McLean HS Graduate Wins World Series — “Congrats to McLean HS alum Josh Sborz, who threw the final strike to win the World Series with the Texas Rangers…Sborz also pitched for the University of Virginia, where he led the Virginia Cavaliers to the 2015 College World Series title and was named MVP.” [FCPS/Facebook]
Politicians Make Final Pre-Election Pitches — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared in Virginia “to urge Democrats to vote against the Republican legislative candidates championed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R)…Volunteers and campaign staffers fanned out in districts across the state Saturday, urging residents to cast ballots immediately on the last day of early voting or whipping them up to visit the polls Tuesday.” [Washington Post]
FCPS to Review Grading Policy Changes — “Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia is planning to reconvene its equitable grading practice advisory committee soon, Sloan Presidio, the school’s chief academic officer, said at last week’s school board meeting. The committee, Presidio said, is planning to review some of the grading policy changes that the…school system made last year.” [WTOP]
New Reston Movie Theater Company May Revive Other Sites — “Look Dine-In Cinemas is scouting Greater Washington for lifeless movie theaters to reanimate, now that it’s planted its flag with an initial location in Northern Virginia…The company is focused for now mainly on retrofits of former theaters, a model that is faster to market than building new.” [Washington Business Journal]
Officials Celebrate Finish of Route 29 Path — “The Virginia Department of Transportation and Fairfax County celebrated today the new continuous shared-use path along northbound Route 29 between Vaden Drive and Nutley Street…The project constructed missing segments of the shared-use path along the roughly one-third of a mile stretch of northbound Route 29.” [VDOT]
Supreme Court Hears Case on Red Flag Laws — “If the Supreme Court overturns the federal law that prevents someone with a domestic violence restraining order from owning firearms, some worry about what this means for red flag laws.” Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano says he fears the court will “continue down this extreme path” and invalidate federal and Virginia laws. [WUSA9]
Veterans’ Day Events Planned Around Route 1 — “Veterans Day falls on Saturday, Nov. 11 this year, and in commemoration of the observance, several organizations and places around the Richmond Highway Corridor are holding events over the next few weeks. Following are several of the events we’re tracking” [On the MoVe]
A Deep Dive Into Centreville History — “Centreville, Virginia, derived its name from its central location among key Northern Virginia cities and towns. Originally called Newgate in the 1760s, this name was inspired by a local tavern owned by William Carr Lane, which took its name from a London prison.” [Ghosts of DC]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 63 degrees and light winds that will increase from the south at 5-8 mph in the afternoon. At night, the skies will turn mostly cloudy and the temperature will dip to about 53 degrees. [Weather.gov]
Construction is humming along for The Trillium Tysons, a senior living community that will kick off the next phase of The Boro.
The 15-story, 181-unit apartment building geared toward older adults is expected to welcome its first residents in early summer 2024, according to owner and developer Silverstone Senior Living.
Silverstone says interest in the new community has been strong so far, with more than 100 people committing a $100 deposit to join a priority list. In addition to the chance to choose the location and size of their unit, benefits offered to priority list members include a discount on a one-time community fee charged to residents.
“We are thrilled by the attention we are getting from prospective independent living residents,” The Trillium’s sales director, Kell Flood, said in a press release. “The strong interest is an indication that there is demand for quality senior living that includes sophisticated amenities and programming for today’s active senior adult.”
Located at 8400 Westpark Drive, The Trillium will have one and two-bedroom independent living units that could range in size from 772 to 2,100 square feet. Assisted living and memory care support services will also be available.
Amenities will include six restaurants and lounges, a day spa and salon, a fitness center, rooftop gardens, art studio, a community theater and underground parking, according to Silverstone, which says it’s seeking “to break the mold of traditional senior living by providing a lifestyle beyond expectation.”
The building will be managed by Greystone Communities, whose clients include The Providence Fairfax at MetroWest near the Vienna Metro station and The Landing Alexandria in Potomac Yard.
Construction on The Trillium began in spring 2022 after the site’s previous occupant — the former National Automobile Dealers Association headquarters building — got demolished.
The senior living community constitutes one of five blocks planned for The Boro’s expansion, along with three residential buildings with ground-floor retail and a block that could become either a health club or townhouses.
Approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2021, the project will deliver 1.1 million square feet of development, about 1.5 acres of public park space and a portion of the Tysons Community Circuit, a recreational trail that will eventually loop through the urban center.
It took more than half a century, but Dr. Martens has at last planted a foot in Virginia.
The British shoe company known for its air-cushioned, lace-up boots opened its first store in the Commonwealth on Sept. 8 at Tysons Corner Center, where it sits on the first floor near Macy’s.
