Thanks to higher-than-anticipated revenue, Fairfax County gave a financial boost last week to its affordable housing goals, public library collections and park facilities, among other initiatives.
Before taking a preliminary vote on the next budget, which will be adopted tomorrow (Tuesday), the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved nearly $10.7 million in changes to the current fiscal year 2023 budget — known as the third-quarter review — when it met on May 2.
For the biggest adjustment, the board increased funding for affordable housing by $8 million on top of $10 million already recommended by County Executive Bryan Hill.
The county has now committed over $118 million to affordable housing over the past two years, including $45 million in federal Covid relief funds, as it aims to produce 10,000 new units by 2034, per county documents.
“I think most people in our county, including very profoundly, the business community, understand that affordable housing is an essential ingredient for economic success,” Board Chairman Jeff McKay said. “It’s not just a nice thing to do. It’s a requirement.”
Also included in the package was $300,000 for Fairfax County Public Library materials. FCPL Deputy Director Kevin Osborne says the library was “so pleased” that the board approved the funding, which will go toward research database subscriptions and ebooks.
“Due to the nature of eBook licensing to libraries, adding to the digital collection is more costly than adding to the physical collection so we are also hoping to purchase additional eBook licenses for some titles that have some excessively long hold queues,” he said in an emailed statement.
During a budget policy committee meeting on April 26, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity put forward an “alternative” third-quarter proposal that gave $2 million to FCPL to expand its collection and hours, which were reduced last summer due to staffing challenges.
At the time, a library spokesperson said the vacancy rate was about 18 to 20%. While current numbers weren’t available by press time, filling the system’s 390 positions evidently remains an obstacle.
“Like many other employers, public libraries continue to face recruitment challenges,” Osborne said. “We have no update as to when normal hours will resume.”
Herrity’s proposal also suggested allocating $5 million to county park maintenance — with the combined $7 million coming out of the affordable housing funds. A version of the proposal without the library money died at last week’s meeting after no one else on the board “seconded” the motion for a discussion.
The approved third-quarter review did include $2.1 million for Fairfax County Park Authority projects:
- $1.7 million to improve six fields at Wakefield Park so they can accommodate softball
- $300,000 to replace and upgrade Lake Accotink Park’s playground, which has been closed since an inspector determined the equipment was unsafe in November
- $100,000 for a safety assessment of other playgrounds with equipment from the now-defunct vendor used at Accotink
The playground at Lake Accotink was removed the morning of May 2, according to the office of Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, whose district includes the park.
“FCPA is currently in the design process and expects to have information on the concept in the next few weeks,” a spokesperson for his office told FFXnow.
With its adjustments to the third-quarter review, the board also approved $217,308 to hire a contractor to remove signs illegally located in the public right-of-way and a $60,000 contribution to the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, an Annandale-based nonprofit that preserves land and water from development.
Yama Chen’s Sushi House — not to be confused with nearby Sushi Yama — is now open in Vienna.
The growing chain restaurant opened its newest location in the Vienna Plaza Shopping Center on April 16. The 1,500 square-foot space at 320 Maple Ave West was formerly occupied by a Jersey Mike’s Subs.
The opening came more than a year after the business had hoped. Owner Si Chen told FFXnow’s sister site, Tysons Reporter, in February 2022 that a planned December 2021 launch was delayed by supply chain and permitting issues stemming from the pandemic.
Yama Chen originally applied for a permit to renovate the space back in September 2021, but the final inspection wasn’t completed until April 10, according to Fairfax County records.
“The Vienna location is officially open on April 16th after a year-long construction,” Qiyao Zheng, the Vienna restaurant’s manager, said by email. “The process was not easy, but we finally made it…We are looking forward to serving the customers in Vienna.”
Started as a family restaurant in 2003, Yama Chen now has 14 locations, including ones in Fairfax and Sterling. The menu at all locations is the same, offering ramen and yakisoba noodles alongside a variety of sushi dishes.
