Representing Students on School Board
Harris LaTeef named student representative to Fairfax County School Board.
Harris LaTeef, a junior at Langley High School, has been elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council (SAC) to serve a one-year term as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board, beginning July 1. LaTeef will participate in School Board meetings as a nonvoting member, filling the position currently held by Will Ashe, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. LaTeef will be the 44th student representative to the School Board.
An Inspired Production
‘Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins’ at 1st Stage.
With a masterful performance by Lee Mikeska Gardner, an eccentric woman is made thoroughly sympathetic, even noble in an exceptional production of "Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins" at 1st Stage in Tysons.
Saxon Stage Places Third in Regional One-Act Play Festival
Langley High School won its conference Jan. 25 and placed third in its first appearance in VHSL 6A North Region One Act Play Festival.
Langley High School theater students’ months of hard work paid off on Saturday, Feb. 8, when they placed third in the 2014 VHSL 6A North Region One Act Play Festival at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Langley won the Conference 6 championship on Jan. 25, securing the school’s first ever appearance in the regional competition, along with runner-up Washington-Lee High School from Arlington.
Art and Function
New MPA exhibit unlocks hidden beauty in everyday gadgets, contraptions, or refuse.
McLean Project for the Arts hosted a reception on Jan. 16, to celebrate the opening of its latest exhibition, “Contraptions: Reflections on the Almost Functional.” The exhibition also includes solo shows by artists, Melissa Burley, and Eric Celarier. “Contraptions: Reflections on the Almost Functional” exhibition presents a fresh look at some commonplace objects. But their usual functions have been altered or even eliminated, to allow for artistic interest or beauty.
It Takes a Village
The article in the Great Falls Connection [“Going Dark?” January 22-28, 2014] hit home with me. I remember the 1984 Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department Fourth of July Fireworks on the field behind the Great Falls Post Office -- the last fireworks held in the Great Falls town centre. The neighboring Hickory Vale farm was being developed with new homes, and it was no longer safe to shoot off the fireworks display there. The skies remained dark on the Fourth of July in Great Falls until 1996, when I was a member of the “Save the Farm” organization at the Turner farm.
An Unexpected Present
Not that I minded it in the least (in fact, I appreciated it in the most), but I received my first senior discount the other day. I was fast-fooding at my local Roy Rogers restaurant when the unexpected kindness occurred. Considering that I’m not at the age yet when such discounts are typically available, I certainly did not (do not) presume that my appearance somehow reflects an age which I am not. In truth, I don’t believe it does. So even though I didn’t ask for the age-related discount, I was offered/given it nonetheless. As the cashier tallied my bill, she then spoke the price and adjusted it downward 10 percent for my surprise "senior" discount. On hearing the lower price and the reason for it, I immediately responded: "Oh, you’re giving senior discounts to people over 40?" To which she replied, while looking me directly in the eye: "No. Over 30." Laughing at her quick-thinking quip, I thanked her again for the discount and commended her on her excellent answer/customer service.
Home Design: What the Pros Know
A look inside the homes of some of the area’s top builders.
Remodeling industry professionals spend their days helping clients create dream homes, adding quartzite counter tops and outdoor, stacked stone fireplaces, turning ideas and photos into functional, chic living spaces.
MATHCOUNTS Champions
The Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS competitions were held on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke and at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria. This year, because of the exceptionally large number of students participating, the Regional competition had to be split between two venues.
Valentine’s Weekend
Romantic events happening in the Fairfax County area.
Enjoy your Valentine’s Day by heading off to one of these events this weekend.
Classified Advertising February 5, 2014
Read the latest here!
Editorial: Pet Photos, Stories for Pet Connection
The Pet Connection, a bi-annual themed edition, will publish Feb. 26. We invite you to send us stories about your pets, photos of you and/or your family with your cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other creatures share your home or yard with you.
McLean, W-L Gymnastics Teams Qualify for Regionals
Highlanders win Conference 6 title, W-L runner-up.
W-L, McLean gymnastics finished 1-2 at regionals the last two years.
Editorial: For Nonpartisan Redistricting
Virginia is a purple state, gerrymandered to bleed red.
Consider that in statewide elections, Virginia voters have chosen Democrats in the last two presidential elections, for U.S. Senate, for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Almost none of these elections was by a wide margin, but it’s clear that Virginia is a purple state leaning blue.
Nine Candidates Vying for Attention in 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary
Race to replace Jim Moran is expected to be competitive and expensive.
It's been three weeks since longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) announced that he would not be seeking a 13th term in Congress, opening up an epic primary fight that is now starting to take shape.
Healthful Meal Ideas for Seniors
Dietician/chef creates meals that are nutrient-dense and easy to prepare.
Shirley Martin of Vienna has a pacemaker and is on warfarin, a blood thinner, and Vitamin K, found in dark leafy greens, can lessen the effectiveness of warfarin. Martin also has high cholesterol. "I have to be concerned about eating too many greens while I’m on warfarin or too many fats," said Martin. "I also try to keep from gaining weight."
Langley High Wins Theatre Festival
The school will compete at the Regional event on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Saxon Stage's production of "Fearful Symmetry," written by Alan Haehnel and directed by senior Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, won the VHSL Conference 6 One Act Competition at James Madison High School on Saturday, Jan. 25. It is the first time in Saxon Stage history that Langley has won this event. Langley competed against Yorktown High School, Hayfield Secondary School, James Madison High School, Fairfax High School, McLean High School, South Lakes High School and Washington-Lee High School.
Editorial: Few Thoughts on General Assembly Action
Yes, allow homeschoolers access to programs in public school.
It’s possible that this is not the right bill exactly, and in general, we favor local control. But it is wrongheaded of public schools to force families into a take-it-or-leave-it position.
Letter: Unbelievable
Hooray for Gene Phillip for his letter to the editor ["Development Taking Wrong Direction," Great Falls Connection, Jan. 22-28, 2014]. For months I wondered what on earth was going on and when I saw the completion of the Walker Road project I was simply aghast.
Flowers, Chocolate and Romance Fundraiser in Great Falls
Come out for a fun Art Night Out with artists, art enthusiasts and the community as we raise money to support the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts (GFFTA) and GF School of Art on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature wine & chocolate tastings along with a variety of romance foods. Guests can enjoy the "Flowers, Chocolate & Romance" Exhibit in the Gallery and art demonstrations by working artists. The event will take place at Artist s' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, 3rd Floor, Great Falls. Tickets: Guest - $75, VIP - $100 (includes 1 year GFFFTA membership), Patron - $200 (includes 1 year GFFFTA membership and special recognition), Sponsor - $500 (includes 1 year GFFFTA membership and sponsor promotion).