Tysons | FFXnow - Part 263

Morning Notes

Published June 18, 2024 at 8:15AM

Pedestrian walkway between office buildings in Capital One Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Brace for Heat This Week — “The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts a prolonged period of hot weather this week with temperatures in the 90s, with increasing humidity and high temperatures. The combination of heat and humidity could result in heat indices above 100 degrees.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Driver Dies After Crashing Into House — “On May 13, around 10 a.m., officers responded to View Lane and Bold Lion Lane in Newington for a single-vehicle crash into a house.” Ellsworth Jackson Jr., 69, of Alexandria died at a hospital on May 22. A medical examiner determined that he died as a result of injuries from the crash, which occurred when he experienced a medical emergency. [FCPD]

Polls Open for Congressional Primaries — Polls across Fairfax County opened at 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) for a primary election that will determine “representatives for Virginia’s 10th and 11th Congressional districts, as well as the Republican who will challenge Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine this fall.” Polls will close at 7 p.m. [FFXnow]

Pizza Shop Opens in Annandale — “Jet’s Pizza opens [Monday] at 7026 Columbia Pike in the Annandale Shopping Center. Jet’s features Detroit-style deep-dish pizza, which is similar to Chicago pizza but is baked in a rectangular pan. That tends to make a better crust, says General Manager Bronson Parry.” [Annandale Today]

Vienna to Host Naturalization Ceremony — “On Saturday, June 29, 2024, 15 people from all walks of life will take that oath during a naturalization ceremony at 5 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center…The new U.S. citizens will be granted full voting rights and liberties granted to all native-born Americans.” The town previously hosted a ceremony in 2022. [Town of Vienna]

Oakton Rec Center Getting Facility Improvements — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will close Oakmont RECenter in Oakton from Aug. 19 through Sept. 14 to conduct several improvements following the close of summer camps. The agency will perform several building-maintenance projects and upgrades simultaneously to minimize the length of the closure.” [Gazette Leader]

New Principals Named for Elementary Schools — “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has announced new administrative leadership at two elementary schools that feed into West Potomac High School: Fort Hunt Elementary School (ES) and Hollin Meadows ES.” Jean Consolla will be the new principal for Fort Hunt, starting Aug. 1, and Jasibi Crews will get the position at Hollin Meadows. [On the MoVe]

Reston Pool Scheduled to Close on Friday — “The Hunters Woods Pool Facility will be closed for maintenance on Friday, June 21. It is expected to reopen on Saturday, June 22. In the meantime, pass holders are advised to visit nearby pool facilities, including Dogwood, Shadowood, and Glade.” [Reston Association/Twitter]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high around 93 degrees with south winds at 8 to 10 mph. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy, with lows near 68. For Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19, the weather will be mostly sunny, reaching a high near 91 degrees. [NWS]

Countywide

NEW: Deputy county executive hired to help revitalize Fairfax County is retiring

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 17, 2024 at 3:45PM

In front of the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

One of Fairfax County’s top administrative officials is stepping down from her post.

Deputy County Executive Rachel Flynn will retire on July 5, a county spokesperson says. A Google employee before she joined Fairfax County in 2019, Flynn oversees the public works, transportation, code compliance, and planning and development departments, along with the park authority.

News

At least two people injured in fiery crash on I-66

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 17, 2024 at 2:15PM

Firefighters respond to a vehicle crash on I-66 near Nutley Street (via FCFRD/Twitter)

Multiple people were hospitalized last night (Sunday) following a two-vehicle crash on I-66 near Vienna.

The two vehicles crashed in the interstate’s westbound lanes around 11:13 p.m. at the 62-mile marker near Nutley Street, according to the Virginia State Police. One of the vehicles caught on fire, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said.

Neighborhood Expert: Quick day trip ideas from Vienna

By Sponsor

Published June 17, 2024 at 12:30PM

Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or Laura@GuidingYourMove.com.

I love a quick day trip to change things up for everyone.

A day at the beach is good for my soul, along with my family, but some of you may prefer an amusement park or other activity, so trying to pull together a list of quick day trips for you we have:

Beaches

Colonial Beach, Virginia: 90 minutes away from Tysons, easy parking, on the Potomac River so very few waves, shallow water, fishing pier. Cute snow cone and ice cream spot (try the chocolate éclair ice cream!).
Aquia Landing Park — Stafford, Virginia: About an hour from Tysons, there’s a fee for access, popular fishing spot and beach for swimming.
Sandy Point — Annapolis, Maryland: An hour drive from Tysons, Sandy Point is a popular beach for a day just before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge with lots of space for distancing, sand and water.
Mason Neck State Park — Lorton, Virginia: This small hidden gem is located under an hour from Tysons and offers fishing, canoe and kayak rentals (call ahead for a reservation), swimming and walking trails. There’s also a golf course.
Lake Anna State Park — Spotsylvania, Virginia: About 2 hours away, sand and water for swimming and playing, camping grounds for overnight stays, no tents allowed on the beach, lots of walking trails.
Calvert Cliffs — Lusby, Maryland: Located about 90 minutes from Tysons, Calvert Cliffs is a Maryland state park featuring fishing, swimming and walking trails. $7 per car day use for Virginia state plates.
Matapeake Clubhouse & Beach: Just over an hour to Kent Island, Maryland, this is a public beach for swimming. This is also a dog friendly beach.

