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Column: The Fact Is Not Yet The Matter

I don’t know which is worse: the extra-special, extra-expensive, dental cleaning (the kind that requires Novocain and involves the actual dentist, not merely the hygienist) that I have scheduled for April 8th – or my next hopefully-not-do-or-die CT Scan, moved up a month from my usual three-month interval because of a suspicious formation seen on my most recent scan back in mid-February.

Opinion: On the Banks of Bull Run 150 Years Ago

One hundred and fifty years ago, on the same day General Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Fairfax County witnessed the last gun battle of the war.

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Still Honoring Vets in Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools Board votes down calendar amendment to make Veterans Day a holiday.

Fairfax Station resident Steven Hunt, retired U.S. Navy, put it bluntly: “Votes count, words don’t.” That was following a vote in which all but two members of the Fairfax County School Board voted against an amendment to the 2015-2016 calendar that would have made Veterans Day a school holiday.


Foust Runs for Re-election

Dranesville Supervisor highlights his quality of life results, agenda.

At a campaign kick-off event held on Saturday, March 28, Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) announced that he will run for a third term to represent the Dranesville District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Foust was elected to the Board in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011.

Week in Great Falls

Weekly happenings in Great Falls.

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Provisioning for Community’s Well-being in Great Falls

Great Falls is just coming out of a colder than usual winter, with lower temperatures for longer, and more snow than expected, which discouraged many people from going outdoors altogether – (unless to spend more time at the ski slopes).


Publishing Panel Planned for Great Falls Book Festival

Discussion to offer advice on how to get published.

Proven experts in all facets of publishing offer a glimpse into the highly-competitive publishing world by offering advice, answering questions and sharing their inspirational – and sometimes surprising -- secrets to their phenomenal success at a publishing panel from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the Great Falls Book Festival on May 2 at the Great Falls Library.

Encouraging, Inspiring and Rewarding Young Writers

Youth Creative Writing Contest winners to be announced at the Great Falls Book Festival.

More than 100 sixth-graders from Forestville Elementary School participated in the Great Falls Writer’s Group (GFWG) first Youth Creative Writing Contest. Winners will be announced and read their works during the afternoon event themed “Every Child Is A Storyteller” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at the first Great Falls Book Festival at the Great Falls Library.

Great Falls Writer’s Group Combines Perspective About Time in First-Ever Group Anthology

En masse, Great Falls Writer’s Group (GFWG) members put pens to paper for the group’s first published work, “Passages On Time.” The collaborative effort is being published this week and will be available at the first Great Falls Book Festival on Saturday, May 2.


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“An Evening with the Authors,” First-ever Great Falls Book Festival to Be Held May 2

Fifteen local authors representing many genres unite for “An Evening with the Authors” to discuss their recently published books and how and why they journeyed into writing. Their books will be available for signing from 7 to 9 p.m. on May 2 at the Great Falls Library.

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Great Falls' Legacy White Oak Project

Great Falls seeks to restore a thinning legacy.

Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) has dug into its new goal of planting 15 more white oaks this spring around the library, Colvin Run Mill, Riverbend Park, Nike Park, Turner Farm, Grange and Lockmead Park.

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Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - April 3-5, 2015

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.


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Prisoner Escapes from Fairfax Hospital, Gets Recaptured

Social media aids manhunt

Around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, Wossen Assaye overpowered the female member of his two-guard private security detail while the male was out of his hospital room. Assaye was reportedly in shackles on a hospital gurney before the struggle.

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Springfield: Getting into Marian Homes

Remodeling project to provide for residents with intellectual and or physical disabilities.

When the new residents of Marian Homes’ latest remodeling project move in to the Gresham Street house in north Springfield, Fairfax resident and Marian volunteer John Germain hopes they feel at home.

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Northern Virginia Training Center in Fairfax to Close by March 2016

From institution to community, finding homes for those hard to place.

Joseph McHugh has lived at the Northern Virginia Training Center for 35 years, moving in when he was a teenager. McHugh has cerebral palsy and colostomy and severe spasticity issues. At the training center, McHugh works with a speech pathologist, nurse, on-campus dietician and is close to an X-ray machine, dental facility and clinic on the grounds.


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‘Your Life Is Today and Tomorrow’

Residents of local senior living communities share their experiences.

“I didn’t want to come here,” said Bill Woessner, referring to Brightview Assisted Living Community in Great Falls. “That’s right,” agreed Sheila, his wife of more than 50 years, with plenty of her native Scottish brogue to be heard in her voice. “He really didn’t. We have a lovely house here in Great Falls and I don’t think he was ready to budge. But how long after we got here did that change?” she turned to her husband and asked. “At least a day,” he laughingly replied. “Seriously,” said Bill Woessner, “it probably wasn’t more than the first 48 hours.”

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Creative Aging Festival Coming in May

Includes 114 performances, poetry readings, art exhibits, lectures, classes and more.

A Creative Aging Festival will take place throughout the month of May at 100-plus local venues in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria. The month-long festival includes 114 performances, poetry readings, art exhibits, lectures, classes and more.

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County Adult Centers Offer Seniors Activities, Social Interaction

In 2014, the attendance at Fairfax County senior centers was 277,342.

At the Kingstowne Center for Active Adults, volunteer Frank Bauer sees zumba and yoga classes “flowing into the main room sometimes,” he says, revealing how popular those classes are at the center, which caters to seniors 55 and older. This Kingstowne center, one of 14 senior centers throughout Fairfax County, offers classes and activities to keep seniors active.


Column: Manifest Destiny

I wouldn’t say I have symptoms (why would I say that? If I said that, I’d have to admit that cancer is having an effect on me.

Fit for the Golden Years

Fitness programs for seniors are part of a trend.

One night each week, Sue Thompson can be found dribbling a basketball down the court, leading her team, the Nova United, to victory. Thompson, who is in her 60s, is one of the youngest players in her league, the National Senior Women’s Basketball Association.