Stories for November 2012

Oakton Football Wins Northern Region Championship

Cougars beat Westfield for first region title since 2008.

The Oakton football team defeated the Northern Region's top three seeds to reach the state playoffs.

Opinion: Immigrants and Today’s Faith Response

The presence of increasing numbers of immigrants is a challenge to the Fairfax County faith community commitments. The challenge is to be a faith community with open arms.

Editorial: Learning in a Global Community

Students in Fairfax County speak 160 languages.

This week our ongoing series about immigration in Fairfax County takes a look at county schools, and some of the joys and challenges of having a diverse student body that speaks as many as 160 different languages at home.

Classified Advertising Nov. 28,2012

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Town Center Lights Christmas Tree

Santa and Mrs. Claus, Reston Chorale appear at annual tree lighting.

Having just moved to Reston in July, Bill and Marie Jones and their two children weren’t aware of the annual festivities that happen at Reston Town Center every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, just after dark. They thought they were headed to town center for an evening of ice skating and frozen yogurt.

Reston Hosts Holiday Parade

Local groups participate in annual Reston Town Center parade Nov. 23.

Thousands of people spent the early part of their Black Friday spread out along Market Street for the annual Reston Holiday Parade. Organizations from across the area made their way down .3 miles of the road carrying balloons, performing and interacting with the crowd.

Schools Using Diversity for Student Benefits

Immersion, ESOL programs aim to take advantage of area cultures.

As Fairfax County has experienced massive growth in its international population, its effects have spread to its educational institutions. Forty-four percent of the Fairfax County Public Schools students come from homes that speak a language other than English, which includes 160 different languages.

Author Examines Life by the Letter

Joe Reynolds publishes collection of letters on variety of topics.

In an era of e-mails, text messages and tweets, the art of writing a letter hasn’t been lost on McLean resident Joe Reynolds. It’s something he was raised on, his father and grandfather wrote him letters while he was at college, a tradition that he continued while his three children were away at school.

Final Tree Decision Yet to Come

Final tests to be run on white oaks at Georgetown Pike-Walker Road intersection.

The trees at the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road will be subject to at least one more test to determine if they propose a safety hazard to drivers. The Virginia Department of Transportation had decided Sept. 18 to remove the trees as part of a mass removal of potentially hazardous trees, but announced Sept. 28 that they would wait for the community to hire an arborist.

Building a Savings Stockpile on Shoestring Budget

Money experts say it is possible to save, even on a limited income.

Even though Mary Beth Lanvin is employed full-time with a company that offers generous retirement benefits, she can’t afford to contribute to a 401(k).

Avoiding Holiday Debt

Plan now to prevent post-holiday bills.

Festive store displays mean the holiday shopping season is in full swing.

Tips for Year-End Charitable Giving

Financial experts offer suggestions for ensuring one’s donations are well spent.

’Tis the season for giving, and that includes donations to charities.

Brief: Helping Animals Find Homes for the Holidays?

Special adoption promotion to help animals find homes.

Brief: The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is offering a free spay or neuter for the first 100 cats, kittens, dogs or puppies adopted from the shelter through Dec. 31.

We Are the World, at Garfield

Teachers discuss challenges of teaching English as a Second Language.

Garfield Elementary School in Springfield, like all of Fairfax County, has a population that reflects a wide range of backgrounds.

Marshall High is the Face of Fairfax County

Upwards of 90 countries represented by student population.

The schools that feed into George C. Marshall High School are the academic home to children from all over the world.

Brief: History Conference Focuses on Conflict and Courage

Local historians honored.

Brief: The eighth Annual Fairfax County History Conference was held on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center in the City of Fairfax.

Brief: Community Meetings to Help Search for Superintendent

Brief: On Sept. 22, 2011, Superintendent Jack D. Dale announced his intention to retire from Fairfax County Public Schools effective June 30, 2013.

Uranium Money Spreads Across Virginia in Radioactive Debate

Upcoming General Assembly session to feature effort to lift ban on uranium mining.

The uranium deposits under the farmlands of Pittsylvania County are miles away from Northern Virginia, but the debate about what happens there is shaping up to be one of the hottest issues of the upcoming General Assembly session.

‘Authentic and Sincere’

James Madison High School’s production of “Lend Me a Tenor.”

James Madison High School’s production of “Lend Me a Tenor” was a highly entertaining experience for all involved.

Feeling the Magic

Nationally-recognized musician wows audiences at Wolf Trap.

