The McLean Ear, your local online newspaper, is changing to give you more news and information about our town and to give our businessmen and women a place where they can advertise to their neighbors.

Today, Pearl Harbor Day, The McLean Ear becomes McLean Patch.

Same editor. Same attention to McLean news. Same goal: keeping our neighbors informed of news, information and fun. Same attention to accuracy and fairness.

What’s new:

— We now have writers who will bring you news about more events. We’ll cover youth sports in McLean. We’ll cover more Arts news. We’ll tell you more about our neighbors.

—You’ll find a directory of all pre-schools, churches, restaurants and businesses both in Tysons Corner and McLean. (If we missed you just let us know.)—You can post events and announcements, your photos and videos.
—Businesses can advertise to McLean and Tysons Corner residents – only.  Please contact our advertising director, Angela Carpenter (angela.carpenter@patch.com).

Let us hear from you at our new address. Please tell us what what you like/what you want us to improve.

We deeply thank you for your support. Join us at McLean Patch.

She died with her family at her side, according to a note Principal Matthew Ragone sent to the Langley community about an hour ago.

“Cynthia was an extraordinary woman,” Ragone said. “She worked with families her entire adult life as a teacher, family counselor, school counselor, and Director of Student Services.  She worked with everyone when they were at their best and at their worst.  All the while, she had to be, and was, at her best.

“As Director of Student Services she worked behind the scenes to create a safe environment for all students and one most conducive to learning.  She was supportive, understanding, and knew how to listen.  Her most enduring legacy, in my opinion, is that she taught adults how to advocate, not enable, for their children and students. ”

Memorial services have not yet been set. Meade had been on medical leave since last year.   Langley observed a  moment of silence this morning in her honor.

The Ear also welcomes your memories of Ms. Meade.

—Langley Team Loses a tough one.

—McLean’s Christmas Weekend. Fun-filled weekend community gatherings.

—Traffic Tangles This Week. Overnight major street closings.

Tuesday Morning The McLean Ear will have a whole new look to give our neighbors more news and information. We hope you like it. Please let us know.

MCLEAN, VA – If you want to know what’s going on at neighboring Tyson’s Corner and how much it may cost you, Ted Alexander urges you to drop by Marshall High School today around 7p.m.

Alexander is the chairman of the Tysons Corner committee for the McLean Citizens Association. He worked with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors  as they adopted the new plan that calls from transforming Tysons Corner into a city of about 100,000 in 40 years. The city will revolve around the four subway stations now under construction along Dolley Madison Blvd. and Route 7.

But adopting a plan to turn Tysons into a city was just the first step — the county now has to decide how to actually get that city built and who will build it. Plus who will pay for it — developers or taxpayers. Why do you care: McLean will become a suburb of Tysons.

McLean residents  should “go and find out what’s going on with the applications (for new buildings),  the process of implementation and funding or rezoning, ask county staff about what’s pending. You can ask the builders about what they want to build,” Alexander said. “I think they should to learn more about what impact this will have on  average taxpayers.”

This is not the ordinary public hearing. This is an “open house.” There will be an array of tables in the Marshall High School cafeteria with county staff members, builders, developers. Residents can simply stop by a table and ask question.

Money, is key. What kind of private/ pubic partnership they the county put together to pay for the roads, sidewalks, schools, parks, playgrounds that are needs for interesting vibrant neighborhoods.

The county is exploring having taxpayers pay  58  of the infrastructure costs and  the landowners/developers 42 percent.

Alexander and McLean Citizens Association want Fairfax county to use the same formula that as used to redevelopment Route 28 as a a high tech corridor:  landowners would pay 75 percent of the costs. County taxpayers;  25 per cent.

This will be an open house to include information on;

-Recent development applications in Tysons (the applicants will be there to explain their proposals and answer questions from the community)

-Department of Transportation will provide info on a number of ongoing studies including;

-Dulles Toll Road Ramp Study

-Tysons Interim Parking Study

-Monitoring

–Ongoing Tysons Bicycle Master Plan

-Tysons Grid and Circulator Studies

-Update on public facility planning and transportation funding

-First look at new Tysons website

Meeting Details:  Monday, Dec. 6, 7pm – 9pm, George C. Marshall High School Cafeteria, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church

All lanes of northbound Route 123 at the Dulles Connector Road will be closed overnights Tuesday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 10, 11:00 p.m. through 5:00 a.m. as crews begin the next span of the aerial bridge in the Dulles Connector Road median.

Traffic will be detoured to turn right on Anderson Road, left on [Old] Chain Bridge Road, then left on Great Falls Street to rejoin the northbound lanes of Route 123.

This closure is expected to continue overnights as needed over the next two to three weeks. Police will be onsite for motorist safety.

