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Loving Horses at Frying Pan

Farm Park provides a riding experience for children.

Children of all ages love horses. But keeping a horse is difficult when pasture and riding land are scarce. Here in Herndon, Frying Pan Farm Park and Spirit Open Equestrian have joined together so that children can ride and, for a short time, pretend the horses are their very own.

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Volkswagen Donates Van to Children’s Science Center

The Children’s Science Center will use the van for its traveling Museum Without Walls programs in Northern Virginia.

The Children’s Science Center is now the owner of a brand new 2014 Volkswagen Routan minivan thanks to a donation by the Volkswagen Group of America. Volkswagen executives handed over the keys to the 2014 Routan to Children’s Science Center board members on Monday, Jan. 17 in front of the company’s headquarters in Herndon.

Week in Great Falls

Loebig Chiropractic & Rehab and The American Red Cross will be hosting a community blood drive in Great Falls at the office of Dr. Glenn Loebig, 754 Walker Rd, Great Falls on Tuesday, April 15, 1 – 6 p.m. The need for blood locally remains constant, and donations are needed to offset recent blood shortages. People can donate a pint of blood every 56 days and each donation can help save up to three lives. Blood donations help a variety of patients, including those going through cancer treatments, surgical patients and premature babies, among many others. Donors are encouraged to eat a meal prior to giving blood and drink plenty of water. Blood donation requirements include a photo ID, a minimum weight of 115 pounds and minimum age of 17. A 16-year old may donate blood with written parental consent and there is no upper age limit for donating blood. Many health conditions and medications do not prevent someone from donating blood. Call 703-757-5817 with any questions.

Obstructing Traffic on Walker Road

To the Editor: The letter from Dudley Losselyong [“More on ‘Wrong Direction’,” Great Falls Connection, February 12-18, 2014] regarding the "unbelievable" narrowing of Walker Road suggests that the project is attributable to folks who want to "make Great Falls like the place they were moving away from" i.e. McLean, Reston, and Vienna. I think it's more like West Virginia and the abuse of tax dollars.

News Brief: Shooting at North Payne and Wythe

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred in the area of N. Payne Street and Wythe Street on Sunday, Feb. 23. At approximately 6:30 p.m., police responded to for multiple calls of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he is listed in stable condition. Detectives and crime scene investigators continue to work in the area.

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Great Falls Farmers Market Plans for March

The Farmers’ Almanac forecasts a very cold March. We believe. This Saturday has a forecast high of 36 degrees, for example. At a vendors meeting after the market last Saturday, the vendors unanimously agreed to pay the extra fees to rent the Grange for the month of March – pending Fairfax County Park Authority approval. We will not know their answer before this paper goes to press, so please check our website (www.GreatFallsFarmersMarket.ORG), our Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/GreatFallsCommunityFarmersMarket), or our street signs, which will be updated as soon as we know where we will be.

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Historic Cornwell Farm Open to the Public March 8

HBC Realty Group, Keller Williams Realty has announced that Historic Cornwell Farm will be open to the public on Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. People wanting to see the home can come on this day and take in the history and architecture all while supporting a worthy local charity. Proceeds from the day go to support LiftMeUp! Therapeutic Riding Program. For more information and questions contact Laura Smith at 571-331-7709, Info@LiftMeUp.org or Karen Briscoe at 703-734-0192, Karen@HBCRealtyGroup.com.

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Molster Family Stable Awaits Special Permit Decision

Great Falls residents divided over the Molsters’ special permit application to teach horse riding lessons on their property.

When Sharon and Charles “Chip” Molster first began teaching horse riding lessons at their home on Blacks Hill Road in 2009, they found their customers loved having an opportunity to learn riding so close to home there in Great Falls.

Potomac Pets

’The Potomac Almanac presents it's winter/spring pet edition, featuring readers' pet photos.

Shirlington Dog Park Brings Joy

The Shirlington Dog Park is located on 2601 S Arlington Mill Drive. The park is a great place to enjoy warmer days with ones dog. Owners are able to watch as their dogs make new friends.

Mountain View Students Receive Scholarships

Graduating seniors received scholarships Feb. 5 during Mountain View High’s winter awards ceremony.

The Mardula Pet Parade

Francis and Susan J. Mardula of Alexandria have volunteered for 21 years at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Susan Mardula writes: Our lives have truly been enriched by the animals we have adopted over the years and by the wonderful animal caring people we met through our volunteer work.When my husband and I first met, we each had pets with “S” names. We continued the tradition over the years.

Mount Vernon Pets

’The Mount Vernon Gazette presents it's winter/spring pet edition, featuring readers' pet photos.

”Next Fall” Opens This Weekend

The Port City Playhouse is staging “Next Fall” from Feb. 28 to March 15. The contemporary love story written by Geoffrey Nauffts is about two gay men in an up-and-down relationship in New York. The character of Luke is devoutly religious and his lover Adam is an atheist. The action revolves around their five-year relationship and how they make it work despite their differences. However, when an accident changes everything, Adam must turn to Luke's family for support. “I want to tell a realistic story about two people who love each other very much,” said Director Rob Batarla. “And that at the end of the day, the differences that you think really matter just don't really matter.” He added, “Although the story centers around a same-sex couple, the central theme is universal.” “Next Fall” opened off-Broadway in 2009 and was nominated for the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play. It also received a 2010 Outer Critics Circle Award as Best New American Play. According to Richard Isaacs, 50, of Old Town, who plays the role of Adam, one of the two leads, “All of the characters are in search of where they are in life. They seem to be looking for something, but they aren’t sure what they’re looking for. I think it’s about life’s journey and finding who you are in life.” Added Isaacs, “In this five-year relationship, they are trying to find a common connection and make the relationship work despite different theological attitudes … Some of the questions Adam asks Luke, I have asked these same questions in my own life.”

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Additional Delays Slow Handover of Silver Line to Metro

Performance issues and unmet safety testing requirements cited as reasons for the continued delay.

Phase I of the Silver Line is still not quite ready for final testing by Metro authorities, according to a Monday statement issued by Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA). With the handover of the Silver Line project to Metro authorities looming, Northern Virginia residents will have to be patient despite their readiness to hop on the train at new Tysons Corner and Reston Metro stations.