Balboa Steaks and Chickens is no longer at Tysons Corner Center.
The sandwich shop closed about three weeks ago, according to a Facebook message.
Located on the third level, Balboa offered a variety of chicken and steak sandwiches, including barbecue, Chipotle and Philly cheesesteak options.
Photo via Balboa Steaks and Chicken/Facebook
Fairfax County police arrested a McLean summer camp employee for allegedly sexually abusing a child last week.
Police said Cesar Laragaibort worked as a counselor and bus driver at Camp Greenway, a co-ed, summer day camp for kids operated by the Madeira School (8328 Georgetown Pike).
“Detectives were contacted Thursday, Aug. 1, after a child, who is not affiliated with the camp, disclosed being inappropriately touched by Laragaibort,” police said. “Detectives acted swiftly to corroborate the allegation and developed sufficient evidence to make an arrest [Friday.]”
Police said that “initial evidence does not indicate the alleged offense occurred at Camp Greenway or on any school buses but detectives would like to hear from anyone who is concerned their child may have had inappropriate contact with Laragaibort.”
Karen Joostema, the spokesperson for Camp Greenway, told Tysons Reporter that “the police have informed us the incident they are investigating does not involve any camper or the camp in any way.”
Joostema shared the following note, which she said was sent to Camp Greenway families on Saturday (Aug. 3):
Dear Camp Greenway Parents,
We wanted to inform you of some news we learned last evening and today. Police took Mr. Cesar Laragaibort, who was a sports and games specialist and bus driver at Camp Greenway, into custody last evening on aggravated sexual battery charges. The police have informed us that the reason has nothing to do with any Madeira camp, camper, student, school, or bus.
As part of Madeira’s standard hiring procedures and commitment to child safety, we perform background checks on every employee. Law enforcement confirmed this recent incident would not have come up on a background check.
In addition, we want to share that our camp policies and procedures are such that no counselor is alone with an individual camper. As a sports and games specialist, Mr. Laragaibort was in public view, mainly outdoors, with campers and other adults. Safety is a paramount consideration at our camp.
The matter is in the hands of law enforcement and we are fully cooperating with them. If we become aware of any additional relevant information, we will certainly share that with you. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Sarah Merianos
Director of Summer Programs
Police charged 37-year-old Fairfax resident Laragaibort with one count of aggravated sexual battery. Laragaibort is being held without bond at the Adult Detention Center.
Police are asking that anyone with information call the Major Crimes Bureau detectives at 703-246-7800 or submit an anonymous tip by calling 866-411-8477.
Photo via FCPD
Warehouse Fire in Tysons — A fire broke out in a warehouse in the 8400 block of Tyco Road in Tysons Sunday (Aug. 4) evening, which firefighters “quickly extinguished.” No injuries have been reported. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter]
Behind the Scenes of Cirque du Soleil — Pawel Walczewski shared what it’s like being one of the aerial artists who plays Waz in Cirque du Soleil’s “VOLTA.” The show is currently in Tysons until Sept. 29 [DC Metro Theater Arts]
Woman Struck, Killed by Car in Falls Church — “Fairfax County police arrested a man who allegedly struck and killed a Falls Church woman who was walking with a child in the West Falls Church area Saturday afternoon.” [Tysons Reporter]
Visions for Vienna — The Washington Business Journal dove into the town’s “crippling clash between supporters of Vienna’s small-town history and businesses with an eye on the future.” [Washington Business Journal]
Out With the Old, In With the New (Lightbulbs) — Back in July, the Board of Supervisors voted to “require LEDs instead of less-efficient high-pressure sodium streetlights in new developments. This relatively simple change marks a significant step forward in the county’s pursuit of policies that benefit the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” [Fort Hunt Herald]
Falls Church Holding Flash Flood Forum — “The City of Falls Church announced Tuesday that it has organized a public forum for Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Council Chambers of City Hall for a “July 8 Flood, Impact, Recovery and Response” forum. Citizens are invited to attend as City staff and elected officials review the impact of the flash flood last month.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Falls Church Expands Senior Tax Program — “Measures to better enable older Falls Church residents to “age in place” rather than move out of their homes that were approved by the F.C. City Council last month will benefit all City taxpayers, F.C. Treasurer Jody Acosta [said].” [Falls Church News-Press]
Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter
(Updated at 4 p.m. 8/6/19) A driver has been arrested after police say he struck and killed a woman who was walking with a child in the West Falls Church area Saturday afternoon.
