Thursday, January 28
Commentary: Reining in Predatory Towing
Aside from the snowstorm of the century, this week brought the start of consideration of legislation and initial work on our state budget.
Letter: Maintaining Bike Trails
To the Editor
I am writing to express my concern that the bike trails in our community are not being properly maintained by the county of Fairfax.
Clifton: Helping Tragedy Survivors
For the second year in a row, the Republican Women of Clifton (RWC) donated $3,300 to Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (TAPS).
Snowstorm Q&A: Robinson’s Miller Watched ‘Friday Night Tykes’
Snowstorm Q&A with Robinson's Alex Miller.
Snowstorm Q&A: Woodson’s Maloney Went Sledding
Snowstorm Q&A with Woodson senior Seamus Maloney.
Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Lorton, Springfield: Winter Fun and Entertainment Guide
A sampling of events in the area this winter.
Letter: Sex Trafficking Was Illegal for Hundreds of Years
To the Editor
Your article, "Money, Lax Laws Draw Sex Traffickers” (Connection, January 21-27) states “Last year, before the state of Virginia passed its first sex trafficking laws, SB 1188 and HB 1964, it was the last state in the United States with any sex trafficking legislation.”
Snowstorm Q&A: Lake Braddock's Jones Had First Snow Driving Experience
Snowstorm Q&A with Lake Braddock catcher Caroline Jones.
FCPS Award Nominations Sought
The nomination deadline is Feb. 3.
Snow Place Like Home in Burke, Fairfax Station, Mount Vernon and Springfield
Residents, volunteers come together to dig out after Jonas drops over 20 inches.
Compared to Wednesday night’s sneak-attack dusting that caught Virginia Department of Transportation crews unprepared and commuters stuck in hours of slick rush hour gridlock, Fairfax County Supervisors think the full force of Winter Storm Jonas was weathered about as well as possible.
June Shea, Shea Studio Interiors, Recognized For Excellence in Customer Service
June Shea, Shea Studio Interiors of Fairfax Station, won “Best Of Customer Service" for 2016.
Mason Neck Lions Donate Bus Stop Bench in Lorton
Members of the Mason Neck Lions Club placed their latest donated bench at a bus stop along Richmond Highway on Jan. 15, according to a release from Lion Joseph Chudzik.
Wednesday, January 27
Editorial: ‘Disappointing, Not Surprising’
Bills to rein in predatory lending die in Senate committee.
Have you ever paid 36 percent interest on a loan or credit card?
Positive 2015 Real Estate Market Spurs Upbeat Outlook for New Year
Experts predict continuing positive trend.
The final figures are in, and it looks like the 2015 local housing market was a modest winner.
Building for the Future
School Board approves five-year $777 million Capital Improvement Plan.
While the rest of Fairfax County hunkered down in preparation for Winter Storm Jonas’ Friday arrival, members of the School Board held their business meeting as scheduled on Jan. 21 and approved a five-year Capital Improvement Plan requiring $777 million.
McAuliffe Visits Fairfax County Post-Blizzard
Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) visited the Fairfax County Emergency Operations Center on Sunday, Jan. 24, following the worst of Winter Storm Jonas to be updated on the state of the county in the blizzard’s wake.
Fairfax County Suspends Trash Collection for Blizzard Week
Fairfax County announced on its Emergency Information website Saturday night, Jan. 23, during Winter Storm Jonas that trash and recycling collection services would be suspended for the week of Jan. 25-30.
Classified Advertising January 27, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Friday, January 22
Fairfax County Braces for Epic Winter Storm Jonas
Chairman Bulova says VDOT was unprepared for Wednesday night, encourages residents to stay off roads during storm.
With Winter Storm Jonas looming and expected to begin Friday afternoon, a much milder dusting of snow the previous Wednesday night caught commuters and transportation workers off-guard. Treacherous, slick roads resulted in numerous accidents and forcing drivers into gridlock around Fairfax County.
Lorton Brewer’s Wife Dies from Cancer
One week after a special ale was brewed to support her medical and other related costs, Kerri Rose of Alexandria died from cancer.
Fairfax Station-based Marian Homes begins work on group home Fairfax for people with disabilities
2016: Another year, another demolition and another home being renovated to meet the needs of five individuals with disabilities. On an overcast Friday, Jan. 15, Knights of Columbus volunteers assisting the Fairfax Station-based nonprofit organization Marian Homes stripped carpet and hammered and knocked down walls in a single-family home on Wilson Street in Fairfax City.
