Stories for February 2012

Woodson’s Reaves Signs with Shepherd

Woodson senior Mike Reaves signed a letter of intent and received a scholarship to play football at Shepherd University in West Virginia.

Robinson’s Valdez, Martino Win State Wrestling Titles

Rams finish state runner-up behind Colonial Forge.

Santiago Valdez produced a losing record during his first two seasons as a Robinson wrestler. After two years of hard work and dedication, Valdez produced a state championship.

South County’s Manley, Stein Win Region Wrestling Titles

Hunter Manley wanted nothing to do with a repeat performance.

Robinson Grapplers Pinkston, Martino Win Region Titles

Rams finish region runner-up to district foe Westfield.

Robinson heavyweight Jake Pinkston dropped 10 pounds prior to regionals. In exchange, he gained a second Northern Region championship.

Column: State Shirks Transportation Responsibility

Maybe we should rename our County The Bank of Last Resort.

Griffin’s Final Budget

Outgoing county executive proposes 6.1 percent budget increase compared to last year.

Appearing before members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for the last time, outgoing county executive Anthony Griffin had the luxury of taking the long view. When considering the challenges that currently confront the county, Griffin reminded the elected officials that it wasn’t all that long ago that Fairfax County has essentially a rural backwater of the capital.

Nourishing Body and Soul

Fourth annual fundraiser draws 300 attendees.

Professional and student artists have been busy shaping and decorating nearly 500 bowls for the fourth annual Empty Bowls event, hosted by Our Daily Bread, a nonprofit that works to eliminate hunger, homelessness and poverty in Fairfax County.

The Art of the Deal

Lorton’s Matthew McFarland takes top spot in 5th annual Monopoly Tournament.

Matthew McFarland, 14, outplayed, outwitted and outlasted nearly 100 other Monopoly fans during the fifth annual Monopoly Tournament at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Letter: Striving for Excellence

Letter to the Editor

As a parent of four children in the Fairfax County Public School system, I applaud the efforts of Governor McDonnell and members of the General Assembly for working to improve the quality of our education.

Becoming Mr. Zero

The New School Theater presents ‘The Adding Machine.’

s technology advances, great leaps forward are made. But for every great leap forward, there are consequences.

Walter Alcorn Selected as Citizen of the Year

Planning Commissioner Walter Alcorn will be honored as the 2011 Citizen of the Year at the annual awards banquet of the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations ("Federation") and SAIC on Sunday, March 25 at the Tysons Corner Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Bone Marrow Donor Drive for 13-year-old Leukemia Survivor

Shynia Milligan's family is coordinating the bone marrow drive at Almas Temple, on K Street in Washington, D.C.

Thirteen-year-old Shynia Milligan was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) in the summer of 2010. AML is a life-threatening blood cancer.

Classified Advertising

Read this weeks great jobs and get your home ready for spring with our home services directory!

For the Love of Chocolate

For all things chocolate, plan to attend the Chocolate Lovers Festival, a two-day event that takes place each year in Old Town Fairfax. This year’s event is Saturday, March 3 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, March 4, from 12-4 p.m.

Column: “Battling Cancer”

I suppose, as a cancer patient, there’s a presumption/understanding that not giving into cancer and its potential ravages is an ongoing battle – to the death, if you will. And I imagine, on many levels, some truer than others, it is. War is indeed waged – so to speak, in hopes of defeating this horrible disease (enemy).

Kaine Touts ‘Talent Economy’ at Fairfax Company

In bid for U.S. Senate seat, Kaine holds economic roundtables.

During a campaign stop at a Fairfax workforce development company on Thursday, former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) emphasized the need to foster a "talent economy" that will reboot America’s drive to the top of the economic ladder.

The Bus Was Stuffed

Local food pantries receive record donations from 2nd annual Stuff the Bus campaign.

Fairfax County’s second annual Stuff the Bus campaign roared to the finish line last week, collecting more than 25,604 pounds of food and $3,483 – a 26 percent increase in food, and a 236 percent increase in cash over 2011 totals.

Pet Connection

We asked our readers to send in pictures of their pets.

Voters to Have Final Say on Eminent Domain Amendment

Opinions are divided as to what kind of influence the amendment could have if passed.

This fall, voters across Virginia will be confronted with a hotly debated amendment to the Virginia Constitution that seeks to limit the ability of local governments to use the power of eminent domain.

