Stories for April 2016

Fairfax Station: Fourth annual Fragile X walk raises $55,000 for molecular bank for research

Jimi Grande of Fairfax Station may never get to teach his ten-year-old son Jimmo to throw a baseball. Jimmo was born with effects from an inherited genetic mutation called Fragile X that can cause moderate to severe mental impairment and learning disabilities, and is linked to autism spectrum disorder.

Spring Abounds in Vienna

Spring in Vienna

Week in Vienna

Weekly happenings in Vienna

Vienna Celebrates Arbor Day, Plants Trees

The oldest tree in the Town of Vienna is believed to be a 350-year-old white oak on Marjorie Lane.

Vienna: American Legion Honors Officer Tremont

On Wednesday, April 6, the American Legion Post 180 in Vienna held its annual ceremony and banquet dinner to honor the 2015 Town of Vienna Police Officer of the Year.

Letter: Call to Protect Grizzly Bears

To the Editor

Recently, several bears have been sighted in the Vienna/Oakton area. In Virginia we’re fortunate to share our wild back yards with our wild neighbors.

It All Started in Vienna

Sam Ludwig making it big on professional stage.

Sam Ludwig is an award winning professional actor who has not forgotten his Vienna, Va. roots.

Vienna Arts Society Hosts Debut ‘Planet Art for Kids’ Workshop

Participants will create mobiles from repurposed natural and manmade materials

The Vienna Arts Society (VAS) has scheduled its first, “Planet Art for Kids” event in celebration of Earth Day, Saturday, April 30 at the VAS center on Pleasant Street, Vienna.

Vienna: Sgt. Farhan Receives M. Jane Seeman ‘Service Above Self’ Award

On April 13, 2016 Sergeant Tu Farhan received the 2015 Rotary Club of Vienna, Rotarian M. Jane Seeman “Service Above Self” Award.

McLean: Culinary Cultures Explored

Profile: Bertrand Chemel, executive chef, 2941 and Pizzeria Orso in Falls Church.

Whether you crave a whole Neapolitan pizza from Pizzeria Orso or an upscale dish with house-made fresh potato gnocchi from 2941, you must thank the mastermind—and master chef—behind these very diverse Falls Church restaurants.

State of the County Presented Over Breakfast

Leadership Fairfax hosts 25th Annual Board of Supervisors State of the County Breakfast and presents Hanley Award to Bill Bouie for Public Service.

With the number and types of commitments made on their daily schedules, it takes a special occasion to gather the entire roster of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in one place at one time outside the walls of their meeting chambers.

Preparing for Summer Camp Away

Many emotions arise when a child leaves for camp.

A child’s first residential summer camp experience can be fraught with emotions that run the gamut from excitement to terror.

Academic Camps Combine Education and Fun

Local camps help students maintain school skills in a relaxed environment.

One summer Ana Lado created a summer camp activity for students at her neighborhood pool. The Marymount professor set up a picnic area, and included activities and books. Her plan was to engage the students and give them the opportunity to read and build reading skills while still enjoying fun activities traditionally associated with summer.

From Colonial History to Future Entrepreneurs

Campers can explore diverse interests in specialty summer camps.

This summer dozens of elementary school-aged children will travel back in time to the Colonial Era where, among other things, they’ll learn to spin cotton into cloth for garments.

Editorial: More Voters Might Not Mean Much More Voting

Governor’s action brings Virginia in line with 39 other states.

Last week, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) restored the voting and civil rights of more than 200,000 Virginians who were convicted of felonies, served their time and completed any supervised release, parole or probation requirements.

Responding to Teen Sex Trafficking

Comprehensive approach seeks to educate teens.

In 2012 Fairfax County Detective William Woolf discovered a 16-year-old girl being prostituted by the M-16 gang. At the time there was little recognition that the problem existed locally. The girl was recovered and since then Woolf has interviewed 300 recovered victims, some as young as 12-years old. After the initial shock, Northern Virginia businesses, faith communities and educational groups sought to understand the extent of the problem.

Fairfax County: Chief Investigating Cyberbullying of Dead Female Firefighter

Search for Nicole Mittendorff called off after police “preliminarily identify” female remains, find suicide note found in her abandoned vehicle.

The search for Nicole Mittendorff, a paramedic-firefighter based at Fire Station 32 in Fairfax Station, has been suspended, a release from Virginia State Police said on Thursday, April 21.

Weekend Fun

Weekend fun.

Removing a Barrier to Pomp and Circumstance

Gowns for Grads program at George Mason provides regalia for needy graduates.

When Muntaha Choudhary walks across the stage during George Mason University’s graduation ceremony this May she will celebrate not only her bachelor’s degree, which has been eight years in the making, but also the fact that she is the first person in her family to graduate from college.

Fairfax County: Supervisors Approve 4-Cent Tax Rate Increase

The gap between the Fairfax County School Board and total county budgets is a formality away from being the smallest since before Jan. 7 when FCPS Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza announced she wouldn’t be making any additional cuts in her $2.67 billion Fiscal Year 2017 budget.

