A 21-year-old from McLean will help give young Virginians a say in how the U.S. government addresses climate change and other environmental issues.
Sophia Kianni, who founded the nonprofit Climate Cardinals, is one of 16 people appointed to the Environmental Protection Agency’s first-ever youth advisory council, which will provide independent guidance and recommendations on policies related to greenhouse gas emissions, clean air and water, and more.
Announced last week in a press release and a Teen Vogue interview, the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC) consists of people aged 16 to 29 who will serve two-year terms. It will report directly to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, who visited Flint Hill Elementary School in Vienna last year to highlight Fairfax County Public Schools’ new electric school buses.
“Young people have been at the forefront of every movement for political and social change in American history, and the environmental movement is no different,” Regan said in the press release. “Today we are cementing seats for young leaders at EPA’s table as we tackle the greatest environmental challenges of our time.”
This isn’t the first time Kianni has gotten a prominent platform for her environmental advocacy. Currently studying at Stanford University, she previously served on a Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change to the United Nations secretary-general, and a TED Talk she gave in 2021 has drawn over 2 million views.
The talk centered on the same topic at the heart of Climate Cardinals: the need for climate research an educational resources to be available in different languages.
Inspired by a visit to Iran when she was in middle school, Kianni founded Climate Cardinals in 2020 — the same year she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, according to a Northern Virginia Magazine profile. The nonprofit’s reach is now international, with 10,000 volunteers in over 80 countries who can translate 100 languages.
When the NEYAC appointments were announced on Nov. 16, Kianni got kudos on social media from Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Gerry Connolly.
I look forward to your contributions to the fight against climate change, Sophia. You make VA-11 proud!
— Rep. Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) November 16, 2023
“I am immensely proud to congratulate my constituent Sophia Kianni on her selection for the @EPA National Environmental Youth Advisory Council,” Connolly said in a tweet. “Sophia will serve our community and our nation as she provides advice and recommendations on climate concerns affecting America’s youth.”
In a graphic shared by Warner, Kianni said she was “excited to work alongside Administrator Regan and his incredible team to leverage intergenerational insights and innovation to work together for a more sustainable and equitable future.”
Glad to see the launch of this program to mobilize young people against one of the most pressing issues of our time – climate change. I’m particularly glad that Virginia will be represented by Sophia Kianni, a Vienna, Virginia native! https://t.co/zv3dYc6Ujq pic.twitter.com/esKaMrf9XO
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) November 16, 2023
The EPA announced in June that it would establish a youth advisory council, inviting older teens and young adults from around the country to apply for the 16 spots. At least half the seats were reserved for people from communities considered disadvantaged due to flood and wildfire risks, pollution, housing and transportation barriers, and other obstacles.
According to the EPA, the inaugural members were chosen from 1,000 applicants “to represent a variety of interests, lived experiences, partisan affiliation, and geographic locations.” They come from 13 different states and have backgrounds in issues from climate change and conservation to food security and workforce development.
NEYAC will meet at least two times every year, starting in 2024.
(Updated at 12:30 p.m. with Metro information) Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, bringing with it the promise (or threat, depending on your situation) of family gatherings and days off for many public services.
The Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Herndon and Vienna governments will all observe the holiday tomorrow (Thursday) by closing their offices, but schedules are more varied for Friday (Nov. 24).
Many private businesses and indoor shopping centers will also close for Thanksgiving, though most will reopen for Black Friday, because there’s nothing like a day of unabashed consumerism to follow a day of gratitude for what we have.
Shopping Malls
Tysons Corner Center, the D.C. area’s biggest shopping mall, will close tomorrow, but shoppers can get an early start on Black Friday, when doors will open at 6 a.m. and stay open until 10 p.m. Tysons Galleria will also close for Thanksgiving and open with modified hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
Over at Fair Oaks Mall, a Thanksgiving closure will be followed by Black Friday hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Springfield Town Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday.
Trash and recycling
Fairfax County trash and recycling customers won’t experience any change in services for the holiday. However, the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex will be closed on Thanksgiving and open the day after. Administrative offices will be closed through Friday.
