Stories for September 2012

Classified Advertising Sept 26, 2012

Read the latest ads here!

The Retina Group of Washington Opens Tysons Office

The Retina Group of Washington (RGW) recently opened an office in Tysons Corner (8219 Leesburg Pike, Suite 120, Vienna), the practice’s sixth location in Virginia, as it continues to provide the most complete retinal and macular health care in the area.

Talents Galore at ‘Arts by George!’

The 7th annual George Mason University ‘Arts by George!’ to be held on Saturday, Sept. 29.

A bevy of incredible talent is set to entertain as the seventh annual George Mason University "Arts by George!" is coming on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. Arts by George! will take place in the de Laski Performing Arts Building on Mason’s Fairfax Campus, as well as Harris Theater and a tented plaza next to the performing arts building.

Langley High Student Publishes Memoir

Connor Kianpour of Great Falls writes about real world experiences in the school cafeteria and life in general.

In his first book, “Heavy: a recollection,” Great Falls author Connor Kianpour has written a lot about the role the school cafeteria played in his experience with weight gain and loss, but those experiences have nothing to do with school nutrition. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made what the USDA is calling, “the first major changes in school meals in 15 years, . . . the new standards align school meals with the latest nutrition science and the real world circumstances of America’s schools.” Through his writing, Kianpour would like to promote a similar realignment in attitude toward the substance of a person despite what seems to be the real world’s preoccupation with image.

McLean's Cordial Debate Turns Controversial

Allen, Kaine battle for Northern Virginia votes.

“I’m open to dialogue, and I don’t see how openness is something controversial.” —Tim Kaine "If you want a job, you ought to join the Allen team.” —George Allen

Fairfax County Fall Fun Calendar

Along with the seasonal changes of fall—“sweater weather,” the oft-sighted decorative pumpkin, new menus and produce, and the swath of color across the treeline in every direction—come the fall events. Apple picking, parading through town in costume and spending time enjoying fall in Fairfax County are musts. Here are some favorite events to aid and abet your celebration of the season at hand.

Column: My Team

Not literally, of course. Nor am I the coach or the general manager. But I do feel like an owner, in that there are people that I invest in – again not literally, but definitely emotionally.

Family of Four Found Dead in Herndon

Police make discovery during welfare check, believe husband killed family before turning gun on himself.

A Herndon family of four was found dead in their home on Point Rider Lane the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 25. Fairfax County Police responded after a co-worker of one of the family members reported that they had not been to work this week.

Keeping Tysons Corner Moving

Event provides updates on 495 Express Lanes, Dulles Metrorail.

In the next 15 months, Tysons Corner will see almost $5 billion in new transportation projects come online.

Seniors Group Takes Next Step

County approves proposal, next event set for Oct. 2 at Great Falls Park.

The Great Falls Senior Center Without Walls held its latest event Tuesday, Sept. 11 and had their proposal approved the same day by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The center seeks to join 13 other facilities in the County that are dedicated to meeting the needs of the senior community.

Friends and Newcomers Award Scholarships

Four local students awarded funds for college education.

The Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Club awarded scholarships to four local students Tuesday, Sept. 18, as part of their annual community outreach.

Finding Fall Fun in Great Falls

Spooktacular, horse shows highlight fall in Great Falls.

Many of Great Falls’ signature features will be in use this fall, including the Village Green and Turner Farm. The Great Falls Village Green will be the site of this year’s annual Spooktacular, where pets, children and parents alike can show off their costumes for the whole community.

Black Chamber of Commerce to Host Candidates’ Night Mixer

With access to capital and opportunity for growth at an alarming low for black-owned businesses, the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce will shine a light on this small business crisis at the 4th Annual Candidates’ Night reception on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6-8:30 p.m. at the Springfield Hilton, 6550 Loisdale Road, Springfield. The annual nonpartisan NVBCC Candidates’ Night Mixer gives candidates and elected officials the opportunity to meet business owners face-to-face, and allows members of the African American community the chance to express their concerns about the future of Northern Virginia. Already, a dozen candidates and elected officials have been confirmed.

