For the nearly 56,000 students in Fairfax County Public Schools living at the poverty line, obtaining school supplies can be difficult. 

In an attempt to change this, FCPS is partnering with roughly 20 nonprofits and businesses to ensure that students will have the supplies they need this fall for its “Collect for Kids” campaign.

“Every school in FCPS is touched by need — some schools have as little as 1% of their students in need, while others have over 80% of students in need,” Kathy Ryan, an FCPS spokeswoman, said.

Community members can drop off new backpacks to various locations in the Tysons area, which FCPS will then hand out to kids for the start of the school year in August.

Backpack drop off locations include any Apple Federal Credit Union, the FCPS Gatehouse Administration Center (8115 Gatehouse Road), and a few other places. Some in the greater Tysons area include:

• Apple Federal Credit Union in Falls Church (1118 W. Broad Street)
• Freedom Bank in Vienna (502 W. Maple Avenue)
• Alya Salon (139 Park Street SE)

FCPS also has a goal to raise $25,000 dollars — monetary donations are accepted online.

 “Increasing the awareness of the number of students in FCPS that need this yearly support is also a goal,” Ryan said.

Photo courtesy FCPS

A massive development proposed for Tysons and the Defense Health Agency’s expansion plans in Falls Church are set to go before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors later today (Tuesday).

According to the agenda, the board will hold public hearings on the two proposals. If approved, both of the projects would come to areas of the county facing urbanization.

Proposed for Tysons’ North Central neighborhood, The Mile would transform 38 acres of office park into 10 mixed-use buildings with residential, retail, office, hotel and storage locations.

Unlike some developments recently proposed and built in Tysons, The Mile aims to add six new parks totaling more than 10 acres.

Signature Park, the largest park in the development, would encompass an entire block in the development — about 5 acres — and include retail, a performance stage, areas for games, trails and more. A dog park, linear park, recreation park and two urban parks are also planned for the development.

Over by Pine Spring Elementary School, the Defense Health Agency wants to add an L-shaped office building to its Falls Church headquarters.

The government agency oversees health care to active duty and retired U.S. military personnel and their families.

In addition to the roughly 195,000-square-foot building, the plans also include an 815-space parking garage. The new space would allow for about 600 more employees, according to county documents.

Images via Fairfax County

Following a similar announcement in Arlington, the City of Falls Church declared a state of emergency after Monday’s flooding.

This means that through the City Emergency Operations Plan, affected residents could qualify for aid and assistance as directed by state law and city code.

Specified assistance includes fee waivers for bulk-waste pickup on Wednesday, July 17, and rebuilding permits for damaged property, according to the City of Falls Church press release.

The emergency declaration will remain in effect until otherwise noted. More information can be found online.

The full press release is below.

Acting City Manager Cindy Mester declared a local emergency for the City of Falls Church, effective 8:30 a.m. on July 8, 2019, in response to the flash flood emergency. This declaration activates the City Emergency Operations Plan and authorizes the provision of aid and assistance as prescribed by State law and City Code and the ordinances, resolutions and approved plans of the City of Falls Church, in order to mitigate the effects of the weather event. The emergency state remains in effect until rescinded.

To help in the aftermath of the flooding, the City is waiving fees for solid waste bulk collection for the Wednesday, July 17 pick-up and for permits.

Residents must call 703-248-5160 (TTY 711), Option 1 to request special collection by noon on Tuesday, July 16. Bulk items left curbside will not be picked up unless a resident calls to schedule a special collection. This offer is only for current residential curbside customers. Contractor-related work is not eligible for curbside special collection pickup. Brush collection fees are not waived. Visit www.fallschurchva.gov/Special for complete details. Items that are eligible for special bulk collection with waived fees include:

• Furniture
• Household Appliances
• Rugs
• Other items too large or heavy to fit into a trash container.

