People out early Wednesday morning should keep an eye out for frost and frozen surfaces.
The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning that will be in effect from 2-8 a.m. Wednesday.
More from NWS:
* WHAT…Sub-freezing temperatures near 30 expected.
* WHERE…Portions of The District of Columbia, central, northern and southern Maryland and central and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From 2 AM to 8 AM EDT Wednesday.
* IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
People with plants outside should cover them.
“To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly,” according to NWS. “Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing.”
A Freeze Warning is in effect tonight for all areas. Temperatures will be hovering at or below freezing for much of the area. Take steps now to protect sensitive plants from the cold. pic.twitter.com/eqyHR1Fqtl
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 21, 2020
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Many people getting bored self-isolating due to the coronavirus have turned to art reconstructions — including a local art teacher and her greyhound.
Nicole Walter, an art teacher at Marshall High School, has been photographing her retired racing greyhound named Neirin in poses similar to famous pieces of art, according to Fairfax County Public Schools.
Walter, who has taught at Marshall for 17 years, is using her 4-year-old pooch from West Virginia to create art that can engage her students while distance learning is in place, according to FCPS.
So far, they have recreated two dozen famous artworks, including “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer, “American Gothic” by Grant Wood and “Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo.
More from FCPS:
“I saw the challenges being posted by various art museums to recreate master works and to share on social media,” explains Walter. “I was just in the middle of an instructional unit on appropriation in art with my Art 2 students, so I thought this would be a great way for them to make art without the need for special art supplies.”
Students enthusiastically responded to Walter’s project… Neirin is a four-year-old retired racing greyhound from West Virginia who raced for three years…
“Since I teach art, and my goal is to help students connect with their own unique form of creative expression, I try to learn about and appreciate a broad range of art styles,” she states.
People who want to see the greyhound art can head to the Instagram for Neirin.
Photo via Neirinthegrey/Instagram
Fairfax County staffers support new plans to revamp the Valo Park office complex in Tysons, opening it up to the public and adding retail and restaurants.
The newspaper giant Gannett and cloud computing company Appian are currently headquartered at the roughly 785,000 square-foot office park, which has a fitness center, conference facilities and a 300-seat auditorium.
London-based Tamares acquired 7950 Jones Branch Drive for $270 million four years ago. Now, Tamares wants to add shops, restaurants, a bocce court and a 5,000-square-foot craft beverage production establishment or restaurant on the roof on an existing parking garage.
“The conference center, auditorium and fitness center are existing uses within the building; however, these uses are currently accessory to the office building in that only the onsite office users may use them,” according to the staff report published today. “The applicant is converting the spaces into publicly accessible uses.”
Tamares says that the proposed changes would help it better fit in with nearby urbanization. The office park is located in the North Central neighborhood of Tysons, which is home to the Park Crest and Highgate residential buildings and the upcoming mixed-use development called The Mile.
Here’s what the county staffers said in their report:
The proposed conversion of existing office and accessory uses to secondary uses will activate the site and facilitate a vibrant, mixed-use development that the Comprehensive Plan envisions for the Tysons Urban Center. The development offers high-quality amenities that will turn the existing office park into a community asset.
Minimal site disturbance is required to implement the development, as most of the proposed modifications are located within the existing building. The applicant has proffered: contributions to the Tysons Road Fund; bicycle parking; and green building technology and strategies as part of the construction of the proposed commercial use on top of the existing parking garage.
In staff’s opinion, the development plan is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and meets the general and design standards for a Planned District.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is set to hold a public hearing on the project this spring.
One person in the City of Falls Church has died due to COVID-19, according to recently released state health data.
Two dozen coronavirus cases, including two hospitalizations due to the respiratory illness, have been reported in the city, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The number of coronavirus cases is likely higher, Falls Church officials say.
“VDH’s data reflects what has been reported by healthcare providers and laboratories,” according to the city’s latest update. “This does not include people who were not tested, and since testing is still limited, there are likely many more cases in the city.”
Three senior homes in the Falls Church area — Chesterbrook Residences, The Kensington and Sunrise of Falls Church — have been battling coronavirus outbreaks, Falls Church News-Press reported.
The City of Falls Church is a part of the Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County and towns and cities in the county.
