Thursday, March 31
Week in Springfield
Weekly happenings in Springfield
Springfield: ‘STEAM’ Boat Olympic Event Held at Orange Hunt Elementary
“STEAM” Boat Express to Rio! was the theme of a community event held at Orange Hunt Elementary in Springfield on March 15.
Springfield: County Budget Discussed
Supervisor Herrity hosts annual Budget Town Hall Meeting.
On March 23, Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity’s annual budget town hall meeting took place at the West Springfield Government Center.
Honoring Col. Bidgood
Comstock comes to Huntsman Square Starbucks in Springfield to present honor to veteran’s widow.
Remembered for his wit, sense of humor and service to country, the late Colonel Fred Bidgood's family accepted a Congressional Record from U.S Rep Barbara Comstock (R-10) on Mar. 24.
Commentary: Proffer and Firearms Reforms; the Electric Chair Returns
In the past two weeks, I reviewed action on my legislation and the state budget. This column covers some of the major bills to pass the state legislature.
Mount Vernon and Springfield: Detectives Investigate Possible Stabbing Homicide
William G. Martines-Palma, 29, of Alexandria died after sustaining what Fairfax County Police said appeared to be a stabbing wound to his leg.
New decision-making training meant to alter how Fairfax County police officers approach use of force
Making decisions can be instinctual, from the gut. It can also be practical and informed, coming to the best judgement considering all variables. For police officers responding to calls where there might be a threat of violence to civilians and or themselves, their decision whether to use force and which type to neutralize the situation quickly must be a hybrid.
Students at William Halley and Newington Forest Elementary schools raise thousands during sports-based Boosterthon program.
Earlier in March, students at William Halley Elementary School in Lorton and Newington Forest Elementary School in Springfield participated in the nationwide fundraising program Boosterthon Fun Run by raising money and learning life skills through physical activity.
Two Injured in Accidental Shooting on Tralee Woods Court
Two men were injured Wednesday night, March 23, when the gun a third man was showing them went off unintentionally inside a residence on the 7500 block of Tralee Woods Court in Springfield.
Wednesday, March 30
Fairfax: Woodson Girls’ Lax Dominates Lake Braddock in Second Half
Sophomore Dougherty leads Cavaliers with six goals.
The Woodson girls' lacrosse team beat Lake Braddock 18-4 on Tuesday.
Editorial: Money to Treat Addiction, Mental Health Issues
Affordable Care Act could pay for help, better health for 100,000 uninsured people in Virginia with mental illness or addiction issues.
Poor people without health insurance in Virginia are being unnecessarily tortured, in some cases to death, by a General Assembly that refuses to expand Medicaid.
Commentary: Congress Must Act on the Growing Opioid Epidemic
Our nation is in the midst of an exploding opioid epidemic.
Commentary: Progress on Ad Hoc Commission Recommendations
Thoughtfulness and deliberation should not be construed as resistance or foot dragging.
A tremendous amount of progress has already taken place to implement many of these recommendations.
Fairfax Connector Considering Service Changes, Seeks Public Input
Fairfax Connector is proposing service changes for implementation in June 2016.
Sex Trafficking Young Victims in Northern Virginia
Federal funds for gang task force expire April 1.
The first article in an occasional series on human sexual trafficking in Northern Virginia.
Tuesday, March 29
Eating Smart
Profile: Jean Janssen, force behind area’s Smart Markets.
Food shoppers should take their collective hats off to Jean Janssen. She is the motivating spirit behind the area’s Smart Markets
Letter: Where is Civilian review Panel?
To the Editor
Last October, the 40 strong Ad Hoc Commission to Review Police Procedures, set up by Chairman Bulova and her Board of Supervisors (BOS), unanimously adopted a large number of recommendations, which they submitted to the BOS.
Friday, March 25
Celebrating Easter and Spring
Lenten and Spring events.
Thursday, March 24
Springfield: Paving Schedule for Lee District Discussed
Delegate Mark Sickles (D-43) and Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) met with representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to discuss the 2016 spring paving schedule for Lee District.
Mega Sports, Fitness and Wellness Complex Approved for Springfield
435,000 square foot Sports/Fitness Complex to feature many sports under one roof.
