Tuesday, June 30
July 4th Safety
From swimming to fireworks, safety precautions for a festive Independence Day.
It was a near accident at camp last summer that sparked action by one parent. Elementary school-aged campers splashed in the pool. Everyone was having fun. Then tragedy almost struck.
Fairfax County: Deferring to Noise
New standards will wait until after the November election.
The Board of Supervisors wants to spend more time with noise. Last Tuesday, June 23, the Board deferred action on the proposed changes to the county’s noise ordinance until Nov. 17, 2015.
Editorial: Open Letter to Elected Officials and Candidates
Spend some of your campaign dollars in newspapers.
Here at the Connection, our email boxes are filling up with messages from people running for office. It’s not surprising, since in November, virtually every state and local office in the commonwealth is on the ballot.
Monday, June 29
Innovative Dance Event at Workhouse ArtWalk: “Mise en Dance”
The Workhouse’s monthly “2nd Saturday ArtWalk” has been showcasing the diverse work of visual artists. “It is a unique time to meet the artists and watch them create new pieces,” said Joseph Wallen, performing arts director.
Friday, June 26
Health Curriculum To More Closely Align with State
School Board approves recommendations from advisers, with amendments.
Though it was the second packed house in as many months, it may be early yet to call crowded Fairfax County School Board meetings a trend.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 26-28, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 25
Fairfax County: Police Release Use of Force Review
Review explained at latest Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission meeting.
Nearly a year ago, Fairfax County sought an outside opinion on its police department’s use of force. That July 2014 assignment went to the Washington, D.C.-based Police Executive Research Forum.
Fairfax Station: South County Graduate Completes Attendance Streak
Cara Yates has never missed a day of school. Ever. From kindergarten on, the South County High School 2015 graduate kept a perfect attendance record the whole way.
Lorton Area Roundups
A 2-year-old boy was pronounced dead at Inova Fairfax Hospital on June 18, Fairfax County Police announced Friday, June 19.
Wednesday, June 24
Column: Gone But Always Remembered
As Father’s Day approaches, (written Thursday, June 18th) I am reminded of one of my father’s standard lines which characterize his positive attitude on life, for which I am eternally grateful – because I inherited it.
Tuesday, June 23
Call for Pet Connection Photos
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 22, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by July 15. Our favorite pictures include both pets and humans. We welcome short stories about how you got your pet, a noteworthy talent or anecdote about your pet, tales of the bonds between your family and your pet, plus drawings, paintings or other artwork of your pet by children or adults Please tell us a little bit about your creature, identify everyone in the photo, give a brief description what is happening in the photo, and include address and phone number (we will not publish your address or phone number, just your town name).
Editorial: Safe Planning for Independence
Talking and planning about celebrating July 4, and throughout the summer months.
Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.
Friday, June 19
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 19-21, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 18
Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: May, 2015
In May, 2015, 87 homes sold between $1,332,500-$170,000 in the Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton area.
Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: May, 2015
Lorton: Two-Year-Old Boy Rescued from Pool Bottom
A 2-year-old boy is in life-threatening condition at Inova Fairfax Hospital after being found, unresponsive, at the bottom of a pool, Fairfax County Police said.
Fairfax County: Questioning Family Life Curriculum
The Fairfax County School Board’s May 7 meeting drew a passionate and boisterous crowd that filled the Luther Jackson Middle School auditorium and spilled out into the main lobby. That night the board voted in favor of adding “gender identity” to its nondiscrimination policy for students, employees and applicants for employment.
Mount Vernon and Lorton: New Gunston Hall Roof Completed
Approaching Gunston Hall in Mason Neck, the 18th-century plantation home of George Mason, its roof appears to gleam golden in the sunlight.
Ideas for Summer Learning
Experts offer suggestions for avoiding summer brain drain.
While summer is opportunity for fun, it can also be a breeding ground for stagnation.
YouthQuest Runs ThinkLink
Experts say 3D printing can open a world of imagination and critical thinking.
Adonis Gonzales had always wanted to become a master electrician, but when he was asked to leave high school at 16 because of a poor attendance record, his prospects looked bleak.
