Stories for November 2016

Classified Advertising November 30, 2016

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Column: Expand Early Voting Now in NOVA

The success of early voting in the 2016 Presidential Election reaffirms my conclusion from visiting 12,000 homes last year — Virginia should expand early voting.

Facing Addiction, Tools in Fairfax County

The following information was provided by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board.

The Surgeon General released the first-ever report on Facing Addiction in America on Thursday, Nov. 17.

Fairfax: Robinson Square Root

Educational program part of FACETS plan to prevent homelessness.

“If you don’t do homework, you get bad grades,” Dowling asserted. The boys are receiving after school homework assistance at the Robinson Square community center, owned by Fairfax County and operated by Fairfax-based non-profit FACETS.

Fairfax: ‘More about Giving, than Receiving’

Britepaths seeks community’s holiday help for neighbors in need.

“We anticipate serving about 2,000 families, as opposed to 1,500 last year,” said Britepaths Executive Director Lisa Whetzel. “Normally, we share them with our other nonprofit partners. But what is concerning is that, this year, our partners are scaling back – so we’re in desperate need for people who want to become sponsors.”

Fairfax Station: Donated Thanksgiving Food Baskets Ready for 525 Households

Five-hundred twenty-five households in southeastern Fairfax County were served a Thanksgiving food basket from Lorton Community Action Center, thanks to donations from the community and volunteers to organize the packing.

Mount Vernon: Commission Delays Vote on Farm Alcohol Zoning Amendment

Comments may be sent prior to planning’s Nov. 30 meeting

The Fairfax County Planning Commission has deferred action on a zoning ordinance amendment that would affect the establishment and expansion of farm breweries, distilleries and wineries in the county.

Springfield: Key Center Teacher Publishes Counting Book

If Barney, the big purple dinosaur, motivates one of his students to learn to count, Ka’ala Rapoza won’t stand in the way. But Rapoza, 37, also recognizes the need to balance age-appropriate teaching tools with the skill being learned.

Fairfax County: Commonwealth’s Attorney Begins Review of FCPD Report on Deputy-Involved INOVA Shooting

Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh said he has received the completed criminal investigation from Fairfax County Police into the Aug. 15 fatal shooting of Yovani Amaya Gomez, 29, by Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy MDS Patrick McPartlin outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Fairfax County: Planning Commission Delays Vote on Farm Alcohol Zoning Amendment

The Fairfax County Planning Commission has deferred action on a zoning ordinance amendment that would affect the establishment and expansion of farm breweries, distilleries and wineries in the county.

Fairfax County: FCPS Testing Water Quality in Schools

Drinking water at 40 public schools in Fairfax County has been tested for safety, a release from FCPS said.

Fairfax County: School Board Formalizes Search for New Superintendent

Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) has been contracted by Fairfax County Public Schools to search for a new school system superintendent. Dr. Karen Garza announced on Sept. 19 she would be leaving that role to become president and CEO of the Columbus-based education organization Battelle for Kids.

Thinking Beyond Serving Meals

Experts advise finding age-appropriate ways for children to give back.

During this season of giving thanks, opportunities for expressions of gratitude can seem ubiquitous.

Easing Election Fears

Local therapists say acknowledging, reassuring are keys to easing anxiety.

On the morning after what was possibly the most adversarial election in recent history, psychologist Carolyn Lorente, Ph.D. felt an urge to send a text message to her two teenaged children. 

Completing Circle of Giving

Volunteers compile more than 7,500 pounds in donated food for Lorton Community Action Center and Britepaths.

“It helped save my son from the streets,” Jeter said. Rather than continuing to run with a dangerous crowd, he got involved with an LCAC job training program called Job Corps and later enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Lorton: Curator Sought for Historic Stempson House

Deadline for submitting applications for Stempson House is Feb. 17, 2017.

Stempson House applications are being sought for resident curator program. The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is accepting applications for the rehabilitation and long-term maintenance of the historic Stempson House, located on Furnace Road in Lorton. The curator leases are without charge in exchange for a financial commitment and approved rehabilitation of the Park Authority’s underutilized historic properties. The deadline for submitting applications for Stempson House is Feb. 17, 2017.

‘A Christmas Carol’ Comes to Lorton

A one actor performance on Dec. 3 at Workhouse Arts Center

Nationally known John Hardy will be performing his one-actor adaption of Charles Dickens’ iconic “A Christmas Carol” at the Workhouse Arts Center. “Even though it is the same story as the book, the experience of actually watching an actor move through the events of a play is vastly different than simply hearing the story or reading the book. I get entirely caught up in the story as I am doing the play, and the audience goes right along with me,” said Hardy.