Artists Come Together and Support the Workhouse for the 2012 Collector’s Showcase

The Workhouse Arts Center is now exhibiting the 2012 Collector’s Showcase in its very own Workhouse Gallery. This year’s showcase, which will be on display until Feb. 25, features over 60 diverse works, all of which were donated by Associate and Studio artists’ of the Workhouse.

Column: General Assembly Halftime Report

If you haven’t been following the General Assembly this year, I thought it would be appropriate to fill you in on the first half of the session.

Column: Marking Time

As much as I don’t want to be ever-mindful of today’s date – relative to when I first learned of my diagnosis, that Thursday three years ago this very week, when my Internal Medicine doctor called me with the results of the biopsy (confirming the malignancy); and of course all that had preceded it and all that has happened since.

Employment and Classified Ads Feb. 22, 2012

Classifieds Feb. 22, 2012: Job Opportunities, Yard Sales, Home Repairs and Handyman Services

Schultz Requests Public Hearing on Honor Cords for Military Enlistees

After a majority (7-5) of Fairfax County School Board members resisted a uniform policy to recognize military enlistees with honor cords during graduation ceremonies at its Feb. 13 work session, Elizabeth Schultz (Springfield) launched a campaign for a public hearing on the issue.

Calendar (Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield)

Feb. 23-29

Community events in the Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield area.

Bulletin Board (Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield)

Feb. 22-29

Community events in the Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield area.

Making the Grade

Local school officials offer strategies for strengthening study habits.

When Jackie Jackson’s son brought home his report card recently, the Centreville mother of three was shocked. "His grades had fallen to an unacceptable level," said Jackson

Having Heart in Lorton

The Lorton Workhouse Arts Center held its 2nd Annual Saturday Art Walk last weekend, which allowed visitors to walk the halls of each building, interacting with artists.

‘Coming to America’ at Robinson Middle

It’s one thing to read about history in a textbook, but another thing entirely to experience it "firsthand."

People of Faith Gather to Support Marriage Equality

Holding red heart balloons and handing out candles and flowers, nearly 200 guests gathered in the shadow of the historic Fairfax County Courthouse to celebrate the union of a one couple on Valentine’s Day.

Public Safety in the Local Area

Sheriff’s Office, State Police representatives speak.

Public safety and traffic were among the topics when representatives from the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police spoke recently in Centreville. They addressed the Jan. 25 meeting of the Sully District Council of Citizens Associations.

Week in Fairfax

Things happening in the Fairfax area.

Honoring Grads Who Choose to Serve

Burke moms lobby school board to recognize enlistees during graduation ceremonies.

When Carolyn Kellam’s 17-year-old son, Danny, asked for permission to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps last year, she said "the mom in me was scared to death, but the citizen in me was very proud."

Fairfax Fashion Student Sketches a Winning Dress

For 17-year-old Samantha Bryant, Feb. 3 should have been like any other school day. It was noon, when she normally left W.T. Woodson High School and drove to Fairfax Academy where she studies fashion design.

Robinson in Pink

Two Robinson students promote breast cancer awareness.

There will be 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer among women in the United States, according to Susan G. Komen’s website.

Week in Burke

Things happening in the Burke area.

Fairfax County Considers Meals Tax Referendum

Revenue would be earmarked for transportation projects.

Last week, it looked as if the Virginia General Assembly might give Fairfax County a new funding tool: the right to generate new revenue through user fees, such as tax on restaurant meals, which would drive down the County’s reliance on property taxes.

Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board Steps Out of the Jazz Age

Bill would increase representation for Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads.

For almost a century, the Commonwealth Transportation Board has been partying like it was 1922.

Editorial: Saving the Bay - A Good Investment

Cleaning up the water that runs into the Chesapeake Bay will help create jobs and economic activity in Virginia.

A plan to raise $300 million in bonds to upgrade wastewater treatment plants around the commonwealth stalled in a House of Delegates committee last week, a setback in meeting EPA requirements to clean up the water that leads to the Bay.

Column: "Diseased"

But not sickness. Not health, either, as last week’s column ended. At least that’s the way I characterize my having stage IV lung cancer. And I don’t know if I’m splitting hairs here, since I’ve never worked in a salon, although I do get my hair cut regularly; but I have been accused of speaking double-talk.

