United Way Awards Community Impact Grants
Fairfax/Falls Church nonprofits receive $338,662.
United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) announced that it is awarding 21 grants totaling $338,662 to member organizations serving the Fairfax and Falls Church areas. The funds came through designations to the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Impact Fund in United Way NCA's annual workplace giving campaign. Each of the grants directly addresses programs that fall within United Way NCA's focus areas of education, financial stability and health.
Vienna Town Council Candidates Speak Out
Besides voting for mayor – and Councilwoman Laurie DiRocco is the only candidate – Vienna residents will choose three Town Council members in the May 6 election. All Council candidates except responded to The Connection’s questionnaire.
Obituary
Elton Kenneth Donaldson, 80, of Great Falls, Dies
Kenny Donaldson, age 80 and Great Falls resident for 52 years, lost his battle with lung cancer on Sunday, April 6. He was born and grew up in Falls Church, where he attended Falls Church High School. He excelled in many roles throughout his life. Following high school he joined the Navy and served three years aboard the USS Worcester during the Korean War. After serving his country he married Madolin, to whom he was a devoted husband for 58 years.
McLean Project for the Arts Honors Lilla Richards
On April 17, McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) held a reception in honor of former Fairfax County Supervisor Lilla Richards on her 75th birthday for her work 25 years ago to find a permanent home for MPA at the McLean Community Center. With Richards’ help, McLean Project for the Arts, the McLean Community Center and Fairfax County entered into the first public/private partnership in the arts for Fairfax County. MPA, founded in 1962, moved seven times from one temporary residence to another. In 1987, leaders of MPA and the MCC began discussions with the county to bring MPA to the center. Lilla Richards was elected Supervisor in November 1987 and began immediately working with MPA to bring this project to fruition.
Send in Mother's Day Photos
Mother’s Day is May 11 and every year at this time, the Gazette Packet calls for submissions to its Mother’s Day photo gallery.
Enjoying the 4th Annual Mardi Growl
Colorful boas and festival masks greeted the guests arriving at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on April 2 for the 4th annual Mardi Growl benefiting the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
Good Shepherd Housing Celebrates 40 Years
Anniversary gala brings in $272,000.
Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services celebrated 40 years of delivering continuous community service and promoting self-sufficiency to those in need in Fairfax County with a fundraising gala at the Westin Hotel in Alexandria on Saturday, April 12.
Jude, Reporting for Duty
Herndon PD’s new bomb-sniffing dog a friendly workaholic.
Herndon Police Department’s newest officer is charismatic, ambitious and, well, a little furry. Jude, the department’s new explosive-detecting English Springer Spaniel, is a lovable pup who will be used to snuff out bomb threats in the town and beyond. The town acquired him in February after he received six weeks of training. His partner-in-law, HPD Officer Lee Trawick, was chosen to be his handler and had to receive six more weeks of training together. Both will have some type of training each month. “My training was to learn how to read him and handle him,” said Officer Trawick. Chief of Police Maggie DeBoard said there were many good candidates to handle the dog.
Southwestern Virginia
Commentary
For many years Jane and I have used our spring break to visit locations throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. This year was no exception as we went to the southwestern region of the state. Although we drove about 225 miles to Roanoke from Reston, we were not yet in what the locals call Southwest Virginia. In fact, only by driving another 134 miles down I81 to Abingdon did we get to what many consider the doorstep to Southwest Virginia. It would have been possible to drive another 111 miles west with a short swing into Tennessee to get to the western-most point in Virginia at Cumberland Gap. That point is further west than Detroit. Regardless of how far you travel, the natural beauty of the mountains and streams in this part of the state are unequaled, and the local people are wonderful to meet.
Going Into Lyrical Woods
NextStop Theatre Company presents ‘Into the Woods.’
There was a cheerful bustle taking place as NextStop Theatre company members were rehearsing Stephen Sondheim's striking musical "Into the Woods." Smooth voices were warming up as the keyboard began to bring musical life into the rehearsal hall. "Into the Woods" is a big 17-member cast production directed by Evan Hoffman, with a 10-piece orchestra and a score of nearly 30 numbers, under the musical direction of Elisa Rosman. The show continues NextStop's poised move into its first year as Northern Virginia's newest professional theater company. The cast includes top notch musical theater talent who have performed at Signature, Ford's, Keegan, Toby's and many others.
Murphy Presented with Massey Award
Paul Murphy was awarded the 2014 Massey Award for consistent and committed volunteer service to the Fort Hunt Little League program at Fort Hunt Little League’s Opening Day Ceremony on April 5.
Area Students Win Scholarships
MLK Cultural Foundation Dream Makers Gala raises money for students.
Fifteen northern Virginia students received scholarships to follow their dreams last week. The Martin Luther King Cultural Foundation Dream Makers Award Gala drew in hundreds of people to raise money and hand out college scholarships on Thursday. “It’s something like this that will make me go to work tomorrow and want to make the world a better place for our children,” said Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam during a speech.
Summer 2014 Farmers Market Session Opens This Saturday
The Great Falls Farmers Market summer season begins this Saturday as the summer vendors join those who have served our community all winter. Penn Farm and Diaz Berries & Veggies will be joining Tuscarora Organic Growers Coop and Tyson Farms to bring a wide array of vegetables and fruits. Tyson Farm is a good addition to our mix, as they have abundant fruit orchards, which will broaden our selection of fruit all summer.
MVHS Student Leads State Chapter
Mohammed Ali, Mount Vernon High School junior, was named president of Future Business Leaders of America’s Virginia chapter.
Concert Raises $8,000
The Metropolitan School of the Arts raised $8,000 at its second Annual Benefit Concert to go toward construction of their Black Box Theatre project in Alexandria.
Spring Garden Market at River Farm
The American Horticulture Society hosted their annual spring garden market and a flower show earlier this month at its River Farm headquarters.
Mother's Day Photos
Mother’s Day is May 11, and every year at this time, the Almanac calls for submissions to its Mother’s Day photo gallery.
Area Roundups
Entrants Sought for Anti-Alcohol Awards
A Vienna-based, alcohol-education group wants to honor local, high school groups for their efforts in fighting underage drinking. To recognize high-school students for “doing the right thing,” the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) will present its 2014 GEICO Student Awards at a May 16 ceremony in Washington, D.C., and is accepting applications for the honors through Monday, April 28, at http://www.wrap.org/files/youthOutreach.htm. Entry is free.
McLean Theater Co. Presents ‘Catch Me If You Can’
Local high school brings Broadway to D.C.-area.
Will they catch Frank? The McLean Theater Company is premiering the musical “Catch Me If You Can,” a story of the world’s greatest con man and his worldly misadventures, to the D.C. metro area this week. “The story is so enticing for a director,” said theater teacher and director Amy Poe.
A Musing: Easily Confused Words
Some of the most common words we all use daily sound so much alike that they are easily confused, and therefore, are misinterpreted by the listener(s).