Stories for February 2017

Beware Early Allergy Season

Experts offer suggestions for preventing and treating allergy symptoms.

Those experiencing Itchy, watery eyes and seemingly endless sneezing know that spring allergy season is getting an early start this year thanks to this season’s mild winter weather.

Prayer Vigil at ICE Office

Rising Hope pastor speaks about arrests outside church.

On the morning of Feb. 8, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers showed up across the street from Rising Hope Mission Church on Russell Road in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria.

Fairfax County Solicits Public Input on Environmental Vision

Online survey open through March 6.

Fairfax County is preparing to update the Environmental Excellence 20-Year Vision Plan (Environmental Vision) and the public is urged to weigh in via an online survey.

Chief to Release Name of Officer in Herndon Shooting

Risk assessment is complete.

The risk assessment of the officer involved in the fatal Jan. 16 shooting of Mohammad Azim Doudzai is now finished, according to a Feb. 24 release from Fairfax County Police.

U.S. Marshals Warn Public of Jury Duty Phone Scams

The U.S. Marshals Service is warning the public of a nationwide telephone scam involving individuals claiming to be U.S. marshals, court officers or law enforcement officials seeking to collect a fine in lieu of arrest for failing to report for jury duty.

Editorial: Good, Bad and Missed Opportunities

Results of the 2017 session of the General Assembly.

GOOD THINGS Progress in funding mental health and addressing the opioid epidemic on multiple levels were among the successes of the 2017 General Assembly session.

Prayer Vigil at ICE Office

Rising Hope pastor speaks about arrests outside church.

Rising Hope Mission Church holds vigil at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

County Names Police Auditor

New Fairfax County police auditor

Matching Pets to Their Owners

Animal shelters’ counselors help families find the right fit when seeking a pet adoption.

Natasha had been abandoned and was wandering the streets of Arlington under the blaze of a hot summer sun when she was rescued and taken to a local shelter.

Lawmaker Work Group to Examine Virginia Predatory Lending

Panel to investigate internet loans, car-title loans and open-end lines of credit.

The growing chorus of criticism about predatory lending in Virginia may not have prompted lawmakers to start passing laws to crack down on the industry. But it has accomplished one thing, formation of a work group.

In Session: Virginia Assembly Briefs

Robert Johnson of Woodbridge understands the mental health crisis from a personal perspective.

A Record Year for Alzheimer’s Association

Alzheimer’s Association of the National Capital Region honors its supporters.

Megan Newman told her story at the Alzheimer’s Association “Wall of Hope” reception at Tysons Corner on Feb. 9. She was only 18, a senior in high school, when her mother started to ask the same question more than once.

Opinion: Budget Season in Fairfax County

Attend a town hall meeting and express your priorities.

Alexandria and Arlington each have a meals tax, both enacted without a referendum because as urban forms of government in Virginia, their local elected bodies were authorized to enact the tax legislatively.

Week in Vienna

Women’s History, Personal Take

The Vienna Area Branch of The American Association of University Women (AAUW) will host a free event on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, 7-9 p.m., at the Patrick Henry Library Meeting Room, 101 Maple Ave. East, Vienna.

Fairfax County NAACP Hosting Community Gathering

The NAACP of Fairfax County is hosting a community and Black History Month commemoration on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Wildfire’s Chef Enjoys Creativity Part of His Job at Tysons Galleria

Meet Wildfire’s new sous chef Jeffrey Katz.

Seriously ready to tackle just about any cooking challenge or recipe calamity, Wildfire’s new sous chef Jeffrey Katz comes to this Tysons Galleria hot destination, Wildfire.

Vienna's Stuart Mill Road Closures Feb. 22-24

Stuart Mill Road (Route 669) between Colt Run Road and Bridge Hill Lane will be closed to through traffic Wednesday, Feb. 22 through Friday, Feb. 24, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. each day for stormwater pipe replacement, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Fairfax County Names First Independent Police Auditor

Richard G. Schott, a 27-year veteran of the FBI, was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to be Fairfax County’s first-ever independent police auditor.

Church as a Family in Vienna

The First Baptist Church of Vienna celebrates 150th birthday this year.

If you’ve ever heard a powerful sermon, it would be inside a sleepy church on the corner of Nutley and Orchard St. NW neighborhood in Vienna.

Giving Back at Madison High

As part of their year-long “Warhawks Give Back” campaign, Madison High School hosted a Snow Ball in February to raise money for the Children’s National Health System.

Hunter Mill Community Summit to Be Held March 4

On Saturday, March 4, the Hunter Mill District Community Summit will take place at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon.