Born and raised in the Washington D.C. area, John Eaton is a life-long music enthusiast who has been following his passion for over 40 years.

Brief: Holy Comforter Episcopal Church Sponsors Alternative Gift Fair

Brief: On Dec. 1 and 2, Northern Virginians can make their holiday gift buying more meaningful by shopping at Holy Comforter's Alternative Gift Fair at 543 Beulah Rd NE, Vienna.

Art & Craft Showcase Attracts Crafters, Shoppers

Many of the artisans at the 30th Annual Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild Art & Craft Showcase over Thanksgiving weekend are regulars at the show at the Vienna Community Center.

Classified Advertising Nov 21, 2012

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Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: October, 2012

In October 2012, 80 homes sold between $1,420,000-$220,000 in the Vienna and Oakton area.

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales in October, 2012

Buy Now, Pay Later

Meaning: If I’m terminal, why deprive myself because of cost? If, in fact, I’m only living once – as the old saying goes, and somewhat less of a life than I had anticipated, shouldn’t I, at the very least, “Pull my pants down and slide on the ice,” as prescribed by Dr. Sidney Freedman in an episode of M*A*S*H, way back when?

Opinion: Embracing Our Diversity

If you can ever find the time to attend a federal naturalization ceremony in Fairfax County for new citizens, do it. It reinvigorates one’s patriotism and reminds us all how lucky we are to be Americans.

Opinion: Celebrating Diversity Through Culture

So, when people from different countries, diverse cultures, and dissimilar values migrate to United States, they try to adjust and adapt to the new culture. But the onus should also be on American people to welcome them, to make them comfortable and feel at home. What do we do to create awareness about different cultures? Unfortunately, I have not seen much effort on the part of the government.

Teaching Children to Help Prepare Thanksgiving Dinner

Local chefs share tips and culinary traditions.

Susan Limb recalls spending the Thanksgiving days of her childhood in the kitchen with her grandmother, mother and two sisters. The family’s holiday ritual and the smell of a thyme- and butter-dressed turkey roasting in the oven are ingrained in her memory.

Editorial: Diversity Growing

Tune in to our series on immigration.

This week, the Connection kicks off a series about immigration, diversity and the growing population of foreign-born residents in Fairfax County. County reporter Victoria Ross opens with a story that captures vignettes and statistics of the changing population. It is a topic consistent with the original Thanksgiving story. More than 28 percent of Fairfax County's population is foreign born; that's 317,000 residents.

Walk of Lights at Meadowlark

In one of the season’s more spectacular holiday gestures, the chairman of the board of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Brian Knapp, ceremonially threw a switch at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, illuminating hundreds of trees and scenes within Meadowlark’s 100-acre parkland.

Vienna Arts Society Hosts Treasury of Art Show

More than 150 juried pieces went on exhibit at Community Center.

The Vienna Arts Society’s [VAS] 43rd Annual Treasury of Art Juried Show and Sale opened to the public on Friday, Nov. 16, closing on Nov. 18.

Brief: Vienna Police Chief to Retire Jan. 1

Brief: On Nov. 12, Vienna Police Chief Robert Carlisle notified the town manager of his intent to retire, effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Cappies Review: Witty Enthusiasm and Bold Choices

Oakton High presents “Suite Surrender.”

In a conflict fierce enough to rival the war, a pair of 1940s starlets grapple for control of the presidential suite at the luxurious Palm Beach Royale.

Fairfax Becomes Immigrants’ Gateway

Focus on immigration.

Yesuf Beshir spent nearly three years gathering the mountain of paperwork he needed to leave Ethiopia and emigrate to America.

A Way Out of No Way

Two women — one African-American and one from Africa — learn to see America through each other’s eyes.

Rosemary Osei, 22, and Lillie Reynolds, 61, have been good friends for four years. The two women, who help teach special needs students at a Vienna elementary school, are sometimes mistaken for mother and daughter.

Viewpoints: Immigrants’ Experiences on Becoming Americans

On Sept. 22 at the Multicultural Festival on Lake Anne Plaza in Reston, 25 people participated in a naturalization ceremony that made them American citizens.

Getting Organized for Thanksgiving

Local experts offer a survival guide.

Jill Mahon is hosting her family for Thanksgiving next week, which is, of course, the kick-off of the holiday season. But for Mahon, the holidays herald an organizational nightmare.

Editorial: Shop Locally, Give Locally

Small business Saturday isn't enough; don't wait until then, and don't stop after that.

