Friday, July 29
McLean Home Sales: June, 2016
In June, 2016, 139 homes sold between $4,250,000-$183,000 in the McLean and Falls Church area.
McLean Home Sales: June, 2016
Senior Dogs: Untold Stories
Like many geriatrics, senior dogs in our area are illness survivors and living with a range of conditions including arthritis, hip dysplasia and chronic back pain.
Thursday, July 28
Fairfax County: Non-profit Our Daily Bread Changes Name To Britepaths
Fairfax-based non-profit Our Daily Bread has changed its name to Britepaths.
Fairfax County: School Board Work Session Draws Transgender Regulation Protesters
The Fairfax County School Board was scheduled to discuss new regulations for addressing daily life at school for students who identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming at July 21 work session held at the school system’s Gatehouse Road headquarters in Falls Church.
Wednesday, July 27
Native Trees for McLean Neighborhoods
Homeowners can improve the environment and contribute to the health of their neighborhood by planting a native tree in their front yard this fall or next spring with the help of the McLean Trees Foundation (MTF).
Tuesday, July 26
Senator Kaine Hosts Interfaith Forum
Senator Tim Kaine spends last day before VP pick showing why Virginia matters.
No one knew it at the time, but Sen. Timothy M. Kaine’s (D-Va.) public appearances moderating roundtables in Northern Virginia last Thursday, July 21 would be his last day of relative political anonymity before being catapulted to political prominence 24 hours later as Hillary Clinton’s pick for her Vice-Presidential running mate.
McLean: Honoring Brave Companions
Paws of Honor provides veterinary care for retired K-9s.
Some of our nation’s security forces receive no benefits upon retirement-- K-9s. Twenty-eight retired K-9s are patients of McLean based 501c not for profit Paws of Honor, which pays 100 percent of its retired K-9s’ veterinary expenses. Paws of Honor opened six months ago, and according to the organization’s founder and president, Bod Youngblood, Paws of Honor expects to serve 60 to 80 dogs by the end of the year.
McLean: Right of Way to Education?
Decision regarding expansion of Falls Church City school that operates on county land expected this week.
Falls Church Mayor David Tarter crossed county and McLean borders to advocate for the expansion of Mount Daniel Elementary School, a school he called “a cornerstone of our small community.”
McLean: Commission to Hear Sunrise in Fall
Assisted living facility application rescheduled to September.
The Planning Commission has deferred Sunrise’s proposed application to build an assisted living facility at the corner of Kirby and Westmoreland in McLean this September.
McLean: Best Golf Buddy
Local golf pro’s sidekick is man’s best friend.
Four years ago, local golf pro Kirk Lucas of McLean and his two young daughters strolled into Home Depot and walked out with a new pet. It just so happened that the SPCA , the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was holding an event at the hardware store. They had brought some pets to Home Depot hoping some shoppers might bring a pet home with them.
McLean Woman’s Club Holds Wine-Tasting, Kicks Off 50th Homes Tour
The Woman’s Club of McLean held a festive wine-tasting at Chain Bridge Cellars, in McLean, on Wednesday, July 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. to preview its 50th annual Holiday Homes Tour in December.
McLean: Tribute Bands Perform in Alden Concert Series
Alden Theatre sponsors free concerts at McLean Central Park each Sunday in July.
McLean Central Park held the penultimate installment of the Alden Theatre’s 2016 free summer concert series on Sunday. Satisfaction, a Rolling Stones tribute band, played for nearly two hours as part of the “I Volunteer as Tribute” themed series.
McLean: MAGIC! on the Tyson’s Corner Plaza
Fans of all ages enjoy free, laid-back concert by chart topping band, MAGIC!
This past Friday, as the sun went down, the Canadian reggae fusion band MAGIC! performed for free on the Tyson’s Corner Plaza. The band is most-famously known for their hit “Rude,” which charted at No.1 in several countries worldwide.
Thursday, July 21
Fairfax County: School Transgender Regulations in Limbo
Fairfax County Public Schools are holding off on implementing new regulations regarding transgender and gender nonconforming students.
Fairfax County: Support for Police Auditor, Civilian Review Panel
Supervisors discuss independent oversight recommendations from Ad Hoc Commission.
Details of an independent auditor for Fairfax County police and a civilian panel to review cases of alleged FCPD abuse of authority or misconduct are still being hammered out. However there was general agreement among County Supervisors at the July 19 Public Safety Committee meeting that they are in favor of moving forward with the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission to create both entities for accountability.
Wednesday, July 20
Letter: Keeping Young Minds Engaged in Summer
To the Editor
Summer means warmer weather and time for vacations. But it’s also a time when the average student loses nearly two months of academic knowledge.
Letter: Taking the Lead on Climate Change
To the Editor
Senator Tim Kaine took the the floor of the United States Senate, and displayed the potential for being a climate champion.
McLean: Fighting Invasives, One Volunteer at a Time
Learn how to identify invasives, to eradicate invasives, and to get involved.
Week in Great Falls and McLean
Weekly happenings in Great Falls and McLean
Letter: Taking Exception
To the Editor
The Last week’s Connection included a Letter to the Editor from Elizabeth Torpey Bradsher ("School Board Politics and Transgender Policy.") I
Food Truck Full of Temptations: Ed Hardy
Ed Hardy’s truck has recently been parked in Reston at lunchtimes, but often travels around Fairfax County to feed the hungry.
