Week in Vienna
The Town of Vienna has earned “Silver Certification” in the Virginia Municipal League’s 2013 Green Government Challenge, a friendly competition among local governments to encourage reduction of carbon emissions. Awards were presented Oct. 14, at the annual VML conference in Arlington.
Oakton Women’s Club Supports Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna
Each year the Oakton Women’s Club hosts their fashion show in Oakton to raise money to support the local community. The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) was the recipient of the net proceeds for the 2013 fashion show and received a generous $1,000 donation. Pictured (from left) Jayne Young, office administrator of SCOV, and Linda Byrne, president of the Board Oakton Women’s Club. Centered is a photo of Jeanne Robertson, the headliner for SCOV’s annual fundraiser. Their event is already sold out with 1,000 attendees expected at the Oct. 27 event in Vienna. Founded in 1997, SCOV is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for adults (50-plus) to seek rewarding lives and to live independently in their homes for as long as possible.
Officers in Pink Promote Breast Cancer Awareness
Residents and motorists in Fairfax County may notice hot pink collars peeking out of the top of the official uniform as officers respond to calls for service for the next two weeks. For the first time, officers are sanctioned to wear the T-shirts that read “Arrest Breast Cancer; Unlock the Cure” between Oct. 18-31. Hundreds of Police Department employees purchased the shirts at $15 each, with proceeds being donated to local cancer charities. The pink T-shirt campaign is being supported by the Fairfax County Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 77 and donations from Tysons Corner Center and Blue Line Motors of Warrenton.
Something's Missing
To the Editor: Here we were in election season again, but something seemed to be missing. Then it occurred to me: Where were all the campaign signs that usually pollute the median strips of our busy streets, distracting drivers and inconveniencing the crews charged with mowing and maintaining these areas? In past years, candidates often became engaged in arms races that resulted in hundreds of signs being plastered on every open space available. I inquired with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and learned that the county has new authority to enforce the laws against temporary signage on state highway rights-of-way, complete with the ability to levy fines against violators. Hallelujah!
Sheltering Animals & Families Together
Initiative promotes domestic violence shelters that accept pets.
Did you know that approximately 2.3 million people, primarily women, are victims of partner violence? Did you know that over 62 percent of the American households have, at least, one pet? Approximately 48 percent of abused women do not leave an abusive situation because they will not leave their pets behind. Pets are likely to be victimized by the household abuser. The abuser’s animal cruelty is used to force compliance from the victims. “What I do to the dog is what I can do to you” is the message the abuser sends, according to Allie Phillips, founder of Sheltering Animals & Families Together [SAF-T]. “As a prosecutor in Michigan, I saw women who stayed with their abusers to protect their pets,” said Phillips. “If they leave, the abuser will turn his anger on the pet. The pet usually is the primary target used to control the victim. “I created the safety program to help get these women out of their abusive homes.”
On County Libraries: We Should Know Better
To the Editor: I am the assistant branch manager at Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. I also worked at Reston Regional Library for four
Both Sides of Humility
To the Editor: Frank Wolf has been a decent congressman, but his column in last week's Connection shows how easy it is for politicians to (unintentionally?) speak with a forked tongue [It’s Going to Take Humility, Connection, Oct. 16-22, 2013]. At first he tells us, almost lectures us, about the value of humility. I agree, he's on target here. The swelled heads of congressmen leads to hardened opinions and an unmerited sense of self-importance on both sides of the aisle.
Preserving the Lifeline
To the Editor: As a long-time resident of Fairfax County, I am concerned about congressional initiatives that would kick 1.7 million Americans off the Food Stamp Program (SNAP). The program has been a lifeline for millions of Virginians suffering the effects of the economic downturn.
Our Military Kids and Stop Solider Suicide Supported by Fundraiser at Trump National Golf Club
Our Military Kids and Stop Solider Suicide are being supported by the 4th Keller Williams Charity Golf Tournament in October. The tournament will be held Monday, Oct. 28, at Trump National Golf Club Washington in Potomac Falls, Va., with 36 holes on two courses and waterfront vistas of the Potomac River.
Halloween Parade Steps Off on Oct. 23
Pre-parade entertainment on Town Green new in 2013.
Vienna’s longest-running and most-anticipated annual event—the 67th Vienna Halloween parade—steps off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23. One hundred-plus groups, clubs, bands and floats take over Maple Avenue between Berry and Center streets.
Halloween Parade Steps Off on Oct. 23
Pre-parade entertainment on Town Green new in 2013.
Vienna’s longest-running and most-anticipated annual event—the 67th Vienna Halloween parade—steps off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23. One hundred-plus groups, clubs, bands and floats take over Maple Avenue between Berry and Center streets. With a theme of “Celebrating Music and Theatre Through the Decades,” the parade is led by Grand Marshal Vienna Mayor M. Jane Seeman. The parade was originally founded to give Vienna children an opportunity to dress in costume and march through the town. The tradition holds fast today.
Fire Stations Host Open Houses
Vienna fire department wins best open house for 2nd Battalion for third straight year.
Fairfax County fire stations capped off National Fire Prevention Week with station “open houses” throughout the County on Oct. 12. In Vienna zipcodes 22180 through 22182, there are two fire and rescue departments, Station 2 in the heart of Vienna, and the newly-launched Wolftrap station, number 42. The Wolftrap station celebrated its grand opening with the ceremonial “push-in” of its engine. Fairfax County fire stations capped off National Fire Prevention Week with station “open houses” throughout the County on Oct. 12. In Vienna zipcodes 22180 through 22182, there are two fire and rescue departments, Station 2 in the heart of Vienna, and the newly-launched Wolftrap station, number 42.
Week in Vienna
Vienna Halloween Parade Oct. 23
The 67th annual Vienna Halloween Parade will step off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, on Maple Avenue from Berry Street to Center Street. This year’s parade theme is “Celebrating Music and Theatre through the Decades” with Vienna Mayor M. Jane Seeman serving as Grand Marshal. Once again, the parade will feature the Washington Redskins Marching Band as a special guest.
Helping Pets With Disabilities
Mutts 'n' Munchkins raises $ 2,800 for Pets With Disabilities.
At a Mutts n Munchkins' event on Sunday Sept. 29, 48 pre-registered crafty and volunteering children from Falls Church and surrounding areas were given the platform to set up their own tables and sell their own animal-related products, baked goods, crafts or games which were then purchased by the public for low donation prices.
Flint Hill School Presents Two Nights of An Evening of Laughter
Flint Hill School announces “An Evening of Laughter,” a production of four one-act plays to be held on Nov. 1 and 2. Six upper school students will perform roles in each of four one-act plays. "I love the one-act and short play format for many reasons,” says director and upper school drama teacher Carlo Grossman. “Besides the variety of different pieces the audience gets to enjoy, the actors have an opportunity to stretch their acting skills with roles different plays. In this case, the theme is comedy and the fun is infectious."