Thursday, February 26
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.
Wednesday, February 25
McLean Gymnastics Wins 6A State Championship
Highlanders first Fairfax County champ since Langley in 2004.
One year after finishing state runner-up, the McLean gymnastics team won the 2015 state title.
Microchip Reunites Pet With Owner
On the night of Wednesday, Jan. 28, a cat invited itself into the home of a McLean resident, bringing with it a mystery spanning several months and almost a hundred miles. An ODAHC client watched with awe as a friendly black cat with a white chest, or "Tuxedo" cat, walked in through her garage and made itself at home. When she saw that her visitor was sneezing, had an infection in both of its eyes, and was suffering from a recent puncture wound through its ear, the kind-hearted client knew she had to take action: she called and made an appointment.
Budget Town Hall Meetings
Budget town hall meetings.
Virginia Secretary of Trade and Commerce to Keynote Chamber Gala
The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce announced that Maurice A. Jones, Virginia Secretary of Trade and Commerce, will keynote its Winter Gala and Board Installation on March 12, 2015 at the Gannett Conference Center (7959 Jones Branch Drive, McLean).
Helping on Deadline
Reston, Herndon, Great Falls and McLean reporter Ken Moore, of Potomac, with his 14-year-old tabby Trilke. "Don't forget to feed me on your way out to deadline!"
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.
McLean Student’s Artwork Featured at the Smithsonian
High school senior would like to use art to help others.
Maya Chung, of McLean, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), is the youngest of 56 artists selected to have their art displayed in the “Artists at Work” exhibit at the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center in Washington, D.C. Chung’s black ink drawing titled “Redbay (Persea borbonia)” was inspired by a botanical sample collected in the museum’s butterfly garden, and is in the style of a scientific drawing.
Letter: Supporting Deer Management
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor: Thank you for the excellent article on deer management in Fairfax County (“A Time to Hunt?” - Connection, February 18-24, 2015). One deer can carry 1,000 ticks, and approximately 25 percent of ticks in our county carry an infectious agent.
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..."
Rio Comes Back from College
Tory Cheshire, of Great Falls, on her horse, Rio, who is meeting her family’s german shepherd puppy, Hunter at the barn. Cheshire loved her horse so much that he went with her to college and lived at a barn near Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., for four years.
McLean Loves its Pets
Pets connect owners to the wild world around them.
When it comes to pets, McLean is much like other communities. Our pets are pampered, doted on, and loved. And with good reason. According to these McLean pet owners, the unconditional love they give in return is immeasurable.
McLean High Crew Wins Top Honors
McLean High School rowers won a total of seven gold medals, two silver medals and four bronze medals at the 2015 MidAtlantic Erg Sprints, hosted by TC Williams High School on Jan. 31. Many of McLean High medalists are now headed to Boston to compete in the C.R.A.S.H -B Sprints on March 1st. (http://www.crash-b.org)
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.
Tuesday, February 24
McLean Wrestler Grammes Wins 152-Pound State Title
Junior’s confident approach pays off with championship.
McLean had two wrestlers reach the final at Friday's state tournament.
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.
Thursday, February 19
McLean Home Sales: January, 2015
In January, 2015, 52 homes sold between $2,575,000-$210,000 in the McLean and Falls Church area.
McLean Home Sales: January, 2015
Wednesday, February 18
McLean Gymnastics Wins 6A North Region Championship
Senior Brown-Kaiser qualifies for states in all-around.
After finishing runner-up to Washington-Lee three straight years, McLean breaks through with a region title.
McLean Native Serves Aboard USS Mustin
A 2010 McLean High School graduate and McLean native is serving aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89), living and working at the Navy’s forward-deployed base south of Tokyo. Ensign John Nowell is a surface warfare officer aboard the destroyer operating out of Yokosuka, which is located approximately 35 miles south of Tokyo and accommodates the United States’ furthest forward-deployed naval forces.
Supporting Children in Haiti
For the fourth consecutive year, sixth grade Girl Scout Troop 1588, based at Churchill Road Elementary School, organized school supplies and toiletries for 3rd grade teacher Sarah Finger's annual mission to Haiti.
Every Generation Under Two Roofs
Approval for new Lewinsville Center expected March 3.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the long-planned renovation of the Lewinsville Center on March 3, 2015. "The existing facility needs to be replaced; it's very old and our senior citizens deserve a better senior center," said Dranesville Supervisor John Foust.
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.
Three Local Keller Williams Teams Among Top 100 in USA
Ron Cathell, the owner and operating principal, and Amina Basic, CEO of Keller Williams McLean/Great Falls office, announced three teams made 2014 “TOP100 Teams” Nationwide for Keller Williams. The following teams made it to the top 100 nationally: The Belt Team, HBC Realty Group and Ron Cathell Team ranked among the best in the country out of more than 100,000 associates. All three teams consist of a long time area residents.