HOT Lanes Related: Motorists traveling during the overnight hours on I-495 south from Tysons Corner to Springfield may want to consider alternative routes from Dec. 5.11.  Lane closures and detours will cause delays from 30-60 minutes.  along the Beltway at Leesburg Pike (Route 7), I-66, Gallows Road (Route 650)

495 south at I-66: Each night Sunday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec.11 from 9:30 p.m.-5 a.m., crews will close all lanes of I-495 south at I-66 for bridge demolition. Motorists will be detoured to Exit 49, I-66 west, to Nutley Street, follow detour signage around to I-66 east, back to I-495 south.

I-495 south at Leesburg Pike (Route 7): Each night Wednesday, Dec. 8 and Thursday, Dec. 9 from 11:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. crews will close all lanes of I-495 south at Route 7 for steel bridge beam placement. Motorists will be detoured to Exit 47A, Route 7 west, cross over onto Route 7 east, back to I-495 south.

I-495 North and South at Gallows Road (Route 650): Each night Monday, Dec. 6 through Saturday, Dec.11, from 9:30 p.m.-5 a.m., crews will close three lanes of I-495 north and south with temporary Beltway stoppages for up to 30 minutes after midnight at Gallows Road for steel bridge beam placement.

This work is part of the Capital Beltway High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes Project

Langley's Daniel Dixon wait for play.

By Daniel Miller, Special to The McLean Ear

The Langley versus Garfield game was a back and forth affair that saw 10 lead changes and several offensive runs from each team.

Garfield led 19-15 at the end of the first quarter, but Langley made a second quarter run to retake the lead 24-23 with 5:48 remaining.  Momentum shifted as Garfield countered shooting well from the field as a team to take a 35-31 halftime lead.

Langley found the offense with timely outside shooting steered by Daniel Dixon, who led the team with 17 points.  Langley led by five heading into the fourth quarter, but allowed Garfield to hang around.  The 10 team fouls (5 offensive) hurt Langley and Garfield slowly crept back in the game with timely baskets and clutch free throw shooting led by Garfield guard Curtis Einsmann who led all scorers with 23 points.  Einsmann knocked down two free throws to give Garfield a 57-56 lead with 37.6 sec left in the 4^th quarter.  Langley inbounded the ball and had a good look at an open shot, but couldn’t capitalize.   Garfield sealed the victory with two additional free throws.

Enjoying the Winterfest Parade

MCLEAN, VA – McLean families and friends flanked both sides of  Chain Bridge Road in downtown Sunday afternoon to watch our only community parade known as WinterFest.

For about an hour floats, cars, marching bands, kids and a fire truck carrying Santa sauntered, marched and waved through way the maybe three-block long parade route from Fleetwood Drive to Brawner Street.

WinterFest was among three fun-filled community gatherings over the weekend the kicked off McLean’s Christmas preparations. (See video at right.)

Saturday morning, about 100 people and an unknown number of dogs gathered in frosty temperatures in the Langley Shopping Center for the 14th annual Reindog parade. Saturday afternoon about 40 folks gathered in the historic Pleasant Grove Church on Lewinsville Road for a community carol sing.

Winterfest’s 45 marchers including the Rotary, Cardinal Bank, the McLean Project for the Arts, Destination Fitness. Share,  a coalition of religious and civic institutions created in 1969 to meet the emergency needs of the less fortunate in McLean, had a truck in the parade. But most importantly their volunteers worked the crwod collecting donated articles include gift cards.  Share is administered totally by volunteers.

Sean and Cheryl Farley brought their toddler Caitlin. “Its a fun way to celebrate the holiday season,” said Cheryl. Sean: “I thought it would be fun for Caitlin.” This was their second year.

The Farley family at WinterFest- Sean (left), Cheryl (right) Caitlin bundled up in the carriage.

The parade ended with the lighting of the community Christmas Tree in the triangle where Chain Bridge Road forms a Y.

What is a Reindog Parade you might ask?

You dress your dog up to look like Christmas and the best costume wins. This year the judges who included WUSA anchor Peggy Fox and Dranesville Supervisor John Foust selected three first place winners:Pie, and  owner Suellen Stroud of McLean, Cookie and owner Lizzy Isacson, 10. Koda and Gordon were a team along with their owners Abby Knutsen and Veronika Capon.

This is McLean’s annual Christmas shopping kickoff.

Alfredda Horton came every year. “I enjoy the sing along. My husband and daughter play in the ensemble. We have roots in this church.”

Peter Lowenthal came because his wife played piano for the community sing. She is the eldest daughter of Garry Jewett who had led efforts to save the historic black church. Her brother Stanford conducted the community sing and another sibling played in the band. The Jewett family lives across the street from the church.

The fun continues tomorrow at WinterFest. We’ll see you at 4pm lining the parade route Chain Bridge Road from Fleetwood Drive to the Langley Shopping Center.

Instead, all residents can attend the Thursday meeting scheduled at Chesterbrook Elementary School, according to note from Dranesville Supervisor John Foust this afternoon. Originally two meetings had been slated for McLean. Now there will be only one.

The cancellation is due to a conflict with VDOT personnel, Foust’s note said.  Foust and staff from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) organized the meetings to explain the changes VDOT has made since the last snow season, and snow removal plans for the coming season.

