Tysons | FFXnow - Part 327

Published November 28, 2023 at 11:45AM

Two teachers walk in a school corridor (via Virginia Department of Education/Facebook)

The Virginia Department of Education is launching a pilot program to help support new and inexperienced principals at federally designated at-risk schools in an effort to address what officials call a “crucial need.”

“We are excited about it. Mentoring principals has been a long time coming to the commonwealth,” said Randy Barrack, CEO of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals, which along with the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals is partnering with VDOE, in an email to the Mercury.

Countywide

Union for Fairfax Connector workers blasts pay proposal as contract nears expiration

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 28, 2023 at 10:15AM

A Fairfax Connector bus in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Connector’s operator and workers remain far apart in their negotiations for a new labor contract, says the union representing drivers and other employees of Northern Virginia’s largest public bus system.

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 accused contractor Transdev of “clearly not [being] serious about bargaining in good faith” in a strongly worded statement issued last Wednesday (Nov. 22), just before Thanksgiving.

Around Town

Steak and seafood restaurant with bar opens in Vienna at former Amphora diner

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 28, 2023 at 9:30AM

The Maple Room Restaurant and Lounge has opened at 377 Maple Avenue in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The successor to Vienna’s popular Amphora Restaurant has arrived, bringing high-end cuisine and cocktails.

The Maple Room Restaurant and Lounge opened at 377 Maple Avenue on Sunday (Nov. 26), meeting its stated goal of a November launch. An employee confirmed the opening but declined to comment for now, as the restaurant is still getting settled in.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published November 28, 2023 at 8:15AM

The Vienna Presbyterian Church opened for visitors during the town's annual Church Street Holiday Stroll (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Apple Store to Leave Fair Oaks Mall — “Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is expected to relocate its Fair Oaks Mall store to nearby Fairfax Corner as soon as late 2024, joining upscale furniture retailer Arhaus in a new building currently under construction…The move represents another big win for the open-air Fairfax Corner, which recently debuted a 12-story, 228-unit multifamily building, The Vista, and landed” a small-format Ikea store. [Washington Business Journal]

FCPS Accused of Revealing Rape Victim’s Identity — “A former Fairfax County Public Schools student who accuses the Virginia district of ignoring allegations that she was repeatedly raped, tortured and threatened when she was in middle school is demanding to know how officials accidentally revealed her identity last month.” [The 74]

News

NEW: Teen dies from injuries in Idylwood crash that hospitalized six

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 27, 2023 at 6:00PM

Shreve Road approaching the Pioneer Lane intersection in Idylwood (via Google Maps)

One of the passengers in last week’s SUV crash off of Shreve Road in Idylwood has died, Fairfax County police announced today (Monday).

Six people — all of them between 14 and 17 years old — were hospitalized with injuries seen as life-threatening after their 2003 Lincoln Aviator careened over a hill and crashed into a tree at the Pioneer Lane intersection on Nov. 20, according to police.

Countywide

Fairfax County updates zoning rules to allow brighter outdoor signs

By Melanie Pincus

Published November 27, 2023 at 3:30PM

An office building in Tysons displays a U.S. flag on an electronic sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Electronic signs on display at eligible businesses, schools and other establishments can now shine brighter at night.

In planned, commercial and industrial zoning districts within Fairfax County, electronic display signs can now reach brightness levels of up to 300 nits at night, compared to 100 nits previously.

Around Town

Korean fried chicken eatery, bb.q Chicken, is now open in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 27, 2023 at 2:30PM

The chain bb.q Chicken is now open at 8603 Westwood Center Drive in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The wait for a dedicated Korean fried chicken option in Tysons is over.

The chain bb.q Chicken opened its newest location this morning (Monday) at 8603 Westwood Center Drive, a company spokesperson confirmed to FFXnow.

Neighborhood Expert: End of year events in Vienna

By Sponsor

Published November 27, 2023 at 12:30PM

Santa waving at Vienna's annual Church Street Stroll (via Town of Vienna Facebook)

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.

It’s hard to believe we’re just a month away from entering 2024.

News

New McLean elementary school boundaries recommended to alleviate Kent Gardens crowding

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 27, 2023 at 11:00AM

Fairfax County Public Schools recommends adjusting boundaries for McLean elementary schools to relieve crowding at Kent Gardens (via FCPS)

A proposal to ease overcrowding at Kent Gardens Elementary School will require adjustments at four other elementary schools in McLean, but local middle and high schools have been spared.

The Fairfax County School Board will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. this Thursday (Nov. 30) to get community feedback on the recommended boundary changes, which will affect an estimated 380 students, according to Fairfax County Public Schools.

Countywide

Replacement of Lee, Lee-Jackson highway street signs underway

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 27, 2023 at 9:30AM

The small blue corner signs for Lee Highway and Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway are being replaced (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Officially, Fairfax County doesn’t have a Lee Highway or Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway anymore, but months after the names were dropped, they can still be seen on street signs throughout both corridors.

By the end of this month, that should no longer be the case — at least for smaller signs, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation says. A contractor is replacing the small blue signs at street corners with ones identifying the roadways as Route 29 and Route 50, respectively.