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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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Reston Celebrates Dr. King’s Day

In cooperation with supporters, Reston Community Center (RCC) pivoted amidst the coronavirus pandemic to present, for the 36th year, the Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration.

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CORE Foundation Celebrates 15th Anniversary

Nonprofit recognizes community partners, volunteers

CORE Foundation in Reston, "Helping Others Be the Change for 15 Years," held its MASKerade and Community Hero Awards Saturday evening, Jan. 16.

Herndon Council Hosts Housing Panel

State senators and legal counsel weigh in

Herndon Town Council hosted a Panel Discussion on Housing Tues., Jan. 5 to build proficiency and understanding in matters related to housing policy development.

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McLean Couple Honored for Leadership in Adoption

Alexandria-based nonprofit recognizes a lifetime of service to children, birth parents, and adoptive families

The National Council for Adoption (NCFA) in Alexandria, a leading voice among national adoption and child welfare organizations, announced Dr. Wayne Winston Sharp, Ph.D. of McLean and his wife Linda Whitbeck Sharp the recipients of NCFA's The Ruby Lee Piester Adoption Award.

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Great Falls Citizens Voice Environmental Concerns

GFCA submits documents to County's Environmental Quality Advisory Council 2021

Members of Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) believe development pressure and environmental concerns are no longer balanced, shifting away from recognizing the importance of environmental protection.

Fairfax County Residents List Assembly Expectations

County General Assembly Delegation holds pre-2021 Session Public Hearing

The Fairfax County General Assembly Delegation held a Pre-2021 Session Public Hearing on Saturday, Jan. 9.

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Dunn Loring Center to Become School

Capacity relief coming for Shrevewood ES and Tysons Periphery

A new school project to help bring sustainable capacity relief for Shrevewood Elementary School and the Dunn Loring, Tysons, and Falls Church communities is on the way.

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Ponchos of Sunshine to 'Frequent Flier' Hospital Children

Cape Ivy aims to provide warmth, comfort and support to children who have chronic or critical illnesses.

In honor of her son, Gavin Grey Smith of Great Falls, who lost his 12-year battle to a rare form of CVID (Common Variable Immune Deficiency), his mother, Meg Elliot Smith, threw herself into providing fleece poncho capes to ''frequent flier'' children in hospitals.

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Local College Student Launches Tutoring Company

Education is his passion.

In the wake of the coronavirus and its impact on students' learning in Fairfax County Public Schools, a 2019 alumnus of South Lakes High School in Reston and second-year engineering student at Georgia Institute of Engineering recently founded S4S Tutoring.

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Cesar del Aguila Named Vice Mayor of the Town of Herndon

At its first work session of 2021, the Town Council of the Town of Herndon approved a resolution in a vote of 6-0 to elect second term Councilmember Cesar del Aguila the Vice Mayor for a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2021.

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Local Hospitals Roll Out First COVID-19 Vaccines

Communities keep lights up for healthcare heroes

December 2020 held the darkest days yet during the pandemic but also lights of hope.

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Herndon Wreaths Across America Site Remembers, Honors, Teaches

Veterans did not give up and neither did Herndon Woman's Club: 863 remembrance wreaths remain in place

Herndon Woman's Club (VA0143P) found a different way to carry out and join Wreaths Across America on National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 19, 2020.

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Vivid Chill Opens in Great Falls

Shopping handcrafted, ethically produced, nontoxic products

It all started with the local artisan's handbags, the love of little boutique shops that featured brands with morals and values, and telling her mom that more than anything else, she wanted to open a store in the Great Falls Village Centre with a showroom for those bags and other ethically and sustainably produced items.

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Herndon High Runner Captures First at Cross Country League 5k Race

Gillian Bushée flies through school's cross county record

The most challenging distance to go for Herndon High School freshman and cross country runner Gillian Bushée of Reston was the distance from her bed to the front door each morning.

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Reston Association State of the Environment Report 2020

Highlights bring to life what is good, fair and poor environmentally; The Greatest Zoom on Reston Thursday, Dec. 17.

Anyone who has met Doug Britt of Reston knows he has a wealth of information on the creepy, crawly, slimy, majestic, utterly beautiful creatures, insects, and flora that call Reston home.

