Vienna is purchasing new electronic signs that won’t just tell drivers if they’re going over the speed limit — it can send thank you messages to drivers who are going under the limit.

At the Vienna Town Council meeting on Monday, the council approved the purchase of eight new “SpeedAlert” display signs and new traffic management equipment from Herndon-based All Traffic Solutions.

Michael Gallagher, Director of Public Works for Vienna, said new GPS and feedback options make SpeedAlert signs an improvement to the existing speed indicator signs.

“Besides just giving you speed feedback, they collect speed and volume data as well,” said Gallagher. “That allows them to make instantaneous reports. They’re much more powerful than the equipment we currently have.”

Gallagher says the machines can be programed to flash strobe-lights or red and blue lights as a warning to speeding drivers.

“Three of the signs are a little larger and can be used for message boarding,” said Gallagher. “They could have a message if you’re speeding to show down or thank drivers for going the speed limit.”

The new signs cost a total of $59,477 and will supplement the existing supply of speed indicator signs.

“On a per dollar basis, this might be one of the best expenditures we have in terms of responding to citizen concerns and getting them what they want,” said Councilmember Pasha Majdi.

The new signs, which can also display non-speeding-related messages such as safety warnings, were unanimously approved by the council.

Photo via Facebook

Longstanding tensions over improvements to Louise Archer Elementary School in Vienna escalated to a proposal to deny Fairfax Schools continued use of trailers and fine the school system for violations as long as they’re still in use.

While the proposal wasn’t supported by the rest of the Council, its creator, Councilmember Pasha Majdi, expressed frustrations echoed by others.

“This is a bad joke and nobody’s laughing,” said Majdi. “I graduated from Louise Archer and went to class in trailers. My son starts elementary school [there] in nine months. My recommendation to the town is that we rename this provision from temporary trailers to generation trailers.”

One trailer was removed earlier this year as it began to deteriorate, according to the staff report. Students were relocated to two additional trailers, which are 17 and 19 years old and have a maximum lifespan of 25-30 years.

Staff from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) said the school’s renovation would be unlikely to be completed before 2023, and even that is reliant on construction money being approved in a referendum for 2021. An addition onto the school is planned for 2025.

“It’s an embarrassment that the school system can’t get their act together and move quicker on this,” said Councilmember Howard Springsteen. “It’s been 20 years we’ve been promising this… I give you guys an F for the ability to manage these projects.”

Springsteen said he didn’t have a lot of faith that the school system would be able to deliver that addition by 2025.

FCPS also faced criticism for coming to the Town Council for re-approval of the trailers four months after the approval had expired.

“You need to get here before the application expires,” said Councilmember Douglas Noble. “The clock was for August 22, not today. They need to be here with an application in July 2 two years from now.”

Despite these concerns, the Town Council didn’t go along with Majdi’s proposal to deny the trailers continued use renewal. Councilmember Tara Bloch said while she was frustrated by the trailer situation, pushing students out of the trailers and back into the already overcrowded school would hurt students.

The council voted 6-1 in favor of allowing continued use of the trailers.

Photo via Google Maps

The log cabin at 307 Cabin Road SE has survived for over 80 years, but it couldn’t survive development plans to subdivide the lot it sits on.

Last night (Monday), the Vienna Town Council voted to approve a subdivision of the cabin that would ultimately result in its destruction. But like the Planning Commission at their meeting in November, the Town Council couldn’t find a compelling reason to deny the application, which cabin-aside would be an otherwise unremarkable request.

The cabin is not a designated historic location, which means it has no legal protections. Members of the Town Council noted that it was one of several buildings in the town that have some historic relevance but not enough to protect or have an impact on the local community.

There is also the issue that the building is also in poor shape, with rotting wood and a fragile structure. The owner of the site told the council that the building could not be saved.

“This does mean things to the community,” Councilmember Carey Sienicki. “We heard from citizens that this is an important structure. Unfortunately, it was in disrepair. It can’t be moved.”

Instead, some of the logs from the site may be salvaged as it is taken apart. The council also proposed working with Historic Vienna to preserve pieces of the building and erect a plaque, either at the site or at a display the Freeman Store and Museum.

Members of the council lamented that while the developer American Signature Properties had said they were amenable to historic research and preservation as long as it didn’t interfere with development plans, representatives of the group at earlier meetings concerning the cabin had showed little interest in any form of preservation.

