Friday, August 29
Great Falls Optimists’ Planned Activities
Planned activities for the Great Falls Optimist Club that provide opportunity for all ages to learn, serve, lead and to help youth who influence the future.
Friends & Neighbors to Host Kick-off Luncheon
Great Falls Friends & Neighbors [GFFN] is a women’s club designed to connect new with current residents of Great Falls and the surrounding communities. For all members young or old, it is a wonderful way to establish friendships and community contacts through the social, educational and cultural activities that GFFN provides. In addition, the club provides service, support, and donations to philanthropic and civic organizations, particularly in and close to the Great Falls community. GFFN is a nonprofit organization.
High Schools Aiming High
Recent news from Herndon, Langley and McLean High.
Herndon, Langley and McLean High Schools offer a rich program of courses, extracurricular activities and events.
Great Falls Schools Focus on Creative Thinking
Principals of Forestville, Great Falls and Colvin Run Elementary discuss priorities of the new school year.
As a brand new academic year approaches, teeming with students, parents and teachers, elementary schools in the Great Falls are gearing up for significant changes while managing to maintain platforms already in place.
Great Falls, Virginia: Landmarks of Local Aspirations
Capturing and preserving the ever-evolving story of our the village.
There are certain old-timers in Great Falls whose families are filled with memories that span generations and even centuries in this area, connecting them deeply with the local story.
A County of 186,785 Students
Welcome to the 2014-15 school year. The start of a new school year is always an exciting time for students, parents, and educators. Our dedicated staff has been working hard to prepare for another school year that builds on our tradition of excellence at Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
Thursday, August 28
Classified Advertising August 27, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
100 Books of Summer
To say Alina Bujnowski loves to read is an understatement. With more than 130 books under her belt in the past three months, the 5-year-old super reader has out-read every other child during Great Falls Library’s summer reading program.
Great Falls Home Sales: July, 2014
In July 2014, 16 Great Falls homes sold between $2,200,000-$512,500.
Great Falls Home Sales: July, 2014
Wednesday, August 27
Celebrate Great Falls searching for volunteers
In an effort to drum up volunteers, Celebrate Great Falls is making some changes soon. A more membership driven service and a new event under its wing - the Turner Farm Independence Day fireworks - it hopes to drive the number of people willing to donate their time to make CGF’s events happen.
Hot Issues Facing Great Falls
Great Falls, a unique village just outside of D.C., will be undergoing major changes in the next five years and beyond. Great Falls Citizens Association and Fairfax County will be working on range of issues like deer management, land use, historical preservation and water purification, among others to create a better quality of life for citizens.
What’s on the Ballot; How to Vote
Election Day is Nov. 4, 2014, but you can vote as early as Sept. 19.
Every year is Election Year in Virginia. This year, every Virginia voter will choose one member of the U.S. Senate and their member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Welcome to Fairfax County
Welcome to Fairfax County, the best place in the country to live, work and play. Fairfax County is home to a fantastic public school system, top tier business and shopping opportunities, compassionate human services, and some of the best parks and open spaces in the D.C. Metropolitan region.
About the Connection
As your local, weekly newspaper, the Connection’s mission is to deliver the local news you need, to try to make sense of what is happening in your community, to gather information about the best things in and near your community, to advocate for community good, to provide a forum for dialogue on local concerns, and to celebrate and record achievements, milestones and events in the community and people’s lives.
The Great Falls Farmers Market - Where Saturdays are Local
Please know that you have a standing invitation to join us every Saturday morning (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at the parking lot next to the Wells Fargo Bank for a spirited community event, the Great Falls Farmers Market – immediately following Cars & Coffee.
And Another Thing I’m “Righting” On
Not only did last week’s CT Scan indicate shrinkage, where necessary – and stability, where hoped for – it also accomplished these hoped-for goals after only two months of chemotherapy (still infused every three weeks) rather than the normal three months of chemotherapy. So depending on how the calendar/treatment schedule actually fell, I probably received two fewer infusions than usual, yet all the radiological indications – and interpretations – continue to be encouraging; after five and a half years, no less. I think I’m entitled to use the word amazing – and lucky, too.
Fairfax County’s Success Story
Economic success: 50 years in the making.
If you are a newcomer to Fairfax County, allow me to welcome you to one of the most dynamic communities anywhere in the world to live and work. It was the vision of many people to create this kind of community, so please allow me to offer a quick history lesson.
Great Falls Chambers and Business Resources
A list of Great Falls chambers.
Editorial: Back to School - Good Steps, Good Intentions
The first day of school in Fairfax County is Tuesday, Sept. 2, but Monday, Sept. 8 is the beginning of something important. For the first time in decades, elementary school students will have a full day of school on Mondays instead of being sent home hours early. This action makes so much sense in for families with children in elementary school. The ability of Superintendent Karen Garza to facilitate this change to go into effect right away is remarkable, and we hope a promise for more changes ahead.
