Stories for October 2012

Classified Advertising Oct 31, 2012

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Editorial: In Wake of Sandy, Still Plan to Vote

Variety of choices in political landscape.

Hurricane Sandy means that the week preceding the election will not be what we were expecting. This editorial is being written Sunday night, Oct. 28, as forecasters predict five inches of rain and 65-mile-per-hour winds over the next two days. With some predicting that power could take a week or more to restore, we have to worry about the likely condition of the Eastern seaboard will be on Election Day, Nov. 6. Absentee voting in person had been cancelled for Monday, and most government offices were closed in anticipation of the storm. What will this mean for voter turnout, for access to voting places on Election Day?

George Allen v. Timothy Kaine for Senate

Voters have stark choice between candidates to replace U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (D).

Candidates for U.S. Senate George Allen and his Democratic challenger Timothy M. Kaine have powerful things in common. Both were popular governors of the Commonwealth of Virginia; both have long political resumes; and both men are passionate about the success of their adopted home state.

Happy Halloween

Haunting events to round out your trick-and-treat filled evening.

Get all the treats and tricks, fright-in-the-night and boo!-filled fun to be had out of Halloween this fall with a little help from some Fairfax County seasonal events.

Serving More Than a Village

Alisa Cozzens named Rotary Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

The Great Falls Rotary Club named its first Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Alisa Cozzens, executive director of Serve A Village, a Great Falls based nonprofit. Cozzens moved to South Africa as a teenager, and though her travels since have taken her to Northern Virginia, she still continues outreach to the area.

Raising Funds to Stop Hunger

Lutheran Redeemer hosts fundraisers for Nov. 10 Stop Hunger Now event.

As McLean prepares to package 250,000 meals for needy people throughout the world, members of the Lutheran Redeemer Church helped raise funds last weekend for the event. The church hosted a fun run around the parking lot for those in costume Saturday morning, and an opera concert Sunday afternoon.

Skate Park Opens at Lake Fairfax

New park is 15,000 square feet, offers variety of features.

The Fairfax County Park Authority opened the Lake Fairfax Skatepark Saturday, Oct. 27, welcoming hundreds of skaters to one of the biggest parks in the area. The 15,000 square-foot features a large bowl on one end, and more than a dozen other features made of concrete with steel edges.

Discussing Budget Morality

United Christian Parish hosts discussion on intersection of budgets and social services.

The United Christian Parish in Reston hosted a forum featuring one of the “Nuns on the Bus” Thursday, Oct. 25 for a discussion on the intersection of morality and budgets: Sister Marge Clark, one of a group of nuns that have toured the U.S. meeting with elected officials and locals about morality and budgeting. Clark is the author of the Faithful Budget, which is created by an inter-religious group that determines basic domestic human needs.

Eat, Drink and Be Scary!

Children carve pumpkins for a good cause at Wildfire in McLean.

Armed with knives and other sharp implements, more than 50 children butchered, chopped, gouged and chiseled with glee at Wildfire restaurant on Saturday, leaving a slimy trail of orange guts across the tables.

Civil War Dead Honored at Flint Hill Cemetery

Historic marker unveiling set against illuminations, living historians.

Even a thinly-veiled but luminous moon contributed to the theatrical mood at a dark Flint Hill Cemetery on Saturday night.

After the Storm

Thousands of residents without power as clean-up efforts continue and residents deal with downed trees, closed roads and schools in wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane Sandy battered the region Monday night, shutting down Fairfax County schools, governments, roads and voting precincts.

Fairfax County Braces for Sandy’s Arrival

Threat of flooding and high winds prompts officials to close schools, government offices and absentee voting.

As Hurricane Sandy barreled down the East Coast on Sunday, it’s beginning to look like the weather – not politics – will deliver the biggest October surprise this year.

Storm Related Closings

Current list of weather related closings that Connection Newspapers is aware of.

Area Schools Closing in Face of Weather Threat

Threat of flooding, high winds from Hurricane Sandy prompts decision.

Better safe than sorry. Based on that philosophy, Fairfax County Public Schools announced early Sunday afternoon that all FCPS schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday because of the continuing threat of flooding and hurricane-force winds from Hurricane Sandy, a “rare hybrid storm” expected to make landfall on Monday.

Vienna Halloween Parade Keeps Them Smiling

Floats, emergency vehicles, bands and costumed children set the mood for festive evening.

