Stories for April 2015

Fairfax County School Board to Consider Nondiscrimination Policy Change

When the members of the School Board reconvene on May 7, they’re scheduled to act on whether or not to add “gender identity” to the list of nondiscrimination categories for all Fairfax County Public Schools students, employees or applicants for employment.

Summer Sailing Camp: Outside, Hands-On, Empowering

Amy Zang has just returned from a week sailing the British Virgin Isles with nine members of her extended family ranging from her 78-year-old, legally-blind father to her brother's 4- and 6-year old children.

Diverse Camps Offer Summer Fun

Northern Virginia has scores of local camps for summer learning and fun. 　

Scores of local camps in Northern Virginia that offer many opportunities for summer fun and learning. Here is a sampling of diverse camps that range from art to theater to field trips to swimming, tennis and music. There's even a camp for aspiring musicians who want to form a band.

Summer Fun for Adults

The region offers a wide range of programs for adults.

Summer fun is no longer reserved for children. Whether one’s interests lie in exploring nature and hiking in the woods or immersed in history, art and literature on a university campus, the region abounds with warm weather opportunities.

Marymount Technology Institutes for Ages 14-18

Marymount has summer programs for teens ages 14-18 who are interested in technology. Gain technology skills and hands-on experience; create a mobile app or take part in a cyber competition in health care; meet fellow students who share your excitement about technology; network with technology professionals about career possibilities. Summer Technology Institutes' 2015 Programs:

Protest Precedes Police Meeting at Fairfax County Government Center

Themed subcommittees announced at second police review commission meeting.

Increased Fairfax County Police presence was noticeable at the rear of the room after three masked men entered the second meeting of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.

How to Prepare for Summer Camp Away

Many emotions arise when a child leaves for camp.

Julie Kaminski remembers the language from her desperate letters to her parents: “I love you. I want to come home now!” She recalls penning a dramatic plea to be rescued from residential summer camp more than 40 years ago. Today, Kaminski is preparing for her daughter's first camp experience away from home this summer.

Congressional Schools of Virginia is Celebrating 75 Years

The Congressional Schools of Virginia in Falls Church marked its 75th anniversary with a weekend-long celebration on April 24 and 25, with events attended by hundreds of students, staff, alumni and friends of the school.

Local Brain Training Center to Hold Brain OlympicsRx

LearningRx-Fairfax hosting a free day of fun brain-related competitions.

To raise awareness about the brain’s ability to change at any age, LearningRx brain training centers across the United States are holding a Brain OlympicsRx event. The local cognitive skills center, LearningRx Fairfax, will be holding its event on Saturday, May 23, from noon to 4 p.m.

Camps and Schools Notes

The Fairfax Falcons Paralympic Sports team, a Fairfax County Neighborhood and Recreation Services Therapeutic Recreation program, is recruiting new players.

Column: Deep Space Mind

Commentary

A few years back (OKAY, more than a few years back; I’ll blame the cancer for my time lapse), there was a spin-off from the original Star Trek: Star Trek: The Next Generation captained by Jean-Luc Picard (a.k.a. Patrick Stewart) which itself spawned two other spin-offs: Star Trek Voyager and Deep Space Nine (commanded by Avery Brooks, a.k.a. Captain Sisko).

Great Day at Great Falls Elementary - Michelle Obama and Akie Abe Visit

First Ladies welcomed by school's Japanese Immersion Program students.

This week, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and his wife, Akie, were welcomed during their visit to Washington, D.C., and on Tuesday, students enrolled in the Japanese Immersion (JI) Program at Great Falls Elementary School were able to showcase their language skills before First Lady Michelle Obama and First Lady Akie Abe from Japan. They made a special trip from the White House to visit the school.

Editorial: Fostering Connections, Faltering

Why are federal dollars acceptable for roads, but not for helping foster children?

While there is plenty of competition for the title “most vulnerable,” foster children are certainly among them.

Great Falls Farmers Market Celebrates ‘Field to Table’

Opening day highlights local, sustainable food source in residents’ backyards: deer.

On Saturday, April 25, Great Falls restaurants helped kick off opening day for the summer season at the Great Falls Farmers Market with a focus on a local, sustainable food source in residents’ backyards, deer.

Great Falls Citizens Association Calls Vote on Brooks Farm Development

More than 1,400 residents have petitioned to oppose the rezoning, according to Great Falls Citizens Association.

