<sh>20 Backyards Short of Certification
<bt>Great Falls is currently 20 backyards short of being eligible for official certification as a Wildlife Habitat Community. The Great Falls Citizens Association initiated this project in September 2006 and has certified 80 private backyards, schools, church and community gardens since that time. To submit an application, go to www.nwf.org, then go to backyard certification to fill out the application on-line. There are also applications available at the Great Falls Library in the Foyer, if a paper application is preferred. For more information, contact Robin Rentsch at robrentsch@aol.com.
<sh>Women's Club Fashion Event
<bt>Great Falls Women's Club will be hosting a Fashion Event on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. A selection of wine and cheese will be served, and the event will feature the latest in fashions and accessories for spring. For more information or to make reservations, contact Jane at 571-239-0011.
<sh>Little League Spring Registration
<bt>Registration for the Great Falls Little League spring season is now open for players, managers, coaches and umpires. Regular registration extends through Feb. 11, and late registration extends through Feb. 20. Late registration for T-Ball, Coach Pitch and Softball extends through March 1, on a space available basis. Opening Day is April 14. Register at www.GFLittleLeague.org.
<sh>Internet Safety Strategies for Parents
<bt>On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Safe Community Coalition will present "Just Point and Click: Internet Safety Strategies for Parents," from 7:30 to 9 p.m., at McLean Presbyterian Church. Jennifer Krell, Fairfax County Public Schools technology specialist, will discuss Internet safety strategies for parents, and will share information on ways in which youths use the Internet via instant messaging, chatrooms, weblogs, webcams, cell phones, MySpace, Facebook, and more. Find out how to help protect them with Internet filtering and monitoring software. This program is for adults only. Krell worked for 11 years as a middle school science teacher and, for the last seven years, helping teachers integrate technology into their instruction. There is no fee for this event. Advance registration is not required, but is appreciated. Register at www.safecommunitycoalition.net/upevents.html.
<sh>Historical Publication Available
<bt>This year's Great Falls Historical Society publication "Reflections 2007," is now available. "Reflections 2007" is dedicated to local resident and historian Milburn Sanders, and commemorates the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Great Falls Historical Society. The publication contains articles including one on the history of the McLean and Great Falls Fire Departments, and a profile of an historic house in town. "Reflections 2007" may be obtained by joining the Great Falls Historical Society (log on to www.gfhs.org), or by purchasing it from the Falls Hardware for $15. It may also be ordered from the Great Falls Historical Society, P.O. Box 56, Great Falls, VA 22066 for $15, plus $2 shipping and handling, or by contacting Laura Nichols at 703-759-2440.
<sh>Fireside Stories at Riverbend
<bt>On Friday, Jan. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the Riverbend Nature Center will host an open house and fireside stories event. Adults chaperones and children 6 and under are invited to gather around the fireplace while a Riverbend Park naturalist tells a story. Children can also enjoy free play time and exploration, visit with Riverbend's exhibit animals, and relax with coffee, hot chocolate and cookies while finding out more about local wildlife. The nature center is not regularly open to the public. Reservations and advanced payment required. To reserve call 703-759-9018. The cost is $5 for children and $2 for adults.
<sh>Church of the Brethren's Grate Patrol
<bt>On Saturday, Jan. 20, members and friends of the Dranesville Church of the Brethren will once again ride with the Grate Patrol, and hand out food and water to the homeless in Washington D.C. The group has been participating in this activity on the third Saturday of every other month for many years. Participants take bag lunches, hot soup and clothing to the city. The group will meet at 2:30 p.m. at the Dranesville Church of the Brethren, located at 11500 Leesburg Pike in Herndon, to assemble the bag lunches. They will leave from there at 5 p.m. for the Grate Patrol, and should be back at the church by 9 p.m. Volunteers are needed to make soup, assemble bag lunches, donate warm clothing and distribute these items. For more information, contact Kim Bailey-Middleton at the church office at 703-430-7872, or by e-mail at dcoboffice@aol.com.
<sh>Night Sky Festival at Park
<bt>On Saturday, Jan. 20, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., there will be a Night Sky Festival at Riverbend Park in Great Falls. The event is open to all ages. Activities include guided star gazing, looking through a telescope, and listening to ancient stories about the constellations around the campfire. Become part of the solar system and join in other activities and games throughout the evening. Hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and snacks will be available for purchase. The event will be canceled in case of rain or snow. Advanced reservations are requested for groups of 10 or more. Call 703-759-9018. The cost is $4 per person.
<sh>Primitive Teachings at Park
<bt>A special program on "Primitive Teachings" will be offered at Riverbend Park on Thursday, Jan. 25 and Friday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Fairfax County Public Schools are closed on both days. Learn hands-on essential winter survival skills, including wildlife tracking, friction fires, archery, building shelters and small traps, and more. These sessions will teach the self-sufficiency needed to stay in the outdoors. Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm, or call 703-222-4664. The cost of registration is $104, and the registration code is 3571958201.
<sh>Correction
<bt>In the article "Breaking Boundaries," in the Jan. 10-16 issue of the McLean Connection, the location of Mosby Woods Elementary School was incorrectly identified. The school is located in Fairfax. In addition, it was stated that initial proposed boundary changes to alleviate overcrowding at the Haycock Elementary School Gifted and Talented (GT) center called for GT students from Chesterbrook Elementary School, Franklin Sherman Elementary School and Kent Gardens Elementary School to be moved from the Haycock GT center to the Churchill Road Elementary School GT center. Chesterbrook Elementary School was never a part of the proposal. The plan orginially included Franklin Sherman and Kent Gardens GT students, and now just includes Kent Gardens GT students.