Happy Friday! In our last installment this week of reader-submitted pet photos, we have lots of adorable pictures of cozy cats and dogs.
Recently, we shared photos of animal companions helping their humans work from home. Our photo galleries have been filled with pooches and cats wearing clothes.
Several people sent in pictures of their pets sleeping or getting comfy in bed.
At least one pooch is eagerly awaiting football season this fall.
Check out the gallery above and revisit the ones from earlier this week. Thank you to everyone who submitted photos!
One more cat photo:
https://twitter.com/CyberCandide/status/1246261670323933186?s=20
The coronavirus pandemic has forced local businesses to either shut down or add safety measures to stay open. For businesses that aren’t open yet, owners are facing new challenges to decide if or when to debut.
Tysons Reporter found out the new debut plans for three upcoming businesses, which were originally slated to open this spring.
Over in Vienna, plans are still in the works to turn the former home of Posh! (419B Maple Ave. E.) into a Virginia ABC store.
The store was originally expecting to open sometime in May or June.
Dawn Eischen, a Virginia ABC spokesperson, told Tysons Reporter that plans are still on track to relocate the ABC store at 436 Maple Ave. E. to the Maple Avenue Shopping Center space this spring.
“We’re still moving forward with this relocation, but don’t have a firm date,” Eischen said earlier this week. “We’re still looking at the June time frame.”
Eischen previously told Tysons Reporter that the relocation to the spot with roughly 1,400 more square feet “will allow us to provide a wider selection of products, meet market demands and better serve our customers.”
The Palladium’s owners were planning to move their now-closed Arlington nightclub to the Tysons spot.
Currently, The Palladium is closed after the owners canceled the last few concerts in March.
The Salsa Room, which closed in Arlington in March, was supposed to open in its new 15,000-square-foot, two-level home (1524 Spring Hill Road) in late March. Grand opening events were set for the new Tysons nightclub from March 25-29.
Now, Victor Villarreal, one of the owners behind the nightclubs, said that he’s refunded all of the grand opening tickets and he isn’t sure when The Salsa Room will open in Tysons.
“We will open at some point,” he said.
Right now, Villarreal and his brother are working to come up with plans for opening that include different numbers of people allowed inside — 50, 100, 250 — along with other possible safety measures like masks, hand sanitizing stations and cashless payment options.
“I think we’re really considering looking at temperature thermometer you scan on the forehead,” he said. “Our whole plan is trying to keep our staff and our clients safe.”
When state restrictions get lifted, Villarreal said nightclubs will be one of the last businesses to open. “I don’t expect our business to be open until there’s a vaccine or no cases for a couple of weeks at least or a treatment,” he said.
Even if there’s only one COVID-19 case in Virginia, he expects “it’s going to take a long time for people to feel comfortable.”
“We’re the last thing that people are going to want to try to do,” he said, adding that the close contact typical of clubs is completely different from guidelines now for people to stay 6 feet apart.
As for staff, he said that they are waiting for the nightclub to open.
“We can’t pay afford to pay them right,” he said. “A lot applied for unemployment. I know some of them have gotten jobs doing other stuff.”
Villarreal said that he has been negotiating successfully with his landlord in Tysons and utility companies.
“We try to keep a positive attitude but we know nothing is guaranteed,” he said.
The team behind the now-closed Tysons Biergarten aren’t delaying their plans too long to open The ShipGarten — a new pop-up concept near the McLean Metro station.
Originally slated to open this spring, The ShipGarten will now likely make its debut early summer, Matt Rofougaran, Tysons Biergarten’s CEO and managing partner, told Tysons Reporter.
The ShipGarten will consist of a number of themed 40-foot shipping containers, including:
- “The Biergarten” — German and Belgium beers and German food
- Roll Bär — Asian fusion cuisine and Japanese whiskey
- Chalkboard BBQ — a rotating menu of barbecue and international craft beer
- Tysons EuroBar — Mediterranean fare
The shipping containers will be outside, surrounded by a “quintessential biergarten area, family friendly kids area, a fenced in dog area, and entertainment venue,” according to The ShipGarten’s website.
