The Studio Movie Grill at Founders Row in Falls Church will likely become more colorful with the installation of a new mural project.
Proposed themes include a collage of the universe, diverse individuals and storytelling images like film, according to the city documents, which added the dimensions will be roughly 128 by 38 feet.
“Rooted in the inclusive spirit of the community and history of Falls Church, the design’s whimsical vignettes illustrate the process of artistic ideation, creation, and interaction,” the city documents said about the art.
The mixed-use development, which is currently under construction at the corner of W. Broad and N. West streets, will include luxury apartments, retail space, the 4,693-square-foot movie theater and a 9,476-square-foot City Works Eatery and Pour House.
Though in the early stages, the proposed mural is tentatively scheduled to come back to the Planning Commission for a public hearing in June.
It is unclear when the mural will be completed.
Rendering via JBG Smith, images (2) via City of Falls Church
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
New Grab-and-Go Food Sites for Students — “We are expanding the grab and go food distribution sites to a total of 29 locations. The food distribution is set up outside the schools. Breakfast will be served from 8-10:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Cafe Closes in Tysons — “Cafe Deluxe restaurants in Tysons, Virginia, and Bethesda, Maryland, have closed, early victims of the COVID-19 outbreak. Both leases were set to expire in April, with no plans to renew.” [WTOP]
Coronavirus Prompts Metro to Shifts Hours — “Starting March 16, trains on all lines will operate every 12 minutes on weekdays. That’s comparable to train frequencies on Saturdays, which will stay at that frequency. Sunday schedules will also remain unchanged, with trains every 15 minutes.” [WAMU]
Falls Church Eateries Alter Service — “Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken and Taco Bamba, both in Pimmit Hills, and Liberty Barbecue in the City all announced Monday they will shift to delivery and takeout service only. Spacebar, Northside Social and Dominion Wine and Beer have gone takeout only and Starbucks, with three City locations, said Sunday it was instituting a to-go model for all of its stores nationwide.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Falls Church Shelter Shuts Down for Two Weeks — “The Falls Church Homeless Shelter announced its decision to close the hypothermia shelter on March 16 in response to the growing spread of the coronavirus.” [Falls Church News-Press]
(Updated 3/17/2020) Across the Tysons area, event organizers are canceling events due to concerns over COVID-19.
Unlike our usual weekly planner, our staff rounded up events around the area that have been delayed or canceled or postponed over health concerns for attendees.
The events listed below have all been canceled:
- March 16: McLean Citizens Association event with FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand
- March 16: paving program meeting at Coates Elementary School
- March 17: Storytime at Mosaic
- March 18: Providence District Paving and Restriping
- March 19: The Bachelor Live on Stage Shopping Party (postponed)
- March 21: Family Fishing Rodeo in Vienna
- March 21-22: Vienna Photo Show
- March 28: Prom Dress Give-Away in Vienna
- April 3: Old-Fashioned Egg Roll and Flashlight Egg Hunt events in Vienna
- April 4-5: Art Blooms at Mosaic (postponed)
- April 4: Town Clean-Up Day in Vienna
- April 6: Cherry Hill Ice Cream Social in Falls Church
- April 7: Storytime at Mosaic
- April 11: East Egg Hunt in City of Falls Church
- April 23: McLean Kitchen and Garden Tour
A meeting on plans to extend the I-495 Express Lanes has been postponed to April.
Did we miss an event? Let us know in the comments below or on our social media accounts, and we will update the list.
Editor’s note: This list will be regularly updated with the newest information on closures.
In efforts to lower the risk of spreading the coronavirus, Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church and the Town of Vienna are canceling meetings and closing places.
All three local governments have updates on their websites with coronavirus information — Fairfax County rolled out its new coronavirus webpage today (March 16).
As of Sunday, March 15, the Virginia Department of Health says there are 10 presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Fairfax County — a number that officials say is expected to grow.
All Fairfax County public schools are currently closed.
“If FCPS schools cannot reopen as scheduled on April 14, our plan is to begin distance learning either online, or by learning packets at that time,” according to a message from Superintendent Scott Brabrand. “Over the next two weeks, we will begin distance learning training for teachers and give teachers the opportunity to plan and prepare for distance instruction and reconnect with their students.”
Food distribution to students will continue throughout the closures.
Other closures and changes around the county include:
- indoor parks, community facilities and libraries: closed for two weeks starting Monday, March 16;
- senior and adult day health care centers: closed until further notice;
- most Fairfax County courts’ hearings and trials: canceled
- all Fairfax County Park Authority playgrounds, skate parks and restrooms: closed
- Town Hall and other offices/facilities will be open by appointment only through April 12
- Vienna General District Court: closed Monday, March 16
- The Freeman Store and Museum: closed through April 14
- the Bowman House: closed
- all Town of Vienna special events canceled from Monday, March 16, through April 12
https://twitter.com/TownofViennaVA/status/1241052641225998338?s=20
#coronavirus updates 2/2: Register for parks and rec activities online. Email or call staff for help.