Wednesday, June 17
Mount Vernon: New Wegmans Opens in Alexandria
Nearly 2,000 in line for June 14 opening morning.
At any other Wegmans grocery store in Virginia, Woodbridge resident Braden Cheney’s job wouldn’t exist. A 2000 graduate of W.T. Woodson High School, Cheney is manager of The Pub, a full-service restaurant and bar operating within the store.
Column: No Joke, But Funny Nonetheless
Not that I ever want to use my having cancer as an excuse, but you have to admit, it’s a doozy. And it’s probably the best thing about the diagnosis/prognosis. However, it’s not as if there are a number of other advantages to the disease.
Tuesday, June 16
Burke: Robinson Girls’ Lacrosse Wins First VHSL State Title
Rams defeat Oakton in state final, finish with 21-1 record.
The Robinson girls' lacrosse team beat Oakton 16-12 to win the 6A state championship on June 13.
Monday, June 15
Burke: Injured Moore Helps Robinson Boys' Lacrosse Win State Title
Rams beat Chantilly in double overtime to repeat as 6A state champion.
The Robinson boys' lacrosse team defeated Chantilly 10-9 in double overtime to win the 6A state title.
Thursday, June 11
Fairfax Station: 200 Walk Burke Lake for Nepal Earthquake Victims
When the 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Nepal in April this year, Madhu and Yashoda Bhandari of Lorton felt the shocks in their United States home. Both are originally from the Nuwakot district, one that was hit violently.
Supervising Public Safety
First meeting since 2011 includes packed agenda, full house.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee, chaired by Gerry Hyland (D-Mount Vernon), met on Tuesday, June 9 for the first time since June 2011. Since then, there have been six officer-involved shootings in Fairfax County, including the August 2013 shooting death of John Geer. Police handling of the communications and investigation of that shooting led to the formation in March 2015 of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.
Wednesday, June 10
Column: Philosophically Speaking
Recently I attended a “Celebration of Life” event, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, created to bring attention to, and educate the public on, cancer. As a long-time cancer survivor, nearly six and a half years now – and one treated by doctors at Kaiser, I was asked, along with a cervical cancer survivor, to sit on a “survivor panel”; to share our cancer experiences, and offer, along with two oncologists and a pulmonologist, our respective insights as “treater” and “treatee.”
FCPS Honors Women in Sports
Laubach, Centreville HS Alum and Olympian, gives keynote address.
The Fairfax County Women in Sports Awards ceremony was held at Oakton High School on Sunday, May 31.
Walk for Well a Success
Charity walk at Burke Lake raises funds to build a well in Uganda.
June 6 dawned sunny and cloudless over shelter C at Burke Lake. A crowd of 50 people clad in bright turquoise shirts gathered to complete a two-mile walk to raise funds to build a well in a Ugandan village called Natihalo.
James Bond Is Coming to Workhouse
The one-man show is a lampoon and theater of the imagination of all things James Bond.
Dive into the world of that suave secret agent, James Bond, as he plants the British flag in a live theater production at the Workhouse. Bond won’t be alone either; the production will have a wealth of eccentric characters; good and evil, male and female, along with original music adding urbane flair to the action and antics.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 12-14, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Burke: Robinson Girls’ Lax Advances to State Championship Game
Rams beat Centreville 15-13 in overtime in state semifinals.
The Robinson girls' lacrosse team defeated Centreville 15-13 in overtime in the 6A state semifinals on Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 9
Trending in the Garden
Local landscape architects offer suggestions for updating.
As summer gets underway, so does time spent outside. The American Society of Landscape Architects recently released the results of its 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Survey, a list of trends in outdoor design that yields a bounty of backyard design ideas. From adding a pond to planting a garden, local landscape gurus explain how these trends can be used to transform an outdoor space into a favorite escape.
Friday, June 5
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 5-7, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 4
Vienna: Madison Boys' Soccer Secures First State Tournament Berth
Irwin's late goal propels Warhawks past Woodson in region semifinals
The Madison boys' soccer team beat Woodson 1-0 on Wednesday in the 6A North region semifinals.
Four Seek Democratic Nod for Mount Vernon Supervisor: Dan Storck
Budgets are statements of principles. I firmly believe that education is the cornerstone for continuing to move our communities forward.
