The Impact of zMOD
Discussing the Zoning Ordinance Modernization: How to protect the character of Great Falls?
Testimony by 46 County citizens about the Zoning Ordinance Modernization (zMOD) project, started in 2017 and nearing the end of its process, elicited more than five hours of testimony at the Fairfax County Planning Commission Meeting held Jan. 28.
Fairfax County Severs Cooperation with ICE
Board adopts Trust Policy barring voluntarily sharing residents' immigrant status
Fairfax County's Board of Supervisors approved in a vote of 9-to1, the Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy (Trust Policy) introduced as a Board Matter on Jan. 26 by Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay and co-sponsored by Supervisors Dalia A. Palchik (D-Providence) and John W. Foust (D-Dranesville).
Fairfax County School Board Votes for In-Person Learning
Students who opt-in would be due back by March 16.
Fairfax County Public School students, whose parents or guardians opt for in-person learning for their children, are headed back to the classroom at least two days a week by March 16.
Fighting Hunger in Reston Neighborhoods
Fairfax County’s Stuff the Bus rolls into action.
“The Wheels on the Bus” is a classic children's song that tells the story of a little bus going "All 'round the town."
Herndon Town Council Fills Vacancies
On Jan. 26, the Town Council of the Town of Herndon approved in a vote of 7-to-0 four items on the consent agenda.
McLean High Boundary Change Down to the Wire
After the last public hearing, the School Board votes on Feb. 4.
The McLean/Langley High School Boundary Study is at the end of its multi-year process for the School Board to take action by vote and provide capacity relief, or not.
Great Falls, McLean, Vienna Help Fight Hunger
Stuff the Bus rolls into action.
The Wheels on the Bus is a classic children's song that tells the story of a little bus going "All 'round the town."
Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Supports Artemis House
Donation of $5,500 to help victims of domestic and sexual violence
Members of Great Falls Friends and Neighbors (GFFN) Philanthropy Committee presented a donation check for $5,500 on Jan. 26 to Joe Meyer, Executive Director & CEO of Shelter House, and Nurjan Ahmedova, Director of Development, to support the organization's 24-hour emergency shelter, Artemis House for domestic and sexual violence victims, stalking, and human trafficking.
Tightening Criteria for Entering into Gang Database
Gang Task Force use of DataWalk under scrutiny
On Oct. 2, 2018, Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force selected DataWalk as their analytical platform to support its fight against gangs according to a headline on BUSINESS WIRE.
Questioning Racially-Biased Gang Database
Activists: Residents can be entered into GangNet merely for living in neighborhoods where gang activity takes place.
With no recourse for review, a nebulous definition of gang membership led an activist, an immigration advocate, and a Virginia legislator to fight for change.
‘Morale Boosters’ for the Local Herndon Community
Three new initiatives in the planning stages
During the early days of the pandemic, K Scarry set up Herndon Cares.org, of First Baptist Church of Herndon.
The First Shots to Knock Out COVID-19 in Reston
Fellowship Square’s seniors inoculated
Lake Anne Fellowship House residents Steve McAvoy, 71, and Jin Liu, 84, of Reston were among the first of seven hundred anxious older adults at one of the three senior affordable housing communities operated by Fellowship House in Reston and Woodbridge who were inoculated last week against COVID-19.
Friends of Reston Introduce New Executive Director
Kia Cole-Hines of Reston has been tapped as the new Executive Director of Friends of Reston (FOR), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for Reston Association (RA).
Celebrating the Passion of Music Making in Great Falls
Virtuoso pianist, sought-after worldwide, finds a home at Great Falls United Methodist Church.
There were particular moments in Thomas Pandolfi's earliest days of his existence, he said, when hearing music, particularly piano music, whether it was part of an orchestra, choral music, or opera, set him on a course of "tremendous work."
McLean, Langley High Boundaries to Change
Next public hearing on Jan. 28, School Board vote on Feb. 4
The Fairfax County School Board held a hybrid regular meeting on Jan. 21.
COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Headaches in Fairfax County
IT and supply problems worry residents.
“I want to assure you that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be,” said Jeffrey McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Reston Celebrates Dr. King’s Day
In cooperation with supporters, Reston Community Center (RCC) pivoted amidst the coronavirus pandemic to present, for the 36th year, the Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration.
