McLean Native Serves Aboard USS Mustin
A 2010 McLean High School graduate and McLean native is serving aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89), living and working at the Navy’s forward-deployed base south of Tokyo. Ensign John Nowell is a surface warfare officer aboard the destroyer operating out of Yokosuka, which is located approximately 35 miles south of Tokyo and accommodates the United States’ furthest forward-deployed naval forces.
Reston Lions Honor Bland Contest Winners
Winners of the James A. Bland Music Competition, co-sponsored by the Reston Lions Club and the Reston Community Center, on Tuesday, Feb. 3, were as follows: Vocal competition: Cecelia Steffen McKinley, first place; Nicole Marie Frank, second place; and Allison Gabrielle Engel, third place. Instrument competition: Gabrielle Li, first place; Jasper de Boor, second place; and Angela Anting Xu, third place.
Vienna Volunteer Fire Department Honors Volunteers
To thank the multitude of community volunteers who contributed 29,000 hours of service in 2014 to the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department [VVFD], the department hosted an “appreciation” banquet on Feb. 7 in the station’s Flame Room. More than 160 guests came to support award-winners, volunteers and new elected officials as they were sworn in by Vienna vice-mayor Edythe Kelleher.
Vienna Church Takes Ash Wednesday Message Outdoors
On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, Emmanuel Lutheran Church will be offering Ashes and Dashes, a new approach to a centuries-old Christian tradition, in its church parking lot (at 2589 Chain Bridge Road) from 6:45-8:30 a.m. Emmanuel is part of a new nationwide movement that has clergy and lay people stepping outside of churches to mark the foreheads of interested passers-by in parking lots, at transit centers and on street corners with ashes and encourage them to gain a better sense of self by examining their humility and mortality, and seek renewal.
Supporting Children in Haiti
For the fourth consecutive year, sixth grade Girl Scout Troop 1588, based at Churchill Road Elementary School, organized school supplies and toiletries for 3rd grade teacher Sarah Finger's annual mission to Haiti.
Alexandria's George Mason Elementary Left Behind
Superintendent and parents clash over school modernization priorities.
For parents at George Mason Elementary School, all of the talk of modernization and improvements isn't resonating.
Seniors Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Dinner and Dance
Town Recreation Department and SCOV partner at Vienna Community Center.
More than 120 “seniors” filled the auditorium at a Valentine’s Day dinner-dance on Feb. 13. The event was sponsored by the Town of Vienna Department of Parks and Recreation in partnership with Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna [SCOV]. The Tallwood Trio played pop music and standards and many couples danced. They boogied to “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and held each other close to “Embraceable You,” some men mouthing the words as they danced.
Leslie Anthony’s ‘Horse and Hound’ on Exhibit at Katie’s Coffee House
Leslie Anthony is the guest artist exhibiting at Katie’s Coffee House (the Old Brogue), 760 Walker Road, Great Falls in March 2015. Titled “Horses and Hounds,” the show consists of oil paintings mostly of Virginia Equine scenes plus one acrylic surprise. “There is so much energy when one paints horses, whether running, jumping or sniffing a hound, or even just standing there.
Every Generation Under Two Roofs
Approval for new Lewinsville Center expected March 3.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the long-planned renovation of the Lewinsville Center on March 3, 2015. "The existing facility needs to be replaced; it's very old and our senior citizens deserve a better senior center," said Dranesville Supervisor John Foust.
Competing for ‘We the People’ Title in Herndon
Rachel Carson Middle School takes aim at national title.
Rachel Carson Middle School in Herndon has every reason to be proud. For the second year in a row, History and Social Studies teacher Cynthia Burgett’s special Civics class took home first place in the “We The People Competition” (WTP) at the state level and have their eyes on the big prize at the WTP National Invitationals Title round to be held on the campus of George Mason University between April 17-20.
Alexandria: Tone and Tune Presents Concert
Sumitra Barua stood at the entrance of the Lee Center auditorium and handed out a rose to each guest who entered on Feb. 14.
Column: Staying Ahead of the Feds
The federal government is not always wrong. At the same time, the state government is not always right.
The Virginia House and the Senate have penned similar but competing mid-point versions to the 2014-2016 biennial budget.
Three Local Keller Williams Teams Among Top 100 in USA
Ron Cathell, the owner and operating principal, and Amina Basic, CEO of Keller Williams McLean/Great Falls office, announced three teams made 2014 “TOP100 Teams” Nationwide for Keller Williams. The following teams made it to the top 100 nationally: The Belt Team, HBC Realty Group and Ron Cathell Team ranked among the best in the country out of more than 100,000 associates. All three teams consist of a long time area residents.
Column: Come to the NoVA Mini Maker Faire March 15
Recently I had the great pleasure of meeting several people who are energizers and organizers of the NoVA Mini Maker Faire coming to Reston on March 15. The first question many of you may have is likely: What is a Mini Maker Faire? I’ve heard it best explained as a bringing together of “an amazing collection of tech enthusiasts, engineers, woodworkers, artists,…craftspeople” and would-be inventors to show and tell what they are making.
Black History Month Celebrations
Local students learn about the history and accomplishments of African-Americans.
Fourth grade student Eli West crafted a poem this month that was modeled after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech.
Stalled Labor Market Slows County Budget
Proposed budget calls for no real estate tax rate increase, but average homeowner would pay $184 more.
Supervisor Jeff McKay pointed out an irony in County Executive Ed Long’s proposed $3.8 billion budget. Three planning positions would be eliminated from the budget even though Long suggested the county needs more efforts to raise revenue from commercial and industrial venues.
Super-Insulation Talk Attracts Homeowners in Reston
How to lower electric, gas and water bills?
The Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne in Reston was the venue for a well-attended presentation by Rich and Marian Taschler on proper home insulation and its mostly unknown benefits. The program was offered under the auspices of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University.
Oh Deer! What Can the Matter Be?
The county Park Authority used aerial infrared surveys via fixed-wing airplanes to count the number of deer inside parks and within a small distance in the surrounding neighborhoods on Feb. 6, 2014 and Dec. 27, 2013, according to the 2014 Annual Report on the Environment for Fairfax County.
Great Falls Grange Reopens
President of National Grange to speak at Great Falls Historical Society Program on March 11.
In a special program to celebrate the reopening of the Great Falls Grange building and to explore the history of the National Grange movement, Ed Luttrell, the 22nd President (Master) of the National Grange will be the keynote speaker at the March 11 program of the Great Falls Historical Society.
Scoring Baskets for Haiti in Great Falls
GF Hoops sponsors “Shots for Shots,” to help vaccination effort in Haiti.
GF Hoops shoots way beyond any basket by taking on an initiative to provide immunization shots for school-age children in Haiti. The children of Haiti are not permitted to attend school unless they have been immunized. The cost to immunize a child for a year? $1!