“If you have private collection, please contact your hauler,” the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services says.
The Town of Vienna will have no waste collection on Thanksgiving, and on Friday, only trash and recycling will get picked up. The Town of Herndon isn’t collecting yard waste this week, and Thursday trash pickups will be collected on Friday instead.
Fairfax City will similarly conduct both Thursday and Friday curbside collections on Friday.
Transportation
On Thanksgiving, Metro will operate trains and buses on a Sunday schedule, with trains running from 7 a.m. to midnight. Regular service will resume Friday.
Fairfax Connector will provide Sunday service tomorrow and holiday weekday service on Friday. The bus service’s stores and customer service center will close for Thanksgiving, reopening for regular hours on Friday.
Fairfax City’s CUE bus system won’t operate on Thanksgiving, but reduced weekday service, with one bus per route, will be available Friday.
Starting at noon today, the Virginia Department of Transportation is pausing most highway work and lane closures on major roads until noon on Monday, Nov. 27. Drivers will also be able to use the I-66 Express Lanes inside the Capital Beltway (I-495) without any rush-hour tolls on Thanksgiving. Read More
Fire Department Has Thanksgiving Safety Tips — “Did you know Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires? According to the NFPA, Thanksgiving day has more than three times the daily average for such incidents…Please help prevent an unexpected visit to your home from our firefighters on Thanksgiving Day!” [FCFRD]
Man Arrested for Tysons Corner Center Burglary — Fairfax County police officers responded to Macy’s at Tysons Corner Center at 2:13 a.m. yesterday (Tuesday) after a community member reported that a burglary alarm was activated by “a man pushing a cart filled with merchandise away from the store.” Police recovered “$38,787 worth of clothing and accessories.” [FCPD]
Pedestrians Killed in Crashes Remembered — “The World Day of Remembrance event recognized the 18 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax County since November 20, 2022 as well as unnamed pedestrians who were killed or seriously injured in the region. Seventeen of these 18 deaths occurred in Fairfax County.” [Fairfax County Health Department]
Tysons Company Releases Food Waste Survey — “MITRE and Gallup have released a State of Food Waste in America survey that collected user-reported data of daily food waste from 9,000 households in all 50 states and the District. The average household wastes 2 pounds of food per week.” A free app designed by Mitre researchers can be used to track food waste and “how much money you’re throwing out.” [WTOP]
Police Talk Opioids at Community Meeting — “Anyone who reports a fentanyl overdose or revives a victim with Narcan won’t be charged with a crime. That’s the message detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department’s Overdose Investigations Unit brought to a community meeting in Annandale on Nov. 17…Parents at the meeting wanted to learn more about fentanyl and how to talk to their children about drugs.” [Annandale Today]
Chantilly Contractor Enters Merger — “Chantilly, Virginia-based defense contractor Amentum Services has signed a deal to merge with the critical mission solutions and cyber intelligence government service division of Dallas-based Jacobs. The spin-off will create one of the largest publicly-traded companies headquartered in the D.C. region.” [WTOP]
Fort Hunt Playground Will Get New Swings — “The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Board recently approved a matching grant request from the Villamay Community Association to fund the installation of swings at the Gilbert S. McCutcheon Park playground…The Park Authority’s $13,000 grant will supplement the community association’s $13,000 contribution.” [On the MoVe]
Mosaic District to Light Holiday Tree Friday — “Join us at Mosaic to welcome the arrival of the holiday season with a merry and bright tree lighting. Bring your family and friends to experience the Jolly Man as he spreads holiday cheer and makes his way through Mosaic on a firetruck and greets onlookers. Visitors can also meet and greet Santa in the Target lobby after the tree lighting.” [Mosaic District]
It’s Wednesday — There’s a 20% chance of rain before 10am, followed by partly sunny skies and a high near 61. Expect a mostly cloudy night with a low of 41. Thanksgiving will be sunny and 55 degrees, accompanied by northwest winds at 8-13 mph and gusts up to 22 mph. [Weather.gov]
FFXnow Takes a Holiday — FFXnow is taking a short break for Thanksgiving. Barring breaking news, we won’t be publishing tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday (Nov. 24).
