Thursday, October 30
High Schools to Start Later Next Year
School Board approves later start times.
Phyllis Payne has been fighting for more sleep for a decade. On Oct. 23, it all paid off. The co-founder of Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal - or SLEEP - saw the Fairfax County Public School Board approve to move high school start times ahead by 30 minutes, 11-1.
Fairfax County Calendar
Your guide to entertainment in Fairfax County.
For those looking to fill their calendar with some home-brewed, Fairfax County fun stuff (read: entertainment and diversion), The Connection's Fairfax County Entertainment Calendar has many options: weekend jaunts and larks; date night inspiration; winter-to-spring fun; day-long festivals and events; art-outings; family fun-and-learning fusions; plays and shows; beyond-Small Business Saturday local shopping and bazaars; markets of handcrafted wares; music; 1Ks to marathons... the list goes on. If you know of an event not listed in our entertainment calendar, email it to south@connectionnewspapers.com for happenings in south Fairfax County or north@connectionnewspapers.com for entertainment in the northern parts of the county.
Poll Position
Local academics following the 11th Districts race say there’s really no substitute for the strength of incumbency.
Despite low public opinion of President Obama and a minimally productive Congress, representative Gerry Connolly has plenty going for him as the incumbent seeking re-election in Virginia’s largely democratic 11th district.
Wednesday, October 29
Board Approves Bicycle Master Plan
The Fairfax County Government Center has several massive parking lots. Many hundreds of spaces. But Bruce Wright and members of the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling only needed some rack real estate in front of the building. They rode into the afternoon session of the Board of Supervisors on two wheels apiece from Reston, taking the West Ox Road Side Path.
Stage Presence
Cappies recognized among arts leaders at Arts Council awards.
After Bill Strauss first approached Judy Bowns about creating a student-driven arts awards and journalism organization 16 years ago, the ensuing creative partnership resembled a pair of cartoon characters.
Madison Continues Playoff Push with Shutout of McLean
QB Gastrock, WR Ebersole connect for three touchdown passes.
Madison football defeated McLean 40-0 on Oct. 24.
Letter: Stealth Candidate
To the Editor: Why won’t Comstock speak to us?
Vienna Teen Conducts Free Self-Defense Workshop for Peers
Charlotte Heffelmire teaches safety strategies and tactics in November.
Charlotte Heffelmire is a Black Belt from Vienna, a McLean High School senior who is a classical musician and a philanthropist. She hopes to attend a military academy and study to become a doctor. This past summer, she completed a training program at the F.B.I. - "Future Agents in Training" - at F.B.I. facilities in D.C. and Quantico.
Miniature Recreations of Americana Come to Vienna
Mount Vernon Miniatures Club Exhibits at Freeman Store and Museum.
At Freeman Store and Museum on Oct. 25 and 26, the Mount Vernon Miniatures Club presented its first exhibit at the Museum, featuring room boxes and doll houses. The exhibit took over Freeman House’s parlor and dining room with 30 pieces from mini-miniature to larger-scale miniature vignette recreations.
Vienna Man Guilty of Wire Fraud
Bilked investment clients out of more than $1 million.
A Vienna man is facing possible decades in prison after pleading guilty last week in federal court to defrauding clients that he advised about financial investments. He is Ismail Elmas, 49.
Letter to the Editor: Champion for Veterans
To the Editor: I am writing to bring the attention of voters to the importance of the choice they have in the election for the 10th Congressional District.
Witches, Goblins and Pumpkins, Oh, My!
Vienna’s annual Family Halloween Party was Saturday, Oct. 18, outside the community center.
Column: Running Out of Efficacy
Not that I’m the least bit worried (actually, I’m the most bit worried), but surviving a terminal cancer diagnosis years beyond one’s original prognosis does present its own unique set of problems.
Editorial: Change for the Better in Fairfax County Schools
Later start times, full-day Mondays; who knows, next maybe gifted-and-talented programs for poor students?
Who says big bureaucracies can’t make big changes? One year into the tenure of Karen Garza, we have two huge changes that between them impact almost every single student, every family with children in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Follin Lane Project Is Still Worrisome
Residents question safety and need for long turn lane.
The Town of Vienna is moving full-speed ahead with its plan to widen Follin Lane from two to three lanes. And last Monday, Oct. 20, it awarded $59,000 to Urban Ltd. for additional engineering services associated with the project.
Local Foundation Promotes Campus Safety
The VTV Family Outreach Foundation, a Centreville-based national non-profit campus safety advocacy organization, held their 2014 annual meeting last weekend at the Sheraton Reston Hotel. VTV was formed by the families of victims and survivors of the April 16, 2007 mass shooting tragedy at Virginia Tech.
