Friday, August 29
Top Issues Facing McLean Community
As Tysons Corner booms and the new Silver Line stations become more successful, McLean will be undergoing changes over the next few years. The McLean Citizens Association and other community leaders will be working to ensure the new Metro stations are successful, Tysons becomes a community, traffic reduces on Route 7 and update Mclean itself.
Middle, High Schools Celebrate New Beginning
Cooper Middle stresses creative thinking; Marshall High welcomes new principal; Highlanders take Ice Bucket Challenge.
While no one likes summer ending, teens and teachers of the McLean community have been buzzing with excitement over the start of the upcoming school year. With several county-wide changes made by the Fairfax County School Board, McLean middle and high schools are looking forward to welcoming their students and staff to start a new year.
High Schools Aiming High
Recent news from Herndon, Langley and McLean High.
Herndon, Langley and McLean High Schools offer a rich program of courses, extracurricular activities and events.
MCA Turns 100
McLean Citizens Association: Recent accomplishments and upcoming activities.
On behalf of the McLean Citizens Association (MCA), welcome! We’re delighted that you have chosen to live in the greater McLean area and hope that you will find it a welcoming “hometown.” This year, MCA celebrates its 100th anniversary as McLean’s “go-to” unofficial town council and voice on local, regional, and state issues that affect McLean’s quality of life.
The BookShop Worth Exploring
The BookShop at Claude Moore Colonial Farm is home to 80 categories of books.
The Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run is known for its authentic, interactive and educational programs that showcase the everyday life of Virginians during the 18th century. Although the farm is part of the National Park System, a nonprofit organization, “Friends of the Claude Moore Colonial Farm, Inc.,” runs it.
A County of 186,785 Students
Welcome to the 2014-15 school year. The start of a new school year is always an exciting time for students, parents, and educators. Our dedicated staff has been working hard to prepare for another school year that builds on our tradition of excellence at Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
Thursday, August 28
Classified Advertising August 27, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Afternoon with the Madisons
Interactive play “An Afternoon with the Madisons” was shown exactly 200 years from the date that British soldiers set Washington D.C. ablaze to give locals a history lesson at the free event at McLean Community Center’s Alden Theater Sunday.
McLean Home Sales: July, 2014
In July 2014, 116 homes sold between $3,022,000-$188,000 in the McLean and Falls Church area.
McLean Home Sales: July, 2014
Wednesday, August 27
Top Issues Facing McLean Community
As Tysons Corner booms and the new Silver Line stations become more successful, McLean will be undergoing changes over the next few years. The McLean Citizens Association and other community leaders will be working to ensure the new Metro stations are successful, Tysons becomes a community, traffic reduces on Route 7 and update Mclean itself.
What’s on the Ballot; How to Vote
Election Day is Nov. 4, 2014, but you can vote as early as Sept. 19.
Every year is Election Year in Virginia. This year, every Virginia voter will choose one member of the U.S. Senate and their member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Welcome to Fairfax County
Welcome to Fairfax County, the best place in the country to live, work and play. Fairfax County is home to a fantastic public school system, top tier business and shopping opportunities, compassionate human services, and some of the best parks and open spaces in the D.C. Metropolitan region.
About the Connection
As your local, weekly newspaper, the Connection’s mission is to deliver the local news you need, to try to make sense of what is happening in your community, to gather information about the best things in and near your community, to advocate for community good, to provide a forum for dialogue on local concerns, and to celebrate and record achievements, milestones and events in the community and people’s lives.
And Another Thing I’m “Righting” On
Not only did last week’s CT Scan indicate shrinkage, where necessary – and stability, where hoped for – it also accomplished these hoped-for goals after only two months of chemotherapy (still infused every three weeks) rather than the normal three months of chemotherapy. So depending on how the calendar/treatment schedule actually fell, I probably received two fewer infusions than usual, yet all the radiological indications – and interpretations – continue to be encouraging; after five and a half years, no less. I think I’m entitled to use the word amazing – and lucky, too.
Middle Eastern Food Festival Returns for 22nd Year
Festival hosted by Holy TransfiguratiMelkite Greek-Catholic Church features, food and sweets, family activities and traditional culture.
Food and festival-lovers alert! The annual Labor Day weekend Middle Eastern Food Festival is upon the McLean/Vienna area once again. And if you’ve wondered how a Northern Virginia foodfest can go through 200 pounds of lamb, 400 pounds of beef, 450 pounds of chicken, 180 pounds of butter and 12,000 pieces of sweets, this is your opportunity to find out.
Fairfax County’s Success Story
Economic success: 50 years in the making.
If you are a newcomer to Fairfax County, allow me to welcome you to one of the most dynamic communities anywhere in the world to live and work. It was the vision of many people to create this kind of community, so please allow me to offer a quick history lesson.
McLean Chambers and Business Resources
Many organizations in McLean are here to serve your business and help connect you with the resources you need to make your business successful and to help it grow. Below are a list of business associations and chambers, in no particular order. Find a comprehensive online listing of county business resources at http://www.fairfaxcountyeda.org/business-resources.
