People

Drive Through Ceremony in Arlington Celebrates College-Bound

Thirty-one high school students sporting the T-shirt of their chosen college were cheered on, cowbells ringing, by family and friends on Friday, May 14 in a drive through signing ceremony by the Rinker Community Center.

‘Thank You for Your Service’

Celebrating Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Spouses of active duty servicemembers gathered May 7 at the Starbucks Military Family Store at Penrose Square-Columbia Pike to be celebrated on Military Spouse Appreciation Day as part of Military Appreciation Month.

A Perfect Day for the Pedal-Happy in Hunter Mill District

Two-wheeling ‘Unity in our Community’ at the Inaugural Tour de Hunter Mill

Cyclists of all abilities gathered early Saturday morning, May 15, at Reston Community Center for the inaugural Tour de Hunter Mill.

Southgate Community Center in Reston May Be Renamed

Board Matter unanimously approved by County Supervisors on naming the community center after Catherine M. Hudgins

Southgate Community Center in Reston may be getting a new name soon.

Reston Singer-songwriter Releases Single

‘Pattern’ doubles down on the blame game when 'being ghosted.'

Emerging singer-songwriter Amanda Cunningham of Reston shares her struggle with personal accountability, power when forming close friendships, and self-esteem in her newest single, "Pattern" (2021).

McLean Farmers Market Opens

Flavorful, nutrient-dense fruits, veggies, produce, and more

The McLean Farmers Market at Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road, opened for the second day of its weekly spring to late fall season on Friday, May 15, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Eric Knudsen Receives Glen Sjoblom Award

The award recognizes service contributions to the development of the Great Falls community.

The Executive Board of the Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) recognized Eric Knudsen on Saturday, May 15, as the recipient of its 2021 Glen Sjoblom Award for his “long-time, extensive and meritorious service to the community of Great Falls.” Local, regional, and state leaders attended the special program held at the Great Falls Village Centre Green. GFCA honored Knudsen, who tirelessly devoted himself for several decades to enhancing Great Falls through his work on local transportation, land use, and environmental matters. GFCA established the Glen Sjoblom Award to recognize its members who excel in serving their community. It is the organization’s only award for outstanding service. Current GFCA President Bill Canis said that without this kind of civic involvement and activism, the community Great Falls citizens and others know today would have withered away. “We are gathered to celebrate the people who are dedicated to that philosophy,” said Canis. Eric Knudsen is one of those people. Glen Sjoblom is the 2019 Award recipient. He put the award in the context of the long commitment of GFCA’s pioneering board members, those who served the community since the organization’s founding in 1968. According to the honoring resolution, Knudsen served on the GFCA board with a distinguished record for more than 15 years, including three years as president, three years as vice-president, and additional terms as chair of the Transportation and Land Use & Zoning Committee. AS PRESIDENT, Knudsen improved the efficiency and management of GFCA board proceedings, collaborating with past presidents to create GFCA’s first Policy & Procedures Manual that guides the organization. His prioritization of on-site visits to personally evaluate land use and transportation issues provided accurate perspectives and insights. The documented visits became a hallmark of GFCA’s work, validating issues the organization brings forward to the staff at Fairfax County and Commonwealth and developers. Knudsen launched ongoing investigative and mitigation efforts in the community to control stormwater runoff. He participated in a GFCA committee tasked with overseeing the cleanup of chemical spills in the center of Great Falls that threatened residents’ well water. It culminated in a program managed by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Leading land use negotiations with the County and developers led to the rezoning of Brooks Farm and plans for a SunTrust Bank. According to the resolution, Knudsen became a “driving force for the establishment of the Great Falls Grange Foundation, serving as the GFCA representative in establishing that organization to preserve one of our community’s most important historical assets.” Knudsen also co-chaired the Transportation Committee. In collaboration with co-chair Joan Barnes, they worked to have the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) revise its proposed plans for the intersection of Route 7 and Georgetown Pike, reducing congestion and ensuring greater safety. Knudsen initiated and managed negotiations with engineers and county staff to narrow Walker Road, facilitating pedestrian crossings in the commercial center. Knudsen’s interest in citizen input in the widening project of Route 7 between Reston Avenue and Tysons led to the Route 7 Working Group. This eight-year commitment advised VDOT and included participation by the McLean and Reston citizens associations. SPEAKERS at the May 15 award presentation praised Knudsen for his record of service. Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola (D-31) commended Knudsen for giving residents a voice by reaching out to them for verified consensus. She called these characteristics the hallmark of strong nonprofit organizations. GFCA Board member Gary Pan worked with Knudsen to establish the Great Falls Grange Foundation. He commended him for helping to breathe new life into the historic building and providing a new level of community involvement. “I have worked closely with Eric Knudsen on numerous transportation and land use projects over the years,” said Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville). “His leadership has improved life for residents of the Great Falls community. In 2011, I selected him to represent Dranesville as Lord Fairfax. He is a worthy recipient of the Glen Sjoblom Award for community service,” Foust said.

Obituary: Nicholas (Nick) M. Horrock, 84

Nicholas M. Horrock, a distinguished journalist for many of the nation’s great newspapers, died of heart failure on Sunday, April 18 at his home in Alexandria, Va.

Memorial to Suffragist Women Dedicated in Lorton

To educate, inspire, empower present and future generations

For more than seven decades, millions of American women sought the right to vote.

Celebrating Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Importance emphasized in context of recent discrimination and hate crimes.

Educational videos and online trivia questions, organized by the school's Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Committee, are giving Montgomery College students an opportunity for reflection, while food, music and film offer students at Marymount University in Arlington a glimpse of a different culture.

New Memorial in Lorton Tells a Story Largely Untold

The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial

“Herstory” was made on May 16 when around 100 Northern Virginians applauded the ribbon cutting officially opening the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial in Lorton, a project 13 years in the making.

Snakes — Misunderstood and Mistreated All Too Often

Working diligently in her home office recently, Anita Drummond was jolted from her project when she spotted an eastern rat snake slithering down a nearby tree and through the leaf litter in her Tauxemont backyard.

People at Work: Small Business Flourishes in Alexandria Despite Pandemic

Everyone loves a good success story, especially during the pandemic.

Women’s Clinic Opens in West End of Alexandria

Inova expands women’s health, sexual assault and trafficking services.

Elected officials from throughout the region gathered in Alexandria’s West End May 8 to celebrate the opening of two new Inova Health System community health clinics that will focus on women’s health and medical evaluations for sexual assault and human trafficking survivors.

Muslims Mark the End of Ramadan

Fasting, prayers and charity observed

Muslims around the world began marking the end of Ramadan last week with the arrival of the festival of Eid al-Fitr, a tradition that dates back more than 1,400 years.

The Connection