The Connection HomeLifeStyle Real Estate and Remodeling Focus

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: January, 2017

In January, 2017, 63 homes sold between $3,167,500-$230,000 in the Vienna and Oakton area.

Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: January, 2017

Fear Follows ICE Enforcement

Men said to be detained after leaving Mount Vernon shelter.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Mount Vernon.

Era of the Iron Fist: How Did Democrats Rule the House of Delegates?

Democrats complain about Republican heavy-handedness, but were they any better?

Democrats complain that Republicans are sidelining their bills without much consideration. But were Democrats any better when they had control of the House of Delegates?

Editorial: Ending Gerrymandering Important to Region

Efforts appear dead for this session, but elections later this year provide new opportunities.

While three bills that could have reined in the runaway gerrymandering in Virginia made it through the Virginia Senate to crossover, they died on Tuesday morning in a House subcommittee, despite some vocal Republican support.

Job Fairs Match Fairfax County Teens, Employers

Supervisor Pat Herrity’s (R-Springfield) office, along with a variety of business and community organizations, hosted two teen job fairs and resume building workshops last year.

In Session: Virginia General Assembly Briefs

Ghost of Carter Glass

Meet state Sen. Carter Glass of Lynchburg.

FCPS Adopts $2.8 Billion Budget for FY2018

5.1 percent increase from 2017 prioritizes compensation and classroom resources.

The Fairfax County School Board formally adopted interim Superintendent Steve Lockard’s proposed $2.8 billion operating budget at its Feb. 9 meeting, following several work sessions and public hearings on the matter.

Chief Still Withholding Officer’s Name in Fatal Herndon Shooting

Temporary restraining order to not release name vacated by judge.

Fairfax County chief of police Edwin Roessler has yet to release the name of the 16-year veteran officer who fatally shot Mohammad Azim Doudzai, 32, at his Herndon-area home on Jan. 16 this year.

Improve Driver Laws, Reduce Road Deaths

Virginia’s highway safety report card.

Clifton resident Debbie Sausville represented Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at a recent Capitol Hill news conference where Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) issued “report cards” rating all 50 states and the District of Columbia on their progress toward adopting 15 optimal laws that scientific studies, data analysis and real world experience show are effective at preventing death and injury on roadways.

Fairfax County Executive Proposes $4.10 Billion Budget

Calls for no increase in real estate taxes; falls $61 million short of schools’ request.

An exercise in “triage and trade-offs” was how Mount Vernon District Supervisor Daniel Storck described the FY 2018 budget as proposed by County Executive Ed Long to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Celebrating Black History Month

Educators say these lessons are urgently needed in current racial climate.

Even though Elavie Ndura knows that it is a daunting challenge to help children grasp the entirety of the African American experience in the shortest month of the year, each February she and other educators give it their best effort.

Three Thieves Escape after Theft in Tysons

The Fairfax County Police Department is searching for suspects who evaded capture on Thursday, Feb. 9, after a dangerous pursuit by car and foot.

Planning 20 Parks: Inside Tysons or Out?

Vienna and McLean affected by 30-year vision for Tysons; more debate Feb. 23.

When creating a new city, county planners target a precise number of parks.

Madison Ice Hockey Team Wins Division Championship

The Warhawk Varsity Ice Hockey team is headed to the playoffs as division champions with their 4-3 win over McLean Feb. 3.

An Open Letter to Sen. Mitch McConnell

Dear Senator McConnell, While we may disagree on many issues, I respect the office you hold.

Heritage Financial Consultants Opens Vienna Office

Great Falls Eye Doctor Taps Out At ‘Top Of Game’

Doctor Manfred von Fricken has traded in his white coat for a pair of blue jeans.

A Great Falls doctor has traded in his white coat for a pair of blue jeans.

Crossing Guard Appreciation Day Feb. 8

If you have lived in Fairfax County for any amount of time, you are surely familiar with the traffic situation here.

Commentary: First Amendment Is Alive and Well

“Congress shall make no law … abridging … the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Bulova Calls for Land Use Engagement

Board of Supervisors chairman to host Community Council on Land Use Engagement.

At the Jan. 24 meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS), Chairman Sharon Bulova handed the gavel to Vice Chairman Penelope Gross (D-Mason District), and proceeded to utilize a “Chairman’s Initiative” to introduce a “Board Matter” of her own.

MATHCOUNTS Winners Announced

Top area teams, students advance to Virginia state competition.

The Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition was held on Saturday, Feb. 4, at George Mason University.

Volunteer Events & Opportunities

Honoring the Past and Present

A home with both a rich history and modern conveniences is on the market in Fairfax.

When Betsy Rutkowski purchased her Fairfax home, she was drawn to its rich history and the childhood memories which it evoked.

