Tysons | FFXnow - Part 434

Morning Notes

Published April 24, 2023 at 7:30AM

The clock on top of Graham Center on Arlington Blvd (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Bijan Ghaisar’s Family to Settle Lawsuit Over Shooting — “The family of Bijan Ghaisar, shot dead by two U.S. Park Police officers as he slowly drove his Jeep Grand Cherokee away from them in 2017, agreed to settle their lawsuit against the agency for $5 million, according to a court filing Friday.” The agreement still needs to be approved by a judge. [The Washington Post]

Fatal Crash in Chantilly Under Investigation — “A 39-year-old man died in a car crash in Chantilly, Virginia Saturday morning after speeding away from a DWI checkpoint, according to Fairfax County Police. Around 1:15 a.m. officers responded to a two-car crash near the intersection of Lee Highway and Bull Run Post Office Road. Once on scene, they found a man, later identified as Ashton Robinson, who had been thrown from his car.” [WUSA9]

Around Town

McLean Big Buns and Matchbox set grand opening with free food samples

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 21, 2023 at 1:15PM

Big Buns Damn Good Burgers and Matchbox in McLean (courtesy Thompson Hospitality)

After a few months of settling into McLean, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers and Matchbox are evidently ready for a housewarming party.

The two restaurants paired with McLean’s Lidl grocery store on Chain Bridge Road will get a grand opening celebration, complete with an official ribbon-cutting, this coming Wednesday (April 26).

Countywide

Local bards invited to summon their inner John Keats for county library’s poetry contest

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 21, 2023 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County Poet Laureate Danielle Badra's recent Arab-American Heritage Poetry Reading included a workshop on Ghazal, an Arabic verse form (courtesy ArtsFairfax)

O, muse, send me your cleverest rhymes, your liveliest verses and most starry-eyed odes to nightingales.

So says Fairfax County Public Library, as time ticks down on its second annual poetry contest.

News

Moms rally to raise $400,000 for new McLean Central Park playground

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 21, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated April 25, 2023 at 4:28PM

The current tot lot at McLean Central Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 5:25 p.m.) McLean Central Park is getting a new playground, but the exact design will depend on whether a group of local moms can raise nearly $400,000 by the end of this year.

Ideally, the facility will have a rubberized surface to cushion the ground, tot lot fencing, additional seating and plenty of shiny, modern equipment, including an adaptive tandem swing and other elements accessible to people with disabilities.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 21, 2023 at 7:30AM

A common loon spotted at Reston's Lake Audubon (photo by Pete Huffer)

Reminder: County Libraries Closed Today — “All FCPL branches will be closed…Friday, April 21 for Staff Day so all FCPL employees can participate in professional development. Regular hours will resume Saturday, April 22.” [FCPL]

New Social Studies Standards Approved for Virginia Schools — “After more than eight months of debate, the Virginia Board of Education reached a compromise and approved new guidance for what students will learn in history and social studies classes from kindergarten through 12th grade…The standards will require, for the first time, that Virginia students to be taught about racism” [The Washington Post]

News

JUST IN: Democratic challengers for 37th Senate District team up in push to oust Chap Petersen

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 20, 2023 at 3:00PM

Erika Yalowitz, candidate for State Senate in the 37th District (photo courtesy of Erika Yalowitz)

Community organizer Erika Yalowitz has suspended her campaign for the Virginia State Senate’s 37th District.

One of three candidates seeking the Democratic nomination, Yalowitz announced today (Thursday) that she is withdrawing from the race and will instead endorse her opponent, Saddam Azlan Salim, a financial consultant and vice president of the Fairfax Young Democrats.

News

McLean office park owner makes bid to add housing, underground utilities

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 20, 2023 at 1:30PM

Several offices in McLean Professional Park could be redeveloped as a multifamily residential building (via Walter Phillips/Fairfax County)

Some more construction could be in store for the southwest corner of Chain Bridge Road and Tennyson Drive in McLean.

The owner of the McLean Professional Park is seeking to replace six buildings in the office complex with a five-story, 104-unit multifamily residential building, according to a rezoning application submitted to Fairfax County on Monday (April 17).

Countywide

Retired from the CIA, Lisa Downing is now challenging for the county’s top elected position

By Matt Blitz

Published April 20, 2023 at 11:00AM

Lisa Downing (photo courtesy of Lisa Downing's campaign)

Retired CIA staffer Lisa Downing is challenging Jeff McKay for Fairfax County’s top governmental seat.

Last week, Dunn Loring resident Downing announced her candidacy to chair the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Running as a Democrat, she will face off in the June primary against current Chairman Jeff McKay, who was elected in 2019 after representing Franconia District (then called Lee District) on the board for over a decade.

News

Food delivery robots roll out at select restaurants in the Mosaic District

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 20, 2023 at 9:30AM

Food delivery robots from the startup Cartken have launched at the Mosaic District (courtesy Alex Zilberman/EDENS)

The robots are taking over the Mosaic District.

Starting today (Thursday), a fleet of boxy, self-driving bots will roam around the mixed-use Merrifield neighborhood, delivering food from restaurants in a pilot program by the delivery service Uber Eats and the robotics startup Cartken.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 20, 2023 at 7:30AM

Green flourishes along a trail in Reston (photo by Terry Baranski)

Preparation for Delayed Southbound GW Parkway Closure Begins — “To prepare for the traffic shift, crews will begin to install temporary lane dividers on April 20. Motorists should expect single lane, northbound closures from 8 p.m. on April 20 to 2:45 p.m. on April 21 during these preparations. Crews will implement the new traffic pattern between 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 22.” [National Park Service]

New Dining Options Coming to Local Airports — “Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport announced a new slate of concessions, including spinoffs of some notable DC restaurants and brands. The phased rollout will begin later this year, and more than 80 new dining and retail options are expected open across both airports by 2026.” [Washingtonian]