Stories for November 2016

Classified Advertising November 30, 2016

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Column: Expand Early Voting Now in NOVA

The success of early voting in the 2016 Presidential Election reaffirms my conclusion from visiting 12,000 homes last year — Virginia should expand early voting.

Facing Addiction, Tools in Fairfax County

The following information was provided by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board.

The Surgeon General released the first-ever report on Facing Addiction in America on Thursday, Nov. 17.

Editorial: Every day can be “small business day” in Fairfax

There is a joy to participating in community traditions and celebrations during the holidays, from walking along a sidewalk with the streets decked out for the holidays, to shopping in local stores, to being greeted by someone likely to be the owner of the store, to finding gifts that are not mass-produced.

Fairfax: Robinson Square Root

Educational program part of FACETS plan to prevent homelessness.

“If you don’t do homework, you get bad grades,” Dowling asserted. The boys are receiving after school homework assistance at the Robinson Square community center, owned by Fairfax County and operated by Fairfax-based non-profit FACETS.

Fairfax: Finding the True Spirit of Christmas

Providence Players present ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever.’

"We selected “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” because when we first mounted the show in 2012 it was such a resounding audience favorite,” said Jayne Victor, PPF Board President. “It is a delightfully funny show and has such a strong positive message for the Holiday season."

Love and Sacrifice with Music

The Hub Theatre premieres ‘The Magi.’

Fairfax’s Hub Theatre is presenting the world premiere of “The Magi.” It is a riff from O. Henry’s famous short story about sacrifices people make for those they love. After all, to be and stay in love can mean making compromises.

‘God, Watch Over the U.S. Veterans’

City of Fairfax holds Nov. 11 ceremony.

With flags, dignitaries and heartfelt speeches, the City of Fairfax celebrated Veterans Day. The ceremony was held Friday morning, Nov. 11, in front of City Hall. A color guard comprising local veterans started things off, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Chaplain Don Northcutt, coordinator of the Fairfax Veterans Treatment Docket in Fairfax County General District Court.

Fairfax: Good Battles Evil in Magical World

CFTC presents ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.’

It’s WWII in England when four siblings make their way to a world called Narnia through a magic wardrobe. There, they have all kinds of adventures, including defeating the White Witch, the self-proclaimed ruler of Narnia. That’s the premise of the City of Fairfax Theatre Co.’s upcoming production, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” It’ll be presented Dec. 1-4 at Truro Anglican Church, 10520 Main St. in Fairfax.

Fairfax: ‘More about Giving, than Receiving’

Britepaths seeks community’s holiday help for neighbors in need.

“We anticipate serving about 2,000 families, as opposed to 1,500 last year,” said Britepaths Executive Director Lisa Whetzel. “Normally, we share them with our other nonprofit partners. But what is concerning is that, this year, our partners are scaling back – so we’re in desperate need for people who want to become sponsors.”

Fairfax Station: Donated Thanksgiving Food Baskets Ready for 525 Households

Five-hundred twenty-five households in southeastern Fairfax County were served a Thanksgiving food basket from Lorton Community Action Center, thanks to donations from the community and volunteers to organize the packing.

Mount Vernon: Commission Delays Vote on Farm Alcohol Zoning Amendment

Comments may be sent prior to planning’s Nov. 30 meeting

The Fairfax County Planning Commission has deferred action on a zoning ordinance amendment that would affect the establishment and expansion of farm breweries, distilleries and wineries in the county.

Herndon: Citizen Committee Rejects Cellphone Tower Next to Crossfield Elementary

Committee Denies Cell Tower Application

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Hunter Mill District Land Use Committee voted 3-2 to deny an application to build a cellphone tower on Crossfield Elementary School property on Fox Mill Road in Herndon. "This is about money, not anything else,” says Griffin, who is a father of a fourth grader who attends the elementary school.Milestone Communications towers on county school properties has generated more than $13 million of income over the last 20 years for the school system, says Forkas. The proposed tower would generate approximately $40,000 of revenue a year for the school system once at least three carriers agree to use the tower, he says.

Springfield: Key Center Teacher Publishes Counting Book

If Barney, the big purple dinosaur, motivates one of his students to learn to count, Ka’ala Rapoza won’t stand in the way. But Rapoza, 37, also recognizes the need to balance age-appropriate teaching tools with the skill being learned.

