Tuesday, June 30
Tysons Corner Plaza Becomes a Friday Night Spot
The fresh concert series in Tysons attracts teens, adults and families.
Nick Fradiani and his band Beach Avenue walked on stage to whoops and applause from the watching crowd. Teenagers leaned forward over silver metal barriers waving mini American flags and cheering.
McLean Residents Buy Fresh and Local
Every Friday vendors gather in McLean to sell homegrown products.
Cartons of berries, boxes of tomatoes and tables full of flowers attract local residents to the farmers market at Lewinsville Park in McLean. Every Friday from 8 a.m. – noon customers in search of fresh produce swarm the parking lot of the park to visit popular vendors such as the Westmoreland Berry Farm or Country Gardens.
Langley High School in Nebraska
Langley High School’s Science Olympiad Team was honored by the Board of Supervisors and Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-34) Tuesday, June 23.
July 4th Safety
From swimming to fireworks, safety precautions for a festive Independence Day.
It was a near accident at camp last summer that sparked action by one parent. Elementary school-aged campers splashed in the pool. Everyone was having fun. Then tragedy almost struck.
Fairfax County: Deferring to Noise
New standards will wait until after the November election.
The Board of Supervisors wants to spend more time with noise. Last Tuesday, June 23, the Board deferred action on the proposed changes to the county’s noise ordinance until Nov. 17, 2015.
Editorial: Open Letter to Elected Officials and Candidates
Spend some of your campaign dollars in newspapers.
Here at the Connection, our email boxes are filling up with messages from people running for office. It’s not surprising, since in November, virtually every state and local office in the commonwealth is on the ballot.
Friday, June 26
Health Curriculum To More Closely Align with State
School Board approves recommendations from advisers, with amendments.
Though it was the second packed house in as many months, it may be early yet to call crowded Fairfax County School Board meetings a trend.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 26-28, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 25
Fairfax County: Police Release Use of Force Review
Review explained at latest Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission meeting.
Nearly a year ago, Fairfax County sought an outside opinion on its police department’s use of force. That July 2014 assignment went to the Washington, D.C.-based Police Executive Research Forum.
Wednesday, June 24
Column: Gone But Always Remembered
As Father’s Day approaches, (written Thursday, June 18th) I am reminded of one of my father’s standard lines which characterize his positive attitude on life, for which I am eternally grateful – because I inherited it.
McLean: A Class That Became Community
McLean High Class of 2015 graduates at DAR Constitution Hall.
As the band on stage struck the first chord to Pomp and Circumstance, McLean’s class of 2015 marched down the spangled carpet of DAR Constitution Hall, eagerly awaiting the next stage of their lives. Dressed in robes of dark red and gold, the future graduates took their seats, cherishing their final moments of high school.
Tuesday, June 23
Call for Pet Connection Photos
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 22, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by July 15. Our favorite pictures include both pets and humans. We welcome short stories about how you got your pet, a noteworthy talent or anecdote about your pet, tales of the bonds between your family and your pet, plus drawings, paintings or other artwork of your pet by children or adults Please tell us a little bit about your creature, identify everyone in the photo, give a brief description what is happening in the photo, and include address and phone number (we will not publish your address or phone number, just your town name).
Editorial: Safe Planning for Independence
Talking and planning about celebrating July 4, and throughout the summer months.
Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.
Letter: How to Pay for Medicaid Expansion?
To the Editor
State Delegate Ken Plum’s latest commentary on Medicaid expansion (“Political Prospects for Medicaid Expansion,” The Connection, June 4) is not the first time he has written on the subject, but he has yet to explain how Virginia would pay for this.
Marshall High School Celebrates Diversity
Class of 2015: student body represents 83 countries and 62 languages.
“Find your niche. Work hard. Have no regrets. Be nice.” These are the words that Marshall High School’s students live by.
A Great Day in Langley Family
A 2011 graduate returns as a keynote speaker.
Filled to capacity, DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. accommodated the nearly 500 Langley High School graduates, their friends and family members on June 16 for the most-anticipated event of the school year: graduation.
