The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is looking for public input on ideas to cut down congestion in McLean.

At 7 p.m. on Oct. 18 in McLean High School, VDOT will hold its second meeting on a series of proposals to improve traffic in the area. Among the potential solutions is limiting access to and from Georgetown Pike from McLean, a proposal that drew controversy at an earlier meeting in August when hundreds of residents showed up to voice concerns that the plan would eliminate access to the Beltway from McLean.

A VDOT press release says the organization plans to give an update at the meeting in response to comments from the first meeting.

Several short-term solutions have already been implemented in McLean, including installation of traffic cameras and increased signage. Small traffic improvements have also been made throughout McLean, including widening the shoulder on westbound Route 193.

Intermediate solutions listed by VDOT include:

• Begin cut-through restriction process with Dead Run/Carper neighborhood, two neighborhoods in McLean that met the volume criteria for Fairfax County’s cut-through restriction process.
• Improve the Balls Hill Road and Georgetown Pike intersection, an intersection frequently congested with traffic turning onto the Beltway.
• Additional coordination with local stakeholders and Fairfax County Public Schools to improve safety around Cooper Middle School, which is only 300 yards from the the Beltway and the congested Balls Hill Road and Georgetown Pike intersection.
• Make improvements to Douglass Drive and Georgetown Pike intersection, currently an intersection of two busy two-lane streets whose only traffic control measure is stop signs on Douglass Drive.

The longer-term solutions involve coordinating with Maryland on regional transit projects, namely improving the American Legion Bridge. The American Legion Bridge is a chokepoint for traffic going to and from Tysons, but making substantial improvements is going to be a challenge.

Images via VDOT

Maple Avenue in Vienna may be home to a number of vacant storefronts, but some of those vacancies are in the process of being filled.

In addition to MoMo House (131-A Maple Avenue W.) and Shin Se Kai Ramen (234 Maple Avenue E.), another new eatery is on the way. Nothing Bundt Cakes, a national bakery chain, is coming to Vienna at 129 Maple Avenue W.

The bakery chain specializes in circular bundt cakes, offering ten flavors and forty unique designs, as well as merchandise like gifts and decor.

The interior of the location is currently undergoing renovations. The owners of the Vienna franchise were not available for comment, but a sign on the exterior of the store said Nothing Bundt Cakes will be opening this fall.

An employee at the nearby Dulles location said the Vienna store hopes to be open sometime early next year.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Sept. 29 to celebrate the opening of the new Griffith Park playground in the Falls Church area.

The park was renovated in a project funded via park bonds. More from a Fairfax County press release:

Funded via voter-approved 2016 park bonds, the $80,000 project replaced outdated equipment with new play elements, interactive panels and swings for children ages 2 to 12. Safety surfacing and playground borders were also replaced and a new drainage system and fence installed. The project was part of a larger effort by the Park Authority to identify and replace playground equipment throughout Fairfax County that has exceeded its useful life.

Photos via Fairfax County/Flickr. Map via Google Maps.

Fairfax County Police are investigating an armed robbery near the Vienna/Fairfax GMU Metro station.

Police say a man was walking on a footpath to the station just before midnight this past Saturday, Oct. 6., when he was approached by a man who pointed a gun at him and demanded cash.

“The victim gave the man his wallet and then ran to his house to report the robbery,” FCPD said in a crime report. “The suspect was described as a black male, 6′, with a thick build.”

Map via Google Maps

Knife Fight in Vienna — “Arriving officers located a man with a laceration to his hand. Witnesses told police the man was trying to break up a fight when one of the combatants pulled a knife, cut the man, then ran off.” [InsideNova]

Fairfax Economic Indicators Look Good — Tax receipts and home prices are up in Fairfax County, while unemployment is down to 2.4 percent. [Fairfax County]

Tysons Company Makes Acquisition — Tysons-based communications firm W2 Communications is acquiring Mesh Omnimedia, a Loudoun County-based creative agency. “This acquisition transforms W2 Communications from a leading public relations and content creation firm, into a full-service communications and branding organization that delivers creative design and digital marketing services,” said a press release. [W2 Communications]

Drivers are being asked to pay extra attention on the roads tomorrow (Wednesday) morning as Fairfax County Public Schools participate in the annual International Walk to School Day.

