Stories for January 2015

Editorial: Outlook

Many bright spots will be overshadowed in the coming budget season.

Long awaited, the opening of the Silver Line promises to bring transformation to Tysons and around the current station in Reston, with another Reston station and Herndon to come.

All That Glitters Caters To the Fashion-Conscious

In addition to jewelry, Clifton store sells designer handbags, home décor, scarves, bath products.

All That Glitters, located in the Town of Clifton, is an accessories and jewelry boutique that specializes in fashion-forward pieces and vintage designs. Located in the historic Weaver House, at 7144 Main Street across from the Trattoria Villagio Restaurant, the store is owned by Alexandra Soper, who took over three years ago from Martha Mikeska.

Letter to the Editor: Urging Delegates to Vote ‘No’

To the Editor: This Friday, members of the Constitutional Law Subcommittee of the Courts of Justice in the House of Delegates will vote on HB2321 — a dangerous and unconstitutional 20-week abortion ban. My legislator, Del. Dave Albo (R-42), is the chair of this subcommittee, and his leadership and opposition to this legislation is crucial to the sanctity of a woman’s deeply personal healthcare decisions.

Rodney V. Colbert Named Deputy Fire Chief

Fire Chief Richie Bowers has selected Battalion Chief Rodney V. Colbert for promotion to deputy fire chief, effective Jan. 24. Chief Colbert will be assigned as the Chief Training Officer. Since July of 2011 he has been assigned as a field battalion chief in the Operations Bureau.

‘It’ll Be Another Challenging Year’ in Fairfax County

Frey discusses the state of the Sully District.

Money — and the lack of enough of it to do everything needing to be done — is at the heart of Fairfax County’s problems. And Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) doesn’t expect the situation to change anytime soon.

Sixteen-year-old South County Student Battles Brain Cancer, Wins $1,000

While spending a month in Philadelphia, Catherine and Serena Lommasson of Lorton found the best cheesesteak in town. Beck’s Cajun Cafe, a vendor in the train station won their favor with andouille sausage added to the iconic sandwich.

The Changing Face of Fairfax Station, Lorton and Clifton

Land use (re)development highlights.

In largely residential areas, land use officials in the offices of Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and Jeff McKay (D-Lee) say to expect to see more “infill” redevelopment in the future.

Derelict Barge Remains in Belmont Bay, South of Lorton

This ship hasn’t come in: A 50-foot, steel-hulled landing craft resting about 110 feet offshore in Belmont Bay has held its position for years. The WWII-type landing craft was used as a barge to haul materials for constructing the Fairfax Yacht Club in the 1980s.

Eileen Filler-Corn Holds First Mid-Session Office Hours in Springfield

Though Del. Eileen Filler-Corn made headlines in the first week of the General Assembly for her proposed legislation on how sexual assault on college campuses is reported, she was game for any topic at her first mid-session office hours.

Fairfax County Supervisors Defer Decision on Salary Adjustment

How should a county supervisor be compensated for his or her service? That question continues to be up for discussion, as the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to defer voting on a compensation adjustment that would take effect Jan. 1, 2016.

A Challenge for Garza: Excessive Homework

To the Editor: Your article “How Does She Do It” - Karen Garza’s vision: the irresistible force moving immovable object of Fairfax County Public Schools (The Connection,December 24-10, 2014) showed FCPS Superintendent Dr. Garza as a force for change. In the Fairfax County school system, students demonstrate excellence by collaborating and achieving good grades with the assistance of teachers.

Column: Traffic Caught

If I were writing this column in Massachusetts – where I was born and mostly educated (K-12), and had a thick Boston accent, that’s how court would likely be pronounced; changing a noun into a verb.

Schools to Expand by $856 Million

Capital Improvement Plan approved, rising enrollment causes concerns about classroom space.

Five more school buildings and renovations for several existing ones may be approved by 2020. The Fairfax County School Board approved the $856 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at the Jan. 22 meeting to set priority on the projects the school system wants done in the next five years.

Commentary: Addressing Sex Trafficking in Northern Virginia

Four years ago, I introduced my first piece of legislation to address an issue that I thought happened everywhere but here in Northern Virginia; sex trafficking. According to the Polaris Project, a leading organization in the global fight against human trafficking, over 100,000 children are victims of the sex trade in the United States each year. The Polaris Project ranks Virginia 7th in the nation in the percentage of calls received reporting human trafficking.

Puller Will Not Seek Re-election

Just as the Virginia General Assembly kicked off its 2015 January session, state Sen. Linda T. “Toddy” Puller (D-36) announced her decision to not run for re-election later this year. “It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the people of the 36th district in the Senate of Virginia,” Puller said in a Jan. 14 statement. “Now, with the encouragement, love and support of my family I have made the decision to step down.”

Editorial: Baby Steps, Not Enough

Supervisors should take action, not defer to “outside expert,” on absurd and outrageous behavior of police department.

