Wednesday, November 26
Voice of McLean for 100 Years
McLean Citizens Association celebrates 100th anniversary.
The oldest civil organization in the county celebrated it’s 100th anniversary, in turn celebrating the milestones McLean has achieved since 1914. The McLean Citizens Association has served as the voice of the people for 100 years and is the face behind McLean Day, Dolley Madison Library, McLean Community Center and hundreds of resolutions passed on the county level.
Column: ‘Shrinkage’
Not exactly “like a frightened turtle” as “similed” on a long-ago Seinfeld episode by Jerry himself; this shrinkage is the good kind, the kind you hope a radiological oncologist characterizes when viewing your CT Scan (computed tomography).
Thanksgiving Q&A: McLean’s Maffei Helps Feed Homeless
Senior QB, soccer player enjoys mashed potatoes, gravy.
Brian Maffei plays football and soccer for McLean High School.
Tuesday, November 25
And The “Scancer” Is…
Unknown at this date – Saturday, November 15. In fact, it will be six days from now until we’ll know the results. As it is always scheduled, a week or so after my quarterly CT Scan, we will have our usual follow-up, face-to-face appointment with my oncologist. At this meeting, I am examined, and of course, the radiologist’s report of the most recent scan is discussed, and plans for the future – stay the course and/or adjust or switch altogether – are considered.
“Shrinkage”
Not exactly “like a frightened turtle” as “similed” on a long-ago Seinfeld episode by Jerry himself; this shrinkage is the good kind, the kind you hope a radiological oncologist characterizes when viewing your CT Scan (computed tomography). Specifically, the exact kind of scan I get every three months to assess and evaluate the tumors, and fluid, in my stage IV, non-small cell cancer-affected lungs.
An Exceptional Education
Exceptional Schools Fair offers parents a chance to learn more about schools for their children with special needs.
Maureen Kleinman wandered from booth to booth, speaking with representatives from schools that cater to students who have special needs. She asked questions about each school’s resources and environment.
Encouraging Girls to Pursue STEM
Holy Child will host female speakers in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
When Trish Whitcomb’s daughter Colleen began to express an interest in engineering, she and her husband were at a loss as to how to foster her academic and career aspirations.
November Raises Awareness and Celebrates Caregivers
Resources available for people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
Mary Driver-Downs has been one of the primary caregivers for her mother-in-law, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, for the past six years. It has been a difficult journey, but one she says is well worth it.
Thanksgiving Tablescapes
Ideas for giving thanks in style.
Whether one’s taste in table settings is subtle or over-the-top, it is possible to give thanks in style. From centerpieces to table runners, local designers say the right combination of accessories can create a Thanksgiving table that guests will remember long after the holiday.
Letter: Meeting a Candidate
To the Editor
I am not a political person, but I recently attended a young professionals event and met Craig Parisot, Republican nominee running for Virginia House of Delegates, 34th District, and I knew we had a new kind of candidate on our hands.
McLean Ready for WinterFest Parade
Parade will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7.
On Sunday, Dec. 7 McLean residents will welcome in the holidays as more than 60 entries proceed down Old Chain Bridge Road for the annual WinterFest parade.
Bye Bye Cares and Woes
‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ in area premiere at 1st Stage.
In a world that can be way too stressful and sober, 1st Stage brings a carnival of rowdy fun and silly jabber. This is the area premiere of the recent Tony Award winning, "One Man, Two Guvnors." It is most definitely a guilty pleasure of escapism.
Spring Hill Liya Ensemble Performs at State Convention
Spring Hill Elementary’s top performing group, the 10-piece Liya Ensemble, had the honor of being selected as the only musical group to perform for the Virginia School Board Association’s convention in Williamsburg on Nov. 19.
‘An Evening in Vienna’ at Langley High
The Langley High School Orchestra performed its first concert of the year on Thursday, Nov. 20, in the Langley HS Auditorium.
Editorial: Holidays Are About Giving
Give thanks and share; tens of thousands of families around us are in need.
The holidays are about giving, and giving thanks. The holidays are about children and family. The holidays are about sharing, about joy. The holidays are about being thankful and about faith and appreciation. The holidays are about alleviating suffering for others. Surrounded by the bounty in so many neighborhoods in Northern Virginia, many of us see little signs of the massive unmet needs here. But in Fairfax County Public Schools, more than 52,000 of the students are poor enough to receive free or subsidized meals, a significant measure of poverty.
Opinion: Help! I’ve Lost Everything!
You may think McLean is a nice, quiet place to live, but you are wrong. In our living room at this very minute lurks an almost invisible menace. It is small and innocent looking but in reality it is the scourge of our lives.
Thursday, November 20
McLean Home Sales: October, 2014
In October 2014, 78 homes sold between $2,200,000-$199,900 in the McLean and Falls Church area.
