"how to keep one's financial affairs in order"

Community Mourns Loss of Joan Mitchell

Owner of Woodlawn Stables dies.

Joan Mitchell died one week ago after a long battle with breast cancer. Friends and family who gathered at her beloved stables described her as possessing “an unparalleled gift with animals,” “a mother figure and mentor,” and a “devoted custodian of Woodlawn Stables.”

About the Connection

Newcomers and Community Guide 2013-2014

Editorial

Great Falls ‘Family of Writers’ Comes Together

Inaugural meeting of Great Falls Writer’s Group to be held on Thursday, Aug. 8.

The Great Falls Writer’s Group (GFWG) will be holding its inaugural meeting at the Great Falls Library on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 11:30 a.m.

Area Roundups 06/26-07/02

In hopes of encouraging people to adopt cats and kittens, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter has designated July as “Extravacatza.” Adoptive families will receive half-off adoption fees, plus free spay and neuter, on cats and kittens. Senior cat adopters will receive gift bags.

Author Explores Consequences of Mental Illness

B.W. DeCaro released first novel, “Grown Men Don’t Cry.”

When it came to writing his first novel, Great Falls resident B.W. DeCaro knew he wanted to delve into some serious topics. With his first novel, “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” he’s done exactly that, creating a story in which two men must deal with mental illness in themselves and the ones they love.

Inventor Sets Sights on Sprinkler Savings

Michael Lehmann develops device, algorithm to detect rainfall.

Rain brings with it a lot of headaches, but for Michael Lehmann, rowing coach at Langley High School, one thing bothers him most of all: driving through the rain and seeing automatic lawn sprinklers going all out, watering an already saturated lawn.

Shakespeare Comes to Alden

American Shakespeare Center performs a double-bill of the Bard celebrating his 450th birthday.

In such a Shakespeare-rich area, "no one does it like the American Shakespeare Center...Shakespeare is so alive in their hands," said Sarah N. Schallern, Performing Arts Director, the Alden at the McLean Community Center. "They have quite a fan base, and to be able to host them in our beautiful, intimate Alden Theatre is a joy and an honor."

Rock Musical Takes CenterStage

Reston Community Players to present "Next to Normal."

A "cathartic, powerful rock musical, with a hopeful ending and a great honesty to it" is the way director Andrew JM Regiec describes the next Reston Community Players production, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award recipient "Next to Normal." With a score of about three dozen songs "Next to Normal" tells the story of a suburban family battling personal demons "through a fast-paced story-telling and the heightened emotions that music can bring," said Regiec.

BZA Approves Play-and-Party Site for Chantilly

Kid Junction is coming to town.

If all goes well, sometime in May, local children will have a place to go where they can climb, play dress up, use their imaginations in a pretend town setting and even celebrate their birthdays. That place is Kid Junction and it will open in Chantilly.

Local Pastor Celebrates 61 Years in the Ministry

Potomac Presbyterian Church honors its Parish Advisor Emeritus.

Earlier this month, Potomac Presbyterian Church in Potomac, celebrated Miles’ 61 years in the ministry. Miles marked the occasion by giving a sermon titled, “Finding the Elusive Life.”

Stop Hunger Now in McLean

Volunteers assemble 250,000 meals for Haitian children.

Last Saturday nearly 1000 volunteers gathered at McLean’s Lutheran Church of the Redeemer to assemble more than 250,000 pre-packed meals.

Military Building Named After Walter Hollis of Springfield

Military buildings are typically named after persons deceased who have made significant contributions to an organization, but recently the Hon. John McHugh, secretary of the Army and Springfield resident, granted an exception to that rule.

In Session

Alexandria’s Senate delegation is divided on the King’s Dominion Law, the 30-year-old mandate that prevents school systems from opening before Labor Day.