Letter: Who Pays for a Mistake?

To the Editor

So the agreement was reached to pay John Geer's family just under $2.95M for the mistake of a police officer. My heart goes out to the family.

Forestville Promotes and Celebrates Character

To the tune of the Bugler’s Dream Olympic song, winners of the Pliers of Kindness, walked down the red carpet to receive the very coveted yellow construction helmet and a cookie.

Neighborhood Outlook: 1,400 Residents Oppose Brooks Farm Redevelopment

What's coming in Great Falls.

Column: Bringing Champions Together

Commentary

In my 20-plus years in Special Olympics I still, on occasion, make the same mistake. I miss the boat. I underestimate the abilities either cognitive or physical of our Special Olympics athletes; athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - April 24-26, 2015

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.

Transurban Begins Grant Program for Express Lanes Corridor Nonprofits

Transurban, the company that operates the 95 and 495 Express lanes, announced earlier this month the launch of a community grant program for non-profit organizations working in or benefiting the Express Lanes corridor.

“Can You See Me?” Campaign Shines Spotlight on the Homeless

Volunteers and representative from Fairfax County’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH) assembled mannequins representing homeless men, women, children, families and veterans on Friday, April 17 at the Fairfax Government Center.

Local Nonprofit Group Presents 'Perils of the College Drinking Culture' Program

The final quarter of the 2014-2015 school year has arrived. For thousands of area high school seniors that means time to say farewells to friends, teachers, and the familiarity of the routines and activities of the past four years. For many of them, it also means time to prepare for that first year of college, and possibly their first time away from home and daily parental guidance.

Budget Gets Marked Up

Supervisors scheduled to adopt budget next Tuesday, April 28.

The Board of Supervisors marked up the proposed budget Tuesday, April 21, by increasing school funding, adding key economic growth positions and restoring money to suggested cuts to "critical" human service programs Tuesday morning, April 21, according to its Chairman Sharon Bulova.

Autumn Wood Wraps Up, New Opportunities at Fallsgate

Autumn Wood, a community of 18 homes off Georgetown Pike, is a bright spot for new homes in Great Falls over the past several years. Most homes sold between $2 million and $2.5 million, and during several of the last few years sales of Gulick have made up nearly half of the sales in that price range in Great Falls.

Outlook Optimistic for Local 2015 Real Estate Market

After what seemed to be an endless winter, spring has finally come calling, signaling the start of the year’s first real estate high season. Homes trade hands all year long, but spring is often for buyers, seller, agents, brokers and lenders like those weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas; buyers at full speed searching out the best bargains and sellers looking to move their wares without having to resort to price-slashing sales tactics.

Editorial: Connection Papers Win Awards

Variety of coverage honored at annual Virginia Press Association conference.

On Saturday, April 18, a group of journalists from the Connection Newspapers traveled to Roanoke for the annual Virginia Press Association event to collect awards for business reporting, government writing, writing about health, science and the environment, feature writing, sports writing, column writing, obituaries, cartoons, entertainment pages and writing, public safety writing, editorial pages and writing, page design, informational graphics and more.

Thomas Jefferson Class of 2019: 70% Asian, 1.6% Black

Some say unbalanced admissions demographics at Northern Virginia’s top high school speaks to system-wide equity problems.

Consider: 70.2 percent Asian, 20.7 percent White, 5.1 percent Multiracial/Other, 2.4 percent Hispanic, 1.6 percent Black: This is the ethnic breakdown of the 493 students admitted to the 2019 class of the Fairfax County Public Schools magnet institution Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Fairfax County Pays $2.95 Million to Settle John Geer Wrongful Death Suit

More than seven months after the Geer family lawyer Michael Lieberman filed a $12 million wrongful death civil suit in Circuit Court against Fairfax County Police, the two sides reached a $2.95 million settlement, announced Tuesday, April 21.

Column: Pins and Needles

Commentary

This column isn’t about acupuncture or knitting, any more than last week’s column was about nausea.

Week in Great Falls

Weekly happenings in Great Falls.

What to Do About Deer?

How can homeowners take action.

Are deer a significant enough worry for Northern Virginia landowners that they want reduce deer populations significantly?

