Helping the Earth and Having Fun
Visitors flock to Vienna’s sixth annual Green Expo.
The Vienna Community Center recently hosted the sixth annual Green Expo, in which some three dozen, earth-friendly exhibitors showed those attending how to achieve a green lifestyle. There were spiffy cars that use alternative fuel, plus people providing information about everything from water conservation to ways to protect the environment, how to recycle and even opportunities to go on eco-adventures.
Reston Community Orchestra Holds Season Finale
Concert features two young pianists.
The afternoon of Sunday, May 18, at Reston Community Center CenterStage, the Reston Community Orchestra (RCO) preformed their final concert of the 2013-2014 with a performance featuring two young pianists. Pianists Mark Dang and Matthew Geier performed Haydn’s “Piano Concerto in D Major.” The program also included Grieg’s “Peer Gynt Suite #2” and selections from “Forest Gump.” Conducting the orchestra was Dingwall Fleary, a maestro who has directed Reston Community Orchestra for 16 years.
Creating a Community in Tysons
Plethora of events this year in Tysons Corner.
Michael Caplin is helping to turn Tysons Corner into a community.
Giving Circle of Hope Honors 2013 Nonprofit Partners
Connections for Hope Partnership of Herndon receives first ever Impact Grant Award of $25,000.
Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston was the venue on May 14 for the Giving Circle of Hope’s annual gathering to showcase the nonprofit partners to whom the organization’s members have chosen to award grants for the coming year. Each fall, eligible members of the Circle – persons who have contributed at least $1 per day for the year to the Grant Fund – review applications and vote to award grants for specific projects that help people in need in Northern Virginia.
Vienna Public Works Day Draws Crowds
Preschoolers have opportunity to climb on heavy equipment.
To a young child, there’s no question --- the bigger, the better. Witness the euphoria and unbridled enthusiasm of hundreds of preschoolers who climbed onboard heavy equipment, from front-loaders to ditch-diggers, at the Town of Vienna’s annual (and very popular) Public Works Day open house on May 15. Kids had the opportunity to sit in police vehicles, crawl into the animal compartment of the police department’s animal control truck, get tattoos, and grab loads of complimentary packaged snacks, as well. The congenial staff of the Public Works Department was there on-hand to boost the children into equipment cabs and ensure their safety.
Column: Post-Game Analysis
While I enjoy watching college athletic competitions, I do not watch many professional sports on television. For sure I do not watch any of the post-game shows. Panels for these shows seem carefully selected to ensure controversy and banter to fill the time slot.
Vienna Man Going to Federal Prison
Given nearly seven years for McLean teen’s death.
Kyle Alifom, 20, of Vienna was sentenced last Friday to nearly seven years in federal prison in connection with the death of a 16-year-old McLean girl. The victim was Emylee Lonczak, a McLean High student whose body he hid after she overdosed on heroin. Charged with tampering with evidence, Alifom was convicted of that offense Feb. 10 in U.S. District Court in Alexandria. A statement of facts filed with his plea made it clear that – not only did he try to prevent anyone from finding Lonczak – he also did nothing to obtain medical help for her while she was still alive.
McLean Day a Sunny Success
McLean Day is the town rite of passage for residents, and this year, they couldn’t be happier.
Friends, families, organizations, and businesses gathered festively for the 99th anniversary of the annual McLean Day, held in Lewinsville Park on Saturday, May 17. On the sunny afternoon, mazes of booths brimmed again with visitors, who collected free giveaways, entered in raffles, and learned about the opportunities and products available to them from their Northern Virginia neighbors. From the stage, each half hour was punctuated with a new performance: dog trainers, McLean High School jazz musicians, award ceremonies, and dance ensembles dazzled the crowds below.
Few Roll Through Town
Bike to Work Day sees low participation due to heavy rain.
Bike to Work Day was a washout at many event locations this year.
Biking to Work Despite Rain
Bike To Work Day highlights alternative travel in Fairfax County.