The weather during the 66th Annual Vienna Halloween Parade on Wednesday, Oct. 24, did not merely cooperate, it begged the community to revel in its balmy temperatures and clear skies.

Opinion: Be Part of the Children's Connection

Call for student artwork and writing; deadline Dec. 3.

During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children. The results are always remarkable. It is a keepsake edition for many families.

Lawmakers Debate Eminent Domain Ballot Question

Some argue amendment fails to increase property owner’s protections, but may shut down popular parades.

"A shop owner could complain they lost revenue, that festival vendors are taking their business away….What if someone decided to make that an issue and seek compensation for lost profits under (the amendment)? The Town of Vienna can’t afford to reimburse every shop owner..." — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-at-large) "(The amendment) is fair…If they run a road and cut off your driveway to the point that no one can get into your restaurant and ruin your business, you should be compensated." —Del. Dave Albo (R-42)

Obama Fires Up Fairfax Crowd With ‘Romnesia’ Quips

President delivers second GMU gender-pitch aimed at women voters.

Lillie Reynolds, a single mother from Herndon with four daughters, stood in line for nearly five hours to hear President Barack Obama speak for 25 minutes at a campaign rally at George Mason University on Friday, Oct. 19.

Week in Vienna

On July 14, 2012, U.S. Marine Troops from the 1st Maintenance Battalion flew an American flag over Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in honor of Caffe Amouri. Caffe Amouri had sent coffee and a grinder to the troops as their way of saying thanks and to send, as owner Michael Amouri stated, "just a little bit of home to our boys and girls who are in harms way and, I would imagine, could certainly use something…even something small like a good cup of coffee."

Voters to Determine Fate of Amendment to Limit Use of Eminent Domain

Measure will allow property owners to seek damages for loss of profits and access.

Nowhere is the debate about eminent domain more intense than the foot of King Street in Alexandria, where city officials threatened to take land owned by the Old Dominion Boat Club using the power of eminent domain for flood mitigation.

Burns’ Big Plays, Defense Lead Westfield to Victory

Oakton’s Downer, Wandey Run Strong in Defeat

The Westfield football team defeated Oakton, 28-14, on Oct. 19.

The Passover Amendment: Should Legislators Meet on Religious Holidays?

Former Del. David Englin (D-45) was behind amendment now before voters.

Every year, the Virginia General Assembly convenes several weeks after the session to react to the governor’s vetoes.

Bringing Community Market to Great Falls

Open since July, Salud Healthy Pantry offers "best of the best" in health food.

Growing up in Brooklyn, Denise Rodriguez became enchanted with the idea of community markets after growing up around the bodegas her father ran.

Local Artists Show Off Studios

Annual studios tour shows artists’ workspaces.

Fourteen years ago, David Cowdrill was visiting a pottery in Maine, when a door opened for him, literally and figuratively. The potters opened up their workshop to him, showing him how to create ceramics, and Cowdrill, an engineer by trade, found a new opportunity.

Examining Trees at Riverbend Park

New Riverbend Tree Walk shows diversity of species at park.

Visitors to Riverbend Park have a new way to explore the 400-plus acres of land along the Potomac River. Local resident Tabitha Eagle, with the help of Bob Vickers of the Fairfax County Tree Commission and staff at Riverbend, helped mark a mile-long trail that identifies 20 different tree varieties within the park.

Express Lanes Move Closer to Opening

Express Lanes open new operations center in Alexandria, prepares for opening.

As the construction equipment and debris is cleared from the new two left lanes going both ways on the Virginia side of the Beltway, the 495 Express Lanes are coming closer to opening. The variable-priced toll lanes will run over most of the Virginia section of the Beltway, and the $2 billion project has included the new lanes, as well as the rebuilding of bridges and overpasses along the way.

Bach to Rock Opens in Herndon

Music studio features lessons, recording equipment, DJ school.

Bach to Rock, a music school for students of all ages, has opened its newest location at Worldgate Centre in Herndon. The school features lessons for a variety of instruments, as well as recording facilities and the Beat Refinery, Bach to Rock’s instructional DJ school.

Classified Advertising Oct 24, 2012

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McLean Cycling Club Finishes Ride From Pittsburgh to D.C.

Members of the McLean Cycling Club took a five day 330-mile ride.

he McLean Cycling Club is back from a journey over the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) rail-trail and the C&O Canal Towpath.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts Selects New President and CEO

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts has selected Arvind Manocha as the not-for-profit organization’s new president and CEO.

