Stories for August 2012

Fairfax Station/Springfield, Aug. 30-Sept. 9

Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.

Local Real Estate: June 2012 Sales, $700,000~$749,900

Classified Advertising Aug 29, 2012

Read the latest Classified ads here!

Baby Shower for Military Moms

Virginia’s First Lady, FLITE and Operation Homefront host the event at Waterford in Springfield.

It started with a phone call 28 weeks ago. What happened in between—the planning, the coordination, the logistics, the marshalling of personnel and resources, and just a lot of hard work—would have made a Pentagon strategist proud. It’s a fitting analogy since the recipients of all this effort were more than 100 expectant and new military moms, representing all branches of military service, who attended a very special group Baby Shower at The Waterford in Springfield on Aug. 21.

Opinion: ‘Somebody Else’ Didn’t Come

Starting a small business comes with some amount of risk. Even the most diligent and talented owner faces challenges that could ground a business before it takes off. I can speak to that from experience. I started my own business 20 ago. My law firm started with me and my partner and now we provide approximately 20 jobs in Virginia. I am no Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg, but I am proud of what I have been able to do.

Drum Roll, Please

11th Annual Springfield BridgeWalk celebrates community support of Fort Belvoir’s soldiers.

"To me this walk symbolizes the renewal of the relationship we have with the Springfield community." --Col. Gregory Gadson, garrison commander of Fort Belvoir

Burke Centre Fall Festival Sept. 8-9

Affordable family fun and flash mob (maybe…)

Burke hosts its biggest block party on Sept. 8 and 9 as the community welcomes friends and neighbors of all ages for the 35th annual Burke Centre Fall Festival. The event will be held at the Burke Centre Conservancy’s (BCC) Festival Grounds, 6060 Burke Centre Parkway.

Springfield Home Sales: July, 2012

In July 2012, 166 Springfield homes sold between $805,000-$115,000.

Springfield Home Sales in July, 2012

Feedback Sought on Emergency Communications

Fairfax County online survey now available.

After filing a report last week with the Federal Communications Commission on Verizon’s 911 outages, Fairfax County officials are looking at how to improve their own communications during emergencies. The county wants to know how it can better communicate with residents and businesses in a disaster like a derecho, hurricane or terrorist attack. Officials are seeking feedback in a short, online survey.

Area Roundups

Football Stadiums Raise Banners Against Underage Drinking

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high school football stadiums will sport new banners this fall encouraging parents and adults in the community to report underage drinking parties to the police.

‘Senior Prank’ Filmed in Area

Local talent recruited for "The Senior Prank."

The community has rallied together behind the new local film in progress "The Senior Prank." Director Donald Leow, who also directed previous film "For the Glory," has brought in cast and crew from all over the country, while recruiting local talent for his film as well. Many members of the Fairfax community have gathered to be extras, show their talent on screen, help with tech, or just support the film.

Char-a-oke Anyone?

$1 million raised for Fairfax County Public Schools Education Foundation.

Listen, baby… "Ain't no mountain high. Ain't no valley low. Ain't no river wide enough, baby. If you need me, call me. No matter where you are. No matter how far."

911's Complete Failure

Fairfax County says Verizon "failed completely" during June 29 derecho.

"It’s like the captain of the Titanic telling passengers the ship hit an iceberg when the bow is on the bottom of the ocean floor." —Steve Souder, Fairfax County 911 Director

Letter: Separate and Unequal - II

Your editorial in the titled "Separate and Unequal ?" [The Connection, July 25-31, 2012], addressed the "eye-popping" disparately low admission of Black and Latino students to Thomas Jefferson High School, and the complaint that this was "in voilation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin."

Opinion: First Day of School Coming Up

And never too early for parents to get involved.

The first day of school in most of Northern Virginia is Tuesday, Sept. 4. We don't agree with having the General Assembly dictate the first day of school, requiring the start date to be after Labor Day, but starting school after Labor Day does seem more hospitable than the Aug. 27 start in many other areas.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Names Interim Executive Director

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Galen Wixson as its interim executive director through December of 2012. Galen currently serves as the executive director of The Guitar Foundation of America where he has guided the organization through a transition to a new governance and management model, leading to several new program initiatives.

