Stories for September 2015

Editorial: Changing Perspective on Death Penalty

Evolving standards will eclipse the death penalty entirely at some point in the future.

It’s sad to see senseless death as a response to senseless death. Alfred R. Prieto is not a sympathetic figure, a serial killer who was on death row in California when DNA connected him to murders and rapes in Reston and Arlington that took place in 1988. He is scheduled for execution this week, at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.

1st Stage Presents 'Now Comes the Night'

Crackling dialogue, powerful ideas and well-crafted artistry describe “Now Comes the Night” written by award-winning E.M. Lewis now playing at 1st Stage.

Madison Volleyball Developing Leadership

Warhawks winning while senior captains grow into new roles.

Several familiar faces remain from last season’s Madison volleyball team that finished state runner-up, falling in a heartbreaking five-set match against First Colonial.

Oakton: Best Friends Dog Park

Oakton sophomore builds outdoor dog park at Fairfax County Animal Shelter.

Benjamin Yusman has always adopted his “best friends” from animal shelters.

Vienna: Family Fall Fun

From Oktoberfest to the much-anticipated annual halloween parade, Vienna offers a diversity of entertainment.

When the air turns crisp, colorful leaves fall, pumpkins and a halloween parade take over, it’s fall in Vienna.

BrightView Great Falls Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

“When you live in a retirement or assisted living community, every birthday is a reason to celebrate – so why not give three cheers to the place itself!” quipped one resident (who decided to remain nameless) of the BrightView Senior Living community in Great Falls, speaking at the facility’s one year anniversary bash

Vienna: Madison Volleyball Developing Leadership

Warhawks winning while senior captains grow into new roles.

The Madison volleyball team defeated South County on Sept. 24.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 25-Oct. 4, 2015

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: August, 2015

In August, 2015, 107 homes sold between $1,925,000-$192,000 in the Vienna and Oakton area.

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: August, 2015

Fairfax County NAACP hosts 70th Freedom Fund Awards

‘Your Vote, Your Power’

J.E.B. Stuart High School seniors Anna Rowan, Cassie Marcotty, Marley Finley, Abby Conde and Lidia Amanuel were bothered by the Confederate legacy of their school. Inspired by a history class with teacher Keith Bropst on the Massive Resistance anti-segregation policy, the girls set out to change Stuart’s name, mascot and colors.

Fairfax NAACP To Host Rally Seeking ‘Justice for Natasha McKenna’

Fairfax County NCAAP president Shirley Ginwright announced a rally will be held Sept. 27 to demand justice for Natasha McKenna, a 37-year-old woman with mental illness who died in February after she had been held in the Adult Detention Center.

Vienna: Oakton Volleyball Beats Flint Hill

Oakton's Yang finishes with 21 kills, Heier totals 20.

The Oakton volleyball team improved to 13-2 with a win over Flint Hill on Monday.

Runners, Walkers, Wheelers Cross Finish Line in McLean

5K Raises funds for Adaptive Sports Program.

Whether they wheeled, biked, walked, or ran to the finish line, participants of the Super H 5K all agreed on one thing--that last hill was hell.

Providence Players Open the Season with 'Calendar Girls'

Opening its 18th season, the Providence Players are in a heartfelt, uplifting comic mood presenting “Calendar Girls.”

Family Fun Day at Vienna Town Green

Optimists of Greater Vienna host fundraiser on behalf of Growing Hope.

On the morning of Sept. 19, the Vienna Town Green was filled with live music, laughter and children running around “dunking” local familiar-faces in a dunk tank, jumping in a bounce house, getting faces painted or fingers finger-printed, getting a balloon animal, or nibbling on free refreshments while listening to Donaldson’s Run perform classic rock and pop … all courtesy of the Optimists of Greater Vienna and its fundraising campaign on behalf of Growing Hope and childhood cancer research.

Column: Treatment Denied Syndrome

Natasha McKenna’s blood is on all of our hands.

Natasha McKenna did not die from excited delirium. She died from Treatment Denied Syndrome.*

Ending Bullying

Back to School: Local educators offer advice for parents on how to deal with bullying as school resumes.

When Carol Baker cried, no one heard her. She and a classmate were alone in the girls locker room, and as Baker, then an eighth grade student, tried to leave, her classmate grabbed her gym shirt and pushed her into a locker. They weren’t fighting over anything in particular and Baker didn’t sustain any physical injuries.

Help for Long-Term Caregivers

AARP Virginia and the Organization of Chinese American Women will sponsor event next week.

Those embarking on a long-term caregiving journey will have an opportunity to receive support and learn about the services available to them in Northern Virginia. AARP Virginia and the Organization of Chinese American Women will sponsor an event called, “Caregiving Wisdom from an Ancient Sage,” on Sept. 22, 7 p.m., at the Shirlington Library in Arlington and again on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7.p.m., at the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 18-27

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Fairfax County: ‘Reports and Tears Are Not Enough’

Protesters demonstrate for Natasha McKenna, social justice and improved mental health services at ad hoc police review commission public hearing.

