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Omina Technologies, a company focused on artificial intelligence, has opened its first U.S. headquarters in Tysons.

The company recently announced the new location at 1750 Tysons Blvd, Suite 1500, saying that the local area’s diverse high-technology companies will help Omina grow quickly.

Based in Belgium, Omina Technologies also has an office in Miami, according to a statement. Omina Technologies offers AI training for business people, consulting and an AI platform.

“The decision to expand our presence into Washington’s high-tech corridor was a logical step in our business growth strategy,” Brian Alexander, Omina Technologies’ CEO North America, said in a statement.

Photo via Omina/LinkedIn

Tysons’ 1st Stage Theatre has nabbed 18 Helen Hayes Awards nominations — making it the second most nominated theater this year in the D.C. area.

The awards, which were announced last night, recognize excellence in professional theatre in the D.C. area.

The awards are split into two main categories: the “Hayes” for productions featuring a majority of theater union members and the “Helen” for productions with fewer union members.

The Tysons theater trailed Olney Theatre Center’s 27 nominations for the most for any theater.

Here is the full list of nominations:

• “Airness” with Keegan Theatre — Outstanding Choreography in a Play, Outstanding Sound Design, James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play, Outstanding Choreography in a Play
• “columbinus” — Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Sound Design, Outstanding Direction in a Play, Outstanding Ensemble in a Play, James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play, Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
• “The Brothers Size” — Outstanding Production in a Play, Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Sound Design, Outstanding Direction in a Play, Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Outstanding Production in a Play
• “The Royale” with Olney Theatre Center — Outstanding Choreography in a Play, Outstanding Sound Design

Last year, 1st Stage won five of its 22 nominations.

The winners will be announced on Monday, May, 18, at the Anthem in D.C.

Fish Taco and North Italia are set to open this week at The Boro in Tysons.

The new Tysons location (1644 Boro Place) will be Fish Taco’s fourth location and first location outside of Maryland.

An employee at the eatery said that Fish Taco plans to hold a soft opening on Thursday (Feb. 6), followed by an official opening on Friday (Feb. 7).

Like the name suggest, Fish Taco serves up seafood rice bowls, tacos, salads, burritos and quesadillas.

Fish Taco’s regular hours will be from 10:30 a.m.-8L30 p.m. on Mondays, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on Fridays, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Meanwhile, the Italian restaurant chain North Italia plans to open Wednesday (Feb. 5) at 1651 Boro Place.

The restaurant’s regular hours will be from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sundays and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturdays. North Italia will have happy hour from 3-6 p.m. on weekdays.

Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:

Where to Eat Out for Valentine’s Day — “Reservations are starting to fill up for Friday, Feb. 14. We’ve got a few suggestions for restaurants around Vienna and Tysons, including those taking reservations on OpenTable.” [Patch]

No Cases of Novel Coronavirus Locally — “The Virginia Department of Health has received test results for the first of two Patients Under Investigation for Novel Coronavirus in the Northern Region of Virginia. The results from testing performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were negative.” [Fairfax County]

Fairfax Prosecutor Examines Park Police Shooting — “The new prosecutor for Fairfax County is looking into the fatal Park Police shooting of Bijan Ghaisar, a 25-year-old accountant from McLean.” [Patch]

Health Officials Warn of Possible Measles Exposure — “The Virginia Department of Health is working to identify people who may have been exposed to measles beginning Jan. 26 at Dulles International Airport.” [Inside NoVa]

A bunch of newcomers opening soon include:
– @b8ta is expanding from a kiosk to a store
– Australian retailer @CottonOn
– new eateries: China Kitchen and Teriyaki Way
– @Doughnuttery will have kiosk
– @sunglasshut is reopening one of its stores https://t.co/1eaquK8mmw

— Catherine Douglas Moran (@c_douglasmoran) January 31, 2020

Updated 2/5/2020 –– Corrects name of one of the co-sponsors.

People who love McLean and its local arts scene can celebrate at an annual party this weekend.

Now in its third year, the “I Love McLean Party” invites locals to listen to a musical performance from a local chorus while making crafts, according to the Dranesville District Supervisor newsletter.

Attendees can expect free snacks and drinks, along with child-friendly activities.

The free party will be held on Saturday (Feb. 8) from 3-5 p.m. at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue), the newsletter said.

