A new photography studio opening tomorrow (Thursday) in Vienna focuses on high-end, portraiture photoshoots.
The Melody Yazdani Studio at 144 Church Street NW. has a grand opening scheduled for 6 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting at 6:30 p.m.
The studio specializes in portraits of women.
According to the website:
Session fees start at $275, with hair and makeup services available. Clients typically invest $1400-$5000 on custom collections. Session fees do not include prints or digital files, and travel fees may apply for sessions further than 15 miles from Vienna, Virginia.
The studio advises potential subjects to book a session at least two weeks before the photo shoot, though during peak seasons some slots fill up months in advance.
Exterior photo via Google Maps. Studio photo via Facebook.
The colorful, painted benches that recently popped up outside local businesses in the Town of Vienna are marking the 50th anniversary of the Vienna Arts Society.
Purcellville’s painted wine barrel community arts project in 2016 inspired the idea for the “Take a Seat Vienna” public art display, Lu Cousins, the director of the Vienna Arts Society, told Tysons Reporter.
Local businesses sponsored the cost of the Amish-built benches, which each had a roughly $240 price tag, in exchange for having them sit in front of their businesses through October, Cousins said.
Volunteers delivered the benches to 42 artists, 20 of whom are from the greater Vienna area. “Painting a wooden, slatted bench is completely different from painting an image on a canvas,” Cousins said, adding that the shape and angles of a bench can be tricky to paint.
In addition to the artists, Cousins gave a shoutout to the team of nonartists who helped facilitate transportation of the benches and get permits from the town.
Before their unveiling last weekend, the benches were varnished to help them withstand the weather, she said. The Vienna Arts Society has a map for people who want to take a seat in — or a photo of — all 42 benches.
“They are spectacular works of art,” Cousins said, adding that her personal favorites include Susan Scanlon’s “Simply Dreaming” bench, which features actress Audrey Hepburn in her iconic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” role, and the ones with ocean imagery.
A live auction of the benches on Nov. 2 will raise money for the arts nonprofit’s programs.
“They are all beautiful, and they are all unique,” Cousins said. “We want people to enjoy their community.”
Photos courtesy Vienna Arts Society
After a weather-related delay in February, the new half-mile Vesper Trail connecting Vienna and the Spring Hill Metro station is now open.
The new trail runs through the Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley Park, sometimes called “Tysons’ Last Forest.”
The trail is part of a series of necessary transportation improvements identified in the Tysons Metrorail Station Access Management Study. The trail is federally funded.
At the grand opening this morning (Tuesday), Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova and Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins spoke at the grand opening and emphasized the new trail’s crucial role in connecting Vienna residents to Tysons transit and retail.
New Vesper Trail makes it easier for residents to walk and bike to Spring Hill Metro and other shops in Tysons! @ffxconnector pic.twitter.com/gcjOLBHJg1
— Sharon Bulova (@SharonBulova) April 16, 2019
Photo via Twitter
Police say a Vienna resident broke into Oakton High School early this morning (Tuesday) and was seen riding a scooter around the hallways while trying to get into classrooms.
Around 1:41 a.m., security at the school reported that they saw someone riding a scooter inside of the school trying to open classroom doors, according to a police report.
The report says police found the man in the parking lot and placed him under arrest for unlawful entry and trespassing.
Photo via Google Maps
Jolie Hair Studio, a new hair and beauty salon, is open for business at 121 Maple Avenue W. in Vienna.
The store officially opened a little over a month ago, on Feb. 21.
The Vienna studio is the second location for Jolie Hair Studio, which also has a salon at 10132 Colvin Run Road in Great Falls.
Services at the store range from haircuts for $30-$35 to waxing for $10-$15, along with more involved blowouts and two-hour bridal make-up sessions for $200.
In addition to hair cuts, the studio offers beauty treatments like varicose vein removal, botox treatment and nail coloring.
A grand opening celebration included a ribbon-cutting with Town of Vienna Mayor Laurie DiRocco.
Photo via Facebook
Longtime Vienna furniture retailer Posh! is departing its longtime Maple Avenue home and offering a farewell warning that the town is on the cusp of losing its small retail.
Posh! started 37 years ago with an interior design focus aimed at filling the need for high-end residential clients. Now, store owner Mary Anne Antonides is closing down the sprawling location in Vienna and says traffic, parking, and the pressures of new developments are all partially to blame.
During early afternoons, Antonides says it can take an hour just to get across town, which deters people from traveling to Vienna.
“In Vienna, we’re losing our independent stores,” Antonides said. “We lost the shops along Church Street.”
It isn’t the first time Vienna traffic has been a problem for Posh! Antonides said the store relocated off of its original Church Street location because there wasn’t enough parking to support local retail.
“When the Mill Street parking deal fell apart, that was it,” said Antonides. “Vienna is struggling with their development, and the impact for business is huge.”
More businesses are opening than closing in Vienna, but local experts warn that smaller retail locations are still being hit hard.
The move isn’t entirely driven by negative local experiences — Antonides also said she’s hoping to shift the brand from traditional retail to a more event-driven system.
With Posh! looking for a new location, Antonides says she’s hoping to reopen with a new warehouse in Merrifield and a studio in McLean where the store can showcase specialty designer items.
