Stories for September 2012

Miss Greater Springfield Crowned

Jennifer Gilbert, 23, of Fairfax, wins contest.

Glamour and grace were on full display at this year’s 2013 Miss Greater Springfield beauty pageant, held Saturday, Sept. 22. A total of 13 contestants from across Virginia vied for a title to promote platforms of personal commitment to the community at large.

Jail Plus Restitution for Fairfax Woman

Fairfax resident Erin Cullen was sentenced Friday, Sept. 21 to 30 days in jail for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was also ordered to pay her share of the more than $700,000 lost by financial institutions because of her role in a $1.5 million mortgage-fraud scheme. Authorities said she and others joined together to defraud financial institutions into making fraudulent mortgage loans. The players included a mortgage broker, an unqualified straw buyer, an executive from a title company and several intermediaries who prepared and approved fraudulent loan documents.

Burke’s Pumpkin Playground

When Fred Dickinson, general manager of the Burke Nursery and Garden Center, started the pumpkin festival with his wife Cassandra 17 years ago, he said he had no idea it would grow to be such a large event. In fact, the nursery didn’t start to sell carving pumpkins until the last two weeks of October.

Fall Fun Festivals

Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. will present the 20th annual Fall For Fairfax KidsFest this weekend at the Fairfax County Government Center. Enjoy exciting, interactive and educational programs, entertainment and activities. Fall For Fairfax KidsFest is specially designed for families with elementary and pre-K aged children. There will be three stages of free entertainment, including the Inova Health Stage and the Fall for Fairfax Kids Stage.

Letter: State Vs County on Transportation

When I read my colleague Supervisor John Cook’s Sept. 13 Connection column advocating that Fairfax County take over state roads, I wondered how our taxpayers would feel about accepting a $150 million per year unfunded mandate from the state. That would be a slap in the face given everything that the County has done to balance its budget and provide for our residents during difficult budget years.

Good News on Housing Market

Realtors host economic summit.

The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR), in partnership with the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis hosted their Annual Economic Summit at the Mason Inn Conference Center. The housing market is a key driver of the economy and home ownership is almost synonymous with the “American Dream,” so it’s no wonder that this year’s distinguished panel played to a packed house of realtors, brokers, economists and area business people.

Fall Fun at Workhouse Arts Center

Whether you are an art aficionado, music lover, cinephile or nature enthusiast, there’s something to enjoy at Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center this fall. Set on 55 acres of land in the former D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory, the Workhouse provides a home for more than 100 of the region’s finest professional and emerging artists, classes and arts education programs for people of all ages and artistic abilities, cooperative studios, performance and theatre venues, dedicated gallery and exhibition space, and event facilities. For more information, visit www.WorkhouseArts.org or call 703-584-2900. The center is located at 9601 Ox Road in Lorton.

Tough Mudder's 'Team Grace'

Fairfax family honors sister’s fighting spirit by forming “Team Grace.”

“Grace was one ‘Tough Mudder’ tackling her brain cancer. We know Grace was looking down on us as we competed in this crazy event, keeping her spirit alive.” —Kim Thomas Krongaard

Classified Advertising Sept 26, 2012

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Talents Galore at ‘Arts by George!’

The 7th annual George Mason University ‘Arts by George!’ to be held on Saturday, Sept. 29.

A bevy of incredible talent is set to entertain as the seventh annual George Mason University "Arts by George!" is coming on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. Arts by George! will take place in the de Laski Performing Arts Building on Mason’s Fairfax Campus, as well as Harris Theater and a tented plaza next to the performing arts building.

McLean's Cordial Debate Turns Controversial

Allen, Kaine battle for Northern Virginia votes.

“I’m open to dialogue, and I don’t see how openness is something controversial.” —Tim Kaine "If you want a job, you ought to join the Allen team.” —George Allen

Fairfax County Fall Fun Calendar

Along with the seasonal changes of fall—“sweater weather,” the oft-sighted decorative pumpkin, new menus and produce, and the swath of color across the treeline in every direction—come the fall events. Apple picking, parading through town in costume and spending time enjoying fall in Fairfax County are musts. Here are some favorite events to aid and abet your celebration of the season at hand.

Column: My Team

Not literally, of course. Nor am I the coach or the general manager. But I do feel like an owner, in that there are people that I invest in – again not literally, but definitely emotionally.

Family of Four Found Dead in Herndon

Police make discovery during welfare check, believe husband killed family before turning gun on himself.

A Herndon family of four was found dead in their home on Point Rider Lane the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 25. Fairfax County Police responded after a co-worker of one of the family members reported that they had not been to work this week.

Keeping Tysons Corner Moving

Event provides updates on 495 Express Lanes, Dulles Metrorail.

