Tuesday, June 30
On Interns Past and Lessons Learned
Harlem, 1991. Pre-gentrification. It was an unlikely location for a book club. But every week, I hopped the subway and headed to the Children's Aid Society Center at 103rd and Columbus to lead a group of young teens in book discussions.
Board of Supervisors Recognizes Jacqueline Cheshire
On June 23, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a unanimous resolution to recognize Great Falls resident Jacqueline Cheshire for her years of service work as a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).
Langley High School in Nebraska
Langley High School’s Science Olympiad Team was honored by the Board of Supervisors and Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-34) Tuesday, June 23.
July 4th Safety
From swimming to fireworks, safety precautions for a festive Independence Day.
It was a near accident at camp last summer that sparked action by one parent. Elementary school-aged campers splashed in the pool. Everyone was having fun. Then tragedy almost struck.
Fairfax County: Deferring to Noise
New standards will wait until after the November election.
The Board of Supervisors wants to spend more time with noise. Last Tuesday, June 23, the Board deferred action on the proposed changes to the county’s noise ordinance until Nov. 17, 2015.
Editorial: Open Letter to Elected Officials and Candidates
Spend some of your campaign dollars in newspapers.
Here at the Connection, our email boxes are filling up with messages from people running for office. It’s not surprising, since in November, virtually every state and local office in the commonwealth is on the ballot.
Crafters And Re-enactors Visit Colvin Run Mill
Great Falls Parks prepare summer activities
On Sunday, June 7 Colvin Run Mill Historic Site was active with several events at the historic park. Colvin Run Mill was in action with grain grinding demonstrations, and visitors could see millers turn corn into meal and grits, or wheat into flour using the now restored, water-powered grist mill.
Monday, June 29
Scouts Create New Trail at Riverbend Park
More than 60 volunteers cleared a new safety trail at Riverbend Park on Saturday, June 13.
Friday, June 26
Health Curriculum To More Closely Align with State
School Board approves recommendations from advisers, with amendments.
Though it was the second packed house in as many months, it may be early yet to call crowded Fairfax County School Board meetings a trend.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 26-28, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 25
Fairfax County: Police Release Use of Force Review
Review explained at latest Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission meeting.
Nearly a year ago, Fairfax County sought an outside opinion on its police department’s use of force. That July 2014 assignment went to the Washington, D.C.-based Police Executive Research Forum.
Wednesday, June 24
Column: Gone But Always Remembered
As Father’s Day approaches, (written Thursday, June 18th) I am reminded of one of my father’s standard lines which characterize his positive attitude on life, for which I am eternally grateful – because I inherited it.
Tuesday, June 23
Call for Pet Connection Photos
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 22, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by July 15. Our favorite pictures include both pets and humans. We welcome short stories about how you got your pet, a noteworthy talent or anecdote about your pet, tales of the bonds between your family and your pet, plus drawings, paintings or other artwork of your pet by children or adults Please tell us a little bit about your creature, identify everyone in the photo, give a brief description what is happening in the photo, and include address and phone number (we will not publish your address or phone number, just your town name).
Editorial: Safe Planning for Independence
Talking and planning about celebrating July 4, and throughout the summer months.
Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.
Letter: How to Pay for Medicaid Expansion?
To the Editor
State Delegate Ken Plum’s latest commentary on Medicaid expansion (“Political Prospects for Medicaid Expansion,” The Connection, June 4) is not the first time he has written on the subject, but he has yet to explain how Virginia would pay for this.
A Great Day in Langley Family
A 2011 graduate returns as a keynote speaker.
Filled to capacity, DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. accommodated the nearly 500 Langley High School graduates, their friends and family members on June 16 for the most-anticipated event of the school year: graduation.
Saturday Morning Special at Katie’s Coffee House
Early Saturday mornings for three hours, the Great Falls Village Town Centre transforms into spectacle of antique cars, new cars, custom cars, exotic cars and as of last Saturday, a never-before-seen in the Washington area car, as part of the weekly event Katie’s Cars & Coffee.