Rofougaran said that patrons will be able to social distance — “Good thing about us is we will have a lot of space.”
He said staffing for The ShipGarten has not been impacted for the pandemic. “Staffing is going to be easy for me,” he said, noting that he’s been in the restaurant business since he was a teenager.
The only coronavirus-related obstacle Rofougaran said he’s noticed is the speed of the work — from architects to construction workers — on the new concept. “Everybody is working much slower,” he said.
Image (1) by Prateek Katyal on Unsplash, image (2) via Google Maps, image (3) via The ShipGarten/Facebook
Editor’s note: Tysons Reporter will temporarily have “Morning Notes” every weekday instead of twice a week to accommodate more news.
Grocery Stores Implement New Measures — “Three grocery store chains with locations in Falls Church announced this week plans to introduce stricter precautionary measures to avoid the potential spread of the coronavirus. Giant Food, Harris Teeter and Safeway will all now limit the amount of customers allowed in the store at one time.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Fairfax Fire Crew Member Tests Positive for COVID-19 — “A member of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual began feeling sick on March 18 and was tested for COVID-19 eight days later. This week the test came back as positive. The individual experienced mild symptoms and is recovering.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
Local Virginia ABC Store Closing — “The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) will consolidate its retail operations in Northern Virginia, which continues to be one of the most impacted regions of the commonwealth during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.” Starting April 13, the store at 8150 Leesburg Pike Suite 110 will close. [Inside NoVa]
Guidelines for Vienna Public Hearings — “Town Council will meet, with members attending in-person and electronically, at 8 pm Monday, April 13… The April 13 meeting agenda includes two public hearings related to the fiscal year 2020-21 budget.” [Town of Vienna]
COVID-19 Business Survey — The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority has a survey that ends today at 5 p.m. that asks businesses about the coronavirus impacts. [Survey Monkey]
A Wind Advisory has been issued for Friday from 10 AM until 6 PM. Winds will be sustained around 20-25 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph possible. pic.twitter.com/KkY40uWkJb
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 10, 2020
Units on scene of house fire in the 2400 block of Cedar Lane in the Dunn Loring area. Small fire. Fire is out. All occupants safe. No reported injuries at this time. Majority of units returning to service. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/41TAXcFbax
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) April 9, 2020
Updated at 3:10 p.m. — The watch has been cancelled.
The threat for severe thunderstorms has passed, so the severe thunderstorm watch has been cancelled. However, winds will continue to gust up to 45-55 mph for the rest of the afternoon.
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 9, 2020
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now in effect for Fairfax County.
The National Weather Service issued the watch at noon today (Thursday). It will last until 4 p.m.
The @NWS_BaltWash has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Fairfax County until 4 p.m. today (4/9) #FCFRD https://t.co/tsQY93plUr
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) April 9, 2020
Local pets are hanging out with their owners more as they follow Gov. Ralph Northam’s stay-at-home order.
To help provide some light-hearted content during the pandemic, Tysons Reporter recently asked readers to share us their photos of their furry companions.
Yesterday, we shared some of the many photos we’ve received from local residents of their pets. We’ll continue to highlight pet photos through Friday.
Several pet parents sent in pictures of their dogs and cats wearing everything from hats to bowties.
Check out the gallery above and come back tomorrow for more photos on our website.
Have a photo you want to submit? We’re still taking submissions. Tag or direct message us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) or email us at [email protected].
Fairfax County police are investigating a burglary at a local market along Lee Highway in the Falls Church area.
Police said that the burglary happened shortly before 2 a.m. on Tuesday (April 7) at E-Z Stop & Go Food Mart (7600 Lee Hwy). The roadside market sells groceries and wine and has a deli, according to signs.
Three men broke into the business, according to the police report. Sgt. Greg Bedor told Tysons Reporter that tobacco products were stolen.
“The suspects were described as men in their 20’s wearing dark clothing,” the report said.
Image via Google Maps
Editor’s note: Tysons Reporter will temporarily have “Morning Notes” every weekday instead of twice a week to accommodate more news.
