New Source of Information for Seniors in McLean
McLean Senior Source help desk opens at community center.
Seniors in McLean now have a one-stop shop to access services with the opening of the McLean Senior Source Tuesday, May 21. Volunteers will man a phone, computer and table in the McLean Community Center in order to connect seniors and caregivers with services they need.
Great Falls Optimist Club Awards Helping Hands
Great Falls sixth graders honored.
The Great Falls Optimist Club recognized four sixth graders Wednesday, May 8 with their Helping Hands award, the first time the club has given out the awards to sixth graders whose efforts in school and in their communities have brought them to the attention of their teachers.
Concerned Citizens Host Gun Control Forum
Speakers examine past, present and future of gun control reform.
Ruth Hoffman of McLean watched the details of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting last December and couldn‘t help but feel it hit close to home. As the mother of a four year old and seven year old, she identified with the families of the victims of the tragedy, and found herself rethinking her previously held belief on guns.
Reston Youth Swim, Bike, Run
Amy’s Amigos host annual Reston Youth Triathlon
Swimmers were able to hit the water at the Ridge Heights Pool Sunday, May 12, a few weeks before the scheduled Memorial Day pool opening, but there was a catch: they had to cycle and run as well. The annual Reston Youth Triathlon took triathletes age 6 to 15 through the pool and on the streets surrounding South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. Participants ages 6 to 8 swam 50 meters, biked 1.03 miles and ran a third-mile, ages 9 to 11 swam 100 meters, biked three miles and ran 1.11 miles and ages 12 to 15 swam 150 meters, biked five miles and ran 1.51 miles.
Residents Discuss Baron Cameron Priorities
The Fairfax County Park Authority has started the master planning process for Baron Cameron Park, a 60-acre park at the northwest corner of the intersection of Wiehle Avenue and Baron Cameron Avenue.
Second Annual Langley Alumni Game Set
Langley varsity baseball team to face off against alumni June 2 in second annual game.
On Sunday, June 2 past and present members of the Langley High School baseball team will face off in the second annual Langley Varsity versus Alumni Baseball game. Last year the alumni won the inaugural game by a single run.
Studio Rep Proceeds to Improv
Student ensemble hosts monthly improv nights.
Studio Rep is a group of eight high schoolers that perform shows throughout the year. For the past few years, the group holds auditions at the start of each school year, and once the troupe is selected, they perform through May.
McLean Chamber Honors Educators
Langley and McLean High School teachers, students, employees awarded.
The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce honored staff, students and faculty from McLean and Langley High Schools with their annual education awards.
Reston Nature House Hosts Spring Festival
Event features live animals, nature demonstrations.
Darren Chambers, 7, of Reston says he’s scared of spiders, silverfish and ants, but there’s one thing he’s not scared of: snakes. He had a chance to look at snakes up close and personal Saturday, May 4, at the Walker Nature Education Center during their Spring Festival.
Reston Farmers Market Opens Season
Weekly market open for business at Lake Anne.
The Reston Farmers Market opened its 2013 season Saturday morning, May 4, at Lake Anne Plaza. The market returns stronger than ever this year, with new additions including the county’s first seafood vendor at a farmers market.
Town Holds Big Truck Days
Children invited to explore equipment at Public Works Maintenance Complex.
The Town of Herndon opened up its Public Works Maintenance Complex and its large vehicles May 2 and 3 for the annual Big Truck Days. The event gave families and children a chance to explore some of the town’s heavy maintenance equipment.
Town Passes FY2014 Budget
Budget up 7.3 percent form last year, calls for no tax increases.
The Herndon Town Council passed the budget for Fiscal Year 2014, which will take effect on July 1 of this year. The $49,603,300 budget reflects an increase of 7.3 percent of the FY2013 budget.
Great Falls Resident to Paddle the Potomac
Aryan Golzar will go on 400-mile journey to raise money for scholarship.
