Stories for December 2015

Classified Advertising December 30, 2015

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Honoring the Legend

Greensprings celebrates Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday.

Frank Sinatra would have turned 100 years young on Dec. 12, 2015.

Letter: Giving Thanks to the Teachers Who Made Me One

To the Editor

I’ve known what I wanted to be when I grew up since I was in first grade. That year, I performed in my first musical as Cute Chick #3 in our class production of “Ee‐I‐Ee‐I‐Oops.”

Irish Dancing Champions in Springfield

Dancers from the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance won three first place awards – girls under age 8, boys under age 10 and ceili team under age 10 – at the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA) Southern Region Oireachtas in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 6.

Chamber Names Christine Peterson Citizen of the Year

New president sworn in.

Christine Peterson, president of the Friends of Richard Byrd Library, received this year’s Herb Hunter Citizen of the Year.

Paul VI Lacrosse Signings

Paul VI students sign to play lacrosse.

Civil Air Patrol Change of Command and Awards at Burke Squadron

Two long-time members of the Burke Composite Squadron were honored on Dec. 17 in a Change of Command at Irving Middle School in Springfield.

A Year in Review, Highlights of 2015

A year in Burke, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Lorton and Springfield.

Letter: Why Drug Problems Remain in 2016?

To the Editor

As published in your paper, the Fairfax County police described heroin to be a “big problem now” which is “definitely here” amongst certain high school age students as presented to the Lake Braddock Secondary School PTA (“Youth Heroin Use Described As ‘a Big Problem’, Connection, Dec. 10-16, 2015).

Del. Filler-Corn Receives the Jobs for America’s Graduates’ National Network Leadership Award

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) was honored by Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) with their National Network Leadership Award in Washington, D.C.

Debating All Things Metro

Northern Virginia Transportation Commission facilitates public forum with new Metro chief.

When then Falls Church City Council member Dave Snyder was assigned to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) in 1994 as part of his duties, he says he never suspected that his “luck” would lead him to a topic and to work that is as vital to and as challenging for the region today as it was when he entered that arena more than twenty years ago.

Editorial: Merry Christmas

The pages of the Connection have been full of holiday spirit for more than a month. Menorah lightings, group and individual efforts to help the needy, stories of giving, secular celebrations, religious celebrations.

Classified Advertising December 23, 2015

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Burke, Fairfax Station and Springfield: Lake Braddock Student Dies in Crash

Friends, family and members of the Lake Braddock Secondary School Community gathered Sunday night Dec. 21 to mourn the loss of Laween A. Akrawi, 18, a Lake Braddock Bruin who died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Dec. 18. They laid candles and flowers by an easel holding his senior picture.

Springfield: Shopping at Koinonia’s Christmas Wishes

Franconia and Kingstowne residents who receive financial and domestic services and assistance from the Franconia-based Koinonia Foundation got the opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts at the nonprofit’s annual Christmas Wishes Program on Dec. 10.

Fairfax County School Board Opens the Door for School Name Changes

No decisions made to affect current school names.

The Fairfax County School Board did not change any names of schools at its Dec. 17 regular business meeting.

Fairfax County: McAuliffe Proposing More for Education

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D, left) unveiled his budget proposal for $1 billion in public and higher education investment at Mark Twain Middle School in Alexandria on Dec. 16, as part of the total state budget he plans to roll out on Thursday, Dec. 17.

Burke: Taste of Braddock Showcases Local Cuisines

More than a dozen local restaurants, grocery stores and other food businesses showcased their cuisines for the community on Dec. 9 at the 2015 Taste of Braddock.

Lorton, Fairfax Station & Springfield: Swim Teams Bring in Toys for Tots

Before their head-to-head meet on Dec. 12, members of the South County and West Springfield High School swim and dive teams dropped off dozens of new toys for the South Run RECenter’s Toys for Tots donation drive.

Pets and Children Visit Santa at Lake Accotink Park

Santa cut a lonely figure waiting for visits from pets at the pavilion in Lake Accotink Park in Springfield on Saturday, Dec. 12. But, it has only been half an hour.

Balmy Weather for a Hayride Together with You

High temperatures match high spirits at Lake Accotink Park’s holiday events.

”We promised a campfire and they’re gonna get a campfire,” said Lake Accotink Park’s Julie Tahan.

Classified Advertising December 16, 2015

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All Aboard the Ho Ho Ho Train

At Burke Centre Station, Santa trains educate young riders about rail safety.

It was a typical scene at Burke Centre Station, a line of people waiting for the train

Lake Braddock Girls Beat Robinson

The Lake Braddock girls’ basketball team defeated rival Robinson 42-34 on Dec. 11.

Burke: Lake Braddock's Butler Scores 46 in Victory Over T.C. Williams

Bruins senior scores 18 points in fourth quarter.

The Lake Braddock boys' basketball team improved to 5-0.

Partnership Launches ‘Build a Village’ Campaign

Goal to end homelessness in Fairfax County by 2018 looms; more than 400 children are among the homeless here.

Dozens of business leaders, elected officials and advocates for ending homelessness gathered Monday, Dec. 14 in the offices of Piedmont Fund Services in Herndon to launch the “Build a Village” campaign.

Lessons in Charitable Giving

Conversations, modeling behavior and hands-on actions can help teach children about benevolence and compassion.

