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Taking High-school Science to New HeightsNews, Page 7
‘Plan B’ for Saving Marmota FarmOpinion, Page 4
Hometown Celebrated in Great Falls
The Fein Family were named the Star Spangled Family in the Great Falls July 4th Celebration of Hometown.
2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsGreat Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
Great Falls celebrated the Fourthof July with a day full of eventsfor the whole family. The daybegan with a 5K Fun Run put
on by the Great Falls Trailblazers. The GreatFalls Friends & Neighbors club sponsoredthe next event, the Little Patriots Parade,and awarded prizes for the children sport-ing the best patriotic outfits and decoratedwagons. The Main Parade around the GreatFalls Village Centre featured floats, antiquecars, and community organizations that wasfollowed by festivities, food and fun on theVillage Centre Green. The day ended witha fireworks display at Turner Farm Park.
Hometown Celebrated in Great FallsOliver and Augustine Henry during the Little Patriots Parade. Theirwagon was named Best Decorated.
The Celebrate Great Falls float makes its way around the Village Green.
Maggie Wray with her son Jake, 3,who won the Little Liberty contest.
The Little Miss Betsy Ross winnerwas 10-month-old Autumn Rust. The parade featured members of Great Falls girls lacrosse.
Laura Perry from Great Fallspushes her son Henry, 2, towardsthe finish line of the 5K Fun Run.
Wiehan Peyper from Great Falls isonce again the winner of the 5KFun Run with a time of 20:20.Peyper has won the event four outof the past five years.
Ryan McKinney with sons Bryce,4, and Finn, 3, are ready tocheer on their mom and aunt inthe 5K Fun Run.
Photos by Tom Manning/
The Connection
4 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]
Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414
Andrea WorkerContributing Writer
Jean CardProduction Editor
ADVERTISING:For advertising information
Salome Howard-GaiblerDisplay Advertising
Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444
David GriffinMarketing Assistant
Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431
Editor & PublisherMary Kimm
[email protected]@MaryKimm
Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon
Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren
Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
Ali KhalighProduction Manager:
Geovani Flores
Great Falls
Members of the Virginia GeneralAssembly were scheduled onJuly 9 to convene in a specialsession intended to address
gun violence. After the May 31 mass shootingin Virginia Beach, Gov. Ralph Northam calledfor a special session of the General Assemblyto address gun violence. Last week, he an-nounced a package of eight bills for consider-ation during the special session.
❖ Legislation requiring background checkson all firearms sales and transactions.The bill mandates that any person sell-ing, renting, trading, or transferring afirearm must first obtain the results ofa background check before completing thetransaction.
❖ Legislation banning dangerous weapons:assault weapons, high-capacity magazines,bump stocks and silencers.
❖ Legislation to reinstate Virginia’s success-ful law allowing only one handgun purchasewithin a 30-day period.
❖ Legislation requiring that lost and stolenfirearms be reported to law enforcement within24 hours.
❖ Legislation creating an Extreme Risk Pro-
tective Order (Red Flag law), allowing lawenforcement and the courts to temporarilyseparate a person from firearms if the personexhibits dangerous behavior that presents animmediate threat to self or others. This wouldprevent suicides.
❖ Legislation prohibiting all individuals sub-ject to final protective orders from possessingfirearms. The bill expands Virginia law whichcurrently prohibits individuals subject to finalprotective orders of family abuse from possess-ing firearms, keeping guns out of the hands ofdomestic abusers.
❖ Legislation enhancing the punishment forallowing access to loaded, unsecured firearmby a child from a Class 3 Misdemeanor to aClass 6 felony. The bill also raises the age ofthe child from 14 to 18.
❖ Legislation allowing localities toenact any firearms ordinances that arestricter than state law. This includesregulating firearms in municipal build-
ings, libraries and at permitted events.These are in fact common sense proposals,
and each one should get consideration and avote. There’s a good chance that won’t be theoutcome because Republicans narrowly con-trol both the House of Delegates and the Vir-ginia Senate.
But the special session will focus legislatorsand voters on the importance of these issues,and that focus will serve the effort well,whether or not any of the bills pass into lawthis month.
Pet Issue PhotosThe Pet Issue, a twice-yearly special edition,
will publish the last week of July, and photosand stories of your pets with you and your fam-ily should be submitted by Thursday, July 25.
We invite you to send stories about your pets,photos of you and your family with your cats,dogs, llamas, alpacas, ponies, hamsters, snakes,lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other crea-tures share your life with you.
Tell us the story of a special bond between achild and a dog, the story of how you came toadopt your pet, or examples of amazing featsof your creatures.
Just a cute photo is fine too. Our favoritepictures include both pets and humans.
Please tell us a little bit about your creature,identify everyone in the photo, give a briefdescription of what is happening in the photo,and include address and phone number (wewill not publish your address or phone num-ber, just your town name).
Email [email protected] or submitonline at www.connectionnewspapers.com/pets.
For advertising information, [email protected] or call 703-778-9431.
— Mary Kimm
Eight proposed billswould make thecommonwealth safer.
