Thursday, October 30
New Trail Adds 1,200 Feet of Sidewalk to McLean
A trail linking Elsinore Avenue to Snow Meadow Lane was unveiled on Oct. 20, adding much needed sidewalks to central McLean.
High Schools to Start Later Next Year
School Board approves later start times.
Phyllis Payne has been fighting for more sleep for a decade. On Oct. 23, it all paid off. The co-founder of Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal - or SLEEP - saw the Fairfax County Public School Board approve to move high school start times ahead by 30 minutes, 11-1.
Franklin Sherman Celebrates 100 Years
Centennial bash for school with historic roots in McLean.
Kim Todd remembers how she felt at home at Franklin Sherman Elementary School in the late 1970s. Nearly 40 years later, she is serving as the school’s Parent Teacher Association centennial coordinator and has seen three of her children enter the school as she had. The school celebrated its centennial year carnival style with the community on Sunday with a petting zoo, cotton candy and fair-style rides and games.
Langley High Teacher Receives National Award
Leah Puhlick a recipient of the Yale Educator of the Year Award.
Katherine Tan may have graduated from Langley High School last year, but one teacher has made an impact on her to this day. The Yale University freshman nominated her former Advance Placement [AP] chemistry teacher, Leah Puhlick, for this year’s Yale Educator of the Year award - and she was one of this year’s recipients.
Fairfax County Calendar
Your guide to entertainment in Fairfax County.
For those looking to fill their calendar with some home-brewed, Fairfax County fun stuff (read: entertainment and diversion), The Connection's Fairfax County Entertainment Calendar has many options: weekend jaunts and larks; date night inspiration; winter-to-spring fun; day-long festivals and events; art-outings; family fun-and-learning fusions; plays and shows; beyond-Small Business Saturday local shopping and bazaars; markets of handcrafted wares; music; 1Ks to marathons... the list goes on. If you know of an event not listed in our entertainment calendar, email it to south@connectionnewspapers.com for happenings in south Fairfax County or north@connectionnewspapers.com for entertainment in the northern parts of the county.
Wednesday, October 29
Board Approves Bicycle Master Plan
The Fairfax County Government Center has several massive parking lots. Many hundreds of spaces. But Bruce Wright and members of the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling only needed some rack real estate in front of the building. They rode into the afternoon session of the Board of Supervisors on two wheels apiece from Reston, taking the West Ox Road Side Path.
Stage Presence
Cappies recognized among arts leaders at Arts Council awards.
After Bill Strauss first approached Judy Bowns about creating a student-driven arts awards and journalism organization 16 years ago, the ensuing creative partnership resembled a pair of cartoon characters.
Mutiny at the Debate
Final Comstock-Foust debate gets emotional as both candidates debate social issues for first time.
The final debate Sunday between Republican Barbara Comstock and Democrat John Foust was arguably the most fiery and combative debate in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R) in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.
Down to the Wire
As 10th District race heads into homestretch, Foust, Comstock continue to battle for voters.
The race to replace U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R) in Virginia’s sprawling 10th district has been exactly what political prognosticators said it would be: one of the most watched, most expensive and most contested races in the 2014 midterm elections.
Letter: Stealth Candidate
To the Editor: Why won’t Comstock speak to us?
Letter: ‘Gotcha’ Campaigns
To the Editor: Enough is enough! The race to succeed Rep. Frank Wolf in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District is getting uglier by the day.
Running Out of Efficacy
Not that I’m the least bit worried (actually, I’m the most bit worried), but surviving a terminal cancer diagnosis years beyond one’s original prognosis does present its own unique set of problems. Most notably, and most personally for me, they concern treatment options. Specifically, what drugs, targeted or otherwise, can be infused and/or swallowed (when in pill form, like Tarceva) and for how long, when signs of internal organ damage are indicated on regular lab tests?
Column: Running Out of Efficacy
Not that I’m the least bit worried (actually, I’m the most bit worried), but surviving a terminal cancer diagnosis years beyond one’s original prognosis does present its own unique set of problems.
Editorial: Change for the Better in Fairfax County Schools
Later start times, full-day Mondays; who knows, next maybe gifted-and-talented programs for poor students?
Who says big bureaucracies can’t make big changes? One year into the tenure of Karen Garza, we have two huge changes that between them impact almost every single student, every family with children in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Cooper Journalists Meet CNN Anchor
One hundred Cooper Middle School journalists had the opportunity to Skype with the news anchor Carl Azuz.
