Stories for February 2015

Play Monopoly and Help Others

Annual tournament raises close to $8,000 for Lorton Community Action Center.

On a cold, snow-approaching Saturday, nearly 100 men, women and children hunkered down to play three rounds at the 8th Annual Ron K.’s Monopoly Tournament hosted at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.

Kana Sushi Opens in Springfield

A newly opened Kana Sushi, located on Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield, strives to offer authentic Japanese food at affordable prices. The establishment opened Dec. 1 and is near Springfield Plaza, and right next to Noodles & Company. The small restaurant is owned by Haeri Kim.

Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce to Install New Chairman

Sean O’Connell looks to expand and increase dialogue among membership.

In his 30 years as a certified public accountant with the firm PBMares, Sean O’Connell has worked in Harrisonburg, Fredericksburg and spent close to the last decade in northern Virginia.

Fairfax County Swimmers Shine at States

Swimmers from 36 high schools from around Virginia competed in the Virginia High School League 6A state championship held in Richmond on Feb. 20.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova Bulova to Create Transparency Review Commission

Group would include citizens, legal community and other organizations.

When Alexandria resident Natasha McKenna was removed from life support and died on Feb. 8, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office posted a release on the county website.

Community Reviews Plans for Silas Burke Property

Members of the Burke and West Springfield communities were invited to review the plans of Sunrise Development, LLC to build an assisted living facility on the property of the Silas Burke House.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter Gets Creative to Save Lives

Since 2013, Fairfax County has been the largest jurisdiction in the United States with a placement rate of animals above 90 percent. Last year alone, nearly 2,500 animals were adopted, which is nearly double the adoptions just two years earlier.

Finding Forever Families for Felines

Nonprofit helps Animal Shelters with overflow.

Jacquie Barker saw the problem with the normal animal rescue cycle. Ideally, animal rescue starts with the rescue, followed by a period of sheltering, and finally, adoption. But often rescue organizations’ efforts get stuck during the sheltering or fostering phase.

Conference 7 Title Business as Usual for West Springfield Girls' Basketball

Spartans beat South County to win fifth conference/district title in six years.

The West Springfield girls' basketball team beat South County 55-37 Tuesday.

Fern and Otter Come to ‘Work’

“My dogs Fern and Otter, both adopted from the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. They love to come to work with me at the shelter.

When Sam Met Frodo

“Sam and Frodo are both rescue cats. Frodo, the big orange guy with the furry feet, came from Home Alone Feline Rescue in 2011. He is part Maine Coon and part American bobtail. Lou and I had been thinking about getting a second cat as a companion for Frodo when I ran into Lee District School Board member Tammy Koufax at a community event in Springfield in August 2013..."

Bark and Call

Mobile Pet Grooming Comes to You

Marzi Sharifi started HoPPooH in Fairfax, a mobile pet grooming service, in 2013. With her two vans and groomer, Sara, HoPPooH—which means little dog or dog in Persian—will come to the pet owner’s door to groom and style man’s best friend…or his cat.

Shelter Gets Creative To Save Lives

Volunteers, social media assist in pet adoptions.

Since 2013, Fairfax County has been the largest jurisdiction in the United States with a placement rate of animals above 90 percent. Last year alone, nearly 2,500 animals were adopted, which is nearly double the adoptions just two years earlier.

Column: Not So Late This Time

But real-time once again: February 20, 11 hours, approximately, after our regularly-scheduled, post-scan meeting with the oncologist at 10:00 this morning.

Editorial: Managing Mental Illness in Jails

Natasha McKenna’s death provides window on national concern.

A national report released on Feb. 11 highlighted the prevalence of people with mental illness incarcerated in local jails.

Fairfax County School Board Discusses New AAP Center at Poplar Tree

Board seeks more community feedback before taking action.

Greenbriar West Elementary School is far from the only Fairfax County Public School with an overcrowding problem.

