Updated at noon — An employee at Thai’s Corner Restaurant told Tysons Reporter that it has closed permanently.
Earlier: Diners seeking Thai food will have to find an alternative to Thai’s Corner Restaurant, which appears to have closed its Tysons spot.
The restaurant (8607 Westwood Center Drive) served a variety of sushi, soups, fish and curries by the Spring Hill Metro station, according to its Facebook page.
The inside of the restaurant appeared disheveled today (Thursday), with letters and mail piling up on the floor just on the other side of the front door, along with furniture missing. A sign in the window said, “Sorry we’re closed.”
A server at a nearby business said that he ate at the restaurant about a month ago. A tipster told Tysons Reporter that the restaurant was closed earlier this week.
Tysons Reporter reached out to the business owner but has not heard back.
Hat tip to Mia O.
People in the Tysons area had a chance last night to provide feedback on several preliminary concepts that would change the Silver, Orange and Blue lines.
The concepts are a part of a two-year study to address both short- and long-term needs. For people in Tysons, one option would let trains turn back at different areas along the Orange, Blue or Silver Lines, while another option would create new Silver Line connections north or south of I-66.
Around 5 p.m. last night (Tuesday), a dozen attendees showed up to the open house at the Courtyard by Marriott Tysons-McLean (1960A Chain Bridge Road) — just in time for a presentation by Mark Phillips, the project manager for the reliability study.
Phillips said that capacity issues at the Rosslyn tunnel for the three lines prompted the study.
“It’s created reliability issues,” Phillips said. “If there is a breakdown, which has happened a couple of times this week, on one line, it impacts the other two.”
Phillips said that dangerous activity — like people holding the doors open and overcrowding — and an expected increase in ridership along the three lines also prompted the study.
By 2040, an 18% increase in daily ridership — roughly 40,000 new riders — is expected on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines, according to informational boards at the meeting.
Informational boards gave the benefits and trade-offs for all of the preliminary concepts, along with a board comparing how the concepts do or do not meet Metro’s four goals: capacity, reliability, flexibility and sustainability.
People have until Jan. 6 to provide feedback via an online survey.
The list of ideas will get narrowed down once feedback from the public and external stakeholders — including six technical and advisory committees — has been received. A cost/benefit analysis is set to happen in the spring or summer, followed by a recommendation in the fall.
Phillips said that he expects the recommendation to include both short- and long-term changes.
For those hoping to get a jump start on their New Year’s resolutions, a new gym opened yesterday (Dec. 16) in The Boro.
F45 (1640 Boro Place, Suite 206) now offers customers a variety of training and workouts, including cardio and strength training, according to the website.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the center focuses on helping people improve their cardio. On Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday participants will work on strength and resistance training. The center also offers mixed-exercise classes on Saturdays.
The location is running a promotion for a week of free classes if anyone is interested in the gym. After that, a studio membership costs $50 per week for unlimited classes.
Leading up to its official opening yesterday, the location offered trial classes for community members.
Classes take place throughout the day, beginning at 5:30 a.m. A full schedule can be found online.
Around November, an independently owned Verison Wireless store (8301 Greensboro Drive) opened next door to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. The location offers phones with a variety of carrier plans.
Photo via F45/Facebook
Fairfax County police arrested a man they say was unlawfully recording women at Tysons Corner Center.
The incident happened on Saturday (Dec. 14) shortly before 7 p.m.
Police spotted a man, who had previously been banned from the property, “unlawfully recording two women,” according to the crime report.
A 45-year-old man from Maryland was arrested for two counts of unlawful filming and trespassing.
In a separate incident, Fairfax County police are looking for the woman who allegedly stole merchandise from the Target (2905 District Avenue) in the Mosaic District.
The incident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. on Sunday (Dec. 15).
“As the suspect exited the store, she assaulted the loss prevention officer,” police said. “The suspect is described as Hispanic or Asian.”
(Updated 12/20/19) This year, Hanukkah begins this Sunday (Dec. 22) and will end on Monday (Dec. 30).
For anyone looking into public celebrations, there are lots of events around the Tysons area where people can gather and join in the festivities
This Sunday (Dec. 22), the Chocolate Gelt Drop at the Freeman House (131 NE Church Street) will feature the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department as it hosts an evening of live music, menorah lighting and festivities. There will be chocolate gelt’s dropped from the top of a fire truck as well as food. All are welcome to this free event from 5 to 6 p.m.
Temple Rodef Shalom is sponsoring a community dinner next Friday (Dec. 27) from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at their place of worship in McLean (2100 Westmoreland Street). They will be serving brisket and Latke, a type of fried potato cake. Tickets are $30 for non-member adults, $18 for kids age 6 to 10 and $10 for kids under 5 years old.
For members of Temple Rodef Shalom, there will be a “low-key” Hanukkah event designed for kids on Friday, Dec. 27, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom (2100 Westmoreland Street). According to the event page, this event is designed for kids who thrive in low stress and relaxed environments. They will have the opportunity to enjoy a story, crafts, a photo booth and food. Tickets are $5.
On Sunday (Dec. 29), the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia will host Light Up the Night! Community Menorah Lighting from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Strawberry Park in the Mosaic District. People are welcome to gather and light candles, play games, sing together and eat sufganiyot, a type of round jelly donut.
The same day there will be a Hanukkah Master Chef: Latke Edition around 1 p.m. at 226 W Maple Ave. Attendees are asked to RSVP beforehand for this free event.
“A Festival of Lasers — Laser Tag” is an alternative way for people to celebrate Hanukkah among their peers.
Hosted by Gather DC, an organization designed to bring together people of the Jewish faith, this event invites people to enjoy three games of laser tag as well as snacks, drinks and socializing for $25. The event will take place this Wednesday (Dec. 18) at Ultrazone Laser Tag and Amusement Center (3447 Carlin Springs Road) from 6:45-10 p.m. and allow people to meet others around the 20s and 30s age range.