Langley Case Day Seniors to Attend United States Supreme Court Tuesday

Langley senior Eryney Marrogi sat on the judicial bench four seats from U.S. Supreme Court Clerk Gen. William K. Suter, retired. Suter and Marrogi grilled Langley seniors Katherine Cassidy, Madeline Shaw, Cameron Davis and Paul Dell for 15 minutes each.

Artist’s Homecoming in Great Falls

Great Falls painter Judith St. Ledger-Roty exhibits at Katie’s, shows new Artists' Atelier.

Guests at a reception at Katie's Coffee House at the Old Brogue on April 11 not only got a close-up look at the work of Great Falls painter Judith St. Ledger-Roty, but also a sneak preview of the art studio she and nine others will be opening in May.

Colvin Run Mills Hosts Restoration Celebration

Community attends Great Falls park open house.

Guests and residents of Fairfax County attended a free ceremony and open house at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls the afternoon of Sunday, April 19. In addition to brief remarks made by local and county delegates, the event was an opportunity for visitors to tour the restored and fully operational mill.

22 Houses on 52 Acres Proposed for Brooks Farm in Great Falls

Public hearing on Brooks Farm proposal scheduled for June 10 at Planning and Zoning.

Basheer/Edgemoore, a builder, wants to build 22 houses on the 51.97 acre Brooks Farm property. The Department of Planning and Zoning received the fourth and latest iteration of the proposal last week.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - April 17-19, 2015

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.

Great Falls Home Sales: March, 2015

In March, 2015, 15 Great Falls homes sold between $1,575,000-$695,000.

Great Falls Home Sales: March, 2015

Moving for Academic Excellence

Researchers say frequent physical activity can lead to success in school.

Inside an elementary school classroom in Bethesda, Md., a class of third grade students is divided into small groups and given a task: to cross a desert using a limited supply of tools that often include a jump rope, a foam noodle or a scooter. Their mission is to devise a plan to cross the desert without touching the sand.

Column: Up and Down and All Around

Commentary

No. That’s not my stomach talking.

‘Old Wicked Songs’ at Tysons 1st Stage

Masterful production to run through May 3 at Tysons.

High accolades are due for the 1st Stage production of “Old Wicked Songs,” a play powered by a heart-tugging premise, precise high-caliber acting, with an evocative set and piano music from composer Robert Schumann that opens anyone’s heart to tenderness.

Board of Supervisors Honored Langley Swim and Dive

Sheriff Stacey Kincaid gave Langley High School Girls Swim and Dive team an extra splash of praise Tuesday, April 7 while the Board of Supervisors were recognizing the team for winning the VHSL 6A state championship this past winter, the sixth time in the school's history.

Langley High School’s ‘Book of Days’ Shakes Small-Town Morality

Performance in Reston while high school venue undergoes repairs.

Langley High School’s spring production of Lanford Wilson’s “Book of Days” will run on April 23-25 at Hunter Woods Elementary School in Reston. The show must go on even while Langley is undergoing major renovations.

Send in Mother's Day Photos

Deadline for submissions is May 1.

Mother’s Day is May 10 and, every year at this time, The Connection calls for submissions to our Mother’s Day photo gallery.

Editorial: Counting Homeless; Solution Is Housing

Results of the annual census of homeless show progress, persistence of the problem, and some worrying trends.

On the night of Jan. 28, 2015, there were 1,204 people who were literally homeless in the Fairfax County area.

Colvin Run Mill to Reopen

Colvin Run Mill Park Manager Mike Henry is planning for busy weeks ahead. A Restoration Celebration will take place at Colvin Run Mill Historic Site on April 19. There will be an official grand reopening ceremony open to the public at 1 p.m.

Letter: Oak Tree Planting Program Underway

Letter to the Editor

The Great Falls spring 2015 Legacy White Oak planting program is underway now, as described in this week's Connection (“Legacy White Oak Project.) There are options for planting trees in local parks as well as at homes, schools, churches and businesses.

Hate Vandalism Swiftly Purged

Spray painted swastikas were quickly purged from two power boxes along Seneca Road in Great Falls this week.

Deer Population in Great Falls: A Historical Perspective

There was a time in Great Falls when residents provided most of their own food from start to finish: They grew vegetables in their gardens, fruits in their orchards, grains in their fields, and livestock in their pastures.

Lift Me Up Honored for 40th Anniversary

The Board of Supervisors told Laura Smith she can bring a real horse with her for Lift Me Up!'s 50th anniversary ceremony.