An effort to support locally owned businesses has resulted in the recognition of Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year that is Nov. 24. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is a day of national zeal for shopping. Presumably the next day shoppers can focus on local shopping.

Oakton Girls’ X-Country Finishes State Runner-Up

Girls’ Klimkiewicz, boys’ Stoney earn individual all-state honors.

The Oakton cross country program had two individuals earn all-state honors at the VHSL state meet on Nov. 10 at Great Meadow.

Oakton Football Advances to Region Semifinals

No. 7 Cougars knock off No. 2 Lake Braddock.

The Oakton football team beat Lake Braddock on Nov. 9 to advance to the Northern Region semifinals.

Week in Vienna

Church Street Holiday Stroll Set for Nov. 26

The annual Holiday Stroll on Vienna’s historic Church Street will be held on Monday, Nov. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. Church Street will be closed between Lawyers Road and Mill Street, and visitors are invited to stroll amid the sights and sounds of the holiday season and visit merchants along the way.

Give a Gift, Share a Gift

The season of sharing and gift-giving is upon us. The malls and chain stores scream “sale” and mass-produced merchandise, made in other countries, flies off the shelves. This year, why not seek out the unique, the one-of-a-kind gifts sold in places that offer personalized, welcoming service, the kind of place where the owners and staff are truly happy to see you.

Vienna Resident Dan Lemieux Receives Painter Memorial Award

ASTM International awarded Vienna resident Dan Lemieux, a principal in the firm of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) Inc., the Robert J. Painter Memorial Award at the recent Performance of Buildings Committee meeting in Atlanta.

Classified Advertising Nov. 14, 2012

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Star Crossed Lovers Take Stage at Langley

Theatre department presents ‘Romeo and Juliet.’

During Langley High School’s inaugural theater tech class, several students had a vision: Shakespeare’s character Juliet giving her famous speech on a scaffolding. The school’s upcoming production of "Romeo and Juliet" took on a new look after that idea, transforming the setting of the play from an Italian city to an apocalyptic future city.

Thieves Market Offers Holiday Gift Ideas

Antique furniture, art, home furnishings available at 60 year old family owned business.

Since 1952, the Cohen family has operated the Thieves Market, featuring a wide variety of furniture, jewelry, art and other household goods that might be difficult to come by in other places. In their 60 years of existence, dignitaries from around the world have shopped their selection of 18th and 19th century American and European antiques, porcelain, bronzes, furniture, candlesticks, Persian and Oriental rugs, mirrors, chandeliers and more.

Gift Ideas in Great Falls

Maison et Jardin, Maison du Vin offer gift ideas for holidays.

While places like Tysons Corner might draw the large crowds and big numbers during the holiday shopping season, plenty of local residents are able to find gifts much more locally. The shops at the Great Falls commercial center offer a wide variety of items from locally owned businesses.

Haddad Studio to Present ‘The Nutcracker’

Annual show celebrates 21st year.

The Margaret Haddad Studio of Classical Ballet will present its 21st edition of "The Nutcracker" the weekend after Thanksgiving. Featuring 49 children, guest artists from several ballet companies and adult volunteers, the annual performances will take place at The Madeira School.

Veterans Honored at Freedom Memorial

Annual ceremony features Marine Color Guard, student performances.

More than 150 people gathered at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Monday, Nov. 12, to participate in the community’s annual Veterans Day ceremony. More than 100 students from Village Green Day School, Great Falls Elementary School and Langley High School also attended.

LEAP Awards $5,000 to Homeowners

Marti Fucile and Eric Shor receive award to make home more energy efficient.

Living on Lake Audubon, Marti Fucile and her fiancé Eric Shor have learned to love their view of the lake. But as environmentally-friendly homeowners, they also know the reality that comes with the high ceilings and large windows in their townhouse.

Used Book Shop Offers Gift Ideas

Lake Anne shop has been "where books and people meet" for more than 30 years.

Whenever he comes to Lake Anne, Jeremy Thompson of Reston has a place he always stops. A place he calls an "increasing rarity" in today’s world.

A Soccer Champion of Character

McLean Youth Soccer (MYS) has announced that Lucas Cook, one of the club’s MPS Coaches, has been honored by the Fairfax County Athletic Council and the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services as one of its 2012 Champions of Character on Oct. 23.

Commentary: Save Tysons’ Last Forest

In late September, I joined members of the Vienna community in touring Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley Park in Tysons Corner and met with the members of the Neighborhood Coalition to Save Tysons Last Forest.

Vienna Honors Veterans

American Legion Post 180 program salutes those who served country.

