Writers Group Crafts Publishing Workshop
The Writers Group to host a panel of publishing and marketing professionals.
For any writers living near Great Falls who have wondered what it takes to get their short stories or book ideas published, the next meeting of the Great Falls Writers Group may be able to help. On Thursday, Feb. 6, the Writers Group will meet at Great Falls Public Library for a publishing workshop, complete with a panel of published writers and self-marketing experts.
Library, Falls Salon Win
The Celebrate Great Falls Foundation presented both winners with certificates and a cash prize.
There’s nothing that brings a community together like a bit of friendly competition — at least that’s the idea behind the Celebrate Great Falls Foundation’s annual Holiday Decorating Contest. The foundation presented awards to both the Friends of the Great Falls Library and The Falls Salon on Thursday, Jan. 23, for their holiday spirit displayed in their storefronts and buildings. The two winners were chosen by a community vote that found them both equally deserving of the cash prize of $400.
Into the Budget Fray
Bulova highlights accomplishments, challenges in annual address.
Despite the lingering impact of an anemic economy, and the regional ripple effects of federal sequestration, Fairfax County residents will see some concrete signs of progress this year.
Del. Comstock Shares Her Notes on Opening Week
A new beginning, a new chairmanship and a new legislative session.
It is always an honor to be part of the oldest continuous legislative body in the western world. On Jan. 8, we began a new session with a new Administration. The session is always kicked off early in the morning (7 a.m.) with the annual Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast. In keeping with tradition, outgoing Governor McDonnell and incoming Governor McAuliffe and senior government officials attend. This year I had the honor of offering the prayer for State Legislators at the Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast also features guest speakers every year and everyone was moved by the powerful testimony of Thomas Haynesworth, a truly inspirational man, who was exonerated in 2011 after being wrongfully imprisoned for 27 years for crimes he did not commit. Mr. Haynesworth spoke of his faith sustaining him throughout this unjust ordeal.
Showing Appreciation
Old Brogue Irish Pub hosts monthly dinners, where donations are matched to contribute to military veteran organizations.
In a packed house at The Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls on Jan. 13, all in attendance stood up at the request of Bob Nelson, the man who put together the event. Nelson had asked any guests with family members who had served in the military, however distant the relation might be, to please stand.
Cadette Troop 1111 Earns Silver Award
The girls in Girl Scouts Cadette Troop 1111 have been busy doing more than selling cookies this past year. They recently earned the organization’s Silver Award — the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette is eligible for. By planning and completing a 50-hour community service project, Friendship Across Generations, the girls demonstrated leadership, organization and a commitment to community service.
Obituary
Nathan F. Holeman
Nathan F. (Red) Holeman died on Dec. 24, 2013. He was born July 16, 1925 to George and Hazel Holeman in Tuxedo Junction on the outskirts of Bartlesville, OK.
Going Dark?
Funding needed for Great Falls July 4 fireworks.
“Last Friday’s meeting didn’t result as we had hoped it would,” said Sharon Rainey, president of Neighbors Foundation. The Great Falls based Rotary Foundation notified Neighbors Foundation that they would not be taking over the annual 2014 July 4th Fireworks event.
Donation Supports Box Turtles
Great Falls BSA Venturing Crew 364 presented a $250 check to the Fairfax County Park Authority on Dec. 11, providing a lifetime sponsorship of eastern box turtles at Riverbend Park. These turtles are used to educate children at the park and local Fairfax schools about wildlife and conservation. Their population in the wild has been declining in Northern Virginia. Presenting the check to Riverbend Park Naturalist Julie Gurnee is Natalie Gilbert, president of Venturing Crew 364. Joining in the presentation are: Camille Speer, the Crew's past president and adult advisors, Bill Canis and Gary Pan. Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America and provides opportunities for young men and women to participate in high adventure activities, serve their communities and become responsible and caring adults.
Virginia Supreme Court Opens Access to Audio Recordings of Oral Arguments
Policy change overturns blackout instituted in 2008.
Members of the Virginia Supreme Court have a New Year’s Resolution — become more transparent.
Let Sun Shine on Virginia’s Financial Disclosure Laws
State legislators turn attention to ethics in wake of McDonnell gift scandal.
As members of the Virginia General Assembly convene for the first time since last February, legislators are stampeding to introduce ethics legislation in response to the gift scandal which engulfed then Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R). The revelations last spring about numerous undisclosed gifts and purported loans from businessman Jonnie Williams to McDonnell — including a $6,500 Rolex watch engraved to the "71st Governor of Virginia" and $35,000 in gifts and catering for his daughters’ weddings — shined a spotlight on Virginia’s porous financial disclosure laws.
Week in Great Falls
In early December, the Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Committee elected new officers: President - Andy Wilson; Vice President - Sandy Pidgeon; and Treasurer - Mike Kearney. The Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial was formed in 2002 with the mission to build a memorial site in Great Falls dedicated to the residents who have given their lives for our freedom. That Memorial was dedicated on Nov. 13, 2004 and is located beside the Great Falls Library. The Friends supports the mission with yearly ceremonial events on Memorial Day, 9-11 Remembrance, and Veterans Day plus educational programs.
Contemporary Art on Exhibit at Katie’s Coffee House
Shared Colors, a contemporary art exhibit showcasing fiber art and mixed media paintings, will be on display at Katie’s Coffee House in Great Falls through January 31. Cindy Grisdela, a contemporary quilt artist, and Jennifer Duncan, a mixed media painter, share studio space in Great Falls, where they have had many opportunities to enjoy one another’s work. Although creating in different media, they have marveled at the remarkable similarities in their use of color and design. This exhibit highlights the unique creative styles of each artist, while emphasizing the parallels in their work.
Supporting Special Operations Warriors
The girls from Great Falls visited Walter Reed last Wednesday. Girls in picture, from left, are: Saanvi Singireddy, Lizzie Holt, Oksana Vickers, and Maddie Holt. The four made wristbands and sold them at lunch and in the morning at their school, Forestville Elementary, last spring, where the Forestville children and teachers donated close to $400 for the wounded soldiers. The girls are all now in middle school (Vickers and Holts at Kilmer, Singireddy at Cooper.) The girls hope to continue their fundraising in support of Special Operations warriors this year and encourage others to do the same.
The Great Falls Farmers Market Moves Indoors
In January and February the market will operate Saturdays at the Historic Great Falls Grange,
We made a collective decision to run a winter Great Falls Community Farmers Market based on a survey of summer farmers market shoppers. Most wanted an all-year market and agreed to shop year-round in support of the vendors. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday market in which many vendors sold out completely before the end of the market, delighting our community with their unique offerings. However, the Farmers’ Almanac predictions for a very cold winter have been proving true. The market cancelled on Dec. 14 due to predictions of a head-on snowstorm. The Jan. 4 market faced a parking lot of ice and snow. We tried to arrange a drive-thru, but people preferred to walk. This past Saturday, rains were heavy – the first (unrelenting) downpour our market ever experienced – definitely dampening the market in all respects.