Stories for September 2013

Stories for September 2013

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Friday, September 27

Commentary: In Search of Affordable Housing

Challenges for Residential Studio Units and the need to address them.

Fairfax County’s Planning Commission will hold two workshops on Wednesday, Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 to expand the discussion about the proposed residential studio unit (RSU) amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. There will be a staff presentation on Sept. 25, and questions submitted online by citizens to the Planning Department will be answered in the second workshop on Oct 2. The plan is for both workshops to be televised on the county’s cable station.

Thursday, September 26

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Celebrating Citizenship at Oakton High

Oakton High School's auditorium was filled to capacity Saturday morning as family and friends watched 432 of their loved ones take the oath to become American citizens.

Editorial: Vote

It will matter who is elected governor.

To vote on Election Day, you must be registered at your current address no later than Oct. 15, 2013. 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.

Column: A Study in Contrasts

The decision for yours truly to participate in a Phase 1 Study at N.I.H. or Johns Hopkins (depending upon availability and qualifications) discussed in last week’s column has been put on hold, temporarily. It seems that my oncologist was thinking about me over the holiday weekend and called me on Wednesday following Labor Day to say he had a diagnostic idea concerning me: a 24-hour urine collection (a “Creatinine Clearance Study”) which would provide a more accurate reading (than the regular lab work I have; from blood) of my kidney function.

Column: A Peculiar Existence

I’m not exactly pretending that I don’t have stage IV lung cancer (non-small cell, to be specific), but ever since my hospital admission on August 2nd, I have been treatment-free; no I.V. chemotherapy, no oral medication, no targeted treatment, no nothing. And during this sabbatical (I use that term loosely; being off chemotherapy has been as much about recovering from surgery and recuperating from my hospital “stay-cation” as it was anything necessarily intended), I have progressed from feeling crappy and being short of breath—while being infused previously, to where I have become relatively asymptomatic, breathing normally and for the nearly eight week treatment-free interval mentioned, have felt mostly OK.

Residential Studios Put on Hold

Supervisors establish committee, plan additional public outreach.

At the recommendation of Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-At-Large) and Supervisor Michael Frey (R-Sully), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Sept. 24 deferred its Nov. 20 public hearing on a proposed residential studios (RSUs) amendment to conduct additional community outreach. The board also established a Planning Commission Residential Studios Committee.

Northern Virginia Supports Day to Serve

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), a coalition of 14 counties, cities and towns that work together on regional issues, passed a unanimous resolution endorsing Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell’s call to participate in the 2013 Day to Serve.

New Nosy Recruits ‘Bolt & Silas’ Prepare for Duty

Although they are just a few months old and still in their bonding and training phases, two new bloodhound pups are preparing for the rigors of police work in Fairfax County. Bolt and Silas are the police department’s newest additions to their bloodhound team. The agency purchased the pups in August when they were just 6 weeks old. They join Shnoz and Cody, sisters from the hills of Northern Alabama who joined the agency in 2008 at 19 months old.

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McAuliffe, Cuccinelli Highlight Small Business Summit

Gubernatorial candidates speak at the Mason Inn & Conference Center.

Virginia gubernatorial candidates Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli were the keynote speakers at the fourth annual Virginia Small Business Partnership (VASBP) Summit, hosted by Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies LLC at The Mason Inn in Fairfax on Friday, Sept. 20. “We are thrilled to have them join us,” said Paul A. Miller, chairman of the VASBP.

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Wear Jeans to Work, Help End Homelessness

Register now to participate in Jeans Day Fairfax on Oct. 18.

Just by wearing jeans to work, you can actively help nearly 3,000 men, women and children in Fairfax County who face homelessness and hunger every day. On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Friday, Oct. 18 “Jeans Day Fairfax,” the third annual Jeans Day event in Fairfax County.

Wednesday, September 25

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Area Divers Make National Team

Madison’s Campbell, Robinson’s Flory to represent the U.S. at Junior Pan American Championships.

