County Seeks Feedback on Parking Changes — “Residents are encouraged to review the draft recommendations for parking requirements and submit feedback on the Parking Reimagined webpage by midnight Monday, Jan. 16.” Virtual meetings to discuss the proposed changes, including off-street parking standards based on density and bicycle parking requirements, will be held on Jan. 5 and 12. [Fairfax County Government]
Fairfax City Supportive Housing Approved — “Fairfax City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the Lamb Center/Wesley Housing’s application to redevelop the Hy-Way Motel property on Fairfax Boulevard to include permanent, supportive, low-income housing.” [Patch]
Water Rate Increases Proposed — “Members of the public will have a chance to tell Fairfax Water what they think of the proposed rate increases at a public hearing on Thursday, Dec. 15.” Changes that could take effect on April 1, 2023 include an increased “base commodity charge” for residents and a higher peak use charge for established accounts. [Annandale Today]
Grand Opening Set for Huntington Housing — “The Arden, a 126-unit residential development just south of Alexandria, is opening early next year. The development from housing nonprofit Wesley Housing is set to host a grand opening on Jan. 13, marking the completion of a major affordable housing project for an area in desperate need.” [ALXnow]
New Chamber of Commerce Launches — “The local business community and Fairfax County officials came together Dec. 9…to celebrate the official launch of the newly branded Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce…The chamber — formed by the merger of the former Mount Vernon-Lee and Greater Springfield Chambers of Commerce — serves businesses in eastern Fairfax County” [On the MoVe]
McLean Startup Draws New Investors — “McLean’s FireTail Inc., which is developing software meant to secure the communication between multiple devices and systems, has raised $5 million in an early-stage seed round…The company plans to wrap up early development of the API security software next year.” [DC Inno]
FCPS Shouts Out Championship-Winning Teams — “Congratulations to all the FCPS student-athletes who participated in the 2022 fall sports season. This year four teams and two individuals won the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 championship in their respective sports, and three teams and three individuals were the state runners-up.” [FCPS]
Call Issued for Farmers Market Vendors — “The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is beginning the Vendor Application process for the 2023 farmers market season…The New Vendor Interest Meeting will be held on Jan. 20, 2023, and applications will be open on farmspread.com from Jan. 20 to Feb. 10, 2023.” [FCPA]
It’s Thursday — Rain throughout the day. High of 47 and low of 33. Sunrise at 7:21 am and sunset at 4:49 pm. [Weather.gov]
Ice on tree branches in Reston (photo by Douglas H. Errett)
Updated at 8:05 p.m. — Fairfax County Public Schools will open two hours late tomorrow in response to the anticipated inclement weather.
Earlier: Fairfax County may get its first serious taste of winter weather for the season overnight.
A Winter Weather Advisory will be in place for the D.C. region from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday), according to a National Weather Service alert issued this morning.
The NWS initially forecast that the anticipated freezing rain and ice could begin at 10 p.m. today but later revised the time frame.
“Wintry precipitation begins overnight and continues into Thursday morning,” the NWS said. “Warmer air should push in later Thursday morning into Thursday afternoon changing the precipitation to rain.”
More from the alert:
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM EST THURSDAY…
* WHAT…Freezing rain expected. Total ice accumulations of a glaze to around one tenth of an inch. Highest ice amounts will be in the northern and western suburbs of Washington and Baltimore.
* WHERE…The Washington and Baltimore Metropolitan areas including the city of Baltimore and the District of Columbia as well as northeastern and central Maryland.
* WHEN…From 1 AM to 1 PM EST Thursday.
* IMPACTS…Difficult travel conditions are possible. The hazardous conditions will likely impact the morning commute on Thursday.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department warns that the rain could affect tomorrow’s morning commute, and Fairfax Connector says it will be monitoring the potential storm, advising that riders watch out for slippery or icy sidewalks.
The Virginia Department of Transportation began mobilizing crews yesterday to prepare roads for the wintry precipitation, noting that it has made some procedural adjustments in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of January’s I-95 shutdown.
The risk of ice tomorrow is expected to be highest further to the west in Virginia, where an Ice Storm Warning has been issued.