14 Hours, Three Days, 200 Speakers

Schools, libraries, economic development authority and others seek more funding while tax-hawks call for reductions.

The Board of Supervisors listened to more than 14 and a half hours of testimony from approximately 200 speakers Tuesday through Thursday, April 7-9.

Holocaust Remembrance Day in Fairfax County

"One of the most important things we do."

Holocaust survivor Michel Margosis spoke before the Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, April 7, when the Board of Supervisors made a proclamation declaring April 16 as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Fairfax County.

Taste of Vienna Serves Up Food and Family Fun on April 25

Thirty restaurants bring their signature dishes to grounds of Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.

Thirty local restaurants have signed up to participate in the 4th Annual Taste of Vienna celebration, coming up on April 25, on the grounds of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department [VVFD]. Taste of Vienna is sponsored and hosted by the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.

D.C. Design House

McLean showcase home opens to the public April 12.

Local interior design enthusiasts will have an opportunity to tour a much-anticipated unveiling this weekend when the 2015 Design House opens in McLean on Sunday, April 12 at noon, with ticket sales benefiting the Children’s National Health System.

Editorial: A Big Election Year in Virginia

Register, research, vote. And vote again.

Every year is an election year in Virginia. Here are a few examples that demonstrate that while elections are ubiquitous in Virginia, they are neither simple nor unimportant. Wade in, a lot depends on figuring this out and voting. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of candidates.

More Than 200 Attend First Fairfax County Budget Hearing

Schools, libraries, economic development authorites and others seek more funding while tax-hawks call for reductions.

More than 200 people packed the Fairfax County Government auditorium Tuesday, April 7, and 60 speakers were scheduled to testify before the Board of Supervisors on the advertised budget. The hearing began with a presentation by School Board Chairman Tamara Derenak Kaufax. Members of the Fairfax County School Board sat in the front row, gave a standing ovation, and remained standing as Kaufax finished her testimony to begin the budget hearings.

Column: The Fact Is Not Yet The Matter

I don’t know which is worse: the extra-special, extra-expensive, dental cleaning (the kind that requires Novocain and involves the actual dentist, not merely the hygienist) that I have scheduled for April 8th – or my next hopefully-not-do-or-die CT Scan, moved up a month from my usual three-month interval because of a suspicious formation seen on my most recent scan back in mid-February.

Opinion: On the Banks of Bull Run 150 Years Ago

One hundred and fifty years ago, on the same day General Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Fairfax County witnessed the last gun battle of the war.

Still Honoring Vets in Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools Board votes down calendar amendment to make Veterans Day a holiday.

Fairfax Station resident Steven Hunt, retired U.S. Navy, put it bluntly: “Votes count, words don’t.” That was following a vote in which all but two members of the Fairfax County School Board voted against an amendment to the 2015-2016 calendar that would have made Veterans Day a school holiday.

Foust Runs for Re-election

Dranesville Supervisor highlights his quality of life results, agenda.

At a campaign kick-off event held on Saturday, March 28, Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) announced that he will run for a third term to represent the Dranesville District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Foust was elected to the Board in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011.

Week in Great Falls

Weekly happenings in Great Falls.

Provisioning for Community’s Well-being in Great Falls

Great Falls is just coming out of a colder than usual winter, with lower temperatures for longer, and more snow than expected, which discouraged many people from going outdoors altogether – (unless to spend more time at the ski slopes).

Publishing Panel Planned for Great Falls Book Festival

Discussion to offer advice on how to get published.

Proven experts in all facets of publishing offer a glimpse into the highly-competitive publishing world by offering advice, answering questions and sharing their inspirational – and sometimes surprising -- secrets to their phenomenal success at a publishing panel from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the Great Falls Book Festival on May 2 at the Great Falls Library.

Encouraging, Inspiring and Rewarding Young Writers

Youth Creative Writing Contest winners to be announced at the Great Falls Book Festival.

More than 100 sixth-graders from Forestville Elementary School participated in the Great Falls Writer’s Group (GFWG) first Youth Creative Writing Contest. Winners will be announced and read their works during the afternoon event themed “Every Child Is A Storyteller” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at the first Great Falls Book Festival at the Great Falls Library.

