Saturday, February 28
Experienced Woodson Boys' Basketball Team Bounces Back from 3OT Loss in Conference 7 Final
Cavaliers beat Robinson in opening round of 6A North region tournament.
The Woodson boys' basketball team beat Robinson 70-55 Friday night.
Thursday, February 26
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.
Oak Knolls Project Makes Big Changes in Fairfax
New proposal swaps apartments for condos.
There’s a plan afoot to redevelop the Oak Knolls Apartments. But the proposal has changed significantly since it was presented last spring to the Fairfax City Council.
Big Changes Planned for Lotte Market in Fairfax
New façade, better parking, less big trucks and traffic.
For many years, the Lotte market in Fairfax has been a popular grocery store, especially with its Asian customers. But its exterior has been an eyesore to the public.
Meet LuLu of Fairfax
Do you ever feel like your dog’s trying to tell you something? You might see these clues in body language, hear how a dog barks, or maybe your dog will get an object that represents what it wants, such as a leash.
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.
Wednesday, February 25
Special Screening of Honor
Film screening March 16 to help WWII veterans travel to their monument.
The Honor Flight Network transports aging veterans to visit memorials built in Washington D.C. in their honor. Caroline Healy and 11 of her peers in Girl Scout Troop 3651 based in Great Falls are hosting a screening of "Honor Flight" at AMC Worldgate 9 Theaters in Herndon on March 16 at 5:30 p.m.
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.
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.
South County Boys’ Basketball Wins First Conference Championship
No. 7 (lowest) seed Stallions upset No. 1 Woodson in 3-OT classic.
The South County boys' basketball team won its first conference championship Tuesday night.
Tuesday, February 24
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.
Friday, February 20
Tiny Dancers Summer Camp
There’s something afoot at Tiny Dancers in Fairfax City this summer, as they offer their award-winning program of themed, week-long camps. Each session includes daily instruction in dance, a snack, fine motor exercise through a theme-related craft, and ballet camps include a favorite story with dress-up dance interpretation.
Team Members Teach Children with Autism
Besides participating in robotics competitions, team Robowiz also did community outreach via the START (Spreading Technology And Robotics Together) program. It partnered with the Autism Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) to encourage children with autism to develop an interest in robotics.
‘You Start with a Box of Metal’
Local robotics team heads to two state championships.
It’s a big deal when a team, academic or athletic, reaches the state championships. But it’s even more impressive when that team does it in two, different states. Meet team Robowiz – 10 local students who’ve reached that level in both Virginia and Maryland. The eight boys and two girls live in Centreville, Chantilly and Fairfax and are in grades eight through 10.
Thursday, February 19
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.
Fairfax Home Sales: January, 2015
In January, 2015, 54 Fairfax homes sold between $1,225,000-$165,000.
Fairfax Home Sales: January, 2015
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.
Wednesday, February 18
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.
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.
Friday, February 13
‘The Sidewalk Will Increase Safety’
City Council Votes to Improve Section of Roberts Road in Fairfax
Pending receipt of the necessary funds, the west side of Roberts Road in Fairfax – between Main Street and Sager Avenue – will be getting a new sidewalk, curb and gutter. The Fairfax City Council approved this action at its Jan. 13 meeting. Not all the residents are happy about it and not all the Council members are in agreement. But in the end, it’s believed that the project will make the city more walkable and this portion of Roberts Road safer.
Good Citizenship Honored
The Daughters of the American Revolution's Thomas Lee (Fairfax) chapter, in an event held at the Army Navy Club in Fairfax, awarded their 2015 Good Citizens award to Clifton resident and Robinson senior Elizabeth Telford. The award recognizes a high school senior who stands out among their peers and possesses the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.
Inova to Create a New Center in Fairfax
Fairfax County-based Inova Health Systems will take over the ExxonMobil headquarters building in the Merrifield area of the county to house the Inova Center for Personalized Health. The center will make Fairfax County “a community known worldwide for genomic science,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) at the
Woodson High School Inducts 2014-2015 Hall of Fame Athletes
W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax welcomed eight new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Grand Atrium Banquet Venue in Tysons Corner. This is the third Hall of Fame “class” for Woodson. The honors program was established in conjunction with the school’s 50th anniversary in 2012.