Special Session on Gun Violence
Editorial
By John G. Colby, AIAE
Many of you alreadyknow me as the devel-oper of such local
communities as Deerfield Pond,Arnon Lake, Walker Woods Lake,Riverbend Farm, Riverscape,McLean Falls and many others.Four such communities were situ-ated on property assembled in the1950s and 60s by my client andfriend, John W. Hanes, Jr.Marmota Farm, also once ownedby John and his children, com-prises 22.8 acres at the corner ofGeorgetown Pike and InnsbruckAvenue.
This bucolic former dairy farmis flanked by the Great FallsGrange Park and the Lift Me Uptherapeutic riding center, appear-ing just as it did when I first cameto, and fell in love with, Great Fallsmore than 50 years ago. Few suchlarge, undeveloped Great Fallsproperties remain; none is moreprominent.
I recently placed Marmota Farmunder contract. I am now in the
early stages of due diligence, seek-ing a partner, investor or subse-quent owner(s) who share my de-sire to abandon a 2005 County-ap-proved subdivision plan yieldingeleven relatively small lots.
The 2005 “Plan A” imposes ex-tremely negative impacts alongthe site’s prominent GeorgetownPike frontage and neighborhood.Indeed, the approved site plan hasbeen a continuing source of localconcern, fostering a 14-year long“Save Marmota Farm” initiative.(For background Google thatphrase.) With its current $11 mil-lion tax assessment, the Park Au-thority has rebuffed pleas to ac-quire Marmota Farm and annex itto its western neighbor, TheGrange Park.
About ten years ago I retiredfrom my Great Falls-based careeras architect, land planner and de-veloper. I have come out of retire-ment in the hope of thwarting theunpopular 2005 site plan. In itsplace, I have conceived a “gentle,”by-right subdivision (“Plan B”),initially creating four and eventu-ally just eight parcels. Two 5-
acre+ lots would back to PhilipDigges Dr. The two other parcels,each of more than six acres, wouldfront on Georgetown Pike and besuitable for re-division into three2-acre+ lots. I hope to sell any ofthe four large parcels, or combi-nations of them. My approacheliminates all the 2005 requiredinfra-structure except for a desir-able public trail along GeorgetownPike. No one appears to havethought of my alternative low-yield concept with its lots averag-ing 59 percent larger. My “Plan B”preserves most of the site’s treecover and natural terrain by elimi-nating more than three acres ofnew public roads, a homeowner-maintained “dry pond” and 240foot long dam on GeorgetownPike. I have met with my engineersand County staff to validate thefeasibility of my approach, andmet with a few reputable localbuilders and investors sympatheticto my vision.
As an alternative to near-termresidential development, anotheroption exists for an owner, or own-ers, to place Marmota Farm into a
County Agricultural and Forrestal(A&F) District. This involves hold-ing the property intact for at least8 years, during which an annualproperty tax liability of more than$130,000 would be mostly for-given. (This, for instance, is howthe nearby 57-acre Great FallsHorse Center is held.) Many of usGreat Falls seniors will recall thatthe nearby Cornwell Farm commu-nity was so saved from extensivedevelopment when, back in the70s, an ad-hoc group of neighborswas able to induce its resale (thus,“Ad Hoc Road.”)
My first objective is to rescueMarmota Farm from pending in-trusive development. Althoughhaving already invested in thetime and expense of my contractand due diligence, if my initiativeproves unsuccessful I will regret-tably have to exercise a right towithdraw from it. At that point itwill be up to my successor to de-termine whether to pursue the old“Plan A,” my legacy “Plan B,” orgo in yet another direction.
For site plans, pricing and terms,kindly contact me at the follow-ing address: John G. Colby, AIAEEmail: [email protected]
An open memo to the Great Falls community.‘Plan B’ for Saving Marmota Farm
Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
IN GREAT FALLS
731-C WALKER RD.· GREAT FALLS, VAState Farm Insurance Companies Home Office Bloomington, Illinois
AUTO• HOME • LIFEFINANCIAL SERVICES
Like A Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There.®
www.gstephendulaney.com
Open SaturdaysComplementary Insurance and Financial Review
Proud Supporter of Military Appreciation Mondays
Visit
State Farm InsuranceGreat Falls Senior Center (GFSC) has an-
nounced a guest speaker Stan Corey, whowill talk about the stages of retirement andhow to avoid serious pitfalls. Corey breaks“retirement” into five major stages. Theselargely chronological stages are when wetransition from working, to go-go years, tono-go years and to end of life. Corey willplace emphasis on the common pitfalls ashe has witnessed at each of these stages.Everyone goes through these stages; it isjust the amount of time in each that is dif-ferent.
Corey has been a Certified Financial Plan-ner (CFP), Chartered Financial Consultant(ChFC) and Certified Private Wealth Advi-sor (CPWA). He is retired but remains asought-after expert who regularly providesfinancial commentary at national confer-ences, in print and online publications, andon TV. He has published two books: a novel,The Divorce Dance, and a non-fiction, WhenWork Becomes Optional.
Corey has also been an avid sailor, andnavigating the seas has been his lifelong
passion, competing in numerous sailing cluband international regattas as skipper, helms-man, and tactician on a variety of boatsfrom fifteen to sixty feet. He won the Na-val District of Washington sailing champi-onship in 1974 and became an ocean rac-ing coach for the Naval Academy after hishonorable discharge in 1976.
