SPARC Looks Ahead to 2013
Club received grant in December, looks to expand reach to assist adults with disabilities.
The Specially Adapted Resource Club (SPARC) came to McLean in October 2011 to provide opportunities for adults with disabilities in a community setting. Since then, they have been growing and gathering more support. They concluded 2012 with a $15,000 grant from Life Circle Alliances and plan on further outreach in 2013.
MCA Hosts Legislators Before Session
State senators, delegates brief community on goals for session starting Jan. 9.
The McLean Citizens Association hosted a town hall meeting featuring McLean-area state representatives Wednesday, Jan. 2 at the McLean Community Center. This year’s session begins Jan. 9, and since 2013 is an odd-numbered year, the session will go for 30 days with an option to extend for a maximum of 30 additional days.
Favola, Comstock Set Session Priorities
Legislators begin General Assembly session Jan. 9.
Members of the Virginia General Assembly representing Great Falls, Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31) and Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34), spoke at the McLean Community Center Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Planning for Future of McLean Central Park
Master plan aims to integrate park, Dolley Madison Library, McLean Community Center.
The Fairfax County Park Authority kicked off the master planning process for McLean Central Park Tuesday, Nov. 27, hosting a public input meeting at Churchill Road Elementary School.
Town Center Lights Christmas Tree
Santa and Mrs. Claus, Reston Chorale appear at annual tree lighting.
Having just moved to Reston in July, Bill and Marie Jones and their two children weren’t aware of the annual festivities that happen at Reston Town Center every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, just after dark. They thought they were headed to town center for an evening of ice skating and frozen yogurt.
Reston Hosts Holiday Parade
Local groups participate in annual Reston Town Center parade Nov. 23.
Thousands of people spent the early part of their Black Friday spread out along Market Street for the annual Reston Holiday Parade. Organizations from across the area made their way down .3 miles of the road carrying balloons, performing and interacting with the crowd.
Herndon High Performs ‘Brigadoon’
Theater department puts on annual fall musical.
For many cast members in the Herndon High School Theatre Department, the musical "Brigadoon" wasn’t a familiar title to them. The story of two New Yorkers who stumble upon a mystical disappearing Scottish village features one of the young men, Tommy, who falls in love with one of the town’s residents, only to be confronted by the fact that the town only appears once every hundred years.
Schools Using Diversity for Student Benefits
Immersion, ESOL programs aim to take advantage of area cultures.
As Fairfax County has experienced massive growth in its international population, its effects have spread to its educational institutions. Forty-four percent of the Fairfax County Public Schools students come from homes that speak a language other than English, which includes 160 different languages.
Author Examines Life by the Letter
Joe Reynolds publishes collection of letters on variety of topics.
In an era of e-mails, text messages and tweets, the art of writing a letter hasn’t been lost on McLean resident Joe Reynolds. It’s something he was raised on, his father and grandfather wrote him letters while he was at college, a tradition that he continued while his three children were away at school.
Final Tree Decision Yet to Come
Final tests to be run on white oaks at Georgetown Pike-Walker Road intersection.
The trees at the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road will be subject to at least one more test to determine if they propose a safety hazard to drivers. The Virginia Department of Transportation had decided Sept. 18 to remove the trees as part of a mass removal of potentially hazardous trees, but announced Sept. 28 that they would wait for the community to hire an arborist.
New 495 Express Lanes Open for Business
Fourteen mile stretch of tolled lanes open from Dulles Toll Road to Springfield.
The 495 Express lanes opened to traffic in the early morning hours of Saturday, Nov. 17, marking the completion of a project more than 10 years and $2 billion in the making.
Getting Up to Speed on Healthcare
Panel discussion addresses small business issues with Affordable Health Care Act.
The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel discussion Friday, Nov. 16 at the Dulles Westin, to examine the effects of the Affordable Health Care Act on business owners.
Paying Tribute to ‘Dogs of War’
Local author’s new book examines American leaders and their dogs.