Hours for the Vienna restaurant run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Other tenants in Vienna Plaza include Dunkin’ Donuts, Dairy Queen, Manhattan Bagel and the gym F45, which opened in August. A site plan shows that a 1,500-square-foot space next to Yama Chen is available for lease.
Fox Mill Road Closed for Stormwater Pipe Replacement — Fox Mill Road (Route 665) will be closed to through traffic between Waples Mill Road and Vale Road from “Monday, May 8 through Wednesday, May 10 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day…Traffic will not be able to go beyond the point of pipe replacement (near 3283 Fox Mill Road, adjacent to Lake Edge Way) in either direction.” [VDOT]
Motorcyclist Killed in Route 1 Crash — “Around 5:40 p.m. Saturday, officers with the Fairfax County Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 1 and Birch Crest Way in Lorton, Virginia. Police say the driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead. Their identity has not yet been revealed.” [WUSA9]
Metro’s Yellow Line Resumes Service — Service across the Potomac River returned to Metro’s Yellow Line yesterday “following an eight-month rehabilitation project to repair the deteriorating 1970’s tunnel and bridge. The reopening, announced last month, will provide a faster, more direct connection for customers between Virginia and downtown D.C.” [Inside NoVA]
Campaign Website Draws Warning of Legal Action — “A representative of Democrat Chap Petersen’s campaign sent a cease and desist letter to Saddam Azlan Salim, his opponent in the District 37 race for the Virginia Senate.” The letter argued that Salim’s campaign is infringing on domain and trademark rights by attempting to register websites referring to Petersen, which it says may mislead voters. [Patch]
Suspect in December Shooting Incidents Arrested — “On May 4, 2023 City of Fairfax Police arrested a subject in connection with two shootings that occurred on Fairfax Boulevard between Fairchester Drive and Lion Run on December 8, 2022.” In one incident, a driver sustained “minor injuries,” and in another, an occupied vehicle about two miles away was struck, but the lone occupant wasn’t injured. [City of Fairfax]
Clifton Townhouse Fire Causes $155,000 in Damages — “On Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 8:53 p.m., units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched for a reported townhouse fire in the 13500 block of Canada Goose Court.” Three people were displaced by the fire, which investigators determined was started by “improperly discarded smoking materials.” [FCFRD]
Community Garden Under Construction in Lorton — “Work is steadily progressing on the development of the new community garden at the former Nike Missile Site in Lorton. Contractors are building a total of 19 garden plots with three raised beds each at the 1.4-acre site, which is located at Laurel Hill Park.” The garden is expected to be finished and open this summer. [On the MoVe]
Tysons Theater Announces New Season — “1st Stage has announced its 2023-2024 season, which will begin with the Logan Festival of Solo Performance from July 13 to 23, 2023.” Shows will include the Tony-nominated “The Nance” and an adaptation of Chaim Potok’s novel “The Chosen,” the theater’s second time adapting Potok’s work after the first one in 2016 became “the most successful production in 1st Stage’s history.” [DC Theater Arts]
It’s Monday — Passing showers. Overcast. Mild. High of 66 and low of 53. Sunrise at 6:02 am and sunset at 8:07 pm. [Weather.gov]
A jewelry store that says it sells ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones has opened at the Mosaic District in Merrifield.
Brilliant Earth, which officially opened its doors yesterday (Thursday), takes up a little over 2,000 square feet of space at 2905 District Avenue in Suite 105.
This is Brilliant Earth’s second Virginia store, although there are other locations in Georgetown, Baltimore and Bethesda.
Taylor Jacobs, a spokesperson for the company, said the location “marks the digital-first jewelry company’s second showroom opening in Virginia.” The company, which is headquartered in San Francisco, has other locations in the works.
The Merrifield location includes services like walk-in consultations, “ethically sourced” jewelry, and gifts like engravable pieces and birthstone pendants.
The business was founded 2015 in order to foster a “more transparent, sustainable and compassionate jewelry industry,” FFXnow previously reported.
The home furniture store Pottery Barn and Faherty, a family-owned clothing business, are also expected to open in the Mosaic District at 2905 District Avenue this summer.
