The annual Viva! Vienna! festival won’t take place during Memorial Day weekend.

“While our event will not take place, our contests are still open!,” according to the event’s website. “Students, please continue to submit your entries here on our website.”

People can expect the festival to return in 2021.

Viva! Vienna! is now part of a growing list of canceled events, including Taste of Vienna, Falls Church’s Memorial Day Festival and Parade and McLean Day.

Photo via Facebook

People reported 10 vehicular crimes in Vienna throughout the week, according to police.

Four grand larcenies, four petit larcenies and two tampering incidents involving vehicles were reported between April 17-24, according to police reports.

Vehicular Issues on Elm Street

The 100 block of Elm Street SW, which is near the police station, had the most reported incidents.

One resident claimed that gift cards and sunglasses were stolen from their vehicle some time between April 17-18.

In a separate incident, a person said that their two unlocked vehicles were rummaged through early in the morning on Saturday (April 18) and that paper prescriptions were missing from one of them.

In a third report, a person said an unknown person had “rummaged through” the vehicle and had taken U.S. money some time between April 17-18.

Other Car Crimes

At School of Rock (111 Center Street S.), an employee said that he “saw his vehicle was moving in the rear parking lot” around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday (April 18), police said.

“The employee ran out to the lot and confronted a man who was in his vehicle,” police said. “The man got out of the vehicle and fled on foot southbound on Center Street.”

Here are the rest of the recent vehicle crimes:

• vehicle stolen from 1100 block of Lakewood Drive SW
• vehicle stolen from 700 block of Hillcrest Drive SW
• vehicle “rummaged through” in 100 block of Hickory Circle SW
• gift cards stolen from vehicle in 900 block of Moorefield Hill Grove SW
• U.S. currency stolen from vehicle in 200 block of Elm Street SW
• U.S. currency stolen from vehicle in 200 block of Tapawingo Road SE

Photo via Facebook

Fairfax County has seen a recent jump in COVID-19 deaths as the number of cases continues to rise in the county and statewide.

As of today (Friday), Fairfax County had 85 deaths due to the respiratory illness, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The cities of Fairfax and Falls Church have both reported two deaths.

In total, there are 89 deaths in the Fairfax Health District, which includes the county and its towns and cities, — up from 80 deaths reported yesterday (Thursday).

Yesterday, Fairfax County reported the first coronavirus case claiming the life of someone under the age of 50. Most of the people who died from the illness in the Fairfax Health District were above the age of 65.

More data on the Fairfax Health District:

• 2,584 cases
• 460 hospitalizations
• 10,887 tests
• 26 outbreaks: 24 at long term care facilities and one each at a correctional facility and healthcare setting

Statewide, there are 11,594 confirmed cases and 410 deaths, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The state has had 176 outbreaks with half at long term care facilities.

Data via Virginia Department of Health

Budget Town Hall Today — “Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn plans to hold another virtual town hall on the proposed budget for the next fiscal year.” School Board Member Melanie Meren plans to join the event, which is set for 12:30 p.m. today. [Reston Now, Meren’s newsletter]

What’s Available at The Boro? — The Boro in Tysons has a list of retailers, restaurants and businesses open, including hours of operation and changes due to COVID-19 that patrons need to be aware of. [The Boro]

General Assembly Rejects Election Delay — “The governor’s recommendation proposed a plan for one ballot in November that would have included both national elections and the local elections that would have been held in May… But on Wednesday, lawmakers did not pass the measure.” [WHSV]

… But Vienna Election Could Still Get Pushed — “”I will review the General Assembly’s actions on scheduling local elections and announce next steps soon,” said in a press release on Wednesday. [Gov. Ralph Northam]

Inova Health System Cuts 400+ Jobs — “Inova Health System has eliminated 427 positions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, President and CEO J. Stephen Jones said in a public letter Thursday.” [Inside NoVa]

The Vienna Town Council is looking to delay the soon-approaching deadline to revise the Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) zone.

The moratorium was first put in place in the fall of 2018 so that town staff could redesign the town’s guidelines. Since then, it has been extended several times, drawing criticism from some residents and town officials.

Back in November, Vienna officials voted to push the moratorium to June 30.

But now as the town faces challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic and uncertainty about whether its election that is less than two weeks away will get delayed, town officials want to extend the moratorium again.

At the meeting on Monday (April 27), the council will consider pushing the moratorium until June 30, 2022.

If the council OKs a public hearing on the proposal, the matter will also go before the Planning Commission. The public hearing would be held June 1.

Metro announced today (Thursday) plans to add Silver Line connection work to its summer construction, which includes platform reconstruction at several Orange Line stations.

Now, all Orange and Silver line stations west of Ballston will be closed starting Saturday, May 23. The nine stations are expected to be closed through the fall.

“This is about two things: working smarter and working safer,” Metro General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld said, adding that the changes will “limit the exposure of our frontline staff and contractors, mitigate delays to our capital program, and minimize inconvenience to the public.”

Metro said that the decision was prompted by “historically low ridership and traffic-free highways” — likely due to Virginia’s stay-at-home order to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to rebuilding four Orange Line station platforms, crews will also work to connect the upcoming Silver Line Phase II stations, which run from Reston to Ashburn.

Riders who normally use the stations will be able to use free express and local shuttle buses.

