Stories for November 2015

South County Defense Excels in 6A North Semifinal Victory

Stallions will host Westfield in region championship game Dec. 5.

The South County football team defeated Robinson 20-15 in the 6A North semifinals on Saturday.

Weekend in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Lorton, Springfield

Weekend fun in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Lorton and Springfield.

Cappies Review: Beauty in Friendship and Love

Robert E. Lee High School’s production of ‘Steel Magnolias.’

"There is no such thing as natural beauty," said the sign on the back wall of Truvy's Beauty Salon.

Cappies Review: Creationism vs. Evolution on High School Stage

Thomas A. Edison High's production of “Inherit the Wind.”

Every day we ask ourselves the basic question of right versus wrong, whether it be through our thoughts or our actions.

Business Notes

Business briefs

Letter: Chairman Bulova Supportive of Springfield Senior Center

To the Editor

On Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova pledged to more than forty senior demonstrators that she would work on getting permanent facility(ies) for the Burke/West Springfield Senior Center Without Walls (BWSSCWoW), particularly with the possibility of an addition to the Pohick Regional Library renovation.

Fizzy Rockets and Lost on the Moon at Irving Middle

The subject of aerospace isn’t usually associated with 11 to 14 year-olds laughing and chasing rubber band powered foam “rockets.”

“Fairfax County’s Founding Fathers” Revisited at History Conference

The 11th annual Fairfax County History Conference was held Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, titled “Fairfax County’s Founding Fathers - Part I.”

Classified Advertising November 25, 2015

Read the latest ads here!

Burke: Lake Braddock Football to Host Westfield

Q&A: Burins RB Atkins commits to Vanderbilt.

Lake Braddock running back Lamont Atkins committed to Vanderbilt on Sunday.

Area Roundups for Burke, Fairfax, Lorton and Springfield

The inaugural Turkey Trot for Parkinson’s is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 26 at Burke Lake Park. Events including a five-kilometer run/walk and one-mile “Gobble Wobble” walk are set to begin at 9 a.m.

250 Brave Cold in 23rd Burke CROP Hunger Walk

Jennifer Weiner’s wristband read 11,188 steps. That’s how many it took the Springfield resident to complete the 3.7-mile Burke CROP Hunger Walk on Nov. 22. Weiner is Rabbi Educator for Congregation Adat Reyim, which sent more than a dozen volunteers to the fundraiser for the 14th straight year.

Burke, Springfield: Drug awareness meeting at Lake Braddock highlights rise in youth heroin use

Youth Heroin Use Described As ‘a big problem’

Heroin use is here in Fairfax. “It’s definitely here,” said 19-year veteran officer employed by both the Fairfax County Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration as a Task Officer who spoke at a drug awareness meeting sponsored by the Lake Braddock Secondary School Parent Teacher Student Association.

Springfield: Special Bible Exhibit at First Church of Christ, Scientist

How did the King James Version of the Bible come to be? In a one-day exhibition celebrating International Bible Day on Nov. 23, Springfield resident and historian Bruce Slawter showcased several ancient Bible pages and explained some of the book’s origin story.

Remodelers, Suppliers Join Forces to Help Clifton Woman

Sun Design Remodeling and partners donate services to upgrade deck and wheelchair ramp for local woman with spina bifida.

A coalition of local remodelers and home improvement suppliers are set to repair the deck and wheelchair ramp surrounding the home of Dixie Dawson, a long term Clifton resident with spina bifida.

Editorial: Celebrate, Shop, Dine Locally

Every day can be “small business day.”

There is a joy to participating in community traditions and celebrations during the holidays, from walking along a sidewalk with the streets decked out for the holidays, to shopping in local stores, to being greeted by someone likely to be the owner of the store, to finding gifts that are not mass-produced

Transportation Strategy Update Launched

NVTA launches work on a six-year TransAction program.

Members of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) chose an appropriate location to announce the launch of the organization’s TransAction update efforts last week.

Creating Great Families Through Adoption

More than 800 children in foster care in Virginia are ready and waiting to be adopted.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. With that in mind, meet two families expanded through adoption; two families whose kids describe their family as "awesome."

860 Virginia Children Need Homes

“Parental rights terminated.” “Available for adoption.” “Floundering in an imperfect system.” These words describe many children who are currently living in foster care in Virginia.

Quiet Riot: ‘C’mon Feel the Noise’

County passes new noise ordinance, will revisit effectiveness in 18 months.

The Board of Supervisors is at peace with the county’s new Noise Ordinance.

Fairfax County Updates Teacher Safety Training In Wake of Woodson Fire

Science teachers across Fairfax County Public Schools have begun mandatory updated safety training in the wake of an Oct. 30 fire at Woodson High School that injured five students and a teacher, and caused $7,500 in damage.

Fairfax Station: Temple B’Nai Shalom recognizes veterans with special Shabbat dinner and service

Lt. Col. Jacob Kramer was concerned after finding a Star of David in a moving box. The Springfield resident was previously stationed in Morocco by the U.S. Army.