Another Bank to Open at Cardinal Forest Plaza

New TD Bank expected to open in June 2015.

Come Summer 2015, Cardinal Forest Plaza will be the home of a new TD Bank, making the new bank the sixth one to be located near the intersection of Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads. Also not far from the intersection is a SunTrust Bank, making for a total of seven banks in the area.

Winner, Runner-up of Local Spelling Bee

Kaia Liese Lehenbauer won Local Scripps Spelling Bee for home schooled students held at Harvester Teaching Services in Springfield on Feb. 9 and will advance to the Fairfax County Spelling Bee to be held at Lanier Middle School on March 22.

School’s 10th Anniversary Includes Alumni Reunion

The Howard Gardner School hosted an Alumni Reunion on Jan. 9 as part of its 10th anniversary celebration. Founded in 2004, HGS is an independent school with graduating classes that average 12 students. One quarter of HGS alumni attended the event to see each other and their former teachers.

Asian Grill Celebrates Chinese New Year

The Asian Grill restaurant on Rolling Road in Springfield is celebrating the Chinese New Year now through March 8 with fresh, traditional Chinese dishes in an updated menu that are sure to wow the crowd. Owned by Darrin Ho and his wife Jenny, the restaurant with a staff of seven in the West Springfield Shopping Center is offering a Chinese New Year feast for $65.95 per person.

Springfield Home Sales: January, 2015

In January, 2015, 76 Springfield homes sold between $785,000-$157,000.

Springfield Home Sales: January, 2015

Dead or Alive: Virginia General Assembly Lawmakers Pick Their Legislative Highlights at the Crossover

HB1872: Would have required the Board of Education to arrange a special training program for principals working with struggling schools.

Virginia General Assembly Reaches Crossover

Bills live, die or fold into other legislation before review by the opposite chamber.

As the current meeting of the Virginia General Assembly neared the one-month mark, legislators in the House of Delegates and Senate had to finalize work on bills they would send to their counterparts for consideration.

New Aldi to Open on Backlick Road in Springfield

German grocery fills vacancy left by Fischers True Value.

For years, the family-owned Fischers True Value hardware store on Backlick Road was a Springfield mainstay.

‘Stuff the Bus’ in Springfield Brings in 1,200 Pounds of Food for Koinonia

For the past five years, Fairfax County has put together “Stuff the Bus: Helping Fairfax Families” food donation events in collaboration with local grocery stores, nonprofit organizations and Fastran buses with drivers from MV Transportation.

Fairfax: Robinson’s DePasquale Escapes Defeat at Regionals

Lake Braddock’s Haskett wins third region championship.

Robinson wrestling placed third at the regional tournament.

Fairfax’s Barborek Wins 6A North Region Floor Title

Senior qualifies for states on floor, bars, vault.

Fairfax's Rachel Barborek won the region floor title on Feb. 11.

Springfield: Hayfield’s Overstreet Shows Toughness in Return to States

Junior wins 6A North region bars title, qualifies for states in all-around.

Hayfield gymnast Molly Overstreet will compete in the all-around at the state meet.

Column: Staying Ahead of the Feds

The federal government is not always wrong. At the same time, the state government is not always right.

The Virginia House and the Senate have penned similar but competing mid-point versions to the 2014-2016 biennial budget.

Black History Month Celebrations

Local students learn about the history and accomplishments of African-Americans.

Fourth grade student Eli West crafted a poem this month that was modeled after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech.

Stalled Labor Market Slows County Budget

Proposed budget calls for no real estate tax rate increase, but average homeowner would pay $184 more.

Supervisor Jeff McKay pointed out an irony in County Executive Ed Long’s proposed $3.8 billion budget. Three planning positions would be eliminated from the budget even though Long suggested the county needs more efforts to raise revenue from commercial and industrial venues.

Super-Insulation Talk Attracts Homeowners in Reston

How to lower electric, gas and water bills?

The Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne in Reston was the venue for a well-attended presentation by Rich and Marian Taschler on proper home insulation and its mostly unknown benefits. The program was offered under the auspices of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University.

Oh Deer! What Can the Matter Be?

The county Park Authority used aerial infrared surveys via fixed-wing airplanes to count the number of deer inside parks and within a small distance in the surrounding neighborhoods on Feb. 6, 2014 and Dec. 27, 2013, according to the 2014 Annual Report on the Environment for Fairfax County.

Column: Real-Time, Really Late

I’m not a night owl. More of an early bird, worms notwithstanding. But given the contents of last week’s column, “Scantsy,” I find it difficult to write about anything else while waiting for the results of my CT Scan.

A Contemporary Kitchen

Local family transforms their home with a red, black and white kitchen.

When a Springfield couple decided to remodel their 1960s home, they wanted to think outside the box, especially when it came to the kitchen. “Originally confined to a small kitchen ‘box,’ crunched in the back of their house, this couple wanted to expand and modernize their … house to a contemporary, European design,” said Stephanie Brick, associate architectural designer at Nicely Done Kitchens in Springfield.

MATHCOUNTS Regional Winners Announced

The Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS competitions were held on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Glasgow Middle School in Alexandria, and at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Arlington. This year, because of the exceptionally large number of students participating, the Regional competition had to be split between two venues.

Burke, Fairfax Station, Springfield and Mount Vernon: Describe your ideal Valentine's Day Date

Sev Kerat, senior at South County High School, Springfield resident: “We’d go ice skating, or something else active to move about and set the mood. Doing an activity makes me feel relieved instead of uptight.”

Grace Presbyterian in Springfield Hosts Holy Land Film Series

For more than three generations, peace has eluded Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, an area known as the Holy Land.

First Art Steffen Scholarship Awarded to student in Centreville

For nearly three decades, Edward Arthur “Art” Steffen taught at Fairfax County Public Schools.

Uber prominent at state Sens. Marsden and Saslaw joint town hall in Falls Church.

Though over a dozen taxicabs sat in the parking lot of Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, inside it was clear everyone drove themselves.

Matthew Charged In West Potomac Alumna Hannah Graham Murder

Suspect faces life in prison.

Nearly five months after the disappearance of University of Virginia sophomore and West Potomac High School alumna Hannah Graham, the primary suspect in her death investigation has been indicted by a grand jury in Albemarle County.

Combining Health and Mental Health

Community Services Board provides emergency services, prevention and treatment.

One teenager who attempted suicide revealed that if anyone had asked him beforehand whether he was thinking of hurting himself, he would have said yes.

Fairfax County Judge Orders More John Geer Materials Released

Family’s lawyer’s motions supported.

Though extensive, the thousands of pages of documents, dozens of audio files and handful of videos released last month by Fairfax County, documenting the shooting death of Springfield resident John Geer, aren’t exhaustive.

Letter: Failing in Their Duties

Letter to the Editor

I applaud your editorial on the Geer murder (“No Justification for Secrecy, Delay on Geer Shooting,” Connection, February 4-10, 2015). The Connection has done yeoman’s work in keeping this tragedy in front of the public, unlike other newspapers which are johnnie-come-latelies.

Editorial: Not the First or Only Time

Secrecy around police shootings has been a problem for at least a decade.

The official position of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on the need for changes in policy after the shooting of John Geer by police in Springfield in August of 2013 appears to be that this is the first time police policies have been a problem: “Policies for handling police-involved incidents, which served us well for decades, were inadequate in this complicated situation.”

Column: ‘Scantsy’

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to characterize the feelings I regularly experience during the final few weeks leading up to my every-three-month CT Scan, and even more so the feelings I experience waiting the following week or so to see my oncologist to discuss the results.