Obituary: Barbara Parkinson, 67, Longtime Connection Employee, Dies

Barbara Jean Parkinson, 67, of Sterling, Va., died Feb. 7, 2012 at her residence. Born on Sept. 17, 1944 in New York she was the daughter of the late Charles and Elizabeth Lundy.

Lorton’s Monopoly Tournament Supports Habitat for Humanity

The new location isn’t under the boardwalk, and you won’t receive a "Get Out of Jail Free" card, but Ron Kowalski, founder of Lorton’s annual Monopoly Tournament, said players of all ages will have a blast competing in the 5th annual game tournament at the Workhouse Arts Center.

Senior Night is Crenshaw Family Affair

Robinson’s Crenshaw helps lift Rams to victory

Robinson Secondary senior Tristian Crenshaw spent a lot of time as a child playing pickup basketball games with his grandparents James A. Boswell and Debbie Chandler-Boswell. But over time, those enjoyable games became less frequent.

30 Years in Prison for Wife’s Murder

‘There’s nothing to defend this crime.’

Consumed by his own irrational fears and demons, Chantilly’s Tony Tong had threatened to kill his wife for years. In October 2010, he did so; and last week in Fairfax County Circuit Court, he was sentenced to 30 years in pri

Roundups

Free Carseat Inspections

The Play’s the Thing

Chantilly, Westfield finish first, second in one-act competition.

Local students showed off their acting chops last week when Chantilly and Westfield high schools finished first and second, respectively, in the Concorde District portion of the VHSL One-Act Play Competition. It was held Monday, Jan. 30, at Herndon High.

Details of the Offense

In January 2011, Tony Tong had a preliminary hearing in connection with the death of his wife, Kathleen Tran. Homicide Det. Brian Colligan explained the events leading up to the Oct. 22, 2010 tragedy. He said Tran had driven their son John home from a friend’s house and, some time after 1 a.m., they arrived home to find Tong, then 43, furious.

Progress Report from Labor Resource Center

The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) opened in December and, in nearly two months of operation, registered more than 150 Centreville-area residents who want temporary employment. CLRC’s professional staff and 27 volunteers provide information and quick service to both employers and those seeking work.

‘Dramapalooza’ at Centreville High

One-act play festival takes the stage.

Students take the helm when Centreville High presents "Dramapalooza," its annual, one-act play festival. Show times are Friday, Feb 17, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Feb 18, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Campbell Takes a Look Back

Although Mike Campbell will leave Centreville High in July, he’s still delighted to be its principal and is proud of the school’s standing locally and nationwide.

Heading for Huntsville

CVH Principal Campbell retiring, taking job in Alabama.

The way Mike Campbell figures it, his retirement will last all of 24 hours. Centreville High’s principal is leaving the school, this summer, and heading for a new job with Huntsville City Public Schools in Alabama.

Bulova, Marsden Present Report from Richmond

Area legislators host town hall meeting to get feedback from constituents.

Less than a month after Virginia’s General Assembly convened on Jan. 11, the GOP’s effective control of both houses has paved the way for a slew of conservative social legislation, from broadening gun rights to curbing abortion and voting rights.

President Announces Homeowners Bill of Rights

Local homeowners, housing advocates say president’s plan gives homeowners important safeguards.

Tina Kotson of Springfield, a homeowner of five years, said she thought it would be fairly easy to refinance her current 5.65 percent mortgage and take advantage of today’s lower rates.

Valentine's Day Décor

In honor of Cupid's day, share ideas for sweetening a home or dining table.

Whether planning a dinner party for friends, a romantic meal for two or a breakfast surprise for children, local designers say simple accents can create a festive atmosphere on Valentine's Day.

Tightening Asbestos Regulations

Bill protecting workers passes Senate with unanimous vote.

It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it. Yet labor advocates say the people who are licensed to remove asbestos may not be fully aware of the dangers posed by toxic chemicals.

Liberatore Leads Bruins to District Gymnastics Title

Senior wins all-around championship after back-to-back runner-up finishes.

After her routine, Caitlin Liberatore cracked a wide smile when judges revealed a score of 9.575. It was enough to win the event, but was it enough to win the all-around crown?

House on a Hill

Contemporary in Oakton transformed into welcoming southern colonial.

Hunstville, Ala. is a pretty small town-- yet it has three historic districts and more homes in the national register than most places twice its size. Growing up in such a community, Gina Jones is understandably attracted to welcoming porches and grand foyers--hallmarks of the antebellum style.