Contemporary Rock Musical Retelling
McLean Community Players to present “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
“A provocative musical story about issues surrounding who can we trust and believe,” said Anne Norland describing “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the McLean Community Players (MCP) summer production.
Friday, June 19
McLean Home Sales: May, 2015
In May, 2015, 96 homes sold between $3,100,000-$145,100 in the McLean and Falls Church area.
McLean Home Sales: May, 2015
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 19-21, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 18
Fairfax: Retired Educators Award Scholarships to Aspiring Teachers
Rebecca Edmiston has had a number of inspiring music teachers in her life, including her mother Pat. They’re big reasons why Edmiston, a graduating senior from Lake Braddock Secondary School, is choosing to attend Liberty University and study to become a music teacher herself.
Fairfax County: Questioning Family Life Curriculum
The Fairfax County School Board’s May 7 meeting drew a passionate and boisterous crowd that filled the Luther Jackson Middle School auditorium and spilled out into the main lobby. That night the board voted in favor of adding “gender identity” to its nondiscrimination policy for students, employees and applicants for employment.
Ideas for Summer Learning
Experts offer suggestions for avoiding summer brain drain.
While summer is opportunity for fun, it can also be a breeding ground for stagnation.
YouthQuest Runs ThinkLink
Experts say 3D printing can open a world of imagination and critical thinking.
Adonis Gonzales had always wanted to become a master electrician, but when he was asked to leave high school at 16 because of a poor attendance record, his prospects looked bleak.
Wednesday, June 17
Column: No Joke, But Funny Nonetheless
Not that I ever want to use my having cancer as an excuse, but you have to admit, it’s a doozy. And it’s probably the best thing about the diagnosis/prognosis. However, it’s not as if there are a number of other advantages to the disease.
Tuesday, June 16
Great Falls: Langley Boys’ Soccer Wins First State Championship
Saxons head coach Amato earns 100th win at Langley.
The Langley boys' soccer team defeated Madison 2-0 in the state final.
An Independent Life
Laying the Foundation at Cooper Middle School.
Cooper Middle School teacher, Lucy Chaplin continually looks beyond the limitations placed upon her students because they also face developmental and cognitive challenges in dealing with their world today.
Langley Choirs Present ‘A Disney Spectacular’
Spring Show closes out successful year.
The Langley High School choirs recently presented two performances of their spring show, “A Disney Spectacular.”
‘Don’t Want to Be Disturbed’
Stream restoration efforts, including loss of trees, ruffle neighbors’ feathers.
Many McLean Central Park neighbors aren’t convinced. Why focus on McLean Central Park, asked one resident, “in this pleasant community where people don’t want to be disturbed?”
Monday, June 15
Absorbing Examination of Human Nature
“The Good Counselor” presented at 1st Stage.
If you are seeking out magnetic theater that deals with unsettling, yet real-life, family issues and a search for the truth, make your way to 1st Stage. Under the confident, wise direction of Alex Levy, Kathryn Grant’s award winning “The Good Counselor” is an evening of riveting performances.
Thursday, June 11
Fairfax Station: 200 Walk Burke Lake for Nepal Earthquake Victims
When the 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Nepal in April this year, Madhu and Yashoda Bhandari of Lorton felt the shocks in their United States home. Both are originally from the Nuwakot district, one that was hit violently.
Supervising Public Safety
First meeting since 2011 includes packed agenda, full house.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee, chaired by Gerry Hyland (D-Mount Vernon), met on Tuesday, June 9 for the first time since June 2011. Since then, there have been six officer-involved shootings in Fairfax County, including the August 2013 shooting death of John Geer. Police handling of the communications and investigation of that shooting led to the formation in March 2015 of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.
Wednesday, June 10
Column: Philosophically Speaking
Recently I attended a “Celebration of Life” event, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, created to bring attention to, and educate the public on, cancer. As a long-time cancer survivor, nearly six and a half years now – and one treated by doctors at Kaiser, I was asked, along with a cervical cancer survivor, to sit on a “survivor panel”; to share our cancer experiences, and offer, along with two oncologists and a pulmonologist, our respective insights as “treater” and “treatee.”