The McLean Community Association, McLean Project for the Arts and McLean Community Center are sponsoring the event.

Photo via FCPD/Facebook

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!

Wednesday (Feb. 5)

• Tanya Tucker — 7:30 p.m. at The Barns at Wolf Trap (1635 Trap Road) — Tanya Tucker is known for her country style, according to Vist Fairfax, and has been nominated for several Grammy Awards. Guests can enjoy her music for an evening at this upcoming live performance. Tickets start at $47.

Thursday (Feb. 6)

• Meditation Class — 8:30-9:30 a.m. at EKOE Health (254 N. Washington Street) — Women are invited to take part in a meditation session that will help them unwind and work on their breath. Comfortable clothes are encouraged.  Admission is $25 and all experience levels are welcome.

Saturday (Feb. 8)

• Kojam Productions’ Tysons Camp Fair — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fashion Court in Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Road) — This event invites people to check out options for extracurricular summer activities.  Representatives from multiple groups will be on-site to answer questions and the event page states it is the area’s biggest camp-related event. Admission is free and open to all.
• Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana — 7 p.m. at The Alden, McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue) — This one-time performance from the New York-based troop allows people to experience the newest production by Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana. General Admission tickets are $40, but discounts are available.

Sunday (Feb. 9)

• Women’s Club Fundraiser — 3-5 p.m. at Chain Bridge Cellars (1351 Chain Bridge Road) — Attendees over the age of 21 will have the chance to sample a variety of wines while benefiting the Dominion Women’s Club. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online.
• NOVA Central Farm Markets — 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at George C. Marshall High School (7731 Leesburg Pike) — This farmers market invites people to stock up with fresh goods such as bread, produce and possibly meats. It is one of the few farmers markets available in the area year-round.
• Cookie Decorating — 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Botanologica (817 W. Broad Street) — Attendees can learn how to work with wet icing in this interactive workshop. People will walk away with six cookies and all materials will be supplied by the hosts. Tickets are $85. No experience is needed for this three-hour class.

Photo courtesy McLean Community Center

Tomorrow (Feb. 4), the Fairfax County’s Transportation Committee will meet to discuss upcoming projects around the area.

Board members will kick off the meeting, which begins at 3 p.m. in the Fairfax County Government Center, with updates and progress regarding the I-495 Express Lanes Northern Expansion project.

According to the documents posted ahead of the meeting, the I-495 project will include expansion of express lanes to George Washington Memorial Parkway, replacement of existing overpasses, implementation of a shared-use path and addition of new noise barrier walls.

Upgrades could save drivers up to 25 minutes during their peak-hour commute, especially with ease cut-through traffic congestion in local communities, according to the documents.

Other items on the agenda include bus and Metrorail improvements and the Bicycle Master Plan.

For people who bike to work, a shared-use bike path behind the noise wall will connect the American Legion Bridge to Maryland, the presentation said.

Meanwhile, an ongoing I-495 Regional Transit Study is expected to become public sometime this year.

A public forum to discuss the discuss environmental and technical reports from the project is set for March 12 at Langley High School (6520 Georgetown Pike) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Staff photo by Jay Westcott

Rodd & Gunn New Zealand plans to open a store in Tysons Galleria.

Started in New Zealand, the clothing company sells jackets, shirts, jeans, shorts and more for men.

The store is “coming soon” to the mall, according to Tysons Galleria’s website. The closest store is in Bethesda, according to the company’s website.

Rodd & Gunn New Zealand is one of several newcomers slated to open in Tysons Galleria, including CycleBar and Little Birdies Boutique.

Shoppers at an upcoming business in Falls Church may feel nostalgic after checking out its offerings of video games and old toys.

Super Bit Video Games, located next to the Toy Nest along E. Broad Street, will primarily sell video games but also offer retro toys, according to owner Chris Jackson. 

“We are trying to build around the retro game community,” he said.

The location will source games from around the area and resell them at a fair market price, Jackson said, adding that people who bring in items for sale can receive store credit in exchange for their game or toy.

The roughly 1,400 square foot store will seel roughly 85% video games and 25% other toys such as vintage skateboards, according to Jackson.

Super Bit Video Games will promote new and featured items through its Instagram account.

The location is expected to celebrate a soft opening sometime in March, Jackson said.

Photo courtesy Chris Jackson