Great Falls Writer’s Group Combines Perspective About Time in First-Ever Group Anthology

En masse, Great Falls Writer’s Group (GFWG) members put pens to paper for the group’s first published work, “Passages On Time.” The collaborative effort is being published this week and will be available at the first Great Falls Book Festival on Saturday, May 2.

“An Evening with the Authors,” First-ever Great Falls Book Festival to Be Held May 2

Fifteen local authors representing many genres unite for “An Evening with the Authors” to discuss their recently published books and how and why they journeyed into writing. Their books will be available for signing from 7 to 9 p.m. on May 2 at the Great Falls Library.

Great Falls' Legacy White Oak Project

Great Falls seeks to restore a thinning legacy.

Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) has dug into its new goal of planting 15 more white oaks this spring around the library, Colvin Run Mill, Riverbend Park, Nike Park, Turner Farm, Grange and Lockmead Park.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - April 3-5, 2015

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.

Prisoner Escapes from Fairfax Hospital, Gets Recaptured

Social media aids manhunt

Around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, Wossen Assaye overpowered the female member of his two-guard private security detail while the male was out of his hospital room. Assaye was reportedly in shackles on a hospital gurney before the struggle.

Springfield: Getting into Marian Homes

Remodeling project to provide for residents with intellectual and or physical disabilities.

When the new residents of Marian Homes’ latest remodeling project move in to the Gresham Street house in north Springfield, Fairfax resident and Marian volunteer John Germain hopes they feel at home.

Northern Virginia Training Center in Fairfax to Close by March 2016

From institution to community, finding homes for those hard to place.

Joseph McHugh has lived at the Northern Virginia Training Center for 35 years, moving in when he was a teenager. McHugh has cerebral palsy and colostomy and severe spasticity issues. At the training center, McHugh works with a speech pathologist, nurse, on-campus dietician and is close to an X-ray machine, dental facility and clinic on the grounds.

‘Your Life Is Today and Tomorrow’

Residents of local senior living communities share their experiences.

“I didn’t want to come here,” said Bill Woessner, referring to Brightview Assisted Living Community in Great Falls. “That’s right,” agreed Sheila, his wife of more than 50 years, with plenty of her native Scottish brogue to be heard in her voice. “He really didn’t. We have a lovely house here in Great Falls and I don’t think he was ready to budge. But how long after we got here did that change?” she turned to her husband and asked. “At least a day,” he laughingly replied. “Seriously,” said Bill Woessner, “it probably wasn’t more than the first 48 hours.”

Creative Aging Festival Coming in May

Includes 114 performances, poetry readings, art exhibits, lectures, classes and more.

A Creative Aging Festival will take place throughout the month of May at 100-plus local venues in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria. The month-long festival includes 114 performances, poetry readings, art exhibits, lectures, classes and more.

County Adult Centers Offer Seniors Activities, Social Interaction

In 2014, the attendance at Fairfax County senior centers was 277,342.

At the Kingstowne Center for Active Adults, volunteer Frank Bauer sees zumba and yoga classes “flowing into the main room sometimes,” he says, revealing how popular those classes are at the center, which caters to seniors 55 and older. This Kingstowne center, one of 14 senior centers throughout Fairfax County, offers classes and activities to keep seniors active.

Column: Manifest Destiny

I wouldn’t say I have symptoms (why would I say that? If I said that, I’d have to admit that cancer is having an effect on me.

Fit for the Golden Years

Fitness programs for seniors are part of a trend.

One night each week, Sue Thompson can be found dribbling a basketball down the court, leading her team, the Nova United, to victory. Thompson, who is in her 60s, is one of the youngest players in her league, the National Senior Women’s Basketball Association.

Nysmith School Students Interview War Veterans

Richard Graff didn't hesitate to describe his darkest days while serving in World War II. "Every combat soldier has to get used to the bodies," he said. "Whenever I think back to that one day when I didn't think I would have another day, you bet, I'm glad to be here," Graff said.

72-year-old Filmmaker Debuts Alzheimer’s Documentary

When Barbara Klutinis’ husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s she had no idea how she was going to get through the ordeal ahead of her. After joining a support group and hearing the stories of others going through the same thing, Klutinis realized she was not alone. Inspired by the experience, she decided to make a documentary about the lives of couples coping with the disease. The film, “The Sum Total of Our Memory: Facing Alzheimer’s Together,” will screen at the NOVA International Film Festival Friday, April 17, 1 p.m., at the Angelika Film Center in Fairfax.