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Alex McVeigh

Stories by Alex

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Pioneering Change For Autism

University of Virginia seminar studies tension between “The Science & Lived Experience of Autism.”

Despite a recent surge in attention and research over the past decade about autism, controversy exists.

Three Birds Seeks Energy Education

Foundation seeks to assist schools with alternative energy solutions.

When Rachel Carson Middle School installed 11 solar panels several years ago, Joseph Plummer was inspired. After all, the students worked to raise more than $40,000 for the installation, which gave them a hands-on chance to learn about alternative energy sources.

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Holiday Homes Tour Set for Dec. 7

Annual tour features five homes, will be walkable for the first time.

The Town of Herndon will host its annual Holiday Homes Tour Saturday, Dec. 7, giving visitors a chance to explore five residences and the visions of their owners.

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Author Writes Children’s Sleep Book

Pat Britz hosts signing at Katie’s Coffee Shop.

During her years working for the National Sleep Foundation, author Pat Britz heard it all from parents. Calls about children that wouldn’t go to bed, that couldn’t sleep and more.

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Inventor Sets Sights on Sprinkler Savings

Michael Lehmann develops device, algorithm to detect rainfall.

Rain brings with it a lot of headaches, but for Michael Lehmann, rowing coach at Langley High School, one thing bothers him most of all: driving through the rain and seeing automatic lawn sprinklers going all out, watering an already saturated lawn.

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Bestselling Author Speaks at Alden

Safe Community Coalition welcomes Dr. Madeline Levine to discuss parenting tips, student stress.

The Safe Community Coalition welcomed bestselling author Dr. Madeline Levine to the Alden Theatre Tuesday, Nov. 19, to speak on successful parenting techniques.

Classical Ballet Theatre Presents Nutcracker

Annual production will run Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

The Classical Ballet Theatre will present their annual production of “The Nutcracker” starting Nov. 30 at the Northern Virginia Community College Annandale campus.

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Thrift Shop Gift Ideas in Herndon

The Closet, Bargain Loft, offer gift ideas that support local charities.

While there’s no shortage of standard brick-and-mortar and online places to shop for this holiday season, several thrift shops in Herndon offer special gift opportunities, as well as a chance to help the less fortunate while doing so.

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Herndon Cadets Visit Boot Camp

Naval JROTC cadets train at Parris Island, S.C.

Members of the Herndon High School Naval Junior ROTC got a chance to train in the same place as members of the Marine Corps for 48 hours, experiencing life at boot camp firsthand.

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Unfunded Northern Virginia Transportation Projects Discussed

County seeks feedback on unfunded projects.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation hosted their latest Countywide Conversation on Transportation Meeting in Reston Wednesday, Nov. 13, to solicit opinions on unfunded transportation projects.

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Gift Shopping in Great Falls

Havana Vintage, Salud Healthy Pantry offer gift ideas.

Shopping malls are almost guaranteed to be among the most crowded stores around as the holiday season approaches, but great gifts can be had a long way from Tysons Corner in Great Falls, just at the corner of Walker Road and Colvin Run Road.

GFCA Raises Contamination Questions

Initial corrective action plan missing pieces, public comment period to come.

Members of the Great Falls Citizens Association Special Committee on Groundwater Contamination presented an update Tuesday, Nov. 12.

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Brooksfield School Celebrates 25 Years

School brings Montessori education with emphasis on ‘mindfulness.’

More than 25 years ago, Mary Anne Duffus was almost at the end of her rope. She was chasing her dream of opening her own Montessori school, but after searching at multiple local churches for space, she couldn’t find one that would work.

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Artisans Offers Artistic Gift Ideas

Jewelry, housewares, local art among items featured at The Artisans.

When it comes to buying local, The Artisans in McLean practices what they preach. The eclectic gift shop is filled with handmade jewelry, pottery, clothing, accessories and much more.

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Planning Commission Makes Recommendations

Review process leads to Comprehensive Plan Amendments.

The Town of Herndon Planning Commission unanimously approved several changes to the town’s Comprehensive Plan Tuesday, Nov. 5. The current plan was approved in August 2008, and Code of Virginia specifies that local comprehensive plans shall be reviewed by the local planning commission.

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Veterans Day Celebrated at Freedom Memorial

Former Navy SEAL John “Sandy” Pidgeon speaks during annual ceremony.

More than 100 citizens gathered at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month Monday to pay tribute to Americas’ veterans.

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Route 7 Widening Plans Updated

Intersection improvements, increased pedestrian and bicycle facilities highlight $300 million project.