FCPD Traffic Safety Efforts Recognized

The Fairfax County Police Department was recently recognized by two prestigious law enforcement organizations which evaluate police traffic safety programs across the commonwealth and the nation.

Column: Diagnosed But Not Sick

Having/being diagnosed with cancer/a terminal disease is neither fun nor funny; however, unless I find some humor or wishful thinking in how I approach this situation, I don’t suppose I’ll be approaching it much longer. To me, it’s always been mind over matter, and even though these matters are rather serious, I still don’t mind.

How To Register, Vote and Vote Early

Election Day is Nov. 6, but you can vote as early as Sept. 21.

How important is it for Virginia voters to turn out on or before Nov. 6? As a critical “battleground” state, Virginia will be key in determining who will be the next President of the United States. Who will represent Virginia in the U.S. Senate is also too close to call. Since polling shows that there are very few undecided voters in the Commonwealth, every eligible voter will want to be sure to cast a ballot.

Opinion: Mindless Slashing

Automatic cuts set to kick in January would harm Northern Virginia more than any other region.

While reducing the federal deficit is critical to the nation's economic health in the long run, the knee jerk, slash and burn method based only on cuts that is coming at us like a freight train will do immense damage to the economy nationally. But no place would feel the pain more intensely than Northern Virginia.

A Year in Fairfax County

A sampling of some of the cherished, annual events of the county.

Ryan Gets a Warm Welcome

GOP Victory Rally with VP candidate Paul Ryan fills West Springfield HS Auditorium.

“I’m here because I’m tired of looking for my career. I hope this ticket and these people can make a difference and give us job opportunities.” That’s why Jay H. from Herndon says he drove all the way to attend the GOP Victory Rally at West Springfield High School on Friday, Aug. 17, featuring VP candidate Paul Ryan on his campaign swing through Virginia. A 2011 graduate from a local college with a degree in business, Jay says he has been looking for “something more than a job in retail” since then.

State Senator Shares Places-to-See

Q&A With Chap Petersen

Virginia State Senator Chap Petersen (D-34) represents central and western Fairfax in the Virginia State Senate. He grew up and lives in Fairfax City.

South Fairfax County Calendar, Aug. 22-Sept. 2

Events in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station and Springfield.

Go ahead, plan your weekend now. The Connection brings you a list of events in southern Fairfax County. Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. All submission are due by Friday at 5 p.m., one week prior to the event. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.

Locals cautiously optimistic about $200 million Springfield Mall transformation.

The joke among Springfield "insiders" is that if Vornado’s developers wait long enough, they won’t have to spend money demolishing Springfield Mall, because it will fall apart of its own volition.

Remembering Their Sacrifice

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum commemorates first mass Civil War evacuation.

"By midnight, there must have been three thousand helpless men lying in the hay. All night long we made compresses and slings and bound up and wet wounds when we could get water…" —From the writings of Clara Barton, after tending to the wounded in the battles of Second Manassas and Ox Hill in late August, 1862.

Be a Braddock Insider

What every newcomer should know about living, working and playing in the Braddock District.

Braddock is very much a district of neighborhoods, a rarity in busy and booming Fairfax.

My Favorite Places

State delegate shares tips on places to see, things to do.

Getting to Know Area High Schools’ Sports

Getting to Know Area High Schools’ Sportshttp://connection.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/admin/news/story/add/

Classified Advertising Aug. 22, 2012

Read the latest Home and Garden, Employment and Classifieds here!

Column: Life in the Cancer Lane

Having been there and done that now for three and a half years certainly helps. And however familiar it may be and/or has become, it doesn’t exactly help to pass the time or affect the results, unfortunately. Cancer sucks! That much is clear. Now and in the future.

Nearly 800 Jobs Added to the Local Economy

Information technology firms and professional service companies see growth.

Information technology firms continue to do well in a sluggish economy, according to a new report from the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). During the second quarter of 2012, the FCEDA provided services and resources to 33 businesses that are adding almost 800 jobs in Fairfax County. Most of these businesses are in the information technology and professional services sectors and four are foreign-based firms using a Fairfax County location to expand in North America.

Minority-Owned Businesses Prosper in Fairfax County

Companies generate more than $1 billion in revenue and provide more than 1,000 jobs.

