(Updated 1/27/20) The Traveling Players Ensemble now has its first permanent indoor facility since the organization’s founding 18 years ago. And it’s in Tysons.

Located in Tysons Corner Center, adjacent to the former Lord and Taylor spot on level one, the 42,000-square-foot studio serves as a practice spot for kids involved in the theater group, according to Jeanne Harrison, the founder and artistic program director of Traveling Players.

The studio opened on Jan. 11 and Harrison said it hosted 10 events within the first three days.

The studio’s current location in the mall previously held a restaurant called the Magic Pan in the 80s’ where Harrison said she was both a waitress and hostess in 1987 and 1988.

On weekends, roughly 30 kids participating in the program will gather and practice for upcoming performances, according to Harrison.

In March, Traveling Players Ensemble will debut two performances at Tysons Corner Center, including “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Students put in anywhere from three to upwards of six hours of work per week at the facility, depending on age, Harrison said.

With a 70% retention rate between age groups, Harrison said Traveling Players Ensemble’s retention rate is high because the group focuses on the students’ development.

“They get what I like to call ‘experiential learning,'” she said. 

Going forward, the center will host a spring break camp as well as summer camps.

“We are baby-stepping our way through this,” Harrison said, adding that they are still figuring out requirements for indoor practice — which is a shift from the group’s typical outdoor programming.

Parents who register their kids before Feb. 11 will receive a competitive discount, according to Harrison.

Photo courtesy Jeanne Harrison

Fairfax County’s Board of Zoning Appeals has delayed making a decision on appeals of a zoning determination for a controversial teen rehab facility proposed in McLean.

Newport Academy, a therapy program for teens with mental health issues, wanted to open two treatment facilities — one along Davidson Road and another at 1318 Kurtz Road.

Newport Academy has hinged its claim on the two locations being by-right uses — a use that won’t require approval by the Board of Supervisors.

Fairfax County Zoning Administrator Leslie Johnson issued a letter in May saying that Newport Academy’s three adjacent properties at 1620, 1622 and 1624 Davidson Road would be a congregate living facility.

Newport Academy originally tried to appeal the Davidson Road decision, but has withdrawn the appeal.

The Board of Zoning Appeals’ public hearing today (Wednesday) focused on three appeals from McLean residents regarding Johnson’s determination that the proposed Kurtz Road facility in the Salona Village neighborhood is a group residential facility — a win for Newport Academy.

The three appeals argue that the Kurtz Road facility should be designated as a congregate or medical use facility.

At the start of the public hearing today, county staff gave an overview of the appeals saying that the appellants have concerns about noise, falling property values, safety risks and increased traffic.

“Trying to skirt the zoning laws”

Roughly 50 people attended the public hearing today.

Attendees who testified in support of the appeal — against Newport Academy’s Kurtz Road facility — mentioned safety risks, traffic concerns on the narrow Kurtz Road,

Some of the Salona Village residents took issue with how close the facility would be to Franklin Sherman Elementary School (6633 Brawner Street).

Opponents to Newport Academy also voiced concerns about crime possibly increasing from the patients leaving the facility without permission and also how the facility would affect the local community.

One local said he and other neighbors met with the Carlyle Group, the investors behind Newport Academy, and suggested that Newport Academy use a house with more acreage and in an area with fewer traffic issues.

“Kurtz Road is full of walkers and bicyclists and people pushing strollers,” one female resident said. “I think the traffic from Newport would create a very dangerous situation.” Emergency vehicles, visitors, doctors and employees would add more vehicles to the road throughout the day, the woman said.

“Newport Academy is trying to skirt the zoning laws,” one Salon Village resident said — echoing a sentiment shared by several attendees.

“A Safe Haven”

Michael Allen, the lawyer representing Newport Academy, said that the girls, ages 12-17, at the facility would be “highly supervised.”

Allen told the board that Newport Academy screens its applicants, who mostly have anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

“Newport takes the appropriate safeguards at admission,” Allen said. Once admitted, Newport Academy does random room searches, random drug and alcohol tests and has tutoring and counseling, Allen said.

Board Member V. Max Beard asked why Newport Academy chose the McLean location and “Why create this kind of turmoil for yourself?” Allen responded that Fairfax County is a “county of opportunity” and a closer option for families in the Mid-Atlantic area.

