(Updated at 5:30 p.m.) The Town of Vienna says that directions from the town’s arborist led to Wawa chopping down trees last week, which sparked an uproar among locals.

The town said in a press release today (Nov. 26) that it is working with Wawa to reach out to neighbors behind the construction site (465 Maple Avenue W.) “to address impacts resulting from last week’s removal of trees.”

The town added that Wawa has offered to plant 12-15 new trees in the spring to replace the three silver maple trees that were removed, which included one that was roughly 60 years old.

The town said last week that the tree removal “was due to an onsite misunderstanding and human error.” In the press release today, Vienna officials say that Wawa followed the direction of the town’s urban arborist.

More from the press release:

In a preconstruction meeting a few weeks ago, the Town’s arborist advised that, in his professional assessment, the trees on the Town’s property between Wawa and the neighbors’ property would be negatively impacted by construction activity and would almost certainly die within the next three years. He commented that the trees, which already showed signs of rot, decay, and disease, would need to be removed now or in the future.

“Both parties can accept some responsibility for removal of the unapproved trees,” says Town Manager Mercury Payton, “and we’re all very sorry for the impact this is having on Wawa’s neighbors. I am certain that Wawa would not have removed those trees had it not been recommended by our urban arborist. I wish that he also had offered to assist Wawa with revising and resubmitting the site plan.”

“We appreciate that the Town of Vienna recognizes our commitment to rectifying this situation and our resolve to work together to support the neighbors,” says Lori Bruce, public relations manager for Wawa. “We remain committed to going above and beyond to be a good neighbor and a strong partner to this community.”

The Town of Vienna is committed to sustainability as well as to being responsive to citizens. Vienna has been a Tree City USA for 17 years and has a very active, Council-appointed Conservation and Sustainability Commission. In addition, the Town’s recently renovated community center has achieved gold-level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) while the planned new police station is being designed to achieve LEED silver level.

In recent days, the town and Wawa received backlash from residents who told ABC7 that they were upset that Wawa cut down the trees that were not on the company’s property.

“While this was an unfortunate misunderstanding as we were operating with the guidance of the municipal arborist, right now we are 100% focused on rectifying the situation,” Wawa said in a statement to ABC7.  “This includes going above and beyond to address this and working hand in hand with the town and the neighbors to ultimately serve as an enhancement to the community.”

“It will take five years for the trees to mature to create a buffer. Until then there is no barrier to the construction and subsequent traffic of a 24/7 store. Our backyard privacy is gone,” Ingrida Lusis, a Vienna resident whose house was next to the trees, according to ABC7, posted on Facebook.

The town will not impost a fine on Wawa, Lynne Coan, a spokesperson for the town, told Tysons Reporter.

“I’m not sure about who will be responsible for [new] trees,” Coan said, “I believe the Wawa representative and neighbors will work that out when they meet later this week.”

Kids looking to write and mail letters to the North Pole ahead of the holidays can head to the U.S. Post Office in Merrifield on Saturday for an event.

The location at 8409 Lee Why plans to host Santa letter writing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 30), according to a press release.

Postal workers will be on-site to help as part of Operation Santa program, which lets individuals and organizations adopt the letters and send responses and gifts in Santa’s place.

More from the press release:

The Postal Service began receiving letters to Santa Claus more than 100 years ago; however, it was in 1912 when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow postal employees and citizens to respond to the letters — this became known as Operation Santa…

The letters — minus any personal information — will be posted at USPSOperationSanta.com, our new web address for letter adoption. Customers nationwide are searching now for letters to Santa to adopt online at the website. Children’s personal information remains anonymous.

USA Today reported that the program ran out of letters earlier this week. As of today (Tuesday, Nov. 26) letters were on the website.

Families and kids who can’t make the event can still send a letter to Santa’s new address: 123 Elf Road, North Pole 88888.

Image via Google Maps

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City of Falls Church police are looking for the burglar(s) who sawed into a jewelry store’s safe.

“At this time, it appears one or more suspects broke into the vacant store at 1118 W. Broad Street (formerly Apple Federal Credit Union), entered the adjacent Yassini Jewelry store (1120 W. Broad Street) by breaking through the cinderblock wall, gained entry into the store safe with a saw, then fled the scene,” Clare Casey, a spokesperson for the City of Falls Church, told Tysons Reporter.

The incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. yesterday (Monday, Nov. 26).

“It is unknown the items taken or the estimated value at this time,” Casey added. “Police do not have a description of the suspect(s), and there are no surveillance photos or video available at this time.”

Anyone who might have information about the burglary is asked to contact the police at 703-248-5053.

Hat tip to Bob M.

Image via Google Maps 

Two new local locations for Jersey Mike’s are gearing up to open soon.

The spot at 1501C Cornerside Blvd by the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons plans to open next Wednesday (Dec. 4), according to the website.

Over in Falls Church, the Falls Plaza location at 1108-A West Broad Street is also expected to open the same day, according to a spokesperson for the company.

The sandwich chain currently has job openings in Falls Church.

Two meetings next week plan to gather community input on a proposed boundary change for McLean and Langley high schools in McLean.

In October, Fairfax County School Board approved an amendment to its Capital Improvement Program that kicks off a boundary study about moving some students from McLean High School (1633 Davidson Road) to Langley High School (6520 Georgetown Pike).

The meetings next week are meant to give locals a chance to provide feedback and talk to FCPS staff, according to a newsletter from McLean High Students, Parents and Community Expect Sensible School Size (McSPaCES).