McLean Home Sales: October, 2014
McLean Artisans Are Ready for the Holiday Season
Shop supports national and local artists.
Shannon Denny Price has seen her shop, The Artisans, move three times in the last 25 years. As a veteran of the holiday season, the shop co-owner has already begun filling the store with holiday decor as well as gifts and stocking stuffers of all price points. Christmas trees, themed wreaths and ornaments will all be available for purchase.
Renovation Keeps Rolling at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria
New wing showcased at Nov. 14 ribbon-cutting.
Thomas Jefferson senior Thomas Rogers is big on the laser cutter. “You can cut anything you want,” said the McLean resident, “like exact designs on sheet metal.” Rogers was enthusiastic about the device, but wouldn’t fire it up during the Nov. 14 tour of the Science and Technology Governor’s School’s new two-story wing with 14 research spaces.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors makes two rail-facilitating moves; Arlington ends streetcar project.
As the Silver Line Metororail project progresses towards its second phase opening date of 2018, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors are helping pave the way.
Wednesday, November 19
Editorial: Why Shop Small? Shop Large Locally
Small business Saturday isn’t enough; don’t wait until then, and don’t stop after that.
There is a joy to shopping in local stores at the holidays, to participating in community traditions and celebrations, to walking along a sidewalk with the streets decked out for the holidays, to being greeted by someone likely to be the owner of the store, to finding gifts that are not mass-produced.
Santa and Silver Season Arrive at Tysons
Santa Claus ditched his sleigh and traveled to Tysons by Silver Line Metro. His Nov. 14, 10 a.m. arrival at Tysons Corner Metro Station signals the start of the first wave of holiday shopping in one of America’s premier retail destinations.
Parisot Wins Republican Primary
More than 1,400 area Republicans show up to vote.
With Barbara Comstock filling in the 10th Congressional district’s seat, two candidates are closing in on her current position. Democrat Kathleen Murphy and Republican Craig Parisot, both now officially endorsed by their parties, are vying for the 34th House of Delegates seat via special election to be held Jan. 6, 2015.
Langley High’s Katie Robinson to Row at University of Miami
Langley High School’s Katie Robinson ‘15 signed a National Letter of Intent to row for the University of Miami Crew team next year. As a member of the Langley High School Crew team, Katie has excelled at rowing, including stroking the team’s top Women’s boat to Virginia state championship wins in 2013 & 2014, and a silver medal at the 2014 SRAA National Championship regatta.
December at the McLean Community Center
The McLean Community Center is offering the following activities in December. Residents of the Center’s tax district, Small District One-A Dranesville, are eligible for discounts on fees. Unless otherwise indicated, all activities will be held at the Center, which is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.
Column: And The “Scancer” Is…
Unknown at this date – Saturday, November 15. In fact, it will be six days from now until we’ll know the results. As it is always scheduled, a week or so after my quarterly CT Scan, we will have our usual follow-up, face-to-face appointment with my oncologist.
Josh Anderson Foundation Raises $35,000
At its first fall fundraiser, the Josh Anderson Foundation reached its goal and raised $35,000. More than 150 supporters gathered on Oct. 23 at the Top of the Town restaurant in Arlington to celebrate the foundation’s accomplishments in mental health awareness education.
Archaeological Dig at Churchill Road
The week of Nov. 10, Churchill Road fifth graders conducted an archaeological dig in social studies class. Students were asked to develop a fictional culture, then create an artifact which represents an aspect of that culture.
A Colorful and Crazy Holiday Ride at McLean's Alden
“A Kodachrome Christmas” lands on The Alden stage Dec. 19-21.
The upcoming holidays will be made brighter this year by the hilarious, one-person show, “A Kodachrome Christmas,” at The Alden in McLean Dec. 19 through 21.
Friday, November 14
Excuse Me
Early on during my indoctrination/assimilation into the cancer-patient world in which I now reside, I remember asking a fellow cancer patient/friend if I could use cancer as an excuse for whatever it was needed excusing (directly or indirectly related), and she said: absolutely, “blame the cancer.” Years later, after a chemotherapy infusion, I saw my oncologist walking through the Infusion Center and asked him if my thinning hair might be a result of this most recent chemotherapy drug (not all chemotherapy results in hair loss). His response was similar to what my friend had advised me in 2009. He said: “You can blame me,” (which of course, I understood to mean, cancer/the treatment of cancer) “for anything.”
