Stories
Potomac Entertainment Calendar, Aug. 22, 2012
Email community entertainment events to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos and artwork encouraged.
How To Vote in Maryland, What's on the Ballot?
To vote in the general election on Nov. 6, you must be registered to vote at your current address by Oct. 16.
Editorial: About the Almanac, a Connection Newspaper
The paper you're reading, the Potomac Almanac is one of 15 papers published by the independent, locally owned Local Media Connection LLC, serving the suburbs of Metropolitan Washington in Northern Virginia and Potomac.
Rotary Hosts Speaker on Swat Relief Initiative
The Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Club's speaker at the Normandie Farm Restaurant for Thursday, Aug. 30 is Zebu Jilani, president of the Swat Relief Initiative.
Viewpoints: What’s Best about Living in Potomac?
We live in one of the most beautiful areas of the United States — and Potomac Village is no exception.
Get To Know Elected Officials
Get To Know Elected Officials
Get Involved: West Montgomery County Citizens Association
Potomac’s umbrella citizens association.
In 1964, the Montgomery County Council adopted the General Plan "On Wedges and Corridors." This plan established land use guidelines for the County and set the standard for local and area master plans. The General Plan "envisioned the Potomac Subregion as a low density residential wedge area, which would complement the developed I-270 corridor."
Opinion: About the Connection
Newcomers and Community Guide 2012-2013
The independent, locally owned Local Media Connection LLC publishes 15 papers serving the suburbs of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. in Northern Virginia and Potomac, Md. Our flagship paper, the Alexandria Gazette Packet, is one of the oldest continuously publishing papers in the country, beginning publication in 1784.
Reston Insiders Perspective
What is the greatest thing about living in Reston?
Everyone knows that the best advice comes from experience--and that's true even in the small things. Newcomers and old-timers alike can find a refreshing look at what we love about Reston herein. Looking for the best place to eat? Forget yelp and find a local blog or ask a neighbor. Wondering about the places to be on the weekend? Finding an in-the-know peer can be the antidote to a all kinds of boredom. So, c'mon, you've got no excuse: do your research and get exploring.
Vienna Insiders Perspective
What makes living in Vienna special?
Everyone knows that the best advice comes from experience--and that's true even in the small things. Newcomers and old-timers alike can find a refreshing look at what we love about Vienna herein. Looking for the best place to eat? Forget yelp and find a local blog or ask a neighbor. Wondering about the places to be on the weekend? Finding an in-the-know peer can be the antidote to a all kinds of boredom. So, c'mon, you've got no excuse: do your research and get exploring.
State Senator Shares Places-to-See
Q&A With Chap Petersen
Virginia State Senator Chap Petersen (D-34) represents central and western Fairfax in the Virginia State Senate. He grew up and lives in Fairfax City.
Oakton Senior Loves Her Girlhood Home
86-year-old Pat Price lives in house she was raised in.
Pat Price lives in her girlhood home in Oakton. Not in the same place, but in the same house. Price is 86 years old now. Her Oakton bonds go back to before 1850 when her great-grandmother took over as Oakton School’s first teacher. A great-grandfather fought in the Civil War. Her “people,” as she refers to her ancestors, have been in the Vienna-Oakton area for more than 150 years.
Ed Dixon: One Night Only at Signature
Signature Theatre will host a one-night performance and book-signing featuring Broadway star and Helen Hayes Award-winner Ed Dixon.
Free Fun in Vienna
There’s a bit of free something for all around town.
From free concerts on the Town Green to Civil War-era exhibitions and festivals to presentations, there are lots of free things to do in the Vienna area for every age group. Even those not-quite-free things are a bargain for what you get. The restored and newly-repainted red caboose across the street from Freeman House is maintained by the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna. Children are always welcome to climb aboard, but once a month or on special occasions, the Optimists open the doors to the caboose for the public to walk through.