After the record-breaking snow events of last winter the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and VDOT worked together to identify and address major problems with VDOT’s snow clearing process.  Some of the planned changes expected to be discussed:

•          Increased and more accurate communication with residents
•          Increased communication with plowers including electronic monitoring of snow removal vehicles allowing more accurate status reporting to residents
•          Increased number of plows for neighborhoods
•          Earlier mobilization of plows based on weather forecast, not number of inches on ground
•          Updated “snow maps” (plow’s assigned routes) with more accurate markings of “hot spots” (particularly difficult or previously neglected sections of road)

In addition, attendees will have an opportunity to discuss particular problem areas in their communities.

Meeting info:Thursday, December 9 @ 7:30, Library (Media Center), Chesterbrook Elementary School, 1753 Kirby Rd.

The festivities start with the Reindog (yes that’s right, ReinDOG) Parade Saturday morning and continues Sunday at McLean’s fourth annual WinterFest parade, McLean’s only community parade.

We are a small town—with few small town trappings. We have no St. Patrick’s Day Parade. No Memorial Day parade. No Fourth of July parade.

Note Street Closing: Old Chain Bridge Road will be closed  from 3:45-6:15 pm from Fleetwood to Brawner Sunday afternoon for the WinterFest parade.

Here’s your guide to the fun:

Reindog Parade, 7:30-9am Saturday

What: Dress your dog to look like a reindeer. Prizes are awarded to the best dressed dog. Entry fee: two cans of dog food that will go to a local animal shelter.

Where: Langley Shopping Center on Chain Bridge Road.

Staying warm: Bundle up in the early morning temperatures. The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors this parade promises “warm yummy refreshments.”

WinterFest Parade, 4pm Sunday

Most important: Please bring a gift card from Giant or Safeway, Target, Sears, Best Buy, and Bed, Bath & Beyond to be collected by Share of McLean volunteers during the parade. The recession and high unemployment has taken its toll in our community.  (Yes, even McLean feels the Recession.) A coalition of religious and civic institutions created Share  in 1969 to meet the emergency needs of the less fortunate in McLean.  Share is administered totally by volunteers.

Parade: There are 45 marchers from politicians to our high school bands that will march, saunter, ride down Old Chain Bridge from Fleetwood west to Brawner. ending at Langley Shopping Center.

Entertainment:Pre-parade entertainment featuring the Spring Hill Elementary School chorus, the Woman’s Club of McLean, and the McLean High School Madrigals. Begins at 3:30.

Free Food: Giant Foods and the Safeway on Anderson Road have donated refreshments. Cardinal Bank’s popcorn machine was a big hit, so this year they will have two of them along the parade route.

Parade announcer: WUSA’s Peggy Fox returns.

Neighbors who organized WinterFest: TRISH BUTLER McLean Community Foundation, LYNN GULICK Cardinal Bank, CLYDE CLARK McLean Volunteer Fire Department, HOMER JOHNS McLean Volunteer Fire Department, SHERI SYLVESTER Adzig Logo Promotions, MAUREEN SCHOLZ McLean Insurance Agency, Inc.
MARCIA TWOMEY Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, LEIGH BOWES Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, JOAN MORTON Women’s Club of McLean,
VANCE S. ZAVELA Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships, PAT VELANDER Genworth Financial, ROBIN WALKER Robin Walker Designs, JANE EDMONDSON Chief of Staff, Supervisor John Foust, MONICA TRESSLER Cardinal Bank, DIANA VILLARREAL Creativa Concepts

The Marines say their “goal is to deliver a message of hope to these children that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders”.  Given the difficult economy, there may be even more children in need this year than in years past.  Toys must be delivered to the Marine Corps no later than December 16 to allow them time to distribute the toys to area families.

—Sad News. Our neighbor, Stephen J. Solarz, a nine-term Democratic congressman from New York, died earlier this week. The New York Times said of Cong. Solarz: his concerns went beyond traffic lights and beach erosion in his Brooklyn district to nuclear weapons, the Middle East and his revelation that Imelda Marcos owned 3,000 pairs of shoes. Here is the complete New York Times obituary.

—Crest Lane Paving. Crest Lane, just off Chain Bridge Road,  is one of the most expensive addresses in McLean, but it’s been a very bumpy ride. The narrow two lane street that resembles a country lane is getting great new layers of asphalt this week. The folks in the Lexus and Mercedes Benz SUV’s who live behind the large fences, should be pleased.

—You Go Dan Akerson! Our neighbor Dan Akerson, now head of General Motors, is delivering good news to long-beleaguered Detroit.* He announced this week that GM will add 1,000 jobs in Michigan to develop more electric and hybrid vehicles similar to the Chevrolet Volt, according to the New York Times.

*Full Disclosure: The Ear has a soft spot in her heart for Detroit. We formerly lived and worked there. It’s a tough, proud town whose people have contributed mightily to the US of A.