An inquiry from FFXnow on why Dr. Martens decided to open a store at the Tysons mall was acknowledged by the company’s press team but didn’t get a response by publication time.
However, a store employee said the opening got an enthusiastic response from locals excited that they no longer have to cross the Potomac River to Georgetown, which previously had the only Dr. Martens in the D.C. area.
Made iconic by The Who lead singer Pete Townshend, Doc Martens boots were first developed by Dr. Klaus Maertens, a doctor in the German Army during World War II who wanted an alternative to the traditional army boot that he could wear while nursing a foot injury. He partnered with a friend who worked as a mechanical engineer and began production in 1947, selling the shoes primarily to older women, according to the company’s website.
About a decade later, the boot was bought by a British company, which made some tweaks and gave it the branding “Airwair.” Initially treated as a work boot, the 1460 model — named after its launch date of April 1, 1960 — later became popular among punks and skinheads as a symbol of working-class pride and youthful defiance.
Eventually, the look was embraced by high-end designer labels, such as Alexander McQueen and Dolce & Gabbana, that produced similar, military-style boots, according to the New York Times. The 1460 boots now cost over $100.
Having a cocktail in hand might help shoppers channel that original rebellious spirit, but Dr. Martens is not among the retailers participating in Tysons Corner Center’s new public drinking program.
Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday — “This weekend, as you move your clocks back one hour to mark the end of daylight savings, don’t forget to check your smoke alarms to ensure they work…If your alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.” [FCFRD]
Self-Driving Vehicles Tested in I-395 Express Lanes — Virginia Tech “researchers and an entourage of public safety, industry and highway officials have been using the stretch of toll road outside the nation’s capital this fall for self-driving demonstrations, hoping to develop solutions to common problems arising in the technology’s deployment. The simulations come three years into extensive research that has resulted in promising findings but has also come with moments of disappointment.” [Washington Post]
Police Seek Help Finding Indecent Exposure Suspect — “Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau are asking for the community’s help in identifying a suspect believed to be related to multiple indecent exposure cases in Bailey’s Crossroads…Detectives completed a composite sketch of the suspect and are asking for the community’s help in identifying the man.” [FCPD]
More Details of Potential Fairfax County Casino Bill Shared — Sen. David Marsden says his planned bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County would set the stage for a new entertainment district in Tysons. He told Patch “that he would not reintroduce the bill he submitted in January. Instead, he’s expanding the bill, adding a performance space and conference center.” [Patch]
Lincolnia Restaurant Closes After 20 Years — “It was a bittersweet Halloween for fans of the Foxfire Grill. The popular restaurant at Pinecrest Plaza closed for good on Oct. 31 following a Halloween party that drew a large crowd…In September, Foxfire owner Terri Fox announced plans to close the restaurant after Edens, the owner of Pinecrest Plaza, doubled the rent. The space has been leased to a Japanese ramen restaurant called Kajiken.” [Annandale Today]
Future of Virginia Gun Laws Hinges on Election — “The politics surrounding gun control have been at a standstill in Virginia due to its divided government, but that could take a hard turn depending on what happens in the state’s closely-watched election that’s coming up on Tuesday…All 140 General Assembly seats are on the ballot in the election.” [WTOP]
Groveton Neighborhood Now a Historic Site — “At the intersection of Shiver Drive and Jube Court in Fairfax County, the street signs double as a kind of victory post. They signal the triumph of Jube Shiver Sr., a Black schoolteacher who couldn’t buy a house in 1960 because of racially restrictive housing covenants — so he built his own neighborhood. A subdivision called Randall Estates.” [Washington Post]
Woodburn Park Parking Lot to Close for Renovation — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin resurfacing and painting work at the Eakin Community Park parking lot located at 3401 Prosperity Ave…Work is expected to begin on Nov. 6, and is expected to conclude by the end of November 2023, weather permitting. The parking lot will be closed for the duration of the project.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high temperature near 59 degrees and a south wind blowing at 5 to 8 mph. On Friday night, the weather will be partly cloudy with a low temperature around 39 degrees, accompanied by a south wind at around 7 mph. [Weather.gov]
The Town of Vienna is moving forward with the creation of a parks system master plan.
The Vienna Town Council authorized parks and recreation staff on Oct. 23 to spend $236,230 to hire the consulting firm Kimley-Horn, which was selected from four potential vendors to develop the plan that will guide the town’s facilities and services over the next decade.