Springfield: Sangster Elementary School honors veterans with annual musical program

Springfield resident Tim Swicord’s parents met at West Point, the United States Military Academy, and then both served in the U.S. Army.

Springfield: Veterans Receive Donated Vehicles

When Alexandria resident Dani Figueroa left the U.S. Marine Corps after being injured during a tour in Afghanistan, she said, “I knew I was different, I had changed.”

Saluting Veterans at Greenspring

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, more than 200 residents and family members attended a Veterans Day program at Greenspring retirement community.

Alexandria Teenager Awarded Scholarship for Sonar Research.

Local student receives national science honor.

When Michael You was 3 years old, he would flip through the pages of science picture books. He was particularly drawn to those with illustrations or photographs of ocean animals.

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Partners with Virginia Energy Sense

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce partnered with Virginia Energy Sense (VES) in an effort to help reduce electricity consumption in the Greater Springfield area and across Northern Virginia.

Fairfax Man Battles Rare Disease

Lacrosse tournament in Springfield brings attention to Goodpasture Syndrome and kidney diseases.

Proceeds raised by the tournament will go towards the American Kidney Fund. But Lane and her husband, who have children playing in the tournament, are happy that the event is raising awareness for kidney diseases.

RunFit Kidz Promotes ‘Healthy, Active Lifestyle’

Celebration 5K race on Nov. 22 at Burke Lake Park.

Backyard track at Sangster Elementary School was still filled with energy after school despite the chilly weather.

Football Roundups

Six of the top eight seeds advanced to the 6A North region football quarterfinals, while No. 4 Madison and No. 8 West Springfield had their seasons come to an end.

Lake Braddock Wins Girls’, Boys’ XC State Titles

The Lake Braddock girls’ and boys’ cross country teams won state championships on Nov.13 at Great Meadow.

Area Roundups

This Thursday, Nov. 19, Fairfax County Police will be joining other state and local law enforcement officers to help save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws.

Fairfax County Arts Council Awards Grants to Arts Organizations

The Arts Council of Fairfax County has awarded $379,125 in operating support grants to 44 nonprofit arts organizations in Fairfax County.

Classified Advertising November 18, 2015

Read the latest ads here!

Springfield Home Sales: October, 2015

In October, 2015, 124 Springfield homes sold between $725,000-$159,500.

Springfield Home Sales: October, 2015

Editorial: Holidays Are About Giving

The holidays are about giving, and giving thanks. The holidays are about children and family. The holidays are about sharing, about joy.

Mount Vernon: West Potomac Ground Game Dominant in Playoff Victory

Sophomore Cleveland rushes for 291 yards, 4 touchdowns against West Springfield.

No. 9 West Potomac defeated No. 8 West Springfield 40-19 on Friday in the opening round of the 6A North football playoffs.

Vienna: Madison Volleyball Earns Return Trip to State Tournament

Warhawks will face Langley in 6A North region championship match.

The Madison volleyball team defeated West Springfield 3-2 Thursday in the region semifinals.

Weekend in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Lorton, Springfield

Fun events in your neighborhood.

Dave and Buster’s at Springfield Town Center Now Hiring

Dave and Buster’s is opening its brand new location this December in Springfield Town Center, and is looking to hire enthusiastic individuals to join the team.

Letter: Opposing Rolling Road Expansion

To the Editor

(An Open Letter To: Virginia Department of Transportation, Rep. Dave Albo, Supervisor Patrick Herrity, Virginia Taxpayers)

“The Two Gentlemen of Verona” at West Springfield

West Springfield High School drama director Bernie DeLeo knew Shakespeare might be a hard sell with his students and for attracting community members. “I wanted to pick something really fun and relatable to modern-day students and settled on ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona,’” he said.

Springfield and Alexandria: New Hayfield theater director pulls from 7th through 12th grades for Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"

Taegan Chirinos is living every little girl’s dream: to become a princess. In just her second musical, the freshman from Lorton won the role of “Belle” in the Hayfield Secondary School production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

Deer Management Group Donates Venison to Lorton Food Pantry

Abena Kodua of Lorton likes her chili spicier. But she had no problem polishing off a bowl, homemade by Fairfax Station resident and hunter Robert Flanagan with ground venison, rather than beef, chicken or turkey.

Fairfax County: Garza Presents Budget Task Force Report to School Board

Transparency and methodology of budget review questioned.

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza is attempting to scale a towering projected budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2017. On Nov. 9, she presented School Board members the report of budget cuts recommended by a 36-member task force she summoned earlier this year.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer opportunity.

Artist Teacher Exhibition Opens at Workhouse Arts Center

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Fine Arts Office, in collaboration with the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, presents the Artist Teacher Exhibition, an art exhibition recognizing the creative endeavors of FCPS artist-teachers, beginning Saturday, Nov. 14.