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Sheila Olem Sworn in as Town of Herndon Mayor

Councilmembers sworn in during COVID-19 restricted ceremonies

Mayor Sheila A. Olem was administered the oath of office and sworn in as the duly elected Mayor of the Town of Herndon for a term commencing Jan. 1, 2021, and ending Dec. 31, 2022, by Town Clerk Viki Wellerhaus on Wed., Dec. 10.

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One Board, Two Sycamores, Three Concerns in Reston

Possible removal of Heron House trees brought to light.

Two Reston sycamore trees at Lake Anne Village Center appear to be a concern to certain people, but for three different reasons.

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HOPE for the Holidays at Reston Hospital

Quilt installation unexpectedly concurrent with FDA vaccine authorization; Fairfax County cases four times they were in May

Since March, healthcare workers at Reston Hospital Center, like their counterparts elsewhere at county, state and national levels, as well as globally, have fought relentlessly, risking their own lives to treat and save their coronavirus patients.

McLean, Langley High Communities Weigh in on Boundary Adjustment

Capacity relief sought with eyes on Langley High School

Fairfax County Public Schools presented three possible options and a no change option for capacity relief at McLean High School during a virtual community meeting held Mon., Dec. 7.

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McLean Teacher Authors Memoirs-in-Essays

Allison B. Kelly: Seeking the perfect day and finding joy in the imperfect

Allison B. Kelly, ESOL Teacher at Haycock Elementary School, is the author of the newly released book, “There's Spaghetti on My Ceiling.”

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A Catch of Wishes at Lake Anne

Better than any greeting card for the season

Anyone taking a walk on the plaza at Lake Anne Village Center is drawn to it, unsure at first what it is.

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A Look Inside the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meeting Dec. 1, 2020

Highlights of discussion and actions that impact all who live, work and play in the diverse county

Dec. 1 marked the final Fairfax County Full Board of Supervisors Meeting with Public Comment of 2020.

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Holiday Lights on the Farm in Herndon

Lake Fairfax and Burke Lake bring their displays to Frying Pan Farm Park.

Fairfax County Park Authority recently looked to find ways for people to have a good time during the holiday season with their family.

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Great Falls’ 30th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Santa's visit sparks the spirit of the season.

No way could Santa disappoint the children in Great Falls and miss the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting held this year on the Great Falls Village Centre Field on Sunday, Dec. 6.

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Looking Desperately for Holiday Santa Stars

Bob Nelson provides support to military families this COVID-19 holiday season.

For over ten years, long-time Great Falls resident and businessman Bob Nelson hosted his Military Appreciation Monday dinners at the Old Brogue, raising funds to support various United States military organizations at the twice-monthly events.

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The Buck Stops Here in Great Falls

Managed archery on private property for deer control

Landowners with any parcel size in Great Falls have the option to use archery hunting for deer management on their private property, directly addressing the cause of deer damage: too many deer.

Students and Parents Navigate Virtual Learning in Fairfax County

FCPS Virtual and In-Person Learning During COVID 2020

Dec. 1 marked the day that Fairfax County Public Schools students in Group 5, those in Early Head Start, PreK, Kindergarten, and some who receive special education services were to at last transition out of distance learning and walk through school doors to receive two days a week of in-person learning.

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Herndon No Longer Torn Between Its Past and Future

Town Council approves its final step toward inking Downtown Redevelopment.

A part of the Herndon Downtown Redevelopment Series.

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J.K. Rowling's New Book Features Great Falls Child’s Illustration

Way to go Petra Demas, fourth grader at Forestville Elementary

A full-color illustration by award-winning young artist, Petra Demas, 10, of Great Falls is published in the print versions of J.K. Rowling's newly released book, "The Ickabog."

Burke, Fairfax, Lorton, Springfield, Mount Vernon: What Are You Grateful for on Thanksgiving 2020?

Burke, Fairfax, Lorton, Springfield: What Are You Grateful for on Thanksgiving 2020?

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Helping Families in Need this Holiday Season in Reston and Herndon

Cornerstones combines Thanksgiving Food Drive with Gifts for Kids.

Cornerstones was back at it again, ready to assist 1,000 Reston and Herndon families struggling to make ends meet this holiday season.