Businesses owned by Hispanics, African-Americans and women shine in Fairfax County, according to the latest national rankings for largest or fastest-growing companies. "Fairfax County is proud to be a community in which companies of all descriptions can and do succeed to a greater extent than in the rest of the region, the state or the country," said Gerald L. Gordon, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, which supports and monitors the growth of local businesses. Eleven Fairfax County-based companies are among the 500 largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the nation based on revenue — more than the total in 40 states, according to a recent report by HispanicBusiness.com. The Fairfax County companies are among 22 from Virginia on the 2012 Hispanic Business 500 list.

Time for School

Advice on how to transition from a laid-back summer to a hectic academic year.

When Ellen Feldman’s 5-year-old son started school for last fall, one of the biggest adjustments for the single mother of two was having to adhere to a schedule. “All of a sudden we went from being able to do things on our own time frame to having to wake up and be at a certain place at a certain time,” said Feldman. “Sending my son off to school for the first time was exciting, but also difficult.”

Editorial: Starting School Prepared

First day of school is Sept. 4; local nonprofits provide school supplies and weekend food.

With school beginning in a few weeks, area charitable organizations have been collecting contributions of new backpacks, calculators, other school supplies, money and gift cards and winter coats to help the tens of thousands of truly needy Northern Virginia students.

Classified Advertising Aug. 15, 2012

Read the latest Classified, Home and Garden and Employment!

Meeting Marilyn Monroe

As a bridal consultant, Doreen Provost helped to dress Monroe for her wedding ceremony with Joe DiMaggio.

In 1952, Doreen Provost finished college at UCLA and was hired as an assistant buyer in the bridal department at the Joseph Magnin Company, which was a high-end department store specializing in women’s fashion in San Francisco.

Transcending Fear With Messages of Hope

Fairfax Station Sikh temple holds candlelight vigil to honor victims of Wis. shootings.

It was an evening of unity, resilience and hope as more than 300 people of all faiths gathered for a candlelight vigil at the Sikh temple in Fairfax Station on Thursday, Aug. 9, less than a week after a gunman opened fire at a Sikh temple in Wis., killing six and injuring three.

‘Primary’ Numbers: 7100 + Upgrade = 286

Fairfax County Parkway gets new number, upgrades as “primary” road.

Since 1987, the Fairfax County Parkway has been known as Route 7100 for the estimated 75,000 motorists who travel the 32-mile parkway each day.

Pakistani-American Community to Celebrate Anniversary

The Pakistani-American community will celebrate the 65th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence at the Pakistan Festival on Sunday, Aug. 26, at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville.

Quarterback Henderson Set to Excel at Lake Braddock

Former West Potomac coaches join Bruins’ staff.

After a strong sophomore year at West Potomac, quarterback Caleb Henderson enters his junior season as a member of the Lake Braddock football team.

Column: A Pill a Day…

Hopefully will keep the cancer at bay. (I’d say “away,” but let’s be realistic, three and a half years past a NSCLC diagnosis, there is no way, generally speaking, that stage IV lung cancer disappears into the ether; it’s classified as stage IV for a reason.

Letter: No Enemies on TJ Admissions Front

To the Editor:

FCPS is not being honest, straightforward or holding itself accountable for the fact that too few of these disadvantaged kids are achieving as well as others relative to their populations and too few are fostered appropriately so they can be identified for and take advantage of advanced curricula, including advanced academic programs (AAP) and thence TJ and high school honors, AP and IB programs. The leaders in this system have had years to figure out how to make serious improvements, but they have hidden and spun or not even bothered to gather data and have excluded individuals and groups that could be partners in resolving this situation. Thus, we have a segregated system, as the data show.

Letter: Flawed Diagnosis, Wrong Prescription

Schools in Fairfax and the surrounding feeder counties are extremely diverse. Teachers often have few students who speak English as a primary language. Students are from Africa, Latin America, The Middle East—Europe, Far East and Asia, and more. So, what defines the students who succeed?

Springfield Mom a Model of Volunteer Spirit

Springfield mom wins state award for PTA volunteer work

Tracy Goodwin is an expert juggler. Not the circus kind of juggler—the parent kind. She’s the mom who amazes other moms by keeping several balls in the air at the same time, juggling a job as a substitute teacher, a mom to two pre-teens, a stepmom to two grown children and serves as a full-time volunteer for the PTA.