Rather than coming to Town Hall during this crisis, the Town strongly encourages residents and others to conduct business with the Town online whenever possible.
— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) March 17, 2020
“Town of Vienna board and commission meetings have been canceled until April 13,” according to the town’s website. “The April 14 On Deck with Mercury event also has been canceled and Mayor’s Volunteer Reception moved to June 9.”
The town added that picnic shelter reservations will not be accepted right now.
- community center: closed from Monday, March 16, through April 12
- Mary Riley Styles Public Library: closed from Monday, March 16, through April 12
“The Community Center (223 Little Falls Street) and library host a large number of visitors every day, and closing the buildings could help reduce opportunities for public gatherings,” the city said in a press release.
People can drop off books at the library’s temporary location near the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School at 601 S. Oak Street.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Falls Church is suspending the weekly Farmers Market for this Saturday, March 21,” the city announced. “The city is awaiting further guidance from the Commonwealth regarding mass gatherings and food sources.”
Other Closures
All Virginia DMV customer service centers are closed from March 18-April 2 and driver and vehicle credentials have been extended 60 days.
McLean Community Center, which is home to the Alden Theatre, galleries for the McLean Project for the Arts, the Susan B. DuVal Art Studio and meeting rooms, is closed through April 12. The Old Firehouse Center is also closed.
“All classes, activities and performances are canceled, as are all scheduled facility rentals, community organization uses and the MCC Governing Board meeting and public hearing, which were scheduled for Wednesday, March 25,” according to MCC’s website.
Wolf Trap is postponing all of its performances, classes and events between March 13-31.
“We are working with the artists to reschedule their performances for future dates and will share that information as it becomes available,” according to Wolf Trap’s website. “All current tickets will be honored for the rescheduled performances.”
Photo by Tim Mossholder/Unsplash
People impacted by the Orange Line closures this summer will have the option to use free shuttle buses.
Beginning May 27, the Vienna, Dunn Loring and East Falls Church stations will be closed through Sept. 7 (Reminder: On March 15, some or all of the parking options will be closed at the Metro stations in the Falls Church and Vienna area.)
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced today (Friday) the routes for the free buses that will replace trains at the affected stations.
Riders can use an online tool to find recommended travel alternatives.
While the Silver Line won’t be closed, WMATA officials have said that the stations from McLean to Wiehle-Reston East will also be affected.
The summer work will include updating slip-resistant tiles, LED lighting, adding new large digital displays and building new shelters on the platforms.
“West Falls Church Station will remain open and serve as the western terminus of the Orange Line,” according to Metro. “Trains will continue to pass through East Falls Church Station while it is closed to minimize service impacts outside the construction area.”
Map via WMATA
(Updated 4:30 p.m.) Fans of fresh produce can find many farmers markets around Tysons with spring almost officially here.
Several markets recently announced opening dates for the spring season.
Though some markets are seeded in tradition, with founding dates over 30 years ago, there are several new options for shoppers that only popped up in the last year or so.
Tysons Reporter rounded up places — including a few year-round markets — where shoppers can score fresh food and locally-sourced items.
The Falls Church Farmers Market at the City Hall parking lot (300 Park Ave) is open year-round and offers shoppers choices from more than 50 vendors, according to the City of Falls Church’s website.
From April through December, the market is open from 8 a.m. until noon. From January through March, the market is open from 9 a.m. until noon.
The Vienna Farmers Market exclusively offers locally-sourced items, according to its website.
“The Vienna Farmers Market is a Certified Farmers Market, meaning that our farmers can provide proof of local produce and take pride in that they have produced the products available for sale,” according to the website.
The seasonal market will operate from May through the end of October for the 2020 season, the website said, adding that hours of operation will be 8 a.m. until noon each Saturday at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE).
NOVA Central Farm Market is part of a larger network of year-round markets around the area including ones in Bethesda and Westfield.
The closest location is open on Sundays from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. April through December and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. January through March at Marshall High School (7731 Leesburg Pike) in Falls Church.
FARMFRESH Mosaic began last year and is located in the Mosaic District (2910 District Ave) on Sundays. It is open year-round but hours of operation vary depending on the season.
On Sundays, the market is open from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. from April through December and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. January through March.
The Tysons Farmers Market will take place seasonally beginning June 2 at The Plaza in front of Tysons Corner Center on Sundays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m, its website said. Programming at the market will also be family-friendly, according to the page.
This year, the McLean Farmers Market will be open from May 8 through Nov. 13 in Lewinsville Park (1659 Chainbridge Road). Every Friday, vendors will offer an array of locally grown vegetables, fruits, meats, freshly baked bread and other local products from 8 a.m. until noon, according to Fairfax County.
This specific market became a tradition in the area after its founding in 1980, according to the website, which added that many vendors have been setting up shop each season for over 30 years.
Photo via McLean Farmers Market/Facebook
A U.S. Navy civilian working in the Falls Church area has tested “presumptive positive” for coronavirus, according to the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED).
BUMED announced earlier today (Tuesday) that its employee is at a Northern Virginia hospital receiving care according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines. The bureau is located at 7700 Arlington Blvd, Suite 5113.