Finally, now that the Fairfax County Police Department has taken stonewalling into the arena of the absurd, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has at least said it is time for change. It is a step, but a step that continues the appearance of obfuscation if not outright obstruction.

Burke Sweethearts Take the Long Road to the Altar

Chris Rowson, Kellie McDonald engaged.

Chris Rowson, 29, and Kellie McDonald, 27, from Burke, got engaged on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Fairview Elementary School in Fairfax Station, where the couple were both students. McDonald was in shock when Rowson proposed, as she had suspected that he would do it in February during a planned trip to Florida. But despite being “taken off guard,” she said that it could not have been a more perfect time and place.

GOP Women of Clifton Support Tragedy Assistance Program

At its 2015 officer installation and annual Christmas celebration, the Republican Women of Clifton (RWC), presented a check for $3,300 to TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors of our Fallen Heroes. The check was received by Brian Bauman, Director of Special Events, who said the money will be used to support the Grief Camp for children of fallen heroes.

Fairfax County Delivers Geer Documents

Thirty days after a court order by Fairfax Circuit Court judge Randy Bellows, Fairfax County has produced documents concerning the shooting death of John Geer.

Could Fairfax County End Veteran Homelessness in 2015?

Chairman Bulova, Fairfax County take on national Mayors Challenge.

The transition from serving in the armed forces to civilian life is often not simple. While in Fairfax County there are more than 12,000 veteran-owned businesses, indicating a significant measure of success, for others the path is far more difficult.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bulova Releases 2015 State of the County Address

Despite a projected shortfall of nearly $100 million facing Fairfax County going into the FY 2016 budget, Board of Supervisors chairman Sharon Bulova remains encouraged by a 2014 that she said was full of accomplishments.

South County High School Students Perform with United States Navy Band

A dozen members of the South County High School band program got a taste of what it’s like to perform with one of the country’s premier service ensembles.

Clifton Lions Club Donates Over $30,000 in December

The 65-member Clifton Lions Club has just about matched its headcount with donation recipients in the last year: 58.

Human Trafficking Forum To Be Held at West Springfield High School

Fairfax County Police refer to the definition of teen sex trafficking as “the act of manipulating or forcing anyone under the age of 18 to engage in a sex act in exchange for anything of value (money, drugs, shelter, food, clothes, etc.).”

Letter: Volunteer for the Games

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: I love this community. There are so many ways to serve a community as diverse and as vibrant as ours. I recently competed in a special election to succeed Congresswoman Comstock. While I came up short in the vote count, largely due to the unfortunate weather on Election Day, I am as inspired to serve as I was on that day. My passion to serve others only strengthens with each pursuit.

Column: Seasonal Seven Dwarfs

Sneezy, Coughy, Phlegmy, Stuffy, Achy. No-Sleepy and Post-Nasal Drippy; and no Doc, which is possibly what led to this column being written.

Letter: A Silent Crisis

To the Editor

Hunger is a silent crisis in the USA. Every day, children in every county in the United States wake up hungry.

GOP Women of Clifton to Hear Two Speakers on Middle East Conflict

Chet Nagle, Naval Academy graduate, Cold War pilot, CIA agent and author will speak at the January meeting of the Republican Women of Clifton on the conflict in the Middle East and vulnerability of the US electrical grid to EMP and cyber-attacks.

General Assembly Session Approaches

Delegates, senators, community leaders reflect on priorities.

With the sentencing of former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell fresh on their minds, many northern Virginia members of the delegation to the state General Assembly expect ethics reform to be a focal point at the session beginning Jan. 14.

Clean-up of Tire Dump in Lorton Ongoing

In early December 2014, the Fairfax County Fire Marshal issued a notice of violation to AAAACo Used Auto Parts in Lorton for more than 1,000 used tires on their property and overflowing into Giles Run, according to Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department spokesman Dan Schmidt.

Metro School of Arts Students Present ‘The Last Five Years’

Students of the Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) of Alexandria and Lorton will debut their first, student-directed, produced performance on Fri., Jan., 16 at 7:30 p.m., Sat., Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at The Atlas Performing Arts Theatre at 1333 H Street., NE, in Washington, D.C.

Fairfax's Sovereign Grace Co-op Drama Presents 'Our Town'

Sit back and take a breath of fresh clean New Hampshire air, as you meet the characters inhabiting the small town of Grover's Corners.

Bald Eagles and Winter Waterfowl at Burke Lake

Winter is a great time to see Eagles.

A pair of nesting bald eagles and often colorful, transient, wintering waterfowl are two of winter's best attractions on the 218-acre Burke Lake, at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station.

Scott Surovell (D-44) Announces Bid for State Senate

Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) used his blog and e-newsletter to make his intention known: Less than a week after Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36) announced she would not look to serve another term, Surovell declared he would run for the vacant seat on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: December, 2014

In December 2014, 76 homes sold between $965,000-$176,500 in the Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton area.

Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: December, 2014

Virginia Senator Toddy Puller (D-36) Will Not Seek Re-Election

Just as the Virginia General Assembly kicked off its 2015 January session, state Senator Linda T. “Toddy” Puller (D-36) announced her decision to not run for re-election later this year.

Delegates, senators and Fairfax County community leaders reflect on priorities for the General Assembly

With the sentencing of former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell fresh on their minds, many northern Virginia members of the delegation to the state General Assembly expect ethics reform to be a focal point at the session beginning Jan. 14.

General Assembly Fairfax Delegation Holds Public Meeting Prior to Session in Richmond.

Justin Dolan addressed the state delegates and senators from his wheelchair rather than the podium. The 34-year-old Falls Church resident has cerebral palsy, and received an Individual & Family Developmental Disabilities Support waiver.

Fairfax County Supervisors Seek Outside Help with Transparency

“Independent expertise” to advise on information disclosure policies.

Eight days after offering the public the first of any kind of official explanation for officer-involved shooting of Springfield resident John Geer, the Board of Supervisors took another step.

The $2.4 Billion Question

FCPS Superintendent presents next year’s budget.

Fairfax County Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza is proposing a $2.4 billion budget for the 2015-16 school year. The proposed Fairfax County Public Schools’ budget includes funds for full-day Mondays, teacher compensation and later high school start times while still finding room for $55.4 million in cuts.

Backyard Dreaming

Local tastemakers say winter is the best time to plan an idyllic backyard retreat.

Spring may seem light years away from the frigid January temperatures, and lounging in your backyard is probably the last thing you want to do at the moment, but landscape designers say now is the time to start planning a summer retreat.

Column: $32.99 Plus Shipping

For one box of 54 petite Belgian waffle cookies in three delicious flavors: milk chocolate, dark chocolate and vanilla; an extravagance to be sure, available during the holidays; this recipient (actually, my wife, Dina, was the recipient) very happy to oblige and indulge.

Metro School of Arts Students Present ‘The Last Five Years’

Students of the Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) of Alexandria and Lorton will debut their first, student-directed, produced performance on Fri., Jan., 16 at 7:30 p.m., Sat., Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at The Atlas Performing Arts Theatre at 1333 H Street., NE, in Washington, D.C.

GOP Women of Clifton to Hear Two Speakers on Middle East Conflict

Chet Nagle, Naval Academy graduate, Cold War pilot, CIA agent and author will speak at the January meeting of the Republican Women of Clifton on the conflict in the Middle East and vulnerability of the USChet Nagle, Naval Academy graduate, Cold War pilot, CIA agent and author will speak at the January meeting of the Republican Women of Clifton on the conflict in the Middle East and vulnerability of the US electrical grid to EMP and cyber-attacks. electrical grid to EMP and cyber-attacks.

Top Fitness Trends for 2015

Here are some low-cost and mobile routines.

The beginning of a new year is often a time when many resolve to begin a fitness plan or to ramp up their current routine. Officials at the American College of Sports Medicine rang in the New Year by releasing the organization’s annual survey of the top fitness trends for 2015.

Editorial: Happy New Year

Focused on community.

Happy New Year. We need your help in 2015. As local, weekly newspapers, the Connection’s mission is to deliver news readers need close to home, to help readers enjoy great local places and events, to advocate for community good, to call attention to unmet needs, to provide a forum for dialogue on local concerns, and to celebrate and record milestones and events in community and people’s lives.

Answering the Call to Action

Catholic Church of the Nativity in Burke helps Haitians.

Sixteen years ago Father Martin, the pastor of the Catholic Church of the Nativity in Burke, asked hypothetically, “How much money could be raised if each parishioner donated a small amount each week of Lent?”

Glancing Back to 2014, Looking Forward to 2015: Springfield Town Center, World Police and Fire Games, Occoquan

A crowd of eager shoppers gathered Oct. 17, 2014, for the grand opening of the Springfield Town Center, a completely revitalized version of the long dilapidated Springfield Mall.

South County High School Swim and Dive Team Donates Toys at South Run

Before filling the pool for warm-ups, members of the South County High School Swim and Dive team filled the Toys for Tots collection box at South Run RECenter. The team decided to give collectively at their final dual meet before Christmas break, a Dec. 19 face off with the team from Robert E Lee High School.

Column: Down and Not Out, Yet

Thankfully (so far as I know, which isn’t very far), after a five-week interval between infusions, which included two additional weeks of pre-chemotherapy lab work and an out-of-the-ordinary 24-hour urine collection (“creatinine clearance”) to boot – to more accurately measure my kidney function in hopes of meeting a 1.6 threshold – muster was finally passed, and I was subsequently infused without any further adieu.

Letter to the Editor: A Wonderful Article

To the Editor: What a wonderful article you wrote, Kareese (“How I Left…” by Kareese Akinloba, grade 8, Irving Middle School, Children’s Connection, January 1-7, 2015). Your writing ability is beyond your years.

Children's Connection 2014

This week, the Connection turns over its pages to the youth and students.