Fairfax County officials are gearing up to expand the police department’s use of automated license plate readers (ALPR).
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a $136,270 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice today (Tuesday) to further support the program. The Fairfax County Police Department is seeking the expansion in response to a rise in violent carjackings and stolen vehicles, according to county staff.
The FCPD introduced the camera system last year with an eight-week trial period that placed the technology in two locations. This spring, the department installed another 25 readers, extending the trial through Oct. 31.
Over the last 13 months, county officials say the police department has recovered 125 stolen vehicles and 22 firearms using the technology. The system also reportedly helped find 19 missing persons.
“The placement of these systems into neighborhoods will foster new partnerships with the communities that have requested LPR support. It will also increase communications between police and the neighborhoods,” county staff said in a memo to the board.
The camera system comes from Flock Safety, which has installed ALPRs in more than 2,000 localities across the country.
The technology captures a vehicle’s license plate, color, make and model and sends a real-time alert to law enforcement if a stolen vehicle used in a crime matches records in the database.
County officials say the program doesn’t conflict with the county’s public trust and confidentiality policy, which aims to ensure that immigrant residents can utilize county services without the fear that information will be disclosed to federal immigration officials.
“The FCPD LPR program specifically prohibits users from using the system to identify, alert, or enforce any immigration related warrants, which is a practice that is reinforced in the training class and every time a user logs into the system,” county staff wrote.
The FCPD is permitted to store data for up to one year, but Flock Safety’s system only stores data for up to 30 days, FFXnow previously reported. The issue of data retention has been a subject of legal and legislative debate.
In 2019, a federal court ruled that an FCPD database of photos of vehicle license plates violated Virginia privacy law. A year later, the Virginia State Supreme Court overturned that decision. During its session this year, the General Assembly considered a bill that would limit how data from ALPRs is stored, but it was left in a senate transportation committee.
A Korean fried chicken restaurant based in Centreville has spread its wings to Vienna, adopting a new name in the process.
Oh My Dak quietly opened at 128 Maple Avenue West in late October, according to Min Kim, who operates the eatery with her husband Joseph Kim. It takes the place of Rose Kabob, which closed last November after serving up Persian cuisine for 16 years.
The Kims got into the Korean-style fried chicken business before the dish became a full-blown trend in the U.S. Their first restaurant, Cheogajip Chicken, opened at the Old Centreville Crossing shopping center (13814 Braddock Road) in 2006 — the same year that the chain Bonchon made its American debut.
While Cheogajip is still going strong in Centreville, particularly gaining traction in the area’s Korean community, Min Kim says they wanted to bring their brand of chicken, made with a “special” recipe and sauce, to a new audience.
The couple settled on Vienna as their second location at the suggestion of the owner of Maru Korean Cuisine and Sushi, which happens to be next door to Oh My Dak.
“He’s our friend, so he asked, ‘Why don’t you come to Vienna? Korean fried chicken is very popular these days, so why don’t you try to open a restaurant in this area?” Min told FFXnow. “That’s why we came to here.”
Like Cheogajim, Oh My Dak offers five flavors of fried chicken: original, sweet and mild, hot and spicy, soy and garlic, and a mayonnaise-based supreme sauce. The menu also features specialty dishes, such as tteok bokki (spicy rice cake sticks) and chicken feet, and cup bops, a new addition that mixes chicken with rice, noodles and vegetables.
The restaurant opens 11 a.m., closing at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and at 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It’s closed on Tuesdays.
Joseph Kim says Oh My Dak will get a more official grand opening, possibly in December, but right now, it’s still finding its feet and training employees.
“It’s totally different than Centreville, different people, different style,” Min Kim said. “I think Vienna has their own special style.”
Some local families got an early holiday present this past weekend, courtesy of the Mouse House.
