Saving Public Libraries
To the Editor: A significant number of planners expect the nation to be illiterate by 2050, so books will not be needed. Instead of planning for my grandchildren’s needs today, the county has decided to prepare for their grandchildren’s needs in an imaginary future where people no longer read, where electronic devices enable them to communicate without written language, where books no longer exist. (From a study on architect Grimm & Parker’s website.)
Stark Contrast in 34th District
I do not often write letters to the editor, but felt compelled to now. I have been active in this community for over 35 years as the Dranesville School Board member, Dranesville supervisor, chairman of the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and many other business, school and philanthropic activities. I have known many people who worked hard to make this community better. I have personally known almost all of the people who have run for local and state office from our community over the last 30 years, no matter the party. The contrast in this year's election for delegate in the 34th District could not be more stark.
Homecoming at Langley
Langley students enjoyed a homecoming dinner at Westwood Country Club in Vienna Saturday, Oct. 12.
Hanna Rose Hunt Named Outstanding Teen
Langley junior plans to speak at local schools about teen depression and anxiety.
Hanna Rose Hunt had never been in a pageant before this year’s Virginia State Fair. So far, she is undefeated, as she was named Miss State Fair of Virginia’s Outstanding Teen.
Langley Fork Draft Plan Released
Plan must be approved by National Park Service before possible land swap.
The Fairfax County Park Authority presented the latest draft master plan for Langley Fork Park at Franklin Sherman Elementary School Thursday, Oct. 17. The process has been going on since October 2011.
Shiloh Baptist Church 140th Anniversary Recognized by Board of Supervisors
Supervisor John Foust and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored Rev. Dr. Robert Cheeks, Jr. and members of the Shiloh Baptist Church of McLean on their 140th anniversary at the board's Tuesday, Oct. 8 meeting. Shiloh Baptist is one of the oldest African-American churches in Fairfax County. Its history dates back to Cyrus Carter, a prominent member of the Northern Virginia African-American community.
Halloween Schooling Show at Turner Farm
The Turner Farm in Great Falls hosted a Halloween Schooling Show last Sunday, Oct. 20, sponsored by Turner Farm Events.
Benefit for the Great Falls Optimist Youth Fund and Student Scholarship Award
The Great Falls Optimist Club held a Wild West Dance Fest hosted at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8241 in McLean, on 1051 Spring Hill Road. The event had a live band, "Bennie Potter and Western Electric" and barbecued ribs and chicken from Famous Dave’s on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 7 to 11 p.m. This was a ticketed event to raise funds for the Great Falls Optimist Youth Fund and Student Scholarship Award.
Week in Great Falls
Meet Great Falls Photographers Oct. 28
Great Falls Studios (GFS) invites the community to an evening with GFS Photographers, Monday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. at the Great Falls Library, Large Meeting Room, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls.
Opinion:Flying Saucers
Think outside the dull holiday dinner get-togethers. Think “Sibling Applesauce”!
Ok, now that I have your attention, I must confess that this piece is not about aliens, at least not the kind that NASA is looking for. Rather it is about creating traditions that may help keep members of your extended family from becoming aliens to you and your immediate family.
Letter: Trying to Hijack the Debate
The Great Falls Citizens Association’s planned debate on Oct. 8 with Delegate Barbara Comstock and Kathleen Murphy had to be cancelled this week when four gun control groups threatened to demonstrate “before and during” the debate and said they would “demand” answers to particular gun issues. This debate had been designed to answer questions that Great Falls citizens had submitted beforehand. The GFCA debate team made clear that there would have been a gun question, but that wasn’t good enough for these single issue groups who wanted to hijack our debate and make it all about their issue.
St. Francis Welcomes Music Directors Jeanne and Larry Vote.
St. Francis Episcopal Church in Great Falls has welcomed Jeanne and Larry Vote as new directors of music for the church. Both Jeanne and Larry have extensive backgrounds in music, as performers, conductors, musical directors and educators.
Chipping in to End Domestic Violence
Great Falls Friends and Neighbors women participated in the Chipping in to End Domestic Violence charity golf tournament, hosted by Cooper Ginsberg Gray since the inaugural tee-off in 1999.
A Book Challenging Business Leaders
Great Falls resident Dave Ramos recently published “Decide One Thing”—a book challenging leaders who want to escape mediocrity and build high performance organizations.
Artists on Display
Great Falls Studios hosts 10th annual tour.
Hundreds of local art aficionados found out firsthand that Great Falls is an arts destination last weekend during the 10th annual Great Falls Studios Tour. More than 60 artists opened up their home or personal studios over the weekend to give a glimpse of the artist in their home element.
Creating a Spooky Halloween Dinner
Local culinary experts offer ideas for turning an ordinary meal into a ghoulish adventure.
Halloween dinner in Christine Wisnewski’s Vienna home is often a balancing act between healthy and sugary. On the sweetest holiday of the year, for example, the mother and culinary instructor at Culinaria Cooking School, also in Vienna, prepares a wholesome dinner for her eager trick-or-treaters, managing candy-induced sugar highs and inevitable post-confection lows.
Great Falls Home Sales: September, 2013
In September 2013, 19 Great Falls homes sold between $7,400,000-$770,000.
Great Falls Home Sales: September, 2013
Great Falls Boy Wins Essay Contest
Sidharth Muralidhar, 13, writes “For Love of Country—What Patriotism Means to Me.”
Sidharth (Sid) Muralidhar, 13, of Great Falls is being honored Oct. 17 for winning first place (gold) for his essay, “For Love of Country—What Patriotism Means to Me,” a contest sponsored by the Fairfax County Public Library System. He will receive $100 and a certificate at a reception at Robinson Secondary School.
Editorial: Don’t Let Negatives Keep You From Voting
Choices are stark; think about what principles should guide governance in Virginia for the next four years.
Every Virginia voter will have the option to cast a ballot for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and their member of the Virginia House of Delegates. While much of the coverage and advertising at the top of the ticket has been negative in the extreme, it will still matter who is governor. Don’t turn up your nose, hold your nose if necessary, and go vote. You can vote on Nov. 5; most likely you can vote before that.
Classified Advertising October 16, 2013
Read the latest ads here!