Lake Braddock Band Goes National

Lake Braddock Secondary School Symphonic Band has been invited to perform at the 2015 Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha, the nation’s most prestigious festival for school instrumental music ensemble. The 24th annual Festival will take place in Indianapolis, March 12-14.

Del. Filler-Corn’s ‘CARE Act’ Passes the House

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn’s (D–41) HB 1413 passed the full House of Delegates on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. HB 1413 or the “CARE Act” addresses the important role of the informal and family caregivers and improved communication with them and medical providers. Specifically, the bill looks to improve healthcare and reduce preventable hospital revisits by having hospitals formally acknowledge a patient’s family caregiver at the time of admission and provide critical home care instruction before discharge.

Teen Sex Trafficking Information Forum Held at West Springfield High School

Amy DiGiulian of Springfield came to the meeting for general information on human trafficking. “I had an overall concern,” said the mother of students at Robert E. Lee High School, Key Middle School and Garfield Elementary School.

Fairfax County Goes Public with Geer Documents

FCPD report confirms John Geer was shot while unarmed, hands raised.

Of the seven eyewitness accounts of the shooting death of John Geer, only one describes Geer quickly bringing his hands down to his waist. That was the perspective of PFC Adam Torres, the officer who shot Geer in the chest, killing him in the doorway of his home on Aug. 29, 2013.

Hayfield’s Overstreet Wins Conference 6 Bars Title Despite Back Trouble

Fairfax’s Barborek qualifies for regionals in all-around, wins beam title.

The 6A North region championship meet is scheduled for Feb. 11 at Lake Braddock.

Letter: An Open Letter to Virginia Delegates

Letter to the Editor

Many of you know our story well. We are the parents of Morgan Harrington. Morgan, a student at Virginia Tech, went to a rock concert in Charlottesville in 2009 and never came home. Her remains were found 100 days later.

Citizens to the Rescue

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy accepting applications.

The Fairfax County Citizens Fire and Rescue Academy, a free nine-week program to learn about the work of firefighters and paramedics, will begin its next session March 12, with the deadline for online applications closing on Feb. 16.

Free and Low-Cost Dental Care for Children

Special programs available as part of National Children's Dental Health Month.

Dental hygiene should start even before a baby’s first tooth emerges. That is one of the messages that dental professionals are hoping to convey this month.

Mental Health First Aid

County program offers insight into mental illness and teaches strategies for intervention.

Leslie Roberts recalls hearing a mother talk about getting her stepson admitted to a psychiatric hospital. “Her stepson was angry and acting out,” said Roberts. “She didn’t understand what her stepson was doing.”

Editorial: No Justification for Secrecy, Delay on Geer Shooting

Everything about this case erodes public trust and demonstrates police departments should not be allowed to apply “blanket” exemptions to release of information.

After waiting 17 months for any information about the investigation into the shooting death of John Geer, the information released last week is deeply troubling.

Strong Defensive Effort Propels Woodson Past Lake Braddock

Experienced Cavaliers look for third consecutive region title.

Woodson limits Lake Braddock to 14 first-half points.

GMU Students Rally to Lower Student Debt

Members of GMU Student Power Travel to Richmond to voice concern over rising debt.

Twelve students from George Mason University traveled to Richmond with the Virginia Student Power Network, rallying and calling for debt-free education, and for increased educational opportunities for undocumented students. Rodrigo Velasquez, a junior at Mason from Springfield and GMU Student Power’s organizer, was one of the 12 from Mason who also went to Richmond.

Column: The Past Future is Now Present

Presumably, maybe even obviously, nearly six years into a “terminal” diagnosis, arrangements for a smooth transition of power should have been made already.

Local Prep Football Coaches React to End of Super Bowl XLIX

Majority say they would have called a run play from 1-yard line.

Lake Braddock football coach Jim Poythress sticks up for Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

Be Part of the Pet Connection

The Pet Connection, a bi-annual themed edition, will publish Feb. 25, 2015.