McLean High Theatre Presents ‘The Addams Family’
Opening at 11 p.m. on Halloween night.
The McLean High School Theatre Company (MTC) kicks off its 2014-15 season with “The Addams Family” musical, opening Halloween night. Artistic Director, Amy Poe, leads this award-winning company in bringing this fun family-friendly, spooky spectacle to McLean and the greater D.C. community.
Preparing Sandwiches for Martha’s Table
Churchill Road Elementary School continues its long-standing community service tradition by making sandwiches for Martha’s Table, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. that serves sandwiches to those in need.
Local Foundation Promotes Campus Safety
The VTV Family Outreach Foundation, a Centreville-based national non-profit campus safety advocacy organization, held their 2014 annual meeting last weekend at the Sheraton Reston Hotel. VTV was formed by the families of victims and survivors of the April 16, 2007 mass shooting tragedy at Virginia Tech.
Monday, October 27
Opinion: Vote ‘Yes’ on Transportation Bond
When you enter the voting booth on Nov. 4, you’ll be asked to vote Yes or No on a $100 million Fairfax County transportation bond. (Bonds are a form of long-term borrowing to finance public facilities and infrastructure and spread the costs over a long time frame. Virginia law requires that general obligation bonds be approved by voters in a referendum.)
Friday, October 24
McLean Hotspur Green Wins New Jersey Tournament
McLean MYS Hotspur Green U14 Boys CCL won the EDP Cup in the Platinum bracket, the top bracket of eight brackets.
Thursday, October 23
Dulles Now Screening for Deadly Virus
Local hospitals to treat ill passengers arriving from Africa.
Dulles International Airport was one of five airports in the nation to begin screening for Ebola last Thursday. The Center for Disease Control and Protection trained staff to check all passengers arriving from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to check for signs of illness to prevent more passengers from infecting others during their daily interactions.
Texting While Driving Examined at Langley
Langley High School students learn safety through simulator.
Hanna Hunt was behind the wheel, phone in hand. When a text popped up, she had a choice. Would she answer it? Hunt, a senior at Langley High School, was playing a simulated driving game during lunch, so when she “crashed” her car earlier that day, she walked away with zero consequences. The simulator was a part of the school’s theme of the year - road safety - in partnership with AT&T’s It Can Wait campaign to give students a reality check on Oct. 16 for how texting on their phone affects their driving.
Transportation Issues Dissected
Citizens association hosts update on roadways and sidewalks.
Traffic congestion. Roadway construction. Lack of sidewalks. All these and more were among the concerns McLean residents had for the Fairfax Department of Transportation director Oct. 14 during McLean Citizen’s Association’s transportation update.
McLean Hotspur Green Wins New Jersey Tournament
McLean MYS Hotspur Green U14 Boys CCL won the EDP Cup in the Platinum bracket.
Connect Four
Complete ballot of 11th District candidates faced off in Lake Ridge.
It wasn’t so much a down and dirty debate as a no-frills four-way question-and-answer session. Not that AARP and the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), two of the sponsors of the “Meet the Candidates” series billed the Oct. 14 event as such. Tuesday’s meeting was the penultimate of seven events in the series.
Andrejev Leads Langley Volleyball Team
Despite knee injury, senior totals 17 kills in loss to undefeated Madison.
Rachel Andrejev is a standout for the Langley volleyball team.
Wednesday, October 22
Rachel's Afghan
As an 84-year-old McLean grandmother, I have found that some delightful surprises often come straight out of the blue. When 12 of our 13 grandchildren were born, I knitted each a baby afghan: blue and white ripples for the boys and pink and white for the girls.
Franklin Sherman to Celebrate Centennial Homecoming Oct. 26
On Oct. 26 Franklin Sherman Elementary in McLean will celebrate Centennial Homecoming. The day begins at 8 a.m. with the Monster Mash Dash – a 5K and family fun run through the streets of McLean.
Regional Nonprofit Forum in McLean
The 2014 Gannett Regional Nonprofit Forum will be held on Nov. 6, 7:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Gannett Worldwide Headquarters, 7950 Jones Branch Drive in McLean.
Fighting Human Trafficking
On Oct. 7, Susan Kirk, of Justice Ventures International (JVI), spoke at the McLean Woman’s Club’s monthly meeting on its programs to end human trafficking in India, China and elsewhere, including the U.S. The areas JVI focuses on are forced prostitution, labor trafficking, extortion and other types of enslavement of vulnerable peoples.