The sports bar and restaurant Yard House will open at Tysons Galleria in January (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
(Updated at 8:55 a.m. on 12/15/2022) A new sports bar is brewing at Tysons Galleria, and it will arrive just in time for the NFL playoffs.
Yard House will hold a grand opening for its location in the mall’s redeveloped Macy’s wing on Jan. 15, the team announced on the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Instagram last week.
“We’re ready to take care of ya’ll,” Dylan Wieder, the restaurant’s executive chef, said in the announcement.
Yard House’s planned entry into Tysons was first reported in August 2021 by the Washington Business Journal. The restaurant has taken over a 14,236-square-foot space with an outdoor patio next to Arhaus Furniture.
Known for an extensive menu and draft beer lineup, Yard House was envisioned by its founders as “the world’s greatest tap room” when it launched in Long Beach, California. Its December 1996 opening featured 250 beers and “Elvira: Mistress of the Dark” actor Cassandra Peterson as a guest bartender, according to the Press-Telegram.
The company was acquired in 2012 by Darden Restaurants, the group behind chains like Olive Garden and The Capital Grille. It now has over 80 locations around the U.S., including ones at Springfield Town Center and D.C.’s Chinatown.
The Tysons Galleria location will feature 130 taps, ranging from American craft and import beers to “local and regional pours hand-picked by the restaurant’s management team,” according to the business.
“Nothing unites better than beer,” Yard House said in a statement to FFXnow. “Tysons Galleria is already known for bringing people together, and we’re excited to join the community and the party with great beer, great food and great music.”
Here’s more on what to expect from the new restaurant/bar:
The glass-enclosed keg room showcases hundreds of steel barrels containing as much as 4,000 gallons of beer that flow to the center-island bar through an extensive network of beer lines positioned overhead.
While beer is Yard House’s heart, food is its soul. With more than 100 menu items made from scratch, there’s something for everyone on the menu. Featured menu items include the Poke Nachos, Nashville Hot Chicken, Street Tacos and Proprietary USDA Prime Blend burgers. Gluten-sensitive, vegan and vegetarian options are also available.
The restaurant is open daily for lunch, dinner and late night dining. Guests can toast to happy hour Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. featuring half-price appetizers and $1-$4 off beer, wine and cocktails.
Tysons Galleria owner Brookfield Properties created a new wing by subdividing 260,000 square feet of space that had belonged to Macy’s until the department store closed in 2019. Major tenants in the fully leased wing include Crate & Barrel and Bowlero.
In addition to Yard House, the mall is awaiting the arrivals of the restaurant Jiwa Singapura, which slated to open in early 2023, and CMX CinéBistro, a dine-in movie theater whose premiere has been put on hold.
Tysons, Virginia, will soon welcome The Mather, a Life Plan Community with anticipated Phase 1 completion in 2024. The community is the latest offering by Mather, an 81-year-old not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating Ways to Age Well.
“The Mather will offer apartment homes for those age 62+ and better with innovative smart home technology, amenity-rich community spaces, and luxury of a different kind for those who wish to plan ahead to live life to the fullest,” said Gale Morgan, Senior Vice President of Mather.
The Mather, located on Westpark Drive near Tysons Galleria, will include two residential high-rise buildings which are connected by a multi-story concourse. On-campus amenities include a fitness center featuring an exercise studio and large indoor pool, multiple restaurants, spa, and three acres of outdoor space.
There are a variety of apartment homes within The Mather, ranging in size up to 3,300 square feet. Each apartment home is designed with a modern open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize natural light, along with a gourmet kitchen that will appeal to even the most seasoned cook — with custom finishes including gas top ranges and pull-out/soft-close pot drawers and pantries. And each is equipped with smart home technology and comes with an automation hub that can be integrated with smartphones, tablets, and home computer systems.
“While people want to downsize, they also want to be able to host guests,” said Morgan. “Many of the homes feature multiple baths designed to work as dual masters or private guest suites.”
Building upon Mather’s decades of experience and success in providing residences and services for older adults, The Mather is expected to provide significant public benefits to Tysons and Fairfax County with a publicly accessible urban park with nearly three acres of green space, employment opportunities of nearly 200 team members, and a commitment to sustainability, as it will seek LEED Gold certification.
Together in a unique partnership with Fairfax County, The Mather will provide wellness and lifelong learning programs for residents ages 50+ living in the community-at-large. Programming will take place in a dedicated portion of the more than 14,000 square foot first floor commercial space.