Letter: Selfishness, Not Altruism, Behind Tax Increases

To the Editor

The Board of Supervisors and School Board should give the approximately 12,000 classroom teachers salary increases, but give no raises to other school and county employees.

Week in Vienna

Weekly happenings in Vienna.

Oakton Cougar Robotics Advances to World Competition

After battling it out in regional competitions and the FIRST Chesapeake District Championship this past week at Maryland’s Xfinity center, the Cougar Robotics team has earned a spot in the FIRST World Championship and will travel to St Louis, Mo. to compete on April 27-30.

Vienna Crime Reports

Notable incidents from the Vienna Police Department from April 8-14.

Vienna: Westbriar Elementary Celebrates 50th Anniversary

From 350 students in 1965 to 750 students today, Westbriar boasts outstanding academic programs and recognition.

In the early years of Westbriar Elementary School’s 50-year-run, there were but 350 students from the neighborhoods along Old Courthouse Road on down to Browns Mill.

Editorial: On the Guilty Plea of Adam Torres

Geer’s death exposed “obfuscation … and a lack of public accountability.”

Adam Torres, charged with murder in the death of Springfield resident John Geer, was the first Fairfax County Police officer in the history of the department to be charged in such a death.

Fairfax County: Torres Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter of John Geer

Former Police officer faced murder charges for 2013 shooting

It was over before it began. Neither prosecution nor defense gave opening statements in former Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres’ trial for the August 2013 murder of Springfield resident John Geer. Instead on Monday, April 18, Torres pleaded guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter for the August 2013 incident.

Historic Garden Week in Virginia

Elegant homes and gardens in Old Town, Arlington and Falls Church will be open to the public.

Some of the most spectacular gardens will be in bloom and on display during the 83rd annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia.

Modular Homes Come of Age

What's behind the growing popularity of modular homes? Recent research shows that a house comprised of architecturally-specific, pre-constructed modules can be assembled on a homeowner’s lot for 10-15 percent less than of the cost of a comparably-sized “stick-built” house.

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: March, 2016

In March, 2016, 82 homes sold between $1,917,074-$256,000 in the Vienna and Oakton area.

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: March, 2016

Mount Vernon Grad, Mclean Resident Opens Tropical Fruit Smoothie Café in Dunn Loring

McLean resident Trung Tang has worked in food service since starting as a busboy for East Wind in Alexandria at age 14. The 1996 Mount Vernon High School graduate made a career out of serving in and managing restaurants.

Fairfax County Police Hold Assessment Public Hearing

As part of an on-site assessment by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., Fairfax County Police held a public forum on April 11 at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Fairfax County: 24th annual Service Awards recognizes community champions, hundreds of volunteers

Kathy Hertz, a longtime volunteer in Clifton, spent more than a week in Lesvos, Greece just after Christmas with her cousin. The two of them volunteered in and around a refugee camp for individuals being funnelled to Athens and hopefully back to Germany or other European havens.

Reston: South Lakes Boys’ Soccer Earns First Victory

Seahawks beat defending state runner-up Madison.

The South Lakes boys' soccer team beat Madison 1-0.

Great Falls: Langley’s Shafer Excels at Nova Challenge

Madison’s Ungerleider, Walker compete for Fairfax North.

Langley's Nate Shafter finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks during the Nova Challenge.

1st Stage’s Presents “Proof

A disarming production

In a satisfying character driven play about the fragility of the mind, rich with intriguing dialogue about genius and fears of mental illness, 1st Stage has created a disarming production of “Proof.”

Week in Vienna

Weekly happenings in Vienna

Vienna Crime Reports

Notable incidents from the Town of Vienna Police Reports from April 1-7.

Vienna Business Association Hosts Debut Awards Gala

Honors outstanding volunteers with festive program

The Vienna Business Association (VBA) honored its most outstanding 2016 volunteers at the business chamber’s first awards gala held on April 9 at DeSales Hall of Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Becoming Aware of Child Sex Trafficking

The problem extends throughout northern Virginia.

She stands on the sidewalk outside the mall with her backpack full of 7th grade science and math books. An older man pulls up and she gets in the backseat of his car.

Classified Advertising April 13, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Inaugural Living Well Summit Piques Interest of County Seniors

Summit helps county residents improve with age.

Local residents can learn how to age gracefully Saturday, April 16, at the Living Well, Aging Well Summit in the Fairfax County Government Center.

Help Wanted: Mature Workforce at Employment Expo in Tysons

Older adults in search of work can discuss job opportunities with various industry representatives Monday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the “50+ Employment Expo” in the Sheraton Tysons Hotel.

Progress Made, Challenges Remain on Ending Homelessness

HomeAid NoVA hosts ‘Keep the Homeless Housed’ Forum.

In 2008, Fairfax County partnered with the City of Falls Church to adopt an ambitious strategic plan to address the issue of homelessness in the region.

Finding Fun in Science

Area youth turn out for Project BEST Science and Technology Fun.

What could possibly have lured some 100 and more middle school youngsters back to a school building on a Saturday, especially if that school isn’t theirs and they had to get up extra early just to get there?

Editorial: Award-Winning Connection Newspapers

Still striving to be the Connection to your community.