Friday, June 19
Great Falls Home Sales: May, 2015
In May, 2015, 29 Great Falls homes sold between $2,700,000-$523,000.
Great Falls Home Sales: May, 2015
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 19-21, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 18
Ideas for Summer Learning
Experts offer suggestions for avoiding summer brain drain.
While summer is opportunity for fun, it can also be a breeding ground for stagnation.
YouthQuest Runs ThinkLink
Experts say 3D printing can open a world of imagination and critical thinking.
Adonis Gonzales had always wanted to become a master electrician, but when he was asked to leave high school at 16 because of a poor attendance record, his prospects looked bleak.
Wednesday, June 17
Column: No Joke, But Funny Nonetheless
Not that I ever want to use my having cancer as an excuse, but you have to admit, it’s a doozy. And it’s probably the best thing about the diagnosis/prognosis. However, it’s not as if there are a number of other advantages to the disease.
Tuesday, June 16
Great Falls: Langley Boys’ Soccer Wins First State Championship
Saxons head coach Amato earns 100th win at Langley.
The Langley boys' soccer team defeated Madison 2-0 in the state final.
An Independent Life
Laying the Foundation at Cooper Middle School.
Cooper Middle School teacher, Lucy Chaplin continually looks beyond the limitations placed upon her students because they also face developmental and cognitive challenges in dealing with their world today.
Langley Choirs Present ‘A Disney Spectacular’
Spring Show closes out successful year.
The Langley High School choirs recently presented two performances of their spring show, “A Disney Spectacular.”
Letter: Concerts on the Green or ‘Meet and Greets’
To the Editor
On Sunday, May 31, I heard the Mike Terpak Blues Explosion at the Great Falls Centre Green.
Great Falls Farmers Market Offers Father’s Day Ideas
Local Great Falls Dads are amazing: They work so hard at their careers, contributing good to the world - yet find the time to coach, counsel, guide, chauffeur, applaud and cheer their awesome kids.
Great Falls: Novel on ‘Becoming Lisette’
Great Falls author Rebecca Glenn recreates 18th-century France in historical fiction novel.
In local author Rebecca Glenn’s debut novel “Becoming Lisette,” a tale emerges of an independent French girl pursuing her dreams to overcome cultural and historical boundaries in the artistic world of late 18-century France.
A Record Year for Great Falls Lacrosse
Six teams compete in championship games.
Six teams from Great Falls Lacrosse advanced to the Northern Virginia Youth Lacrosse League Championship games this past weekend, five winning their division championships.
Police Make Arrests in High Profile Burglaries
Police give suggestions for protecting homes and valuables.
Fairfax County Police have solved two separate strings of approximately eight high-end burglaries, a few in Great Falls, as well as Reston and McLean.
Thursday, June 11
Supervising Public Safety
First meeting since 2011 includes packed agenda, full house.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee, chaired by Gerry Hyland (D-Mount Vernon), met on Tuesday, June 9 for the first time since June 2011. Since then, there have been six officer-involved shootings in Fairfax County, including the August 2013 shooting death of John Geer. Police handling of the communications and investigation of that shooting led to the formation in March 2015 of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.
Wednesday, June 10
Column: Philosophically Speaking
Recently I attended a “Celebration of Life” event, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, created to bring attention to, and educate the public on, cancer. As a long-time cancer survivor, nearly six and a half years now – and one treated by doctors at Kaiser, I was asked, along with a cervical cancer survivor, to sit on a “survivor panel”; to share our cancer experiences, and offer, along with two oncologists and a pulmonologist, our respective insights as “treater” and “treatee.”
Forestville Elementary Presents Aladdin Jr.
Last Friday night Forestville Elementary students presented Disney’s Aladdin Jr. musical. Parents, family and friends enjoyed a performance put on by a cast of 50 students.
The Joe Cassella Foundation Hosts 5K Run/Walk
The 2015 Annual Joe Cassella 5K Run/Walk took place on Sunday, May 17, in Great Falls. More than three hundred runners from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area attended the race, which began with a Kids Fun Run at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 5K Run/Walk at 8:45 a.m.
