Inspired to Give
Local teens positively impact youth on a global scale.
Picture this: An impoverished young teenager sits in a hospital bed in rural India, suffering from a life-threatening cancer, opens up a tablet device filled with educational tools and apps to distract them from their daily struggles. You would probably expect the tablet to have been shipped there by a large, national non-profit run by paid staff members. Not so. It was delivered to this teen by other teens, all working toward the same goal: to connect with pediatric cancer patients around the world in order to provide them with encouragement, support and education.
Starshine Theater to Host “How to Audition” Event
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, 4:30-6:30 p.m. the Starshine Theater will host a free event: "How to audition for a show—TV ‘Talent’ or ‘Live Stage,’” for ages 3 through adults. Those younger than 18 should attend with a parent. Duets, groups welcome.
Riverbend Park Hosts Virginia Indian Festival
At Riverbend Park in Great Falls thousands of visitors stopped by to attend the annual Virginia Indian Festival. Mixing with the crowds and greeting visitors was Park Manager Marty Smith. “I have been working at Riverbend Park for 20 years, and manager for 10 years,” said Smith. It was Smith who organized and developed the concept of an educational event about the indigenous people of Northern Virginia for the general public.
Weaving Community and Lifelong Learning
Great Falls Library brings threads together.
Concerns about the strength and condition of “the fabric of our society” abound, but how is that fabric woven in the first instance, and how is it used and enjoyed and rewoven into the modern tapestry of community? Spend just one day (or two) with the librarians, volunteers and patrons of the Fairfax County Public Library in Great Falls and you will see. The library opens its doors on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Pat Neuman Exhibits at Great Falls Library
Pat Neuman’s “Annuals and Perennials,” pastel on paper exhibit is on display in the Small Conference Room at the Great Falls Community Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.
Saving Jobs in Hard Times
Virginia lawmakers will push work sharing legislation this session.
“Having been through the recession and recent slight increases in Virginia unemployment rates as federal sequestration takes effect, it is important that we give Virginia businesses all the tools we can to help them and their employees get through challenging times. This bill does that.” —State Sen. George Barker (D-39)
Great Falls to Celebrate Arts in October
Great Falls Studios celebrates 10th anniversary, hosts annual art tour.
Great Falls Studios (GFS) will celebrate a decade of art on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Great Falls Community Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. This is an opportunity to meet GFS artists, view some of their original work, enjoy hands-on activities and learn the stories of their studios. A 10th Anniversary book is scheduled to be released that day—a community occasion to celebrate creativity.
Hillwood Estate to Host Great Falls Senior Center’s October Event
Great Falls Senior Center is embarking on its second bus trip—this time to the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in Washington, D.C. Hillwood is the legendary home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, heiress to the Post cereal fortune.
Challenged to ‘Build & Fly’
Kashmir-Robotics CEO Princess Aliyah of Great Falls issues "Build & Fly" conservation challenge.
During the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) conference, Aug. 12-15 at the DC Convention Center, Princes Aliyah represented the Great Falls community as the CEO of Kashmir-Robotics to announced the first ever Wildlife Conservation UAV Challenge.
New Beach Mill Road Bridge Opens to Traffic
Bridge construction schedule, design meet neighborhood’s expectations.
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) staff, Great Falls residents, elected officials, Fairfax County Department of Transportation staff and others celebrated the opening of the newly completed Beach Mill Road Bridge over Nichols Branch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 29. The bridge’s one-lane, rustic design and slip resistant wood decking and railing was a collaborative effort between VDOT, Dranesville Supervisor John Foust, the Great Falls Citizens Association, the neighboring community and others. The bridge opened to traffic on Aug. 28.
Day One at Forestville
Forestville Elementary’s welcome back to school worthy of a gold star.
Miss Genevieve Roberson is obviously ready to start her academic career as a first grader at Forestville Elementary School in Great Falls. No tears today from this young lady on the first day of the new school year. “She actually cried when we left the open house last Thursday,” said mom Maria Roberson. “She thought it was great. She wanted to stay at school then.”
Every Year Is Election Year in Virginia
Northern Virginia has most two-party races on ballot.
While the Virginia governor’s race is the one getting the most attention, both nationally and in the state, Virginia’s House of Delegates race is shaping up to be the most competitive in a decade. According to an official candidate list released last month by the Virginia State Board of Elections, 57 House seats will be contested this November — marking only the second time in the last decade where at least half of the 100 House seats will have more than one name on the ballot.
Obsessed With Politics? Fairfax County Welcomes You!
What newcomers need to know to be politically-savvy insiders.
Fairfax County may be physically separated from Washington, D.C.—the ground-zero of All Things Political—but residents here are a politically-savvy bunch. We know who Larry Sabato is—a prominent University of Virginia political analyst—and we pay attention to Not Larry Sabato—a Virginia politics blog by Ben Tribbett, a Fairfax County resident and self-described “vicious campaign insultant.” We follow our politicians on Twitter and Facebook.
Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia
Affiliated with Northern Virginia Community College, the Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia (LLI) is a non-profit, member-run organization dedicated to providing continuing educational opportunities to older adults of all backgrounds and income levels.
Langley High Band to Hold Tag Day Fundraiser
On Saturday, Sept. 7, band members from Langley High School will participate in “Tag Day” throughout neighborhoods in McLean and Great Falls. Each year, the Langley High School Band raises money through door-to-door fundraising, “tagging” neighbors for their monetary support. In return, band members are personally inviting donors to come and enjoy one or all of Langley HS Bands free concerts held in the school auditorium in the winter and spring. The concerts are scheduled for early December and late February.