🌱 No More Cash Payments On Dulles Toll Road + FCPS Investigation

Hello there, Vienna! I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Partly sunny. High: 80 Low: 50.
• Friday: Mostly sunny; windy, cooler. High: 55 Low: 30.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Vienna who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Vienna:

1. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced that cash payments at toll booths will no longer be an option on the Dulles Toll Road beginning Mar. 1. Drivers can either pay tolls electronically or use the pay-by-plate option which will send an invoice. According to an information sheet on the electronic tolling, "Fully eliminating cash toll collection will increase safety and convenience for the traveling public by eliminating the sometimes-dramatic speed reductions and congestion that can occur at toll plazas. [All-Electronic Tolling] will also help improve air quality by reducing emissions from vehicles idling in toll lanes or accelerating and decelerating in manual collection toll lanes." (Vienna Patch)
2. On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Fairfax County School Board accused Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and his administration of "an alarming pattern of disregard for the academic needs of the Commonwealth's students," in a letter to Gov. Youngkin and state Education Secretary Aimee Guidera. The letter was sent after Youngkin ordered Guidera to review the College Board's AP African American Studies course to see if it conflicts with any state policies about the teaching of race. Fairfax County Public Schools is currently being investigated by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares for alleged discrimination. (Fox News)
3. About 50 local restaurants will participate in the 2023 Vienna Restaurant Week from Mar. 3 through Mar. 12! There will be special deals for dine-in, delivery, and takeout on every type of cuisine. Click here to see all the participating restaurants near you. (Tysons Reporter)

Today and tomorrow in Vienna:

Thursday, February 23

• Open DC Social & Networking Event At Bombay Tandoor Bar and Grill (6:00 PM)
• Masters Of Hawaiian Music: George Kahumoku Jr., Herb Ohta Jr., and Sonny Lim At The Barns At Wolf Trap (8:00 PM)

Friday, February 24

• Author Talk: Steve Berry Discusses "The Last Kingdom" At Vienna Community Center (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• A local family sought out Fairfax County's help in preserving the Carter Family Cemetery, a historic cemetery with deep roots in the Vienna area. On Feb. 21, the Board of Supervisors was asked “to investigate options for addressing safety concerns” and the long-term care of the cemetery. (FFX Now)
• Attorneys on Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s team are questioning his criminal justice reforms and policies. According to his team, his policies are allegedly impacting the prosecution of child sex exploitation cases by emboldening public defenders and defense attorneys. (ABC 7 News)
• Looking for a new home or just want to stay up-to-date on the local housing market? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Vienna area, including a huge seven-bedroom on Truman Circle SW for $2,095,000! (Vienna Patch)

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Featured events:

• Author talk: Steve Berry discusses "The Last Kingdom" (February 24)
• Speech Therapy Clinic Grand Opening (February 25)
• XP League Open House (February 25)
• Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show (February 26)
• Celebrate Mardi Gras Featuring Orleans Express of Maryland (February 26)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (March 1)
• Color Trends and Setting the Right Mood for your Home (March 3)
• Master Singers of VA Presents Sing Her Song (March 4)
• Fairfax Choral Society’s 60th Anniversary Gala (March 11)
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Free stuff:

• Good furniture, household, vintage & miscellaneous (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you soon for your next update.

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!