Thursday, February 28
Classified Advertising Feb. 27, 2013
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Wednesday, February 27
Letter: Meet Pixie
A Great falls pony that taught lots of children to ride.
My pony, Pixie, has been with me since I bought her from a farm on Georgetown Pike 16 years ago.
Pets Teach Families ‘Joy of the Moment’
Great Falls residents reflect on their experiences with pets.
Unique in size, shape and personality, pets often times have significant impact on owners. They teach the people around them many lessons—everything from responsibility to love to living in the moment, and bring joy to all ages, as Great Falls residents will say.
Winning the Spelling Bee at Great Falls Elementary
Great Falls Elementary held its annual School Spelling Bee on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Photography Show and Book Signing at Great Falls Library
“Visions of Great Falls,” an exhibit of photos included in the book Visions of Great Falls by photographer and author Dee Leggett, is on display through March at the Great Falls Library.
Christin Boggs Exhibits at Katie’s Coffee House
Great Falls Studios Artist Christin Boggs will present a selection of images from her series Ag fás, March 1-31, 2013, at Katie’s Coffee House, The Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760 Walker Road in Great Falls, 703-759-3309.
Local Leaders Praise Transportation Funding Bill
State Senator Chap Petersen wants you to curb your enthusiasm.
Politics makes strange bedfellows, and sometimes estranged ones as well. On Saturday, the last day of the Virginia General Assembly, state legislators struck a bipartisan 11th hour deal to pass a comprehensive transportation funding plan—the first long-term plan in 27 years.
Bulova: Move in the Right Direction
Local leaders applaud General Assembly’s Transportation Funding Bill.
“This is a great step toward addressing the transportation challenges we face in Fairfax County and the Northern Virginia region."
Fairfax Library Foundation Awards Scholarships Through Continuing Education
The Fairfax Library Foundation has announced that 13 Fairfax County Public Library employees and volunteers have each been awarded continuing education scholarships to foster the professional development of the Fairfax County Public Library team.
Column: To Buy Or Not To Buy
That is my question. And though I can’t quite quote Shakespeare the way I can quote The Three Stooges: “Moe, Larry, the cheese. Moe, Larry, the cheese,” “’tis nobler” to ask it nonetheless. Still, if Hamlet had been diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer, as I have, perhaps he wouldn’t have been contemplating suicide but rather allocating his monthly budget – as I do every day, with nearly every purchase. That’s my dream, “perchance” or otherwise.
Tuesday, February 26
Foundation Plans for Art Center
Community Center for the Arts possible at Turner Farm.
The Great Falls Foundation for the Arts was founded in 2007 with the goal of eventually bringing an arts center to the community. Since then, they have run a school, working studio space and a gallery space on Walker Road, all while planning for the future.
Saturday, February 23
Classified Advertising Feb. 20, 2013
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Friday, February 22
Column: Definition of “Slippery Slope”
Figuratively speaking, of course. That definition being: a late stage cancer patient/survivor previously characterized as “terminal” awaiting the results of their most recent diagnostic scan. A scan that will indicate whether the tumors have grown, moved or God forbid, appeared somewhere new. If your life hung in the balance before the scan, waiting for results of this however-many-months-interval-scan will most assuredly loosen your figurative grip on your equilibrium and your most literal grip on your sanity. This is a domain, unlike the one referred to in one of the more infamous Seinfeld episodes, that one cannot master. To invoke and slightly rework Dan Patrick’s “catch” phrase: You can’t stop it, you can only hope to contain it.
Thursday, February 21
Great Falls Home Sales: January, 2013
In January 2013, 19 Great Falls homes sold between $5,115,693-$639,000.
Great Falls Home Sales: January, 2013
Letter: Alarmed and Saddened
I participated in the public hearing on school discipline last week and was alarmed and deeply saddened to view the document Students Rights and Responsibilities for K-12, which lists pages and pages of all the “bad” behavior a student could possibly have, and the consequences for each violation. The really big consequence is for marijuana use, which merits immediate 10-day suspension and a referral for consideration of expulsion on the first violation.
Langley Crew Team Rows to ‘Stop Hunger Now’
The Langley crew team raised $2,500 toward the Langley pyramid effort to support the Stop Hunger Now charity, which culminated in a meal packaging event that was held at Colvin Run Elementary School on Saturday, Feb. 9. The Langley pyramid effort raised $19,000 total, which paid for 76,000 high protein meals that were put together or "packed" by volunteers. Langley crew held a fundraiser event at the Great Falls Safeway on Feb. 2 and also donated a portion of the proceeds from its annual indoor rowing competition—an "Erg-a-thon" against West Springfield High School that Langley won.