More than a luxury residence, The Mather is smack dab in the middle of it all — in an enviable walkable, urban neighborhood destination: Tysons, Virginia. “Our depositors are well-traveled and looking for a diverse community that will support their continued personal growth with programming, fitness, concierge services, and educational opportunities,” said Morgan. “They are interested in their local communities and want to stay connected — looking for a more urban, walkable lifestyle in a location they love, with culture, sports, the arts and entertainment options that are easily accessible.”
See photos, floor plans, and more, at TheMatherTysons.com. To speak with a team member, call (703) 348.8522 or email [email protected].
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Vienna is considering more than doubling the salaries for mayor and town council going forward, but the current holders of those offices suggested they will aim lower amid still-high inflation, fears of a recession, and general economic uncertainty.
At a conference session on Monday (Dec. 12), town staff proposed bumping up the pay for town council members from $5,000 per year to $12,000, and from $7,500 per year to $15,000 for the mayor. It would be the first raise for the mayor since 2014 and the first for the council since 2002.
Acknowledging the awkwardness of elected officials discussing their own compensation, Mayor Linda Colbert noted that, based on a rough estimate of the hours she spends on the part-time job, her current salary is equivalent to $7.32 per hour — well under Virginia’s minimum wage of $11.
“Nobody wants to give themselves a raise. We’re public servants. That’s not the first thing on our mind,” Colbert said. “We’re always thinking about the residents, but I do think if we’re going to do this, staff has come up with a reasonable amount.”
If approved, the raises would be in place for Jan. 1, 2024, since Virginia law prohibits salary increases from taking effect during the incumbent mayor or town council’s term.
The suggested new salaries would still put Vienna below the towns of Herndon and Leesburg, which both approved pay hikes earlier this year. For city elected officials, compensation is limited by the state code based on the locality’s population, Vienna Finance Director Marion Serfass noted.
Still, some council members seemed wary of pushing for a significant raise, questioning the proposed $3,000 gap between the mayoral and council salaries compared to the approximately $1,000 difference seen in other jurisdictions.
“I think making a decision on this based on what other jurisdictions are doing in terms of the differential between council and mayor, I just like the optics of that a lot better,” Councilmember Nisha Patel said, suggesting that the mayoral salary should be closer to $13,000.
Councilmember Ed Somers said he’s fine with a bigger gap, considering that there are six council members and just one mayor.
“From a budgetary standpoint, the council collectively costs the taxpayers a lot more than the mayor does,” he said. “So, I am worried about the fiscal issues. I am worried about where we’re headed with the economy, so I still think the spread should be a little bit higher.”
While Colbert argued that Vienna “should be leaders” in terms of setting pay standards, Councilmembers Chuck Anderson and Howard Springsteen sided with Patel in preferring the “optics” of aligning with other localities.
The salary increases are expected to be put on the agenda item for the council’s Jan. 9 meeting before the upcoming budget cycle gets in full swing, according to Serfass.
“We’re going to be making difficult choices in a time when there’s a lot of economic uncertainty,” Anderson said. “We’re probably going to have to ask people to basically make sacrifices, and if we as a council aren’t willing to do that, then I think it’s really tough for us to look staff in the face and ask them to do that.”
