<sh>Money for Dulles Rail in House Bill
<bt>The six-year, $275 billion transportation bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on April 2 included federal approval of funding for the Dulles Rail project. Although the bill did not include a dollar amount to be allocated to the project, U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) called the approval "a major step forward.
"If the project failed to get in, it would have been another six years before the chance would come around again," Wolf said in a release.
Rail backers have said the federal government needs to fund $600 million toward the project's construction for it to be completed on time. It is unclear at this point how much money Congress will put toward the project.
Earlier this year, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved creation of a special tax district requiring commercial landowners in the Dulles Corridor to pay higher real estate taxes to fund the county's share of the project. The state of Virginia will also consider raising the tolls on the Dulles Toll Road to help pay for rail.
The U.S. Senate has already passed its own $318 billion version of the bill.
The White House, however, is pushing for a pared-back transportation bill not to exceed $256 billion.
<sh>Restaurant Opening Fund-Raiser
<bt>Chipotle Mexican Grill is opening its new restaurant in Vienna on Thursday, April 15. As a pre-opening event, the restaurant, which is located at 231 Maple Ave. E., is hosting a fund-raiser on Wednesday, April 14, in which 100 percent of the $5 admission/donation goes to benefit Vienna's Stenwood Elementary School. Every attendee receives a burrito, tacos or bol; a drink; and salsa and chips. Chipotle's hours of operation are 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
<sh>Car Tag Deadline April 15
<bt>Residents of the Town of Vienna have until midnight on April 15 to obtain their 2004 motor vehicle decals. Decals are available by mail or in person at Town Hall, 127 Center St. S., weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Additional hours for last-minute car tag sales have been scheduled at Town Hall on Saturday, April 10, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m., and on Wednesday, April 14, and Thursday, April 15, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
The registration fee is $20 for passenger cars and trucks weighing under 4,000 pounds, $25 for cars and trucks 4,000 pounds and over, and $10.50 for motorcycles.
For more information, call the Finance Department at 703-255-6323.
<sh>Review Vienna Town Budget
<bt>Copies of the proposed Town of Vienna budget for FY ‘04-05 are available for public review in the Administrative Services Office at Town Hall, 127 Center St. S., and at Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave. E. A "Budget in Brief" summary may be obtained at Town Hall free of charge, and the entire budget document may be purchased. For more information, call 703-255-6350.
Town Council budget work sessions take place at Town Hall on Monday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 17, at 11 a.m.; and, if needed, Tuesday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. Work sessions are open to the public. A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for the May 18 Council meeting.
<sh>Volunteer Recognition Day April 13
<bt>To celebrate volunteerism in the Town of Vienna, Mayor Jane Seeman has proclaimed Tuesday, April 13, as Volunteer Recognition Day. At a special meeting of the Mayor's Advisory Committee on April 13, at 8 p.m., the following individuals will be recognized for their volunteering efforts: Gil and Ginny Aldridge; Carmen Archambault; Jean Bastien; Ed Belte; Nancy Borkovec; Al Boudreau; Donald Burns; Fred Crabtree; Kathy Cutri; Harry Davies; Margaret Dellinger; Becky Hartley; George High; Diana Johnson; Kaye D. Kause; James Kiefer; John McGinnis; Anne Marie Michlowski; Jack Mitchell; William "Bill" Murphy; John Runyon; Frank Rusk; Sam Savia; John Scheib; Mayo Stuntz and Bob Zillian.
The public is invited to attend the program in the Council Chamber at Town Hall, 127 Center St. S.
<sh>Meeting to Discuss Oakton School House
<bt>Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence) is conducting a public meeting to discuss the possible relocation of the historic Oakton School House and development of the Corbalis Park property in Oakton on Monday, April 19, at 7 p.m. in the Oakton High School Cafeteria. Co-sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Authority, the meeting offers a chance for the public to discuss the future development of a community park on the 9.8-acre Corbalis property, located at 2841 Hunter Mill Road. Oakton High School is located at 2900 Sutton Road in Vienna.
At the meeting, Smyth will present a proposal to relocate the Oakton School House to this property. She will also be speaking about the option of developing this park through a public-private partnership.
Interested individuals and groups are invited to attend and be involved in the early planning efforts. For more information about the meeting, contact Angie Allen at 703-324-8694, or send questions/comments to Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
<sh>Louise Archer Hosts Blood Drive
<bt>Louise Archer Elementary hosts a community blood drive on Monday, April 19, from 12-4 p.m. Child care is provided in the school's gymnasium. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted. To register, call the school's main office at 703-937-6200. For more information, call 703-938-3608.
<sh>Vienna Arts Society Presents Annual Show
<bt>The Vienna Arts Society Gallery will be the site for the group's annual trunk show and sale on Saturday, April 17, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. A one-day event, the show will feature artwork from 25 local artists working in watercolor, oils, acrylic and mixed media. Featured artist Brenda Mattioli will host a free drawing for a watercolor painting.
The Gallery is located in the Village Green Shopping Center at 513 Maple Ave. W., Vienna. Admission is free. For more information, call 703-319-3971, or go to www.viennaartssociety.org.