Finding a space in McLean that works for Posh! has also proved challenging. Antonides says the store needs a free-standing structure to be able to “create our own destiny.” In practical terms, Antonides says she wants to be able to host events that might involve putting a tent outside or other activities that wouldn’t be possible in a shared space.
But free-standing space in downtown McLean is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity as the town’s new Community Business Center aims to make the primary retail areas part of larger mixed-use developments.
Antonides also noted that many of these new mixed-use developments cater more to larger retail chains than local small businesses. She said that many of the new developments have leasing square footages that can be daunting for small businesses.
“My worry is that we’re losing our identity with artisans and small businesses,” Antonides said. “When they close, we lose connectivity and friendships.”
No specific closing date is planned, but once the Vienna location does close, Antonides says there’s a tenant currently finalizing a lease to take over the front space.
Photo via Facebook
Fairfax County police are looking for an armed man who tried to rob a hotel employee but ended up leaving empty-handed.
The incident took place around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12. A man displayed a gun and tried to take money that an employee was counting at the Quality Inn on Spring Hill Road in Vienna, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The man left empty-handed after a brief struggle with the employee, who called out for help, police say.
“The suspect is described as black, 6’2″ to 6′ 5″, 180 to 200 pounds, wearing a red and white long sleeve shirt with a collar and a black backpack,” according to FCPD.
Photo via Google Maps
The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.
We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!
Tuesday (April 16)
- Vesper Trail Ribbon Cutting — 10 a.m. at Higdon Drive — The new Vesper Trail connecting Old Courthouse Road in Vienna to the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons after earlier delays.
- Sugar Mountain: Neil Young Tribute Band — 7:30 p.m. at Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E) — The Neil Young Tribute Band Sugar Mountain is scheduled to play at Jammin Java tomorrow. Tickets are $20.
Wednesday (April 17)
- Maibock Tapping Party — 6-8 p.m. at Gordon Biersch Brewery (7861 Tysons Corner Center) — The Tysons Corner Center’s Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant is tapping party to raise funds for the Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Department. The event is planned to include tastings, appetizers, live music and more. A quarter will be donated to the department for every pint served, and 15 percent of all restaurant sales during the party.
Thursday (April 18)
- Monty Python’s Life of Brian Screening — 7-9 p.m. at the Angelika Film Center (2911 District Ave.) — The Angelika Film Center in the Mosaic District will host a screening of the controversial satire The Life of Brian. Tickets are $15.
Friday (April 19)
- Earth Day Party — 5-9 p.m. at the Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike) — The Tysons Biergarten is hosting a live music and drinking party to celebrate Earth day, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Rainforest Trust. Bring a printed flyer for the event or a screenshot of the event page and show it to the bartender.
Saturday (April 20)
- Spring Fest — 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave) — The McLean Community Center is hosting a spring festival with a mix of live entertainment and self-guided arts and crafts. The program aims at children ages 3-8. Registration in advance for $5 is required.
Sunday (April 21)
- Early Mornings in the Garden — 6-10 a.m. at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct.) — Photographers, birdwatchers, and other interested parties are invited to a special early morning walk through the gardens. The gardens typically open at 10 a.m., but early visitors will have a chance to see some of the birds in their most active times. Standard garden admission — $3 to $6 — applies.
- Easter Brunch — 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Mad Fox Brewing Company (444 W Broad Street) — The Mad Fox Brewing Company is opening early for a brunch buffet aimed at accommodating entire families. Adults tickets are $28 and kid tickets are $12.
Photo via Facebook
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
Most of the detached homes in our area do not belong to a homeowners association (HOA).
Most are regulated by county or town ordinance, but there are some that belong to an HOA. Some people love or hate this. Many of the HOA’s around Tyson’s include very little, maybe some yard maintenance in common areas, sometimes trash removal, but usually maybe one community party a year. If you see a townhouse, assume those always have an HOA.
I put together a list of HOAs in Vienna, McLean and Falls Church that actually give you something for your annual fees. Below is a list of the name and location, along with what the amenity included is. If you’re thinking you want to skip that 8 year wait for the Vienna Woods pool, try one of these neighborhoods instead (listed alphabetically):
Vienna
- Edgemoore — Tennis courts
- Estates at Great Falls — Outdoor pool, tennis courts, basketball courts
- Hunter Mill Estates — Outdoor pool and tennis courts
- Lakevale Estates — Outdoor pool and tennis courts
- Oakton Glen — Tennis courts and basketball courts
- Shouse Village — Outdoor pool and tennis courts, basketball courts
- Williamsburg Commons — Outdoor pool
McLean
- Evans Mill Pond — Tennis courts
- Evermay — Tennis courts
- McLean Hunt — Basketball courts
- The Courts — Tennis courts
- The Dogwoods at Langley — Tennis
Falls Church
- Walnut Hill — Tennis courts
A Vienna resident angrily cursed out a town employee in a confrontation over a running fire hydrant Wednesday.
The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. on the 300 block of Windover Avenue, NW, according to the latest Vienna Police Department crime report.
“A Town of Vienna employee was running a fire hydrant to clear the water when a resident became angry and confronted the employee using profanity,” the crime report said. “The neighbor advised he was upset because the water was flooding his yard.”
Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
