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.
A Legacy of Local History
It is with great sadness that the Great Falls Historical Society notes the passing of its founder, Milburn P. Sanders, who died Sunday, Sept. 2. Milburn founded the Great Falls Historical Society in the fifth decade of his life. He told me that he loved to archive and record things, and recording local history was a delight for him.
Colvin Run, a Historic District?
Great Falls Historical Society summer interns to present their research on Sept. 12.
The Colvin Run Road we know today was originally the Alexandria-Leesburg Turnpike before it was re-routed to the Route 7 location in 1941. The road dates back to 1732 and is the only remaining portion of the roadbed engineered in 1834.
Running of the Goats in Great Falls
A herd of goats escaped from a farm on Utterback Store Road on Aug. 10. Louise Zullo and her husband came upon them.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Names Interim Executive Director
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Galen Wixson as its interim executive director through December of 2012. Galen currently serves as the executive director of The Guitar Foundation of America where he has guided the organization through a transition to a new governance and management model, leading to several new program initiatives.
Vienna/McLean/Great Falls Calendar, Aug. 29-Sept. 9
On Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, meet Native Americans from the Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Pamunkey, Rappahannock, Tauxenent, Upper Mattaponi tribes and the Monacan Nation. Come to see dance performances, learn about early Indian skills through the dug-out canoe demonstration and event try to shoot a bow and arrow. The festival will feature crafts for sale such as pottery, jewelry, flutes and dream catchers. $5. 703-759-9018, or http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/events.htm.
Char-a-oke Anyone?
$1 million raised for Fairfax County Public Schools Education Foundation.
Listen, baby… "Ain't no mountain high. Ain't no valley low. Ain't no river wide enough, baby. If you need me, call me. No matter where you are. No matter how far."
911's Complete Failure
Fairfax County says Verizon "failed completely" during June 29 derecho.
"It’s like the captain of the Titanic telling passengers the ship hit an iceberg when the bow is on the bottom of the ocean floor." —Steve Souder, Fairfax County 911 Director
495 Express Lanes Tested
On Tuesday, Aug. 21, 20 test vehicles traveled the newly completed section of the 495 Express Lanes as part of an on-road test.
Great Falls Optimist Club to Hold Annual Barn Dance
The Great Falls Optimist Club is holding its seventh annual Barn Dance, complete with a live band—"Benny Potter and Western Electric"—and barbecued ribs, chicken and bar-b-que from Famous Dave’s on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 7 to 11 p.m. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Great Falls Children’s Fund and Childhood Cancer Charity.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Names Interim Executive Director
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Galen Wixson as its interim executive director through December of 2012. Galen currently serves as the executive director of The Guitar Foundation of America where he has guided the organization through a transition to a new governance and management model, leading to several new program initiatives.
FCPD Traffic Safety Efforts Recognized
The Fairfax County Police Department was recently recognized by two prestigious law enforcement organizations which evaluate police traffic safety programs across the commonwealth and the nation.