Remodeling: An Opportunity To Follow One’s Passion

Adding that personal touch.

Having remodeled thousands of projects over the past 25 years, our clients' reactions tell us that some of the most successful projects often address a specific passion or interest. Folks seem to be spending more and more time at home not only working, but also enriching their lives through personal interests.

Editorials: Access to Activities for Home Schoolers; Action in Richmond; Changes in Gun Laws

Families who home-school their children in this area take a burden off crowded schools, and off taxpayers who pay on average between $12,000 and $16,000 per year per child in school depending on where in Northern Virginia.

Week in Lorton

Things happening in the Lorton area.

"Art" kicks-off Inaugural Season of Workhouse Theatre.

Fairfax County's newest professional, non-profit theater company, the Workhouse Theatre opened its inaugural season with "Art" by award-winning playwright Yasmina Reza at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center.

Green Dot Card Scam

Fairfax County police investigating slew of scams targeting seniors.

When a 70-year-old Burke woman answered her phone this week, the caller told her she’d won 3.5 million dollars and a brand new Mercedes. But there was a catch.

McDonald’s Announces 2012 Hispanic Scholarship Program

The McDonald’s Family Restaurants of Greater Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Hispanic College Fund (HCF), will be honoring exceptional Hispanic students in the Greater Washington, D.C., area with the 3rd Annual McDonald’s Hispanic College Fund Scholarship Program.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Help American Cancer Society

Last October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department donned pink shirts to help the American Cancer Society increase awareness of breast cancer.

Column: Back On The Juice…

The chemotherapy juice, that is. Going forward now, every three weeks until I’ve completed six infusions, finishing sometime around mid May barring any foreseen – and previously experienced blips (meaning delays): levels, counts, readings, etc., that would compel my oncologist to stop åhe treatment and await results of a retest

Bulletin Board (Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield)

Community events in the Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield area.

Calendar (Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield)

Community events in the Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield area.

Faith Notes (Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield)

Faith Notes are for announcements and events in the faith community.

Brigadier General from Fairfax Dies in Afghanistan

Terence Hildner, 49, highest ranking officer to die in Afghanistan.

Brigadier General Terence J. Hildner of Fairfax, a highly-decorated officer who received the Bronze Star Medal for combat heroism, died Feb. 3 in Kabul of apparent natural causes, military officials announced Saturday.

Woodson’s Dash Makes Collegiate Decision

Cav wide receiver set to play for first-year football program.

W.T. Woodson High senior football player Marcus Dash, earlier this week on the Feb. 1 National Signing Day for high school athletes, was scheduled to sign a college letter of intent to play NCAA Div. 2 football at Alderson-Broaddus (A-B) College in Philippi, West Va.

Cementing the Districts

Republicans try to lock in eight-to-three advantage in congressional redistricting.

Now that congressional redistricting has moved through the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate, a picture of 2012 is beginning to take shape.

Woodson Tops Lake Braddock in Boys’ Basketball

Woodson sharp-shooter Tommy Stepka hurts Bruins with long range shooting.

The three-point shot is arguably the most satisfying in basketball. When coupled with aggressive defense, it can make a team virtually unstoppable. The Woodson High boys’ team connected on seven 3-pointers and buried visiting Patriot District opponent Lake Braddock defensively to win 73-50 last Friday night, Jan. 27.

Moderate Mutiny

With the sluggish economy at the forefront of voters’ minds this year, former Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine hopes to put fiscal issues at the top of his campaign to fill the seat vacated by Democratic U.S. Sen. Jim Webb. In an interview on Thursday, Jan. 19, Kaine said he hopes to promote a "talent economy" in Washington. It’s a reality the former governor says has become evident in the last few decades, when Virginia moved from being one of the lowest median income states to being one of the wealthiest.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

Lunar Chinese New Year festivities continued this past weekend, attracting hundreds of thousands of shoppers and visitors to Fair Oaks Mall. Lunar New Year is the most important holiday of the Chinese traditional calendar, based on the phases of the moon and the solar year. The year is 4710 and celebrates the dragon, which is considered the luckiest sign of the Chinese zodiac, symbolizing strength, power and good luck.

