Stories for October 2014

Area Scouts Participate in Fall Camporee

The Old Dominion District Fall Camporee was held Oct. 17, 18, and 19 at Sky Meadows State Park. Six hundred seventeen Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture scouts and Scouters from Old Dominion, Colonial, and Occoquan Districts participated in this Pioneer theme campout.

iPads Come Into the Classroom

Sixty first and second graders at Keene Mill try out these devices during the school day.

Tablets and iPads in the hands of 6-year-olds is not such an unusual sight anymore, and now these devices are being used in the classroom. At Keene Mill Elementary School, 60 iPads are in the hands of first and second grade students, and being used to “change the time, place and pace of learning.”

Take a Hike!

Hiking group brings nature closer to Northern Virginians.

Shortly before 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26, the parking lot by the softball field at Wakefield Park in Annandale filled up and several people approached Stefan Eom, of Annandale, the leader for the six-mile Wakefield to Lake Accotink hike organized by the Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC).

High Schools to Start Later Next Year

School Board approves later start times.

Phyllis Payne has been fighting for more sleep for a decade. On Oct. 23, it all paid off. The co-founder of Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal - or SLEEP - saw the Fairfax County Public School Board approve to move high school start times ahead by 30 minutes, 11-1.

Fairfax County Calendar

Your guide to entertainment in Fairfax County.

For those looking to fill their calendar with some home-brewed, Fairfax County fun stuff (read: entertainment and diversion), The Connection's Fairfax County Entertainment Calendar has many options: weekend jaunts and larks; date night inspiration; winter-to-spring fun; day-long festivals and events; art-outings; family fun-and-learning fusions; plays and shows; beyond-Small Business Saturday local shopping and bazaars; markets of handcrafted wares; music; 1Ks to marathons... the list goes on. If you know of an event not listed in our entertainment calendar, email it to south@connectionnewspapers.com for happenings in south Fairfax County or north@connectionnewspapers.com for entertainment in the northern parts of the county.

Board Approves Bicycle Master Plan

The Fairfax County Government Center has several massive parking lots. Many hundreds of spaces. But Bruce Wright and members of the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling only needed some rack real estate in front of the building. They rode into the afternoon session of the Board of Supervisors on two wheels apiece from Reston, taking the West Ox Road Side Path.

Stage Presence

Cappies recognized among arts leaders at Arts Council awards.

After Bill Strauss first approached Judy Bowns about creating a student-driven arts awards and journalism organization 16 years ago, the ensuing creative partnership resembled a pair of cartoon characters.

Column: Running Out of Efficacy

Not that I’m the least bit worried (actually, I’m the most bit worried), but surviving a terminal cancer diagnosis years beyond one’s original prognosis does present its own unique set of problems.

Substance Abuse Forums to be Held Nov. 10 and 18 in FCPS

The signs and symptoms of teenage drug abuse, the actions parents can take, and where to find supportive resources will be shared at an upcoming “Protect Against Substance Abuse” community program, scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10, at South County High School, and Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Fairfax High School. The nonprofit Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC) and its work group, PROTECT (Parents Reaching out to Educate Communities Together), will present this educational program.

Editorial: Change for the Better in Fairfax County Schools

Later start times, full-day Mondays; who knows, next maybe gifted-and-talented programs for poor students?

Who says big bureaucracies can’t make big changes? One year into the tenure of Karen Garza, we have two huge changes that between them impact almost every single student, every family with children in Fairfax County Public Schools.

Local Foundation Promotes Campus Safety

The VTV Family Outreach Foundation, a Centreville-based national non-profit campus safety advocacy organization, held their 2014 annual meeting last weekend at the Sheraton Reston Hotel. VTV was formed by the families of victims and survivors of the April 16, 2007 mass shooting tragedy at Virginia Tech.