‘The President’s Own’ Perform in McLean
The President’s Own” United States Marine String Quartet performed to an enthusiastic audience of fourth through sixth graders and their teachers at Churchill Road Elementary School on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Comes to McLean
One of the nation’s premier flamenco and Spanish dance companies, New York’s Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, will perform “The Soul of Flamenco” for a single night at The Alden in McLean. The show will be presented at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. Tickets are $30, $20 for McLean tax district residents. The Alden is housed in the McLean Community Center, which is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.
Letter: Honest Like Wolf
Letter to the Editor
As a resident of eastern Fairfax County, I have been represented by Representative Frank Wolf, by Delegate Barbara Comstock, and by Supervisor John Foust.
Letter: Voting for Taxes
Letter to the Editor
Since John Foust has told us nothing about himself, I thought I would look for myself at his record. Turns out John Foust has voted or supported to raise a lot of our taxes.
Letter: Candidate Who Raises Taxes
Letter to the Editor
John Foust unlike Barbara Comstock has a love of raising taxes. John Foust hasn’t met a tax that he would not want to cut and recently said that he would raise taxes if elected to Congress. If history is any judgment of character, John Foust’s history on taxes is totally abysmal.
Column: Self-Indulgent or Self-Effacing
After re-reading last week’s column: “Not in the Mood,” I began wondering if that column had strayed beyond the boundaries, so to speak, and was too much about me and not enough about my circumstances.
Letter: Questioning Ultrasound
Letter to the Editor
I have heard Barbara Comstock speak and have read her well-written campaign materials. She impresses me as bright, energetic, experienced and personable.
Letter: Hidden Record
Letter to the Editor
The recent revelations of Barbara Comstock’s failure to disclose her paid lobbyist role and income from out-of-state special interest groups are no surprise. Ms. Comstock was elected and paid to be a representative of Northern Virginians.
Letter: Earning a ‘Seat at the Table’
Letter to the Editor
I am a freshman at Langley High School and have lived in McLean my whole life. I have participated in Delegate Barbara Comstock’s Young Women’s Leadership Program for the last few years and it has been a fantastic opportunity for me.
Fairfax Education Summit to Be Held on Oct. 25
The Fairfax County School Board will host Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) fifth annual Education Summit, Mapping Your Student’s Unique Journey: Explore the Many Choices in Fairfax County Public Schools, on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 8 a.m. at Edison High School.
Editorial: Yes to Fairfax Transportation Bond
$84 million for pedestrian, bike and trail improvements.
Of more than 75 projects included in the current proposal, on the ballot for Nov. 4, all but seven are designed to make Fairfax County safer and more inviting for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Tuesday, October 21
Marriage Equality in Fairfax and Beyond
County courthouse marries all couples.
Wearing matching hot pink outerwear and short, spiky hair in front of the Fairfax County Government Center on Oct. 6, Yvonne Landis and Melodie Mayo of Falls Church were the first same sex couple to say “I do” in the county.
Friday, October 17
McLean Home Sales: September, 2014
In September 2014, 74 homes sold between $3,400,000-$160,000 in the McLean and Falls Church area.
McLean Home Sales: September, 2014
Thursday, October 16
John McEnearney Dies at 87
Real estate pioneer, community leader was decorated Vietnam veteran.
For John McEnearney, helping the area’s most vulnerable citizens was part of his DNA, a testament to his family’s nearly 100-year commitment to helping others.
Sarvis: Warner-Gillespie Debate ‘Disappointing’
Libertarian candidate says chamber’s decision to include only major-party candidates in U.S. Senate debate a “disservice” to voters.
After a full day of campaigning at Fort Belvoir on Friday, Oct. 11, Robert Sarvis talked about his campaign for U.S. Senate, and his disappointment in not being invited to participate in Tuesday’s U.S. Senate Debate — a major televised debate hosted by The Fairfax Chamber at Capitol One’s convention center in McLean. “The Fairfax Chamber informed us that it was nothing other than ‘tradition’ to only invite major party candidates,” Sarvis said. “But this was after we formally requested an invitation, noted that over 145,000 Virginians voted for Robert Sarvis for governor in 2013, and sent them a petition signed by over 1,000 Virginians in support of a three-candidate debate.”
Warner, Gillespie Clash in U.S. Senate Debate
Stark distinctions on same-sex marriage, immigration, abortion and healthcare.
In front of an audience of Northern Virginia business leaders, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Republican challenger Ed Gillespie honed their attacks on each other during a sharp, wide-ranging debate Tuesday evening, Oct. 7.
