Tuesday, June 30
July 4th Safety
From swimming to fireworks, safety precautions for a festive Independence Day.
It was a near accident at camp last summer that sparked action by one parent. Elementary school-aged campers splashed in the pool. Everyone was having fun. Then tragedy almost struck.
Fairfax County: Deferring to Noise
New standards will wait until after the November election.
The Board of Supervisors wants to spend more time with noise. Last Tuesday, June 23, the Board deferred action on the proposed changes to the county’s noise ordinance until Nov. 17, 2015.
Editorial: Open Letter to Elected Officials and Candidates
Spend some of your campaign dollars in newspapers.
Here at the Connection, our email boxes are filling up with messages from people running for office. It’s not surprising, since in November, virtually every state and local office in the commonwealth is on the ballot.
Monday, June 29
World Premiere at Hub Theatre
“Leto Legend” a heartfelt comedy about a supermom.
“I am intrigued by the modern day super-heroines. There has been a shift in superheroes that have gifts simply bestowed on them to ones who have to work and train really hard to become heroes, and these hard workers tend to be female,” said Helen Pafumi, artistic director, Hub Theatre.
Friday, June 26
Health Curriculum To More Closely Align with State
School Board approves recommendations from advisers, with amendments.
Though it was the second packed house in as many months, it may be early yet to call crowded Fairfax County School Board meetings a trend.
World Police and Fire Games Coming to Fairfax County
The World Police and Fire Games are coming to Fairfax County June 26-July 5.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 26-28, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 25
Fairfax County: Police Release Use of Force Review
Review explained at latest Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission meeting.
Nearly a year ago, Fairfax County sought an outside opinion on its police department’s use of force. That July 2014 assignment went to the Washington, D.C.-based Police Executive Research Forum.
In Jail: Don’t Confuse Mental Health Services with Treatment
14 mental health staff available to 1060 inmates.
A young man with ruffled hair and tired eyes peers out through the rectangular window of his single cell door.
Wednesday, June 24
Fairfax: Testifying ‘Took Courage, But it was Important’
Matthew’s victim explains how assault affected her.
On Sept. 24, 2005, Jesse L. Matthew Jr. viciously attacked a young, City of Fairfax woman, leaving her beaten and bloody on the ground. But in court last week – and during his June 8 trial – she needed only words, not fists, to respond to him at last.
Column: Gone But Always Remembered
As Father’s Day approaches, (written Thursday, June 18th) I am reminded of one of my father’s standard lines which characterize his positive attitude on life, for which I am eternally grateful – because I inherited it.
Tuesday, June 23
Call for Pet Connection Photos
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 22, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by July 15. Our favorite pictures include both pets and humans. We welcome short stories about how you got your pet, a noteworthy talent or anecdote about your pet, tales of the bonds between your family and your pet, plus drawings, paintings or other artwork of your pet by children or adults Please tell us a little bit about your creature, identify everyone in the photo, give a brief description what is happening in the photo, and include address and phone number (we will not publish your address or phone number, just your town name).
Editorial: Safe Planning for Independence
Talking and planning about celebrating July 4, and throughout the summer months.
Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.
Friday, June 19
Fairfax Home Sales: May, 2015
In May, 2015, 107 Fairfax homes sold between $1,456,000-$154,990.
Fairfax Home Sales: May, 2015
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 19-21, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 18
Fairfax: Retired Educators Award Scholarships to Aspiring Teachers
Rebecca Edmiston has had a number of inspiring music teachers in her life, including her mother Pat. They’re big reasons why Edmiston, a graduating senior from Lake Braddock Secondary School, is choosing to attend Liberty University and study to become a music teacher herself.
Burke: Robinson Film Students Enter Local Competitions
Imagine a world where computerized conscience implants humans advice on right and wrong. That’s the premise of “Voice of the Goddess,” a science fiction concept film by Robinson Secondary School seniors Zaq Brinsfield and Isaiah King.
Lessons from Hearing ‘Voices’
Police officers undergo Crisis Intervention Training.
Fairfax County Police officers gathered Monday, June 8, at the Criminal Justice Academy, to listen to the voices in their heads.
Fairfax County: Questioning Family Life Curriculum
The Fairfax County School Board’s May 7 meeting drew a passionate and boisterous crowd that filled the Luther Jackson Middle School auditorium and spilled out into the main lobby. That night the board voted in favor of adding “gender identity” to its nondiscrimination policy for students, employees and applicants for employment.
Ideas for Summer Learning
Experts offer suggestions for avoiding summer brain drain.
While summer is opportunity for fun, it can also be a breeding ground for stagnation.
YouthQuest Runs ThinkLink
Experts say 3D printing can open a world of imagination and critical thinking.
Adonis Gonzales had always wanted to become a master electrician, but when he was asked to leave high school at 16 because of a poor attendance record, his prospects looked bleak.
Wednesday, June 17
Woodson Graduates Honored and Applauded
Class of 2015: 492 seniors graduate.
W.T. Woodson’s class of 2015 graduates entered to Pomp and Circumstance and the roar of proud witnesses on Tuesday, June 16 at Robinson Secondary. Seniors walked eagerly to take their seats and listen to the last ceremony of their high school careers.
Column: No Joke, But Funny Nonetheless
Not that I ever want to use my having cancer as an excuse, but you have to admit, it’s a doozy. And it’s probably the best thing about the diagnosis/prognosis. However, it’s not as if there are a number of other advantages to the disease.
Tuesday, June 16
Burke: Robinson Girls’ Lacrosse Wins First VHSL State Title
Rams defeat Oakton in state final, finish with 21-1 record.
The Robinson girls' lacrosse team beat Oakton 16-12 to win the 6A state championship on June 13.