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.
Thursday, February 12
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.”
The McLean WinterFest Presents Check to Share
The McLean WinterFest parade presents a check for $2,000 to Share of McLean. Share has been the beneficiary of the WinterFest parade for the past six years.
Fan Quest for Special Olympics
Oakton High Hosts McLean High in basketball game and other fun activities.
Oakton High School's gym was filled to capacity with a standing-room only crowd of 700 for Fan Quest 2015 last Saturday, Feb. 7, when Oakton challenged McLean to a game of Special Olympics basketball plus other exciting activities. In addition to the Special Olympics Virginia basketball game where McLean beat Oakton, 42-24, the event, sponsored by Booz-Allen Hamilton and Grant Thornton, gave athletes the chance to shoot layups, free throws, and three-pointers in the Papa John's Pizza Shoot Out to win free pizza coupons.
‘American Spiritual’ at Alden
Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, described by The Boston Herald as one of “America’s most inventive string bands,” will lead audience members in a bona fide revival when they bring “American Spiritual” to The Alden in McLean for a single performance on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m.
‘A Legendary Celebration’ in McLean
Dancer, actress and singer Chita Rivera to perform at the Alden Theatre on Feb. 24.
A legendary talent will soon arrive at the Alden Theatre to entertain and enthrall; the incomparable dancer, actress and singer Chita Rivera. In her six decade career, Rivera has been honored with two Tony Awards as Best Leading Actress in a Musical and six additional Tony nominations, received a Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime contributions to American culture and a Presidential Medal of Freedom among many honors.
I-66 Improvements Draw Crowd in Oakton
Public Information Meeting held at Oakton High.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in partnership with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) recently held several informational meetings on the “I-66 Outside the Beltway Improvements Project” to give the public the opportunity to better visualize its scope and ask questions of the people really in the know. One of these meetings was held at Oakton High School on Feb. 3 and drew a crowd of several hundred to the school cafeteria to learn more about the project that covers a 25 mile path from the 495 Beltway to Route 15 in Haymarket.
Joshua Lian Wins Geography Bee Contest
Churchill Road crowned a new Geography Bee champion. On Friday, Jan. 23, nine Churchill Road fourth-sixth graders competed in the finals of the school’s National Geography Bee. During the final competition, the students competed in five rounds of questions to determine the top two finalists.
Exploring the Truth, Doubt and Consequences
1st Stage presents “Doubt.”
1st Stage has given audiences a beautifully accomplished, soaring production of “Doubt, a Parable.” Directed by Michael Dove, “Doubt” is a courageous act of intellectual and emotional honesty that is rare in its presentation of power, gender and ambiguity. It is rich in passionate dialogue to hold your attention.
Pinball Kevin, Pinball Wizard
McLean man hosts state pinball championships.
Kevin Stone took out a loan to buy the 15 pinball machines in his McLean basement, the site of this year's Virginia state pinball championship. Virginia was one of 33 states to take part in the simultaneous championships on Saturday, Feb. 7. Stone's Harlem Globetrotters machine was built in 1979, others from Stern Pinball and Jersey Jack Pinball are contemporaries.
Preventing Heart Disease in Women
A cardiologist speaks to the McLean Woman’s Club.
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Woman’s Club of McLean welcomed its monthly speaker Rachel L. Berger, M. D., a cardiologist at Virginia Heart, a practice with several offices in Northern Virginia. Berger, who is board certified in cardiovascular disease and echocardiography, has expertise in general cardiology and women’s heart health.
Riding for a Cure
McLean man gives cancer some fighting words.
Andrew Reed’s path has not been smooth since he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer three years ago, shortly after his father died from prostate cancer. After two years of chemotherapy, six surgeries, and the death of his beloved mother this January, also from cancer, the McLean resident continues to face challenges as he fights the disease that has greatly affected his life.
McLean Community Foundation Grant Helps Longfellow Go Green
On Feb. 5, Longfellow Middle School celebrated the arrival of new recycling bins, made possible through a grant by the McLean Community Foundation (MCF). Students and staff thanked MCF President, Amee Burgoyne, for supporting Longfellow’s recycling efforts.
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.
Award-Winning Storyteller to Speak at AAUW McLean Area Branch Event
The McLean Area Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) will host an entertaining and informative program on Saturday, Feb. 21, featuring Gary Lloyd, award-winning storyteller. The program will be held at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Drive, McLean, starting at 10 a.m. and is open to the public.
Langley Rowers Earn Gold, Silver and Bronze
The Langley High School Crew team excelled at the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints, the largest indoor rowing event for juniors (18 years or younger) in the United States. From Langley, Sophie Rogers took home the gold in the Junior Women Lightweight (age 16) category.