Town Attorney Steve Briglia told council members that there was very little the town could do to force the developer to engage in preservation measures for the cabin.

Photo via Town of Vienna

A Vienna log cabin, which may or may not be historic, could be demolished soon as the plot its on is subdivided.

The Vienna Town Council is scheduled to vote tonight (Monday) on whether or not to approve the subdivision. Staff recommended approval, but the building’s historic value is still under discussion.

County tax records say the cabin was constructed in 1925, but the staff report notes that aerial photography from 1937 shows the lot being empty. In a letter to the Town Council, Michael Gelb, Chairman of the Planning Commission, said that Historic Vienna had expressed an interest in exploring more preservation or commemoration options for the site. According to Gelb:

No neighbors appeared at the Planning Commission meeting regarding the proposed subdivision, but Gloria Runyon, a representative of Historic Vienna, said the log structure may have historic value and that Historic Vienna wants to explore preservation/commemoration options. Ms. Runyon noted that the structure was erected by an African-American resident of Vienna. Historic Vienna had just learned of the proposed subdivision so did not have a specific proposal. She did not oppose the subdivision, but said Historic Vienna would like to work with the builder (American Signature Properties) and the Town on some type of recognition for the structure.

The cain is located at 307 Cabin Road Southeast. The one-and-a-half story building is bordered by five single-family detached dwelling lots. The applicant proposes making improvements to the property frontage, including a new sidewalk, curb and gutter.

Gelb also noted that while the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the subdivision, commission members had expressed concern about the fate of the log cabin. Gelb said Fred Eisenhart of American Signature Properties, the property developer, said that since the structure was not a registered historic property there were no legal restriction protecting it.

“Mr. Eisenhart said the company would talk with Historic Vienna, but some Commissioners voiced doubts about the depth of his commitment,” Gelb wrote in his letter. “Mr. Eisenhart responded that he did not mean to convey a lack of enthusiasm, but Commissioners agreed that the Chairman should note their concerns in this memo.”

If you need to get some Christmas shopping done, the Holiday Market will be open today and Saturday at the Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike).

Hot mulled wine and seasonal cocktails will also be served. Heaters will be located around the outdoor patio. The market will feature items from vendors like

• Tocara Jewelry
• Rachel’s Handmade Accessories
• Terra Essential Oil
• Rodan + Fields

But if you’re set on gifts, there’s still plenty to do around the Tysons area this weekend.

Today (Dec. 7)

Champagne Extravaganza (5-8 p.m.) — The Vienna Wine Outlet (114 Church St) is hosting a champagne extravaganza, offering a variety of wines and a sampling of cheeses to accompany them. The event is $30 per person and guests are asked to RSVP by phone at 703-639-0155.

Tomorrow (Dec. 8)

Pajama Party – The Polar Express (10-11:45 a.m.) — The Angelika Film Center (2911 District Ave) in the Mosaic District will host a hyper-casual screening of the Robert Zemeckis animated film The Polar Express. Tickets are $12.50. Hot chocolate and warm cookies will be available at the cafe for purchase.

Holiday Market Pop Up (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) — The jewelry and accessories store at 2905 District Ave is hosting a pop-up market with a hot chocolate bar, giveaways, and more. The first 25 people in line will receive a free gift.

Brunch with Santa (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) — An extensive brunch with a chance to take photos with Santa will be hosted at Tysons’ Ritz-Carlton hotel. Tickets are $64 for adults and $32 for children ages 2-10. There is no charge for children under 2 years old.

Cookies and Cocoa with Santa (1-3 p.m.) — Vienna Pediatric Dentistry (301 Maple Ave W) will host a cookies and cocoa event tomorrow. Santa is also scheduled to make an appearance. The event is free and open to the public, though small, unwrapped gifts to donate to Toys for Tots are encouraged.

Sunday (Dec. 9)

Ice Cream Jubilee Tysons Grand Opening (12-4 p.m.) — The ice cream store that recently opened as part of the Taste of UrbanSpace in Tysons Galleria is hosting a grand opening celebration and giveaway. Tickets for a free scoop of ice cream are already sold out, but RSVP to get on the waitlist.

