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 (Aug. 27)
- Drink the Extinct — 6-8 p.m. at Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant (7861 Tysons Corner Center) — Beer lovers will have the opportunity to talk about the history of Chesapeake Dark Lager and try it for themselves. Tickets are $15.
Wednesday (Aug. 28)
- Yoga with Alyson — 10 a.m. at Caboose Tavern (520 Mill Street NE) — For $10, participants can take part in a yoga class. All experience levels are welcome and guests should bring their own mats.
- 7-Eleven Job Fair — 2-5 p.m. at Tysons Corner Center (Level One) — The upcoming 7- Eleven is looking for employees for its new location. This open house invites anyone who may be interested to learn more.
Thursday (Aug. 29)
- “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” — 8 p.m. at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Road) — Peter Grosz, Negin Farsad and Faith Salie will compete in this NPR trivia show about current events. Tickets are $45.
Friday (Aug. 30)
- U.S. Open Party –5:30- 7:30 p.m. at the Mc Lean Swim and Tennis Association (1700 Margie Drive) — The McLean Tennis Association will open up their doors for a round-robin tennis tournament and party. Registration is free, and there will be prizes for winners. There will be kids and adult leagues.
Saturday (Aug. 31)
- Middle Eastern Food Festival — 11 a.m.-11 p.m. at Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek-Catholic Church (8501 Lewinsville Road) — This free event gives attendees the chance to try a variety of Middle Eastern Food and engage in cultural activities, including dance lessons and a petting zoo.
Photo via Wolf Trap
After two bench thefts, the Vienna Arts Society is determined to keep the remaining 40 benches painted by local artists available for public enjoyment.
When the first bench disappeared, Ken Britz, a Vienna Arts Society spokesperson, said that the art group was disappointed, but knew theft was a possibility.
When the second bench was snatched, though, the Vienna Arts Society decided it was time to work with local law enforcement to institute security measures.
The remaining benches will now be either padlocked or chained down. “It won’t stand in the way of a determined thief, but it will be a deterrent,” Britz said.
On top of the locks, Deputy Chief of Police Dan Janickey said at the Vienna Town Council meeting last week that law enforcement officers will keep a closer eye on the remaining benches.
The Vienna Police Department is still looking for a culprit and doesn’t have any leads yet, Janickey said.
The art group said keeping the benches aesthetically appealing for visitors is their main concern when it comes to adding security measures.
“We don’t wanna make it unsightly or emphasize the thefts,” he said.
Joann Meginley is the owner of Grass Roots Fitness in Vienna and the sponsor of the first missing bench. In coordination with the studio and the arts society, the artist of the bench agreed to recommission a new bench for the location.
Meginley said that it should be completed by Labor Day and will be placed in the missing bench’s original location, outside Meginley’s fitness studio.
The second stolen bench will not be recommissioned, because the artist is on vacation and will not have time when they return, Britz said.
The benches are available for public viewing throughout the town until they go to auction on Nov. 2.
Photos in the last image via Susan Scanlon and the Vienna Arts Society/Facebook
With school now back in session for Fairfax County, the county’s public schools have several programs to help hungry students.
Nineteen Fairfax County public schools, including Graham Road Elementary School in Falls Church, will take part in the Community Eligibility Provision, which provides all of the students at those schools with free breakfasts and lunches daily.
At the other FCPS schools, household size and income will determine eligibility for the free or reduced meals program — approximately 38% of FCPS students qualify, according to FCPS.
Students from households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families may also be eligible. The program also caters to foster children and students who are homeless, migrant or runaway.
Households may apply for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year by filling out the applications, which will be distributed via mail and are also available at the principal’s office in each school.
FCPS will follow the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines in the chart below:
Earlier this year, Jackson Middle School and Graham Road and Timber Lane elementary schools joined 39 Fairfax County public schools in participating in the At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program, a new after-school food program that provides free meals or snacks to any student.
Four Tysons-area elementary schools are joining 24 other ones in the county that have opened or plan to open a Real Food for Kids Salad Bar for the 2019-2020 school year.
The following schools plan to open the salad bars by:
- Sept. 18: Spring Hill (8201 Lewinsville Road)
- Feb. 12, 2020: Westbriar (1741 Pine Valley Drive)
- March 25, 2020: Haycock (6616 Haycock Road)
- May 20, 2020: Churchill Road (7100 Churchill Road)
FCPS wants to bring salad bars to all of its 141 elementary schools and has salad bars opening at about 30 schools per school year.
Second image via FCPS
A 28-year-old McLean man was killed in a crash involving multiple vehicles along I-66 near Centreville.
A series of chain-reaction crashes involving five sedans, one SUV, one pick-up truck and a tractor-trailer happened shortly before 11 a.m. on Saturday (Aug. 24) in the westbound lanes of I-66 east of exit 53 for Route 28, according to Virginia State Police.
More from Corinne Geller, a spokesperson for the Virginia State Police:
A 2007 BMW sedan was traveling west on I-66 when it struck the vehicle in front of it. The BMW then collided with a westbound tractor-trailer.
The tractor-trailer then collided with several vehicles, to include a Toyota Rav4, before overturning in the roadway. The Toyota Rav4 ran off the right side of I-66 and over the Jersey wall, at which point it caught fire.
McLean resident Joseph Castellano, who was the driver of the Toyota, died at the scene, Geller said.
His wife, who was a passenger in the car, was flown to a trauma center in D.C. and is still being treated for life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the BMW, 40-year-old Jonathyn Bland of Centerville, was transported to Reston Hospital for minor injuries, along with the driver of the tractor-trailer, 34-year-old Shahbaz Singh of Fairfax, for serious, but non-life threatening injuries, Geller said.