Looking for Senior Store Hours? — Fairfax County launched a new interactive map that lets people find stores that have shopping hours dedicated to seniors to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus to elderly people. [Fairfax County]
Don’t Take Me Out to the Ball Game — “By this time of the early spring season, the area’s three Little League programs would have held opening-day ceremonies… None of that has occurred, because all activities in the Great Falls, McLean and Vienna Little League programs have been suspended until at least May 11 and likely longer.” [Inside NoVa]
Documenting Your Documents — Fairfax County Fire and Rescue shares tips for how people can get their medical information ready in case of an emergency. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
Q&A With Local Restaurant — Northern Virginia Magazine’s new “Table for None” column focused on how a Falls Church Italian restaurant is weathering the COVID-19 pandemic. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Empty Merrifield Campus to Become Field Hospital — “Northam said on Wednesday the former ExxonMobil campus in Merrifield owned by Inova Health System will be one of three field hospital locations in Virginia as it faces a surge in coronavirus cases.” [Washington Business Journal]
Booze To-Go — “[Gov. Ralph Northam] announced during a news conference Wednesday that restaurants with a mixed-beverage license from the ABC can start selling mixed-beverages for takeout and delivery. That change will become effective Thursday at midnight. Restaurants previously were allowed to sell only wine and beer through takeout and delivery.” [Inside NoVa]
A Wind Advisory has been issued for northern and central MD, northern VA, and the northern/central VA Blue Ridge from 10 AM to 5 PM Thursday. Sustained winds of 20-30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph are expected. pic.twitter.com/pC0XVkzb8r
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 9, 2020
Happy Hump Day! People around Tysons have some adorable furry friends keeping them company while they stay inside to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
Tysons Reporter received a ton of submissions after soliciting photos of pets, so we’re publishing some today, more tomorrow and the rest on Friday.
Several dog parents sent in pictures of their pups lounging around and getting fresh air outside.
We also got photo submissions of some feline friends — including one that has decided to be the Easter Bunny.
Check out the gallery above and come back tomorrow for more photos on our website. Have a photo you want to submit? We’re still taking submissions (note: horizontal photos are preferred).
Tag or direct message us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) or email us at [email protected].
Gov. Ralph Northam wants to see the general election and special elections on May 5 — including the one for the Town of Vienna — delayed to a later date.
Northam asked the General Assembly today (Wednesday) to move the elections scheduled for May 5 to the General Election date on Nov. 3 “to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” according to a press release.
“The General Assembly is scheduled to meet April 22 unless called into session sooner,” the Town of Vienna tweeted. “The Town will share additional information as decisions are made.”
There are three mayoral candidates and seven people running to become councilmembers. Absentee voting for the town’s election began on March 20.
“As other states have shown, conducting an election in the middle of this global pandemic would bring unprecedented challenges and potential risk to voters and those who work at polling places across the Commonwealth,” Northam said in the press release.
Northam is asking the General Assembly to have one ballot in November and to discard all absentee ballots that have already been cast. He also wants elected officials’ terms that will end on June 30 to be continued until the November election.
Additionally, Northam plans to move the June primary election from June 9 to June 23.
Today's news on changing Virginia election dates has 2 parts: (1) Moving 5/5/20 local elections to 11/3/20 will need State Legislature to act, which we can vote on 4/22/20; (2) delaying 6/9/20 primary to 6/23/20 can be done by @GovernorVA's own discretion: https://t.co/KacblZVldd
— Mark Keam 🇺🇸 (@MarkKeam) April 8, 2020
Leesburg Pike in Tysons is getting new sidewalks and pedestrian ramps.
The work is a part of the Silver Line Phase 1, according to the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.
“This work includes the installation of underdrain, sidewalk crack repairs, manholes and other drainage structure repairs, and ensuring pedestrian ramps meet the latest ADA code standards,” the project update said.
Work has already been finished on the eastbound side, and now crews are working on the westbound side of Leesburg Pike before starting similar work along Route 123 near Tysons Blvd.
While the work is underway, pedestrians are asked to use temporary detours and drivers can expect signs and barricades.
“Large, slow moving vehicles may be exiting and entering the highway at various times,” the update said.
Photo courtesy Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