Monday, October 27
Opinion: Vote ‘Yes’ on Transportation Bond
When you enter the voting booth on Nov. 4, you’ll be asked to vote Yes or No on a $100 million Fairfax County transportation bond. (Bonds are a form of long-term borrowing to finance public facilities and infrastructure and spread the costs over a long time frame. Virginia law requires that general obligation bonds be approved by voters in a referendum.)
Thursday, October 23
Carter, Zanellato Keep Madison Volleyball Undefeated
Warhawks beat defending state champion Langley.
The Madison volleyball team remained undefeated.
Connect Four
Complete ballot of 11th District candidates faced off in Lake Ridge.
It wasn’t so much a down and dirty debate as a no-frills four-way question-and-answer session. Not that AARP and the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), two of the sponsors of the “Meet the Candidates” series billed the Oct. 14 event as such. Tuesday’s meeting was the penultimate of seven events in the series.
Wednesday, October 22
‘Kids Can Be Themselves Here’
Vienna Teen Center celebrates 15th anniversary.
A place to hang out with friends after school, play sports and games, do arts and crafts and just have fun – that’s the Vienna Teen Center. Called Club Phoenix, it’s on the bottom floor of the Vienna Community Center, and it just celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Vienna Realtor to Be Honored
In her effort to break the cycle of poverty for the working poor in the Washington D.C. region, Rosemary Tran Lauer founded the Devotion for Children nonprofit.
Volunteers Needed to Help Virginians Get Covered
Last winter, 2,045 Northern Virginian families were able to get answers about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and enroll in healthcare coverage, thanks to a community-wide investment of nonprofit organizations, local government, foundations and volunteers.
Connolly to Hold Open Season Workshop for Federal Employees and Retirees
Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-11) will hold his annual Open Season Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 15 to help federal employees and retirees navigate through the many changes in the 2015 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans, dental and vision insurance programs, and flexible spending accounts. The federal government’s Open Season runs from Nov. 10 through Dec. 8.
Column: Self-Indulgent or Self-Effacing
After re-reading last week’s column: “Not in the Mood,” I began wondering if that column had strayed beyond the boundaries, so to speak, and was too much about me and not enough about my circumstances.
Fairfax Education Summit to Be Held on Oct. 25
The Fairfax County School Board will host Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) fifth annual Education Summit, Mapping Your Student’s Unique Journey: Explore the Many Choices in Fairfax County Public Schools, on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 8 a.m. at Edison High School.
Self-Indulgent or Self-Effacing
After re-reading last week’s column: “Not in the Mood,” I began wondering if that column had strayed beyond the boundaries, so to speak, and was too much about me and not enough about my circumstances. Certainly I understand, given my column’s recurring theme, that the subjects of me and my circumstances – and the personal stories I share with you regular readers – are basically the same. Still, I never want the content to be considered important because it’s MY life that’s being profiled. Quite the contrary. If the columns were any more about me, you wouldn’t be interested.
Editorial: Yes to Fairfax Transportation Bond
$84 million for pedestrian, bike and trail improvements.
Of more than 75 projects included in the current proposal, on the ballot for Nov. 4, all but seven are designed to make Fairfax County safer and more inviting for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Tuesday, October 21
Marriage Equality in Fairfax and Beyond
County courthouse marries all couples.
Wearing matching hot pink outerwear and short, spiky hair in front of the Fairfax County Government Center on Oct. 6, Yvonne Landis and Melodie Mayo of Falls Church were the first same sex couple to say “I do” in the county.
Friday, October 17
Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: September, 2014
In September 2014, 79 homes sold between $2,125,000-$268,000 in the Vienna and Oakton area.
Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: September, 2014
Thursday, October 16
Crashing the Parties
Marc Harrold, Libertarian; Joe Galdo, Green, run for Congress.
Marc Harrold is a self-professed creature of habit. He’s been going to the same bars and restaurants near his Fairfax home for years, where the close friends he’s made there say his great sense of humor and diverse intelligence help him “hold court” and converse easily with anyone, on any subject.
Sarvis: Warner-Gillespie Debate ‘Disappointing’
Libertarian candidate says chamber’s decision to include only major-party candidates in U.S. Senate debate a “disservice” to voters.
After a full day of campaigning at Fort Belvoir on Friday, Oct. 11, Robert Sarvis talked about his campaign for U.S. Senate, and his disappointment in not being invited to participate in Tuesday’s U.S. Senate Debate — a major televised debate hosted by The Fairfax Chamber at Capitol One’s convention center in McLean. “The Fairfax Chamber informed us that it was nothing other than ‘tradition’ to only invite major party candidates,” Sarvis said. “But this was after we formally requested an invitation, noted that over 145,000 Virginians voted for Robert Sarvis for governor in 2013, and sent them a petition signed by over 1,000 Virginians in support of a three-candidate debate.”
