Lundegard Named Community Champion
Recognized for efforts with community groups at annual awards ceremony.
Great Falls resident Bob Lundegard was awarded Community Champion for the Dranesville District during the 20th annual Volunteer Fairfax Service Awards Friday, April 27.
Enforcing Distracted Driving Rules
‘Orange Cones, No Phones’ campaign recognizes law enforcement.
Local officials gathered at the Westpark Drive ramp over the Beltway Wednesday, April 25 to recognize police officers for their efforts combating distracted driving and to share some facts collected by their recent survey. The "Orange Cones, No Phones" initiative is a joint effort between Transurban-Fluor (the company building the 495 Express lanes) and AAA Mid-Atlantic.
Local Author Readies Next Novel
Shannon Greenland to release ‘The Summer My Life Began’ May 10.
Growing up, Shannon Greenland of McLean wasn’t big into reading or writing. In fact, the Tennessee native dreaded every time the subjects would come up in school. It wasn’t until her 20s that she got into reading and writing as a hobby. Within a year, she had written her first novel.
Local Volunteers Recognized
Fateh Nasir, Julie Clemente awarded at annual Volunteer Service Awards.
Two McLean residents were recognized for their efforts going above and beyond with their time Friday, April 27 at the 20th annual Volunteer Fairfax Service Awards. Fateh Nasir, a senior at McLean High School and Julie Clemente, president of the board of the Friends of Clemyjontri Park were both spotlighted during the ceremony.
Museum Tells Story of pre-Reston Simon
Program features early life of founder Robert Simon.
While Robert E. Simon Jr. literally started Reston’s history, his own history goes back five decades. Reston wasn’t founded until Simon was 50, and the Reston Historic Trust attempted to fill in residents on Simon’s early life during their Thursday, April 19 program at the Reston Community Center Lake Anne.
Great Falls Elementary Poets Recognized
Friends and Neighbors Club awards nine at annual luncheon.
The Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Club held their 30th annual poetry contest, awarding nine Great Falls Elementary School students during a luncheon at Riverbend Country Club.
Langley Choir Tours Europe
Vocal groups win one silver, three gold medals at 2012 Young Prague Festival.
On March 29, 113 Langley choral students and chaperones along with their director, Dr. Mac Lambert, and Langley High School administrator Sonya Williams gathered in the Langley High School auditorium with suitcases and passports in hand.
Reston Celebrates 48th Birthday, Simon’s 98th
Lake Anne hosts annual Founder’s Day activities.
Reston founder Robert Simon officially founded the community that bears his name in his 50th year, in 1964. Forty-eight years later, Simon celebrated his 98th birthday at the Lake Anne Plaza Saturday, April 14.
Recognizing Reston’s Best
Reston Interfaith, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce hosts annual awards gala.
The annual Best of Reston awards recognized four individuals, two organizations and two businesses Thursday, April 12 at the Reston Hyatt. Reston Interfaith and the Greater Reston Chamber of commerce host the awards, which celebrated their 21st year.
Rotary Reaches 100 Members
Great Falls Rotary Club welcomes 100th member, 10 months after founding.
The Great Falls Rotary Club celebrated reaching its 100th member Thursday, April 12, achieving the milestone in record time. They reached 100 members in 10 months, growth that has attracted the attention of Rotary International.
Gardeners Donate Produce to Share
Gardening program aims to provide fresh food for food bank clients.
As the weather warms, local gardeners are heading back to their plots. Share, a local nonprofit, will be using some of what they produce to provide fresh food to their clients. Open since 1969, Share operates a weekly food bank out of the McLean Baptist Church, as well as clothing, furniture and other family assistance.
McLean High Hosts ‘Smash’ Viewing
Students discuss realities of careers in show business.
Executives from the television show "Smash" visited McLean High School Monday afternoon, showing theater students clips from the show and hosting a discussions about the realities of life in show business. Alan Paul, associate director at the Shakespeare Theater in Washington, D.C. spoke to students about what they could expect if they hoped to work onstage or onscreen for a living.