Fairfax County: Commonwealth’s Attorney Begins Review of FCPD Report on Deputy-Involved INOVA Shooting

Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh said he has received the completed criminal investigation from Fairfax County Police into the Aug. 15 fatal shooting of Yovani Amaya Gomez, 29, by Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy MDS Patrick McPartlin outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Fairfax County: Planning Commission Delays Vote on Farm Alcohol Zoning Amendment

The Fairfax County Planning Commission has deferred action on a zoning ordinance amendment that would affect the establishment and expansion of farm breweries, distilleries and wineries in the county.

Fairfax: Educational program part of FACETS plan to prevent homelessness

On a weekday afternoon, young Fairfax resident Demetrius Dowling works independently on an extra math word problem. A few rows behind him, George Mason University senior and volunteer Rebecca Curtis spends time on a division problem with Yasir Abuelhassan, also from Dowling’s neighborhood.

Fairfax County: FCPS Testing Water Quality in Schools

Drinking water at 40 public schools in Fairfax County has been tested for safety, a release from FCPS said.

Fairfax County: School Board Formalizes Search for New Superintendent

Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) has been contracted by Fairfax County Public Schools to search for a new school system superintendent. Dr. Karen Garza announced on Sept. 19 she would be leaving that role to become president and CEO of the Columbus-based education organization Battelle for Kids.

Thinking Beyond Serving Meals

Experts advise finding age-appropriate ways for children to give back.

During this season of giving thanks, opportunities for expressions of gratitude can seem ubiquitous.

Easing Election Fears

Local therapists say acknowledging, reassuring are keys to easing anxiety.

On the morning after what was possibly the most adversarial election in recent history, psychologist Carolyn Lorente, Ph.D. felt an urge to send a text message to her two teenaged children. 

Completing Circle of Giving

Volunteers compile more than 7,500 pounds in donated food for Lorton Community Action Center and Britepaths.

“It helped save my son from the streets,” Jeter said. Rather than continuing to run with a dangerous crowd, he got involved with an LCAC job training program called Job Corps and later enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Delightful Comic Opera Comes to Fairfax

Virginia Opera to perform “The Barber of Seville” at Center for the Arts.

A universally appealing comic opera, Rosinni’s “The Barber of Seville” contains instantly recognizable tunes that have made their way into pop culture. It "is truly one of the gateway operas, full of infectious tunes and hilarity that's remarkably easy to follow,” said Adam Turner, principal conductor and artistic advisor, Virginia Opera.

Fairfax: City Council Honors Armistice Turtora

Most people don’t receive special proclamations on their birthdays – but then, there’s only one Armistice Turtora. And after serving tirelessly for six decades to better her community, she celebrated her 90th birthday last Friday, Nov. 11.

Fairfax: Remembering America’s Veterans

OLLI holds annual event in their honor.

Drafted in 1944, Pelzner was trained as a diesel mechanic and assigned to the USS Alchiba supply ship. “We took supplies from the U.S. to the Mariana, Marshall and Caroline Islands and to the Philippines,” he said.

Sangster Hosts Veterans Day Assembly

Viewpoints: Burke Students on Meaning of Veterans Day

Of the 970 students and 665 families at Sangster, which serves parts of Burke, Fairfax Station and Springfield, Principal Lisa Reddel said 175 families are associated with the school’s Military Spouses Group that welcomes newcomers and supports new to the area military families getting settled.

FCPS Get2Green Program Receives Climate and Energy Leadership Award

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is recognized with a 2016 Climate and Energy Leadership Award in the Educational Institution category for its Get2Green program. FCPS is the 10th largest school district in the nation with over 220 facilities comprising 197 schools, 11 centers, and other support buildings.

Fairfax: Taste of Fall Nets $80,000 for FACETS

Some 300 people participated in the 17th annual “A Taste of Fall with FACETS,” Nov. 5, at the Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax. And by evening’s end, they’d contributed more than $80,000.

Fairfax Home Sales: October, 2016

In October, 2016, 81 Fairfax homes sold between $1,150,000-$169,000.

