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.

Neighborhood Outlook: What’s on the Horizon for the City of Fairfax

Homes, grocery renovation and road improvements.

Several development projects are either proposed or in the works in the City of Fairfax. Below is a snapshot of some of them:

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).

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.

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.

Fairfax Old Town Square Debuting in Style on May 2

Ribbon-cutting and Derby-Q event.

The City of Fairfax’s brand-new Old Town Square will make its debut Saturday, May 2, with two special events. First, at 9 a.m., will be the official ribbon-cutting on the City’s new gathering place that features decorative fountains.

Woodson High Premieres Musical 'Waiting'

Seated right onstage, the audience becomes part of the action when Woodson High presents an original musical, “Waiting.” It presents a slice of teenage life, as seen through the eyes of servers at a diner. The cast and crew of nearly 70 have been rehearsing since February, and the show is the world premiere of a play by Sarah Motes Ashley. She and Woodson Director Terri Hobson attended Woodson together as teens.

Fairfax High Presents 'Big: The Musical'

In today’s world, many young people spend so much time on their smartphones that they miss chances to just go out and play. But Fairfax High’s production of “Big: The Musical” reminds them and others to sometimes be kids again and have fun doing so.

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.

Connecting Outside to In

“When we started this company twenty seven years ago, our core specialty was opening up views and creating visual continuum,” explains Craig Durosko, chairman and founder of Sun Design Remodeling. “That said, creating a more functional relationship between the house and its setting has always been the larger proposition we explore with homeowners.” “Simply put, Northern Virginians like their green backyards and temperate climate, so finding ways to connect the house with what's just outside your door is a strong local incentive-- especially as spring unfolds into summer.”

Staged to Sell

Real estate agents give the lowdown on getting your home ready for the market.

When a Burke family hired E. Diane Neustrand to sell their home, she did her standard walk-through of the house to assess it, but when she reached the dining room, she stopped cold.

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.

Fairfax Pitcher Leckert Throws 3-Hit Shutout Against McLean

Rebels improve to 8-4 with 1-0 win over Highlanders.

The Fairfax baseball team beat McLean 1-0 on April 17.

Creating Fun and Awareness with FACETS

Three high school young men designed and implemented a drug and alcohol prevention event at the Mott Community Center April 4 with help from FACETS.

Cannons, Hayrides Music and Fun at Fairfax's Civil War Day

Civil War Day set for Historic Bleinheim on April 25.

Civil War camp life and weapon-firing demonstrations are among the highlights of the 15th annual Fairfax Civil War Day. It’s set for Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Historic Blenheim Estate, 3610 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax. Courtesy of the City of Fairfax, Historic Fairfax City Inc. and the Fairfax Rifles – Company D of the 17th Virginia Infantry Living History Organization – residents will be able to step back in time for a glimpse of life here in the early 1860s.

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.

Lake Braddock, Hayfield and TJHSST Win Japan Bowl

Competition tests students’ knowledge of history, language, culture and more.

Every year, high school students studying Japanese have a chance to participate in the National Japan Bowl, a competition that tests their knowledge of Japanese history, language, culture and more. Some of the country’s top language students make it to D.C. to compete; however, more than just classroom attendance is required in order to do well.

Burke Filmmaker’s Work Will Help Others

Zinn’s documentaries going to schools, hospitals and rehab centers.

Monica Zinn is just 21, but she’s already made two documentaries with the potential to change people’s lives for the better. And now, both have been selected for distribution to K-college schools, hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation programs in English-speaking countries worldwide.

Fairfax Home Sales: March, 2015

In March, 2015, 64 Fairfax homes sold between $1,252,065-$185,000.

Fairfax Home Sales: March, 2015

Earth Day Celebration: 2015 SpringFest Fairfax at the Workhouse Center

An Earth Day celebration wouldn’t be complete without ponies and food trucks. At least the combined Earth Day and Arbor Day event in Fairfax County, known as SpringFest Fairfax, wouldn’t.

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.

Fairfax: Woodson Boys’ Soccer Blanks Lake Braddock

Yaglou, Clark score goals for Cavaliers.

The Woodson boys' soccer team improved to 2-0 in the Conference 7 standings.

Column: Up and Down and All Around

Commentary

No. That’s not my stomach talking.

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.