‘Beyond The Parking Lot’ at Artisphere Aug. 24 – Nov. 4
Inspired by the Joni Mitchell song, “Big Yellow Taxi” where “they paved paradise and they put up a parking lot,” Artisphere's visual art exhibition Beyond the Parking Lot will motivate the viewer to think how we have used and deserted the land that surrounds us in our everyday life.
Arlington Orange Line 8/22
Arlington Orange Line 8/22
Great Falls Insiders Perspective
What are the greatest things about living in Great Falls?
Everyone knows that the best advice comes from experience--and that's true even in the small things. Newcomers and old-timers alike can find a refreshing look at what we love about Great Falls herein. Looking for the best place to eat? Forget yelp and find a local blog or ask a neighbor. Wondering about the places to be on the weekend? Finding an in-the-know peer can be the antidote to a all kinds of boredom. So, c'mon, you've got no excuse: do your research and get exploring.
Arlington Calendar 8/22
Arlington Calendar 8/22
Senior Citizens
"Flourishing After 55"
“Flourishing After 55” from Arlington’s Office of Senior Adult Programs for Sept. 4-8.
South Fairfax County Calendar, Aug. 22-Sept. 2
Events in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station and Springfield.
Go ahead, plan your weekend now. The Connection brings you a list of events in southern Fairfax County. Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. All submission are due by Friday at 5 p.m., one week prior to the event. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
About the Connection
The paper you're reading, the Arlington Connection is one of 15 papers published by the independent, locally owned Local Media Connection LLC, serving the suburbs of Metropolitan Washington in Northern Virginia and Potomac, Md.
Get Involved: Volunteer in Arlington
For more details, contact Volunteer Arlington at 703-228-1760 or volunteer@arlingtonva.us.
Small-Town Metropolis
Importance of neighborhoods.
As the squeaking of sneakers on a basketball court and the rhythmic sounds of a competitive ping-pong game played in the background among the sounds of a busy Monday evening in the Gunston Community Center, Christopher Zimmerman, a member of the Arlington County Board, stated that his favorite part about the Arlington community was that it, indeed, was a community.
Meet the Arlington School Board
The Arlington School Board has five members who serve overlapping four-year terms.
Meet the Arlington County Board
Since 1930, the county has been governed by a five-member County Board rather than a County Board of Supervisors. Board members are elected at-large for staggered four year terms, and the chairmanship rotates annually.
Newcomers and Community Guide
What’s on November’s Ballot?
From municipal bond initiatives to a hotly contested race for the United States Senate, the Arlington ballot has a wide range of items on the Nov. 6 ballot. Here’s a look at what voters will see when they head to the polls.
Newcomers' Guide
Newcomers' Guide
30th Annual Potomac Day Celebrates Community Spirit
Call for former “Citizens of the Year” to return for this special celebration.
Potomac Day is the most anticipated event in Potomac Village in the fall. Residents look forward to the grand parade, pony rides, petting zoo, pizza, classic car show, business fair and children’s festival.
The Story of Our Place—Great Falls, Virginia
Perspective from the president of the Great Falls Historical Society.
We have chosen to make our homes on a village of land where the footsteps of George Washington still echo. From the land close to Difficult Run Stream Valley (where the Colvin Run Mill now stands on Colvin Run Road) that he once owned and envisioned that a grain mill would stand, to the Powtomack (Potomac) Canal System at the foot of Seneca Road with its Lock system at Great Falls Park, which he envisioned as a transport system for farmers to move their grain down toward Alexandria for export, George Washington surveyed, knew the potential of, owned and invested in the development of important pieces of our specific place, now called Great Falls.
Locals cautiously optimistic about $200 million Springfield Mall transformation.
Locals cautiously optimistic about $200 million Springfield Mall transformation.
The joke among Springfield "insiders" is that if Vornado’s developers wait long enough, they won’t have to spend money demolishing Springfield Mall, because it will fall apart of its own volition.
Appreciating the Neighborliness of Westover
Small-town living midst Arlington’s urban growth.
