Insiders' Tips: Places to Visit in Dranesville District
Supervisor John W. Foust (D-Dranesville) recommends places to see in the area.
Newcomers to Dranesville should visit our beautiful Potomac riverfront parks. Scotts Run in McLean offers fantastic hiking trails and great views of the Potomac. Riverbend Park and Great Falls National Park in Great Falls have visitor centers, great trails, spectacular river views and scenic picnic areas.
Insiders’ Tips: What Are Your Favorite Places in McLean?
After four dynamic years yielding him two Cappie awards and an EP of original songs, McLean’s Damian Leverett, 18, cites the food of Chop n Chicken at 1375 Beverly Road, McLean, as the main fuel to his fire. The recent McLean High School graduate says, “It was my favorite meal to have before performances. … They catered a few of our all-night rehearsal dinners and fed us in between matinee and evening shows.” The aspiring actor recommends the “Create Your Own” option which allows customers to add any three toppings to the restaurant’s namesake dish, but he adds that because “every dish has their delicious chopped chicken … it’s hard to go wrong.” As Leverett prepares to study acting at the Guthrie Theater BFA Program at the University of Minnesota, he reflects on the family-owned business as “definitely the restaurant I’ll miss most when I move away for college.”
Insiders' Tips: What Do You Like Most About Living in McLean?
“I would say McLean is a really top quality residential area. The school system here is famous in Fairfax County. I’ve also enjoyed all the people I’ve met so far. Over 13 years, I have known many good neighbors, parents, teachers and other people involved in all kinds of organizations. Even during the daily grocery shopping experience, I just feel that things are so convenient and pleasant every time. The feeling I have about the culture of the community here is that everyone is looking for the best to contribute back to the community, especially the experience I had with Churchill Elementary School, Cooper Middle School and Langley High School so far.
Editorial: About the Connection
As your local, weekly newspaper, the Great Falls Connection’s mission is to bring the local news you need, to gather information about the best things in and near your community, to advocate for community good, to provide a forum for dialogue on local concerns, and to celebrate and record milestones and events in the community and people’s lives.
Excerpts From King’s ‘I Have a Dream’
Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to the March on Washington 50 years ago next week, Aug. 28, 1963.
Excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech: “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity.
Investing in 21st Century Industries and Jobs
The Northern Virginia region clearly faces economic threats and challenges as a result of sequestration and government downsizing. The national economy continues to stagnate. If you are looking for a bright sign on our local horizon—the data center industry, which is expected to still grow by hundreds of millions over the near future, is a sector to double down on.
Editorial: Library Mission
Further cuts to library budget must be analyzed for impacts on needy families.
The current proposal to “streamline” services at Fairfax County Public Libraries comes on top of disproportionate, and some would say Draconian, cuts since 2009.
Opinion: Issues That Matter
Mental health services discussion gives insight into real differences between candidates.
It came as somewhat of a relief to have the candidates for governor in Virginia, Ken Cuccinelli (R) and Terry McAuliffe (D), discuss an actual issue that matters to many Virginia families this week at a forum on mental health issues.
Editorial: Enjoy Tax Holiday, Donate School Supplies
Good timing to help those in need.
It is debatable whether recurring tax holidays for different seasonal needs are good policy. But since this weekend is Virginia’s tax holiday on school supplies and clothing, it makes sense to take advantage of the savings, and to spread the wealth around. The savings are more significant this year with the new sales tax increases in effect as of July 1.
To the Editor: Benefits of an Extra Year in Preschool
The recent move to all-day kindergarten in Fairfax County prompted me to write to encourage parents in our community to consider a pre-kindergarten programs for children who might benefit from an additional year in preschool. If a child is not quite ready for the requirements of a very challenging all-day kindergarten program, then an additional year to develop further and strengthen needed skills might be advisable.
Editorial: Share Wisdom With Newcomers and Others
The Connection's Newcomers and Community Guide publishes in late August.
Our Insider's Edition Newcomers and Community Guides, will publish the last week of August. What tips do you have for someone getting to know your community? We're hoping to share the places, activities, events, organizations and volunteer opportunities your neighbors might not know about. What great places and activities do you want your new neighbors to know about? Events that should not be missed? Organizations that do a great job? Places to volunteer? Tips for navigating your PTA or your school’s front office? We'd love to have your photos to go along with your suggestions.
Editorial: More Than Disclosure Needed for Virginia
Time for limits on campaign contributions as well.
At least until after November’s election, most candidates in Virginia seem to think that there should be some reform to Virginia’s campaign finance and disclosure rules. At least it seems likely that most will support expanding disclosure rules to require disclosure of gifts to immediate family members as well as candidates/officials.
Column: Been There, Doing That
I.V. chemotherapy, that’s what; and I’m not infusing it for the fun of it, either.
Editorial: HOT-Lanes and No Metro for I-66?
Did you miss the public discussion and input? So did we.
One day when I was stuck in traffic on I-66, I was briefly entertained by the license plate of the vehicle in front of me. "66 SUCKS," it read. No question, commuting on I-66 is a bear.
Column: No Shame in Crying
Nor is it a crying shame. But something has changed, dare I say affected my tear duct production. I can’t say with certainty – or even specify a particular moment in time for sure – when the tears began to flow more easily, but I’ll guess the change occurred sometime on or around February 27, 2009, the day I first met my oncologist; the day I was diagnosed with a terminal disease, stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), “prognosed” to live 13 months to two years. If that kind of shocking, terminal-type news doesn’t upset your apple cart – permanently, “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din.” And so it has, as reflected in my frequent “salty discharge” (to quote Jerry Seinfeld).