The July 16 event will be held at the GreatFalls United Methodist Church, 10100Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, 11 a.m. to 2p.m. and includes lunch to be provided bythe United Methodist Church Women, adonation of $10 per lunch will be appreci-ated. Contact Polly Fitzgerald [email protected] or call 703-759-4345 to make your reservation. Visitgfseniors.org for additional information andmembership.
The event sponsor, once again is JohnNugent & Sons Northern Virginia’s heating,air conditioning, plumbing, and electricalservice experts since 1975. Give Back Do-nation for July is Non Sweetened Cereal andPeanut Butter is always needed.
Senior Center to Host Talk onStages of Retirement
Week in Great Falls
WhatDoYou
Think?
The Connection welcomes viewson any public issue.The deadline for all material isnoon Friday. Letters must besigned. Include home addressand home and business num-bers. Letters are routinely editedfor libel, grammar, good tasteand factual errors.
Send letters:By email:[email protected]: www.connectionnewspapers.com/contact/letter
By mail: Letters to the Editor,The Connection,1606 King St., Alexandria VA 22314
6 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
MAIN STREET HOME IMPROVEMENTSiding - Decks - Roofing – Windows – Patios
Plastic binssuch as thosein this closet
can helpmaximizespace in a
dorm room,advises Susan
Unger ofClutterSOS.
Home LifeStyle
By Marilyn Campbell
The Connection
When she moved out of her family homeand into a dorm room at MarymountUniversity, one of the obstacles that Grace
McKinley faced was creating a sense of style and or-der in her new downsized dwelling.
“[My] biggest challenge was making a small spacefeel like a functional home,” said McKinley, an inte-rior design major who now works as an intern atCase Design/Remodeling, Inc.
For students who are getting ready to head off tocollege next month, part of their preparation includesshopping for supplies to hold items ranging fromjeans and t-shirts to laptops and books. Like McKinley,many will take on the task of finding pieces that willserve the dual role of adding both aesthetic appealand efficient organization to a diminutive and aus-tere room.
“First of all, since dorm rooms are really small, tryto only take what you know you will actually need,”said Susan Unger of ClutterSOS. “If you can onlytake your clothes, choose items needed for the cur-rent season and then change them out when youreturn home for a visit.”
Even for those who choose to take only a limitedamount clothing, finding the best use of space re-quires creativity and precision. “Use bed risers tomake room for under-the-bed storage bins where youcan house items such as extra food and clothing youdon’t wear on a regular basis,” said Unger.
Students who, like McKinley, miss the comforts ofhome, can use nostalgic reminders to smooth outthe transition. “I made sure to put up photos offriends and family on the wall to add a sentimentaltouch,” she said. “And I coordinated my favorite col-ors in my bedding and organization items.” McKinleysaid those items included stackable, plastic storagetrays that held her jewelry and school supplies.
In fact, tools for keeping order are essential whentrying to maximize the limitations of size-challengedrooms. “Always think of using available vertical spacesuch as the back of doors,” said Unger. “You can ac-tually use an over-the-door shoe bag for other thingslike toiletries or food instead of shoes.”
Even dorm-sized appliances can be multi-func-tional, says Unger. “If you have a refrigerator withmetal sides you can use magnetized bins for office
or kitchen supplies like condiments or eating uten-sils,” she said. “A shower caddy is also a good ideaso that you can keep all your bathing supplies in oneplace.”
When to comes to breathing life into sterile,cramped quarters , a touch of vibrancy can have abig impact says Allie Mann, designer and senior in-teriors specialist at Case. “When decorating a smallspace, don’t be afraid of color,” she said. “The bestsmall spaces are those that are the most colorful. Somany times folks are afraid of too much color. Bebold and have fun.”
Accessories that Mann recommends include col-orful peel-and-stick wallpaper. “Take any lamp andgive it life and character with pom poms from a craftstore,” she said.
While she encourages color creative, her advicecomes with a caveat. “Be careful not to mix too muchpattern,” she said. “Too much pattern in a small spacecould be a bit dizzying.”
Now working as Mann’s design intern at Case,McKinley says that, as she progressed in her major,she began putting her newly acquired skills to use inher dorm room. “In my interior design classes, welearned that balancing elements of design like color,shape, space, and texture creates the best spaces,”she said. “Adding interest with a unique throw pil-low, patterned rug, or a fun lamp can make a simpledorm stand out from the rest.”
Adding style and creating space in tight quartersDorm Room Decor
When decorating a small space, interiordesigner Allie Mann of Case Design/Remodeling Inc. says that bold colors canadd vibrancy.
Pho
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urtesy o
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U
nger.
Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
See Great Falls Students, Page 9
By Christina Tyler Wenks
Five students are traveling to Aus-tralia to represent the UnitedStates at the International ScienceSchool at the University of Sydney.
One of those students is from Great Falls.Scientists from all over the world con-
verge in Sydney every other year to pro-vide learning, lecture and laboratory chal-lenges. Ninety of the 140 students are fromAustralia, but others are from countriesaround the globe.
In honor of the Apollo mission’s 50th an-niversary, this year’s theme is space, butmany sciences will be represented such asforensics and microbiology. One of the pre-senters is Michelle Lucas, who trained NASAastronauts for more than a decade andworked with International Space StationFlight Control Operations Planning. Lucasfounded the Leesburg-headquarteredHigher Orbits, the nonprofit requested tofind the five American participants.
