Though firework displays and community gatherings are canceled for this year’s Fourth of July in Vienna, the town is offering a solution so people can still partake in festivities.
People can purchase a “4th of July in a Box” package from the town for $20. The box includes s’mores supplies for four people, glow sticks, a picnic blanket, a craft activity for two kids and an assortment of patriotic accessories and toys, according to Vienna’s website.
People can pick up their packages from the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE) starting June 29, the webpage said.
Though anyone, not just Vienna residents, may purchase the package, the town has imposed a two-box limit per household.
“Visit Webtrac and use activity #610701-A1 to reserve your box,” the webpage said.
July 4th in a Box is now available for purchase for residents and non-residents!
More info available here: https://t.co/bh8mc6we1y pic.twitter.com/jFTT5aSXxK
— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) May 26, 2020
Photo by Paul Weaver on Unsplash
Beyer Rebukes Trump’s “Naked Authoritarianism” — “U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, who represents the 8th District of Virginia that includes the City of Falls Church, issued a sharp rebuke of President Trump’s actions and words on Monday.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Bike Buddies — “The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) has established a bike-adviser program to encourage people to try bicycling during the shutdown of Silver Line and Orange Line Metro stations over the summer.” [Inside NoVa]
Crime Time — “Homicides spiked 9.5 percent in Virginia last year, while motor-vehicle thefts, burglaries and drug arrests declined, according to Virginia State Police statistics released May 29.” [Inside NoVa]
More Options for Outdoor Seating — “Vienna Town Council adopted a temporary emergency ordinance [Monday night] that allows Town of Vienna businesses to take advantage of outdoor commercial activities that currently are permitted under Phase One of the Forward Virginia business reopening plan.” [Town of Vienna]
Photo via Virginia Department of Transportation
The Vienna Town Council plans to hold a public hearing on Monday about what to do about the contentious Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) zone.
The hearing will solicit feedback from community members on whether to extend a moratorium on the zoning guidelines until June 30, 2022 or rescind it altogether.
The MAC zoning code was adopted in October 2014 and then suspended four years. The moratorium on the zoning code has been in place since September 2018.
While several members of the town’s Planning Commission called the zone “dead” during their meeting earlier this month, the commissioners disagreed on what should happen.
The Vienna Town Council meeting is set to start at 8 p.m. People will be able to watch a live stream of the meeting.
As the Louise Archer Elementary School gears up for a renovation, the Vienna Planning Commission supports keeping temporary facilities at the school for a few more years.
Currently, there are two trailers and one 66-foot by 180-foot modular at the public school (324 Nutley Street NW).
The permits for the facilities are expected to expire later this year unless town officials grant an extension. Last night’s votes were a step in the direction for the temporary facilities to stay in place for the short-term.
The school used to have eight trailers before the modular replaced five of them.
“[The modular] provides additional capacity to alleviate the overcrowding at the school,” according to town documents, adding that the modular houses 10 classrooms, restrooms and storage and maintenance space.
The school is now poised for a renovation that will get rid of the two trailers and modular entirely.
John McGranahan, a lawyer representing Fairfax County Public Schools, told the Planning Commission last night that the planning and design for the renovation are in progress.
Permitting is slated to begin in 2021, followed by three years of construction from 2022-2025, McGranahan said, noting that the school will remain open while the work is underway and that most of the construction will happen during the summers.
The renovation is expected to be completed by August 2025. The trailers and modular would get removed once the work is finished, McGranahan said.
The Planning Commission voted in support of permits continuing the use of the modular for five years and the trailers for two years.
Image via Town of Vienna
After months of anticipation, the pizza eatery Union Pie is finally open at Jammin’ Java in Vienna.
Union Pie specializes in thin-crust, bar-style pizza, according to its website, which added that the menu offerings at this new location will be similar to other locations through the D.C. area.
To celebrate, Union Pie and Jammin’ Java are hosting a social distance grand opening this Saturday (May 30) from noon to 9 p.m., according to the Facebook event page.