Warner, Gillespie Clash in U.S. Senate Debate
Stark distinctions on same-sex marriage, immigration, abortion and healthcare.
In front of an audience of Northern Virginia business leaders, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Republican challenger Ed Gillespie honed their attacks on each other during a sharp, wide-ranging debate Tuesday evening, Oct. 7.
Getting Children Excited for Halloween
Local experts offer advice for keeping trick-or-treating fun, not scary, for small children.
For many children, Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. From Power Rangers and athletes to princesses and pirates, dressing up in their spookiest or most imaginative attire and trolling the streets in search of treats is a major part of the fun for school-age children. For younger children, however, the ghosts and goblins who are meant to entertain can cause too much of a fright.
The Private School Admissions Process
Local educators offer insider tips on how to select and get a child admitted to the perfect school.
While this school year might still feel new, some parents are already thinking next fall. Or if they’re not, they should be. For parents who are considering sending their children to one of the area’s private schools for the 2015-2016 school year, the application process should be underway.
Not in the Mood
Sometimes, believe it or not, I’m not in the mood to be a terminal cancer patient (duh). Not that the effect is particularly tangible, but the weight of it, as well as the associated waits I’ve occasionally written about, can get awfully heavy. Moreover, in spite of my best psychological efforts, generally speaking, there seems little I can do to diminish its effect. More often than not, it’s merely time; simply time passing and/or time spent trying to talk myself out-of how I feel and in-to how I haven’t failed.
Editorial: Coming - Children’s Connection
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.
Wednesday, October 15
Week in Vienna
Weekly happenings in Vienna.
Bellini Salon Hosts ‘Princess and Firefighter Party’
Transformation for girls and boys donated by Bellini staff.
The Bellini Salon of Vienna welcomes children 14 and under to become either a “princess” for a day, or firefighter, at its “Princess and Firefighter Party” to benefit the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
A Thurber Carnival’ Comes to Town
Vienna Theatre Company presents 15 of James Thurber’s most-recognized scenes.
With every production, the Vienna Theatre Company stretches its comfort zone. In this fall, 2014, production, VTC draws on a series of scenes based on The New Yorker (mostly) short pieces and cartoons of American humorist James Thurber.
Introducing Ottomate, and the Inventor Behind it
While many have been seeking ways to save on home electric bills, one local high school student has been working on a solution.
An Economic Debate
8th Congressional District candidates differ over priorities.
Congressional candidates Don Beyer and Micah Edmond squared off last week at a forum in what could rank as one of the election season’s tamest political debates.
Column: Not in the Mood
Sometimes, believe it or not, I’m not in the mood to be a terminal cancer patient (duh). Not that the effect is particularly tangible, but the weight of it, as well as the associated waits I’ve occasionally written about, can get awfully heavy.
Following Don Beyer’s Political Journey
Don Beyer likes climbing mountains. One of his two current dreams is to climb a via feratta, one of the climbing routes along the alps. Beyer has a certain fascination with the Eiger, or “The North Wall.” For Beyer, the appeal is in the challenge.
Micah Edmond Walking the District
On the campaign trail with Edmond.
Micah Edmond’s 8th District Congressional campaign has a problem.
Tuesday, October 14
Seeing Red and Blue with Connolly
Colleagues say Gerry Connolly’s vision central to productivity.
Gerry Connolly doesn’t have 20/20 vision. His round wire-framed spectacles and cropped salt-and-pepper mustache have long accessorized his look, whether sporting a black pinstripe suit or a billowy navy University of Virginia windbreaker
Saturday, October 11
Week in Vienna
What's happening this week in Vienna?
Sun, Blue Skies Kept Watch Over Vienna Oktoberfest
Live entertainment, food and beer, children’s activities and streets of vendors mark Church Street festival.
A chilling wind late in the day scattered many of the fairgoers at Vienna’s 7th Annual Oktoberfest on Saturday. But
‘It’s Hands-On History’
Oakton High student participates in archaeological dig.
Oakton High junior Corina Gribble got to be part of history recently when she participated in an archaeological dig to find the remains of a home from the 1800s in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Centreville.
Residents Receive Community Enhancement Awards
On Sept. 22, the Vienna Town Council presented Community Enhancement, Beauty and Sustainability awards to four sets of local residents.
Friday, October 10
Bio and Q&A with Gerry Connolly
Q: What do you think are your top three accomplishments in office? A: * The Silver Line. I wasn’t alone, but I'm very proud of my championship of the Silver Line and the fact that it's up and running and succeeding. It took 19 years to sort of get people to reimagine it and get it built. It was a long, tough struggle.
Thursday, October 9
Wednesday, October 8
Flint Hill’s Vaughn Rushes for 208 Yards in Loss
Flint Hill's Cameron Vaughn had a big afternoon against Bishop Ireton on Oct. 3.