Grayson Campbell, a sophomore at Madison High School, and Max Flory, a seventh-grader at Robinson Secondary School, will represent the United States at the Junior Pan American Diving Championships from Sept. 26-29 in Tucson, Ariz. More than 100 divers from nine countries will participate.

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Becoming a High School Diplomat

"How to Apply" The HSD application is now available at highschooldiplomats.com, and all parts must be postmarked and sent by January 8th, 2014. The program runs from July 29 to August 9, 2014. Questions can be directed to Celine Zapolski, the American HSD director, at celinezepolski@highschooldiplomats.com.

R. Dennis McArver, Chairman of the Arts Council of Fairfax County, Dies

The Arts Council of Fairfax County is mourning the passing of its chairman, R. Dennis McArver. McArver, a Vienna resident, legal professional and civic arts activist, died Sept. 14. He was born in 1936. "We have lost a dear friend and a strong leader," said Linda S. Sullivan, president and CEO of the Arts Council. "Dennis embraced his role as chairman of the Board with such enthusiasm and vigor and was a tireless advocate for the council and all the arts in Fairfax County," Sullivan continued.

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Area Divers to Represent the U.S. at Junior Pan American Championships

Grayson Campbell, a sophomore at Madison High School, and Max Flory, a seventh-grader at Robinson Secondary School, will represent the United States at the Junior Pan American Diving Championships from Sept. 26-29 in Tucson, Ariz. More than 100 divers from nine countries will participate.

Week in Vienna

Candidates Meet & Greet Forum in Vienna

Social Action Linking Together (SALT) and four co-sponsor groups will host “Fairfax County (NOVA) Candidate Meet & Greet Forum” on Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 to 11 a.m. in Patriot Hall at The Vienna American Legion Post 180. The address is: 330 Center St. N., Vienna. The phone number is 703-938-9535. Representatives of the sponsoring groups will moderate the forum. The public is invited.

Honor Flight Network Brings 90 Veterans to WWII Memorial

On Saturday, Sept. 20, mostly on the spur of the moment, I drove out to Dulles Airport to join my daughter and 4 of her children to greet WWII and Korean War veterans flown to Washington by the Honor Flight Network. My daughter had received an email earlier in the week from a home-schooling friend to invite her to the event.

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Fall Fun Abounds in Vienna

Festive events, the arts, and family activities keep the season busy.

The Vienna-Oakton Connection offers a snapshot of fall fun around the area. Look for our holiday fun guide in November, with details of the Church Street Holiday Stroll, breakfast or lunch with Santa, holiday bazaars, and the Wolf Trap Sing-a-long. In the meantime, grab a sweater, swish your shoes in falling leaves and enjoy the crisp, sunny air. And don’t forget school fall festivals and book sales, as well as The Barns of Wolf Trap, which presents performances almost daily. Over at Waters Field, there are VYI football games all day and under the lights … and the football fun is free. The Vienna Farmers’ Market, in the church parking lot across the street from Waters Field, is open through the end of October.

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Supporting Growing Hope

Optimist Club of Greater Vienna hosts eighth annual Walk & Family Fun Day for Growing Hope.

Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Vienna Town Green, 144 Maple Avenue East. Activities: *3-mile fundraising walk on W&OD trail, musical entertainment by Donaldsons’ Run, games, moonbounce, facepainting, balloon artistry. Dunk tank featuring teachers, government officials and Optimists volunteers, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. *Food and refreshments available for sale; proceeds to Growing Hope.

Tuesday, September 24

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Running, Cycling, Wheeling 5K

Tysons Corner hosts 10th annual Super H 5K.

After losing his leg in an accident in 2004, McLean resident Harry Freedman was, in his words, “in terrible shape.” An avid cyclist, he found himself questioning whether he’d ever be able to ride a bike again.

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Full Disclosure? Forms Plagued By Lack of Information, Absence of Oversight

Fairfax County goes so far as to redact disclosure documents.

Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is in hot water for taking gifts without disclosing them, and legislators are talking about increasing disclosure requirements for family members. But here in Northern Virginia, personal financial disclosure forms are often incomplete and inconsistent.

Saturday, September 21

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McLean Field Hockey Beats Madison

Eckrod's second-half goal lifts Highlanders to victory.

The McLean field hockey team improved to 6-2 with a victory over Madison

Thursday, September 19

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: August, 2013

In August 2013, 134 homes sold between $1,770,000-$199,900 in the Vienna and Oakton area.

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: August, 2013

Editorial: Addressing Virginia’s Economy

Ending gridlock in Congress and supporting health care reform would be huge steps in supporting economic recovery in Virginia.

The strength of Virginia’s economy, especially Northern Virginia’s economy, comes significantly from federal spending. So while the governor and other elected officials claim that Virginia’s success is because Virginia is a low-tax state with fewer regulations, it’s worth considering that the sequester and continuing gridlock in Congress threaten Virginia’s most important resource, federal spending.

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Navy Yard Shootings Hit Close to Home

Four Fairfax County victims killed in Washington Navy Yard rampage.

“Marty was a kind and caring man. He had such a sweet spirit and was in every way a man that lived his life to honor Christ.” —Pastor Steve Holley of Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield

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Local Business Leaders Spotlight Opportunities for UK Companies

Fairfax County EDA organizes Sept. 26 seminar in London.

Fairfax County’s Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) officials announced Tuesday, Sept. 17, that local executives will speak at a London seminar to spotlight opportunities for British companies interested in homeland security business opportunities in the United States.

Full Disclosure?

Forms plagued by a lack of information, absence of oversight; redacted documents.

Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is in hot water for taking gifts without disclosing them, and legislators are talking about increasing disclosure requirements for family members. But here in Northern Virginia, personal financial disclosure forms are often incomplete and inconsistent. Some elected officials choose to disclose a great deal of information while others disclose very little. Fairfax County officials have decided to redact information that's supposed to be part of the public record. And nobody is reviewing the forms to make sure they are accurate.

Classified Advertising Sept. 18, 2013

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Wednesday, September 18

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Artistic Talents Unlocked

Stimulating “The Pitmen Painters” at 1st stage.

"When and Where" 1st Stage presents "The Pitmen Painters" at 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons Corner. Performances: Now thru Oct. 13: Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets: General admission: $27. Seniors $22. Students and Military $15. Visit: www.1ststagetysons.org or 703-854-1856. Note: Appropriate for ages 12 and up. Note: Want to know: http://www.ashingtongroup.co.uk/home.html.

Week in Vienna

Arrest Made in Homicide in the Vienna Area

Police are investigating an overnight homicide that occurred outside the Residence Inn, located at 8616 Westwood Center Drive. Officers were called to the location around 2 a.m. on Sept. 15 for the report of a person who was shot. They located the victim on the sidewalk and began efforts to resuscitate him; however, he was pronounced dead at the scene with injuries to the upper body.

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Rauner Receives a Lifetime Achievement Award

Sharon Stakes, Executive Vice President of The Business Bank, announced that Harold C. Rauner, President/CEO of The Business Bank was honored with Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award on Sept. 6, 2013 at the Westin Washington Dulles Hotel and Resort in Herndon. Harry Rauner is a graduate of George Mason University, where he received both Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Business Administration with a major in Finance and Real Estate. He began his banking career at the McLean Bank in 1974, where he held various positions to include Senior Vice President of Loan Administration and Commercial Loan Officer. He left McLean Bank in early 1987 to organize the Heritage Bank of Northern Virginia where he served as President, CEO and Director. Rauner left Heritage Bank to join The Business Bank in late 1994 where he assumed his current positions.