“The fact that Higher Orbits is all overthe United States allowed us to bring stu-dents from different regions and with var-ied experiences,” Lucas said.
FOUNDED IN 2015, Higher Orbits is anonprofit that uses spaceflight to encour-age science, math, engineering, technology,teamwork, leadership, and communication.During the organization’s Go For Launch!events around the country, students assessreal-world problems and generate researchprojects that could be benefited or ampli-fied by microgravity.
“Growing up in Ohio during the early daysof our space program, I heard a lot aboutwhat Ohio astronauts John Glenn and Neil
Armstrong were doing in space. That in-spired me to become an astronaut. Partici-pating in Higher Orbits events gives me theopportunity to pass that inspiration on tothe next generation,” said astronaut MikeForeman, who flew on two shuttle missions,spent more than 26 days in space, and per-formed five spacewalks. Now Foremanworks with Higher Orbits teams competingto launch projects into space.
For the chance to study in Australia, stu-dents submitted essays evaluated by space-industry leaders and letters of recommen-dation from the community, educators andGo For Launch! teammates to be consideredfor the intense study opportunity.
Each of the five Americans selected tostudy science in Sydney were part of teamswhose Go For Launch! projects won regionalcompetitions. A few have projects that haveflown to the International Space Station.
“This is not a fluffy two weeks,” said Lucasabout the Professor Harry Messel Interna-tional Science School. “There will be a lotof data and hands-on for these students whoare thirsty to get more.”
“I went to Higher Orbits for the first timein 2017, my freshman in high school, andsince then I’ve been to rocket launches andSpace Camp,” said Abi Youngker from thePhoenix, Ariz., area. “All of this came from aHigher Orbits three-day weekend, but the factthat I am going to Australia blows my mind.”
“There is a lot of forced learning in theclassroom and we are limited by what weare allowed to do. There is not a lot of roomfor creativity,” said Zach Pickerel from FortCollins, Colo. “Without Higher Orbits, Iwould never have learned about microbi
Higher Orbits launches students researchand goals to space.
Taking High-schoolScience to New Heights
Caroline Wenks, Great Falls; Abi Youngker, Pheonix, Ariz.; LeiaSpaniak, Deerfield, Ill.; and Jamison Fuller, from Holly Springs, N.C.,arrived in Sydney, Australia, this weekend. Hours after getting offplanes, the American student science team goes to the FeatherdaleWildlife Park.
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igh
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rbits
8 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artworkencouraged.
ONGOINGDrop-in Mah Jongg. Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-
noon at McLean Community Center, 1234Ingleside Ave., McLean. Players should have abasic understanding of the rules and shouldbring their current American MJ League card.For McLean District residents. [email protected] for more.
Oak Marr Farmers’ Market. 8 a.m.-noon atOak Marr RECenter, 3200 Jermantown Road,Oakton. Every Wednesday through Nov. 13, rainor shine. Call 703-281-6501 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/oak-marr for more.
McLean Farmers Market. Fridays, through Nov.15, 8 a.m.-noon at Lewinsville Park, 1659 ChainBridge Road, McLean. Sixteen local farmers andproducers. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/mclean.
Great Falls Farmers Market. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 778 Walker Road, Great Falls. Music,vendors, fresh produce, fresh prepared food,delightful bakery, spices from around the world,wild-caught fish, grass-fed, free-range meats,organic-fed poultry and eggs. [email protected] for more.
Oakton Farmers Market. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1p.m. at Unity of Fairfax Church, 2854 HunterMill Road, Oakton. Year-round weekly farmersmarket in Oakton. Local produce, meats/eggs,dairy, baked goods, and more. Admission is free.Visit community-foodworks.org.
THURSDAY/JULY 11Nottoway Nights: David Bach Consort. 7:30
p.m. at Nottoway Park, 9537 Courthouse Road,Vienna. Thursday evenings, through Aug. 22.Bring a picnic and a blanket or chair. For lastminute weather cancellations call 703-324-7469one hour prior to the program start time.
FRIDAY/JULY 12ESL Playdate Cafe. 1-2 p.m. at Oakton Library,
10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. Meet othercaregivers of young children. Adults practiceEnglish while children enjoy play time in thesame room. Birth-5 years with adult. Free. Call703-242-4020 or visitibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/5260042.
Summer on the Green: Fat Chance (rock).6:30 p.m. on Vienna’s Town Green. The Summeron the Green concert series returns to Vienna’sTown Green Friday nights through Aug. 23.Please see the text below or the attached releasefor details. Bring chairs and/or blankets. Noalcoholic beverages are permitted. Considerleaving pets at home. In the event of rain, checkthe weather line at 703-255-7842. Learn more atwww.viennava.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3997.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JULY 12-14Seussical The Musical. Friday-Saturday, 7:30
p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. at Alden Theatre, McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave.,McLean. The McLean Community Players returnto the Alden Theatre with the musical“Seussical,” which opens July 12, 2019, andruns weekends through July 28. “Seussical”brings together many beloved Dr. Seusscharacters. $15-$28. [email protected] or visitwww.McLeanPlayers.org for more.
