Friday, May 29
Summer Fun: Fairfax County Fairs & Festivals 2015
Your guide to this summer's festivals and more.
Fairs and festivals in the Northern Virginia area.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - May 29-31, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, May 28
Fairfax County Police and Fire Join for New Training
Generally, if 2nd Lt. Karen Maslona was handling a live crime scene, a “warm zone” with a potentially active shooter, medical personnel wouldn’t be allowed in the area until the situation is completely neutralized.
Fairfax County School Board Passes $2.6 Billion Budget for 2016
Employees receive step pay increase but lose portion of planned market scale adjustment.
$7.6 million: That’s how much Fairfax County Public Schools said the School Board needed to cut to meet the goals set out in its Fiscal Year 2016 Advertised Budget.
Wednesday, May 27
Column: Mad Man
Really, Matthew Weiner; on the penultimate episode of “Mad Men,” Betty Draper/Francis had to be diagnosed with lung cancer with her life expectancy said to be “nine months,” with nothing more than “palliative care” available?
Koehl's Career-Best 10 Goals Propel McLean Girls' Lax Past West Potomac
Highlanders make first regional tournament appearance in at least 10 years.
The McLean girls' lacrosse team defeated West Potomac 18-10 on Tuesday.
Rules on Noise Set To Change
Board of Supervisors scheduled to resume discussion and vote on proposed Noise Ordinance on June 23.
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust asked to defer a proposal to adopt a new chapter of the county’s noise ordinance to September so the board could have more time to weigh testimony of more than 30 speakers at the public hearing, May 12.
Editorial: Voting, June 9
No, not for Hillary or Jeb or Carly. Locally, June 9, 2015 is an Election Day that counts.
To listen to the national news, one would think that the next Presidential election is in November. But no. That’s November 2016.
Tuesday, May 26
Letter: Displeased with the Headline
To the Editor
I was deeply displeased to read that your newspaper decided to use "The Importance of Including Everyone" as your headline for Tim Peterson's article about the Fairfax County School Board's vote on including gender identity to their nondiscrimination policy.
A Memorial Honoring Civilians
Celebrating the One-Year Anniversary of the Comfort Women Memorial Peace Garden.
Thursday, May 21, just a day shy of Memorial Day weekend, marked the one-year anniversary of the Comfort Women Memorial Peace Garden (CWMPG) located at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Together in Music
German exchange students and the McLean High philharmonic orchestra play a joint concert honoring retiring conductor Udö Monks.
After 21 years of collaboration, Mclean High School and the Detmold Youth German Orchestra came together to celebrate their cultural exchange program Thursday, May 21.
Great Falls: 309 Houses or Scott's Nature Preserve?
Great Falls Historical Society thanks John J. Adams for “tireless,” impactful preservation efforts.
Without John J. Adams and Betty Cooke, Scott's Run Nature Preserve could have been developed into 309 houses.
Friday, May 22
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - May 22-24, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Vienna: Marshall Boys' Lacrosse Wins First Conference Championship
Statesmen defeat Mount Vernon in Conference 13 tournament final.
The Marshall boys' lacrosse team beat Mount Vernon 17-10 on Thursday
Ride of the Patriots Rolls Back Through Fairfax
For the 17th year, the Fairfax Harley Owners Group and Patriot Harley-Davidson are sponsoring a Memorial Day weekend group motorcycle ride to honor service men and women, veterans, prisoners of war and those missing in action from all wars.
Thursday, May 21
McAuliffe Signs Bill to Get Food Trucks Rolling in Virginia
Food trucks, those compact mobile restaurants that have become wildly popular on the streets of Washington, D.C., are getting closer to expanding their tread-print in Virginia.
Letter: Take a Moment to Remember Fallen Troops
Letter to the Editor
I hope that Americans will take a moment from whatever they are doing this Memorial Day to remember our fallen troops.
Fairfax County: Police Commission Holds Public Forum
Deborah Moronese of Vienna said a disagreement with her son over his use of Wi-Fi in their home prompted him to call Fairfax County Police.