“Dear friend and supporter — inspired and motivated to create some type of lifeline during this difficult time for all small businesses, we’re thrilled to announce that we are officially opening another location of Union Pie right inside the front door of Jammin Java,” the event page said.
People will be able to pick up sample alcoholic premade drinks and menu items at the party, according to the page.
Jammin’ Java, a local concert and event venue, was previously home to a South Block smoothie joint, but the owners decided to switch up culinary offerings, according to a Union Pie spokesperson.
Anyone interested in trying the food before the grand opening event can order online.
Photo via Union Pie/Facebook
COVID-19 Challenges — “The Town of Vienna Economic Development Office released results from its COVID-19 Business Survey highlighting how the Town’s businesses have been impacted by the pandemic.” [Town of Vienna]
Businesses Worried About Metro Shutdown — “Sol Glasner, CEO of the Tysons Partnership, says Metro has now all but assured that the comeback will be delayed in Tysons. He said he was disappointed and frustrated with how Metro handled the Silver Line shutdown.” [WAMU]
County Officials Speak Out on Silver Line Closure — Dalia Palchik, Jeff Mckay and Sol Glasner wrote this opinion piece: “The pivotal importance of Metro to Tysons makes the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s abrupt announcement of the summer closure of the Silver Line especially problematic.” [Washington Post]
New Governor Candidate — “Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy formally announced Wednesday that she is running for governor of Virginia in 2021.” [Inside NoVa]
Hope ♥️ pic.twitter.com/TkxXHAKHAs
— Falls Church Views (@fallschurchview) May 16, 2020
Photo courtesy James B. Crusan III
A 5K in the Town of Vienna has raised $6,000 so far to benefit people facing food insecurity.
Caffe Amouri and the Vienna Business Association (VBA) are hosting the Feeding Families 5K, which started on Friday, May 15. The VBA announced the latest donation amount in an email today (Tuesday).
The route winds from Caffe Amouri to Auto Body of Vienna, then to Plaka Grill over to Waters Field and then up to Skorpio’s Maggio’s Greek Family Restaurant before heading back to Caffe Amouri.
Participants who sign up will have until May 31 to run the route and turn in their results via email. Prize categories include “best time running” and “best time walking.”
All donations — including the registration fee — will buy food for families in need, according to the VBA.
Image via Caffe Amouri/Facebook
When Metro kicks off its summer work tomorrow (Saturday), drivers can find free parking at three Orange Line stations in the Tysons area.
The free parking will be available at the West Falls Church, Dunn Loring and Vienna stations during the shutdown. The West Falls Church station’s parking will be cut in half, but the other two stations won’t have capacity limits, according to the project’s website.
People who have reserved parking spots will still be billed for their spots, the website said.
The East Falls Church station will be closed for the summer work and won’t offer any parking, although the Kiss & Ride will allow pick-ups and drop-offs.
For cyclists, bike racks and lockers will still be offered at the stations during the summer work, except for at the East Falls Church station where some racks have been moved.
All Orange and Silver line stations west of the Ballston station will be closed starting tomorrow. The work, which is expected to last through the fall, includes platform reconstruction on the Orange Line and the connection of the upcoming stations to the Silver Line.
Image via Google Maps
Vienna police say that a pedestrian was taken to the hospital after being hit by a vehicle on the W&OD Trail in a crosswalk earlier this month.
A man driving eastbound on Church Street hit the pedestrian, who was on heading south on the W&OD Trail, in the crosswalk, according to the town’s crime recap. The incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 7.
“[The pedestrian] was transported to an area hospital by rescue personnel with non-life-threatening injuries,” police said.
Police issued a summons charging the driver with Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian.
Photo via Facebook
A new fast-food restaurant called China Village plans to come to Maple Avenue.
A Fairfax County permit indicates that the restaurant is working on altering the space at 335 Maple Avenue E. The 1,400-square-foot spot used to be the former home of GNC in the shopping center anchored by Giant.
The restaurant is one of several businesses looking to open in Vienna during the coronavirus pandemic.
Image via Google Maps