Brain Injury Services in Springfield gets survivors back into the community
In one moment, Kim Daily’s life changed forever. It was September 2011 and the Centreville resident was in a car accident where she hit her head. Afterwards she experienced some numbness and pain in her neck.
Serial Peeper Sought in Springfield
Fairfax County Police reported a series of peepings around Gloucester Avenue and Giles Place in Springfield between Dec. 29, 2015 and Jan. 15, 2016. Detectives believe one male suspect was involved in each of the incidents, fleeing after peeping into homes.
Thursday, January 21
Weekend Events in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Lorton, Clifton and Springfield
Winter is coming. Call venues ahead of time for schedule changes.
Call venues ahead of time for schedule changes. Stay warm this weekend!
Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: December, 2015
In December, 2015, 70 homes sold between $1,100,000-$183,000 in the Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton area.
Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: December, 2015
Wednesday, January 20
Commentary: Surovell’s 2016 Legislative Agenda: Part II
Last week, the 2016 General Assembly gaveled into action.
The Rules Committee assigned me to three committees.
Silverthorne is New NVTA Vice Chairman
City of Fairfax Mayor Scott Silverthorne was just named vice chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.
Letter: Coyotes, A Welcome Part of County’s Natural Ecosystem
To the Editor
Thank you for the article “Coyotes on the Rise in Fairfax County” (Connection, January 14-20, 2016).
Area Roundups
Area happenings in your neck of the woods.
‘Uplifting and Impressive’ Concert
On. Jan. 12, after school, band students from Cardinal Forest Elementary School, Hunt Valley Elementary School, Keene Mill Elementary School, Orange Hunt Elementary School, Rolling Valley Elementary School, West Springfield Elementary School, Irving Middle School, and West Springfield High School met in the West Springfield High School auditorium to rehearse together, eat dinner together and perform.
Fairfax: Woodson’s Ayoub Reaches 1,000 Career Points
Senior is committed to St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Woodson senior Matt Ayoub reached 1,000 points for his career on Tuesday.
Alexandria: T.C. Williams Overcomes Double-Digit Deficit to Beat Woodson
Senior Robinson comes through at free-throw line.
The T.C. Williams boys' basketball team defeated Woodson 79-76 in overtime on Tuesday.
Tuesday, January 19
Victor Not Victim
Leading by example.
A tall, striking figure in red, Nyrisha Beckman stands in front of a room of recent Fairfax County high school graduates; not as a cautionary tale, but rather a true inspiration.
Commentary: Transportation Improvements Will Bolster Economy
Northern Virginia Business Transportation Coalition 2016 policy statement.
We, the undersigned Northern Virginia organizations representing the vast majority of businesses and employees of Northern Virginia’s private sector and nonprofit workforce, believe that a strong, efficient regional transportation network is essential to our region’s future economic competitiveness, security, and quality of life. W
Editorial: Pay Attention
General Assembly action matters more in Virginia.
The Virginia General Assembly began its 60-day 2016 session on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
Calls to Widen American Legion Bridge
Each weekday, nearly 300,000 vehicles cross the American Legion Bridge, and each day traffic backs up into McLean, Great Falls and beyond.
Friday, January 15
Former Springfield Supervisor Elaine N. McConnell Dies at 88
When the aquatic plant Hydrilla was invading Burke Lake in the mid-1980s, there was an attempt to introduce a population of grass carp to eat it. Michael Frey, former Sully District Supervisor, convinced then-Springfield District Supervisor Elaine N. McConnell to put the first fish into the lake at a press event.
Thursday, January 14
Coyotes on the Rise in Fairfax County
Police advise precautions
Over the last several months, Fairfax County Police said wildlife officials have received an increasing number of calls about the presence of coyotes in the area.
Commentary: Surovell’s 2016 Legislative Agenda: Part I
On Jan. 13, I take my oath of office as your state senator.
Clifton Family Raising Puppy for Canine Companions for Independence
Clifton residents Michael, Susan and Zachary Kehoe are raising an assistance dog-in-training for Canine Companions for Independence.
Fairfax, Springfield, Lorton: Stuff the Bus 2016
Fairfax County is promoting its annual "Stuff the Bus: Helping Fairfax Families" program
Area Roundups
Area happenings in your neighborhood
Wednesday, January 13
Burke, Fairfax Station, Springfield and Mount Vernon: Suds That Save
20 local breweries craft a beer to support one of their own.