The positive test result is considered a presumptive positive pending confirmation by CDC testing.
“Personnel that the individual immediately identified having close contact with have been notified and are asked to remain at their residence to self-monitor their health,” according to BUMED.
BUMED said that more precautionary measures may be taken pending an investigation by military health professionals “to determine whether any other personnel may have been in close contact and possibly exposed.”
Separately, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said in a statement today that he will self-quarantine after recently eating with a friend who tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus after the dinner. The U.S. congressman said he won’t attend hearings or votes until Monday.
As of today (Tuesday), the Virginia Department of Health currently says that there are eight positive or confirmed COVID-19 cases in the commonwealth, with five in Northern Virginia.
Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
The Books Are Back — “The Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s temporary location in Falls Church [opened] this Monday, March 9 at 9:30 a.m. The trailers outside of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, 160 S. Oak St. will be home to the library while its permanent location on N. Virginia Ave. undergoes an expansion and renovation.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Firefighters Honor Owner of Little City’s Oldest Business — “On Friday, we presented Brown’s Hardware in Falls Church with a fire helmet honoring Mr. Hugh Brown… Mr. Brown’s father, Horace E. Brown, was one of the original trustees of the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department in 1925, and we can think of no better place to say ‘thank you’ than at Brown’s Hardware Store, our city’s oldest business at 127 years old, founded by Hugh’s grandfather in 1883.” [Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department/Facebook]
McLean Group Reviews Tysons Redevelopment Plan — “The McLean Citizens Association board of directors got down to business quickly March 4, approving resolutions that touched on a redevelopment proposal and a proposed county-government plan amendment… The MCA board approved a resolution supporting plans by the Tamares Group to convert the former Gannett/USA Today headquarters building at 7950 Jones Branch Drive in Tysons into a commercial building with restaurants, retail, conference spaces and a fitness center.” [Inside NoVa]
New Coronavirus Cases in NoVa — “The Virginia Department of Health announced Monday night that two Virginia residents, the wife of the patient in Fairfax City and an unrelated patient in Spotsylvania County, have tested presumptive positive for the coronavirus COVID-19.” [Inside NoVa]
Small Fire at Tysons High-Rise — Sprinklers extinguished a “small fire” on the 11th floor of a high-rise in Tysons in the 1500 block of Anderson Road on Friday, March 6. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter]
Oh deer! Earlier today Station 13, Dunn Loring, B-Shift worked with @FairfaxCountyPD Animal Control to free this little doe who got caught between fences. Once removed the uninjured doe was free to happily scamper away. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/S3sDDxBrtl
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) March 7, 2020
Happy Friday! Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
Tysons-Based TV Company May Be Acquired — “Signaling ongoing consolidation of the broadcast business, Gray Television has made an $8.5 billion bid for larger rival Tegna, according to Reuters, sending Tegna stock up by more than 30% in premarket trading Friday in what looks set to be an otherwise down market.” [Deadline]
New Coffee Spot Eying Tysons — “[The owner] says For Five is also planning to open a location in Tysons within the next three to four months.” [ARLnow]
Founders Row 2.0 Planned in Falls Church — “The Economic Development Committee of the Falls Church City Council got the news at its meeting last Thursday… that the 4.3 acre Founders Row mixed-use project now coming out of the ground at West Broad and N. West Streets may be augmented with a two-acre “phase two” right across the street.” [Falls Church News-Press]
McLean Student Finalist in National Portrait Contest — “McLean High sophomore Libby Eick, a Photography 2 student, was one of 15 finalists nationwide in the National Portrait Gallery’s 2020 National Teen Portrait Competition. Eick’s work was selected from among 629 entries around the U.S. Her artist statement is below.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
New Store in The Boro — The Shade Store is now open in The Boro. [The Boro/Instagram]
(Updated 3/10/2020) The annual NoVa TEEN Book Festival has been canceled due to the recent spread of the coronavirus in the D.C. area.
The free festival was originally set to feature 35 bestselling and new young adult authors, like Alechia Dow and Kristen Simmons, and Brigid Kemmerer, the author of “A Heart So Fierce and Broken,” will provide as the keynote speaker on Pi Day (March 14).
The NoVa TEEN Book Festival Committee said in a statement today (Tuesday) that the festival will return to Marshall High School on March 20, 2021.
“With the recent spread of COVID-19 to the Northern Virginia, Maryland and DC Metro areas, we are unable to ensure that all of our authors, volunteers, exhibitors, staff and attendees will be safe at the festival this weekend,” the statement said.
The committee said that the cancellation of this year’s festival will “have a significant impact on all of our amazing authors” and urged people to connect with authors online and “share their books as widely as you can.”
The committee also encouraged people to buy books from Arlington-based One More Page Books, which was set to sell signed books at the festival.
“The NoVa TEEN book festival ordering pages will stay up to help you to discover new authors and explore their fantastic books,” the statement said. “One More Page will be giving away free [advance reading copies] and swag with NoVa TEEN orders as long as supplies last!”
Photo via Kimberly Farmer/Unsplash
