MPA Hosts Annual ArtFest
Nonprofit recognized by Arts Council, holds annual festival.
The McLean Project for the Arts celebrated a banner weekend this weekend: they were recognized by the Arts Council of Fairfax County Friday, Oct. 12 and ended the weekend with their annual ArtFest Sunday in McLean Central Park.
Spring Hill Welcomes Japanese Students
Elementary school participates in exchange program.
Over the summer, 13 students and four staff members from Spring Hill Elementary spent more than a week in Yokohama, Japan. On Tuesday, Oct. 9, several students and parents from Yabe Elementary in Japan returned the favor, arriving to great fanfare from students, staff and parents.
Sharing Great Falls Ghost Stories
GFHS Oktoberfest features tales of local hauntings.
After moving into one of the oldest houses in Great Falls, Jinny Beyer began thinking something was amiss in her home. For the first six months they lived there, every night at 2 a.m. sharp, Beyer would wake to what she felt was a presence in the room.
Reston Town Center Hosts Oktoberfest
Annual event features fall beer, food, children’s carnival.
A cold, rainy day couldn’t keep George Mitchell and his friends away from Reston’s Oktoberfest Sunday, Oct. 6.
New Downtown Herndon Mural Under Construction
Commissioned by Arts Council, Keith Naquin prepares mural on Ice House Café.
Downtown Herndon has been a bit more colorful in recent months, and artist Keith Naquin is a major reason why. Over the summer, the retired Herndon High School teacher turned the gray wall behind the NAPA Auto Parts building into a scenic, pastoral mural. Now he’s moved onto his second project, transforming the red brick wall of the Ice House Café.
Tysons Debated in McLean
County officials speak about latest on Tysons redevelopment.
The McLean Citizens Association hosted a program about Tysons Corner transportation funding Tuesday, Oct. 2 at the McLean Community Center. County officials briefed the public on ways to pay for the $2.3 billion in projected costs.
Salona Task Force Provides Update
Community discusses development possibilities.
The McLean Community Center was packed to the brim Thursday, Oct. 4 with community members waiting to hear the latest from the Salona Park Task Force, which has been charged with coming up with a master plan for a portion of the 51-acre historic Salona property. Located just east of downtown McLean on Dolley Madison Boulevard, 41 acres of the property was purchased from the DuVal family by the County for $16.5 million.
St. Thomas Kicks off Annual Pumpkin Patch
Proceeds from sales go to local charities.
The large green lawn in front of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in McLean had a few splashes of fall color added Sunday, Oct. 7 as dozens of volunteers helped unload a truck full of pumpkins for their annual charity pumpkin patch.
Churchill Road Named Green Flag School
Eco-Schools program gives school highest award.
Churchill Road Elementary School became just the eighth school in the country to earn the Eco-Schools USA Green Flag award Friday, Oct. 7. The Eco-Schools program is hosted by the National Wildlife Federation, and there are more than 50 eco schools in the County, along with two other Green Flag schools in the state, the highest award level.
Village Green Hosts Fall Festival
Students spend day on moon bounces, magic show.
The Village Green Day School in Great Falls hosted their annual Fall Festival Wednesday, Oct. 3. For student Grady Robbins, this meant a special surprise when he got to school.
Colvin Run Students Honored
Students take first, second place in annual Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial essay contest.
The Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial named the winners of their second annual essay contest Saturday, Oct. 6, hosting several participants at the Great Falls Library. Two Colvin Run Elementary School students, Maren Kranking and Sherwin Momenian were named first and second place winners, respectively.
County Lays Out Crescent Timeline
Office of Community Revitalization plans for redevelopment around Lake Anne.
The Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization released the latest timetable for the redevelopment of the Crescent Apartments near the Lake Anne Village Center.
Rescue Reston, RA Ramp Up Golf Course Efforts
Groups organize community response, retain legal counsel.
