(Updated at 5:20 p.m.) A man died this morning following an incident at the Capital One construction site in Tysons, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
FCPD said that the man, Nelson Aguilar-Salamanca, was brought to the hospital and pronounced dead after he was struck by a rebar that fell from a crane at the 1600 block of Capital One Drive.
A police spokesperson said the first 911 call was received around 7:30 a.m. and that the incident happened in front of the Capital One headquarters.
Aguilar-Salamanca was a 55-year old Maryland resident, according to an FCPD press release, which added that he was working on the site as a subcontractor.
Construction is still underway on the second phase of Capital One’s corporate campus in Tysons, which is set to include a Wegmans grocery store and a performing arts center. Construction is set to wrap up in 2021.
Anyone who witnessed this accident is asked to call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800 or submit an online tip.
Officers are on scene of a workplace accident in the 1600 blk of Capital One Dr. A man was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Detectives are responding to the scene. #FCPD pic.twitter.com/hpwFsKcaJX
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) December 30, 2019
Map via Google Maps
After being stabbed in his own home, a 61-year old man from Vienna died yesterday at the hospital, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The victim, Mohammed Hemmatian, was found by first responders at 2900 Edgelea Road with upper body trauma on Sunday morning (Dec. 29) around 8:30 a.m., according to a police report.
Another man, 27-year old Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda, was on the scene after the incident and is now facing murder charges, police said. Toshpulodzoda was originally taken to the hospital for an evaluation but was not injured; police say he later suffered a medical emergency at the hospital.
Both men lived at the address, in the Vienna area, according to FCPD.
The events leading up to the violence are still unclear.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the police by calling 703-246-7800 or submitting an anonymous tip. FCPD says this was the 13th homicide of the year so far in Fairfax County.
Homicide investigation underway after fatal stabbing in Vienna. #FCPD #FairfaxCounty https://t.co/EGezNRBeGH pic.twitter.com/rFCqPQ5ZL1
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) December 29, 2019
The new year will usher in a new series of concerts at Wold Trap.
On Sunday (Jan 12), Will Liverman, on the baritone, and Ken Noda, on the piano, will take the stage to perform “Die Winterreise.” The performance will take place at 3 p.m.
Tickets start at $42 and can be purchased online. This show does not have an intermission.
An Evening With JD Souther gives the audience a chance to listen to his music inspired by Southern California. He will perform on Jan. 15. The show will begin at 8 p.m. and the tickets are $42.
At 8 p.m. on Jan. 17, Bailen will perform. The group blends together folk-rock with pop influences to earn a spot on Sofar Sounds’ 2018 artist watch list. Tickets start at $22.
Concert-goers can pretend they are in the tropics from Jan. 24-25 when the Masters of Hawaiian Music takes the stage. Tickets start at $27 and the performances begin at 8 p.m. both evenings.
The concerts for the month will wrap up with two evenings of International Guitar Night from Jan. 29-30. To celebrate the 20th anniversary, the event page promises a diverse lineup with artists from around the world. Tickets begin at $32 and the events will take place at 8 p.m. both evenings.
Image via Bailen/Facebook
The developer behind the Scotts Run development in Tysons wants to make some changes to the project.
The changes, which were proposed in November, include an adjustment to two heights to a parking podium connected to a residential building, according to Lynne Strobel, the attorney representing the Smith Group.
The developers want to raise the parking garage height from four stories to five for one building and from 4.5 to five for another, according to documentation from Strobel, adding that the height is still within the range originally approved by Fairfax County.
“The podium will appear to be an extension of the building with the use of glass and masonry,” the documents said.
The 26-story building, which will primarily include residential housing, would no longer include underground parking with the proposed changes.
“It’s within the same range of units,” Strobel said, adding the changes won’t affect residents outside of an aesthetic design shift.
When development changes are minor, a Fairfax County Planning Commission spokesperson said that it is not always necessary to host a public hearing or require the Fairfax Board of Supervisors to re-approve the proposal.
