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Cover photo by Mauricio Cordeiro

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ENRICHING EACH OTHER, ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITY!

PUBLICATION TEAM

Connections Grow Where Community Begins& © Best Version Media

Dear Vienna Friends,

Publisher Carmella Antonino

Content Coordinator Tania Reyes

August has a way of reminding us to savor summer's nal moments. Whether you're enjoying one last family vacation, relaxing by the pool, attending a neighborhood gathering, or simply spending time with loved ones, this is a wonderful season to pause and appreciate life's simple pleasures. Before long, backpacks will be packed, school buses will return, football games will begin, and the crisp days of autumn will usher in another exciting chapter lled with community events and holiday celebrations.

Designer Nadine Schmitt

Contributing Photographer Mauricio Cordeiro

JOIN OUR GROWING NUMBER OF SPONSORS

Contact: Carmella Antonino

Phone: 412-475-0133

Email: cantonino@bestversionmedia.com

TELL US YOUR IDEAS

Have feedback, ideas, classifieds, or submissions?

We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month. Email your thoughts, ideas, and photos to cantonino@bestversionmedia.com.

You may also submit your thoughts, ideas and photos to: bestversionmedia.com/magazines/viennaliving

CONTENT SUBMISSION DEADLINES

Content is due by the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

EMERGENCY 911

Fairfax County Non-Emergency

Police/Fire/Animal Control

Wolftrap Fire Station #42

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

703-691-2131

703-757-7910

703-691-2131

Fairfax County VA Park Authority Rec Centers 703-324-8680

Fairfax County Parks Department

703-321-7080

Vienna Community Center/Parks and Recs 703-255-6360

Fairfax County Public Schools Main Number 571-423-3000

This month, we are honored to feature the remarkable Aleahmad family on the cover of Vienna Living. Akram Aleahmad's story is one of extraordinary courage, perseverance, and purpose. What began as an unexpected journey from Iran to England, and eventually to the United States, became the foundation for a successful banking career and a lifelong commitment to serving others.

Today, as manager of United Bank's Vienna branch, Akram has become much more than a banking professional. She is a trusted community leader, dedicated volunteer, and advocate for the people and organizations that make Vienna such a special place to call home. Alongside her family—Seyed Aleahmad, Farnaz Daneshvaran, and Faramarz Daneshvaran—they exemplify the values of resilience, generosity, and connection that enrich our community every day. Their story reminds us that home is not simply where we live—it is where we choose to invest our hearts, build relationships, and make a difference.

This month, we are also proud to spotlight Vienna Presbyterian Church, a true cornerstone of the Vienna community for more than 150 years. Since celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2021 and welcoming Reverend Dr. Hope Lee as its Lead Pastor, the church has continued to grow as a place of faith, fellowship, and compassionate service. Today, with more than 1,500 members, Vienna Presbyterian Church offers countless opportunities for worship, education, support, and outreach while serving local, national, and international missions. More than its size or history, however, its greatest strength is its unwavering commitment to living out its faith through service to others. For generations, Vienna Presbyterian Church has been a source of hope, encouragement, and care for individuals and families throughout our community, and we are honored to recognize its lasting impact.

As summer draws to a close, I encourage you to continue supporting the local businesses, nonpro ts, schools, and community organizations that help Vienna ourish. Every meal at a neighborhood restaurant, every purchase from a local business, every volunteer hour, and every act of kindness strengthens the fabric of our town.

I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to our advertisers and sponsors. Your continued partnership makes Vienna Living possible and allows us to celebrate the extraordinary people, businesses, and organizations that make our community so vibrant. Thank you for believing in the power of local connections and for investing in the place we all proudly call home.

On behalf of all of us at Vienna Living, thank you for inviting us into your homes each month. We wish students, teachers, administrators, and families a successful start to the new school year, and we hope everyone enjoys these last beautiful days of summer.

Warm regards,

Publisher, Vienna Living

CONTACT:

Carmella Antonino 412-475-0133 cantonino@bestversionmedia.com

From Global Journeys to Local Impact: A

Vienna Banker’s Story of Community and Connection

BY TANIA REYES

FCORDEIRO

or one Vienna business leader, the path to Northern Virginia was anything but ordinary. From a childhood in Iran to a career spanning decades in banking, her journey re ects resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to community. Today, as the manager of United Bank’s Vienna branch, she has found not just a profession, but a purpose rooted in connection and service.

Finding Home in Vienna

Born and raised in Iran, she describes her early years as grounded in strong family values, discipline, integrity, and respect for others, lessons instilled by her parents and especially her father, whom she considers her role model. At 19, she left Iran for what was meant to be a short three-week visit to England. Instead, history intervened.

