A Legacy of Local History
It is with great sadness that the Great Falls Historical Society notes the passing of its founder, Milburn P. Sanders, who died Sunday, Sept. 2. Milburn founded the Great Falls Historical Society in the fifth decade of his life. He told me that he loved to archive and record things, and recording local history was a delight for him.
Colvin Run, a Historic District?
Great Falls Historical Society summer interns to present their research on Sept. 12.
The Colvin Run Road we know today was originally the Alexandria-Leesburg Turnpike before it was re-routed to the Route 7 location in 1941. The road dates back to 1732 and is the only remaining portion of the roadbed engineered in 1834.
Running of the Goats in Great Falls
A herd of goats escaped from a farm on Utterback Store Road on Aug. 10. Louise Zullo and her husband came upon them.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Names Interim Executive Director
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Galen Wixson as its interim executive director through December of 2012. Galen currently serves as the executive director of The Guitar Foundation of America where he has guided the organization through a transition to a new governance and management model, leading to several new program initiatives.
Vienna/McLean/Great Falls Calendar, Aug. 29-Sept. 9
On Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, meet Native Americans from the Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Pamunkey, Rappahannock, Tauxenent, Upper Mattaponi tribes and the Monacan Nation. Come to see dance performances, learn about early Indian skills through the dug-out canoe demonstration and event try to shoot a bow and arrow. The festival will feature crafts for sale such as pottery, jewelry, flutes and dream catchers. $5. 703-759-9018, or http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/events.htm.
Classified Advertising Aug 29, 2012
Read the latest Classified ads here!
Great Falls Home Sales: July, 2012
In July 2012, 24 Great Falls homes sold between $2,175,000-$525,000.
Great Falls Home Sales in July, 2012
Char-a-oke Anyone?
$1 million raised for Fairfax County Public Schools Education Foundation.
Listen, baby… "Ain't no mountain high. Ain't no valley low. Ain't no river wide enough, baby. If you need me, call me. No matter where you are. No matter how far."
911's Complete Failure
Fairfax County says Verizon "failed completely" during June 29 derecho.
"It’s like the captain of the Titanic telling passengers the ship hit an iceberg when the bow is on the bottom of the ocean floor." —Steve Souder, Fairfax County 911 Director
Letter: Separate and Unequal - II
Your editorial in the titled "Separate and Unequal ?" [The Connection, July 25-31, 2012], addressed the "eye-popping" disparately low admission of Black and Latino students to Thomas Jefferson High School, and the complaint that this was "in voilation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin."
Opinion: First Day of School Coming Up
And never too early for parents to get involved.
The first day of school in most of Northern Virginia is Tuesday, Sept. 4. We don't agree with having the General Assembly dictate the first day of school, requiring the start date to be after Labor Day, but starting school after Labor Day does seem more hospitable than the Aug. 27 start in many other areas.
495 Express Lanes Tested
On Tuesday, Aug. 21, 20 test vehicles traveled the newly completed section of the 495 Express Lanes as part of an on-road test.
Letter: Looking for Shelter
I am 83 years old and in a wheelchair now and there is no shade for me anymore because no one thinks of older people, only money.
Great Falls Optimist Club to Hold Annual Barn Dance
The Great Falls Optimist Club is holding its seventh annual Barn Dance, complete with a live band—"Benny Potter and Western Electric"—and barbecued ribs, chicken and bar-b-que from Famous Dave’s on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 7 to 11 p.m. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Great Falls Children’s Fund and Childhood Cancer Charity.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Names Interim Executive Director
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Galen Wixson as its interim executive director through December of 2012. Galen currently serves as the executive director of The Guitar Foundation of America where he has guided the organization through a transition to a new governance and management model, leading to several new program initiatives.
FCPD Traffic Safety Efforts Recognized
The Fairfax County Police Department was recently recognized by two prestigious law enforcement organizations which evaluate police traffic safety programs across the commonwealth and the nation.
Column: Diagnosed But Not Sick
Having/being diagnosed with cancer/a terminal disease is neither fun nor funny; however, unless I find some humor or wishful thinking in how I approach this situation, I don’t suppose I’ll be approaching it much longer. To me, it’s always been mind over matter, and even though these matters are rather serious, I still don’t mind.
Beach Mill Bridge Postponed
Replacement of temporary bridge will begin June 2013.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has postponed the scheduled replacement of the bridge over Nichols Run on Beach Mill Road. Originally scheduled to close from Aug. 13 to December, construction has been pushed back, and will start after the 2012-13 school year lets out.
Analemma Raises Funds for Sundial
Sundial designer speaks at library on dial proposed for Observatory Park.
While most of the tools available at Observatory Park at Turner Farm are designed to look upward, there are plans for additional features on the ground as well. The Analemma Society, which hosts programs and facilities at Observatory Park, is raising funds to build a second sundial.
Teen Center Throws Block Party
Old Firehouse Teen Center hosts revamped annual event.
The Old Firehouse Teen Center in downtown McLean hosted their annual block party on Saturday, Aug. 25, opening up their center for a variety of activities. The event featured the second annual McLean Teens Got Talent variety show, contests between acts and other arts and crafts opportunities.