Fairfax County is putting together a comprehensive plan for public safety in the county’s use of unmanned aircraft and is looking for public feedback.
The Fairfax County Unmanned Aircraft Systems program is a proposal to incorporate drones into government operations, with a particular focus on public safety. The draft says examples of drone usage includes:
- Search and rescue
- Flooding assessments
- Pre- and post-disaster damage assessments
- Crash reconstruction
- Fire incident/scene management and investigations
- Hazardous materials responses
- Wildlife estimation
The draft also says the drones would not be used to conduct random surveillance activities or to harass individuals.
Six public meetings are scheduled to discuss the issue with representatives of the Office of Emergency Management, county attorney’s office, police and fire and rescue department. Presentations at each of the meetings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
- Jan. 14, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Mason District Governmental Center (Community Room)
6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale - Jan. 16, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
South County Governmental Center (Room 221C)
8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria - Jan. 23, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
McLean District Governmental Center
1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean - Jan. 24, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Sully District Governmental Center
4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly - Jan. 28, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Reston Community Center – Hunter Woods
2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston - Jan. 30, 2019 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)
Braddock Hall – Kings Park Library
9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke
Public comments can also be submitted to [email protected] before close-of-business on Feb. 8 to be included in the written record.
Photo via Flickr/Joe Loong
Tysons Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in the Tysons area.
We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield and McLean. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!
Saturday, Jan. 5
Community Open House
McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave)
Time: 11 a.m-2 p.m.
The newly renovated McLean Community Center will be hosting an open house with a self-guided tour. The open house will allow visitors to peek at The Alden theater and learn about upcoming events in 2019.
Resolution Jam
The Palladium (1524 Spring Hill Road)
Time: 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Palladium nightclub is hosting a New Year’s themed “Resolutions” party, with a live band and DJ’s throughout the night on two floors of the club. Tickets to the party are $20.
Sunday, Jan. 6
Lil’ Kickers DMV Open House
Sport & Health McLean (1800 Old Meadow Rd)
Time: 9:15-10:05 a.m.
Lil’ Kickers invites prospective members to join the group for an open house. The event will feature free soccer activities and learn more about the area’s newest soccer program for kids from 18 months to 8 years old.
Road to Richmond Legislative Brunch
Westwood Country Club (800 Maple Ave E)
Time: 11 a.m.
Attendees at the Fairfax County Democratic Committee’s legislative brunch will hear from state and local Democratic leaders about the upcoming legislative session. Individual tickets are $50.
The Fellowship Book Club: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Bards Alley (110 Church Street NW)
Time: 4-5 p.m.
As the new year starts, the Bards Alley book club will move into a new genre: sci-fi/fantasy. The group meets every Sunday at the Bards Alley book store.
Jammin’ Java Mid-Atlantic Battle
Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E)
Time: 6 p.m.
Eight bands will compete on Sunday to win a $2,000 cash, studio time with Bias Studios, and a headline show at Jammin Java.
Inova Shrinks Merrifield Plan — “Inova Health System has scrapped long-term plans for a 15 million-square-foot redevelopment of its Merrifield research and development campus for now, only moving forward on what was originally the first phase. The Falls Church health system decided to only advance the first, 5 million-square-foot phase of expansion for its Inova Center for Personalized Health” at the 117-acre former Exxon Mobil campus. [Washington Business Journal]
Honorable Disposal of Old Flags — “Covanta Fairfax and the Fairfax County Department of Public Works, in partnership with American Legion Post 177, have launched a U.S. flag retirement program to reverently dispose of old, worn American flags… [with] collection boxes at the I-66 Transfer Station, I-95 Landfill, Fairfax County Government Center and local police stations.” [Connection Newspapers]
WUSA 9 Goes Dark on Fios — Because of an ongoing carriage dispute between Verizon and Tysons-based Tegna, local CBS affiliate WUSA 9 has gone dark for Verizon Fios subscribers, potentially putting Super Bowl viewing at risk should it drag out for an extended period of time. [Washington Business Journal]
Don’t have any New Year’s Eve plans yet? Tysons Reporter has you covered. Here’s some events around the Tysons area to help you ring in 2019 on Monday.
NYE 2019: Bollywood Night Theme
American Tandoor (7943 Tysons Corner Center)
Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
This New Year’s event will feature live music, a full buffet, open bar, party favors and photobooths. Tickets are $85 and available by calling 571-633-1820.
