New Plant Life at Village Centre
GFCA, local businesses plant 50 flower baskets.
Visitors to the Great Falls Village Centre and the surrounding areas may have noticed a little extra plant life. The Great Falls Citizens Association, along with the Village Centre Condos, the Old Brogue, Adeler Jewelers, BB and T, the Great Falls Exxon, Great Falls Auto Service, Village Green Day School and Oliver’s Corner all helped contribute to the project, which includes 50 baskets.
Storms Leave Thousands Without Power
Derecho hits McLean, Great Falls area causing massive damage.
After a night of watching blinding flashes of lightning, sheets of rain and pieces of trees flying around his yard, George Matmos of McLean sought out Saturday morning normalcy the best he knew how: with a cup of morning coffee.
Outgoing MCA President Honored
Rob Jackson named Lord of Fairfax for Dranesvile District.
Rob Jackson, who served the most terms as president in the history of the McLean Citizens Association, was honored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as Lord of Fairfax for the Dranesville District. Jackson, the outgoing president, became involved in community affairs after a random encounter years ago.
LINK Celebrates 40th Anniversary
A Herndon-based nonprofit aims to deliver food to those in need.
In 1972, a group of churches in Sterling and eastern Loudoun County got together with the idea of providing food for the needy, with members storing donated food in their basement. Three years later, they made inroads into Fairfax County and it was eventually chartered as a nonprofit. Forty years later, the group consists of 17 member churches in Herndon, Sterling Chantilly and Potomac Falls and has provided tens of thousands of families with assistance.
Chamber Hands Out Awards, Names New Board
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce hosts annual awards luncheon.
The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce presented their annual Awards for Chamber Excellence (ACE) and welcomed their new board of directors Thursday, June 28 at the Hyatt Regency Reston. The chamber also celebrated its 30th anniversary, it was founded in 1982.
Express Care Teaches Essential Skills
Program aims to educate immigrants on health care, technology
In 1995, Naila Alam arrived to the United Stated from Pakistan to study hotel management. Soon she was diagnosed with a rare blood disease that almost proved fatal, and with her husband back in Pakistan, she had only her sister to help her navigate through a foreign country’s health care, as well as maintaining her educational studies and working.
Having Fun Along the Potomac
Riverbend, Great Falls Parks offer summer activities.
The Potomac River makes up the eastern border of Great Falls, and this summer the two parks located alongside it will be brimming with summer activities over the next few months, as Riverbend Park and Great Falls Park will host a variety of classes, trips and educational sessions.
Great Falls Couple Explore Local Day Trips
Beth and David Sansbury chronicle ‘52 Perfect Day Trips.’
Great Falls residents Beth and David Sansbury are no strangers to travel. The two of them count 67 countries they’ve visited. But after long careers in the CIA, they had enough of being cooped up in an office. So after retirement, they began spending their days outdoors pursuing their true passions: hiking, biking, kayaking and touring local attractions.
Retzer Takes Reins at South Lakes
Kim Retzer, South Lakes Class of 1989, named principal.
As a member of South Lakes High School’s Class of 1989 Kim Retzer (nee Brophy) planned on going to law school, majoring in Government and Politics at George Mason. But she began substitute teaching during college, leading to a long term substitute position while a teacher was on maternity leave.
Boy Charged in Frying Pan Slashings
Herndon boy, 17, charged in two animal attacks.
Fairfax County Police arrested and charged a 17-year-old Herndon resident Saturday, June 23 for two slashing attacks on and adjacent to Frying Pan Farm Park.
Herndon Mayor Merkel, New Council Sworn In
2012-14 Herndon Town Council to take office July 1.
The 2012-14 Herndon Town Council, as well as newly elected Mayor Lisa Merkel were sworn in at the Herndon Municipal Center Thursday, June 21. Connie Hutchinson, Sheila Olem and Grace Wolf are returning members, joined by Dave Kirby and Charlie Waddell who return from previous terms on the council and Melissa Jonas, who previously served on the town’s Planning Commission.
Fighting Capital Punishment
Anti-death penalty advocates speak at St. John Neumann.