Letter: Running for ‘Real Job’
Letter to the Editor
Fairfax County Supervisor John W. Foust, Democratic congressional candidate from Northern Virginia, seems to have discovered one of those worse-than cures to treat political foot-in-mouth disease: suggest you do not consider elective office to be a real job, then list your opponent's superior qualifications and experience to serve in the post you seek for yourself.
Blair Looks to Instill Winning Culture at McLean
Highlanders trying for first playoff berth since 2011.
The McLean football team will open the 2014 season at Washington-Lee on Sept. 5.
Editorial: Back to School - Good Steps, Good Intentions
The first day of school in Fairfax County is Tuesday, Sept. 2, but Monday, Sept. 8 is the beginning of something important. For the first time in decades, elementary school students will have a full day of school on Mondays instead of being sent home hours early. This action makes so much sense in for families with children in elementary school. The ability of Superintendent Karen Garza to facilitate this change to go into effect right away is remarkable, and we hope a promise for more changes ahead.
Newcomers Guide: Area Nonprofits
A list of nonprofits in the community.
A list of nonprofits in the community.
Thursday, August 21
Super H 5K Funds Paraplegic Rehabilitation
Harry Freedman wear his baseball cap low over his eyes. He speaks quietly, recounting the accident that made him start a 5K eleven years ago. It was just another day of work for him at Auto Recyclers of Leesburg until an 18 ton front loader backed up onto him, crushing his leg.
Curator Program Study Being Finalized
Historic homes that have been abandoned - and perhaps lost their original charm - could have a second chance to return to their former glory. Fairfax County Parks Authority is currently finalizing a resident Curator Program Implementation Study that would allow anyone with the time, money and expertise, to live in a historic place in order to fix it up.
Wednesday, August 20
Langley Lax Standout Duenkel Committed to JMU
Q&A: Junior an all-conference field hockey player, enjoys cooking.
Langley junior Halle Duenkel is committed to play lacrosse at James Madison University.
McLean Fall Community Flea Market to Be Held Sept. 13
Bargain hunters can find precious treasures and save on a variety of household items at the McLean Fall Community Flea Market. Sponsored by the McLean Community Center, the sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, in the parking garage at 1420 Beverly Road (behind the Giant Shopping Center). Admission to the sale is free.
Franklin Sherman Elementary Turns 100
McLean schools get ready for new school year.
With summer dwindling to an end and back-to-school commercials overriding television screens, the staff and students of McLean elementary schools are preparing for the start of this upcoming school year.
Editorial: Accountability for Police in Northern Virginia
There is more transparency in the police shooting in Ferguson last week than in police shootings in Northern Virginia.
This is not Ferguson, and tanks do not roll down the streets of Northern Virginia driven by police officers pointing sniper rifles at residents.
Allen Hudson Receives Top 40 Brokers Under 40 Award
Sahouri Insurance & Financial has announced that one of its executives, Allen Hudson, has been chosen for the Business Insurance 2014 edition of the Top 40 Brokers Under 40 Award on Aug. 6.
Removing Barriers to College
Local services help students complete college paperwork, remove barriers.
LaQuita King relocated across the state from Chesapeake, Va., to Alexandria in the summer of 2013, moving into an apartment with her aunt and three cousins. King had just graduated from high school and was looking forward to taking classes at Northern Virginia Community College. So far, that hasn’t happened.
Letter: Well Deserved Endorsements
Letter to the Editor
The recent endorsement of Barbara Comstock by both the National Association Realtors and the Virginia Association of Realtors is not only well deserved, but speaks volumes as to the impact that both Barbara and Congressman Frank Wolf have played in helping further both our local economy and that of the country. As a Virginia resident for nearly 30 years and a Realtor for nine years, I know firsthand what Barbara has meant to our community.
All Write For Now
And so it goes, every three months or so; a CT Scan, a week or so of waiting, and then a face-to-face appointment with my oncologist to learn/discuss the results. Thankfully, the results continue to be amazing. My doctor has told me that I’m his third miracle; stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer patients generally don’t live beyond two years. I’m in year six.
Classified Advertising August 20, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Thursday, August 14
Safety at a Crossroads in Poor Communities Across Northern Virginia
Less affluent neighborhoods in Northern Virginia suffer from higher pedestrian fatalities.
A national database of pedestrian crashes compiled by Governing Magazine shows 95 pedestrian fatalities in Northern Virginia between 2008 and 2012. While 26 of the pedestrian fatalities occurred in wealthy neighborhoods, where the per capita income is more than $53,000, a much larger number happened in poor communities like this stretch of Route 1 in Mount Vernon.
Wednesday, August 13
Take Precautions against Rabies
Animal Shelter offers advice to reduce the risk.
Rabies is a deadly virus that infects animals and may be a risk to humans, as well. The most commonly reported rabid animals in Fairfax County include foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. But even pets aren’t automatically immune to this disease and must be vaccinated against it.