Disney offered an advance screening of its latest animated film — appropriately titled “Wish” — at Tysons Corner Center on Saturday (Nov. 18) to beneficiaries of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the nonprofit that grants requests from kids with critical illnesses.
The 11 a.m. screening at the AMC Theatres in Tysons drew more than 150 attendees, according to a Disney spokesperson.
“At Disney, we’ve always believed in the magic of making wishes come true,” Lisa Haines, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at The Walt Disney Company, said in a statement to FFXnow. “Our relationship with Make-A-Wish has spanned over four decades, and it’s a testament to our commitment to delivering joy to children and their families.”
Launched in 1980, Make-A-Wish began in Phoenix, Arizona, after the community united to support a 7-year-old boy with leukemia who wanted to become a police officer. The nonprofit has now granted more than 520,000 wishes worldwide, according to its website.
The Mid-Atlantic chapter, which encompasses the D.C. area, was founded in 1983 and has granted more than 11,000 wishes to kids diagnosed with cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses.
According to Make-A-Wish, it has been partnered with Disney since its inception, and one out of every two requests from kids in the U.S. are fulfilled by the company that has become synonymous with childhood entertainment.
Disney conceived of “Wish” as an homage to classics like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” and “The Little Mermaid” to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney Animation Studios, though early critical reviews suggest it struggles to capture that past magic.
Directed by “Frozen” alums Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn from a script by Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore, “Wish” follows a girl voiced by Oscar winner Ariana DeBose who must save the fictional kingdom of Rosas from its villainous king. She gets help from “a little ball of boundless energy called Star” that she brought into existence with the titular wish.
The movie officially opens tomorrow (Wednesday), but screenings will get underway at the AMC in Tysons and other local theaters this afternoon in anticipation of Thanksgiving weekend, which is typically a busy period for moviegoing — at least in pre-pandemic times.
A Thai restaurant is on its way to Chesterbrook Shopping Center (6224 Old Dominion Drive) in McLean, though it will be some time before its doors open.
Sorn Thai will be a new concept from the team behind Donsak, a Thai restaurant that opened in D.C.’s Woodley Park neighborhood last November, property owner Federal Realty announced.
Donsak was lauded as “required eating” by the Washington Post and listed as one of the District’s standout Thai restaurants by DC Eater.
Expected to open in late 2024, Sorn Thai was inspired by owner Supisa “Boom” Teabut’s grandmother, Sorn. Based on her recipes, the menu will feature southern Thai dishes, like pad Thai and pad see ew, while aiming for “affordability and family-friendly appeal,” according to a press release.
“With its central location, welcoming neighborhood and diverse residents, Chesterbrook is a community that truly has it all,” Teawbut said. “Recognizing the limited presence of Thai restaurants in the area, we see this as an exciting opportunity to not only share our culture but also become a cherished part of such a vibrant community.”
While announcing Sorn Thai, Federal Realty also confirmed that Call Your Mother will move into a brick-and-mortar location at Chesterbrook by late 2024.
The popular D.C. bagel shop opened a mobile “Lil Deli” truck in the shopping center’s parking lot in May, but with customers lining up even on overcast and drizzly days, it’s little surprise that a more permanent space is in the works.
Call Your Mother will occupy 1,405 square feet next to Le Village Marché, a French home decor store that opened on June 9. Sorn Thai will be located in a 3,055-square-foot suite three doors down from Small Door Veterinary, which is on track for a spring 2024 opening.
Federal Realty has been refilling Chesterbrook with tenants after launching an extensive renovation in September 2022. Hoping to bring more visibility to its retailers, the developer anticipates finishing new facades for the property this year and outdoor amenity spaces sometime in 2024.