SATURDAY/JULY 13Book Collection. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at SunTrust Bank,
515 Maple Ave. East, Vienna. The McLeanBranch of the American Association of UniversityWomen (AAUW) will be collecting used books,CDs, DVDs, software, children’s books, records,and recent textbooks. No encyclopedias, VHS oraudiotapes. Books for children are especiallyneeded. Books must be bagged or boxed and thebags and boxes must be left with the books. Thebook sale will be held Sept. 13-15 at the McLeanCommunity Center. Proceeds benefitscholarships for women. [email protected] or 703-527-4206 withquestions.
Model Railroaders Open House. 1-5 p.m. atthe Vienna Depot, 231 Dominion Road NE.Northern Virginia Model Railroaders hold an
open house at the Vienna Depot each month andon Vienna celebration days, including Viva!Vienna and the Vienna Holiday Stroll. Freeadmission. Call 703-938-5157 or visitwww.nvmr.org.
Open Mic Night. 7-10 p.m. at Caffe Amouri, 107Church St. NE, Vienna. Every Friday, a featuredhost is the main performer and also the emceewho introduces other performers who show upto play music, recite poetry, or do a comedyroutine. Free admission. Call 703-938-1623 orvisit caffeamouri.com/events-calendar.
SUNDAY/JULY 14Blood Drive. 7:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Lewinsville
Presbyterian Church, 1724 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. Lewinsville Presbyterian Church willhost its next Blood Drive in partnership withInova. Those wishing to donate do not need tobe a member of Lewinsville. Bring a photo I.D.when you come to donate. Call 703-356-7200 oremail [email protected] withquestions. Read eligibility requirements and signup at www.lewinsville.org/events/blood-drive/.
A Walk in the Park. 10-11:30 a.m. at Wolf TrapNational Park, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Join theGreen Spring Master Gardeners and Friends ofWolf Trap for a walk and learn through theRain, Woodland and Pollinator Gardens or takea guided hike along the trails, pond andwetlands at the Park. Learn how Wolf TrapNational Park has created an oasis for nativeplants and wildlife (and humans) in a highlyurbanized region. All ages are welcome. Leasheddogs are welcome for the trail walk but are notallowed in the gardens. Free. Registrationrequired at friendsofwolftrap.org/event/july_2019_guided_walk/.
Summer Concerts: Frontiers - Journeytribute band. 5 p.m. in the gazebo of McLeanCentral Park, 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd.,McLean. The Alden at the McLean CommunityCenter is again sponsoring free summer concertsin the gazebo of McLean Central Park featuringa mix of musical genres. Call 703-790-0123 orvisit www.aldentheatre.org.
Concerts on the Green: Jr. Cline and theRecliners. 6-8 p.m. on the Great Falls VillageCentre Green. Bring picnic baskets, chairs andblankets for an evening of live music. Free. Visitwww.celebrategreatfalls.org.
TUESDAY/JULY 16Kids on the Green: Bill Wellington (kids
songs and storytelling). 10 a.m. on theVienna Town Green. The Kids on the Greenseries is a weekly collection of interactive animalshows, magicians, puppet performances, andmore, running through Aug. 20. Free. Visitviennava.gov for more.
WEDNESDAY/JULY 17Stories, Songs & Sprinklers. 1 p.m. on the
Freeman Store lawn. Partnering with HistoricVienna, Inc., the Town of Vienna invites youngchildren and families to an afternoon ofstorybook reading, short songs, and fun withwater sprinklers. Free. Visit viennava.gov formore.
THURSDAY/JULY 18Nottoway Nights: The Aloha Boys. 7:30 p.m.
at Nottoway Park, 9537 Courthouse Road,Vienna. Thursday evenings, through Aug. 22.Bring a picnic and a blanket or chair. For lastminute weather cancellations call 703-324-7469one hour prior to the program start time.
FRIDAY/JULY 19Get Hooked on Fishing. 5:30-7:30 p.m. at
Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St., GreatFalls. Riverbend is offering “River Fishing byBoat.” In this class, participants age 5- adult willlearn to fish for smallmouth bass and sunfishfrom a canoe or jon boat. Previous experiencerowing or paddling is not required, and boats,PFDs, fishing rods and bait are provided. Therewill be a maximum of three participants perboat, one of whom must be 16 or older. Eachparticipant must register. $16 per person. If theweather’s bad or river conditions are hazardous,the program will be canceled. Call 703-759-9018 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend.
Summer on the Green: Chillin’ on Church:Mudlark (classic rock and blues). 6:30p.m. on Vienna’s Town Green. Friday nightsthrough Aug. 23. Bring chairs and/or blankets.No alcoholic beverages are permitted. Considerleaving pets at home. In the event of rain, checkthe weather line at 703-255-7842. Learn moreat www.viennava.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3997.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JULY 19-21Seussical The Musical. Friday-Saturday, 7:30
p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. at Alden Theatre, McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave.,McLean. The McLean Community Players returnto the Alden Theatre with the musical“Seussical,” which opens July 12, 2019, andruns weekends through July 28. $15-$28. [email protected] or visitwww.McLeanPlayers.org for more.
SATURDAY/JULY 20Open Mic Night. 7-10 p.m. at Caffe Amouri, 107
Church St. NE, Vienna. Every Friday, a featuredhost is the main performer and also the emceewho introduces other performers who show upto play music, recite poetry, or do a comedyroutine. Free admission. Call 703-938-1623 orvisit caffeamouri.com/events-calendar.