Donna Robuck and her husband Robert have lived in a house that overlooks the 10th hole at the Reston National Golf Course for the past 14 years. She can still recall: “I walked in the house, walked straight through to the balcony, and me and my husband thought, ‘this is it. This is the perfect house,’” she said. “The very next day my mother-in-law called and asked what the kitchen looked like, and I had no idea.” Since then, she described living in their house as a dream, but in recent months that dream has been threatened.
Herndon Celebrates Arts Week
Oct. 8 through 13 will feature daily art activities.
The Council for the Arts of Herndon will host Arts Week in Herndon taking advantage of a holiday week to feature all kinds of local art. Starting Monday, Oct. 8 and going through Saturday, Oct. 13, there will be events all over town, featuring artists, live music and classes for people of all ages and interests.
Tree Removals Postponed
The Virginia Department of Transportation has postponed the removal of two white oak trees at the corner of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road, allowing the community to hire an arborist to examine the two trees.
NVCC Consortium Receives Grant
Department of Labor’s $12 million grant will go to training IT workers.
A consortium led by Northern Virginia Community College received a $12 million grant from the Department of Labor Thursday, Thursday, Sept. 27.
MCC Board Passes Budget
FY2014 budget will ‘maintain and improve’ upon current programming and facilities.
The McLean Community Center Governing Board approved their Fiscal Year 2014 budget Thursday, Sept. 27. The budget, which is for July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, calls for $5,813,572 in expenditures, while bringing in $5,021,218 in revenue, a difference of $792,281.
Bank Design Examined
Proposed TD Bank would be located at site of Exxon Station.
Members of the team representing TD Bank made another presentation in Great Falls Tuesday, Sept. 25, providing details about the future of gas stations in Great Falls, as well as an update on the architecture of the proposed building that would be erected on the current site of the Exxon station.
Family of Four Found Dead in Herndon
Police make discovery during welfare check, believe husband killed family before turning gun on himself.
A Herndon family of four was found dead in their home on Point Rider Lane the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 25. Fairfax County Police responded after a co-worker of one of the family members reported that they had not been to work this week.
Lake Anne Hosts Annual Multicultural Festival
Event features day of international culture, food.
Saturday, Sept. 22 marked the first time Jesse Ekland and Alicia Morales attended the Reston Multicultural Festival as a couple, but they used it to celebrate their anniversary anyway. That’s because it served as a catalyst for their relationship.
Fall Fun in Reston
Oktoberfest, Homes Tour highlight annual events.
Reston Town Center will host one of the area’s signature fall events, the Reston Oktoberfest, Oct. 5 through 7. The event will feature live music, food from local vendors, a variety of fall beers and a chili cook off.
Haunted House Returns This Fall
Annual Bradley Farm event will raise money for FISH.
The Bradley Farm neighborhood in Herndon will host what has fast become an annual fall tradition, their annual haunted house. Now in its sixth year, this year’s theme will be "The Evil Around Us," a focus on local legends.
Closet Hosts Community Picnic
Thrift store kicks off fall shopping season.
The Closet Thrift Store in Herndon hosted a community picnic on Saturday, Sept. 22, paying thanks to their customers, donors and volunteers that have supported the shop during their almost 40-year mission.
Keeping Tysons Corner Moving
Event provides updates on 495 Express Lanes, Dulles Metrorail.
In the next 15 months, Tysons Corner will see almost $5 billion in new transportation projects come online.
Fall Fun in McLean
MPAartfest, pumpkin patch part of local fall events.
Fall is home to several annual traditions in McLean. One such tradition, the McLean ArtFest, hosted by the McLean Project for the Arts, will hit a major milestone this year, and the MPA is celebrating accordingly.
Seniors Group Takes Next Step
County approves proposal, next event set for Oct. 2 at Great Falls Park.
The Great Falls Senior Center Without Walls held its latest event Tuesday, Sept. 11 and had their proposal approved the same day by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The center seeks to join 13 other facilities in the County that are dedicated to meeting the needs of the senior community.
Friends and Newcomers Award Scholarships
Four local students awarded funds for college education.
The Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Club awarded scholarships to four local students Tuesday, Sept. 18, as part of their annual community outreach.
Finding Fall Fun in Great Falls
Spooktacular, horse shows highlight fall in Great Falls.
Many of Great Falls’ signature features will be in use this fall, including the Village Green and Turner Farm. The Great Falls Village Green will be the site of this year’s annual Spooktacular, where pets, children and parents alike can show off their costumes for the whole community.
Romney Addresses Fairfax Crowd
Presidential candidate draws almost 3,000 at Van Dyck Park.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney appeared in Fairfax, Thursday, Sept. 13, bringing almost 3,000 supporters out to Van Dyck Park. Attendees packed the streets surrounding the park all morning, and stayed in line even if they weren’t able to get in throughout Romney’s speech.
Celebrating Public Art in Reston
IPAR kicks off new exhibit at Reston Museum.
In his founding principles for Reston, Robert Simon mentioned the need for public art several times. The Initiative for Public Art-Reston presented a history of public art in Reston Saturday, Sept. 15, celebrating several major art projects that form the core of Reston.
Multicultural Festival Comes to Lake Anne
Annual event features food, culture and more from variety of nations.
Lake Anne will host Reston’s annual Multicultural Festival Saturday, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is designed to celebrate Reston’s diversity, with live performances, arts and even a book fair. A signature part of the festival the past few years has been a naturalization ceremony for recent immigrants to the United States.
Hospital Breaks Ground on New Building
Medical office building will add 180,000 square feet to campus.
The Reston Hospital Center broke ground on their new medical office building Monday, Sept. 17. The new building, which is estimated to be completed in late fall 2013, will add 180,000 square feet of physician offices and hospital services.
MWAA Releases Toll Rates to 2014
Community groups concerned about raises and effect on local traffic.
The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority has released its scheduled toll rate increases for the Dulles Toll Road up to 2015. Effective January 1, 2013, tolls at the mainline plaza will be $1.75 (up from $1.50) and the ramps will be $1.00 (up from $0.75).
Reilly Takes Reins at McLean High School
New principal comes from Herndon High School.
Ellen Reilly has been named principal at McLean High School, replacing Dr. Deborah Jackson, who left in July. Reilly comes to McLean High from Herndon High School, where she served as an assistant principal. She previously served as an assistant principal at Oakton High School, and as an American Sign Language teacher at Falls Church High School and Mantua Elementary School.
5K to Support Military Housing
Second annual run to feaure at least 23 wounded warriors.
The streets of downtown McLean will be transformed into a race track Saturday, Oct. 6, as the second annual McLean 5K Run With the Warriors race is held. The event is hosted by Vinson Hall, which is a retirement community that houses more than 200 retired military and government personnel.
Great Falls Remembers 9/11
Annual ceremony marks 11 years since attacks.
Several dozen Great Falls residents gathered at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Tuesday, Sept. 11 to pay tribute to those lost on that day, particularly six Great Falls residents that were killed when American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon.
Great Falls Native Finding the Beat
Patrick Drohan and band, Atlas Road Crew, ready first EP.
Summers on Atlas Road in Columbia, S.C. can get very hot. Especially if they are five people and their various musical instruments crammed into a storage unit to play together. That’s how Great Falls native Patrick Drohan and his band, Atlas Road Crew, spend their time.
Pike Named to National Historic Register
Designation includes stretch of original road, now Dolley Madison Boulevard and Chain Bridge Road.
Georgetown Pike was named to the National Register of Historic Places Wednesday Aug. 22, giving the 14.4 miles of road from the Virginia-Washington, D.C. border to Leesburg Pike the recognition that many locals feel it deserves.
Bugler Plays Tributes All Over Town
Ted Smith commemorates 9/11 anniversary by playing ‘Taps’ at local schools, fire station.