Metro bus options will include:

• Orange Line Local between Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church and Ballston
• Orange Line Express directly between Vienna and Ballston
• Silver Line Local between Wiehle-Reston East, Spring Hill, Tysons Corner and Ballston

While the Fairfax Connector has currently reduced its service, the county bus system said it will offer several routes for riders traveling to the Dunn Loring, Vienna, Tysons Corner and Wiehle Reston-East stations.

Drivers can find free parking at the Vienna and Dunn Loring stations, but won’t be able to park at the East Falls Church station, Metro said.

A website created by a Vienna couple is looking to connect locals to Vienna restaurants offering gift cards to stay in business during the coronavirus pandemic.

Jane and Ray Brill, Jr. started SAVOR Vienna in mid-March when they noticed restaurants were “really taking it hard,” Ray Brill, Jr. told Tysons Reporter, adding that Vienna Inn was the first restaurant to sign on.

“We very action oriented,” Brill said.

In March, Gov. Ralph Northam ordered restaurants to stop table seating and switch to carry out, curbside pickup and delivery options. While many local eateries have managed to stay open with the new serving options, the restaurant industry is suffering due to the pandemic.

“You can do the carryout but it’s never the same,” he said.

While the effort has changed a bit, SAVOR Vienna now features information for 13 local eateries for people interested in buying gift cards, and Brill said he expects the list to grow. Patrons have to wait until July 1 to get their gift cards, which gives the eateries time to improve their finances.

To get the word out to restaurants, Brill said that he’s been having socially distanced conversations — staying 6 feet apart — with restaurants’ owners.

Restaurants interested in participating for free in SAVOR Vienna can contact the Brills via the website.

Brill said they paid out their pockets for the service to set up for the website and have bought about $700 in gift cards.

Brill also said that they are receiving “not a nickel, dime or penny” from the effort and that SAVOR Vienna has “nothing to with” the upcoming Vienna election — Ray Brill Jr. is a councilmember candidate.

While Brill said the idea can apply to other businesses like retailers, he’s waiting to see when the Vienna election will be held before deciding on whether or not to expand the effort.

“The process is very clean, very straightforward,” Brill said, adding that he hopes the opportunity for people to support local restaurants lifts everyone’s spirits up. “I’m just pleased we did it.”

Image via SAVOR Vienna

Two Tysons Corner Center restaurants are among the several businesses in the Tysons-area reporting layoffs due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The businesses recently filed notices under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). The WARN Act requires businesses with 100 or more employees to provide at least 60 calendar days advance notice of a facility closing or layoffs affecting 50 or more employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Tysons Reporter looked at the 40 WARN notices filed in late March through today (April 23) in Northern Virginia.

Of those, eight involve businesses in located in Tysons, Vienna, Falls Church or McLean, totaling 1,084 layoffs:

• OneWeb (1785 Greensboro Station Place, Tower 3): 301 layoffs (due to COVID)
• Westwood Country Club (800 Maple Ave E.): 90 layoffs (COVID)
• Crescent Hotels & Resorts (8661 Leesburg Pike): 171 layoffs (COVID)
• Coastal Flats Tysons (7860-L Tysons Corner Center): 135 layoffs (COVID)
• Suit Supply Inc. (453 Brooms Street): 19 layoffs in McLean
• Earls Restaurant (Tysons Corner Center): 119 layoffs
• Case Architects and Remodelers (701 Park Avenue): 24 layoffs
• Fred’s Food Group (8051 Leesburg Pike): 225 layoffs

The businesses listed above claimed COVID-19 challenges caused the layoffs.

Inside NoVa published a list of the Northern Virginia businesses that filed WARN notices in March and April 2020.

Photo courtesy David Endres

Local Twins Share Sadness Over Spring Sports — “For the Bean seniors of Langley High School, the emotions regarding the cancellation of the spring high-school sports season was double the disappointment… Both were expected to be big contributors on their high-school programs this season.” [Inside NoVa]

Watch Out for COVID-19 Scams — Fairfax County wants residents to stay alert to shopping, mortgage relief and personal loan scams connected to the coronavirus pandemic. [Fairfax County]

FCPS IT Head Steps Down — “The head of Fairfax County Public Schools’ IT department has stepped down amid fallout over numerous technical problems that have disrupted distance learning for students during the coronavirus pandemic, the school system says. Assistant Superintendent for the Department of Information and Technology Maribeth Luftglass has been under increased scrutiny for the technical difficulties.” [NBC4]

Great American Community Kitchen — “For each meal you purchase two meals will be distributed to local hospital workers and first responders on the front line, as well as those who are food insecure at this time.” [Great American Restaurants]

Thanks American Prime Restaurant, Tyson’s, who provided lunch for Station 29, Tyson’s Corner, C-Shift. Restaurants throughout Fairfax County have made similar donations to #FCFRD crews. If able, please support local businesses/restaurants during these trying times. #FFXstrong pic.twitter.com/Av8nZZTrnd

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) April 22, 2020

The Town of Vienna has a new survey to help town officials better understand how the coronavirus pandemic has affected local businesses.

The survey was created by the town’s economic development office with the input of the Town Business Liaison Committee and Vienna Business Association, according to a press release.

The survey includes questions about revenue losses, staffing capacities, preventative measures taken and any changes made since the pandemic started.

“Survey responses will be shared with town staff and councilmembers and will help inform strategies that may lead to relief programs for businesses in Vienna,” the press release said, adding that individual responses will not be published.

Business owners have until May 15 to complete the short survey.

Image via Survey Monkey