Town Green Filled with Excitement!

I was passing by last week mid-morning and saw a group of mom and toddlers next to the bathroom, where someone seemed to be conducting a "group". It just looked a bit off.

WOW!! NOW THIS IS EXCITING!!!

What is scarier than a dulcimer band at the Town Green? A machete wielding drunk on Saturday afternoon:

Man Arrested on Weapon, Property-Destruction Charges
Sun Gazette Newspaper

Vienna police were dispatched to the 100 block of Hickory Circle, S.W., on April 26 at 5 p.m. after a man allegedly broke a pickup truck's windshield.

Officers arrested Marbin Leonel Ramos-Pineda, 21, of no fixed address, on charges of destruction of property, carrying a concealed weapon (a machete) and being drunk in public, police said.

Ole!

Nice to see that NOT ONE of our local politicians put on a pair of running shoes and got their butts moving. I mean they could not even WALK the 5K race?! Kudos to Steve and Chap for running each year.

Run Fun
Vienna Elementary School hosts annual 5K race.

By Donna Manz, The Connection
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

A record number of runners, 550 of them, ran in the fourth annual Vienna Elementary School 5K run under ideal running conditions … dry ground, gray cloudy skies, and cooler temperatures. A one-mile "fun walk" preceded the race.

"The whole emphasis of the one-mile fun walk is to promote physical fitness, especially among the kids," said Chris Brunjes, a school parent and 5K race chair. "We ran out of registration numbers for the 5K right at 550."

Serious runners, fitness supporters, children and elected officials, turned out for the April 27 run from Center and Locust streets, down Cottage Street, and back to Locust and Center.

"It’s a lot of fun getting out with people in the community," said dtate Del. Steve Shannon (D-35), a race sponsor and third-year participant. "Usually, I see my neighbors in suits, so it’s nice to be out casually, having fun for the benefit of the children.

"Can’t say how well I’ll do, but I think I’ll finish the race," Shannon said.

State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34), participant and sponsor, had little spare time to run during the fall campaign, but his participation in the school’s race showed he is back in running form.

Some stalwarts, like Vienna Elementary father, race sponsor, and home builder Steve Bukont of Ayr Hill Homes, participated in both events. He walked with younger son, Jeffrey, in the fun walk, and then accompanied older son and defending champ, Nick, in the 5K race. Jeffrey said the fun walk was good and only "medium-hard."

Another local home builder, sponsor, and community volunteer, J.P. Brehony, ran alongside his friend, "Blind Guy," Steve Sedgwick. As is their usual characteristic, Sedgwick wore his well-known "Blind Guy" t-shirt, and Brehony, his "I’m with Blind Guy" t-shirt.

"I just want to keep up with Shannon here," said sponsor and runner, U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-11), chatting with Shannon and fellow Vienna-ites.

LAST YEAR, the race raised $12,000. Brunjes speculates that this year, it looks like the school will raise over $14,000 from the race. Sponsors totalled 61, and several businesses, such as Physiotherapy Associates and Commerce Bank, gave away promotions. Sponsors helped with raffle prizes, medals, and refreshments. Mayor M. Jane Seeman and Town Council members Edythe Kelleher and Laurie Cole cheered the runners, along with a legion of family members of participants.

"I like doing this event because it gets people from all the areas around Vienna to come out and participate," said Brunjes, in his second year as race chair, and fourth year as sponsor coordinator. "It’s a good community event."

I thought that the headline said, "Town Green Filled with Excrement," perhaps a result of so many dogs coming to drink from the fountain. Anyway, it is good to have a concert series. I am even happy to have the Town pay for some of it. But sidewalks are still a higher priority than the Town Green and all its maintenance costs. After all, I can take my kids to concerts elsewhere at low cost, but I can't easily build a sidewalk for them.

Who decides and pays for the bands booked at the Town Brown? I guess is it's our tax dollars, and my guess is we (The Taxpayers) have no say in who plays and gets paid. What a way to run a town.

okay, I think this sounds nice...at least something will be going on there, right? It's what other towns do with their parks. I know we love to hate the TG, but this isn't so bad...

Which of the activities listed could not be held at the community center gazebo or the stage at Glyndon Park. Could probably be held at the infamous Meadow Lane Park. Or even the dog park, dogs like to be entertained too.

>>A machete wielding drunk on Saturday afternoon>>

My elderly in-laws live near this "problem" house. It is literally a rooming house, with the renters subletting sleeping space in shifts.

Assorted criminals who have been arrested for sexual and other assaults, as well as drug dealing live there on an ongoing basis.

And the kicker? There are four children under 14 who live there as well.