Stories for April 2013

Yoga Week Comes to the Area

Local effort offers budding yogis a chance to improve their minds, bodies and spirits with free or $5 classes.

D.C. Yoga Week Runs through May 5 For more information and a list of participating studios, visit HYPERLINK "http://dccy.org/" http://dccy.org/. “This event will raise awareness about how great yoga is for your mind, body and spirit.” — Amanda Shipe, Mind Your Body Oasis, Arlington

Looking “ASCANce”

It wasn’t exactly “Executive Clemency.”

The Historic Lucy Hanes Trail Challenge

Walk the trail on Great Falls Day, Sunday, May 5.

Many of our roads in Great Falls were originally Native American trails. Nine roads in Great Falls were in use before the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Georgetown Pike is now on the National Register for Historic Places. Fifty years ago people could walk or ride horses just about anywhere in our town. Today, walking or riding along side roads is very dangerous. Parents drive children everywhere and interaction between neighbors is limited.

Hundreds of Years in Six Hours

Great Falls Day, May 5, noon to 6 p.m.

Whether you have lived in Great Falls for generations, just arrived in our community, or live in a nearby town, we welcome you to a homey, experiential history experience this Sunday, May 5. We have gathered together the holders of our village’s “story” and these wisdom-keepers await your visit in their “History Tents” to tell the story of life along Georgetown Pike over the last 200 years. They have photos, maps, historic documents and artifacts, and their own personal recollections of how things were. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see history come alive.

Cooper Middle School Presents ‘The Wiz’

Students perform adaptation of classic "Wizard of Oz."

Cooper Middle School will present one of its most ambitious productions ever starting May 8 with "The Wiz." A soulful retelling of "The Wizard of Oz," the Cooper production will feature a cast of 60 and a crew of 30.

Silver Line Approaching Tysons

Route 7 lane shifts and paving, installation of sidewalks and streetlight foundations signal coming of Silver Line.

With construction completion of Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project anticipated in September, motorists and pedestrians are seeing an increase in project-related activities all along Leesburg Pike (Route 7) from the Dulles Toll Road to the overpass at Route 123.

Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Luncheon Features Students’ Poetry

Great Falls Friends and Neighbors name winners of 31st annual poetry contest.

The Great Falls Friends and Neighbors honored 10 Great Falls Elementary School students Friday, April 16, at their 31st annual poetry luncheon

Great Falls Farmers Market Hits Spring Season

Spring produce, other goods available at weekly market.

The Great Falls Farmers Market has kicked off its spring season, welcoming vendors returning and new with fruits, vegetables and other products. Three vegetable vendors are currently at the market, offering early spring crops.

Programming Marathon at TJ 

Area high schoolers impress instructors at the 24-hour computer programming marathon.

When a voice over the loudspeaker announced, “free swag outside,” a stampede of teenagers cleared out the Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHSST) gymnasium in less than a minute. Even after almost 20 hours of coding and programming, the students were at no loss for enthusiasm, especially for free paraphernalia decorated with the TJ Hackathon logo. Kim Holton, a volunteer whose son was participating in the hackathon, said, “They all seem really tired and they’re dragging, but they’re excited.”

Laudable Performances

Langley High School’s production of “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.”

The path to happiness is often obstructed by challenges, and in this case by horrid schools, financial troubles and ruthless uncles. Amidst the overwhelming corruption and poverty in Victorian England, Langley High School’s production of “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby” proves that the resilience of the human spirit triumphs in the end. “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby” was adapted from the Charles Dickens novel of the same name by David Edgar in 1980. Prior to Edgar’s work, the novel’s adaptation was an eight-hour production, which often had to be performed over the course of a couple days.

‘Come to the Light’ at Katie’s Coffee in Great Falls

“Come to the Light,” an exhibit of photos capturing light in nature by Great Falls photographer and author Dee Leggett, will be on display during May at Katie’s Coffee in Great Falls.

The Great Falls All Star Team Beats Tennessee State Champs

The Great Falls All Star youth baseball team not only won the District 4 Championship and the VA State Championship last year as 12-year-olds, but also beat the South Carolina State Champions (12-1) and the West Virginia State Champions (13-0) last year in the SE Regional Tournament.

Classified Advertising April 24, 2013

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Editorial: Connection Guide to Parks Wins ‘Best in Show’

Investigative reporting, in depth coverage, education writing, photography, art, design, sports, garner Virginia Press Association honors.

The Connection Newspapers won dozens of awards from the Virginia Press Association, with winners announced on Saturday, April 20, in Norfolk.

South County Soccer Club Bonds in Bermuda

While other Elite Clubs National League soccer teams took a well-deserved break, one team went on the trip of a lifetime. FC Virginia U14s traveled to Bermuda over the Easter holiday, having the opportunity to experience island life while also playing against the full Bermuda women’s national team, and a high school team from Florida.

