Stalled Labor Market Slows County Budget
Proposed budget calls for no real estate tax rate increase, but average homeowner would pay $184 more.
Supervisor Jeff McKay pointed out an irony in County Executive Ed Long’s proposed $3.8 billion budget. Three planning positions would be eliminated from the budget even though Long suggested the county needs more efforts to raise revenue from commercial and industrial venues.
Super-Insulation Talk Attracts Homeowners in Reston
How to lower electric, gas and water bills?
The Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne in Reston was the venue for a well-attended presentation by Rich and Marian Taschler on proper home insulation and its mostly unknown benefits. The program was offered under the auspices of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University.
Oh Deer! What Can the Matter Be?
The county Park Authority used aerial infrared surveys via fixed-wing airplanes to count the number of deer inside parks and within a small distance in the surrounding neighborhoods on Feb. 6, 2014 and Dec. 27, 2013, according to the 2014 Annual Report on the Environment for Fairfax County.
Great Falls Grange Reopens
President of National Grange to speak at Great Falls Historical Society Program on March 11.
In a special program to celebrate the reopening of the Great Falls Grange building and to explore the history of the National Grange movement, Ed Luttrell, the 22nd President (Master) of the National Grange will be the keynote speaker at the March 11 program of the Great Falls Historical Society.
Scoring Baskets for Haiti in Great Falls
GF Hoops sponsors “Shots for Shots,” to help vaccination effort in Haiti.
GF Hoops shoots way beyond any basket by taking on an initiative to provide immunization shots for school-age children in Haiti. The children of Haiti are not permitted to attend school unless they have been immunized. The cost to immunize a child for a year? $1!
Stem Night at Great Falls Elementary
Great Falls Elementary students put their science skills, as well as imaginations, into action at the school’s third Annual STEM Night on Feb. 3. The Children’s Science Center brought its Mobile Labs to the school where students and their families got the opportunity to try various hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) experiments and activities.
I-66 Improvements Draw Crowd in Oakton
Public Information Meeting held at Oakton High.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in partnership with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) recently held several informational meetings on the “I-66 Outside the Beltway Improvements Project” to give the public the opportunity to better visualize its scope and ask questions of the people really in the know. One of these meetings was held at Oakton High School on Feb. 3 and drew a crowd of several hundred to the school cafeteria to learn more about the project that covers a 25 mile path from the 495 Beltway to Route 15 in Haymarket.
Exploring the Truth, Doubt and Consequences
1st Stage presents “Doubt.”
1st Stage has given audiences a beautifully accomplished, soaring production of “Doubt, a Parable.” Directed by Michael Dove, “Doubt” is a courageous act of intellectual and emotional honesty that is rare in its presentation of power, gender and ambiguity. It is rich in passionate dialogue to hold your attention.
It’s Time for a “Place”
The community of Great Falls is abundant with creative talent. Our ability to socialize our children into many layers of being in the world is truly remarkable: the home and school, the beach, the mountains and ski slopes, the world of the spirit, the arts, the sciences, technology, philosophy…exploration in nature, taking walks, journeying on the river, photographing nature, looking out the window while doing homework - connecting with the tree spirits, the herd of deer, the birds outside the window, all hanging out in the same tree. Our children have access to the knowledge of the world through the centuries on their phone, laptop or computer.
Pinball Kevin, Pinball Wizard
McLean man hosts state pinball championships.
Kevin Stone took out a loan to buy the 15 pinball machines in his McLean basement, the site of this year's Virginia state pinball championship. Virginia was one of 33 states to take part in the simultaneous championships on Saturday, Feb. 7. Stone's Harlem Globetrotters machine was built in 1979, others from Stern Pinball and Jersey Jack Pinball are contemporaries.
Great Falls Spa Offers an Alternative
Open house held at Fontaine de Jeunesse.
When Dr. Jeanette Coutin brought her Fontaine de Jeunesse medical spa to Great Falls in the summer of 2013, she was sure it would be a terrific location to offer services in the field of aesthetic medicine. She was right. "People in Great Falls are very conscious of their health," she said.
Spelling Bee Champion
Great Falls Elementary fourth through sixth grade students took the stage at the school’s annual Spelling Bee on Feb. 4. After 33 rounds of spelling words ranging from "ignominious" to "quintessential," sixth grade student Ariana Sanjideh became the champion with the word "synthesis."
Langley Rowers Earn Gold, Silver and Bronze
The Langley High School Crew team excelled at the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints, the largest indoor rowing event for juniors (18 years or younger) in the United States. From Langley, Sophie Rogers took home the gold in the Junior Women Lightweight (age 16) category.
Langley High Orchestra to Present Spring Concert
The Langley High School Orchestra presents their "Start Spreading the News" concert on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Due to the undergoing renovations at Langley High School, the concert will be held at the nearby Oakcrest School at 850 Balls Hill Road, McLean.
McLean Wrestling Wins Conference 6 Championship
Conor Grammes’ pin delivers team title for Highlanders.
McLean beat Madison by 1.5 points to win the Conference 6 wrestling title.