Hope Grows in Vienna

On Saturday, Sept. 29, the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna conducted its seventh annual Walk for Growing Hope and Family Fun Day in support of childhood cancer research.

A Veteran’s ‘Best Friend’

Rescued pets help veterans overcome PTSD.

The Vienna Woman’s Club funds scholarships for local students, supports homeless high school students, contributes food and goods to a local charity, and, now, is fundraising on behalf of American veterans and first-responders with PTSD.

Unveiling History in Oakton

The Oct. 27 program at Flint Hill Cemetery honors the memory of the 165 veterans—from Civil War to 20th century wars—buried at the historic Oakton site.

Vienna Preschoolers Help Less-fortunate

F. B. Meekins Preschool partners with Emmaus Church to bring food and goods to Our Daily Bread pantry in Vienna.

To kick off the season of sharing, F. B. Meekins Preschool in Vienna partnered with Emmaus United Church of Christ to give its preschoolers an opportunity to share their good fortune and bounty with families less fortunate.

Vienna Resident Completes New Zealand Expedition

Lara Sagatov, 20, of Vienna, recently completed a 77-day expedition in New Zealand with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

“Hey Beez; Beez, It’s Me”

It was my father all right – in a dream. Standing five feet away, approximately, in a well-lit, local convenience store with which I am extremely familiar. This was no case of mistaken identity. Besides, he was wearing those blue, terrycloth shorts of his that my mother always hated. So yes, I called out to him, surprised as I was to see him, locally as it were.

What Would $155 Million Bond Package Buy?

New fire stations, library renovations, park improvements and more on Nov. 6 ballot.

On a recent Saturday afternoon, Monique Bell of Oakton was helping her 5-year-old daughter McKenzie sort through a dozen Halloween craft books at the Reston Regional Library. The library, one of the busiest branches in Fairfax County, has a collection of more than 215,000 volumes and circulates more than a million books a year.

Classified Advertising Oct. 17, 2012

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Two Poor Teachers Expand in Area

A kitchen and bath remodeling company brings a one-stop-shop right to customers' front doors.

On a sunny afternoon in the parking lot of a Fairfax County shopping center, Jeff Pregman is giving a tour of his mobile showroom, a $100,000 former bookmobile that now houses an impressive selection of tiles, counter tops, faucets, flooring, light fixtures and more. Pregman is the General Manager of Two Poor Teachers, a Class A contracting company founded in 1999 that specializes in kitchen and bath remodeling. The tour is interrupted on several occasions over the course of an hour by folks peering in the windows or knocking on the door. “I love it,” says Pregman. “People see this big vehicle that says it’s a design center. They come up to see what’s what and they are blown away by what’s inside. We do get a bit of business this way.”

Editorial: Pick Your Own Election Day

It's called “absentee voting in person,” and there are a lot of reasons why you should.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. The deadline to register to vote is past, although in Northern Virginia, it's clear that a very high percentage of eligible voters are registered. Four years ago in the presidential election of 2008, there were 5,034,660 voters registered in Virginia, and 3,752,858 actually voted. Just in the month of September 2012, Fairfax County saw more than 6,000 newly registered voters, for a total of 646,881 active voters. Arlington registered more than 3,300 new voters in September, with more than 130,000 active voters total. Alexandria added more than 1,300 new voters last month alone, with 81,847 active voters.

Letter: Vote Yes for Area Parks

As Connection readers know, the upcoming election is a pivotal one. What readers may not be aware of is that a park bond referendum question is on the ballot for Fairfax County residents. I'm writing to ask readers to vote YES for the 2012 park bond.

Fairfax Field Hockey Clinches Regional Berth

Rebels beat Statesmen for undefeated district record.

Fairfax concluded the regular season with a 2-0 victory against Marshall on Oct. 11.

Vienna/McLean/Great Falls Events Calendar, Oct. 17 - Nov. 28

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

Children’s Pumpkin Carving Class at Wildfire Supports Food for Others

Get ready for Halloween and join Wildfire at Tysons Galleria for a Kid’s Pumpkin Carving Class on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 3 to 4 p.m.

Big-Band Floor Show Comes to Vienna

Benefit fundraiser for SCOV is next-best thing to the Copacabana nightclub.

If you know who Glenn Miller was, what drugstore soda fountains were, or if you have ever watched a Thin Man film, the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna [SCOV] is returning you to those times.