Sangster Hosts Veterans Day Assembly

Viewpoints: Burke Students on Meaning of Veterans Day

Of the 970 students and 665 families at Sangster, which serves parts of Burke, Fairfax Station and Springfield, Principal Lisa Reddel said 175 families are associated with the school’s Military Spouses Group that welcomes newcomers and supports new to the area military families getting settled.

Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: October, 2016

In October, 2016, 59 homes sold between $1,325,000-$130,000 in the Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton area.

Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: October, 2016

Burke, Fairfax Station and Lorton: Sangster Elementary hosts annual Veterans Day assembly

For about a third of the families at Sangster Elementary School in Burke, military and mobility is a way of life.

Tysons: Warby Parker to Open First Virginia Eyeglasses Store

Warby Parker, a popular online eyeglasses retailer, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Virginia on Nov. 19 at Tysons Corner Center mall.

Fairfax County: Volunteers compile more than 7,500 pounds in donated food for Lorton Community Action Center and Britepaths.

Wanda Jeter of Lorton has been a volunteer with the Lorton Community Action Center for 20 years. As single mother who’s struggled to provide for herself and four children, she’s also been a client.

Classified Advertising November 16, 2016

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Classified Advertising November 23, 2016

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Setting a holiday table

Local tastemakers offer suggestions for creating festive tablescape. 

As Thanksgiving draws near, thoughts of table settings and holiday décor abound.

Guest-Ready Home for the Holidays

From organizing to decorating, a guide for getting a house ready for visitors. 

Ready or not, the holidays are coming.

Editorial: Holidays Are for Giving

Give thanks and share locally; tens of thousands of families in Fairfax County are in need.

The holidays are about giving, and giving thanks.

Decking the Halls, Stuffing Bellies

Local cooking schools offer crash courses in holiday dishes.

Ever since Bernadette Lott can remember, she’s had a sweet tooth as big as a sugar cane field.

Additional Factors Impede Efforts To Quit Smoking

Public encouraged to learn about challenges faced by smokers with mental illness who want to quit.

Despite her mental health challenges, Deneice Valentine quit smoking in part by learning to meditate.

Unofficial Election Results as of Monday, Nov. 14

Source: http://results.elections.virginia.gov/

Unofficial Election Results as of Monday, Nov. 14

A Design Solution as Big as a Barn Door

Master bath renovation explores themes from Great Falls' bucolic past.

With its metal roof, stucco siding and silo, the 5,800-sq-ft., five-bedroom Great Falls residence exuded nostalgic references to the community's bucolic past. Getting the house to owner requirements, however, entailed a commitment.

Northern Virginia: Bumpy road ahead for Capital Bikeshare expansion in Northern Virginia.

It takes a little over two hours to bike from downtown Washington D.C. to Reston. For the Capital Bikeshare, it’s a trip that’s taken six years.

Burke, Fairfax Station and Springfield: ‘Crazy’ Lines on Election Day Morning

Ipads, communication keep things moving quickly.

At 5:45 a.m., Colleen Dewing was queued up for a lifetime first: voting. The West Springfield High School senior needed to fulfill her civic duty early in order to take a shift right away at the senior class’ annual bake sale outside the school.

Fairfax County: Sayles Receives Environmental Excellence Award

Sayles is a retired Denver police officer, DEA agent, Ad Hoc Police Commission contributor and long-time county resident

A 12-year-old African American boy watched as a city of Denver patrol car with two white police officers drove slowly by his house, where he reported people attempting to break in.

Mount Vernon: Accident Victim’s Friends Plan Memorial Service

Amari Newton, 18, of Alexandria was killed in a car crash in Brunswick County, Virginia on Nov. 5, Virginia State Police said. Newton was a 2016 Mount Vernon High School graduate.

Fairfax County: No to Trump And Meals Tax

Beyer, Connolly re-elected.

With final numbers still coming in from around the country, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump carried a strong lead early Wednesday morning over Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton.

Comstock Wins 10th District Race

Hotly-contested seat targeted as a ‘flip’ for Democrats.

“She shows up. She even attended my town hall forums on heroin abuse because she knows it matters to her constituents.”

Clinton and Kaine Carry Virginia, Trump Seizes Key Battlegrounds

Comstock, Connolly, Beyer re-elected; meals tax voted down; bonds voted up.

MEALS TAX referendum would have allowed Fairfax County supervisors to enact up to a four percent tax on prepared foods and beverages.

Fairfax County: Autopsy Report Yet to Come for Deputy-Involved Shooting

Administrative investigation to follow.

Law enforcement officials are still waiting to receive the final autopsy report for Yovani Amaya Gomez, 29, who was shot dead by Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy MDS Patrick McPartlin outside Inova Fairfax Hospital on Aug. 15 of this year.