Car Crashes Into Electric Pole on Route 29 — A two-vehicle crash took out an electrical pole at the Graham Road intersection in Idylwood early last night (Monday). No injuries were reported, but all eastbound lanes were blocked during the afternoon rush-hour as police and Dominion Energy responded to the scene. [FCPD/Twitter]
Tysons Corner Center Lights Holiday Tree — “Step into a winter wonderland at Tysons Corner Plaza, where the festive spirit comes alive! This quick highlight reel captures the essence of the Tysons Corner Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration that took place on November 17, 2023.” [Drew Lehmann/YouTube]
Local Reporter Sips and Shops at Tysons Mall — “Tysons Corner Center recently announced ‘Shopping With a Twist,’ meaning you can buy boozy drinks at participating restaurants, carry them around the mall while you shop and take them into certain stores. So, obviously, I had to try this.” [Axios D.C.]
Wealth Gap Persists in Northern Virginia — New research indicates that Northern Virginia still has “concentrated areas of poverty and poor opportunity alongside others of tremendous wealth and success. That reality persisted — and in some cases even worsened — as Northern Virginia overall experienced continued growth and progress in the years between 2013 and 2021.” [DCist]
Increase in Thanksgiving Travel Expected — “More than 1.25 million people in the D.C. region will be hitting the roads over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, making it the second-highest number since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000. And, gassing up for the travel will be considerably cheaper this year.” [WTOP/Inside NoVA]
Cinnamon Bun Shop in Herndon Expected Soon — “The new Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls shop is getting closer to opening day at its upcoming location in Herndon. The sign has gone up over the doorway and the hiring of staff is underway…No official opening date yet, but according to posts on social media, it should be announced soon.” [The Burn]
Vienna Police Bring Back Cancer Awareness Campaign — “During November, the Vienna Police Department’s no-facial-hair policy has been relaxed to enable male officers to participate in the Zero Cancer Grow-and-Give fundraising campaign, town officials said. For the third year in a row, Police Chief James Morris suspended the dress-code rule to enable officers to put down their razor during #NoShaveNovember.” [Gazette Leader]
German Christmas Market Coming to Reston — The German military will host a Christmas market at 11150 Sunrise Valley Drive on Thursday, Dec. 7. There will be “rows of charming stalls adorned with twinkling lights and decorations” and plenty of handcrafted gift options, along with German food and drinks, including beer. [Patch]
It’s Tuesday — Expect rain after 10am with a high of 53°F and 100% chance of precipitation with accumulation between half and three-quarters of an inch. Tuesday night, rain continues, mainly before 1am, with lows around 47°F. An additional 1 to 2 inches of precipitation is possible. [Weather.gov]
Before the new class of General Assembly members takes office in January, they are facing a push from local government leaders to quickly address Virginia’s historical underfunding of its school divisions.
In September, the General Assembly convened a group to examine how the state’s funding formulas could be updated to fix the problem, with recommendations due next November, ahead of the 2025 legislative session. However, many local governments say the timeline needs to be faster and are urging the legislature to take action immediately, at the start of the new budget cycle.
“We’re not asking for anything additional from the state,” said Jason Bellows, president of the Virginia Association of Counties. “We’re just asking them to fully fund their agreed commitments of their fair share.”
This July, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, which conducts analysis and provides oversight of state agencies on behalf of the General Assembly, found that Virginia schools receive 14% less state funding than the 50-state average, equal to roughly $1,900 less per student.
Part of the problem, the report found, was that complicated funding formulas underestimate how much divisions need: In fiscal year 2021, for example, schools spent $6.6 billion more than was allocated by the Standards of Quality formula, which is used to calculate how much the state must contribute to fulfill its constitutional obligation to maintain high-quality public school systems.
Perhaps more significantly, during the Great Recession, state funding levels dropped dramatically and the legislature imposed a “support cap” limiting the number of support positions the state would fund. Positions affected by the cap included central office and administrative, technical, clerical, maintenance and instructional support positions.
But despite the state’s financial recovery following the recession, funding levels have never been fully restored, and the support cap was only partially lifted by the last state budget negotiated late this summer.
Many local governments weren’t surprised by JLARC’s findings, which they say validate years of school divisions arguing the state inadequately funds public education.
