Tysons | FFXnow - Part 441

Morning Notes

Published June 23, 2023 at 7:30AM

Greenery in the rain along the Turquoise Trail near Howland Drive in Reston (photo by Ray Copson)

Reminder: Last Day to Ride Self-Driving Shuttle — “Relay, the autonomous electric shuttle, is scheduled to take its final spin around Merrifield’s Mosaic District on Friday. The pilot project designed to test the effectiveness of driverless public transportation will be coming to an end.” [Patch]

McLean’s Spring Hill Road to Close — Spring Hill Road between Georgetown Pike and Old Dominion Drive will be closed from Monday, June 26 through Thursday, June 29 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day “for a pipe replacement…Through traffic will be detoured via Old Dominion Drive, Towlston Road (Route 676) and Georgetown Pike” [VDOT]

Around Town

Women’s fitness studio sets sights on summer opening in Vienna

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 22, 2023 at 1:30PM

The locally owned gym StarFit Studio is coming soon to Vienna's Cedar Park Shopping Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Northern Virginia gym aimed at women hopes to flex its way into the Town of Vienna this summer.

StarFit Studio is expanding from its existing Arlington and Alexandria locations to the Cedar Park Shopping Center. The business has leased a 1,740-square-foot space at 266 Cedar Lane, according to property manager First Washington Realty’s website.

Due to popular demand: 1st Stage’s riveting drama, The Last Match extended through July 2

By Sponsor

Published June 22, 2023 at 12:30PM

1st Stage is thrilled to announce the extension of their electrifying production, The Last Match, due to overwhelming demand from audiences. Theater lovers now have even more opportunities to experience this enthralling drama through Sunday, July 2.

Written by the heralded playwright Anna Ziegler, The Last Match delves into the gripping world of professional tennis, where two tennis legends clash in an epic battle of skill, ego, and personal sacrifice. Ziegler’s razor-sharp dialogue and insightful exploration of human nature have struck a chord with theatergoers, resulting in sold-out performances and rave reviews.

News

Falls Church Metro stations to reopen next week, as rail replacement enters new phase

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 22, 2023 at 10:15AM

Commuters wait at the closed Vienna Metro station for an express shuttle to Ballston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Some good news is on the horizon for local Metrorail riders: the West and East Falls Church stations are set to reopen on Monday (June 26) after a 23-day closure.

The bad news? The Vienna and Dunn Loring stations will remain closed through July 16.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published June 22, 2023 at 7:30AM

Clouds hang over the Tysons Central office building and Lumen Apartments (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

FCPD Adopts Bean-Bag Shotguns — “Police in Fairfax County, Virginia, are repurposing a long-carried weapon in patrol cars — the shotgun. But now, those weapons are being converted to only contain ‘less-lethal’ bean bag rounds…Since March, the department has removed all 800 of its shotguns and replaced the weapons with 630 less-lethal beanbag shotguns.” [WTOP]

Workshop on Parking Overhaul Tonight — The Fairfax County Planning Commission will hold a workshop at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the “Parking Reimagined” initiative, the county’s first major overhaul of its parking regulations since 1988. Proposed changes include bicycle parking requirements and a tiered system for off-street parking. There will also be a public open house on June 29. [Zoning Administration Division]

Countywide

Fairfax County Democrats oust two established senators, as incumbents prevail in local races

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 21, 2023 at 2:15PM

Stella Pekarsky and Saddam Azlan Salim defeated established senators George Barker and Chap Petersen in the 2023 Democratic primary (courtesy Stella Pekarsky for Senate, Salim for Senate)

Fairfax County’s General Assembly delegation will look drastically different next year after a pivotal Democratic primary yesterday (Tuesday) that also bolstered incumbents in most county-level races.

In two upsets, Sully District school board representative Stella Pekarsky eked out a win over veteran state Sen. George Barker for the 36th District nomination, while Fairfax Young Democrats vice president Saddam Azlan Salim ousted Sen. Chap Petersen in the 37th District.

Around Town

DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival will make mouthwatering return this October

By Vivian Hoang

Published June 21, 2023 at 11:45AM | Updated June 21, 2023 at 3:32PM

This year's festival will take place in the South Hall of Dulles Expo Center (courtesy John and Lindsay Hill)

For the second year in a row, the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival is returning to Dulles Expo Center (4320 Chantilly Shopping Center) on Oct. 7 and 8.

Tickets for the event are currently on sale for 50% off until 11:59 p.m. on June 30. With the discounted rates, general admission tickets start at $8.00, and VIP tickets are priced at $13.50.

News

McLean Volunteer Fire Department to upgrade ambulance with donation from home tours

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 21, 2023 at 11:00AM

The McLean Volunteer Fire Department is planning to replace one of its ambulances (courtesy MVFD)

The McLean Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) will soon get a new and improved ambulance, thanks in part to the success of a recent “Kitchen and Garden Tour.”

The Woman’s Club of McLean, a local charitable group, presented a check with the $13,000 raised by the tour to the fire department on Monday (June 19), fulfilling a promise that got deferred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published June 21, 2023 at 7:30AM | Updated June 21, 2023 at 9:07AM

Flags blowing in stormy weather (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro Warns of $750 Million Budget Gap — “Tuesday, Metro painted a dire picture of what would happen if the problem festers: service cuts that would ‘devastate the region.’ These cuts would include eliminating two-thirds of bus and rail service resulting in worse service quality and degraded safety and accessibility.” [DCist]

County’s Auditor to Review Recent Police Shootings — “Because of the ‘dramatic uptick’ in officer-involved shootings by Fairfax County police in the past two years, the county’s Office of the Independent Police Auditor in coming months will review all 15 police shootings of people since 2017.” A nonprofit is also reviewing shootings since 2021. [Gazette Leader]

Countywide

BREAKING: Descano declared winner in Commonwealth’s Attorney race

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 20, 2023 at 10:00PM | Updated October 11, 2023 at 6:13PM

Voters fill out ballots in the 2023 Democratic primary at Cunningham Park Elementary School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 1 a.m. on 6/21/2023) The Fairfax County Democratic Committee has congratulated incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano as its nominee in one of the most closely watched races in the 2023 Democratic primary.

Descano received about 55.4% of the vote over challenger Ed Nuttall, who ended with 44.6% after shrinking a larger early deficit, according to the Virginia Department of Elections’ unofficial results.