Week in Great Falls
Blood Drive at Loebig Chiropractic & Rehab a Success
Loebig Chiropractic & Rehab and The American Red Cross hosted a community blood drive in Great Falls at the office of Dr. Glenn Loebig, on Tuesday, April 15 where enough blood was donated to help save the lives of up to 57 hospital patients. According to Steve Mavica, communications manager for the Red Cross, the need for blood is constant to help accident victims, trauma patients, transplant recipients, and those receiving treatment for life-threatening illnesses. “Blood is perishable and must be continuously replenished, so we are truly grateful for the selfless efforts of Loebig Chiropractic and Rehab in helping the Red Cross to fulfill its lifesaving mission. Through their dedicated support, we were able to collect 19 pints of blood and help ensure blood is available when it is needed most,” Mavica said.
Alone on the Road: 7 out of 10 Northern Virginia Workers Use Single-Occupancy Vehicles
Study raises concerns about amount of time drivers spend commuting alone.
Despite the decades-long war against the single-occupancy vehicle, seven out of 10 workers in Northern Virginia drive to work alone every workday.
What to Expect
Real estate experts offer a forecast for spring.
Real estate agent Joan Caton Cromwell says she lost a home bidding war last week in Falls Church even though her client was a strong contestant.
Realtors: Great Kitchens Help Sell Homes
Real estate experts offer tips for creating an appealing kitchen.
Designer Jacquelin Lluy, of Nicely Done Kitchens and Baths in Springfield, recently transformed the kitchen of a home in Mantua, in Fairfax, from a small, dark space to a light-filled, free-flowing culinary oasis.
Spring Songbirds Arriving Now
Local bird groups and bird walks help beginning birders see colorful birds.
The birds are coming. The annual migration of often brightly colored songbirds from their winter homes in Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, and the southern U.S. is underway now. Millions and millions of avian migrants fly northward every night and the come down to rest or nest every morning. Some of the birds are enroute to nesting areas far to the north; some nest right here or nearby.
Region Sees Lowest Number of TB Cases in Decades
Outreach efforts get people in for tuberculosis treatment before it spreads.
When Dr. Barbara Andrino came to the Fairfax County Health Department in 2011, there were 137 cases of tuberculosis in Northern Virginia.
‘Go Wild’ at the Parks
National Park Week ends Sunday.
The National Park Service wants everyone to “go wild” for nature this week. National Park Week will be celebrated with treks and children’s events at all 401 parks - including Great Falls Park - every day through Sunday. Several thousand people headed out to Great Falls Park over the weekend, but many did not know the reason they got in free was because of the event, which is themed “go wild!”
Voters Wanted: Party canvas on Saturday
Republican candidates for Congressional 10th District seat offer a mix of experience.
After weeks of debates and campaigning, the Republican party will choose a candidate on Saturday to oppose John Foust (D) to succeed U.S Rep. Frank Wolf in the Va. 10th District Congressional race. The party canvass will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Two of the candidates, Barbara Comstock and Bob Marshall have held office previously as delegates. According to VPAP.org, Comstock raised $761,354, Stephen Hollingshead raised $122,178, Howard Lind raised 140, 838, Marshall raised $55,240, Marc Savitt raised $13,764 and Rob Wasinger raised $82,742. Although Marshall raised significantly less than Comstock, he felt confident he is the right candidate for the 10th district race. “I have won 13 consecutive elections in Northern Virginia. Barbara Comstock won three. Obama won the state delegate district I represent by 11 percent. Barbara Comstock’s district split evenly between Obama and Romney. Groups from the left and the right have joined me to pass laws to protect our constitutional rights,” said Marshall in an email. Comstock, who felt she had the upper hand because of her work with Congressman Wolf, said she is concerned about several national security issues. “I’m very concerned about our current national defense policy which was weakened by President Obama,” she said. Lind is the only candidate who has served in the military. He previously ran for U.S. Senate. “The whole thing with my campaign is taking a stand, which is not just taking a stand against the Democratic party, but also taking a stand within our own party.” Savitt said his candidacy provides innovative ideas and a fresh face. “I am the only candidate in this race, who has never worked for the government or held elective office,” said Savitt in an email. “I consider this an advantage, as those with such prior employment, are the very same individuals who are directly responsible for the government’s loss of credibility with the American people. “
Nothing Humane In Bow Hunting
To the Editor: The typo in 'Deer Management' Options Explored (Great Falls Connection, April 16-22, 2014) was quite telling. It states that bow hunting is the "more human" deer management option. It certainly is-- but bow hunting is the furthest thing from humane.
‘Fountain of Youth’ in Great Falls Plaza
Fontaine de Jeunesse Medical & Dental Aesthetics Spa opened since June 2013.
