Tysons | FFXnow - Part 272

Morning Notes

Published May 20, 2024 at 8:15AM

Cars with anime designs and food stalls line University Drive for the Asian Festival on Main in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

UAE Eyes Diplomatic Compound in McLean — “The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government dropped $55 million for 18 acres stretching along the Potomac River in McLean, where it plans to build a diplomatic compound, reports the Washington Business Journal (WBJ).” [Axios DC]

Two Charged in Bailey’s Crossroads Shooting — “Detectives have charged two men in connection with [Friday’s] shooting in Bailey’s Crossroads that left one man dead.” A 20-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Alder Perez Argueta from Bailey’s Crossroads, and a 25-year-old faces charges of robbery resulting in death and gang participation. [FCPD]

Around Town

Nearing 1-year anniversary, Joon in Tysons unveils new bar and patio

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 17, 2024 at 2:30PM

May Bar, a new bar and lounge, shares space with the Persian restaurant Joon in Tysons (courtesy May Bar)

Joon has expanded its offerings in Tysons with the addition of a bar and patio.

Named after a poetic Farsi term for “wine,” May Bar began serving customers inside the Persian restaurant at 8045 Leesburg Pike yesterday (Thursday). The launch was timed for late spring to coincide with the opening of an outdoor patio that will host DJs on Friday nights going forward, Joon co-owner Reza Farahani told FFXnow.

Around Town

Northern Virginia Woofie’s host ‘Paws in the Park’ pet adoption event at Wolf Trap

By Inside NoVA

Published May 17, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated May 19, 2024 at 6:30PM

Apollo, a dog up for adoption from PetConnect Rescue (courtesy Woofie's)

Owners of six Woofie’s franchises in Northern Virginia are hosting a “Paws in the Park” pet adoption event tomorrow (Saturday) at Wolf Trap National Park.

Participating Woofie’s include Reston/Herndon, Ashburn-Leesburg, McLean, Western Loudoun, South Riding-Aldie and Fairfax. Woofie’s mobile pet services include dog walking, grooming, nail trimming, Bed ‘n Biscuit pet stays, overnight and daytime pet sitting, and other personalized services for area pet owners.

Countywide

County requests federal funding for hybrid and diesel Fairfax Connector buses

By James Jarvis

Published May 17, 2024 at 11:30AM

Fairfax Connector (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has the green light to apply for a federal grant to replace dozens of buses in its Fairfax Connector fleet.

However, none of the new buses will be all-electric, despite the county’s earlier pledges to electrify its fleet of vehicles.

Around Town

Tysons Corner Center to kick off summer with grand opening for new garden

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 17, 2024 at 10:30AM

The country band Delta Spur performs on the Plaza at Tysons Corner Center for the mall's 2023 summer concert series (courtesy Tysons Corner Center)

Fresh produce, good dogs and live music are coming to the Plaza at Tysons Corner Center this summer.

The mall has announced an extensive lineup of events for the next few months, highlighted by the introduction of the Giving Garden, a 500-square-foot urban farm that was installed on the Plaza Wednesday night (May 15).

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 17, 2024 at 8:15AM

The splash pad at the Mosaic District in Merrifield has been turned on (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Man Killed in Bailey’s Crossroads Shooting — “Officers are on scene of a shooting in the 6000 blk of Argyle Dr in Bailey’s Crossroads. An adult man was taken to the hospital and pronounced deceased. Preliminary, involved parties appear to be known to each other. Detectives are on scene investigating.” [FCPD]

Congress Approves More National Airport Flights — “More long-haul flights are coming to Reagan National Airport. And people annoyed by helicopter noise will continue to have their voice heard. Those are two of the main local impacts from the FAA reauthorization bill just approved by Congress. The bill now awaits President Biden’s signature.” [ARLnow]

Around Town

Summer concerts and movies unveiled by Fairfax County Park Authority

By Melanie Pincus

Published May 16, 2024 at 3:30PM

Fairfax County's annual Summer Entertainment Series will kick off on June 1 (via Fairfax County Park Authority/Twitter)

The Fairfax County Park Authority has composed a slate of summer shows, including Grammy honorees, drive-in movies and a range of dancers.

Nearly 200 live events will take place across more than a dozen locations between June 1 and Aug. 31.

Countywide

Fairfax County teachers voice frustration over reduced pay raises in new budget

By James Jarvis

Published May 16, 2024 at 1:30PM

The Fairfax County School Board holds a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget (via FCPS/Youtube)

With just days to go before Fairfax County Public Schools finalizes its fiscal year 2025 budget, teachers voiced frustration this week with the news that school employees will get lower-than-expected pay raises.

As it stands, the Fairfax County School Board is on track to adopt a revised budget that includes a 3% pay increase for all school employees, down from the initially proposed 6%, starting July 1.

Countywide

Fairfax Connector proposes bus service changes, fare hike

By Jamie Rogers

Published May 16, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated July 10, 2024 at 4:45PM

The side of a Fairfax Connector bus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Connector is gathering public input on a plan to adjust bus service while increasing fares by 12.5%.

The Connector is increasing its base fare from $2 to $2.25 and express fares from $4.25 to $4.80 to match Metrobus fares, which will increase in an effort by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to address a budget shortfall.

Around Town

Vienna, McLean restaurants among D.C. area’s best newcomers, WaPo says

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 16, 2024 at 9:30AM

Peter Chang opened at 6715 Lowell Avenue in McLean on Oct. 12, 2023 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two relative newcomers to Fairfax County’s dining scene have found favor with the Washington Post’s food critic.

Tom Sietsema, a critic for the newspaper since 2000, included The Maple Room in Vienna and Peter Chang in McLean on his round-up of the 26 best new restaurants in the D.C. area. The list was published yesterday (Wednesday) as part of a spring 2024 dining guide to celebrate “what’s new, but also what’s worth your time and money,” Sietsema wrote.