Vienna honored Veterans’ Day at a program hosted by Vienna’s own American Legion Dyer-Gunnell Post 180.

Brief: Treasury of Art Returns to Vienna

The Vienna Arts Society is presenting the 43rd annual Treasury of Art juried show and sale at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., Vienna, during the weekend of Nov. 16-18.

Column: Weight For It

This reference is not about pounds, per se. It is about the two largest tumors in my lungs, inoperable in that they are located between the two halves which make up the whole lung.

Long Lines on Election Day ‘Unacceptable’

Bulova calls for bi-partisan group to address the issue, improve election process.

While voter turnout in Fairfax County on Election Day was at an all-time high--80.5 percent of registered voters cast their ballots, compared to 78.7 percent in 2008--some voters faced long lines and endured hours of waiting in the cold to cast their ballots.

Classified Advertising Nov. 7, 2012

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Vienna/McLean/Great Falls Calendar, Nov. 8-18

Get out and about with these events in Great Falls, McLean and Vienna.

Racing for Superheroes

Event benefits local nonprofit organizations.

From children wearing superhero capes to costume-clad adults to tots in strollers, participants took to the streets of Arlington last month to raise money for charity as part of the fourth annual Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause 8K and One-Mile Fun Run.

Oakton Boys’, Girls’ Cross Country Advance to States

Madison’s Calem, Herndon’s Heuer earn all-region.

The Oakton cross country program qualified its boys' and girls' teams for the state meet, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10 at Great Meadow.

Locals Join All-Star Line-up at Metro Cooking Show

Area specialty food entrepreneurs among the attractions at the 2012 Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show.

When celebrity chefs and Food Network stars were in Washington last weekend for what has become a Super Bowl for foodies (Giada De Laurentiis, Jacques Pepin, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons and The Chew’s Michael Symon and Carla Hall were just some of the famous faces), some area culinary enthusiasts joined them as well.

Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic, HealthWorks Merge

Merger aims to triple number of low-income, uninsured people served.

The Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic, which served nearly 2,000 low-income patients without health insurance last year, has merged with HealthWorks for Northern Virginia. Founded 10 years ago, the clinic was founded at Herndon Middle School.

Week in Vienna

Caffe Amouri honored by U.S. Troops in Afghanistan, Vienna receives gold in Green Government Challenge, Keith Stotts of Vienna recognized by Harding University, and Vienna at Your Service partners with Police Chief’s Advisory

Trunk or Treat at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School hosted its fourth annual Trunk or Treat night on Thursday, Oct. 25. The event is hosted by the school Parent Teacher Organization with several goals including fellowship among the school's families, and a safe, fun way for the students to celebrate the season of Halloween.

New Vienna Police Officers Graduate from Academy

On Oct. 19, Officer Katherine Holcombe and Officer John Digan graduated from the 59th Session of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy.

Fairfax Votes ‘Yes’ On Bond Package

$155 million will be used to upgrade, renovate fire stations, libraries, parks and make storm water improvements.

On Tuesday, Fairfax County voters overwhelmingly approved $155 million in bonds to upgrade and renovate libraries, parks, fire stations and courtrooms, and to make storm water improvements to address flooding in the Huntington neighborhood.

Eminent Domain Amendment Prevails by Wide Margin

Some lawmakers predict amendment will cost taxpayers millions down the road.

Local lawmakers said they were not surprised that nearly two and half million voters (74.6 percent) approved a state constitutional amendment last night further restricting Virginia’s power of eminent domain.

Fairfax Republicans Come Together for Election

What started as a night of hope for the Fairfax County Republican Committee ended on something of a sour note, as Republican presidential, senate and congressional candidates were not able to oust incumbents.

Area Votes for Obama, Kaine, House Incumbents

President Barack Obama wins second term, Kaine wins Senate seat, Moran, Wolf, Connolly re-elected.

In a bitter and historically expensive battle, President Barack Obama defeated Gov. Mitt Romney, winning a second term Tuesday after grabbing the key swing state of Virginia after midnight. With the addition of the Commonwealth’s 13 electoral votes – as well as those of Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire and Wisconsin – Obama sailed over the electoral cliff with the critical 270 electoral votes he needed for victory.

Obama, Clinton, Kaine Fire Up Virginia Crowd

Campaign rally in Bristow, Va. attracts 24,000 supporters.

President Obama, President Clinton, and Senate hopeful Tim Kaine gather supporters at a Virginia rally.