New Years Eve 2019
Greenhouse Bistro (2070 Chainbridge Rd)
Time: 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Greenhouse Bistro will host a black and gold-themed New Year’s Eve party with complimentary valet and midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $40.
New Year’s Masquerade Ball
Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike)
Time: 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Biergarten will host a masquerade party on New Year’s Eve with live music, a champagne toast and a balloon drop. Tickets are $20.
New Years Eve at The Palladium
The Palladium (1524 Spring Hill Road)
Time: 8 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
Tysons’ latest salsa/bachata nightclub will host a champagne toast and party favors New Year’s event. General admission is $20, or $130 for two tickets with a reserved table and a full dinner.
NYE Masquerade at Blackfinn
Blackfinn Ameripub (2750 Gallows Road)
Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Blackfinn in Merrifield is hosting a masquerade party with $15 admission (if purchased in advance) which includes a champagne toast and appetizers. A $200 VIP ticket comes with a private dining room for six guests.
Back to the 90’s New Year’s Eve Party
Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E)
Time: 8 p.m.
While most of the parties around the area are looking forward to 2019, Jammin’ Java in Vienna is winding back the clock to the 90’s, complete with a Weezer tribute band. General admission is $20.
Photo via Jammin’ Java
Sen Khao isn’t just physically distant from most of the other eateries in the new Taste of Urbanspace food hall in Tysons Galleria — its Laotian menu sets it a little apart from the standard mall food fare.
The restaurant is a new location from the creators of Thip Khao in Columbia Heights and offers a scaled down version of that restaurant’s menu.
The main dishes at Sen Khao are coconut sticky rice and rice noodle soup, most for around $14.
The coconut sticky rice is served with pickled cucumber, carrot and onion, with options for sausage, chicken or tofu. The rice noodle soups are served with a choice of chicken, tofu or shrimp.
For those looking for a small helping, Sen Khao served curry puffs — crispy dough pockets stuffed with curried potato.
Sen Khao is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., except on Sundays where it closes at 6 p.m.
Tysons Sport & Health has a fresh new look after completing a $2 million renovation project.
At a ribbon cutting last week (Dec. 18), the gym celebrated with tours of the new facilities, music, a photo booth and more.
The main feature of the new renovations are refurbished men’s and women’s locker rooms, with new showers and other amenities. The gym’s basketball court flooring was also replaced.
The renovations are part of a new expansion and upgrading plan set out earlier this year after the gym’s operator, Tysons-based US Fitness Holdings, sold a majority stake to two investment companies for $50 million.
In addition to the Tysons upgrades, the Sport & Health in Arlington’s Ballston Quarter recently completed a similar $2 million renovation and was rebranded as OneLife Fitness.
Photo via Facebook
Fairfax County’s Big Job Adds — “Fairfax County’s Economic Development Authority worked with 164 companies in calendar year 2017 to add, eventually, nearly 8,200 jobs. Three announcements, including a doozy from Amazon Web Services, accounted for 70 percent of that total… The Transportation Security Administration’s 2020 relocation from Pentagon City to Springfield: 3,000 jobs. AWS’ East Coast hub in Herndon: 1,500 jobs. And Favor TechConsulting, a Tysons-based minority-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned government contractor: 1,200 jobs.” [Washington Business Journal]
What’s Closed for New Year — “Fairfax County offices will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, while schools, parks and other services will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Some services like transit will be during New Year’s Eve events. Services will resume Tuesday, Jan. 2 unless noted.” [Patch]
Flood Watch in Effect — Expect periods of rain today. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for much of the region through late tonight. “Excessive runoff from already saturated soils will cause the potential for streams and creeks to rise out of their banks as well as flooding in low lying urban areas,” forecasters say. [Weather.gov, Twitter]
Rainy Weather Driving Tips — “The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has some good guidance for safe driving in the rain, like keeping extra distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Also, turn on your lights anytime it’s raining.” [Fairfax County Fire, YouTube]
Fairfax County Police are reminding residents to lock their doors after a wave of burglaries hit the McLean, Reston, and Fair Oaks Districts.