Connection Newspapers won dozens of awards from the Virginia Press Association for work done in 2015.

New Fairfax Location of Hooters Opens on Lee Highway.

A collection of multicolored lights dangling casually above the hostess station is an homage to one of few interior similarities between the old Christmas light-laden Hooters at 10334 Lee Highway and the gleaming new location down the road at 10060, which opened March 21.

Speaker Series

Senior Services of Alexandria will present Aging Well, Working Together for a Livable Community for all Ages, next in a speaker series, on Wednesday, April 13, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria.

Luxury Condos are a Growth Market for Seniors

Active retirees seek options for independent living, including condos in Alexandria, Arlington, Tysons, Reston, McLean, Bethesda and Chevy Chase, among others.

When Joyce and Don Lipman decided to move out of their Potomac, Md. home, they opted for a high-end townhouse instead of a retirement community.

Taking the Long View

Budgeted, incremental improvements are the key to effective planning, aging in place.

When they decided not to move-on after retirement, seniors Mike and Sandy Nusbaum slowly began enlarging their long-term residence with several goals in mind.

Golden Notes

Living well at any age.

‘Shark Tank’ for Seniors

High school students design and present tech products to improve lives of older adults.

Chantilly High School freshman Aru Rajpurohit remembers seeing her great-grandfather struggle to drink his morning tea and other beverages, his hands shaking from Parkinson’s disease.

Letter: Help Prevent Child Abuse

If you see a blue pinwheel dotting the landscape in April, we hope you will pause and think about what it represents--National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Letter: Limiting Health Care Choices

To the Editor

Recently it was announced that Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna are planning to merge, which would severely limit the choices residents of the Commonwealth have when picking their healthcare provider.

Sanderson Honored for 25 Years of Civic Service in the Arts

Douglas J. Sanderson, a principal in the law firm of McCandlish & Lillard, P.C., was honored at the 2016 Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' annual awards banquet with a Citation of Merit recognizing his 25 years of “pro-bono legal service

Week in Vienna

Weekly happenings in Vienna

Vienna: Up and Running!

Runners of all ages brave gusty winds and freezing temps to support James Madison High School’s Track & Field 5K Fun Run.

The popular slogan for James Madison High School in Vienna was particularly fitting Sunday morning, as hundreds of Mad Men - and women - braved raucous winds and bone-chilling cold to run, walk and jog in the 11th annual 5K Fun Run/Walk to benefit the Track and Field program.

Climate Solutions Summit Held in Oakton

Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, a Northern Virginia nonprofit that helps faith communities respond to climate change, hosted a summit in Oakton to bring faith leaders and local officials together.

Vienna Crime Reports

Notable incidents from the Town of Vienna Police Department from March 25-31.

Vienna: MyEyeDr. Named Finalist in 10th Annual Helios Apollo Awards

MyEyeDr. has been named a finalist of the 10th Annual Helios Apollo Awards.

Oakton’s Nest of Eagles

One Eagle Scout in the family is impressive enough, but the Hadinger family of Oakton has five.

Vienna Hosts Two Book Sales

Historic Vienna, Inc. and Friends of Patrick Henry Library offered more than 30,000 used books over April’s first weekend.

It was a big weekend over April 2 and 3 for Vienna-area book fairs. Both Historic Vienna, Inc. and Friends of Patrick Henry Library opened their doors to hundreds of residents and book dealers and offered thousands of inexpensive used books.

Burke and Fairfax: New Bike Lanes Proposed for 7 Braddock District Roadways

New bicycle lanes are being proposed for Ravensworth Road, Coffer Woods Road, Burke Road, Patriot Drive, Guinea Road, Queensberry Avenue and Heritage Drive in Braddock District. The improvements would come as part of the Virginia Department of Transportation 2016 summer road repaving program.

Send in Mother's Day Photos to the Connection

Mother’s Day is May 8 this year and as usual every year at this time, this newspaper calls for submissions to our Mother’s Day photo gallery.

Editorial: Move Forward with Independent Oversight

While FCPD has embraced many critical changes, supervisors need to move forward with oversight.

Last week, the Fairfax County Police Department posted a list and progress report of 202 recommendations made by the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, each currently labeled as one of: implemented, in progress or under review.

First Responders Honored at 38th Annual Valor Awards

‘Ready for All Emergencies’

Technician Ryland Chapman and Lieutenant Lawrence Mullin with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were preparing to return home from a deployment with Virginia Task Force 1 to earthquake-rocked Kathmandu, Nepal when another quake sent them back out for duty.

Lawmakers Wrap-up Richmond Legislative Session

Unspent TANF grant money, prisoner rights among social issues discussed.

On average, low income families in Virginia who are eligible and sign up for funds from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant receive $269 monthly and are cut off after five years. But lawmakers say there’s a lot more unexpended money available in the federal grant that, if it remains unused, could one day be taken back.

Vienna: Defense Leads Oakton Girls’ Lax to Win Over Madison

Palmucci scores two goals for Cougars.

The Oakton girls' lacrosse team beat Madison 10-8 on Saturday.