Captain Chaos Makes Appearance in Halloween Parade

66th Annual Vienna Halloween Parade hits town on Oct. 24.

When the 66th annual Vienna Halloween Parade steps off at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24, a very special 12-year-old will parade down Maple Avenue for the first time in his life. Riding in a custom-designed, custom-handcrafted “boat” attached to his wheelchair, Sean Fennelly, aka Captain Chaos, will watch spectators waving to him in the event that he himself has watched from the curb every year.

Vienna Volunteer Fire Department Holds Annual Open House

Equipment, activities, draw hundreds of families to Saturday’s award-winning event.

What little child—or grownup child—doesn’t like fire engines and ambulances? Vienna youngsters got their chance to climb aboard emergency equipment, learn about fire safety, jump in a bounce house, get tattooed and nibble on free hot dogs and popcorn, all while at the Fire Prevention Week Open House presented by the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department on Oct. 13.

Editor's Note

In the article “Church Street Garage Discussed” [Vienna and Oakton Connection, October 10-16, 2002] it should have been stated that the town would purchase the land for $1, not the garage.

Dreaming in Chinese

Brothers Robbie and Brad Fried, of Vienna, run Chinese Language Institute.

Three years ago, with a loan from their father, two brothers from Fairfax County founded the Chinese Language Institute (CLI), an educational services company, in Beijing. Today, it’s one of the leading Mandarin language schools in China.

Home Tour Shows Life on the Edge

Annual home tour features homes next to Reston's features.

This year’s Reston Homes Tour featured the usual assortment of houses featuring exceptional architecture, interior design and other unique designs, but this year’s theme also focused on the adjacent areas. “Living on the Edge,” the theme, was designed to highlight how various Reston residents are making do while living near some kind of community feature.

MPA Hosts Annual ArtFest

Nonprofit recognized by Arts Council, holds annual festival.

The McLean Project for the Arts celebrated a banner weekend this weekend: they were recognized by the Arts Council of Fairfax County Friday, Oct. 12 and ended the weekend with their annual ArtFest Sunday in McLean Central Park.

Spring Hill Welcomes Japanese Students

Elementary school participates in exchange program.

Over the summer, 13 students and four staff members from Spring Hill Elementary spent more than a week in Yokohama, Japan. On Tuesday, Oct. 9, several students and parents from Yabe Elementary in Japan returned the favor, arriving to great fanfare from students, staff and parents.

Sharing Great Falls Ghost Stories

GFHS Oktoberfest features tales of local hauntings.

After moving into one of the oldest houses in Great Falls, Jinny Beyer began thinking something was amiss in her home. For the first six months they lived there, every night at 2 a.m. sharp, Beyer would wake to what she felt was a presence in the room.

“Subjectively Speaking”

In my opinion. It’s what I think. It’s what I feel. It’s what I think I feel. It may not be something I know, but it’s certainly something that I hope I know. And if it’s not exactly something that I know, then I hope it’s something I believe.

Classified Advertising Oct 10, 2012

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HOV Ramp from I-66 East to I-495 North Closing

After morning rush hour on or about Friday, Oct. 12, the left-lane HOV (high occupancy vehicle) ramp from eastbound I-66 to northbound I-495 will close to traffic until the 495 Express Lanes open to traffic later this year and the ramp reopens as a new, dedicated 495 Express Lanes ramp. During the closure, carpools will use the ramp from the right lane of I-66 East to I-495 North (Capital Beltway’s Inner Loop).

Lighting the Night for a Cause

This is the APL Dumpling Gang’s second year walking in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual Light the Night Walk.

Editorial: Cancer Awareness

Success with breast cancer awareness should help other cancers.

October is breast cancer awareness month. Anyone connected to media of any variety already knows this. A massive marketing success, we all know that pink shows support for breast cancer prevention, especially in October.

Citizens Urged to Speak Up On Transportation Funding

County looks for public’s opinions and suggestions on funding options.

What issue could be so important that the mayors and chairs of 38 jurisdictions within Virginia’s “Urban Crescent,” the area stretching from Northern Virginia to Richmond and Hampton Roads, could set aside political affiliations and sometimes conflicting agendas to sign off on a letter sent collectively to the governor, lieutenant governor and the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia? Long question, short answer: transportation.

