Ketamine and Wellness Facility Opening in McLean — “Avesta Ketamine and Wellness is excited to announce the opening of their second location in McLean Virginia November 2020.” [Benzinga]
Cloud Networking Service in McLean Wins $2.15 Billion Sale — “McLean, Virginia-based telecommunications, internet and cloud services provider GTT Communications has signed an agreement to sell its infrastructure business to I Squared Capital, a Miami-based infrastructure investment company, for $2.15 billion.” [WTOP]
Vienna Community Center Selling Halloween Goodie Bags — “Those interested may come to the community center 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 am-6 pm Saturdays. Each bag is $20 and comes with two pie-sized pumpkins.” [Vienna Happenings]
OmniRide Cancels Woodbridge-Tysons Route — “Last week, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, which operates the bus service, announced a host of changes to reduce expenses that will take effect Nov. 2. Three commuter routes – Dale City to Mark Center, Lake Ridge to Mark Center and Woodbridge VRE to Tysons Corner – will be suspended until further notice.” [WTOP]
Construction on a new facility for the Vienna Police Department appears on track to start this December, Vienna Police Chief Jim Morris told the Town of Vienna Planning Commission on Wednesday (Oct. 14).
With the bidding process for a contractor to construct the new station at 215 Center Street S. now complete, the Vienna Town Council will select a winning bidder during its regular meeting on Oct. 26.
Given that timeline, Morris says he anticipates that police department staff will start transitioning out of the existing station and into a temporary facility in the former Faith Baptist Church at 301 Center Street S. within the next 60 days.
“Between now and December, we’re going to slowly be migrating over into the facility,” Morris said, citing information technology needs as the primary challenge for preparing the temporary space.
The Town of Vienna purchased the three-acre Faith Baptist Church property for $5.5 million on Sept. 18 with the goal of converting it into a public facility. Initially, the building will serve as temporary office space for the police department, but the town has not yet settled on a long-term plan for the site.
As part of the 2232 Review process required for proposed public facilities, the Vienna Planning Commission voted on Wednesday to affirm that the proposed use of 301 Center Street S. is in accordance with the town’s comprehensive plan, which the town council amended on Oct. 5 to designate the property for governmental use instead of institutional use.
The planning commission also recommended that the Board of Zoning Appeals approve a conditional use permit for the site so that the police department can utilize it as a temporary facility.
The zoning appeals board’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 21.
According to Michael D’Orazio, Vienna’s deputy director of planning and zoning, the police department is planning to primarily use the former church property as office space with a maximum of 15 employees working there at any given time.
The facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to police staff, with members of the public permitted on Mondays through Fridays by appointment. About 35 parking spaces in the existing church lot will be sectioned off for the police department, both for police vehicles and the staff’s personal vehicles.
Morris says the building at 301 Center Street has definite advantages over the Beulah Road property that Vienna had originally envisioned serving as a temporary facility while the new police station is under construction.
In addition to having more space, the Faith Baptist Church building has two floors so that the police department can set up administrative offices and other rooms accessible to the public on the ground level, while reserving the second floor for functions just for police officers and staff, such as changing rooms, a rest area, and space for roll call, meals, and report writing.
The church also has a gymnasium that can hold fitness equipment for police officers.
“We were very relieved when this space became available,” Morris said.
Image via Town of Vienna
Fairfax County Satellite Voting Locations Open — Voters can now cast their ballots at 13 satellite locations around Fairfax County, including the McLean Governmental Center, Providence Community Center, Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, and Thomas Jefferson Library in the Tysons area. [Fairfax County Office of Elections]
VDOT Extends 495 NEXT Public Comment Period — The deadline for public feedback on the Virginia Department of Transportation’s I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project has been extended to Dec. 4. The extension comes after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution asking the department to give more time for public input. [Virginia Department of Transportation/Sun Gazette]
Vienna Girl Among First Female Eagle Scouts in U.S. — Katie Hunter, a 13-year-old Vienna resident, is expected to become one of the first girls in the country to be awarded the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank when she is inaugurated as an Eagle Scout in February 2021. [Patch]
New Trees Planted in Blake Lane Park — “We planted some more trees in Providence this Saturday! Blake Lane Park is full of green life and pollinators. Thank you to all of the volunteers” [Twitter]
Tysons Tech Company Hiring Data Engineer — “IronNet is looking for a Principal Cyber #Data Engineer to join their passionate small business headquartered in Tysons Corner, VA but operating completely remote!” [Twitter]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
NOVA Parks is planning to host a dedication of a new greenhouse entrance to Vienna’s Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in a small ceremony next week.
The new greenhouse will be dedicated as the Volgenau Conservator, named after the Volgenau Foundation that has funded the programs at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
According to NOVA Parks:
This beautiful greenhouse is the first main feature people will see as they enter the gardens from the Visitor Center. Overlooking the two lakes at the renowned public garden, the Conservatory was funded by a generous gift from the Volgenau Foundation. Meadowlark has grown into the premier garden of Northern Virginia. Its annual Winter Walk of Lights that normally sees over 70,000 visitors, opens early this year on November 11. With staggered online tickets, this show is expected to be more popular than ever this year as a safe outdoor attraction for the whole family.