Opinion: Vote ‘Yes’ on Transportation Bond

When you enter the voting booth on Nov. 4, you’ll be asked to vote Yes or No on a $100 million Fairfax County transportation bond. (Bonds are a form of long-term borrowing to finance public facilities and infrastructure and spread the costs over a long time frame. Virginia law requires that general obligation bonds be approved by voters in a referendum.)

Peace Festival Held in Ridgeview Park

The Ridgeview Park Peace Festival was held Sunday, Oct. 19 in Ridge View Estates off Franconia Road. The festivities included a park bench dedication and tree-planting ceremony with remarks by Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova.

Helping End Hunger One Step At a Time

The 22nd Annual Burke Area CROP Walk to be held Nov. 23.

Area residents can help end hunger and raise funds for disaster relief on Sunday, Nov. 23, at the 22nd Annual Burke Area CROP [Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty] Hunger Walk – a humanitarian outreach to our local, national, and international communities.

Seniors Compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze

Hundreds participate in Northern Virginia Senior Olympics.

Whack! Smack! These were the constant sounds going back and forth during the pickleball finals at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington. The pickleball games were part of the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics taking place at several venues throughout the region.

Thirty-Six FCPS Students Named to Virginia Honors Choir

Vocal musicians from 14 Fairfax County public schools have been named to the Virginia Honors Choir for 2014. This select choir is open only to the top 125 singers from around the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is the highest honor a choir student can attain during his or her high school career.

Connect Four

Complete ballot of 11th District candidates faced off in Lake Ridge.

It wasn’t so much a down and dirty debate as a no-frills four-way question-and-answer session. Not that AARP and the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), two of the sponsors of the “Meet the Candidates” series billed the Oct. 14 event as such. Tuesday’s meeting was the penultimate of seven events in the series.

Open Sesame

All-new Springfield Town Center holds grand opening.

Eileen Crisson ran a jewelry store on the lower level of the old Springfield Mall for 17 years, up until everything but the large anchor shops closed. On Oct. 17, the longtime Springfield resident was back for the grand opening of the rejuvenated Springfield Town Center with a sleek white cart full of Navajo Native American-made bracelets, necklaces, rings and dreamcatchers.

Friends of Sydenstricker Schoolhouse Plan Tax-Deductible Fundraisers

The 85-year-old Sydenstricker Schoolhouse has a new lease on life. Long looked after by the Upper Pohick Community League, the outdated building that lacks running water, bathrooms or a modern heating and cooling system now has a dedicated, separate organization to oversee renovation fundraising.

Lyme Disease, ‘The Great Imitator’

Lyme disease association holds forum on impact of disease on Fairfax County students.

Kate Sheridan was a star athlete and an A-student up until the fifth grade when she suddenly developed flu-like symptoms and one day woke up with a rash on her face in the shape of a bullseye. Her parents took her to the doctor and she was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Soon, she was in a wheelchair and was transferred to a special needs class. “Losing control over your body and feeling yourself sliding backwards and there’s nothing you can do to stop it,” have been her experience since she was diagnosed.

Opinion: Don’t Honk at Me for Being Cautious

In 2007, a member of my family was nearly killed by a driver who failed to yield on green turning left from Old Keene Mill Road onto Huntsman Boulevard. The driver then claimed to be on Government business at the time and with the help of a Government insurance company seemed to avoid much personal inconvenience despite having caused a terrible accident.

QB Holland Carries Titans to Victory

T.C. Williams wins shootout against Lee, 40-38.

T.C. Williams quarterback Darius Holland accounted for five touchdowns against Lee on Oct. 18.

Column: Self-Indulgent or Self-Effacing

After re-reading last week’s column: “Not in the Mood,” I began wondering if that column had strayed beyond the boundaries, so to speak, and was too much about me and not enough about my circumstances.

Fairfax Education Summit to Be Held on Oct. 25

The Fairfax County School Board will host Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) fifth annual Education Summit, Mapping Your Student’s Unique Journey: Explore the Many Choices in Fairfax County Public Schools, on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 8 a.m. at Edison High School.

