Virginia Senator Toddy Puller (D-36) Will Not Seek Re-Election
Just as the Virginia General Assembly kicked off its 2015 January session, state Senator Linda T. “Toddy” Puller (D-36) announced her decision to not run for re-election later this year.
Delegates, senators and Fairfax County community leaders reflect on priorities for the General Assembly
With the sentencing of former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell fresh on their minds, many northern Virginia members of the delegation to the state General Assembly expect ethics reform to be a focal point at the session beginning Jan. 14.
Mount Vernon School Board Member Dan Storck Addresses Concerns Over CIP
It was standing room only at one point in the Sherwood Regional Library. Parents concerned over the significant boundary changes outlined in Fairfax County Public Schools proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY 2016-2020 had gathered on Jan. 10 to hear from School Board Mount Vernon representative Dan Storck.
General Assembly Fairfax Delegation Holds Public Meeting Prior to Session in Richmond.
Justin Dolan addressed the state delegates and senators from his wheelchair rather than the podium. The 34-year-old Falls Church resident has cerebral palsy, and received an Individual & Family Developmental Disabilities Support waiver.
Facebook-organized Protesters in Fairfax Demand Justice for John Geer
Supervisors’ responsibility also highlighted.
Cars honked in acknowledgement as Centreville resident Jason McCormack stood alongside Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax, near the Fairfax County Courthouse, with a handmade sign that read “Cops Are Bound By The Law, Too.”
Burke Author Sherry Harris Launches Mystery Series
Sarah Winston found two bloody shirts in a bag of clothes from a garage sale. She knew one belonged to her ex-husband, the other to the woman he was sleeping with.
Fairfax County Supervisors Seek Outside Help with Transparency
“Independent expertise” to advise on information disclosure policies.
Eight days after offering the public the first of any kind of official explanation for officer-involved shooting of Springfield resident John Geer, the Board of Supervisors took another step.
Route 1 Transit Study, Jeff Todd Way, Wegmans among top events and developments in Mount Vernon 2014-2015.
It may take the better part of 35 years, but the Route 1 corridor is in the process of receiving transit updates that include bus rapid transit and light rail. Fall 2014 saw the completion of a study by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) which was passed on to the Board of Supervisors by the Executive Steering Committee: “All the leaders agreed on a vision that affects everything, schools, housing, quality of life, environment, everything.”
Adults Find Homes Through Grants to New Hope Housing in Mount Vernon
Thanks to a pair of federal grants, the Mount Vernon-based nonprofit New Hope Housing (NHH) can do one better than providing temporary shelter to chronically homeless adults. The grants, from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, give NHH the opportunity to lease several Fairfax County and City of Alexandria apartments for up to 15 individuals.
Springfield Town Center, Jeff Todd Way, Wegmans among top events and developments.
A crowd of eager shoppers gathered Oct. 17, 2014, for the grand opening of the Springfield Town Center, a completely revitalized version of the long dilapidated Springfield Mall.
Glancing Back to 2014, Looking Forward to 2015: Springfield Town Center, World Police and Fire Games, Occoquan
A crowd of eager shoppers gathered Oct. 17, 2014, for the grand opening of the Springfield Town Center, a completely revitalized version of the long dilapidated Springfield Mall.
Burke Centre Festival, World Police and Fire Games, and Neighborhood Enhancements among top events and developments.
The ever-larger two-day festival returned for its 37th year at the beginning of September 2014. Drumming, Japanese dancers, local dance groups, bands and Irish dancers comprised a live performance slate, while free and minimal cost activities including face-painting and a photo booth offered attendees plenty of ways to enjoy the pleasant fall weather.
Fairfax County Releases Statement on Shooting of Springfield Man
It’s been more than 16 months since John Geer of Springfield was shot and killed by a Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) officer. And since the Aug. 29, 2013 shooting, scant information on the incident has been provided by the FCPD or the county Board of Supervisors, such as an explanation of what transpired up to and following the shooting, and the identities of the officers involved. They’ve kept this information from the media, the public and the Geer family, citing an ongoing federal investigation into the death.
South County High School Swim and Dive Team Donates Toys at South Run
Before filling the pool for warm-ups, members of the South County High School Swim and Dive team filled the Toys for Tots collection box at South Run RECenter. The team decided to give collectively at their final dual meet before Christmas break, a Dec. 19 face off with the team from Robert E Lee High School.
Irresistible? How Karen Garza Creates Change in Fairfax County Schools
Karen Garza is a good listener. And once she’s listened, she is, admittedly, not very patient. “If there's a real issue, I don't think it has to be debated for 10 or 15 years,” Garza said in an interview. “Either we're going to do something about it or not.”
Widening Continues On U.S. Route 1 in Mount Vernon
Douglas White is the “unofficial mayor” of Accotink Village, he said. He was at the South County Center on Dec. 10 to hear project updates from members of the U.S. Route 1 Improvements project team handling the widening of the major roadway.
Franconia Nonprofit Koinonia Engages More with Business Community
Mary Tinsley of Alexandria pushed the loaded shopping cart right out the door and into the parking lot where Marcia Reid of Woodbridge was pulling her car around. Mid-morning sun pierced through trees overlooking the parking lot behind Franconia United Methodist Church. Reid was picking up groceries for a Springfield-based client of Koinonia, a local nonprofit outreach organization.