“The parks and recreation department has a strong commitment to provide fair and just access to high-quality parks, green space, recreation facilities and programs for all members of the community,” Vienna Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Herman told the council. “The park system master plan will set a vision to guide long-term future development, redevelopment and improvements to the town’s park systems, open space, trails and recreation facilities over the next five to 10 years.”
In addition to creating an inventory of existing amenities and their conditions, Kimley-Horn has been tasked with evaluating town-owned properties that could be used for parks or recreation in the future, including the Annex site (301 Center Street South) where the former Faith Baptist Church is set to be demolished and the Robinson family property at 124 Courthouse Road SW.
According to Fairfax County property records, the Town of Vienna bought the property where former mayor Charles Robinson and former council member Maud Robinson had lived for $1.4 million in December 2019, not long after Maud Robinson died. The 31,688-square-foot site has been designated as future park land.
As part of the parks master plan, the town has asked Kimley-Horn to recommend three options for developing the Robinson property, complete with conceptual designs and cost estimates.
Councilmember Chuck Anderson suggested that the consultant also look at how much the town could potentially get if it sold the property and used the resulting funds to support parks and rec initiatives.
“That, I think, is one option for that property,” Anderson said. “That’s just one I want to make sure is on the table.”
The council was initially scheduled to approve the funds at an Oct. 2 meeting, but the vote got deferred after members raised questions about the project’s cost and scope.
After getting a 23-page report from Kimley-Horn responding to those questions, council members said they’re now satisfied with the firm’s proposal for the master plan, which it anticipates will take about 16 months to develop.
In response to a question about the timeline from Councilmember Howard Springsteen, the firm said the project could take less time, but it recommended considering “this a 16-month effort at the outset so as to set realistic expectations.”
Springsteen said he was “ready to support” the master plan project after Kimley-Horn reassured him it would provide operating, maintenance and capital costs for its recommendations, along with comparisons to the town’s annual budget.
Springsteen said the master plan needs to provide “a good roadmap,” especially since it will be developed and implemented under a different council. All six council seats and Mayor Linda Colbert, who’s running unopposed, are on the ballot for this year’s general election, which will take place next Tuesday (Nov. 7).
Early voting has been ongoing since Sept. 22, with in-person locations operating through Saturday, Nov. 4.
“We have a lot of expectations out there, and we have to put things down in writing,” Springsteen said. “I too would like to have five extra homes, go to Europe 10 times a year, but there’s a cost involved [to] what we can or cannot do, so I look forward to you racking up these ideas.”
The town didn’t respond by press time to an FFXnow inquiry regarding a possible kick-off date for the parks master plan process. Public engagement efforts are expected to include surveys, stakeholder interviews and community workshops.
A Vienna business started by a 9-year-old got a national spotlight yesterday (Wednesday) when its young founder appeared on “The Drew Barrymore Show.”
Smell of Love Candles CEO Alejandro Buxton, now 13, was invited to the daytime talk show for an episode celebrating Black Entrepreneurs Day, which was created in 2020 by FUBU founder and CEO Daymond John to promote and raise money for Black-owned businesses.
In addition to getting advice from John, who co-hosted the episode with Barrymore, Alejandro received a $10,000 check from the Alexandria-based human resources company TriNet.
“It was the most amazing experience that I have had in my life,” Alejandro told FFXnow. “In preparing for the show, every emotion that you could feel…happy, nervous, shy, excited; I was overwhelmed and was feeling everything. I didn’t know how it would go and then once I got on the show and when I got on stage, Drew was so nice and Daymond as well so they made me feel really comfortable. Daymond gave me really good advice and I’m really grateful to Drew and her staff for everything they gave me on the show.”
As he recounted during the show, Alejandro launched Smell of Love Candles to create candles for his mom, Patricia Buxton, who “really loved candles” but got headaches from the ones they previously had in the house. Those candles also triggered Alejandro’s asthma.
The company’s candles are made out of soy wax and use carefully handpicked and tested fragrances, according to its website. A pop-up stall at Tysons Corner Center that opened last fall closed at the beginning of this year, but Smell of Love Candles has found success as an online store and at local weekend markets around the D.C. area.
Alejandro shared on “The Drew Barrymore Show” that he had sold more than 16,000 candles by the end of 2022, impressing both the host and John.
“It’s just so inspiring. On behalf of all moms, thank you for being you,” Barrymore said after the teen credited his mom’s love as his motivation.
Now four seasons in after premiering in fall 2020, “The Drew Barrymore Show” has drawn praise for its intimate interviews of normally guarded celebrities, but the “E.T.” actor faced a fierce backlash this fall when she attempted to film while the Writers Guild of America was on strike. She soon backtracked and shut down production until the strike ended on Sept. 27, though three writers in the WGA still declined to return.