Langley High Orchestra to Present Spring Concert
The Langley High School Orchestra presents their "Start Spreading the News" concert on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Due to the undergoing renovations at Langley High School, the concert will be held at the nearby Oakcrest School at 850 Balls Hill Road, McLean.
Tuesday, February 10
McLean Wrestling Wins Conference 6 Championship
Conor Grammes’ pin delivers team title for Highlanders.
McLean beat Madison by 1.5 points to win the Conference 6 wrestling title.
Saturday, February 7
Vienna: Koshuta-less Madison Snaps Langley's 14-Game Win Streak
Junior guard McWeeney helps Warhawks avenge loss to Saxons without injured star forward.
The Madison girls' basketball team beat Langley 46-38 Friday.
Thursday, February 5
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
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.
Tysons Corner Ice Rink Opens
Offers ice skating lessons, Cartoon Skate for kids, birthday parties, and fundraising opportunities.
The new 6,000 square foot Tysons Corner Ice Rink has officially opened for business. The opening took place on Black Friday, Nov. 28, and the season extends through March 11. The rink sponsored by CBRE Realty is situated on The Plaza next to Lord & Taylor on the second floor of the mall, and opposite the Shake Shack Restaurant. A new Hyatt Hotel is scheduled to open beside it in March.
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.
Jewelry Showcase Features Wearable Art in a One-Day, Pop-Up Sale
Jewelry lovers and others can meet more than 30 carefully selected designers and artisans for a special day of shopping from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, when the McLean Community Center’s 8th Annual Jewelry Showcase will be held. Admission is $3 per person. The Center is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.
Langley High Choirs Complete Fall/Winter Season
The Langley High School Madrigals recently completed a busy fall and winter season with a performance at the Providence Baptist Church Twelfth Night Feast on Jan. 8. The Madrigals, a small vocal ensemble that performs mostly Renaissance music with an emphasis on independent and a cappella singing, also took part recently in a Tallis Scholars Masterclass with Peter Phillips at Christopher Newport University in Newport News.
New Retirement Building and Community Center Open in McLean
75 apartments in Vinson Hall Independent Living all booked.
New senior living apartments in town will serve as home for 75 retired government workers. After a decade of design and construction, the Navy Marine Coast Guard and Vinson Hall Retirement Community held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new independent living apartment building and community center on Jan. 22.
Deborah Jackson Named Learning Forward’s President
Deborah Jackson, special projects administrator in Fairfax County Public Schools, began her term as president of Learning Forward at the conclusion of the association's annual conference in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 10, 2014. Jackson succeeds Julie Blaine, executive director of the Central Regional Professional Development Center at the University of Central Missouri. Blaine now serves as past president.
Preparing Sandwiches for Martha’s Table
A snow day didn’t stop Churchill Road Elementary School third and fourth graders from making sandwiches for Martha’s Table, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. that serves sandwiches to those in need. Even though the event had to be rescheduled, an enthusiastic group of students and family members were able to make more than 2,100 sandwiches for this organization.
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.
Langley Alumna Ranks High at Air Force Academy
Sophia Vasiliadis named Wing Commander of school.
Four years ago, Sophia Vasiliadis was about to graduate from Langley High School and unsure of the direction she wanted to take in life. Since then, it has been up, up and away. Today, the 22-year-old student at the Air Force Academy (AFA) is now leading the entire student body as the new Cadet Wing.
Vital Theatre’s ‘Pinkalicious’ at The Alden Feb. 14
Vital Theatre’s “Pinkalicious,” a musical adaptation of the book by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann, will come to The Alden in McLean for a single performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14. Tickets are $20 for the general public and $15 for McLean tax district residents.
Call for Candidates for MCC Board
The McLean Community Center (MCC), an agency of Fairfax County Government, is seeking candidates to run for open seats on its 2015-2016 Governing Board. The Board provides oversight and guidance for MCC programs and facilities, which include the Robert Ames Alden Theatre and the Old Firehouse Teen Center (OFTC). The MCC is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.
1st Stage Receives Helen Hayes Nominations
Tysons' 1st Stage was nominated for nine Helen Hayes Awards for outstanding achievement in professional theatre in the Washington metropolitan area. The awards are named after Helen Hayes, the legendary first lady of the American Theatre. Nominated artists and companies exemplify the excellence found on Washington area stages.
McLean Theatre Company Presents ‘Big Fish’
The McLean High School Theatre Company (MTC) premieres the musical “Big Fish” to the Metro DC area this February. Led by Artistic Director, Amy Poe, and Music Director, Bobby McCoy (1st Stage, Keegan, McLean Community Players), the award-winning company brings this big-hearted musical of a father's story, a son's journey and life's epic adventure.
Tuesday, February 3
McLean Gymnastics Wins 4th Straight District/Conference Title
Green places second in all-around, Brown-Kaiser third.
McLean holds off Washington-Lee, Yorktown to win Conference 6 gymnastics championship.
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.