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Environmental Peace Makers to Visit Unity of Fairfax in Oakton

Few bodies of water in the world are as revered, as fought over, or as polluted as the lower Jordan River, whose vital waters are shared by Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians. Yet this river of historic conflict has become a symbol of peaceful cooperation, largely through the efforts of Friends of the Earth Middle East (FOEME), a unique, award-winning, tri-national organization that unites Jordanians, Palestinians, and Israelis around one very simple idea: the peaceful stewardship of the Earth. On Monday, Sept. 30, these gentlemen, who were named Heroes of the Environment by Time magazine, will be making a rare visit to the U.S., stopping in Oakton to speak to faith communities to raise awareness, build political momentum, and share their reasons for hope with Americans possessing strong spiritual ties to the Holy Land. They will be appearing at churches, mosques, synagogues and houses of worship in the Washington area from Sept. 27 to Oct. 5, followed by events in Chicago and New York.

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Vienna Commemorates ‘A Day to Remember’

Town, American Legion Post 180, pay tribute to lives lost on September 11, 2001.

On a hot and humid September 11, 2013, people in Vienna—as they did in towns and cities across America—reflected on the horrific terrorist attack that altered the lives of Americans from that date forward 12 years ago. More than 3,000 innocent human beings lost their lives when jetliners slammed into the World Trade Center twin towers, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. Patriot Day pays tribute to lives lost, lives impacted and to the living who put themselves in harm's way to protect the nation.

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Vienna Youth Football Season Kicks Off

There’s pro football, college football, high school football … and then, there’s VYI football. On a crisp fall day, it’s a long-time Vienna Saturday tradition. And now, Fairfax County’s youth football season is in full swing.

Historic Church Gets New Roof

The historic Antioch Christian Church is getting a new roof. The structure getting the new roof was built 1902-1903. Antioch Christian church is located at 1860 Beulah Road in Vienna. The church services include: Starting Point Contemporary worship - 9:30 a.m.; Classic/Traditional worship - 11 a.m.; Sunday School Bible Study- 9:30 a..m. and 11 a.m.

World Food Crisis Is Focus of Marshall High's Model UN Training Conference

Marshall High School’s 10th annual My First Model United Nations (Model UN) training conference will provide high school and middle school students with the opportunity to debate solutions to the world food crisis. The conference is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19. Marshall High School is a Fairfax County public school.

Tuesday, September 17

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Spring Hill RECenter Set For Renovation

New fitness center, basketball court, renovated facilities part of $7.1 million project.

The Spring Hill RECenter in McLean will be renovated and expanded by 36,000 square feet over the next year and a half. The project, which was funded through the 2012 Park Bond, will commence with a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday, Sept. 21.

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Planning Area’s Future Transit

Transportation officials discuss transportation funding, projects.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance hosted their annual "What You Need to Know About Transportation" seminar Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Gannett building in McLean.

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A New Beginning for Fairfax County Public Libraries?

Library trustees vote to discard beta plan in favor of more public outreach sessions.

On Wall Street, a “beta” test refers to assessing the risk, volatility and expected return of a particular portfolio. If Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) officials had a crystal ball to assess the volatility of its planned beta tests this fall, it’s likely they may have steered clear of the project that became a quagmire of epic proportions.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

County suspends discarding of library books.

Just when Sam Clay, Fairfax County’s Public Library director, thought FCPL’s public image couldn’t get any worse, Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence) released photos of bins filled to the brim with discarded library books.

Letter: Joining Forces to Prevent Homelessness

You can prevent homelessness, you can end chronic homelessness, you can move people rapidly out of homelessness. What you cannot do is stand aside and let people fall. This simple belief—that together we can change the rate and severity of people losing their homes—brings together nonprofits, for-profits, civic leaders and government staff. We each play a special role, depending on our location and mission. For United Community Ministries (UCM), prevention is the key.

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Beckford Carries Episcopal Football Past Flint Hill

Senior running back runs for 312 yards, 5 touchdowns.

Episcopal offense looks strong in season opener.