For the entire week, the Chanukah Wonderland will feature crafts, entertainment and a store from Dec.22-29 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. It will be held at 226 W Maple Ave in Vienna.
Photo via Element5 Digital/Unsplash
Fire Truck Getting Festive in Falls Church — “The annual tradition returns as the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department decorates the reserve engine and escorts Santa Claus through the streets of the greater Falls Church area. Santamobile begins this Sunday, Dec. 15 and will run through Monday, Dec. 23.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Tysons Company Taking on Terrestrial Transmissions — “In the past few months, Tysons, Va.-based Omnispace has made some of its most significant announcements since a $30 million Series A raise in 2017… Omnispace announced earlier this month a permit from the Mexican government to build a terrestrial communications network that will mesh with satellite networks.” [American Inno]
Local Students Show Off Cooking Skills — “Culinary Arts 1 and 2 students from Marshall Academy had the opportunity to shadow the executive culinary team and director of hospitality at the McLean DoubleTree Hotel, where they worked with staff members to prepare lunch. Working in teams with staff members, they prepared grilled chicken with a demi-glace sauce, baked tilapia, mixed vegetables, rice pilaf, and dinner rolls.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Real Estate Company Eyeing One Tysons East — “Akridge is also considering taking the speculative approach with One Tysons East, a 270,161-square-foot office planned for a 1.3-acre site at 1690 Old Meadow Road, Akridge President Matt Klein said in an interview.” [Washington Business Journal]
Tysons may not have the liveliest nightlife at the moment, but that could soon change as more late-night restaurants and places to hang out open. “Tysons After Dark” will highlight a different spot every week.
With colder weather and the start of winter approaching, people in the Tysons area looking to bundle up for some seasonal activities can find ice skating rinks nearby.
The Tysons Corner Center ice skating rink is closed, but there are other places in Northern Virginia where people can skate. Here are several options within a 15-mile-radius of Tysons.
Indoor
Don’t want to deal with wind, rain or snow? SkateQuest is an indoor ice skating rink in Reston at 1800 Michael Faraday Court. Wanna-be skaters can take lessons — private ones cost $35-$50 for a 30-minute session. Public skating is offered at certain times several days a week, including weekends.
Over at the Fairfax Ice Arena (3779 Pickett Road), people can take skating lessons. For skaters ages 13 and up, the cost is $9.25 on Fridays and Saturdays, and the rink is open until 10:30 p.m.
In Arlington, the MedStar Capitals Iceplex offers public skating for $9 for people ages 13 and up at 627 N. Glebe Road. Public skating usually lasts until 8 p.m. on Fridays and 7 p.m. on Saturdays.
Outdoor
Want to skate under the stars? At the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion (1818 Discovery Street), adults can skate for $10 every day of the week. On, Fridays and Saturdays, skating lasts until 11 p.m. (Be sure to check out the holiday hours if you plan to go next week or the last week of December.)
The ice skating rink in Pentagon Row (1201 S. Joyce Street) in Arlington calls itself the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia and the second-largest rink in the state. Open every day, skaters have until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For people ages 13 and older, the cost is $10.
Photo via MedStar Capitals Iceplex/Facebook
The Fairfax County Planning Commission postponed its decision on two mixed-use developments by the Spring Hill Metro station again last night (Dec. 11) to March.
The fate of Georgelas LLC’s proposed project is now slated to be decided on March 11, 2020. The Planning Commission will either determine that the project needs more revisions or recommend denial, approval or indefinite deferral before sending it to the Board of Supervisors.
The project would bring more commercial and residential units into the area, remodeling the current car dealerships along the north side of Tyco Road.
Commissioner Phillip Niedzielski-Eichner, who represents the Providence District, said last night that the project is not ready for a final recommendation, but did not provide any additional reasons for the delay at the meeting.
This is the third time that the Planning Commission has deferred the decision on the project since the public hearing. Back in October, Niedzielski-Eichner said the developer asked for more time.
“There were a whole host of issues that were laid out [previously],” a spokesperson from Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth’s office told Tysons Reporter, adding that the decision was deferred because there are still unresolved issues from previous meetings.
Fairfax County planners have said that the North Spring Hill Station addresses the expectations in the Tysons Comprehensive Plan, but the West Spring Hill Station “does not fully address the criteria, particularly with regards to providing a comprehensive, functioning grid of streets; the provision of open space; and coordination of development.”
For now, anyone interested in the project can still submit comments online, a commissioner said last night.
Image via Fairfax County
Last week, Metro revealed several preliminary concepts that would change the Silver, Orange and Blue lines.
The concepts are a part of a two-year study to address both short- and long-term needs.
For people in Tysons, one option would let trains turn back at different areas along the Orange, Blue or Silver Lines, like the West Falls Church or East Falls Church Metro stations, while another option would create new Silver Line connections north or south of I-66.
Now, Metro wants to hear from community members that would be affected by any changes.
People can provide feedback about the ideas at several meetings this month, including a Tysons-area meeting next week.
The meeting is set to take place on Tuesday (Dec. 17) at the Courtyard by Marriott Tysons-McLean (1960A Chain Bridge Road) from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
People can also provide feedback via an online survey that will be open until Jan. 6.
Snow and colder weather have now descended upon the Northern Virginia area.
Forecasters expect rainy weather later this week and temperatures dipping into the 30s.
For locals gearing up for more wet, wintry weather, Fairfax County has a “Guide to Snow” with information ranging from shoveling to driving tips.
Winter officially begins next Saturday (Dec. 21). Let Tysons Reporter know if you are ready for winter weather.