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.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - April 10-12, 2015

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

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

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.

Merrifield Center Services Opens

On March 27, the Fairfax County - Falls Church Community Services Board's (CSB) new Merrifield Center Services was officially opened with a ceremony of local leaders and stakeholders.

Fairfax Students Compete in Mini-Urban Challenge

In a competition that tested not only students’ robotics and engineering abilities, but also their public speaking and leadership skills, the Mini-Urban Challenge brought teams of high school students together to program and build miniature robots using LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kit to move, autonomously, through a 42-by-10-foot model city.

This One’s for Morgan

Brain cancer survivor to compete in the 119th Boston Marathon in honor of pediatric brain tumor patient.

On April 20 of this year, I will be running my fourth Boston Marathon in honor of a beautiful little girl who is 6 years old and battling brain cancer from Center Moriches, New York (Suffolk County).

Dr. Glover Receives Distinguished Alumni Award for Urology

Dr. William Lloyd Glover, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. was awarded the George Washington University Distinguished Alumni Award for Urology on March 14, 2015 at the meeting of the Harry C. Miller Society of GWU urologists.

Registration Opens for Service Animals Eye Exams

To honor the guide dogs, detection dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs and animals assisting people with disabilities

“Classic Broadway” at Mason Stage on April 12

Broadway’s classic tunes are headed to Northern Virginia as Todd Ellison and friends take center stage at the Center for the Arts with a tribute to “Classic Broadway.”

Paul VI Presents 'The Addams Family'

A continuation of the popular, 1960s TV show, “The Addams Family” will take the stage at Paul VI High. A musical comedy, it features a cast and crew of 75 and promises to be rollicking, good fun.

Register to Be an Organ Donor

More than 123,000 people across the country are in need of an organ transplant, and more than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day. Every ten minutes someone is added to the organ donor waiting list.

Letter: Robinson Lacrosse Deserves a Better Headline

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor

Robinson Junior Nominated to Join Future Medical Leaders

Natalie Hessler, a junior at Robinson Secondary School, has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston, on June 24-26.

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.

Real Estate Tax Rate Is Still a Work in Progress in City of Fairfax

In the city manager’s proposed budget for FY 2016, the residential real-estate tax rate would increase by 2.5 cents – to 1.065 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The City Council can ultimately decide to lower the tax rate but, for now, it’s advertising it at the proposed amount. Meanwhile, it’s holding public hearings and workshops on the budget, so the idea will receive a great deal of thought and discussion before the budget is finally adopted and the tax rate is set.

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.

Fairfax: PVI Pitchers Riddick, Coritz Combine for 5Inning No-Hitter

Panthers sweep frigid doubleheader from Marshall, West Potomac.

The Paul VI baseball team swept a doubleheader from Marshall, West Potomac.

Northern Virginia Nereids Send Synchronized Swimming Duet of Woodson and Robinson Students to Nationals

High school juniors Margot Baden and Jackie Hafner, students at W.T. Woodson High School and Robinson Secondary School respectively, and their coach chose to set their duet synchronized swimming routine to a medley of music from the “Batman” franchise.

Missing Civil War Marker Plaques Find a Home at Fairfax Station Railroad Museum

When Fairfax Station native Lee Hubbard was stationed with the U.S. Army in Baltimore, he would come home every weekend, sometimes more often than that. On a visit in the spring of 1959, Hubbard and his brother Bob went to check out something some local children had been talking about.

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.

Commercial Community Appearance Awards in Fairfax

Three buildings and grounds are honored.

Three City of Fairfax buildings and their grounds were honored recently with 2014 Commercial Community Appearance Awards. Their owners/managers received certificates at the Feb. 10 City Council meeting.

Hub Theatre Delves into the Daring Life of “The Typographer’s Dream”

The venturesome, daring folk at the Hub Theatre are continuing to bring audiences bold new works by playwrights less often produced in the area. For its spring production, the Hub is producing the area premiere of the provocative and insightful “The Typographer’s Dream” written by Obie-Award winning playwright Adam Bock.

Northern Virginia Film Fest, April 13-19 at Angelika Film Center

“Creating a slice of Hollywood in Northern Virginia” is what the inaugural Northern Virginia International Film Festival is setting out to become for local and independent filmmakers and audiences, according to Fernando A. Mico, festival director.

‘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.

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.