Ellie McFadden, 8, of Great Falls Wins Northwest FCU Video Contest
To mark the launch of the Credit Union’s new YouTube channel, along with its Facebook and Twitter pages, Northwest Federal invited members to create 60-90 second videos that show why they love their credit union. Ellie McFadden, 8, of Great Falls won 1st Place and $500 in Under age 18 category. Jennifer Riebling, 17, of Fairfax won 2nd Place and $250.
Holiday Art Show and Sale Moves to Wolf Trap
This year the annual Great Falls Studios Holiday Art Show and Sale will be held at the Center for Education at Wolf Trap on Dec. 14 & 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Because of this new larger venue more than 30 members are able to participate in this event. The Center is located at 1645 Trap Road in Vienna.
Great Falls Celebration of Lights
Dozens watch Santa and Mrs. Claus light the Great Falls Christmas Tree.
The Great Falls Village Centre was the site for the annual Santa and Mrs. Clause lighting the Christmas Tree after arriving by lighted, antique fire truck on Saturday, Dec. 7. The event included a performance by the Great Falls Village Green Day School, pony rides, a petting zoo, a bonfire, hot apple cider and hot chocolate. — Steve Hibbard
Mosby and Rangers Topic of Great Falls Senior Center January Event
The Great Falls Senior Center (GFSC) event for January will focus on the Civil War in Fairfax County. GFSC members have shown particular interest in local Civil War history.
Online Launch for 2013 Wish List Project
Being a Wish List “Angel” easier than ever before in 14 year history of The Wish List Project
With a little help from her friends, Great Falls resident Ginger Mahon, founder of The Wish List Project, has taken The Wish List high-tech. A Wish List “Angel,” donor Lissa Perez, assisted Mahon with building online sign up capability for The 2013 Wish List Project on the website “SignUp Genius.” Perez is a Great Falls resident and partner at Deloitte & Touche, LLP.
Garza Holds Listening Tour
Schools Superintendent visits Cooper Middle School in McLean.
Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Karen Garza, Ph.D., held a Listening Tour on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Cooper Middle School in McLean where more than 100 residents of the Dranesville District shared their concerns about local schools. The meeting, which was attended by local teachers, principals and parents, included School Board Rep. Janie Strauss (Dranesville).
Boy Scout Troop 55 Celebrates 35 Years
Scouts will host a cooking demonstration this Saturday.
Boy Scouts from Troop 55 in Great Falls experienced rappelling down cliffs, spelunking in caves, skiing down mountains, canoeing in rivers, backpacking on the Appalachian Trail, traversing white water rapids and improving their marksmanship. These are just a few of the activities that the boys enjoyed as they developed their skills in leadership, responsibility and community service.
Newman Enters First Season as Langley Head Boys’ Basketball Coach
Collier, Callaghan are Saxons’ top returning athletes.
The Langley boys' basketball team will take on Stuart on Friday.
Classified Advertising December 3, 2013
Read the latest ads here!
Democrats Shut Out of Power in Senate
Even if Democrats win in two special elections, control over committees is unlikely.
Don't expect Democrats to take control over state Senate committees anytime soon, even if the party manages to hold both of the seats where special elections are now underway.
‘Must-see’ Absurd Nonsense
1st Stage presents ‘Noises Off.’
Good news. The cure for doldrums or just a plain-old bad mood is here. It is playing at 1st Stage, where a merry, talented band of actors take the audience on a frenetic, joyful, ride into the farce "Noises Off." The actors literally throw themselves into the production. They are unselfconsciously fearless in their pratfalls, spot-on with their comic timing and bring on a happy, silly bliss.
Langley High Orchestra Presents Russian Concert
The Langley HS Orchestra will present their winter concert on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Langley HS Auditorium. The concert is a collaboration of two of Langley's largest programs—Russian and Orchestra.
Brightening Soldiers’ Holidays
Great Falls teens send packages to servicemen and women deployed overseas.
Great Falls Interact, a youth Rotary Club for high school students, held a service event on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Great Falls.
White House Ornaments on Sale to Benefit Artemis House
Great Falls Friends and Neighbors club is selling White House Ornaments to benefit Artemis House, an emergency shelter in Fairfax County for victims of domestic and sexual violence, often mistreated women and children.
Promoting Giving at Forestville
Forestville PTA donates Thanksgiving dinners to sister school in Herndon.
The Forestville Elementary PTA has collected more than 80 Thanksgiving Baskets this year for distribution to families in need at Dranesville Elementary in Herndon. The Annual Food drive is part of a 10 year partnership between the two "Sister Schools" and is a favorite Forestville seasonal tradition.
Best of Both Worlds, Holiday Gifts and Local Connections
Holiday on Parade at The Saddlery, Great Falls Nails & Spa, and Great Dogs of Great Falls.
The Saddlery at 731-E Walker Road in Great Falls is well-stocked with reasonably priced holiday gifts that range from Patricia Barta custom designed Greek leather and cubic zirconia magnetic clasp bracelets to equestrian themed items like Breyer horses, including the 2013 holiday horse, "Holiday on Parade."
Speaking a Language of Art
Camille Speer Of Great Falls wins award for filmmaking.
Camille Speer, a resident of Great Falls and a senior at Langley High School, discovered her passion for producing films in the Fairfax Academy Professional TV Production class.
The Holiday Blues: Cope and Prevent
Mental health experts say being realistic and seeking support can help you avoid holiday stress and depression.
While the holiday season is filled with parties, shopping, decorating and other festive activities, mental health experts say it often brings unwelcome guests as well: stress and depression. While they can be difficult to manage when one is in the midst of a bout, with a few strategies one may be able to prevent both before they ruin the holiday season.
Staying Fit During the Holidays
Staving off extra pounds during the season of sweets.
Patty McAndrews works out with a trainer twice a week at of TRUE Health and Wholeness in Arlington. She found that restarting her fitness regimen about two months ago has strengthened her abdominal muscles and toned her body.
Holiday Recipe Makeovers
Strategies for keeping traditional treats healthy
When Alice Jenkins saw her doctor two months ago, he diagnosed her with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and suggested she change her diet and lose about 30 pounds. Lawson, 45, started a diet program and has lost nine and a half pounds, but now that she’s in the midst of the holiday season, she’s concerned about losing the strides that she’s made with her dietary changes. "I have a large family and we get together a lot during the holidays," said Lawson, who lives in Alexandria. "There is always sweet potato pie, macaroni and cheese, and deep fried turkey."