Newcomers Guide: Area Nonprofits
A list of nonprofits in the community.
A list of nonprofits in the community.
Thursday, August 21
Curator Program Study Being Finalized
Historic homes that have been abandoned - and perhaps lost their original charm - could have a second chance to return to their former glory. Fairfax County Parks Authority is currently finalizing a resident Curator Program Implementation Study that would allow anyone with the time, money and expertise, to live in a historic place in order to fix it up.
Wednesday, August 20
Langley Lax Standout Duenkel Committed to JMU
Q&A: Junior an all-conference field hockey player, enjoys cooking.
Langley junior Halle Duenkel is committed to play lacrosse at James Madison University.
‘Beach Party’ in Great Falls
The piano students of Artstars Studio were excited about learning and practicing music for their "Beach Party" recital held recently. Selections included "Palm Tree Serenade" by Lynn Olson, "Sandcastles" by Martha Mier, and "Moonlit Tides" by Randall Hartsell.
Local Elementary School Artists Exhibit at Starbucks Great Falls
Grab a cup (iced, of course) and enjoy with an erupting volcano, snowcapped peaks, joyful portraits, complicated landscapes and tiny prints.
Editorial: Accountability for Police in Northern Virginia
There is more transparency in the police shooting in Ferguson last week than in police shootings in Northern Virginia.
This is not Ferguson, and tanks do not roll down the streets of Northern Virginia driven by police officers pointing sniper rifles at residents.
Obituary: Richard L. Andrews, 80, of Great Falls, Dies
Richard L. Andrews, born Oct. 6, 1933, in New York City, died on Aug. 1, 2014, in Alexandria, after a valiant seven-year battle against melanoma, leukemia, mesothelioma, and, finally, liver cancer.
Removing Barriers to College
Local services help students complete college paperwork, remove barriers.
LaQuita King relocated across the state from Chesapeake, Va., to Alexandria in the summer of 2013, moving into an apartment with her aunt and three cousins. King had just graduated from high school and was looking forward to taking classes at Northern Virginia Community College. So far, that hasn’t happened.
Letter: Well Deserved Endorsements
Letter to the Editor
The recent endorsement of Barbara Comstock by both the National Association Realtors and the Virginia Association of Realtors is not only well deserved, but speaks volumes as to the impact that both Barbara and Congressman Frank Wolf have played in helping further both our local economy and that of the country. As a Virginia resident for nearly 30 years and a Realtor for nine years, I know firsthand what Barbara has meant to our community.
Letter: Good Old Times
Letter to the Editor
I really enjoyed Marilyn Campbell's article about "Keeping School Clutter Under Control" [Connection, Aug. 13-19, 2014], which contains great advice about maintaining a tidy environment in the home relating to school activities and assignments.
All Write For Now
And so it goes, every three months or so; a CT Scan, a week or so of waiting, and then a face-to-face appointment with my oncologist to learn/discuss the results. Thankfully, the results continue to be amazing. My doctor has told me that I’m his third miracle; stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer patients generally don’t live beyond two years. I’m in year six.
Classified Advertising August 20, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Thursday, August 14
Safety at a Crossroads in Poor Communities Across Northern Virginia
Less affluent neighborhoods in Northern Virginia suffer from higher pedestrian fatalities.
A national database of pedestrian crashes compiled by Governing Magazine shows 95 pedestrian fatalities in Northern Virginia between 2008 and 2012. While 26 of the pedestrian fatalities occurred in wealthy neighborhoods, where the per capita income is more than $53,000, a much larger number happened in poor communities like this stretch of Route 1 in Mount Vernon.
Wednesday, August 13
Take Precautions against Rabies
Animal Shelter offers advice to reduce the risk.
Rabies is a deadly virus that infects animals and may be a risk to humans, as well. The most commonly reported rabid animals in Fairfax County include foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. But even pets aren’t automatically immune to this disease and must be vaccinated against it.
Heads Up Football Flourishing in Fairfax County
Program reduces concussion risk by teaching players to take the “head” out of tackling.
It wasn’t that long ago when youth football coaches believed a player’s toughness was measured by his ability to play through the pain. Concussions and other serious injuries were just “part of the game.”
Organized for School Year
Local organizers offer suggestions on dealing with the summer mess.
When summer comes to a grinding halt in a few weeks, a new school year will begin. From alarm clocks and school bells to piles of homework assignments and sports schedules, maintaining a coordinated household can be difficult, however. Local organizers are offering simple suggestions to help make the transition from summer to the start of the school year seamless.