Commentary: Dulles Rail Phase II: A Common Sense Approach

This spring the Fairfax and Loudoun County Board of Supervisors will be required to make a final decision to opt in or out of Phase II of the Dulles Rail project. Rail through Tysons past the airport and into Loudoun is the largest public works project in the history of the Commonwealth and it has significant financial implications to the counties, its residents and businesses, and especially to the users of the Dulles Toll Road. As the Dulles corridor and Tysons are the economic engines of the region and the Commonwealth the project also has telling implications on our future job growth.

Letter: Waste of Taxpayer Money

I recently received a "Richmond Update" from Del. Jim Le Munyon advising: "I have proposed an additional $400,000 in the state budget for the State Police to more effectively conduct background checks for individuals desiring to purchase a firearm. Recently, a constituent brought to my attention the significant delays some purchasers were experiencing in receiving the results of their background checks …"

Remembering Harry Heisler

Wife mourns husband of 28 years.

Ask Evelyn Heisler what made her husband Harry so special to her, and she answers without hesitation. "He had a razor-sharp wit and a brilliant sense of humor and he made me laugh every day," she said.

Fulfilling a Dream

Ahmadiyya Muslim mosque is almost completed.

Set back from the road, yet perched upon a hill, the mosque that will serve area members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community is nearing completion in Chantilly. Just off Walney Road and Eagle Chase Circle, the 7,200-square-foot place of worship is called the Mubarak mosque which, in Islamic, means "blessed tidings."

‘We’re Really Frustrated’

Homeowner’s insurance company seeks damages from WGL.

Leaving a recent meeting of the Brookfield Civic Association, Thuan Nguyen was not a happy man. After losing his home in a December 2010 gas explosion, he and his family carried on with their lives, but never received definitive answers regarding what caused the blast.

Prayer Schedule and Message of Peace

At the new, Ahmadiyya Muslim mosque in Chantilly, morning prayers will start before sunrise; evening prayers are said approximately 45 minutes after sundown. And the imam will be there to lead the congregation in prayer, seven days a week.

SCC vs. WGL: What’s Next?

State and gas company disagree over report.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) determined that Washington Gas Company [WGL] committed 11 "probable violations" in regard to the December 2010 explosion in Brookfield. But the gas company believes otherwise.

Vandals Damage New Mosque in Chantilly

Windows smashed, property damaged.

The motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community is "Love for all, hatred for none." Its Web site is www.MuslimsForPeace.org.

Putting Food on the Table

Food banks struggle to keep shelves stocked in winter.

n a bright winter Saturday afternoon, bus driver Lynn Temple boxed up jars of peanut butter and cans of food donated by shoppers at Giant grocery store in Lorton.

President Announces Homeowners Bill of Rights

Gives speech to crowd at James Lee Community Center in Falls Church.

Calling the continuing depression in the housing market a "make-or-break" moment for the middle class, President Barack Obama delivered a short and pointed speech this morning about his proposed Homeowner’s Bill of Rights to an audience in Falls Church.

Letter: Schools Have Too Much Power

Letter to the Editor

I just read an article by Michael Lee Pope ["Politics of Notification: Father takes his plight for increased parental notification to Richmond," Connection, Jan. 26-Feb. 1] It is simply wrong!

Assembly at Half-way Point

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn reflects on General Assembly session so far.

The 2012 General Assembly session is nearly at its half-way point. In just two weeks, we will reach the "cross-over" phase of the current session, signifying that the House of Delegates has concluded its scheduled business and will begin working on legislation that has already been passed by the State Senate.

Girl Scouts Invited to Community Celebration

This year Girl Scouts of the USA is celebrating its 100th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the South Central Fairfax Association of the Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC) is conducting a special event and opening it up to the community at Springfield Mall on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Letter: Benefits of Smaller Class Sizes

Letter to the Editor

We have a great school system in Fairfax County. Our test scores are high, our students are engaged in challenging educational curriculums, and our schools have received national recognition as being some of the best in the nation.

Column: "Progression"

There’s a word – in a medical context, anyway, that you don’t hear every day. And if you’re a stage IV lung cancer survivor – like me, 35 months post-diagnosis, it’s hardly the word you ever want to hear – or see – describing the most recent CT Scan of your lungs (Mediastinum) where your malignant tumors have been in "partial stable remission" going on two-plus years now. "Progression" means growth. Growth means the relative calm under which you’ve existed for the last few years is officially over.