The “Lil Deli” from D.C. hot spot Call Your Mother is now serving up bagels, coffee and more in McLean.
Representing the self-described “Jew-ish” deli’s first foray into Virginia, the mobile truck opened for business in parking lot of the Chesterbrook Shopping Center (6216 Old Dominion Drive) yesterday.
“We’re stoked to bring good carbs and good vibes to the people of North Virginia who have been asking us to expand into their neighborhood for awhile,” Call Your Mother founder and co-owner Andrew Dana said in a press release. “We built this ‘Lil Deli’ to be able to take the CYM experience to more places and are excited that McLean will be its first home.”
Started by Dana and his wife, chef Daniela Moreira, as a farmers market vendor, Call Your Mother opened its first brick-and-mortar location in D.C.’s Petsworth neighborhood in 2018. The business has expanded to 11 locations now, including the one in McLean, a trolley in Bethesda and farmers markets.
Designed to resemble a quaint mobile house, the truck features a walk-up window and patio seating. The deli’s full regular menu is available, including its popular bagels, sandwiches, drinks and desserts such as babka muffins and black-and-white cookies.
Also available will be seasonal items and new products created by the company, like the vegan peanut butter line One Trick Pony that it launched in December.
Lil Deli is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. While the truck can be moved, the location is currently being treated as permanent.
“The Lil Deli is on wheels, so we dig the flexibility, but don’t worry we’re here to stay!” Dana said. “The mobile spot immediately grabs your attention when you drive past; they’re fun, vibrant and match the energy we like to bring to the table.”
Now that it has entered Virginia, Call Your Mother has started looking beyond the D.C. area with another location under construction in Denver.
The business also has its fingers crossed for a deli in Old Town Alexandria. FFXnow’s sister site ALXnow was told in March that it could open this summer, but a lease hadn’t been finalized at that time. There are no new updates to share regarding that location, a Call Your Mother spokesperson told FFXnow yesterday.
Early voting for the 2023 Democratic primary begins today (Friday) in Fairfax County with a number of notable races on the ballot.
Three locations in the county will open this morning for early in-person voting on weekdays through June 17.
Those include the Fairfax County Government Center from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as well as the Mount Vernon Government Center and North County Governmental Center, both open from 1-7 p.m.
Voting will also be available on two Saturdays — June 10 and 17 — from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all three locations.
Starting June 10, 12 government centers and libraries will be open for in-person voting from 1-7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on those two Saturdays (June 10 and 17) as well:
- Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road)
- Centreville Regional Library (14200 St. Germain Drive)
- Franconia Governmental Center (6121 Franconia Road)
- Great Falls Library (9830 Georgetown Pike)
- Herndon-Fortnightly Library (768 Center Street)
- Lorton Community Center (9520 Richmond Highway)
- Mason Governmental Center (6507 Columbia Pike)
- McLean Governmental Center (1437 Balls Hill Road)
- Providence Community Center (3001 Vaden Drive)
- Sully Governmental Center (4900 Stonecroft Blvd)
- Thomas Jefferson Library (7415 Arlington Blvd)
- Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike)
- West Springfield Governmental Center (6140 Rolling Road)
There are also ballot dropboxes at the Fairfax County Governmental Center for those who requested an absentee ballot by mail. One box is inside the complex, and one is outside near the handicapped parking spaces.
Curbside voting will be available for residents who are 65 and older or have a physical disability.
The ballot
Perhaps the most hotly contested race on the primary ballot is for Fairfax County commonwealth’s attorney, with incumbent Steve Descano facing a challenge from prosecutor-turned-defense attorney Ed Nuttall.
In a recent radio talk, Descano accused Nuttall of associating with “MAGA, antisemitic conspiracy theorists,” while Nuttall retorted by calling Descano a “liar” and “incompetent.”
While both are running as Democrats, they have shared differing positions, methods, and visions for the office. No Republican challenger for the seat has emerged.