Longtime Vienna Photographer Dies — “For decades in the town of Vienna, T.R. Cook was the man who took people’s portraits and photographed business and community events, recording the town’s history. Cook, who died Dec. 11 at age 93, made the town a better place and was a strong advocate of young people, friends said.” [Sun Gazette]
Rape Case Dismissed Over Missed Deadline — “A woman sitting in a Fairfax County courtroom Monday morning was ready after decades to finally confront the man she says raped her as a child. Instead, she watched in horror as a judge abruptly dismissed the case over what was characterized as ‘prosecutorial error.'” [NBC4]
Fire Department Distributes Toy Donations — “[On Monday], along with community partners and @FairfaxCountyPD, #FCFRD distributed over 3,000 toys to kids who would otherwise not receive gifts at Station 11, Penn Daw. School counselors and community groups will distribute throughout the county. #HolidaySeason” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Woodson HS Drummer Recognized by NFL Band — “After hearing about the inspiring story of a Fairfax County Public Schools student who is the first deaf drummer in his band, the Baltimore Marching Ravens recognized Michael Gouin’s hard work and musical accomplishments with a gift at a Monday night concert.” [ABC7]
Local Options for Getting a Christmas Tree — “Get into the spirit by visiting one of these Christmas tree farms in Northern Virginia, Christmas tree lots, and nurseries to get your tree. Northern Virginia not only has the best places to buy a Christmas tree, but also tons of opportunities to create holiday traditions and memories.” [Visit Fairfax]
Teen Developing App to Address Food Insecurity — Nirav Ramchandani, a high school student in Fairfax County who founded the nonprofit Cease Hunger in May 2021, is developing an online app “that connects restaurants and other businesses with food banks and pantries, he said. The app, called Food Box, is in the final stages of testing and is expected to be ready soon.” [WTOP]
Lorton Area Golf Courses Plan Renovations — “Several golf courses in the area are planning — or currently undergoing — significant renovations to improve their facilities for golfers and other guests.” These include the Pohick Bay Golf Course and Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton as well as the Fort Belvoir Golf Club. [On the MoVe]
New Wolf Trap Shows Announced — “On Tuesday, Wolf Trap announced its final shows for the Barns, which has a season extending into spring 2023. One of the two newly-announced shows is Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on April 6 and 7…The other performance is by singer and songwriter Karla Bonoff on April 19.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 40 and low of 26. Sunrise at 7:21 am and sunset at 4:49 pm. [Weather.gov]
Fairfax County is seeking more state support for education, a return of $39 million for regional transportation projects and more in its recently approved legislative priorities for next year.
At a meeting last week, the Board of Supervisors approved the adoption of the county’s 2023 legislative programs for both state and federal lawmakers. It passed by a 9-1 vote with only Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity opposing.
The approval on Dec. 6 was, more or less, a formality with most of the discussion and debate happening in legislative committee meetings throughout the fall.
In addition to trash collection changes, here are a few of the most notable priorities in this year’s agenda:
Increase state support for education
Jointly with Fairfax County Public Schools, the county wants the state to better address the differences between “high cost-of-living jurisdictions like Fairfax County” and other Virginia localities when funding public education.
State education funding is based on complex formulas and varies from year to year. The county has long argued that the formulas don’t adequately account for its higher cost of living compared to other areas.
“Public education funding in the Commonwealth is enshrined in the Virginia Constitution as a joint responsibility of both state and local governments, so it is essential that the state fully and appropriately meet its Constitutional responsibility to adequately fund K-12 education,” the state legislative program says.
Also, both boards oppose “budget cuts that disproportionately target or affect Northern Virginia” and “policies which divert K-12 education funding away from local public schools and toward non-public options.”
Allow traffic safety measures
Local elected county officials have maintained their call for more local authority from Virginia, where localities only have the powers explicitly granted them by the state.
As crash fatalities mount, the county is advocating for General Assembly legislation that lets localities create and post signage requiring motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
Legislation is also needed to clarify that counties can reduce speed limits below 25 miles per hour on state-maintained roads that lie in residential districts, according to the program. Without that authority, the county’s options for addressing speeding are limited.
Restore regional transportation project funding
The state diverted $102 million away from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) in 2018 to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to cover Virginia’s share of Metro funding.
In the several years since, $63.5 million has been restored, but the NVTA is still looking for the remaining nearly $39 million to support road repairs, facility maintenance, and other transportation projects in Northern Virginia.
“This [money] will ensure that transportation projects continue to advance in Northern Virginia after decades of state underfunding,” Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, who chairs the board’s legislative committee, said in his motion at the Dec. 6 meeting.
Boost state funding and support for behavioral services
The state’s support for behavioral health services is underwhelming, Board Chairman Jeff McKay said at November’s legislative committee meeting.
“The state is dramatically underfunding behavioral health services and they need to be much more robust,” he said. “…They’ve got to start to provide funding. I mean, let’s be honest with ourselves here. The starting point leaves plenty of room for improvement.”
Additional resources are needed to implement a Marcus Alert system that adds mental health specialists as responders to certain 911 calls, increase the availability of psychiatric beds and crisis services, provide training to law enforcement, and other initiatives, per the legislative program.
