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.
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
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.
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.
How To Register, Vote and Vote Early
Election Day is Nov. 6, but you can vote as early as Sept. 21.
How important is it for Virginia voters to turn out on or before Nov. 6? As a critical “battleground” state, Virginia will be key in determining who will be the next President of the United States. Who will represent Virginia in the U.S. Senate is also too close to call. Since polling shows that there are very few undecided voters in the Commonwealth, every eligible voter will want to be sure to cast a ballot.
North Fairfax County Calendar, Aug. 24-Sept. 2
Events to get you out and about in the area.
Breeze through the events calendar and pick up a few events to spice up and fill out your week.
Preserving Summer Memories
Reflections of the Great Falls Farmers Market’s ‘Jelly Girls.’
We have completed our last Saturday at the Great Falls Farmers Market and we are heading back to Christopher Newport University. We are looking back on what a great idea it was to start a jelly-making business and get our feet wet at the Farmers Market. It was so much fun! We enjoyed talking to customers about how we prepare our jellies and it was such a treat when a customer came back the second time.
Great Falls Exxon Station to Close
Community concerned about losing one of two gas stations, TD Bank preparing application for site.
The Exxon station at the corner of Walker Road and Georgetown Pike will cease pumping gas Sept. 1, and will cease all operations by March of next year. Starting Sept. 1, the underground fuel tanks will be removed, which will cease pumping gas. The current service operator will maintain services until February 2013, then they will move to the Shell service station across the street.
Time for School
Advice on how to transition from a laid-back summer to a hectic academic year.
When Ellen Feldman’s 5-year-old son started school for last fall, one of the biggest adjustments for the single mother of two was having to adhere to a schedule. “All of a sudden we went from being able to do things on our own time frame to having to wake up and be at a certain place at a certain time,” said Feldman. “Sending my son off to school for the first time was exciting, but also difficult.”
Editorial: Starting School Prepared
First day of school is Sept. 4; local nonprofits provide school supplies and weekend food.
With school beginning in a few weeks, area charitable organizations have been collecting contributions of new backpacks, calculators, other school supplies, money and gift cards and winter coats to help the tens of thousands of truly needy Northern Virginia students.