Tysons | FFXnow - Part 348

Published March 1, 2024 at 11:00AM

Electric vehicle chargers (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

To further its environmental goals, Fairfax County’s to-do list should include building an electric vehicle charging network, addressing “critical” staff shortages, and addressing development pressure, the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) says in a new report.

An employee compensation policy update to attract and retain workers in departments such as wastewater and solid waste was the top recommendation in the 2023 Annual Report on the Environment (ARE), EQAC Chair Larry Zaragoza told the Board of Supervisors during its environmental committee meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 29).

News

Local teachers win grants from Wolf Trap Foundation for performing arts projects

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 1, 2024 at 10:15AM

Left to right: Fairfax High School teacher Meredith Barnes, Groveton Elementary School teacher Karine Chapdelaine and Robinson Secondary School band director Tiffany Hitz (headshots courtesy of the individuals)

Three Fairfax County Public Schools teachers will now be able to pursue unique arts projects with their students, thanks to financial assistance from the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.

A nonprofit that supports and programs Wolf Trap National Park, the foundation announced on Feb. 20 that it has awarded 13 grants from an annual program for D.C. area educators who teach music, dance or theater at public schools.

Countywide

Fairfax County reports steady progress towards affordable housing target

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 1, 2024 at 9:30AM

Upcoming affordable housing projects include One University, a new development near George Mason University that's expected to finish this summer (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County is moving steadily towards its target of building 10,000 net new affordable housing units by 2034.

The county has roughly 4,000 units built, planned or under construction that count towards the goal set in 2022, Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Deputy Director of Real Estate Development and Finance Anna Shapiro told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a housing committee meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 27).

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 1, 2024 at 8:15AM

A stone lion statue faces the Eden Center parking lot in Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Peak Bloom for Cherry Blossoms Predicted — “The cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin will reach peak bloom from March 23 to 26, 2024, the National Park Service announced at a National Cherry Blossom Festival press conference on Thursday…No matter when the flowers decide to bloom, this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival will take place from March 20 to April 14.” [Washingtonian]

Still No Resolution to Fairfax Connector Strike — “Fairfax Connector bus service will remain suspended through Friday, March 1 as unionized workers continue to strike, demanding a new contract with the bus’ contractor group…Negotiations between Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 and bus operator Transdev continued Thursday, though the session ended without a new contract for workers, according to union officials.” [WJLA]

News

GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley to hold rally in Idylwood ahead of primary

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 29, 2024 at 3:50PM

Nikki Haley speaks to supporters after the Republican presidential primary in South Carolina (via Nikki Haley/YouTube)

With Virginia’s presidential primary elections just around the corner, one candidate is hoping to whip up some support in Fairfax County before polls open next Tuesday (March 5).

Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley will hold a rally at The Westin Tysons Corner (7801 Leesburg Pike) in Idylwood at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday). It will be her second event in the state today after she visited Richmond at 12:30 p.m.

News

McLean fire department expands capacity by adding a third ambulance

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 29, 2024 at 1:30PM

The McLean Volunteer Fire Department has added a third ambulance, on the right, to its vehicle fleet (courtesy MVFD)

For the first time since it was established in 1921, the McLean Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) has expanded its vehicle fleet to three ambulances.

The newest ambulance began operating out of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s Station 1 (1455 Laughlin Avenue) on Feb. 21, but it will get an official, public reveal this Saturday (March 2) at the annual “I Love McLean” celebration.

Countywide

Fairfax County sees rising eviction rates as pandemic-era funding dwindles

By James Jarvis

Published February 29, 2024 at 11:45AM

A notice of eviction (via Allan Vega on Unsplash)

Eviction cases continue to rise in Fairfax County as the millions of dollars in financial and legal support allocated during the pandemic run out, county staff say.

Without the nationwide eviction moratorium that ended in August 2021 and federal relief funds, the county’s eviction numbers could have been much higher during the pandemic, staff told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a housing committee meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 27).

Around Town

Vienna ramen restaurant Akai Tori to close for good tonight

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 29, 2024 at 9:30AM

Akai Tori Ramen and Yakitori is closing its doors in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Perhaps the commercial building at 234 Maple Avenue East in Vienna is just not meant to be a ramen shop.

Its current occupant, Akai Tori Ramen & Yakitori, will dish out its last noodle soup bowl today (Thursday) before permanently closing its doors at 7 p.m. The restaurant announced the closure “with a heavy heart” via social media on Monday (Feb. 26), and it was first reported by Patch.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published February 29, 2024 at 8:15AM

Cars travel northbound along I-495 toward D.C. (staff photo by James Jarvis)

GMU’s Sports Stadium Proposal Questioned — “Students and neighbors of George Mason University are rallying in opposition to a proposed facility for Washington’s newly formed professional cricket team…GMU said it also could be an opportunity to move its successful baseball team out of an aging field and share a 5,000-person stadium on west campus.” [NBC4]

Co-Founder of Longtime Merrifield Restaurant Dies — “Kim Lai, the immigrant businessman who helped transform a small family-run establishment into one of the most widely recognized Vietnamese restaurants in the D.C. area, died Feb. 16…Lai died from a head injury, several hours after suffering a fall at home in Fairfax,” said Le Lai, one of his daughters who ran Four Sisters from 2014 until it closed last year. [Washington Post]

News

Construction to begin on McLean Central Park upgrades in March

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 28, 2024 at 3:30PM

A project to revitalize McLean Central Park will update and expand the playgrounds, add new walkways and relocate pedestrian lights (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Nearly two years after updating its vision for the future of McLean Central Park, the Fairfax County Park Authority is ready to start work on some of the planned upgrades.

Imperio Construction, a Delaware-based company contracted by the park authority, began mobilizing on the site at 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd this week, and active construction is expected to start during the first week of March.