People

‘30 Years 30 Artists’ At ArtSpace Herndon

Art exhibit promotes traditional printmaking art.

Last Monday artists and volunteers were setting up the new art exhibit at ArtSpace Herndon, "30 Years 30 Artists." In conjunction with the "30 Years 30 Artists" exhibit, the Northern Virginia Community College’s Loudoun campus students are showcasing seven students’ printmaking in a display called "NOVA Student Printmakers." The students’ exhibit includes etchings, lithographs, linocuts, and original hand-pulled prints.

Cures for Cabin Fever

Creative ideas for housebound parents and children.

Winter brings frigid temperatures, icy roads, snow and often school closures. While sledding and building snowmen are fun, hazardous weather conditions mean much of the time is spent indoors, and soon the novelty of time off can become cabin fever. Local child education experts offer activity suggestions for filling those long winter days. Susan Friedman, executive editor for digital content at the National Association for the Education of Young Children and a Bethesda resident, suggests parents encourage a child’s natural curiosity. "In the same way that school classrooms have activity centers, parents can create boxes that focus on different activities like playing dress up with clothes, hats and neckties," she said. "You can create a box with art supplies and a box with games or puzzles."

New Deputy Chief of Police Selected

Chief of Police Jim Morris has announced the appointment of Daniel Janickey as Vienna’s new Deputy Chief of Police. He will succeed Captain Mike Miller, who retired on Oct. 1, after serving 29 years with the Vienna Police Department. Janickey was selected from among 103 candidates. "Dan has over 24 years of local law enforcement experience and brings with him a very diverse resume of accomplishments," said Chief Morris. "He will be a great addition to the Town of Vienna Police department and the community." Commenting on Chief Morris’ selection, Town Manager Mercury Payton said, "This selection for Deputy Chief is indicative of the Town’s commitment to excellent service. I expect that Dan will immediately assist the Chief in advancing the goals for the department."

Sen. Favola Shares Legislative Priorities

State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31) highlights the following legislative priority issues: *Safety Net: Retain McDonnell’s $1.6 M for extension of subsidies to foster youth and adopted youth until the age of 21. *Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) --- Index benefits to the COL Adjustment as determined by the Department of Labor (Need Budget Amendment as well). This helps women and children. Families stay an average of 3 years on TANF. The caseload has been decreasing in Virginia and $5M was shifted in the last biennium from TANF block grant dollars to funds General Fund services.

Comstock to Chair House Science And Technology Committee

Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-34) was named Chairwoman of the House Science and Technology Committee by Speaker Bill Howell (R-28). Howell said, "Barbara Comstock is one of the brightest and most energetic lawmakers in the General Assembly. She has worked tirelessly on issues important to Northern Virginia and the entire Commonwealth. For years she has been a leader on issues related to economic development and technology. This experience and knowledge will make her a great Chairwoman."

Advocating for ‘Placemaking’

Elizabeth Morton, president, McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC) *Some 2013 highlights:

Tysons Transformation Will Impact McLean

Most important happenings in and around McLean in 2013 and 2014.

Sally Horn, president, McLean Citizens Association: *Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved interim parking at the McLean Metro stop. A priority for MCA, the interim lot (which will provide surface parking for up to 10 years) promises to enable more McLean residents, especially those who do not have access to bus service or safe pedestrian pathways to Metro, to use Metro and help to remove cars from our roadways.

To Be! In McLean

January Is Shakespeare Month at The Alden.

Never "Too Much of a Good Thing," The Alden in McLean has declared January 2014 "Shakespeare Month" and has pulled together a month-long celebration of the Bard which will include films, a discussion with local experts and two performances by the acclaimed American Shakespeare Center on Tour. Prices vary and some events are free. The Alden is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, inside the McLean Community Center.

Colvin Run Elementary Students Donate Food for Those in Need

Boxes of non-perishable food that filled the trunks of eight large SUVs were donated on Monday, Dec. 16, by Colvin Run Elementary School families to a local Fairfax County elementary school.

Ground Water Cleanup Plan Presented in Great Falls

Potential contamination of local wells from a spill at former Exxon gas station discussed.

The Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) hosted two meetings on Dec. 17, to update Great Falls residents on the plan to clean up contamination from a spill of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) that had occurred at the Exxon gas station that was located at 9901 Georgetown Pike.

Great Falls in 2013: The Most Important Issues

Eric Knudsen, President, Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA): 1) The start, and hopefully the finishing, of the Walker Road Diet project. This is the first major change to the center of town since the Safeway shopping center was put in.

Laura Angela Marcantonio, Ryan Lee Stiles Engaged

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Marcantonio of Virginia Beach are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura Angela, to Ryan Lee Stiles. Ryan is the son of Ms. Audrey Stiles of Williamsburg and Mr. Ronald Stiles of Virginia Beach.

What More Could FBI Want?

Virginia leaders tout merits of Springfield site for FBI HQ relocation.

A high-ranking delegation of Virginia politicians gathered in Springfield Tuesday morning in a renewed effort to convince the Federal Bureau of Investigation to relocate its headquarters to a warehouse site in Springfield. The move in the high-stakes, highly competitive regional competition comes after site selection guidelines eliminated almost all other Northern Virginia locations.

Food Assistance Cuts Affecting Locals

Cuts to the food stamp program are hitting local beneficiaries and food banks.

Melinda Anderson, 50, of Alexandria is feeling the extra pinch to her federally-subsidized food budget. "I have had to eat less and hit up more food banks in the area just to survive," she said while collecting her monthly food allotment from the Fairfax-based food-bank Food for Others. "I’m visiting three [food banks] a month now."

Lopez Studios Inc. Sends Students To 2014 Junior Theater Festival

The famed "Thoroughly Modern Millie" once traveled to the Big Apple to explore the world outside her little town of Salinas and make her dreams come true. From Jan. 17-19 a group of 11 talented young performers from Lopez Studios, Inc. Performing Arts Preparatory School will travel to Atlanta, Ga., to make their own dreams come true at the 2014 Junior Theater Festival and to portray the classic Broadway hit featuring Millie.

The Connection