Stories for July 2012

Local Student Keeps Watching Weather

Seventh grader Andrew Bottom runs two weather-related websites.

When it comes to weather, Herndon Middle School student Andrew Bottom has got it covered. The seventh grader and Reston resident has been studying the weather since his days at Aldrin Elementary School.

Pike Named to Historic Register

Virginia recognizes pike June 21, national register in progress.

In 1969, several community members came together to help preserve the Burling Tract, a 336-acre parcel of land, located just north of Georgetown Pike near the Beltway. More than 40 years later, the efforts of at least 140 local citizens have led to the road being placed in the Virginia Register of Historic Places, with the placement on the National Register soon to come.

Seeking A Sundial at Observatory Park

Analemma Society hosts lecture, fundraiser for sundial replica.

In 1371, Arab astronomer Ibn al-Shatir constructed a sundial at the Great Mosque in Damascus that was a pinnacle of scientific achievement. Almost 650 years later, members of the Analemma Society of Great Falls are hoping to bring a replica to Observatory Park at Turner Farm.

VDOT Unveils EZ-Pass Flex

New transponder will allow HOV access to 495 Express Lanes.

The Virginia Department of Transportation unveiled the EZ-Pass Flex Wednesday, July 25 in Tysons Corner. The new pass will allow users of the 495 Express Lanes, which are scheduled to open at the end of this year, to switch between tolled and toll-free (for vehicles with more than three people) use.

McLean Residents Discuss Helicopter Noise

Aviation officials discuss details of local helicopter routes.

As a resident of McLean Hamlet, located just west of the Beltway and Tysons Corner, Behram Shroff is used to the sounds of traffic on the streets. But the traffic above the neighborhood’s head, specifically helicopter flights, is another issue. He estimates eight to ten flights over the neighborhood per day, each one quite noticeable to the point of rattling windows and even lost internet connections.

Weekly Entertainment (Vienna/McLean/Great Falls)

July 27-August 10.

Entertainment in Vienna/McLean/Great Falls.

Classified Advertising (July 25, 2012)

Read the lastest Classified, Employment and Home and Garden ads!

Column: A Life Worth Living, Still

It might be my age (as in getting older), or it might be the fact that I have cancer (you think?), but my brain and the related physical and mental tasks it coordinates are not exactly working at peak efficiency.

Potomac Interceptor Project Begins

Odor abatement facility, pipeline rehabilitation planned for Great Falls.

Eastern Great Falls will be the site of a new odor abatement facility, part of the ongoing project from the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority

More Tree Troubles for Great Falls?

Tree falls, kills one, residents concerned about others.

A tree on Georgetown Pike at Oliver’s Corner in Great Falls fell over Tuesday, July 17, killing Albert Carl Roeth III while he was driving south at around 6:30 p.m.

Turf Field Slated for Nike Park

Project will look to increase usability, improve storm water management.

Nike Field number four is set to become the first artificial turf field in Great Falls, through a joint effort between the Fairfax County Park Authority, the Great Falls Lacrosse Association and the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. In addition to allowing more playing time for local athletic groups, the project will also serve as part of the ongoing storm water management in the area.

Final Metro Span Laid in Tysons

Workers complete overhead bridges, move to laying track.

Workers from Bechtel Construction placed the final aerial span for Metrorail in Tysons Corner Tuesday morning, the last of 258 that will support trains as they make their way from Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue along Phase One of the Silver Line.

Derek Lee, South Lakes Baseball, 1983

South Lakes slugger was drafted five times before playing for Minnesota Twins.

Derek Lee is remembered at South Lakes high school, and by those that watched him play baseball, for his ability to do one thing — swing the bat.

Taline Tahmassian, Langley Soccer, 2001

Langley star recorded 96 goals and before winning NCAA title at Santa Clara.

How good Taline Tahmassian was on the soccer field can be measured by the pages of old newspapers. Tahmassian and the Saxons could be seen celebrating in photographs while snappy headlines chronicled their victories in a week-by-week scrapbook of archived clippings.

Nate Friends, McLean Soccer, Basketball, 1991

Friends dominated the basketball court and soccer field to help McLean to several regional tournament appearances.

Chantilly coach Jim Smith was a relative unknown when he took over the reeling McLean High School boys basketball team back in 1989.

Get Your OlymPet

Fairfax County Animal Shelter’s special adoption event runs through Aug. 11.

Dogs, cats, birds and other small animals will be showcased at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter's Summer OlymPETS adoption event through Saturday, Aug. 11.

