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 Mired in mistrust of neighbor, impoverished by outdated farming practices throughout the south, the Grange served as a platform for improving farming practices and farmers economics while building trust.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.
All-night Long Relay for Life
Langley and McLean High Schools join forces in fight against cancer.
The students of Langley High School (LHS) and McLean High School (MHS) most often see each other as arch rivals, particularly when vying for local supremacy on sports fields and courts, so the fact that the two schools joined forces and pulled off a joint effort in the American Cancer Society-sponsored Relay for Life fundraiser on Saturday, April 26, made the event much more special. Langley Co-Captains Harris LaTeef and Ava Shomaker started planning the 2014 Relay immediately after the 2013 happening, which was Langley’s first time to participate, and which won them Best Rookie Relay in the region while raising $57,000. Knowing that upcoming renovations to Langley would probably mean that a 2015 event would have to be on borrowed ground from MHS, joining forces for this year’s Relay just made sense. McLean Co-Captains Margaret Duvall and Ann Liu, both seniors, rallied their troops and the combined energies and efforts of the two schools was a sight to behold at Langley’s track and field stadium when the opening ceremonies began just after 6 p.m.
Cooper Middle Presents ‘Aida’
Spring production runs Wednesday through Saturday, April 30-May 3.
It’s the timeless story of star-crossed lovers - with a twist. Cooper Middle School is performing “Aida,” the story of a deep love stirring in the midst of a war between two nations, starting today. “The music’s excellent and it’s a beautiful show,” said theater arts teacher and play director Meg Baber. “I love the drama of it and how meaningful it is. And I do like to keep challenging them. I don’t want to make it too easy.” The story follows Aida - an enslaved Nubian princess as she falls in love with Radames - an Egyptian soldier already promised to the Pharaoh’s daughter. “As their forbidden love blossoms, Aida is forced to weigh her heart against the responsibility she faces as leader of her people,” Baber said in an email. “Aida and Radames' love for one another proves transcendent of cultural differences and ushers in a time of unprecedented peace between the warring nations.” She said it is a very mature, challenging play for the middle school age group, but believes that many of the actors are talented enough to handle it. About 70 people are a part of the show’s cast and crew.
Filling Empty Bowls in Herndon
Empty Bowl fundraiser held at Floris United Methodist Church.
Friday evening, April 25 the annual Empty Bowls event was hosted by the Giving Circle of HOPE at Floris United Methodist Church on Frying Pan Road in Herndon. All proceeds went directly to Food for Others, the largest distributor of free food to needy people in Northern Virginia. “This is a collaboration between the Giving Circle of HOPE and a local organization,” said Linda Strup, a resident of Reston and member of the Giving Circle of HOPE. The Giving Circle of HOPE was founded in January 2004 with four members. Since then, membership has grown to over 100 individuals. Voting members contribute a minimum of $1 per day and are eligible to vote on grants. Service members do not vote but may participate in all service programs and social events. “This is our seventh year of doing an Empty Bowl event, and we have sold out our tickets,” said Strup.
Week in Great Falls
Blood Drive at Loebig Chiropractic & Rehab a Success
Loebig Chiropractic & Rehab and The American Red Cross hosted a community blood drive in Great Falls at the office of Dr. Glenn Loebig, on Tuesday, April 15 where enough blood was donated to help save the lives of up to 57 hospital patients. According to Steve Mavica, communications manager for the Red Cross, the need for blood is constant to help accident victims, trauma patients, transplant recipients, and those receiving treatment for life-threatening illnesses. “Blood is perishable and must be continuously replenished, so we are truly grateful for the selfless efforts of Loebig Chiropractic and Rehab in helping the Red Cross to fulfill its lifesaving mission. Through their dedicated support, we were able to collect 19 pints of blood and help ensure blood is available when it is needed most,” Mavica said.
Alone on the Road: 7 out of 10 Northern Virginia Workers Use Single-Occupancy Vehicles
Study raises concerns about amount of time drivers spend commuting alone.
Despite the decades-long war against the single-occupancy vehicle, seven out of 10 workers in Northern Virginia drive to work alone every workday.
‘Go Wild’ at the Parks
National Park Week ends Sunday.
