(Updated 11:20 p.m.) Tomorrow (Wednesday), Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is planning the 8th annual “Bike to School Day” to help foster healthy habits in local students.

The activity is part of a series of events throughout the area focused around promoting bicycling.

Students are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work, with parents encouraged to accompany their children to school and organize bike trains or walking groups.

FCPS also has a list of safe routes to and from each school in the county.

Tysons area schools with Bike to School Day activities include:

• Churchhill Road Elementary
• Colvin Run Elementary
• Cunningham Park Elementary
• Fairhill Elementary
• Graham Road Elementary
• Haycock Elementary
• Kilmer Middle
• Lemon Road Elementary
• Marshall Road Elementary
• Spring Hill Elementary
• Timber Lane Elementary
• Vienna Elementary
• Westbriar Elementary
• Wolf Trap Elementary

For those without kids in the schools, Bike to Work Day is May 17. Locals are encouraged to bike to work, even if it’s just for one day, to try out the healthy commute.

Participants in Bike to Work Day can register online to access 115 pit stops throughout the region and link up to commuter convoys.

Photo via Facebook

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!

Tuesday (May 7)

• Town of Vienna Election — 6 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE.) — There is a competitive race for the Town Council in Vienna, mainly focusing on the scale of new developments.
• “The Guest Book” Reading and Signing — 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Barnes & Nobles (7851 Tysons Corner Center) — Sarah Blake, author of the historical novel The Guest Book, will read from the book and sign copies at the Tysons Corner Center Barnes and Noble.

Thursday (May 9)

• Innovation Breakfast: The Opportunity in Opportunity Zones — 8-10:30 a.m. at Valo Park (7950 Jones Branch Drive) — The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is hosting a business breakfast looking at opportunity zones, tracts of land targeted by state and federal governments for economic development. The breakfast will look at where they exist and what can be accomplished with them. Registration is $40 and includes breakfast.
• Urban Forest Perfume Making Workshop — 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Brandbox Lounge (Tysons Corner Center) — For Mother’s Day, the Urban Forest Perfume Company is setting up a workshop looking at the art of plant-based perfumes. Participants will get a class in understanding synthetic versus plant ingredients, perfume notes and basic formulas. Light food and wine will also be served.
• Vienna Community Brainstorming on Public Parking in Commercial Corridor — 6-7 p.m. at the Town Hall Council Chambers (127 Center Street S.) — The Town Business Liaison Committee and Mayor Laurie DiRocco will host a community conversation about parking. This is an opportunity to gather further feedback from business owners and refine solutions proposed at the March 14 community meeting.
• The Civil War in Northern Virginia — 7:30-9 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Library (101 Maple Ave E.) — Historian William S. Connery, author of “Civil War Northern Virginia 1861” will host a discussion of notable events and battles throughout Northern Virginia after the firing on Fort Sumter.

Friday (May 10)

• Young Adult Dungeons and Dragons — 3:30-6 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Library (101 Maple Ave E.) — A group of players are putting together an all-experience levels Dungeons and Dragons group aimed at grades 7-12.

Saturday (May 11)

• All the Way Live — 1-2 p.m. at the Alen Theatre (1234 Ingleside Ave.) — The history-through-hip-hop children’s show is coming to the Alden Theatre in the McLean Community Center. Tickets range from $10-$15.

Sunday (May 12)

• Mother’s Day Brunch — 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Cheesetique Mosaic (2985 District Ave.) — Cheesetique in the Mosaic District is hosting a Mother’s Day event featuring a mimosa bucket, green eggs and ham, french toast, and lobster mac and cheese. The shop will also be open with special gifts for mothers. Reservations are encouraged.
• Mother’s Day Brunch — 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Inca Social (2670 Avenir Place) — Inca Social is hosting a Latin-style brunch on Sunday with cocktails and special brunch items. Children under 6 years old eat for free.
• Listen to Your Mother’s Jokes — 5-7 p.m. at Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike) — In a special comedy show, the Tysons Biergarten is hosting local standup comedians who are also mothers. Seating starts at 5 p.m. with the show starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Photo via Facebook

Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.

Quite possibly my favorite weekend to be a Vienna resident happens on Memorial Day weekend (May 25-27) — ViVa Vienna!

The event spans both sides of Church Street from Lawyers Road to Mill Street, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (until 6 p.m. on Monday). You’ll find rides and games for kids, all the fair food you can eat, live music and entertainment. On Sunday and Monday you’ll also see Church Street lined with booths/vendors.

My family ends up going at least 2 days because it’s so much fun and my kids love it! Here’s are some tips to help you enjoy the wonderful chaos ViVa Vienna brings!

