Oakton High School Presents 'Fahrenheit 451'
Featuring a cast and crew of 35, Oakton High presents the thought-provoking drama, “Fahrenheit 451.” The curtain rises Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 20, 21 and 22, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door only.
‘We Need to Keep Our Children Fed’
Vienna CROP Walk raises more than $30,000.
Many of those participating in Vienna’s 10th Annual CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk had done so for several years. Others, like resident Martha Nichols, were walking in it for the first time.
Vienna Honors Parade Winners
The Vienna Town Council and the Vienna Business Assn. honored the winners of the Town’s Halloween Parade at the Nov. 3 Council meeting.
Vienna Little League, Town Join Forces
Will both chip in to renovate Glyndon Park baseball field.
On Oct. 27, the Town of Vienna and Vienna Little League representatives met with the neighbors living by Glyndon Park to discuss plans to renovate and improve the baseball field there.
Restaurants and Apartments Planned for Church Street
Now vacant lot proposed for redevelopment.
Arrington Properties LLC owns the site at 120 Church St. N.W. in Vienna and it has plans to redevelop with a building containing both residential and commercial uses. Details were presented during the Oct. 20 meeting of the Vienna Town Council.
Vienna Man Guilty of Wire Fraud
Bilked investment clients out of more than $1 million.
A Vienna man is facing possible decades in prison after pleading guilty last week in federal court to defrauding clients that he advised about financial investments. He is Ismail Elmas, 49.
Witches, Goblins and Pumpkins, Oh, My!
Vienna’s annual Family Halloween Party was Saturday, Oct. 18, outside the community center.
Follin Lane Project Is Still Worrisome
Residents question safety and need for long turn lane.
The Town of Vienna is moving full-speed ahead with its plan to widen Follin Lane from two to three lanes. And last Monday, Oct. 20, it awarded $59,000 to Urban Ltd. for additional engineering services associated with the project.
‘Kids Can Be Themselves Here’
Vienna Teen Center celebrates 15th anniversary.
A place to hang out with friends after school, play sports and games, do arts and crafts and just have fun – that’s the Vienna Teen Center. Called Club Phoenix, it’s on the bottom floor of the Vienna Community Center, and it just celebrated its 15th anniversary.
‘It’s Hands-On History’
Oakton High student participates in archaeological dig.
Oakton High junior Corina Gribble got to be part of history recently when she participated in an archaeological dig to find the remains of a home from the 1800s in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Centreville.
Residents Receive Community Enhancement Awards
On Sept. 22, the Vienna Town Council presented Community Enhancement, Beauty and Sustainability awards to four sets of local residents.
Vienna Teen Honored for Poetry Writing
Megan Do just writes poetry in her spare time — and as a junior as Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, she has precious little of it. Yet one of her recent efforts won second place for poetry in a competition sponsored by the Writers of Chantilly.
Green Light for MAC Zoning
Town Council approves Maple Avenue ordinance.
It’s taken a great deal of time, effort, research and wrangling; but last Monday, the Vienna Town Council approved the ordinance defining the Maple Avenue Commercial Zone regulations. The ordinance is now set to be formally adopted Oct. 20.
Community Center Dollars and Cents
Rising construction, renovation costs create $2 million deficit.
When the Vienna Community Center greets the public in April 2016, it’ll be larger and more modern than the current facility and will boast a new, regulation-sized gym. But getting from here to there takes money.
‘In Charge of Your Own Little World’
Featuring 45 tables of trains and train accessories, a “train doctor” who repaired broken trains and an operating layout built by three boys, the Train Collectors Sale and Show was held Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Vienna Firehouse.
Residents Still Upset about Follin Lane
Want Town Council to become more involved before project starts.
The Town of Vienna plans to widen Follin Lane from two to three lanes, level the grade of the road at the Hine Street intersection and remove the brush.
Residents Speak Out on Maple Avenue
Second public hearing on proposed, new zoning district.
