nearly 5,000 entries based on criteria like creativity, innovation, and perseverance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Small Business Big Wins” contest is intended to give businesses impacted by the pandemic a big boost.

Countywide

Tysons-based security firm helps people escape Ukrainian war zone

By Rick Horner

Published April 13, 2022 at 11:15AM

Ukraine flags tied to a bridge in Germany ask for help (via Benjamin Marder/Unsplash)

A Tysons-based security firm has spent the past two months working to help people escape from war-torn Ukraine.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, Global Guardian has assisted in the evacuation of more than 7,500 people out of the country.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 13, 2022 at 7:30AM

People sit and walk by Occoquan River in Lorton (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Arrests in Fairfax and Arlington Counties Stir Debate over Bail Reform — “The man who was arrested on Sunday for robbery and carjacking after an inter-jurisdiction car chase on I-395 was awaiting trial in Fairfax County for stealing a car, court records show…Randall Mason, the president of the Arlington Coalition of Police, said Fairfax County’s release of the alleged carjacker put officers, the driver and the public at risk of injury.” [ARLnow]

Fairfax Real Estate Listing Goes Viral — “The $800,000 listing, a five-bedroom, 3.5-bath, single-family home, is only accepting all-cash offers despite needing multiple repairs and coming with roommates who aren’t paying rent and don’t have a lease. Oh, and potential buyers can’t see the lower level.” [Axios]

Countywide

Clever basketball shot seen on TikTok builds empire for Fairfax County man

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 8, 2022 at 3:00PM

The restaurant is located in D.C. (photo courtesy Halal Wrist)

A phrase that started as a basketball trick has translated into a social media empire and a restaurant for two Fairfax County natives.

Halal Wrist began as a clever maneuver of the hand that enabled Soufiane Bernoukh to make a perfect basketball shot. The trick shot was caught on video and soon went viral on TikTok and was coined “Halal Wrist.” Halal is an Islamic term that denotes permissibility.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 29, 2022 at 7:30AM

Cherry blossoms on cloudy day in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Life Sentences Recommended in McLean Murder Case — “A Fairfax County jury delivered a guilty verdict Monday against a woman accused of killing her own mother and sister in 2017. Megan Hargan, 35, was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder, and two counts of using a firearm in committing a felony.” [WUSA9]

Great Falls Fire Caused by Garage Door Opener — A house fire in the 9900 block of Deer Pond Drive on March 22 was caused by “an electrical event involving wiring to a garage door opener,” Fairfax County Fire and Rescue investigators say. The fire didn’t result in any injuries or displacements, but it caused approximately $87,500 in property damages. [FCFRD]

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 25, 2022 at 7:30AM

Cherry blossoms in Tysons (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

New Issues Hamper Silver Line Phase 2 — While a summer opening is still possible, don’t expect the Silver Line extension from Reston into Loudoun County before July 1, Metro officials said yesterday (Thursday), citing waterproofing and insulation issues around power cable connections. Past problems with “the orange boot” have caused fire and smoke incidents. [DCist]

County Residents Report Lags in Rent Assistance — “Sarah Allen, regional director of Fairfax County Human Services, told InsideNoVa in October the county was rolling out a separate online portal that tenants could also use to apply for assistance. The online portal has yet to launch, according to a county spokesperson who said it’s still in development.” [Inside NoVA]

News

Vienna juice shop to mark first-year anniversary with charity fundraiser, pilates

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 24, 2022 at 2:15PM

Greenheart Juice Shop's Vienna location is approaching its first-year anniversary (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Greenheart Juice Shop has survived its first year in Vienna, despite the challenges of opening a new store in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To celebrate the milestone, the business will throw a party this weekend (March 26-27) with free fitness classes, cookie and dog treat pop-up shops, a “mocktail” brunch, musical performances, and a raffle.