The first meeting is set to take place from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday (Dec. 2) at Langley’s cafeteria. The second meeting is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 4) at the cafeteria in McLean High School.

“McLean High is projected to have an enrollment of 2,500 by 2023 making it the most crowded of the 24 high schools in FCPS,” according to McSPaCES. “At least 500 students would need to be moved out of McLean High School for it to approach its building design capacity of 1,993 and not require trailer classes and/or modular class complex.”

Langley, which was recently renovated, has extra space to accommodate the students.

In a letter posted on McSPaCES from the assistant superintendents for the regions that include the two schools, they wrote that no decisions will be made at the meetings, which will include small group work and presentations from FCPS staff.

​”The community feedback from the boundary scope meetings will be collected and used to develop options,” the superintendents wrote. “The options will be presented to the community at boundary study meetings in the spring.”

On “Giving Tuesday,” people can play with puppies at Tysons Corner Center.

Wolf Trap Animal Rescue will be bringing adoptable puppies to raise funds, according to a press release. For $5, people can have five minutes of “puppy cuddles.”

The local animal rescue, which has a mailing address in Merrifield and remote locations across the country, is a nonprofit that works to transport, foster and adopt rescued puppies and kittens at risk of euthanasia by states in the South.

People can find the puppies in front of BrandBox on the first level of the mall from 4:30-7 p.m. next Tuesday (Dec. 3).

Credit cards and cash will be accepted at the event, and all of the proceeds will go to Wolf Trap Animal Rescue.

See a dog you want? The animal rescue will have its last adoption event of the year at the PetSmart (8204 Leesburg Pike) in Tysons at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Before and after Hozier’s show at The Anthem in D.C., the “Take Me to Church” singer and his band were backstage playing with puppies from Wolf Trap Animal Rescue.

The local animal rescue, which has a mailing address in Merrifield and remote locations across the country, is a nonprofit that works to transport, foster and adopt rescued puppies and kittens at risk of euthanasia by states in the South.

About a year ago, Wolf Trap Animal Rescue (WTAR) created a puppy therapy program, which helps to lower humans’ stress and increase their endorphins, Sarah Barker, the foster and volunteer coordinator for WTAR, told Tysons Reporter.

Lizzo’s performance at The Anthem in September was the first time that WTAR partnered with the D.C. music venue to bring its puppy therapy program to performers. Since then, WTAR has brought its puppy therapy to about half a dozen artists, Barker said.

“It’s nice to see these people who get so stressed to play with puppies,” Barker said.

When Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, known professionally as Hozier, came to perform at The Anthem last Monday (Nov. 18), representatives at the D.C. music venue suggested that WTAR bring its puppies back.

Barker said that Hozier and his band weren’t told about the puppies until after their soundcheck. They spent about an hour with the puppies both before and after the show, she said.

Hozier tweeted about the experience: “Thanks to the Wolf Trap Animal Rescue for introducing us to these beautiful pups. Please check them out if you’re in the DC area and looking to give a dog a home for life!”

Thanks to the Wolf Trap Animal Rescue for introducing us to these beautiful pups. Please check them out if you’re in the DC area and looking to give a dog a home for life! pic.twitter.com/P7I1umdZid

— Hozier (@Hozier) November 19, 2019

WTAR also offers the program to corporations via donations that determine how many puppies they will bring.

For small events — like the Hozier one — Barker said WTAR will bring about four to five dogs, while a larger event can have up to 20.

For people who want to feel like a celebrity playing with puppies, WTAR will be bringing the puppies to Tysons Corner Center on Tuesday (Dec. 3) 4:30-7 p.m.

The animal rescue is also set to have its last adoption event of the year at the PetSmart (8204 Leesburg Pike) in Tysons at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.

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!

Tysons Reporter also complied a list of the upcoming holiday events, for those seeking festivities.

Tuesday (Nov. 26)

• LGBTQIA+ Night — at 6:30 p.m. at Victory Comics (586 S. Washington Street) — This gives people a chance to gather and talk about LGBTQIA+ characters in comics and hear from illustrator Melanie Gillman.
• Salsa Classes — 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. at The Palladium (1524 Spring Hill Road) — This free event allows people to come by and take a free salsa lesson from Cecilia Villalobos at 8 p.m. before the opportunity for social dance.

Wednesday (Nov. 27)

• Trivia Night — 7 to 9 p.m. at City Works Eatery and Pour House (1640 N. Capital One Drive) — Community members are invited to stop by for an evening of trivia. Prizes will be awarded to winners and topics vary. This event is free.
• Comedy Cornucopia — 7:30 p.m. at Jammin Java (227 E. Maple Avenue) — This comedy event invites people to gather and enjoy some humor while raising money for Food for Others. Tickets range from $10-15. Comedy content may contain adult material and anyone 17 or under should be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday (Nov. 28)

• Live Music with Nick Tierra — 6 to 8 p.m. at Settle Down Easy Brewing (2822 Fairfax Drive) — This event will allow people to gather and enjoy a drink while listening to live music from Nick Tierra. There is no admission fee for this event.

Saturday (Nov. 30)

• Beer, Wine and Cider Festival — 1 until 6 p.m. at the Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike) — This event offers guests a chance to try over 50 different drinks before the Biergarten closes and relocates. Tickets are $10 online or $20 at the event.

Photo via Tysons Biergarten/Facebook