Self-Indulgent or Self-Effacing

After re-reading last week’s column: “Not in the Mood,” I began wondering if that column had strayed beyond the boundaries, so to speak, and was too much about me and not enough about my circumstances. Certainly I understand, given my column’s recurring theme, that the subjects of me and my circumstances – and the personal stories I share with you regular readers – are basically the same. Still, I never want the content to be considered important because it’s MY life that’s being profiled. Quite the contrary. If the columns were any more about me, you wouldn’t be interested.

Editorial: Yes to Fairfax Transportation Bond

$84 million for pedestrian, bike and trail improvements.

Of more than 75 projects included in the current proposal, on the ballot for Nov. 4, all but seven are designed to make Fairfax County safer and more inviting for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Delay in Shooting Investigation Decried

Supervisors urge action by U.S. attorney.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decided they’ve exercised enough patience with U.S. Attorney Dana Boente’s office. Now more than 13 months after Fairfax County police shot and killed John Geer, standing unarmed in the doorway of his Springfield home, Board chairman Sharon Bulova addressed the silence from Boente.

Springfield Home Sales: September, 2014

In September 2014, 136 Springfield homes sold between $849,900-$160,000.

Springfield Home Sales: September, 2014

Board of Supervisors Urges Action on John Geer Shooting Investigation

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decided they’ve exercised enough patience with U.S. Attorney Dana Boente’s office. Now more than 13 months after Fairfax County police shot and killed John Geer, standing unarmed in the doorway of his Springfield home, Board chairman Sharon Bulova addressed the silence and stagnance from Boente.

Crashing the Parties

Marc Harrold, Libertarian; Joe Galdo, Green, run for Congress.

Marc Harrold is a self-professed creature of habit. He’s been going to the same bars and restaurants near his Fairfax home for years, where the close friends he’s made there say his great sense of humor and diverse intelligence help him “hold court” and converse easily with anyone, on any subject.

Changes in Store

‘Transformative’ new Springfield Town Center to open Oct. 17.

Lee District supervisor Jeff McKay has been preparing for Friday’s Springfield Town Center ribbon cutting since he was a kid. “As someone who’s spent my entire life here,” said McKay, “I’ve been acutely aware of the decline over the years.”

Sarvis: Warner-Gillespie Debate ‘Disappointing’

Libertarian candidate says chamber’s decision to include only major-party candidates in U.S. Senate debate a “disservice” to voters.

After a full day of campaigning at Fort Belvoir on Friday, Oct. 11, Robert Sarvis talked about his campaign for U.S. Senate, and his disappointment in not being invited to participate in Tuesday’s U.S. Senate Debate — a major televised debate hosted by The Fairfax Chamber at Capitol One’s convention center in McLean. “The Fairfax Chamber informed us that it was nothing other than ‘tradition’ to only invite major party candidates,” Sarvis said. “But this was after we formally requested an invitation, noted that over 145,000 Virginians voted for Robert Sarvis for governor in 2013, and sent them a petition signed by over 1,000 Virginians in support of a three-candidate debate.”

Warner, Gillespie Clash in U.S. Senate Debate

Stark distinctions on same-sex marriage, immigration, abortion and healthcare.

In front of an audience of Northern Virginia business leaders, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Republican challenger Ed Gillespie honed their attacks on each other during a sharp, wide-ranging debate Tuesday evening, Oct. 7.

‘Net Positive’ Home Under Construction in Springfield

Once completed, this house will generate more electricity than it requires to operate. More and more houses are employing grids of solar panels to supplement the electricity they draw from power companies. Forty panels on the roof of this Springfield residence will help generate 12 megawatts of electricity a year, 10 more than what the owner expects to need.

Dig Pink Returns Home for 10th Anniversary

West Springfield HS volleyball raises breast cancer awareness.

The West Springfield High School Spartans’ usual orange and blue were replaced by a sea of pink during the girls’ volleyball game against Centreville on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at West Springfield High School.