Permits for flood-related rebuilding are still required, but the fee is waived. This includes electrical repair, gas appliance replacement, and more. More information can be found through the City’s Building Safety Division and Permits Counter: 703-248-5080 (TTY 711); www.fallschurchva.gov/Permit.Residents and businesses can take the following steps to help in the aftermath of the flooding:

• Call your insurance company, if you have not already done so, to report damage.
• If any gas appliances were exposed to floodwaters, do not attempt to either relight or disconnect them by yourself. Contact Washington Gas: 1-844-WASH-GAS (1-844-927-4427), Option 1
• The Virginia State Bureau of Insurance has staff specifically trained to handle disaster insurance questions and problems. Their website also has free consumer guides on what to do after an insured commercial or home property loss. Virginia State Bureau of Insurance:  1-877-310-6560.

I mean, I guess I always did want waterfront property. #flooding pic.twitter.com/0kfIUPmm2e

— Joey Wilhelm (@mrbeersnob) July 8, 2019

Developers are all set to bring a new commercial area resembling the Mosaic District to the City of Falls Church.

The City Council unanimously approved Little City Commons, a proposed mixed-use development south of the West Falls Church Metro station, on Monday (July 8).

Back in May, the City Council approved the signing of a comprehensive agreement with EYA, PN Hoffman and Regency Centers for their planned 1.3 million-square-foot development of nearly 10 acres at the George Mason High School (7124 Leesburg Pike).

The first phase of the Little City Commons development will include:

• roughly 150 condominiums, 425 multifamily units and 200 senior housing units
• 140,000 square feet of office space
• 123,400 square feet of retail
• 40,000 square feet for a grocery store
• 85,000 square feet for a hotel

The development will also include a major public open space called The Commons, according to the press release.

“Working with the City of Falls Church and the community in a collaborative effort, we have made significant progress over the last six months to make this transformative project a reality,” Evan Goldman, the executive vice president of acquisition and development for EYA, said in a press release.

Next up, Goldman said that the developers will begin work on obtaining site plan exceptions and approvals prior to construction, which is slated to start in 2021 after work on the new George Mason High School next door is finished.

The development of Little City Commons will defray costs for the new George Mason High School, which is set to start construction this summer, according to the press release.

As its nine-year anniversary celebration nears, Mad Fox Brewing Company plans to close in Falls Church in less than two weeks.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the brewpub’s Facebook page had the following message:

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I inform you of the closure of Mad Fox Brewing Company. Our last day of business will be Sunday, July 21st.

The decision to close has been an extremely difficult one to make. We have witnessed restaurant competition in the 2.2 square mile Falls Church City become fierce since our opening in 2010 with multiple businesses opening in the last year alone. As much as we tried to compete, there are an overwhelming number of choices for the local population. Sales have been on a slow decline over the last several years and, unfortunately, staying open is no longer sustainable.

On the brewing side of our business we continue to see more breweries opening in Virginia with two new Taprooms setting up shop within a mile of Mad Fox in the last year. When we opened in 2010, there were 40 breweries in Virginia. Now there are close to 250. The Brewpub business model is a tough one to maintain compared to a Brewery Taproom with little overhead, lower rents and outsourced food trucks. Our draw from the surrounding areas has dwindled in what has become an extremely competitive craft beer market, which has resulted in this final decision.

We attempted to work with our Bank and our Landlord for more favorable terms and while both were willing, we ultimately could not come to agreement that would allow Mad Fox to be break even or better.

We plan a closure date of Sunday, July 21st; however, we plan to continue with our 9 year Anniversary Party on Saturday, 13 July to honor you, our investors, our staff and the Falls Church Community. Words cannot express how proud I am of the Mad Fox legacy and the opportunity to be a member of such a wonderful community, if even for a short while. We opened the first brewpub in the City of Falls Church and have won numerous medals at the Great American Beer Festival as well as the Virginia Beer Cup. We have celebrated christenings, birthdays, weddings, retirements and many holiday gatherings. You, our guests, along with our spectacular Mad Fox team have enabled us to build tremendous notoriety over 9 years in business. I thank you for allowing Mad Fox to be a part of your lives. Thank you for your years of support and I hope to see you at the Pub in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Bill Madden
CEO and Executive Brewer, Mad Fox Brewing Company

With more than 350 comments on the post as of 8 a.m. today (Wednesday), many people grieved the closure announcement, saying they would miss a favorite place to frequent and the food and beer — especially the Orange Whip IPA.