Oakton High Student Studies Founding Principles

Emily Yaremchuk, 17, a rising senior at Oakton High School, was among seven Northern Virginia high school students who attended the Constitutional Academy, the nation’s premier program for high school students to study the Constitution – the Bill of Rights Institute announced.

Madison High Students Recognized for Leadership Skills

Seven Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students earned gold medals, the highest level of national recognition, at the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) 2012 National Leadership Conference held recently in Orlando.

Terrorists Across the Street

Vienna Author’s ‘Love Thy Neighbor’ reflects on pre-9/11 activities in Vienna.

If it weren’t for the reported suspicions of Mark Gilleo’s mother, "Love Thy Neighbor" suspense novel may never have been written.

Posing for Picture

David Farmer, President of Flint Hill Cemetery Association, took this photo late Sunday morning July 1. He went to the cemetery to assess damage caused by the June 29 storm.

Editorial: Separate and Unequal?

If we don't believe that poor students are less innately talented, then the disparities in Northern Virginia are truly unfair.

The numbers are eye-popping. Latino students are 22 percent of Fairfax County Public Schools students, but 2.7 percent of the incoming Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology freshman class, the class of 2016. Of the 480 students, seven are black. That's 1.4 percent, while black students are 10 percent of the county school system.

Consumer Confidence on the Rise in Washington Region

Survey participants perceive regional economy better than broader national picture.

Consumer confidence is on the rise, according to results of a new survey by the Greater Washington Board of Trade.

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: June, 2012

In June 2012, 116 homes sold between $1,566,500-$180,000

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales in June, 2012

Pedaling with Pals

Potomac Pedalers provides group rides for area cyclists.

Cyclists of all ages and ability levels can participate in group rides with the Potomac Pedalers.

Verbanic Named Flint Hill School Football Coach

Tom Verbanic is the new head football coach at Flint Hill.

Otters Dominate at Swim Meet

The Oakton Otters dive team defeated Tuckahoe.

The Langley Club Takes Waynewood on a Wild Ride

The Langley Wildthings swim team defeated the Waynewood Dolphins, 221-199.

Weekly Entertainment (Vienna/McLean/Great Falls)

July 19-26.

Entertainment in Vienna/McLean/Great Falls.

Inaction May Cause Federal Officials to Create Health-Care Exchange for Virginia

January 2013 is the deadline for the commonwealth to create authority for exchange.

Virginia is suffering from deadline fever, although Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is calling for a second opinion.

Column: Circumstances Be Damned

If only it were as easy to actually live it as it is to write it. As much as I believe what I write, it’s still difficult to ignore certain facts (“the underlying diagnosis,” as I often refer to my diagnosis) and the feelings associated with it.

Fairfax County, VDOT File Suit Against EPA

New EPA rules will impact homeowners, developers and could cost taxpayers nearly $500 million.

Fairfax County and the state of Virginia filed a federal lawsuit Thursday, July 12, challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new storm water regulations for the Accotink watershed, claiming the agency’s requirements are costly, onerous and vastly exceed its legal authority.

President Comes to the Area

Obama rallies his supporters during the campaign stop at Centreville High.

Before President Barack Obama addressed the huge crowd inside Centreville High, Saturday afternoon, Jerry Foltz of Wellspring United Church of Christ gave the invocation.

Herrity, Hugo Respond to Obama’s Visit

Both Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and Del. Tim Hugo (R-40) held a joint press conference Saturday afternoon, speaking to local Romney supporters prior to President Obama’s campaign rally at Centreville High. Said Herrity: "It was nice to see so many people from Little Rocky Run stop by and pick up Romney signs and stand with us."

The Smoking Trail

New cigarette trafficking law aids enforcement.

Virginia has long been known as a tobacco-friendly state. Tobacco was one of the first major commercial products for New World European settlers, and the state remains one of the largest producers today. Virginia is also home to some of the cheapest cigarettes in the country.

Classified Advertising (July 18, 2012)

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Garden Grows at Cedar Point

Apartment complex is site of newest community garden plot.

Reston’s garden plots have always been one of the community’s most popular features, with one exception. Years ago, Cedar Ridge was the fifth garden plot created, but it never caught on in the community located next to Forest Edge Elementary School.

Feds Feed Families Kicks Off at USGS

Reps. Wolf, Connolly host opening of food bank support program.

Many local food banks go for an extra push around the holiday season, trying to help the area’s less fortunate make it through the end of the year with extra food, maybe even a few gifts. But that changes during the summer, with schools out and people on vacation, food banks can find their supplies dwindling, even when the demand does not.

