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Pathway to Zero in Alexandria

December 27, 2017

Viewpoints in McLean

January 2, 2018

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Writing Contest on Purpose of the Grange

Great Falls Day to be celebrated on May 4.

The Great Falls Historical Society invites young writers to participate in A Historic Essay Contest -- Seeing Today Through Yesterday’s Eyes. Great Falls Day will celebrate the 85th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Great Fall Grange at the Great Fall Grange Hall, 9818 Georgetown Pike, May 4, 2014, 1 to 5 p.m. Length, Font & Format: Minimum one type-written page, Times New Roman Font, 12 point; maximum three type-written pages, Times New Roman Font, 12 point; Microsoft Word Format. Deadline: Friday, April 25, 2014, 5 p.m. Eligible Age Groups: Level one: 8 to 12 years; level two: 13 to 15 years. Deliver entry to information desk at the Great Falls Library by Friday, April 25 at 5 p.m.

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Journey of Discovery Continues

Third Women’s Collaborative to be held on April 17-20 in Middleburg.

Mary Jo Smrekar of Reston and Sue Ries Lamb of Alexandria are preparing to facilitate their third Women’s Collaborative at the Meadowkirk Retreat in Middleburg. What the two describe as a “journey of discovery” for up to twelve women takes place in three four-day sessions. The first gathering will be held from April 17 through April 20. The second retreat will be held on Oct. 9 – 12, and the third Nov. 13 – 16. Smrekar and Lamb met in 1972, and with a shared interest in exploring their own spirituality and their place in the world as women, they remained friends, and occasionally colleagues, throughout the years since. From 2006 to 2009 they participated in the first Hope Springs Leadership Collaborative and in 2010 they were part of the 35th and last Women’s Way Program, garnering experiences that led them to create their own local version of the collaborative in 2011.

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Sharing the Inspiration

Great falls’ ‘Evening with the Authors’ allows writers, readers to learn form each other.

Jeff Preletz of Leesburg went to the “Evening with the Authors” as a reader, but he left convinced that he, too, is a writer who must finish his first book. He didn’t expect the turnout for a Saturday night event at the Great Falls Library to be so great that patrons would spill into the hall and out the front door. But he got what he came for – inspiration from authors to put his ideas in print. “This is no ordinary book signing,” he said. “We are conversing with published authors and learning from them.”

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Churchill Road Elementary Receives Safe Community Coalition Grant

Churchill Road Elementary School received a $1,000 grant from the Safe Community Coalition (SCC). Debra Maes, Churchill Road’s Environmental Studies Educator, said that the grant will be used to help maintain the cold frames built by the fifth grade students. These cold frames protect the plants from freezing. They have been particularly useful this winter with the colder than average temperatures and have allowed the students to transplant their lettuce, broccoli and sugar pea seedlings from the greenhouse into the raised beds before nighttime temperatures rise above freezing.

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Paladar Latin Kitchen and Bar Coming to Tysons

The bold and fresh flavors of Latin America will be coming to Tysons when Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar opens its second location in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area on May 9. Paladar, a Cuban term for small, soulful and comforting restaurants that people run out of their homes, will be located at Leesburg Pike and Old Gallows Road in Tysons. The restaurant will feature an American interpretation of the vibrant flavors of Central and South America and the Latin Caribbean, with a special nod to the cuisine of Cuba. The Rum Bar will offer a selection of over 50 rums.

Living Legends: A Head for Numbers, a Heart for People

For Richard Allyn “Rick” Glassco, volunteering started early.

Richard Glassco has been the treasurer for ALIVE! (Alexandrians InVolved Ecumenically!) for 23 years. During that time ALIVE!, which was founded in 1969, has grown from an all-volunteer organization to one with volunteers from about 40 faith communities, a $1.3 million budget and about 14 employees.

Colvin Run Mill Goes Back to 1810

Staff look forward to restoration of mill.

Last year Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls entered a contest to win grant money through the Fairfax County Park Foundation. The result was a fourth-place finish among 24 historic sites in the contest and a $75,000 grant for Colvin Run Mill, the largest grant in the site’s history. This money is now being used to fund restoration of the mill. Fairfax County spent about $1 million restoring the mill between 1968 and 1972, but stopped before finishing when funds ran out.

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Focus on Transportation

McLean, Great Falls Citizens Associations meet with state Secretary of Transportation.

State Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne Jr.’s firsthand experience with northern Virginia road congestion happened as he was running late to a meeting last week. His excuse for arriving tardy to the March 31 McLean and Great Falls citizens associations’ community hearing gave the 100-plus members in the audience some comic relief before he delved into more serious topics like the Route 7 expansion and increasing tolls.

Earth Month Annual Cleanup

Jonathan Wood, Ava Kahn and Aimee Weldon volunteered Saturday, April 5, at annual spring cleanup which included the C&O canal.

Ball-Sellers House Opens for the Season

Twenty-five years or so before the Revolutionary War began, an English immigrant homesteaded in what is now Arlington’s Glen Carlin community. His name was John Ball and the small cabin he built, to house the family of wife Elizabeth and their five daughters, still stands.

Roundups

Chantilly Pyramid Art Show Featuring the artwork of Chantilly High and its feeder schools, Chantilly High will host the annual, Chantilly Pyramid Art Show. It’s this Thursday, April 10, from 6-8 p.m., in the front halls of the school at 4201 Stringfellow Road. Free Carseat Inspections Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, April 10 and April 24, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed. However, because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.

Painter Debuts Children’s Book

“When I’m Not Myself” also offers insight into book production process.

Alexandria painter Kathy DeZarn Beynette’s second children’s book, “When I’m Not Myself,” was released worldwide in March.

Alexandria Painter Debuts Children’s Book

“When I’m Not Myself” also offers insight into book production process.

Alexandria painter Kathy DeZarn Beynette’s second children’s book, “When I’m Not Myself,” was released worldwide in March.

Network Alliance, Inc. Wins Stevie Award

Network Alliance, Inc. (Network Alliance), Reston-based leading IT management solutions provider, has been recognized by the international Stevie Awards program for Sales and Customer Service, known as the worlds’ top sales and customer service honor, for the second consecutive year. Founded over 16 years ago on the mission to “Make IT Simple” for their clients, Network Alliance’s expert team has carved out a niche in a crowded marketplace through its accessible structure, cost-effective, scalable solutions, and dependable, expert client services team that has achieved a 98 percent client retention rate.

Throwing Opening Pitches for Vienna Little League

From left -- Del. Mark Keam (D-35) and State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) threw out opening pitches at the Vienna Little League Opening Day, April 5 at Yeonas Park.

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