Letter: Alarmed and Saddened
I participated in the public hearing on school discipline last week and was alarmed and deeply saddened to view the document Students Rights and Responsibilities for K-12, which lists pages and pages of all the “bad” behavior a student could possibly have, and the consequences for each violation. The really big consequence is for marijuana use, which merits immediate 10-day suspension and a referral for consideration of expulsion on the first violation.
Langley Crew Team Rows to ‘Stop Hunger Now’
The Langley crew team raised $2,500 toward the Langley pyramid effort to support the Stop Hunger Now charity, which culminated in a meal packaging event that was held at Colvin Run Elementary School on Saturday, Feb. 9. The Langley pyramid effort raised $19,000 total, which paid for 76,000 high protein meals that were put together or "packed" by volunteers. Langley crew held a fundraiser event at the Great Falls Safeway on Feb. 2 and also donated a portion of the proceeds from its annual indoor rowing competition—an "Erg-a-thon" against West Springfield High School that Langley won.
‘Art Night Out’ in Support of Great Falls Art Community
Great Falls artists and art enthusiasts will host a casual night out on March 7, 7-9:30 p.m. at the home of Mark & Molly Decker, 106 Falcon Ridge Drive, Great Falls. The residents are invited to enjoy drinks and appetizers as they view the Decker's extensive art collection highlighting accomplished Ohio landscape artist Michael McEwan. They can also view the newly released plans and drawings for the proposed Great Falls Center for the Arts, discuss the project's progress, and share their thoughts with GFFFTA Board members.
Letter: Time to Vote on Gun Control
A powerful moment was reached during the State of the Union address when President Obama spoke of America’s responsibility to survivors of gun violence. The president said, “they deserve a vote” — on gun reform. Representatives from Virginia should heed this call.
EMT Wins Basic Life Support Provider of the Year Award
Elliot Zaret is this year's recipient of the Fairfax County 2012 Basic Life Support Provider of the Year Award. In addition to his patient care and mentoring, Elliot spent countless hours utilizing his woodworking skills crafting a table that now graces the new firestation.
New Approach to Helping Chronic Homeless
County joins "100,000 Homes" effort as chronic homelessness on rise.
The number of chronically homeless individuals in Fairfax County is on the rise. Currently, nearly 300 individuals are considered chronically homeless, many living in cars or sleeping in tents. In an effort to find permanent homes for these individuals, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness is joining the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national movement to find permanent homes for 100,000 chronically homeless throughout the nation.
‘Two Symphonies and a Dance’ for Area Music Lovers
Virginia Chamber Orchestra to present early Mozart and Mendelssohn works.
There has always been the debate about the role of nature and nurture in a child’s development. This is especially true in child prodigies. Mozart and Mendelssohn were from musical homes and received encouragement in musical studies. Although Gluck sang in his church choir, his interest in music was surely of his own making as he was expected to work in his family’s forestry business.
Classified Advertising Feb. 13, 2013
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A Positive Reflection
Joan Brady gives foster children needed exposure.
On Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, Joan Brady of Great Falls had just started a three-month sabbatical from her job with an Internet company. Newly-married, Brady, who was 36 years old at the time, was exhausted from 80-hour work weeks in a rigid corporate environment. She wanted time that fall to contemplate what to do next with her life. The next day provided answers and a sense of urgency. It was Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks, and the moving stories of heroism and tragedy on 9/11, indelibly left their mark. Brady, like many Americans, was inspired to do something new, to take more chances, to change direction.
Editorial: On Transportation
Compromise, in the works, should include indexing the gas tax to inflation.
Virginia needs more options, not fewer, in developing revenue to pay for roads and transportation. Compromise on a plan to increase transportation revenue should not include making Virginia the only state in the nation without a gas tax. The current, ridiculously low gas tax should be indexed to inflation. The last thing the commonwealth needs is to do away with an existing, major source of money for roads.
Enjoying Arts and Chocolate
The Artists’ Atelier in Great Falls hosts ‘Flowers and Chocolate’ show.
An eventful weekend filled with sweet delights for both the taste buds and the eyes at the Artists’ Atelier Studio reception proved to be a popular outing among Great Falls residents and art enthusiasts alike.
Area Students Excel at MATHCOUNTS Competitions
The Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS competitions were held on Saturday, Feb. 2, at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke and at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria.
Volunteers Needed to Help Count Homeless
Volunteers organized by FACETS and other local nonprofits will spread out across Fairfax County to count, photograph, and get names and histories for everyone experiencing homelessness for the county’s first ever “Registry Week,” a component of the 100,000 Homes Campaign,” beginning on Monday, Feb. 25, at various locations around Fairfax County.
Langley High Orchestra Performs in Italy
Two concerts, memorable sites.
The Langley High School Orchestra performed two concerts during their recent trip to Rome, Italy. The trip was an opportunity for the orchestra students to share their music with Italian children and adults, and to experience the rich culture and history of Rome.
Week in Great Falls
Golden Calidore Quartet Comes to Great Falls
Senior Center Sets Goals
After incorporation, Great Falls Senior Center plans to become nonprofit, name board by end of year.
The Great Falls Senior Center has big plans for 2013 after getting off the ground as a working group of the Great Falls Citizens Association.
Classified Advertising Feb. 6, 2013
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February Is Heart Month
Diet and fitness experts offer suggestions for maintaining a healthy heart.
When Mary Elizabeth O’Conner enters a supermarket, she is careful stay within the outer perimeters of the store. “Most grocery stores are designed so that the healthiest and non-processed food, like fresh vegetables and meat are kept on the outer edges,” she said. She looks for heart-healthy foods like whole grains and fresh fruit.
Column: A Complicated Answer
And a further explanation and corollary to last week’s column: “A Simple Question,” which attempted to sort through my reactions to being asked an extremely innocent, appropriate, well-intended and always appreciated courtesy: “How are you?” and the problem that it sometimes causes me. That problem being: a question which had it not been asked would then not require an answer. An answer that I’ll always give, but not before I’ve given it some thought, which if I hadn’t thought about, wouldn’t have bothered me in the least
Making the Difference Between Struggle and Success
Carmen Jordan of Reston has been a mentor for Fairfax Families4 Kids for six years. She is considered one of the most experienced mentors in the program. In addition to working full-time as a marquee account manager at Deltek in Herndon, Jordan makes herself available to “trouble-shoot” for the children and families she mentors. In the following column, she details her experiences with the program, and at-risk foster youth.