100 men, 4,000 miles, 1 mission

Burke man bikes cross-country with fraternity to raise awareness for people with disabilities.

Dan Rieck, a senior at Virginia Tech, just had the best summer of his life.

Taking Back Their Neighborhoods

Communities host crime-fighting events during 29th Annual National Night Out.

From block parties to pool parties, picnics and parades, Fairfax County residents gathered with friends, neighbors and local police on Tuesday, Aug. 7, in recognition of the 29th Annual National Night Out campaign.

Classified Advertising Aug. 8, 2012

Read the lastest Classified, Employment and Home and Garden ads!

Should Virginia Compensate for Dark Days of Eugenics?

Del. Patrick Hope (D-44) asks governor and General Assembly to form a task force.

The number of victims is unknown in Virginia’s system of forced sterilization, a dark chapter that stretched from the 1920s into the 1970s.

Column: Derive to Survive

Now that I can taste food again, or rather have food taste like normal again, my attitude is much improved.

Becoming ‘Fellow Americans’

"I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America…"

Realtors Reach Out to Hispanic Community

Helping immigrants to find American Dream and not ‘American Nightmare.’

Mario Rubio and his family came to the United States in 1979 from Peru in search of the American Dream.

Historic Huntley Opens to Public

Site available for rent starting this August.

After more than 20 years of planning, the federal-style villa that was built in 1825 for Thomson Francis Mason, a grandson of George Mason, is now open to the public.

In Search of a ‘Forever Home’

Humane Society of Fairfax working for animal and human welfare.

Look up Petfinder.com on your Internet browser page.

Child Care Meeting Draws Vocal Crowd

Debate focuses on discrepancy in state, county regulations.

Judging by the crowd and the occasional calls for order, the topic under discussion in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center was a hot one.

BBQ, Republican-Style

George Allen talks jobs, energy and education at Braddock district fundraiser.

U.S. Senate candidate George Allen was energetic as he shook hands, posed for photos and made small talk with Republican supporters Saturday at Supervisor John Cook’s 3rd annual Big Braddock BBQ for volunteers at Burke Lake Park.

To Geek or Not To Geek, That is the…Verb

Library launches novel campaign to get people talking.

Ruth geeks fairy tales. Katie geeks wildlife. Benjamin geeks hobbits.

Storms Provide Wake-Up Call

Dust off emergency plans; sign-up for Fairfax County alerts.

I’ve been thinking a lot about emergencies lately—a derecho, four days without power in a heat wave with two small kids, and a flooded kitchen floor will do that to you. So will a magnitude 5.8 earthquake such as the one we experienced last August.

Classified Advertising (Aug. 1, 2012)

Read the lastest Employment, Home and Garden and Classified ads!

Column: Choosing My Words, Respectively

It has been brought to my attention by some regular Kenny-column readers – who are friends, too, and whose opinions I value, that my most recent batch of “cancer columns” (as I call them) were not funny; in fact, they were more depressing and negative than anything, and not nearly as uplifting and hopeful as many of my previous columns have been.

Weekly Entertainment (Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield)

Entertainment in Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield.

Getting a Body Like an Olympian

Local fitness gurus offer gold medal advice for achieving a toned, muscular body.

Muscular legs, toned abs and buffed biceps are hard to miss in London this week, but is it possible for the average sports fan to achieve a body like an Olympian? Local fitness experts say "maybe."

Taking Care of One’s Teeth

American Dental Association says many Americans don’t know basic oral care.

Here’s a pop quiz: How often should a person replace their toothbrush? "Once a year," said Terrie Andrews of McLean.

Beating Bad Breath

Dental experts offer solutions for chronic halitosis.

When Amanda Welch’s boyfriend asked her to marry him last spring, she accepted his proposal on one condition: that he find a cure for his bad breath.

Editorial: Readers Respond on TJ Admissions

"Stop making smart 8th graders feel inferior because they are not admitted."

Readers responded to last week's editorial, which cited a civil rights complaint about the apparent lack of access to gifted and talented programs and admission to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.