Stories for November 2016

Classified Advertising November 30, 2016

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Column: Expand Early Voting Now in NOVA

The success of early voting in the 2016 Presidential Election reaffirms my conclusion from visiting 12,000 homes last year — Virginia should expand early voting.

Facing Addiction, Tools in Fairfax County

The following information was provided by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board.

The Surgeon General released the first-ever report on Facing Addiction in America on Thursday, Nov. 17.

Editorial: Every day can be “small business day” in Great Falls

There is a joy to participating in community traditions and celebrations during the holidays, from walking along a sidewalk with the streets decked out for the holidays, to shopping in local stores, to being greeted by someone likely to be the owner of the store, to finding gifts that are not mass-produced.

Great Falls Classical Ballet Performs Revamped Nutcracker This Weekend

Fifty-five dancers will be performing in the show on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at McLean High School.

The Margaret Haddad Studio of Classical Ballet in Great Falls has performed the Nutcracker ballet for decades. Though the studio’s founder –Margaret Haddad— retired last year, her 50-year legacy of teaching classical ballet in the community will continue through one of her students: Casey Jones. Jones started dancing under Margaret Haddad’s instruction in 1994. By 2001, Haddad inducted her into the studio’s teacher training program.

Great Falls: Playing Baseball in the 1890s Great Falls

Bringing a local player to life through history.

Take a look at the local 1890 Baseball Team, for example. The team was lined up in front of a fence that may have held their horses while they played. Four guys had bats, one or two guys had gloves, most seemed to be wearing riding boots. At least five were wearing the same type of baseball cap, apparently to show they were on the same team. (1890s Baseball Team, The N.F. Bradford, Sr. Collection, copyright Great Falls Historical Society).

Great Falls: House Fire Early Sunday Morning Completely Destroys Home

While driving down Route 7 in the early hours of Sunday morning, a passerby noticed flames billowing out from a two-story house at 1065 Northfalls Court in Great Falls. This person called 9-1-1 and rushed to knock on the door of the house across the street to warn neighbors.

Great Falls: Route 7 Under Construction For 6 Years

The main challenge of the project: Maintaining the traffic while VDOT widens the road.

The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to spend $234 million on improvements to nearly seven miles of Route 7, which include widening it from four to six lanes between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive. The project will be awarded to a contractor by January 2018 with construction starting by March 2019 and finishing in late 2025—a total of six years.

Fairfax County: Commonwealth’s Attorney Begins Review of FCPD Report on Deputy-Involved INOVA Shooting

Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh said he has received the completed criminal investigation from Fairfax County Police into the Aug. 15 fatal shooting of Yovani Amaya Gomez, 29, by Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy MDS Patrick McPartlin outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Fairfax County: Planning Commission Delays Vote on Farm Alcohol Zoning Amendment

The Fairfax County Planning Commission has deferred action on a zoning ordinance amendment that would affect the establishment and expansion of farm breweries, distilleries and wineries in the county.

Fairfax County: FCPS Testing Water Quality in Schools

Drinking water at 40 public schools in Fairfax County has been tested for safety, a release from FCPS said.

Fairfax County: School Board Formalizes Search for New Superintendent

Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) has been contracted by Fairfax County Public Schools to search for a new school system superintendent. Dr. Karen Garza announced on Sept. 19 she would be leaving that role to become president and CEO of the Columbus-based education organization Battelle for Kids.

Thinking Beyond Serving Meals

Experts advise finding age-appropriate ways for children to give back.

During this season of giving thanks, opportunities for expressions of gratitude can seem ubiquitous.

Easing Election Fears

Local therapists say acknowledging, reassuring are keys to easing anxiety.

On the morning after what was possibly the most adversarial election in recent history, psychologist Carolyn Lorente, Ph.D. felt an urge to send a text message to her two teenaged children. 

Great Falls Home Sales: October, 2016

In October, 2016, 20 Great Falls homes sold between $3,767,500-$639,900.

Great Falls Home Sales: October, 2016

Tysons: Warby Parker to Open First Virginia Eyeglasses Store

Warby Parker, a popular online eyeglasses retailer, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Virginia on Nov. 19 at Tysons Corner Center mall.

Week in Great Falls

Starshine Theater to Hold Auditions

Starshine Theater will present “Singin’ Our Lives !” ~ Your Story is Your Song ~ and will be holding auditions for ages 6 through 18 for actors, singers, dancers and musicians.

Great Falls: Let Students Observe Veterans Day

Letter to the Editor

I did notice that Feb. 6, 2017 is a student holiday though. Is Feb. 6, 2017 a Student Holiday because the Super Bowl is the day before on Feb. 5, 2017?? Coincidental? I hope so. If not, that is shameful and disrespectful to the Veterans of this great Republic. Let’s get our priorities straight and allow the children of Fairfax County to acknowledge, observe, and learn about our veteran’s service by observing this day as a National Holiday.

Great Falls Remembers Its Veterans

The Freedom Memorial

“It’s easy to recognize active duty military, but most veterans blend into our communities,” said Maj. Gen. Julie Bentz, vice director of the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency, who was the keynote speaker at the ceremony.

