Editorial: In Wake of Sandy, Still Plan to Vote
Variety of choices in political landscape.
Hurricane Sandy means that the week preceding the election will not be what we were expecting. This editorial is being written Sunday night, Oct. 28, as forecasters predict five inches of rain and 65-mile-per-hour winds over the next two days. With some predicting that power could take a week or more to restore, we have to worry about the likely condition of the Eastern seaboard will be on Election Day, Nov. 6. Absentee voting in person had been cancelled for Monday, and most government offices were closed in anticipation of the storm. What will this mean for voter turnout, for access to voting places on Election Day?
George Allen v. Timothy Kaine for Senate
Voters have stark choice between candidates to replace U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (D).
Candidates for U.S. Senate George Allen and his Democratic challenger Timothy M. Kaine have powerful things in common. Both were popular governors of the Commonwealth of Virginia; both have long political resumes; and both men are passionate about the success of their adopted home state.
Happy Halloween
Haunting events to round out your trick-and-treat filled evening.
Get all the treats and tricks, fright-in-the-night and boo!-filled fun to be had out of Halloween this fall with a little help from some Fairfax County seasonal events.
After the Storm
Thousands of residents without power as clean-up efforts continue and residents deal with downed trees, closed roads and schools in wake of Hurricane Sandy.
Hurricane Sandy battered the region Monday night, shutting down Fairfax County schools, governments, roads and voting precincts.
Fairfax County Braces for Sandy’s Arrival
Threat of flooding and high winds prompts officials to close schools, government offices and absentee voting.
As Hurricane Sandy barreled down the East Coast on Sunday, it’s beginning to look like the weather – not politics – will deliver the biggest October surprise this year.
Storm Related Closings
Current list of weather related closings that Connection Newspapers is aware of.
Area Schools Closing in Face of Weather Threat
Threat of flooding, high winds from Hurricane Sandy prompts decision.
Better safe than sorry. Based on that philosophy, Fairfax County Public Schools announced early Sunday afternoon that all FCPS schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday because of the continuing threat of flooding and hurricane-force winds from Hurricane Sandy, a “rare hybrid storm” expected to make landfall on Monday.
Bank Becomes Week-long Volunteer Hub
Capital One Financial Corporation’s “One Week” of service benefits local food bank.
Stacks of canned goods and cereal boxes filled a conference room at the McLean offices of Capital One—not what one would expect to find at a financial institution. However, on Monday, Oct. 15, employees were kicking off “One Week” of service by volunteering their time to sort and fill over 625 bags of food for the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC)’s food bank.
Fifteen-year-old Runs Marathon for Orphans
David Glass of Fairfax Station is determined to help change the life of an orphaned baby in China.
David Glass is a 15-year-old with a big mission, to help change the life of an orphaned baby in China. Glass, an 8th grader at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax Station, understands how important it is for someone to believe in a child without parents as he was adopted at age 12 from an orphanage in Beijing. This year he will be running in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, with all of the funds he raises going to help “baby David,” a 6-month-old baby boy who was abandoned with cleft lip and palate.
Vienna Halloween Parade Keeps Them Smiling
Floats, emergency vehicles, bands and costumed children set the mood for festive evening.
The weather during the 66th Annual Vienna Halloween Parade on Wednesday, Oct. 24, did not merely cooperate, it begged the community to revel in its balmy temperatures and clear skies.
Area Roundups
The terrors of the Clifton Haunted Trail will be unleashed Saturday, Oct. 27, from 7-10 p.m., in the Town of Clifton’s Eight-Acre Park (rain date, Oct. 28). Tickets are $20 for adults and $10, children; there are no advance sales. Sturdy shoes are recommended; snacks and beverages are available.
South County High Presents An Absolute Turkey
French “bedroom farce” promises to tempt comedic palates.
Many think of mouthwatering turkey as Thanksgiving approaches, but a different kind of turkey is coming to Lorton this November. South County High School Theatre presents their fall production of “An Absolute Turkey” at Dale S. Rumberger Auditorium, Nov. 8-10.
Burke Artist Launches ‘Barn Sale without the Barn’
Think "Upscale Tag Sale" of original art, vintage jewelry and everything in between.
A year ago, I read an article about this new phenomenon called "Barn Sales." These various groups of women in the suburbs of Maryland and Virginia would put all this beautiful antique and vintage furniture for sale in differently-styled vignettes. The kicker was that these vignettes were set up in different stalls of a barn. Each had a different look: Victorian here, retro there, Hollywood regency there, farmhouse chic there, with antiques throughout. As I watched all these people waiting in line eagerly to buy all these vintage and antique and "freshened" goodies, two things occurred to me. 1. The art I was making at the time would look amazing in this venue. 2. Between me and Sharon, we knew where to find or how to make almost everything in the show. On the way home I looked at her and said, "Sharon, let's have a barn sale this fall." and she said, "Where are we going to find a barn in Burke?" And we just decided we didn't need a barn. Hence the tag "Branches: the Barn Sale Without a Barn".
Bulova, McDonnell Honored for Community Service Work
Chairman Sharon Bulova, on behalf of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Governor Bob McDonnell, were honored by the Arc of Northern Virginia, a non-profit organization that provides services for the intellectually and developmentally disabled, at their annual Golden Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Oct. 13.
Opinion: Be Part of the Children's Connection
Call for student artwork and writing; deadline Dec. 3.
During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children. The results are always remarkable. It is a keepsake edition for many families.
Lawmakers Debate Eminent Domain Ballot Question
Some argue amendment fails to increase property owner’s protections, but may shut down popular parades.
"A shop owner could complain they lost revenue, that festival vendors are taking their business away….What if someone decided to make that an issue and seek compensation for lost profits under (the amendment)? The Town of Vienna can’t afford to reimburse every shop owner..." — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-at-large) "(The amendment) is fair…If they run a road and cut off your driveway to the point that no one can get into your restaurant and ruin your business, you should be compensated." —Del. Dave Albo (R-42)
Obama Fires Up Fairfax Crowd With ‘Romnesia’ Quips
President delivers second GMU gender-pitch aimed at women voters.
Lillie Reynolds, a single mother from Herndon with four daughters, stood in line for nearly five hours to hear President Barack Obama speak for 25 minutes at a campaign rally at George Mason University on Friday, Oct. 19.
Voters to Determine Fate of Amendment to Limit Use of Eminent Domain
Measure will allow property owners to seek damages for loss of profits and access.
Nowhere is the debate about eminent domain more intense than the foot of King Street in Alexandria, where city officials threatened to take land owned by the Old Dominion Boat Club using the power of eminent domain for flood mitigation.
Fairfax Field Hockey Beats Lake Braddock in Regionals
Sophomore Duke scores lone goal for Rebels.
The Fairfax field hockey team defeated Lake Braddock, 1-0, in the opening round of the Northern Region Tournament on Oct. 23.
The Passover Amendment: Should Legislators Meet on Religious Holidays?
Former Del. David Englin (D-45) was behind amendment now before voters.
Every year, the Virginia General Assembly convenes several weeks after the session to react to the governor’s vetoes.