Lawrence “Lance” Rose was born in September 2015, two months premature, to parents Matt and Kerri Rose of Alexandria. Just one month before, Kerri had been diagnosed with stage-four adenocarcinoma: stomach cancer.
West Springfield Grad Robinson Moving Up Duquesne Scoring List
Senior guard has Dukes off to best start in program history.
Duquesne senior and 2012 West Springfield guard recently moved into 11th place on the Dukes' all-time scoring list.
Classified Advertising January 13, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Tuesday, January 12
Pet Photos for the Pet Connection
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on Feb. 24, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by Feb. 17.
Editorial: Budget Season Trainwreck?
County looks at “lines of business,” schools call for full funding.
Karen Garza didn’t move to Fairfax County from Texas to preside over the decline of Fairfax County Public Schools.
Design Trends for 2016
Local style gurus predict the elements that will be popular this year.
The start of the year offers an opportunity to ring in new trends, particularly when it comes to a home’s interior.
Color of the Year
Pantone honor bestowed on two colors for 2016
Two colors, Serenity (light blue) and Rose Quartz (pale pink), were recently named the Pantone Color of the Year selection for 2016.
Above a Cut
FCPS Superintendent Garza calls for no additional cuts in $2.67 billion FY 2017 budget
For Fiscal Year 2015, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza oversaw $96.5 million in cuts made from the school system’s annual operating budget. For FY 2016, it was $55.4 million, she said.
Residents List Priorities for General Assembly
Residents tell legislators of priorities ahead of the 60-day session of the General Assembly.
Barbara Quesada, parent of a Franklin Sherman Elementary School student, reminded the General Assembly delegation from Fairfax that Nova Firearms opened its new store right next to the McLean elementary school.
Friday, January 8
Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: November, 2015
In November, 2015, 45 homes sold between $1,200,000-$10,000 in the Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton area.
Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: November, 2015
Thursday, January 7
2016: The Year Ahead in Lorton, Fairfax Station and Clifton
With winter vacation, unseasonably warm weather and 2015 in their rearview mirrors, community leaders and elected officials from the Fairfax County School Board, Board of Supervisors, General Assembly turn their attention to some of the most significant issues, developments or decisions in 2016.
Remodeled Home Tour Set for Jan. 9, 2016
After multiple attempts, cramped split-level grows to generously-sized neoclassical design.
A circa 1960s split-level enhanced by a 300-square-foot addition, a reconfigured main level floor plan and a seamlessly remade front elevation will be featured in a “Remodeled Home Tour” sponsored by Sun Design Remodeling on Saturday, Jan. 9.
Burke, Lorton, Springfield: What is your New Year's resolution?
Area residents share their hopes for 2016
Robinson Announces 2016 HOF Class
The Robinson Athletic Hall of Fame Committee announced the 2016 Class of the Robinson Secondary School Athletic Hall of Fame, which will be inducted on Jan. 23.
A Night of Laughter and Jazz
Talented comic and music artists appearing at Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia.
At 23 years old Haskins is a world-class trumpet player and composer/arranger. He is the originator of “ImproviStory,” a concept in which storytelling drives the creation of improvised music springing from audience interactions.
Area Roundups
Registration is open for the Winter/Spring session of the Encore Chorale at locations in Northern Virginia and singers of all vocal experience, age 55+, are welcome to join.
Tuesday, January 5
Commentary: A Workable Solution for I-66
There was a great deal of concern about “$17 tolls” inside the beltway on I-66 during the recent election. I shared those concerns as I did not want to set a precedent of tolling a road that we were not adding infrastructure to.
Editorial: New Year’s Goals
A few wishes for the Virginia General Assembly, more coming ...
Issues and elections in 2016.
Mason, Inova to Collaborate on Personalized Medicine Research
Partnership expected to develop treatments, grow economy.
Researchers and doctors from George Mason University and Inova Health System will collaborate on a series of personalized medicine research projects under a new partnership between the two institutions.
School Board Sued over Nondiscrimination Policy Changes
Liberty Counsel challenges board’s authority to add sexual orientation and gender identity.
When the members of the Fairfax County School Board added sexual orientation and gender identity to the school system’s nondiscrimination policy in November 2014 and May 2015, did they have the authority?