Stories for November 2015

Weekend in Vienna, McLean and Great Falls

Weekend fun in your neighborhood

“Fairfax County’s Founding Fathers” Revisited at History Conference

The 11th annual Fairfax County History Conference was held Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, titled “Fairfax County’s Founding Fathers - Part I.”

Week in Vienna

Local happenings in Vienna.

Church Street Stroll to Kick-Off Holiday Season

Before the holiday season gets too hectic with items to buy, wrap, send, make, bake, and return, you can enjoy a traditional, relaxed, and charming kick-off to the holiday season at Vienna’s Church Street Holiday Stroll from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30.

Letter: An Inspiring Message

To the Editor

I am fortunate to consider Craig Parisot a friend. I know that Craig is deeply humbled to have had the support of so many in our community.

Vienna Crime Reports

Incidents from Nov. 13-19.

Notable incidents from Nov. 13-19.

Classified Advertising November 25, 2015

Read the latest ads here!

Charming “Harvey” from 1st Stage

Screwball comedy with terrific performances.

With impeccable comic mastery, 1st Stage has produced a priceless, crisp “Harvey,” the 1945 Pulitzer Prize winning play written by Mary Chase.

Editorial: Celebrate, Shop, Dine Locally

Every day can be “small business day.”

There is a joy to participating in community traditions and celebrations during the holidays, from walking along a sidewalk with the streets decked out for the holidays, to shopping in local stores, to being greeted by someone likely to be the owner of the store, to finding gifts that are not mass-produced

Transportation Strategy Update Launched

NVTA launches work on a six-year TransAction program.

Members of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) chose an appropriate location to announce the launch of the organization’s TransAction update efforts last week.

Creating Great Families Through Adoption

More than 800 children in foster care in Virginia are ready and waiting to be adopted.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. With that in mind, meet two families expanded through adoption; two families whose kids describe their family as "awesome."

860 Virginia Children Need Homes

“Parental rights terminated.” “Available for adoption.” “Floundering in an imperfect system.” These words describe many children who are currently living in foster care in Virginia.

Quiet Riot: ‘C’mon Feel the Noise’

County passes new noise ordinance, will revisit effectiveness in 18 months.

The Board of Supervisors is at peace with the county’s new Noise Ordinance.

Great Falls: Langley Volleyball Falls to Madison in Five-Set State Final

Sophomore Shklyar totals 16 kills, 18 assists in defeat.

The Langley volleyball team finished state runner-up.

Vienna: Madison Volleyball Captures State Championship

Warhawks beat Conference 6 rival Langley in five sets.

The Madison volleyball team defeated Langley in five sets in Friday's 6A state final on Nov. 20.

Fairfax County Updates Teacher Safety Training In Wake of Woodson Fire

Science teachers across Fairfax County Public Schools have begun mandatory updated safety training in the wake of an Oct. 30 fire at Woodson High School that injured five students and a teacher, and caused $7,500 in damage.

Vienna: Finding Himself Onstage

A Vienna native hosts, produces and performs in a variety of stand-up comedy shows.

Allan Sidley, who recalls growing up “on the mean streets of Vienna, Virginia” has always had a knack for making people laugh.

Vienna: Discussing the ‘Worst Freeway in America’

Residents talk I-66 with VDOT reps At Vienna Mayor’s Meeting.

Since the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)’s last large-scale public presentation of its plans to improve the I-66 corridor from Gainesville to the Beltway, that major commuter artery has won the dubious distinction of first place on the “Worst Damn Freeways in America” list.

Vienna Police Reports

Incidents from Nov. 6-12

Incidents Lost Property - 400 Block Druid Hill Road, NE. Between Oc.t 9 at 9 a.m. and Nov. 9 at 1:46 p.m. A resident reported she lost her Virginia Driver’s License.

Vienna: Festive Fun Guide for the Holiday Season

From caring and sharing to Santa and shopping, Vienna-Oakton celebrates.