CORE Foundation Celebrates 15th Anniversary
Nonprofit recognizes community partners, volunteers
CORE Foundation in Reston, "Helping Others Be the Change for 15 Years," held its MASKerade and Community Hero Awards Saturday evening, Jan. 16.
Herndon Council Hosts Housing Panel
State senators and legal counsel weigh in
Herndon Town Council hosted a Panel Discussion on Housing Tues., Jan. 5 to build proficiency and understanding in matters related to housing policy development.
McLean Couple Honored for Leadership in Adoption
Alexandria-based nonprofit recognizes a lifetime of service to children, birth parents, and adoptive families
The National Council for Adoption (NCFA) in Alexandria, a leading voice among national adoption and child welfare organizations, announced Dr. Wayne Winston Sharp, Ph.D. of McLean and his wife Linda Whitbeck Sharp the recipients of NCFA's The Ruby Lee Piester Adoption Award.
Great Falls Citizens Voice Environmental Concerns
GFCA submits documents to County's Environmental Quality Advisory Council 2021
Members of Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) believe development pressure and environmental concerns are no longer balanced, shifting away from recognizing the importance of environmental protection.
Fairfax County Residents List Assembly Expectations
County General Assembly Delegation holds pre-2021 Session Public Hearing
The Fairfax County General Assembly Delegation held a Pre-2021 Session Public Hearing on Saturday, Jan. 9.
Dunn Loring Center to Become School
Capacity relief coming for Shrevewood ES and Tysons Periphery
A new school project to help bring sustainable capacity relief for Shrevewood Elementary School and the Dunn Loring, Tysons, and Falls Church communities is on the way.
Ponchos of Sunshine to 'Frequent Flier' Hospital Children
Cape Ivy aims to provide warmth, comfort and support to children who have chronic or critical illnesses.
In honor of her son, Gavin Grey Smith of Great Falls, who lost his 12-year battle to a rare form of CVID (Common Variable Immune Deficiency), his mother, Meg Elliot Smith, threw herself into providing fleece poncho capes to ''frequent flier'' children in hospitals.
Local College Student Launches Tutoring Company
Education is his passion.
In the wake of the coronavirus and its impact on students' learning in Fairfax County Public Schools, a 2019 alumnus of South Lakes High School in Reston and second-year engineering student at Georgia Institute of Engineering recently founded S4S Tutoring.
Cesar del Aguila Named Vice Mayor of the Town of Herndon
At its first work session of 2021, the Town Council of the Town of Herndon approved a resolution in a vote of 6-0 to elect second term Councilmember Cesar del Aguila the Vice Mayor for a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2021.
Local Hospitals Roll Out First COVID-19 Vaccines
Communities keep lights up for healthcare heroes
December 2020 held the darkest days yet during the pandemic but also lights of hope.
Herndon Wreaths Across America Site Remembers, Honors, Teaches
Veterans did not give up and neither did Herndon Woman's Club: 863 remembrance wreaths remain in place
Herndon Woman's Club (VA0143P) found a different way to carry out and join Wreaths Across America on National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 19, 2020.
Vivid Chill Opens in Great Falls
Shopping handcrafted, ethically produced, nontoxic products
It all started with the local artisan's handbags, the love of little boutique shops that featured brands with morals and values, and telling her mom that more than anything else, she wanted to open a store in the Great Falls Village Centre with a showroom for those bags and other ethically and sustainably produced items.
Herndon High Runner Captures First at Cross Country League 5k Race
Gillian Bushée flies through school's cross county record
The most challenging distance to go for Herndon High School freshman and cross country runner Gillian Bushée of Reston was the distance from her bed to the front door each morning.
Reston Association State of the Environment Report 2020
Highlights bring to life what is good, fair and poor environmentally; The Greatest Zoom on Reston Thursday, Dec. 17.
Anyone who has met Doug Britt of Reston knows he has a wealth of information on the creepy, crawly, slimy, majestic, utterly beautiful creatures, insects, and flora that call Reston home.
Sheila Olem Sworn in as Town of Herndon Mayor
Councilmembers sworn in during COVID-19 restricted ceremonies
Mayor Sheila A. Olem was administered the oath of office and sworn in as the duly elected Mayor of the Town of Herndon for a term commencing Jan. 1, 2021, and ending Dec. 31, 2022, by Town Clerk Viki Wellerhaus on Wed., Dec. 10.