In the next 15 months, Tysons Corner will see almost $5 billion in new transportation projects come online.

Friends and Newcomers Award Scholarships

Four local students awarded funds for college education.

The Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Club awarded scholarships to four local students Tuesday, Sept. 18, as part of their annual community outreach.

Fairfax Area Roundups

Residents may recycle old TVs, computers, peripheral electronic devices—such as keyboards, speakers, printers and scanners, as well as household hazardous wastes—including fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, for free during Fairfax County’s “Electric Sunday” events. The next one is slated for Sunday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the I-95 Landfill Complex, 9850 Furnace Road in Lorton. For more information, call 703-324-5052.

Donatos Pizza Opens in Fairfax

Fairfax City residents got their first taste of Edge to Edge® Pizza when Donatos Pizza opened, Tuesday, Aug. 28. The new restaurant, located at 10160 Fairfax Blvd., is operated by Donatos franchise partner Slice of Life Enterprise, LLC.

HS Management Consulting Opens for Business

Hollis Stambaugh, a management consultant, has launched a new business, HS Management Consulting (HSMC) based in Fairfax. Stambaugh has led major strategic and analytic studies, enhanced emergency preparedness capabilities for government and commercial clients, conducted dozens of post disaster analyses and guided multi-agency partnerships for over 30 years. Her goal in establishing HSMC is to work closely with clients to provide customized services that enhance rather than replace clients' base of operations or programs.

Giving Back to Task Force One

Firehouse Subs gives firefighters $10,000 toward search tool.

When disasters nearly anywhere in the world trap people in buildings and under rubble, Fairfax County’s Urban Search and Rescue Team is often called to find and rescue them. Now, thanks to a new piece of equipment called a telehandler, the team will be even better prepared for the task. “It looks like a forklift on steroids,” said Battalion Chief Chris Schaff, program manager for the team, called Virginia Task Force One (VA-TF1). “It gives you the ability to pick up stuff and also be able to boom out and reach out over a rubble pile while training.”

Eight Months Prison for Fairfax Man

Fairfax resident Peter Kim has been sentenced to eight months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay his share of the more than $700,000 lost by financial institutions because of his part in a $1.5 million mortgage-fraud scheme.

Stacy C. Sherwood Center Wins Best New Facility Award

The Virginia Recreation and Parks Society Awards and Citations Commission determine award winners in 14 different categories from all over the Commonwealth of Virginia--the Stacy C. Sherwood Center was nominated for, and won, the prestigious Best New Facility Award.

Alegra in Fairfax Receives Excellence Award

Owners Oanh Henry and Brian Culbertson of Allegra in Fairfax were recently honored for excellence in managing their business to achieve exceptional levels of productivity, profitability and growth with the Operational Excellence Award from Allegra Network.

Black Chamber of Commerce to Host Candidates’ Night Mixer

With access to capital and opportunity for growth at an alarming low for black-owned businesses, the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce will shine a light on this small business crisis at the 4th Annual Candidates’ Night reception on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6-8:30 p.m. at the Springfield Hilton, 6550 Loisdale Road, Springfield. The annual nonpartisan NVBCC Candidates’ Night Mixer gives candidates and elected officials the opportunity to meet business owners face-to-face, and allows members of the African American community the chance to express their concerns about the future of Northern Virginia. Already, a dozen candidates and elected officials have been confirmed.

Area Roundups

Financial crimes detectives were alerted to the issue when they began to receive complaints that ATM cards were being used fraudulently to purchase groceries, expensive coffees, and, primarily, to get cash from other ATM machines. An alert customer spotted the skimming device on the machine and contacted hospital security who immediately called police on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Dam Project Worries South Run Residents

South Run residents want unofficial park entryway shut down permanently.

Chris Amans and his wife, Brenda Riffe, have lived in the leafy neighborhood of South Run in Fairfax Station since the community was developed in the mid-1980s. Bordered by Lee Chapel Road, Route 123, and the Fairfax County Parkway, many of the community’s 500 homes, which sell for close to $1 million, back up to Burke Lake Park. While they love the neighborhood’s mature trees, expansive 1/2-acre lots and access to Burke Lake Park, they have never been happy with the fact that their Laketree Drive cul-de-sac has become an unofficial entrance to the popular Burke Lake trails.

County Combats Chronic Homelessness

Fairfax County joins national effort to house ‘most vulnerable.’

Fewer families experienced homelessness in Fairfax County this year, a 16 percent decline stemming largely from the County’s “housing first” focus, which rapidly identifies housing for those living on the edge. But the number of chronic homeless—the most entrenched street dwellers and vulnerable individuals—jumped 20 percent this year. According to the September report released by the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH), 51 percent of single homeless individuals (353 people) were identified as chronically homeless in 2012, compared to 39 percent in 2011. An additional 43 adults were counted as unsheltered in 2012 over the previous year.

