McLean High Bands Win at National Competition in Boston
McLean High School’s Symphonic, Concert and Jazz Bands all brought home first place trophies from a national band competition in Boston last weekend. In addition the school’s Percussion Ensemble received the highest "Superior Gold" rating by judges and five musicians received an "Individual Soloist Award." McLean’s bands traveled to Boston to compete in the WorldStrides Heritage Festival which pitted the music program against top programs in high schools from the East Coast to California and Alaska.
Great Falls Farmers Market Highlights Local Produce
Local farmers and vendors from Great Falls make up nearly half the vendors.
From honey to honey buns, from produce to pickles, the newly located Great Falls Farmers Market has it all. They go beyond many other local farmers markets because they are able to offer many products that are grown and produced in the village of Great Falls, taking local a step further.
Letter: Is it Worth it?
Letter to the Editor
I read with interest your recent report of the news conference held by VDOT officials on the roadway now named the 495 Express Lanes ["Fasten Your Seatbelts," Connection, April 4-10, 2012]. Your story quotes Tim Steinhilber, Transurban-Fluor's Express Lanes manager, saying that "drivers on 495 will have faster, more reliable and more predictable trips on the Capital beltway."
Great Falls Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale
The Great Falls Garden Club will hold its Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. In addition to the Plant Sale, the Great Falls Garden Club will be hosting a Small Standard Flower Show from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Great Falls Library at 9830 Georgetown Pike. One can see, in the Horticulture Division, what beautiful flowers can be grown in the Great Falls area. Everyone is invited.
A Big Accomplishment for a Sixth Grader
Kayley McPhail of Great Falls who is 11 years old and in 6th grade, recently scored 11th in the Nation on the High School National French Examination.
Area Welcomes Discovery
A famed pace Shuttle finds home in Chantilly.
The Washington area kept its eyes to the sky on Tuesday morning April 17, for a special over-flight by the Space Shuttle Discovery docked to its 747 carrier aircraft. The Discovery is moving to its new home at the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. The Discovery has flown 39 missions, spent 365 days in space, and was the longest-serving orbiter in NASA’s shuttle program.
Growing Up in a Virtual World
The effects of today’s technologies on the lives of teenagers.
Until recently, we didn’t know that the average teenage girl sends or receives a staggering 4,050 text messages per month. That boils down to at least one message every seven minutes during her waking hours. This is a problem, said Dr. Leonard Sax, well-known author and psychologist, not just because of the amount of time spent, but because this and other research findings show that today’s teenage girl is hyper-connected to her peers; and she is more disconnected than ever from herself.
Good, Bad and Ugly In Virginia Budget
The Virginia Senate finally adopted the State Budget on a vote of 21-19 last week. It now goes to the Governor for his amendments.
Northern Region Well Represented at Capital Classic
West Springfield’s Battle, T.C. Williams’ Huggins win MVP honors.
Coming off the bench didn't stop West Springfield senior Logan Battle from earning MVP honors during the 39th Annual Capital Classic.
Classified Advertising
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Northern Region Sports Notes (April 25-May 1)
Girls sporting pink look at district lax playoffs; McLean boys tennis unbeaten; Templin leads Saxons softball over Marshall.
This week the undefeated McLean High boys' tennis team, under head coach Aavo Tomkov, had a challenging slate of competition versus Liberty District opponents. The Highlanders (8-0), earlier in the week on Tuesday, April 24, were scheduled to travel to cross-town and Liberty District rival Langley High (7-1).
Lady Saxons Surge Past Marshall in Liberty lacrosse
Swomley scores four times for first place Langley squad.
The Langley Lady Saxons notched another impressive win, defeating the George Marshall Lady Statesmen, 15-5, in a Liberty District lacrosse match-up played last Thursday, April 19.
Langley, Madison Compete in Boys Tennis
Saxons prevail to improve to 7-1.
In a Liberty District boys' tennis match on April 16, the Langley High Saxons defeated the Madison Warhawks, 6-3, in the competition held at Madison in Vienna.
Connection Wins Public Service Award for Homeless Coverage
VPA Award for Journalistic Integrity and Community Service; plus 44 other awards.
The Connection Newspapers was awarded the Virginia Press Association Award for Journalistic Integrity and Community Service last Saturday, April 21, "for exhaustive coverage of homelessness in the newspaper's circulation area."
Coming In from The Cold
Fairfax County hosts hypothermia meeting to address shelters’ concerns.
Fairfax County officials met with about 75 representatives from churches and other houses of worship Sunday, April 22, to address rumors and concerns that the County’s Fire Marshal will shut down their hypothermia programs next winter - and shut out many homeless residents - because of fire code violations.
History Revisited in Vienna
Freeman Store Historical Plaque unveiled.
More than 100 members of the Vienna-area community and a cast of local dignitaries took part in the program at Freeman Store on April 21 at which the plaque commemorating Freeman Store’s historical designation in the Commonwealth was unveiled.
Baby Boomers and Beyond Health Fair Debuts in Vienna
Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna and the Town of Vienna partner to host wellness exhibitions.
"Baby Boomers and Beyond" were introduced to the broad diversity of health and wellness services offered in the Vienna area at the health fair sponsored by the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna [SCOV] and the Town of Vienna Department of Parks and Recreation. From health care navigation to dancing to Latin music, the four-hour exhibition on April 21 at the Vienna Community Center focused on the wellness needs of the area’s senior population.
Space Shuttle Discovery Flies Over Langley High
Harris LaTeef, a 9th grader from Langley High School and Assistant Editor of The Saxon Scope, the school newspaper, was on top of the sports bleachers capturing photos of the Space Shuttle Discovery as it passed low over Langley on its way to Dulles Airport on April 17.
Langley High Wins Science Olympiad
Langley High School's Science Olympiad team won first place in Division C (grades 9-12) at the Virginia Science Olympiad state competition, held April 14 at Westfield High School.
Langley Crew Wins Races, Helps Community
The Langley crew team has three regattas under their belt with some great successes: Several boats have come in first, second or third in their heats. The freshmen and novice boats have produced some great times – building future successes for the team.