Kathleen Kinsolving knows that inspiration can come from strange places. In 2000, she was helping a friend move when she came upon a trunk full of books, including Carlo D’Este’s biography of Gen. George Patton, “Patton: A Genius for War.”
CBT Presents Holiday Classic
Ashley Tern, Lily Campbell to star in Classical Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker.”
When they take the stage for the Classical Ballet Theatre’s annual performance of “The Nutcracker,” 13-year-olds Ashley Tern and Lily Campbell will take their first lead roles in a combined 21 years of dance.
Family Makes it on the Trail
Scott Jenkins, son Tracy hike Appalachian Trail over summer.
While it’s said that a journey begins with a single step, for the Jenkins family of McLean, their 2,000-mile plus journey began by literally climbing a mountain.
Riverbend Prepares for Budget Cuts
With five percent cuts looming, group looks to preserve 400-acre park.
As Fairfax County prepares for a possible budget shortfall of $100 million in Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, all county agencies have been asked to submit budgets that cut five percent from FY2013 levels.
Beach Mill Road Plans Unveiled
New bridge will be installed summer 2013, contractor has incentives for early finish.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will begin construction on the Beach Mill Road bridge over Nichols Run as early as next May.
Star Crossed Lovers Take Stage at Langley
Theatre department presents ‘Romeo and Juliet.’
During Langley High School’s inaugural theater tech class, several students had a vision: Shakespeare’s character Juliet giving her famous speech on a scaffolding. The school’s upcoming production of "Romeo and Juliet" took on a new look after that idea, transforming the setting of the play from an Italian city to an apocalyptic future city.
Thieves Market Offers Holiday Gift Ideas
Antique furniture, art, home furnishings available at 60 year old family owned business.
Since 1952, the Cohen family has operated the Thieves Market, featuring a wide variety of furniture, jewelry, art and other household goods that might be difficult to come by in other places. In their 60 years of existence, dignitaries from around the world have shopped their selection of 18th and 19th century American and European antiques, porcelain, bronzes, furniture, candlesticks, Persian and Oriental rugs, mirrors, chandeliers and more.
Gift Ideas in Great Falls
Maison et Jardin, Maison du Vin offer gift ideas for holidays.
While places like Tysons Corner might draw the large crowds and big numbers during the holiday shopping season, plenty of local residents are able to find gifts much more locally. The shops at the Great Falls commercial center offer a wide variety of items from locally owned businesses.
Haddad Studio to Present ‘The Nutcracker’
Annual show celebrates 21st year.
The Margaret Haddad Studio of Classical Ballet will present its 21st edition of "The Nutcracker" the weekend after Thanksgiving. Featuring 49 children, guest artists from several ballet companies and adult volunteers, the annual performances will take place at The Madeira School.
Veterans Honored at Freedom Memorial
Annual ceremony features Marine Color Guard, student performances.
More than 150 people gathered at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Monday, Nov. 12, to participate in the community’s annual Veterans Day ceremony. More than 100 students from Village Green Day School, Great Falls Elementary School and Langley High School also attended.
LEAP Awards $5,000 to Homeowners
Marti Fucile and Eric Shor receive award to make home more energy efficient.
Living on Lake Audubon, Marti Fucile and her fiancé Eric Shor have learned to love their view of the lake. But as environmentally-friendly homeowners, they also know the reality that comes with the high ceilings and large windows in their townhouse.
Used Book Shop Offers Gift Ideas
Lake Anne shop has been "where books and people meet" for more than 30 years.
Whenever he comes to Lake Anne, Jeremy Thompson of Reston has a place he always stops. A place he calls an "increasing rarity" in today’s world.
NVTC Hosts Annual Tech Celebration
Annual banquet recognizes top innovators, raises funds for Equal Footing Foundation.
The Northern Virginia Technology Council hosted their annual banquet Monday, Nov. 11 at the Tysons Corner Ritz-Carlton, recognizing technology contractors.
