Toys for Tots Campaign Begins Today — “The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is accepting donations for the Toys for Tots campaign from Nov. 19 to Dec. 12. Individuals can drop off new, unwrapped toys at any county fire station during the period. Last year, the initiative resulted in the collection of more than 14,000 toys.” [InsideNova, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue]
Dancing Stars Gala Raises >$250K — “On Nov. 10, the fifth annual DC’s Dancing Stars Gala netted more than $250,000 for local charities, bringing the event’s 5-year total to $1.3 million. The event was hosted by co-founders and co-chairs Maria Coakley David and Jim David at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner and featured seven local Celebrities, four Corporate Challenge Dancers and one Alumni Dancer who have spent the past several months training for Saturday night’s performance.” [Fairfax Times]
Vienna Planners Urge Developer to Save Cabin — “It’s not technically a certified historic structure, but the log cabin at 307 Cabin Road, S.E., in Vienna gave the street its name and was built by an African-American. The Vienna Planning Commission on Nov. 14 unanimously recommended the Vienna Town Council approve plans by Signature Properties to build a two-house subdivision on the 0.52-acre property, but urged the developer to work with local history advocates to save the cabin, if possible.” [InsideNova]
Realtors Holding Clothing Drive — “McEnearney Associates is holding its fourth annual winter-clothing drive through Jan. 4. Held in partnership with United Community Ministries, donations of new or gently used winter clothing can be dropped off at either the Arlington office (4720 Lee Highway) or McLean office (1320 Old Chain Bridge Road, Suite 320) weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.” [InsideNova]
Snow on the Way — Fairfax County is expected to get its first snowfall of the season Thursday, with up to an inch of snow and sleet falling Thursday morning before changing to rain. Forecasters, meanwhile, are calling for a snowier than usual winter, with up to two feet of snow falling inside the Beltway over the course of the season. [Capital Weather Gang, Twitter, Capital Weather Gang]
Changes in County’s Recycling Program — “What happens to your recycled items these days? That’s a good question as the worldwide recycling market has changed dramatically in recent months, especially due to ‘Operation National Sword‘ in China.” [Fairfax County]
Interview With Tysons Corner Center Santa — “Santa Claus is making a list and checking it twice as he begins to set up shop at malls and shopping centers throughout the D.C. region as we countdown to Christmas. That includes the Santa Claus at Tysons Corner Center, who has been there for three decades. Many throughout the area have sat on [Santa’s] lap and are now having their children take their turn visiting him.” [Fox 5]
It’s one day after Halloween and Tysons is already getting into the Christmas season.
Santa will be coming to both Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria this fall. “Santa HQ” will be located on level 1 of the Tysons Corner Center near the Nordstrom, where guests are invited to take pictures with Santa and participate in an augmented-reality “Magic Mirror”.
Santa HQ, which is sponsored by cable channel HGTV, will run from Sunday, Nov. 11 to Christmas Eve (Dec. 24). Reservations for a photo with Santa can be made online (warning for those at work: the site auto-plays a loud video).
The Santa events kick off next Thursday, Nov. 8 with Snappy Hour With Santa. The event is a networking opportunity for professionals around Tysons (and the North Pole), running from 5-7 p.m. at Santa HQ before it officially opens.
On Dec. 2, the Tysons Corner Center will host its 2018 Santa Breakfast. The event will run from 8-10 a.m. outside the AMC theaters. Guests are encouraged to arrive early.
Admission to the events is free with an unwrapped toy to donate to the Holiday Giving Toy Drive. This year the drive will be benefiting Second Story, a local youth shelter.
Santa Claus is also scheduled to make an appearance at the mall’s Thursday, Nov. 15 tree lighting ceremony, which will be emceed Lance Bass from *NSYNC. More on that from the Tysons Corner Center website:
Come celebrate Wash-FM’s Kick off To Christmas and the annual lighting of Tysons Corner Center’s signature 51 foot Christmas Tree on The Plaza emceed by Lance Bass from *NSYNC!
Join Tysons Corner Center, Lance Bass from *NSYNC, 97.1- WASH-FM’s Chili & Toby, Chief Meteorologist Bill Kelly, and Tysons very own Santa Claus as they light the tree, followed by a very special holiday performances by the The Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet, The District, The Shiloh Baptist Church Choir, and Mahi Gudi.
Pre-event, guests also are invited to make a reservation to explore the immersive, engaging Santa HQ, the digitally enhanced visit with Santa presented by HGTV. Post-Event, have a warm beverage at Earls Kitchen & Bar, Shake Shack, or Barrel & Bushel, all located on The Plaza.
Meanwhile, the Tysons Galleria, the Santa’s Workshop will open on Friday, Nov. 16 for professional photoshoots with Santa.
Maggiano’s Little Italy in the Galleria will also be hosting its annual Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 15. Tickets are $25 for adults and $35 for children.
Photo via Facebook
McLean HS Student Struck By Elderly Driver — “A female McLean High School student was injured Oct. 12 after being struck by a vehicle on Westmoreland Street in McLean, Fairfax County police said. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. as the student was using a crosswalk to cross Westmoreland Street near Old Chesterbrook Road.” [InsideNova]
Secret Sleigh Project Accepting Applications — “Does your child have a medical diagnosis that limits their ability to get outside, especially during winter months? Do they enjoy seeing Santa Claus (and perhaps Mrs. Claus, elves, and carolers?) Contact us for an application to have Santa come to your home and visit your child before Christmas.” [Facebook]
Big Donation for McLean Private School — “The Potomac School’s upcoming Center for Athletics and Community has garnered one of the largest gifts in school history. The Spangler family made the $12 million donation… for the new athletic center.” [Patch]
ARTSFAIRFAX Disability Workshop — Local arts group ARTSFAIRFAX is holding a free workshop on Nov. 1 to discuss how to best serve audiences with disabilities. The event is being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1st Stage in Tysons. [McLean Connection, ARTSFAIRFAX]
Need a Halloween costume? A pop-up store at Tysons Corner Center has you covered.
A Spirit Halloween store is now open on the first level of the mall, near the movie theater end of the shopping center in the former West Elm space. An employee said the temporary storefront has been open for about two weeks now.
Spirit is open at the mall from 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday. A sign in the window says the store is still hiring.
For those around Fairfax County who need costumes and decorations for the spooky holiday, Spirit also has locations at 7271 Arlington Blvd in the Falls Church area and at 5718 Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads.
Looking forward to the next holiday? Retailer A Christmas to Remember opened one floor up from Spirit at Tysons Corner Center on Sept. 28.