Ultimately, Allen said that people who have disabilities and mental health should live alongside everyone else. “I suspect the neighbors testifying today will watch Newport like a hawk,” he said.

People who spoke in support of Newport Academy — including several licenses counselors — called the proposed facility a “safe haven” and “surrogate village.” Supports said that patients will be monitored 24/7 and supervised within the fenced in property.

Some parents praised Newport Academy for helping their kids. “We want them to be our neighbors,” one person said.

Newport Academy’s Plans for Kurtz Road 

After facing a backlash from neighbors and local officials, Newport Academy’s intentions for the McLean properties have been unclear.

Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust previously told Tysons Reporter in the fall that Newport Academy plans to sell the properties and wanted the determination reversed for the Davidson Road properties so that the zoning determination wouldn’t negatively impact future plans.

One of the three Davidson Road properties is currently for sale.

Allen told Tysons Reporter that Newport Academy is not pursuing the Davidson Road properties anymore, but does intend to open at Kurtz Road if the Board of Zoning Appeals upholds Johnson’s determination.

Staff said today that Newport Academy has received a mental health treatment license from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health.

Allen added that Newport Academy officials are feeling confident about their case.

Next Steps

Zoning staff recommended that the board uphold Johnson’s determination.

After more than four hours of discussion of testimonies, the board decided it would be best to defer the decision to a later date.

The appellants requested that the board delay its consideration by a few weeks to respond to arguments and material received “last minute” from Newport Academy. Allen, representing Newport Academy, also requested time to submit a post-hearing brief.

Board Member James Hart said he’s concerned about paperwork piling up, leading to further delays to give the board time to consider the arguments, which could then lead to more paperwork.

The board will consider the appeals again on March 11.

A luxury tower with condominiums plans to celebrate its grand opening this weekend in The Boro.

Known as Verse, the 25-story-tall tower offers one-, two- and three-bedroom condos, along with a private outdoor lounge and fitness spa.

The building has 140 residences — the one-bedrooms start at $500,000, two-bedrooms at $850,000 and three-bedrooms at $1.2 million.

The grand opening celebration is set to take place from noon-4 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 25) at the entertainment lounge and sky park on the 9th floor.

The event is free and people interested in attending are encouraged to RVSP on Eventbrite.

A neighborhood market tucked into the Halstead Square apartment complex is now open.

The Bodega (2730 Gallows Road) opened last Tuesday (Jan. 14), according to its website and Instagram.

Shoppers can find “essential groceries,” according to the Instagram.

The market is open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and until 9 p.m. on Sundays, according to the website.

Fire department officials say a fire at the Shell gas station in the Falls Church area started by accident in the attic.

The fire broke out yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon at 6519 Arlington Blvd.

“Owner observed smoke in attic and called 911,” Fairfax County Fire and Rescue tweeted today (Wednesday).

A malfunction in the oil furnace caused the fire, according to the fire department.

No injuries have been reported and fire caused $10,000 worth of damage, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue said.

Photos via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter

Fairfax County police say a man accidentally discharged a gun while inside the Embassy Suites along Leesburg Pike in Tysons.

The incident happened around 11 a.m. on Sunday (Jan. 19).

“The bullet was located inside of a wall and nobody was injured,” according to the report.

Police said the 50-year-old man from Great Falls was charged with reckless handling of a firearm, discharge a firearm within a building and drunk in public, police said.

Image via Google Maps

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!

Tuesday (Jan. 21)

• W&M Tysons Corner Book Club — 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Tysons Galleria (2001 International Drive) — The William and Mary Book Club invites alumni and friends to read “The Martian” by Andy Weir. People are encouraged to come early and grab food for the meeting.
• Disruption & Innovation Club Happy Hour — 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Tower Club (8000 Towers Crescent Drive) — This event invites people from around the community to network and meet new people. Tickets are $15 for members and $35 for non-members. RSVP is required.

Friday (Jan. 24)

• Casual Pint Grand Opening — 4 to 11 p.m. at the Casual Pint (6410 Arlington Blvd) –– Throughout the evening of the grand opening, The Casual Pint will be giving prizes away along with free growlers to the first 50 customers.

Saturday (Jan. 25)

• Vienna Theatre Company: “Cinderella”— 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Vienna Community Center (120 SE Cherry Street) — This production is about an adaption of the Grimm Brothers’ classic fairy tale “Cinderella.” All ages are welcome to these matinee performances and tickets are $15 at the door.
• Junior Girl Scout Workshop: Coding for Good –– 3 to 6 p.m. at Code Ninjas (510 S. Washington Street) — This event invites local troops to learn about STEM and computer science while learning badges. Sign-up online is required.