For most people, the death penalty is a concept that occasionally intersects their lives in the form of news reports about people from across the country. But for others, it is something that has taken someone away from them, or threatens to. St. John Neumann Catholic Church hosted a panel discussion of members of Journey to Hope, a group consisting of families of murder victims, as well as others who have been touched by the death penalty in America.
Herndon-Monroe Metro Station Design Revised
Public hearing held at Herndon High School.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and the Washington Metropolitan Airport Authority hosted a public hearing on design refinements to the Dulles Metrorail Phase Two Environmental Assessment Wednesday, June 13 at Herndon High School.
Local Dancer Headed to Miami
Grace Cho to spend summer at Miami City Ballet.
Grace Cho, 13, has been dancing since she was four years old. The Reston resident says dancing is how she likes to express herself.
Supporting Local Schools
Celebrate Great Falls raises more than $18,000 for local elementary schools.
Members of Celebrate Great Falls presented a check for $18,125 to members of the Forestville, Colvin Run and Great Falls Elementary Schools. The money, which was raised at the annual golf tournament Monday, June 4, puts the total donated to local schools from the golf tournament at more than $98,000 in the last five years.
Share Hosts Benefit Concert
Local musicians play to support local nonprofit.
Charles Wesley United Methodist Church hosted their third annual benefit concert for Share of McLean, a local nonprofit that assists the needy in the McLean area. Share’s five-fold mission includes a food pantry, clothing room, transportation to medical appointments, family assistance in the form of rent or utility payments and furniture delivery.
Highlander Class of 2012 Graduates
McLean High School says farewell to 428 seniors.
The 428 members of the McLean High School Class of 2012 gathered for the final time at DAR Constitution Hall Thursday, June 14 for the school’s annual commencement ceremony. The students donned their red caps and gowns to celebrate the end of their time at McLean High and to celebrate their future.
McLean Rotary Names Business Person of Year
Christopher Fay recognized for efforts with Homestretch.
The McLean Rotary Club named its Business Person of the Year during their Tuesday, June 12 meeting, honoring Christopher Fay of Homestretch, a Falls Church-based nonprofit that provides homeless families with the ability to secure permanent housing, as well as obtain the skills needed to obtain self-sufficiency.
Langley Class of 2012 Graduates
School graduates 486 seniors.
Almost 500 seniors graduated from Langley High School Thursday, June 14 at DAR Constitution Hall. The Class of 2012 sent 486 seniors across the platform, with most looking ready and eager to take on the next phase of their lives.
Jones Strives to Personalize Patient Care
Concierge Principal Medical Group celebrates one year in McLean.
Working in a hospital, Dr. David Jones was able to see firsthand the delays and inconveniences of many current medical practices. So he decided to go, in his words, "back to the way medicine was 30, 40 years ago," and started a concierge practice in McLean a year ago. On Thursday, June 7, Jones celebrated one year in business with the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce at his Beverly Road Office.
SCC Honors Partners
Coalition recognizes volunteers, officials for efforts over past school year.
The Safe Community Coalition honored dozens of individuals and organizations at their annual members meeting Tuesday, June 5 at the McLean Community Center. The primarily volunteer-run organization coordinates various activities and events designed to raise awareness of issues faced by youths, mostly in the Langley and McLean High School pyramids.
Planning for Tysons Future
Officials provide update on Tysons redevelopment, 495 Express lanes, Metro Silver Line.
This month marks two years since the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Tysons Corner. The plan is aimed at making Tysons into an urban center, which Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova says will bring in 100,000 residents and 200,000 jobs by 2050.
Latest Downtown Revitalization Project Breaks Ground
Project will place overhead utility wires underground at intersection of Old Dominion Drive and Chain Bridge Road.
Local county and business officials gathered at the peninsula at the intersection of Elm Street, Old Dominion Drive and Chain Bridge Road Thursday, June 7 to break ground on an underground utility project that is a major step in the revitalization of downtown McLean. The project will place underground all electric and communications lines from the Shell station at the intersection west on Old Dominion Drive and from the Starbucks to the McLean Cleaners along Chain Bridge Road.
Local Art Supports Local Charity
Langley senior organization charity art sale.
Langley High School senior Gabriella Jacobsen has always been interested in art. Art runs in her family, through her grandmother and mother, and while Jacobsen enjoys creating art as well, she’s also interested in the practical side. She used this side Saturday, June 9 to hold a charity art sale at Langley to benefit the Gandhi Brigade, a Maryland-based nonprofit.