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a new 435,000 square-foot sports, fitness and wellness complex in Springfield on Wednesday called the St. James Sport and Wellness Center.
Daycare for Pets Opens in Springfield
Reserved Barking’s second location finds home on Fullerton Road.
Doggy daycare Reserved Barking opened its second location in Springfield on Saturday, March 19. But for owners Ahsan Saeed and Bilal Malik it is more than that.
Area Roundups
Weekly happenings in the area
High School Seniors Tour Local Bank, Compete for Scholarships
On March 16, Virginia high school seniors from eight schools across the area spent the day at Burke & Herbert Bank as part of Bank Day, a statewide effort sponsored by the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) Education Foundation and the Virginia Bankers Association Leadership Division.
Great Finds at the Burke Book Sale
The Burke Centre Library book sale had a steady trickle of customers despite the steady trickle of rain on Saturday, March 19.
Wednesday, March 23
Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Awards $380,000 in Local Grants
Five of 36 grant awardees speak at “Cocktails & Conversation” event.
When Lorton residents Marcy Mager and husband David Lunter’s daughter Michell Merhige was killed in 2009, they wanted to establish a scholarship in her honor but knew handling the financial logistics would be tricky.
Editorial: Purple State
Nonpartisan redistricting could support the best interests of the population, not the politicians.
Classified Advertising March 23, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Thursday, March 17
Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Springfield: Brain Injury Services honors volunteers and community partners
Maya Simbulan of Fairfax is thankful for being normal. The Lake Braddock Secondary School freshman would like to pursue work with computer graphics and plays electric wheelchair soccer.
Burke, Bairfax Station, Springfield: Shark Tank Racing Squad sets new record in sixth year of swimming marathon fundraiser
For the sixth year, swimmers piled on miles of laps in the pool, raising money to support their coach and the Avon Walk to End Breast Cancer.
Fairfax County Public Schools to Seek FEMA Relief Funds
Winter Storm Jonas, Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse 2.0 — no matter what it’s called, the county-crippling January 2016 blizzard cost Fairfax County Public Schools $7.2 million to pay for employee overtime compensation, additional contractors and equipment rental.
Springfield Home Sales: February, 2016
In February, 2016, 109 Springfield homes sold between $955,000-$190,000.
Springfield Home Sales: February, 2016
Week in Springfield
Weekly happenings in Springfield
Springfield: Lake Accotink Park ‘Loved to Death’
The master plan revision for the park will take around 18 months, community involvement sought.
Fairfax County Park Authority began the master plan revision process for local park, Lake Accotink
Letter: Seniors Volunteering in Schools
To the Editor
I am writing in regard to the great article highlighting the Greenspring volunteers at Crestwood Elementary School (“Reading Dr. Seuss at Crestwood Elementary,” Springfield Connection, March 10-16, 2016).
Commentary: Over $210 Million in New Funds Coming to the 36th District
The last week of the 2016 General Assembly session brought a flurry of activity on some of our most difficult bills, along with approval of a state budget. In this column, I will detail highlights in the final budget affecting our area.
Food Trucks are the Kitchen at Local Breweries
Food trucks serving microbrewery customers across the area.
At Port City Brewing in the western Alexandria, the “pearl,” a layered dish of macaroni and cheese, baked beans and barbecue meat, is downed with a micro beer so it’s known to bring on a “food coma” of sorts.
Del. Filler-Corn Champions New Laws Preventing, Combating Sexual Assault
On Friday, March 11, Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41), flanked by leading voices in the fight against campus and domestic sexual assault participated in a press conference in Richmond on the last day of the 2016 General Assembly session announcing the passage of several bills addressing this issue.
Celebrating the Spring Holidays
Spring is here.
Letter: Gerrymandering Promotes Partisanship and Polarization
To the Editor
Everywhere we turn today, the media is bombarding us with antics of the current presidential campaign.
Letter: Time to Speak Out for Quality of Life in Fairfax County
To the Editor
Fairfax County is a composite of many things that make the quality of life rich for people living here.
Caregiving
Workshops and seminars for seniors and caregivers.
Tuesday, March 15
Real Food for Kids' Culinary Challenge
11 teams of middle and high school students compete in school food competition.
