People

Brightview Great Falls, Madeira School Partner for Off-Campus Internships

Brightview Great Falls, a popular senior living community in Great Falls, is partnering with The Madeira School, an all-girls day and boarding school in McLean. Volunteers from the tenth grade will experience a variety of roles and job responsibilities at the community during the fall and spring semesters in what is known at Madeira as Sophomore Co-Curriculum.

Great Falls: Horses Need No Cajoling to Stay on Land

About 58 acres of scenic vista just north of the Great Falls Village Center will be preserved for the next eight years at 9809 Arnon Chapel Road. “It represents one of the last large intact portions of former farmland that once characterized the area and is home to a well-loved horse boarding and riding facility, Stone Ridge Farm,” said Dranesville District Planning Commissioner John Ulfelder.

Great Falls: Seminar for Aspiring Eagle Scouts

On Saturday, Oct. 8, the Powhatan Scout District held its Fall "Life to Eagle" Seminar for aspiring Eagle scouts. The two-hour briefing detailed the requirements for mounting an Eagle Scout service project and for the application that scouts must file afterwards to reach Eagle rank. Pictured: Eagle Scout Greg Gersony, Troop 673 (Great Falls) fields a question on his 2015 Eagle project, a safety and recreation trail in Riverbend Park, together with Herndon Eagle Scouts Michael George (Troop 1570) and Matthew Lawley (Troop 157).

Great Falls Studios Welcome Community

Some 59 artists open their homes and studios to 500 visitors over weekend.

About 500 visitors and 59 artists took part in the 13th annual Great Falls Studios 2016 Art Tour last weekend, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 14-16, in Great Falls.

McLean: Golden Gala Raises $106,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Potomac School juniors Amelia Mazloom and Parker Gioia together with other committee members of the Inaugural St. Jude Parent/Teen Golden Gala from high schools across the DC, Maryland and Virginia area, raised $106,000 to benefit the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The amount raised more than doubled committee’s goal of $50,000. The Gala took place at the French Embassy on Sept.17 with a crowd of more than 250 parents and teens.

McLean Hotel Executive Honored by National Kidney Foundation

At the 67th annual Board of Directors meeting held in St. Louis, Mo. the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) bestowed its highest honor to long-standing volunteer, W. Edward Walter of McLean, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Host Hotels & Resorts. Walter received the Martin Wagner Award from the foundation for his many years of service both as a local and national board member.

McLean Snapshot: Crepe Myrtles and Recyling Efforts Bloom at Spring Hill Elementary

Over the summer months, Spring Hill Elementary School and grounds saw a transformation.

McLean: Marshall Academy, GMU to Host Cybersecurity Youth Conference

In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Marshall Academy—a Governor’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Academy—and George Mason University (GMU) will host the first Cybersecurity Youth Conference on Saturday, Oct. 29, at GMU’s Fairfax campus.

Vienna Volunteer Fire Department Hosts Open House

Annual event promotes home fire safety with fun events for children.

The open house hosted by the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department in recognition of fire prevention week is, traditionally, a popular community event that draws hundreds of children and their parents throughout the day. On Oct. 15, VVFD held another of its annual fire prevention fairs to bring attention to fire safety in the home, and to show the community a fun time.

Vienna: Kathrine Switzer Joins Girls on the Run of NOVA

Kathrine Switzer, an iconic athlete, sports and social advocate, author, and Emmy award-winning television commentator -- the first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon -- joined a Girls on the Run of NOVA team practice at Waples Mill Elementary in Vienna. She participated in the practice and spoke with the girls about her experiences as a woman gaining leadership skills and strength of character through running and sport.

Vienna Snapshot: The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna Hosts Appreciation Breakfast

The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) recently hosted an appreciation breakfast for their volunteers who provide services as SCOV’s Friendly Visitors; Friendly Callers and Handy Helpers. More than 125 of SCOV’s volunteers are engaged in providing Friendly Visitors; Friendly Callers and Handy Helpers services for seniors. Pictured, from left, first row: (l-r) Hyacinth Rodrigues; Shirley Lucas; Lenore Holm and Florence Andrews, SCOV Friendly Caller/Visitor Coordinator. Second row: Jerry O’Shaunessy; Shiva Tavana, SCOV Volunteer Coordinator; Ed Lowry; Jean Jennings; Bob Brennan and Mei Chou Donovan. To volunteer, donate or learn more about how you can help, visit www.scov.org or contact the SCOV office at 703-281-0538.

Alexandria: WWII Cadet Receives CAP Congressional Gold Medal

Haynes joined Civil Air Patrol in 1942.

It’s not everyday someone can say they’ve earned a pilot’s license before their driver’s license, or went on to join the U.S. Air Force and then attend MIT at their own expense. Such is the case of longtime Alexandria resident, mother of four, Elizabeth “Libby” Daggit Haynes, 89, a World War II Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet.

Mount Vernon Snapshot: Field Trip at Huntley Meadows Park

Brittany Hopkins's third grade class from Sangster Elementary School in Springfield visited Huntley Meadows Park on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Alexandria: The Unlikely Republican

Hernick

Republican candidate Charles Hernick meets at Commonwealth Joe’s, a coffee shop in Pentagon City so new it hasn’t even had its official opening. It’s populated almost exclusively by millennials, and Hernick fits right in. When asked about the political issues that matter to them, the students and baristas at Commonwealth Joe’s all answer that climate change and combating student debt are their key voting issues. It’s a liberal atmosphere, but that doesn’t stop Hernick from trying to win them over.

Alexandria: Money Talks

Citizens unite over city budget priorities.

Above all else, Alexandrians want a healthier and more transit accessible city, and they’re willing to pay for it. At a meeting on Oct. 13 at Patrick Henry Elementary School, the city’s FY2018 budget process kicked off with an opportunity for the 50 citizens present to voice their thoughts on what parts of the budget merited further investment.

The Connection