Romney at GMU: ‘He Believes in Us’

Fairfax crowd gives Romney ‘energetic’ welcome as more than 10,000 supporters gather inside and outside Patriot Center.

By the time GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney took center stage at George Mason University’s Patriot Center around 4 p.m. Monday, the crowd was fired up.

Editorial: Feeling Important

Presidential campaigns traverse Northern Virginia on last days, mark the importance of every vote.

The images from the last weeks of the presidential Election of 2012 make it clear that it would be hard to overstate the importance of voting, especially in Virginia, especially in Northern Virginia.

Absentee Voting Down Slightly from 2008 Election

More confusion about redistricting reported at polls, not Voter ID.

The line of 100-plus voters casting absentee ballots at the Reston Government Center Friday evening moved quickly.

A ‘Tremendous Turnout’ in Vienna

At Wolftrap precinct, about 100 voters were standing in line by the time the polls opened, some having been there since 5:10 a.m.

Election Day proved to be a cold, but busy morning at Colvin Run Elementary School in Vienna.

Vienna Student Wins Sixth Grade Art Contest

Henry James Ross, 11, won Oakton Elementary School’s sixth grade art contest.

Brief: Girls Scouts Celebrate Founder’s Birthday

Over 200 Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadette Girls Scouts donned their Halloween Costumes to celebrate the Oct. 31 Birthday of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.

Brief: New Fitness Trail in Wildwood Park

The Town of Vienna, in partnership with the Vienna Rotary Club and QR F.I.T. Trail, LLC, will introduce a new fitness trail in Wildwood Park during a special ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Talahi Road SE and the W&OD Trail in Vienna.

Marshall Road Elementary PTA Receives Grant for Artist in Residence Program

Marshall Road Elementary School (MRES) PTA is fully funding its 2012-2013 Artist in Residence program through an arts grant received from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Daisy Troops Plant Commemorative Tree

As part of the 100 year celebration of Girl Scouts, one of the Daisy Troops led by Sheila Riberiro at the Antioch Christian Church of Vienna planted a tree to honor the Girl Scout foundress Juliette Gordon Low, whose birthday is also Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Tysons Tax District Questioned

Residents, Taxpayers Alliance oppose new taxes.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is expected shortly to create a tax “service” district in Tysons Corner that will fund 11 percent of the estimated $3 billion in transportation projects over the next 40 years as the giant redevelopment plan moves forward.

Vienna’s Fair-est Saturday Presents Early Holiday Bazaars

The Vienna Woman’s Club and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary host their annual fundraisers.

What better way to kick off the holiday season than with the first of Vienna’s festive bazaars? On Saturday, Nov. 10, there are two of them, adjacent to one another, no less.

World War II Veteran Recalls Wartime Experiences

From making machine guns to joining the WACs, Vienna resident shares memories.

World War II veteran Carolyn Fix may have slowed down somewhat as she approaches 90 years old, but she has not lost her sharp wits and her memory of her wartime experiences.

First-time Voters Viewpoints: "Who are you voting for and why?"

"I'll be voting for Barack Obama for several reasons. First of all, I've been pretty liberal all my life and I've grown up overseas in France, Belgium and Greece and it's no secret that Europe is pretty liberal also. It put American politics into perspective for me and helped shape my views. Also, I'll be going to college next year and it's increasingly expensive..."

Letter: Chris Perkins for Congress, VA 11 District

In response to Gerry Connolly for his comment that veterans and career-first officers, including Colonel Perkins, do not have the "sweat equity" needed to hold federal office: Gerry Connolly, a lawyer who doesn't legislate because Nancy says, read Obamacare after it is passed.

Column: Hands of Time

On the one hand, I want to take note every month on the 27th as yet one more notch on my living-with-cancer belt. On the other hand, maybe I don’t need a belt to be notching but rather a life to be living. Perhaps it’s time, nearly 44 months post-diagnosis – at press time, to stop counting backwards and try more living forwards.

Viewpoints: "What issues are most important to you in this year’s election?"

“Three issues really are on the top of my mind. The security of the U.S. I am very concerned about the defense of the United States. Secondly, the economy. We’ve done nothing to bring us out of this depression. Third, unemployment. Twenty-seven million people out of work is unacceptable. I think it’s time we get a new horse-holder up front.”

Oakton’s Klimkiewicz Repeats as Concorde XC Champ

Madison girls’ win Liberty District title.

For the second straight season, Oakton’s Allie Klimkiewicz held off Robinson’s Macey Schweikert to win the Concorde District girls’ cross country championship.