On Friday morning rainy weather hit Northern Virginia, yet volunteers at 14 bike stations throughout Fairfax County still assisted bicyclists for the annual Bike To Work Day. Coordinated by Commuter Connections and Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), the Bike to Work Day event attracts participants from around the Washington metropolitan region. This year’s theme was “Get your workout before you get your work in.”
Rebranding Their Passion
10th annual Technology and the Arts Awards presented.
Think S.T.E.A.M, not S.T.E.M. That was the message Leidos Director of Advertising, Branding and Creative Chris Green told a group of student artists at the 10th Annual Technology and the Arts Competition Awards at the ASCE World Headquarters in Reston on May 14.
Cross-generational Sing-along
Montessori Peace School has annual event at senior home.
A cross-generational jamboree lifted spirits last week. Students from Montessori Peace School sang songs they learned all year to a small group of seniors at Herndon Harbor House on May 13.
Protecting Children from Trafficking
Speakers at Herndon High event discuss human trafficking and answer questions.
On Thursday, May 15, representatives and staff throughout the Herndon school pyramid went to Herndon High auditorium for an evening presentation on Teen Sex Trafficking. The purpose of the event was to help parents understand the risks their children face, and how to help keep them safe. “This is the first time we are doing this presentation in Herndon,” said Heather Coleman, a social worker with Fairfax County Public Schools. Based on the success of this event, the Herndon schools are considering making this an annual event.
New Sewer Option Considered for Forestville
School needs sewer update immediately.
A costly gravity sewer may be the solution for a possible health hazard at Forestville Elementary. After an investigation into replacing the existing septic field for routine updates, developers found that that field will not support the planned septic field - thanks to saturated soil. “I want you to know that it wasn’t our first choice and it wasn’t our second choice,” said Fairfax County Public Schools Coordinator of Capital Projects and Sustained Design Stephen Nicholson. “It will be major work.” He discussed the option at Great Falls Citizens Association’s monthly meeting on May 13 at The Grange. The updates are a part of a routine capital projects planned for the school.
Books for a Bargain at the Great Falls Sale
Literary pickings made their way from the shelves of Great Falls families’ homes to the tables of the Great Falls Book Sale last weekend, for a biannual fundraising event held by the Friends of the Great Falls Library.
2014 Athletes of the Year
GMU's Hewitt to keynote Sportsman's Club awards dinner May 29.
George Mason Men's Basketball head coach Paul Hewitt will be on hand as 27 of the city's best high school athletes are honored for their academic and athletic excellence at the 58th annual Alexandria Sportsman's Club Awards dinner May 29 at the Westin Carlyle Hotel.
How Clever!
Forestville Elementary students will compete at international Odyssey of the Mind finals.
One local elementary school is a champion at brainy sports. One of Forestville’s 11 Odyssey of the Mind teams is going to the World Finals in Iowa for the third year in a row after landing first place at the national-level competition in Rocky Mount recently. The finals will take place from the 28th through the 30th at Iowa State University.
Too Patient a Patient
Since I’m in the honesty business (as you regular readers know; and based on many of the e-mails I receive, commended on being so), if I were to admit anything concerning my behavior during these last five-plus years as a lung cancer survivor, it would have to be my continual tendency to minimize new symptoms, and in turn, not contact my oncologist (which from the very beginning is the exact opposite of what we are told to do). Stupid, stubborn, scared, naive, in denial; you pick.
You’re Never Too Young for Poetry
Local educators say exposing children and even babies to rhyme and rhythm can help develop reading and language skills.
Though Keith Ward's son is still a baby, the young child is already being exposed to exposed to not just silly stories, but poetry, and a variety of poetic forms at that.
Editorial: Remembering on Memorial Day
Fewer deaths as military operations wind down, but 22 veterans a day die of suicide.
In Arlington over the coming Memorial Day weekend, the organization TAPS, or Tragedy Assistance for Survivors, will hold its 20th annual Military Survivor seminar and Good Grief camp for young survivors, children of all ages. TAPS offers support to anyone who is grieving the death of someone who died in the military, whether from combat, suicide, terrorism, homicide, negligence, accidents or illness. http://www.taps.org/