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Planting for the Future in Great Falls

GFCA works with Fairfax County Park Authority for new trees

The new maple and white oak are not the same.

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In-Person Learning Delayed for Some Fairfax County Public Schools Students

Superintendent and staff update school board on return-to-school plans

A surge in COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County forced Fairfax County Public Schools to delay its planned return of in-person instruction for an additional 6,800 students on Monday, Nov. 16.

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Veterans Day Observed with Caution in Herndon

American Legion Post 184 Herndon-Reston installs modified Avenue of Flags

Due to COVID restrictions, the Town of Herndon canceled its public recognition program on the Town Green for its Veterans Day Observance sponsored annually by The Wayne M. Kidwell American Legion Post 184 Herndon-Reston.

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A Godsend for The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area

Together they made it happen.

In reality, the project Chantilly-based non-profit organization HomeAid Northern Virginia recently completed for The Closet of Greater Herndon proved different from its typical work, but was a game-changer for the nonprofit thrift shop located in a 100-year-old building in the heart of the town’s historic downtown district.

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At the Tipping Point and Winter is Coming in Great Falls

Beloved local restaurant needs customers to be with them now.

Proprietor Mike Kearney of The Old Brogue, an Irish Pub in Great Falls, made a live video of his restaurant on the evening of Friday, Nov. 13.

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Veterans Day Observed with Caution in Great Falls

Cancellation of formal celebration could not stop informal ceremony

A dozen or so hardy souls quietly gathered in the drenching rain at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to pay tribute to America's veterans in an unofficial ceremony.

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South County High Student Tests Positive for COVID-19

FCPS cooperates with the County Health Department, informs families

A student at South County High School in Lorton has reported testing positive for COVID-19, according to a bulletin sent by Fairfax County Public Schools on Monday, Nov. 9.

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Possible Funding Threat for Fairfax County Public Schools

COVID cases increase, yet leadership hangs their star on families returning and increased enrollment.

Fall membership as of Sept. 30, 2020 at Fairfax County Public Schools declined by 8,859 students, dipping to 180,151 compared to data recorded last year at the same time, according to Assistant Superintendent of Facilities and Transportation Services Jeff Platenberg.

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Music Connects in Herndon

Virtual recitals strengthen stretched ties.

Will Meinert (bass) and Emily Misch (soprano) of Herndon are opera singers performing and streaming recitals and short productions with a mix of discussions.

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Herndon Seeks to Amend Agreement with Comstock

Closing on property planned before or on Dec. 15

Mayor Lisa C. Merkel may have the honor of inking the closing deal with Comstock Herndon Venture, LC on the Historic Herndon District project before her term ends on Dec. 31 of this year.

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Sheila A. Olem Wins Mayoral Race in Herndon

Herndon Town Council 2021-22 boasts diversity

Sheila A. Olem will be sworn in as the new mayor of the Town of Herndon 2021-22.

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Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet Continues

Distribution limited to five Saturdays November through March

As the weather gets colder, the need for coats and winter outerwear is greater than ever this season for community members who are unsheltered.

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Public Hearing on Historic Herndon Nov. 17

Herndon Town Council nears replacing Heritage Preservation Program

Community members and business owners in the Herndon Preservation Overlay District may soon be presented with new guidance on maintaining and updating their property and Town regulation processes for exterior change.

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Election Storm of the Century: Herndon-Reston Area

Saying the vote counts is an understatement.

Election Day 2020 will go down in history.

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Election Storm of the Century: Great Falls Area

Saying the vote counts is an understatement.

Election Day 2020 will go down in history.

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Returning to the Balance of Nature in Great Falls

Growing native plants

On Oct. 19, the Environment & Parks Committee of the Great Falls Citizens Association presented Native Plants by Dr. Meghan M. McGinty, a presentation she'd been dreaming about for years, McGinty said.

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Great Falls Bridge Rated in ‘Poor Condition’

VDOT holds an information meeting on Springvale Road (Route 674) bridge over Piney Run

The Springvale Road (Route 674) bridge over Piney Run in Great Falls may not perform at the current reduced load carrying capacity for an extended time, according to a report shared during the Oct. 21 Virginia Department of Transportation virtual public information meeting.