The Democratic nomination for county sheriff is also up for grabs between incumbent Stacey Kincaid and Herndon High School football coach (and former D.C. police officer) Kelvin Garcia. Kincaid was the county’s first female sheriff when she took office a decade ago. Garcia is positioning himself as a more progressive option.
Elsewhere in local races, all Board of Supervisors seats are up for election in November, but only two incumbents are on the primary ballot: Chairman Jeff McKay, who has been challenged by retired CIA staffer Lisa Downing, and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck, who is facing off with Maritza Zermeño.
Other contests feature newcomers seeking to challenge or succeed incumbents:
- Dranesville District — With John Foust retiring, the candidates are Jimmy Bierman, former chair of the Dranesville District Democratic Committee, and David Fiske, a McLean Citizens Association board member
- Mason District — Four candidates are vying to replace retiring Penny Gross, including Planning Commissioner Andres Jimenez, Rep. Don Beyer staffer Jeremy Allen, Steve Lee, and Reid Voss.
- Springfield District — Albert Vega and John Nowadly are vying in the primary to take on incumbent Pat Herrity, the only Republican on the board
The Fairfax County School Board isn’t on this primary ballot since candidates must run as independents. However, today is the last day to register to participate in the Fairfax County Democratic Committee endorsement caucus. This is the first time the FCDC is opening the process up to all registered voters.
On the state side, every seat in the Virginia General Assembly is up for election this year. The impacts of redistricting and a number of veteran lawmakers not running again have set the stage for a unique year in terms of open seats.
- House District 7 — Four candidates look to fill the seat long held by the retiring Ken Plum, including at-large school board member Karen Keys-Gamarra, Paul Berry, Shyamali Roy Hauth and Mary Barthelson
- House District 15 — Springfield District school board representative Laura Jane Cohen, software company founder Eric Schmidt and teacher Dr. Henri’ Thompson
- House District 19 — Woodbridge residents Rozia “J.R.” Henson, Mayka Little, and Natalie Shorter. While most of the district lies in Prince William County, about 38% of it is in Fairfax County.
- Senate District 33 — Former lieutenant governor candidate Hala Ayala is facing off against former gubernatorial candidate Jennifer Carrol Foy in a high-profile race
- Senate District 35 — State Sen. Dave Marsden and nonprofit worker Heidi Drauschak compete to succeed the retiring Dick Saslaw
- Senate District 36 — Sully District School Board Representative Stella Pekarsky is challenging incumbent George Barker
- Senate District 37 — The primary pits “old-fashioned” incumbent Chap Petersen against “progressive” challenger Saddam Azlan Salim
The Democratic primary will be held June 20, when dozens of polling places will open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
ZMOD Recommended by Planning Commission Again — After being struck down by the Virginia Supreme Court, Fairfax County’s zoning code overhaul got the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s support on Wednesday (May 3), even as “dozens of residents” voiced “the same complaints raised the first time” it was proposed. Concerns included allowances for data centers and accessory living units. [Annandale Today]
Fairfax City Introduces Solar-Powered Port-a-Potties — “Now open in Old Town Square and Van Dyck Park, Throne bathrooms bring the feeling of an indoor bathroom out into the parks. Thrones are ADA-accessible, are run by solar-power, have no touch entry and exit, changing tables, no touch flush, and running water!” [Fairfax City Parks and Recreation/Facebook]
Hybla Valley Is Getting a New Tex-Mex Restaurant — “A new Tex-Mex restaurant is coming to the former El Pollo Primero location in Hybla Valley. El Fresco, a fast-casual grill featuring ‘real fresh Mexican food,’ currently has locations in Chantilly and Centreville, and plans to expand in the near future to Sterling and Alexandria.” [On the MoVe]
John Legend Weighs in on County Prosecutor Race — “I’m excited to announce the endorsement of singer, songwriter, and philanthropist, John Legend. John’s activism has led him to work on justice reform in America. I’m proud to receive his support. Here’s the robocall he just released for my re-election.” [Steve Descano/Twitter]
