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.
Beware of Scam Callers
Town of Vienna police are warning residents to beware of scam callers. They say residents have reported receiving telephone calls by people claiming to be a relative who’s been arrested. The caller says he or she is in jail and needs money to get bailed out. The caller then requests credit-card information and/or asks for the victim to wire funds via Western Union or another transfer company.
In addition, residents have also gotten phone calls from people telling them they’ve won money. However, to receive it, they’re told they must make a payment, either by Western Union or a Green Dot Card, to pay for the taxes on the winnings.
But, say police, “[Both of] these types of calls are scams. Never send money or provide your personal information unless you have verified the validity of the caller.”
Kids and Healthy Relationships
A free, parent workshop, “How to Talk to Your Kids about Healthy Relationships,” will be held Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 7:30- 9 p.m., at the Club Phoenix Teen Center, 120 Cherry Street SE.
This workshop is designed to help parents understand what a healthy teen relationship looks like and the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship. Preregister by contacting Tammy Funk at 703-255-5736 or tfunk@viennava.gov.
Music Contest Feb. 22
The 52nd Annual James A. Bland Music Contest, sponsored by the Vienna Host Lions Club, will be held Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m., at the Vienna Assembly of God Church, 100 Ayr Hill Ave. The contest will include vocalists and instrumentalists who’ll each present a song or piece of no more than eight minutes and will be judged by local experts in their field.
Cash prizes will be awarded to first- and second-place winners in each category. The first-place winners move up to the next level of competition. For more information and an application, contact Lion Nancy Volpe at 703- 938-7716, 703-851-1313 or n.volpe8@verizon.net. Application deadline is Monday, Feb. 17.
Chili Cook Off Feb. 23
A Chili Cook Off is slated for Sunday, Feb. 23, from 5-8 p.m., at American Legion Post 180 at 330 Center St. N. in Vienna. Cost is $8; call 703-938-9535 for information.
Experience Northside Park at Night
Experience the outdoors at night and get to know the nighttime wildlife at Northside Park (entrance by the W&OD Trail) on Sunday, Feb. 16, beginning at 4:45 p.m.
Lead by a naturalist, “Owl Walk” will provide participants with the opportunity to experience the park at night and use their ears instead of their eyes to identify wild neighbors.
The tour will include a presentation on the animals you might hear or see in the park. The presentation will begin at 4:45 p.m. with the children’s portion beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a 20 minute walk through the park.
Participants should meet at the Northside Park entrance off of the W&OD Trail. Participants should bring a flashlight and wear good walking shoes.
Owl Walk is free and no registration is required. You do not have to be a resident of Vienna to participate; appropriate for all ages. For more information, visit www.viennava.gov or call 703-255-6360.
Photo Contest and Exhibit at Community Center
The Vienna Parks and Recreation Department's annual Photography Contest and Exhibit will be held Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, March 16, from noon to 3:30 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street, SE.
Entries will be accepted Thursday, March 13, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. and Friday, March 14, from noon to 3:45 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Photos will be judged by local professional photographers and ribbons awarded in eight categories: animals, architecture, digital, nature, pictorial, photojournalism, portraiture and scenic. There will be a separate contest section for middle and high school students.
The entry fee is $10 per person. Entries are limited to four photos per person and a maximum of two in any one category. The contest is open to all metropolitan area amateur photographers. Photo contest and exhibit is assisted by the Vienna Photographic Society. For more information, call Vienna Parks and Recreation at 703-255-6360 or visit www.viennava.gov.