One thing about Vienna residents – when they care about something, they’re not shy about making their feelings known. And that’s exactly what they did during an Aug. 18 public hearing on the proposed Maple Avenue Corridor (MAC) zoning district. A standing-room-only crowd of some 150 people packed the Town Council meeting room, while still more watched the proceedings on a TV in the hallway. And at the outset, Mayor Laurie DiRocco explained the MAC’s goals.
Glass, Space and Natural Light
Vienna Community Center renovation plans are moving ahead.
Even while Vienna residents are enjoying their current Community Center, plans are moving forward on its renovation and enlargement, plus construction of a 9,115-square-foot gym to the west side of the existing building.
What’s on the Horizon for Town of Vienna
On the horizon for local residents are a transportation project, a plan to help W&OD trail users and Church Street businesses, plus a major expansion and renovation of the Vienna Community Center.
Getting Drenched to Help Others
The Ice Bucket Challenge has a simple premise, but it’s doing a great deal of good. To raise money to fight ALS, people all over the country have been making videos of themselves getting buckets of ice water dumped on their heads.
Learning and Having Fun with LEGOs
Camp teaches children engineering principles.
Sure, LEGOs are great to play with, just for fun. But they can also be used to teach children real-world concepts in physics, engineering and architecture.
Take Precautions against Rabies
Animal Shelter offers advice to reduce the risk.
Rabies is a deadly virus that infects animals and may be a risk to humans, as well. The most commonly reported rabid animals in Fairfax County include foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. But even pets aren’t automatically immune to this disease and must be vaccinated against it.
Prison, Restitution for Vienna Man
Sentenced for defrauding the IRS.
Nobody likes paying taxes. But most people don’t go to the lengths Michael F. O’Connor went to in cheating the IRS.
Homes Evacuated after Gas-Line Rupture
Event closes Chain Bridge Road in both directions.
A rupture of a 2-inch, natural gas line last week forced several homes in Oakton to be evacuated and brought afternoon traffic on heavily traveled Chain Bridge Road to a standstill.
Vienna Community Center to Be LEED Silver
Town Council approves fee to seek certification.
If all goes well, the new and improved Vienna Community Center will make its debut on its 50th anniversary in April 2016.
Staff Gets Go-Ahead to Negotiate Pact
Town and Park Authority will formalize trail-realignment agreement.
Relocation of a portion of the W&OD Trail is just one part of the Vienna Community Center expansion and renovation project – but it’s an important part.
‘Realizing that Being Different Is OK’
Vienna, Oakton residents perform in ‘Shrek the Musical.’
A big green ogre, a princess, a wisecracking donkey and a love-struck dragon – they’ll all be onstage when The Alliance Theatre’s Summer Stars program presents “Shrek the Musical.”
‘They’re Thinking Beyond Themselves’
They’re of Indian descent, so they’re helping Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), which works mainly in India, Pakistan and Nepal.
Children Enjoy Big Vehicles Up Close
Some 2,800 people attended the recent Touch-A-Truck event at the Chantilly Regional Library.
Residents Comment on Maple Avenue Corridor
Tell Town Council the pros and cons of what’s proposed.
At the July 7 public hearing for Vienna’s proposed Maple Avenue Corridor (MAC) zoning district, people spoke both for and against the project.
Plan to Enhance Maple Avenue
Public hearing held on proposed, new zoning district.
On July 7, the Town Council held part one of a two-part public hearing on the proposed, new district for commercial property along Maple Avenue. Part two is set for Aug. 18.
‘Really Fun and a Great Experience’
Local students enjoy summer computer camp.
In the morning, Bijoy Thomas taught seven students, ages 12-14, how to make DS, or hand-held, video games. And in the afternoon, he taught them about BattleBots and Raspberry Pi.
Neighbors Object to Follin Lane Project
They say it’ll result in a ‘clear and present danger.’
The $2 million road project consists of reconstructing Follin, widening it and installing sidewalks, storm drains, curbs and gutters.
Train Station Parking Will Be Expanded
Two easements should help Vienna businesses, trail users.