SUNDAY/JULY 21Visit Colvin Run Mill. Noon-3 p.m. at Colvin
Run Mill, 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls.See, hear and taste history with a visit to ColvinRun Mill. Grinding demonstration turns wheator corn into flour and meal, and free woodcarving lessons onsite. Mill tours are $8 foradults, $7 for students 16 and up with ID, and$6 for children and seniors. No reservations arerequired. Call 703-759-2771 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvin-run-mill.
Summer Concerts: Justin Trawick and theCommon Good. 5 p.m. in the gazebo ofMcLean Central Park, 1468 Dolley Madison
Blvd., McLean. The Alden at the McLeanCommunity Center is again sponsoring freesummer concerts in the gazebo of McLeanCentral Park featuring a mix of musical genres.Call 703-790-0123 or visitwww.aldentheatre.org.
Concerts on the Green: the Unfinished. 6-8p.m. on the Great Falls Village Centre Green.Bring picnic baskets, chairs and blankets for anevening of live music. Free. Visitwww.celebrategreatfalls.org.
Summer on the Green: Vienna CommunityBand. 6:30 p.m. on Vienna’s Town Green. Bringchairs and/or blankets. No alcoholic beveragesare permitted. Consider leaving pets at home. Inthe event of rain, check the weather line at 703-255-7842. Learn more at www.viennava.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3997.
TUESDAY/JULY 23Kids on the Green: Michael Cantori
(magician). 10 a.m. on the Vienna TownGreen. The Kids on the Green series is a weeklycollection of interactive animal shows,magicians, puppet performances, and more,running through Aug. 20. Free. Visitviennava.gov for more.
WEDNESDAY/JULY 24Stories, Songs & Sprinklers. 1 p.m. on the
Freeman Store lawn. Partnering with HistoricVienna, Inc., the Town of Vienna invites youngchildren and families to an afternoon ofstorybook reading, short songs, and fun withwater sprinklers. Free. Visit viennava.gov formore.
Family Movie Night: The Incredibles 2. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church,1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Lewinsville’sfourth Family Movie Night of the summer willfeature The Incredibles 2 (PG). A dinner of pizzawill be served. Bring a lawn chair and friends.The community is welcome, visitors do not needto be a member of Lewinsville. Visitwww.lewinsville.org/events/family-movie-night-4/.
THURSDAY/JULY 25Nottoway Nights: Randy Thompson Band.
7:30 p.m. at Nottoway Park, 9537 CourthouseRoad, Vienna. Thursday evenings, through Aug.22. Bring a picnic and a blanket or chair. Forlast minute weather cancellations call 703-324-7469 one hour prior to the program start time.
FRIDAY/JULY 26Summer on the Green: U.S. Army Band:
Swamp Romp (Louisiana jazz and folk).6:30 p.m. on Vienna’s Town Green. Fridaynights through Aug. 23. Bring chairs and/orblankets. No alcoholic beverages are permitted.Consider leaving pets at home. In the event ofrain, check the weather line at 703-255-7842.Learn more at www.viennava.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3997.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JULY 26-28Seussical The Musical. Friday-Saturday, 7:30
p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. at Alden Theatre, McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave.,McLean. The McLean Community Players returnto the Alden Theatre with the musical“Seussical,” which opens July 12, 2019, andruns weekends through July 28. $15-$28. [email protected] or visitwww.McLeanPlayers.org for more.
SATURDAY/JULY 27Open Mic Night. 7-10 p.m. at Caffe Amouri, 107
Church St. NE, Vienna. Every Friday, a featuredhost is the main performer and also the emceewho introduces other performers who show upto play music, recite poetry, or do a comedyroutine. Free admission. Call 703-938-1623 orvisit caffeamouri.com/events-calendar.
SUNDAY/JULY 28Summer Concerts: Slippery When Wet: The
Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute. 5 p.m. in thegazebo of McLean Central Park, 1468 DolleyMadison Blvd., McLean. The Alden at theMcLean Community Center is again sponsoringfree summer concerts in the gazebo of McLeanCentral Park featuring a mix of musical genres.Call 703-790-0123 or visitwww.aldentheatre.org.
Concerts on the Green: Dr. Guy Van Syckle.6-8 p.m. on the Great Falls Village Centre Green.Bring picnic baskets, chairs and blankets for anevening of live music. Free. Visitwww.celebrategreatfalls.org.
Calendar
Seussical The MusicalThe McLean Community Players return to the Alden Theatre with the musical “Seussical,” which opens
July 12, 2019, and runs weekends through July 28. “Seussical” brings together many beloved Dr. Seusscharacters. Running weekends: July 12-14, July 19-21 and July 26-28; Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.;Sunday, 2 p.m. at Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. $15-$28.Email [email protected] or visit www.McLeanPlayers.org for more.
Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 7
News
ology at the level I wanted.”Pickerel is a Higher Orbits veteran whose third Go
For Launch! experiment is being considered for de-velopment and launch to the ISS. The junior fromFort Collins High School looks forward to speakerswho will speak about fields he’s not yet studied, suchas micro-robotics.