As of this morning (Tuesday), Fairfax County has 2,077 cases, 379 hospitalizations and 64 deaths. More than 9,300 people have been tested in the Fairfax Health District, according to the state data.
Out of the 148 outbreaks in Virginia, 26 have happened in the Fairfax Health District with 26 at long term care facilities and one each at a correction facility and healthcare setting.
Statewide, there are 9,630 cases of the virus and 324 reported deaths with 80 of the deaths occurring in long term care facilities.
Fairfax County Public Schools has decided to move away from Blackboard Learn, a virtual learning environment, for face to face instruction after experiencing ongoing issues.
Yesterday, Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced that the school system is going to shift to other learning tools for remote instruction.
“We recognize that our students and teachers need a reliable system for virtual learning; therefore, we are going to move away from Blackboard Learn 24-7 as a tool for face to face instruction,” Brabrand said in the letter. “Teachers and students will continue to use Blackboard Learn 24-7 to access instructional resources and supports.”
The school system had been using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, a real-time video conferencing tool, along with Blackboard Learn.
The decision comes after ongoing issues with Blackboard that FCPS was hoping would be resolved over the weekend. On Monday, FCPS noted login issues had not been resolved.
Today, teachers are not providing face to face instruction and are instead using Google Classroom, pre-recorded videos, learning packets, eBooks and programming on Channels 21, 25, and 99.
“We will also provide ‘face to face’ instruction to our students as schools begin the transition away from the Blackboard Learn 24/7 system. Schools will be preparing to provide virtual instruction through a secure Blackboard Collaborate Ultra link or through other alternative means,” he said.
More from Brabrand’s letter:
First, I am initiating a comprehensive, outside review of the distance learning rollout. We have retained Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, a law firm with expertise in information technology and cybersecurity. We anticipate a report from them in the next few weeks to guide our continued work in distance learning.
Secondly, I am creating the Superintendent’s Technology Advisory Council with three co-chairs: Bobbie Kilberg, President and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council; Andrew Ko, Managing Director of Global Education at Amazon Web Services; and Amy Gilliland, President of General Dynamics IT.
This council will initially offer guidance to help resolve any current distance learning challenges and provide ongoing support to enhance distance learning in a K-12 environment. The council will meet regularly to advise me on best practices in technology architecture and infrastructure, examine emerging software that will enhance online learning opportunities, and recommend cutting edge educational technology for teachers and students.
The council will also examine successful private sector experiences that can be applied to the K-12 environment.
In addition to capacity and load issues on Blackboard’s end, FCPS has also had security issues stemming from “leadership failures,” school officials previously said.
“Classes were hijacked by racist, homophobic and obscene language,” according to a recent Washington Post story. “Students appeared on screen naked or flashed weapons.”
The school board is set to get an update on distance learning at its virtual meeting on Thursday (April 23) at 10 a.m.
Image via YouTube
Gov. Northam Makes Testing Work Group — “The group will “make sure all of Virginia’s public and private testing efforts are coordinated and pulling in the same direction,” Northam said during a Monday press conference.” [Inside NoVa]
Local Student Looks to Celebrate the Class of 2020 — “After Loudoun County seniors Arianna Wright and Aiden Bullis came up with the idea to sell class of 2020 signs and distributed 1,000, Abby Diamond wanted the same concept in Fairfax County. The Madison High School senior has started to sell signs reading ‘Class of 2020 senior #allinthistogether’ in support of the 2020 graduates. So far, she’s sold about 100 and has reached various high schools.” [Patch]
ICYMI: Foust’s Budget Meeting is Tonight — “Foust is set to talk to Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro about the budget, and answer people’s questions, according to his recent newsletter to constituents. The town hall is set to start at 7 p.m. [on Tuesday.]” [Tysons Reporter]
Distance Learning Challenges Plague FCPS — “School officials say that updates made by Blackboard over the weekend have not corrected delays with the system… The Fairfax County School Board is expected to receive an update on the rollout of distance learning on Thursday (April 23).” [Reston Now]
APRIL 20: COVID-19 Update for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Personnel. #FCFRD continues to fully staff all stations and apparatus. More: https://t.co/1FyydVv0Po #FFXCOVID #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/2KUCjRmAgD
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) April 20, 2020
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust plans to host a virtual town hall tomorrow (Tuesday) to discuss the revised budget proposal for Fairfax County.
