Early voting is over, and Election Day 2023 is less than 24 hours away.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday). Virginia now allows same-day registration, though those voters will cast provisional ballots that are counted and validated later by the Fairfax County Electoral Board.
Mail ballots can be placed at dropboxes at all polling sites throughout the day. They can also still be sent to the Fairfax County Office of Elections (12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323) but must arrive by noon on Monday, Nov. 13 to be counted. In addition, the voter’s year of birth and the last four digits of their social security number needs to be written on the return envelope in lieu of the previously required witness signature.
As of last Wednesday (Nov. 1), almost 9% of registered voters had voted early in person or returned a mail ballot, amounting to about 64,000 votes, according to Fairfax County election officials. Last time this election cycle came around in 2019, there were 36,584 absentee votes total and an overall 44.3% turnout.
This year’s general election is focused on local and state offices, with every Board of Supervisors, school board and General Assembly seat up for grabs. Vienna is also holding mayoral and town council elections in November for the first time.
Board of Supervisors
Chairman
- Jeff McKay (D)
- Arthur Purves (R)
McKay, the incumbent, was elected in 2019 after serving as supervisor of the Franconia District — then known as Lee District — since 2008. Citing mental health services and pedestrian safety among his top priorities this year, he faces a challenge from Purves, president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance and a frequent critic of the county’s taxation and spending practices.
Braddock District
- James Walkinshaw (D)
- Carey Campbell (I)
No Republican candidates came forward to challenge Walkinshaw, who also didn’t get pulled into the Democratic primary in June. Chief of staff for Rep. Gerry Connolly before getting elected in 2019, he is once again facing off with independent Carey Chet Campbell, a Green Party member who’s now on his sixth campaign for Braddock District supervisor.
Dranesville District
- Puneet Ahluwalia (R)
- Jimmy Bierman (D)
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, who’s retiring after four terms in office, has endorsed Bierman as his successor. The McLean resident and former Dranesville District Democratic Committee chair has identified diversifying the local economy, addressing climate change and creating “viable transportation options” as his top priorities.
Bierman is squaring off with a Livingtston Group lobbyist and former Fairfax County Republican Committee first vice chairman. Calling politicians “out of touch” and “out of control” on his website, Ahluwalia lists his key issues as property taxes, public safety, education, recreation and the pay raise approved earlier this year for the incoming board.
Franconia District
- Rodney Lusk (D)
- Paul Beran (R)
- Mark T. Welch (I)
When he launched his reelection bid last year, Lusk told FFXnow that he hopes to continue championing affordable housing, full funding for schools, bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements and criminal justice reform.
Affordable housing is also a priority for Beran, who says he founded the advertising company Advertel. Per his campaign website, the Republican candidate is also focused on public safety, education and creating a “Great American Walk of Fame” to honor war heroes, first responders, historic figures and others along Richmond Highway, among other issues.
Welch, a longtime Springvale resident and former federal government employee, told On the MoVe that his priorities, if elected, would be “keeping the tax rate stable, improving public safety and focusing education dollars for the classroom.”
Hunter Mill District
- Walter Alcorn (D)
- Indira Massey (R)
Seeking his second term in office, Alcorn highlights his role in creating the county’s co-responder program and decision not to advance development proposals for Reston’s golf courses on his campaign website, which also lists pedestrian and bicyclist safety, affordable housing and climate change among his top issues.
An entrepreneur who was born in the Soviet Union, Massey says on her site that she decided to run for office to “demonstrate that immigrants from all around the world can and do embrace American conservative values.” If elected, she would support incentives to recruit more police, oppose tax increases and advocate for a limited government.
Mason District
- Andres Jimenez (D)
- Terry Modglin (I)
Jimenez and Modglin are vying to replace retiring Supervisor Penny Gross. In his second bid for the Mason District seat, Jimenez is an at-large Fairfax County planning commissioner and executive director of the environmental advocacy group Green 2.0, while Modglin identified himself to Patch as a veteran and consultant with the Fresh Start Refugee Assistance Center.
Mount Vernon District
- Dan Storck (D)
- Richard Hayden (R)
- Christopher Morgan (I)
If reelected, incumbent Storck told On the MoVe that he would advocate for investments in education, public safety, housing, green land use policies and development, the workforce and the future Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit system. Per his website, Hayden is a real estate agent and volunteer who wants to improve school standards, reduce taxes and “modernize” the police department with training and equipment.
President of the Stratford Landing Citizens Association, Morgan’s policy positions include preservation of trees and the tidal shoreline, opposition to the planned homeless shelter in Penn Daw and support for widening Richmond Highway, though he opposes the exclusive BRT lanes.
Providence District
- Dalia Palchik (D)
- Brian Murphy (R)
Seeking reelection, Palchik lists her priorities as fully funding Fairfax County Public Schools, reducing the county’s carbon footprint and building a community that’s inclusive, healthy and walkable. Murphy, a realtor for Samson Properties, cites crime, taxes, consumer protection and “parental rights” as his chief concerns.