Sunday (Jan. 26)

• Lunar New Year  — noon to 4 p.m. at Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Road) — From Visit Fairfax, this event will feature the Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe and the Jow Ga Shaolin Institute. This event is free and open to the public.
• Tysons Corner Comic Book Show 2020 — 10 a.m. at DoubleTree Hotel (1960 Chain Bridge Road) — This event will feature comic books, pokemon and magic cards, toys, original art, vintage and present-day sports cards and sports memorabilia. Admission is $3 for adults and free for kids under 12.
• McLean Chocolate Festival — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave) — Attendees can expect a children’s game room and live entertainment while enjoying sweets from local chocolatiers. Admission is $2, but kids ages 3 and under can attend for free.

Photo via Unsplash 

Shoppers have until the end of the week to check out the latest fashion pop-up at Tysons Corner Center before it closes.

Until Sunday (Jan. 26), people can stop at Rent the Runway on level two of the mall and browse the selection of women’s fashion or try on clothes from a variety of designers.

Rent the Runway is known for its clothing rental subscription service but a store spokesperson said that the company set up this pop-up so people can become familiar with the quality of high-end brands that are offered and purchase pieces.

The store offers women’s clothing and apparel including gowns, jackets, shirts, pants, skirts, jewelry and handbags. Rent the Runway is offering steep discounts for shoppers on every item in the store.

“A lot of the gowns usually retail for over $1,000,” Remi Perryman, a store associate said. 

Tysons Reporter found a Badgley Mischka golden sequined floor-length ballgown for $111 with an original retail price of $650 as well as a brightly colored pink and maroon Atlein mini-dress for $224 that originally sold for $1,610.

When setting up the pop-up, Perryman told Tysons Reporter that associates unpacked about 300 boxes worth of items.

Around 700 people RSVP’d for the opening event, according to Perryman, who added that the store sees a large age range of customers from people in their 20s all the way into their 60s.

“We cater to a lot of people,” she said. 

The store carries sizes from XS (or zero) to XL (12-14).

Rent the Runway has a permanent store in Georgetown (3336 M Street NW), and a few associates who work at that store said they’ve seen a lot of familiar faces visit the Tysons Corner Center location.

Bella Loose is a long-time Rent the Runway customer who said she visits the Georgetown location frequently and decided to make her way to the pop-up on Friday afternoon. 

“I heard about it and wanted to come to see if I could get some deals,” Loose said, holding multiple dresses as she wandered around the store.  

Though she said she wasn’t seeking anything specific at the time, she found some unique items that she hadn’t seen from Rent the Runway before.

 Anyone hoping to visit the location for the final week can go from 10 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. today-Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Updated 2:30 p.m. — The fire is now out, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue tweeted around 1:30 p.m. “No reported injuries at this time,” the tweet said. “Fire investigators on scene to determine cause.”

Earlier: A fire has broken out in a building’s chimney in the Falls Church area today (Tuesday).

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue tweeted about the incident shortly before 12:30 p.m.

“Units on scene of a fire in [a] chimney with extension into the structure in the 6500 block of Arlington Blvd,” the tweet said.

Units on scene of a fire in chimney with extension into the structure in the 6500 block of Arlington Boulevard. Crews working to extinguish. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/kRGcZih05Q

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 21, 2020

UPDATE 6500 block of Arlington Boulevard. Fire is out. No reported injuries at this time. Fire investigators on scene to determine cause. @ArlingtonVaFD and @AlexandriaVAFD on-scene assisting. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/a6iDw60P0q

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 21, 2020

Image via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter, map via Google Maps

Black Dog Beer Shop, a craft beer store inspired by the owner’s dog, plans to open near the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station in early February.

Owner Tyler Cohen, who lives in the Mosaic District, previously told Tysons Reporter that his black dog, Ash, inspired the name of the store.

“I think they just, like, go together,” he said. “Dogs and beer is the thing.”

To gear up for his opening, Cohen has been detailing his tours of breweries across Virginia on the website’s blog.

The store is set to hold a grand opening at 2672M Avenir Place in 18 days, according to a countdown on the website.

The store plans to be open from 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays, according to the website.