Area Roundups

Financial crimes detectives were alerted to the issue when they began to receive complaints that ATM cards were being used fraudulently to purchase groceries, expensive coffees, and, primarily, to get cash from other ATM machines. An alert customer spotted the skimming device on the machine and contacted hospital security who immediately called police on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Dam Project Worries South Run Residents

South Run residents want unofficial park entryway shut down permanently.

Chris Amans and his wife, Brenda Riffe, have lived in the leafy neighborhood of South Run in Fairfax Station since the community was developed in the mid-1980s. Bordered by Lee Chapel Road, Route 123, and the Fairfax County Parkway, many of the community’s 500 homes, which sell for close to $1 million, back up to Burke Lake Park. While they love the neighborhood’s mature trees, expansive 1/2-acre lots and access to Burke Lake Park, they have never been happy with the fact that their Laketree Drive cul-de-sac has become an unofficial entrance to the popular Burke Lake trails.

County Combats Chronic Homelessness

Fairfax County joins national effort to house ‘most vulnerable.’

Fewer families experienced homelessness in Fairfax County this year, a 16 percent decline stemming largely from the County’s “housing first” focus, which rapidly identifies housing for those living on the edge. But the number of chronic homeless—the most entrenched street dwellers and vulnerable individuals—jumped 20 percent this year. According to the September report released by the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH), 51 percent of single homeless individuals (353 people) were identified as chronically homeless in 2012, compared to 39 percent in 2011. An additional 43 adults were counted as unsheltered in 2012 over the previous year.

Classified Advertising Sept 19, 2012

Read the lastest ads here!

Column: Refillable. Rechargeable. Reusable.

More like replaceable. Obviously, I want to remain positive and believe that today is not a good day to die (Worf from “Star Trek: Next Generation”) and that there will be many more tomorrows to live for and days beyond that to plan for. However, having a terminal disease has a tendency to darken up those rose-colored glasses.

Langley High Band to Hold Tag Day Fundraiser, Welcomes New Band Director

On Saturday, Sept. 22, band members from Langley High School will participate in “Tag Day” throughout neighborhoods in McLean and Great Falls.

Week in Great Falls

Nominations for Northern Virginia Leadership Awards, Downsizing Seminar offered by the Lyons & McGuire Team of Keller Williams Realty, Nominations for Outstanding Citizen Award to The Rotary Club of Great Falls, Langley High School to perform at the 2013 Discover Orange Bowl, and Langley High School 10-Year Reunion

Letter: Defining Moment

A significant change is planned for the center of Great Falls. Our citizens association is reviewing a proposal for a special zoning exception permitting the replacement of the existing Exxon Service station with a drive-through branch bank for TD Bank Corporation, as illustrated in the attached sketch.

Boy Scout to Receive Heroism Award

Kevin McCormick, working as a counselor for a local summer youth camp, took his assigned group of campers to one of the local pools on June, 29, 2011. When his group of campers entered the pool area they became the responsibility of the lifeguards of the pool. Kevin was not trained or hired to be a pool lifeguard at the pool. Because Kevin’s responsibilities ended when his group of campers came on deck of the pool, Kevin came out of the bathroom, put his belongings down on a chair and jumped into the pool. Immediately after resurfacing he noticed a motionless person at the bottom of the pool.

Multicultural Festival Comes to Lake Anne

Annual event features food, culture and more from variety of nations.

Lake Anne will host Reston’s annual Multicultural Festival Saturday, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is designed to celebrate Reston’s diversity, with live performances, arts and even a book fair. A signature part of the festival the past few years has been a naturalization ceremony for recent immigrants to the United States.

Hospital Breaks Ground on New Building

Medical office building will add 180,000 square feet to campus.

The Reston Hospital Center broke ground on their new medical office building Monday, Sept. 17. The new building, which is estimated to be completed in late fall 2013, will add 180,000 square feet of physician offices and hospital services.