Wednesday, May 20
Lord and Lady Fairfax Crowned
Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. announced the 2015 Lords and Ladies Fairfax at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 12 at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Column: In Contrast
Commentary
Even though my previous CT Scan “looked good,” nonetheless I am already, two months out, thinking about my next scan, scheduled for July 15. I am not nervous or anxious about it yet. But I am something.
Two McLean Students Named Presidential Scholars
Thomas Jefferson High School seniors Joe Broom and Anna Venetianer receive honors.
Each year, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes 170 students selected from around the Country for their accomplishments in academics and in the arts.
Tuesday, May 19
Parents’ Role in Educating about Alcohol and Drugs
Suggestions for talking to teens about staying safe.
Graduation, prom and the summer before heading off to college are some of the highlights of a teen’s high school experience. While the season brings landmark events, it can be marred by the consequences of engaging in harmful activities.
Editorial: Remembering on Memorial Day 2015
On Memorial Day, take at least one minute to reflect on those who have died.
On Memorial Day, we remember all of those who have died in military service, more than 400,000 in World War II, more than 30,000 in Korea, more than 50,000 in Vietnam. As many as 620,000 soldiers died in the line of duty in the Civil War, stunningly about 2 percent of the population at that time. To compare, while more than 2.5 million soldiers have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, that number is still less than one percent of the U.S. population.
Monday, May 18
Editorial: Public Comment at Police Commission
Come out to testify before the commission on Monday, May 18.
John Geer was shot dead by Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres on Aug. 29, 2013, and the outrage over the quality and timing of the release of information about the shooting led to the formation of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, which will hold a public forum next Monday, May 18.
Editorial: Call for Father’s Day Photos
This week and next, we print Mother’s Day photos, and we call for photos for Father’s Day. Father's Day is Sunday, June 21, 2015 and once again the Connection will publish a gallery of Father's Day photos.
Friday, May 15
McLean Home Sales: April, 2015
In April, 2015, 102 homes sold between $2,811,000-$180,000 in the McLean and Falls Church area.
McLean Home Sales: April, 2015
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - May 15-17, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Wednesday, May 13
Transportation Forum Discusses Options and Obstacles
High Level forum discusses regional transit options and obstacles.
Local, state and federal elected and appointed officials, business leaders, researchers and directors and staff from transportation and economic development agencies gathered on Friday morning, May 8, at the Greensboro Conference Center in he heart of Tysons.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Kingstowne Center for Active Adults in Alexandria needs an instructor to teach a class in Mosaic Art or Jewelry Making. For these and other volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadultsand click on Volunteer Solutions.
Healthcare Events
Fairfax County is offering a free six-week Chronic Disease Self-Management Program workshop Series. Learn and share positive strategies to better manage overall health, increase self-confidence and improve the skills you need to take control of your health and happiness! Tuesday, June 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m. First Baptist Church, 450 Orchard Street, NW. Vienna. For more information, call 703-324-5489, TTY 711, or email colleen.turner@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Treating All Students and Staff with Dignity and Respect
“The decision by the School Board to add “gender identity” to our nondiscrimination policy is to provide an environment which promotes equality where every student and employee is treated with dignity and respect. This tells our students and staff that school and the FCPS workplace are places where they can be safe from harassment and discrimination."
Column: Why Fi?
Commentary
“That’s the dream; to have Wi-Fi in the car.” So says one of the focus group participants (“real people, not actors”) in a recent television commercial from Chevrolet. The answer is to a question asked of five adults to identify which car brand: Mercedes, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, or Toyota, includes “Built-in Wi-Fi” in their product line.
How McLean Day Made McLean
History of McLean Day: First in a series
On Oct. 19, 1914, Martha Kadel watched as her older brother and sister walked to the new Franklin Sherman School. One of the few families in the new community, the Kadels had watched the construction of the two-story, six-room brick building behind their home for the last year.
Opinion: Stream Clean-Up at McLean High Park
For the weekend of Earth Day, on Saturday, April 25, local residents and students met at McLean High Park to stage a clean-up.