Letter: A Major Disappointment

I could have attached a legitimate photo of a sick and starving deer within Fairfax County—but that serves little except to tug at the emotional heartstrings. Overpopulation of deer in Fairfax County is a reality and it is a problem that must be faced square-on, using science, biology, personnel majoring in the wildlife career field and an understanding of the alternative costs of managing the deer herd.

Classified Advertising Sept 19, 2012

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County Launches Safety Campaign

How to participate in Fairfax County’s ‘30 Ways in 30 Days’ campaign.

In the past 12 months, Fairfax County residents have experienced an unprecedented number of emergencies, from an earthquake and a tropical storm to floods, a tornado and a derecho.

Fairfax Field Hockey Wins Herndon Invitational

Rebels outscored opponents 37-1 during 10-0 start.

The Fairfax field hockey team posted four shutouts en route to winning the two-day Herndon Invitational on Sept. 14-15.

Romney Addresses Fairfax Crowd

Presidential candidate draws almost 3,000 at Van Dyck Park.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney appeared in Fairfax, Thursday, Sept. 13, bringing almost 3,000 supporters out to Van Dyck Park. Attendees packed the streets surrounding the park all morning, and stayed in line even if they weren’t able to get in throughout Romney’s speech.

Column: Refillable. Rechargeable. Reusable.

More like replaceable. Obviously, I want to remain positive and believe that today is not a good day to die (Worf from “Star Trek: Next Generation”) and that there will be many more tomorrows to live for and days beyond that to plan for. However, having a terminal disease has a tendency to darken up those rose-colored glasses.

Local Real Estate: Top Sales in July 2012

Week in Fairfax

Fairfax's Virginia Small Businesses Summit and Best Buddies Fundraiser

Piero’s Corner Italian Restaurant will host a Best Buddies fundraiser Sunday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m. for its busboy, Eric Latcheran of Chantilly, and his friend Ryan Gutkowski of Clifton. The restaurant is at 9959 Main St. in Fairfax. Eric, 25, and Ryan, 24, have intellectual disabilities and are raising money so they may participate in the fun run at the annual Best Buddies Challenge, Oct. 20, in Washington, D.C. Piero’s will donate a percentage of its Sept. 16 food proceeds toward the cause.

Willow Springs Parents Hoping for a Traffic Signal

Parents describe transportation troubles.

It’s not a done deal, yet. But if the traffic volume at the intersection of Braddock Road and Willow Springs School Road warrants it, a traffic signal will someday be installed there. And it can’t come soon enough for Willow Springs Elementary parents and schoolbus drivers. In the meanwhile, the Wink-o-matic flashing lights on Braddock—telling drivers nearing that intersection to slow from 45 to 25 mph—have been reinstated after having been removed during the summer.

Combating Speeding

McGruff leads anti-speeding effort as school year begins.

Laurel Ridge Elementary School students got a surprise Monday morning, when they were met by McGruff the Crime Dog, Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) and Officer J.T. Frey of the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) in Kings Park West. The trio was there to remind student and their parents of the importance of driving safely and especially following the posted speed limits in school zones. The outreach effort, in support of the police department’s Operation Blue Guardian, is part of Supervisor Cook’s ongoing campaign to combat speeding and unsafe driving in our communities.

County Seeks Citizen Input on Transportation

If Fairfax County is going to pay for the roads, we ought to own and control them.

This fall, residents of Fairfax County will have an unprecedented opportunity to offer input on one of the principal policy issues facing the County—whether we should assume a greater role in secondary road maintenance and construction. I urge all County residents to take advantage of this important opportunity.

Burke/Fairfax Calendar, Sept. 20-26

If you don't plan anything, you're liable to stay on the couch. Round out your week with some events, local style.

Classified Advertising Sept. 12, 2012

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Column: Trip Without a Fall

Recently, for the first time in nearly two years, I took a trip without having my car. Significant to me in that not “having my car” meant not being able to transport/have all my cancer things.

‘A Morning Just Like This One’

Fairfax County pays tribute to victims of 9/11 attacks.

The mournful tone of a single bell tolling three times—once for each site that was struck on Sept. 11, 2001—echoed in the Fairfax County Government Center chambers this morning as community leaders, police, firefighters and citizens gathered to pay tribute to the victims of the terrorists attacks 11 years ago today.

Wylie, MacDougall Wed

Laura Ann Wylie and Scott Clement MacDougall were married Saturday, March 31, 2012 at The Tower Club in Tysons Corner.