The Private School Admissions Process
Local educators offer insider tips on how to select and get a child admitted to the perfect school.
While this school year might still feel new, some parents are already thinking next fall. Or if they’re not, they should be. For parents who are considering sending their children to one of the area’s private schools for the 2015-2016 school year, the application process should be underway.
Not in the Mood
Sometimes, believe it or not, I’m not in the mood to be a terminal cancer patient (duh). Not that the effect is particularly tangible, but the weight of it, as well as the associated waits I’ve occasionally written about, can get awfully heavy. Moreover, in spite of my best psychological efforts, generally speaking, there seems little I can do to diminish its effect. More often than not, it’s merely time; simply time passing and/or time spent trying to talk myself out-of how I feel and in-to how I haven’t failed.
Editorial: Coming - Children’s Connection
During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children. The results are always remarkable. It is a keepsake edition for many families.
Wednesday, October 15
McLean's Unruly Theatre Opens for Business
Teen troupe to present anti-bullying play.
The Unruly Theatre Project (UTP), a new professional teen theater troupe, has been established in McLean.
An Economic Debate
8th Congressional District candidates differ over priorities.
Congressional candidates Don Beyer and Micah Edmond squared off last week at a forum in what could rank as one of the election season’s tamest political debates.
Column: Not in the Mood
Sometimes, believe it or not, I’m not in the mood to be a terminal cancer patient (duh). Not that the effect is particularly tangible, but the weight of it, as well as the associated waits I’ve occasionally written about, can get awfully heavy.
Following Don Beyer’s Political Journey
Don Beyer likes climbing mountains. One of his two current dreams is to climb a via feratta, one of the climbing routes along the alps. Beyer has a certain fascination with the Eiger, or “The North Wall.” For Beyer, the appeal is in the challenge.
Micah Edmond Walking the District
On the campaign trail with Edmond.
Micah Edmond’s 8th District Congressional campaign has a problem.
Saturday, October 11
Comstock's Comfort Zone
GOP candidate Barbara Comstock believes a woman's place is in the House ... of Representatives.
It’s just weeks before Election Day, and the contest to replace retiring Republican Congressman Frank Wolf in Virginia’s 10th Congressional district has become one of the most watched, most expensive and most contentious races in the country.
Letter to the Editor: Why Foust?
To the Editor: As a two term Fairfax County supervisor from McLean, he has balanced numerous county budgets and has found ways to save millions of dollars of unnecessary spending.
Letter to the Editor: Appalling Comment
To the Editor: We have supported both John Foust as our Fairfax County supervisor and Barbara Comstock as our Virginia delegate. Both have been responsive to our concerns.
Holding Benefit for Homeless Animals
On Saturday, Sept. 27, Salma, 10, and Sami Saout, 7, and Selina, 10, and Jwana Al-Shihabi, 8 — all students at Churchill Road School — held a benefit at Kings Manor Park, selling lemonade, brownies and dog and cat treats to benefit the rescue kittens looking for homes through Mehr Flowers.
Friday, October 10
5K Race Honors Wounded Warriors
“Run With the Warriors” 5K Race in McLean supports wounded warriors at Vinson Hall.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, the 2014 McLean Run with Warriors 5K took place in downtown McLean, attracting thousands of spectators. General Norton A. Schwartz, 19th chief of staff for the U.S. Air Force, spoke at this year’s event.
Bio and Q&A with Gerry Connolly
Q: What do you think are your top three accomplishments in office? A: * The Silver Line. I wasn’t alone, but I'm very proud of my championship of the Silver Line and the fact that it's up and running and succeeding. It took 19 years to sort of get people to reimagine it and get it built. It was a long, tough struggle.
Tysons Rezoning Consternation
MCA debates details of proffer agreements for two businesses.
Like most McLean Citizen Association board members, President Sally Horn is concerned how new Tysons businesses will affect McLean. Members debated two Tysons rezoning resolutions on their contribution to the urban center — stating their hope that the money would be kept in Tysons.
MPA Hosts Annual ArtFest
Annual festival melds festival atmosphere and local art.
Artist Julie Lansaw has been showcasing her paintings depicting her travels on paint and canvas at McLean Project for the Arts ArtFest since its first year. The local artist said it is the best way for neighbors to socialize and buy work in the area. The eighth annual MPAArtFest attracted thousands of art and music lovers to McLean Central Park Sunday to enjoy the crisp autumn day with drawing lessons, local art and apple cider donuts.
