Connect Four
Complete ballot of 11th District candidates faced off in Lake Ridge.
It wasn’t so much a down and dirty debate as a no-frills four-way question-and-answer session. Not that AARP and the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), two of the sponsors of the “Meet the Candidates” series billed the Oct. 14 event as such. Tuesday’s meeting was the penultimate of seven events in the series.
Open Sesame
All-new Springfield Town Center holds grand opening.
Eileen Crisson ran a jewelry store on the lower level of the old Springfield Mall for 17 years, up until everything but the large anchor shops closed. On Oct. 17, the longtime Springfield resident was back for the grand opening of the rejuvenated Springfield Town Center with a sleek white cart full of Navajo Native American-made bracelets, necklaces, rings and dreamcatchers.
Friends of Sydenstricker Schoolhouse Plan Tax-Deductible Fundraisers
The 85-year-old Sydenstricker Schoolhouse has a new lease on life. Long looked after by the Upper Pohick Community League, the outdated building that lacks running water, bathrooms or a modern heating and cooling system now has a dedicated, separate organization to oversee renovation fundraising.
Delay in Shooting Investigation Decried
Supervisors urge action by U.S. attorney.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decided they’ve exercised enough patience with U.S. Attorney Dana Boente’s office. Now more than 13 months after Fairfax County police shot and killed John Geer, standing unarmed in the doorway of his Springfield home, Board chairman Sharon Bulova addressed the silence from Boente.
Board of Supervisors Urges Action on John Geer Shooting Investigation
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decided they’ve exercised enough patience with U.S. Attorney Dana Boente’s office. Now more than 13 months after Fairfax County police shot and killed John Geer, standing unarmed in the doorway of his Springfield home, Board chairman Sharon Bulova addressed the silence and stagnance from Boente.
Crashing the Parties
Marc Harrold, Libertarian; Joe Galdo, Green, run for Congress.
Marc Harrold is a self-professed creature of habit. He’s been going to the same bars and restaurants near his Fairfax home for years, where the close friends he’s made there say his great sense of humor and diverse intelligence help him “hold court” and converse easily with anyone, on any subject.
Changes in Store
‘Transformative’ new Springfield Town Center to open Oct. 17.
Lee District supervisor Jeff McKay has been preparing for Friday’s Springfield Town Center ribbon cutting since he was a kid. “As someone who’s spent my entire life here,” said McKay, “I’ve been acutely aware of the decline over the years.”
‘Net Positive’ Home Under Construction in Springfield
Once completed, this house will generate more electricity than it requires to operate. More and more houses are employing grids of solar panels to supplement the electricity they draw from power companies. Forty panels on the roof of this Springfield residence will help generate 12 megawatts of electricity a year, 10 more than what the owner expects to need.
Bio and Q&A with Gerry Connolly
Q: What do you think are your top three accomplishments in office? A: * The Silver Line. I wasn’t alone, but I'm very proud of my championship of the Silver Line and the fact that it's up and running and succeeding. It took 19 years to sort of get people to reimagine it and get it built. It was a long, tough struggle.
New Packard Center Honors Suffragists in Occoquan
The characteristically humble Jean Packard allowed just a little egotism at the idea of seeing her name on a new center at Occoquan Regional Park.
Gone Girls Next Door
PSA roll-out marks one-year anniversary of “Just Ask” project.
On a sunny afternoon, a police officer pulls over a young male driver. There’s an innocent-looking, girl-next-door type in the back seat of the car. The driver responds to the officer’s basic questions with cold indifference. When questioned, the girl in the back says she’s fine. Maybe she betrays a hint of unease.
Car Show Honors Former Principal
Hayfield Days Car Show benefits Auto Tech and David S. Tremaine Charity.
For the seventh straight year, more than 70 restored and modified icons of American motoring history rumbled into the parking lot at Hayfield Plaza Shopping Center. But for the first year, the funds raised by the Hayfield Days Car Show aren’t just supporting Hayfield Secondary’s Auto Tech Program.
‘A New Day Has Dawned’
Same sex marriage goes forward in Virginia.
At 10:01 a.m. on Oct. 6, Cathy Baskin of Ravensworth Baptist Church in Annandale received her usual New York Times set of alerts. “I read it 15 times,” said Baskin. “This can’t be true.”
Lake Accotink Trail Improvements Announced
For anyone who’s been trapped by floodwater while taking a loop of Lake Accotink Trail, or struggled with the steep 30 percent slope down to that crossing of the lake, help is on the way. Eventually.
State Accreditation Status a ‘Snapshot’
Schools in Mount Vernon and Lee districts receive warnings from VDOE.
“Test scores do not define our schools. They never have and never will,” said Mount Vernon school board member Dan Storck. Earlier this month the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released accreditation results based on student performance in the 2013-2014 school year. The ratio of Fairfax County Public schools receiving full accreditation to those not making the grade dropped from 94 percent a year ago to 89 percent.
Herrity Calls for Heroin Problem Update
“Heroin is here, it’s on our doorstep, it’s in our communities and it often goes unnoticed,” said supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield). Citing a 163 percent rise in heroin overdoses in Northern Virginia between 2011 and 2013, Herrity proposed a successful motion to the Board of Supervisors last week, asserting the County Executive report back to the board on just how bad the heroin problems in Fairfax County are and how they could be dealt with.
Board of Supervisors Approves 50+ Community Action Plan
Vote is “the beginning, not the end” for Herrity.
