Vienna police say Skorpio’s Maggio’s Greek Family Restaurant was vandalized several times during the holidays.
The first incident happened between Dec. 28 at 11 p.m. and Dec. 29 at 4 a.m. at 421 Maple Avenue E.
“An unknown person smeared ketchup on the windows of the restaurant and the restaurant’s van,” according to the police report. “There was also profanity written on the windows and sidewalk.”
Police said that they also observed additional vandalism to holiday decorations after the initial report.
In a separate incident that happened sometime on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, “an unknown person threw an unknown liquid on the front window of the restaurant.”
A spokesperson for the police department told Tysons Reporter that “it is too early to tell” if the incidents at the restaurant are related.
Image via Google Maps
The proposed design for the new CubeSmart in the Town of Vienna heads to the Board of Architectural Review next week.
According to town documents, the proposed four-story facility would have roughly 130,000 gross square footage at 233 Mill Street NE — near a current facility at 300 Mill Street NE.
The BAR is set to discuss the proposed design on Tuesday (Jan. 7).
Nearby, CubeSmart is located in Tysons (1764 Old Meadow Lane), Falls Church (6875 Lee Hwy) and Merrifield (2950 Gallows Road).
Image via Town of Vienna
Locals will have a chance to learn about Virginia policy at an upcoming town hall with politicians next weekend.
State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34th) and Del. Mark Keam (D-35th) are hosting the event to talk about the upcoming 2020 General Assembly session.
The General Assembly convenes next Wednesday (Jan. 8).
The town hall is set to take place at Vienna Town Hall (127 Center Street S.) next Saturday (Jan. 11) from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
With the new year almost here, the editorial team at Tysons Reporter took a look at the archives to gear up for 2020.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest things that we’ll be keeping an eye on and covering next year.
Spanning the Tysons Area
Fairfax County has approved regulations that limit how many (and how fast) scooters can zip around their areas. The new rules start Jan. 1.
New faces are joining the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board, including Dalia Palchik, who will oversee the Providence District on the Board of Supervisors.
The Vienna, Dunn Loring and East Falls Church stations will tentatively be closed between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Meanwhile, the West Falls Church station will stay open with trains running less frequently from the station. At the East Falls Church Station, trains will still pass through the station even though it will be closed to riders.
Tysons
What Happens to the Proposed Valo Park Redesign?
The owners of Valo Park want to open the office complex to the public by adding restaurants, a 9/11 memorial and a bocce court. The plans are tentatively scheduled to go before the Fairfax County Planning Commission on March 25, 2020.
State of Proposed Spring Hill Project
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is set to decide on two mixed-use developments by the Spring Hill Metro station in March. The project would bring more commercial and residential units near Tyco Road.
Construction is aiming to be done on the new Scotts Run Fire and Rescue Station 44 in Tysons East by Dec. 31, 2020. The station is designed to relieve the overburdened Fire Station 29, which currently covers the entire Tysons area.
Dozens of stores and eateries opened in the mixed-use development this year, including Whole Foods and Ethan Allen. For next year, we’ll be keeping an eye on when ShowPlace ICON opens, along with the El Bebe and Open Road eateries.
Tysons Partnership is working with Gensler to rebrand the area to encourage economic growth and is also looking to establish a “sustainable business and funding model” for the nonprofit association.
New Concept From The Owners Behind Tysons Biergarten
Tysons Biergarten is now closed by the Greensboro Metro station, but sometime in the spring, a new concept called The Shipgarten — made of shipping containers — aims to open at Scotts Run. Diners can expect a biergarten with German and Belgium beers, Asian fusion cuisine, barbecue food and a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant.
No More Dropped Calls in the Tysons Metro Tunnel
Metro plans to have cell coverage in the tunnel between the Tysons Corner Center and Greensboro Metro stations by June. The tunnel is one of the last set of areas Metro is working to complete wireless coverage for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon customers.
Merrifield
More Mosaic District Newcomers
Fairfax County permits indicate that Sephora, Drybar, a Connecticut-based eatery called The Granola Bar, Madison Reed and several new food options like Neapolitan pizza chain Pupatella and Urban Hot Pot are coming to the Mosaic District. While opening dates haven’t been announced yet, Tysons Reporter will be following up to find out when people can expect the newcomers.
A pilot program with autonomous shuttles from EasyMile is set to start transporting people from the Mosaic District to the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station in the spring or summer.
City of Falls Church
Solutions for Stormwater Issues
After severe flooding in July, officials in the Little City have been working to fix the damage, while also planning how to prevent future issues. A newly formed taskforce is set to work until July on updating the list of priority projects for stormwater improvements in the Watershed Management Plan.
Whole Foods Expanding NoVa Footprint in Falls Church
Weeks after opening in Tysons, the grocery chain signed a lease in early November to anchor the redevelopment of the corner of E. Broad and N. Washington streets. Tysons Reporter is looking to find out when the store plans to open and what community members think the new store’s impact will be on local businesses.