“I have so many fond memories and so enjoyed the beer, food & ambiance. It is a sad day indeed. Thank you Bill,” one person wrote.

“So very sad to read this post… we have been fans of Mad Fox since 2015 and have brought family and friends over the years,” another commenter said. “We loved the food (especially the meatloaf and the frickles!), the beer (my favorite is Orange Whip) and all the wonderful events and celebrations.”

“My girlfriend and I had our first date at Mad Fox in 2011. We always enjoyed stopping in for the good food and great beer or the special events,” wrote another person.

Several brewery founders commented under the post thanking Madden for his support for their breweries.

Stein Sellier, the president and president of Beltway Brewing Company in Sterling, wrote, “I am grateful for all you did to help me start Beltway and all the advice you’ve shared over the years — I know I am not alone.”

Sarah Meyers, one of the founders of BadWolf Brewing Company, also thanked Madden for supporting BadWolf in the early days. “You guys brew excellent beer and we support you and Jeremy [Meyers] and I are here if you need anything or someone to talk to… we love you guys,” Meyers wrote.

Inspired by Euro gastro brewpubs, Mad Fox Brewing Company opened its pub and on-site brewery July 2010 in downtown Falls Church.

Over nine years, Mad Fox Brewing Company racked up more than three dozen awards and accolades.

The brewpub plans to celebrate its anniversary on Saturday (July 13), from 11 a.m.-close with rare beers on tap, live music and a glass giveaway at 444 W. Broad Street, Suite I.

Photos via Mad Fox Brewing Company/Facebook

Construction work on a connector ramp from I-66 to the West Falls Church Metro station is set to start a year later than planned.

“Our project manager, Mark Gibney, has confirmed that construction of the I-66 connector ramp to the West Falls Church Metro station will begin construction in summer 2020 and finish by fall 2021,” Michelle Holland, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transporation, tod Tysons Reporter.

Currently, cars traveling eastbound on I-66 to the Metro station exit from I-66, turn right to head south on Route 7 (Leesburg Pike), turn left at the intersection at Haycock Road and then turn left onto Falls Church Drive. “VDOT has identified operational and safety issues with this maneuver, especially during AM and PM peak periods,” according to the project’s website.

The new ramp, which is a part of the I-66 widening project, would connect two existing ramps, spitting drivers out onto Falls Church Drive.

While the VDOT website currently says that construction is set to begin this summer and get completed by fall 2o20, the spokesperson said that the website will soon get updated to reflect the correct information.

VDOT plans to hold a public meeting with a construction update on Wednesday (July 10) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Yorktown High School (5200 Yorktown Blvd) in Arlington.

VDOT will hold a construction update meeting for the I-66 Inside the Beltway project on Wednesday, July 10 at Yorktown HS in Arlington. Visit https://t.co/8AV982AWI8 for more info. @VaDOTNOVA pic.twitter.com/SZpvo7iKaL

— John Foust (@johnfoustva) July 8, 2019

Map via VDOT

A building fire in Falls Church ended up sending one firefighter to the hospital yesterday (Tuesday).

The fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (July 2) in the 7400 block of Lee Highway, according to a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue tweet.

The accidental fire that started in the attic area by the chimney stack was discovered after the fire sprinkler system and fire alarm went off, the tweet said.

One firefighter was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

The fire caused $2,500 worth of damages, according to the fire department.