Sarah Reeves was walking her niece to Haycock Elementary School at around 8:45 the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11, when she saw a crowd waiting outside the school. As she slowed down to see what was going on, she heard the mournful sound of a bugle playing "Taps" in front of the flags at half-mast.
‘Strawman’ Charts Tysons Future
Potential taxpayer burdens still not defined.
The Tysons Corner Planning Committee has released the fourth iteration of their recommendations for redevelopment. The set of recommendations, nicknamed "Strawman," lay out the parameters for the anticipated 113 million square feet of development that Tysons Corner is expected to undergo by 2050.
Serbian Crown Hosts Piano Jam
Great Falls restaurant now features monthly open mic night.
Jennifer Flynn of Vienna stopped by the Serbian Crown Restaurant Thursday, Aug. 23 because she had heard about the highly-rated cuisine. What she didn’t expect was the latest edition of Piano Jam, the restaurant’s monthly open mic night.
McLean Home Hosts Energy Audit
Energy Action Fairfax wraps up pilot program.
Members of Energy Action Fairfax hosted an energy audit party in McLean, Wednesday, Aug. 29, to show how energy efficiency can be achieved with a few simple steps at home. The event was the sixth audit this summer held in a residence, part of Energy Action Fairfax’s pilot program.
Shooting to Support Military Families
Will Thomas shoots 2,600 three-pointers over Labor Day weekend.
Early the morning of Saturday, Sept. 1, the gym at Stone Ridge School in Bethesda was occupied by only one person. Will Thomas, a rising eighth grader at Longfellow Middle School, dribbled his basketball twice, stepped back behind the three-point line and let a shot go. After it hit the front of the rim, popped up and fell through the net, Thomas retrieved his ball and headed back out to the three-point line: one down, 2,600 to go.
ArtSpace Hosts Paint Herndon
Local adult, teen and youth painters take to streets Saturday.
Hannah Cameron Cadenazzi came into this year’s Paint Herndon with some big shoes to fill. Her sister Mhairi won the youth competition last year, and Hannah aimed to do the same thing: spend Saturday, Sept. 1, painting her entry for the annual art contest.
Students GIVE Back in Big Way
Student-run educational nonprofit celebrates third year, expansion of services.
During his freshman year at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Kevin Cao had the opportunity to volunteer at Belvedere Elementary School in Falls Church. What he learned there is having impact around the Fairfax County School system to this day.
Future of Golf Course Up for Grabs?
Reston Association, Reston Citizens Association speak out, Rescue Reston group formed.
While Reston National Golf Course is a destination throughout the region and recognized around the country for its Nike Golf Learning Center, its future has become a topic of concern for local residents. The owners of the course, RN Golf Management, requested information from Fairfax County earlier this year on the exact zoning regulations for the property on which the 166-acre course sits.
Students Present STEM Projects
Forward Future hosts summer program for 30 teens.
Thirty children from the Herndon and Reston areas presented a series of projects on Thursday, Aug. 23 at the Herndon United Methodist Church, a result of their summer with Forward Future, a local organization dedicated to youth mentoring.
Reston Rotary Funds Field Trips
Club pays for six schools to receive electronic field trips to Colonial Williamsburg.
The Reston Rotary Club announced the funding of electronic field trips for Dogwood, Forest Edge, Hunters Woods, Lake Anne, Terraset and Fox Mill Elementary schools this year. The trips are hosted by Colonial Williamsburg, and are a series of live internet events and television broadcasts.
Beach Mill Bridge Postponed
Replacement of temporary bridge will begin June 2013.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has postponed the scheduled replacement of the bridge over Nichols Run on Beach Mill Road. Originally scheduled to close from Aug. 13 to December, construction has been pushed back, and will start after the 2012-13 school year lets out.
Analemma Raises Funds for Sundial
Sundial designer speaks at library on dial proposed for Observatory Park.
While most of the tools available at Observatory Park at Turner Farm are designed to look upward, there are plans for additional features on the ground as well. The Analemma Society, which hosts programs and facilities at Observatory Park, is raising funds to build a second sundial.