Vienna Nonprofit Advocates for Memorial to Journalists — The Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation has been approved by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts to begin designing a “first-of-its-kind memorial honoring journalists who’ve lost their lives while covering the news.” In 2020, Congress authorized the memorial to be built with private funds on federal land in D.C. [Washingtonian]
Franconia Splash Pad Ranked No. 2 in Country — “The Park Authority’s Our Special Harbor spray ground was just named the No. 2 splash pad in the nation in the 2023 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards…After four weeks of voting, Our Special Harbor came in second in the nationwide people’s choice selection. The popular water feature is set to open the 2023 season on Saturday, May 27.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Reston Couple Gains Fans With Dinner Party Prep — “Every time Andy Hoyle posts photos of the dinner parties he hosts with his wife, Noelle Sharbaugh, on the Northern Virginia Foodies Facebook page, the 126,000-member group goes wild…The tablescapes, designed by Sharbaugh, are luscious and Pinterest-y…[Hoyle’s] elaborate, multicourse menus look professionally plated.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Free Lyft Rides Available for Cinco De Mayo — “The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) will activate its SoberRide initiative for the Cinco de Mayo holiday…In collaboration with Lyft, those who may have had too much to drink during the holiday will be able to receive a free ride home (up to $15 value) from May 5 at 4 p.m. to May 6 at 4 a.m.” [Inside NoVA]
It’s Friday — Cloudy. Mild. High of 69 and low of 51. Sunrise at 6:06 am and sunset at 8:04 pm. [Weather.gov]
A local classical composer is preparing to blast off for the world premiere of his newest symphony.
The suite “Cosmic Cycles, A Space Symphony” will be performed for the first time by the National Philharmonic at Capital One Hall (7750 Capital One Tower Road) in Tysons at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday (May 11).
Composer Henry Dehlinger, who was born in San Francisco but now lives in Oakton, was commissioned to develop the piece for the orchestra as part of an ongoing collaboration with NASA for the 2022-2023 concert season, according to a press release.
A second performance is scheduled for May 13 at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda.
“Cosmic Cycles is a dream project because it bridges the gap between art and science,” Dehlinger said. “Together with two of D.C.’s biggest stars — NASA and NatPhil — we’re taking the audience on an exploration of the universe through an immersive experience that combines symphonic music and visual storytelling.”
Known for choral music and jazz arrangements as well as symphonic works, Dehlinger previously worked with NASA on “Return to the Moon,” a brass fanfare that debuted with the March 12, 2022 rollout of the main Artemis I launch vehicle for the agency’s new lunar program.
The National Philharmonic has also collaborated with NASA in the past, most recently when it played Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” in February 2022 at Capital One Hall and Strathmore. The music was accompanied by images of planets taken by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
“Capital One Hall is a great venue with an oversized screen that really lends itself to a visual and aural presentation that is designed to project the awesomeness of space and the universe,” said National Philharmonic Director Piotr Gajewski, who will conduct both concerts.
For “Cosmic Cycles,” the process was flipped: Dehlinger composed the music in response to images provided by NASA.
“Henry Dehlinger has been a long-time collaborator with NatPhil and his style of music with sweeping melodies and brilliant orchestrations is perfect, I thought, for the images that NASA was putting forward,” Gajewski said. “When I saw the images, I immediately thought of Henry.”
Gajewski counts Dehlinger as a close friend, per the press release. This will be the third time that the philharmonic has premiered one of Dehlinger’s pieces.
Here’s more on “Cosmic Cycles” from the National Philharmonic:
Cosmic Cycles, A Space Symphony is a seven-movement symphonic suite that draws inspiration from images captured by NASA’s Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes and visualizations created by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Each movement carries a programmatic title, alluding to the images, illustrations, and videos which informed the composer’s writing process: 1. The Sun; 2. Earth, Our Home; 3. Earth as Art; 4. The Moon; 5. Planetary Fantasia; 6. The Travelers; and 7. Echoes of the Big Bang. In the upcoming performances, these symphonic poems will be paired with HD projections of the visuals.