Eleven teams of middle and high school students competed in the fourth annual Real Food for Kids' Culinary Challenge on Saturday, March 12 at Robinson Secondary School.
Mission: Promoting Peace
22 students or student groups receive the Student Peace Award, for their efforts to promote peace.
With causes ranging from anti-bullying efforts to human trafficking awareness to interfaith dialogue, students in Fairfax County were recognized for their peacemaking efforts at the 11th Annual Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County on March 13.
Encouraging STEM-curious Youth
Third Annual STEM Symposium draws a crowd at the Nysmith School.
“We need people in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields today, tomorrow and as far as we can envision.”
No E-Z Answers on I-66
VDOT’s Transform I-66 Inside the Beltway meeting leaves public waiting for answers.
There were also questions and comments of a financial nature.
And the Winner Is...
Wakefield Forest Elementary School student to compete at Scripps’ National Spelling Bee.
After 11 rounds of competitive play, fourth grade student Eric Kim, from Wakefield Forest Elementary School, was declared the champion for correctly spelling every word thrown at him.
Private Schools: When Leaving Unexpectedly
Spring is time to commit to one’s school of choice.
When Ashley and Clark Leonard enrolled their son in a local independent school, they were excited about the prospect of him thriving in a new, smaller academic environment.
Editorial: Homelessness on Its Way Out in Fairfax
Homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring; 776 fewer homeless individuals in 2016 than in 2008.
Homelessness is down in Fairfax County in every major category, a fact confirmed on Jan. 28, 2016, the annual Point in Time Count.
Legislative Wrap-Up Forum
Learn what your area legislator did during the Virginia General Assembly.
FCPL to Hold Community Forum
Fairfax County Public Libraries will hold community forums to see public opinion on what is needed in the community.
‘Do You Keep a Gun in Your Home?’
Starting conversations about gun safety can help prevent play date tragedies.
Starting the conversation felt awkward. After all, she didn’t want to offend another parent.
Monday, March 14
It Takes a Village
Campaign designed to end homelessness in Fairfax County.
When speaking with Kathy Albarado, one might not guess that she’d experienced periods of homelessness as an adolescent.
Thursday, March 10
Fairfax County: Commonwealth's Attorney Finds No Criminality in Paul Guida In-Custody Death
After a determination from the medical examiner that Falls Church resident Paul Guida, 68, died of natural causes while in the Sheriff’s custody at the Fairfax County Detention Center, Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh concluded there was no evidence of criminality associated with involved law enforcement or staff at the jail.
Burtons allergy-friendly Grill & Bar opens at Hilltop Village Center in Alexandria
The Big 8: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. These represent the vast majority of all food allergies in the United States.
Alexandria Man Charged with Assault after Police Barricade Incident in Franconia
Alexandria resident Sayed Robbie Javid was charged with assaulting a police officer and falsely summoning police after an incident at his home on Larkspur Drive escalated into a barricade situation.
Business Scholarship Calls for Applicants
Applications are now available for the 2016 Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce Education Partnership Scholarships.
Springfield: Meeting the Challenge of Our Time
Greenspring resident and colleague receive U.S. Patent for process aimed at combating global warming.
Greenspring retirement community resident, 98-year-old Charlie Bliss, and his 78-year-old colleague Charley Moseley, are doing their part to suggest options for combating global warming.
Commentary: Bills Becoming Law as Session Ends
The eighth week of the General Assembly session brought a few vetoes and heated debates as the most contentious bills of the session moved toward final passage. Eight of my bills have either been signed into law, passed by both houses or are on Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s desk awaiting signature.
Sports Roundups
Sports happenings
Area Roundups
Area happenings
Commentary: A Step Backwards for Virginia
Virginia New American leaders respond to the nomination of Ken Cuccinelli for the State Supreme Court.
From immigration to contraception to climate change denial to LGBT rights, Ken Cuccinelli has built a career on extreme conservative positions that are out of step with Virginia today.
Tuesday, March 8
Letter: Lifting Stigma from Drug Users
To the Editor
I believe that your in-depth look at Northern Virginia’s heroin subculture (“Police Arrest 20 for Heroin Use in One Day,” Connection, March 2-8, 2016) ) was a step in the right direction towards helping to lift the stigma from drug users.