Springfield District
- Pat Herrity (R)
- Albert Vega (D)
- Corazon Foley (I)
The only Republican currently on the board, Herrity was first elected in 2007 and advocates for reducing taxes and government spending, road improvements to address congestion and improve safety, and addressing crime. He has frequently brought up “panhandling” as an issue, leading the board to recently approve funding for a study.
Chief technology officer for the consultant Building Momentum and founder of the nonprofit Athena Response, which assists with disaster responses, Vega champions affordable housing, inclusivity, more efficient public transportation, transparency around public safety and other changes in his bid to unseat Herrity.
In a Patch profile, Foley, a former diplomat and intelligence officer, said her top priority, and the reason she decided to run for supervisor as an Independent Green Party candidate, is to ensure the construction of a new Senior Center Without Walls for the Burke and West Springfield area. The county held meetings on a proposed facility at Huntsman Square last month.
Sully District
- Kathy Smith (D)
- Keith Stone Elliott (R)
Smith is campaigning for a third term as Sully District supervisor, listing affordable housing, school funding, road improvements, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and economic development among her priorities.
Elliott, a property manager and McLean High School graduate, says on his website that he’s running to reduce spending and taxes. He also supports “common sense” land development, which would include studying the concept of a Historic Centreville District, and he proposes an ombudsman for the county.
School Board
While the school board races are nonpartisan, candidates can get endorsed by political parties, which is marked in parentheses.
At Large
- Cassandra Aucoin (R)
- Maureen Brody (R)
- Saundra Davis (R)
- Peter Gabor
- Ahmed Mahdi Hussein
- Ilryong Moon (D)
- Ryan McElveen (D)
- Kyle McDaniel (D)
- Linda Ann Pellegrino
This crowded race features none of the three at-large incumbents, but it does have two former school board members in Moon and McElveen, who are attempting to regain the seats they stepped away from after 2019.
Braddock District
Instead of seeking reelection as an at-large member, Sizemore Heizer has opted to run for the seat being vacated after three terms by incumbent Megan McLaughlin. A disability advocate first elected in 2019, she faces a mother in DeStefano who says she’s running to “give parents a voice a gain” after getting frustrated by school closures during the pandemic, a sentiment shared by many of this year’s Republican-endorsed candidates.
Dranesville District
- Paul Bartkowski (R)
- Robyn Lady (D)
A lawyer and parent of three FCPS students, Bartkowski says he represented plaintiffs who challenged the school system’s mask requirements during the pandemic, calling for “academic excellence over ideology.”
Lady is a small business owner and former director of student services for Chantilly High School, according to her website, which points to staffing shortages, achievement gaps and crowding in schools, especially in the Tysons area, as some of the issues that need to be addressed.
Franconia District
- Kevin Pinkney (R)
- Marcia St. John-Cunning (D)
A former interpreter and family liaison for FCPS, St. John-Cunning was restored to the ballot last Wednesday (Nov. 1) after getting disqualified a week earlier in a legal battle over her candidacy petition. Her website says she’s committed to “improving academics, the development of the whole child, to supporting educators, staff, parents and community engagement, and assuring equity and inclusion.”
Pinkney, a lawyer, says on his campaign website that he “watched with concern as FCPS lowered academic standards and became distracted by social movements and fads that do not advance education, and that bring division and rancor.” His policy proposals include competitive pay for teachers, a redesign of English as a Second Language programs and technology to “reinforce windows” for security purposes.
Hunter Mill District
- Harry Jackson (R)
- Melanie Meren (D)
One of just three school board members seeking reelection to their current position, Meren cites funding for outdoor classrooms and security vestibules among the accomplishments of her first term on the board, listing learning, employment and safety as her priorities.
Advocating for “world-class education services for children and adult learners,” parental rights and security, Jackson was a central figure in the Coalition for TJ, which sued the school board over changes to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s admissions policies, and the right-wing organization Parents Defending Education. He has also faced a defamation lawsuit and dropped an early bid for a school board seat after he was criticized for laughing at an autistic student.
Mason District
Anderson, the incumbent, says on her campaign site that she decided to seek reelection to continue her work on the school board, particularly the fight for equity and “needs-based allocation of resources” such as staff and facilities. A former professor at George Washington and Radford universities, Froemling Ball told the Washington Post that she wants to tackle learning losses, bullying, an audit of the FCPS budget, and teacher and supply shortages.
Mount Vernon District
- Mateo Dunne (D)
- Stori Zimmerman (R)
A lawyer, entrepreneur and former vice president of advocacy for the Fairfax County Council of PTAs., Dunne says his priorities include increasing access to education and addressing learning losses and achievement gaps, according to his website.
“I have fought for our children, families, and educators for 10 years, and I will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen our public schools,” Dunne said in a statement. “I will work tirelessly to ensure the School Board preserves the legacy of excellence while expanding opportunities for all children.”
Zimmerman’s website says she has worked “as an educator in and out of the classroom for 25 years.” Her stated priorities are academic excellence, parents’ rights, safety and security, transparency, fiscal responsibility and compensation.
