Lake Anne Proposal Deferred
New public hearing for apartment redevelopment set for Feb. 17.
The county Board of Supervisors hearing on the zoning for the future Lake Anne Crescent Apartments was deferred last week. Because of a problem with Lake Anne Development Partners LLC’s affidavit, the public hearing was moved to Feb. 17. “We will have a public hearing on the case,” said Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins. “I hope we have had enough thoroughness with the plan.”
Langley High Choirs Complete Fall/Winter Season
The Langley High School Madrigals recently completed a busy fall and winter season with a performance at the Providence Baptist Church Twelfth Night Feast on Jan. 8. The Madrigals, a small vocal ensemble that performs mostly Renaissance music with an emphasis on independent and a cappella singing, also took part recently in a Tallis Scholars Masterclass with Peter Phillips at Christopher Newport University in Newport News.
Week in Great Falls
Langley Pyramid Helps Stop Hunger Now
For the fourth year in a row, Langley pyramid schools are raising money for the Stop Hunger Now. This year the goal is to raise $25,000, which is enough money to purchase 100,000 meals for school age children. To contribute to this fundraising effort, visit Stop Hunger Now at http://events.stophungernow.org/LangleyPyramid2015. Each 25¢ raised = 1 meal.
New Retirement Building and Community Center Open in McLean
75 apartments in Vinson Hall Independent Living all booked.
New senior living apartments in town will serve as home for 75 retired government workers. After a decade of design and construction, the Navy Marine Coast Guard and Vinson Hall Retirement Community held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new independent living apartment building and community center on Jan. 22.
Referendum for Land Purchase
A referendum for a parcel of land north of the Dulles Toll Road is being put forth by Reston Association. The parcel, owned by Tetra Properties, will be sold to Reston Association after a voting process that ends in May. “It seems to be a good way to get control of a property that, over time, can be subjected to a lot of pressure as the surrounding areas around it develop,” said Lake Anne-Tall Oaks Director Eve Thompson.
Deborah Jackson Named Learning Forward’s President
Deborah Jackson, special projects administrator in Fairfax County Public Schools, began her term as president of Learning Forward at the conclusion of the association's annual conference in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 10, 2014. Jackson succeeds Julie Blaine, executive director of the Central Regional Professional Development Center at the University of Central Missouri. Blaine now serves as past president.
Preparing Sandwiches for Martha’s Table
A snow day didn’t stop Churchill Road Elementary School third and fourth graders from making sandwiches for Martha’s Table, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. that serves sandwiches to those in need. Even though the event had to be rescheduled, an enthusiastic group of students and family members were able to make more than 2,100 sandwiches for this organization.
NextStop Theatre Receives Helen Hayes Nominations
Herndon's NextStop Theatre received two Helen Hayes Award nominations presented by theatreWashington for outstanding achievement in professional theatre in the Washington metropolitan area. NextStop Theatre was nominated for Helen Hayes Awards for co-productions with Forum Theatre Company and with Faction of Fools Theatre Company.
Column: Clash of Ideas and Ideals
As the General Assembly nears its midpoint for consideration of proposed legislation, the fissures of differences among the many stakeholders who have interests before the law-making body become evident. The clash of interests is much more complex than House v. Senate, Republicans v. Democrats, or rural v. suburban. Differences in ideas and ideals make compromise challenging.
Column: The Past Future is Now Present
Presumably, maybe even obviously, nearly six years into a “terminal” diagnosis, arrangements for a smooth transition of power should have been made already.
Fairfax Connector To Connect Even Better?
Proposal promises better connections with route changes.
Fairfax County Department of Transportation is working on a better system of buses for the Reston and Herndon area. Representatives from the county transportation team held a public hearing on route changes for the Fairfax Connector on Jan. 28 for a small audience at the Reston Community Center in Lake Anne.
Obituary: Aphrodite S. Hero, 87. Dies
Aphrodite S. Hero, 87, a Washington, D.C. arts and education activist since settling in this area in the 1950s, died peacefully on Feb. 1, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. She was a 45-year resident of Alexandria and a 10-year resident of Reston. Mrs. Hero, a native of New York City, graduated from Columbia University and pursued graduate studies at NYU and George Mason University.
Brutsché and Heron Earn National Certification for Parks and Recreation
RCC staff members Karen Brutsché and Debbie Heron recently attained the status of Certified Park and Recreation Professionals (CPRP) as governed by the National Certification Board (NCB) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
Langley Alumna Ranks High at Air Force Academy
Sophia Vasiliadis named Wing Commander of school.
Four years ago, Sophia Vasiliadis was about to graduate from Langley High School and unsure of the direction she wanted to take in life. Since then, it has been up, up and away. Today, the 22-year-old student at the Air Force Academy (AFA) is now leading the entire student body as the new Cadet Wing.
Chesapeake Chocolates to Take Over Lake Anne Florist Shop
Longtime Lake Anne business owner Linda Fuller retired both herself and her shop, Lake Anne Florist, last week. The shop will reopen Saturday, Feb. 7 as an expanded Chesapeake Chocolates.
Impromptu Motion Struck Down
Singh resolution reaffirming Town position failed.
A prior incident between a councilmember and the town manager lead to an impromptu motion. Councilmember Jasbinder Singh motioned for a resolution at the Jan. 27 meeting calling for the town manager - currently Arthur Aselene - to give council members any material they want to decide on resolutions.
Vital Theatre’s ‘Pinkalicious’ at The Alden Feb. 14
Vital Theatre’s “Pinkalicious,” a musical adaptation of the book by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann, will come to The Alden in McLean for a single performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14. Tickets are $20 for the general public and $15 for McLean tax district residents.
Polar Dip at Lake Anne on Feb. 7
Hundreds of men, women, and children dress up in crazy costumes and converge at Lake Anne every February for the Annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip. The event, in its eighth year, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7 in the heart of Reston in the bone-chilling waters at Lake Anne Plaza. This mid-winter tradition event will kick off at noon with family friendly activities and warm-up - with the Dip scheduled to take place starting at 2 p.m. Each year the event draws record crowds of both spectators and jumpers raising over $85,000.
Gun Violence, Monkeys and Tax Loopholes
Thanks to all who attended my recent legislative Town Hall Meetings in Arlington and Lee District. We discussed issues including the budget, ethics reforms, gun safety, homelessness among our veterans, and transportation improvements on Route 1.
Call for Candidates for MCC Board
The McLean Community Center (MCC), an agency of Fairfax County Government, is seeking candidates to run for open seats on its 2015-2016 Governing Board. The Board provides oversight and guidance for MCC programs and facilities, which include the Robert Ames Alden Theatre and the Old Firehouse Teen Center (OFTC). The MCC is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.