‘Art Night Out’ in Support of Great Falls Art Community
Great Falls artists and art enthusiasts will host a casual night out on March 7, 7-9:30 p.m. at the home of Mark & Molly Decker, 106 Falcon Ridge Drive, Great Falls. The residents are invited to enjoy drinks and appetizers as they view the Decker's extensive art collection highlighting accomplished Ohio landscape artist Michael McEwan. They can also view the newly released plans and drawings for the proposed Great Falls Center for the Arts, discuss the project's progress, and share their thoughts with GFFFTA Board members.
Letter: Time to Vote on Gun Control
A powerful moment was reached during the State of the Union address when President Obama spoke of America’s responsibility to survivors of gun violence. The president said, “they deserve a vote” — on gun reform. Representatives from Virginia should heed this call.
EMT Wins Basic Life Support Provider of the Year Award
Elliot Zaret is this year's recipient of the Fairfax County 2012 Basic Life Support Provider of the Year Award. In addition to his patient care and mentoring, Elliot spent countless hours utilizing his woodworking skills crafting a table that now graces the new firestation.
New Approach to Helping Chronic Homeless
County joins "100,000 Homes" effort as chronic homelessness on rise.
The number of chronically homeless individuals in Fairfax County is on the rise. Currently, nearly 300 individuals are considered chronically homeless, many living in cars or sleeping in tents. In an effort to find permanent homes for these individuals, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness is joining the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national movement to find permanent homes for 100,000 chronically homeless throughout the nation.
‘Two Symphonies and a Dance’ for Area Music Lovers
Virginia Chamber Orchestra to present early Mozart and Mendelssohn works.
There has always been the debate about the role of nature and nurture in a child’s development. This is especially true in child prodigies. Mozart and Mendelssohn were from musical homes and received encouragement in musical studies. Although Gluck sang in his church choir, his interest in music was surely of his own making as he was expected to work in his family’s forestry business.
Thursday, February 14
Classified Advertising Feb. 13, 2013
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Wednesday, February 13
A Positive Reflection
Joan Brady gives foster children needed exposure.
On Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, Joan Brady of Great Falls had just started a three-month sabbatical from her job with an Internet company. Newly-married, Brady, who was 36 years old at the time, was exhausted from 80-hour work weeks in a rigid corporate environment. She wanted time that fall to contemplate what to do next with her life. The next day provided answers and a sense of urgency. It was Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks, and the moving stories of heroism and tragedy on 9/11, indelibly left their mark. Brady, like many Americans, was inspired to do something new, to take more chances, to change direction.
Editorial: On Transportation
Compromise, in the works, should include indexing the gas tax to inflation.
Virginia needs more options, not fewer, in developing revenue to pay for roads and transportation. Compromise on a plan to increase transportation revenue should not include making Virginia the only state in the nation without a gas tax. The current, ridiculously low gas tax should be indexed to inflation. The last thing the commonwealth needs is to do away with an existing, major source of money for roads.
Enjoying Arts and Chocolate
The Artists’ Atelier in Great Falls hosts ‘Flowers and Chocolate’ show.
An eventful weekend filled with sweet delights for both the taste buds and the eyes at the Artists’ Atelier Studio reception proved to be a popular outing among Great Falls residents and art enthusiasts alike.
Area Students Excel at MATHCOUNTS Competitions
The Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS competitions were held on Saturday, Feb. 2, at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke and at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria.
Volunteers Needed to Help Count Homeless
Volunteers organized by FACETS and other local nonprofits will spread out across Fairfax County to count, photograph, and get names and histories for everyone experiencing homelessness for the county’s first ever “Registry Week,” a component of the 100,000 Homes Campaign,” beginning on Monday, Feb. 25, at various locations around Fairfax County.
Langley High Orchestra Performs in Italy
Two concerts, memorable sites.
The Langley High School Orchestra performed two concerts during their recent trip to Rome, Italy. The trip was an opportunity for the orchestra students to share their music with Italian children and adults, and to experience the rich culture and history of Rome.
Week in Great Falls
Golden Calidore Quartet Comes to Great Falls
Senior Center Sets Goals
After incorporation, Great Falls Senior Center plans to become nonprofit, name board by end of year.
The Great Falls Senior Center has big plans for 2013 after getting off the ground as a working group of the Great Falls Citizens Association.
Friday, February 8
Classified Advertising Feb. 6, 2013
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Wednesday, February 6
February Is Heart Month
Diet and fitness experts offer suggestions for maintaining a healthy heart.
When Mary Elizabeth O’Conner enters a supermarket, she is careful stay within the outer perimeters of the store. “Most grocery stores are designed so that the healthiest and non-processed food, like fresh vegetables and meat are kept on the outer edges,” she said. She looks for heart-healthy foods like whole grains and fresh fruit.