The county also opposes “any state actions which disproportionately rely on local funding for service implementation.”
Relocate FBI headquarters to Springfield
The effort to bring the new FBI headquarters to Springfield has been ongoing for at least a decade. At times, it’s gotten rather competitive, with McKay recently accusing WAMTA of tipping the scales in favor of alternate sites in Maryland.
In its Congressional program, the county is keeping up the full-court press on why the site in Springfield would be the best choice. McKay noted at the November meeting that the proximity of Quantico and the TSA headquarters should be major selling points.
“I do think we need to turn the temperature up a little bit. We need to be a little more proud and pound our chest a little bit more here,” McKay said. “Hopefully, we are in the lead here and we can close this deal.”
Expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program
The county hopes the federal government will expand a program that provides tax credits to developers for acquiring, rehabbing, or constructing rental housing targeted to lower-income households.
The county says the tax credit has resulted in thousands of affordable homes.
“In Fairfax County, approximately 10,000 affordable homes have been constructed, preserved, or rehabilitated utilizing the LIHTC program,” the strategy package for Congress reads. “The ability to encourage private investments in affordable housing through tax credits is critical to helping meet the demand in the County.”
Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross said there might be an inaccurate perception that Fairfax County residents aren’t using the program.
“People do not think of Fairfax County as needing this program, but we know we really do because it serves thousands of people,” Gross said.
County officials met today (Dec. 13) with local General Assembly members to discuss their priorities and will meet with local members of Congress at a later date.
Talks are underway to design a street-level crossing across Route 123 at Tysons Blvd, a daunting challenge that would — at least in theory — improve access to Tysons Corner Center for pedestrians, bicyclists and others.
Fairfax County, the Virginia Department of Transportation and Macerich, the mall owner and developer, are currently hashing out an agreement for the crossing as an alternative to the existing pedestrian bridge that links the mall’s plaza to the Tysons Metro station on the other side of Route 123, also known as Chain Bridge Road.
“We’re not there yet, but we are diligently working to find the best and safest street-level crossing there as well, because just that bridge is not the best way to have a crossing,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said when sharing the news at last month’s World Day of Remembrance ceremony honoring pedestrians killed in vehicle crashes.
Exactly what a safe Chain Bridge Road crossing might look like remains to be decided.
According to Palchik, the discussions began in the wake of 74-year-old Annandale resident Filadelfo Ramos Marquez’s death in a crash on Dec. 30, 2021.
At the time, police noted that Ramos Marquez wasn’t using a crosswalk when he got hit by the driver of a 2010 Toyota Camry going south on Chain Bridge. However, the closest crosswalk to the mall is two-tenths of a mile to the south at International Drive. Reaching it means crossing a bus entrance for the Metro and multiple gas station driveways on a narrow, sometimes uneven sidewalk.
The Metro walkway isn’t particularly convenient either except for those actually planning to take a train, and it’s not open 24 hours a day like it was supposed to be, Palchik told FFXnow.
“We’re still figuring that out,” she said when asked what a safe crossing would look like. “I think VDOT has one idea of what it would be, we have one idea, Macerich has another idea.”
Palchik says the crossing should include a pedestrian refuge in the middle of Route 123 so people at least have a place to stop, and lights will “definitely” be needed. Right now, the Tysons Blvd intersection only has traffic lights to direct vehicles with no signs or signals to indicate pedestrians might be present.
A VDOT spokesperson confirmed the department “is planning pedestrian enhancements due to the volume of pedestrian traffic and proximity to transit,” but no design details are available yet since the project “is still in early stages.”
VDOT also said Macerich is planning to modify a part of an intersection at the mall. When asked about its plans, a spokesperson for the real estate developer directed comments instead to Palchik’s office and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, which didn’t respond to an inquiry by press time.
The developer’s proposal to replace the now-vacant Lord & Taylor store with a mixed-use tower was revised again last month to include “a grand portal” through the tower that will better connect Tysons Corner Center’s elevated plaza to the street below.
The mall’s next phase of development will also include a 10-foot-wide trail from the Metro bus bays to International Drive, according to the updated application filed with Fairfax County on Nov. 21.
The proposed staircase and additional streetscaping were added in anticipation of a future street-level crossing at Tysons Blvd, the Washington Business Journal reported.