Friday, September 13

Column: Now This is What

Do nothing (no more treatment) and live life to the fullest (for as long as I’m able, and right now, I’m extremely able); start another chemotherapy protocol – with an I.V. chemotherapy drug which, according to my oncologist, has not been proven in any clinical setting to be better than the patient doing nothing; or, try to get into a Study (Phase 1, 2 or 3) at either N.I.H. (National Institutes of Health) or Johns Hopkins (in Baltimore) and let the treatment chips fall wherever experimental/research medicine takes them. This is what my oncologist discussed with Team Lourie at my most recent appointment, my first appointment with him since my hospitalization and subsequent release.

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NVAR Summit at GMU’s Mason Inn

Complex shortage of homes for sale likely to persist; boomers not planning to retire, not planning to move, experts say. Rising mortgage rates should inspire renters to buy soon.

Nationally syndicated columnist and moderator Kenneth R. Harney introduced the expert panel for the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) 17th annual Economic Summit Thursday morning, Sept. 5. Dr. David Crowe, chief economist and senior vice president of the National Association of Home Builders, joined economic experts David E. Versel, a senior research associate at the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis, and Dr. Lawrence Yun, senior economist for the National Association of Realtors.

Condo Renovations

As sales of condominiums grow, so does demand for luxury renovations.

More people are moving from leafy, sprawling suburbs to more urban areas, neighborhoods both in the city and in Northern Virginia that offer close proximity to restaurants, jobs, cultural activities and Metro.

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Big Ideas for Small Spaces

Local designers offer ideas for decorating small rooms.

Whether one is sprucing up a small powder room or decorating a studio apartment, space limitations often pose a design challenge. However, local designers say that no matter how a small space’s square footage or how awkward the layout, there are plenty of decorative cures for small spaces. Whether one is sprucing up a small powder room or decorating a studio apartment, space limitations often pose a design challenge. However, local designers say that no matter how a small space’s square footage or how awkward the layout, there are plenty of decorative cures for small spaces.

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Top-to-Bottom Makeover Embraces Longterm Horizons

The Hollis family wanted a house that would work better today — and long into the future.

Sometimes it’s not limited square footage that makes a house feel inadequate — it’s how that square footage is configured.

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Like Magic

New plan in built-out 1940s colonial gains vital square footage as young family looks ahead.

In the end, a skillful spatial reconfiguration is like a deft magician's trick — you've seen it with your own eyes, but you still can't figure out how they did it. “Really, I don't know how this plan created so much more usable space,” Alexandria resident Alice Goulet said, discussing a recent reconfiguration to several rooms in the family's 1,800-square-foot center-hall Colonial.

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Northern Virginia Designers Awarded Rooms in Showhouse Event

Northern Virginia/metro area interior designers Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design and Wayne Breeden of E. Wayne Breeden Design are among 17 designers awarded rooms at the benefit Winchester Showhouse & Gardens, open to the public through Sept. 29.

Sun Design Named One of U.S.’s Fastest Growing Private Companies

Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc., of Fairfax, was named by Inc. Magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies. This is the fourth time the magazine has included Sun Design on its annual Inc. 5000 list.

Thursday, September 12

Editorial: Small Steps to Fight Homelessness

Efficiency apartments would serve 20-somethings, service workers, retirees and more.

One way to prevent homelessness is to think small. It doesn’t take much space to house one person. Sure, many houses in our area have 1,000 square feet and sometimes two or three times that much per person, but that’s really not necessary.

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Celebrating Diversity Through Music

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) will be presenting bilingual master classes and outreach presentations at various Fairfax County venues.

With grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Arts Council of Fairfax County, the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) will be presenting bi-lingual master classes and outreach presentations at various Fairfax County venues in the coming weeks.

Week in Vienna

Historic Vienna, Inc. is sponsoring a lecture by USAF veteran, retired diplomat and author Robert F. Dorr. On Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 in the Council Chamber of Vienna’s Town Hall, Dorr will discuss his latest book, “Mission To Tokyo,” the story of the American airmen, ground crews and escorts who flew long-range bombing missions during the final months of World War II. Dorr’s presentation is open to the public and refreshments will be served.

