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.
Fairfax County: FCPS Testing Water Quality in Schools
Drinking water at 40 public schools in Fairfax County has been tested for safety, a release from FCPS said.
Fairfax County: School Board Formalizes Search for New Superintendent
Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) has been contracted by Fairfax County Public Schools to search for a new school system superintendent. Dr. Karen Garza announced on Sept. 19 she would be leaving that role to become president and CEO of the Columbus-based education organization Battelle for Kids.
Thinking Beyond Serving Meals
Experts advise finding age-appropriate ways for children to give back.
During this season of giving thanks, opportunities for expressions of gratitude can seem ubiquitous.
Easing Election Fears
Local therapists say acknowledging, reassuring are keys to easing anxiety.
On the morning after what was possibly the most adversarial election in recent history, psychologist Carolyn Lorente, Ph.D. felt an urge to send a text message to her two teenaged children.
Great Falls Home Sales: October, 2016
In October, 2016, 20 Great Falls homes sold between $3,767,500-$639,900.
Great Falls Home Sales: October, 2016
Tysons: Warby Parker to Open First Virginia Eyeglasses Store
Warby Parker, a popular online eyeglasses retailer, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Virginia on Nov. 19 at Tysons Corner Center mall.
Week in Great Falls
Starshine Theater to Hold Auditions
Starshine Theater will present “Singin’ Our Lives !” ~ Your Story is Your Song ~ and will be holding auditions for ages 6 through 18 for actors, singers, dancers and musicians.
Great Falls: Let Students Observe Veterans Day
Letter to the Editor
I did notice that Feb. 6, 2017 is a student holiday though. Is Feb. 6, 2017 a Student Holiday because the Super Bowl is the day before on Feb. 5, 2017?? Coincidental? I hope so. If not, that is shameful and disrespectful to the Veterans of this great Republic. Let’s get our priorities straight and allow the children of Fairfax County to acknowledge, observe, and learn about our veteran’s service by observing this day as a National Holiday.
Great Falls Remembers Its Veterans
The Freedom Memorial
“It’s easy to recognize active duty military, but most veterans blend into our communities,” said Maj. Gen. Julie Bentz, vice director of the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency, who was the keynote speaker at the ceremony.
Holiday Events at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Great Falls
Great Falls Church Announces Children’s Christmas Program
Christ the King Lutheran Church, 10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, announces a free event on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 5 p.m., open to the community, featuring the Christmas story told through narration, scripture and Christmas carols. The cast of children bring the Nativity scene to life with Mary, Joseph, animals, angels and shepherds.
Great Falls U13 Blue Win Virginia President’s Cup
The GFSC U13 Blue capped off a fall 2016 season by winning the U13 Virginia Cup title with a 5-0 win over Virginia Beach.