For people looking to pick up a few new culinary skills while staying home, Inca Social is offering free digital cooking classes.
Every week, the Merrifield-based eatery plans to release a new video on its Facebook page that walks viewers through the steps to prepare a specialty Peruvian dish or drink.
“We wanted to provide something for our guests and for everyone to be able to do at home,” a spokesperson said. “During these times we need to do more positive things.”
Yesterday, a bartender demonstrated how to make a “Passion Chilcano,” which contains pisco Peruvian liquor, limes, passionfruit syrup and ginger ale.
In another video, the eatery’s chefs tossed up a few servings of chaufa mixto, which is a type of fried rice.
The eatery said that the next video will likely be released either next Tuesday or Saturday.
For guests who don’t feel like cooking themselves, the restaurant is also offering free delivery and curbside pickup, according to the website.
To encourage takeout orders, the restaurant is offering 25% off its entire menu, the Facebook page said, adding that any meal can be customized. A menu can be found online.
Photo via Inca Social/Facebook
Updated 4/29/2020 — This story originally said the school board would discuss the proposal. The item was instead on the school board’s list of new items.
A proposal that would add a modular to mitigate overcrowding at McLean High School heads to the Fairfax County School Board tomorrow (Thursday).
School officials have been trying to find a way to lessen crowding issues at the high school, which has resorted to more than a dozen trailers to accommodate classes.
The draft CIP says that McLean High School is currently at 118% capacity, which are projected to increase in the 2024-2025 school year and could rise even more if the school sees an employment spike due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In March, the school board voted to expand the study of a possible boundary change for McLean and Langley high schools to include the two feeder middle schools.
Elaine Tholen, who represents the Dranesville District on the school board, has said that the original goal to implement the boundary change by the 2020-2021 school year won’t happen.
Tholen told families during a digital town hall last week that the modular idea would be a short-term solution “to make that situation much better.”
Now, the school board will consider whether or not to jumpstart the project by awarding a contract to a bidder, but the board won’t vote on the matter tomorrow.
“Bids were received on March 25, 2020,” according to the agenda. “The bid tabulation and recommendation for award will be furnished prior to the May 7, 2020, School Board meeting.”
The proposed modular addition will be paid for by the 2017 bond referendum, according to the school board.
In addition to the high school modular idea, the school board is scheduled to hear an update on the distance learning plan and the superintendent’s recommended changes to fiscal year 2021 budget.
The meeting is set to start at 10 a.m.
Local Student Making Masks For Medical Professionals — “Marshall High junior Juliette has made 150 masks to help medical professionals in the fight against COVID-19… Juliette is working with the Million Mask group.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Little City Officials Mulling Micro Loans for Businesses —“[The] F.C. City Council will begin to move on a revised budget going forward at its meeting next Monday, and at its work session Monday night learned of aggressive efforts locally to help the most vulnerable citizens and smallest businesses for which even a $2,000 micro grant can make a huge difference for keeping their doors open.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Jammin Java Lobbing Feds for Coronavirus Relief — “More than 450 venues across the U.S. are banding together under the new group called the National Independent Venue Association to present one voice to lawmakers… Jammin Java in Vienna and the Birchmere in Alexandria are also members [of NIVA].” [Washington Business Journal]
Local Schools Make “2020 Best High Schools” List — “Seven Fairfax County schools were in the top 500 nationally [in the U.S. News and World Report’s list], including Langley, McLean, Marshall, Madison, W.T. Woodson, West Springfield, and Chantilly high schools.” [Inside NoVa]
Are you a hedgehog pet parent and live in Fairfax County? Or know someone who is? 🦔 🦔
I’d love to talk to you for a story! You can reach me at news[at]https://t.co/oOjQvVsLAQ pic.twitter.com/R8vhwpXeP8
— Catherine Douglas Moran (@c_douglasmoran) April 21, 2020
People out early Wednesday morning should keep an eye out for frost and frozen surfaces.
The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning that will be in effect from 2-8 a.m. Wednesday.
More from NWS:
* WHAT…Sub-freezing temperatures near 30 expected.
* WHERE…Portions of The District of Columbia, central, northern and southern Maryland and central and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From 2 AM to 8 AM EDT Wednesday.
* IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
People with plants outside should cover them.
“To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly,” according to NWS. “Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing.”
A Freeze Warning is in effect tonight for all areas. Temperatures will be hovering at or below freezing for much of the area. Take steps now to protect sensitive plants from the cold. pic.twitter.com/eqyHR1Fqtl
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 21, 2020
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Many people getting bored self-isolating due to the coronavirus have turned to art reconstructions — including a local art teacher and her greyhound.
Nicole Walter, an art teacher at Marshall High School, has been photographing her retired racing greyhound named Neirin in poses similar to famous pieces of art, according to Fairfax County Public Schools.