In an unassuming Georgetown Pike plaza is a spa-like experience promising to tighten clients up without a nip and tuck. Fontaine de Jeunesse Medical & Dental Aesthetics Spa, a self-proclaimed fountain of youth in the heart of Great Falls, has been noninvasively treating men and women of all ages since last summer. Fontaine de Jeunesse translates to “fountain of youth” in French. The owner, Dr. Jeanette Coutin-Gentry, started the business as a way to help other women age gracefully through menopause without being self-conscious. “I found out that diet and exercise alone was not taking care of losing the weight,” she said.
iSchool for the Future Comes to Great Falls
Programs involve Forestville Elementary, Great Falls Library.
iSchool for the Future demonstrated its unique STEAM SELTM approach to science education during Thursday’s 2014 Annual School Environmental Action Showcase, generating interest from students and politicians alike. The 2014 Annual School Environmental Action Showcase is sponsored by NoVA Outside and George Mason University and brings together schools, students, and environmental organizations from Northern Virginia to share ideas and share eco-projects. The event, held on Thursday, April 10 on the GMU campus, had over 44 schools and 520 students in 52 teams participating. Over 30 partner organizations were invited to lead hands-on science activities for students.
President of the National Grange to Speak at the Great Falls Day
Ed Luttrell, President of the National Grange, will speak at the Great Falls Day Opening Ceremony, May 4 at 1 p.m. Luttrell, a native of Sandy, Ore., was elected the 22nd President of the National Grange in November of 2007. A second generation Granger, he is the immediate past Leadership/Membership Development Director for the National Grange. Luttrell is a 4th generation Oregonian. He grew up on a small farm outside of Portland in Shoals, Ore. He is a graduate of Hillsboro High in Hillsboro, Ore. and spent time studying livestock management at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Ore. He has worked in agriculture, automotive services and publishing.
United Way Awards Community Impact Grants
Fairfax/Falls Church nonprofits receive $338,662.
United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) announced that it is awarding 21 grants totaling $338,662 to member organizations serving the Fairfax and Falls Church areas. The funds came through designations to the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Impact Fund in United Way NCA's annual workplace giving campaign. Each of the grants directly addresses programs that fall within United Way NCA's focus areas of education, financial stability and health.
Obituary
Elton Kenneth Donaldson, 80, of Great Falls, Dies
Kenny Donaldson, age 80 and Great Falls resident for 52 years, lost his battle with lung cancer on Sunday, April 6. He was born and grew up in Falls Church, where he attended Falls Church High School. He excelled in many roles throughout his life. Following high school he joined the Navy and served three years aboard the USS Worcester during the Korean War. After serving his country he married Madolin, to whom he was a devoted husband for 58 years.
Summer 2014 Farmers Market Session Opens This Saturday
The Great Falls Farmers Market summer season begins this Saturday as the summer vendors join those who have served our community all winter. Penn Farm and Diaz Berries & Veggies will be joining Tuscarora Organic Growers Coop and Tyson Farms to bring a wide array of vegetables and fruits. Tyson Farm is a good addition to our mix, as they have abundant fruit orchards, which will broaden our selection of fruit all summer.
Area Roundups
Entrants Sought for Anti-Alcohol Awards
A Vienna-based, alcohol-education group wants to honor local, high school groups for their efforts in fighting underage drinking. To recognize high-school students for “doing the right thing,” the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) will present its 2014 GEICO Student Awards at a May 16 ceremony in Washington, D.C., and is accepting applications for the honors through Monday, April 28, at http://www.wrap.org/files/youthOutreach.htm. Entry is free.
Where Am I?
"I’m sitting in the rocking chair, good buddy," (a "Smokey and The Bandit" reference, if you’re not of a certain vintage), between two 18-wheelers where the police radar can’t find me – further referencing the C.B. radio days. Updating to the "Kenny-with-cancer" days, I’m a month or so past my last very encouraging CT Scan, the one I wrote about when my oncologist offered me a congratulatory handshake, a gesture he had not made in the five-plus years since we’ve been tangling with this damn disease; and I’m approximately seven weeks away from my next CT scan, "intervaled" every three months at present. Seven weeks is far enough away where I’m not even thinking about it, or the possibility of its discouraging results that I’ll know about on or about June 9th. I am cruising, emotionally, and savoring the excellent results from the last scan and not yet worrying, wondering, hoping, praying (too much) about my next scan. This means, at the moment – or moments, I should say, I am enjoying a relatively stress-free and blissful ignorance to what may – or hopefully may not, be happening in my lungs. I am, to quote a Three Stooges line: "as safe as in my mother’s arms."
Entrants Sought for Anti-Alcohol Awards
A Vienna-based, alcohol-education group wants to honor local, high school groups for their efforts in fighting underage drinking. To recognize high-school students for "doing the right thing," the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) will present its 2014 GEICO Student Awards at a May 16 ceremony in Washington, D.C., and is accepting applications for the honors through Monday, April 28, at http://www.wrap.org/files/youthOutreach.htm. Entry is free.
Editorial: Past Time for Later Start Times
Teenagers are sleep deprived, and sleep deprivation takes a significant toll on safety, health and learning. We’ve known this for decades. But for decades, literally, Fairfax County Public Schools (and Montgomery County, Md.) have let a combination of reactionary blabber ("buck up and get moving;" "just tell them to go to bed earlier") and organizational resistance prevent implementing a solution to this very real problem. Getting up at 5:30 or 6 a.m. to hop on a school bus at 5:45 a.m. or even as late at 6:30 a.m. to get to school by 7:20 a.m. is not healthy for teenagers. It is nearly impossible for teenagers to go to sleep before 11 p.m. or midnight. Fairfax County high school students average six hours of sleep a night on weeknights. Research shows they need nine hours of sleep. Research has also quantified the costs of sleep deprivation.
Classified Advertising April 23, 2014
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