Jill’s House Holds Open House
Non-profit welcomes visitors during annual open house.
On Oct. 5, Jill’s House was open to visitors to tour the 42,000-square-foot center. A non-profit organization providing respite care for children with special needs, Jill’s House serves more than 500 families.
Letter
Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations.
Dear Chairman and Board Members: The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations (the Federation) appreciates the many years of support that the Board of Supervisors (BOS) has provided to the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL). Recently, the FCPL introduced new policies that the Federation decided to examine.
Focus on Transportation
Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance presents regional priorities at 10th annual event.
“What You Need to Know about Transportation in Five Minutes or Less” was the working title of this year’s Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance (NVTA) seminar and reception held on Sept. 30 at Capital One’s auditorium in McLean.
Column: Week Of, Weak On, Week Off
This column completes the three-week arc which describes what I have endured mostly successfully for approximately five years now: chemotherapy every three weeks – with one year off for good behavior (not really good behavior; the year off was to switch to a twice-daily pill, Tarceva, to be taken at home, since the previous treatment was no longer stemming the tide). It’s been my experience that these anti-cancer drugs don’t exactly work forever.
Sunday, October 5
Warhawk Band Wins Cougar Gold
29th Annual Oakton Invitational Marching Band Competition
What do you get when 17 high school marching bands from Northern Virginia compete at the 29th Annual Oakton Invitational? A lot of fun, music and good vibes.
Week in Vienna
What's happening this week in Vienna.
Warning to Residents: Wildlife Aren’t Pets
Town of Vienna police are reminding residents that wildlife are not pets and shouldn’t be treated as such. Vienna is home to numerous types of wildlife that often wander into residential neighborhoods.
Vienna Girl Scout Coordinates Self-defense Workshop
Girl Scout Alison (Aly) Luckett of Vienna, an 11th grader at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, coordinated a Self-Defense Workshop that was presented by the Fairfax County Police.
Little Free Library, in Memory of M. Jane Seeman, Dedicated on Town Green
As a book-lover, Vienna’s late mayor volunteered more than 3,000 hours at Patrick Henry Library.
Vienna’s late mayor, M. Jane Seeman, loved books, loved reading, loved Patrick Henry Library where she volunteered more than 3,000 hours.
Vienna Family Joins Race for Every Child
Steve Hurlburt and his wife Idalia Ramos are expecting their second child at the end of November. Unfortunately, their daughter will need surgery for a serious heart defect several months after being born.
Hail to the Heroes: State Champs
On Sept. 22, the Vienna Town Council honored the Vienna Little League team, the American All Stars, nicknamed The Red Army, for winning the ages 9-10 Little League State Championship.
Family Fun Day for ‘Growing Hope’ Draws Big Turnout on Town Green
Live music, activities, food and fun raises funds for families of children with cancer.
The Vienna Town Green rung out with joyful sounds, from children’s laughter to live pop music, on Saturday, Sept. 27, as the Optimists of Greater Vienna hosted its 9th Annual Family Fun Day and Fun Walk for “Growing Hope.”
Vienna Teen Honored for Poetry Writing
Megan Do just writes poetry in her spare time — and as a junior as Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, she has precious little of it. Yet one of her recent efforts won second place for poetry in a competition sponsored by the Writers of Chantilly.
Green Light for MAC Zoning
Town Council approves Maple Avenue ordinance.
It’s taken a great deal of time, effort, research and wrangling; but last Monday, the Vienna Town Council approved the ordinance defining the Maple Avenue Commercial Zone regulations. The ordinance is now set to be formally adopted Oct. 20.
Thursday, October 2
Suzanne Scholte Fighting for Recognition in 11th District
Suzanne Scholte knows she has her work cut out for her. “This isn’t a race anybody's thinking is worth looking at,” she said at a meet and greet event in Montclair last weekend. “I think it was described as ‘Quixotic.’”
Yang, Heier Lead Oakton Volleyball to Victory
Cougars have won 6 of 7, will face Chantilly.
The Oakton volleyball team beat Centreville.
Madison Volleyball Wins Rebel Invitational
Warhawks undefeated through 15 matches.
The Madison girls' volleyball team won a tournament at Fairfax High School.
Wednesday, October 1
New Voter Identification Requirements
There are new requirements for voter identification that voters must bring with them to the polling place.
Voting Early, Absentee
Elections 2014
Virtually every voter in Virginia is eligible to vote absentee, which includes voting in-person absentee at a variety of locations from now through Nov. 1.
Column: Pre-Chemo Peek
I realize, given last week’s column: “Post-Chemo Week,” this week’s column about the preceding week (week-of, actually) of chemotherapy might be a bit bass-ackward, but it seemed reasonable to me that if you regular readers had an interest in the week-after, perhaps you’d have a similar interest in the week-before.