Stories for December 2020

Two Million Lights in a Dark Winter

An Insider’s View on the Bull Run Festival of Lights; open through Jan. 10, and maybe more

The Bull Run Festival of Lights is the largest light show in the Washington Metropolitan area, and this winter it is more popular than ever before.

Halloween Pumpkin Design in Great Falls

Halloween pumpkin design, by Georgia Martin, 12, of Great Falls, Grade 7 at Cooper Middle; art teacher: Nadene Wright.

Opinion: Column: Trip, and Hopefully Not a Fall

Having recently returned from a driving sojourn through the South, with stops and stays in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, visiting four sets of friends in those three states, I can say with certainty that wearing masks, social distancing and common sense consideration for your fellow citizen were not nearly so accepted as we had hoped.

Surviving Christmas Day in Solitude

Ideas for coping with being alone on the holiday

While Christmas Day will be different and difficult for many this year, it will be especially difficult for seniors who live alone and will be in solitude because of COVID-19 risks.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Cutting Pollution for Our Health

Ella Kissi-Debrah had severe asthma, frequently visiting the ER with cardiac and respiratory arrest.

Opinion: Editorial: Merry Christmas

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

The pages of the Connection (including the Alexandria Gazette Packet, the Mount Vernon Gazette, the Potomac Almanac and the Centre View) are usually full of holiday spirit, beginning before Thanksgiving.

Appealing Bad Rulings

Lawmakers to consider expanding appeals court, providing new oversight to judges.

Virginia is the only state in the country that does not guarantee a right to appeal, allowing circuit court judges to make decisions with little oversight or scrutiny. Critics have been calling for reform ever since the Court of Appeals was first created in 1985. The Supreme Court of Virginia recommended an appeal of right as a "long term goal" in 2018. Now, Gov. Ralph Northam says he wants lawmakers to add four judges and support staff "to ensure the court can hear more appeals cases in a timely manner under an increasing workload."

Opinion: Column: Three Strikes...

...and now I'm out – of the Handel's Messiah sweepstakes.

Virginia Master Naturalist Program Graduates Spring Class

The 2020 Spring class of Virginia Master Naturalists (VMN) graduated, finally, in a Zoom ceremony on Dec. 14.

A Holiday Season Reimagined

The pandemic leads to altered and new traditions.

When schools adjourn for winter break, the anticipation of a COVID-19 pandemic holiday season will become a reality.

McLean, Langley High Communities Weigh in on Boundary Adjustment

Capacity relief sought with eyes on Langley High School

Fairfax County Public Schools presented three possible options and a no change option for capacity relief at McLean High School during a virtual community meeting held Mon., Dec. 7.

Great Falls Woman Dies in Two-Car Crash

A woman has died as a result of injuries from a crash that occurred Sunday, Dec. 7, around 11 a.m. at the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Towlston Road.

December is Puppy Mill Awareness Month

Breeding license is no indicator of quality

Third article in a series.

Great Falls Girl Scouts Win Gold Award

Five Girl Scouts from Troop 1991 in Great Falls earn the highest recognition in scouting

The Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital recently acknowledged the power and dedication shared by an elite group of young women who earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in the 2020 Annual Yearbook.

A Fresh Outlook: Looking Ahead with Optimism in Great Falls

I’m thankful to have witnessed many examples (big and small) of this spirit.

As we close the chapter on 2020, many may feel tattered and beaten down as they look to 2021.

Absurd Leverage

Lawmakers to reconsider mandatory minimum for assaulting law enforcement

Earlier this year, lawmakers rejected a bill that would have ditched the mandatory minimum sentence for assaulting a law-enforcement officer. Now the General Assembly is about to consider the issue again.

What Does It Cost to Buy a Dog?

Virginia observes Puppy Mill Awareness Month

Second article in series.

A Look Inside the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meeting Dec. 1, 2020

Highlights of discussion and actions that impact all who live, work and play in the diverse county

Dec. 1 marked the final Fairfax County Full Board of Supervisors Meeting with Public Comment of 2020.