Growing up in Great Falls, Aryan Golzar always loved the Potomac River. The same 400-mile-long-plus waterway that led to settlements from the Chesapeake Bay to West Virginia drove his imagination during his formative years, and now it’s become something even more.
Community Celebrates Great Falls Day
Celebration features live performances, history displays.
Members of Great Falls and the surrounding communities gathered at the Grange and the Forestville Schoolhouse Sunday, May 5, for Great Falls Day. In celebration of the two historic buildings, as well as other signature aspects of Great Falls, hundreds attended the event to enjoy a pleasant Sunday and learn more about history.
Haddad Celebrates 50 Years of Dance
Margaret Haddad Studio to present "Down Memory Lane."
After dancing and teaching ballet in four countries over the past five decades, Margaret Haddad’s Studio of Classical Ballet will look back on some of her favorite shows with "Down Memory Lane."
Great Falls Exxon Environmental Meeting Set
GFCA to host meeting on former Exxon station contamination.
The Great Falls Citizens Association will host a public meeting Tuesday, May 14, to address the environmental impact of lingering effects on the site of the former Exxon station at the corner of Walker Road and Georgetown Pike.
McLean Forum Highlights Sex Trafficking
Area officials host human trafficking forum.
Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) and Del. Tim Hugo (R-40) joined Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) and others at the McLean Community Center Friday, May 3, to discuss the facts of human trafficking. The U.S. State Department estimated that human trafficking is the third largest source of profits for international organized crime, behind firearms and narcotics.
Three Officers Promoted
Cpl. Damien Austin, Sgt. Lawrence Whitmer and Lt. Michael Berg promoted in April 24 ceremony.
The Herndon Police Department promoted three of its officers Wednesday, April 24, during a ceremony at the town’s council chambers.
From Joy to Terror
Oak Hill resident recounts Boston Marathon experience.
“She’ll often wait for me right at the finish line, but thank goodness she had decided to make her way to the family area.” -- Carol Byrne of Oak Hill
Life Time Club Set for September Opening
Life Time Athletic Reston will be 13th “Diamond” club in country.
Fitness buffs in Reston will soon have a new state-of-the-art gym to visit.
South Lakes Takes on the 80s
Drama department presents “Xanadu” May 2-4.
“My daughters looked at it the same way they look at ‘Grease,’ a story about people who live in a completely different time.” -- Terri Goldberg of Reston
Cooper Middle School Presents ‘The Wiz’
Students perform adaptation of classic "Wizard of Oz."
Cooper Middle School will present one of its most ambitious productions ever starting May 8 with "The Wiz." A soulful retelling of "The Wizard of Oz," the Cooper production will feature a cast of 60 and a crew of 30.
Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Luncheon Features Students’ Poetry
Great Falls Friends and Neighbors name winners of 31st annual poetry contest.
The Great Falls Friends and Neighbors honored 10 Great Falls Elementary School students Friday, April 16, at their 31st annual poetry luncheon
Great Falls Farmers Market Hits Spring Season
Spring produce, other goods available at weekly market.
The Great Falls Farmers Market has kicked off its spring season, welcoming vendors returning and new with fruits, vegetables and other products. Three vegetable vendors are currently at the market, offering early spring crops.
South County Student Awarded Scholarship
Tyrone Simpson receives $5,000 from Northern Virginia Urban League.
The Northern Virginia Urban League awarded $50,000 in scholarships to local high school students at its annual Community Service and Scholarship Awards Dinner Friday, April 19. The organization, whose mission it is to enable disadvantaged youth to achieve economic and academic success, awarded one scholarship to South County Secondary School senior Tyrone Simpson.
Lake Braddock Senior Receives Scholarship
Nathaniel Smith awarded $5,000 from Northern Virginia Urban League.