Acknowledging that congestion can be a concern on Chain Bridge, both going north to the Capital Beltway and south toward Vienna, Palchik says a safe, more accessible crossing is still necessary, as walkability remains a challenge in Tysons.
“We do want to continue to build that as an urban city and core, and that means people walking [and] rolling across not just internal streets, but Route 123 and Route 7,” Palchik said.
The former Zoës Kitchen in Vienna won’t remain vacant for long.
Just days after the fast-casual Mediterranean chain shuttered on Nov. 30, signs appeared on the building at 418 Maple Avenue East indicating that its parent company, Cava, will be moving in.
Cava will open there in the spring of 2023, the company confirmed to FFXnow. However, no other details are available for the time being, including whether the restaurant will be completely new or a relocation of the existing Cava less than a mile down the street at 176 Maple Avenue West.
That Cava arrived in April 2016 as part of Vienna Shopping Center’s grand reopening, and it’s still listed on the center’s leasing website.
Either way, the switch doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Started in 2010, the D.C.-based Cava acquired Zoës Kitchen for $300 million in 2018 and shared last year that it will convert and rebrand the older company’s 261 locations.
A Zoës Kitchen in Alexandria that closed in June is also slated to transition into a Cava, leaving the Ashburn location as the only one left in Northern Virginia. The Texas-based chain began in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1995.
Zoës Kitchen didn’t provide a reason in a sign announcing the closure of its Vienna store last month, according to Patch. The building is also home to a Potbelly and The Frame Market.
Including the existing Vienna restaurant, Cava has nine locations in Fairfax County, including ones in McLean, Tysons, Merrifield and Reston. The business serves build-your-own pita wraps and rice and salad bowls — a slightly less extensive menu than Zoës, which also has sandwiches and other platters.
All-Day I-95 Toll Lanes Proposed — Northern Virginia leaders, including Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, say the I-95 Express Lanes should be open to both northbound and southbound drivers throughout the day. The lanes currently only operate during rush hours, with drivers going into D.C. in the morning and going out during the afternoon. [NBC4]
Police Arrest 94-Year-Old in Pedestrian Hit-and-Run — “A 94-year-old Fairfax City man was arrested Friday morning in connection with a felony hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian on Nov. 29 in Fairfax City, according to a police release…The pedestrian was taken to INOVA Fairfax Hospital, where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries.” [Patch]
Election Successful Despite Issues, Board Secretary Says — “Erroneous mailings, a flood of address changes and provisional votes, a new registrar and delayed redistricting lines from the state kept Fairfax County election officials on their toes this year.” [Sun Gazette]
Filipino Restaurant Opens in Annandale — “Paolo Dungca has long been pushing the boundaries of Filipino cuisine at places like the late Bad Saint and Wharf restaurant Kaliwa — and recently at his own string of pop-ups and restaurants, including the popular Pogiboy near Dupont Circle. Now, the rising star chef has expanded to Annandale with a new fast-casual concept: Sari Filipino Kusina, an all-day comfort food spot that opened over the weekend.” [Washingtonian]
Hearing on Fairfax Supportive Housing Project Continues — “A proposal to redevelop the Hy-Way Motel on Fairfax Boulevard and replace it with affordable housing returns for a second public hearing in two weeks at Tuesday’s Fairfax City Council meeting…About a third of the people who spoke at the Nov. 29 public hearing owned businesses in the Fairfax Circle area and opposed the project.” [Patch]
General District Court Gets First Female, Asian Judge — “Honored to be a part of the investiture of Judge Dipti Pidikiti-Smith, the 1st AAPI woman on the Fairfax General District Court. An immigrant, former @VA_LegalAid attorney & advocate for marginalized people, she will serve w/ compassion & ensure all have equal access to justice” [Kathy Tran/Twitter]
Fairfax County Public Library Hosts Program on Hamilton — “Many are familiar with Alexander Hamilton from the hit musical, but how much was true about the actual man? In this one hour presentation, Marti Londal will examine some myths from the musical and go beyond the lyrics to learn more about the ten-dollar founding father.” [FCPL]
It’s Tuesday — Clear throughout the day. High of 43 and low of 28. Sunrise at 7:20 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]