Fairfax County staff revisited the proposed budget for fiscal year 2021 and made changes to address the economic uncertainty and upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, Foust is set to talk to Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro about the budget, and answer people’s questions, according to his recent newsletter to constituents.
The town hall is set to start at 7 p.m. tomorrow and will last until 8:30 p.m.
People can can submit questions by calling 703-324-1114, post them in a comment under the Facebook Live event or email them in advance to [email protected] and include “Dranesville District Budget Town Hall” in the subject line.
The town hall will also be shown on Channel 16 and be streamed online.
How Much PPP Funding Went to Virginia Businesses? — “D.C., Maryland and Virginia businesses collectively received about 5% of the total loan dollars greenlit by the Small Business Administration through its wildly sought-after Paycheck Protection Program, which ran out of funds in fewer than two weeks after it debuted… Virginia businesses received 40,371 loans totaling $8.72 billion.” [Washington Business Journal]
McLean Man Shares Dyslexia in New Book — “Michael Balzano’s life has been a classic American rags-to-riches tale – even though he’s had to battle dyslexia every step of the way. His recently published book, “Dyslexic: My Journey,” covers that often misdiagnosed reading disability and the problems it causes, but also has a broader mission.” [Inside NoVa]
Local Real Estate Agents Adapt — “Those who are actively looking tend to be serious buyers and who are employed and have an optimistic attitude that the virus will be under control soon. For others, wanting to sell or buy, there may be too much uncertainty now. Heather Embrey of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Premier said she had experienced potential sellers changing their minds to wait out the pandemic.” [Falls Church News-Press]
FCPS Meals for Kids — “The school system’s Office of Food and Nutrition Services as of April 14 had provided more than 357,000 meals, including breakfasts and lunches, at 61 areas locations, said schools spokesman Lucy Caldwell.” [Inside NoVa]
How Local Students Work Interning Virtually — “As Virginia schools remain closed due to the state’s COVID-19 social distancing mandates, BASIS Independent McLean (BIM) 12th graders are undertaking senior internships virtually, adapting to the video and audio tools that allow professional experience training to continue as part of BASIS Independent McLean’s final senior project.” [Patch]
Nightlife is zilch in Tysons at the moment due to the pandemic. After a brief hiatus, the “Tysons After Dark” series is back to highlight different online activities from local organizations that keep people busy once the sun goes down.
McLean Community Center is closed, so the McLean Project for the Arts is shifting its art classes from in-person to online.
MCC announced the Zoom classes in its recent newsletter. Now, people can register for the classes, which include watercolor, painting, drawing and more.
Some classes are in the afternoons, while others are in the evening. The classes are on a set schedule with predetermined time slots on different days. Prices vary from class to class.
Here are some of the upcoming ones:
- Portrait and Figure Painting
- Drawing in Landscape
- Drawing and Painting Studio
- Vibrant Flower Paintings in Oil
MPA is also offering a new class on experimental portraiture with former MPA faculty and staff member Arthur Kwon Lee, who is currently in New York City, the newsletter said.
More about the class:
The history of art cannot be told without witnessing portraiture painting in its myriad of forms. This class explores different approaches to creating the human gaze. Through the lens of art history exercises and alternative mark making approaches, artists will discover new ways to excavate the world of portraiture with excitement. Our class will emulate multiple modalities of portraiture from the De Koonings, the cubists and beyond.
The class is on Tuesdays from 7:30-9:30 p.m., starting April 21.
People who are staying at home with small kids can keep them entertained with Abrakadoodle classes.
People who are interested or have questions can contact Briana Clorey at [email protected].
While most of the Vienna police’s recent cases have involved domestic disputes, the police department did receive a report about a theft.
In this week’s “Police Highlights,” a resident in the 600 block of Spring Street SE reported that someone tool the hockey net that the resident left near the curb in front of the house.
The theft occurred some time between 2-7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15.
In a separate incident, the owner of the 7-Eleven (427 Maple Ave E.) said that one of the front glass doors was damage around 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 12.
Photo via Facebook
