‘You Are Not Your Mistakes’
“She was one of the most disagreeable people I had ever met,” says paws4people Chairman and COO, Terry Henry, remembering his reaction to meeting Rebecca at Lakin Correctional Center, more than three years ago. Seeing her now with her earnest smile and a well-behaved puppy happily nestled in her lap, it’s hard to imagine the Rebecca he describes.
Books for a Bargain at the Great Falls Sale
Literary pickings made their way from the shelves of Great Falls families’ homes to the tables of the Great Falls Book Sale last weekend, for a biannual fundraising event held by the Friends of the Great Falls Library.
How Clever!
Forestville Elementary students will compete at international Odyssey of the Mind finals.
One local elementary school is a champion at brainy sports. One of Forestville’s 11 Odyssey of the Mind teams is going to the World Finals in Iowa for the third year in a row after landing first place at the national-level competition in Rocky Mount recently. The finals will take place from the 28th through the 30th at Iowa State University.
Colvin Run Elementary Holds Fun Run
Inspired by the gorgeous day, and by the camaraderie of family and friends, participants in the 9th Annual Colvin Run Elementary School Fun Run, a Family Event for Charity, ran and walked the equivalent of 720 miles in a one hour period last Saturday morning. Each Fun Run participant collected pledges or flat donations for the charity of their choice. Organizations benefiting included those that support the environment, animal welfare, medical research, treatment of disease, children and families in need, affordable housing, hospice, and more.
Love for Becky on Mother’s Day
Inaugural Mothers for Mental Health event at Turner Park attracts 200 people.
Dozens of people came to Turner Park for an intimate Mother’s Day festival.
Schools Win Big with Local Golf Fundraiser
Annual Celebrate Great Falls golf tournament on June 2.
An upcoming golf tournament is a hole-in-one fundraiser for three local elementary schools. The annual Celebrate Great Falls Foundation Golf Tournament will raise money for local students while giving grownups some fun in the sun at Reston’s Hidden Creek Country Club on June 2.
Riding for the Fallen
More than 100 officers cycle through Virginia, for cause.
Police officers from all over the country vowed to "ride for those who died" this week. Police Unity Tour Chapter IV - also known as the Virginia chapter - challenged officers on a three day bicycle tour from Richmond to D.C. in memory for fallen officers. Before the last stop at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, the group of 122 officers and loved ones of fallen police stopped for lunch at McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center Monday in Fairfax as a tribute to the county most the officers served.
Northern Virginia Family Service Holds 16th Annual Gala
Local donors and supporters recognized at event.
The evening of Friday May 9 at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, the nonprofit Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) held their 16th Annual Road to Independence Gala. The festive event gave community and business leaders an opportunity to celebrate the impact of NVFS on families and children in need. It also recognized donors and supporters dedicated to giving back to the community in which they live making NVFS services possible.
Meals Tax Possible for Fairfax County
Tax could generate $88 million in revenue.
At a public hearing on the 2015 budget, Fairfax County resident Kimberly Adams joined numerous other individuals who urged the Board of Supervisors to consider a meals tax. “To have the quality of life that we’ve come to depend on in Fairfax County, we must move the needle closer to the regional average when it comes to taxes. We must not be afraid to look for new streams of revenue, such as a meals tax for instance,” Adams told the Board of Supervisors at the budget hearings. “Never have I actually thought, well, there’s a meals tax in Alexandria, so I’ll drive 10 more minutes into Fairfax and order my pizza. I go to the place that’s convenient and where I want to eat.”
Fairfax County Honors ‘Superheroes’
22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards presented.
Maybe they don’t wear capes and flashy uniforms, but local volunteers are superheroes. That was the theme for the 22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards, where more than 100 volunteers were recognized for their work with breakfast Friday, April 25, at The Waterford in Springfield. More specifically, this year’s theme was "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact," which was reflected in the comic book-inspired table decor and introductions by master of ceremonies Jeff Goldberg, Virginia Bureau Chief for ABC7 and News Channel 8.
Walker Road ‘Diet’ Nears Completion
$1 million project features crosswalks and street side parking.
To the average person, the Walker Road Project looks nearly complete.
Protecting Children Online
Great Falls-based Enough Is Enough protects children from the harms of the Internet.
Enough Is Enough (EIE), a nonprofit based in Great Falls, was the first of its kind.
Best in Show
Katie’s Cars and Coffee pulls hundreds of the best DMV cars.
The biggest buzz about Katie’s Coffee in Great Falls comes from much more than the free flow of caffeine. Every Saturday, hundreds of rare and classic cars from all over the east coast gather in the parking lot to talk shop for an early morning event dubbed Katie’s Cars and Coffee.
The Great Falls Farmers Market is Back
Neighbors and vendors alike thoroughly enjoyed a beautiful winter season in the warm protection of the Great Falls Grange Hall. With warm apple cider, hot empanadas, artisan bakery, raw vegan, green-house, tunnel and field grown veggies and lots of music on stage, we now all share some very warm memories of a very cold and unforgiving winter.
Great Falls Historical Society Seeks Nominations for Jean Tibbetts History Award
The Great Falls Historical Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the area, invites community members to submit nominations for the Jean Tibbetts History Award, an annual award that honors outstanding contributors to the research, articulation, dissemination and preservation of the history of life along the Potomac River corridor from McLean to west of Dranesville and south through Herndon.