Holiday Events at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Great Falls

Great Falls Church Announces Children’s Christmas Program

Christ the King Lutheran Church, 10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, announces a free event on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 5 p.m., open to the community, featuring the Christmas story told through narration, scripture and Christmas carols. The cast of children bring the Nativity scene to life with Mary, Joseph, animals, angels and shepherds.

Great Falls U13 Blue Win Virginia President’s Cup

The GFSC U13 Blue capped off a fall 2016 season by winning the U13 Virginia Cup title with a 5-0 win over Virginia Beach.

Classified Advertising November 16, 2016

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Classified Advertising November 23, 2016

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Deer Feeding Ban Is In Effect

Many residents enjoy seeing white-tailed deer up close and may feel they are contributing to the animal’s welfare by providing supplemental food.

Setting a holiday table

Local tastemakers offer suggestions for creating festive tablescape. 

As Thanksgiving draws near, thoughts of table settings and holiday décor abound.

Guest-Ready Home for the Holidays

From organizing to decorating, a guide for getting a house ready for visitors. 

Ready or not, the holidays are coming.

Great Falls: ‘Breathtaking Navajo Lands and Beyond’ Photography Exhibit by Dee Leggett at the Great Falls Library

“Breathtaking Navajo Lands and Beyond" is an exhibit of photography capturing the beauty of the natural formations and historical sites on the Navajo lands in Arizona as well as some of the State Parks in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada taken during Great Falls photographer and author Dee Leggett’s tour to the area in May.

Bringing New Trees to Great Falls

ReLeaf and GFCA volunteers disperse some of many native species that will enhance the community for many years, including white and red oak, elderberry, dogwood and loblolly pine. ReLeaf is a private non-profit organization of volunteers formed in 1992 to plant and protect trees in and around Fairfax County, preserve native habitat and educate the public about the benefits of trees.

Editorial: Holidays Are for Giving

Give thanks and share locally; tens of thousands of families in Fairfax County are in need.

The holidays are about giving, and giving thanks.

Decking the Halls, Stuffing Bellies

Local cooking schools offer crash courses in holiday dishes.

Ever since Bernadette Lott can remember, she’s had a sweet tooth as big as a sugar cane field.

Additional Factors Impede Efforts To Quit Smoking

Public encouraged to learn about challenges faced by smokers with mental illness who want to quit.

Despite her mental health challenges, Deneice Valentine quit smoking in part by learning to meditate.

Unofficial Election Results as of Monday, Nov. 14

Source: http://results.elections.virginia.gov/

Unofficial Election Results as of Monday, Nov. 14

A Design Solution as Big as a Barn Door

Master bath renovation explores themes from Great Falls' bucolic past.

With its metal roof, stucco siding and silo, the 5,800-sq-ft., five-bedroom Great Falls residence exuded nostalgic references to the community's bucolic past. Getting the house to owner requirements, however, entailed a commitment.

Eagle Scouts Honor Troops for Veterans Day

As his Eagle project, he along with friends constructed wooden boxes to collect hundreds of books ranging from preschool level to high school for the children of wounded warriors, active duty and veterans being served at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) Pediatrics Department.

Northern Virginia: Bumpy road ahead for Capital Bikeshare expansion in Northern Virginia.

It takes a little over two hours to bike from downtown Washington D.C. to Reston. For the Capital Bikeshare, it’s a trip that’s taken six years.

Fairfax County: Sayles Receives Environmental Excellence Award

Sayles is a retired Denver police officer, DEA agent, Ad Hoc Police Commission contributor and long-time county resident

A 12-year-old African American boy watched as a city of Denver patrol car with two white police officers drove slowly by his house, where he reported people attempting to break in.

Fairfax County: No to Trump And Meals Tax

Beyer, Connolly re-elected.

With final numbers still coming in from around the country, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump carried a strong lead early Wednesday morning over Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton.

Comstock Wins 10th District Race

Hotly-contested seat targeted as a ‘flip’ for Democrats.

“She shows up. She even attended my town hall forums on heroin abuse because she knows it matters to her constituents.”

Clinton and Kaine Carry Virginia, Trump Seizes Key Battlegrounds

Comstock, Connolly, Beyer re-elected; meals tax voted down; bonds voted up.

MEALS TAX referendum would have allowed Fairfax County supervisors to enact up to a four percent tax on prepared foods and beverages.

Thousands Cast Ballots at Great Falls Library

Fairfax County expected thousands of voters to cast their ballot at the Great Falls Library off Georgetown Pike yesterday.

Tuesday at Langley High: School is Out and Voting is In

Election 2016

Fairfax County Public Schools were closed for Election Day, but people woke up early to vote at Langley High School off of Georgetown Pike yesterday.

Fairfax County: Autopsy Report Yet to Come for Deputy-Involved Shooting

Administrative investigation to follow.

Law enforcement officials are still waiting to receive the final autopsy report for Yovani Amaya Gomez, 29, who was shot dead by Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy MDS Patrick McPartlin outside Inova Fairfax Hospital on Aug. 15 of this year.