INT. PETE’S BARBER SHOP – DAY
Remembering Their Sacrifice
Fairfax Station Railroad Museum commemorates first mass Civil War evacuation.
"By midnight, there must have been three thousand helpless men lying in the hay. All night long we made compresses and slings and bound up and wet wounds when we could get water…" —From the writings of Clara Barton, after tending to the wounded in the battles of Second Manassas and Ox Hill in late August, 1862.
Dancing at Historic Colvin Run Community Hall
80 years of bringing the community together to dance the night away.
You don’t have to be a star to dance with the Colvin Run Dancers at the historic Colvin Run Community Hall in Great Falls. You could be a novice at social ballroom dancing who took a few lessons to prepare for your wedding just like Alane and Ralph Dashner were when they discovered the weekly dances held at the Colvin Run Community Hall not far from their home in Great Falls.
Viewpoints
What do you like best about living in Arlington?
Chloe Davis: "I grew up here and I love the diversity. It's a dense population but there are people here from all over the world."
Explore & Enjoy
A sample of attractions the area offers.
The miniature Central Pacific Huntington steam engine at Burke Lake Park has been a popular ride for 40 years.
Celebrate Great Falls Foundation Invites Residents to Get Involved
The Celebrate Great Falls Foundation wants residents of all ages to volunteer, serve as members of the Steering Committee, or volunteer with graphic design, website updates, fundraising or other areas of expertise or interest. “We are always happy to hear from people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and make something happen in their community,” said President Candace Campbell. “The more new faces, the better. Even if you just want to submit ideas for ways we could do things better, we’d love to hear from you.”
Enjoy the Music, Enjoy the Wine
Crystal City Water Park entertains Friday evenings in September.
Fine vintages, live music, tasty fare and friendly crowds, all in a scenic outdoor venue, make Friday evenings at the Crystal City Water Park one of Arlington’s most entertaining hidden gems.
Why I Love Potomac
Close to Washington D.C. but with lush green neighborhoods edged by parks and trails through stream valleys leading to our most well known natural attraction, the C&O Canal National Historic Park, which stretches a ribbon of green 184 miles along the Potomac River edged by a tow- path trail that runs from Cumberland to Georgetown.
Date Night Means Columbia Pike
Convenient location for an evening out.
For off the beaten path fun in Arlington, consider an evening out at the 2900 block of Columbia Pike. With Thai food, film, comedy and live music all in one convenient location, make it a date night to remember.
True or False?
1) Arlington County’s written history goes back to Captain John Smith’s voyage up the Potomac in 1608.
Be a Braddock Insider
What every newcomer should know about living, working and playing in the Braddock District.
Braddock is very much a district of neighborhoods, a rarity in busy and booming Fairfax.
Welcome Newcomers, Enjoy Potomac’s Beauty
If you are a newcomer to Potomac, you are in for a real treat — as living there for 20-plus years showed me every day.
My Favorite Places
State delegate shares tips on places to see, things to do.
State delegate shares tips on places to see, things to do.
For Young and Old
Arlington offers range of activities.
Arlington County is bustling with activities, events and places to socialize.
Getting to Know Area High Schools’ Sports
Getting to Know Area High Schools’ Sportshttp://connection.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/admin/news/story/add/
Insiders Perspective
What is the best thing about living in Burke?
What is the best thing about living in Burke?
Voters to Have Final Say on Waterfront Plan as Legal Challenges Linger
Boat Club occupies the Strand as tensions mount over controversial small-area plan.
Last weekend, members of the Old Dominion Boat Club staged an annual ritual that’s something of a cross between a tailgating party and Occupy Wall Street. Every year, members shut down a section of the Strand for several hours to make sure everybody knows that the land is officially Boat Club property. The yearly affirmation usually goes without much notice.
Hidden History of St. Asaph Racetrack
Del Ray was once home to an infamous gambling operation creating by a double-dealing senator.
You’d never know it today, but Del Ray was once the capital of gambling in Northern Virginia.