Frying Pan Farm Home To Holiday Entertainment
Old-Fashioned Holiday Celebration features demonstrations, children’s shopping.
“From Halloween through Christmas, Frying Pan Farm Park is one of our family’s favorite destinations on an almost weekly basis.” -Debbie Santiago of Herndon
Orchestra Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Reston Community Orchestra prepares 25th season.
Twenty-five years ago, Joellyn Kinzer, a cello player, invited a dozen like-minded musicians to her living room for some baked goods and a chance to play together.
Garden Club Hosts ‘Big Dig’
Reston Garden Club performs beautification project at Reston library.
When members of the Reston Garden Club planned their “Big Dig” project at the Reston Regional Library, one of their main goals was to beautify the traffic islands in the parking lot. By adding dozens of plants to previously barren patches of dirt Monday, Nov. 5, the club achieved several goals.
Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic, HealthWorks Merge
Merger aims to triple number of low-income, uninsured people served.
The Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic, which served nearly 2,000 low-income patients without health insurance last year, has merged with HealthWorks for Northern Virginia. Founded 10 years ago, the clinic was founded at Herndon Middle School.
Fairfax Republicans Come Together for Election
What started as a night of hope for the Fairfax County Republican Committee ended on something of a sour note, as Republican presidential, senate and congressional candidates were not able to oust incumbents.
McLean Voters Head to Polls
Voting locations crowded starting at 6 a.m.
McLean residents flocked to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 6 to choose a president, senator and congressman, as well as vote on several key County issues.
Great Falls Goes to Polls
Early voter turnout high in most locations.
Every election day, Julius Zannetti of Great Falls gets his voting out of the way first thing in the morning.
Serving More Than a Village
Alisa Cozzens named Rotary Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
The Great Falls Rotary Club named its first Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Alisa Cozzens, executive director of Serve A Village, a Great Falls based nonprofit. Cozzens moved to South Africa as a teenager, and though her travels since have taken her to Northern Virginia, she still continues outreach to the area.
Raising Funds to Stop Hunger
Lutheran Redeemer hosts fundraisers for Nov. 10 Stop Hunger Now event.
As McLean prepares to package 250,000 meals for needy people throughout the world, members of the Lutheran Redeemer Church helped raise funds last weekend for the event. The church hosted a fun run around the parking lot for those in costume Saturday morning, and an opera concert Sunday afternoon.
Skate Park Opens at Lake Fairfax
New park is 15,000 square feet, offers variety of features.
The Fairfax County Park Authority opened the Lake Fairfax Skatepark Saturday, Oct. 27, welcoming hundreds of skaters to one of the biggest parks in the area. The 15,000 square-foot features a large bowl on one end, and more than a dozen other features made of concrete with steel edges.
Local Horrors at Haunted House
Bradley Farm hosts annual haunted house fundraiser.
Charlie Bowen came to the Bradley Farm clubhouse expecting to see some people in zombie makeup, maybe with some gruesome props. He didn’t expect to spend what felt like the longest 120 seconds of his life jumping at every single sound.
Discussing Budget Morality
United Christian Parish hosts discussion on intersection of budgets and social services.
The United Christian Parish in Reston hosted a forum featuring one of the “Nuns on the Bus” Thursday, Oct. 25 for a discussion on the intersection of morality and budgets: Sister Marge Clark, one of a group of nuns that have toured the U.S. meeting with elected officials and locals about morality and budgeting. Clark is the author of the Faithful Budget, which is created by an inter-religious group that determines basic domestic human needs.
Robotics Team Shows Off Hardware
Herndon High School Robotics demonstrate at Udvar-Hazy Center.
The Herndon High School Robotics Team showed off its hardware at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center Saturday, Oct. 27, as part of the center’s Air and Scare event.
Examining Trees at Riverbend Park
New Riverbend Tree Walk shows diversity of species at park.