“I happened to be on the last ight out of Tehran,” she recalls. “The airport was bombed shortly after we took off.” With travel abruptly halted due to the Iran-Iraq war, she remained in England, enrolling in a Quaker language school that would ultimately shape her future.

Encouraged by her school’s principal, she took the TOEFL exam and scored high enough to pursue college in the United States. Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, known for its Quaker roots and affordability, became her next step. “It was a small town, and the cost of living made it possible for me to study,” she says.

PHOTOS BY MAURICO

© Best Version Media

She graduated with a degree in Business and Management, setting the stage for a career that would eventually bring her to the Washington, D.C. area, and ultimately, Vienna.

Building a Career with Purpose

After college, she moved to Northern Virginia in the early 1990s during a challenging economic period. While searching for opportunities, she taught painting at a local art store, blending her lifelong passion for art with her practical need to work. Around the same time, she met her future husband, Seyed, marking the beginning of both a personal and professional chapter.

Her banking career began as a personal banker at First American Bank, which evolved through several mergers into major institutions including Wachovia and Wells Fargo. Over nearly three decades, she built deep expertise, earning investment licenses and advancing into relationship management and private banking roles at institutions like Bank of America and PNC.

Yet despite her success in large commercial banks, she felt drawn to something more personal. In 2018, she accepted the role of branch manager at

United Bank in Vienna.

“I wanted to join a community bank to truly serve local residents,” she explains. “Banking used to be about relationships, knowing your clients and supporting their families. I wanted to bring that back.”

Located on Maple Avenue, United Bank has become more than a workplace for her, it’s a hub for community engagement.

Life in the Neighborhood

While her home base is in Reston, her heart of community involvement lies rmly in Vienna. Through her leadership at United Bank, she has cultivated strong ties with local organizations, businesses, and residents.

Her work extends well beyond the bank’s walls. As a board member of the Vienna Business Association and the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia, she is actively involved in planning events, fundraising, and coordinating volunteers. She also encourages her staff to participate in community initiatives, reinforcing a culture of service.

“Vienna is one of the few places that still has a true township feel,” she says. “People know each other, they shop locally, and they support one another.”

Beyond the Front Door

Her commitment to community is matched by a rich personal life lled with travel, art, music, and family. She is also a licensed wedding of ciant in Virginia, a role that re ects her love

of bringing people together to mark meaningful life moments.

A lifelong artist, she has been painting since childhood, working primarily in watercolor and oil. “Painting is food for the soul,” she says, a sentiment she has passed on by teaching her daughter as well.

Music is another thread that runs through her family life. She plays the piano, her husband enjoys singing and often performs at family gatherings, and their daughter plays the guitar, creating a home environment where creativity and expression are shared across generations.

Her daughter, Farnaz, who now lives locally with the love of her life, Wes, remains a central source of pride and joy. “She is kind, hardworking, and brings so much love and empathy into the world,” she shares. “She has a unique perspective and a genuine way of connecting with people.”

An avid traveler, she has explored numerous countries over the years, collecting small trinkets from each destination as keepsakes of her journeys. These mementos serve as tangible reminders of the cultures, people, and experiences that have shaped her worldview.

Travel is not just a passion, but a meaningful ritual. Each year, she walks the Camino de Santiago, documenting her experiences through carefully curated photo books that capture both the landscapes and the personal re ections from each journey.

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One of her most memorable Camino experiences began in 2022, when she completed a 100-kilometer route along the border of Portugal and Spain. The journey left a lasting impression.

“There is a magic about the Camino,” she says. “You meet people from all over the world, and it becomes more than just a walk, it’s a connection to history, to others, and to yourself.”

She hopes to continue exploring new destinations, with Japan high on her travel wish list.

Why Vienna Feels Like Home

What draws her most to Vienna is its sense of connection, something she has actively worked to strengthen through both her professional and volunteer roles.

In a time when many communities are rapidly changing, she values Vienna’s balance of growth and tradition. The absence of high-rise buildings and large department stores, she notes, helps preserve its small-town character.

Through her work at United Bank, her leadership in local organizations, and her personal outreach, she has become an integral part of that fabric, someone who not only serves the community but helps shape it.

Her story is one of perseverance, global perspective, and local impact. From Iran to Vienna, her journey re ects a deep belief in the power of relationships, whether in banking, in art, or in everyday life.

And in Vienna, she has found a place where those relationships truly matter.k

DO YOU KNOW A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS A STORY TO SHARE?

Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at bestversionmedia.com/magazines/viennaliving and click on "submit content".

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Good DONUTS for Good MOMENTS

Vie a Presbyterian Church: A Legacy of Service, Fellowship, and Community Care © Best Version Media

In the heart of Vienna, Vienna Presbyterian Church (VPC) has long stood as more than a place of worship, it is a vibrant hub of service, connection, and compassion. With roots stretching back more than 150 years, VPC continues to play a meaningful role in the lives of local residents, offering programs, outreach, and events that re ect its mission of “bringing Christ into our diverse community through discipleship and service.” From seasonal celebrations to year-round support initiatives, VPC remains deeply woven into the fabric of Vienna.

MISSION AND ROOTS

Founded in 1871 by nine Vienna residents, seven of them women, Vienna Presbyterian Church began as a small but determined congregation. Just a few years later, in 1874, the original chapel was built. That same chapel still stands today, continuing to host worship services, weddings, funerals, and community gatherings, bridging generations of faith and fellowship.

Over time, VPC has grown into a thriving congregation of more than 1,600 members. Despite that growth, the church has maintained its focus on community-centered service. As one church leader shared, “Our goal has always been to be a place where people feel welcomed, supported, and called to serve others in meaningful ways.”

PROGRAMS AND IMPACT

VPC’s impact extends far beyond Sunday services. Its outreach programs address a wide range of needs, from food insecurity to domestic violence.

One of the church’s most signi cant

initiatives is its hypothermia shelter, launched in 2014. Each winter, VPC opens its doors for one to two weeks to provide shelter and care for unhoused individuals. Guests receive hot meals, warm clothing, showers, and a safe place to rest. Volunteers help create a welcoming environment, even gathering to watch events like the Super Bowl together. “It’s about dignity as much as it is about shelter,” a volunteer noted.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, VPC launched Bags of Love in June 2020 as a one-time food distribution effort. That effort quickly grew into an ongoing program, celebrating its 72nd drive in June 2026. In partnership with the Committee for Helping Others (CHO), the initiative now supports local food pantries with essential groceries and hygiene items.

Equally impactful is the church’s “Be Our Guest” prom, held annually for individuals with developmental differences. Over the past four years, the event has become a highlight for participants, families, and volunteers alike. Hundreds come together to create an evening of celebration, connection, and joy. “It’s an extraordinary reminder of what community looks like at its best,” shared one organizer.

Beyond outreach, VPC offers robust ministries for all ages. Its youth and children’s programs include Sunday morning programming, Bible studies, mission trips, and social outings, while its award-winning preschool, named “Best Preschool 2026” by Northern Virginia magazine, celebrates nearly four decades of early childhood education.

VPC also provides a range of support

By Tania Reyes // Photos provided by Kelly Miller

© Best Version Media

groups, including GriefShare, DivorceCare, and a growing mental health ministry. Specialized groups, such as its dementia caregiver support and inclusive Friendship Ministry for adults with and without intellectual disabilities, re ect a commitment to meeting people where they are.

VIENNA’S ROLE IN THEIR STORY

Vienna Presbyterian Church’s relationship with the town is both longstanding and dynamic. The church regularly participates in beloved local events, including Viva Vienna, the Vienna Halloween Parade, and the Church Street Stroll, where it welcomes visitors with Christmas music, cookies, hot cocoa, and the ringing of the historic chapel bell.

Community traditions also extend to events hosted by VPC itself. The annual Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot and Easter Egg Hunt on the Town Green draw families from across the area. For the past three years, VPC has also sponsored the Town of Vienna’s Kids on the Green program, further strengthening its connection to local families.

These efforts highlight a consistent theme: VPC is not just in Vienna, it is actively engaged with and invested in the community’s life and traditions.

HOW NEIGHBORS CAN GET INVOLVED

Vienna residents have many opportunities to connect with VPC, whether through fellowship, service, or support.

• Engage in ongoing worship services held Sundays at 9:00 a.m. (contemporary) and 10:30 a.m. (traditional).

• Attend upcoming events such as the Blessing of the Backpacks on August 23, the Loss of a Spouse seminar on August 30, or Rise Against Hunger on September 21.

• Join support groups like GriefShare or DivorceCare.

• Participate in seasonal and community events, including Trunk or Treat and the Easter Egg Hunt.

• Volunteer for programs such as the hypothermia shelter or Be Our Guest prom.

The church also offers numerous Bible studies, fellowship groups, and service opportunities for individuals at every stage of life.

