McLean Community Outlook 2017
Projects Under Scrutiny in McLean
Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) and Benjamin Wiles, his staff aide who works on land-use issues, identified some of the developments within the Dranesville District - and specifically in McLean - that they will be focusing on over the next couple of months.
McLean Citizens Urge County to Address Its Multi-Billion-Dollar Problem
Two resolutions call attention to county’s pension system.
Citizens in McLean are worried about the county’s pension system and the county’s inability to pay for the obligations it owes its retirees.
New Silver Line Stations On Track In Herndon and Reston
New metrorail stations are slowly rising up in Reston and Herndon.
Share: Poverty is Not Seasonal
Donations received during the holidays enabled Share to help more people from Great Falls, McLean, Pimmit Hills and Vienna area than it has ever helped before.
Public Silent During Public Hearing on Widening of East Elden Street
The Herndon Town Council held its final public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 10, for the proposed $43.4 million project to widen East Elden Street from four to six lanes between Herndon Parkway and Fairfax County Parkway.
Communities Practice Disaster Recovery in Hunter Mill
Volunteer group forming to help area recover from potential disaster.
More than 185 people registered to learn about forming a Community Resiliency Group for the Hunter Mill District, which would be activated to aid in the local area’s recovery after a disaster.
McLean Family Restaurant
McLean Family Restaurant
Recognized for Excellence, Lopez Studios participates in Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, Ga.
Students from the Lopez Studios, Inc. Performing Arts School in Reston competed in the 2017 iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival this weekend, Jan. 13-15, in Atlanta, Ga.
Herndon Hostage Situation, House Fire, Suspect Killed
Hostage situation results in house fire and officer-involved shooting death of suspect.
The Fairfax County police shot and killed Mohammad Azim Doudzai, 32, just outside his home in Herndon on Monday afternoon after a domestic argument spiraled out of control.
McLean: Renowned Hip-Hop Artist Challenges President-Elect’s Character
Chuck D speaks at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at the McLean Community Center.
“It is not about Trump,” he said. “This is about a polarized nation … the whole planet is watching every second of what goes down [in Washington, D.C.]. Character is at stake … That’s what’s going on right now.”
Bids for Renovation of McLean Community Center Came in Under Budget
Community News
Bids to renovate the McLean Community Center, which was built in 1975, have been submitted and are lower than anticipated. “The process is pretty straightforward,” says Teresa Lepe, spokesperson for the Building Design and Construction Division of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services.
McLean’s ‘Meeting Place’
Gov. Terry McAuliffe praises McLean Family Restaurant for ‘the best food in all of America.’
A family-owned restaurant in the Salona Village Shopping Center on Chain Bridge Road has been serving McLean for the last 47 years and has become a meeting place for the area’s high-profile elected officials, including Virginia’s governor.
Reston: MLK Keynote: ‘How Did We Get From Barack Obama to Donald Trump?’
Reston Community Center’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
“It was 10:45 p.m. when we heard in our little earpieces that the network was going to call the election for Obama at 11 o’clock.” Reality set in for him. “Looking around the table, I said, ‘Oh dear. When they call the election for Obama, they’re going to go to the black guy, and so I better think of something to say,’” he said, making the audience burst into laughter.
Reston Town Center Retailers, Patrons Wrestle with New Parking Fees
Reston: Viewpoints: What do you think of the new parking fees?
“Oh, I didn’t know they started charging …. I’ll stick to weekends now I guess, since that’s free.”
Reston: Company Quits Negotiations with RA on Lake House Independent Review
The company selected by a special committee of the Reston Association to review the purchase and renovation of the deficit-plagued Lake House property backed out of negotiations.
Herndon: Town Mayor and Councilmembers Sworn-In for 2017-18 Terms
Politics
Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel and town council members were sworn into office for their 2017-18 terms on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Herndon Municipal Center.
Reston: On a Collision Course
Save the golf course?
Reston Association disagrees with County over planned road affecting the Hidden Creek Country Club’s golf course.
