Stories for December 2015

Stories for December 2015

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Wednesday, December 30

Classified Advertising December 30, 2015

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Friday, December 25

Editorial: Merry Christmas

The pages of the Connection have been full of holiday spirit for more than a month. Menorah lightings, group and individual efforts to help the needy, stories of giving, secular celebrations, religious celebrations.

Letter: A Big Thank You

To the Editor

The Woman’s Club of McLean would like to express its gratitude to the the McLean,Vienna and Great Falls communities for their support of the club’s 49th annual Holiday Homes Tour and Boutique.

Wednesday, December 23

Classified Advertising December 23, 2015

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Tuesday, December 22

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Fairfax, Vienna: Fourth Thai By Thai Opens in Dunn Loring

Chief Chef Eed Banchanurat Landon loves to listen to and accommodate her customers. When those at the Sterling location of her Thai By Thai restaurants started requesting other dishes than were on the menu -- things they remembered eating back in Thailand -- she was happy to oblige.

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Fairfax County School Board Opens the Door for School Name Changes

No decisions made to affect current school names.

The Fairfax County School Board did not change any names of schools at its Dec. 17 regular business meeting.

Monday, December 21

Letter: A Big Thank You

Letter to the Editor

Letter

Vienna: A Year in Review

Highlights of 2015

Highlights of 2015

Success with a Little Help

Northern Virginia Family Service is changing families and changing futures.

Crystal Farrington isn’t afraid to work. In fact, she worked at a dry cleaning company for seven years and increased her salary by 50 percent in that time.

Local Student Honored for Scientific Research

Daniel Chae and his teammates won a $30,000 scholarship in Siemens Competition.

A high school senior from Oakton received a national honor recently for a scientific research project on 3-D tissue printing. Daniel Chae, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, was named a national finalist in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology.

Independence Days

For many area seniors, aging-in-place is a strike for self-reliance.

Irene Coyne, 77, fills her days with activities, from crafting jewelry and knitting to volunteer work at a multitude of nonprofit organizations, such as Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna and Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

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2015 in Vienna, The Year That Was

Community center renovation was community’s biggest newsworthy story.

Not much in the way of earth-shattering events happens in Vienna and not much changes there every year …

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Madison Aker of Vienna signs to George Mason Softball

Madison Aker of Vienna recently signed to play softball at George Mason University. Aker is a senior at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax.

Thursday, December 17

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Fairfax County: McAuliffe Proposing More for Education

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D, left) unveiled his budget proposal for $1 billion in public and higher education investment at Mark Twain Middle School in Alexandria on Dec. 16, as part of the total state budget he plans to roll out on Thursday, Dec. 17.

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Fairfax: Menorah Bringing Light to Mosaic

Children shrieked and chased each other through the passageway beneath the Mosaic District towering Christmas tree, while a trio of cantors from Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church led a small crowd in festive Hanukkah songs such as “I Am a Latke.”

Wednesday, December 16

Classified Advertising December 16, 2015

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McLean/Vienna: Tysons Ice Rink is Open for the Season

The new 6,000 square foot Tysons Corner Ice Rink has officially opened this season on Friday, Nov. 13, and will run through March 6, 2016.

Vienna: Area Students Honored

Oakton High senior Allan Phillips receives two awards.

Two Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students are among 21 students in the Washington, D.C., region who have been recognized by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by the White House in 1987.

Vienna: Crime Reports

Notable incidents from Dec. 4-10.

Suspicious Event - 400 Block Plum St., SW. Between Aug. 1, 2012 at 9 a.m. and Dec. 7, 2015 at 3:13 p.m. A resident reported she had been having issues with a former co-worker since 2012.

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All Are Welcome Aboard the STEAM Train

New ways to promote STEM disciplines at Colvin Run Elementary School.

“Learning for Learning’s Sake.” That is the gift that Susan Blackwell, the Science Resource teacher who runs the STEAM Lab at Colvin Run Elementary School (CRES), gives to every student at CRES every week.

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Colvin Run Receives Playground Shade Structure

Colvin Run Elementary had the Ribbon Cutting ceremony to commemorate the installation of FCPS’ first playground shade structure.

Tuesday, December 15

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Partnership Launches ‘Build a Village’ Campaign

Goal to end homelessness in Fairfax County by 2018 looms; more than 400 children are among the homeless here.

Dozens of business leaders, elected officials and advocates for ending homelessness gathered Monday, Dec. 14 in the offices of Piedmont Fund Services in Herndon to launch the “Build a Village” campaign.

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Lessons in Charitable Giving

Conversations, modeling behavior and hands-on actions can help teach children about benevolence and compassion.

Matthew Mamalian’s holiday shopping list included some items that might seem atypical for a 12-year-old middle school student: shampoo, socks, soap and a few snacks.