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A Family Affair

Generations of neighbors gather to celebrate the 51st annual Dunn-Loring Woods block party.

“We try to come back every year. This was a great place to grow up and just be a kid. It still is.” —Michael O’Roarke, who brought his wife Joan and son Lan to Saturday’s 51st annual Dunn-Loring Woods block party.

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Whole Foods Supports the Oakton-Vienna Shepherd’s Center

Several times a year, the Whole Foods Market stores hold community giving days (otherwise known as “5 percent days”) where five percent of that day’s net sales are donated to a local nonprofit. The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) in partnership with Our Daily Bread were the recipients of a recently held Whole Foods “5 percent Day” at the Vienna store where $4,338 was raised.

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Koi Bring a Bit of Japan to Vienna

ZNA Potomac Koi Club hosts weekend competition at Meadowlark Gardens.

If Meadowlark Botanical Gardens and glistening other-worldly koi seem to be a perfect fit, that’s because they were harmoniously wed on Sept. 7 and 8, as the ZNA Potomac Koi Club presented its annual koi show and competition. The competition, bringing in nishikigoi [koi] hobbyists from Connecticut to South Carolina, was open and free to the public. Two hundred and sixty two nishikigoi, “living jewels,” entered the competition this year, breaking the Potomac chapter’s record for the show.

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Regional Flavors of India Come to Vienna

Curry Mantra 3 offers traditional and signature dishes.

Curry Mantra 3 turned upside-down the adage, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” on Sept. 8. Not only did the new restaurant at Cedar Park Shopping Center serve free lunch to celebrate its grand opening, it served free dinner, as well. Vienna guests and loyal customers from Curry Mantra 1 and 2 lined up at the door in support of Vienna’s newest entry into the town’s burgeoning restaurant scene. A hostess manning the door let people in as guests left—that’s how busy it was.

Classified Advertising September 11, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Thursday, September 5

Opinion: Dangers of Failure To Act

Our current and future standing in the international community is on the line.

President Obama has sought Congressional approval to carry out limited surgical strikes in Syria against the regime of Bashar al Assad in response to his use of chemical weapons to attack Syrian civilians, which killed 1,429 people, including 426 children.

Editorial: Later Start Times for High School

It’s past time to act; let this year be the year.

Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, the first day of school in Fairfax County, Dr. Karen Garza began her official day at 6:30 a.m. at Chantilly High School. While Garza was making herself available for interviews before the first class started at 7:20 a.m., many students were already on the school bus.

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Wellbeing: How To Set Realistic Goals

Local experts say the key to success is setting achievable goals.

Laura Wheeler Poms, of Fairfax, set out to earn a doctorate degree and make a career change. As a wife, mother and working professional, the goal, she said, often felt lofty. “Writing my dissertation at times felt overwhelming, especially if I looked at it as one huge project,” said Poms, who now holds a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology and is an assistant professor of global and community health at George Mason University in Fairfax. “I set goals like writing one page or doing one analysis each day and I was able to get it done. I also gave myself little rewards along the way.”

Column: Indeterminate Sentence

And no, that’s not another made-up phrase by yours truly describing my occasionally cluttered/run-on prose with which many of you extremely patient regular readers are all too familiar. No, it has to do with how I perceive my future now that I’m post-hospital and sleeping in my own bed. Instead of nurses, respiratory therapists, X-ray technicians, doctors and miscellaneous other hospital staff too numerous to list, I have one wife and five cats to do my bidding. And though they’re not nearly as attentive as the hospital staff, I know that they all have my best interests at heart.

Saving Jobs in Hard Times

Virginia lawmakers will push work sharing legislation this session.

“Having been through the recession and recent slight increases in Virginia unemployment rates as federal sequestration takes effect, it is important that we give Virginia businesses all the tools we can to help them and their employees get through challenging times. This bill does that.” —State Sen. George Barker (D-39)

‘Shared Work:’ A Win-Win-Win Solution

Preventing layoffs, maintaining the well-being of employees and their communities and keeping businesses competitive.

