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 (Feb. 19)

• Best Trails for Mushrooms — 7-8 p.m. at REI (8209 Watson Street) — After being delayed by foul weather, the lecture on regional mushrooms is back on for tonight. The class will cover where the best local trails are for mushroom hunting and some of the gems that can be found there. The event is free but advanced registration is required.

Wednesday (Feb. 20)

• Aaron Carter at Jammin Java — 7:30 p.m. at Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E) — Aaron Carter, a pop-sensation from the 90s and early 2000s, will be performing with indie rock band Rookie of the Year tomorrow. Tickets are $20 for general admission or $30 for premier tickets at a raised seating area.

Thursday (Feb. 21)

• Metro Area Alumni Happy House — 5-7 p.m. at Blackfinn Ameripub (2750 Gallows Road) — Alumni from George Mason University are invited to mix and mingle later this week. Registration for the event is $10, which includes two happy hour drink tickets and appetizers.
• Last Weekend for The Brothers Size — 7:30 p.m. at 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill Road) — This is the last weekend to see The Brothers Size, a play at the 1st Stage Theatre about a family struggling to reconcile after a brother comes home after being released from prison. The play is directed by José Carrasquillo, the director of artistic programming at Ford’s Theatre in D.C. General admission tickets are $39, or $36 for seniors over 65. Students and military tickets are $15.

Saturday (Feb. 23)

• Blessings Bags Packing Event — 10 a.m. at McLean Bible Church (8925 Leesburg Pike) — The McLean Bible Church will be putting together care packages for local homeless people. The packages include small fleece blankets and other supplies. All ages and abilities are invited to the event to help put the care packages together.
• Team Audrey Blood Drive — 12-4:30 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE) — The Inova Bloodmobile will be parked in Vienna this weekend. The event is sponsored by Team Audrey, a non-profit based in Vienna to combat HLH. Appointment times are available online throughout the afternoon.
• Okee Dokee Brothers Live in McLean — 1, 4 and 6:30 p.m. at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave.) — Grammy-winning folk and roots band Okee Dokee Brothers are hosting a concert for local children and families to encourage creativity. The event is part of a slate of performances for the newly renovated McLean Community Center. Tickets are $20 or $15 for McLean residents.

Sunday (Feb. 24)

• Oscars Viewing Party at Tysons Biergarten — 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike) — The Biergarten will be hosting a viewing party for the 2019 Oscars, from the opening monologue to the best-picture winner. The event is planned to include 26 tv’s and two projectors so any seat in the house will give a good view of the show.

Photo via Facebook

A wallet was stolen in Reston — and several of the cards inside wound up in Vienna the next day.

The discovery was made Saturday morning at the intersection of Lawyers Road and Windover Avenue NW.

“A citizen was walking their dog when they found a driver’s license and a store card on the road and brought them to the police station,” said this week’s Vienna Police Department crime report. “When an officer notified the owner, they were advised the cards were in their wallet which had been reported as stolen in Reston, Virginia the previous day.”

The wallet, its other contents and the person who took it remain at large.

Map via Google Maps

It’s been a long time in the making, but Shinsekai Ramen at 234 Maple Avenue E. opens tonight (Wednesday).

Inside, it’s all hands on deck as the kitchen and hospitality crews get the final preparations. Kevin Choe, regional operations manager for the Shinsekai, said he’s excited.

The restaurant is the first of a new brand behind Sushi Jin. While Vienna has other sushi restaurants, Choe said in researching the local market they didn’t find any other ramen-focused locations.

The restaurant opens at 5 p.m. Choe said the restaurant will normally be open for lunch at 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5-9:30 p.m. for dinner. On weekends, Choe said they close an hour later.

Choe is passionate about ramen; not just the cooking of it, but the culture and the history. Shinsekai is a little different from most ramen restaurants. While pork-based ramen is the most common variety in the United States, Choe said Shinsekai uses a more traditional chicken based broth.

But while much of the menu is traditional, Choe also said the restaurant has some modern and international twists, like Korean kimchi as part of a dish that Choe said pairs well with ramen.

The restaurant also boasts a variety of vegan options, though Choe said those will not be available tonight. Choe said the focus of tonight’s soft opening is on the restaurant’s four main ramens.

If you want your Starbucks coffee but can’t be bothered to walk into the one on 207 Maple Avenue E., a new drive-through Starbucks is under construction roughly 200 feet away at 362 Maple Avenue E.

The facade of the former Donuts of Vienna, then a Taco Bell post-1997, is currently undergoing renovation. No signs or public information is available on when the new Starbucks will be open.

The new cafe was unanimously approved last April by the Vienna Board of Zoning Appeals.

The alterations to the existing restaurant will include moving the drive-through’s speaker closer to the building and shifting the pick-up window closer to the front. Landscaping will be installed around the perimeter.

Two crosswalks and two bicycle racks are also listed as additions to the site.

The location will have outdoor seating for 20 people and indoor seating for 20 more. The drive-through’s stacking area is expected to hold 12 vehicles.