National Park Foundation Hero Award for Sen. Warner

Award for his efforts to pass the Great American Outdoors Act

Monday, Dec. 7, at an outdoor and socially-distanced ceremony at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) was awarded the National Park Foundation’s Hero Award by Foundation President, Will Shafroth.

Christmas Casual or Go All Out?

As with many traditions, the pandemic is altering celebrations.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: 495 NEXT Project: A ‘Game Changer in the Region’

Having lived in McLean for more than 36 years and represented McLean and Great Falls in the House of Delegates, I have experienced our traffic congestion as it has grown worse each year.

Great Falls’ 30th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Santa's visit sparks the spirit of the season.

No way could Santa disappoint the children in Great Falls and miss the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting held this year on the Great Falls Village Centre Field on Sunday, Dec. 6.

Opinion: Column: “Medican’t” Take It Anymore

The non-stop – or so it seems, television advertising letting all of us viewers know that the 2020 Medicare Open Enrollment window is about to slam shut is nearly over.

Looking Desperately for Holiday Santa Stars

Bob Nelson provides support to military families this COVID-19 holiday season.

For over ten years, long-time Great Falls resident and businessman Bob Nelson hosted his Military Appreciation Monday dinners at the Old Brogue, raising funds to support various United States military organizations at the twice-monthly events.

The Buck Stops Here in Great Falls

Managed archery on private property for deer control

Landowners with any parcel size in Great Falls have the option to use archery hunting for deer management on their private property, directly addressing the cause of deer damage: too many deer.

Drawing the Line

Newly created redistricting commission zooms toward new maps in 2021

Now that voters have approved a constitutional amendment creating a new redistricting commission, the pieces have already started falling into place for how the commission will work and who will serve on it.

Opinion: Column: A Bone To Pick

Not that I'm the most-stressed about it, but I am at least stressed about a bone scan I'm having this week.

December is Virginia’s Puppy Mill Awareness Month

In February, the 2020 General Assembly unanimously designated December as Virginia’s Puppy Mill Awareness Month.

Students and Parents Navigate Virtual Learning in Fairfax County

FCPS Virtual and In-Person Learning During COVID 2020

Dec. 1 marked the day that Fairfax County Public Schools students in Group 5, those in Early Head Start, PreK, Kindergarten, and some who receive special education services were to at last transition out of distance learning and walk through school doors to receive two days a week of in-person learning.

Fairfax County Police Patrol on Bikes to Enhance Community Relations

Neighborhood Patrol Units are in every district.

The boots on the ground for the Fairfax County Police Department include the numerous bicycle squads cruising throughout the county, keeping communities safe while interacting with the public on a daily basis.

Have Yourself a Sober Little Christmas

Batting addictions during the holidays

With the holidays come an increase in imbibing.

Bringing Joy and Message of Hope to Area Children

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue participating in TOYS FOR TOTS Campaign

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will be participating in the Annual National Capital Region Fire and EMS Departments’ 2020 TOYS FOR TOTS Campaign.

Editorial: Time to Send Art for Children’s Connection

Like everything else, the Children's Connection will be different in 2020.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Covid Alerts Via Mobile?

Given the evolving COVID-19 restrictions and guidance in response to another wave of infections, I believe I have an idea for information proliferation.

J.K. Rowling's New Book Features Great Falls Child’s Illustration

Way to go Petra Demas, fourth grader at Forestville Elementary

A full-color illustration by award-winning young artist, Petra Demas, 10, of Great Falls is published in the print versions of J.K. Rowling's newly released book, "The Ickabog."

Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Helping Women Achieve Their Academic Goals

Announcing Doris Fisher Irwin Endowment

Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Scholarship Fund announced the creation of the Doris Fisher Irwin Endowment, inspired by their founder and funded through a 2019 bequest by her husband George.

The (Virtual) Show Must Go On at Langley High School!

Even though we’re separated by distance, we’re closer than ever.

Staring at a computer for online class is far from the true experience of a classroom setting.