The ceremony to dedicate the new greenhouse is scheduled for next Tuesday, Oct. 20, though in an effort to keep groups small the dedication will not be open to the public.
Photo via Meadowlark Botanical Gardens/Facebook
Please stop leaving bags of vomit outside Emmaus United Church of Christ (900 Maple Avenue E).
This week’s Vienna Police Report notes that, between Aug. 18 and Oct. 3, on three separate occasions an employee at the church has found bags of vomit left in the parking lot:
An employee at the Church reported that on three separate occasions someone had left bags filled with vomit in the parking lot near the playground area.
Another littered puke balloon was reported later in the police report, sometime between 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 and 8 a.m. on Oct. 7.
Other tales of crime and mischief in this week’s report included vandalism of political signs and a man suspected of stealing chestnuts from a neighbor’s tree:
A resident reported that he observed an elderly man in his backyard. When the resident confronted
the man, he began walking toward Marshall Road. The resident believes the man may have been
stealing chestnuts from the tree in his yard.
Photo via Google Maps
In this week’s crime report, Vienna police said officer’s responded to calls for a thermostat quarrel and for the town’s very own wet bandits.
On Sept. 27 around 3:30 p.m., officers responded to a call about flooding in a vacant home on the 500 block of Kibler Circle. According to the report:
An officer responded to the report of a large amount of water running from a vacant home that was
newly built. The doors to the home were secure. A hose was running to one of the windows and
a substantial amount of water was observed on the floor of the kitchen and foyer. The builder was
notified and believed this was a result of a criminal act.
Other incidents this week included a call for a domestic fight between roommates over a temperature gauge. According to the report:
A resident reported that her roommate assaulted her and broke the thermostat in the apartment.
The roommate advised that she removed the batteries from the thermostat, making the resident
angry and that the resident assaulted her. The roommate agreed to fix the thermostat. Both women
were advised of the warrant process should they wish to pursue charges.
Photo via Facebook
Officially, there is no Oktoberfest in Vienna this year.
Unofficially, Caboose Tavern in Vienna (520 Mill Road NE) is preparing to launch a weekend of German food and Caboose beers starting tomorrow (Friday).
“Vienna Oktoberfest may be cancelled this year, but you can still enjoy some German inspired food and some Caboose beers all weekend long!” Caboose Tavern said in an event listing. “Join us October 2-4 at Caboose Tavern!”
The event is scheduled to run daily from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Among the beer selection is Oktoberfest Marzen, described as a malty German amber lager.
The celebration comes after a summer of hardship and fundraising for Caboose, which ran a food donation program to help local families.
Image via Caboose Tavern/Facebook
Businesses and local governments alike are sorting out how best to continue local restaurant and retail operations as winter starts to make outdoor options less viable.
The Board of Supervisors announced plans yesterday to start loosening restrictions on outdoor tents, and the Town of Vienna is planning a virtual talk early next month to discuss winterization options and plans for local restaurants and entertainment businesses.
“Join the Town of Vienna Economic Development Department for our kickoff event on a two-part series on business winterization during COVID-19,” Vienna’s Economic Development Office said in an event listing. “We will address the ‘new normal’ for restaurant and entertainment businesses brought about by economic and social changes of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The first discussion, planned for Thursday, Oct. 8, will focus on stimulating and sustaining dining and entertainment as the temperature drops. According to the event page:
We will examine:
- If outdoor dining and entertainment can help increase restaurant and retail sales throughout the health crisis
- How restaurants can stimulate and sustain dining and entertainment as we move into colder weather
- Locating funding and technical assistance to help with the expansion of outdoor and entertainment areas
- Mastering and streamlining takeout and delivery procedures
The round table discussion is scheduled to include several local business owners and regional restauranteurs. The event is scheduled to run from 10-11:30 a.m. and accessible via Zoom link provided after registering.
Vienna Girl Scouts Send Positive Messages — “Girl Scouts in Vienna, Virginia, have come up with a painting project aimed at spreading happiness called Kindness Rocks.” [NBC4]
Vienna Firefighter Retires After 42 Years — “Leo started as a Vienna volunteer in 1978 & was hired as a career firefighter in 1982. Enjoy a well deserved retirement, Leo!” [Twitter]
Tysons Silver Diner Hosts Fundraiser for McLean High School PTSA — “Tysons Silver Diner Fundraiser on Thursday, 10/1, 5-8 p.m!” [Twitter]
Wawa is announcing a sweepstakes for a new Tesla at the new Vienna location (465 Maple Avenue).
The planned giveaway is part of a pivot towards electrical charging. The Vienna location opted for Tesla chargers instead of traditional fuel pumps.
“As a follow up to the Wawa Store Opening in Vienna this past July, Wawa is launching a Tesla Model 3 Lease Sweepstakes giveaway!” the company announced in a press release. “The event is held during National Drive Electric Week to celebrate the retailer’s 500,000th electric vehicle customer to date.”
The event was scheduled to start at 11 a.m. People can enter the sweepstakes through an online form released after the event.
“Wawa selected the Vienna, Virginia store as a backdrop to announce this sweepstakes as it’s the first store in company history to open with electric vehicle charging in lieu of fossil fueling, which demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and continued desire to meet the needs of customers,” Wawa said.