The National Park Service wants everyone to “go wild” for nature this week. National Park Week will be celebrated with treks and children’s events at all 401 parks - including Great Falls Park - every day through Sunday. Several thousand people headed out to Great Falls Park over the weekend, but many did not know the reason they got in free was because of the event, which is themed “go wild!”
Voters Wanted: Party canvas on Saturday
Republican candidates for Congressional 10th District seat offer a mix of experience.
After weeks of debates and campaigning, the Republican party will choose a candidate on Saturday to oppose John Foust (D) to succeed U.S Rep. Frank Wolf in the Va. 10th District Congressional race. The party canvass will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Two of the candidates, Barbara Comstock and Bob Marshall have held office previously as delegates. According to VPAP.org, Comstock raised $761,354, Stephen Hollingshead raised $122,178, Howard Lind raised 140, 838, Marshall raised $55,240, Marc Savitt raised $13,764 and Rob Wasinger raised $82,742. Although Marshall raised significantly less than Comstock, he felt confident he is the right candidate for the 10th district race. “I have won 13 consecutive elections in Northern Virginia. Barbara Comstock won three. Obama won the state delegate district I represent by 11 percent. Barbara Comstock’s district split evenly between Obama and Romney. Groups from the left and the right have joined me to pass laws to protect our constitutional rights,” said Marshall in an email. Comstock, who felt she had the upper hand because of her work with Congressman Wolf, said she is concerned about several national security issues. “I’m very concerned about our current national defense policy which was weakened by President Obama,” she said. Lind is the only candidate who has served in the military. He previously ran for U.S. Senate. “The whole thing with my campaign is taking a stand, which is not just taking a stand against the Democratic party, but also taking a stand within our own party.” Savitt said his candidacy provides innovative ideas and a fresh face. “I am the only candidate in this race, who has never worked for the government or held elective office,” said Savitt in an email. “I consider this an advantage, as those with such prior employment, are the very same individuals who are directly responsible for the government’s loss of credibility with the American people. “
Nothing Humane In Bow Hunting
To the Editor: The typo in 'Deer Management' Options Explored (Great Falls Connection, April 16-22, 2014) was quite telling. It states that bow hunting is the "more human" deer management option. It certainly is-- but bow hunting is the furthest thing from humane.
‘Fountain of Youth’ in Great Falls Plaza
Fontaine de Jeunesse Medical & Dental Aesthetics Spa opened since June 2013.
In an unassuming Georgetown Pike plaza is a spa-like experience promising to tighten clients up without a nip and tuck. Fontaine de Jeunesse Medical & Dental Aesthetics Spa, a self-proclaimed fountain of youth in the heart of Great Falls, has been noninvasively treating men and women of all ages since last summer. Fontaine de Jeunesse translates to “fountain of youth” in French. The owner, Dr. Jeanette Coutin-Gentry, started the business as a way to help other women age gracefully through menopause without being self-conscious. “I found out that diet and exercise alone was not taking care of losing the weight,” she said.
iSchool for the Future Comes to Great Falls
Programs involve Forestville Elementary, Great Falls Library.
iSchool for the Future demonstrated its unique STEAM SELTM approach to science education during Thursday’s 2014 Annual School Environmental Action Showcase, generating interest from students and politicians alike. The 2014 Annual School Environmental Action Showcase is sponsored by NoVA Outside and George Mason University and brings together schools, students, and environmental organizations from Northern Virginia to share ideas and share eco-projects. The event, held on Thursday, April 10 on the GMU campus, had over 44 schools and 520 students in 52 teams participating. Over 30 partner organizations were invited to lead hands-on science activities for students.
President of the National Grange to Speak at the Great Falls Day
Ed Luttrell, President of the National Grange, will speak at the Great Falls Day Opening Ceremony, May 4 at 1 p.m. Luttrell, a native of Sandy, Ore., was elected the 22nd President of the National Grange in November of 2007. A second generation Granger, he is the immediate past Leadership/Membership Development Director for the National Grange. Luttrell is a 4th generation Oregonian. He grew up on a small farm outside of Portland in Shoals, Ore. He is a graduate of Hillsboro High in Hillsboro, Ore. and spent time studying livestock management at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Ore. He has worked in agriculture, automotive services and publishing.