City House, Country House

Home offers sunny interior and bucolic surroundings.

European craftsmanship, a free-flowing floor plan and light-filled rooms characterize a home that was designed according to the vision of a local jurist.

Fireplace as Focal Point

A hearth is in demand for cold weather.

“Fireplaces have never fallen out of favor,” said David Foster, president of Foster Remodeling Solutions.

In Session: Virginia Assembly Briefs

The backlog of untested rape kits has received a lot of media attention in recent years, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been working to find ways to process all that evidence. But that’s not the only problem with rape kits. Many of them are them are simply thrown away.

Cracking Down on On-the-Road Screen Time

Texting while driving is already illegal, but what about all the other screen time?

Lawmakers in Richmond are a bunch of angry birds, frustrated at existing law they believe does not solve the problem of drivers devoting their attention to their handheld screen instead of the road.

Rocky Road Ahead

Governor, business leaders and analysts offer insights on regional economy.

The road signs along the highway to the region’s economic future are a bit difficult to read, sometimes pointing positively one way, and at other times seeming to indicate slow downs and hazards ahead, according to speakers and panelists at last week’s regional economic conference.

A Look Inside Fairfax County Police Diversity Training

Commanders hear speeches on openness, forgiveness, professionalism.

West Springfield District Police Commander Cpt. Gervais T. Reed said when police officers leave the profession, some are in good shape, others are bitter.

Oakton Girls Defeat Chantilly

The Chantilly and Oakton girls’ varsity basketball teams battled each other for first place in the conference on Feb. 3 with Oakton triumphant 53-51.

Edgy, Unconventional Dark Comedy — 1st Stage at Tysons presents ‘Trevor.’

A rewarding tale about miscommunications in a family generating plenty of laughs before a heart-wrenching turn of events makes “Trevor” at 1st Stage a moving exploration of one family’s unusual bonds.

Vienna's Red Galanga Serves ‘Modern Asian’ Cuisine

Restaurant owners get three cheers.

A restaurant bombshell has struck the decorous town of Vienna, and its name is Red Galanga.

Building Industry Association Honors Rob Fisher

Rob Fisher of Fisher Custom Homes accepts the 2016 Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA) Custom Builder Award at NVBIA's President's Ball on Jan. 28, 2017.

Vienna Church Plans First “Drive-Thru Ashes” for Ash Wednesday

Commuters and area residents are invited to take part in the first “Drive-Thru Ashes” event on Ash Wednesday, March 1 at The Church of the Good Shepherd (United Methodist) in Vienna.

Vienna's Madison Warhawks Ice Hockey Playoff Bound

The Madison High varsity ice hockey team is playoff bound with their 3-1 win over division rivals the Yorktown Patriots.

Vienna Police Highlights — February 3, 2017

The following summary contains various incidents of general interest as well as vehicular crashes handled by the Town of Vienna Police Department from Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, 2017.

Week in Vienna

Caffe Amouri, BRAWS Supporting Homeless Women, Girls

BRAWS is partnering with Caffe Amouri on Valentine’s Day to spread "love" to women and girls in the community.

Vienna DaddyDaughter Dance Honors Young Girls and Their Special Date

Vienna Woman’s Club fundraiser benefits local students.

Vienna-area girls from preschool through sixth grade celebrated Valentine’s Day at a DaddyDaughter Dance hosted by the Vienna Woman’s Club on Feb. 3.

Fairfax County: Body-Worn Cameras for Police Coming Closer

Policy addressing privacy, mental health, metrics needed before pilot begins.

Fairfax County Police could have a body-worn camera program for officers up and running as early as the fall. That’s what Police Chief Edwin Roessler and the Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee discussed at the committee’s first meeting of 2017 on Jan. 31.

Fairfax County: Deadline Reached for Civilian Review Panel Nominations

Supervisors to review applications before Feb. 14 meeting.

Jan. 31 was the final day for applications and nominations for Fairfax County’s first Civilian Review Panel, one of two new forms of independent oversight for the police department.

Angry Birds on the Road: Lawmakers to Crack Down on On-the-Road Screen Time

Texting while driving is already illegal, but what about all the other screen time?

Lawmakers in Richmond are a bunch of angry birds, frustrated at existing law they believe does not solve the problem of drivers devoting their attention to their handheld screen instead of the road.

Angry Birds on the Road: Lawmakers Want to Crack Down on Screen Time

Texting while driving is already illegal, but what about Facebook and Twitter?

Lawmakers in Richmond are a bunch of angry birds, frustrated at existing law they believe does not solve the problem of drivers devoting their attention to their handheld screen instead of the road.