McLean: Preparing to Prosper in 2017
Q&A: Supervisor John Foust looks into year ahead.
Q & A with Supervisor John Foust: What are you looking forward to in 2017? Do you have any personal New Year's resolutions for yourself, or major milestones you anticipate reaching?
Great Falls Grange Revisited
Community groups coming together to take over operations of the historic building.
“Great Falls doesn’t have a gravity point,” says Jorge Adeler, owner of Adeler Jewelers in the Great Falls Village Centre. “It doesn’t have a place that unifies the community … Great Falls never has enjoyed a place that we can call ours.”
Great Falls: Stormwater Management, Sewage Systems Discussed
Speakers Share Sewage Stats
Up to 167 homeowners in Great Falls are on the hook for following a Fairfax County Health Department regulation when it comes to monitoring their septic systems, but many are unaware.
Great Falls: Supper is Served in Support of SEALs
Service
This month’s MAM dinner on Monday, Jan. 8, was at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in the Great Falls Village Centre, where World War II Veteran Howard Jester, 90, was in attendance to support this month’s beneficiary organization: The Navy SEAL Foundation.
Herndon Tinkers with Trains
The railroad station in downtown Herndon was the center of the community in the 1800s. During the holidays, the trains become the center of attention once again.
Reston: Weight Lifter Provides Tips To Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions
Fitness: "It is impossible to out-train a bad diet.”
“People are motivated and may go too hard, too fast,” Toombs says. “It’s more about starting and building so you don’t burn out and plateau.” Crunch gives new members a body assessment and two complimentary sessions with a personal trainer to make the gym a little less intimidating.
New Roadway Plan Approved for Herndon Metro Area
A concept plan to extend Worldgate Drive from Van Buren Street to Herndon Parkway was approved by the Herndon Town Council during its last public hearing on Dec. 13.
Viewpoints
What is your New Year’s Fitness Resolution and How Will You Keep It?
What is your New Year’s Fitness Resolution and How Will You Keep It?
McLean: Man Killed in Crash on Lewinsville Road
Car Crash
Chad Cheatham, 33 of McLean, died in a single-car collision on Thursday, Dec. 29.
Great Falls: Holiday Light Contest Results Are In
Holiday Decor
The three winners of the Celebrate Great Falls Foundation’s Holiday Decorating Contest have been selected. Each of the three winners received $200 rewards.
Tysons: The Newest Ticket for Professional Theater
Performance
When you think of Tysons you may think of retail and shopping, but that’s not the only ticket in town. Tucked into the Spring Hill Business Center just north of Tysons Galleria and Tysons Corner Center is an award-winning, professional theater company: 1st Stage. “There was no professional theater in Fairfax County at all,” Levy said.
Reston Association North Point District Director Resigns
Reston Association Board Director Dannielle LaRosa, who represents the North Point District, gave her notice of resignation on Dec. 15.
Helping Homes Project Team Recognized in Reston
Anna Varone, Reston Association’s director of covenants administration, recognized team members who worked on the RA’s Helping Homes Project this year.
Police Out to Catch Drunken Drivers in Fairfax County
Grant funds new DWI Enforcement Squad.
A new squad of police officers has started patrolling the county and they have only one mission: to combat impaired driving.
Police Chief’s Cruiser Hit by Drunken Driver
News
Fairfax County Police Department Chief Col. Edwin Roessler Jr. was rear-ended by a drunken driver in Centreville on Monday night, Dec. 12.
McLean Student, Teammate Make National STEM Competition Finals
When Lauryn Wu of McLean was in sixth grade, her math club was dominated by boys, but she didn’t let that intimidate her. “I still went because I thought that math problems were interesting and I was good at math,” she said.
Season of Giving in Full Swing at Share in McLean
More than 275 families, or more than 800 people, attended Share’s holiday program on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the McLean Baptist Church on Chain Bridge Road.
‘A Simple Gesture’ Goes a Long Way To Fight Hunger
People throughout Northern Virginia are signing up to be a part of the “cool, green bag” movement.