The upcoming buildings sit on roughly an acre of land, according to Fairfax County records and will be partially designated for affordable housing options.
Image via Cityline Partners
With the launch of Second Story’s Together, We Do More campaign, the local organization hopes to maintain its purpose as a resource for kids and young adults facing hardships and abuse.
By the end of the three-year campaign, the organization plans to raise at least $4 million, according to its website.
Due to a lack of government funding and rising costs of services Jade Leedham, the vice president of development for Second Story, said that support from the community is key for the organization’s success.
“What we are trying to do is basically close the gap with rising cost,” she said.
The campaign officially launched in July at Second Story’s “Beacon of Hope Breakfast,” which Leedham said is the organization’s largest event of the year.
Within the first fiscal quarter of the fundraiser, Second Story managed to hit its initial goal of $430,000, according to Leedham.
Leedham came up with the idea for the campaign alongside Second Story’s CEO while discussing the future of the organization. They wanted to find the most efficient way to communicate with the public.
“From there it just kind of snowballed,” she said.
Though the organization receives donations and requests for assistance throughout the year, Leedham said the holidays are a busy time for Second Story.
Anyone interested in donating and supporting the campaign can do so online.
Second Story also published a series of videos and testimonials, which the community can watch if they are curious about the organization’s impact.
Image via Second Story/Facebook
Local author Joe Jamaldinian began writing to inspire the younger generations to follow their dreams and explore new ambitions.
After the success of his first book “Bob Winging It,” he recently decided to write a second called “Bob In A Box.”
So far, Jamaldinian said the feedback has been fabulous.
“Bob In A Box” is about a penguin named Bob who leaves his comfort zone — or metaphorical box — to explore the world and discover the wonders beyond his comfort zone.
Jamaldinian decided to self-publish his second book after being disappointed in the services provided by his former publishing company.
The artist and writer began drawing penguins for fun because he thinks they are fun and silly animals, who don’t seem to take themselves too seriously.
While working at his previous job, people noticed Jamaldinian’s sketches and suggested that he take his creative talents to the next level.
As a parent himself, he said he understands the importance of kids’ passion for reading and exploration. He hopes Penguin Bob, the main character of the books, will allow kids to see themselves in the character and feel free to experiment with new hobbies and passions like writing or art.
Now, he attends craft fairs, markets and events where he can introduce his book to the community and potentially sell a few copies. Jamaldinian also volunteers around the area reading to kids at schools.
Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of either “Bob In A Box” for $18 or “Bob Winging It” for $15 can find the books on Amazon. Or, if purchased on the author’s website, Jamaldinian will personally sign the book and write a message for the recipient.
Instagram users can check out Penguin Bob cartoons on the social media app as well and purchase character prints.
Photo via Joe Jamaldinian
The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.
We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!
Tysons Reporter also complied a list of the upcoming holiday events, for those seeking festivities.
Monday (Dec. 23)
- Christmas Drive-Thru Light Show — 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. at McLean Bible Church (8925 Leesburg Pike) — Community members are invited to drive through the area to see a collection of festive lights. This event is free.
- “Madeline’s Christmas” — 7:30 p.m. at Creative Cauldron, ArtSpace Falls Church (410 S. Maple Avenue) — This musical explores how Madeline helps her classmates and teacher when they are sick in bed on Christmas eve. Tickets are $30 for adults and cheaper tickets are available for kids, older adults and members of the military.
Saturday (Dec. 28)
- 70’s Disco & Funk Dance Party — 7:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. at The Palladium (8453 Tyco Road) — Partygoers can dance to a variety of 70s’ music and enjoy performances from a DJ. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online.
- “The Kindness Book” Story Time — 11 a.m. Barnes and Noble Booksellers at Tysons Corner Center — Families are welcome to join in a free story time featuring “The Kindness Book.” There will be activities following the event, but the event page did not specify what they will be.