Heads Up Football Flourishing in Fairfax County
Program reduces concussion risk by teaching players to take the “head” out of tackling.
It wasn’t that long ago when youth football coaches believed a player’s toughness was measured by his ability to play through the pain. Concussions and other serious injuries were just “part of the game.”
Organized for School Year
Local organizers offer suggestions on dealing with the summer mess.
When summer comes to a grinding halt in a few weeks, a new school year will begin. From alarm clocks and school bells to piles of homework assignments and sports schedules, maintaining a coordinated household can be difficult, however. Local organizers are offering simple suggestions to help make the transition from summer to the start of the school year seamless.
Homelessness: Source of Trauma for Children
Nearly 700 children live in emergency homeless shelters in Fairfax County at some point during the year.
Summer vacation is wrapping up; kids everywhere are gearing up for the return to school. Stores are filled with school supplies; back-to-school advertising fills our TVs, radio and mailboxes. Many families are hustling from store to store getting supplies, backpacks, clothes and haircuts. As children, while we hated to see summer end, we fondly remember the yearly ritual and the excitement and anticipation of getting all those new things.
U.S. Rep Wolf (R-10) Announces Service Academy Appointments
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) announced the 10th District’s Class of 2018 appointments to the nation’s service academies, as well as those selected for Academy prep schools.
Week in McLean
An Afternoon with the Madisons in McLean.
Spring Hill Recreation Center to Expand
Center will close on Sept. 18 for major renovations.
Spring Hill’s Recreation Center will be undergoing a $10 million facelift.
McLean Community Center Announces Fall Classes
More than 100 offerings, from art and cooking to safety and writing.
Fall is just around the corner and the McLean Community Center (MCC) has developed a bounty of classes and activities to greet the new season.
McLean Community Center to Hold Meetings, Hearing on Budget
The Governing Board of the McLean Community Center (MCC) will hold two open finance meetings on its Proposed FY 2016 budget.
McLean’s Giant Manager Retires
Rick Makely is retiring after 39 years of service to Giant Food.
Letter: Fit Academics Into the Fun
Finding ways to fit academics into the fun is imperative to making sure children are prepared for the coming school year which begins in just a few short weeks.
Classified Advertising August 13, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Thursday, August 7
Income Growth in Fairfax and Alexandria Lags Behind State and National Averages
Loudoun is the one bright spot in the region.
Paycheck growth in Fairfax County and the city of Alexandria are lagging behind the state and the nation, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Wednesday, August 6
Crime Solvers Hold 5K, Raise Money
In the second year, the race has gained momentum, more runners, and two vendors.
Early Saturday morning, runners and walkers alike descended onto Fairfax Government Center for the second annual Crime Solvers 5K and helped raise money for Fairfax Crime Solvers. “[We’re] just a partnership to keep our community safe,” Fairfax County Crime Solvers President and Chairman, Jody Donaldson said.
Stride Right
Not that I’ve felt that my attitude toward being diagnosed with stage IV (“terminal”) non-small cell lung cancer at age 54-and-one-half was ever to be considered as model behavior, but I do believe, after the initial shock wore off, eventually I assimilated its effects into my routine reasonably well. Not without a million bumps and bruises along the way, however, both physically and emotionally; nevertheless, though time has not healed all that has preceded this column, I’ve managed to find and maintain an extremely delicate balance between “joie de vivre” and “c’est la vie.”
Preventing Sports Injuries
How to keep kids safe while they’re having fun.
As students prepare to return to school, one activity many look forward to is sports. While the benefits of athletic activities are numerous, however, so are injuries.
Walk 'N Roll Comes to Virginia
McLean resident heading the efforts to bring DogFest to the area.
As summer winds down and comes to a close, one organization’s local chapter is turning the tail end of summer into a tail-wagging event.
Tysons West Meets Expanding Community Needs
The JBG Companies and JBGR Retail have closed on the sale of the current phase of its Tysons West mixed-use development.
McLean Native Gives In-house Concert in Vienna
Joel Stein sings, plays guitar, composes, records and owns music licensing company.
Joel [Henry] Stein grew up in McLean to a family who loved music in the home.
PRS, Inc. and CrisisLink Announce Merger
Expanded nonprofit poised to better address mental health needs of NoVa and D.C. community.
PRS, Inc. and CrisisLink—leading local nonprofits serving those with serious mental health issues—are merging to transform the delivery of mental health services in response to the community’s growing needs and the changing mental health landscape.
Editorial: Brightening Outlook for End of Summer
Local pleasures to offset discouraging news.
The news here has been a bit discouraging, and that’s without considering the human tragedy and disaster of several different international situations.
Week in McLean
Celebrate McLean and Great Falls meeting.
Sigholtz Family Honored
Center in Italy dedicated to gold star army family.
The namesake service members of the new center, Col. Robert Sigholtz Sr. and Capt. Robert Sigholtz Jr. of the Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, were the husband and son of Roberta 'Cis’ Sigholtz, a McLean resident.