Happy Friday! Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
Job Shadowing For High School Students — “Approximately 20 local businesses and organizations are hosting Fairfax County Public Schools students in job-shadowing events that began in January and will run through March.” [Inside NoVa]
Local Pizza Places Now Hiring — “Baddpizza, a takeout restaurant bringing Buffalo-style pizza and wings to Northern Virginia, are hiring for future locations in McLean and Falls Church.” [Patch]
Tysons Building For Sale — “The Tysons office building where Booz Allen Hamilton maintains its global headquarters is under contract to trade for $10M less than its previous sale.” [Bisnow]
Local Company Tops Fortune List for Best Workplaces — “The business magazine Fortune, in partnership with analytics firm Great Place to Work, has released its annual list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the United States… McLean-based Hilton took home the top spot on the list for the second year in a row, with Ultimate Software and Wegmans Food Markets rounding out the top three.” [Patch]
Former Dranesville District Supervisor Dies — “Barbara Phillips, a former ballet dancer and interpreter who once ran for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, died in her sleep Feb. 11 at age 85.” [Inside NoVa]
Starting this Sat, Feb. 22, there will be 13 #absenteevoting locations open across #FairfaxCounty for the March 3 Democratic Presidential Primary. Hours & addresses: https://t.co/HTUvwhSY0b#2020election #supertuesday #virginiaprimary #presidentialprimary #vote pic.twitter.com/m2xG7mhJJr
— Fairfax County Votes (@fairfaxvotes) February 21, 2020
The Virginia headquarters for the presidential campaign office for Elizabeth Warren sits at 450 W. Broad Street in Falls Church.
Tysons Reporter reached out to Warren’s campaign and connected with Rylie Cooper, an organizer from the office, to hear her opinions on the campaign’s progress and base in Falls Church.
Below are Cooper’s answers to questions from Tysons Reporter.
Tysons Reporter: How many people are engaged with the Falls Church campaign office overall?
Cooper: We’ve had literally hundreds of volunteers come through our Falls Church office. On any given weekend, we launch canvasses with more than 30 people scheduled for each shift. One of my favorite events to launch out of this office was our Foreign Policy Professionals for Warren Canvass!
We had nearly 40 foreign policy professionals from all over the D.C. area ranging from professors and their students to foreign service members who organize themselves into a group and come together on a Sunday afternoon to knock on doors and talk to Virginia voters about Elizabeth and her plans to bring big, structural change to the Commonwealth.
TR: How have outreach efforts been going in the area?
Cooper: The enthusiasm on the ground for Elizabeth Warren and her message for big, structural change has been very well received both here in Northern Virginia and across the Commonwealth. This area was especially really active following the 2016 election.
The people here are incredibly excited about the opportunity to elect a woman who represents their values. There was a significant organic and grassroots movement for Elizabeth Warren in place even before any of our staff even hit the ground. This is the same group who helped elect the most diverse state legislature in Virginia in 2017 and take it back for Democrats in 2019 and now they’re activating their networks for Elizabeth.
TR: What are the borders of the outreach area?
Cooper: Our campaign is organizing everywhere. In addition to the Falls Church office, we have an office that focuses on Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach area and we have grassroots hubs in Central Virginia.
TR: What have been some successes?
Cooper: I think our biggest success has been training our volunteers and empowering them with the tools they need to do this work on their own time, in their own communities and in the way that feels most impactful to them. We have nearly 1,000 people who have raised their hands to volunteer in over 100 cities, towns and counties across the commonwealth — including in every single congressional district.
We’ve knocked on nearly 75,000 doors and made over 43,000 calls since Jan. 1. We’ve had over 150 volunteer phone banks and canvass and over 700 one-on-one conversations with people wanting to get involved with the campaign. People are also really happy to be connected with other Elizabeth Warren supporters in their communities.
TR: Are there full-time staffers at this office? Are they paid? Volunteers?
Cooper: We have several full-time staffers — all the staffers are paid. We also have several volunteers who come in to help around the office when they can. We’ve trained more than 100 volunteers. They come to our office when it makes sense, but they also organize out of their own garages and homes and with their neighbors.
TR: How are the outreach efforts different in the NoVA area compared to other places in the country?
Cooper: Our campaign has been organizing in traditionally red and blue areas of states who will be voting in the next few weeks. Here in Virginia, we are reaching as many communities as we can across the state and that is how we are organizing across the country too.
TR: As a team leader what are your responsibilities?
Cooper: My responsibilities range from training and managing our organizers to preaching Elizabeth’s message to every single person I meet to working with our leadership team to make sure we have a happy and productive work environment to making sure our volunteers have a great experience every single time they volunteer.
TR: Has Warren visited the HQ or does she plan to make a stop anytime soon in the area?
Cooper: She was in Arlington last Thursday for a town hall! It was so amazing to see people come from all over the D.C. area ready to get involved for that last final push leading up to Super Tuesday!