How do we mitigate the devastating effects of layoffs on employees, employers and their communities? Is there a "win-win-win" solution?

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Joe Gittinger of Dunn Loring Wins Fishing Tournament

Joe Gittinger of Dunn Loring places first in historical first known fishing tournament in the country to offer a designated cash purse for individuals with intellectual disabilities. He collected $250 with the 1st place prize of the Travis Smith Special Angler Award. The designated cash purse was added to this year’s Lancaster County Little League Spanish Mackerel tournament on Saturday, Aug. 24th. The tournament is based in Kilmarnock, Va., located in Virginia’s Northern Neck, with 56 vessels competing in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Weichert, Realtors Recognizes Patricia Stack

Sales Associate Patricia Stack of the Vienna office was individually recognized for her exceptional industry success during the month of July. A top producer, Stack led the region, which comprises offices throughout Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier and Delaware counties, in resale dollar volume. Invite this top neighborhood specialist in to learn about the real estate services that Weichert, Realtors has to offer. She can be reached in Weichert’s Vienna office at 156 East Maple Avenue or by phone at 703-938-6070.

Vienna Among Top-earning Towns, Best for Families

In addition to being one of the top three “Best Places to Live,” Money Magazine has named Vienna on its list of “Top-Earning Towns.” Vienna is ranked 24 in a list of 25 towns across the country that have above national average household income and home prices. Vienna is joined on the list by Falls Church, at number 18 on the “Top-Earning Town” list.

Two FCPS Students Elected Key Club International Officers

Two Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students have been elected to the 2013-14 Key Club International Board of Trustees. Raeford Penny, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), was elected international president of the organization, and Eric Yoon of Oakton High School was elected as an international trustee.

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Creative Framing Hosts Artist Shari MacFarlane

Bob Cramer, owner of Creative Framing on Maple Avenue West in downtown Vienna, invites members of the community to come in and enjoy original works by water and mixed media artist Shari MacFarlane.

Viewpoints: What are you looking forward to the most this school year?

“I’m looking forward to sports, football, basketball … looking forward to that. Also the challenge of new classes this year because junior year is typically the most difficult. I’m starting to look at colleges this year.”

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Excited to Go Back to School

Fairfax County Public Schools began school year on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

If any of the children waiting at a Westbriar Elementary School bus stop had first-day-of-school jitters, no one showed them. The kids intuitively lined up as the bus approached the stop as parents waved good-bye. The children were excited; parents marked another passage in their children’s lives.

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Capturing Vienna’s History

Historic Vienna, Inc. project recorded and filmed residents’ recollections of earlier Vienna.

There was a time when there was no Rt. 66 ramp in Vienna … mainly because there was a time when there was no Rt. 66 anywhere nearby. Nor was there a Capital Beltway. There was, however, a time when a train from Alexandria stopped in Vienna going west. There was a time when there were maple trees on Maple Avenue and churches along Church Street. Before Louise Archer Elementary School was named after the principal who ran the school for many pivotal years, it was a “colored” school.

Town Launches Shop Vienna Initiative

In July of this year, the Town of Vienna launched the Shop Vienna initiative, an online directory listing all in-town businesses. The directory is organized by category and individuals who “claim” their business will have their own micro-site on the town’s website.

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YMM Art Space Opens in Vienna

YMM Art Space is a children’s art education company that started eight years ago in Shenzhen, China, by Yang Hongmei, with the mission to provide children with the highest quality art programs and to stimulate children’s innate creativity through art education. Mrs. Yang started out as a private art teacher offering lessons from her home and eventually expanding her vision, YMM Art Space, into a global arts education center with locations in Hong-Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing, China as well as Toronto, Canada. Currently, there are over 30,000 students enrolled in YMM Art Space globally, and their age ranges from 2-18 years old.

Wednesday, September 4

Classified Advertising Sept. 4, 2013

Read the latest ads here!