Column: A Complicated Answer
And a further explanation and corollary to last week’s column: “A Simple Question,” which attempted to sort through my reactions to being asked an extremely innocent, appropriate, well-intended and always appreciated courtesy: “How are you?” and the problem that it sometimes causes me. That problem being: a question which had it not been asked would then not require an answer. An answer that I’ll always give, but not before I’ve given it some thought, which if I hadn’t thought about, wouldn’t have bothered me in the least
Making the Difference Between Struggle and Success
Carmen Jordan of Reston has been a mentor for Fairfax Families4 Kids for six years. She is considered one of the most experienced mentors in the program. In addition to working full-time as a marquee account manager at Deltek in Herndon, Jordan makes herself available to “trouble-shoot” for the children and families she mentors. In the following column, she details her experiences with the program, and at-risk foster youth.
'Stuff the Bus’ Campaign Helps Feed the Hungry
Donations continue to increase as campaign enters third year.
Local grocery stores were packed this weekend with shoppers stocking up on Super Bowl snacks for the annual football fan party. At the Wal-Mart in Fairfax, shoppers were greeted with colorful displays of chips, dips and other party favorites. They were also greeted by volunteers from Our Daily Bread (ODB), who were handing out flyers and encouraging shoppers to donate gift cards or specific items to restock ODB’s pantry shelves. A Fairfax nonprofit for nearly 30 years, ODB provides food and other critical services to the working poor, the elderly and the disabled. More than half of ODB’s clients are local children.
Police Warn Public of “Inheritance Scam”
Fairfax County Police (FCPD) has received numerous reports from residents across the U.S. involving a phony inheritance proclamation.
McLean High Musicians Dominate Northern Virginia Competition
McLean High School symphonic and concert band musicians dominated a recent county organized individual performance competition, taking 66 chairs or alternate positions in the All-Disrict Band.
McLean Author Launches New Book
Rebecca Shambaugh shows how organizations can harness the collective strengths of both men and women to create stronger businesses.
Try functioning without half of your brain. You might not be able to remember anything. You might not be able to drive. You might not be able to walk or talk. Now imagine a business that operates using only half its brainpower. It’s destined to fail.
McDonald’s Supports County Schools
The McDonald’s Family Restaurants of Greater Washington, D.C., presented Fairfax County Public Schools with a check for $4,200 on Friday, Jan. 18.
A Pleasing Romantic Comedy
1st Stage presents ‘Italian American Reconciliation.’
The pedigree of playwright John Patrick Shanley is top notch; he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his play "Doubt" and won an Oscar for the screen play for "Moonstruck." His "Italian American Reconciliation," now playing at 1st Stage in Tysons, will not disappoint.
Kathleen Murphy to Challenge Comstock in November
Democrat Kathleen Murphy kicked off her campaign yesterday to challenge Virginia Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) in this November’s House of Delegates election.
Eight Scouts Honored for Heroic Deeds
Eight boys from National Capital Area Council (NCAC) Boy Scouts of America (BSA) received National Court of Honor Lifesaving and Meritorious Action Awards in 2012 for remaining calm in a crisis, making quick use of Scout training and for living up to the words “to help other people at all times,” which is part of the Scout Oath.
Colvin Run Elementary Gives to the Needy
Children of Colvin Run Elementary School gathered in the school sport auditorium on Monday, Feb. 4, to mark the beginning of the school’s food donation program.
Troop 673 Gets New Eagle Scout
Spencer Weiss is the latest Eagle Scout in Troop 673 sponsored by the Great Falls United Methodist Men.
Letter: In Support of Riverbend Park Master Plan
I am a Boy Scout from Troop 712 based in Chantilly and I am writing about the proposed Riverbend Park master plan.
‘Bright and Cheerful’ Art Exhibit at Katie’s Coffee House
Great Falls artist Mary Ellen Mogee is exhibiting paintings at Katie’s Coffee House in Great Falls, from Friday, Feb. 1, to Friday, March 1, 2013.
Artists’ Atelier Gallery Presents ‘Flowers, Chocolate and Romance’
“Flowers, Chocolate and Romance” is the theme of the February show at The Artists’ Atelier Gallery.
Fairfax Softball and Special Olympics Raise Funds Bowling
Participants, family, friends and supporters of Fairfax Adult Softball, Inc. (FAS) came together on Sunday, Jan. 27, for the 13th Annual Bowling Tournament to benefit Northern Virginia Special Olympics and Fairfax County Park Authority field improvements.
Tuesday, February 5
Farmer’s Market Continues Through Winter
Weekly market will take place every Saturday, indoors or out.
Fairfax County is home of dozens of farmer’s markets throughout the year, but by November, almost all of them have shuttered for the winter before re-opening in the spring. But the Great Falls Farmer’s Market is open year-round, offering produce and other items throughout the winter.
Library Hosts Children’s Book Club
Monthly meetings allow children to discuss variety of books.
Some of the youngest library patrons in Great Falls are coming together monthly to discuss children’s books as part of the library’s Children’s Book Club.