One Reddit user, “Futhermucker”, posted an elegy to the departed Taco Bell:

I grew up with this Taco Bell. I’ll never forget rolling in squad deep after middle school — mastering the little balance game on the counter to get a free soft taco with every meal. They removed that game because of us. In high school, I got two out of my five first kisses inside that Taco Bell. It was there that I made a beeline towards after smoking my first joint on the WO&D trail. It was on a 90s retro bench seat there that I broke up with my first girlfriend via text. They were so understanding when my first car’s alternator died in their drivethru, shutting it down for me until the tow truck arrived. Once I got to college, it was always a sweet relief from my mom’s cooking when I came to visit. I watched staff come and go, but it was always the same Taco Bell. If my life was a coming-of-age movie, that Starbucks sign going up would be the ending scene, right before the credits roll. RIP Maple Ave Taco Bell, Vienna didn’t deserve you.

Vienna tends to flood. Recent heavy rainfall has not only impacted local streams, but locals may have seen high water in Vienna’s downtown area near the Town Green.

It’s an issue that town staff have been working for years to address, and solutions have been identified, but year after year have remained unfunded.

A report presented to the Vienna Town Council in December 2016 examined the state of Vienna’s sewer infrastructure, particularly at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Center Street N. in the center of the town.

The study found that there were places that experienced significant flooding where existing sewer infrastructure was unable to handle storm volume. Town staff confirmed that improvements suggested in the study were included in the CIP, but have yet to receive funding.

The report indicates that there are three major locations for flooding in three different areas. According to the report:

• In moderate storms, flooding first occurs along Center Street at the location of the N Condos building and Starbucks parking lot.
• In more intense storm events, flooding occurs in the area of the Freeman House Museum, at Church Street NW and Dominion Road NE.
• Flooding also occurs near the intersection of Mill Street NE and Ayr Hill Avenue.

The report notes that flooding at the Starbucks is generally seen as the first sign of storm sewer capacity issues. The report noted that the ponding at these issues is more indicative of capacity problems than issues with draining.

“The ponding in all three areas of concern is a result of storm sewer surcharge, rather than surface drainage issues,” the study said. “This is evidenced by the ponding that occurs during a storm event and the rapid dissipation of ponded water immediately after the rain intensity subsides.”

The study assessed every outfall and junction in downtown Vienna and found that the system is unprepared for handling severe storms.

“The flow capacity of portions of the existing storm sewer system is insufficient to carry the stormwater calculated for a 10-year frequency storm,” the study said.

Ten-year floods are floods that have a 10 percent chance of happening in any given year, though there is some concern that this type of descriptor can lead to a false sense of security for those in areas prone to flooding.

Crucial to any fix to the local sewers, the study said, would be preventing flooding at the Freeman House and Starbucks, which are most prone to flooding.

The report recommended clearing debris and obstructions to sewer flow but that more substantial improvements will be needed over time.

“Even with clean sewers, the flow capacity in the piped portion of the system is lacking in two general areas,” the study said. “Sewer system improvements will be needed if the system is expected to move the flows resulting from a ten-year frequency storm, without undue flooding.”

For Valentine’s Day, you could take your partner to one of the several restaurants and bars offering special deals, but there’s another outside-the-box option: a Vienna singing quartet.

On Thursday (Feb. 14), the Vienna-Falls Chorus will be traveling the Northern Virginia area delivering singing valentines. The in-person deliveries include two songs, a box of chocolates and a personalized card for $50.

The quartet can be sent to an office, restaurant, home or any other location.

Singing valentines can also be sent by phone for $10.

Four songs are available for selection and audio samples are available online.

Photo via Facebook

Tysons Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in the Tysons area.

We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield and McLean. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!

Tuesday, Feb. 12

TheatreMcLean Fundraiser at Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill (6707 Old Dominion Dr)
Time: 5-9 p.m.

A fundraiser at Chipotle in McLean will benefit TheatreMcLean. Show the fundraiser flyer on your smartphone or tell the cashier you’re supporting TheatreMcLean to make sure that 33 percent will be donated to TheatreMcLean.

Wednesday, Feb. 13

Artificial Intelligence Summit
Potomac Officers Club (8245 Boone Blvd)
Time: 7 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Potomac Officers Club in Tysons will host a discussion with private and public sector leaders about AI. Attendance is free but only open to those with a director level or above position with a company, federal government agency or non-profit organization.

Galentine’s Day Book Celebration
Bards Alley (110 Church Street NW)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Bring your favorite gal pals for a night with local romance authors, who are giving out some free merchandise. Enter to win a gift basket worth over $100. The event is free but RSVP is required.

Thursday, Feb. 14

Valentine’s Day Beer, Whiskey, & Chocolate Tasting at Tysons Biergarten
Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike)
Time: 11-2 a.m.

For $30, you and a loved one can get a selection of alcohol and chocolates at the Tysons Biergarten. The event runs all day, so couples are encouraged to stop by for lunch, dinner or afterwards.