Connecting to Their Community
Langley High School Community Service Club celebrates first year.
The Langley High School Community Service Club celebrated their first year of existence Friday, June 8 at The Old Brogue. Club members volunteered at 11 different events for a total of more than 300 hours around the area during the year, from helping pack meals for the homeless to spending time with the residents of Vinson Hall, a nursing home.
Dominion Simulates Hurricane
Exercise allows Dominion Power to practice for severe storm events.
Dominion Power hosted a hurricane drill Wednesday, June 6, simulating the effects of fictional Hurricane Joseph and showing how they would manage such a storm. The Herndon headquarters serves about 900,000 customers.
Herndon’s Gardens on Display
Annual garden tour highlights creativity of local gardeners.
The Town of Herndon’s Cultivating Communities initiative will host their annual Garden Tour Sunday, June 24 from noon to 4 p.m. The tour will feature five different stops within the town borders, all representing a variety of approaches to suburban residential gardening.
Staying Safe This Summer
Neighborhood Resource Center hosts safety briefing.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department hosted a summer safety briefing Thursday, June 7 at the Neighborhood Resource Center in Herndon. Lt. Bill Vance of Station Four on Spring Street explained some of the more common summer safety hazards.
Volunteers Prep Townhouse
Long & Foster employees ready townhouse for occupation by family in need.
Members of the Long & Foster Reston office on Wiehle Avenue became handymen for the day, as almost a dozen employees gathered at a Reston townhouse owned by Reston Interfaith to prepare it for a family in need.
Reward Offered In Frying Pan Attacks
$7,500 offered for information leading to arrest and conviction.
The Fairfax County Park Authority announced a $7,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons suspected of attacking animals at Frying Pan Farm Park sometime the night of May 26 or the morning of May 27. The slashing attacks left a chicken, a calf and two goats wounded.
Closet Begins Summer Shopping Days
Monthly Thursday evening hours allow more shopping opportunities.
The Closet, a nonprofit thrift shop in downtown Herndon, will open Thursday evenings once a month, to allow potential shoppers another chance to explore the various clothes, antiques, electronics and other appliances offered.
Herndon Celebrates 32nd Annual Festival
Tens of thousands flock to annual downtown event.
Out of all the rides, games, food, activities and vendors at this year’s Herndon Festival, Geoff Smith, 12, of Herndon, says one thing will stick out in his mind: a robot that can shoot baskets.
Reston Hosts Sprint Triathlon
Event raises money for Reston Interfaith.
Eight hundred swimmers, cyclists and runners showed up to do all three the morning of Sunday, June 3 at Lake Newport Pool and the surrounding roads for the sixth annual Reston Sprint Triathlon. The event was hosted by the Reston Association and the CORE Foundation, which assists nonprofit fundraising.
Great Falls Kicks off Summer on the Green
June Fest leads into first edition of annual Concerts on the Green.
Celebrate Great Falls hosted the inaugural edition of June Fest, a spring festival at the Great Falls Village Centre that featured local businesses, organizations and carnival games and rides. Celebrate Great Falls re-christened their festival June Fest this year, to avoid confusion with the annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Optimists.
Langley Alumni Gather on the Diamond
Alumni defeat varsity 10-9 in first ever match.
Members of Celebrate Great Falls and other residents spent the weekend taking part in traditions old and new, bringing together old and young as part of the first Great Falls Days events.
Farmers Market Going Strong in New Location
Weekly market features locally grown produce, meats, beauty products.
Every Saturday morning the Great Falls Farmers Market offers fresh produce and other unique, homemade goods, of which many come directly from Great Falls itself. Now located at the Great Falls Village Centre (in the parking lot next to Wells Fargo) every Saturday, it features a variety of vendors both returning and new.
MPA Paints in the Park
Children, professional artists celebrate McLean Project for the Arts’ 50th anniversary.
As part of their celebration of 50 years in existence, the McLean Project for the Arts hosted a "Painting in the Park" exhibition Sunday, June 3 in McLean Central Park. The community’s youngest artists were invited out to help make cupcakes out of clay and other crafts, while the professional artists were invited to take advantage of whatever inspiration the clear, sunny day had to offer.
