St. Patrick’s Day at the Old Brogue
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at your local Irish pub, The Old Brogue. Come out to listen to Sunday Night Snuggery Concerts with Pennywhistle on March 16 at 4 and 6 p.m. The cost is $15 per person. Or join in on the fun on Monday, March 17, for The Snuggery’s Irish Concerts, featuring Pennywhistle (Barry, Donal & Leonard Nelson) straight from County Donegal, Ireland. Includes lunch or dinner. For reservations call 703-759-3309
Race to Watch - II
To the Editor: There were a few errors in my letter published in the Connection of March 5th [“Race to Watch”]. I stated that Barbara Comstock spent $1.4 on her race and won by less than 52 percent of the vote. She actually spent $1.4 million and received 50.6 percent of the vote, a margin of only 422 votes. I also understated Bob Marshall's margin of victory. He won by 495 votes, not close to 400 votes. Sue Rosenberg Vienna
Great Falls Writer’s Group to Host Smithsonian Curator Dr. William L. Bird
On Thursday, March 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Great Falls Library, the Great Falls Writer's Group (GFWG) will host Dr. William L. Bird, Smithsonian Curator of the National Museum of American History and Director of the Division of Political History.
Search for Community
Uncovering the building blocks of African-American community in Fairfax County in the Post-Civil War Era.
The Great Falls Historical Society (GFHS) February program featured “micro historian and ethnographer” Marion Dobbins as guest speaker. As a “micro historian” Dobbins focuses on a narrow spectrum of history concentrating on community and contributions of African Americans in Fairfax County. Dobbins presented original research on the Great Falls African American community and surrounding areas. Her research challenges conventional paradigms about the formation of community and reveals new contributions from “connected” African American communities within Fairfax County.
Boy Scouts Earn Science Merit Badge
Boy Scouts from Troop 55 build an electroscope at the Great Falls Elementary STEM Fair.
On Feb. 3, Boy Scouts from Troop 55 assisted Great Falls Elementary by setting up a booth at their STEM Fair. The booth demonstrated how to build and use a homemade electroscope. Using copper wire, a glass jar and aluminum foil, Troop 55 Boy Scouts constructed the electroscope, and then helped participants generate static electricity using balloons rubbed on hair, scarves and vinyl notebooks.
Really, Lying Already?
To the Editor: [Barbara] Comstock is not even on the ballot and already she’s throwing lies around in a letter designed to raise Republican hackles and raise money for her primary.
Citizens Air Opposing Opinions on Molsters’ Stable
Great Falls Land Use and Zoning Committee Hearing draws a large crowd.
It was standing room only at the Great Falls Grange assembly hall on Monday night, March 10 and occasionally emotions ran a bit high as residents and other interested parties turned out in force for the Great Falls Citizens Association Land Use and Zoning Committee’s (GFCALUZ) hearing on a Special Permit application by the Molster family to operate a riding stable on their property at 815 Blacks Hill Road.
Great Falls Resident Wins Conference Championship with MIT
Tim Higgins of Great Falls is a member of the 2013 – 2014 New England Men’s and Women’s Conference (NEWMAC) championship basketball team. Higgins, a freshman, plays for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) men’s basketball team. After winning four games and losing four games during February, MIT went on a roll and swept the conference playoffs beating last year’s champion WPI in a semifinal game, and outlasting Springfield College in the championship game. With the NEWMAC conference win, the MIT Engineers received an automatic bid to the NCAA basketball tournament. Tim attended and played basketball for Paul VI high school in Fairfax and was part of their 2012 undefeated team.
The Artists’ Atelier to Host Book Signing Event
The Artists’ Atelier will host a reception and book signing for local author, Debra Sue Latiolais. Her recently published children’s book “Polly and her Pigtails” has received the highest honor awarded by the Mom’s Choice Awards. “Polly and her Pigtails” is the first book in a series of generational storytelling. The reception is open to the public and will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2-4 p.m. at The Artists’ Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. Books will be available for purchase. To learn more about Debra and her book visit www.ageofstorytelling.com.
A Sweet Lesson at Colvin Run Mill
Hundreds turned out to learn how maple syrup is made.
How much sap does it take to make maple syrup? For Colvin Run Mill Park’s miller Mason Maddox, the average answer is about 60 gallons.
Virginia Laws Help Local Governments Conceal 911 Calls from Public
Police agencies refuse to release audio from 911 calls, prompting questions about transparency.
When city officials in Alexandria released the audio of a 911 call in a high-profile murder case, many people interpreted the move as a step forward for transparency in a commonwealth known for opaque government.
Feb. 5, 2014 (Fairfax Station, Va.) --- Today, Rob Wasinger (R-VA) launched his campaign for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District seat.
“In launching this campaign, I promise a conservative resurgence,” declared Wasinger. “From Fairfax to Winchester, Manassas to Leesburg, Loudoun and McLean, and all points in between, with the good people of Virginia’s tenth congressional district, we will put an end to the corruption of the cronies and the lobbyists, and restore the basic freedoms of limited government of, by and for the people.”
Celebrating and Remembering Haiti
Community Coalition for Haiti is holding an event to Celebrate and Remember Haiti. This is an opportunity to remember, respect, reflect and revel 25 years of service by the CCH and its predecessor organization. The CCH is looking forward to honoring all those who have served and supported CCH over the years and to celebrate the future and rebuilding of Haiti. They will also take time to recognize the work of Karen Carr in furthering the mission and vision of CCH during her 10 year tenure as Executive Director. You are invited to join a casual evening March 1, 5-8 p.m. for food, drinks, music, a silent auction and memories from the past 25 years. The event is being held at the Inova EPIC Training Center 8111 Gatehouse Rd, Falls Church.
Week in Great Falls
Loebig Chiropractic & Rehab and The American Red Cross will be hosting a community blood drive in Great Falls at the office of Dr. Glenn Loebig, 754 Walker Rd, Great Falls on Tuesday, April 15, 1 – 6 p.m. The need for blood locally remains constant, and donations are needed to offset recent blood shortages. People can donate a pint of blood every 56 days and each donation can help save up to three lives. Blood donations help a variety of patients, including those going through cancer treatments, surgical patients and premature babies, among many others. Donors are encouraged to eat a meal prior to giving blood and drink plenty of water. Blood donation requirements include a photo ID, a minimum weight of 115 pounds and minimum age of 17. A 16-year old may donate blood with written parental consent and there is no upper age limit for donating blood. Many health conditions and medications do not prevent someone from donating blood. Call 703-757-5817 with any questions.
Obstructing Traffic on Walker Road
To the Editor: The letter from Dudley Losselyong [“More on ‘Wrong Direction’,” Great Falls Connection, February 12-18, 2014] regarding the "unbelievable" narrowing of Walker Road suggests that the project is attributable to folks who want to "make Great Falls like the place they were moving away from" i.e. McLean, Reston, and Vienna. I think it's more like West Virginia and the abuse of tax dollars.