Progress of Little City Commons Development
Tysons Reporter will continue to provide updates on the construction of the new commercial area in Falls Church known as Litty City Commons.
Town of Vienna
New Tavern Opening Along Maple Avenue
The owners of Bear Branch Tavern said they want to open later this winter, adding a restaurant with two bars, a patio, indoor and outdoor fire pits, an oyster bar, frozen drink machines and bike racks to 133 E. Maple Avenue.
New Zoning Maple Avenue Guidelines
The Vienna Town Council extended the suspension of the Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) Zone to June 2020. Town officials are working to redesign the rules for new development applications for Maple Avenue.
Senior Living Facility Moving Forward?
Sunrise’s proposal to build a senior living facility at 380 Maple Avenue will go before the Vienna Town Council next year.
McLean
The Future of Claude Moore Colonial Farm
The National Park Service is trying to decide what to do with Claude Moore Colonial Farm property. Three different proposed plans were presented to the community in the fall for feedback. NPS is hoping to release a final proposal in spring 2020.
The Fate of Overcrowded McLean High School
Fairfax County wants to shift students from the overcrowded McLean High School to the under-capacity Langley High School. Boundary scope meetings are expected to continue into the spring, followed by a public hearing on the proposal and then a vote, so that the change can impact the 2020-2021 school year.
Tell us in the comments which pf these upcoming things you’re most interested in.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
Two days left in this decade!
I usually let my kids watch a YouTube video of fireworks while drinking sparkling apple cider, then put them to bed at their normal time, but if you’re a parent who is more fun than I am, here are some suggestions on how to ring in the new year with your family. Some local places around town have various versions of celebrations:
Jammin Java: 13th Annual Rocknoceros New Years Eve Party at 2 p.m. on December 31 (the 11 a.m. show is already sold out). The band will do a countdown and an apple juice toast.
Caboose Tavern: Family Friendly Celebration with a ball drop at 9 p.m. and live music. Event starts at 7 p.m. Kids 2-12 drink free all night. They’ll also have crafts for the kids.
McLean Bible Church, The Rock NYE 2020: Event is for 6-12th graders from 9 p.m. on. Liability forms and information can be found online.
Watch Night, Falls Church City: Huge party along West Broad Street starting at 7 p.m., which includes live music, karaoke, popcorn, hot chocolate, coup, bungee jump, Velcro wall, log jam, bounce house for kids and a slide, and so much more.
Busy Bees New Year’s Party (Falls Church Location): Live band, Chick-fil-A food and an apple cider toast! From 3-5 p.m. for $30/child.
Dave & Busters (Fairfax) New Years Eve Party: Starts at 5 p.m. with 2 packages available to help with the video ball drop!
Children’s Science Center Lab (Fairfax): New Year’s Eve around the world, ring in 2020 with STEM style noisemakers and confetti throwers. Choose a 2-hour window (10 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-3 p.m., 3:30-5:30 p.m.).
Once Upon A Dream (Vienna): Decorate a 2020 party hat at 11 a.m. on December 31 or join the New Year Party at 11 a.m. on the January 1, with a countdown at noon with an apple cider toast, Princess visit and costume party.
No matter how you choose to celebrate — wishing you a very happy New Year!
(Updated at 11:05 a.m.) A robbery happened at the CVS pharmacy in the Town of Vienna, local police say.
The incident occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. last Monday (Dec. 16) at 337 Maple Avenue E.
Vienna police said a woman dressed in black clothing and a head covering went up to the cashier at the CVS pharmacy “in a very aggressive manner and demanded all the money from the register while reaching into her jacket pocket.”
“The cashier, fearing that she may have a weapon, surrendered all the money from the register and the suspect left the scene,” police said.
More from the report:
Police officers, detectives, and a K-9 unit responded and searched the area but were unable to find the suspect. Officers and detectives on the scene obtained vital information that was broadcast to surrounding jurisdictions. Shortly after this robbery, a suspect fitting the same description committed another robbery in Fairfax County and was apprehended after leaving the scene of the second robbery.
In a separate incident, three roommates in the 600 block of Tapawingo Road SW reported to the Vienna Police Department that their parked vehicles’ tires were slashed with a sharp instrument between the night of Dec. 16 and the morning of Dec. 17.
Photo via Facebook
Vienna police say that a man said his credit card was charged for a larger amount than what he ordered at Hunan Delight.
The man got food delivery from the restaurant at 276 Cedar Lane SE on Dec. 11, police said. “He paid for the food with a credit card and gave the delivery driver a cash tip,” according to the report.
More from the police report:
A few days later he noticed the total for the order on his credit account was higher than what he had authorized. The restaurant provided the citizen with a copy of the receipt. The citizen advised that the receipt was not the same receipt that he had signed and that his signature was forged on the receipt they had.