Walter, who has taught at Marshall for 17 years, is using her 4-year-old pooch from West Virginia to create art that can engage her students while distance learning is in place, according to FCPS.
So far, they have recreated two dozen famous artworks, including “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer, “American Gothic” by Grant Wood and “Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo.
More from FCPS:
“I saw the challenges being posted by various art museums to recreate master works and to share on social media,” explains Walter. “I was just in the middle of an instructional unit on appropriation in art with my Art 2 students, so I thought this would be a great way for them to make art without the need for special art supplies.”
Students enthusiastically responded to Walter’s project… Neirin is a four-year-old retired racing greyhound from West Virginia who raced for three years…
“Since I teach art, and my goal is to help students connect with their own unique form of creative expression, I try to learn about and appreciate a broad range of art styles,” she states.
People who want to see the greyhound art can head to the Instagram for Neirin.
Photo via Neirinthegrey/Instagram
Fairfax County staffers support new plans to revamp the Valo Park office complex in Tysons, opening it up to the public and adding retail and restaurants.
The newspaper giant Gannett and cloud computing company Appian are currently headquartered at the roughly 785,000 square-foot office park, which has a fitness center, conference facilities and a 300-seat auditorium.
London-based Tamares acquired 7950 Jones Branch Drive for $270 million four years ago. Now, Tamares wants to add shops, restaurants, a bocce court and a 5,000-square-foot craft beverage production establishment or restaurant on the roof on an existing parking garage.
“The conference center, auditorium and fitness center are existing uses within the building; however, these uses are currently accessory to the office building in that only the onsite office users may use them,” according to the staff report published today. “The applicant is converting the spaces into publicly accessible uses.”
Tamares says that the proposed changes would help it better fit in with nearby urbanization. The office park is located in the North Central neighborhood of Tysons, which is home to the Park Crest and Highgate residential buildings and the upcoming mixed-use development called The Mile.
Here’s what the county staffers said in their report:
The proposed conversion of existing office and accessory uses to secondary uses will activate the site and facilitate a vibrant, mixed-use development that the Comprehensive Plan envisions for the Tysons Urban Center. The development offers high-quality amenities that will turn the existing office park into a community asset.
Minimal site disturbance is required to implement the development, as most of the proposed modifications are located within the existing building. The applicant has proffered: contributions to the Tysons Road Fund; bicycle parking; and green building technology and strategies as part of the construction of the proposed commercial use on top of the existing parking garage.
In staff’s opinion, the development plan is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and meets the general and design standards for a Planned District.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is set to hold a public hearing on the project this spring.
One person in the City of Falls Church has died due to COVID-19, according to recently released state health data.
Two dozen coronavirus cases, including two hospitalizations due to the respiratory illness, have been reported in the city, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The number of coronavirus cases is likely higher, Falls Church officials say.
“VDH’s data reflects what has been reported by healthcare providers and laboratories,” according to the city’s latest update. “This does not include people who were not tested, and since testing is still limited, there are likely many more cases in the city.”
Three senior homes in the Falls Church area — Chesterbrook Residences, The Kensington and Sunrise of Falls Church — have been battling coronavirus outbreaks, Falls Church News-Press reported.
The City of Falls Church is a part of the Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County and towns and cities in the county.
As of this morning (Tuesday), Fairfax County has 2,077 cases, 379 hospitalizations and 64 deaths. More than 9,300 people have been tested in the Fairfax Health District, according to the state data.
Out of the 148 outbreaks in Virginia, 26 have happened in the Fairfax Health District with 26 at long term care facilities and one each at a correction facility and healthcare setting.
Statewide, there are 9,630 cases of the virus and 324 reported deaths with 80 of the deaths occurring in long term care facilities.
Fairfax County Public Schools has decided to move away from Blackboard Learn, a virtual learning environment, for face to face instruction after experiencing ongoing issues.
Yesterday, Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced that the school system is going to shift to other learning tools for remote instruction.
“We recognize that our students and teachers need a reliable system for virtual learning; therefore, we are going to move away from Blackboard Learn 24-7 as a tool for face to face instruction,” Brabrand said in the letter. “Teachers and students will continue to use Blackboard Learn 24-7 to access instructional resources and supports.”
The school system had been using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, a real-time video conferencing tool, along with Blackboard Learn.
The decision comes after ongoing issues with Blackboard that FCPS was hoping would be resolved over the weekend. On Monday, FCPS noted login issues had not been resolved.
Today, teachers are not providing face to face instruction and are instead using Google Classroom, pre-recorded videos, learning packets, eBooks and programming on Channels 21, 25, and 99.
“We will also provide ‘face to face’ instruction to our students as schools begin the transition away from the Blackboard Learn 24/7 system. Schools will be preparing to provide virtual instruction through a secure Blackboard Collaborate Ultra link or through other alternative means,” he said.