Barrymore introduced Alejandro to her audience yesterday as “an absolute cutie pie” and noted that he’s “a huge fan” of John.
“We want to surprise him, because he has no idea you’re here right now,” she told John.
Alejandro confirms he “had no clue” that he would meet John, who’s regularly featured as an investor on the reality TV show “Shark Tank.”
“It’s the only thing I watch almost every episode, and he’s one of my favorite sharks,” Alejandro said. “So, seeing him in person and him giving me advice, that was really big.”
John advised Alejandro, who asked how to get his products in physical stores, to essentially keep doing what he’s doing, selling directly to customers instead of working with other distributors.
“If the store sells it, you don’t know who bought it, but if you sell it direct, you know who bought it,” John said. “…You want to super-size everybody’s fries, and the way to do that is having this communication of growing a community like you’re doing already.”
Alejandro says he plans to follow that advice. Having the $10,000 from TriNet certainly can’t hurt when it comes to operating a business. The candle-maker told FFXnow that he plans to use the money to buy supplies — both for Smell of Love Candles and for classrooms in need.
“My mom used to be a teacher, and it’s hard to be a teacher, so we’re fulfilling teacher wish-lists,” Alejandro said.
School Board Races Test “Parent Rights” Movement — “While Fairfax County tends to vote for Democrats, right-leaning parent activists here played an instrumental role in Youngkin’s surprise victory in 2021, which fueled a national GOP focus on culture war issues in education. Next week’s school board race, which is non-partisan, may test whether voters will reward the Democratic incumbents for holding the line against conservative policies — or whether the ‘parental rights’ movement remains a significant force.” [NBC News]
FCPS Investigating Release of Sensitive Student Info — “Virginia’s Fairfax County Public Schools has launched an investigation into the district’s release of tens of thousands of confidential documents containing sensitive student information to a parent advocate last month and has issued an apology to those affected.” [The 74]
New Grocery Store Coming to Mount Vernon — “The long vacant Safeway space at Mount Vernon Square has officially been taken over by Fresh World and is expected to start undergoing construction and renovation by year’s end, according to Joshua Kim, a representative of the Fresh World affiliate that purchased the shopping center back in July 2023.” [On the MoVe]
GMU Addresses Recorded Fight Over Poster — “George Mason University responded on social media Tuesday to a video of a woman taking down and tearing up a poster ‘that appears to depict Israeli children kidnapped as part of the Israel-Hamas conflict.’ The video seems to have been recorded at the Virginia university’s Fairfax location and has been reposted thousands of times since it was uploaded on Monday.” [WTOP]
Property Taking Authorized for Oakton Walkway — “Fairfax County supervisors on Oct. 24 unanimously agreed to use eminent-domain powers to obtain land rights from one property owner in order to proceed with the planned Chain Bridge Road Walkway project. The county plans to build a 5-foot-wide concrete sidewalk along the 1,760 linear feet of the south side of Chain Bridge Road in Oakton between Courthouse and Sutton roads.” [Gazette Leader]
Fairfax Artificial Intelligence Firm Acquired — “Fairfax-based ARInspect, a firm specializing in artificial intelligence products for public sector field operations, has been acquired by Texas software company Tyler Technologies, the companies announced Tuesday…ARInspect’s platform allows public sector employees to work independently to manage all activities in the field.” [Virginia Business]
Update Coming on Route 1 Bus Project — “Fairfax County Department of Transportation will host a meeting to discuss updates on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Join us to catch up on what has been completed, hear a recap of decisions and milestones, and learn about next steps!” [FCDOT]
Holiday Raffle Supports Herndon and Reston Students — The Rotary Club of Herndon is holding a holiday raffle to fund college scholarships for local high school students. The raffle will be open until Dec. 10 with gift cards worth $1,000 as the grand prize. [Raffle Creator]
It’s Thursday — Frost is expected to clear up by 10am, giving way to a sunny day with a high of about 51°F and a northwest wind around 6 mph. The night will be clear, with temperatures dropping to around 34°F and a southern wind near 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 2 p.m. on 11/2/2023) The “sip and stroll” trend has arrived at Tysons Corner Center.
The D.C. region’s largest mall launched a “Shopping with a Twist” initiative today (Wednesday), letting visitors 21 and older drink alcoholic beverages from participating restaurants while in stores and common areas.
Public drinking is already permitted at some other local shopping centers, including Fairfax Corner, Reston Town Center and the Mosaic District in Merrifield, but Tysons Corner Center says it’s the first indoor mall in the D.C. area to allow public cocktail consumption.