Editorial: Voting, for Former Felons and Others
In a Democracy, we’re best served by more voter participation.
Today, the Virginia Supreme Court will hear an expedited challenge to Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s (D) restoration of the voting and civil rights of more than 200,000 Virginians who were convicted of felonies, served their time and completed any supervised release, parole or probation requirements. The restoration of voting rights moves Virginia into the mainstream.
Thursday, July 14
Fairfax County: Four Arrested at Natasha McKenna Protest
Racial justice group calls for Sheriff Kincaid to fire deputies.
Four demonstrators were arrested Monday morning at a protest outside the Fairfax Courthouse for the February 15 in-custody death of Natasha McKenna.
Fairfax County: School Board Receives New Transgender Regulations
Discussion moves to a work session
Friday afternoon, July 1, Fairfax County School Board members each received an email containing new operating regulations regarding transgender and gender nonconforming students.
Tuesday, July 12
Letter: Misinterpretation and Misdirection
To the Editor
This is a response to Mr. Peter Storm’s specious letter, (“What Was the Founding Fathers’ Intent?” (Connection, July 6-12, 2016) and the broader leftist propensity toward historical misinterpretation and misdirection regarding the 2nd Amendment.
Letter: School Board Politics and Transgender Policy
To the Editor
The perception from many like me is that the Fairfax County School Board is hungry for national media attention as evidenced by their 2015 vote on the Gender Nonconforming and Transgender Student Policy
Editorial: Be Part of Our Annual Community Guide
Share tips in upcoming Newcomers and Community Guides.
The Connection’s annual Newcomers and Community Guides will publish Aug. 24 with a deadline of Aug. 17.
Fairfax Symphony Celebrating 60th Season
Orchestra deepens community ties.
Sixty years and counting. Since 1956, the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra has been a leading orchestra, while remaining committed to community involvement.
Experiential Learning Camp for High School Students
Junior Achievement of Greater Washington seeks participants in a three-day experiential learning camp on Aug. 8 to 10 at the JA Finance Park in Fairfax.
White Kitchens Are a Trend with staying Power
The clean, crisp look of a white kitchen has staying power and versatility, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Park Discovery Trail Leads Children to Presidential History, Prizes
Which U.S. President made a daring escape from the enemy through Riverbend Park? What does the House at Hidden Pond Nature Center have in common with the White House? Which Commander-in-Chief saved Sully Historic Site from demolition? T
Cirque du Soleil magical ‘Kurios’ Under the Big Top at Tysons II
The dazzling, fantastic world of Cirque du Soleil’s “Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities” will be under the famous blue-and-yellow Cirque du Soleil Big Top at Tysons II.
Week in McLean
Weekly happenings in McLean
McLean: Planning to Oppose Special Exceptions?
Assisted living facility and expansion of an elementary school to be heard by Planning Commission later this month.
Obituary: Remembering Hunter Watson
Hunter Brooks Watson, 20, remembered for lighting up the room with his unforgettable smile and laugh.
Thursday, July 7
Weekend Fun: July 8-10
Weekend fun in Vienna, Oakton, McLean and Great Falls.
Fairfax County: School Board Renews Superintendent Garza’s Contract
Fairfax County Public Schools has secured four more years with Dr. Karen Garza at the helm as superintendent. The School Board members voted unanimously to extend her contract through June 30, 2020 at their June 30 meeting.
Tuesday, July 5
Arts Council Recognized for Innovative Public Art
The Arts Council of Fairfax County was recognized by Americans for the Arts’ Public Art Network (PAN) Year in Review program for its Imagine Art Here: Tysons Tiles temporary public art and engagement project with artist Julia Vogl.
Week in McLean
Weekly happenings in McLean
Letter: Focus on Wind and Solar Power
To the Editor
Virginia’s transition to clean energy is now underway. On Tuesday, June 28, Governor Terry McAuliffe issued an executive order to create a workgroup that will spend the next year determining how to reduce Virginia’s carbon emissions.
McLean: Dolley Madison Library Gears Up For a Busy Summer
Scores of children begin Summer Reading Challenge.
McLean: Planning to Oppose Special Exceptions?
Assisted living facility and expansion of an elementary school to be heard by Planning Commission later this month.
McLean: Summer Strings Camp Mixes Monsters and Music
Campers keep orchestral skills fresh through sight reading, music history.
Dragon Boating
It’s been called the fastest growing water sport in the world – although it took more than 2,000 years to recently take aim at that title.
Assistance League of Northern Virginia Installs New Board of Directors
Assistance League of Northern Virginia’s Installation of the 2016-17 Board of Directors was conducted on June 13 during the annual chapter meeting and luncheon.
Pushups For Charity Challenge Benefits Veterans
Local veteran opens gym, Rebel Fit USA.
Strategies for Preventing Concussions This Summer
Local physician is pioneering traumatic brain injury treatment.
Summer has been dubbed “trauma season” by health care professionals.
Letter: Protect Homeowners, and School Budget
To the Editor
Regarding John Knight's letter ("Seniors Unfairly Tapped for School Budget") in the last week’s Connection: While the sentiment is nice and I would join anyone in complaining about the burden of taxes being put on all the homeowners; in my opinion businesses and developers get away with tax breaks.
Editorial: Hungry in Summer
There are hungry children in Northern Virginia, more so in summertime.
Summer for most children in Northern Virginia is a time of fun and activities, camp and vacation, trips to the pool and possibly to the library.