A Very Good Year in McLean, Great Falls Area
In the first half of 2013 all price points experienced a gain in number of sales.
The numbers have been tallied for real estate sales in the first half of 2013 and total sales are up over the same time period in 2012 in McLean and Great Falls by 7.6 percent.
Local Author to Speak at Senior Center August Event
One of World War II’s great air battles and the experiences of American bomber crews who fought it are the focus of the Great Falls Senior Center’s (GFSC) Aug. 6 event.
Spotting a Hummingbird in Great Falls
Jerry Hunter spotted a hummingbird on Kettle Pond Lane in Great Falls around noon Sunday, June 16.
Great Falls Swim & Tennis Hosts Fourth of July Party
Sheri Landfair and her lifeguards throw one of the most anticipated and underrated parties of the summer.
The Great Falls Swim & Tennis club celebrated America’s 237th birthday this past Thursday for the Fourth of July. On what has increasingly become the biggest event on the pool’s calendar over the past decade, patrons and lifeguards celebrated together for the 41st consecutive time.
Hybrid Outrage at the Department of Motor Vehicles
Two legislators vow to introduce effort to repeal new tax on hybrid vehicles.
Suzanne Cleary has owned a hybrid vehicle since 2006, making her an early adopter and a proselytizer to her friends and neighbors.
When a Bill Becomes a Law
On July 1, sales taxes go up for Fairfax County residents.
“We needed to at least make it clear that you risk a reckless driving offense if you text and drive.” —Del. David Bulova (D-37)
Don't Be Afraid; Learn About Bees
Number of drones on the increase.
What Do You Know About Bees? How many bees in an ordinary colony (hive)? a) 1000 b) 10,000 c) 60,000 or more 2. Each colony has one queen. What happens if more than one is born? a) All but one is killed b) All but one is driven out c) The first one takes half the colony and relocates 3. The oldest bee ever found (preserved in a drop of amber) lived how many years ago? a) 1,000,000 b) 25,000,000 c) 100,000,000 4. Stingers release venom for a brief time. What to do on being stung? gently back out stinger with a fingernail or credit card apply ice for swelling c) both a and b 90% of bees are workers. Which gender? a) male female Which stinging insect is vegetarian? hornet bee wasp 7. At least how much honey a colony (hive) needs for winter? 10 pounds 60 pounds 100 pounds 8. Honey has flavors depending on the blossoms visited. What do beekeepers do with "bad tasting" honey? throw it out leave it for bees to eat 9. Normal gathering range of a bee? 500 yards one-half mile c) 2 miles (or more) 10. For millennia, honey has been used treating wounds? a) true b) false Answers; 1.c; 2.a; 3.c; 4.c; 5.b; 6.b; 7.b; 8.b; 9.c; 10.a. Grading correct answers: 9-10 = A; 7-8 = "bee"; 5-6 = C. Arlington Adult Education offers a class called "Help the Honeybees!" on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Arlington Career Center, in Walter Reed Drive near Columbia Pike. Hours are 7 to 10 p.m. and registration is $5. Beekeepers Association of Northern Virginia has a booth at the 2013 Arlington County Fair to be held in Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd Street, South, Aug. 7 - 11. Bee products are judged at the Fair and many Are offered for sale. All the answers to all the possible questions about bees are found through that association's webpage: www.beekeepersnova.org
Let the Sparks Fly
It’s not too late to enjoy local 4th of July festivals, parades and fireworks.
So. It’s July 4, 2013. Independence Day. A federal holiday celebrating our freedom from Great Britain. The National Day of the United States. And you have nothing planned.
Cross County Trail Renamed After Gerry Connolly
U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) says he is humbled by the Fairfax County Park Authority's decision to rename the 40-mile Cross County Trail the “Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail."
Governor Visits Express Lanes
Standing on the side of I-95 at the height of rush hour on Tuesday, June 25, Governor Bob McDonnell looked at the construction around him with optimism.
Local Artist to Exhibit Beach Series At Katie’s Coffee House
Local artist Jane Rader will be exhibiting her “Beach Series” photographs at Katie’s Coffee House at 760 Walker Road in Great Falls during the month of July.
GFCA Hosts Groundwater Contamination Discussion
Lawyer speaks on experiences with groundwater contamination.
The Great Falls Citizens Association hosted Matt Pawa, an attorney with experience dealing with groundwater contamination Thursday, June 20.
Local Artist to Exhibit Beach Series At Katie’s Coffee House
Local artist Jane Rader will be exhibiting her “Beach Series” photographs at Katie’s Coffee House at 760 Walker Road in Great Falls during the month of July. The digital images on canvas feature beach scenes in a contemporary, impressionistic style. As a painter and graphic designer, Rader’s soft focus style of photography allows the artist to paint with her camera. Her beach series was photographed in 2010 along the coast of Virginia.
Paving ‘Virginia’s Road to the Future’
Transportation Authority solicits public input on first year of proposed projects.
City Hall in the City of Fairfax was the location of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) June 20 Open House and Public Hearing, seeking public opinion on proposed regional transportation projects. The Authority was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2002 to provide a common voice for all Northern Virginia stakeholders on transportation and related issues. The Authority is made up of representatives from the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William, the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park, and one representative for the towns of Herndon, Leesburg, Purcellville, Dumfries and Vienna. The group also includes several members of the Virginia Assembly, governor appointees and non-voting representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
Week in Great Falls
Starshine Theater to Present Summer Camp Production
Starshine Theater of Great Falls is enrolling student actors, singers and dancers, ages 6 through 19, for its 20th annual summer camp production. This July, the student cast presents the original musical drama, "The Dragons of Darkmoor: How Magic Came Into The World."