Oakton Fire Causes $20,000 Damage
Fire officials say improperly discarded smoking materials caused an accidental fire last week in an Oakton home. Damage was estimated at $20,000. The incident occurred Monday, Feb. 10, at 2615 Hunter Mill Road.
Time to Celebrate 75 Years
Louise Archer Elementary invites community to open house.
Louise Archer Elementary and Principal Michelle Makrigiorgos are celebrating the school’s 75th anniversary and the community is invited. An open house is slated for Friday, March 7, from 6-8 p.m., at the school, 324 Nutley Street, N.W., in Vienna. Community members, local businesses, former and current staff, students and families are welcome to join in the festivities. In honor of the occasion, Archer will be transformed into a historical museum featuring founding artifacts, as well as new displays made by current students. Besides the library “museum,” activities will include student-led tours plus light refreshments.
Vienna Seeks Feedback from Town Residents
Will conduct a survey on its programs and services.
The Town of Vienna wants to see how well it’s doing, so it’s going to survey some of its residents to find out. Toward that end, it contracted this month with ETC Institute to do the deed.
‘I Like Gliding Across the Ice’
Vienna teen competing in synchronized ice skating Nationals.
Vienna’s Ceci Picard isn’t an Olympian, but she is an accomplished ice skater. And on Feb. 27, she and her teammates will compete in the Synchronized Skating National Competition in Colorado Springs.
Vienna Man Guilty in Teen’s Death
McLean girl, 16, died after using heroin.
Kyle Alifom, 20, of Vienna pleaded guilty last Monday, Feb. 10, in federal court in connection with the death of a 16-year-old McLean girl.
Money on the Shelves: Jurisdictions Take Variety of Approaches to Funding Libraries
Some have recovered from the recession, others are still struggling.
What is the future of the neighborhood library?
Week in Vienna
Train Station Open House
The Vienna Train Station, on Dominion Road along the W&OD trail, will be open to the public Saturday, Feb. 15, from 1-5 p.m. The open house is hosted by the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders and boasts a realistically depicted model railroad that existed in North Carolina in the 1950s. Free admission; donations accepted. For more information, visit www.nvmr.org.
Town Green Stage Getting a Roof
The Town of Vienna is going to have a roof built over the stage at the Vienna Town Green Park. And last week, the Town Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the town and the Rotary Club of Vienna to get it done.
An Inspired Production
‘Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins’ at 1st Stage.
With a masterful performance by Lee Mikeska Gardner, an eccentric woman is made thoroughly sympathetic, even noble in an exceptional production of "Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins" at 1st Stage in Tysons.
‘Our Homes Should Be Our Havens’
Resident beseeches Town Council to revise the noise ordinance.
Imagine living in a place so noisy that children have a hard time sleeping. Melanie Meren doesn’t have to – that’s her reality. She lives in the Town of Vienna, but close to a construction site. And last Monday, Feb. 3, she shared her concerns with the Vienna Town Council. She then asked the Council to re-examine and revise the town’s noise ordinance to decrease the allowable hours of home construction so existing residents can have some peace and quiet. “The noise ordinance doesn’t protect us as residents,” said Meren. “It’s completely biased in the builders’ favor.”
Nine Candidates Vying for Attention in 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary
Race to replace Jim Moran is expected to be competitive and expensive.
It's been three weeks since longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) announced that he would not be seeking a 13th term in Congress, opening up an epic primary fight that is now starting to take shape.
Healthful Meal Ideas for Seniors
Dietician/chef creates meals that are nutrient-dense and easy to prepare.
Shirley Martin of Vienna has a pacemaker and is on warfarin, a blood thinner, and Vitamin K, found in dark leafy greens, can lessen the effectiveness of warfarin. Martin also has high cholesterol. "I have to be concerned about eating too many greens while I’m on warfarin or too many fats," said Martin. "I also try to keep from gaining weight."
Vienna Road Projects Take Step Forward
County Supervisors approve six-year transportation funds.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last week approved $1.4 billion to fund transportation projects for FY 2015 to FY 2020. Among them were two road projects in Vienna, plus one transit project in the local area. In fall 2012, Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) staff held nine public meetings countywide regarding county residents’ transportation needs. It also conducted an online survey.
Jim Moran: The $15 Million Congressman
During his years in Congress, Moran raised and spent about $1 million each campaign cycle.
One of the first things that happened after U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) announced he would not be running for reelection this year was that he cancelled a fundraising event.
Vienna-Oakton Moms Run This Town
Local women’s running group has 600-plus members and growing
While most of local life was inside trying to stay toasty-warm during January’s big freeze, one group of Vienna-Oakton women braved the frigid temps, the snow, the ice, to maintain their daily runs. Vienna-Oakton Moms Run This Town, a group of 600-plus “moms,” ran as many as 18 miles in a single day. Sarah Talley founded the Vienna-Oakton group, an arm of the free-to-join international network of Moms Run This Town. “The power of a group is motivating,” said Talley, who belongs to several running groups. “We are having fun. Because if you’re not having fun, why do it?”