Vienna Bike Rodeo, May 3
A bike rodeo for children, preschool through sixth grade, is slated for Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m.-noon, in the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department parking lot, 400 Center St S., Vienna. Advance registration is not needed.
Under the guidance of a veteran cyclist, the rodeo will help children who already know how to ride a bike develop safety skills including breaking, balancing, basic road rules and how to handle obstacles. Children must have a helmet to participate. Free bike and helmet checks will be available.
Jointly sponsoring this event are the Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Dept., Vienna Police Dept., Safe Routes to School, Spokes Etc. and Bikes@Vienna. Participating elementary schools include Cunningham Park, Flint Hill, Louise Archer, Marshal Road, Vienna, Westbriar and Wolftrap.
For more information, call 703-255-6360 or visit http://www.viennava.gov/documentcenter/view/851. In case of inclement weather, call the weather line at 703-255-7842 for any cancellation or delay.
Tim Fricker of Bikes@Vienna Recognized at Vienna Green Expo
The Vienna Town/Business Liaison Committee selected Tim Fricker, owner of Bikes@Vienna, 128 Church St NW, for the first annual Vienna Green Business Recognition Award. The honor acknowledges local businesses and non-profits that have adopted sustainable and environmentally-friendly business practices. Bikes@Vienna specializes in folding, recumbent, tandem and upright bikes, as well as gear and accessories.
The award was presented by Mayor Laurie A. DiRocco and members of the Town Business Liaison Committee during the 6th Annual Vienna Green Expo on Thursday, April 24. The Expo, held at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE, featured presentations and discussions for children and adults from more than 35 juried organizations and businesses with information on energy efficiency, creating green gardens, recycling options and other ideas to save money and help the environment.
Vienna Farmers Market Opens
Sponsored and operated by the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna, the Vienna Saturday Farmers Market will open Saturday, May 3, at Faith Baptist Church, 301 Center St. S. It’ll be open each Saturday through Oct. 25 from 8 a.m.-noon. There’s a bike rack provided by Bikes@Vienna for bicyclists, and parking for farmers market patrons, plus people with special needs will be available in the church parking lot.
Except for coffee and tea, all items for sale are locally grown, raised, made or produced.
Walk, Bike, Shop Vienna
The Vienna Town Business Liaison Committee, in partnership with the Vienna Business Association, will host Walk, Bike, Shop Vienna, a May 5-9 promotion to benefit local elementary schools and businesses. During that week, participating businesses will offer a minimum 5-percent donation to local, elementary-school PTAs for all sales made whenever the Walk, Bike, Shop Vienna promotion is mentioned.
Schools that will benefit include: Cunningham Park, Flint Hill, Louise Archer, Marshall Road, Vienna, Westbriar and Wolftrap. Funds raised will be distributed equally to each school’s PTA. For a list of participating businesses, go to http://cloud.chambermaster.com/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/9111/File/walkbikeshopViennaflyer042414.pdf.
Don’t Forget to Vote
Next Tuesday, May 6, is election day for Town Council members and mayor in the Town of Vienna. Polls at the Vienna Community Center, at 120 Cherry Street S.E., will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Beware of Jury-Duty Scam
Scammers identifying themselves as deputy sheriffs are calling Fairfax County residents and claiming they failed to appear for jury duty and must pay a court fee to avoid arrest. The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is in no way associated with this scam. Sheriff's deputies will not call people asking for money nor threatening them with arrest.
Anyone receiving a threatening phone call related to jury duty should hang up immediately. Do not give out personal information, including Social Security number, bank account or credit card numbers, passwords or any other identifying information. Regularly monitor all monetary accounts and always use strong passwords.
In other cases, scammers call and say they’re from the court or law enforcement and the person can avoid a warrant if they pay a fine. But law enforcement will never ask for money to avoid prosecution. Or scammers will demand money to not cut off electricity or for bond money for an arrested grandchild. Police urge residents to:
• Contact the court if there’s any doubt.
• Be skeptical if someone asks/demands payment with a Green Dot Moneypack, Western Union, or any electronic wiring service.
• Report suspicious or harassing calls to police at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/120413citizenreportingsystem.htm
• Remember, once money has been wired/sent, it’s impossible to recover.
• For more information, go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/financialcrimes/commonscams.htm.