Jamison Fuller of Holly Springs, N.C., has a projectaboard the International Space Station created dur-ing a Durham Higher Orbits Go For Launch! event.His Team Orion developed a project that involvesfungi that absorb radiation.
“Fungi metabolize radiation and lower radiationon the ISS, lowering risk of cancers and radiation-related conditions among astronauts,” said the high-school junior who wants to be an aerospace engi-neer. “Results will come back in a few months. Withthe data, we’ll see if the experiment is successful.”
CAROLINE WENKS from Great Falls says a futurein space is a must. “Other people see it as explora-tion, which I fully support, but it’s imperative thatwe as a people also consider life elsewhere.”
Wenks and the other American science ambassa-dors plan to write and blog about learning experi-ences with a global solutions-based mindset.
“I do not believe we can completely fix some prob-lems on this planet, such as human-caused climatechange, but we must make greater effort to makethese problems less extreme,” said the Langley HighSchool junior.
Leia Spaniak, from Deerfield, Ill., participated intwo Go For Launch! events. In fall, her all-girl teamcreated a project that measures an antioxidant pro-duced by algae is expected to launch to the ISS fromVirginia’s Wallops Flight Facility.
“There is no large natural source, which is expen-sive,” Spaniak said. “But if in microgravity it worksefficiently, we can make the antioxidant naturally,which would be helpful.”
Spaniak and the others say Higher Orbits helpedthem identify friends, education and professionalgoals.
“I’ve been trying to get kids at school to do it sothey can find something or a group that you connectwith,” she said.
“Higher Orbits inspired me to pursue STEM,” saidYoungker, who wants to study aerospace engineer-ing in college. “These people give me hope that I’mgoing to be okay in the future. I respect myself moreas a thinker.”
“This is not just a STEM experience, but a culturalexperience. They will spark new thought, but theywill learn more about themselves,” said Lucas.
On Aug. 7 and 8 at the Arlington’s LockheedMartin Global Vision Center, Higher Orbits conductsa Go For Launch! sponsored by the AmericanInstitute for Aeronautics and Astronautics. Thatevent is one of six in the Apollo Series from which anexperiment will be selected and launched intomicrogravity during a future ISS resupply mission.
Scholarships are available to those who apply, too.
Great Falls Student Explores Science in Australia
Caroline Wenks of Great Falls, and Leia Spaniak ofDeerfield, Ill., feed red kangaroos in Sydney, Australia,before attending the Harry Messel International ScienceSchool at the University of Sydney.
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10 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
The McLean Branch of the American Associa-tion of University Women (AAUW) Used Book Col-lection will be held on Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. -1 p.m. at the SunTrust Bank, 515 Maple AvenueEast, Vienna. It will be collecting used books, CDs,DVDs, software, children’s books, records, and re-cent textbooks. No encyclopedias, VHS or audio-tapes. Books for children are especially needed.
Books must be bagged or boxed and the bags andboxes must be left with the books. If you have anyquestions, contact [email protected], or703-527-4206.
The Book Sale will be held on Sept. 13-15 atthe McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Av-enue, McLean. The book sale proceeds benefitscholarships for women.
The Fairfax County Economic DevelopmentAuthority (FCEDA) has named VictorHoskins as its new president and chief ex-ecutive officer. Hoskins is currently Direc-
tor of Economic Development for Arlington County,Va., where he helped lead the successful regionaleffort to bring Amazon’s HQ2 to Northern Virginia.He previously served as Deputy Mayor of Planningand Economic Development for the District of Co-lumbia where he was instrumental in the develop-ment of major sites in the District including City Cen-ter, the Wharf and Union Market.
THE FCEDA helps businesses start, ex-pand and relocate in Fairfax County bypromoting the county as one of theworld’s best business locations. FairfaxCounty already is home to 10 Fortune500 companies, more than 100 com-panies on the Inc. 5000 list and 8,800tech companies. It also has one of thenation’s most educated workforces withtop-ranked schools and nearly 150,000technology workers, or one in four jobsin the county. Hoskins will assume hisnew role Aug. 5.
“Victor has been an economic-development dy-namo in our region for years. We are thrilled he isbringing his experience and expertise to FairfaxCounty,” said Catherine Lange, Chair of the FairfaxCounty Economic Development Authority Board.“After an extensive search, Fairfax County found theright leader in our own backyard. Victor will be atremendous asset as we launch new initiatives tostrengthen and broaden our workforce and grow ourcommercial enterprises. With his energy and wide-ranging contacts, Victor will step up our efforts toattract and retain top talent and increase businessinvestment in Fairfax County.”
FCEDA did not include Hoskins salary as its newleader with its initial release. Hoskins was paid areported $221,900 for his role in Arlington.
Hoskins said he is eager to start his new job. “Icouldn’t be more excited to join the Fairfax CountyEconomic Development Authority as its new leader,”Hoskins said. “Fairfax County is well known for itspro-growth environment and its ability to attract,train and retain talented workers. With the backingof FCEDA’s excellent staff, I hope to do more of thatwith increased outreach in the U.S. and abroad, es-pecially among young people. As always, I hope to
work closely with my colleagues and friends in theregion. I also plan to increase our use of researchand digital communications to expand the county’sdynamic workforce, attract startups and grow exist-ing businesses.”