Write Now, I Just Don’t Know
The biggest writing problem that I have, other than the ones you regular readers generally know about, is writing a current column on the weekend immediately preceding the next Wednesday’s publication date, when I am still waiting on results from my most recent CT Scan. This isn’t like putting the cart before the horse, this is more like putting the horse in the cart and pulling it.
Homelessness: Source of Trauma for Children
Nearly 700 children live in emergency homeless shelters in Fairfax County at some point during the year.
Summer vacation is wrapping up; kids everywhere are gearing up for the return to school. Stores are filled with school supplies; back-to-school advertising fills our TVs, radio and mailboxes. Many families are hustling from store to store getting supplies, backpacks, clothes and haircuts. As children, while we hated to see summer end, we fondly remember the yearly ritual and the excitement and anticipation of getting all those new things.
U.S. Rep Wolf (R-10) Announces Service Academy Appointments
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) announced the 10th District’s Class of 2018 appointments to the nation’s service academies, as well as those selected for Academy prep schools.
Letter: Fit Academics Into the Fun
Finding ways to fit academics into the fun is imperative to making sure children are prepared for the coming school year which begins in just a few short weeks.
Georgetown Pike Repaving Underway
Most work will be done at night.
The $3.2 million project, a late summer effort to smooth roads before winter hits again, may not have a significant traffic pattern impact on the already congested historic road.
Experiencing Adventure
Great Falls Troop 55 Boy Scouts discover wilderness, wildlife in New Mexico.
Ten teenage Scouts and two adult leaders from Troop 55 in Great Falls went on a life-changing trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (part of the Rocky Mountains) at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M., this summer.
Week in Great Falls
Service academy nominations and blood drive.
Teen Drone Expert
Teen’s love for technology turns into drone expertise.
The teen, a rising junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology [TJHSST], has become a local drone expert since his interest was sparked about a year ago.
Troop 673 Promotes Three New Eagle Scouts
Daniel Cunningham, Will Tennille, and John Waugh, of Eagle Scouts from Troop 673 in Great Falls — sponsored by the Great Falls United Methodist Men — are the most recent among more than 100 Eagle Scouts developed by the Troop for over 50 years of activity.
Classified Advertising August 13, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Thursday, August 7
Income Growth in Fairfax and Alexandria Lags Behind State and National Averages
Loudoun is the one bright spot in the region.
Paycheck growth in Fairfax County and the city of Alexandria are lagging behind the state and the nation, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Wednesday, August 6
Crime Solvers Hold 5K, Raise Money
In the second year, the race has gained momentum, more runners, and two vendors.
Early Saturday morning, runners and walkers alike descended onto Fairfax Government Center for the second annual Crime Solvers 5K and helped raise money for Fairfax Crime Solvers. “[We’re] just a partnership to keep our community safe,” Fairfax County Crime Solvers President and Chairman, Jody Donaldson said.
Stride Right
Not that I’ve felt that my attitude toward being diagnosed with stage IV (“terminal”) non-small cell lung cancer at age 54-and-one-half was ever to be considered as model behavior, but I do believe, after the initial shock wore off, eventually I assimilated its effects into my routine reasonably well. Not without a million bumps and bruises along the way, however, both physically and emotionally; nevertheless, though time has not healed all that has preceded this column, I’ve managed to find and maintain an extremely delicate balance between “joie de vivre” and “c’est la vie.”
Preventing Sports Injuries
How to keep kids safe while they’re having fun.
As students prepare to return to school, one activity many look forward to is sports. While the benefits of athletic activities are numerous, however, so are injuries.
Letter: Residents Support White Oaks Planting
The Connection coverage last month of the Great Falls legacy white oak planting program was very thorough.
Tysons West Meets Expanding Community Needs
The JBG Companies and JBGR Retail have closed on the sale of the current phase of its Tysons West mixed-use development.
From Great Falls to South Africa
On Sept. 18, Julia and Arthur will carry with them to South Africa donations of school supplies for disadvantaged South African children.
Great Falls Community Farmers Market - Where Local Families Gather
Now in its seventh summer season, the Great Falls Farmers Market bursts of music, song, and summer harvest.
Editorial: Brightening Outlook for End of Summer
Local pleasures to offset discouraging news.
The news here has been a bit discouraging, and that’s without considering the human tragedy and disaster of several different international situations.
Letter: Global Warming Is Impacting Us Now
With increasingly powerful storms bringing down trees and flooding our roads, global warming isn’t a distant threat for Virginia. It’s impacting us now.
Great Falls Enjoys Sundays on the Green
Summer concerts series draws crowds to the Village Centre.
The band Atlas Road Crew graced the crowd in the Village Centre for the weekly Concert on the Green event.
Week in Great Falls
Drama camp and blood drive.