Friends of Mill Plan for Future
More programs, Route 7 expansion discussed at Friends off Colvin Run Mill meeting.
While Colvin Run Mill’s claim to fame is its glimpse into life as it was 200 years ago, in the past, the Friends of Colvin Run Mill are just as concerned with its future.
Helping Hungry Kids in Reston
Reston-based group is in third year of providing weekend meals.
Three years ago, Sandy Amato and Connie Laurent-Roy began their quest to feed hungry children in the Reston area. They began simply, in Amato’s basement, making about 80 meals a week for some children at Dogwood Elementary School that qualified for free lunches. The meals are for children to eat on weekends, when they cannot get meals at school.
County Aims to Prevent Substance Use and Abuse
Alcohol use down, painkiller and inhalant use on the rise.
Twenty-one questions in the 2010 Fairfax County Youth Survey dealt with substance abuse. The survey asked about lifetime use of alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes, as well as use in the past month of 13 different substances.
Great Falls Goes Egg Hunting
Optmist Club hosts annual Children’s Spring Festival and egg hunt.
The Great Falls Village Green was littered with 7,000 brightly colored eggs Sunday afternoon. Most of the eggs were filled with candy, but 900 of them contained $10,000 worth of gemstones donated by Jorge Adeler of Adeler Jewelers.
Possible Future for Historic Buildings?
Community members come up with conceptual plan for Grange, schoolhouse.
Having historic properties such as the Grange and the Forestville Schoolhouse in Great Falls has become a bit of a mixed blessing for the community. On one hand, the properties represent living history, both are in the National Register of Historic Places, and are relics of a different age.
Longfellow’s Science Bowl Stars
Four eighth graders headed to second straight nationals.
For four members of the Longfellow Middle School Science Bowl team, this year is another chance to compete in the National Science Bowl Finals. After winning the state competition for the second straight year, the four members of the team are studying up and are eager for their return trip to nationals.
Langley Presents ‘The Crucible’
Tale of Salem Witch Trials will be performed black box style.
When it came time to present their Spring show, Arthur Miller’s "The Crucible," the Langley Theatre Department decided to think a little inside the box. A black box theater, that is.
Future of Silver Line Discussed
Panel discusses labor agreements, Loudoun County’s decision.
The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel discussion in Reston Wednesday, March 28 about the future of Phase Two of the Metrorail Silver Line. The discussion featured Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Scott York and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President Jack Potter.
Arts Council Offers Taste of Spring
Taste of the Town brings restaurants to the forefront.
This Spring, the annual Taste of the Town festival will celebrate many of Herndon’s signature restaurants by giving visitors a chance to sample their signature items. Hosted by the Council for the Arts of Herndon, the 21st annual event has long been known as a showcase for destination dining.
Classical Ballet Theatre Dancers On the Move
Nonprofit dance studio hosts annual fundraiser, prepares for move to Reston.
When Cynthia Donavin, executive director of the Classical Ballet Theatre, was searching for inspiration to find a new location for the studio, she turned to one of the area’s most famous patrons of the arts: Reston founder Robert Simon.
Pearl Project Continues Legacy
Journalists speak on future of investigative journalism.
As a young journalist working in the Washington bureau of the Wall Street Journal, Asra Nomani found a friend in journalist Daniel Pearl. Raised in a conservative Muslim household, Nomani had not attended her prom, but 10 years after her senior year, Pearl helped organize a prom for her.
Spring Festival Comes Back to Great Falls
Optimist Club to host annual egg hunt and children’s festival.
The Sunday before Easter, the children of Great Falls will gather at the Village Green to search for eggs filled with candy, and in some cases, something even more valuable. The annual Spring Festival and Egg Hunt will be hosted by the Great Falls Optimist Club and will feature more than 5,000 eggs scattered across the green.
First Responders Recognized
34th Annual Valor Awards presented to police officers, firefighters.
The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce recognized 108 of the county’s first responders Wednesday, March 21 at the 24th annual Valor Awards. Members of the Fairfax County Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, Fire and Rescue Department, as well as from the Towns of Herndon and Vienna, were given awards.