Independent Review of Reston's Lake House Questioned
The Reston Association Board of Directors met on Dec. 7 to discuss contract issues with the company that was selected to review the association’s handling of the Lake House, a property acquisition and renovation that went over budget and has yielded revenue shortfalls ever since it was purchased in July 2015 for $2.6 million.
Quarterback Promotes ‘Phones Down. Touchdown.’ Initiative
Redskins’ quarterback urges region to put phones down while behind the wheel.
“If I get sacked in a game, I can get back up and move onto the next play — for the most part,” he said. “But when you text and drive, you might not get back up.”
Reston Chorale Leads Sing-Along to the ‘Messiah’
Holiday
“The Christmas portion to the ‘Messiah’ just speaks to people in a way that really gets to the heart of the holiday,” says Meeks-Versteeg."
Herndon: SPIRIT Equestrian Program Gets a Christmas Miracle
Horseback Riding
“We received the notice to vacate the property exactly one week before Thanksgiving and they wanted us moved out by Dec. 31,” Dada said. “We really need a Christmas miracle to go through this transition and survive it.”
Herndon: Brothers Receive Good Neighbor Award
Service
Neighbors nominated the brothers for the award because they are always willing to help with yard work, shoveling snow and car repairs.
Herndon: Downtown Vision Closer to Reality
Town Council endorses proposal for redevelopment of downtown.
During a special meeting on Nov. 30, the Herndon Town Council adopted a resolution that directs town staff to move forward with negotiations on a proposal for the redevelopment of nearly five acres of downtown Herndon.
Great Falls Lights Up for Christmas
Holiday Celebration
Hundreds of people assembled in the field of the Great Falls Village Centre for the community’s annual Christmas tree lighting on Sunday.
McLean WinterFest Parade Celebrates Eighth Run
Holiday
More than 60 groups marched down the mile-long parade route for the WinterFest Parade in McLean on Sunday, Dec. 4. “It’s been around for a long time,” says Maureen Scholz a seven-year member of the parade’s steering committee.
McLean: Addiction Is Not 'Somewhere Else'
Former NBA player talks to McLean about countywide drug problem.
Herren believes parents “hover over [their] kids academically, apply pressure athletically and drop the ball socially and emotionally.” He urged parents to play an active role in making sure their kids don’t need substances on a Friday night.
Herndon: The Giving Circle of HOPE Celebrates Million Dollar Milestone
Philanthropy
The Giving Circle of HOPE celebrated a major milestone this year – more than $1 million raised and granted to support small nonprofit organizations in Northern Virginia.
McLean: Langley High to Perform First Play in Renovated Performing Arts Center
Theater
Students will be performing their first stage play “Harvey” at the newly remodeled Langley High School Performing Arts Center from Thursday, Dec. 1, through Saturday, Dec. 3. “I always select a season based on the students I have,” says Karasek. “I like to challenge them as artists.”
Great Falls: Amalthea Ridge Plans Expansion
”You can’t keep a scientist out of the lab,” says Sarah Wehri. “I was making soap for my daughter who had super sensitive skin,” she says. “Lotion would make her breakout, so I made my first lotion for her. It was a fun challenge to start with.”
Reston: Santa Claus Came to Town
The festivities will continue at Reston Town Center throughout December.
“Every year they take a break from telling the elves what to do and what to make to come out here and say a hello,” said Goff. “Santa and Mrs. Claus, we are so glad that you came to help us light our tree once again.”
Reston: Heroic Rescue at Lake Anne
Beth Hoyos, 47, of Reston helps father and daughter escape a sinking car that crashed into Lake Anne.
“I didn’t stop to think about it,” she says. “The guy said his daughter was in the car and he didn’t know how to swim. There was really no conscience choice. The only thing I really remember thinking at the time was, ‘Should I leave my boots on or take my boots off.’ The rest of it was sort of an autopilot: go in, make sure they’re OK and get them out.”