Reilly Takes Reins at McLean High School

New principal comes from Herndon High School.

Ellen Reilly has been named principal at McLean High School, replacing Dr. Deborah Jackson, who left in July. Reilly comes to McLean High from Herndon High School, where she served as an assistant principal. She previously served as an assistant principal at Oakton High School, and as an American Sign Language teacher at Falls Church High School and Mantua Elementary School.

5K to Support Military Housing

Second annual run to feaure at least 23 wounded warriors.

The streets of downtown McLean will be transformed into a race track Saturday, Oct. 6, as the second annual McLean 5K Run With the Warriors race is held. The event is hosted by Vinson Hall, which is a retirement community that houses more than 200 retired military and government personnel.

Great Falls Remembers 9/11

Annual ceremony marks 11 years since attacks.

Several dozen Great Falls residents gathered at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Tuesday, Sept. 11 to pay tribute to those lost on that day, particularly six Great Falls residents that were killed when American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon.

Local Real Estate: July 2012 Top Sales in Great Falls, McLean, Oak Hill, Reston, Oakton and Vienna

Vienna/McLean/Great Falls Calendar, Sept. 27-

Send announcements to vienna@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday for the following week's paper. Photos/artwork encouraged. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.

New Ramp Opens at Tysons

A new ramp and flyover bridge connecting the eastbound Dulles Airport Access Highway to I-495 opened to traffic on Saturday, Sept. 8. The ramp provides a direct connection to the northbound and southbound Capital Beltway (I-495), improving safety and convenience for traffic near the interchange.

Vienna/McLean/Great Falls Bulletin, Sept. 13-19

Whether you're looking for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, trying to improve your public speaking skills or looking to seek support or new friends, look at the Bulletin Board for help.

Classified Advertising Sept. 12, 2012

Read the lastest ads here!

Column: Trip Without a Fall

Recently, for the first time in nearly two years, I took a trip without having my car. Significant to me in that not “having my car” meant not being able to transport/have all my cancer things.

Kuala Lumpur Laundry by Val Mahan

Photography Exhibit at The Artists’ Atelier

Photographers of Great Falls Studios are presenting a photography exhibition at The Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Rd., Suite G, Great Falls, throughout the month of September.

Capital One to Sponsor Celebrate Great Falls

Capital One Bank has become a Preferred Partner of the Celebrate Great Falls Foundation “and we are so grateful for their support,” said President Candace Campbell. “Not only does it take a lot of volunteers to put on the fabulous community events families look forward to throughout the year, it takes a lot of money, and Capital One really stepped up to the plate to help.”

Great Falls Native Finding the Beat

Patrick Drohan and band, Atlas Road Crew, ready first EP.

Summers on Atlas Road in Columbia, S.C. can get very hot. Especially if they are five people and their various musical instruments crammed into a storage unit to play together. That’s how Great Falls native Patrick Drohan and his band, Atlas Road Crew, spend their time.

Pike Named to National Historic Register

Designation includes stretch of original road, now Dolley Madison Boulevard and Chain Bridge Road.

Georgetown Pike was named to the National Register of Historic Places Wednesday Aug. 22, giving the 14.4 miles of road from the Virginia-Washington, D.C. border to Leesburg Pike the recognition that many locals feel it deserves.

Bugler Plays Tributes All Over Town

Ted Smith commemorates 9/11 anniversary by playing ‘Taps’ at local schools, fire station.

Sarah Reeves was walking her niece to Haycock Elementary School at around 8:45 the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11, when she saw a crowd waiting outside the school. As she slowed down to see what was going on, she heard the mournful sound of a bugle playing "Taps" in front of the flags at half-mast.

‘Strawman’ Charts Tysons Future

Potential taxpayer burdens still not defined.

The Tysons Corner Planning Committee has released the fourth iteration of their recommendations for redevelopment. The set of recommendations, nicknamed "Strawman," lay out the parameters for the anticipated 113 million square feet of development that Tysons Corner is expected to undergo by 2050.