Alexandria: Startup Staffing Agency Earns Awards
Red Apple Consultants, LLC enjoys fruit of its labor.
Tysons-based staffing agency Red Apple Consultants is no stranger to accolades, despite being founded just last year.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 12-14, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Vienna: Marshall Baseball Earns State Tournament Berth
Statesmen fall to Stone Bridge in 5A North region final.
The Marshall baseball team will face Hickory at 3 p.m. on Friday in the 5A state semifinals.
Tuesday, June 9
Trending in the Garden
Local landscape architects offer suggestions for updating.
As summer gets underway, so does time spent outside. The American Society of Landscape Architects recently released the results of its 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Survey, a list of trends in outdoor design that yields a bounty of backyard design ideas. From adding a pond to planting a garden, local landscape gurus explain how these trends can be used to transform an outdoor space into a favorite escape.
Repairs Trigger Remodel
Great Falls renovation evolves from basic, needed repairs to an extensive family-friendly remodel.
Sometimes a significant home improvement starts with small repair considerations. In fact, as Roger Lataille, senior design consultant at Sun Design Remodeling, recalls, his first discussion with Jeff and Sharon Roman of Great Falls concerned how to solve a water drainage problem.
Nearly Half a Billion for Schools, Fire, Police
Reston, Merrifield fire stations would be renovated or replaced.
Voters will decide in November on nearly half a billion dollars in bond sales for schools and public safety projects.
McLean: Taking a Stand for Future Generations
County boards, McLean High students tackle “civil rights issue of our era.”
Catherine Reed of Equality Virginia thanked McLean High School junior Darrell “DJ” Valdez for the effect he will have on the future, and on all civil rights.
Friday, June 5
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 5-7, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 4
Make a Call; Save a Life
Petersen’s “Good Samaritan Overdose Protection” law goes into effect July 1.
Accidental overdose deaths are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, exceeding even motor vehicle accidents among people ages 25 to 64, according to a recently released study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Last year, an estimated 210 heroin overdoses fatalities occurred in Virginia, with the highest number in Fairfax and Prince William counties.
Fairfax County: Recognizing Enlisted High School Seniors
Our Community Salutes of Northern Virginia holds its fifth Annual Enlistee Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, June 11, at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus.
Fairfax County: Moving on ‘Move Over’
Police crackdown, educate about law protecting emergency roadside vehicles and drivers.
Fairfax County Master Police Officer Joe Moore’s front and rear-mounted radar machines whistle and beep with varying frequency as cars barrel past on Interstate 66 around the Fairfax County Parkway.
Fairfax: Northern Virginia Training Center Property Put on Market
Facility for people with disabilities scheduled for March 2016 closure.
According to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, 63 residents still live and receive treatment at the Northern Virginia Training Center, located in Fairfax alongside Braddock Road.
Wednesday, June 3
Editorial: Overdose Deaths Are Preventable
New “safe reporting” law encourages people to seek help in time.
The death rate due to heroin overdose more than doubled between 2010 through 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with an average increase of 37 percent per year in the United States.
Column: Weight For It; Wait
Given some post-chemotherapy eating challenges I’ve experienced during the past few months, and the subsequent weight loss which has occurred, my oncologist has prescribed Dronabinol, common brand name: Marinol.
Tuesday, June 2
Letter: Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce's Recent Endorsements
Letter to the Editor
What was the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce thinking with its recent round of endorsements for the November elections?
Taking a Walk of 500 Miles
Area pastors Reverend Aaron Fulp-Eickstaedt and his wife, the Reverend Judith Fulp-Eickstaedt start their 50-day journey in Spain.
The Fulp-Eickstaedt family of Falls Church readily concedes that walking 500 miles across Spain may not be everyone’s idea of a restful summer vacation. They started their 50-day journey May 25 on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail.
Monday, June 1
Summer Fun, Summer Safety
Tips for averting summer danger.
It’s a familiar call. The sun beams down from mid-summer sky. Temperatures rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but safety conditions start to plummet.