Tysons | FFXnow - Part 383

Published June 15, 2023 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County will alight with joy and celebration with a variety of opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth this coming weekend (June 17-19).

Just last week on June 6, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors officially recognized Monday, June 19 of this year as Juneteenth. Only recently anointed a state and federal holiday, the occasion commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved men and women in Galveston, Texas finally heard the news that they had been freed two years prior under the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published June 15, 2023 at 7:30AM

Greetings from the City of Fairfax mural (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

FCPD Cracks Down on Retail Theft — The Fairfax County Police Department is launching a 2023 Summer Crime Prevention Initiative that will focus on retail theft for June, with increased patrols and public engagement efforts in affected areas. Deputy Chief of Patrol Bob Blakely says 20% of all crime in the county only occurs at 20 addresses, and “most of that crime is larceny.” [ABC7]

Police Called on Local Prosecutor at Manassas Bar — “Police body camera footage shows a Deputy Fairfax County prosecutor refusing to leave a Manassas bar after closing…A second woman, who identified as an assistant Fairfax County prosecutor, and the drunken woman as her superior, was also trying to coax the woman into the car so that she could drive her home.” [Potomac Local News]

Around Town

New summer concert series coming to the Mosaic District

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 14, 2023 at 2:15PM | Updated June 23, 2023 at 12:19PM

Strawberry Lane will get blocked off Saturday nights this summer for a new Mosaic Live concert series (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Updated at 12:20 p.m. on 6/23/2023 — The Mosaic Live kick-off event on Saturday has been canceled due to forecasted inclement weather, according to Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik. The series will instead begin on July 1 with the Munit Mesfin Band.

Earlier: Live music will take over Strawberry Lane at Mosaic District this summer.

Countywide

County seeks to recharge struggling program that funds energy efficient construction

By Matt Blitz

Published June 14, 2023 at 1:30PM

Electric vehicle chargers (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is restarting and opting into a statewide program that helps commercial properties with financing for energy efficiency and resiliency improvements.

Last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the amending and re-adoption of the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACE) program, which aims to assist commercial building owners with energy and water-saving improvements for little to no upfront costs.

Aging Well: Draw a handful of benefits with mah-jongg

By Sponsor

Published June 14, 2023 at 12:30PM

Mah-jongg is a fun and engaging game that is a great way to expand your social circle while enjoying an amazing workout for your brain.

This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.

More than a game, mah-jongg offers opportunities to socialize with other players and is an effective workout for your brain.

News

Bond revoked for alleged driver in Tysons theft, police pursuit case

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 14, 2023 at 10:15AM

Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A Fairfax County judge has revoked the bond for one of the four people who allegedly stole from Nordstrom Rack and led police on a vehicle chase in Tysons last week.

The man allegedly behind the wheel during the pursuit, which involved collisions with multiple police cruisers, was initially granted a $5,000 personal recognizance bond by the Fairfax County General District Court on Thursday (June 8).

Countywide

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 14, 2023 at 7:30AM | Updated June 14, 2023 at 10:16AM

A bicyclist passes a deer standing by the W&OD Trail (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston Barnes and Noble Opening Delayed — The bookstore’s grand opening at The Spectrum has been postponed to tomorrow (Thursday). Barnes and Noble didn’t return multiple requests for comment from FFXnow. [Barnes & Noble Reston/Instagram]

D.C. Area Is Currently in a Drought — “According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the D.C. region is currently in a moderate drought — the least severe of four drought levels. May 2023 was the driest May on record in D.C. since 1999, with 2.4 inches less rain than in an average year.” If the Potomac River drops low enough, “residents could be asked to conserve water.” [DCist]

Around Town

NEW: Starr Hill Brewery to expand in Tysons with new pub

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 13, 2023 at 1:30PM

Starr Hill Biergarten is expanding at Capital One Center with a brewpub, coming in 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Visitors to Capital One Center in Tysons might’ve noticed signs advertising an upcoming change for Starr Hill Brewery, operator of the development’s rooftop beer garden.

The company confirmed today (Tuesday) that it will expand its presence in the neighborhood with a new, street-level brewpub, featuring a new food menu and two bars.

Countywide

AG Jason Miyares petitions for merit award investigation report, drawing FCPS objection

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 13, 2023 at 10:15AM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

The unexpectedly long-running saga of Fairfax County Public Schools’ delayed National Merit Scholarship commendation notices has added a new page.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has petitioned the Fairfax County Circuit Court to require FCPS to turn over the full report it commissioned from an outside law firm in January, killing any hopes school officials had that releasing a summary of the review’s findings would resolve the state investigation.

News

Finished Nutley Street interchange at I-66 expected to open tomorrow

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 13, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated June 13, 2023 at 9:55AM

An aerial view of the Nutley Street and I-66 interchange, as of April (via VDOT)

The new Nutley Street interchange at I-66 just south of Vienna is about to achieve its final form.

Lanes that will let drivers going from Nutley to I-66 bypass the dreaded roundabouts are scheduled to open tomorrow (Wednesday), the Virginia Department of Transportation recently announced.