Starshine Theatre to Present ‘The Odyssey’
Starshine Theatre of Great Falls presents its 21st Annual Spring Production, "The Odyssey," based on the ancient Greek epic by Homer. A Cast of talented local students, ages elementary through high school, will portray the colorful characters the great Odysseus met on his 20-year journey home after winning the Trojan War. This original musical drama includes songs and dance/action choreography to complement the epic scholars have called "The best story in 3,000 years." Performance at The Grange Theater, Great Falls, on Saturday, May 10, at 7 p.m. Seats must be reserved in advance by contacting Pat Green Budwig, M.A., Play Director, at 703-790-9050 or StarshineTheater@aol.com .
Great Falls Day Celebrated
Visitors learn history of Great Falls community.
On Sunday, May 4, residents of Great Falls and visitors had the opportunity to celebrate Great Falls Day at the Great Falls Grange on Georgetown Pike and learn more about the history of the community. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the public assembly hall was built in 1929, a product of the Grange Movement which swept America after the Civil War. The Grange was a symbol of commitment to community involvement and progress, and has been a meeting and special event site throughout its history.
Three Great Falls Scouts Promoted to Eagles
Troop 55 in Great Falls recently announced the advancement to the rank of Eagle Scout of four young men: Patrick Ryan, Conrad Dear, Bennett Molster, and Ryan Withers. These scouts have earned at least 21 merit badges, and have demonstrated scout spirit by living the scout oath and law through years of service and leadership. They have each also planned, organized, led and managed extensive service projects.
‘Alice’ Comes to Madeira
Haddad Studio of Classical Ballet presents ‘Alice In Wonderland’ on May 11.
“The girls gain an opportunity to enjoy performing and dance before an audience of people,” said Margaret Haddad. “This time the show is ‘Alice In Wonderland’.” Since 1962 Margaret A. Haddad has taught the Nicholai Legat method of Russian Classical Ballet across the globe in locations including England, Lebanon, Kenya. In 1987, Haddad opened her studio in Great Falls. There, talented young people learn the Legat Syllabus, emphasizing grace, unison and discipline. Haddad was one of the first English students accepted to the Legat School of Russian Ballet which was developed by Nadine Nicolaeva and Nicolai Legat. Located in Scotland, the Russian Ballet Society is committed to preserving and maintaining the Classical Russian Ballet style and the Legat System via teaching and examination qualification exams.
County Chamber Moves to Tysons
FCCC makes new location official with ribbon-cutting party.
Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) members loyalty runs river deep. More than 400 people braved the flooding Potomac and heavy traffic due to severe thunderstorms to celebrate the Chamber’s Open House and ribbon cutting in Tysons Corner on Wednesday.
Mother’s Day Event for a Cause
Turner Farm event raising money for suicide awareness.
A mother’s love never ends. Sarah Kirk is planning a celebration of life in memory of her daughter, Becky Love, to raise awareness about suicide and funds for Comfort Zone Camp. Becky was a charismatic and spiritual person and a mother herself, according to Kirk. She was found dead on a shooting range in August at 32 years old. “I wish I knew more about what my daughter was going through,” said Kirk. “We wanted to celebrate Becky being a mother and all mothers who want the best for their kids.”
Rising Stars
Del. Comstock announces new class of Young Women's Leadership Program.
Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) has officially notified the second class of her Young Women's Leadership Program of their acceptance into this program. "This year we received even more applications to the Young Women's Leadership Program and I am honored to have each and every one of the 80 young women in the 2014 Class. These young women are rising stars in our community and I'm confident that they will bring their passions and unique perspectives to the program. I hope that the Young Women's Leadership Program will help inspire this next generation of female leaders to bring their intelligence, drive and solutions to their communities, families and careers," Del. Comstock said. The Young Women's Leadership Program provides young women enrolled in middle school and high school the opportunity to meet and interact with women in leadership positions in government, politics, medicine, business and a variety of professions throughout our community.
