A natural gas-powered stove burner (photo via Kwon Junho on Unsplash)
Fairfax County’s leaders agree that natural gas companies need to communicate more with them and the public on major pipeline projects, but they appear divided on how to make that happen.
At a land use committee meeting on May 14, county staff presented the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors with potential options for regulating “high-pressure” pipelines under local streets. The review was specifically prompted by community opposition to a 2-foot-wide pipeline that Washington Gas plans to build through Pimmit Hills.
The Dragons Concord is a tabletop roleplay gaming center that focuses on providing a safe and professional roleplay and miniature wargaming experience.
Open to children ages 8-14, this camp will run weekly from June 17 to August 16 and give your children an opportunity to make new friends while playing exciting roleplaying games including miniatures painting, character portraits and more!
In addition to our upcoming summer camp, our themed private gaming rooms, free public gaming tables, and growing staff of professional game masters, are all oriented toward one goal — to make roleplay gaming as accessible and fun as we can for everyone!
We’ve had an amazing reception by the community since we first opened our doors last June and look forward to another year.
Gaming at Dragons Concord
The demand for quality game masters is increasing faster than ever before, and we intend to meet that demand head on. Our Storytellers are some of the best in the area, and we work together as a team to both improve our own skills and find ways to improve the community as well.
Dragons Concord is located at 11215 US-29 Suite L, Fairfax, VA 22030. Stop by anytime! And be sure to follow @dragons_concord on Instagram and Facebook.
A Capital Bikeshare station at the West Falls Church Metro station (file photo)
The Town of Vienna may soon be getting its long-planned Capital Bikeshare stations.
During its meeting on May 16, the town’s Board of Architectural Review approved site plans for three rental bicycle docking stations: one at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE), one in the Town Hall parking lot at 127 Center Street South, and one near the entrance to Navy Federal Credit Union’s headquarters at 801 Follin Lane SE.
The Fairfax County Police Department hopes to slam the brakes on street racing and rowdy car meets, among other issues, with a new summer crime prevention initiative.
The three-month campaign launched yesterday (Tuesday) with an initial focus on “community-based crimes,” particularly the “reckless street takeovers” that have periodically cropped up around the county and activities at bars and other late-night businesses, the FCPD said in a press release.
The Needle and Mesh building in Old Town Fairfax (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Man Wins Lawsuit Against TysonsBank — “A federal jury recently ruled that a Tysons Corner-based bank must repay a client $1.5 million over wrongful transfers. On Friday, the jury…handed down a verdict that favored 81-year-old Richard Bennett of Annandale in a trial against Old Dominion National Bank.” [WUSA9]
PSA on Bird Flu Outbreak — “There have been no reported H5N1 bird flu infections in dairy cows or people in Virginia,” but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring a “multistate outbreak” of infections in dairy cows that have led to three human cases. The Fairfax County Health Department has tips for owners of chickens and other birds, who may be at higher risk of infection. [FCHD]
VDOT Shares Planting Plan for 495 NEXT Project — “VDOT officials recently held several virtual and in-person sessions to update the community on its revegetation plans,” which will bring trees and greenery back to areas cleared for the Capital Beltway (I-495) widening. “Project officials are arranging for native trees, bushes and other plants to be installed along the project’s route.” [Gazette Leader]
Biotech Company Opens Office in Fairfax City — “Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED) announces the arrival of Genetix IQ, a leading biotechnology company, to its dynamic business landscape. This significant addition follows the recent modernization of Fairfax City’s zoning rules, marking a pivotal step in expanding the City’s technological and innovative ecosystem.” [FCED]
McLean to Celebrate Fourth of July inJune — “The McLean Community Center’s annual Independence Day fireworks celebration will be held on Saturday, June 29 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Langley High School. ‘The whole family will enjoy music, food trucks, giveaways and, at dusk, a huge fireworks display,’ center officials said.” [Gazette Leader]
Local Companies Make Fortune 500 — Fortune’s annual ranking of the country’s highest-earning companies based on total fiscal year revenue includes three Tysons-based companies: Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (jumping 42 spots to no. 406), Booz Allen Hamilton (no. 422) and Capital One (no. 91). “Reston homebuilder NVR Inc. slid 30 spots to No. 406.” [Washington Business Journal]
Private Jet Hangers Planned at Dulles Airport — “Phoenix, Arizona-based Sky Harbour Group Corporation has signed a lease with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to develop a Sky Harbour Home Base campus at Dulles.” The company said the 18-acre development “will create hundreds of jobs.” [WTOP]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms, increasing in likelihood after 2pm with a high near 83°F. The chance of precipitation is 80%. Rain could continue at night, which will see a low around 71°F. [NWS]
Sushi Oishii is now open in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
A new Japanese restaurant has opened its doors in the Town of Vienna, complete with an all-you-can-eat sushi bar.