Area Roundups

The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (Fairfax Chamber) announced that the application period for the 2016 Greater Washington Innovation Awards is now open through Jan. 22, 2016.

Arts Awards Presented

Public-private partnerships, innovation, and collaboration emerge as strong themes during 2015 Arts Awards ceremony.

On Friday, Oct. 30, the Arts Council of Fairfax County presented its fourth annual Arts Awards to a full house.

Demonstrating for Springfield Senior Center

To the Editor

I am writing to invite our community to join Springfield senior taxpayers and families in a demonstration on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m.–noon at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax.

Mount Vernon: West Potomac to Face West Springfield in Playoffs

Wolverines lost to Spartans 28-9 during regular season.

West Potomac will travel to face West Springfield in the opening round of the 6A North region playoffs on Friday.

Classified Advertising November 11, 2015

Read the latest ads here!

Area Coaches to be Honored for Work Empowering Girls

One strong woman builds many strong girls.

Doreen Peters will receive the Crystal Coach Award on Saturday, Nov. 21 in a pre-race ceremony that kicks off the Girls on the Run 5K, presented by Innovation Health in Woodbridge.

Fairfax To End Veteran Homelessness

Every veteran has a story, and a path to housing.

Jameel Mubaarik of Reston is a 63-year-old Army veteran and mechanical engineer, a former Reston homeowner.

South County Overcomes 20-Point Deficit to Capture Conference 7 Championship

Undefeated Stallions beat Lake Braddock in OT, secure region's No. 1 seed.

The South County football team remained undefeated with a 33-30 overtime victory over Lake Braddock on Friday.

Springfield: Capital Area Food Bank raises awareness of local hunger with Empty Bowls events

Kady Wohlfarth of Alexandria spent two months of her off days from the Alexandria Wegmans prepared food section to create 100 clay bowls. Hers accounted for one-third of the bowls at the “Empty Bowls” fundraiser and awareness-raising event for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Coming: Children’s Connection 2015

Get ready to send your submissions soon.

During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children.

Weekend in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Lorton, Springfield

Weekend events in your neighborhood.

Springfield: ‘Steady’ Voting

Allyn Hammel of Burke began working as an election officer over ten years ago and then was promoted to chief election officer for the 2008 presidential election. She described the voter traffic at West Springfield High School as “steady.”

Lorton, Springfield Area Roundups

What's going on in your neighborhood?

Area Writer Celebrates With a Book Launch

‘Boundaries of the Wind’ becomes local author’s most recent work.

Urmilla Khanna was never a writer; her friends and family knew her as a doctor. Growing up in India, she knew what she wanted to do at an early age, and began her pre-med studies at the age of 15.

Timeless Masterpiece of Broken Hearts

Virginia Opera’s “La Boheme” at Center for the Arts.

Soon, Northern Virginia audiences will be able to be transfixed by Puccini’s mesmerizing masterwork “La Boheme.”

Burke and Fairfax: ‘Steady’ Stream of Voting at Robinson Secondary

Teri Ayres of Fairfax is in her fourth year as chief election officer at the Robinson Secondary School voting location.

Letter: Springfield Senior Center Petition Moves Forward

To the Editor

On Election Day, Nov. 3, 2015, the petition for permanent facility(ies) by the Burke/West Springfield Senior Center (BWSSCWoW) received strong support with 4,226 votes or 18.7 percent of total votes cast by Springfield District voters.

Fairfax County: Republicans Celebrate the Victorious

And honor the defeated

Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) said he much preferred this night to the one when he was elected to his first term. A close race with his opponent meant waiting around until late into the evening. This year, Cook defeated Democrat Janet Oleszek by a more handy margin of about six percent of the vote.

Fairfax County: Palchik Upsets Incumbent Reed for Providence School Board Seat

With 58.22 percent of the vote in unofficial election results, Dalia Palchik of Annandale defeated the incumbent Providence District Fairfax County School Board representative Patty Reed, who garnered 41.31 percent.

Fairfax County: Hough Edges Incumbent Velkoff for Third At-Large School Board Seat

Fairfax resident Jeanette Hough said her race for the Fairfax County School Board started with a phone call to Springfield District representative to the board Elizabeth Schultz. “What are we going to do about the school board?” Hough remembers asking. “We’re being ignored as parents and taxpayers.”

Democrats Claim Victories in Local Elections

But General Assembly stays in the red column.

“We didn’t win the war tonight, but we did come out ahead in some of the important local battles, and that’s a good start.”

Reston: South Lakes Defense Limits Hayfield RB Ross in Victory

Seahawks would share Conference 6 title with win, help.

The South Lakes football team beat Hayfield 35-14 on Friday.

Fairfax Library Foundation Raises $197,000 at A Library Jubilee

The Fairfax Library Foundation hosted A Library Jubilee! Soiree in the Stacks on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Woodrow Wilson Library in Falls Church.