Getting Children Excited for Halloween

Local experts offer advice for keeping trick-or-treating fun, not scary, for small children.

For many children, Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. From Power Rangers and athletes to princesses and pirates, dressing up in their spookiest or most imaginative attire and trolling the streets in search of treats is a major part of the fun for school-age children. For younger children, however, the ghosts and goblins who are meant to entertain can cause too much of a fright.

The Private School Admissions Process

Local educators offer insider tips on how to select and get a child admitted to the perfect school.

While this school year might still feel new, some parents are already thinking next fall. Or if they’re not, they should be. For parents who are considering sending their children to one of the area’s private schools for the 2015-2016 school year, the application process should be underway.

Not in the Mood

Sometimes, believe it or not, I’m not in the mood to be a terminal cancer patient (duh). Not that the effect is particularly tangible, but the weight of it, as well as the associated waits I’ve occasionally written about, can get awfully heavy. Moreover, in spite of my best psychological efforts, generally speaking, there seems little I can do to diminish its effect. More often than not, it’s merely time; simply time passing and/or time spent trying to talk myself out-of how I feel and in-to how I haven’t failed.

Editorial: Coming - Children’s Connection

During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children. The results are always remarkable. It is a keepsake edition for many families.

Column: Not in the Mood

Sometimes, believe it or not, I’m not in the mood to be a terminal cancer patient (duh). Not that the effect is particularly tangible, but the weight of it, as well as the associated waits I’ve occasionally written about, can get awfully heavy.

Westminster at Lake Ridge to Host I Fashion Show and Bazaar

Two shopping events are coming up at a retirement community in Lake Ridge. In October, a thrift fashion show plus sale and in November, a handcrafts Bazaar with vendor fair. With fall and winter holidays approaching, these Westminster at Lake Ridge events are an opportunity for bargain hunters to begin their search for gifts and resale fashions.

GMU Recognizes Interstate

George Mason University recently awarded Springfield-based Interstate (Moving-Relocation-Logistics) the John C. “Jack” Wood Award for Town Gown Relations. The university-wide award recognizes individuals and businesses that foster and demonstrate leadership in cultivating the mutually beneficial relationship between the university and surrounding community.

Planting for Fall

Planning your autumn garden and yard.

As the first few weeks of fall unfold, carrying with them the promise of rich and vibrant colors, many local residents are starting to plan their fall gardens, both ornamental and edible. Pruning and and overall garden cleanup will make way for fall plants. In fact, this is the perfect time to clear away summer foliage and plant, horticulture gurus said.

Remodeler's Charity Home Tour

Clifton residents to hold open-house tour of newly remodeled homes for the benefit of local widow.

Those who know their way around Hunting Horse Drive sometimes might wonder what happened to the circa-1970s Colonial style house that used to be perched up on the overlook. Clearly, the sprawling manor house there now is an entirely different home, but how did it get there?

Bio and Q&A with Gerry Connolly

Q: What do you think are your top three accomplishments in office? A: * The Silver Line. I wasn’t alone, but I'm very proud of my championship of the Silver Line and the fact that it's up and running and succeeding. It took 19 years to sort of get people to reimagine it and get it built. It was a long, tough struggle.

New Packard Center Honors Suffragists in Occoquan

The characteristically humble Jean Packard allowed just a little egotism at the idea of seeing her name on a new center at Occoquan Regional Park.

Gone Girls Next Door

PSA roll-out marks one-year anniversary of “Just Ask” project.

On a sunny afternoon, a police officer pulls over a young male driver. There’s an innocent-looking, girl-next-door type in the back seat of the car. The driver responds to the officer’s basic questions with cold indifference. When questioned, the girl in the back says she’s fine. Maybe she betrays a hint of unease.

Car Show Honors Former Principal

Hayfield Days Car Show benefits Auto Tech and David S. Tremaine Charity.