County Takes Aim at Bullying
Survey helps county create bullying outreach, cyberbullying prevention.
Monitoring aggressive behavior is a primary concern of Fairfax County when conducting the annual Youth Survey. While fewer than 5 percent of students report gang activity or carrying a weapon, a majority of students have experienced bullying from one side or the other.
Risky Behavior by the Numbers
Youth Survey highlights risks, assets for students.
Periodically, Fairfax County conducts a youth survey which polls thousands of students to get a glimpse into issues of substance abuse, antisocial behaviors as well as factors such as mental health and civic engagements.
Old Brogue Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day
Crowds line up early for annual celebration.
On Saturday morning, the electronic clock that hangs on the wall of The Old Brogue in Great Falls read "0 Days, 0 Hours, 0 Minutes and 0 seconds" for the first time in 366 days. The clock spends most of the year counting down to St. Patrick’s Day, and it hadn’t read zero for long before people started showing up.
McLean Presents ‘A View From the Bridge’
McLean Theatre Company puts on Arthur Miller’s tale of 1950s immigrants.
When McLean High School’s McLean Theatre Company decided to present Arthur Miller’s "A View From the Bridge," the wide open spaces of the regular auditorium just wouldn’t do. For the performances, they decided to use the more intimate confines of the school’s black box theater. The result is a play, a tale of poor Italian immigrants living in the shadow of New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, that happens within a few feet of the audience at all times.
Girl Scouts Tour the World
Annual Thinking Day Celebration features troops presenting different cultures.
The Old Firehouse Teen Center hosted more than 150 Girl Scouts Sunday, March 18 for their annual Thinking Day Celebration. The event, which also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, featured displays from 11 troops examining the culture and history of a specific country.
Langley Seniors Make Their Case
School hosts 20th annual Case Day.
Langley High School’s senior class spent Monday, March 19 going over two Supreme Court Cases with a fine-tooth comb, as part of the school’s annual Case Day. The event, now in its 20th year, allows the class to break down an upcoming case that will be heard by the Supreme Court, with students serving as counsel, justices, presenters and many other roles.
Colvin Run Hosts Lego League Expo
Eight Junior First Lego League teams present food safety projects.
Junior First Lego League Teams from around the county gathered at Colvin Run Elementary School Saturday, March 17 for a day to show what could be the future of food safety. Eight teams, including two from Colvin Run and one from Great Falls Elementary School, participated.
Garden Club Goes to Library
Reston Garden Club, Hidden Lane Landscaping perform maintenance at Reston Library.
Visitors to the Reston Library may have noticed the exterior looking a bit neater since Wednesday, March 7, thanks to the efforts of the Reston Garden Club in partnership with Hidden Lane Landscaping. Members of the club spent the day clearing brush, shrubs and dead grass, while maintaining beds and laying down mulch.
RA Hosts Watch Workshop
Crime Prevention Officer speaks about neighborhood watches.
The Reston Association hosted an informational meeting about neighborhood watch programs Tuesday, March 6, featuring county Crime Prevention Officer Katy Defoe.
Great Falls Fire Station Welcomes Community
Grand opening held at new Great Falls Fire Station.
Ten years ago, five-year-old Harris LaTeef heard about Great Falls’ need for a new fire station, so he tried to do what he could to raise money for a new station: he opened a lemonade stand. While LaTeef’s stand raised $307.41 in a little more than four hours, it wasn’t enough. But on Saturday, March 10, LaTeef, now a freshman at Langley High School, was able to attend the grand opening of the new fire station he tried so hard to raise money for.
McLean Hosts Annual Boar’s Head Feast
The McLean Choral Department presented its annual Boar’s Head Feast Saturday, March 10, featuring a three-course Medieval-style dinner and performances by a variety of choral groups.
McLean Rotary Club Presents Youth Awards
Three local seniors recognized for ‘service above self.’
The McLean Rotary Club handed out its annual Youth Service Awards Tuesday, March 6 to three local seniors who have gone above and beyond in their community service efforts.
Langley Gears Up For Case Day
20th annual Case Day will debate Miller v. Alabama, Jackson v. Hobbs.