More from Brabrand’s letter:
First, I am initiating a comprehensive, outside review of the distance learning rollout. We have retained Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, a law firm with expertise in information technology and cybersecurity. We anticipate a report from them in the next few weeks to guide our continued work in distance learning.
Secondly, I am creating the Superintendent’s Technology Advisory Council with three co-chairs: Bobbie Kilberg, President and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council; Andrew Ko, Managing Director of Global Education at Amazon Web Services; and Amy Gilliland, President of General Dynamics IT.
This council will initially offer guidance to help resolve any current distance learning challenges and provide ongoing support to enhance distance learning in a K-12 environment. The council will meet regularly to advise me on best practices in technology architecture and infrastructure, examine emerging software that will enhance online learning opportunities, and recommend cutting edge educational technology for teachers and students.
The council will also examine successful private sector experiences that can be applied to the K-12 environment.
In addition to capacity and load issues on Blackboard’s end, FCPS has also had security issues stemming from “leadership failures,” school officials previously said.
“Classes were hijacked by racist, homophobic and obscene language,” according to a recent Washington Post story. “Students appeared on screen naked or flashed weapons.”
The school board is set to get an update on distance learning at its virtual meeting on Thursday (April 23) at 10 a.m.
Image via YouTube
Gov. Northam Makes Testing Work Group — “The group will “make sure all of Virginia’s public and private testing efforts are coordinated and pulling in the same direction,” Northam said during a Monday press conference.” [Inside NoVa]
Local Student Looks to Celebrate the Class of 2020 — “After Loudoun County seniors Arianna Wright and Aiden Bullis came up with the idea to sell class of 2020 signs and distributed 1,000, Abby Diamond wanted the same concept in Fairfax County. The Madison High School senior has started to sell signs reading ‘Class of 2020 senior #allinthistogether’ in support of the 2020 graduates. So far, she’s sold about 100 and has reached various high schools.” [Patch]
ICYMI: Foust’s Budget Meeting is Tonight — “Foust is set to talk to Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro about the budget, and answer people’s questions, according to his recent newsletter to constituents. The town hall is set to start at 7 p.m. [on Tuesday.]” [Tysons Reporter]
Distance Learning Challenges Plague FCPS — “School officials say that updates made by Blackboard over the weekend have not corrected delays with the system… The Fairfax County School Board is expected to receive an update on the rollout of distance learning on Thursday (April 23).” [Reston Now]
APRIL 20: COVID-19 Update for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Personnel. #FCFRD continues to fully staff all stations and apparatus. More: https://t.co/1FyydVv0Po #FFXCOVID #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/2KUCjRmAgD
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) April 20, 2020
The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.
We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!
Though many in-person events are canceled, organizations and businesses are setting up digital events to keep people occupied.
Tuesday (April 21)
- Free Mecial Traning — The American Red Cross in McLean is putting together digital training for people who want to learn about adult and pediatric first aid, CPR, lifeguarding and more at 9 a.m. This training is free but participants must sign up online.
- Online Budget Town Hall — Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust will host a digital budget town hall from 7-8:30 p.m. People can submit questions by calling 703-324-1114, post them in a comment under the Facebook Live event or email them in advance. The town hall will also be shown on Channel 16 and be streamed online.
- Virtual Trivia at Lost Dog Cafe — The cafe is hosting free trivia for community members starting at 7 p.m., streamed live from the location in McLean. This event is free and prizes will be mailed to winners, the event page said. People who want to support the eatery can order from the location’s menu and can use the code “delivery” for free delivery.
Thursday (April 23)
- Cyber Security Challenges with the Coronavirus Webinar — The Tysons Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free webinar from noon-1 p.m. for people who want to learn how to protect themselves and their businesses from new cyber-attacks. This event is free and registration is encouraged.
Friday (April 24)
- Mother Goose Minutes — Every Friday, the Mary Riley Styles Public Library will post a story time and music video for kids featuring Miss Laura starting at 10:30 a.m., the post said. Anyone who wants to check out the rhymes beforehand can find them online. The videos can be found on the library’s website after they are posted.
- Friday Art Focus — The Mary Riley Styles Public Library is hosting a free Facebook Live event at 3 p.m. with local artist and illustrator Samantha Fiddy. She will be recreating drawings sent in by viewers beforehand. Anyone interested in participating can tune in or submit work to be recreated to [email protected]. People can follow the library’s Facebook post for a link closer to the event.
Saturday (April 25)
- Virtual Independent Bookstore Day — Bards Alley Bookshop in Vienna is planning a virtual day of activities and guests from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to its Facebook page. Details have not been announced yet but people can check the store’s social media accounts for details. People can order books online for curbside pick-up (110 Church Street NW).
Photo via Bards Alley Bookshop/ Facebook