I just wish everyone could see her in a town hall like we did. It’s reassuring to know that a lot of the people who were able to witness the magic of an Elizabeth Warren Town Hall are now signed up to help us talk to Virginians all over the commonwealth and share that energy of the Arlington town hall with voters at the doors and on the phones.
The interview has been lightly condensed and edited for clarity.
Photo courtesy Rylie Cooper
(Updated 4 p.m.) ShowPlace Icon has made its opening plans to bring movies to The Boro in Tysons.
The 72,000-square-foot theater plans to officially open at 1667 Silver Hill Drive on March 6, according to the theater’s spokesperson.
People who are Extra Club Members — a free membership is available online — will be able to watch free movies with free popcorn and drinks during the theater’s soft opening between next Friday, Feb. 28 and Wednesday, March 4.
This will be the movie theater chain’s seventh location, according to a press release.
“We are thrilled to share our passion for creating an unparalleled movie going experience with the dynamic local communities,” CEO Tony Kerasotes said in the press release. “The ever-growing Tysons neighborhood seemed like the perfect choice when deciding where to plant our roots in the [D.C. area].”
The Tysons theater is set to have 14 auditoriums with seating for 1,795 people, seat heaters and food and drinks from the ICON Bistro and The Lobby Lounge, the press release said.
Photo courtesy TAA Public Relations
Historians from Herndon and Vienna are working together on a project that would allow telegraph messages to be sent back and forth between the towns.
As the Herndon Depot Museum prepares to debut its new telegraph exhibit on March 1, they are hoping to bring Historic Vienna on board as well, according to Barbara Glakas, a Herndon Historical Society spokesperson, told Reston Now.
Though Herndon is on schedule to open up its public exhibit, Anne Stuntz with Historic Vienna said Vienna is not as far along with the plans, a town spokesperson said.
The Herndon exhibit will feature one working telegraph machine and antique telegraph parts, such as a telegraph key and a telegraph sounder. Visitors will also be able to learn how the code worked and try it out for themselves, according to Glakas.
It is unclear when the Vienna telegraph machine will be set up or if the display will resemble that of the Herndon exhibit.
Photo via Historic Vienna/Facebook
Tysons Reporter reports local news for Tysons, McLean, Vienna, Falls Church and Merrifield.
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Mardi Gras is approaching and throughout the weekend leading up to Tuesday (Feb. 25), several local businesses and eateries around town are holding festive events.
Tysons Reporter rounded up where and when to Mardi Gras celebrations around the Tysons area.
Vienna and Merrifield
On Friday, Feb. 21, Kim Stryker, a George Mason professor, will discuss holiday traditions and their origins during Folklore Friday at Bards Alley Bookshop (110 Church Street NW). The event is set to run from 7 to 8 p.m. King cake and Mardi Gras beads will be supplied. All are welcome to dress up in fun and festive attire for this event.
The Mardi Gras Bunco Party, hosted by the Vienna Arts Society (243 Church Street NW), next Saturday (Feb. 29) invites people to play Bunco, a dice game played with groups of 12 or more. A donation of $22 is suggested and refreshments will be served, according to the event page. This event runs from 7 to 9 p.m.
Inca Social (2670 Avenir Place) is hosting a Carnival Celebration next Saturday from 7 to 10:30 p.m. The cover charge is $6 and includes an evening of dancing, drink specials and beads.
People looking for Mardi Gras-themed baked goods can visit Amphora Bakery in Vienna (405 W. Maple Ave) to purchase king cake or a variety of decorative treats, according to its website.
Falls Church
Foodies can participate in a free Free Mardi Gras Crawfish Eating Contest on Tuesday (Feb. 25) from noon to 10 p.m. The contest will begin at 6 p.m., but drink specials will be available all day. People can submit their names to become a contestant but participation is not guaranteed. People who place in the top three will receive gift cards.
The Fat Tuesday Beer Dinner at the Dogfish Head Alehouse (6220 Leesburg Pike) in Seven Corners offers guests a four-course meal for the price of $55. Admission includes beer pairings and a hurricane cocktail, according to the event page. This event begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Sol Roots Band with guest Ron Holloway will be performing Mardi Gras-themed music at JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd) on Tuesday beginning at 8:30 p.m. The groups will be performing a variety of funk, soul, deep blues, R&B and rock, according to the event page.
This Sunday (Feb. 23), JV’s Restaurant will be hosting another Mardi Gras celebration for the community. This event will feature a DJ and dancing from 4-7 p.m., the Facebook page said.
Photo via Kristina Evstifeeva/Unsplash
Fairfax County police said that a 21-year-old man from Falls Church is facing felony charges for allegedly soliciting sex from minors via social media accounts.
Police said that they began their investigation last month after a minor told their parents about unwanted sexual contact with the man.