“The burglaries have primarily been during the early afternoon and evening hours,” FCPD said in a press release. “The majority of victims have been of Asian or Middle Eastern descent. Detectives are investigating whether all of these incidents are connected and whether other burglaries from across Fairfax County are related.”
At least 13 burglaries have taken place in Fairfax over the last two months at the following residences:
- 5200 block of Knight Arch Circle, Fairfax
- 11800 block of Robertson Farm Circle, Fairfax
- 11800 block of Robertson Farm Circle, Fairfax
- 11800 block of Robertson Farm Circle, Fairfax
- 4800 block of Annamohr Drive, Fairfax
- 11300 block of Andrew Lane, Fairfax
- 11300 block of Andrew Lane, Fairfax
- 1100 block of Mountain Hope Court, Great Falls
- 200 block of Golden Woods Court, Great Falls
- 1100 block of Lees Meadow Court, Great Falls
- 1200 block of Raymond Avenue, McLean
- 3500 block of Saint Augustin Lane, Oakton
- 9600 block of Maymont Drive, Vienna
“We are also working alongside the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Manassas City Police Department who are investigating similar cases,” FCPD said. “Please be on the lookout for suspicious people, cars and noises. Do not hesitate to call our non-emergency number, 703-691-2131, to report suspicious activity or 911 for an emergency.”
In the meantime, FCPD released a list of tips to help people protect their homes from burglary:
- Keep all doors and windows closed and locked.
- Secure sliding glass doors by placing a metal rod or a wooden dowel rod in the track.
- Lock the door to an attached garage.
- Make your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, to help deter criminals.
- Keep the perimeter of your home well lit.
- Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away.
- Keep landscaping trimmed away from entrances and walkways.
- Organize or join a Neighborhood Watch program.
- Get a free home security check from a Crime Prevention Officer.
- Keep an inventory of your property.
- Store ladders, tools and any other outside objects in a locked shed or garage.
- Make sure the home’s address is visible for police, firemen and paramedics.
Starting Jan. 1, prices are scheduled to go up for those driving on the Dulles Toll Road.
The cost to passenger vehicles will increase from $2.50 to $3.25 at the main toll plaza and from $1 to $1.50 on ramps, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
The toll road is operated and maintained by the MWAA. The toll increases were approved in November to help finance the further expansion of the Silver Line’s Phase 2 development.
The Silver Line’s expansion is financed by a combination of toll-road revenues, airport contributions and federal, state and local government appropriations.
The new rate increases are the first since 2014. But the increase has also drawn opposition from groups like airport workers union UNITE HERE Local 23, which says the cost of the Silver Line should be pushed onto airlines rather than commuters.
Photo via MWAA
The election is still a year away, but early endorsements for the Providence District Board of Supervisors race are starting to favor School Board member Dalia Palchik.
Earlier this month, Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth announced that she wouldn’t be running for reelection in 2019, igniting a race between Erika Milena Yalowitz, a Tysons resident and a board member of the Rotunda Condominium Unit Owners Association, and Palchik.
Palchik has been endorsed by retiring Board of Supervisors chair Sharon Bulova, according to a press release by Palchik:
“For the past three years, it has been my great pleasure to work with Dalia Palchik in her role on the Fairfax County School Board. Dalia‘s passion and dedication to things like early childhood education have brought energy and expertise to Fairfax County, but I have been most impressed by her willingness to listen, and work together to get things done. As Fairfax County grows and changes there will be challenges ahead, and Dalia Palchik has the right blend of progressive leadership and pragmatic experience to help the Fairfax County of tomorrow. I am proud to endorse Dalia Palchik for Providence District Supervisor.”
Among Virginia lawmakers, Palchik said she’d been endorsed by Sen. David Marsden (D-37th District), Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31st District), Del. Marcus Simon (D-53rd District), Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-34th District), and Del. Danica Roem (D-13th District).
Leaders of the Democratic caucuses in both the Senate and the House of Delegates, Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-35th District) and Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41st District), have also endorsed Palchik.
It’s still early in the race, but Yalowitz said she’s been focusing on getting endorsements from grassroots community leaders.
“I’m proud to have the endorsement of community leaders like Tania Hossain, who has been President of the Providence District Council, Fairfax Federation, repeated times, as well as of the Fairfax Committee of 100,” said Yalowitz in an email. “Some elected officials have ties and can’t make public their endorsement but community leaders represent grassroots movements and local people. That’s who I care about!”