The Virginia Department of Transportation held an update meeting regarding the Route 7 Widening project Wednesday, Nov. 6. The estimated $300 million project will widen Route 7 from four lanes to six for 6.9 miles from Jarrett Valley Drive to Reston Avenue.

SCC Takes Aim at Student Stress

Dr. Madeline Levine to speak at Alden Nov. 19.

The Safe Community Coalition, an advocacy group serving the Langley and McLean High School pyramids, as well as Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, is taking on the challenge of student stress head on.

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Langley High School Presents ‘Little Women’

Students put on musical version of Louisa May Alcott novel.

When it came to playing sisters, Langley High School students Madeleine Chalk, Jamie Goodson, Kathryn Bailey and Camila Maric were more than up to the task. The four play the March sisters in Langley’s upcoming production of “Little Women.”

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Learning to Live Life

Motivational speakers and authors address local women.

When it comes to happiness, Joda Coolidge, Mindy Mitchell and Alison Nancye have seen both sides of the coin. Like everyone, their lives have seen ups and downs, but the trio have used their experiences to get to where they want in life.

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Ghosts, Ghouls Come to Great Falls

Annual Spooktacular features haunted house, trick or treating.

Brayleigh Miller, 5, grasped her father’s hand as she stepped into the ominous structure on the Great Falls Village Green. As they walked into a dimly lit makeshift hallway, she heard scraping sounds and started to pull back toward the entrance, but her dad held her hand firm and kept moving forward.

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Author Explores ‘Undead Chaos’

Joshua Roots released debut urban fantasy novel.

For the past 10 years, Joshua Roots has wanted to write a book. While an active duty Marine, he says he played around with the idea.

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Bicycle Access Coming to Wiehle Station

Bicycle racks, lockers, equipment part of alternative access options.

While the Wiehle Avenue Metrorail Station is the only Silver Line Phase One station to have a parking garage directly adjacent to it, room has been made for other modes of transportation.

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Simon’s Likeness to Benefit Cornerstones

Bronze bust of Robert Simon to be auctioned off to assist with affordable housing.

As Reston approaches its 50th year, and its founder approaches his 100th year, Robert Simon’s vision for his community is still very much intact. Part of his vision included people of all income levels living side by side.

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Getting Children to Give Back

Touching Heart aims to train next generation of compassionate leaders.

As her birthday approached several years ago, Taylor Yi of Herndon realized she wasn’t that excited about another year of presents from her friends.

Great Falls Voter Viewpoints

Who did you vote for, and what is the most important issue to you in this election?

Who did you vote for, and what is the most important issue to you in this election?

Great Falls Voters Speak

Great Falls Voters: Who Did You Vote for and Why?

Great Falls Voters: Who Did You Vote for and Why?

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Bicyclers Take Aim At Tysons

Cycling summit examines Tysons Corner accessibility.

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling hosted their annual Bike Summit Saturday, Nov. 2. Cycling and accessibility advocates examined the ways that people will be able to access the four Metrorail stations in Tysons Corner, stations that currently do not have onsite parking.

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Citizens Oppose Residential Studios Proposal

Amendment would allow for low-income residential studios in many residential districts.

The McLean Citizens Association hosted a public forum to address the county’s proposed Residential Studios Zoning Ordinance Amendment Wednesday, Oct. 30.

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McLean Casts its Vote

Residents will choose new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, delegate, sheriff.

On the first Tuesday of November last year, the halls of Langley High School were filled with lines of people waiting to cast their vote for president. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the lines weren’t quite as long, but voters throughout McLean went to their respective precincts throughout the day.

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Comstock, Murphy Face off in 34th

Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock goes against Democrat Kathleen Murphy Nov. 5.

Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock will face off against Democratic challenger Kathleen Murphy for the 34th delegate seat on Tuesday Nov. 5.

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Fundraiser for the Homeless at McLean Project for the Arts

Housing and Community Services of Northern Virginia raises $45,000 during event.

The McLean Project for the Arts welcomed Housing and Community Services of Northern Virginia for a fundraiser at the art venue Thursday, Oct. 24.

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Colvin Run Opens New Playground

Addition features reading garden, new blacktop, reading benches.

Students, parents, teachers and administrators at Colvin Run Elementary School celebrated the opening of their new playground Wednesday, Oct. 23.

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State Gardens Open for Business in Great Falls

Garden center features local art, firewood, plants, cider, with more to come.

For Ian McKeown, it was all about the Christmas trees. As someone who spent most of his life working at garden centers and farmers market, when the Vienna native was looking for a path, he decided to follow the Christmas trees.