• If you’re not a fan of crowds, go on Saturday before the vendors set up. It’s a little calmer, a little less crowded and you’ll end up coming home with less “stuff” that people like to grab as the vendors give away freebies.
• Check out the Entertainment Lineup ahead of time if you’re looking for a specific performance group (Vienna Singing Princess are a fan favorite — they do face painting at this event as well).
• Parking is a nightmare! You can use one of the shuttle services provided or try to park near Vienna Elementary/Center Street. Park on the south side of Maple Avenue and walk across.
• There are plenty of port-o-potties setup for bathroom use all over Church Street/Mill Street.
• Bring cash to pay for ride tickets (get a free one here). The line is always shorter if you can pay with cash instead of credit.
• The event is held rain or shine!
• The event made the Cooking Chanel Carnival Eats Episode, highlighting the pierogis and crab dip.
• Follow ViVa Vienna on Facebook to get updated on special events (like the Caps!).

Vienna is no longer a Starbucks-less town.

The drive-thru Starbucks at 367 Maple Avenue E. opened around 7 p.m. on Friday (May 3), but officially opened for the full day on Saturday (May 4), an employee at the store said.

The two other Starbucks on Maple Avenue closed on last Sunday (April 28), leaving Vienna without a Starbucks for four days.

On weekdays and Saturdays, the store opens at 5 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. On Sundays, the store closes at 8:30 p.m.

Vienna police responded to calls about a “suspicious man” asking for relationship advice following a recent breakup.

The first incident was reported last Friday (April 26) around 3:30 p.m. in the 1000 block of Fairway Drive, NE.

“Officers responded to the report of a suspicious man who was going to residents in the neighborhood seeking relationship advice,” the police report said.

A few days later on Monday (April 29), the man went to a spa at 120 Beulah Road, NE shortly before 7 p.m. and began asking for relationship advice, which made the spa employees feel uncomfortable, according to the report.

“As one of the employees began to call the police, the man ran from the business. Officers located the man who advised that he had recently gone through a relationship breakup and he was looking for advice,” the report said.

The Vienna Police Department confirmed to Tysons Reporter that it was the same man in both incidents.

Photo via Facebook

Vienna MAC Project Moving Forward — “The Vienna Town Council on April 29 voted 5-2 set a June 3 public hearing to discuss town’s fifth MAC application, a proposal by Sunrise Development Inc. to build a senior-living center with ground-floor retail space at 100-112 Maple Ave., E.” [Inside NoVa]

Langley, McLean High School Students Lauded — “The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce lauded stand-out students, teachers and support-staff members from Langley and McLean high schools May 1 at the organization’s 2019 Education Awards.” [Inside NoVa]

Q&A With Stomping Ground Owner — Nicole Jones shared why Tysons Galleria for her new second cafe — A Taste of Urbanspace. [Arlington Magazine]

Marshall High School Students Making News — Students’ films made the documentary and animation categories in the 2019 Virginia High School League Film Festival, which will be held June 1 in Charlottesville. The Marshall High Architecture, Construction, Engineering Mentor team took home the first place trophy for ACE DC Competition. [FCPS, FCPS]

Rankings Show Virginia Teacher Pay Needs Boost — “Teachers in the District of Columbia are among the best paid in the country, while Virginia teachers have plenty of ground to make up, according to a nationwide analysis published last week by one of the country’s largest education unions… Virginia teachers earned an average of $51,994 a year for 32nd among the states, while starting teacher pay is $40,453 annually, ranking the Commonwealth at 16th.”

Spotlight on Vienna’s Food Scene — “The upscale town of Vienna has become an international food scene–restaurants from Thai, Mexican, American, Japanese, British, and Indian to Chinese, Middle Eastern and Italian–provide a global culinary tapestry.” [Vienna Connection]

Maple Avenue development is in the spotlight for Tuesday’s (May 7) Vienna Town Council election, with two incumbents facing off against four challengers for three council seats.

The Vienna Voice, the official town newsletter, recently profiled the Vienna Town Council candidates. Several of those profiled said they are concerned about the scale of new developments planned for Maple Avenue and are running to preserve Vienna’s “small town feel.”

The following candidates are listed as their names will appear on the ballot:

• Howard Springsteen — An incumbent who was a leading voice in opposition to new larger Maple Avenue developments. Springsteen said managed growth with low-density residential zoning and modest, appropriate developments for the commercial zones are critical for the town.
• Julie Hays — Pedestrian and bicycle safety and protecting residential neighborhoods are centerpieces of Hays’ campaign. Hays is a former member of the Transportation Safety Commission and chair of the Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
• Steve Potter — Potter is a founding member of the Vienna Citizens for Responsible Development, a group that has pushed for developments that preserve the “small-town character” on Maple Avenue.
• Nisha Patel — Patel is a local small business owner who has expressed concerns about the impact of high-density mixed-use developments on traffic and schools. Patel, Potter and Springsteen are all endorsed by the Vienna Citizens for Responsible Development.
• Tim Strike – Strike is a vice president of a local technology service company who has expressed opposition to the medium-high density developments while fast-tracking local businesses through the process. Strike has also said increasing public parking, reducing vacancies and improving traffic need to be town priorities.
• Tara Bloch — Bloch is an incumbent Vienna Town Council member and preschool teacher. Bloch has said pushing for a pedestrian-friendly business corridor is a priority of her campaign and touted the increased number of sidewalks and bike routes, as well as new commercial redevelopments, as part of her accomplishments.