Matthew Mamalian’s holiday shopping list included some items that might seem atypical for a 12-year-old middle school student: shampoo, socks, soap and a few snacks.

Burke: Freshman James Provides Spark for Undefeated Lake Braddock

Guard scores 12 points, Bruins beat Robinson to improve to 4-0.

The Lake Braddock boys' basketball team beat Robinson 66-54 on Friday.

Springfield Businesses Help Bundle Up

The back of the house at Springfield’s Ecumenical Community Helping Others resembles the staging area for Santa’s all-nighter. Aisles upon aisles of assorted clothing, toys, kitchen equipment and other home goods wait in orderly fashion to be stocked in the nonprofit’s shopping area serving clients with low or no income.

Weekend in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Lorton, Springfield

Weekend fun in your neighborhood.

West Springfield Spartan Theatre to Perform Live Radio Broadcast of ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’

Using just microphones and their voices -- and a few audio tricks -- members of West Springfield High School Spartan Theatre are bringing the 1946 classic movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” to life as a live radio broadcast on Friday, Dec. 18.

Editorial: Safety Net for Holiday Celebrations

It’s an opportunity to talk about responsibility, alcohol and planning ahead.

The holiday party season is here, and we will almost all be celebrating in some way. Some ways will involve celebrations that include alcohol.

Ideas for Decking the Halls

Local designers create opulent holiday designs.

From traditional to glamorous, fresh to faux and high-end to old school, local tastemakers tell how they create dazzling holiday design extravaganzas.

Citizen Speakers Turn Out for J.E.B. Stuart High Name Change

School Board to take action Dec. 17

J.E.B. Stuart High School senior Whitten Rutledge is proud of his school, mostly.

Greenspring’s Holiday Pet Parade Features Nearly 40 Dogs

Nearly 40 dogs “paw”ticipated in this year’s Holiday Pet Parade at Greenspring retirement community in Springfield.

Letter: Dispelling Confusion

To the Editor

I so much appreciated Tim Peterson's article, "Special Bible Exhibit at First Church of Christ, Scientist" (Christian Science church in Springfield), published in the Nov. 26 issue of The Connection.

Fairfax County Companies Designated as Best Workplaces for Commuters

Ten companies in Fairfax County were honored as Best Workplaces for Commuters.

Classified Advertising December 9, 2015

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Conservatory Ballet’s The Nutcracker Spreading Holiday Cheer

More than 85 area students make holiday magic come to life performing in Conservatory Ballet’s 43rd annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

Weekend in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Lorton, Springfield

Weekend in your neighborhood

Merry and Fit

Support groups help members maintain fitness during season of indulgence.

Just after 7:30 on a recent Sunday morning, the steady beat of Cold Play’s "Viva la Vida" pulsed through the warm, sleepy air.

Voter Services Chair Recognized by Supervisors

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors presented the Barbara Varon Award to Sidney Johnson, Voter Services chair of the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), on Nov. 17.

County Limits Dog Tethering

“Man’s best friend deserves legal protection,” said Peggy Marshall, who adopted her best friend, Bianca.

Environmental Quality of Life

Advisory Council issues 512-page vision for county environmental policy.

Flooding will rise in concern in Fairfax County as a result of climate change, warned Stella Koch, chairperson of the county’s Environmental Quality Advisory Council.

Cappies Review: A Comedic Masterpiece

West Springfield High School’s production of ‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona.’

A doo-wop serenade, an adorable bromance, and a biker gang are almost as far as you can get from traditional Shakespeare.

Cappies Review: A Character Audience Loves to Hate

Hayfield Secondary’s production of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’

The magic of love that stems from generosity, kindness, and friendship engulfs the story of “Beauty and the Beast” and Hayfield Secondary School's transformative production of the popular Disney musical.

Lake Braddock Football Falls in Region Semifinals

Bruins lose to Westfield for third straight season.

The Westfield football team traveled to Burke on Nov. 28 and defeated Lake Braddock 31-7 in the 6A North region semifinals.

Springfield Bakers Turn Culinary Passions into Home-based Companies

Tanya Logan had all the intentions of being in the corporate world forever. She was a successful accountant for a Fortune 500 company, someone who counseled coworkers on figuring out whether that career path was for them.

Burke Turkey Trot Raises $5,500 for Parkinson's Disease

About 500 people participated in the Turkey Trot 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run for Parkinson's Disease on Thanksgiving Day at Burke Lake Park, raising $5,500 for the cause.

Commentary: Carrying Out the Life-saving Mission

Fairfax County’s Hypothermia Prevention Program is dedicated to keeping our most vulnerable community members safe during the long, harsh winter months.

Abiding Presence Lutheran Church and Temple B’nai Shalom hold 29th joint Thanksgiving eve service.

When he applied for Minister of Music position at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Burke, David Chavez said he was told there’s just one non-negotiable date on the calendar: Thanksgiving eve.

Performance of Ellington’s Jazz “Nutcracker Suite” Benefits Burke Charity

Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Burke will host a live performance of Duke Ellington’s jazz interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite” from 1960.

Adam Torres trial for murder of John Geer postponed until April 2016

Former Fairfax County police officer Adam Torres was charged with second-degree murder in August this year for shooting Springfield resident John Geer in August 2013. The trial was scheduled to begin on Dec. 14, but a continuance was recently granted to the defense, pushing it back until April 18, 2016.