From food drives and coat drives to festive holiday events and activities, there is something for every age group living in the Vienna-Oakton area. Keep this calendar close by …

Obituary: Jim Riddel, 1935-2015, of Vienna, Dies

Jim Riddel of Vienna was a man's man and a great friend. He died last week.

Vienna: Sheriff’s Office Receives $1,500 for Project Lifesaver

The Auxiliary to the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department donated $1,500 to the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office for its Project Lifesaver program. The program serves the needs of children on the autism spectrum and adults with cognitive impairments who may wander away from their caregivers.

Vienna’s Caboose Brewing Readies For First Winter

Caboose Brewing Company creates an enjoyable pub atmosphere.

In the town of Vienna near Mile Marker 12 on the Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) past the red caboose and headed west is the Caboose Brewing Company. Located at an industrial park near the bike trail, Caboose combines varieties of beer with a farm-to-table food menu from chef Brandon McDermott.

Classified Advertising November 18, 2015

Read the latest ads here!

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: October, 2015

In October, 2015, 81 homes sold between $1,920,750-$223,500 in the Vienna and Oakton area.

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: October, 2015

Editorial: Holidays Are About Giving

The holidays are about giving, and giving thanks. The holidays are about children and family. The holidays are about sharing, about joy.

Vienna: Madison Volleyball Earns Return Trip to State Tournament

Warhawks will face Langley in 6A North region championship match.

The Madison volleyball team defeated West Springfield 3-2 Thursday in the region semifinals.

Weekend in Vienna, McLean, Great Falls

Fun things to do in your neighborhood.

Fairfax County: Garza Presents Budget Task Force Report to School Board

Transparency and methodology of budget review questioned.

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza is attempting to scale a towering projected budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2017. On Nov. 9, she presented School Board members the report of budget cuts recommended by a 36-member task force she summoned earlier this year.

Vienna: Madison Football Wins Conference 6 Championship

Warhawks to host Chantilly in 6A North playoffs.

Madison will host Chantilly in the 6A North football playoffs Friday.

Classified Advertising November 11, 2015

Read the latest ads here!

Area Coaches to be Honored for Work Empowering Girls

One strong woman builds many strong girls.

Doreen Peters will receive the Crystal Coach Award on Saturday, Nov. 21 in a pre-race ceremony that kicks off the Girls on the Run 5K, presented by Innovation Health in Woodbridge.

Week in Vienna

Weekly happenings in Vienna.

Vienna Girls Soccer Team Wins Virginia State Cup

The Vienna Youth Soccer U16 Girls Phoenix ’99 won the Virginia State Cup on Sunday, Nov. 1, defeating Beach FC Elite ’99 Red, 1-0, in the final.

Vienna 6 R US Team Captures Robotics Champions Trophy

Team advances to the state tournament.

A Vienna team of five seventh graders and one sixth grader, self-named "6 R US," captured the first-place Robotics Champions Trophy for overall excellence and the first-place Robot Performance Award at the recent First LEGO League Robotics Regional Qualifying Tournament held in Ashburn.

Vienna Teen Named Officer of the Month at Fishburne Military School

Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Va. announced Cadet Second Lieutenant Chase Dixon from Vienna as Officer of the Month for October.

Vienna Music Teacher Brightens Day of Underserved Children

Taffy brings performing arts to children in need locally

There are scores of kids you do not read about in the newspapers; they’re not award-winning students or scholarship-bound athletes.

Vienna Crime Reports

Incidents from Oct. 30-Nov. 5

Vienna Pianist to Perform at Carnegie

Hyun-Mi Chung, a classically trained concert pianist, owner and instructor of Elite Piano Academy in Vienna, is scheduled to perform a piano recital on Nov. 22 at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, 154 West 57th Street in New York.

Vienna Resident Publishes ‘Two Tales of the Moon’

“Two Tales of the Moon” is Jennifer Sun’s debut novel. It’s 2009, and America's economic interest in China is increasing at a rapid pace, along with China's ambition to become a superpower.

