Springfield Local

Springfield Local

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Willkommen! Guten Tag!

Bulova puts “fun” in fundraiser at Lorton Workhouse Arts Center.

Oktoberfest arrived early as more than 300 friends, family and high-profile Democrats gathered at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center Sept. 22 for the 27th annual German-themed political fundraiser hosted by Sharon Bulova, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Guests enjoyed German beer, a traditional German oompah band and a smorgasbord of Bavarian food, including bratwurst, sauerkraut and German wines, during the afternoon event.

Letter: Pills or Jobs?

To the Editor: These days I had the opportunity to support my candidate for governor, Ken Cuccinelli. Dozens of women showed up to rally for the general at the entrance of the building where the debate with Terry McAuliffe was being held. There were also dozens of younger people in blue t-shirts, pink t-shirts and purple t-shirts. Strangely, most were males. Most appeared to be college-aged.

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West Springfield Field Hockey Beats West Potomac in Overtime

Spartans extend winning streak to five games.

Spartans lost four straight prior to five-game winning streak.

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Week in Springfield

upervisor Pat S. Herrity (R-Springfield) signed a proclamation designating Sept. 17 as United States Constitution Day in the Springfield District. The proclamation reminds citizens of the great heritage of the Constitution, which safeguards our liberties and freedoms. Constitution Week is observed annually Sept. 17-23. The photo shows Supervisor Herrity presenting the proclamation to Sue Kennedy, regent of Anna Maria Fitzhugh Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

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Melissa Porfirio Is Teacher of Year

Crestwood first-grade teacher “humbled” to be singled out for honor.

Melissa Porfirio, 38, of Springfield’s Crestwood neighborhood was named Virginia’s 2014 Region 4 Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Department of Education. The first- and second-grade teacher at Crestwood Elementary since 2005 will be honored on Friday, Oct. 11, at a banquet and awards program in Richmond.

Springfield’s Renaissance Man

Leonard Kalkwarf publishes book and wins five gold medals from the Senior Olympics.

Leonard Kalkwarf can best be described as a true Renaissance man; an avid history buff, the 85-year-old resident of Greenspring retirement community in Springfield is also an accomplished athlete, an ordained minister, and a published author. His advice to other seniors is simple: keep active and stay positive.

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Up to Speed Tutors Puts Focus on Special Education

Lake Braddock graduate Brian Katkin started the company last spring.

When JS Tutoring folded in 2012, one of Arlington resident Brian Katkin’s students with a learning disability wanted to keep having sessions with him. They worked out an arrangement to continue working together, and soon Katkin decided to take on other students as well. Then on the first day of Spring Break the same year, he launched the company Up to Speed Tutors, with himself as the sole instructor.

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A Loving Neighbor Remembered

Friends, family remember Navy Yard victim Martin Bodrog as “humble” and devoted to God, family and his beloved Boston Bruins.

Isabel Bodrog recalled an awkward moment in high school when her friends started complaining about their fathers. When it was her turn to talk about her father, Martin Bodrog, she searched for something to say.

Police Concerned about ‘Molly’/Ecstasy Use

Fairfax County Police Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit (OCN) detectives have seen approximately 168 cases involving MDMA – also known as ecstasy or “Molly” – an average of eight per month between January 2012 and August 2013.

Opinion: Vote

It will matter who is elected governor.

Absentee voting has already begun; Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. If you’ve read this far, you care enough that voting is absolutely essential.

Medicare, Caregiving Seminars

Fairfax County is offering Medicare 101—a two-three hour program on Medicare basics. Find more information and register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/vicap.htm or call the numbers below.

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Full Disclosure? Forms Plagued By Lack of Information, Absence of Oversight

Fairfax County goes so far as to redact disclosure documents.

Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is in hot water for taking gifts without disclosing them, and legislators are talking about increasing disclosure requirements for family members. But here in Northern Virginia, personal financial disclosure forms are often incomplete and inconsistent.

Springfield Home Sales: August, 2013

In August 2013, 197 Springfield homes sold between $1,075,000-$135,000.

Springfield Home Sales: August, 2013

Springfield Area Roundups

Key Center is introducing two new classes during the 2013-14 school year to help students expand knowledge of their surroundings. Passport to Adventure will offer students the opportunity to become educated travelers. In an effort to learn about different countries, students will research specific travel destinations, including history, culture, famous people and events, and current events in each country. Classes will learn about famous and historical landmarks and experience aspects of each country’s music, food, and art. Also new is My Class, a course designed to strengthen students’ social skills while enhancing peer relations; encouraging self-management; and increasing academic, compliance, and assertion skills.

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Lee High Graduate Helps Make Coast Guard Rescue

Former Springfield resident Lt. Brian Ward piloted a helicopter as part of a “textbook” response.

On Friday afternoon, Sept. 6, a garbled mayday call from a commercial fishing vessel roughly 40 miles off Cape Mendocino, Calif., meant Coast Guard Lt. Brian Ward would get a rare chance at a major rescue. The excitement for his four-man helicopter team was palpable. These cases only come along about once a month. But with extensive training on his side, Ward, a 2000 Robert E. Lee High School graduate, kept a cool head and executed a textbook, successful rescue mission as aircraft commander.