The Northern Virginia Urban League awarded $50,000 in scholarships to local high school students at its annual Community Service and Scholarship Awards Dinner Friday, April 19. The organization, whose mission it is to enable disadvantaged youth to achieve economic and academic success, awarded one scholarship to Lake Braddock Secondary School senior Nathaniel Smith.
South Lakes Senior Awarded Scholarship
Osasenaga Kelly Aghayere awarded $5,000 from Northern Virginia Urban League.
The Northern Virginia Urban League awarded $50,000 in scholarships to local high school students at its annual Community Service and Scholarship Awards Dinner Friday, April 19. The organization, whose mission it is to enable disadvantaged youth to achieve economic and academic success, awarded one scholarship to South Lakes High School senior Osasenaga Kelly Aghayere.
Reston Celebrates Simon’s 99th
Lake Anne hosts 10th annual Founder’s Day celebration.
Robert Simon opened up the first weekend of his 100th year at Lake Anne, celebrating with members of the community he founded. Simon, who celebrated his 99th birthday Wednesday, April 10, spent Saturday, April 13, surrounded by well wishers at the 10th annual Founder’s Day Celebration.
Best of Reston Recognized for Community Contributions
Bill Bouie receives the Robert E. Simon Lifetime Achievement Award; other individuals, organizations honored.
Reston residents came together to pay tribute to their best Thursday, April 11, at the Hyatt Regency Reston. The annual Best of Reston awards recognized individuals and organizations whose efforts make the community a better place.
Marker Unveiled at Meeting House
Frying Pan Meeting House has more than 200 years of history.
Maria Harper of Herndon has been to Frying Pan Farm Park with her children many times, but until Sunday, April 14, she had never been to the nearby Frying Pan Spring Meeting House. “I always remembered it as another random old building near on Centreville Road, I didn’t realize it had historical significance,” she said. “The more I walked around today, the more I learned about the historical figures that were right here on this spot.”
Langley Hosts Relay for Life
Event will be first at school in 15 years.
Langley High School will be the site of the first Relay for Life event in more than 15 years starting Saturday, April 28. The event will be a 12-hour fundraiser walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Fashion On the Go
Janet Gonzalez brings mobile boutique to Northern Virginia.
As the youngest of four girls, Janet Gonzalez got used to hand-me-down clothes at a young age. The child of two parents who lived through the Great Depression, she became interested in fashion very early, often riding her bike miles away to look at the latest trends on stores and magazines.
Opening Day for McLean Little League
Players parade down Westmoreland, kick off 2013 season.
Hundreds of boys and girls kicked off their 2013 season Saturday, April 13, as McLean Little League celebrated opening day at the McLean Little League Fields. The players, coaches and parents started their morning at McLean High School before marching almost a mile down Westmoreland Street to the fields.
Dancer Captures the Moment
Isabella Tablett nominated for National PTA Award.
Isabella Tablett has been interested in dance and dance choreography since she was 4 years old. Now a fourth grader at Great Falls Elementary School, Tablett’s recent routine has won her awards at the school, cluster, district and state levels.
New Home for Turtles at Riverbend
Girl Scout Natalie Gilbert builds and donates new box turtle habitat.
Young visitors to the Riverbend Park Nature Center used to have a hard time looking at the three box turtles in the turtle habitat. The old habitat featured a solid wood wall, meaning children could only look straight down at the turtles and rarely had an opportunity to see more than the tops of their shells.
Locals Support Military Vets
Operation Second Chance receives donation from local State Farm office.
Members of the State Farm branch in Great Falls presented a check for $1,500 to Operation Second Chance, a charity that provides for injured service members and their families, Thursday, April 4.
Parents Sound Off on School Issues
McLean Citizens Association hosts education discussion at McLean High School.
Parents from around the McLean and Langley High School pyramids gathered at McLean High Monday, April 8, to participate in an education forum hosted by the McLean Citizens Association.
Langley Theatre Explores Dickens
“The Life and Times of Nicholas Nickleby” debuts April 18.
