Editorial: Vote
It will matter who is elected governor.
To vote on Election Day, you must be registered at your current address no later than Oct. 15, 2013. You can check your registration status online by visiting the State Board of Elections website at www.sbe.virginia.gov. There you can also download a voter registration form and mail or fax it to your elections office address.
Column: A Study in Contrasts
The decision for yours truly to participate in a Phase 1 Study at N.I.H. or Johns Hopkins (depending upon availability and qualifications) discussed in last week’s column has been put on hold, temporarily. It seems that my oncologist was thinking about me over the holiday weekend and called me on Wednesday following Labor Day to say he had a diagnostic idea concerning me: a 24-hour urine collection (a “Creatinine Clearance Study”) which would provide a more accurate reading (than the regular lab work I have; from blood) of my kidney function.
Column: A Peculiar Existence
I’m not exactly pretending that I don’t have stage IV lung cancer (non-small cell, to be specific), but ever since my hospital admission on August 2nd, I have been treatment-free; no I.V. chemotherapy, no oral medication, no targeted treatment, no nothing. And during this sabbatical (I use that term loosely; being off chemotherapy has been as much about recovering from surgery and recuperating from my hospital “stay-cation” as it was anything necessarily intended), I have progressed from feeling crappy and being short of breath—while being infused previously, to where I have become relatively asymptomatic, breathing normally and for the nearly eight week treatment-free interval mentioned, have felt mostly OK.
Residential Studios Put on Hold
Supervisors establish committee, plan additional public outreach.
At the recommendation of Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-At-Large) and Supervisor Michael Frey (R-Sully), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Sept. 24 deferred its Nov. 20 public hearing on a proposed residential studios (RSUs) amendment to conduct additional community outreach. The board also established a Planning Commission Residential Studios Committee.
Northern Virginia Supports Day to Serve
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), a coalition of 14 counties, cities and towns that work together on regional issues, passed a unanimous resolution endorsing Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell’s call to participate in the 2013 Day to Serve.
New Nosy Recruits ‘Bolt & Silas’ Prepare for Duty
Although they are just a few months old and still in their bonding and training phases, two new bloodhound pups are preparing for the rigors of police work in Fairfax County. Bolt and Silas are the police department’s newest additions to their bloodhound team. The agency purchased the pups in August when they were just 6 weeks old. They join Shnoz and Cody, sisters from the hills of Northern Alabama who joined the agency in 2008 at 19 months old.
McAuliffe, Cuccinelli Highlight Small Business Summit
Gubernatorial candidates speak at the Mason Inn & Conference Center.
Virginia gubernatorial candidates Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli were the keynote speakers at the fourth annual Virginia Small Business Partnership (VASBP) Summit, hosted by Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies LLC at The Mason Inn in Fairfax on Friday, Sept. 20. “We are thrilled to have them join us,” said Paul A. Miller, chairman of the VASBP.
Wear Jeans to Work, Help End Homelessness
Register now to participate in Jeans Day Fairfax on Oct. 18.
Just by wearing jeans to work, you can actively help nearly 3,000 men, women and children in Fairfax County who face homelessness and hunger every day. On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Friday, Oct. 18 “Jeans Day Fairfax,” the third annual Jeans Day event in Fairfax County.
Becoming a High School Diplomat
"How to Apply" The HSD application is now available at highschooldiplomats.com, and all parts must be postmarked and sent by January 8th, 2014. The program runs from July 29 to August 9, 2014. Questions can be directed to Celine Zapolski, the American HSD director, at celinezepolski@highschooldiplomats.com.
R. Dennis McArver, Chairman of the Arts Council of Fairfax County, Dies
The Arts Council of Fairfax County is mourning the passing of its chairman, R. Dennis McArver. McArver, a Vienna resident, legal professional and civic arts activist, died Sept. 14. He was born in 1936. "We have lost a dear friend and a strong leader," said Linda S. Sullivan, president and CEO of the Arts Council. "Dennis embraced his role as chairman of the Board with such enthusiasm and vigor and was a tireless advocate for the council and all the arts in Fairfax County," Sullivan continued.
Great Falls Studios Join Amadeus Orchestra in Season Debut
Continuing a strong history of collaboration among community groups, Great Falls Studios (GFS) artists will be exhibiting their art at the Amadeus Orchestra’s season debut on Sunday, Sept. 29 at St. Luke Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean.
Great Falls Resident Angie Officer Is Volunteer of the Year
Angie (Donnell) Officer, a ’88 Rochester Institute of Technology graduate who majored in graphic design, has always kept busy in her personal and professional life. She worked as an art director and handled public relations before joining Sprint Corp. in 1992 as an account manager for relay services in New Hampshire, Connecticut and Virginia. Today, she’s a senior implementation program manager for Sprint Relay, overseeing relay service in 32 states, as well as serving as chairperson of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Obituary: Phyllis Cochran Paul, 91, Dies in Great Falls
Phyllis Paul, 91, died on Tuesday morning, Sept. 17, under hospice care. Phyllis, a native of Philadelphia, went to business school in the 1930s and worked as an executive secretary throughout her long life living in eight different states. She had been married to Remsen O. Paul, Sr. for over 52 years until his death in 2004.
Civil War Revisited
The reenactment of John S. Mosby: Making connections, taking the long view.
As the Great Falls Historical Society continues its annual reflection on the Civil War (1861-1865) over its five-year-long 150th year anniversary, Rick and Debbie Turner, residents of Great Falls, reenacted John S. Mosby and his wife, Pauline at the monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Rick took detailed, factual research about John Mosby’s life, battles and achievements and dramatized the tale in the first person.
Christian Morrow of Great Falls in 'Miss Firecracker'
Christian Morrow of Great Falls has been selected to play Mac Sam for the University of Mary Washington production of “The Miss Firecracker Contest.” Morrow is the son of Hugh and Anne Morrow of Great Falls and is a 2011 graduate of Langley High School.
The Artist's Atelier Announces New Website
The Artists’ Atelier has a new website showcasing the artwork of its resident artists. The new site, at http://gfatelier.fineartstudioonline.com, shows visitors images of available art, biographies and contact information for each artist, a calendar of upcoming events, and a short history lesson on how the Atelier came to be.
Colvin Run Hosts Outdoor Movie
“Hotel Transylvania” shown at annual back-to-school event.
Though their weekend had officially begun several hours earlier, hundreds of Colvin Run Elementary School students and their families made their way back to the school at dusk Friday, Sept. 20 for the school’s annual outdoor movie night.
Grange Receives Funds for ADA Compliance
Board of Supervisors approves funds for new restroom, internal and external lift.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved more than $500,000 in funding to make the Grange in Great Falls compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The Grange is owned and operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority.
Country Fair, Spooktacular Return
Annual festivals highlight fall fun in Great Falls.
Fall brings several annual traditions to Great Falls, events that help local residents to celebrate the season in style. On Saturday, Oct. 5, St. Francis Episcopal Church will host their annual country fair.
Author Explores Consequences of Mental Illness
B.W. DeCaro released first novel, “Grown Men Don’t Cry.”
When it came to writing his first novel, Great Falls resident B.W. DeCaro knew he wanted to delve into some serious topics. With his first novel, “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” he’s done exactly that, creating a story in which two men must deal with mental illness in themselves and the ones they love.