One Board, Two Sycamores, Three Concerns in Reston
Possible removal of Heron House trees brought to light.
Two Reston sycamore trees at Lake Anne Village Center appear to be a concern to certain people, but for three different reasons.
HOPE for the Holidays at Reston Hospital
Quilt installation unexpectedly concurrent with FDA vaccine authorization; Fairfax County cases four times they were in May
Since March, healthcare workers at Reston Hospital Center, like their counterparts elsewhere at county, state and national levels, as well as globally, have fought relentlessly, risking their own lives to treat and save their coronavirus patients.
McLean, Langley High Communities Weigh in on Boundary Adjustment
Capacity relief sought with eyes on Langley High School
Fairfax County Public Schools presented three possible options and a no change option for capacity relief at McLean High School during a virtual community meeting held Mon., Dec. 7.
McLean Teacher Authors Memoirs-in-Essays
Allison B. Kelly: Seeking the perfect day and finding joy in the imperfect
Allison B. Kelly, ESOL Teacher at Haycock Elementary School, is the author of the newly released book, “There's Spaghetti on My Ceiling.”
A Catch of Wishes at Lake Anne
Better than any greeting card for the season
Anyone taking a walk on the plaza at Lake Anne Village Center is drawn to it, unsure at first what it is.
A Look Inside the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meeting Dec. 1, 2020
Highlights of discussion and actions that impact all who live, work and play in the diverse county
Dec. 1 marked the final Fairfax County Full Board of Supervisors Meeting with Public Comment of 2020.
Holiday Lights on the Farm in Herndon
Lake Fairfax and Burke Lake bring their displays to Frying Pan Farm Park.
Fairfax County Park Authority recently looked to find ways for people to have a good time during the holiday season with their family.
Great Falls’ 30th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Santa's visit sparks the spirit of the season.
No way could Santa disappoint the children in Great Falls and miss the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting held this year on the Great Falls Village Centre Field on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Looking Desperately for Holiday Santa Stars
Bob Nelson provides support to military families this COVID-19 holiday season.
For over ten years, long-time Great Falls resident and businessman Bob Nelson hosted his Military Appreciation Monday dinners at the Old Brogue, raising funds to support various United States military organizations at the twice-monthly events.
The Buck Stops Here in Great Falls
Managed archery on private property for deer control
Landowners with any parcel size in Great Falls have the option to use archery hunting for deer management on their private property, directly addressing the cause of deer damage: too many deer.
Students and Parents Navigate Virtual Learning in Fairfax County
FCPS Virtual and In-Person Learning During COVID 2020
Dec. 1 marked the day that Fairfax County Public Schools students in Group 5, those in Early Head Start, PreK, Kindergarten, and some who receive special education services were to at last transition out of distance learning and walk through school doors to receive two days a week of in-person learning.
Herndon No Longer Torn Between Its Past and Future
Town Council approves its final step toward inking Downtown Redevelopment.
A part of the Herndon Downtown Redevelopment Series.
J.K. Rowling's New Book Features Great Falls Child’s Illustration
Way to go Petra Demas, fourth grader at Forestville Elementary
A full-color illustration by award-winning young artist, Petra Demas, 10, of Great Falls is published in the print versions of J.K. Rowling's newly released book, "The Ickabog."
Burke, Fairfax, Lorton, Springfield, Mount Vernon: What Are You Grateful for on Thanksgiving 2020?
Burke, Fairfax, Lorton, Springfield: What Are You Grateful for on Thanksgiving 2020?
Helping Families in Need this Holiday Season in Reston and Herndon
Cornerstones combines Thanksgiving Food Drive with Gifts for Kids.
Cornerstones was back at it again, ready to assist 1,000 Reston and Herndon families struggling to make ends meet this holiday season.
Herndon, Reston Viewpoints: What Are You Grateful For on Thanksgiving 2020?
Herndon, Reston Viewpoints.
Planting for the Future in Great Falls
GFCA works with Fairfax County Park Authority for new trees
The new maple and white oak are not the same.
Vienna, McLean, Great Falls Viewpoints: What Are You Grateful For on Thanksgiving 2020?
Vienna, McLean, Great Falls Viewpoints.