Friday, January 30
Editorial: Outlook
Many bright spots will be overshadowed in the coming budget season.
Long awaited, the opening of the Silver Line promises to bring transformation to Tysons and around the current station in Reston, with another Reston station and Herndon to come.
Thursday, January 29
Fairfax County Supervisors Defer Decision on Salary Adjustment
How should a county supervisor be compensated for his or her service? That question continues to be up for discussion, as the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to defer voting on a compensation adjustment that would take effect Jan. 1, 2016.
Wednesday, January 28
Herndon Girls Win Conference Championship
Herndon swim and dive had senior night against Centreville on Jan. 23, with the Hornets’ boys’ and girls’ teams winning. All Herndon seniors will advance to the Conference meet Jan. 30-31.
A Challenge for Garza: Excessive Homework
To the Editor: Your article “How Does She Do It” - Karen Garza’s vision: the irresistible force moving immovable object of Fairfax County Public Schools (The Connection,December 24-10, 2014) showed FCPS Superintendent Dr. Garza as a force for change. In the Fairfax County school system, students demonstrate excellence by collaborating and achieving good grades with the assistance of teachers.
A 700-year-old Legacy Comes to Vienna
Local entrepreneur bottling family’s Greek olive oil, putting it out to market.
A Vienna man has lassoed his dream, bringing to Vienna – and the U.S. – the legacy of 11 ancestral generations of Greek men and women --- olive oil extracted from Spartan olive trees 700 years old. Pericles “Perry” Konstas left a career as a CEO in 2014 to produce and export olive oil made from his family’s olive groves outside Sparta, Greece.
Two Vienna Students Named Semifinalists in Science Competition
Referred to as the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition, the Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS), a program of Society for Science and the Public, has granted prize money to some of today’s leading thinkers and scientists, and two Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) students from Vienna are among just 300 high school seniors selected to move on to the semifinalist stage of the competition.
Tysons Chamber, LearningRx Kick Off Job Shadow Program
Maureen Loftus, executive director of LearningRx of Vienna and Reston is leading the kick-off of the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce (TRCC) job shadow program for 11th and 12th grade students of Oakton, Madison and Marshall high schools in Fairfax County, where students will shadow professionals in various industries in January and February.
What do you like and dislike about the new Metro stations?
Tysons Corner Station riders share what they like and dislike about new service.
What do you like and dislike about the new Metro stations?
Vienna Residents Embrace the Wintry Months
Not just Vienna, but, the area surrounding it, as well, shifts gears in the winter months. There may be fewer events in Vienna to participate in, but Vienna residents find activities to keep their spirits up, their minds busy, and their bodies healthy. Here, some Vienna neighbors share their seasonal lifestyle.
Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center to Hire More Than 100 Employees
Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center, located in Tysons Corner, anticipates it will be hiring more than 100 employees. The new hotel, which is expected to open in winter/spring of 2015, is accepting online applications for positions in sales, room service, food and beverage, management, culinary, engineering, and more. The online application process is now available.
Column: Traffic Caught
If I were writing this column in Massachusetts – where I was born and mostly educated (K-12), and had a thick Boston accent, that’s how court would likely be pronounced; changing a noun into a verb.
Tuesday, January 27
Schools to Expand by $856 Million
Capital Improvement Plan approved, rising enrollment causes concerns about classroom space.
Five more school buildings and renovations for several existing ones may be approved by 2020. The Fairfax County School Board approved the $856 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at the Jan. 22 meeting to set priority on the projects the school system wants done in the next five years.
Monday, January 26
Puller Will Not Seek Re-election
Just as the Virginia General Assembly kicked off its 2015 January session, state Sen. Linda T. “Toddy” Puller (D-36) announced her decision to not run for re-election later this year. “It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the people of the 36th district in the Senate of Virginia,” Puller said in a Jan. 14 statement. “Now, with the encouragement, love and support of my family I have made the decision to step down.”
Editorial: Baby Steps, Not Enough
Supervisors should take action, not defer to “outside expert,” on absurd and outrageous behavior of police department.
Finally, now that the Fairfax County Police Department has taken stonewalling into the arena of the absurd, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has at least said it is time for change. It is a step, but a step that continues the appearance of obfuscation if not outright obstruction.
Thursday, January 22
Fairfax County Delivers Geer Documents
Thirty days after a court order by Fairfax Circuit Court judge Randy Bellows, Fairfax County has produced documents concerning the shooting death of John Geer.
McLean Residents Air Concerns to Legislators
Town Hall meeting held in McLean Community Center.
Six local state legislators listened to the concerns of a room full of people last Saturday. Several delegates and state senators took part in a Town Hall meeting on Jan. 17 at the McLean Community Center to talk about some of their bills and find out what issues their constituents thought were important.
Could Fairfax County End Veteran Homelessness in 2015?
Chairman Bulova, Fairfax County take on national Mayors Challenge.