Week in Great Falls
Starshine Theatre to Present ‘The Odyssey’ Starshine Theatre of Great Falls presents its 21st Annual Spring Production, "The Odyssey," based on the ancient Greek epic by Homer. A Cast of talented local students, ages elementary through high school, will portray the colorful characters the great Odysseus met on his 20-year journey home after winning the Trojan War. This original musical drama includes songs and dance/action choreography to complement the epic scholars have called "The best story in 3,000 years." Performance at The Grange Theater, Great Falls, on Saturday, May 10, at 7 p.m. Seats must be reserved in advance by contacting Pat Green Budwig, M.A., Play Director, at 703-790-9050 or StarshineTheater@aol.com .
Protecting Driver’s License Information Becomes Law
Del. David Bulova’s legislation (House Bill 1072) to protect personal information on driver’s licenses was enacted into law during the reconvened session of the General Assembly on April 23. The new law, which will be effective on July 1, limits the ability of a business to electronically scan the bar code on a driver’s license and then store and use that data. State Sen. David Marsden (D-37) carried the companion legislation (Senate Bill 40), which has also been enacted into law.
County Budget Markup Passes
Three supervisors still oppose the budget.
Fairfax County is another step closer to having an approved budget for the next fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors approved the 2015 budget markup at its April 22 meeting at the county Government Center. Supervisors Linda Smyth (D-Providence), Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and John Cook (R-Braddock) opposed the markup.
Fairfax County Honors ‘Superheroes’
22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards presented.
Maybe they don’t wear capes and flashy uniforms, but local volunteers are superheroes. That was the theme for the 22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards, where more than 100 volunteers were recognized for their work with breakfast Friday, April 25, at The Waterford in Springfield. More specifically, this year’s theme was "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact," which was reflected in the comic book-inspired table decor and introductions by master of ceremonies Jeff Goldberg, Virginia Bureau Chief for ABC7 and News Channel 8.
Becoming a Leader - The Grange Way
Great Falls Day, Sunday, May 4, to explore the story of local Grange.
The National Grange was formed in 1867, two years after the wrenching Civil War that took more lives than any war since. Mired in mistrust of neighbor, impoverished by outdated farming practices throughout the south, the Grange served as a platform for improving farming practices and farmers economics while building trust.
VDOT Holds Six-year Improvement Plan Hearing
Public input sought on transportation improvement plan.
It was Northern Virginia’s turn last week when Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne and the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) held a public hearing at the offices of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in Fairfax. The CTB is conducting meetings throughout the state to garner public opinion before their scheduled June vote on the state’s Six-Year Improvement Plan 2015 - 2020 (SYIP). Various entities have held numerous meetings in recent months, particularly since HB 2313 - the first comprehensive transportation funding bill in the state for more than 27 years – passed in the General Assembly last year. Those meetings were often standing-room-only affairs, could witness dozens of citizens lined up to comment on particular projects or to suggest others, and frequently got a bit heated.
Comstock Wins 10th District GOP Canvass
Sole female Republican candidate sweeps party polls, will face John Foust in November election.
Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) is the 10th Congressional District Republican pick for Congressman Frank Wolf’s open seat. The current delegate reined in more than 7,000 votes at the party canvass on Saturday. “It is an honor and a privilege to win my party's nomination for Virginia's 10th Congressional District and follow in the footsteps of my mentor, Congressman Frank Wolf,” she said in a press release.
Holocaust Survivor Speaks in Great Falls
In Auschwitz they took the last thing he had for himself - a name - and tattooed a number on his forearm.
Henry Greenbaum has more than earned each of the 86 years he has been alive. He spent five years as a teenager being forced from one concentration camp to another during the Holocaust, losing most of his family before he was finally liberated in 1945. Greenbaum, born Chuna Grynbaum in Poland, told his story to an audience of nearly 80 people at Great Falls Library on April 23. However, he has not stopped telling his story since the his “death march” from Flossenburg towards Dachau. “We promised one another during the march that if you survive, make sure you tell,” he said.