Image via Google Maps
Visit Fairfax has made its list of the top five tackiest lights displays in the county — and homes in Vienna and McLean are included.
In McLean, the house at 6530 Heather Brook Court has a “Start” button for a 10-minute show set to music, according to the list. Over in Vienna, the house at 10203 Lawyers Road has lighted animals.
Visit Fairfax wants to remind people that the lights may be off when it’s raining or snowing.
Visit Fairfax also has tips for Christmas lights viewers, saying that 6-8 p.m. is the best time window for watching lights shows and that viewers should respect homeowners’ properties.
For people looking for more holiday lights, Tysons Reporter spotted several sparkly spots in the Ingleside and Langley areas of McLean.
The police departments for the Town of Vienna and City of Falls Church want people to be careful about phone scammers — especially ones pretending to be local police.
Falls Church officials put out a press release in late November warning locals of “a recent phone scam trend that spoofs, or fraudulently displays, actual Falls Church Police Department phone numbers on caller ID.”
“To further convince the recipient that the caller is a representative of the Falls Church Police Department, the scammer impersonates an actual Falls Church Police Department official and advises the victim to look up the phone number where the call is originating from,” the press release said. “The scammer then uses intimidation tactics, such as the threat of arrest, to demand payment of money purportedly owed to the government.”
Vienna police have also been dealing with the same issue.
“It is very strange,” Juan Vazquez, a spokesperson for the Vienna Police Department, told Tysons Reporter.
Since people are becoming more aware of the IRS phone spoofs, Vazquez said that scammers have realized that those calls aren’t as effective. The fraudulent police calls “are another variation of the same thing,” he said.
Vazquez said he doesn’t know how scammers get the police department numbers to display as the caller ID.
Fishy Phone Calls
A review of the weekly crime highlights from the two police departments found several reported cases of residents receiving calls from people saying they were with the local police department.
In late November, Falls Church police received a report of “unknown suspect(s) purporting to be a retired Falls Church police officer called community members and falsely stated that they had outstanding warrants and demanded money.”
A man came to the Vienna Police Station in September “advising he was on the phone with someone claiming to be a Vienna Police Officer and they were attempting to defraud him of money,” according to a crime report.
“An officer attempted to speak to the caller; however, the caller hung up when the officer identified himself,” the report said. “The phone number the call initiated from was the Vienna Police non-emergency number.”
How to Stay Safe From Scammers
Vazquez advised that if people get a suspicious call claiming to be from the police department, Social Security Administration, IRS or other entity that they ask for the caller’s name, then hang up and call the organization the caller says they’re from to ask to speak to the caller. That way, the person can verify whether or not the person works there.
Falls Church police advise a similar strategy, urging people to call the Falls Church police’s non-emergency number 703-241-5050 (TTY 711) to confirm if the caller is a legitimate official.
“Indicators of scam calls are threats, orders to not hang up and other statements about immediacy,” Falls Church police say. “Never give out personal information — such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden names, or passwords — in response to unexpected calls if you are at all suspicious.”
Both police departments have said they do not make calls in an attempt to collect money.
“The City of Falls Church Police Department will never call and request payment for fines, traffic tickets, or bail over the phone,” the Falls Church press release said. “All these transactions are conducted by the respective court systems and never over the phone. Police will also never call an individual to threaten arrest or remove an arrest warrant.”
More from Falls Church police:
Caller ID spoofing is a scam that deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise the scammer’s identity as well as appearing as an official organization or entity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.
Scammers will oftentimes know the victim’s full name and their extensive background, such as birth date and names of family members.
You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed.
People who receive suspicious calls can file a report about attempted fraud with the Fairfax County Police Department and visit the Federal Communications Commission’s “Caller ID Spoofing” webpage for information on spoofing scams.
Photo via Facebook
Union Pie will be expanding to Vienna roughly a year after opening its original stand-alone location at the Wharf in D.C.
The eatery’s new location will take over the soon-to-be-former spot of South Block at Jammin Java (227 E. Maple Avenue).
Union Pie specializes in thin-crust, bar-style pizza, according to its website.
The location is expected to open by late February or early March, according to Lana Mahmoud, a spokesperson for Union Pie and Jammin Java.
Though Jammin Java already serves Union Pie pizza, the new location will now offer a full menu — nearly identical to that of the D.C. location, Mahmoud told Tysons Reporter.
“We are looking at adding a few smaller items to supplement the menu, but the pizzas will remain identical,” she said. “Those won’t change anytime soon.”
Mahmoud said that the owners hope that there will be a “quick 48-hour transition” between the time South Block leaves Jammin Java and Union Pie moves into its place.
Both Union Pie, Jammin Java and its affiliate Union Stage are owned by the three Brindley brothers who opened Jammin Java in 2001.
Photo via Union Pie/Facebook