The transition from serving in the armed forces to civilian life is often not simple. While in Fairfax County there are more than 12,000 veteran-owned businesses, indicating a significant measure of success, for others the path is far more difficult.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bulova Releases 2015 State of the County Address
Despite a projected shortfall of nearly $100 million facing Fairfax County going into the FY 2016 budget, Board of Supervisors chairman Sharon Bulova remains encouraged by a 2014 that she said was full of accomplishments.
Wednesday, January 21
Public Information Meetings on Transforming I-66
Work is underway to transform Northern Virginia's I-66. Under the proposed plan, I-66 would be improved to provide:
Appalachian Trail: As ‘Wild’ as It Gets for Area Hikers
Film boosts interest in hiking.
After hiking a few miles into the Appalachian Trail's southernmost point in Georgia, Yorktown High School alumnae James Randle came to a realization of what an enormous task he was taking on, attempting a thru-hike on the 2,180 mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.
Oakton High Drama Explores Propaganda
Oakton students to perform in “Signature in the Schools 20th Anniversary Festival.”
"We are so proud to be part of the ‘Signature in the Schools 20th Anniversary Festival,’” said Vanessa L. Gelinas, Oakton High School Theater Arts teacher. "It is a tremendous opportunity for the students to perform and learn."
Vienna Theatre Company Says, ‘Be My Baby’
If there are hallmarks of a typical “romantic comedy,” they may include a couple falling in love in spite of themselves, and, maybe, a bit of “misdirection,” in which something that was predicted to happen, does not. There’s a happy ending to the quagmire. The Vienna Theatre Company’s production of award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig’s “Be My Baby” embraces the common attributes of the genre. And, it’s fun to be drawn into the story arc.
Marshall Academy CyberPatriots Advance to the National Competition
Students from Marshall, a Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Academy, are advancing to the national round of the annual CyberPatriot Competition. They are doing so after two teams were awarded first and third place in the state competition, and after a long day of regional competition that took place on Saturday, Jan. 17.
New Additions at Tower Club
The Tower Club at Tysons Corner, a ClubCorp property, has recently unveiled its expansion as part of the continued development at Tysons Corner Center. For the unveiling of the club’s new Crescent Lounge and upscale restaurant Reserve, members were invited to the Tower Club’s winter wonderland re-opening celebration on Jan. 8.
Letter: Volunteer for the Games
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor: I love this community. There are so many ways to serve a community as diverse and as vibrant as ours. I recently competed in a special election to succeed Congresswoman Comstock. While I came up short in the vote count, largely due to the unfortunate weather on Election Day, I am as inspired to serve as I was on that day. My passion to serve others only strengthens with each pursuit.
Column: Seasonal Seven Dwarfs
Sneezy, Coughy, Phlegmy, Stuffy, Achy. No-Sleepy and Post-Nasal Drippy; and no Doc, which is possibly what led to this column being written.
Tuesday, January 20
Scott Surovell (D-44) Announces Bid for State Senate
Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) used his blog and e-newsletter to make his intention known: Less than a week after Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36) announced she would not look to serve another term, Surovell declared he would run for the vacant seat on Sunday, Jan. 18.
Friday, January 16
Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: December, 2014
In December 2014, 119 homes sold between $1,954,870-$198,000 in the Vienna and Oakton area.
Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: December, 2014
Thursday, January 15
Vienna and Oakton Real Estate: 2014 Top Sales
Local Real Estate: 2014 Top Sales in Vienna and Oakton
General Assembly Fairfax Delegation Holds Public Meeting Prior to Session in Richmond.
Justin Dolan addressed the state delegates and senators from his wheelchair rather than the podium. The 34-year-old Falls Church resident has cerebral palsy, and received an Individual & Family Developmental Disabilities Support waiver.
Fairfax County Supervisors Seek Outside Help with Transparency
“Independent expertise” to advise on information disclosure policies.
Eight days after offering the public the first of any kind of official explanation for officer-involved shooting of Springfield resident John Geer, the Board of Supervisors took another step.
The $2.4 Billion Question
FCPS Superintendent presents next year’s budget.
Fairfax County Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza is proposing a $2.4 billion budget for the 2015-16 school year. The proposed Fairfax County Public Schools’ budget includes funds for full-day Mondays, teacher compensation and later high school start times while still finding room for $55.4 million in cuts.
Wednesday, January 14
Vienna: Oakton Sophomores Royle, Connolly Provide Paint Presence
Royle scores career-high 18 points against Westfield.
Oakton defeated Westfield 63-46 on Jan. 9.
Letter: County Shouldn’t Spray Against Fall Cankerworm
Letter to the Editor
This letter is in response to a recent letter to the editor about Fairfax County’s Fall Cankerworm Insecticide Spraying Program.
Vienna Theatre Company Presents ‘Be My Baby’
Vienna Theatre Company will present Ken Ludwig's “Be My Baby,” directed by Suzanne Maloney, opening on Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. “Be My Baby” is a romantic comedy that tells the story of John, an irascible Scotsman and an uptight English woman, Maud, and how they're brought together when his ward marries her niece and the young couple decides to adopt a newborn baby.
