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McLean Idol to Be Held Oct. 3-5

The award-winning McLean High School Theatre Company (MTC) and McLean Choral Department present the third annual McLean Idol with semi-final rounds over the course of two evenings, Thursday and Friday Oct. 3-4. Twenty-two McLean High School students perform current hits, karaoke style. Each of the first two nights, the audience will vote for the top five contestants who will advance to the final round. These 10 young men and women will compete in the final round on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. Each evening’s competition takes place in the McLean High School Auditorium, 1633 Davidson Road, McLean. $5 tickets are available at the door.

Week in Great Falls

Great Falls Floors, Inc. Celebrates 15th Anniversary

Sha Chitsaz, general manager of Great Falls Floors, Inc., has announced their 15th anniversary of serving clients in Great Falls, McLean and Reston.

A Tireless Advocate

It is nearing that time again, to choose our elected representative for delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates, and I want to tell you why I think we should continue to support our current delegate, Barbara Comstock.

Learning About Polluted Runoff

To the Editor: My name is Benji Prickett, I attend Kilmer Middle School. Lately we have been learning about the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the dangers of runoff. Runoff can carry sediments, rocks, pollutants and also fertilizers and pesticides. Fertilizers and pesticides especially can be very dangerous; they can kill the wildlife in the bay and can also stop recreational activities like fishing, boating and swimming, just to name a few. I hope that we can cut back on using spray pesticides on our lawns. My family has been doing this for many years and our lawns look fine. Currently our bay is very polluted, but if we where to cut back on pesticides our bay would be so much better for everyone and every thing. Benji Prickett Great Falls

Great Falls Waves Good-bye to Santa Representative

Dr. Christopher Earl “Doc” Kennemer remembered for his service to the Great Falls community.

Dr. Christopher Earl “Doc” Kennemer, Great Falls resident, volunteer firefighter and local representative of Santa Claus, made sure that Santa got off to a good start for 30-plus holiday seasons during the annual Great Falls Village Centre Christmas Tree Lighting event. In return, on Saturday, Sept. 28, personnel from the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department joined with Kennemer family and friends to give Kennemer a fitting send-off at a standing-room-only memorial service held at Great Falls United Methodist Church where he had taught Sunday school and been an active member for more than 35 years. Always on call, all fire department personnel were seated with easy access to exits or stationed outside the service so they could respond if needed elsewhere.

Walt Lawrence Exhibits at Katie’s Coffee

Great Falls photographer Walt Lawrence stages a new exhibit at Katie’s Coffee featuring images from his “On the Potomac at Riverbend” collection. The exhibit opened on Oct. 1 and will run through the end of the month. Over the past 15 months Lawrence has been shooting waterscapes and wildlife from a boat in the Potomac off of Riverbend Park.

The Taste of Fall

Local chefs and nutritionists offer healthy recipes for tasty fall dishes using seasonal ingredients.

When the temperature starts to drop and leaves begin to turn red and orange, you can often find chef Susan Limb meandering through local farmers markets, sorting through rough-textured, knotty sweet potatoes; tough, waxy butternut squash; and dusty, rose-colored apples.

Town Releases Annual Report

Manager reports “exceptional period.”

Herndon Town Manager Art Anselene presented the annual report for Fiscal Year 2013 to the Town Council Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Multicultural Festival Comes to Reston

Annual multicultural festival held at Lake Anne.

Nearly 50 years ago, Robert Simon founded Reston with several goals, and one of them was diversity. For the past 12 years, the Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Association, Reston Community Center and Reston Association have hosted a tribute to that goal, the Reston Multicultural Festival.

Reston Sport & Health Renovates

Location kicks off new features after $1.5 million renovation.

Sport & Health Clubs celebrated a $1.5 million renovation to their Reston location with a ribbon cutting and casino night Thursday, Sept. 26. The renovation of the club, located at Isaac Newton Sqaure, stretched to almost every aspect of the facility.

Historic Cornwell Farm Hits Market

Cornwell Farm for sale.

Cornwell Farm, a 13.1-acre historic property located within a mile of the Great Falls Village Centre, has been listed for sale by the HBC Realty Group (Keller Williams) of McLean.

Officials Discuss Derecho Aftermath

Puclic safety staff address changes, effects of storm.

Around 10 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2012, the Northern Virginia area was hit by a derecho. A term unknown to many at the time, including local emergency personnel, the fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms hit the area and left three dead, trees down, houses damaged, widespread power outages and the failure of the 911 Emergency system.

McLean Central Park Plan Changes Unveiled

Amphitheater, outdoor games part of master plan revision.

The Fairfax County Park Authority presented updates to the McLean Central Park Master Plan Monday, Sept. 23 at the McLean Community Center.

Justice Scalia Speaks to Technology Council

Supreme Court justice discusses new book, current legal issues.

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Antonin Scalia spoke to members of the Northern Virginia Technology Council Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner.

SPARC Hosts Music Workshop

Local musicians perform, jam with club members.

Members of the Specially Adapted Resource Club (SPARC), which serves adults with life-long disabilities, have been meeting at the Old Firehouse Teen Center in McLean for almost two years.

The Connection