Dam Project Worries South Run Residents
South Run residents want unofficial park entryway shut down permanently.
Chris Amans and his wife, Brenda Riffe, have lived in the leafy neighborhood of South Run in Fairfax Station since the community was developed in the mid-1980s. Bordered by Lee Chapel Road, Route 123, and the Fairfax County Parkway, many of the community’s 500 homes, which sell for close to $1 million, back up to Burke Lake Park. While they love the neighborhood’s mature trees, expansive 1/2-acre lots and access to Burke Lake Park, they have never been happy with the fact that their Laketree Drive cul-de-sac has become an unofficial entrance to the popular Burke Lake trails.
County Combats Chronic Homelessness
Fairfax County joins national effort to house ‘most vulnerable.’
Fewer families experienced homelessness in Fairfax County this year, a 16 percent decline stemming largely from the County’s “housing first” focus, which rapidly identifies housing for those living on the edge. But the number of chronic homeless—the most entrenched street dwellers and vulnerable individuals—jumped 20 percent this year. According to the September report released by the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH), 51 percent of single homeless individuals (353 people) were identified as chronically homeless in 2012, compared to 39 percent in 2011. An additional 43 adults were counted as unsheltered in 2012 over the previous year.
Langley High Band to Hold Tag Day Fundraiser, Welcomes New Band Director
On Saturday, Sept. 22, band members from Langley High School will participate in “Tag Day” throughout neighborhoods in McLean and Great Falls.
Week in Great Falls
Nominations for Northern Virginia Leadership Awards, Downsizing Seminar offered by the Lyons & McGuire Team of Keller Williams Realty, Nominations for Outstanding Citizen Award to The Rotary Club of Great Falls, Langley High School to perform at the 2013 Discover Orange Bowl, and Langley High School 10-Year Reunion
Boy Scout to Receive Heroism Award
Kevin McCormick, working as a counselor for a local summer youth camp, took his assigned group of campers to one of the local pools on June, 29, 2011. When his group of campers entered the pool area they became the responsibility of the lifeguards of the pool. Kevin was not trained or hired to be a pool lifeguard at the pool. Because Kevin’s responsibilities ended when his group of campers came on deck of the pool, Kevin came out of the bathroom, put his belongings down on a chair and jumped into the pool. Immediately after resurfacing he noticed a motionless person at the bottom of the pool.
Great Falls Remembers 9/11
Annual ceremony marks 11 years since attacks.
Several dozen Great Falls residents gathered at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Tuesday, Sept. 11 to pay tribute to those lost on that day, particularly six Great Falls residents that were killed when American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon.
New Ramp Opens at Tysons
A new ramp and flyover bridge connecting the eastbound Dulles Airport Access Highway to I-495 opened to traffic on Saturday, Sept. 8. The ramp provides a direct connection to the northbound and southbound Capital Beltway (I-495), improving safety and convenience for traffic near the interchange.
Vienna/McLean/Great Falls Bulletin, Sept. 13-19
Whether you're looking for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, trying to improve your public speaking skills or looking to seek support or new friends, look at the Bulletin Board for help.
Kuala Lumpur Laundry by Val Mahan
Photography Exhibit at The Artists’ Atelier
Photographers of Great Falls Studios are presenting a photography exhibition at The Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Rd., Suite G, Great Falls, throughout the month of September.
Capital One to Sponsor Celebrate Great Falls
Capital One Bank has become a Preferred Partner of the Celebrate Great Falls Foundation “and we are so grateful for their support,” said President Candace Campbell. “Not only does it take a lot of volunteers to put on the fabulous community events families look forward to throughout the year, it takes a lot of money, and Capital One really stepped up to the plate to help.”
Pike Named to National Historic Register
Designation includes stretch of original road, now Dolley Madison Boulevard and Chain Bridge Road.
Georgetown Pike was named to the National Register of Historic Places Wednesday Aug. 22, giving the 14.4 miles of road from the Virginia-Washington, D.C. border to Leesburg Pike the recognition that many locals feel it deserves.
Long Hours, Big Potential for McLean Marching Band
Members of the award-winning McLean High School Marching Band spent most of August in preparation for national band competitions. Chris Weise, McLean’s director of bands, says the band has never sounded better and predicts it will set new records this fall.
Becoming Eagles
Langley High graduates Michael “Mikey” Porrazzo and Stephen Glenn Smeds complete their Eagle Projects.
Michael “Mikey” Porrazzo, son of Michael Porrazzo of Great Falls, joined Boy Scout Troop 673 in 2005. Since joining the troop, Mikey has participated in numerous backpacking, biking, and other trips and completed the Triple Crown of High Adventure trips: Northern Tier in 2008, Sea Base in 2009, and Philmont in 2011. He has served in various leadership positions in the troop including patrol leader, historian, and quartermaster. He has also earned numerous Fifty Miler awards and the Junior Shooting Team USA award.
Great Falls Elementary Launches Rocket Day
Science Enrichment Program continues.
As a culminating activity to a year of monthly science labs, Great Falls Elementary students in grades fourth through sixth participated in “Rocket Day” this past June.
Milburn P. Sanders, 90, of Great Falls, Dies
Was founding member of Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department and Great Falls Historical Society.
Sanders, Milburn Page, 90, of Great Falls, died on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012. A retired civilian U.S. Naval Department employee, Mr. Sanders was a native of Great Falls, born there when the area was known as Forestville.