Week in Vienna

Vienna family brings library to Meadow Lane Park, High tech workforce to be discussed, Vienna Halloween Parade to be held on Oct. 24, and Vienna participates in 'Hail the Trail'

MPO Jeffrey Randall ‘Randy’ Burchfield Retires

On Oct. 1, MPO Jeffrey Randall “Randy” Burchfield retired from the Town of Vienna Police Department after 27 years of service to the citizens of Vienna.

Vienna Resident Completes 40-day Himalayas Expedition

Justin Gilbert, 48, of Vienna, recently completed a 40-day expedition in the Himalayas of India with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

Oktoberfest Brightens Vienna Saturday

Annual festival draws families.

Oktoberfest, on Saturday, Oct. 6, started out as picture-perfect autumn day… sunny blue skies with a mild temperature, perfect for strolling. By early afternoon, dark clouds rolled in, but the families with young children made the best of their time at Oktoberfest.

Church Street Garage Discussed

Town and architect invite questions, comments.

The Town of Vienna and project architect Paul Layer conducted another round of citizen meetings on Sept. 27 to discuss the proposed Church Street mixed-use building, a small complex of parking garage/retail and condo apartments, developed as a private/public partnership. Approximately 25 concerned community members turned out for the mid-afternoon meeting, while a much smaller number participated in the evening meeting. The evening meeting, however, featured a greater interaction between speakers and fellow citizens.

Oakton Field Hockey Shuts Out McLean

Miller, Prosser score for Cougars.

Oakton field hockey defeated McLean, 2-0, on Oct. 8.

Fairfax Crowd Gives Obama Enthusiastic Welcome

President scores points talking about jobs, women’s rights … and Big Bird.

After a bruising debate with GOP challenger Mitt Romney, President Barack Obama did some boasting Friday, Oct. 5 at a campaign rally at George Mason University.

Column: “Less Fluid, Most Nodules Stable, Minimal Growth.”

Given how I feel now, three-plus years later, and considering the results of this most recent scan, the future may simply be what it is: not now, but later. At least, that’s the way I see it, subjectively speaking. (Now whether “subjectively speaking” is just a euphemism for “unrealistic” is likely a topic for a “future” column.)

Classified Advertising Oct. 3, 2012

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Editorial: Last Week to Register to Vote

To vote on Election Day, you must be registered at your current address no later than Oct. 15, 2012. Registered voters should have received a new voter card in the mail by now. You can check your registration status online by visiting the State Board of Elections website at www.sbe.virginia.gov. There you can also download a voter registration form and mail or fax it to your elections office address.

County Gets Election Ready

Fairfax County prepares voters for new election measures.

"The good news in Fairfax County is that almost everyone who is eligible is registered to vote," said Cameron Quinn, Fairfax County’s chief election official. "Our problem in Fairfax County is not voter apathy, and it’s not getting people to register. What we don't have is every registered voter registered at their correct address."

Week in Vienna

Effective Oct. 1, 2012, landlords must provide advance written authorization for a renter to receive water and sewer services from the Town of Vienna by completing a Landlord Authorization Form, available online at www.viennava.gov/index.aspx?nid=254. When signing up for water and sewer services, renters must provide a signed copy of the Landlord Authorization Form, a Customer Agreement Form and pay a lien offset payment of $225.

Navy Federal 5K Race Raises $20,000 for Local Families

Navy Federal Credit Union held its 20th annual 5K Run/Walk Sept. 15, with a record 836 registered contestants, a 22 percent increase from last year.

The World Music Comes to Vienna Elementary

On Sept. 21, Vienna ES hosted an assembly by Nada Brahma, as they presented "The World Music Concert."

Vienna’s ‘Magical Place’

Sharing the secrets of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.

I know of a secret garden where herbs and flowers sweeten the air, where mango yellow Monarch butterflies suck the nectar from the purple throated phlox, and where peaceful lakes give cooling comfort to the grey-frocked geese honking parental guidance to their young in the quiet peacefulness of Nature’s bosom.

Oktoberfest Returns on Oct. 6

Festival is partnership of Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce and Town of Vienna.

It’s time for oompah music, wurst and beer. Add a diversity of children’s activities, a marketplace and live entertainment for kids and grown-ups and you get the 5th Annual Oktoberfest sponsored by the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce [TRCC] and the Town of Vienna. The all-day festival takes over the Town Green and the historic Church Street corridor on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sanford Leads Madison Football Past Langley

Langley’s Mun rushes for 221 yards, 2 TDs in defeat.

The Madison football team defeated Langley, 24-21, on Sept. 28.