Fairfax County Budget Reflects ‘Increasing Needs, Decreasing Revenues’

"We as a board spend a lot of time talking about helping people in need, I can only say that when it came time to tax them, they were sadly forgotten." —Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield)

Autism Speaks Volumes for Student Volunteers

Fairfax County Public Schools use latest techniques to teach autistic students. v

In many ways, the three best friends—Anna Kate Martin, Devin Martin and Sarah Carmen—are typical sixth-grade girls.

DC United Nods to Great Falls’ Pride Blue

The Great Falls U10 Girls Pride Blue team participated in the Arlington Spring Invitational Tournament March 8-9 and played against several local teams from Reston, Alexandria and Arlington.

Langley Softball Star Heads to Drexel

Ashley Panetta committed to becoming a Drexel Dragon and playing D-I softball for Drexel University beginning in the 2013-2014 season on Wednesday, April 17, at a signing party with teammates, parents, her school’s athletic director and friends.

Runners Line Up to Stop Child Abuse

Great Falls neighbors join in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, which helps explain why 300 runners gathered at 9 a.m. at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, grouped in teams with names like "Peggy's Posse," "Kids4Kids" and—a favorite—"Team Baxter" (named after organizing member Kim Roellig's dog) on Saturday, April 13.

Troop 673 Turns Out Two New Eagle Scouts

Cody Matthew Jones, son of Martin and Carol Jones, and Addison Speer, son of Harvey and Susan Speer, both of Great Falls, are the two newest Eagle Scouts of Troop 73, sponsored by the United Methodist Men.

Letter: Social Media Sharing … With Caution

Everybody knows where the verbs “like,” “share,” “friend” and “favorite” belong today: Facebook and Twitter. With a click of a button, pictures that appeal to you are immediately shared to your followers. A couple shares later, that tweet or post becomes viral. And if it’s something false or defamatory, you’re now responsible for spreading an awful rumor.

Forestville Team in World Finals

Forestville Elementary School’s Odyssey of the Mind team will compete at the world level for the second year in a row. Last week, at the Virginia state Odyssey competition held in Aldie, Va., the Forestville Division 1 team co-coached by Jeff LeLoup and Alex Newman won second place in their category, qualifying them to move to the 2013 World Finals competition being held May 23-25 at Michigan State University.

Great Falls Girl Competes for Miss Virginia Title

Alexis Watkinson, the daughter of Diane and Troy Watkinson of Great Falls, is a state finalist in the National American Miss Virginia Pageant.

Teen Theater Explores ‘Responses’

Dodgeball Theater’s “Respond” addresses teens’ need for connections, dangers of isolation.

How do teens respond to the changes in their lives? Dodgeball Theater’s Teen Ensemble explores this in their latest production “Respond,” which addresses teens’ need for connections with others and the dangers of isolation. “People often marginalize the artistic vision of young people,” says Haley Murphy of Great Falls, co-director of Teen Ensemble. “We really want to maximize it.” Each year the ensemble, now in its fifth year, develops and performs an original work that combines monologues, movement pieces, scenes and other theatrical elements, including film.

What Housing Slump?

Real estate experts explain the rise in luxury condominium sales

When a retired couple decided it was time to leave their sprawling suburban home, they wanted to downsize without giving up luxury. As a result, they purchased a high-end condominium and hired Bethesda, Md., based interior designer Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design to create a serene and sophisticated space.

Karen Garza Hired as Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools

FCPS Board lauds Garza’s “openness” and “willingness to engage” community.

The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved educator Karen Garza of Texas to be the next superintendent of the 181,000 student district at its April 18 school board meeting.

Classified Advertising April 17, 2013

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Great Falls Home Sales: March, 2013

In March 2013, 26 Great Falls homes sold between $5,634,180-$425,000.

Great Falls Home Sales: March, 2013

Editorial: Value-added Evaluation?

TJ admissions illustrate growing gap between “haves” and “have-nots.”

More than 181,000 students attend Fairfax County Public Schools. So why do the 480 students who were accepted for next year’s freshman class at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology seem so important? Fairfax County Public Schools have a single elite magnet school, Thomas Jefferson, and TJ is frequently referred to as the top high school in the country. Dramatic disparity in the makeup of admissions at TJ is an indicator of disparity in early identification of students as gifted and talented, of access to advanced classes and enrichment, and in the basic education that the Fairfax County Public school system offers to all of its students.

Column: A False Sense of Security

Not that there’s anything wrong with that; in fact, as a four-year, stage IV, non-small-cell lung cancer survivor, it’s amazing to have any security, false or otherwise, whatsoever.

‘We Have Not Forgotten’

Residents rally in Vienna to support stricter gun control measures.