Detectives believe the man “used several social media accounts with false names while also misrepresenting his age to solicit sex from minors,” police said.
The man, who was arrested yesterday (Wednesday), is facing two felony charges of carnal knowledge and the use of a communication device to solicit a minor, according to police.
He was taken to the Adult Detention Center and released on bond, police said.
File photo
Starting next week, pedestrians and cyclists along the Washington and Old Dominion will need to take detours near Idylwood Park.
The Virginia Department of Transportation recently announced that the part of the trail that runs along the south side of the park will be closed starting Monday (Feb. 24) for utility work connected to the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project.
People can expect the portion of the trail between Virginia Lane and the trail bridge over I-495 to be closed for about one week, according to VDOT.
Different detours will be in place, according to VDOT:
- Pedestrians: detour through Idylwood Park during the park’s operating hours using footpaths and the parking lot
- Cyclists: on-road detour to Virginia Lane and Nottingham Drive using W&OD Trail access at the end of Nottingham Drive
VDOT noted that the work is dependent on the weather.
The I-66 project is working to add new Express Lanes, change bus service and transit routes, add new pedestrian trails and improve interchanges. The part of the project outside of the Beltway is slated to finish in December 2022.
Map via VDOT
Marshall High School’s parent-teacher-student association (PTSA) wants people to Zumba at Tysons Corner Center next Saturday to raise money for a graduation celebration.
Set for Saturday (Feb. 29), the dance party will feature Rochi Bracale and other Zumba fitness instructors, according to the event page.
“Workout attire is ideal but not required,” the event page says. “As long as you can dance, move, twirl, jump and sway in your street clothes, you will be good!”
The family-friendly event is scheduled to take place at the Fashion Court near Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s in the mall on the lower level from 3-4:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.
The money will go to the All Night Graduation Celebration (ANGC), which is a drug- and alcohol-free party for graduates hosted by the Marshall High School PTSA, according to the event page.
People who can’t make the party can still donate until March 9 to the graduation celebration.
Tysons’ new school board member supports efforts to have Fairfax County Public Schools go green, but has concerns about how the goals are being met.
Karl Frisch, the newly elected school board representative for the Providence District, held office hours with community members last Friday (Feb. 13) in Merrifield to discuss the progress of ongoing initiatives.
The changes include Dominion Energy testing eight electric school buses around Fairfax County and the county installing solar panels at roughly two dozen schools in the Providence District, according to Frisch.
The decision to install solar panels was made possible by Fairfax County’s new Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), according to Frisch’s newsletter.
Around 60% of Providence District public schools have cleared the first step to receive solar panels, Frisch said.
As for the school buses, Frisch said while running for office that they were one of his top goals. (The initiative also supported by Del. Mark Keam (D-35th District) and groups like Mothers Out Front Fairfax.)
Now, as the program is becoming a reality, he said it is a “fantastic” opportunity for the district.
“Dominion Energy will cover the difference in cost so that school districts pay no more for electric buses than they would for diesel models,” according to the FCPS website, which added that the company will also cover the cost of the charging stations.
For the news buses, FCPS will only be paying around $150,000 of the $325,000 for an electric school bus, plus the added cost of seat belts and the cost of electricity to run the buses in place of diesel fuel, Peggy Fox, a Dominion Energy spokesperson, said.
By replacing diesel school buses with an electric option, FCPS will save 60% on maintenance costs, according to Fox.
But, Frisch also told Tysons Reporter that he is hesitant about Dominion’s potential long-term control over the bus program and said he would prefer to see a competitive bidding process before FCPS agrees to work with the energy company to electrify the school’s remaining 1,600 bus fleet.
Fox said that Dominion approached FCPS with the initial opportunity and those within the district were enthusiastic to accept the offer. “We are doing it on our dime because we think it is so great,” she said.
An electric bus bill that was originally sponsored by Keam was shut down — the bill that would have allocated more state funds toward this initiative and eased the pressure to involve Dominion Energy, according to Frisch.
“The bill that made it through the House [of Delegates] was a different bill,” Frisch said. “If that’s what ends up becoming law, then our electric school buses will be tied to the hip to Dominion.”
Despite the concern over the cost, Frisch said he still supports the initiative and wants to move forward toward carbon-neutrality.
“If this is the only way we can get it done — fine,” he said. “But it is not the best way to do it.”
By 2030, Dominion wants 100% of the school buses in the company’s service zone in Virginia to be transitioned into an electric fleet, according to Fox. “We are thrilled the legislature is helping to move this forward,” she said.
Both Frisch and Fox agree that electric buses will be healthier for the school kids who depend on them and will help ease the carbon imprint on the environment.
Going forward, Frisch said he isn’t sure when the electric school buses will officially join the fleet, but Fairfax County said they’d likely hit the road by the end of the year.