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RA Board to Decide on Lake Anne Land Swap

Swap would assist in redevelopment efforts, vote to be held Nov. 21.

The Reston Association Board of Directors will vote on a land swap involving two parcels of land near Lake Anne at their Thursday, Nov. 21 meeting.

New Superintendent Hosts Q&A

Karen Garza speaks at Sunrise Valley Elementary School.

New Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza visited with parents and teachers at Sunrise Valley Elementary School Monday, Oct. 28, as part of her listening tour around the county.

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Rust, Boysko Duel for 86th District Seat

Incumbent Tom Rust faces challenger Jennifer Boysko on Nov. 5.

Del. Tom Rust (R-86) seeks re-election to a seventh term on Tuesday, Nov. 5, with Democratic challenger Jennifer Boysko hoping to unseat him.

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Washington West Film Festival Comes to Reston

Proceeds from festival will go to fight homelessness locally.

Bow Tie Cinemas in Reston Town Center hosted filmmakers and moviegoers alike as part of the Washington West Film Festival last weekend, concluding with a red carpet event and showing of the Peabody award winning “My Neighbourhood” by local filmmaker Rebekah Wingert-Jabi Saturday, Oct. 26.

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Home Tour Celebrates Simon’s Vision

Annual tour gives glimpse of variety of Reston homes.

Danielle Harrison has lived in Reston for 10 years. She has attended a few events at the Reston Museum, is excited for Reston founder Robert Simon’s 100th birthday next April and considers herself very knowledgeable when it comes to Reston history.

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Reston Hospital Provides Construction Update

Physicians expected in new medical office building after Thanksgiving.

Reston Hospital Center is currently in the process of adding more than 150,000 square feet of new office space and facilities.

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Screamin’ for a Reason at Bradley Farm

Bradley Farm Haunted House returns to benefit Herndon-Reston FISH.

The annual Bradley Farm Haunted House will be resurrected this year on Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26. The annual haunted house, which raises money for Herndon-Reston FISH, is themed “Panic Attack: Confront Your Fears and Phobias.”

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Hanna Rose Hunt Named Outstanding Teen

Langley junior plans to speak at local schools about teen depression and anxiety.

Hanna Rose Hunt had never been in a pageant before this year’s Virginia State Fair. So far, she is undefeated, as she was named Miss State Fair of Virginia’s Outstanding Teen.

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Studying Science of Sleep

MCA hosts discussion on later high school start times.

For almost everyone, the sound of their alarm telling them to wake up is one of the toughest parts of the day. Students are especially used to still trying to shake off the last of the night’s sleep while in homeroom or first period.

Langley Fork Draft Plan Released

Plan must be approved by National Park Service before possible land swap.

The Fairfax County Park Authority presented the latest draft master plan for Langley Fork Park at Franklin Sherman Elementary School Thursday, Oct. 17. The process has been going on since October 2011.

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Artists on Display

Great Falls Studios hosts 10th annual tour.

Hundreds of local art aficionados found out firsthand that Great Falls is an arts destination last weekend during the 10th annual Great Falls Studios Tour. More than 60 artists opened up their home or personal studios over the weekend to give a glimpse of the artist in their home element.

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Council Approves Preliminary Boundary Agreement

Agreement would help settle western town border issue with Loudoun County.

The Herndon Town Council voted unanimously a resolution that would begin the process of settling a dispute over the town’s western border Tuesday, Oct. 8. The approval sets in motion a process by which the town and Loudoun County could come to an agreem

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Town Center Hosts Oktoberfest Reston

Annual festival features German food, dance.

Thomas Redding had one thing on his mind during last week’s succession of rainy days, and it could only be found Saturday morning at Reston Town Center.

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Mixing Arts and Coffee

Celebrate Great Falls hosts latest coffee social at Artists’ Atelier.

The Artists’ Atelier in Great Falls hosted Celebrate Great Falls for one of their regular coffees Thursday, Oct. 10. The Atelier, located on Walker Road, is home to 16 members of Great Falls Studios who use the space as a studio.

GFCA Candidate’s Forum Postponed

Rescheduled for Nov. 1.

The Great Falls Citizens Association postponed its scheduled candidate’s forum Tuesday, Oct. 8, citing fears that outside groups were planning on disrupting the program.

Great Falls Man Dies in Silver Spring

Mark Edward Waugh dies, friend Rahul Gupta charged.

Great Falls resident Mark Edward Waugh, 23, was found dead in an apparent homicide in Silver Spring Sunday, Oct. 13. According to Montgomery County Police, they responded to an apartment at 1220 East-West Highway at approximately 3:25 a.m. Sunday morning.

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