Sushi Oishii is currently in its soft opening phase after starting to serve customers at 234 Maple Avenue East in the evening of May 17. It took over from Akai Tori Ramen & Yakitori, which shuttered in February less than a year after opening.
The Virginia Telemental Health Initiative is expanding to 12 new clinics (via Virginia Telemental Health Initiative/Facebook
The Virginia Telemental Health Initiative is up and running as Virginia’s first statewide, free virtual mental health clinic after successfully completing a pilot phase.
The nonprofit initiative offers free tele-mental health services to eligible uninsured or under-insured Virginians, according to a news release.
The American Legion Bridge heading into Virginia (via MDOT)
Transportation staff from Maryland crossed the Potomac River last week to gather data in McLean for their long-planned American Legion Bridge replacement project.
According to a notice shared by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) sent a field team last Thursday (May 30) to investigate the drainage along Live Oak Drive.
Power lines near Jefferson District Park in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Climate Activists Rally Against DataCenters — “Dozens of environmental activists took part in a rally June 2 in Reston to push for more state and local action to pause the out-of-control expansion of data centers…The Fairfax County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider proposed zoning changes on June 5 that would impose some restrictions on data centers, but the activists say they don’t go far enough.” [Annandale Today]
Reston Man Arrested on DUI — “A 24-year-old Reston man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol [on May 29] in Fairfax City. City of Fairfax Police responded around 2:36 a.m. for the report of a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Fairfax Boulevard and Fair Woods Parkway.” [Patch]
Housing to Open on Former Motel Site Soon — “Pulte Homes expects to have the first of its properties in the Overlook at Fairfax Boulevard development in Fairfax City available for purchase this summer, according to a BusinessWire report. The development is located on the former site of the Breezeway Motel on Fairfax Boulevard.” [Patch]
Afghan Refugee to Graduate from FCPS — “Four years ago, Samiullah Luddin was new to the U.S. His father had escaped the Taliban and brought him and his four siblings to Fairfax County from Afghanistan…Despite the learning challenges that came with a new country, a new school, new technology, and a pandemic, the Annandale student never gave up, and on June 3, he will graduate” from Annandale High School. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Vienna Replacing Park Merry-Go-Round — “It’s last call for those who over the past 40 years have loved the metal merry-go-around at Meadow Lane Park in Vienna…Town officials are planning a celebration on Tuesday, June 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. to say goodbye to the childhood favorite, in place since the early 1980s.” [Gazette Leader]
Metro Service Changes in Effect — As of Sunday (June 2), Metro has implemented “a minor service adjustment on the Orange Line during the weekend and off-peak on weekdays. On Metrobus, changes will take place on 31 routes starting on June 16, including expanded service on high-demand routes and schedule changes to improve reliability.” [WMATA]
It’s Tuesday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 86, but there’s a 20% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Those will clear up before 8pm, with a slight possibility of showers resuming after 2am. Night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. [NWS]
A historical marker honoring civil rights activist Lillian Blackwell is unveiled in front of Oakton High School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
When students arrive at Oakton High School, they will now encounter a historical marker honoring civil rights activist Lillian Blackwell, whose own children might not have been allowed inside when the school opened in 1967 if not for her advocacy.
Fairfax County officials unveiled the plaque detailing Blackwell’s legacy, including her fight against the segregation of local public schools and movie theaters, at a ceremony on Saturday (June 1) attended by some of her family members and the students who suggested her for the recognition.