Police charged both Bland and Singh with reckless driving.
“The three other individuals transported to Reston Hospital — one had serious, but non-life threatening injuries and other two suffered minor injuries,” Geller said.
Fairfax County Fire and Fairfax County Police assisted state police at the scene, Geller said. The Virginia State Police is investigating the crash.
Photo via VDOT/Twitter
School Safety Matters — With school starting back up again, the Fairfax County Police Department has some safety tips regarding school buses, driving, pedestrians and bicycling. [Fairfax County Police]
Police Investigating McLean Crash — “Officers are investigating a crash at Old Dominion Drive and Valley Wood Road in McLean. Use caution and expect delays.” [Fairfax County Police/Twitter]
What’s It Like to Live in Tysons West? — “Tysons West is one of those small neighborhoods that is mainly made up of a few high-rise apartments, businesses and car dealerships… Today, [Westwood Village] is still a pocket of Tysons West that some residents call a hidden gem.” [The Washington Post]
Capital One Acquires Investment Bank — “Capital One Financial Corp. is officially getting into the mergers-and-acquisitions market, announcing Monday [Aug. 19] it will acquire Tysons-based investment bank KippsDeSanto & Co.” [Washington Business Journal]
Tysons: The Next Travel Destination — Forbes has an article explaining why Tysons is a “hidden travel gem.” [Forbes]
Park Authority Board Honors Falls Church High School — “Falls Church High School and Sully Historic Site volunteer Isabel Richardson have been named the Youth recipients of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s 2019 Elly Doyle Park Service Awards.” [Fairfax County]
There’s Something in the Water — “A Smithsonian researcher has just stumbled upon a major discovery in the swamps in and around D.C.: a new species of blood-sucking leeches with up to 59 teeth.” [Patch]
Vienna police arrested a 33-year-old resident in connection with several recent incidents of indecent exposure along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail.
After an investigation, police charged Enoc Isaac Vasquez with four counts of obscene sexual display — a charge similar to the Indecent Exposure statute, police said.
Police in a press release that the charges are connected to reports of a man exposing himself along the trail on Aug. 2 and then last week on Monday (Aug. 12), Tuesday (Aug. 13) and Thursday (Aug. 15).
Vasquez was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he was released on a $1,000 secured bond, police said.
More from the press release:
Patrol Officers received a tip from citizens which led CIS detectives to the 200 block of Park Terrace Court in Vienna.
Detectives began surveillance in the area and eventually identified a person of interest. After interviewing numerous witnesses and obtaining corroborating statements from the suspect, police detectives obtained arrest warrants to charge Vasquez…
The Vienna Police Department would like to acknowledge the citizens and witnesses who came forward to provide information about these cases and to thank residents for their patience during this investigation.
Anyone who has additional information can contact MPO Juan Vazquez at 703-255-7845 or [email protected].
Photo via Vienna Police Department
A Vienna resident reported to police alleged attempted fraud after applying to a job.
The attempted fraud allegedly occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 13, according to the Vienna Police Department.
“A resident reported an attempted fraud after applying for a job through an on-line internet offer for an assistant elder care provider,” the police report said.
In a separate incident, a resident in the 1000 block of Country Club Drive NE said that someone threw eggs at the roof of his house and vehicle on Wednesday (Aug. 21) between 2-10 a.m.
Photo via Facebook
As fall approaches, the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons announced a new line of spa treatments.
The company added four new items to their list of services, including a new CBD facial, a velvet massage and an apple manicure.
“As autumn approaches, days get shorter and the weather gets cooler — it’s time to talk skin. Chill temperatures make for dry, stale air and even drier skin,” Corryn Hurrington, a Ritz-Carlton spokesperson, said.
Each treatment is meant to relax and rejuvenate guests, according to the website.
Among the new treatments, the Seaberry Orange CBD Hemp Hydration Facial works to counteract several signs of skin damage and aging, according to the press release.
These seasonal treatments will be available from Sept. 15-Nov. 30. All treatments can be booked online or by calling (703) 744-3924.
Prices range from $55-205.
The spa operates on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Image courtesy Ritz-Carlton
Soleil Nail Spa is opening soon in the Town of Vienna.
The salon and spa is filling Dog World Pet Salon’s former spot at 515 W. Maple Avenue in the Village Green Shopping Center.
Soleil will offer manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing, eyelash extensions and other services, according to its website.
Back in April, Tysons Reporter spotted a sign in the storefront window saying that the “organic spa” is “coming soon in July 2019.”
Soleil posted on Facebook earlier in August that the grand opening got pushed to Sunday, Sept. 1, due to a construction delay.
To celebrate the opening, the nail spa is offering a 30% off promotion.
The Town of Vienna is now recognized as one of the nation’s most bee-friendly places.
Bee City USA identifies cities and towns taking steps to protect natural pollinators. Vienna is one of three places in Virginia with the “Bee City” title, including Lynchburg and Scottsville.
The town’s Conservation and Sustainability Commission applied for the certification a while back, Mayor Laurie DiRocco said. The town eventually received an email from Phyllis Stiles, the organization’s founder, confirming the town’s acceptance.
“Vienna is institutionalizing our commitment to pollinator conservation by planting natives, reducing conventional pesticide use and educating the community on the benefits of planting pollinator habitats,” a town spokesperson said.
Each year, the city is required to pay a $200 fee and send in a report on updates in order to maintain its listing. In return, Bee City USA will support the city by providing educational materials and outreach ideas, the town spokesperson said.
DiRocco said that the bee-friendly certification means the city is “setting a standard of what we would like to do within our community when it comes to native plants and pollinators,” adding that she hopes other neighboring communities follow suit.