Red Carpet Affair at Greenhouse Bistro
Greenhouse Bistro (2070 Chainbridge Rd)
Time: 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

Greenhouse Bistro is hosting a Bollywood-themed Valentine’s Day event with free parking and no cover charge. The Valentine’s Day dinner special starts at 5 p.m. and the international music starts at 10 p.m. The dress code is “dress to impress.”

Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Tower Club
Tower Club – Tysons Corner (8000 Towers Crescent Drive)
Time: 5:30-9:30 p.m.

The Tower Club is offering four-course Valentine’s Day dinners. Tickets are $85 for members or $95 for guests. Flower bouquet arrangements are also available.

Friday, Feb. 15

Cookies and Cocktails
Blackfinn Ameripub – Merrifield
Time: 5-8 p.m.

Any purchase of a Valentine’s Day themed cocktails comes with a plate of fresh-baked cookies. Seating is first come, first serve.

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

The best way I have found to find out about events and information around town is to follow local organizations and businesses on Facebook.

They’re constantly updating events, posting news and giving genuine value adding information. Last week the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department delivered pizza from Domino’s on the fire truck, as a promo and reminder to people to check their smoke detectors.

The only way I knew about this was from their Facebook page (and bonus, one of my former clients was the first pizza delivery on the truck because she saw that I shared the event).

Here’s a list of my favorite resources on Facebook:

• Tyson’s Reporter
• Laura Schwartz – Realtor
• Vienna Volunteer Fire Department
• Town of Vienna Government (they post events at the community center and other town events)
• Town of Vienna Police (they do a 5K events, drug take back and more)
• McLean Volunteer Fire Department
• McLean Community Center
• Fairfax County Park Authority
• Fairfax County Public Library (read a thon events, baby reading hours)
• McLean/Vienna Moms RUN This Town
• VeryVienna
• Your local school PTA (search by school and the results are easy to find)

After a fall and winter spent reviewing public feedback on the Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) zone regulations, Town of Vienna staff think the controversial regulations are ready for the limelight once again.

At tonight’s (Feb. 11) Vienna Town Council work session, the council is scheduled to review the updated design guidelines and amendments to the plan. A moratorium on new proposed developments was imposed last year after new developments sparked extensive controversy.

According to a staff memo, staff looked at the proportion and scale of Church Street, which runs parallel to Maple Avenue, to see how guidelines there could be applied to Maple Avenue. How the new guidelines differ from the existing ones is not immediately obvious reading through the presentation, but the changes will likely be the topic of discussion at tonight’s work session and several meetings planned over the next month.

Andrea West, a planner for the Town of Vienna, said in an email that tonight’s meeting will focus on the process of approving the regulation changes, while the changes themselves will be the subject of a Planning Commission meeting next week.

The new guidelines will be scrutinized at a Planning Commission work session on Feb. 13 and the Board of Architectural Review on Feb. 15.  After review at the individual boards, a joint work session is scheduled for March 6, followed by community workshops later in March.

The planned workshop will include a mock-up of a sidewalk section with moveable parts and building blocks showing proposed setbacks and roof lines.

Image via Town of Vienna

It’s a little outside the usual area for weekend events, but volunteers are needed to help clean out the river access at Great Falls on Saturday.

If enough volunteers arrive to clear out the ravine in one day, the National Park Service will re-open river access from Great Falls on Sunday.

The National Park Service will provide trash bags, gloves, and pickers.

Volunteers should meet at the top of the ravine, near Overlook 3, and wear sturdy shoes.

Saturday (Feb. 9)

Meal Packing: 75K Meals for 75 Years (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) — To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the McLean Presbyterian Church is hosting a meal packing event. The goal is to pack 75,000 meals for people in need. Lunch for volunteers will also be provided.

Swolemates Bootcamp (10:30-11:30 a.m.) — The Tysons Sport & Health at 8250 Greensboro Drive is offering a free training session tomorrow morning. Non-members, as well as members, are invited to the free work-out event. The event is themed around partners, but singles are invited as well. The workout session will be followed by a raffle with dozens of prizes from local partners.

Supervisor and School Board Candidate Meet and Greet (1-3 p.m.) — Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust and School Board candidate Alicia Plerhoples are hosting a meet-and-greet at 1815 MacArthur Drive in McLean. The event is aimed at getting feedback from residents of the Chesterbrook neighborhood on what the important issues are in the area.

I Love McLean Party (3-6 p.m.) — The McLean Citizens Association is hosting a celebration of all things McLean at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave) with music from a local school choir and a meeting with various community leaders.

Sunday (Feb. 10)

Valentine’s Day Wine and Book Tasting (3-5 p.m.) — Bards Alley and The Vienna Wine Outlet are teaming up to host a romantic Valentine’s Day event. The sampling will be hosted at Bards Alley (110 Church Street NW) and is free, but RSVP is requested.

All You Need Is Love (7 p.m.) — Jammin’ Java is hosting its annual tribute to the Beatles and love songs in general. Tickets to the event are $16.

Photo via Facebook