Fireworks Go Off at Turner Farm

Annual show was postponed from July 4.

While going a week without power meant no video games or television for Jeremie Johnson, 7, of Great Falls, it did some with one perk.

Senior Center Hosts Inaugural Event

Great Falls UMC hosts history presentation, vocal performance for local seniors.

The Great Falls Senior Center hosted its first event Tuesday, July 10 at the Great Falls United Methodist Church. The first iteration in the community using the center-without-walls concept (where local buildings host events on a rotating basis in lieu of a specifically designated building) featured a historical presentation, lunch and a performance by mezzo-soprano Heather Craw of Vienna.

1st Stage Focuses on First Opportunities

Tysons Corner theater looks to become ‘new theater for new city.’

Members of the Marshall High School community, two teachers and five former students, created 1st Stage Theatre in 2008 in Tysons Corner with an eye on the future. They opened just as the first concrete for the new Tysons Metrorail was being poured, but also at the start of the economic recession.

In Search of a ‘Forever Home’

Humane Society of Fairfax working for animal and human welfare.

Look up Petfinder.com on your Internet browser page. It’s a site where animal welfare groups can promote animals they have available for adoption. Type in a town or zip code. Let’s use Alexandria as an example. Check "Cat" for "Type of Animal." Hit "Search."

Childhood Hobbies: Finding the Right Fit

Experts offer suggestions for choosing extracurricular activities for the fall.

While many are still basking in the lazy days of summer, Anna Faust is planning her 5-year-old son’s after-school activity schedule for the fall.

Editorial: Leaving Millions on the Table

Virginia should embrace opportunity for more health care coverage for poor residents.

Chances are that if you are reading this, you have employer-provided health insurance. While you might worry about the young adults in your family or the lower wage workers in your organization, you also know that if you are sick, you can go to the doctor.

Letter: Making Care Affordable

Letter to the Editor

Many people have personal reasons for being glad that the Supreme Court has upheld President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, and for hoping that his opponents will not be able to repeal it.

Letter: A ‘Key Reason’ Overlooked

I was disappointed in Mr. Horrock's commentary on the Silver Line [Silver Line Gets ‘Green Light’ The Connection, July 11-17, 2012].

Markers Dedicated at Oakton Schoolhouse

Cooperative effort between Hunter Mill Defense League and County produces interpretive panels.

In 2007, a group of Oakton-area community supporters, along with Chevy Chase Bank and the owners of Appalachian Outfitters, saved the historic Oakton schoolhouse from demolition. With funding from Chevy Chase, the building that once stood on the corner of Hunter Mill Road and Rt. 123 was moved to its current location on Hunter Mill Road, just a few hundred yards from where it originally stood.

Caffe Amouri Celebrates 2nd Birthday

Coffeehouse offered free hot dogs, live music throughout day.

Caffe Amouri turned two and the coffeehouse threw a party for the community out front on July 14 to say "thanks" for its support. And the community returned the thanks with their presence.

Helping Neighbors in Need

Throughout the month of June. Dixon Hughes Goodman of Tysons Corner paired up with Food for Others, a Fairfax based nonprofit organization and the largest distributor of food to those in need in Northern Virginia, for a canned food drive to help fight hunger in Metro DC area.

Local Real Estate: May 2012 Top Sales in Great Falls, McLean, Reston, Herndon, Oakton and Vienna

Home Remodeling 101

Experts offer suggestions for a timely and efficient renovation.

Whether expanding a home or just remodeling an existing interior space, building projects can be daunting, especially if the goal is to be finished by a certain date. "If you wanted to get going on a project and your goal was to be done by Thanksgiving, the planning process and permit process is probably as long as the building process, but you don’t want to rush through those aspects of it and then wish you’d done something differently," said David Vogt of Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.

Column: A Victim of My Own Circumstances

Outliving one’s prognosis leads to all sorts of twists and turns and treatment conundrums: the longer one lives, the fewer the treatment options.

Classified Advertising (July 11, 2012)

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Herndon Environmental Network Hosts ‘Battle of Bottles’

Two neighborhoods to face off.

This month, two Herndon neighborhoods will be facing off in a "Battle of the Bottles," to see who can recycle more by weight. Hastings Hunt, located off Dranesville Road south of Leesburg Pike and McNair Farms Landbay2, located off Fox Mill Road, will do battle throughout July. The initiativ

Horse Attacked for Second Time

Lucinda, victim of earlier slashing, assaulted again over weekend.

