Virginia Laws Help Local Governments Conceal 911 Calls from Public
Police agencies refuse to release audio from 911 calls, prompting questions about transparency.
When city officials in Alexandria released the audio of a 911 call in a high-profile murder case, many people interpreted the move as a step forward for transparency in a commonwealth known for opaque government.
Feb. 5, 2014 (Fairfax Station, Va.) --- Today, Rob Wasinger (R-VA) launched his campaign for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District seat.
“In launching this campaign, I promise a conservative resurgence,” declared Wasinger. “From Fairfax to Winchester, Manassas to Leesburg, Loudoun and McLean, and all points in between, with the good people of Virginia’s tenth congressional district, we will put an end to the corruption of the cronies and the lobbyists, and restore the basic freedoms of limited government of, by and for the people.”
Celebrating and Remembering Haiti
Community Coalition for Haiti is holding an event to Celebrate and Remember Haiti. This is an opportunity to remember, respect, reflect and revel 25 years of service by the CCH and its predecessor organization. The CCH is looking forward to honoring all those who have served and supported CCH over the years and to celebrate the future and rebuilding of Haiti. They will also take time to recognize the work of Karen Carr in furthering the mission and vision of CCH during her 10 year tenure as Executive Director. You are invited to join a casual evening March 1, 5-8 p.m. for food, drinks, music, a silent auction and memories from the past 25 years. The event is being held at the Inova EPIC Training Center 8111 Gatehouse Rd, Falls Church.
Week in Great Falls
Loebig Chiropractic & Rehab and The American Red Cross will be hosting a community blood drive in Great Falls at the office of Dr. Glenn Loebig, 754 Walker Rd, Great Falls on Tuesday, April 15, 1 – 6 p.m. The need for blood locally remains constant, and donations are needed to offset recent blood shortages. People can donate a pint of blood every 56 days and each donation can help save up to three lives. Blood donations help a variety of patients, including those going through cancer treatments, surgical patients and premature babies, among many others. Donors are encouraged to eat a meal prior to giving blood and drink plenty of water. Blood donation requirements include a photo ID, a minimum weight of 115 pounds and minimum age of 17. A 16-year old may donate blood with written parental consent and there is no upper age limit for donating blood. Many health conditions and medications do not prevent someone from donating blood. Call 703-757-5817 with any questions.
Obstructing Traffic on Walker Road
To the Editor: The letter from Dudley Losselyong [“More on ‘Wrong Direction’,” Great Falls Connection, February 12-18, 2014] regarding the "unbelievable" narrowing of Walker Road suggests that the project is attributable to folks who want to "make Great Falls like the place they were moving away from" i.e. McLean, Reston, and Vienna. I think it's more like West Virginia and the abuse of tax dollars.
Great Falls Farmers Market Plans for March
The Farmers’ Almanac forecasts a very cold March. We believe. This Saturday has a forecast high of 36 degrees, for example. At a vendors meeting after the market last Saturday, the vendors unanimously agreed to pay the extra fees to rent the Grange for the month of March – pending Fairfax County Park Authority approval. We will not know their answer before this paper goes to press, so please check our website (www.GreatFallsFarmersMarket.ORG), our Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/GreatFallsCommunityFarmersMarket), or our street signs, which will be updated as soon as we know where we will be.
Historic Cornwell Farm Open to the Public March 8
HBC Realty Group, Keller Williams Realty has announced that Historic Cornwell Farm will be open to the public on Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. People wanting to see the home can come on this day and take in the history and architecture all while supporting a worthy local charity. Proceeds from the day go to support LiftMeUp! Therapeutic Riding Program. For more information and questions contact Laura Smith at 571-331-7709, Info@LiftMeUp.org or Karen Briscoe at 703-734-0192, Karen@HBCRealtyGroup.com.
Molster Family Stable Awaits Special Permit Decision
Great Falls residents divided over the Molsters’ special permit application to teach horse riding lessons on their property.
When Sharon and Charles “Chip” Molster first began teaching horse riding lessons at their home on Blacks Hill Road in 2009, they found their customers loved having an opportunity to learn riding so close to home there in Great Falls.
Additional Delays Slow Handover of Silver Line to Metro
Performance issues and unmet safety testing requirements cited as reasons for the continued delay.
Phase I of the Silver Line is still not quite ready for final testing by Metro authorities, according to a Monday statement issued by Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA). With the handover of the Silver Line project to Metro authorities looming, Northern Virginia residents will have to be patient despite their readiness to hop on the train at new Tysons Corner and Reston Metro stations.
Money on the Shelves: Jurisdictions Take Variety of Approaches to Funding Libraries
Some have recovered from the recession, others are still struggling.
What is the future of the neighborhood library?
Residents Discuss Route 7 Widening, Effects on Neighborhoods
Great Falls and Reston residents discuss how Route 7 construction would impact their neighborhoods.
Great Falls and Reston residents met at The Grange in Great Falls on Tuesday, Feb. 11 to voice their concerns about the 6.9-mile project along Route 7 that will widen the road from four to six lanes. A presentation led by Great Falls Citizens Association board members went into great detail about the impending changes to each intersection along the stretch, extending from Seneca Road at the edge of Reston to Jarrett Valley Drive just before Tysons Corner.
Historic Cornwell Farm Open to the Public
March 8, 2014 in Great Falls, VA
The Cornwell Farm residence in Great Falls, Virginia has survived as a well-preserved example of Northern Virginia antebellum plantation architecture. The property was accepted into the National Register of Historic Places on April 13, 1977. It is one of the area’s most significant residential properties with a Nineteenth Century Manor House, circa 1831. It is scenically important in that it is the major architectural element to be seen along the historic Georgetown Pike, the first road in the state to be designated a Virginia By-Way. The entry features a magnificent cedar tree-lined private drive arriving at a pea gravel motor court. The gently rolling land and country vistas are some of the most gorgeous this close to Washington, DC. The property features a 4 stall barn, fenced and cross fenced pasture land and run-in shed for horses.
Week in Great Falls
Dr. Mark W. Cannon to Speak at the Great Falls Senior Center March Event
The Great Falls Senior Center (GFSC) has announced Dr. Mark W. Cannon as a guest speaker for the March 4 event. He has lectured at more than 70 institutions in 18 countries.
More on ‘Wrong Direction’
To the Editor: I enjoyed both recent letters written to the Connection re "Development Taking Wrong Direction." I have lived in Great Falls since 1974, 40 years this coming November.
Petition Halts Senior Housing Development at Cornwell Farm
More than 700 people signed online petition to stop Clark Realty’s plans to build senior housing on historic property.
An outpouring of opposition from the Greats Falls community quickly halted a developer’s application to purchase and re-zone the historic Cornwell Farm Property on Monday, Feb. 3. Clark Realty had proposed building 39 senior living residences on 20 acres of land on and around the property. But in a matter of days, more than 700 community residents signed an online petition, titled “Oppose Zoning and Cluster Development of historic Cornwell Farm Property,” and the developer withdrew its application the following week.