The event is “an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.”

“Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work on October 10,” FCPS said in a press release. “Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school, and to work with their school and PTA or PTO to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event.”

“FCPS has compiled information on walking and biking to school, including information on applying for grants and safety tips, on its Safe Routes to School web page,” the press release adds.

The elementary schools participating in International Walk to School Day in the Tysons, McLean, Vienna and Falls Church areas include:

• Chesterbrook
• Churchill Road
• Colvin Run
• Cunningham Park
• Fairhill
• Haycock
• Kent Gardens
• Marshall Road
• Spring Hill
• Vienna
• Westgate

The Tysons McLean Orchestra will kick off its 48th season with an opening concert this Saturday (Oct. 13) at The Falls Church.

Music Director and Conductor Miriam Burns will lead 65 musicians in a “European Travelogue” concert composed of a variety of classical pieces. The concert, hosted by the Episcopal church at 115 E. Fairfax Street in Falls Church, will feature Sean Lee, a violinist who won the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2016.

The next concert of the season will be the “Holiday Fantasy” performance on Dec. 9 in Vinson Hall Ballroom (6251 Old Dominion Drive, McLean), where the orchestra will play holiday music both classical and from film soundtracks.

Individual concert tickets are not yet available, but season tickets are available at the Tysons McLean Orchestra website. Season tickets for adults are $120, $100 for seniors and $50 for youth.

Photo (top) via Facebook

Isabella Eatery was the crown jewel of Tysons Galleria, a sprawling food court that took up most of the building’s third floor. Then it was all gone.

Isabella Eatery debuted in December 2017, but was a ghost town by the end of August the next year. According to Washingtonian, Isabella Eatery faced declining sales that were only compounded by a sexual harassment lawsuit from Chloe Caras, former Director of Operations for Isabella Eatery, against owner Mike Isabella.

The lawsuit was settled in May, but the Isabella brand was irrevocably damaged.

Today, Isabella Eatery’s absence dominates the third floor of Tysons Galleria. While a number of restaurants and shops remain open on the mall’s third floor — including Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s and Wildfire — much of the space is empty and cordoned off.

The “food emporium” had eight distinct dining options, a cocktail bar, and a private dining space spread out over 41,000 square feet of Tysons Galleria.

A Tysons Galleria employee told Tysons Reporter that the mall is currently in negotiations with an as-yet unnamed tenant to fill at least part of the Isabella Eatery space. The employee said the new occupants are still looking at using the space as part of a dining facility.

There is no date set for the release of more information about the prospective tenant, we’re told.

Zenola, a self-described “new Mediterranean concept restaurant in the heart of Vienna,” is hoping to open at some point this winter.

Located at 132 Branch Road SE near the Fresh Market, in the former Maplewood Grill space, Zenola will serve up Mediterranean cuisine along with beer, wine and cocktails, according to a liquor license application.

“With 25 years of dining experience, we’re bringing the warmth of the coast to our tables,” says the Zenola website, adding:

Our Founder and Executive Chef, Samer Zeitoun, was born on the shores of the Mediterranean. From childhood, olives and olive oil have been staples of his diet – his “comfort food.” He has spent a culinary career spanning more than 25 years in the pursuit and perfection of Mediterranean cuisine.

Interestingly, his last name literally translated means olive.

Photo (2) via Google Maps

The 14th Annual Merrifield Fall Festival is returning to the Mosaic District this Saturday (Oct. 13).

The festival, original scheduled for Sept. 15, was rescheduled to this weekend amid concerns about Hurricane Florence. The festival will run from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Presented by the Greater Merrifield Business Association (GMBA), the festival will spotlight restaurants in the Mosaic District and across Merrifield. A beer garden hosted by the Caboose Brewing Company will be held on the Mosaic lawn, allowing attendees to grab a drink before listening to live music played all day.

Vendors will also give attendees a chance to get started on their holiday shopping in a market focusing on handmade and vintage items. Special deals will also be ongoing in nearby retailers.

For children at the festival, pumpkin and face painting, sack races, karate and more will be available.

Photos via Facebook