Lucinda, a horse housed adjacent to Frying Pan Farm Park, was assaulted for the second time in the past three months sometime between the evening of Saturday, July 7 and the morning of Sunday, July 8.

Great Falls Celebrates Fourth of July

Annual run, parade, games highlight Hometown Celebration.

Margaret Johnson remembers when the large trees in the Great Falls Village Centre weren’t so large. She remembers when they were saplings, barely providing any shade for the participants in the first ever Little Patriot Parade, which was added to the Great Falls Fourth of July celebrations almost 20 years ago.

MCC Hosts Fireworks Show

Event will be last at Langley High School.

Hundreds of local residents descended on Langley High School the night of Wednesday, July 4, to the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, hosted by the McLean Community Center.

Jackson Moves On from McLean

McLean High School Principal Dr. Deborah Jackson leaves after five years.

After five years at McLean High School, Dr. Deborah Jackson left her position as principal July 2 to take a new position within Fairfax County Public Schools. Jackson, who is a member of the McLean Rotary Club, was cited by parents and many organizations for her commitment to the school and the community surrounding it.

Editorial: Every Vote in Virginia Will Count

Top presidential donor zip codes in this area show Virginia is purple; Romney or Obama to be decided on Election Day.

If you wonder if presidential politics really matters in this area, consider that Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland hold some of the top zip codes for contributions to the two major party candidates.

Uke Fest Back at Lake Anne on July 14

The tranquil sounds of tiny strings will return to the Lake Anne waterfront when the 3rd Annual Ukulele Festival takes place on Saturday, July 14 from 11a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Silver Line Gets ‘Green Light’

Loudoun County Board by a 5-4 vote ‘opts in’ on extension of rail into their county.

Considering it is a hard fought presidential election year and a time of enormous financial anxiety, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors took a vote of amazing courage or astounding foolhardiness and backed the extension of the Silver Line Rail into their county.

Kids’ Music Program Brightens Summer

Wolf Trap’s Theatre-in-the-Woods presents song, dance and puppetry.

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts isn’t just for adults. Its education outreach programs feature performances for young children, from kiddie-rock music to classical ballet and global performing arts.

A $1,000 ‘Thank-you’

Bazin’s waiter gets big tip for service.

Michael Manetti wasn’t doing anything he does not normally do when serving the party of 12 at Bazin’s on Church Friday night. He says he was there when they needed him, not when they didn’t. Manetti knows when to be unobtrusive. When the party’s host signed off on the bill, Manetti got the shock of his professional career. He was given a $1,000 tip.

Vienna Celebrates with Festival, Fireworks

Music, food, kids’ activities highlight festival at Community Center.

Vienna celebrated the 4th of July in style … old-style, that is.

Vienna’s Bellini Salon & MedEsthetics Recognized

Bellini Salon & MedEsthetics of Vienna has been featured as a celebrated 2012 Spa Of The Month in Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa Magazine in their Wellness and Organic section.

Pushed to the Limit

Food pantries seek help for county’s most vulnerable residents.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, it’s already 103 degrees in Reston - the 10th straight day temperatures hover near or above 100 degrees after a derecho storm swept through the region on July 29, causing extensive power outages.

9th Asian Festival Celebrating the Year of the Dragon

Festival will take place July 21-22 at GMU.

This year, the 9th Asian Food and Tennis Festival is celebrating the year of dragon. The Festival is a two-day, free admission event to promote greater understanding of the Asian countries and cultures. It will be held at the George Mason University on July 21, Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on July 22, Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is open to the public.

Weekly Entertainment (Vienna/McLean/Great Falls)

July 6-20.

Entertainment in Vienna/McLean/Great Falls.

Column: Writing On!

It was June ’09 when I published my first column in the Connection Newspapers about being diagnosed with cancer. It was actually a column detailing the diagnostic steps I had taken during the first few months of the year attempting to identify the pain I had initially felt under my right-side rib cage in late December.

New Plant Life at Village Centre

GFCA, local businesses plant 50 flower baskets.

Visitors to the Great Falls Village Centre and the surrounding areas may have noticed a little extra plant life. The Great Falls Citizens Association, along with the Village Centre Condos, the Old Brogue, Adeler Jewelers, BB and T, the Great Falls Exxon, Great Falls Auto Service, Village Green Day School and Oliver’s Corner all helped contribute to the project, which includes 50 baskets.

Storms Leave Thousands Without Power

Derecho hits McLean, Great Falls area causing massive damage.

