Longfellow Middle, TJHSST Win Regional Science Bowls
Science Bowl teams from Longfellow Middle School and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) won first place in the regional Science Bowl held in Newport News, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Longfellow team placed first in a field of 16 middle school teams, winning a $750 prize to support science programs at the school. Team members are Nicholas Begotka, Aditya Sarkar, Franklyn Wang, Wenbo Wu, and Fred Zhang. Longfellow science teacher Jim Bradford coaches the team.
Week in McLean
Two Die in Merrifield Area Crash Around 1:50 a.m., on Monday, Feb. 3, a police officer attempted to stop the driver of a 1999 Dodge Neon, for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The Neon was west bound on Hilltop Road when it attempted to flee. The Neon lost control near the intersection with Old Lee Highway and ran off the road, striking a tree.
Spelling Bee Championship Held at Churchill Road
On Feb. 24, Churchill Road Elementary crowned a new champion in the school’s sixth annual Spelling Bee. Sixth grader Brandon Torng won the championship after 13 rounds by correctly spelling the word “glockenspiel.” Of his spelling bee experience, Brandon said: “It was really exciting to win and it was a great experience. It was hard work (studying for the bee), but it was worth it.” Brandon will be representing Churchill Road at the county Spelling Bee later in March. Congratulations also to the first runner up, fifth grader Eliana Schoenberg, and second runner up, fourth grader Nia Brockelman. The winner of the Fairfax County Bee will advance to the Scripps National Bee in Washington, D.C. The school is thankful to parent Shivu John and the many parent volunteers for organizing this event and to second grade teacher Cindy Zemke for serving as the Bee’s pronouncer.
Great Falls Writer’s Group to Host Smithsonian Curator Dr. William L. Bird
On Thursday, March 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Great Falls Library, the Great Falls Writer's Group (GFWG) will host Dr. William L. Bird, Smithsonian Curator of the National Museum of American History and Director of the Division of Political History.
Search for Community
Uncovering the building blocks of African-American community in Fairfax County in the Post-Civil War Era.
The Great Falls Historical Society (GFHS) February program featured “micro historian and ethnographer” Marion Dobbins as guest speaker. As a “micro historian” Dobbins focuses on a narrow spectrum of history concentrating on community and contributions of African Americans in Fairfax County. Dobbins presented original research on the Great Falls African American community and surrounding areas. Her research challenges conventional paradigms about the formation of community and reveals new contributions from “connected” African American communities within Fairfax County.
Touring Artist Series Continues in Reston
Tickets still available for CenterStage performances in dance, music and theatre.
Reston Community Center (RCC) continues its 2013-2014 Professional Touring Artist Series at the CenterStage with an eclectic mix of musicians, dancers and theatre performers. RCC Arts and Events Director Paul Douglas Michnewicz says that his choices for his inaugural season were personal. He specifically chose many of these performers for their intriguing backgrounds and how that has inspired the work they present. “The personal stories and backgrounds of these artists are as fascinating and compelling as the performances they present on stage,” Michnewicz says of the season. “My hope is that audiences will personally connect with both the artists and the art they present.”
Boy Scouts Earn Science Merit Badge
Boy Scouts from Troop 55 build an electroscope at the Great Falls Elementary STEM Fair.
On Feb. 3, Boy Scouts from Troop 55 assisted Great Falls Elementary by setting up a booth at their STEM Fair. The booth demonstrated how to build and use a homemade electroscope. Using copper wire, a glass jar and aluminum foil, Troop 55 Boy Scouts constructed the electroscope, and then helped participants generate static electricity using balloons rubbed on hair, scarves and vinyl notebooks.
Defeating Obamacare
Commentary
In a speech on the floor of the House of Delegates recently I spoke of experiences I had in my first years as a member when others in the House smoked during the daily floor sessions. One member was notorious for lighting up a long cigar. A cloud of smoke hung over the House chamber. I explained that I was reminded of that cloud of smoke when in recent weeks I have listened to a series of speeches by members of the majority party explaining why they do not support expansion of Medicaid. You can listen to my speech at http://youtube/Vl6Bky8zjWE.
Reston Man Pleads Guilty to Exporting Unlicensed Goods to Iran
Vahid Hosseini, 62, of Reston, pleaded guilty to two felony counts arising from his involvement in exporting various unlicensed goods from the United States to Iran.
Celebrating Space
Herndon Cub Scout Pack 157 celebrates space with visits from the Empire and Orbital.
