Teaching Children to Make Holiday Gifts
Local art experts offer crafty gift ideas.
Gifting your child’s teacher, grandparents or other family members with holiday cheer doesn’t have to add another line item to your budget. Homemade gifts from children are among the most cherished, say experts, and creating them can be as memorable for the child as the recipient.
Tips for Holiday Card Photos
Local photographers offer suggestions for taking great family photos.
Amber Wilson has spent the last week scouring her computer files in search of the perfect pictures for her holiday card. One image missing from her collection is a shot of her entire family.
Column: Cost of Living
As the person primarily responsible for stocking the house with supplies and maintaining miscellaneous inventory, I am frequently in stores (supermarket, drugstore, pet store, etc.) buying the staples (not an office supply reference) our family needs to maintain our lifestyle, such as it is.
Celebrating Thanksgiving Like a Chef
Local chefs and culinary experts share family stories and recipes.
As a teen, Chef Guiseppe Ricciardi’s Thanksgiving dinners were anything but traditional. Ricciardi , the proprietor of Dolce Vita and Dolce Veloce in Fairfax, moved to New York from Italy with his family when he was 14. His family celebrated Thanksgiving in their new country, but they put an Italian twist on the holiday.
Holiday Cooking with Children
Local culinary instructors offer suggestions for bonding in the kitchen.
Maria Kopsidas recalls childhood holidays filled with turkey, sweets and merriment. Because she grew up in a family of professional chefs, cookbook authors and culinary enthusiasts, the stretch from Thanksgiving to Christmas always brings fond food recollections.
Editorial: Shop Locally, Shop in McLean
Small business Saturday isn’t enough; don’t wait until then, and don’t stop after that.
An effort to support locally owned businesses has resulted in the recognition of Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year that is Nov. 30. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is known as a dedicated day of national zeal for shopping. Presumably the next day shoppers can focus on local shopping.
Great Falls Home Sales: October, 2013
In October 2013, 10 Great Falls homes sold between $2,400,000-$640,000.
Great Falls Home Sales: October, 2013
Classified Advertising November 13, 2013
Read the lastest ads here!
Commentary: Library Reorganization Deserves More Work
In September, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors called for the suspension of a major reorganization proposed to our Fairfax County Public Library system. The suspension was requested in order to provide more opportunity for outreach to concerned library employees and patrons so that proposed changes could be explained, evaluated and vetted among stakeholders.
Up on the Rooftop
A Free Roof for the Holidays program continues.
As the holiday season approaches, many children dream of hearing hoofs clicking on their rooftops. But as the economy continues to stutter, we continue to hear of families struggling to pay bills and put food on the table. For these families, keeping a roof over their heads—even if it leaks—is their immediate dream.
A Breakout Year for Great Falls Rugby
For 2014 season, Eagles look for more new players and coaches.
This past summer, there was a new group marching in the Fourth of July parade – 40 or so kids and parents affiliated with Great Falls Rugby. The Eagles even brought along a candy-tossing mascot. Reaction to the new organization varied. "I didn’t know Great Falls had a rugby club;" "I want to sponsor you next year;" and "Do those little kids tackle?" were all overheard. The answer to the later question is, "not the little ones."
Potters Return to Colvin Run Mill
Local potters returned to Colvin Run Mill the first weekend of November for their holiday sale. Many of the potters are juried members of the Torpedo Factory Art Center's Scope Gallery located in Alexandria.
Giving Teens Strength To Keep On Living
Thursday, Nov. 14, Great Falls Tavern hosts Josh Anderson Foundation second annual Fall Fundraiser.
November 11 through Nov. 15 is Wellness Week at Annandale High School. The Josh Anderson Foundation ("JAF") is contributing thousands of "Laugh More" pins to help everyone get into the wellness spirit, as well as providing after-school yoga lessons for stress relief.
Editorial: Proof Every Vote Matters
Elections have consequences, including very close races.
Tuesday morning, a full week after an Election Day that included races that were more suspenseful than anticipated (and also many races that were foregone conclusions), we are probably more than a month away from certifying the winner of the Virginia Attorney General race.
It Wasn’t Fun While It Lasted
But it was only a week, and I was able to leave under my own power, assisted by a wheelchair, which is of course standard procedure when leaving a hospital after an admission, so it wasn’t a total loss. It was three months ago today, Friday, August 2nd that I was "ambulanced " to Holy Cross Hospital where I spent the beginning of my seven, first-ever nights in a hospital; pretty fortunate track record for someone my age.
Creating a Feast for the Eye
Local designers share ideas for a striking Thanksgiving table.
While a menu of turkey and gravy will satisfy the belly this Thanksgiving, a well-designed centerpiece that reflects the warm hues of fall will be a feast for the eyes.
Choosing Art
Local designers offer tips on how to banish blank walls.
When Anne McCloud and her fiance, Mark Graham, moved into their Herndon home two years ago, with the exception of a large, deep red Chesterfield sofa, a present from Anne’s parents, the furniture they had was left over from graduate school: a tattered antique chair in need of reupholstering and two side tables.
Home for the Holidays
Amateur chef Dave Mulligan gets the kitchen of his dreams ... just in time for Thanksgiving.
As Dave Mulligan tells it, he owes the long-coveted "blue eyes" granite countertops now in his kitchen to events that started with a leaking shower one floor above.
Sweet Gathering in the Sunshine
Mentors, foster children and other youth learn about bees; county needs more foster families, mentors.
On a beautiful day in late summer, a group of young people of varied backgrounds, including some youth in foster care, gathered with their adult mentors under the ongoing auspices of Fairfax Families4Kids on a field trip into the countryside.
Veterans Day Celebrated at Freedom Memorial
Former Navy SEAL John “Sandy” Pidgeon speaks during annual ceremony.
More than 100 citizens gathered at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month Monday to pay tribute to Americas’ veterans.