Send community notes to vienna@connectionnewspapers.com or 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean VA 22102. Call 703-917-6449 with questions.
The second installment on 2007 Town of Vienna real estate tax bills is due on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Mailed payments must be postmarked on or before that date to avoid penalties and interest. Payments may also be made in person at Town Hall. For more information, call 703-255-6325 or e-mail peng@ci.vienna.va.us. To pay by credit card online, visit www.viennava.gov and click on "Online Payments." To pay by phone with a credit card, call 1-888-2PAYTAX (1-888-272-9829), and use the Jurisdiction Code 1094 for real estate. Record the confirmation number given at the end of the transaction, as this will serve as proof of payment.
Visit historic Occoquan on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Leave the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, at 10 a.m. and return at 3 p.m. The fee of $50 for town residents includes transportation, luncheon tea at the Pink Bicycle Tea Room and Gift Shop, and a short walking tour highlighting local history. For information, call 703-255-6360.
The Conservatory Ballet of Reston announces its 36th annual Nutcracker performance schedule. This all-children cast of approximately 125 students from the Conservatory, ages 5 to 17, will offer eight performances at the Reston Community Center and two special Gala performances at the Madeira School Theater in McLean. Performances at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, 703-476-4500, are Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 5-8 7:30 p.m. each evening, with matinees Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8 and 9. Saturday matinees are 11 a.m. (a shortened, one-hour performance) and 3:30 p.m., Sunday matinees are noon (a shortened, one-hour performance) and 3:30 p.m. The performances at the Madeira School Theatre, 8328 Georgetown Pike, McLean, on Saturday, Dec. 15, include a matinee at 1:30 p.m. and an evening performance 6 p.m.
Tickets for the Reston Community Center performances are $20 adults, $16 youth 12 and under, $18 adults and $14 youth for the shortened performance; they can be purchased by calling 703-476-4500. Tickets for the Madeira School Theatre performances are $20 for adults, $16 youth 12 and under in advance, $22 adults and $18 youth at the door; they can be purchased by calling the Conservatory Ballet at 703-715-8366.
The performance will present five graduating Conservatory Ballet Curriculum students: Stanislav Bolosko of Reston (Cavalier), Alexandra Moffett of Leesburg and Kara Ruskin of Reston (Snow Queen), Sara Madalone of Great Falls (Waltz Solo), Chelsea Monger of Reston as (Sugar Plum). Other featured performers are Megan Kampa Oak Hill, Lexie Overholt of Oakton and Mary Kate Kronzer of Oakton.
Vienna Town Hall will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, during the annual Town employees’ holiday luncheon. Police and other essential services will not be affected.
The Fairfax Academy for Communication Arts will present "Jingles, Bells and Tales" at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, on the Vienna Town Green. Free of charge. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. For more information, call 703-255-6360.
Break-It-Down Zumba sample session to introduce this new aerobics dance class will be held at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon. Zumba incorporates movements from salsa, merengue, samba and other popular Latin dances to strengthen and shape the body. The fee is $15 for town residents. For information, call 703-255-6360.
Holiday Concert Trip: Celebrate the holidays with the U.S. Army Band and guest artist Louise Mandrell at Constitution Hall on Sunday, Dec. 9. Leave the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, at 1:30 p.m. and return at 6 p.m. Tickets are free; transportation is $18 for town residents. For information, call 703-255-6360.
Holiday Toy Drive: Northern Virginia Family Service will hold their annual Holiday Toy Drive Dec. 10-21 in Oakton. Volunteers are needed to receive and sort donated toys, load and unload vehicles, and assist case managers as they choose gifts for their clients. Toys can be dropped off at the NVFS office at 10455 White Granite Drive, Oakton, Dec. 10-14. Gift cards from stores including Giant, Safeway, Shoppers, Target and Wal-Mart are also welcome. For information, call Ann Granger at 703-219-2193 or e-mail volunteer@nvfs.org.
The 25th annual Neediest Kids Food Drive, which continues through Friday, Dec. 21, is a convenient way for area residents to help their neighbors in need during the season of giving. The drop-off locations are located in all Safeway grocery stores throughout the area. Safeway customers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items by placing them in the designated shopping cart at the front of each store. All food donated will benefit feeding organizations that serve the community nearest the store.
Among the beneficiaries of the donations is the Capital Area Food Bank, which provides food to 750 feeding agencies in the Washington metropolitan area. They serve more than 383,000 local residents who are at risk of hunger. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation may send it to Neediest Kids, c/o Comcast SportsNet, PO Box 31257, Bethesda, MD 20824.
Chinese Conversation Group meets for practicing speaking the language, 7:45-8:45 p.m., Wednesdays at the group study room of the Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. Call 571-225-7697. No meeting the week of Christmas, Wednesday Dec. 26.