Vienna Business Association Honors Park and Recreation Department
At its Friday, Jan. 9 breakfast meeting, the Vienna Business Association (VBA) paid tribute to the Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Department for their support and contribution to the community in providing services and equipment to the various functions in partnership with the VBA.
Backyard Dreaming
Local tastemakers say winter is the best time to plan an idyllic backyard retreat.
Spring may seem light years away from the frigid January temperatures, and lounging in your backyard is probably the last thing you want to do at the moment, but landscape designers say now is the time to start planning a summer retreat.
Column: $32.99 Plus Shipping
For one box of 54 petite Belgian waffle cookies in three delicious flavors: milk chocolate, dark chocolate and vanilla; an extravagance to be sure, available during the holidays; this recipient (actually, my wife, Dina, was the recipient) very happy to oblige and indulge.
Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna Donates to Local Charities
For the last 16 years, the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) has been hosting their Community Thanksgiving Service along with participating congregations. The money raised from the service offering is then distributed to two local charities. This year’s recipients were Our Daily Bread Fairfax and The Committee for Helping Others.
Oberlin at Oakton Music Series on Jan. 25
On Sunday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m., three students from Oberlin Conservatory will perform at the 15th annual Oberlin at Oakton music series in Oakton. The accomplished young artists include pianist San Jittakarn, violinist Mana Imaizumi, and flutist Katherine Ma, in collaboration with pianists Allison Freeman ’16 and Allie Su.
Pet Food and Adoption Center Opens at Reston’s Lake Anne
PetMac merges animal rescue and good nutrition in shop.
When PetMAC owner Cindy Williams moved her pet supply and adoption center to Reston’s Lake Anne, she took her business philosophy of community outreach and high-quality inventory to a lakeside shopping center abundant with small locally-owned businesses.
Friday, January 9
Top Fitness Trends for 2015
Here are some low-cost and mobile routines.
The beginning of a new year is often a time when many resolve to begin a fitness plan or to ramp up their current routine. Officials at the American College of Sports Medicine rang in the New Year by releasing the organization’s annual survey of the top fitness trends for 2015.
Editorial: Happy New Year
Focused on community.
Happy New Year. We need your help in 2015. As local, weekly newspapers, the Connection’s mission is to deliver news readers need close to home, to help readers enjoy great local places and events, to advocate for community good, to call attention to unmet needs, to provide a forum for dialogue on local concerns, and to celebrate and record milestones and events in community and people’s lives.
Wednesday, January 7
Spreading Holiday Cheer on Christmas Morning
These three "wise men" were spreading holiday cheer on Christmas morning by passing out free donuts, coffee and orange juice in front of Vienna Presbyterian Church (VPC).
Column: Down and Not Out, Yet
Thankfully (so far as I know, which isn’t very far), after a five-week interval between infusions, which included two additional weeks of pre-chemotherapy lab work and an out-of-the-ordinary 24-hour urine collection (“creatinine clearance”) to boot – to more accurately measure my kidney function in hopes of meeting a 1.6 threshold – muster was finally passed, and I was subsequently infused without any further adieu.
Vienna in 2015: Community Leaders Share Their Outlook
Political and business representatives address issues facing community in new year.
What’s on the horizon for the Vienna-Oakton community in 2015? What issues will local officials and business people address in the new year? Community leaders share their outlook for Vienna-Oakton in 2015.
Vienna Welcomes 2015
VBA Partners with Town for First Night Celebration
Thousands of revelers – of all ages – stepped out in the seasonally-chilly weather to celebrate New Year’s Eve along Church Street in Vienna. Sponsored by the Vienna Business Association and the Town of Vienna, the second annual First Night Vienna celebration took over five venues – tent and indoors - to offer non-stop family-friendly entertainment.
Remodeled Home Tour To Benefit Therapeutic Riding Program
Open house on Jan. 10 will help support disabled children and Wounded Warriors.
A tour of a recently remodeled Oakton home will benefit the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, a 30-year-old non-profit that provides horseback riding experiences to children and adults with disabilities. The tour and networking event will be held at the home of Bill and Ginny Craig on Jan. 10, noon-4 p.m. Craig, who is also an avid rider, serves on riding program's board of directors.
Overnight I-66 Closures in January
All lanes of Interstate 66 in one direction will close intermittently between midnight and 5 a.m. on several dates in January for the installation of gantries. Each closure will last up to 30 minutes.
Letter to the Editor: A Wonderful Article
To the Editor: What a wonderful article you wrote, Kareese (“How I Left…” by Kareese Akinloba, grade 8, Irving Middle School, Children’s Connection, January 1-7, 2015). Your writing ability is beyond your years.
Tuesday, January 6
Kathleen Murphy wins 34th District
Voters turn up despite snow storm.
Kathleen Murphy was greeted with cheers by more than a hundred supporters as she entered her victory party at McLean Community Center. The democrat won the 34th District seat of the state House of Delegates, 6,406 to 6,082, on Tuesday after Republican Craig Parisot conceded the race.
Thursday, January 1
Children's Connection 2014
This week, the Connection turns over its pages to the youth and students.