Vienna Presbyterian Church continues to exemplify what it means to be a caring and active community partner. Through its deep historical roots, wide-ranging programs, and unwavering commitment to service, VPC offers a place where neighbors can gather, give back, and grow together. Whether through a warm meal, a supportive conversation, or a joyful celebration, its impact is felt across Vienna, one act of service at a time. w

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Compiled by Tania Reyes

Sat., Aug. 1

Chance the Rapper

@Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Catch the Grammy-winning hip-hop artist live on stage as he brings his signature sound and high-energy performance to Vienna's premier outdoor venue.

Time: 8pm | Cost: Varies by seating www.wolftrap.org

Thu., Aug. 13

The Princess Concert

@Capital One Hall

Treat the family to an enchanting musical performance featuring beloved princessthemed songs and theatrical magic perfect for young music lovers.

Time: 3:30pm | Cost: Varies by seating www.capitalonehall.com

Fri., Aug. 14

National Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony

@Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Experience the power of the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gianandrea Noseda as they perform Beethoven's monumental masterpiece under the stars.

Time: 8pm | Cost: Varies by seating www.wolftrap.org

Fri., Aug. 21

Jon Batiste with the National Symphony Orchestra

@Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Multi-Grammy and Oscar-winning artist Jon Batiste joins forces with the National Symphony Orchestra for a genre-bending performance.

Time: 8pm | Cost: Varies by seating www.wolftrap.org

Sat., Aug. 22

National Book Festival

@Walter E. Washington Conv. Center

Enjoy author talks, panel discussions, and book signings featuring bestselling novelists, historians, poets, and children's writers at this annual literary festival.

Time: 9am-8pm | Cost: FREE www.loc.gov

Sun., Aug. 23

Blessing of the Backpacks

@ Vienna Presbyterian Church

Pre-K through college age and those seeking higher education are invited forward to bring in their backpack and to receive a special blessing from Pastor Hope in preparation for their rst day of school.

Time: 9:00am-11:30am | Cost: Free www.viennapres.org/event/blessing-ofthe-backpacks

Thu., Aug. 27

National Symphony Orchestra: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

@Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Watch the magic of the complete lm unfold on high-de nition screens while the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Steven Reineke, performs John Williams' unforgettable score live.

Time: 8pm | Cost: Varies by seating www.wolftrap.org

Sat., Aug. 29

Around the World Cultural Food Festival

@Oronoco Bay Park

Celebrate global diversity with traditional dishes, a multi-cultural folk show featuring singers and dancers, and a vibrant marketplace lled with ethnic artisans and crafters.

Time: 11am-7pm | Cost: FREE admission aroundtheworldfestival.com

Tue., Sept. 1

James Taylor & His All-Star Band

@The Barns at Wolf Trap

James Taylor brings his all-star band to one of Wolf Trap’s most intimate performance spaces for an evening of classic singer-songwriter music.

Time: 7:30pm | Cost: Ticketed event www.wolftrap.org/calendar

Wed., Sept. 2

Service for Healing and Wholeness

@Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park Street NE, Vienna

A re ective evening service centered on healing, comfort, and community support.

Time: 7:00pm | Cost: FREE www.viennapres.org

Fri., Sept. 5

Chillin’ on Church

@Vienna Town Green, Church Street & Maple Avenue, Vienna

Vienna’s signature block party returns with food trucks, live music, beer and wine, and family-friendly fun along historic Church Street.

Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm | Cost: FREE www.viennava.gov/Town-Departments/ Parks-and-Recreation/Concerts-and-Events

Fri., Sept. 11

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

@Historic Vienna / Freeman Store area

A community remembrance honoring those lost on September 11.

Time: 9:00am | Cost: FREE www.historicviennainc.org

Sat., Sept. 12

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

@Wolf Trap Filene Center

A night of big-band jazz from one of the country’s most celebrated ensembles.

Time: 8:00pm | Cost: Ticketed event www.wolftrap.org/shows/venues/ lenecenter

Sat., Sept. 13

Pickleball at Metro Park

@Metro Park at Capital One Center

Open courts at Capital One Center’s Metro Park offer a fun, active outing for players of all ages and skill levels.

Time: 8:00am-9:00pm | Cost: Varies www.capitalonehall.com

Sat., Sept. 13

Ray LaMontagne

@Wolf Trap Filene Center

Singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne performs an intimate set showcasing his soulful folk-rock catalog.

Time: 8:00pm | Cost: Ticketed event www.wolftrap.org/calendar

At the time this magazine went to print, all event details were accurate to the best of our knowledge, but please check event websites or call ahead for the most current information.