Stories for November 2015

Weekend in Vienna, McLean and Great Falls

Weekend fun in your neighborhood

“Fairfax County’s Founding Fathers” Revisited at History Conference

The 11th annual Fairfax County History Conference was held Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, titled “Fairfax County’s Founding Fathers - Part I.”

Langley High Orchestra to Perform British Classics, Hold Silent Auction

The Langley High School Orchestra presents a concert of British Classics on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m.

Letter: Entering Into the Arena

To the Editor

Theodore Roosevelt once said that the credit belongs to those who are in the arena. Craig Parisot should be commended for stepping into the arena in what he knew would be a tough fight.

Ryan Laughrey Becomes Eagle Scout

Boy Scout Troop 673, sponsored by the Great Falls United Methodist Men, recently promoted a new Eagle Scout, Ryan Laughrey, on Nov. 12.

Letter: Women Inspiring Women in Sports

To the Editor

After seeing the article, "Area Coaches to be Honored for Work Empowering Girls," I could not help but think how great it is to see women inspiring women in sports.

Award-winning Author Comes Home to Celebrate New Novel

On Thursday evening, Dec. 17, Great Falls resident Laura Elliott will discuss her newest book, “DaVinci’s Tiger,” and describe the intricate process of researching and writing the book.

Deer Return to Great Falls Backyards

Deer management education event held Nov. 21 at the Great Falls Farmers Market

Deer bucks are out, antlers and all, marking the launch of mating season.

Great Falls Cheetahs Capture Third Straight ODSL Championship

The GFSC ‘00 Cheetahs, a U15 girls travel soccer team based in Great Falls, recently capped off an unbeaten season by winning the U16 Old Dominion Soccer League championship, their third consecutive ODSL title.

Classified Advertising November 25, 2015

Read the latest ads here!

Charming “Harvey” from 1st Stage

Screwball comedy with terrific performances.

With impeccable comic mastery, 1st Stage has produced a priceless, crisp “Harvey,” the 1945 Pulitzer Prize winning play written by Mary Chase.

Great Falls Author Paints a Powerful Portrait

Laura Elliott launches her newest novel, ‘DaVinci’s Tiger.’

It began about twenty years ago with a single question. Award-winning author Laura Elliott says the idea for her newest novel was first ignited when her daughter Megan, then a small girl, walked into the room one morning and asked her mother, “Did you know that the only Leonardo in all of the Americas is right here in Washington, D.C.?”

Editorial: Celebrate, Shop, Dine Locally

Every day can be “small business day.”

There is a joy to participating in community traditions and celebrations during the holidays, from walking along a sidewalk with the streets decked out for the holidays, to shopping in local stores, to being greeted by someone likely to be the owner of the store, to finding gifts that are not mass-produced

Transportation Strategy Update Launched

NVTA launches work on a six-year TransAction program.

Members of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) chose an appropriate location to announce the launch of the organization’s TransAction update efforts last week.

Creating Great Families Through Adoption

More than 800 children in foster care in Virginia are ready and waiting to be adopted.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. With that in mind, meet two families expanded through adoption; two families whose kids describe their family as "awesome."

860 Virginia Children Need Homes

“Parental rights terminated.” “Available for adoption.” “Floundering in an imperfect system.” These words describe many children who are currently living in foster care in Virginia.

Share of McLean Continues to Meet Challenges by Those in Need in McLean and Great Falls and Pimmit Hills

Share of McLean raises $50,000 this holiday season to give clothing, toys and gift cards to approximately 250 families in need in McLean, Great Falls and Pimmit Hills. Families are invited to a holiday celebration in December.

Artists on the Green to Host Open House

The twelve artists of Artists on the Green have been busy creating beautiful and collectible pieces of art for the upcoming Great Falls Holiday Fest, Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6.

Quiet Riot: ‘C’mon Feel the Noise’

County passes new noise ordinance, will revisit effectiveness in 18 months.

The Board of Supervisors is at peace with the county’s new Noise Ordinance.

Great Falls: Langley Volleyball Falls to Madison in Five-Set State Final

Sophomore Shklyar totals 16 kills, 18 assists in defeat.

The Langley volleyball team finished state runner-up.

Vienna: Madison Volleyball Captures State Championship

Warhawks beat Conference 6 rival Langley in five sets.

The Madison volleyball team defeated Langley in five sets in Friday's 6A state final on Nov. 20.

Fairfax County Updates Teacher Safety Training In Wake of Woodson Fire

Science teachers across Fairfax County Public Schools have begun mandatory updated safety training in the wake of an Oct. 30 fire at Woodson High School that injured five students and a teacher, and caused $7,500 in damage.

Classified Advertising November 18, 2015

Read the latest ads here!

Great Falls Home Sales: October, 2015

In October, 2015, 19 Great Falls homes sold between $3,425,000-$520,000.

Great Falls Home Sales: October, 2015

Editorial: Holidays Are About Giving

The holidays are about giving, and giving thanks. The holidays are about children and family. The holidays are about sharing, about joy.