Less than six miles from the National Rifle Association (NRA) headquarters in Fairfax, more than 100 people gathered on the Vienna Town Green Saturday, April 13, to urge Congress to support stricter gun control measures.

Making Every Saturday ‘Special’

Great Falls Farmers Market brings community together.

The Great Falls Farmers Market is an idea that was born during the focus groups and later confirmed by the 2020 Vision Survey of what the community would like to be by the year 2020.

Letter: A Misreading of History

That a few local schools are named for Confederate generals bothers Kiran Hampton [“Alarmed by School Names,” Connection, April 11-17, 2013]. The US Army and Navy have named forts and ships after Confederate heroes. The Veterans Administration provides headstones for Confederate graves. That wouldn’t have happened if they were traitors. No Confederates were convicted of treason. Hampton’s shame that Virginia fought with the Confederacy suggests a misreading of US history.

Letter: Thinking of History In Real Time

Letter writer Kiran Hampton asks if she is "the only one alarmed by the presence of high schools named after Confederate leaders?" ["Alarmed By School Names, Connection, April10-16, 2013]. In response, I would say, "Why yes, I believe she is."

Letter: It Wasn’t ‘Good Guys Vs. Bad Guys’

In a letter regarding local schools named after Confederate generals [“Alarmed by School Names,” Connection, April 10-16, 2013] the author displays an extraordinary lack of understanding of the complexities of the issues leading to the War Between the States as well as a contempt for the courage and sacrifice of those who, often reluctantly, believed that their primary duty was to a sovereign Virginia rather than to what they believed had been conceived as a voluntary union of independent states.

Langley Hosts Relay for Life

Event will be first at school in 15 years.

Langley High School will be the site of the first Relay for Life event in more than 15 years starting Saturday, April 28. The event will be a 12-hour fundraiser walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The Pike at 200

Great Falls Day on May 5 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the historic Georgetown Pike.

The Great Falls Historical Society is presenting Great Falls Day on Sunday, May 5, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the historic Georgetown Pike.

Dancer Captures the Moment

Isabella Tablett nominated for National PTA Award.

Isabella Tablett has been interested in dance and dance choreography since she was 4 years old. Now a fourth grader at Great Falls Elementary School, Tablett’s recent routine has won her awards at the school, cluster, district and state levels.

Editorial: Voting Again

Every year is election year in Virginia, and it’s a bit much.

The most hotly contested race for statewide office in Virginia, the Republican contest for lieutenant governor, will be decided at a statewide convention on May 18. That’s about a month from now.

New Benches at Cooper Middle

Four new benches, nine azalea shrubs and three dogwood trees have been installed in strategic locations around the Cooper Middle School campus as of Saturday, April 6.

Forestville Message: ‘Be a Buddy, Not a Bully’

Forestville Elementary students gathered together on Friday, April 12, for a pep rally to wind up a week of spirit activities designed to send the message, “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully.”

Great Falls Studios to Host Spring Art Festival, April 20-21

Twenty Great Falls Studios member artists—painters in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media, potters, photographers, jewelers, a wood carver, stone cutter, layered paper artist and weaver—are participating in the Great Falls Studios Spring Art Festival, Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days, at the Village Green Day School, 790 Walker Road, Great Falls. Everyone is welcome and the event is free.

Great Falls Senior Center Hosts ‘Home Fit’ Workshop

The Great Falls Senior Center (GFSC) hosts the AARP “Home Fit” Workshop at its May event. Senior residents will learn how to decide those types of home adjustments needed to stay in their homes as they age.

Classified Advertising April 10, 2013

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New Home for Turtles at Riverbend

Girl Scout Natalie Gilbert builds and donates new box turtle habitat.

Young visitors to the Riverbend Park Nature Center used to have a hard time looking at the three box turtles in the turtle habitat. The old habitat featured a solid wood wall, meaning children could only look straight down at the turtles and rarely had an opportunity to see more than the tops of their shells.

Locals Support Military Vets

Operation Second Chance receives donation from local State Farm office.

Members of the State Farm branch in Great Falls presented a check for $1,500 to Operation Second Chance, a charity that provides for injured service members and their families, Thursday, April 4.

Parents Sound Off on School Issues

McLean Citizens Association hosts education discussion at McLean High School.

Parents from around the McLean and Langley High School pyramids gathered at McLean High Monday, April 8, to participate in an education forum hosted by the McLean Citizens Association.

Langley Theatre Explores Dickens

“The Life and Times of Nicholas Nickleby” debuts April 18.

When the plans were announced for Langley High School’s spring play, many of the cast and crew weren’t familiar with the title. While “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby” isn’t at the top of the list of the most popular Charles Dickens works, after doing their research, the cast found plenty to get excited about.

Column: Asked and Answered

I think about it enough, I don’t want to think about it too much. What’s “it?” Cancer.