Photo via Creative Cauldron/Facebook
With the upcoming holidays, several businesses and services around the area are making adjustments for their hours of operation.
Tysons Reporter compiled a list of key changes for community members who may be affected.
County-Wide
For people who take public transit, the Fairfax Connector will operate on a normal schedule on both Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31), according to a Fairfax County Department of Transportation press release. On Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) the buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Times for specific busses can be found online.
All Fairfax County government offices will be operating on a half-day schedule on Dec. 24 and be closed on Dec. 25.
The United States Postal Service will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Metro riders can expect trains to run on a varied schedule during the holidays:
- Dec. 24: 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Dec. 25: 8 a.m. t0 11 p.m.
- Dec. 31: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Jan. 1: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Vienna
The Town of Vienna Community Center will be closed on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. During New Year’s Eve, the center will be open but on a modified schedule, according to the website.
Government offices for the town will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with a half-day on Christmas Eve.
Trash collection services will be running on a normal scheduled on Christmas Eve but not in operation on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
Falls Church
The Mary Riley Styles Public Library will close at noon on Christmas Eve and 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. It will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
City Hall and the community center (223 Little Falls Street) will both close at noon on Christmas Eve and reopen Thursday (Dec. 26).
Most government offices will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, according to the city’s website and most meetings originally scheduled for the day will be canceled.
All curbside trash, rubbage or recycle collection originally scheduled for Dec. 24 will be moved to Saturday (Dec. 26). Collection scheduled for New Years Day (Jan. 1) will be moved to Saturday (Jan. 4).
McLean
The McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue) will close early at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and the day after Christmas (Dec. 26) at 8 p.m. The center will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Due to holiday festivities, Tysons Reporter won’t be publishing on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. We will be pushing on a shortened schedule from tomorrow (Dec. 24) to next Tuesday (Dec. 31).
The Casual Pint, a chain watering hole, will finally open its doors in Falls Church (6410 Arlington Blvd) just after the new year.
The location’s opening date is set for Thursday (Jan. 9) with a grand opening party and ribbon cutting on Friday (Jan. 17), according to the bar’s owner Darren McClure.
The original opening date was pushed back from December because of a delay in county inspections, according to the company’s Facebook page.
“We decided to wait until after the holidays,” McClure said. “We are excited to get going.”
McClure said he plans to invite Falls Church City Council Members to the ribbon-cutting on Jan. 17.
Free growlers await the first 50 attendees that day and there will be a variety of other prizes up for grabs, he said.
Hours of operation listed on Facebook are Sunday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. On Sundays, from 11 .m. until 12 a.m.
There will be around 34 craft beers on tap, according to McClure, adding that he is in the process of forming agreements with local brewers.
“We want to represent the whole area,” he said.
The location will accommodate around 60 people at one time, McClure said. Both indoor and covered outdoor seating will be available.
Photo via The Casual Pint/Facebook
Union Pie will be expanding to Vienna roughly a year after opening its original stand-alone location at the Wharf in D.C.
The eatery’s new location will take over the soon-to-be-former spot of South Block at Jammin Java (227 E. Maple Avenue).
Union Pie specializes in thin-crust, bar-style pizza, according to its website.
The location is expected to open by late February or early March, according to Lana Mahmoud, a spokesperson for Union Pie and Jammin Java.
Though Jammin Java already serves Union Pie pizza, the new location will now offer a full menu — nearly identical to that of the D.C. location, Mahmoud told Tysons Reporter.
“We are looking at adding a few smaller items to supplement the menu, but the pizzas will remain identical,” she said. “Those won’t change anytime soon.”
Mahmoud said that the owners hope that there will be a “quick 48-hour transition” between the time South Block leaves Jammin Java and Union Pie moves into its place.
Both Union Pie, Jammin Java and its affiliate Union Stage are owned by the three Brindley brothers who opened Jammin Java in 2001.
Photo via Union Pie/Facebook