Dos, Don’ts and What-Ifs
Instinctively, I am not the most open-to-new-ideas/new-things kind of person. However, an unexpected diagnosis of stage IV, non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at age 54 and a half – along with its equally unexpected “13-month to two-year prognosis,” changes a few things. And thanks to a great friend, Rebecca Nenner, whom I have written about previously, I have/have had to become more open, and consequently, have assimilated into my life many non-Western, non-traditional alternatives (pills, supplements, super foods, activities/behaviors, etc.) with which I was totally unfamiliar (I’m a sports and chocolate kind of person), in an attempt to outlive my prognosis.
Thursday, November 13
Jean R. Packard Remembered at Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna
Jean Packard was Frank Roberts’ first boss. He was 13, she was 22 and the acting editor of her father Dave’s Clermont Sun newspaper in Batavia, Ohio. “I was a ‘devil’s rat,’” Roberts said, responsible for odd gofer jobs around the office. “I was trying to hide from work and she’d track me down. She was a tough boss.”
Charlotte’s Story of Survival
Five time open heart surgery survivor raises funds for medical causes.
When Charlotte Woodward was born, her mother thought she was the most wonderful baby in the world. And she still thinks so. Charlotte, who is 24 today, was born with high functioning down syndrome and has been subjected to nearly a lifetime of heart problems. Despite the adversity she has faced, she is raising money through bake sales just to give back to those who have helped her.
Wednesday, November 12
McLean Location for 2015 DC Design House
House will benefit Children’s National Health System.
The new country estate at 956 Mackall Farm Lane in McLean will be the location for the 8th annual DC Design House, a project that raises money to benefit Children’s National Health System. The 2015 DC Design House will be held from April 11 to May 10.
New Interior Design Book Features Local Tastemakers
Interior designers offer advice on creating an elegant home.
Fall not only brings vibrantly colored leaves and pumpkins, but it also ushers in a slew of new book releases. Among those is an interior design book featuring local designers.
Editorial: Thanksgiving Help for Those in Need
Roll up those sleeves and help.
This week is the week to jump in to help the many organizations that will help needy families through the holidays. Here are a few ideas of how to help, but the opportunities are limitless. More than 236,000 people living in the area do not have access to enough food to sustain an active, healthy life for all members of their households, according to Catholic Charities. That is to say, more than a quarter of a million people, including many children, go hungry on a regular basis.
Stroke Comeback Center Celebrates 10th Anniversary
For 10 years the Stroke Comeback Center (SCC) has helped people with aphasia and their families receive communication support when these families have lost their insurance benefits. And on Thursday, Oct. 30, the SCC held its 10th Anniversary celebrating “The Art of Communication.”
Column: Excuse Me
Early on during my indoctrination/assimilation into the cancer-patient world in which I now reside, I remember asking a fellow cancer patient/friend if I could use cancer as an excuse for whatever it was needed excusing (directly or indirectly related), and she said: absolutely, “blame the cancer.”
Langley High Orchestra Presents ‘An Evening in Vienna’
The Langley High School Orchestra will present its first concert on Thursday, Nov. 20, in the Langley High School Auditorium at 7 p,m. "An Evening in Vienna" will feature music by composers Beethoven, Mozart, von Suppe and Strauss.
The Langley School Presents “The Canterville Ghost”
Middle School production runs Nov. 13-15.
A British estate, 400-year-old ghosts, and a brave American family set the stage for The Langley School’s Middle School fall production of “The Canterville Ghost.” This hilarious spoof will run in three performances Nov. 13-15 at 6:30 p.m. in the school’s Sherman Arts Center at 1411 Balls Hill Road in McLean.
Oakton Football Reaches Postseason
The Oakton and Langley football teams each earned a spot in the 6A North region playoffs. Oakton enters the postseason as the region’s No. 14 seed and will travel to face No. 3 Lake Braddock at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14.
McLean WinterFest Promises to Be Bigger and Better Than Ever
Still time to sign up for the parade on Sunday, Dec. 7.
McLean’s only community parade, WinterFest, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7. Go to the WinterFest site at www.mcleanwinterfest.org to register to be in the parade. The deadline for participant registration is Nov. 18. This year the parade falls on Pearl Harbor Day and the participants will salute WWII veter
New Exhibitions Open at MPA
A large crowd came to McLean Project for the Arts on Thursday evening, Nov. 6 for the opening reception for three new exhibitions. Rachel Rotenberg’s large wood sculptures are dramatic in the Emerson Gallery.
Letter to the Editor: Preserving the Planet
To the Editor: Tuesday's win for the Republicans presents us with an opportunity for soul-searching. Many conservative Americans accept the science on climate change.
Reducing Waste at Churchill Road
Churchill Road Elementary continues its “green” initiatives by promoting waste reduction. Under the direction of Principal Don Hutzel, Churchill Road compost team members sorted and packaged the foil-lined juice pouches and chip bags upcycled by Churchill Road families.