The victim was identified by police Sunday (Aug. 4) as 60-year-old Betty Ana Bernstein-Zabza of Falls Church. Police said Bernstein-Zabza died as a result of injuries from the crash, which happened shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Shreve Road and Hickory Street.
“Detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit have preliminarily determined that [Bernstein-Zabza] was walking with a juvenile northbound on a pedestrian pathway adjacent to Shreve Road,” police said. “They entered a crosswalk that connected the pathway to a sidewalk when they were hit by a stolen 2013 Nissan Titan pickup truck.”
While police said that couldn’t unable to provide any information about the identity of the child, WUSA9 reported that the child was Zabza’s son.
The crash scene was near the busy W&OD Trail.
Police arrested the vehicle’s driver — 46-year-old South Riding resident David Alan Francis.
“Detectives believe [Francis] lost control of the truck causing it to exit the roadway and hit Bernstein-Zabza and the juvenile,” police said.
More from FCPD:
Bernstein-Zabza was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
The juvenile was treated for minor injuries. Francis ran from the scene but was arrested a short time later. He was not injured.
Both speed and drugs appear to be factors. Francis was charged with one count of felony hit and run. He was taken to the Adult Detention Center where he is being held without bond. Additional charges are anticipated.
Detectives believe Francis may have been involved in additional criminal events yesterday in both Fairfax County and adjoining jurisdictions.
Since 2009, Francis has faced 30 charges including many traffic-related ones like driving under a revoked or suspended license, operating an uninsured vehicle, speeding and improper driving, according to court records.
An FCPD spokesperson told Tysons Reporter that police preliminarily believe that within the hour prior to the fatal pedestrian crash, Francis was involved in the following incidents:
- hit and run crash with injury at Route 50/Pleasant Valley Rd around 2:15 p.m.
- hit and run property damage crash in the 7600 block of Virginia Lane
- subsequent hit and run property damage crash in the 7600 block of Virginia Lane
- Falls Church City incident
- subsequent Falls Church City incident
- fatal pedestrian crash dispatched at 2:47 p.m.
Police ask that anyone with information contact the Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477).
Image via Google Maps, photo via FCPD
A fire that broke out in a Vienna home caused roughly $125,000 worth of damage and displaced four residents, the fire department said.
Fire investigators have determined a malfunctioning space heater ignited combustible items, causing the accidental home fire in the 400 block of Old Courthouse Road, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.
“A Vienna police officer was patrolling the area and noticed smoke pushing out of a basement window and notified Vienna [Police Department] dispatch,” the fire department said.
Firefighters responded around 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, and “quickly extinguished” the fire in the basement in a two-story, single-family home.
No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported. Four residents were offered Red Cross assistance, which they declined.
Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter
Parents thought someone had entered their Vienna home and taken things while they were on vacation — not knowing their son’s friends had come over.
The parents, who live in the 200 block of Cedar Lane SE, had been on away since July 10, according to Vienna police.
More from the Vienna Police Department from a July 30 report:
When they arrived home, they found signs that someone had been in their apartment. Multiple items were moved, some items were missing, and kitchen items had been used. A neighbor advised they saw multiple people inside the residence and assumed they were family friends.
It was later determined that the resident’s juvenile son gave his key to friends and allowed them to use the apartment while the family was away.
Police counseled the son about “providing false to the police,” according to the report. “It was determined that no charges would be placed and the parents will handle the matter.”
Photo via Facebook
What started as a Jewish bagel market in Tysons now serves up bagels and breakfast with a Korean twist.
The family-owned Tysons Bagel Market (8137 Leesburg Pike) began serving customers in 1994. Though ownership switched hands throughout the years, it is currently run by couple Nari Ha and Sang Sun Han, along with their daughter Jisoo.
The family acquired the business back in 2001 after the then-owner decided to sell the market and move onto another venture, according to Jisoo, who took on the role of company spokesperson.