The FCEDA recently announced a new talent at-traction and retention program to build on opportu-nities created by Amazon’s HQ2 in Northern Virginia.The program, which will receive $1 million in its firstyear and $800,000 in succeeding years, will studywhat organizations are doing to expand the talent
pipeline and will use that knowledgeto create a communications effort thatwill include digital advertising, socialmedia, video/multimedia and outreachto journalists.
Stephen Moret, president and CEOof the Virginia Economic DevelopmentPartnership, said Hoskins will bring in-novation and cooperation to his newrole. “Victor will bring a uniquely com-pelling mix of experience, savvy andcollaborative spirit to the FCEDA,”Moret said. “He has a deep understand-ing of all the elements of economicdevelopment and how they interact.
Both innovative and practical, Victor energeticallycultivates local, regional and state partnerships thatenable collective success, just as he did in helpingattract HQ2 to Virginia.”
“Fairfax County is proud to have one of the bestworkforces and business environments in the U.S.,”said Sharon Bulova, Chair of the Fairfax Board ofSupervisors. “Under Victor’s leadership, we will makesure Fairfax County is a place where talent and in-novation want to be. We enthusiastically welcomeVictor to the Fairfax team.”
DURING HIS CAREER, Hoskins’ work has resultedin the creation of nearly 375,000 jobs. He has ledteams that negotiated more than 700 major busi-ness deals resulting in billions of dollars in privateinvestment. Amazon’s move to Northern Virginiaalone will bring more than 25,000 high tech jobs tothe region and will generate at least $3.2 billion forVirginia.
Hoskins will succeed Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., whoretired in late 2018 after being with the FCEDA for35 years and its president and CEO since 1987.Hoskins’ selection follows a national search con-ducted by Korn Ferry.
Used Book Collection to Be Held July 13Area Roundups
Victor Hoskins named president and CEO ofFairfax County Economic Development Authority.
Development AuthorityNames New Leader
Victor Hoskins
Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
CAMPSCamp Invention. Monday-Friday, July 22-26, at
Wolftrap Elementary School, 1903 Beulah Road.9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $265. Camp Inventionchallenges children in grades K-6 to find theirinner inventor. Various STEM-based activitiesand at the end of the program, each camper willbring home a robot. Visit invent.org/camp.
Summer Choir Camp. Monday-Friday, Aug. 12-16 and Sunday, Aug. 18 at Church of the HolyComforter, 543 Beulah Road NE. $125 feeincludes lunches, recreational activities, musiceducation and camp t-shirt. All children in rising2nd-7th grade are welcome. No prior musicexperience or training required; solid readingskills are highly recommended. Scholarships areavailable. Download registration forms atwww.holycomforter.com.
THURSDAY/JULY 11Caregivers Support Group. 10-11:30 a.m. at
UUCF Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofFairfax - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. For caregivers to adult familymembers with dementia. First and thirdThursdays of every month. Hosted by Shepherd’sCenter of Oakton-Vienna, scov.org. Contactfacilitator Jack Tarr at 703-821-6838 [email protected].
Tysons Regional Chamber of CommerceNew and Prospective Member Orientation.11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Tower Club, 8000 TowersCrescent Drive, Suite 1700, Vienna. Learn moreabout the Tysons Regional Chamber and how tomake the most of a membership through thevarious events, committees, member to memberbenefits and marketing opportunities. Meet theChamber staff and hear from Board Membershow membership benefits small, medium, largeand non-profit companies. Registration isrequired. Free for new and prospectivemembers. Sandwiches provided. Visitwww.tysonschamber.org.
SATURDAY/JULY 13Car Seat Safety Check. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at
the McLean district police station, 1437 BallsHill Road, McLean. Fairfax County PoliceDepartment offers free safety check and installevents throughout the year to ensure childrentravel safely. In preparation for inspection,install the seat using the instructions that camewith the car seat. Trained officers will reviewthe car seat instructions and car owner’s manualto be certain that they are being followed asthey should.
WEDNESDAY/JULY 17Fairfax Commission on Aging Meets. 1-3
p.m. at McLean Governmental Center, Rooms A& B, 1437 Balls Hill Road, Mclean. The public iswelcome to attend and join in the commentperiod that begins each session. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults/fairfax-area-commission-on-aging. Call703-324-5403, TTY 711 for meeting accessneeds.
THURSDAY/JULY 18Caregivers Support Group. 10-11:30 a.m. at
UUCF Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofFairfax - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. For caregivers to adult familymembers with dementia. First and thirdThursdays of every month. Hosted by Shepherd’sCenter of Oakton-Vienna, scov.org. Contactfacilitator Jack Tarr at 703-821-6838 [email protected].
Memory Cafe. 2-4 p.m. at Andrew Chapel UnitedMethodist Church, 1301 Trap Road, Vienna.Connect with others living with loved ones withdementia. Helping those with dementia andtheir caregivers find fun, resources and “family.”Email Carol Blackwell at [email protected] orcall at 571-236-6933.
WEDNESDAY/JULY 24Fairfax County Park Authority Board
Meeting. 7:30 p.m. in the Herrity Building,12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 941,Fairfax. The Park Authority Board’s 12appointed members establish strategic policyand direction for the Park Authority. Open tothe public. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/boardagn2.htm or call 703-324-8662.
Bulletin
12 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ July 10-16, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