Area Students Named Apple Scholars
The following graduating high school seniors from the Fairfax County communities were honored as Apple Scholars by the Apple Federal Credit Union
Monday, June 15
Burke: Injured Moore Helps Robinson Boys' Lacrosse Win State Title
Rams beat Chantilly in double overtime to repeat as 6A state champion.
The Robinson boys' lacrosse team defeated Chantilly 10-9 in double overtime to win the 6A state title.
Thursday, June 11
Fairfax Station: 200 Walk Burke Lake for Nepal Earthquake Victims
When the 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Nepal in April this year, Madhu and Yashoda Bhandari of Lorton felt the shocks in their United States home. Both are originally from the Nuwakot district, one that was hit violently.
Supervising Public Safety
First meeting since 2011 includes packed agenda, full house.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee, chaired by Gerry Hyland (D-Mount Vernon), met on Tuesday, June 9 for the first time since June 2011. Since then, there have been six officer-involved shootings in Fairfax County, including the August 2013 shooting death of John Geer. Police handling of the communications and investigation of that shooting led to the formation in March 2015 of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.
Wednesday, June 10
Column: Philosophically Speaking
Recently I attended a “Celebration of Life” event, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, created to bring attention to, and educate the public on, cancer. As a long-time cancer survivor, nearly six and a half years now – and one treated by doctors at Kaiser, I was asked, along with a cervical cancer survivor, to sit on a “survivor panel”; to share our cancer experiences, and offer, along with two oncologists and a pulmonologist, our respective insights as “treater” and “treatee.”
FCPS Honors Women in Sports
Laubach, Centreville HS Alum and Olympian, gives keynote address.
The Fairfax County Women in Sports Awards ceremony was held at Oakton High School on Sunday, May 31.
Academic Achievers Awarded
FACETS hosts dinner in celebration of A, B-earning K-12 youth.
Smiles flashed in between bites of dinner at the Sherwood Community Center, where over one hundred students in grades K-12 gathered with their families to receive certificates for A-B report cards Wednesday, June 3.
Fairfax: Recognizing 25 Years of Volunteer Work
Fairfax City Council honors resident Dorothy Sorrell.
Dorothy Sorrell’s been volunteering for a quarter of a century. And at the May 26 Fairfax City Council meeting, she was honored for her many years of service to her community.
Paul VI High Is Leaving Fairfax
School will move to a new, much larger site in Loudoun County.
It’s the end of an era and a done deal: Paul VI High School is leaving the City of Fairfax for a new campus in Loudoun County. And while it won’t happen until 2020, it’ll be a big change for both the school and the City – but one they both saw coming.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 12-14, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Burke: Robinson Girls’ Lax Advances to State Championship Game
Rams beat Centreville 15-13 in overtime in state semifinals.
The Robinson girls' lacrosse team defeated Centreville 15-13 in overtime in the 6A state semifinals on Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 9
Trending in the Garden
Local landscape architects offer suggestions for updating.
As summer gets underway, so does time spent outside. The American Society of Landscape Architects recently released the results of its 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Survey, a list of trends in outdoor design that yields a bounty of backyard design ideas. From adding a pond to planting a garden, local landscape gurus explain how these trends can be used to transform an outdoor space into a favorite escape.
Friday, June 5
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - June 5-7, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Thursday, June 4
Vienna: Madison Boys' Soccer Secures First State Tournament Berth
Irwin's late goal propels Warhawks past Woodson in region semifinals
The Madison boys' soccer team beat Woodson 1-0 on Wednesday in the 6A North region semifinals.
Make a Call; Save a Life
Petersen’s “Good Samaritan Overdose Protection” law goes into effect July 1.
Accidental overdose deaths are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, exceeding even motor vehicle accidents among people ages 25 to 64, according to a recently released study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Last year, an estimated 210 heroin overdoses fatalities occurred in Virginia, with the highest number in Fairfax and Prince William counties.
Fairfax County: Recognizing Enlisted High School Seniors
Our Community Salutes of Northern Virginia holds its fifth Annual Enlistee Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, June 11, at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus.
Fairfax County: Moving on ‘Move Over’
Police crackdown, educate about law protecting emergency roadside vehicles and drivers.
Fairfax County Master Police Officer Joe Moore’s front and rear-mounted radar machines whistle and beep with varying frequency as cars barrel past on Interstate 66 around the Fairfax County Parkway.
Fairfax: Northern Virginia Training Center Property Put on Market
Facility for people with disabilities scheduled for March 2016 closure.
According to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, 63 residents still live and receive treatment at the Northern Virginia Training Center, located in Fairfax alongside Braddock Road.
Wednesday, June 3
Editorial: Overdose Deaths Are Preventable
New “safe reporting” law encourages people to seek help in time.
The death rate due to heroin overdose more than doubled between 2010 through 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with an average increase of 37 percent per year in the United States.
Fairfax's Countdown to Cappies: Directors’ Comments
Celebrating the best in high-school theater, the 16th annual Cappies Gala will be held this Sunday, June 7, at 7 p.m., at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Fairfax High is up for nine awards for “Big: The Musical,” and Paul VI High, six, for its play, “The Miracle Worker.”
Column: Weight For It; Wait
Given some post-chemotherapy eating challenges I’ve experienced during the past few months, and the subsequent weight loss which has occurred, my oncologist has prescribed Dronabinol, common brand name: Marinol.
Burke: Robinson Girls’ Lacrosse Beats Oakton for Region Championship
Schuler leads Rams with 5 goals, goalie Valenti tallies 10 saves.
The Robinson girls' lacrosse team beat Oakton 15-6 on Tuesday to win the 6A North region title.
Monday, June 1
Summer Fun, Summer Safety
Tips for averting summer danger.
It’s a familiar call. The sun beams down from mid-summer sky. Temperatures rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but safety conditions start to plummet.