Cayce Utley of Centreville said Natasha McKenna, the 37-year-old African American woman with mental illness who died in the Sheriff’s Office custody in February, must be “more than just a mistake, more than an accident. Black women aren’t your ‘Oops,’ they aren’t your teachable moments.”

Fairfax County School Board Reflects on First Day of Later Start Times

James Madison High School senior Ben Press provided firsthand testimony for the positive effect of new later start times for Fairfax County high school students. “Your investment in our health paid off, as can be seen in the better-rested faces of thousands of high school students across the county,” said Press, addressing the Fairfax County School Board in his new role as student representative at their Sept. 10 meeting.

Elected Officials Discuss Ways to Support Fairfax County’s Residents in Need

“We can’t do enough to spread the word that in the midst of affluent Fairfax County there is another, ‘hidden Fairfax’ that needs our urgent attention.” T

Vienna Commemorates 9/11

American Legion Post 180 of Vienna hosts annual “A Day to Remember” program.

On a morning much like that of Sept. 11, 2001, the Vienna community commemorated the 14th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

Vienna: Family Fun Day for ‘Growing Hope’

Optimists’ annual event comes to the Town Green on Sept. 19.

The Optimist Club of Greater Vienna hosts its 10th annual Family Fun Day on behalf of “Growing Hope,” in support of children diagnosed with cancer and their families, on Saturday, Sept. 19 on the Vienna Town Green.

Fairfax County: More Open Space

Survey about parks shows more households using the parks, lower satisfaction.

Fairfax County residents say preservation of open space is the most important service that the Park Authority can provide.

NOVA’s New President Celebrates First Week in New Role

Dr. Scott Ralls officially took the helm, on Sept. 8, as the fifth president of Northern Virginia Community College. Ralls joins one of the largest community colleges in the nation after seven years as president of the 58-campus North Carolina Community College System.

Vienna: Oakton Defense Smothers T.C. Williams

Cougars force four turnovers in shutout of Titans.

The Oakton football team defeated T.C. Williams 24-0 on Friday.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 11-20

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Mount Vernon: No Criminal Charges In McKenna Death

Tasers did not directly cause Natasha McKenna’s death, nor are any of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office deputies involved with the case being charged with a crime. Those are the positions announced Tuesday, Sept. 8 by Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh.

Vienna Stars Shine

Players from Great Falls, Vienna, McLean and beyond come together to win under-10 national championship in fast-pitch softball.

Sarah Semko and The Vienna Stars ‘04 amassed what the Washington Nationals couldn’t this 2015 season: a 43-game winning streak.

‘Remodeled Home Tour’

A 3,700-square-foot, four-bedroom center hall Colonial renovated in phases over nearly two decades will be featured in a “Remodeled Home Tour” sponsored by Sun Design Remodeling.

Thinking of Downsizing?

Free seminar will focus on moving to a smaller place without sacrificing style.

Homeowners considering a move from a large home to a smaller dwelling will have an opportunity to receive expert advice on their transition later this month.

Editorial: Focusing on Suicide Prevention

Help is a phone call away.

This week is Suicide Prevention Week. Preventing suicide means paying attention to mental health and treating depression, and there is no better time to focus on that than the first week of school.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 4-13

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Vienna: Oakton Field Hockey Competitive at Lake Braddock Tourney

The Oakton field hockey team finished 1-3 at the Blast ALS tournament.

Vienna: Oakton Volleyball Wins NVVA Invitational

Cougars sweep five opponents in Sterling tournament.

Oakton went undefeated while winning the NVVA Invitational.

Workplace Fitness

Employer-based health and wellness programs are good for business.

It’s Wednesday afternoon and a cohort of George Mason University staff, students and faculty hit the pavement. Clad in attire ranging from running shorts and brightly colored sneakers to neutral walking shoes and business suits, the group takes part in “Who’s Walking Wednesdays,” part of an initiative to get moving for health and wellness.

Editorial: How to Vote; It Matters

Voting begins in two weeks, Sept. 18.

Election Day is Nov. 3, and on that day, virtually every state and local office is on the ballot. In-person absentee voting begins Sept. 18, barely two weeks from now.

Citing Student Mental Health as a Priority

New student representative on School Board shares focus of his predecessor.

Dressed in a suit and tie to a casual meeting at Ted’s Bulletin, it’s not hard to tell that Ben Press, a rising senior at James Madison High School, is no ordinary teenager.

McLean: Middle Eastern Food Festival Returns for Labor Day Weekend

Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek Catholic Church in McLean hosts food and fun for families.

Labor Day weekend marks the “unofficial” end of summer and launches the football season.

Fairfax County: Historic Sites - Resident Curators?

In exchange for rehabilitating the property, the curator gains use of the property and pays no rent.

The Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation in January 2011 to ensure that local jurisdictions establish a Resident Curator Project.