Cal Jadacki of McLean Named Atlantic 10 Baseball Co-player of the Week
Saint Joseph University sophomore Cal Jadacki, a Langley High School graduate, was named the Atlantic 10 Baseball Co-Player of the Week by the league office on Monday afternoon.
Tuesday, May 12
McLean Senior Calpin Launches Memorable Home Run
Highlander frosh Longo edges Madison’s Vannicola in pitcher’s duel.
The McLean softball team beat Madison 1-0 on Friday.
Musicians, Safety Patrols Receive Awards
Woman’s Club honors middle- and elementary-school students.
The musicianship of four students from Cooper and Longfellow middle schools was recognized by the Woman’s Club of McLean at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 5, where the students also performed on their instruments.
Monday, May 11
Fairfax County School Board Adds "Gender Identity" to Nondiscrimination Policy
Discrimination is bad, and everyone should have a safe environment in which to learn. These sentiments were common to the Fairfax County School Board members and the hundreds of parents who packed the auditorium and front lobby of Luther Jackson Middle School for the board’s May 7 meeting.
Wednesday, May 6
Fairfax County Hosting the 2015 World Police & Fire Games
A huge event on a scale Fairfax County has never before seen — that’s the 2015 World Police & Fire Games. It’ll run June 26-July 5 and promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for area residents. “We expect over 12,000 first responders from more than 70 countries,” said county police Maj. Rich Perez, who’s heading up security. “There’ll be 61 sporting events spanning 10 days, and with more athletes than the summer Olympic Games.”
Healthy Relationships for Life
Researchers say meaningful friendships help preserve health.
Bill and Betty Kenealy, of Springfield, make it a point to socialize regularly with their long-time friends, many of whom are other couples they met through work and through the activities of their five children. They’ve watched their children become adults, worked, retired and even survived cancer. Now they’re living together in a retirement community in Springfield. Bill is 85 and Betty is 81.
Column: “CT Looked Good”
Commentary
Cryptic? Hardly. Words I can live with the for the next three months until my next CT Scan? Absolutely.
Tuesday, May 5
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - May 8-10, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Dr. Seuss-themed 23rd Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards
Wesley Pan of Great Falls-based Boy Scouts of America Troop 55 was humble about receiving the Youth Volunteer Group award. “We’re just happy to help the community and make a difference,” he said.
Noise Ordinance to be Addressed by Board of Supervisors on May 12
Neighbors of McLean High School and the school's athletic director have calibrated a solution. If music from loudspeakers gets amped up after or before a softball or football game, the athletic director knows precisely where the volume control should be set.
Commentary: Law Enforcement, the Mentally Ill and the Pursuit of Justice
Across the nation, people are having serious discussions about how to alter the dynamic that too often exists between some law enforcement officers and individuals. Out of each case, we learn something that will help us go forward. So, as justice pursues its course in Fairfax County with regard to the tragic death of Natasha McKenna, let’s not lose sight of the real underlying problem: the systemic mishandling of mentally ill patients who have few or no resources, and law enforcement’s struggle to deal with untreated or undertreated individuals.
Letter: Garza Calls Community to Help #saveFCPS
Superintendent says FCPS faces deficit of more than $100 million; FCPS excellence at risk.
Statement from Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen K. Garza following the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passage of the Fairfax County Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 budget:
Editorial: Hunger Is Widespread
Saturday, May 9, is the postal carriers food drive; put a sturdy bag with food donation next to your mailbox that morning.
There are families dealing with hunger in every county in the United States, including here in Northern Virginia.
Friday, May 1
Farmers Markets 2015
Buy fresh fruits and veggies from local vendors this summer.
Your guide to all the farmers markets in the Northern Virginia area.
Morris’ 4 Goals Lift McLean Boys’ Lax Over Madison
Highlanders snap two-game losing skid, Warhawks fall to 5-2.
The McLean boys' lacrosse team bounced back from consecutive losses.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - May 1-3, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.