Fairfax Home Sales: October, 2016

Tysons: Warby Parker to Open First Virginia Eyeglasses Store

Warby Parker, a popular online eyeglasses retailer, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Virginia on Nov. 19 at Tysons Corner Center mall.

Fairfax County: Volunteers compile more than 7,500 pounds in donated food for Lorton Community Action Center and Britepaths.

Wanda Jeter of Lorton has been a volunteer with the Lorton Community Action Center for 20 years. As single mother who’s struggled to provide for herself and four children, she’s also been a client.

Classified Advertising November 16, 2016

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Classified Advertising November 23, 2016

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Setting a holiday table

Local tastemakers offer suggestions for creating festive tablescape. 

As Thanksgiving draws near, thoughts of table settings and holiday décor abound.

Guest-Ready Home for the Holidays

From organizing to decorating, a guide for getting a house ready for visitors. 

Ready or not, the holidays are coming.

Council gives go-ahead to Rust Curve project.

Rust Curve Project Gets ‘Green Light’

The Rust Curve proposal is controversial, with residents on both sides of the issue. But, believing in the many benefits it’ll bring, the Fairfax City Council has given it a green light. The project entails building a continuous brick sidewalk on the west side of Route 123/Chain Bridge Road between Old Town Fairfax and Rust Hill Place. It also replaces the drainage ditch and deteriorating sidewalk along Chain Bridge Road with a new, at-grade curb, gutter and sidewalk.

Fairfax: Paul VI Presents ‘Don’t Go Near the Water’

In an American embassy somewhere behind the Iron Curtain. The ambassador’s son, a bumbler, is running the embassy when three American tourists – parents and their 23-year-old daughter – run inside. They’re being chased by secret police who accuse them of spying and picture-taking. So they seek asylum and make plans to escape. Featuring a cast and crew of 50, Paul VI High presents the rollicking comedy, “Don’t Go Near the Water.” It takes the stage Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 17-20, in the school theater.

Editorial: Holidays Are for Giving

Give thanks and share locally; tens of thousands of families in Fairfax County are in need.

The holidays are about giving, and giving thanks.

Decking the Halls, Stuffing Bellies

Local cooking schools offer crash courses in holiday dishes.

Ever since Bernadette Lott can remember, she’s had a sweet tooth as big as a sugar cane field.

Additional Factors Impede Efforts To Quit Smoking

Public encouraged to learn about challenges faced by smokers with mental illness who want to quit.

Despite her mental health challenges, Deneice Valentine quit smoking in part by learning to meditate.

Unofficial Election Results as of Monday, Nov. 14

Source: http://results.elections.virginia.gov/

Unofficial Election Results as of Monday, Nov. 14

A Design Solution as Big as a Barn Door

Master bath renovation explores themes from Great Falls' bucolic past.

With its metal roof, stucco siding and silo, the 5,800-sq-ft., five-bedroom Great Falls residence exuded nostalgic references to the community's bucolic past. Getting the house to owner requirements, however, entailed a commitment.

Northern Virginia: Bumpy road ahead for Capital Bikeshare expansion in Northern Virginia.

It takes a little over two hours to bike from downtown Washington D.C. to Reston. For the Capital Bikeshare, it’s a trip that’s taken six years.

Fairfax County: Sayles Receives Environmental Excellence Award

Sayles is a retired Denver police officer, DEA agent, Ad Hoc Police Commission contributor and long-time county resident

A 12-year-old African American boy watched as a city of Denver patrol car with two white police officers drove slowly by his house, where he reported people attempting to break in.

Fairfax County: No to Trump And Meals Tax

Beyer, Connolly re-elected.

With final numbers still coming in from around the country, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump carried a strong lead early Wednesday morning over Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton.

Clinton and Kaine Carry Virginia, Trump Seizes Key Battlegrounds

Comstock, Connolly, Beyer re-elected; meals tax voted down; bonds voted up.

MEALS TAX referendum would have allowed Fairfax County supervisors to enact up to a four percent tax on prepared foods and beverages.

Fairfax County: Autopsy Report Yet to Come for Deputy-Involved Shooting

Administrative investigation to follow.

Law enforcement officials are still waiting to receive the final autopsy report for Yovani Amaya Gomez, 29, who was shot dead by Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy MDS Patrick McPartlin outside Inova Fairfax Hospital on Aug. 15 of this year.