Children ‘Dress Up With Grown-ups’

Medical Care for Children Partnerships funds medical, dental care for children of uninsured working families in Fairfax County.

“To me, children are the most beautiful creatures of God and there is nothing comparable to being able to give them a healthy and happy smile.” —Dr. Tehreem Butt, recipient of the Dr. Jorge Arnoldson Award

Kushal Seetharam of Great Falls Named 2013 Goldwater Scholar

wo Duke University juniors have been selected as scholars by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. Kushal Seetharam and Yaohua Xue are among 271 students awarded Goldwater Scholarships for the 2013-14 academic year.

Letter: A Photo ID: Victory for Voters

To the Editor:

Asian American Chamber Recognizes ‘Jewels of Asia’

The Asian American Chamber of Commerce held its third Annual Awards Gala, Jewels of Asia, on Friday, April 5, at the Westin Tysons Corner. More than 200 guests gathered to recognize businesses (public & private sector, for-profit & non-profit) as well as business leaders of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who have made outstanding contributions to the Metropolitan Washington D.C. business community and economy.

A Very Good Year

2013 starts on a high note for real estate in McLean and Great Falls: first quarter sales are up 7.5 percent.

By 2013 starts on a high note for real estate in McLean and Great Falls: first quarter sales are up 7.5 percent.

‘Windows and Doors’ on Exhibit at The Artists’ Atelier

Letter: Senior Center Looks for Volunteers

Letter: Alarmed by School Names

Letter to the editor

Classified Advertising April 3, 2013

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Foundation Prepares to Promote Mental Health

Josh Anderson Foundation to sponsor events across county for mental health and depression awareness.

Before Fairfax County students finish the school year and head to summer break, they first must deal with exams, both final and for AP classes. This can lead to a lot of stress over the final two months of school, pressure the Josh Anderson Foundation is determined to relieve.

Keeping Lawns Green in Great Falls

Choosing environmentally friendly ways to manage lawns.

As the weather warms and lawns begin to grow again, it’s tempting to start fertilizing right away to ensure they look as full and green as possible. The Great Falls Citizens Association’s Environmental Committee says that spring fertilizing isn’t necessary most of the time, and can cause harm to lawns and waterways.

Family PASS to Host Soiree

Fundraiser will help serve families facing homelessness.

A mother of four children, Josephine Rivera didn’t have many options after becoming a victim of domestic abuse. After her husband was arrested, she was forced to support those children, ages 8 to 18, on an $8 an hour salary, and she soon found herself homeless.

Easter at The Falls

Ecumenical council hosts annual Easter Sunrise Service.

Dozens of people gathered at Great Falls Park before sunrise Easter Sunday, using flashlights to walk the path from the parking lot to the visitor center. At an hour usually reserved for only staff members, the Great Falls Ecumenical Council held its annual Easter Sunrise Service in the park.

Langley Boys' Lacrosse Bounces Back

Saxons overcome missing players, loss to Robinson.

The Langley boys' lacrosse team defeated Chantilly on March 28 in a rematch of last season's state championship game.

Column: Selfless or Selfish

Selfless or Selfish

A Richmond Report Card Presented

SALT hosts annual Richmond Wrap-up.

Asked how effectively the issues facing disadvantaged populations have been addressed by legislators in Richmond, Carla Peterson, director of Virginia Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE), said: “Not nearly enough. What has happened is that [Governor Bob] McDonnell has hired a person who is probably the most reformist person that I know of, in charge of corrections. [A person] who is making progress and not as much as we would like to see done, but it serves as a glimmer of hope. There are some [changes] taking place.”

St. Mark ESL Offers Spring Language Program

The number one goal of most students of English as a Second Language is a universal one: to communicate. In particular, the adult students of St. Mark English as a Second Language (ESL) program want to be able to converse in English with their children, with their employers and with their neighbors.

Fairfax County’s Homeless Population Declines 12 Percent

Emphasis on rapid re-housing, prevention keys to success.

Despite economic obstacles and fallout from across-the-board sequester cuts, Fairfax County’s number of homeless individuals declined 12 percent decline in the past year, and 26 percent since 2007.

Cooper Orchestra Receives Straight I’s

The orchestra performs at the highest level in the state assessment.

Cooper Symphonic Orchestra, under the direction of Ms. Bo-Min Son, received straight I's, the highest level of achievement in the Virginia State Middle School Orchestra Assessment on March 9 at Kenmore Middle School.

Week in Great Falls

Betty Ganley Featured in New Book, Exhibits at Katie’s

Great Falls artist Betty Ganley has been notified that her painting, “Fixin’ To Go Fishin’,” has been selected as one of the top 100 paintings to appear in North Light Publications book, Splash 15, the newest edition of the 15 books in North Lights Splash series.