After a night of watching blinding flashes of lightning, sheets of rain and pieces of trees flying around his yard, George Matmos of McLean sought out Saturday morning normalcy the best he knew how: with a cup of morning coffee.

Outgoing MCA President Honored

Rob Jackson named Lord of Fairfax for Dranesvile District.

Rob Jackson, who served the most terms as president in the history of the McLean Citizens Association, was honored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as Lord of Fairfax for the Dranesville District. Jackson, the outgoing president, became involved in community affairs after a random encounter years ago.

LINK Celebrates 40th Anniversary

A Herndon-based nonprofit aims to deliver food to those in need.

In 1972, a group of churches in Sterling and eastern Loudoun County got together with the idea of providing food for the needy, with members storing donated food in their basement. Three years later, they made inroads into Fairfax County and it was eventually chartered as a nonprofit. Forty years later, the group consists of 17 member churches in Herndon, Sterling Chantilly and Potomac Falls and has provided tens of thousands of families with assistance.

Chamber Hands Out Awards, Names New Board

Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce hosts annual awards luncheon.

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce presented their annual Awards for Chamber Excellence (ACE) and welcomed their new board of directors Thursday, June 28 at the Hyatt Regency Reston. The chamber also celebrated its 30th anniversary, it was founded in 1982.

Express Care Teaches Essential Skills

Program aims to educate immigrants on health care, technology

In 1995, Naila Alam arrived to the United Stated from Pakistan to study hotel management. Soon she was diagnosed with a rare blood disease that almost proved fatal, and with her husband back in Pakistan, she had only her sister to help her navigate through a foreign country’s health care, as well as maintaining her educational studies and working.

Finding a Home for the Golden Years

Experts offer advice on choosing a retirement community.

When Jim Upp’s wife Jeannie died in 2006, the Fairfax senior citizen found himself surrounded by a lifetime of memories in the spacious home where the couple had raised three children.

Editorial: New Laws, Assault on Freedom?

oting restrictions, abortion restrictions, DUI restrictions, fewer gun restrictions, more go into effect July.

A plethora of new laws will go into effect in the Commonwealth on July 1, including restrictive new procedures for voting, and the loosening of multiple gun regulations.

Shepherd’s Center Receives 2012 Nonprofit of the Year Award

The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) was recently presented with the 2012 Nonprofit of the Year Award from the Vienna Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding service to the community during the past year.

Troop 987 Eagle Service Project

Sam Rohrer of Troop 987 in Vienna completed his Eagle Service Project at Great Falls National Park. Sam led a group of 40 scouts in rebuilding and stabilizing a severely eroded stairway leading down to the AA Gorge at the Park.

Summer Stories, Song and Sprinklers Kick Off on Town Green

Weekly Wednesday fun starts at 1 p.m. behind Freeman House on the Town Green.

For children, one of the great joys of summer is running through sprinklers. Preface that with a story and fun songs, like the Hokey Pokey, and you have an old-fashioned country-style afternoon. Historic Vienna, Inc. partners with the Town of Vienna Department of Parks and Recreation every Wednesday to provide music and sprinkler-power on the Town Green.

Vienna Police PIO Retires

Bill Murray looks back on 23 years with Vienna Police Department.

After 23 years with the Vienna Police Department, five of which were spent as Public Information Officer for the department, MPO Bill Murray is retiring from the police force, effective June 30.

Full of Fun Musical Comes to Alden

McLean Community Players to present "Legally Blonde, The Musical."

"Such a sassy show, with so much fun" is Kate Merryman's description of the McLean Community Players’ production of "Legally Blonde, The Musical." "It is just totally upbeat, an inspiration to see."

Thousands Without Power In Vienna and Oakton

Violent storms down trees and power lines.

Downed trees and power lines kept crews working around the clock Sunday in Vienna and Oakton to restore electricity and clear roads of debris after a wave of violent storms barreled through the region Friday, June 29.

Storms Leave 2 Dead, Power Out

At least two dead in Fairfax; 285,000 residents still without power after Friday night’s hurricane force winds.

Winds of more than 70 miles per hour swept through Fairfax County Friday night. Power went out as the storm blew into the area around 10:30 p.m. with hurricane force winds sounding like a freight train. The sound made some residents think a tornado was upon them, and many took refuge in basements.

Despite Failing Grade on Transparency, Law Enforcement Officials Resist Opening Access

Advocates for public access remain frustrated by persistent lack of transparency.

Back in March, Virginia received a failing grade from the State Integrity Investigation as the result of a systematic lack of transparency.