For the seventh straight year, more than 70 restored and modified icons of American motoring history rumbled into the parking lot at Hayfield Plaza Shopping Center. But for the first year, the funds raised by the Hayfield Days Car Show aren’t just supporting Hayfield Secondary’s Auto Tech Program.

‘A New Day Has Dawned’

Same sex marriage goes forward in Virginia.

At 10:01 a.m. on Oct. 6, Cathy Baskin of Ravensworth Baptist Church in Annandale received her usual New York Times set of alerts. “I read it 15 times,” said Baskin. “This can’t be true.”

Letter

Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations.

Dear Chairman and Board Members: The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations (the Federation) appreciates the many years of support that the Board of Supervisors (BOS) has provided to the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL). Recently, the FCPL introduced new policies that the Federation decided to examine.

Focus on Transportation

Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance presents regional priorities at 10th annual event.

“What You Need to Know about Transportation in Five Minutes or Less” was the working title of this year’s Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance (NVTA) seminar and reception held on Sept. 30 at Capital One’s auditorium in McLean.

Column: Week Of, Weak On, Week Off

This column completes the three-week arc which describes what I have endured mostly successfully for approximately five years now: chemotherapy every three weeks – with one year off for good behavior (not really good behavior; the year off was to switch to a twice-daily pill, Tarceva, to be taken at home, since the previous treatment was no longer stemming the tide). It’s been my experience that these anti-cancer drugs don’t exactly work forever.

Changing the World’ at Springfield Church

Volunteers at Messiah United Methodist Church worked on 30 mission projects in the community.

More than 350 members of Messiah United Methodist Church in Springfield took church to the community on Sunday, Sept. 7, performing 30 mission projects including repairing a boardwalk maintenance at Hidden Pond Nature Center;

Veterans of Foreign Wars Announce Scholarship Competition

Commander Bud Bishop of the Springfield Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #7327 announces this year’s VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary “Voice of Democracy” Scholarship Competition. Local high school students have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Area Roundups

Commander Bud Bishop of the Springfield Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #7327 announces this year’s VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary “Voice of Democracy” Scholarship Competition. Local high school students have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Lake Accotink Trail Improvements Announced

For anyone who’s been trapped by floodwater while taking a loop of Lake Accotink Trail, or struggled with the steep 30 percent slope down to that crossing of the lake, help is on the way. Eventually.

State Accreditation Status a ‘Snapshot’

Schools in Mount Vernon and Lee districts receive warnings from VDOE.

“Test scores do not define our schools. They never have and never will,” said Mount Vernon school board member Dan Storck. Earlier this month the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released accreditation results based on student performance in the 2013-2014 school year. The ratio of Fairfax County Public schools receiving full accreditation to those not making the grade dropped from 94 percent a year ago to 89 percent.

Herrity Calls for Heroin Problem Update

“Heroin is here, it’s on our doorstep, it’s in our communities and it often goes unnoticed,” said supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield). Citing a 163 percent rise in heroin overdoses in Northern Virginia between 2011 and 2013, Herrity proposed a successful motion to the Board of Supervisors last week, asserting the County Executive report back to the board on just how bad the heroin problems in Fairfax County are and how they could be dealt with.

Bruins Win Silver Bracket at Rebel Volleyball Invitational

Fairfax’s Powers, Pittman earn all-tournament honors.

The Lake Braddock volleyball team won the Silver Bracket title at a tournament at Fairfax High School.

New Voter Identification Requirements

There are new requirements for voter identification that voters must bring with them to the polling place.

Voting Early, Absentee

Elections 2014

Virtually every voter in Virginia is eligible to vote absentee, which includes voting in-person absentee at a variety of locations from now through Nov. 1.

Column: Pre-Chemo Peek

I realize, given last week’s column: “Post-Chemo Week,” this week’s column about the preceding week (week-of, actually) of chemotherapy might be a bit bass-ackward, but it seemed reasonable to me that if you regular readers had an interest in the week-after, perhaps you’d have a similar interest in the week-before.