Local residents who are registered can vote at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE.) from 6 a.m.-7 p.m.

Photo via Facebook

Fairfax County is looking for election officers for the June 11 Democratic primary election.

The Fairfax County Office of Elections needs officers to serve in parts of Falls Church, Vienna and McLean.

Officers will be paid $175 for a full day or they can volunteer their time.

Registered Virginia voters can sign up online, call 703-324-4735, TTY 711 or email [email protected]. Before they can work at polling locations, election officers must complete a three-hour training. Training classes will be offered through late May.

Bilingual election officers who can speak Korean or Vietnamese, in addition to English, are also needed, especially in Falls Church.

On election day, officers will arrive at the polling place at 5 a.m. before the polls open at 6 a.m. and stay about an hour after polls close at 7 p.m. to help tally votes and pack up equipment.

Some of the officers’ responsibilities throughout the day might include helping voters with voting machines, monitoring phone lines, putting up signs, answering questions and checking in voters, according to a Fairfax County Government video. “Experienced election officers will be on hand to help or handle tricky situations,” the video says.

Flickr pool photo by Mrs. Gemstone

Vienna may be going through changes, but in some ways, life in The Italian Gourmet Deli (505 Maple Avenue W.) isn’t that different from when it opened in 1974.

Jeremy and Margaret Schottler are the owners of The Italian Gourmet. Jeremy bought it in 1995, having grown up in Vienna and worked in the deli throughout high school and college. He married Margaret in 2005, and shortly after, she began working at the business.

“The area has changed a lot since then,” Margaret said. “It’s a lot busier. We make frozen entrees, and once they were not big sellers, but now people really want them.”

Margaret said the shift is representative of a larger change in the town. When The Italian Gourmet started, Margaret said it was known as the place to get specialty Italian food at a time when Vienna — and Northern Virginia as a whole — were still very much viewed as part of the South.

“Everyone would spend their Sundays making marinara sauce and they’d come here for supplies,” she said.

While the quick-bites have become increasingly popular, the specialty side of the gourmet remains active from hand-rolled balls of mozzarella to basil from a nearby hydroponic farmer. Margaret said the deli even uses the same recipe and tomato base for their marinara as they always have.

One of the biggest changes over the last few years was the Schottlers opening Molly’s Yogurt, a frozen yogurt and gelato spot just a few doors down in the same shopping center. The location had been a framing store underneath overflow spaces owned by the Schottlers.

The framing store closed in the middle of the recession in 2010, but with frozen yogurt on the rise, Margaret said the family saw potential. Molly’s Yogurt — named after their daughter — opened that year and is basically an extension of the deli, sometimes using the same tools or kitchen.

In both locations, Margaret said they know most of their customers by name and enjoy answering questions people have about the deli and gelato.

“If people are making an effort to go out to shop, they want an experience,” said Margaret. “That’s what we will always provide — what chains aren’t able to.”

If you stop by the deli, Margaret recommends the Roman Sandwich, a collection of traditional cold cut meats loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and more onto a 7-inch sub roll. Or if you swing by the frozen yogurt-gelato spot, Margaret said there’s plenty of options, but nothing beats classic chocolate.

The Vienna Town Council now has a new strategic plan.

“This plan builds on the town’s previous 2013-2015 strategic plan,” Lynne Coan, the communications and marketing manager for town, said at the Town Council’s meeting Monday night. “Goals, strategies and action steps are outlined in the plan to provide a roadmap for the town’s ongoing services and priorities over the next five years.”

The Town Council adopted the plan at its April 29 meeting. The plan focuses on a variety of areas, including safety, mobility, fiscal responsibility and environmental sustainability.

Some of the goals targetted for this year include:

• Incorporate wider sidewalks in areas of high pedestrian use
• Identify locations for bicycle parking and bike-sharing stations
• Issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for consultant to lead zoning code update
• Implement quarterly budget reporting

Town staff started discussing the plan with the assistance of Craig Gerhart, a faculty member at the Virginia Institute of Government and former Prince William County Executive, in 2017. Councilmembers have worked on the plan since January last year, Coan said.