PUBLIC-ART INITIATIVE COMING TO VIENNA: Rustic Love, a Vienna-based nonprofit focused on helping ease food insecurity, is partnering with local mural artist Teresa L.C. Ahmad and Commonwealth Home Design to bring its heart-themed fundraising to a public art piece in downtown Vienna.
Rustic Love’s signature heart yard signs dot communities all around Northern Virginia and beyond, and to date, the nonprofit has raised nearly $500,000. Since 2020, 21 Northern Virginia nonprofits – mainly under-resourced school pantries that assist students and families in need of food and nourishment – have benefited from Rustic Love’s fundraising efforts.
“The Rustic Love Hearts and Home mural on the Commonwealth Home Design building will be an extension of the genuine concern and generosity expressed by our local community during and proceeding the pandemic,” said the organization’s founder and executive director, Michelle Connors. “We are excited to bring a vibrant public-art piece to life that incorporates our open-heart design and raises money for the food-insecure in our community in the process.”
The Commonwealth Home Design building is located at 208 Dominion Road, N.E., beside the W&OD Regional Trail in downtown Vienna, and the mural will be painted by the mural artist and a team of volunteers in 2024 once fundraising is complete.
For information on the initiative, see the Website at www.rusticlovemural.com.
VIENNA POLICE LAUNCH STOP-SIGN ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN: The Vienna Police Department is launching its annual “Stop Means Stop” traffic-safety campaign, focusing on enforcing all traffic laws, particularly those related to stop signs.
Officers will be vigilant in issuing tickets and reminding drivers of the importance of coming to a complete stop when encountering a solid or flashing red light or a stop sign, ensuring they halt before entering the crosswalk, intersection or stop line. In certain situations, such violations may be considered reckless driving and result in citations.
Drivers caught violating stop signs or red-light regulations will face fines and receive three demerit points on their driving records.
VIENNA TO KICK OFF ‘LIBERTY AMENDMENTS MONTH’ FESTIVITIES: The Vienna town government will kick off its annual Liberty Amendments Month celebration on Saturday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 450 Orchard St., S.W.
“Inspiring presentations, live music, food and family fun are all featured in this festive event,” town officials said.
Other events in the series will include a naturalization ceremony to be held June 29 at the Vienna Community Center; Independence Day festivities July 2 at Yeonas Park; and a multicultural festival on July 12 at the Vienna Town Green.
For information, see the Website at www.viennava.gov/liberty.
BELOVED MERRY-GO-ROUND TO GET SENDOFF: It’s last call for those who over the past 40 years have loved the metal merry-go-around at Meadow Lane Park in Vienna.
But the structure will go out on a high note.
Vienna town officials are planning a celebration on Tuesday, June 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. to say goodbye to the childhood favorite, in place since the early 1980s.
“Age has taken its toll on the classic fixture, and repair crews say they’re out of options – the sentimental favorite must be retired for safety reasons,” town officials said.
The June 11 event will include refreshments (although because of condition issues, there will be no last rides).
Town officials say plans are in place for a replacement with modern-day features.
“It won’t be exactly the same, but parks and recreation staff will do their best to find a ride that’s reminiscent of the classic,” town officials said.
Located at 400 Courthouse Road, S.W., the park also includes tennis/pickleball courts, playground swings, a picnic pavilions and ballfields.
VIENNA DETAILS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: The Vienna town government has announced plans to celebrate the nation’s 248th birthday with Independence Day festivities on Tuesday, July 2 beginning at 6 p.m. at Yeonas Park.
Before the fireworks (set to begin at 9:30 p.m.), there will be music by Cantaré (Caribbean and Latin American) and Thunderball (rock, pop, country, disco and funk). Food will be available at the Vienna Little League concession stand and through a number of food trucks.
For information, see the Website at www.viennava.gov/fireworks.
‘SUMMER ON THE GREEN’ SERIES TO KICK OFF: The Vienna town government’s Summer on the Green concert series, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Vienna, will run select Fridays beginning June 7 on the Vienna Town Green.
Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. and generally run about 90 minutes. For information and an updated list of performers, see the Website at www.viennava.gov/.
RESTAURANT FUND-RAISER WILL BENEFIT LIONS CLUB: The Vienna (Host) Lions Club will be the beneficiary of a fund-raiser held Tuesday, June 11 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Foster’s Grille in Vienna.
Patrons should ask the cashier to put their receipt in the Lions’ box at checkout. Twenty percent of the check will be donated to support youth, sight, hearing and community programs.
Participants also can bring used eyeglasses and hearing aids for donation.
For information, e-mail golfertom1943@gmail.com.
BOOK-APPRAISAL EVENT COMING TO FREEMAN STORE: Historic Vienna Inc. will host a book-appraisal event on Saturday, June 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Freeman Store & Museum, 131 Church St., N.E.
Cameron Rittenhouse-Smith of Sequitur Books will provide assessments and appraisals of up to two tomes per person. Evaluations will be open to the public.
AMERICAN LEGION POST TO HOST MONTHLY BREAKFAST BUFFET: American Legion Post 180 will host its monthly breakfast buffet on Sunday, June 16 from 8 a.m. to noon.
The event, with a Father’s Day theme this month, will be held at the post, 330 Center St., N., in Vienna.
The cost is $12 for adults, $5 for youth under 12. Proceeds will be used to send local high-school students to Girls State, and to support youth activities.
For information, call (703) 409-3564.