A Pilates and Painting Love Affair
Painting and Pilates are the two P’s of Great Falls artist Leslie Anthony’s life.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 12-14, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Tuesday, June 9
Trending in the Garden
Local landscape architects offer suggestions for updating.
As summer gets underway, so does time spent outside. The American Society of Landscape Architects recently released the results of its 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Survey, a list of trends in outdoor design that yields a bounty of backyard design ideas. From adding a pond to planting a garden, local landscape gurus explain how these trends can be used to transform an outdoor space into a favorite escape.
Repairs Trigger Remodel
Great Falls renovation evolves from basic, needed repairs to an extensive family-friendly remodel.
Sometimes a significant home improvement starts with small repair considerations. In fact, as Roger Lataille, senior design consultant at Sun Design Remodeling, recalls, his first discussion with Jeff and Sharon Roman of Great Falls concerned how to solve a water drainage problem.
Nearly Half a Billion for Schools, Fire, Police
Reston, Merrifield fire stations would be renovated or replaced.
Voters will decide in November on nearly half a billion dollars in bond sales for schools and public safety projects.
Cappies Awards Honors High School Theater
The 16th Annual Cappies Gala honoring high school theater was held Sunday, June 7 at The Kennedy Center.
Get Outdoors Day at Great Falls Park
Visitors flock to the parks to participate in summer activities, Get Outdoors Day next Saturday.
The advent of the summer months attracts large crowds to the parks of Great Falls located on the Virginia side of the upper Potomac River.
Community, VDOT Discuss Bridge Over Piney Run
Public information meeting held on bridge replacement project.
Last week, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) held a public information meeting in Great Falls regarding the replacement of the Walker Road Bridge over Piney Run.
Friday, June 5
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 5-7, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 4
Make a Call; Save a Life
Petersen’s “Good Samaritan Overdose Protection” law goes into effect July 1.
Accidental overdose deaths are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, exceeding even motor vehicle accidents among people ages 25 to 64, according to a recently released study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Last year, an estimated 210 heroin overdoses fatalities occurred in Virginia, with the highest number in Fairfax and Prince William counties.
Fairfax County: Moving on ‘Move Over’
Police crackdown, educate about law protecting emergency roadside vehicles and drivers.
Fairfax County Master Police Officer Joe Moore’s front and rear-mounted radar machines whistle and beep with varying frequency as cars barrel past on Interstate 66 around the Fairfax County Parkway.
Fairfax: Northern Virginia Training Center Property Put on Market
Facility for people with disabilities scheduled for March 2016 closure.
According to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, 63 residents still live and receive treatment at the Northern Virginia Training Center, located in Fairfax alongside Braddock Road.
Wednesday, June 3
Editorial: Overdose Deaths Are Preventable
New “safe reporting” law encourages people to seek help in time.
The death rate due to heroin overdose more than doubled between 2010 through 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with an average increase of 37 percent per year in the United States.
Column: Weight For It; Wait
Given some post-chemotherapy eating challenges I’ve experienced during the past few months, and the subsequent weight loss which has occurred, my oncologist has prescribed Dronabinol, common brand name: Marinol.
Tuesday, June 2
Letter: Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce's Recent Endorsements
Letter to the Editor
What was the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce thinking with its recent round of endorsements for the November elections?
Concerts on the Green Return to Great Falls
Favorite Great Falls summer tradition spans over two decades.
The band Mike Terpak Blues Explosion performed Sunday evening at the Great Falls Village Centre Green to kickoff the annual summer series, “Concerts on the Green.”
ArtFest Brings Great Falls Community Together
Local organizations come together to create a weekend of art festivities.
When Great Falls Studios decided to add a spring show to supplement their annual October show a few years ago, they struggled to find a large enough building after trying multiple indoor venues.
Monday, June 1
Summer Fun, Summer Safety
Tips for averting summer danger.
It’s a familiar call. The sun beams down from mid-summer sky. Temperatures rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but safety conditions start to plummet.