Our Daily Bread Launches ‘Keep the Heat On’ Campaign
The Fairfax-based Our Daily Bread (ODB)charity launched its “Keep the Heat On” crowdfunding campaign on Feb. 1 in hopes of raising $15,000 or more by the end of the month to increase the organization’s capacity to help Fairfax County area residents who are struggling to make ends meet get through the coldest months.
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.
Thursday, February 12
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.”
Sixth Friends of Sadie Blood Drive in Burke Draws More Than 200 Donors
For the sixth year in a row, Burke resident Amy Dozier celebrated Valentine’s Day by helping manage a blood drive. Her daughter Madeline, barely a tween for the first Friends of Sadie drive in 2010, is now a 16-year-old sophomore at Robinson Secondary School. She’s old enough to drive and old enough to donate blood for the first time.
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.
Wednesday, February 11
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.
Fairfax: Young, Burda Lead Robinson Gymnastics to Conference 5 Title
Rams win second straight championship, third in four years.
Robinson gymnastics repeats as Conference 5 champions.
Friday, February 6
Commentary: Donate to Those Less Fortunate During National Canned Food Month
It seems that as the memories of the holiday season fade away, so does our urgency to give. Many of us return to our daily routines, and we seem to forget that our neighbors continue to struggle to provide meals for their families. And although many continue to be in need after the holiday season, food donations drop and our food banks face shortages.
Facets Helps People Come in from the Cold
Hypothermia program gives shelter this winter.
People experiencing homelessness arrived in groups on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at Pender United Methodist Church in Fairfax for a hot meal and a warm place to sleep for the night. When they leave the next day, they will have their clothes cleaned and washed and a bag lunch for the day.
The Chocolate Vendors
Chocolate Vendors
Meals for Young Minds
The Chocolate Lovers Festival Committee is again supporting the Fairfax Kiwanis Meals for Young Minds Program with multiple, food drop-off locations during the festival. This program provides meals to local, elementary-school students who don’t have food to eat on the weekends.
Virginia Opera's Special Gift for Valentine's Weekend
“Salome” at George Mason University Center for the Arts.
Salome, a name that conjures unforgettable impressions: passion, desire, murder. The opera "Salome" is based upon a once shocking Oscar Wilde literary work. This Valentine's weekend the Virginia Opera is presenting a production about how love's obsession in the wrong hands can lead to the most unfortunate, unforeseen consequences.
Chocolate Cookbook and Valentine
It’s always fun to bring home souvenirs from the Chocolate Festival, and two of them are the official, Chocolate Lovers Festival Cookbook and the annual, commemorative Valentine.
‘It’s Such a Good Fit’
Naomi Project joins Our Daily Bread to help struggling mothers.
For the past 19 years, the nonprofit Naomi Project of Northern Virginia has worked with high-risk, pregnant women and new mothers to help them have healthy pregnancies and babies. It’s now become a program of the nonprofit Our Daily Bread (ODB) and, on Jan. 22, the two groups celebrated their union. “It’s a natural offshoot of what we’re already doing with moms,” said ODB spokeswoman Heather Webb. “This is another way that we can help them build families and get on a better financial footing.”
Pancakes, Candy, Fudge, Ice Cream and More
Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival is Feb. 7-8.
Get your sweet tooth ready – the 23rd annual City of Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival is this weekend, Feb. 7-8. Featuring delicious, chocolate fun for both children and adults, the event includes a Taste of Chocolate, a Chocolate Challenge, musical performances, a chocolate movie – “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” – fairy tales, a fire-safety puppet show, face-painting, a Chocolate Caper mock trial, cupcake-decorating, magic, juggling and open houses in historic buildings.
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.
Thursday, February 5
Del. David Bulova and Sen. Chap Petersen Hold Town Hall in Fairfax
Over 100 constituents and community members attended the annual joint town hall meeting held Jan. 31 by Del. David Bulova (D-37) and State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34).
Robinson Middle in Fairfax Takes on Rydell High in ‘Grease’
Though none of the actors are in high school, Katie Jenkins believes her cast will have no problem bringing the students of the famed, fictional Rydell High to life.
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.
Wednesday, February 4
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.
Tuesday, February 3
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.
Sunday, February 1
Be Part of the Pet Connection
The Pet Connection, a bi-annual themed edition, will publish Feb. 25, 2015.