The Small Town of Fairfax County

He knew that I would be self-conscious about my puffy elephant face so he told me to come in during his lunchtime. When I saw him he had already spoken to Dr. Johnson and Dr. Zadeh. He said that he would put my braces back on if I needed them without charge. Did I mention that I had just gotten my braces off on Friday, the day before this happened? As I look back now, I realize that I probably wouldn’t have a full set of teeth if it weren’t for these doctors. Fairfax County may not be considered a small town by others’ standards, but because of the caring network that took care of me, it feels like a small town to me.

Sprinkler Extinguishes Apartment Fire

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to an apartment fire, Tuesday, Aug. 28 at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the Fair Oaks area of Fairfax County. The garden apartment is located at 4104 Monument Court.

Letter: Labor Outsourcing Is Not the Problem

The current high unemployment rate is also no grounds for restrictions, since it is other government policies that keep people out of work.

Letter: How to Explain Paul Ryan?

Paul Ryan may be the conservative’s conservative, but understand what that means: He’s out to save the welfare/warfare state from its own intrinsic unsustainability. He’s no small-government man.

Fair Oaks Apartment Fire Extinguished by Sprinkler

Fire officials say a kitchen fire last week in a Fair Oaks home was accidental, caused by unattended food on the stove. The incident occurred last Tuesday, Aug. 28, around 7:30 p.m. in a garden apartment at 4104 Monument Court.

Restaurant Fund-Raiser Benefits Best Buddies

Event scheduled for Sept. 16.

Piero’s Corner Italian Restaurant will host a Best Buddies fund-raiser Sunday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m. for its busboy, Eric Latcheran of Chantilly, and his friend Ryan Gutkowski of Clifton. The restaurant is at 9959 Main St. in Fairfax.

Week in Fairfax

Fairfax County police have charged a church youth-group volunteer with two counts of aggravated sexual battery. He is James West, 23, formerly of 5616 Hope Park Road in Fairfax. He wasn’t a member of the paid staff of the King’s Chapel Church, 12925 Braddock Road, but volunteered there for several years. However, police began an investigation after receiving a call from the parents of a 14-year-old who reportedly said that West had given him or her—and other teens—a massage. After questioning the teenager further, the parents learned of the alleged abuses and contacted police on Aug. 3.

Shopping with Sheriff

Fairfax County partners with Target to help homeless children purchase school supplies.

Nearly 30 children and their parents got the chance to "Shop with the Sheriff” on Wednesday, Aug. 29. The annual shopping spree pairs deputies and volunteers from the Fairfax County sheriff's office with local homeless children who need a little help with back-to-school supplies.

The Little Red Schoolhouse That Could

Springfield one-room schoolhouse gains historic status on National Register.

Nearly four years after deciding to shut down the popular elementary school because of shrinking enrollment, mounting parental pressure and ardent emotional appeals swayed Fairfax County’s School Board to re-open the rural community school.

Balancing Act: Between Nice-to-Have and Have-to-Have

Fairfax County needs new financial tools.

We’ve been lucky in Fairfax County. Spared the worst of the Great Recession with its mortgage crisis and unemployment, the County has still had to balance falling revenue and service delivery. Human services, libraries, and parks have all taken a hit—and our school budget, while not cut—has struggled to meet the needs of a growing student body.

Fairfax Symphony Opens its 55th Season

On Sept. 22, the Fairfax Symphony will open its season with a concert at 8 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax. The season will mark the beginning of a new three-year focus in programming called “Mischief in Music: Wit, Insolence and Insurrection.” As explained by Maestro Christopher Zimmerman, “So often symphonic music is regarded as something abstract and emotionally unspecific. Over the next three years the orchestra will play music by a variety of composers whose message and expressive aims are deliberate, be they light-hearted, semi-provocative or completely out of the box.”

Classified Advertising Sept. 5, 2012

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Local Real Estate: July 2012 Sales in $800,000s

Senior Trio Leads Woodson Volleyball

King, Dallman, Price hope to soften the loss of two all-state athletes.

The Woodson volleyball team defeated Chantilly, 3-1, on Sept. 4.

Column: Symptoms or just Sometimes

Making the best of a bad situation, that’s how I roll (I’m a Red Sox fan after all). Some days are easier than others, some symptoms/treatments/results are better than others. And some columns make more sense than others. But that’s cancer for you: an equal opportunity “screwer-upper.”

Students GIVE Back in Big Way

Student-run educational nonprofit celebrates third year, expansion of services.

During his freshman year at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Kevin Cao had the opportunity to volunteer at Belvedere Elementary School in Falls Church. What he learned there is having impact around the Fairfax County School system to this day.