Map via Google Maps, photos via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter

“People nowadays don’t want to believe in this stuff,” Al Tyas, a retired local ghost hunter and published author, recently told Tysons Reporter. And by “stuff,” Tyas means ghosts.

Tyas recently published his second book “Project Rabbit Hole.” The book delves into how and why people have a fascination with ghosts “now more than ever before,” as Tyas put it — thanks in part to increasing pop culture references.

Originally from Rhode Island, Tyas said that he saw his first ghost when he was 7 while at an amusement park. He moved to Falls Church in 2007 and now lives in Alexandria.

After moving to the D.C. area, he joined a paranormal ghost group — “at first it was cute” — and then five years later, he branched off and made his own group, DC Metro Area Ghost Watchers.

In the height of his ghost hunting days, Tyas said he would conduct two investigations per week — everything from people claiming they were possessed to reports of strange noises or occurrences in people’s homes.

Eventually, Tyas handed off his group to another person after the experiences got “darker and darker” and he noticed his and fellow ghost hunters’ health start to decline.

What are ghosts? “Ghosts are demented, dysfunctional beings that died before their time and at the height of their lives,” he said, adding that the ghost might not even know that they are dead.

Most people think they have a ghost when they feel cold spots, hear a voice or notice that objects are missing, he said. Yet Tyas said that he approached investigations at first with skepticism, since some people claim to see ghosts for short-term fame and attention.

“Not everything people see or experience are ghosts,” he said.

This isn’t Tyas’ first time writing a book. He published “Last Call on the Potomac” — a book about D.C. area ghost stories — in 2006.

For his new book, Tyas drew on his personal experiences as a retired paranormal investigator, research and interviews for an in-depth look at the “supernatural family” — from ghosts to aliens. The paperback book costs $17 on Lulu.

Last year, Tyas headed down to New Orleans to do research on how people have interacted with supernatural beings throughout history. In his research, he noted that changes starting with the Fox sisters, who became mediums in the 1850s but later admitted to faking some parts of their seances.

“In past historical time periods, people avoided or took precautions. Now, we’re trying to make contact,” he said. “It’s getting dangerous.”

For people looking for ghosts, Tyas shared some words of warning.

“[Ghosts] always appear when you least expect them to,” Tyas said, adding that they tend to pick the weakest person to bother.

Ultimately, Tyas said that coexistence is the goal and that people should leave supernatural beings alone.

As for skeptics? “I say, ‘More power to them,'” Tyas said.

Photo via Lulu.com

(Updated at 1 p.m.) Independence Day is coming up on Thursday (July 4). Check this list in case you are planning to visit government facilities around Fairfax County later this week — they might be closed.

Photo by Warren Tobias on Unsplash

Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.

On the last day of school, my family got invited to an awesome block party put on by 4 neighbors on a cul-de-sac in Vienna.

They had bounce houses, food trucks, music and everyone had an awesome time. The adults got to talk, be social and have beer while the kids got to run around and play for hours like I remember doing in my own childhood. The road was blocked off officially by white and orange barricades. It was a great afternoon.

With just a little paperwork you can throw a block party like that one and really get to know your neighbors, or hang out with your friends and help create memories for your family.

Temporary use permits/applications are required whenever you want to block part of a road. Here are some rules and helpful links to get you started:

Town of Vienna

• Requires an application with at least 21 days in advance of the event.
• Requires a signed petition by 100% of the affected neighbors.
• Event must conclude by 11 p.m.
• Download the full application here.

Vienna, Oakton and McLean (Fairfax County)

• Requires a “Temporary Special Permit.”
• Must be submitted at least 6 weeks in advance of the event date.
• A detailed list of where, what, who, when and how.
• Download the full application here.

Falls Church City

• Requires an application at least 10 business days in advance of the event date.
• Will only be granted a 4 hour window for the party.
• Requires a notice/invitation be sent to any resident on the block impacted at least 7 days in advance of the event.
• Download the full application here.