Public Invited to Town Hall Meeting
State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) and Del. Mark Keam (D-35) will discuss Vienna’s 2016 Legislative Agenda at a public Town Hall meeting from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Town Hall, 127 Center Street S. Citizens are invited to attend the meeting to learn more about the Town’s legislative goals and to share feedback with government representatives.
Transportation, water quality, and community development are among the issues that the Town Council has requested that local state representatives address during the 2016 General Assembly session, which started Jan. 13.
Rather than calculating Virginia Department of Transportation road maintenance assistance based on lane mileage as is currently done, Council suggests that lane volume would be a more suitable measurement. Council is also seeking additional funding for new sidewalk projects to address pedestrian access and connectivity to public transportation in an effort to reduce motor vehicle traffic and congestion.
Vienna’s Legislative Agenda highlights the importance of the Town’s water in all its various forms, from urban stormwater to sewage treatment to general overflows. Council suggests that additional local funding would improve day-to-day management of water systems and allow localities to better meet state and federal quality regulations.
Other topics addressed in Vienna’s Legislative Agenda relate to:
advertisement of public hearings
local land-use authority
state and municipal fiscal relationship
construction project bids.
A number of online resources are available at virginiageneralassembly.gov to assist citizens in taking an active role in the legislative process.
Historic Vienna Announces 2016 Used Book Sale
The Historic Vienna, Inc. (HVI) Annual Used Book Sale will be held from Friday, April 1, through Sunday, April 3, at a new location. This year’s venue will be Patriot Hall, on the second floor of Dyer-Gunnel American Legion Post 180, 330 Center Street, N, Vienna. Hours for the event are 7-9 p.m. on the 1st, 9 a.m. till 7 p.m. on the 2nd, and noon until 5 p.m. on the 3rd. Friday evening will be a special reception and pre-sale for Historic Vienna members only. Those wishing to attend the pre-sale who are not members of Historic Vienna will be able to join at the door.
Collection of the thousands of books that will be available at the sale will begin on Feb. 1. Persons wishing to donate books are asked to leave them on the front porch of the Freeman Store and Museum, 131 Church Street, NE, Vienna. Books will be sorted into several dozen categories including cooking, history, arts, mystery, religion, health, travel, foreign language and much more. Children’s books are most welcome. Please do not donate magazines, text books, condensed books or sets of encyclopedia.
All proceeds from the book sale are used to support the operation of Historic Vienna and the Freeman Store and Museum. HVI is the nonprofit 501(c)3 organization established by the Vienna Town Council in 1976, to preserve and promote Vienna’s heritage through the identification, preservation, and interpretation of historically significant places, events, and persons; educate the public through permanent and revolving exhibits, outreach programs, special events and publications; and enhance a spirit of community through an awareness of Vienna’s past.
Stuff the Bus 2016
Fairfax County is promoting its annual "Stuff the Bus: Helping Fairfax Families" program at 14 locations from Jan. 16 to Feb. 15, 2016. This collaborative program, now in its sixth year, is a partnership among Fairfax County Government, local grocery stores and nonprofits to restock the shelves.
Each week a Fastran bus staffed by MV Transportation personnel will park at a different location and collect food donations. The campaign kicks off Saturday, Jan. 16, the weekend leading up to the Martin Luther King Day of Service, and will run each weekend until President’s Day, Monday, Feb. 15.
All donation hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Stuff the Bus dates and locations:
Saturday, Jan. 23 - Vienna Giant, 359 Maple Avenue E., Vienna. Benefiting Committee for Helping Others.
Saturday, Jan. 30 - McLean Giant, 1454 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Benefiting Share, Inc.
Jewel Scholarship Deadline Feb. 18
The Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Educational and Charitable Foundation, Inc., (JGH) invites applicants for its 36th Annual Jewel Scholarship award. The $1,500 scholarship is awarded to 10 local students aspiring to pursue an undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university. The scholarship assists with tuition and other educational expenses.
For over 36 years, JGH has recognized and awarded certificates of achievement and scholarships to high achieving, socially and/or economically disadvantaged students during its annual awards program in June. Applications for the Jewel Scholarship are being accepted from Jan. 4 through Feb. 18,. For details and the application, please visit www.JGHFDN.org.