Bellows said public education is supposed to be a “50-50 share” between the state and local governments, with the federal government helping as necessary.
“The local governments have been stepping up to the plate and funding public education well above what we are required to do because the state, in their minimum requirements, can’t get the job done,” he said.
Timelines and budgets
After the release of the JLARC report this summer, the General Assembly included a provision in the budget calling for a work group to consider its recommendations and present them by Nov. 1, 2024. But many local government leaders want the legislature to act sooner as annual budget discussions loom and federal pandemic relief funds dry up.
Joe Flores, director of fiscal policy for the Virginia Municipal League, said the General Assembly and governor should prioritize taking action on the funding and formula problems during the upcoming legislative session.
“If this is a priority for the administration and for lawmakers, and we know it will be, we would hope that they would commit to begin to address these as soon as possible and as early as when the governor releases his budget, and if not, then [through] budget amendments that the General Assembly may put forward,” Flores said.
Planning for the future has also been complicated, officials say, by the legislature’s delay in adopting budget changes until September.
“Nothing is more detrimental to local government than leaving us in limbo for six months while essentially bureaucrats in Richmond argue over pennies,” Bellows said.
While that budget included an extra $427.7 million for public education, the funds were one-time money, a product of pandemic-era surpluses that Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration is encouraging divisions to use to staunch learning losses. Youngkin will present his recommendations for the state’s next two-year budget in December.
While the contents of that budget haven’t yet been announced, Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter said in a statement that the report “lays plain that the previous two administrations never truly sought adequate funding for K-12 education and more importantly, never sought to reform the system to make sure funding goes to serve students and teachers in the classroom.”
On Wednesday, however, the Virginia Board of Education voted to exclude elimination of the support cap from its list of changes it is seeking to the Standards of Quality as part of a regular two-year review.
Chad Stewart, a policy analyst with the Virginia Education Association, said the SOQ revisions process has been disappointing compared to years past, when the draft would be provided to the public by October.
“The board has really set the tone and the pathway for what the most important best return on investment items are for the General Assembly to vote on,” Stewart said. “And without the due diligence of the process this year, without the research basis for why they’re making these recommendations and how they justified it, we will have to see how much credibility there is for these recommendations and how much lawmakers are going to take them into account.”
This article was reported and written by the Virginia Mercury, and has been reprinted with permission. It was slightly edited for length, and links to the Fairfax County website and a previous FFXnow story were added by FFXnow.
Fairfax County police confiscated multiple machine guns last week from a Tysons man who was suspected of sending sexual messages to a juvenile.
Detectives began investigating Craig Strasbourger, 31, after receiving a tip in September from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline, which gets reports of child sexual exploitation incidents, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The tip indicated that Strasbourger “was suspected to be engaging in sexual communication with a juvenile from Kentucky,” the FCPD said in a news release on Friday (Nov. 17).
Detectives and the department’s SWAT team executed a search warrant for Strasbourger’s house on Robin Way Court on Thursday (Nov. 16), leading to his arrest.
“During the operation, detectives confiscated four illegal machine guns and various electronic devices from the premises,” the FCPD said.
Strasbourger has been charged with four counts of unlawful possession of a machine gun. He was initially held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center but later got released on a $4,000 secured bond, according to police.
Additional charges could be filed in connection with the electronic devices, which are being reviewed by detectives, the police department said.
Machine guns are allowed in Virginia, but they must be registered with the Virginia State Police. Under the Uniform Machine Gun Act, possession for an “offensive or aggressive purpose” is a Class 4 felony, which carries potential sentences of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
The FCPD didn’t immediately elaborate on what made the machine guns found at Strasbourger’s house illegal, but the state law says an aggressive or offensive purpose is presumed if:
- The gun isn’t registered
- Shells are found in its “immediate vicinity”
- The person has been convicted of a violent crime
- Or the person doesn’t own or rent the property where the gun was found
Per Fairfax County General District Court records, Strasbourger is scheduled to appear for an arraignment at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 27 and a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2024.