When the plans were announced for Langley High School’s spring play, many of the cast and crew weren’t familiar with the title. While “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby” isn’t at the top of the list of the most popular Charles Dickens works, after doing their research, the cast found plenty to get excited about.
Ballet Studio Tells Cinderella Story
Classical Ballet Theatre performs classic fairy tale.
The Classical Ballet Theatre will present their spin on the classic fairy tale “Cinderella” starting Saturday, April 13. The not-for-profit dance studio will also host several free outreach performances.
Filmmaker Turns Camera on Reston
Rebekah Wingert-Jabi wins Peabody Award, begins work on documentary about Reston.
Rebekah Wingert- Jabi has lived all across the world. She moved to Reston as a child, attended college in Minnesota and California, studied abroad in China and lived in the Middle East. She became interested in still photography at a young age, and while in China she got a video camera and became fascinated with the idea of moving images.
Robotics Team Brings Home Hardware
After Washington, D.C. regionals, Herndon High School Robotics team competes in St. Louis.
The Herndon High School Robotics team gained several accolades at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) regional robotics competition, punching their ticket for the world championships in St. Louis, Mo., this month.
Examining Reston’s Natural History
Historic trust hosts program on Reston’s stewardship of natural resources.
When Robert Simon first saw the land that would eventually become Reston, he was struck by its beauty.
Foundation Prepares to Promote Mental Health
Josh Anderson Foundation to sponsor events across county for mental health and depression awareness.
Before Fairfax County students finish the school year and head to summer break, they first must deal with exams, both final and for AP classes. This can lead to a lot of stress over the final two months of school, pressure the Josh Anderson Foundation is determined to relieve.
Keeping Lawns Green in Great Falls
Choosing environmentally friendly ways to manage lawns.
As the weather warms and lawns begin to grow again, it’s tempting to start fertilizing right away to ensure they look as full and green as possible. The Great Falls Citizens Association’s Environmental Committee says that spring fertilizing isn’t necessary most of the time, and can cause harm to lawns and waterways.
Family PASS to Host Soiree
Fundraiser will help serve families facing homelessness.
A mother of four children, Josephine Rivera didn’t have many options after becoming a victim of domestic abuse. After her husband was arrested, she was forced to support those children, ages 8 to 18, on an $8 an hour salary, and she soon found herself homeless.
Easter at The Falls
Ecumenical council hosts annual Easter Sunrise Service.
Dozens of people gathered at Great Falls Park before sunrise Easter Sunday, using flashlights to walk the path from the parking lot to the visitor center. At an hour usually reserved for only staff members, the Great Falls Ecumenical Council held its annual Easter Sunrise Service in the park.
Masonic Lodge Presents Annual Award
Connie Hutchinson, Bill Tirrell recognized with Community Builder award.
The Herndon Masonic Lodge presented their annual Community Builders award Monday, April 1, to Vice Mayor Connie Hutchinson and former councilmember Bill Tirrell. The two were recognized for their contributions to many aspects of the community.
Update on State Session
Favola, Comstock, Foust provide General Assembly results.
State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31), Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) and Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) addressed a crowd at the Great Falls Grange Tuesday, March 12, on the results of the latest General Assembly session.
Rotary Presents Youth Service Awards
Three local students honored for ‘service above self.’
The McLean Rotary Club presented its annual Youth Service Awards to three local students at their Tuesday, March 12, meeting. McLean High School senior Jung Wook "James" Choi, Langley High School junior Rebecca Pifer and Potomac School senior Britt Nelson were each awarded $250 scholarships in recognition of their efforts serving the community.
Squash Across Borders
Lekotla Masope competes in All Africa Squash Championships.
During most of the year, Lekgotla Masope is teaching squash at the Regency Sport and Health in McLean. But for five days in February, he was representing his home country of Botswana in the All-Africa Senior Squash Championships in Windhoek, Namibia, where they took third place.