Cappies Review: Smooth Sailing at Madeira Stage
Smooth Sailing at Madeira Stage
Despite the chaos of the titular storm, Madeira’s production of “The Tempest” was all smooth sailing. The plotlines, movement, and transitions weaved together seamlessly, clarifying any plot points lost in the sometimes-unclear dialogue.
Tuesday, November 11
Running Back West Carries Langley Football Into Playoffs
Senior becomes Saxons’ all-time leading rusher.
The Langley football team will face Westfield on Friday in the opening round of the 6A North playoffs.
Thursday, November 6
Herndon's Malaria Meltdown
Local teen educates peers on the disease.
Kritika Singh wants to eradicate malaria for good - one mosquito at a time. The 16-year-old McLean resident and CEO of Malaria-Free World hosted the inaugural Malaria Meltdown conference at Nysmith School of the Gifted on Sunday to educate her generation on the dangers third world countries face with the disease.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Clifton residents to hold open-house tour of newly remodeled homes for the benefit of local widow.
Neighbors help each other. That's what communities have always been about. Long-time Clifton resident Bob Gallagher is rallying his friends and peers to help his neighbor Elsa Armendaris.
Natural Treatments for Anxiety
Experts say complementary medical treatments can help relieve anxiety and other mental disorders.
When 35-year-old Andrea Evenson decided to try meditation, exercise and yoga to deal with her anxiety, she had already been on a myriad of anti-anxiety medications.
Column: November Is Adoption Month
Here’s how to help find a forever family for children and teens waiting in foster care.
If you are lucky, you don't know what it's like to live in the precarious limbo that defines foster care in this country.
Commentary: Sometimes Perception Really Isn’t Reality
Fairfax County is home to one of the wealthiest populations in the country. Unbeknownst to many, the county is also home to the second largest population of homelessness in this region. In fact, more than 1,200 residents of Fairfax County are without stable and safe homes.
Wednesday, November 5
HOT Topic
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue invites the media for Hands-On Training.
Rob Schoenberger is pretty good with a 15-foot extendable camera. Its built-in microphone and powerful lights come in handy, paired with a Delsar seismic sensor device, when trying to locate people trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building.
Honored at Mason
McLean resident and former Rector of George Mason University C. Daniel Clemente receives Mason Medal.
This past Wednesday, Oct. 29, dozens of notable people at George Mason University and in Northern Virginia community gathered at the Mathy House to honor former Rector C. Daniel Clemente and former Board of Visitors members Steven Mullins and Anthony Jimenez for their years of service at the university.
Letter to the Editor: Kudos for Supervisors
To the Editor: This week’s story "Board Approves Bicycle Master Plan" (Oct. 29), discussed a major update to the county's transportation planning.
McLean Holiday Homes Tour to Focus on Langley farms
The 48th annual McLean Woman’s Club Holiday Homes Tour, set for Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will focus on Langley Farms, an enclave of large custom homes across Dolley Madison Boulevard (Route 123) from McLean’s business district.
Column: Dos, Don’ts and What-Ifs
Instinctively, I am not the most open-to-new-ideas/new-things kind of person. However, an unexpected diagnosis of stage IV, non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at age 54 and a half – along with its equally unexpected “13-month to two-year prognosis,” changes a few things.
Beyond Limitations
Connecting with contemporary dance at the Alden with Christopher K. Morgan.
No need to travel far to see a performance of the best in the professional contemporary dance. It is right here at McLean's Alden Theater, as Alden's resident Contemporary Dance Company Christopher K. Morgan & Artists (CKM&A) returns.
Hands-on Mathematics
Churchill Road first graders got in the Halloween spirit by learning about pumpkins and doing pumpkin math. Students measured the height, weight and circumference of each pumpkin.
Yoga and Knitting Fundraiser Held in McLean
On Saturday, Oct.25, Pengu Studios brought together yogis and knitters alike to host the successful “Yarn Over Yoga” fundraiser benefiting local nonprofit, Project Knitwell.
Focus on Stopping Street Harassment
Catcalls, sexual and sexist comments, following, flashing, and groping. Most women in the world have experienced unwanted sexual harassment in public spaces by strangers, or “street harassment.” More than half of harassed women say it began when they were a teenager.
Tuesday, November 4
Dramatic Drive Keeps Langley Playoff Hopes Alive
QB Anderson leads Saxons on game-winning march against Madison.
The Langley football team came from behind to beat Madison, 21-20.
Steady Flow of Voters in McLean
U.S. Senate elections bring voters out to McLean High School.
Voter lines were short to nonexistent at McLean High School on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voters trickled steadily into the school through the early morning hours to decide who will be their U.S. Senator. “So far, as of 8:12, we have had 174 (voters),” said Chief Election Officer Vicki Ream Herrmann.