“As the #1 shopping destination in the region, Tysons Corner Center is dedicated to providing an elevated shopping experience for our customers,” said Jesse Benites, director of property management for mall owner, Macerich. “This program adds a premier amenity which is unique to indoor centers in the area. We are very pleased with the high level of participation from our restaurants and retailers, and look forward to the positive results this program will have on their businesses.”
The “Shopping with a Twist” policy will be in effect during the mall’s regular hours of 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday, though each restaurant’s hours may vary.
Cocktails will be permitted on the Plaza and in common areas of the mall, but not in the parking garages or lots. They can also be taken into retail stores marked with “C’mon in with your drink” signs.
“Beverages must be in a logo’d disposable cup provided by the restaurant where the drink was purchased,” Tysons Corner Center said in a press release. “Only alcoholic beverages purchased from participating restaurants may be taken outside the restaurant and into the shopping center. No outside alcohol is permitted.”
The participating restaurants are:
- American Girl Bistro
- Barrel & Bushel
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Earls Kitchen + Bar
- Eddie V’s
- La Sandia
- Seasons 52
- Shake Shack
- TGI Fridays
The mall urges customers to “drink responsibly,” noting that Macerich and the restaurants “reserve the right to refuse service for any reason.”
There will be an official launch event for “Shopping with a Twist” next Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 5-8 p.m., starting with a reception from 5-5:30 p.m. on the Plaza.
“The first 100 shoppers to arrive will receive a gift bag and a $25 gift card from one of our participating restaurants,” the press release says. “Centerwide there will be special entertainment and all participating restaurants will be offering custom cocktails and drink specials created just for the evening.”
Another Halloween has come and gone, but the jack-o’-lantern that may be sitting on your stoop isn’t going to get rid of itself.
Instead of trashing the carved-up squash, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is encouraging residents to compost with its annual “PumpkinPalooza” services.
“Repurposing them in this manner is more environmentally friendly than throwing them away,” DPWES said in a press release announcing the event.
The county is accepting pumpkins for composting through Nov. 17 at its I-95 Landfill Complex (9850 Furnace Road) in Lorton and the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) near Fair Lakes.
Pumpkins can be dropped off at both facilities between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
“All pumpkins and squash must be free of all decorations, such as paint, glitter and candle wax,” DPWES said. “Those items cannot be composted.”
The county officially introduced its compost outpost for food scraps at the I-66 disposal facility in April after a two-year pilot to demonstrate its effectiveness.
The Fairfax County Park Authority has also added composting drop-offs at all of its farmers markets, though the Wakefield and Kingstowne markets have already ended their seasons. The park authority collected nearly 37 tons of compost last year, when the service launched at five markets before expanding to all sites for 2023.
A Leesburg man faces multiple criminal charges from two different Northern Virginia counties in connection to a police pursuit that started in Ashburn and ended just outside the Town of Vienna.
On Monday (Oct. 30) afternoon, the Fairfax County Police Department arrested 44-year-old Joseph Daniel at the intersection of Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) and Flint Hill Road in Oakton after he allegedly attempted to carjack two vehicles.
Helicopter video shared by the FCPD shows a man trying the driver’s doors of a gray minivan and a red sedan while running away from officers, who ultimately tackle him to the ground.
The FCPD has now charged Daniel with carjacking, disregarding police commands to stop, a felony hit-and-run, driving without a license and reckless driving, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office announced yesterday (Tuesday).
The Loudoun sheriff’s office is expected to file charges of its own related to the pursuit, which began shortly before 2 p.m. after someone called 911 to report an “abduction in progress” at a Wells Fargo bank (43650 Yukon Drive) in Ashburn.
“The LCSO continues to investigate the initial abduction call and multiple charges are pending related to the pursuit,” the office said in a news release, adding that information on the charges will be released “once they are placed.”
According to the LCSO, the vehicle Daniel was driving during the chase — a 2005 Hummer H2 — had been reported stolen in Chantilly on March 16, noting that SUV “had been repainted from its original green color to black.”
The FCPD said on Monday that, after taking Daniel into custody, its officers found a woman inside the Hummer “a short distance away.” She was treated “for minor injuries related to the abduction.”
The sheriff’s office says it already had several “open” warrants for Daniel charging him with two counts of possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, fleeing and eluding, driving without a license, and three counts of violating probation.
Daniel is currently in custody without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
The pursuit and arrest occurred in the same afternoon that the FCPD dealt with a carjacking in Tysons. That incident began at 4:32 p.m. when police responded to a reported commercial theft at Tysons Corner Center and concluded shortly thereafter when the suspect crashed the stolen vehicle into a nearby Shell gas station.