Langley High School seniors are currently putting the finishing touches on their 20th annual Case Day, which will take place Monday, March 19. This year’s cases will be Miller v. Alabama and Jackson v. Hobbs.
Colvin Run Jumps for the Heart
Students participate in events to raise money for American Heart Association.
Students at Colvin Run Elementary School got a little extra time in the gym Monday, March 5 and they were able to raise funds for the American Heart Association while they did it. The school hosted a Jump for the Heart event, where children could jump in many different ways to learn the importance of physical activities.
Citizens Discuss Future of Grange, Schoolhouse
Great Falls, Park Authority sound off on uses for historic resources.
The Great Falls Citizens Association’s Long-Range Planning Committee took the next step in creating their Long-Range Plan Monday night, with a public meeting to discuss the future of the Grange and the Forestville Schoolhouse.
Fairfax DOT Presents Walker Road Update
Plan calls for crosswalk, new sidewalks, street parking.
The Great Falls Citizens Association’s Transportation Committee and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation presented a vision for the future of Walker Road just south of Georgetown Pike.
Creating Bowls to Fill at McLean High
McLean High School prepares for upcoming Empty Bowls event.
On May 31, the community will be invited to McLean High School to select a clay bowl, fill it with the ice cream of their choice and donate money to help feed hungry people. But on Thursday, March 1, the bowls were just one-pound lumps of clay, waiting for dozens of students and faculty to turn them into bowls.
County Plans For Future of Senior Center
Early stages of Lewinsville Senior Center redevelopment begin.
Fairfax County held a public meeting about the proposed redevelopment of the Lewinsville Senior Center in McLean. The building was built in 1964, and Paula Sampson, director of Housing and Community Development, said this is a project the county has been looking at for years.
County Plans For Future of Senior Center
Early stages of Lewinsville Senior Center redevelopment begin.
Fairfax County held a public meeting about the proposed redevelopment of the Lewinsville Senior Center in McLean. The building was built in 1964, and Paula Sampson, director of Housing and Community Development, said this is a project the county has been looking at for years.
McLean Chamber Welcomes New Board
Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce hosts winter gala.
The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce welcomed their 2012 Board of Directors at their Winter Gala at the Gannett Headquarters building Friday, March 2. The 11-member board, as well as Chairman Merritt Green, First Vice-Chairman John Brough and Second Vice-Chairman Marcus Simon were sworn in by James S. Cheng, Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade.
Telling Tales of the Rail
Historic Trusts hosts program on railroad history.
The Reston Historic Trust presented the story of the Alexandria Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad, which later became the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad at the Reston Community Center Lake Anne Thursday, Feb. 23. Local historians Ron Beavers and Paul McCray told the story of the line, which began in Alexandria in 1847.
Reston Resident Tracks History Through Advertisements
Jay Paull runs website featuring thousands of vintage ads.
Jay Paull’s love of advertisements is practically genetic. His great-grandfather was an early publisher in West Virginia, and his daughter (Paull’s grandmother) started to collect those early publications. They’ve been passed down from generation to generation, with each one adding more advertisements to the collection.
Riverbend Kicks Off Master Planning Process
Master Plan will serve to update plan created in 1975.
The Fairfax County Park Authority kicked off the master planning process for Riverbend Park during a public meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the Grange. The 411-acre park, which includes more than two miles of land along the Potomac River, has been guided by a master plan that was created in 1975.
MPA Begins 50th Anniversary Celebration
Organization hosts "pop-up" party in downtown McLean.
Fifty years ago, the McLean Project for the Arts began as a way for local artists to get together, meet the local community and sell a few paintings while they are at it. The organization has undergone many changes since then, establishing a gallery at the McLean Community Center and putting on several signature events per year, but it remains the same at its core.
Langley Leads Recycling Efforts
School will serve as pilot program for athletic field recycling.
Langley High School will serve as a pilot program for Fairfax County when it comes to recycling on the athletic fields during sporting events. The Langley Eco School club is spearheading the initiative, collecting grant money to purchase the recycling cans to be placed next to the regular trash cans.