Four Seek Democratic Nod for Mount Vernon Supervisor: Jack Dobbyn
It is easy to say that FCPS and/or the county must cut trim operating size, or learn to operate with less. Like most individuals around Fairfax County and in the Mt. Vernon District, I recognize that FCPS and the county both have needs, and that we need revenue diversification to ensure our high quality of life is maintained.
Four Seek Democratic Nod for Mount Vernon Supervisor: Tim Sargeant
As the next Mt. Vernon supervisor, I will establish a satellite office in the Mt. Vernon District Supervisor’s office for our next School Board member, so that we can work collaboratively to address the needs of all Mt. Vernon School children.
Make a Call; Save a Life
Petersen’s “Good Samaritan Overdose Protection” law goes into effect July 1.
Accidental overdose deaths are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, exceeding even motor vehicle accidents among people ages 25 to 64, according to a recently released study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Last year, an estimated 210 heroin overdoses fatalities occurred in Virginia, with the highest number in Fairfax and Prince William counties.
Four Seek Democratic Nod for Mount Vernon Supervisor: Candice Bennett
As a product of public schools and the daughter of educators, I understand and appreciate the importance of maintaining FCPS’ excellent reputation.
Fairfax County: Primary Voting
While November’s elections are still months away, voters have the opportunity to select Democratic representatives for several races in the party’s primary on June 9.
Clifton: Wined Up Toys
Clifton Wine Festival returns for eighth year.
With 15 participating wineries, tasting some from each at the eighth annual Clifton Wine Festival sounds overwhelming. One of the festival organizers, Holly Turner of Burke, doesn’t think making the rounds will be a problem.
Fairfax County: Recognizing Enlisted High School Seniors
Our Community Salutes of Northern Virginia holds its fifth Annual Enlistee Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, June 11, at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus.
Lorton: Young Girl Drowns in Pool
Around 4 p.m. on Memorial Day, Fairfax County Police answered a report of an unresponsive child at a pool in the 9000 block of Lorton Station Boulevard.
Fairfax County: Moving on ‘Move Over’
Police crackdown, educate about law protecting emergency roadside vehicles and drivers.
Fairfax County Master Police Officer Joe Moore’s front and rear-mounted radar machines whistle and beep with varying frequency as cars barrel past on Interstate 66 around the Fairfax County Parkway.
Fairfax: Northern Virginia Training Center Property Put on Market
Facility for people with disabilities scheduled for March 2016 closure.
According to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, 63 residents still live and receive treatment at the Northern Virginia Training Center, located in Fairfax alongside Braddock Road.
Wednesday, June 3
Editorial: Overdose Deaths Are Preventable
New “safe reporting” law encourages people to seek help in time.
The death rate due to heroin overdose more than doubled between 2010 through 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with an average increase of 37 percent per year in the United States.
Clifton: Loving Horses and Design
Lisa Brockman wins Virginia Gold Cup hat competition four times.
The date is May 2, and clear, sunny skies smile down on the Virginia Gold Cup horse race.
Column: Weight For It; Wait
Given some post-chemotherapy eating challenges I’ve experienced during the past few months, and the subsequent weight loss which has occurred, my oncologist has prescribed Dronabinol, common brand name: Marinol.
‘Walk 4 Water’ Event at Burke Lake Park
Two-miler raises funds to help thirsty children in Uganda.
Ceci Stillwell and her daughter Kori hurried past mud huts in a dirty village in Uganda searching for an 8-year-old native girl named Topista; the pair was anxious to meet the child they had been sponsoring. Ceci Stillwell, of Woodbridge, Va., first saw Topista’s face in a photo at the New Hope Church in Lorton and immediately knew she needed to help her.
Burke: Robinson Girls’ Lacrosse Beats Oakton for Region Championship
Schuler leads Rams with 5 goals, goalie Valenti tallies 10 saves.
The Robinson girls' lacrosse team beat Oakton 15-6 on Tuesday to win the 6A North region title.
Monday, June 1
Summer Fun, Summer Safety
Tips for averting summer danger.
It’s a familiar call. The sun beams down from mid-summer sky. Temperatures rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but safety conditions start to plummet.