Animals Assaulted at Kidwell Barn
Weekend incident is similar to nearby April 26 stabbing of three horses.
Two goats, a calf and a chicken were assaulted at Kidwell Barn at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon sometime between 5 p.m. Saturday, May 26 and 7 a.m. Sunday, May 27. Staff at Kidwell Farm at Frying Pan Park went to feed the animals the morning of Sunday, May 27 and found the animals, who were injured by an unknown assailant.
Herndon Remembers Fallen
Chestnut Grove hosts annual observance ceremony.
The Town of Herndon hosted its annual Memorial Day observance at Chestnut Grove Cemetery Monday, May 28. Members of the American Legion joined with local officials and dozens of residents to commemorate the lives given up for their country.
Beautifying Downtown Herndon
Artist Keith Naquin paints mural on NAPA Auto Parts building.
Since April, Keith Naquin has been hard at work on a brick wall. The artist was recently contracted by the Council for the Arts of Herndon to transform the rear of the NAPA Auto Parts building in downtown Herndon into a picturesque glimpse of rural life.
Reston Farmer’s Market Going Strong
Weekly market will be at Lake Anne until November.
Living in California, Tony Tanis saw the rise in popularity of kale chips. A vegan culinary school graduate, she knew the nutritional value of the chips, made of dried kale greens, but found that they could be a little pricey.
Making Reston into Reality
Historic Trust presents early planning of Reston.
Shortly after purchasing the land that would become Reston in March 1961, founder Robert Simon was on a plane back to New York City. The story he likes to tell is that’s where he grabbed a legal pad and began coming up with ideas for his new community, ideas based on his travels and life experiences.
Great Falls Remembers Fallen
Freedom Memorial hosts annual Memorial Day ceremony.
Dozens gathered Monday at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial for the annual Memorial Day ceremony, honoring all who have lost their lives serving this country, including several from Great Falls.
McLean High Sings Musicals
Concert features variety of Tony Award-winning songs.
McLean High School combined the best of stage and song last weekend, as they presented a concert of Tony Award-winning songs over two nights. Numbers from more than a dozen musicals were featured, everything from intimate duets to rousing group numbers.
Langley Receives Eight Cappies Nominations
School to perform scene from ‘The Crucible’ at June 10 gala.
Langley High School received eight nominations for this year’s Cappies, including five for their performance of "The Crucible" earlier this year. They will perform a three-minute excerpt of the play at this year’s gala, to be held June 10 at the Kennedy Center.
MCA Hosts Annual Membership Meeting
Association says farewell to president, provides McLean Community Foundation update.
The McLean Citizens Association hosted their annual members meeting Wednesday, May 23, saying farewell to President Rob Jackson and welcoming new president Sally Horn. Jackson, who is wrapping up his fifth term (the most of any MCA president), said he was proud of the MCA’s work on a number of issues over the past five years.
Herndon Hosts Bike-to-Work Day
Downtown one of 58 local pit stops for annual event.
Hundreds of bikers who decided to forego their cars during their commute were welcomed in downtown Herndon Friday, May 18, one of 58 pit stops around the Washington, D.C. area during the day. The day was the culmination of National Bike to Work Week, and last year’s Bike to Work Day featured more than 11,000 participants locally.
Supporting Friendly, Instant, Sympathetic Help
Herndon-Reston FISH hosts annual fundraiser.
Most guests at the annual Herndon-Reston FISH Fling Saturday, May 19 were already familiar with the work done by Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help. George Buckfield of Centreville wasn’t very familiar, but it didn’t take long into dinner for him to realize their impact.
Reston Town Center Hosts Fine Arts Festival
21st annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival features 200 artists.
More than 20 years ago, artist Dana Ann Scheurer was part of the very first Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. The primarily watercolor artist is still part of the festival, which celebrated its 21st year at Reston Town Center.
Reston Opens Children’s Tennis Courts
Six courts for children created from two previous regulation courts.
The Reston Association opened six junior sized tennis courts near Lake Anne Saturday, May 19, allowing the youngest members of the community a chance to get a head start on the game. The courts are for children 10 and under, and were built out of two existing courts at the North Shore Tennis Courts.