Wednesday, October 8
McLean QB Maffei Sets State Record for Completions
Senior signal caller completes 42 passes in loss to Herndon.
McLean quarterback Brian Maffei completed a state-record 42 passes against Herndon on Oct. 2.
Letter
Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations.
Dear Chairman and Board Members: The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations (the Federation) appreciates the many years of support that the Board of Supervisors (BOS) has provided to the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL). Recently, the FCPL introduced new policies that the Federation decided to examine.
Focus on Transportation
Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance presents regional priorities at 10th annual event.
“What You Need to Know about Transportation in Five Minutes or Less” was the working title of this year’s Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance (NVTA) seminar and reception held on Sept. 30 at Capital One’s auditorium in McLean.
Column: Week Of, Weak On, Week Off
This column completes the three-week arc which describes what I have endured mostly successfully for approximately five years now: chemotherapy every three weeks – with one year off for good behavior (not really good behavior; the year off was to switch to a twice-daily pill, Tarceva, to be taken at home, since the previous treatment was no longer stemming the tide). It’s been my experience that these anti-cancer drugs don’t exactly work forever.
Sunday, October 5
Top Chef for Seniors
Retirement community residents choose Sunrise Signature Chef.
Grace Delaune nibbled on striped bass and quinoa salad, pondering the flavors and textures of each dish. Myke Hammaker savored the miso cod and spinach.
‘A Personal Touch’
Barbara Comstock rallies veterans at Fairfax County Republican Committee Breakfast.
Barbara Comstock, the Republican candidate in the hotly-contested 10th district Congressional race, was on a tight schedule. After speaking before a crowd of military veterans on Saturday morning, her campaign staff was nudging her out the door, reminding the candidate that the breakfast was the first of several campaign events on her calendar that day.
Week in McLean
What's Happening this week in McLean.
Letter to the Editor: Missing Examples
To the editor: The last week’s issue of McLean Connection has a cover photo of John Foust, with the title "Bridging Political Divide." But when I read the article, there is not a single example of his actually doing so.
Letter to the Editor: Champion on Trafficking Issue
Recently I viewed the TV ad that Barbara Comstock released that was narrated by Congressman Frank Wolf who is our representative in the 10th Congressional District in Northern Virginia.
Longfellow Middle Begins Lunchtime Food Recovery Program
As part of its work towards attaining “Green Flag Status” in the National Wildlife Federation's Eco-Schools Program (www.nwf.org/Eco-Schools-USA.aspx), Longfellow Middle School began a lunchtime food recovery program.
Eaton Brings ‘Glorious Songs’ to Alden
Jazz pianist, musicologist and humorist John Eaton will return to The Alden at the McLean Community Center this fall with his popular program, “Jazz Masters with John Eaton.”
McLean 5K Race to Benefit Wounded Warriors
The McLean 5K Run with the Warriors will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, beginning at 8 am. Benefitting Wounded Warrior Transitional Housing at Vinson Hall Retirement Community (VHRC), the Run with the Warriors 5K will take place in downtown McLean.
Friday, October 3
MPAartfest Returns to McLean Central Park
Eighth annual festival features 50 artists.
On Sunday, Oct. 5, from 10 am - 5 pm, McLean Project for the Arts will present its eighth annual MPAartfest in McLean Central Park. MPAartfest is an event for art lovers of all ages.
Thursday, October 2
Chantilly Volleyball Beats Defending State Champ
UVa commit Young leads Chargers with 14 kills.
The Chantilly volleyball team defeated defending VHSL 6A state champion Langley.
Wednesday, October 1
Neighbors Celebrate Completion of Sidewalk on Dead Run Drive
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust, neighborhood residents, and staff from Fairfax County Departments of Transportation and Capital Facilities met on Dead Run Drive in McLean on Sept. 16 to celebrate the recent completion of a long-awaited pedestrian walkway.
New Voter Identification Requirements
There are new requirements for voter identification that voters must bring with them to the polling place.
Voting Early, Absentee
Elections 2014
Virtually every voter in Virginia is eligible to vote absentee, which includes voting in-person absentee at a variety of locations from now through Nov. 1.
Column: Pre-Chemo Peek
I realize, given last week’s column: “Post-Chemo Week,” this week’s column about the preceding week (week-of, actually) of chemotherapy might be a bit bass-ackward, but it seemed reasonable to me that if you regular readers had an interest in the week-after, perhaps you’d have a similar interest in the week-before.