Visitors to Riverbend Park have a new way to explore the 400-plus acres of land along the Potomac River. Local resident Tabitha Eagle, with the help of Bob Vickers of the Fairfax County Tree Commission and staff at Riverbend, helped mark a mile-long trail that identifies 20 different tree varieties within the park.
Express Lanes Move Closer to Opening
Express Lanes open new operations center in Alexandria, prepares for opening.
As the construction equipment and debris is cleared from the new two left lanes going both ways on the Virginia side of the Beltway, the 495 Express Lanes are coming closer to opening. The variable-priced toll lanes will run over most of the Virginia section of the Beltway, and the $2 billion project has included the new lanes, as well as the rebuilding of bridges and overpasses along the way.
Langston Hughes Prepares for Earthquakes
Middle school participates in USGS ShakeOut drills.
Students at Langston Hughes Middle School participated in the U.S. Geological Survey’s ShakeOut Thursday, Oct. 18, to prepare themselves in the event of another earthquake like the one that shook a large portion of the east coast on Aug. 23, 2011.
Reston Town Center Lights the Night
Annual walk raises funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Thousands of blood cancer patients, survivors, caretakers, and family and friends of those who have passed away from the disease gathered at Reston Town Center Saturday, Oct. 20 to take part in the annual Light the Night Walk, held by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Bach to Rock Opens in Herndon
Music studio features lessons, recording equipment, DJ school.
Bach to Rock, a music school for students of all ages, has opened its newest location at Worldgate Centre in Herndon. The school features lessons for a variety of instruments, as well as recording facilities and the Beat Refinery, Bach to Rock’s instructional DJ school.
Shelter House Holds Annual Sleep Out
More than 40 people spend night outdoors to support homeless.
As she prepared to go to sleep in the front seat of her pickup truck, Jewell Mikula thought about what had led her here, to a night sleeping in her car on a cold October evening.
Creating Prescription Drug Awareness
Safe Community Coalition hosts panel discussion about prescription drug abuse.
The Safe Community and the Fairfax County Police McLean District Station hosted a forum on prescription drug use and abuse Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the McLean Community Center.
EnviroSolutions Awarded for Contributions
Waste disposal company recognized for support of Workhouse Arts Center.
The Arts Council of Fairfax County presented their Arts Philanthropy Award to EnvrioSolutions for its extensive financial suport of the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. EnviroSolutions committed approximately $750,000 in cash donations, more than $100,000 in in-kind donations and hundreds of staff hours.
IPAR Recognized by County Arts Council
Arts Impact Award given for IPAR's public art outreach.
The Initiative for Public Art-Reston was recognized by the Arts Council of Fairfax County Friday, Oct. 12 with the Arts Impact Award for their commission and placement of art in public places around the community. Founded in 2007 by local civic organizations and residents, the group created a Public Art Master Plan in 2008 to guide the future of public art.
Simon Hosts Connolly Fundraiser
Reston founder welcomes congressman, supporters to his Lake Anne home.
Supporters of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) ascended to the top of Lake Anne Plaza, as Reston founder Robert Simon hosted a fundraising event Sunday, Oct. 13 at his home. Due to the 2010 redistricting, the 11th district includes Reston in its entirety.
Home Tour Shows Life on the Edge
Annual home tour features homes next to Reston's features.
This year’s Reston Homes Tour featured the usual assortment of houses featuring exceptional architecture, interior design and other unique designs, but this year’s theme also focused on the adjacent areas. “Living on the Edge,” the theme, was designed to highlight how various Reston residents are making do while living near some kind of community feature.
A Three-way Race in 10th District
Kristin Cabral, Kevin Chisholm oppose Frank Wolf in new-look 10th district.
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) is attempting to be re-elected for a sixteenth term come Nov. 6, but he will face two challengers in Kristin Cabral (Democrat) and Kevin Chisholm (Independent).