Laptop Donations in Fairfax County
Help homeless youth in Fairfax County by donating laptops and tablets. Donate a working laptop or tablet through Friday, March 11.
Editorial: Making Good Choices on Saint Patrick’s Day
Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), will offer the 2016 St. Patty’s Day SoberRide program, providing free cab rides to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington-metropolitan area next Thursday, March 17.
Editorial: Bringing Back the Electric Chair
In a world: Barbaric.
No doubt Virginia and Texas will be the last two states to continue with the death penalty until, inevitably, evolving standards of decency lead the U.S. Supreme Court to declare that the death penalty is unconstitutional.
Nanny Suites Add Value
High-end live-in quarters attract au pairs and can increase property values.
When Peggy Delinois Hamilton relocated to the Washington, D.C. area and began working full-time after spending eight years as an at-home mother of two children, childcare was one of her top concerns.
Remodeled Home Tour Set for March 12
Home evolves from center hall colonial to open plan with boldly original finishes.
To satisfy a couple's evolving lifestyle requirements, Sun Design Remodeling dramatically reconfigured the home's first level, introducing a “kitchen-centric” plan that better supports everyday uses and entertainment needs.
Buying or Selling?
A primer for doing either and avoiding pitfalls.
Here we are, once again right on the heels of the spring/summer real estate season when it seems like “For Sale” signs become the most common lawn ornament or condo window decoration.
Teen Trafficking Awareness Event in Springfield
West Springfield High School and Just Ask Prevention Project will hold an awareness night to address the issue of sex trafficking in the region on Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. at West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield.
FCPS Students Named to 2016 Virginia Honors Choir
High school and middle school students named to honors choir.
Monday, March 7
Springfield: Super Tuesday Viewpoints
Who did you vote for, and what are some of the most important issues to you in this election?
Marco Rubio. I like what he stands for, the way he’s handled himself so far.
Thursday, March 3
Burke, Clifton, Fairfax Station and Springfield: Clinton and Trump Take Virginia on Super Tuesday
Rubio controls Fairfax County, Sanders supporters nearly doubled by Clinton voters.
Katie Hugo, daughter of Del. Tim Hugo (R-40), turned 18 at the beginning of February and insisted she cast her first official vote with dad, who she said is the reason she’s involved and interested in politics.
Fairfax County: Commission Recognizes Outstanding Women in Government Work
Edwyna Wingo of the Chantilly area began her career with Fairfax County as a nurse in the Health Department on Sep. 1, 1965 and worked her last full day Oct. 1, 2011.
Three Florida Men Arrested in Springfield, Charged with Credit Card Fraud
Jermaine Butler, 29, Markeem Ho-Sang, 25, and Roderick Norman, 25, all residents of Miami Gardens, Fla., were arrested Thursday, Feb. 25 and charged with multiple counts of credit card fraud and possessing devices to forge credit cards.
Police Arrest 20 for Heroin Use in One Day
Operation Save-a-Life offered low-level offenders the chance at recovery treatment rather than jail time.
On Wednesday, Feb. 24, Fairfax County Police served 20 arrest warrants, all for possession and or distribution of heroin.
Small Lifestyle Changes Can Have Big Impact
Researchers found that moderate weight loss improves health.
Dropping as little as five percent of one’s body weight can lead to significant health improvements, according to a new study published in the Cell Metabolism journal.
Managing Medication Can Be Challenging
“Let’s Talk about RxSM” helps seniors avoid prescription drug mishaps.
It was around 2 a.m. on a frigid winter night when Janet Russell was awakened from her sleep by the sound of woman calling for help.
Four-Cent Tax Rate Increase, with Side of Vitriol
Reconsideration hours later gives same result; board will consider putting meals tax to referendum in November.
Tuesday morning, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted for a four-cent tax rate increase, advertising a tax rate of $1.13 per $100 of assessed value.
Wednesday, March 2
Classified Advertising March 2, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
West Springfield Boys' Basketball Focused on ‘Big Prize’
Spartans to face Oscar Smith in state quarterfinals.
The West Springfield boys' basketball team is the 6A North region's No. 3 seed in the state tournament.