Thursday, December 10

Weekend in Vienna, McLean, Great Falls

Weekend happenings in your neighborhood

Wednesday, December 9

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Vienna: Ungerleider Leads Undersized Madison

Warhawks win two games at ‘Readers are Leaders Tip Off.’

Senior guard Ungerleider buries five 3-pointers in win over Robinson.

Editorial: Safety Net for Holiday Celebrations

It’s an opportunity to talk about responsibility, alcohol and planning ahead.

The holiday party season is here, and we will almost all be celebrating in some way. Some ways will involve celebrations that include alcohol.

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Ideas for Decking the Halls

Local designers create opulent holiday designs.

From traditional to glamorous, fresh to faux and high-end to old school, local tastemakers tell how they create dazzling holiday design extravaganzas.

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Citizen Speakers Turn Out for J.E.B. Stuart High Name Change

School Board to take action Dec. 17

J.E.B. Stuart High School senior Whitten Rutledge is proud of his school, mostly.

Tysons Gets New Name, Post Office

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11), working with Tysons Partnership and the U.S. Postal Service, secured the formal rebranding of the U.S. Post Office building on Spring Hill Road in Tysons.

Fairfax County Companies Designated as Best Workplaces for Commuters

Ten companies in Fairfax County were honored as Best Workplaces for Commuters.

Week in Vienna

Weekly happenings in Vienna

Vienna Crime Reports

Notable incidents from Nov. 27-Dec. 3.

Notable incidents from Nov. 27-Dec. 3.

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December Events in Vienna Add Sparkle to the Holidays

From music to ice skating, area makes most of the colder months.

Most holiday fairs have passed by early December but special events and activities remain.

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Where to Find Last-minute Gift Ideas in the Vienna Area

From memorial contributions to over-the-top “wow,” The Connection looks at unique gifts for the holidays

What makes a gift one-of-a-kind? When it is customized to the recipient’s interests and joys. Here are a few last-minute gift ideas, from the noble to the sublime …

Classified Advertising December 9, 2015

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Conservatory Ballet’s The Nutcracker Spreading Holiday Cheer

More than 85 area students make holiday magic come to life performing in Conservatory Ballet’s 43rd annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

Thursday, December 3

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Weekend Events in Vienna, McLean and Great Falls

Weekend events in your neighborhood

Merry and Fit

Support groups help members maintain fitness during season of indulgence.

Just after 7:30 on a recent Sunday morning, the steady beat of Cold Play’s "Viva la Vida" pulsed through the warm, sleepy air.

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Voter Services Chair Recognized by Supervisors

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors presented the Barbara Varon Award to Sidney Johnson, Voter Services chair of the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), on Nov. 17.

County Limits Dog Tethering

“Man’s best friend deserves legal protection,” said Peggy Marshall, who adopted her best friend, Bianca.

Environmental Quality of Life

Advisory Council issues 512-page vision for county environmental policy.

Flooding will rise in concern in Fairfax County as a result of climate change, warned Stella Koch, chairperson of the county’s Environmental Quality Advisory Council.

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Adam Torres trial for murder of John Geer postponed until April 2016

Former Fairfax County police officer Adam Torres was charged with second-degree murder in August this year for shooting Springfield resident John Geer in August 2013. The trial was scheduled to begin on Dec. 14, but a continuance was recently granted to the defense, pushing it back until April 18, 2016.

Wednesday, December 2

Fairfax Chamber to Become the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (Fairfax Chamber) Board of Directors approved the rebranding and restructuring of the Fairfax Chamber to the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

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Church Street Holiday Stroll Still Sparkles in the Rain

Hundreds of families enjoy the outdoor and indoor festivities.

A cold drizzle may have dampened the attendance numbers at the annual Church Street Holiday Stroll but it did not dampen the spirits of the guests and strollers who braved the weather conditions on Nov. 30.

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Cappies Review: Vibrant, Energetic, Exciting

Oakton High School’s production of ‘Treasure Island.’

It's the 1700s, pirates are sailing the high seas, and there's treasure to be found! With lively main actors, an energetic ensemble, and carefully choreographed scenes Oakton High School's "Treasure Island" captures the swashbuckling adventures of the time.

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Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna Holds Benefit

The audience was rolling in the aisles when world class comedian, Mack Dryden, appeared at the 2015 benefit performance for the Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV).

Classified Advertising December 2 , 2015

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Tuesday, December 1

Vienna: Madison Moves Forward Without Graduated Koshuta

Warhawks turn focus to talented guards, up-tempo style.

The Madison girls' basketball program must adapt to no longer having 6-foot-2 standout Kelly Koshuta.

Vienna Crime Reports

Notable incidents from Nov. 20-26.

Notable incidents from Nov. 20-26.

Week in Vienna

Things to do in Vienna in early December.

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Vienna/Reston: Five Decades: ‘What I Believe In’

Judith Beattie has impacted five decades of students who began their education at Vienna’s Hunter Mill Country Day School.