Supervisor Pat Herrity’s so-called “Silver Tsunami” population in Fairfax County isn’t getting any younger. The data haven’t changed: the amount of people over 50 should increase by 40 percent between 2005 and 2030, and those 70 and older should shoot up 80 percent in the same period.
Supervisors Break Ground on New Public Safety Headquarters
The Fairfax County Police and Fire Departments are getting a new home. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova and Supervisor John Cook broke ground on what will be a $142 million, eight-story headquarters.
Ring Cycle
Lee graduate features in boxing documentary.
Christian Vick was a standout basketball player for Robert E. Lee High School, but boxing was really his first sport. A family sport. His father James worked in boxing promotion for Washington, D.C. boxers Maurice Blocker and Simon Brown, and his great uncle Louie Vick was a heavyweight fighter. And Vick grew up spending every Saturday with his father and brother Zachary, watching bouts of Sugar Ray Leonard and Hector Camacho on the family room floor.
Alice in Nevermore
Local theater company explores imagination at Workhouse.
For the next month, Barbara Lawson is leading a triple life. A freshly minted West Springfield senior, 17-year-old Lawson plays the title character in the Pandemonium Theatrical Productions setting of “Alice In Wonderland,” as well as Virginia in the same company’s “Nevermore,” a dark musical exploring the demons of Edgar Allen Poe.
New Analysis of Accotink Creek Underway
Department of Environmental Quality resumes project after EPA lawsuit.
When Meghan Walker paddles a canoe upstream from Lake Accotink looking for garbage, not much surprises her anymore. “The sky’s the limit for odd trash,” she said. “A big find last time was a wheel and tire -- still attached. That’s impressive.”
Deer Archery Program Enters Sixth Season
Continued overabundance brings bow-hunters back to parks.
Even at 72, the animated Disney classic “Bambi” can still soften the hardest hearts when it comes to appreciating the innocence and natural beauty of deer. But the reality in Fairfax County is that an unnaturally high density of Bambis and mothers of Bambi is an ongoing threat to biodiversity and road safety.
Board of Supervisors Approves 2014 Budget Carryover Package
FCPS full-day Mondays at discussion forefront.
When students at the 142 public elementary schools around Fairfax County stayed there the full day on Monday -- the first time in about four decades -- they likely weren’t worried about the cost. That’s between the school board and board of supervisors. Grown-up stuff.
‘Recession Ripple Persists’ at Realtors’ Summit
Private sector job growth key to strengthening regional economy, housing demand.
“There’s no question the primary economic driver of this region has always been Uncle Sam,” said David Versal, senior research associate at the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis. “That said, we’re not Detroit.”
New Principal Starts at West Springfield
Michael Mukai brings “champion” philosophy from Robinson.
Earlier this summer, West Springfield High School needed a principal... and a head custodian. Michael Mukai, who started on the first day of school as permanent relief for interim Principal Becky Brandt, said the two positions are more similar than different.
Taking On the ‘Silver Tsunami’
Herrity to present 50+ Plan to Board of Supervisors next week.
“It’s here,” said Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield). “We’re already living in it.” Between 2005 and 2030, the number of individuals 50 and older is projected to grow by 40 percent in Fairfax County and the number 70 and older is projected to grow by 80 percent. Herrity attributes the changes to both the aging of Baby Boomers, and the general increase in life expectancy.
$12 Million Suit Against Fairfax County Police
2013 shooting victim’s family seeks damages in wrongful death case.
The year-long silence surrounding the police shooting of John Geer has been broken — but not by Fairfax County Police or the U.S. Department of Justice. John Geer was shot to death by Fairfax County Police on Aug. 29, 2013.
Top Issues to Follow in the Area
According to Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield).
First up is getting a long-term fix to I-66 underway in 2017. “I66 congestion impacts Braddock Road,” said Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield), “and it impacts congestion on 29 as people look to avoid and get around 66.” Then there is a quarter improvement study on the Fairfax County Parkway “so we can get the interchanges and widening that we need.” A final major transportation issue is getting secondary roads paved, such as Rolling Road.
Former Delegate Gladys Keating Remembered by Colleagues, Friends
Keating served 22 years and raised five children.
On Aug. 19, former delegate from the 43rd House District of Fairfax County Gladys Keating died of congestive heart failure. She passed peacefully, with family, at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C.
West Springfield Teacher Honored
Josh Masley, 13-year veteran, inspires students through technology and engineering.
It wasn’t enough just to use the classroom’s 3D printer to fabricate Spartan helmets out of plastic. Then students of West Springfield High School Technology and Engineering teacher Josh Masley presented the helmets to teachers and faculty as gifts. “He’s teaching his kids to appreciate other people in the building,” said Johnny Pope, an assistant principal at the school. “They have some intrinsic motivation about what they're doing.”
Springfield Celebrates 13th Annual BridgeWalk
Local leaders renew Army Community Covenant.
On a minimally muggy, late night on Aug. 22, hundreds of Springfield community members walked south across Veterans Bridge and over Old Keene Mill Road.
FCPS Inducts 1,200 New Teachers
“Great Beginnings” program at South County High School prepares new and transferring teachers for their first week.
As summer vacation in Fairfax County winds down, the hallways and classrooms at South County High school are already buzzing. Beginning Aug. 18, roughly 1,200 new and returning teachers — as well as those new to the school system — took part in a week-long induction program called “Great Beginnings: The Next Generation.”
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