Updated List of Shelters for the Homeless
Shelter Information
NVRC has updated the list of shelters for the homeless, drop in centers and winter shelters in the region: Visit http://www.novaregion.org/index.aspx?NID=174
Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna Volunteer Receives National Leadership Award
Volunteer
Julius Hankin, with the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna was chosen as the recipient of the 2016 Donald Owen Smith National Volunteer Leadership Award. The Donald Owen Smith National Volunteer Leadership Award recognizes top volunteers with the Shepherd’s Centers of America network for their service in helping older adults live safely and independently in their own homes. This is the only national volunteer award recognizing the service of seniors for seniors.
Vienna: Winter Walk of Lights Brings Holiday Magic to Life
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens decorates its 100-plus acres with lighted scenes.
The Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens off Beulah Road in Vienna runs to Jan. 8. First timed entry is at 5:30 p.m.; the last is 9:30 p.m.
Meet young chef Ryan Spicknell.
McLean: Fabulous Offers at Earls Kitchen + Bar
Spicknell had dinner at the Vancouver location of the Earls group, and learned that management was looking for summer help. So he jumped at the chance, and from dishwasher to kitchen help, the youngster, perhaps unintentionally, launched his culinary career.
McLean High Model United Nations Holds Conference, Receives Outstanding Large School Award
McLean High School Model United Nations held its second conference, McMUNC, on Oct. 21 -22. Thirty-two area schools attended with more than 600 students participating.
McLean: Langley High to Perform First Play in Renovated Performing Arts Center
Theater
Students will be performing their first stage play “Harvey” at the newly remodeled Langley High School Performing Arts Center from Thursday, Dec. 1, through Saturday, Dec. 3. “I always select a season based on the students I have,” says Karasek. “I like to challenge them as artists.”
Great Falls U7 Wins Rugby Tournament
Sports
Great Falls Village was a busy place on Sunday, Nov. 20, as Great Falls Youth Rugby hosted its third, annual tournament to benefit the spinal cord injury research and recovery programs at MedStar National Rehabilitation Network. The President of Great Falls Rugby is himself a spinal cord injury survivor.
Great Falls: Amalthea Ridge Plans Expansion
”You can’t keep a scientist out of the lab,” says Sarah Wehri. “I was making soap for my daughter who had super sensitive skin,” she says. “Lotion would make her breakout, so I made my first lotion for her. It was a fun challenge to start with.”
Vienna Celebrates Holidays Small-town Style
Church Street Holiday Stroll lights up with Santa, music, fun; draws hundreds of families.
The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department’s antique fire truck carried Santa along Center Street and onto Church Street, its siren blaring as it made its way to the Christmas tree at the corner of Church and Mill streets. Santa, Mayor Laurie DiRocco, State Senator Chap Petersen, and Del. Mark Keam joined together to light the tree as milling guests applauded.
McLean: Gratitude Abounds at Lewinsville Thanksgiving Dinner
“It’s not always easy to be grateful … we get used to the comforts around us,” Spencer Deese, 25, said during a short message during the dinner’s worship service. “Gratitude takes practice, just like any other skill.”
Classified Advertising November 30, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Column: Expand Early Voting Now in NOVA
The success of early voting in the 2016 Presidential Election reaffirms my conclusion from visiting 12,000 homes last year — Virginia should expand early voting.
Facing Addiction, Tools in Fairfax County
The following information was provided by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board.
The Surgeon General released the first-ever report on Facing Addiction in America on Thursday, Nov. 17.
Editorial: Every day can be “small business day” in Great Falls
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.
Great Falls Classical Ballet Performs Revamped Nutcracker This Weekend
Fifty-five dancers will be performing in the show on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at McLean High School.
The Margaret Haddad Studio of Classical Ballet in Great Falls has performed the Nutcracker ballet for decades. Though the studio’s founder –Margaret Haddad— retired last year, her 50-year legacy of teaching classical ballet in the community will continue through one of her students: Casey Jones. Jones started dancing under Margaret Haddad’s instruction in 1994. By 2001, Haddad inducted her into the studio’s teacher training program.
Great Falls: Playing Baseball in the 1890s Great Falls
Bringing a local player to life through history.
Take a look at the local 1890 Baseball Team, for example. The team was lined up in front of a fence that may have held their horses while they played. Four guys had bats, one or two guys had gloves, most seemed to be wearing riding boots. At least five were wearing the same type of baseball cap, apparently to show they were on the same team. (1890s Baseball Team, The N.F. Bradford, Sr. Collection, copyright Great Falls Historical Society).
Great Falls: House Fire Early Sunday Morning Completely Destroys Home
While driving down Route 7 in the early hours of Sunday morning, a passerby noticed flames billowing out from a two-story house at 1065 Northfalls Court in Great Falls. This person called 9-1-1 and rushed to knock on the door of the house across the street to warn neighbors.
Great Falls: Route 7 Under Construction For 6 Years
The main challenge of the project: Maintaining the traffic while VDOT widens the road.
The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to spend $234 million on improvements to nearly seven miles of Route 7, which include widening it from four to six lanes between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive. The project will be awarded to a contractor by January 2018 with construction starting by March 2019 and finishing in late 2025—a total of six years.
Fairfax County: Commonwealth’s Attorney Begins Review of FCPD Report on Deputy-Involved INOVA Shooting
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh said he has received the completed criminal investigation from Fairfax County Police into the Aug. 15 fatal shooting of Yovani Amaya Gomez, 29, by Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy MDS Patrick McPartlin outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.
Fairfax County: Planning Commission Delays Vote on Farm Alcohol Zoning Amendment
The Fairfax County Planning Commission has deferred action on a zoning ordinance amendment that would affect the establishment and expansion of farm breweries, distilleries and wineries in the county.