Bridge to Altruism

Karen Magley teaches bridge three days a week at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Great Falls. “Chicken soup for the brain,” said Magley, a Great Falls resident.

Books Needed for Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Great Falls Library is accepting books in good condition for the book sale, being held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 and 21 beginning at 10 a.m.

Pet Gifts at Great Dogs of Great Falls

Store sells large assortment of holistic foods, treats, bones, toys, collars, leashes.

Great Dogs of Great Falls is gearing up for the holidays with Christmas-themed gifts for dogs and cats.

Great Falls to Host Holiday Fest and Other Events

The Great Falls Holiday Fest, to be held Saturday, Dec.5 and Sunday, Dec. 6, will offer shopping, art, food, lights and Saint Nicholas, too!

In Great Falls, the Little Things You Do for Yourself Count

With the holidays approaching, residents of Great Falls will have twice as many more items on their plates, which all have to get done.

Great Falls: Langley Volleyball Beats First Colonial in 6A State Semifinals

Saxons will face Conference 6 rival Madison in state championship match.

The Langley volleyball team swept First Colonial on Tuesday in the 6A state semifinals.

Letter: Misinformation and Fear

To the Editor

Thanks to The Connection for printing homage to the last heritage oak tree in Great Falls.

Great Falls: Langley Volleyball Wins 6A North Region Championship

Saxons to host First Colonial tonight in 6A state semifinals.

The Langley volleyball team will host First Colonial at 5:30 p.m. tonight.

House for Sale in Great Falls, Complete Loss

A Great Falls house on River Park Lane that was listed for sale is a “complete loss” after a fire Monday morning, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

Weekend in Vienna, McLean, Great Falls

Fun things to do in your neighborhood.

Fairfax County: Garza Presents Budget Task Force Report to School Board

Transparency and methodology of budget review questioned.

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza is attempting to scale a towering projected budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2017. On Nov. 9, she presented School Board members the report of budget cuts recommended by a 36-member task force she summoned earlier this year.

Classified Advertising November 11, 2015

Read the latest ads here!

Area Coaches to be Honored for Work Empowering Girls

One strong woman builds many strong girls.

Doreen Peters will receive the Crystal Coach Award on Saturday, Nov. 21 in a pre-race ceremony that kicks off the Girls on the Run 5K, presented by Innovation Health in Woodbridge.

Democrats Win Closely Watched Races in McLean, Great Falls and Herndon

History promised Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-34) that her reelection bid to Virginia’s House of Delegates would be close; no matter how much money Republicans pumped into Craig Parisot’s campaign in the final days.

Week in Great Falls

Weekly happenings in Great Falls

Woodpecker Has to Find a New Home

To the Editor

The last corner tree came down in Great Falls today.

Letter: Goodbye Tree in Great Falls

To the Editor

This week, the Virginia Department of Transportation is poised to complete their demolition of the original canopy of white oak trees over downtown Great Falls.

Letter: Disappointed

To the Editor

I just wanted to write to you to let you know how disappointed I was to see the recent Great Falls Connection cover.

Reckless Driving in Great Falls

Jail-time possible for teenager charged with reckless driving.

A 17-year-old driver was charged with reckless driving after he lost control of the car he was driving on Arnon Chapel Road, rolled once and landed nearby, according to police reports.

Great Falls Says Goodbye, Old Friend

This week, the Virginia Department of Transportation chopped down the oak on Georgetown Pike and Walker Road that Great Falls Citizens Association and residents had been rooting for.

Great Falls Churches – 1850s through the 1940s

Legacy of Faith

On Wednesday evening, Nov. 4, The Great Falls Historical Society program provided a panoramic view of the founding and early beginnings of historic churches throughout an area currently known as Great Falls.

Fairfax To End Veteran Homelessness

Every veteran has a story, and a path to housing.

Jameel Mubaarik of Reston is a 63-year-old Army veteran and mechanical engineer, a former Reston homeowner.

Coming: Children’s Connection 2015

Get ready to send your submissions soon.

During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children.

Weekend in Vienna, McLean, Great Falls

Things to do this weekend.

Things to do in your neighborhood.

Fairfax County: Republicans Celebrate the Victorious

And honor the defeated

Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) said he much preferred this night to the one when he was elected to his first term. A close race with his opponent meant waiting around until late into the evening. This year, Cook defeated Democrat Janet Oleszek by a more handy margin of about six percent of the vote.

Fairfax County: Palchik Upsets Incumbent Reed for Providence School Board Seat

With 58.22 percent of the vote in unofficial election results, Dalia Palchik of Annandale defeated the incumbent Providence District Fairfax County School Board representative Patty Reed, who garnered 41.31 percent.

Fairfax County: Hough Edges Incumbent Velkoff for Third At-Large School Board Seat

Fairfax resident Jeanette Hough said her race for the Fairfax County School Board started with a phone call to Springfield District representative to the board Elizabeth Schultz. “What are we going to do about the school board?” Hough remembers asking. “We’re being ignored as parents and taxpayers.”