Doe Paoro: Soft Power Tour (8 p.m.) — The singer-songwriter will be performing at Jammin’ Java in Vienna (227 Maple Ave E) on Sunday. The musical style is mostly pop, but includes influences of everything from soul to ancient Tibetan folk opera.

Christmas is just a couple weeks away, so it’s time to stop procrastinating and go out and grab a tree.

In Vienna, the Lions Club is selling a variety of trees outside the Walgreens (225 Maple Ave W) in Vienna.

Prices range from $55 for Fraser firs under 9 feet tall or “giant” firs for $100. Other Christmas accessories like wreaths, pine roping, coloring books and cans of Virginia peanuts are also on sale.

Trees can be purchased between 2-8 p.m. during week days, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturdays, or 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays.

Those in Vienna could also shop at the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna’s Christmas Tree Sale at 359 Maple Ave E, outside of the Giant grocery store. All profits go towards supporting students in local schools.

Sale hours for the Optimist Club’s sale are 2-8 p.m. during weekdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturdays, or 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays.

Two churches in McLean are also hosting Christmas tree sales.

The Saint John Academy’s Christmas Tree Sale is located in the parking lot in front of the St. John the Beloved Catholic Church at 6422 Linway Terrace. In addition to trees, the sale will include wreaths and garlands.

The Trinity United Methodist Church at 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd is also selling Christmas trees in the church lot.

The sign above the store still says Falafel Street, but there’s chicken coming to 235 Maple Ave E. in Vienna.

Banners placed on either side of the storefront’s door say that a restaurant called Keiko Charcoal Chicken is “coming soon.”

Falafel Street, a Mediterranean restaurant whose sign is overhead, closed earlier this year, according to its Yelp page. Despite the banners in the window, Keiko Charcoal Chicken does not seem to have any identifiable online presence yet.

Keiko isn’t the only establishment coming to this stretch of Maple Avenue. Across the street, Shin Se Kai Ramen is also “coming soon” to 234 Maple Ave E.

Hat tip to “Vienna J”

After an “unexpected delay,” the Virginia Tire and Auto state at 141 Maple Ave in Vienna is scheduled to open early next year.

The Virginia Tire and Auto was originally scheduled to open in October, but a delay pushed the grand opening back. An employee at Virginia Tire and Auto confirmed that the new opening was scheduled for early January but could not comment on what had caused the delay.

The dealership has been expanding recently, with two new locations opening in Richmond and Herndon. The new locations will bring the total number of dealership locations to 16.

The location had previously operated for 30 years as Merchant’s Tire & Auto Center, but had been renovated with new equipment like new in-ground lifts. The Vienna Virginia Tire and Auto will have nine bays available for mechanical work.

The new Virginia Tire and Auto is near the center of Maple Avenue, located between the newly opened Nothing Bundt Cakes and Maple Ave Restaurant, recently featured as one of Northern Virginia’s Top 50 restaurants.

The reindeer are getting the day off: Santa Claus is coming to Vienna on a fire truck.

From Dec. 12-19, the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department (VVFD) will be escorting Santa around the town in a 1946 Maxim fire engine.

“Look for Santa as he drives around the town’s residential streets,” said the VVFD in a press release. “When you hear the sirens and music and see the flashing lights, please come outside to see Jolly Old Saint Nick and to receive a candy cane from one of his honorary elves.”

According to the VVFD, Santa will be making the rounds to most Vienna neighborhoods, stopping at 5 p.m. in various parts of the town.

• Dec 12: Southwest Vienna between Park Street and Hillcrest Drive
• Dec 13: Northwest Vienna between Lawyers Road and W&OD trail
• Dec 14: Northeast Vienna between W&OD and Beulah Road
• Dec 15: Southwest Vienna west of Hillcrest Drive. Note: this will be the only scheduled Santa stop at 1 p.m. rather than 5 p.m.
• Dec 15: Northwest Vienna west of Madison High School and Lawyers Road
• Dec 18: Southeast Vienna east of Center
• Dec 19: Northeast Vienna east of Beulah Road

Santa will also make an appearance at a Holiday Pancake Breakfast on Dec. 15. The doors open at 8 a.m. and Santa will be available between 9:30-11 a.m.

Tickets to the breakfast are $8 for adults or &7 for seniors. Children ages 5-12 are $6 and those under 4 are free. All proceeds will benefit the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.

Photo via Facebook