Since then, they’ve incorporated their Korean heritage into their recipes, Jisoo said, adding that they are always trying out new things and making cultural changes to the menu, like their omelets.
Prior to the family’s acquisition of Tysons Bagel Market, her father always wanted to run a business, Jisoo said, but wasn’t sure how.
When they acquired the bagel market, the family “went in without knowing anything about bagels” — they were not even sure how to make a bagel or run a bakery, she said, adding that the previous owner gave them tips and tricks on how to be successful.
Today, Tysons Bagel Market operates seven days a week from 5 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends. Jisoo said they bake thousands of bagels every week in a variety of flavors — her favorites are the blueberry and jalapeno ones.
The business continues to grow as they now offer wholesale production and see people from “different regions” frequenting their restaurant.
Jisoo said her family wants to continue serving the community with their fresh bagels made with wholesome ingredients.
For the entire month of August, Falls Church Distillers will celebrate the now-closed Mad Fox Brewing Company.
Michael Paluzzi, a co-founder of Falls Church Distillers, told Tysons Reporter that he wanted to honor Bill Madden, the owner of Mad Fox Brewing Company, who Paluzzi called “a legend in D.C. for brewing.”
Even though Falls Church Distillers is focused on spirits instead of beer, Paluzzi said, “We’re all artisans. We’re all in the craft industry.”
The distillery will have Mad Fox beers on tap, including Defender APA, Broad Street IPA, pilsners, Big Chimney Porter and a Barleywine-style beer, Paluzzi said.
The celebration lasts “until either the end of August or the beer runs out in distribution,” according to the Facebook event. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are endless draft ticket days for $30 from 4-8:30 p.m.
Paluzzi said that he talked to Madden about the planned celebration, and “he was very supportive of the idea.”
Paluzzi said that he and Madden go back about 15 years. Last year, Falls Church Distillers and Mad Fox Brewing Company collaborated on turning beer into a coffee liquor.
“I think Falls Church loved Mad Fox and Bill and what they were doing,” Paluzzi said. “If I can extend that to those people by providing access to the beer, that is our honor.”
Photo via Falls Church Distillers LLC/Facebook
Jim Koons Automotive is expanding its car dealership near the Spring Hill Metro station.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the expansion plans on Tuesday (July 30) on the north side of Leesburg Pike right below the Dulles Toll Road.
The two-phase development would convert a 73,000-square-foot warehouse into vehicle storage and offices for the dealership, reconfigure a parking lot and allow for a second dealership franchise.
“The warehouse was once showroom space for an Ourisman dealership on the site, but Koons acquired the property in a $19.4 million land deal in 2016, according to county records,” the Washington Business Journal reported.
Koons is one of the D.C. area’s largest car dealers and has two other Tysons locations in addition to the Koons Tysons Toyota at the 8600 block of Leesburg Pike, WBJ noted.
According to the county’s staff report:
Auto sales and retail uses are the predominant land uses along Leesburg Pike, along with one high-rise office building. This area is developed and planned for auto sales and retail uses, as well as portions developed and planned for office use with support [from existing] retail and service uses.
“This proposal will improve the appearance and repurpose an aged building that is located along Leesburg Pike in Tysons with minimal site disturbance,” Lynne Strobel, an attorney representing Koons, told the board.
Image via Fairfax County
Fairfax County police arrested three people in connection with a burglary at a Maserati dealership in Tysons.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight Thursday (Aug. 1) at 8448 Leesburg Pike.
More from FCPD:
Officers responded to a report of several suspects that were seen inside a dealership. The suspects ran when officers arrived. Two suspects were immediately caught by officers and a third suspect was caught with the assistance of a police K9.
Police arrested and charged an 18-year-old man from D.C. with burglary and destruction of property. “Two juveniles face similar charges,” police said.
In a separate incident, more Infiniti cars were stolen from the Infiniti dealer at 8527 Leesburg Pike around 4 a.m. on Wednesday (July 31).
“Someone broke into the business and stole a 2015 Infinity QX60 and a 2009 Infinity FX35,” according to police.
The dealership also had a 2012 Infiniti QX 56 and a 2008 Infiniti M35 stolen on Thursday, July 25, and a 2011 Infiniti G35 and a 2010 Infiniti FX35 taken in June.
Image via Google Maps