After much discussion and public comment, The Town of Vienna has granted conservation and parking easements to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
Oakton’s Lourdes Navarro in ‘Pippi Longstocking’
Plays the title character’s girlfriend in children’s show.
A children’s classic comes to life when The City of Fairfax Theatre Company and Truro Anglican Church present “Pippi Longstocking: The Family Musical.”
Council Mulls Memorial to Mayor Jane Seeman
May form committee to decide what type would be best.
After serving on the Vienna Town Council, M. Jane Seeman was Vienna’s mayor for 14 years until her death from lung cancer on Feb. 23.
Vienna Police Are in Annual Torch Run
Several members of the Vienna Police Department participated June 5 in the 29th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Virginia Special Olympics.
‘Go into the World Fearlessly’
Madison High graduates 496 students on June 18.
Turning their tassels and tossing their caps into the air, nearly 500 Madison High students graduated last Wednesday, June 18, in Robinson Secondary School’s field house.
New Vienna Officer Academy Graduate
Vienna Police Officer Andrew Slebonick graduated May 5 from the 61st Session of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy.
Traffic Study Presented
Town Council hears results of Tysons traffic study.
Concerned about how the increasing urbanization of Tysons Corner and the resulting traffic will affect surrounding neighborhoods, Fairfax County had 29 intersections analyzed.
Vienna Community Center Renovation Plans Update
Town to seek LEED silver certification for project.
The 48-year-old Vienna Community Center is being renovated, enlarged and modernized.
Differing Views on Parking, Land Use
Town of Vienna says easements would benefit businesses, trail users.
The Town of Vienna hopes to grant conservation and parking easements to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority to expand the Vienna Train Station parking lot.
‘Dream Come True’ for Vienna Teen
New horse, high scores and ribbons for Cassie Picard.
Vienna teenager Cassie Picard spends a lot of time horsing around – but that’s because she rides ponies in competition.
Strawberries, Daisies and Doughnuts, Oh, My!
Buy fresh produce, meet neighbors at Vienna Farmers Market.
For fresh produce, flowers, crepes, breakfast tarts, candy, baked goods and piping-hot doughnut holes – in a cheerful atmosphere filled with friends and neighbors – the Vienna Farmers Market is hard to beat.
Born to Run Memorial 5K Race Is June 14
Fundraiser for deceased teacher’s two daughters.
In November 2013, Franklin Middle School teacher Jannine Parisi, 47, was the victim of a tragedy which left her two teenage daughters without parents.
Packaging Food for Stop Hunger Now
Churches, community unite to feed hungry children.
When members of a community join together for a common purpose, there’s virtually no limit to what they can accomplish. And when residents from throughout Vienna and Oakton gathered to package meals for the world’s hungriest people, they definitely made an impact.
Pausing to Remember America’s Fallen
Memorial Day ceremony at Oakton’s Flint Hill Cemetery.
Residents and dignitaries alike paid their respects to America’s fallen heroes during American Legion Post 180’s annual Memorial Day ceremony.
Attanasi Appointed To Town Council
Vienna also adopts minimum tree-canopy coverage rules.
There’s a new member on the Vienna Town Council, but this one didn’t have to be elected. Instead, Emil Attanasi was appointed to fill new Mayor Laurie DiRocco’s unexpired term on the Council.
‘Look Around and See the Smiles’
Special-ed students enjoy Day Prom at the Waterford.
Last Thursday, May 8, some 400 students got all dressed up and went to their prom at the Waterford in Fair Oaks. Once there, they had professional photos taken, ate pizza, sang karaoke, laughed and hung out with their friends. And when the music played their favorite songs, they filled the dance floor and showed off their coolest moves.
Helping the Earth and Having Fun
Visitors flock to Vienna’s sixth annual Green Expo.
The Vienna Community Center recently hosted the sixth annual Green Expo, in which some three dozen, earth-friendly exhibitors showed those attending how to achieve a green lifestyle. There were spiffy cars that use alternative fuel, plus people providing information about everything from water conservation to ways to protect the environment, how to recycle and even opportunities to go on eco-adventures.