Classified Advertising Sept. 5, 2012

Read the latest Classified Ads here!

Column: Symptoms or just Sometimes

Making the best of a bad situation, that’s how I roll (I’m a Red Sox fan after all). Some days are easier than others, some symptoms/treatments/results are better than others. And some columns make more sense than others. But that’s cancer for you: an equal opportunity “screwer-upper.”

Serbian Crown Hosts Piano Jam

Great Falls restaurant now features monthly open mic night.

Jennifer Flynn of Vienna stopped by the Serbian Crown Restaurant Thursday, Aug. 23 because she had heard about the highly-rated cuisine. What she didn’t expect was the latest edition of Piano Jam, the restaurant’s monthly open mic night.

McLean Home Hosts Energy Audit

Energy Action Fairfax wraps up pilot program.

Members of Energy Action Fairfax hosted an energy audit party in McLean, Wednesday, Aug. 29, to show how energy efficiency can be achieved with a few simple steps at home. The event was the sixth audit this summer held in a residence, part of Energy Action Fairfax’s pilot program.

Shooting to Support Military Families

Will Thomas shoots 2,600 three-pointers over Labor Day weekend.

Early the morning of Saturday, Sept. 1, the gym at Stone Ridge School in Bethesda was occupied by only one person. Will Thomas, a rising eighth grader at Longfellow Middle School, dribbled his basketball twice, stepped back behind the three-point line and let a shot go. After it hit the front of the rim, popped up and fell through the net, Thomas retrieved his ball and headed back out to the three-point line: one down, 2,600 to go.

Long Hours, Big Potential for McLean Marching Band

Members of the award-winning McLean High School Marching Band spent most of August in preparation for national band competitions. Chris Weise, McLean’s director of bands, says the band has never sounded better and predicts it will set new records this fall.

Becoming Eagles

Langley High graduates Michael “Mikey” Porrazzo and Stephen Glenn Smeds complete their Eagle Projects.

Michael “Mikey” Porrazzo, son of Michael Porrazzo of Great Falls, joined Boy Scout Troop 673 in 2005. Since joining the troop, Mikey has participated in numerous backpacking, biking, and other trips and completed the Triple Crown of High Adventure trips: Northern Tier in 2008, Sea Base in 2009, and Philmont in 2011. He has served in various leadership positions in the troop including patrol leader, historian, and quartermaster. He has also earned numerous Fifty Miler awards and the Junior Shooting Team USA award.

Great Falls Elementary Launches Rocket Day

Science Enrichment Program continues.

As a culminating activity to a year of monthly science labs, Great Falls Elementary students in grades fourth through sixth participated in “Rocket Day” this past June.

Milburn P. Sanders, 90, of Great Falls, Dies

Was founding member of Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department and Great Falls Historical Society.

Sanders, Milburn Page, 90, of Great Falls, died on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012. A retired civilian U.S. Naval Department employee, Mr. Sanders was a native of Great Falls, born there when the area was known as Forestville.

A Legacy of Local History

It is with great sadness that the Great Falls Historical Society notes the passing of its founder, Milburn P. Sanders, who died Sunday, Sept. 2. Milburn founded the Great Falls Historical Society in the fifth decade of his life. He told me that he loved to archive and record things, and recording local history was a delight for him.

Colvin Run, a Historic District?

Great Falls Historical Society summer interns to present their research on Sept. 12.

The Colvin Run Road we know today was originally the Alexandria-Leesburg Turnpike before it was re-routed to the Route 7 location in 1941. The road dates back to 1732 and is the only remaining portion of the roadbed engineered in 1834.

Running of the Goats in Great Falls

A herd of goats escaped from a farm on Utterback Store Road on Aug. 10. Louise Zullo and her husband came upon them.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Names Interim Executive Director

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Galen Wixson as its interim executive director through December of 2012. Galen currently serves as the executive director of The Guitar Foundation of America where he has guided the organization through a transition to a new governance and management model, leading to several new program initiatives.