Fairfax To End Veteran Homelessness

Every veteran has a story, and a path to housing.

Jameel Mubaarik of Reston is a 63-year-old Army veteran and mechanical engineer, a former Reston homeowner.

Springfield: Capital Area Food Bank raises awareness of local hunger with Empty Bowls events

Kady Wohlfarth of Alexandria spent two months of her off days from the Alexandria Wegmans prepared food section to create 100 clay bowls. Hers accounted for one-third of the bowls at the “Empty Bowls” fundraiser and awareness-raising event for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Coming: Children’s Connection 2015

Get ready to send your submissions soon.

During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children.

Weekend in Vienna, McLean, Great Falls

Things to do this weekend.

Things to do in your neighborhood.

Vienna Holds Halloween Parade

After being rescheduled due to the rain, the Town of Vienna held its 69th Annual Halloween Parade down Maple Avenue on Thursday, Oct. 29.

Fairfax County: Republicans Celebrate the Victorious

And honor the defeated

Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) said he much preferred this night to the one when he was elected to his first term. A close race with his opponent meant waiting around until late into the evening. This year, Cook defeated Democrat Janet Oleszek by a more handy margin of about six percent of the vote.

Fairfax County: Palchik Upsets Incumbent Reed for Providence School Board Seat

With 58.22 percent of the vote in unofficial election results, Dalia Palchik of Annandale defeated the incumbent Providence District Fairfax County School Board representative Patty Reed, who garnered 41.31 percent.

Fairfax County: Hough Edges Incumbent Velkoff for Third At-Large School Board Seat

Fairfax resident Jeanette Hough said her race for the Fairfax County School Board started with a phone call to Springfield District representative to the board Elizabeth Schultz. “What are we going to do about the school board?” Hough remembers asking. “We’re being ignored as parents and taxpayers.”

Voting for Better Schools in Vienna

Talking with voters at Vienna Elementary.

Vienna residents cast their ballots at Vienna Elementary School on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Democrats Claim Victories in Local Elections

But General Assembly stays in the red column.

“We didn’t win the war tonight, but we did come out ahead in some of the important local battles, and that’s a good start.”

Volunteer Events and Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities in Vienna, McLean and Great Falls.

Opinion: Real Solutions for Real Problems

The truth behind I-66 inside the Beltway

Virginians deserve a healthy public discussion about how best to improve our transportation system.

National Men’s Chorus to Present ‘Songs of the Spirit’ in McLean

Concert to take place Nov. 8 at Saint Luke Catholic Church.

National Men’s Chorus will open its 17th season with “Songs of the Spirit,” a program spanning five centuries of European and American sacred music.

Fairfax Library Foundation Raises $197,000 at A Library Jubilee

The Fairfax Library Foundation hosted A Library Jubilee! Soiree in the Stacks on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Woodrow Wilson Library in Falls Church.

Weichert, Realtors’ Vienna Office, Top Associate Recognized For Regional Awards

Bruce Green, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors, announced that the Vienna office was recognized for exceptional performance in September.

Week in Vienna

Weekly happenings in Vienna

Vienna Police Highlights

Incidents from Oct. 23-29.

Vienna Young Athletes and Parent Chosen for 2015 Champions of Character

Fairfax Athletic Council awards Champions of Character.

Beloved Vienna Crossing Guard Retires After 39 Years

At the age of 75 Peggy Maines passes the crossing guard torch.

After 39 loving, friendly years as a Fairfax County crossing guard, Peggy Maines of Vienna is to retire.

Trains Bring the Young and the Young-at-Heart to Vienna

Vendors and demos delight toy train enthusiasts.

That is how it all started for a lot of people at the Vienna Train Show, sponsored by the WB and A Chapter of Train Collector’s Association, held, for the third year at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, on Saturday, Oct. 31.