Cub Scout Pack 157, based at Herndon Elementary School and chartered by Herndon United Methodist Church, celebrated its annual Blue and Gold Banquet on Friday, Feb. 21, with a focus on space. Held throughout the United States in February, Blue and Gold Banquets are an opportunity for the youth and families that participate in scouting to get together with food and fun.
Aldrin Elementary, Giant Announce Partnership
Aldrin Elementary and Giant of North Point announced their business partnership with a school assembly, on March 6. This is the first official school partnership for Giant. Aldrin's fifth and sixth grade chorus performed a special song and kindergartners created a video highlighting their recent field trip to Giant. The video showed how they integrated the school curriculum into their own virtual Giant Market.
Superman Comes to McLean
Theater Unspeakable presents ‘Superman 2050’ at Alden Theatre.
That iconic comic-book super-hero Superman is coming to the McLean Community Center. He is ready to save the day from his foe Lex Luther. Superman and the gang will be live and in person as performed by Theatre Unspeakable in the new "Superman 2050." "The moment I saw 'Superman 2050' at a conference in Philadelphia last year I knew I had to book them for the Alden. The show is just so unique," said Kathleen Herr, director of Youth Programs, Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center.
Remembering Segregation in McLean and Vienna
Longtime resident reflects on life in McLean and Vienna during uncertain times.
Deloris Evans remembers the excitement of riding the bus with students from The Madeira School. She was thrilled because they were going to see Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 inauguration parade. She was also delighted because this was her father’s bus. He was the chauffer for Lucy Madeira, head and founder of The Madeira School. And for this event, he was given permission to bring his young black daughter onto a bus full of white students to see the historic parade.
Reston Community Players Win WATCH Award
Mary-Anne Sullivan named Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play.
The Reston Community Players received an award from the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors (WATCH) for artistic and technical excellence in Community Theater. In its 47th season, the Reston Community Players perform at CenterStage, Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.
Kindness on Display at Diva Central
More than 200 teens flocked to the 12th annual Prom Dress Giveaway.
Kindness can turn an ordinary day into one that captures the happily-ever-after feeling of a Disney movie. Reston Community Center played Fairy Godmother over the weekend, giving hundreds of girls their Cinderella moment. More than 200 teens flocked to the center’s Lake Anne location for free prom dresses, jewelry and shoes during Saturday’s 12th annual Diva Central Prom Dress Giveaway.
Fine Art Photography Winners Announced
Juror D. B. Stovall announced the competition winners during the Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 8, before a crowd of 130. Cash awards were given for first place: Look-up Eiffel by Jeffrey Miller; second place: Blue by Claire Carroll; and third place: Ariel by David Segal. Honorable mentions were given to Ybor at Night by William J. Faeth; Black Bute by Peter Foiles; and Vintage Aviation by Rhett Rebold.
Initiative for Public Art-Reston Exhibition at Dulles International Airport
Celebrates Reston’s Public Art and the Community as a Cultural Destination
The history, dedication and achievement of art in Reston is on display for the world to see. “Reston: The Art of Community,” an exhibit focusing on Reston’s contribution to the arts and coordinated by the Initiative for Public Art-Reston (IPAR), was installed in October 2013 and is currently on display until May 31, 2014 at Washington Dulles International Airport, which serves more than 21 million passengers, including 7 million international travelers, annually.
Really, Lying Already?
To the Editor: [Barbara] Comstock is not even on the ballot and already she’s throwing lies around in a letter designed to raise Republican hackles and raise money for her primary.
A Manufactured Crisis
To the Editor Visit your local sports equipment store to purchase a $100 fishing pole. You may not know that Medicaid will collect an additional $2.83 in what used to be known as a Federal Excise Tax – reserved for luxury goods and services- now an ObamaCare Medical Devices tax. Buy a new set of tires for $500 and you pay an additional $14.15 on the Medical Devices tax. This is just another, in a long string of hidden provisions of a bad law. Go figure how a new set of tires or a fishing pole is a medical device. The Department of Health and Human Services has asked retailers to not show the tax on your sales receipt! Why an open, transparent Federal Government would ask that is beyond this writer.
Week in Herndon
MOMS Club to Host Spring Swap
The MOMS Club of Herndon will host a Spring Swap on Thursday, March 20, from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church (651 Dranesville Rd, Herndon). All Herndon (zip codes 20170 and 20171) stay at home mothers are encouraged to come and meet other at-home mothers.