Amusement Parks

Hershey Park: About 2-2.5 hours
Dutch Wonderland: About 2.5 hours, great for the elementary school or younger kids
Six Flags — Bowie, Maryland: About an hour
Kings Dominion: 1.5 hours

Hope you enjoy the start to your summer!

Sunglasses (Photo via Ethan Robertson on Unsplash)

News

Monument Drive commuter garage to begin operations this Saturday

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published June 17, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated August 1, 2024 at 10:15AM

A Fairfax Connector bus at the new Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center (via Fairfax County's Channel 16)

Commuters in the Fairfax Corner and Fair Oaks area will soon have a brand-new facility where they can park their car or bicycle before catching a bus or rideshare.

The Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage will become operational this Saturday, June 22, following a ribbon cutting on Thursday (June 20), according to a Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) spokesperson.

Around Town

New McLean bubble tea shop puts art of tea on display

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 17, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated June 17, 2024 at 6:11PM

ArTea in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two local families, bonded by a love of tea, recently opened a shop on the edge of downtown McLean to share their passion with the community.

ArTeA TeaShop quietly began serving customers at 6635 Old Dominion Drive on May 1, tweaking the menu and continuing to train staff before a more formal launch — and the addition of delivery options — last Tuesday (June 11).

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published June 17, 2024 at 8:15AM

Strawberry Lane was closed in Merrifield on Saturday, June 15 for the Mosaic District’s first Philippine Independence Day Festival (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Missing Woman Found Dead in Springfield — “Officers responded to the 7600 block of Highland Street in Springfield [on Friday, June 14] for a death investigation. A community member alerted officers to a body that was found near a wooded area. Officers located and identified Fayra Desiree Bonilla-Rubi, 26, of Springfield. She was reported missing on June 10 by family members.” [FCPD]

Pickleball Players Stage Sit-In at Annandale Courts — “The Fairfax County Park Authority has followed through on its decision to shut down pickleball at Kendale Woods Park…but the players have not given up on their fight to save the courts. As a Park Authority staff member and contractors showed up at the courts before 7 a.m. on June 14, they were met with a handful of players staging a sit-in.” [Annandale Today]

FCPS to Add More Early-Release Mondays — “Fairfax County Public Schools is adding seven early release days to its elementary school calendar for the 2024-25 school year so teachers have enough time to finish required Virginia trainings. At Thursday’s school board meeting, Superintendent Michelle Reid unveiled the plan to add the three-hour early release days on seven Mondays.” [WTOP]

Vienna Police Stop Ice Cream Truck — Vienna police officers stopped an ice cream truck on Ayr Hill Avenue NE around 3:43 p.m. on June 6 for “violating the noise ordinance and soliciting without a permit.” After the officers found that the truck’s tags were expired and the driver lacked a required solicitor permit, the driver agreed to stop operating it until he got the permit and updated the vehicle’s registration. [Vienna Police]

Sandwich Shop Coming to Huntington — “JaWa Sandwich Shop, a restaurant specializing in a variety of sandwiches, will open at the former WNB Factory space at Huntington Gateway, according to owner Seung Lee…Following a soft opening in early July, Lee anticipates a grand opening for JaWa in August.” [On the MoVe]

Man Docks at Every Capital Bikeshare Station — “[Stanley] Seiden, a contractor with the State Department, spent the next two years traveling to far-flung corners of the DMV, on a quest to visit every single Capital Bikeshare station. While the app stopped giving him push notifications after about 13 percent, Seiden kept pedaling, and last Saturday he reached his goal.” [Washingtonian]

Stamps Featuring U.N. HQ Unveiled in Tysons — “The United Nations Postal Administration issued a pane of 10 stamps June 7 showing images of the U.N. headquarters in New York City…The Napex stamp show held June 7-9 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Drive in McLean, Va., hosted a first-day ceremony for the stamps.” [Linn’s Stamp News]

It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a high temperature of around 91°F, accompanied by a south wind at about 10 mph. As night falls, the weather will be mostly clear with a low temperature near 70°F and a south wind ranging between 6 and 10 mph. [NWS]

Around Town

The Boro’s movie theater will close temporarily, starting Monday

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 14, 2024 at 2:30PM

Tysons ShowPlace Icon Theatre at night in The Boro (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The silver screens at Tysons ShowPlace Icon Theatre will briefly go dark next week.

The Boro’s movie theater (1667 Silver Hill Drive) is scheduled to close temporarily from Monday through Thursday (June 17-20), a manager confirmed to FFXnow. However, details about why the theater is closing and what comes next have proven elusive.

Countywide

Fairfax County Library launches summer reading program with children’s festival

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 14, 2024 at 1:30PM

Families browse books during the 2023 Children's Summer Reading Festival at Chantilly Regional Library (courtesy Xande Anderer/Fairfax Library Foundation)

Classes are out, and summer reading is in for Fairfax County students.

Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) officially kicked off its annual Summer Reading Program on Wednesday (June 12), encouraging youngsters and adults alike to dig into books and tackle various literary activities to earn prizes.

News

Report: Family of McLean man fatally shot by police sues FCPD

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 14, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated June 14, 2024 at 6:44PM

Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The family of a McLean man who was shot and killed by the police in 2022 has sued the Fairfax County Police Department for wrongful death.

The lawsuit was filed in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Wednesday (June 12), the Washington Post reported. It alleges that Police First Class Officer Edward George “had no reasonable ground” to believe he or anyone else was in immediate danger when he shot 26-year-old Jasper Aaron Lynch multiple times at the Lynch family home on July 7, 2022.