Providence District
- Karl Frisch (D)
- Anthony Arthur Sabio (R)
Elected to school board in 2019, Frisch said when announcing his reelection campaign that he wants to “give every student safe and inclusive public schools with exceptional educators and equitable access to the rigorous academics and other opportunities they need to be successful after graduation.”
Sabio’s campaign bio says he has “decades of experience” working in the U.S. Navy, Secret Service and CIA, and his platform focuses on school safety, mental health and academic excellence. He has proposed expanding mentorship and trade and vocational school programs for students.
Springfield District
Anderson is an FCPS graduate working as a contractor for Defense Department youth programs, per her campaign website, which lists funding, special education support, representation for students in military families, and science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education as her “core issues.”
Bixby-Eberhardt, a real estate agent, says his priorities are creating more opportunities for students, improving student health and public safety, and simplifying the process for getting special education services.
A disability rights advocate and former special education teacher, Tisler wants “to restore academic excellence and the joy of learning for the children of Fairfax County.” Her priorities include “empowering parents,” advocating for “rigorous curriculum and instruction” and reducing bureaucracy to better serve children.
Sully District
- Seema Dixit (D)
- Cynthia Lang Walsh (R)
Vying to succeed Stella Pekarsky, a nominee for the 36th State Senate District, Dixit is a mother of two FCPS students, and Walsh is a Freedom of Information Act officer who wrote a book about autism that questions the effectiveness of vaccines.
Dixit says she’s running to advocate for a school district “where every student, regardless of their background, has access to high-quality education and support services, while Walsh told the Washington Post that she wants to protect “the innocence and safety of children” from explicit materials and trafficking.
Other
General Assembly
The state races look a little different this year after redistricting in 2021 placed several incumbents representing parts of Fairfax County in the same districts. Many veteran legislators opted not to seek reelection, while others got defeated in primaries.
The county is represented in the House of Delegates by districts 4 and 6-19 and in the State Senate by districts 33 to 39. Sample ballots with the candidates, along with those in the Vienna and Clifton races, can be found on the county’s Office of Elections website.
Circuit Court Clerk
- Gerarda Culipher (R)
- Chris Falcon (D)
Current Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk John Frey is retiring after 32 years in the position. He has endorsed Culipher, his chief deputy clerk, over Falcon, the deputy clerk court in Arlington. Both candidates say they would prioritize customer service and accessibility, but they differ on the extent of their support for making public records available online for free.
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Incumbent Steve Descano is the only candidate on the ballot after winning the Democratic primary in June, but his primary opponent, Ed Nuttall, recently endorsed a write-in campaign after getting removed from the Fairfax County Democratic Committee.
Sheriff
First elected in a 2013 special election, Stacey Kincaid is the county’s first female sheriff. Her bid for a third full term is now uncontested after she defeated primary challenger Kelvin Garcia with 75% of the vote.
Soil and Water Conservation
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District works with the county to prevent erosion, reduce runoff and generally preserve local water resources, such as Lake Accotink. There are seven people vying for its five-seat, nonpartisan board of directors:
- Dana Barakat (D)
- Rhonda Bitterli (D)
- Mary Ellen “Mell” Flynn (R)
- Chris Koerner (D)
- Debra Maddrell (R)
- Edward Monroe, Jr.
- Mary Strayhorne (R)
School bond referendum
FCPS is asking voters to approve a $435 million bond referendum that will fund several school construction and renovation projects:
- Construction — Dranesville, Armstrong, Herndon, Lees Corner, Brookfield, Willow Springs and Bren Mar Park elementary schools
- Planning/Design — Franklin Middle School and Waples Mill, Cub Run, Poplar Tree, Virginia Run, Centre Ridge, Union Mill, Sangster and Saratoga elementary schools
Approved by the school board on May 25, the project list also includes $9 million to relocate three classroom modulars, $10 million to address inflation-related cost adjustments to previously approved projects and $2.5 million to install security vestibules.
One U.S. Park Police officer fatally shot another in Tysons yesterday (Sunday), leading to an involuntary manslaughter charge.
Fairfax County police officers were called to an unintentional shooting in the 1700 block of Old Meadow Road — the Scotts Run area — at 12:20 a.m. When they arrived at the apartment, Jesse Brown Hernandez, a 22-year-old McLean resident, was found dead with “a gunshot wound to the upper body,” according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Based on a preliminary investigation, police say an off-duty Park Police officer identified as 25-year-old Alexander Roy from McLean “was attempting to dry fire” his gun.
“Dry firing is when one simulates the discharge of a firearm by pulling the trigger of a firearm that is unloaded,” the FCPD said in a news release. “Roy unintentionally shot the firearm he believed to be unloaded, fatally striking Hernandez.”
Police believe alcohol played a role in the shooting.
There were a total of four people in the apartment at the time of the shooting, three of them off-duty Park Police officers, including Roy and Hernandez, according to the FCPD.
Roy has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and is currently in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond.
The Park Police said it was aware of the shooting but directed questions to the FCPD, which is conducting the investigation.
“Our focus right now is on supporting the family, friends and coworkers of our employees involved in this tragic incident,” the agency’s press office said in a statement. “USPP has nothing further to share at this time.”
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.”