The concert will be preceded by a lecture and question-and-answer session with a NASA astronaut, along with educational “Ask a Scientist” booths and a kiosk with a touchable lunar rock. At Capital One Hall, those activities will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the booths and kiosk will also be open during intermission.
Tickets are available online through Capital One Hall’s website. Prices start at $19, but all kids get free admission.
A survey mostly taken by respondents who contacted the Fairfax County Police Department showed high levels of positive community sentiment for the department.
The survey — conducted as part of a nine-month pilot program to engage the community and find information on how the community feels about the agency — kicked off in late May last year through Axon’s My90 program.
The program sent text messages to people who reached out to the agency to request specific types of services.
“My90 is one of many tools we use to engage with our community, better understand how the public feels about interactions with our department, and build trust,” Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said. “Since deploying My90, we have collected thousands of responses from all over Fairfax County and have the opportunity to review the valuable feedback we gain from community members we have just served.”
It’s unclear how the method of pooling survey respondents skewed the results.
Most respondents contacted FCPD to report a crime, accident or concerns — suggesting some level of comfort with contacting the FCPD. As a result, roughly 45% of the interactions were with a dispatcher and 41% were with a police officer. The remaining 9% were with animal control.
“There is no way for us to tell if the results are skewed or not,” an FCPD spokesperson told FFXnow when asked how the survey method may have skewed results.
The spokesperson added that the police department did issue an open call for the survey last May.
Traffic offenses (22%) and theft of personal property (18%) were flagged as the top concerns in the community. Violent physical attacks was the top safety concern for roughly 15% of respondents, although 26% wrote “other” as the top safety concern.
When asked what FCPD should do to improve safety in the community, nearly half of respondents (48%) said they wanted to see increased patrol visibility.
Other improvements ranked relatively low in the community, including increasing the number of officers (14%), increased community engagement (13%), increased information sharing (9%) and other (14%).
More than 70% of respondents said they were treated with respect, treated fairly and felt safe contacting FCPD based on their interaction with the police department.
Respondents were predominantly white — 63% — followed by Asian American (10%) and African American (9%). Respondents also skewed older, with 36% between the ages of 46 and 60 and 27% over 61. The gender mix was roughly equally distributed.
Based on their recent interactions, 68% of respondents said their view of FCPD was very positive and 76% said they received the help they needed.
(Updated at 4:50 p.m.) Vienna Shopping Center has found a new occupant for the suite vacated over the winter by Chopt.
A Lebanese restaurant called El Janna has signed a lease for the 2,702-square-foot space and is slated to open at 160 Maple Avenue West this fall, property manager Rappaport announced yesterday (Wednesday).
“I am thrilled to bring El Janna to the Vienna community,” Rappaport Senior Director of Brokerage Chris Pamboukian said. “I think this restaurant will be great for the area and fill a demand for elegant Lebanese dining options.”
With a name that translates from Lebanese as “paradise,” El Janna will serve “traditional Mediterranean favorites alongside modern reimaginings,” according to the press release.
The concept comes from chef Rabih Abi-Aad, who has been trained in Lebanese cuisine and French pastry. He previously worked as general manager at Neyla and Paolo’s Ristorante in Georgetown before becoming a co-owner of Me Jana, a Lebanese restaurant in Arlington.
Now, Abi-Aad will bring similar cuisine to Vienna with his new restaurant.
“I come from a village in Lebanon called Dfoun,” Abi-Aad said. “I have had years of experience working in the culinary discipline and previously owned a restaurant in Arlington. I am excited for the opportunity to share my culture and cuisine with the Vienna area.”
Located at the corner of Maple Avenue and Courthouse Road, Vienna Shopping Center was once anchored by the grocery store MacGruder’s but pivoted to smaller retail spaces with a major renovation that finished in 2017.
Chopt was among several restaurants to arrive with the grand reopening in 2016, along with Taco Bamba and Mod Pizza. The 73,852-square-foot shopping center currently has four available spaces, including one that was filled by Cava until the fast-casual eatery relocated to 418 Maple Avenue East.