Burke Church Volunteers Assemble Birth Kits for Haiti
Meg Hanrahan of Burke and Melinda Engelbrektsson of Fairfax Station have each faced life-threatening complications with childbirth. Thanks to the medical resources available to them and “the grace of God,” said Engelbrektsson, they and their children survived. Many women in third world countries including Haiti don’t have the same opportunity.
Skating Fun for Burke Centre at Fairfax Ice Arena
Michael and Emmett Pellegrino of Burke didn’t have to wait much to see Santa. Just long enough to have their ice skates tied. The Burke Centre Conservancy had rented out Fairfax Ice Arena and asked the jolly old man to make an appearance.
Burke Church Hosts Hypothermia Prevention Shelter with FACETS
This week, the doors at Burke United Methodist Church (BUMC) swing open a little wider. Each year since 2006, the congregation at BUMC has hosted a hypothermia prevention shelter in its large fellowship hall. The church is one of nearly 30 faith communities in Northern Virginia running shelters in partnership with FACETS, the Fairfax-based nonprofit fighting local poverty.
Connolly To Hold 22nd Telephone Town Hall Meeting for Fairfax County, Prince William County and City of Fairfax
The representative is just a phone call away. Rather than cramming thousands of constituents into a single room, U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) is hosting his 22nd “telephone town hall meeting” where people call in for an hour-long virtual session. The event is set to take place Dec. 16 at at 8 p.m.
Citizens Coalition Petitions DOJ, Calls for Investigation of Fairfax County Police.
Nicholas Beltrante is trying to put even more pressure on the Fairfax County Police Department. The Mount Vernon resident and executive director for the Virginia Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability (CCPA) recently filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights division to investigate the FCPD.
Where to shop in Mount Vernon?
Occasionally Cake, 8859 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, Gingerbread man cookies $3, cupcakes $2.75-$3.25, cakes $4.50 per serving plus additional design work, own line extracts and flavorings $12.50-$15. “We’ve reached that age where we have so much stuff, people like to find unique, consumable things they don’t have to dust,” said owner and cake designer Sabrina Campbell. “We’re doing a lot for December birthdays, business celebrations and inter-office giving.”
Mount Vernon Taco Bell wins Mary Thonen Award
When she first heard Taco Bell had won, Yolanda Frye was shocked. “It means a lot to our Taco Bell,” said the regional general manager for the chain.
Lake Accotink Park in Springfield Features Horse-drawn Hayrides and Santa
One day a year, Jim Hickey does a different kind of volunteering at Lake Accotink Park. The Springfield resident works at the Merrifield Post Office and gives a lot of his time to the park as a member of the Friends of Lake Accotink Park organization. For 20 years he’s done various things, and currently does announcing for the popular Braddock Nights summer concert series, as well as the cardboard boat regatta.
Looking for Gifts in Springfield?
Games Workshop, 6810 Bland St, Springfield, offers The Hobbit game starter package, Dark Vengeance starter package, Warhammer starter package $110-$125.
Fairfax Station Railroad Museum Hosts 25th Holiday Train Show
Adriano Oddi is 5, and he likes that he can control whether his trains “go fast or slow.” The Burke resident was mesmerized by an N gauge model train whirring around a handmade landscape, designed by the Northern Virginia NTRAK model train club to resemble local surroundings.
‘Gloomy’ Weather Doesn’t Ruin Clifton Christmas Cheer
It rained on their parade, but it didn’t rain them out. Chilling precipitation forced the Clifton Horse Society to cancel their costumed stroll down Main Street in Clifton on Dec. 6. But despite the weather, the other components of the annual Clifton Christmas Candlelight Homes Tour continued as planned.
Buying Gifts Locally in Clifton
Cupcaked, 12644 Chapel Rd, Clifton, offers cupcakes for $3.50. “Cupcakes are great gifts because they’re cute, pretty and everyone loves a cupcake,” said owner Kristina Baranowski, who makes a new batch each morning. “It’s not too much, not too little.”
Looking for Gifts in Burke?
The Picket Fence, 6025 Burke Centre Parkway, Burke, offers Charles Viancin silicone lid, $9-$14; Michel Design soaps $12 and decorative trays up to $54.
Burke Community Church Christmas Program is About High Energy
Imagine Randy Travis singing “Away in a Manger,” re-imagined as reggae. Darren Brown can’t, either, but he’s practicing it anyway for an interactive portion of the Burke Community Church Christmas program on Dec. 13. The West Springfield resident was formerly the music director and is now executive pastor and worship pastor.
Fairfax Station Girl Plays Clara in Kennedy Center Nutcracker
How many people can say they’ve truly lived out their fantasy? And of those, how many by age 11?
Clifton Home for the Holidays
Christmas Candlelight Homes Tour returns Dec. 6.
Driving through neighborhoods lit by Christmas lights is a time-honored tradition but in historic Clifton, residents take it a bit further. Each year as part of a candlelight homes tour, the public can enter five preserved and restored homes and two churches, done up for the holidays.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon opens Christmas program with camels, chocolate.
They came for the camel. Alberto, Daniela and their daughter Josephine Rendon of Alexandria have yearly passes to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, so, “We come here almost every weekend,” said Alberto. “We love to walk around and see the animals.” On this visit in particular, the animal of note was Aladdin the camel.
Mount Vernon Church Tree Sale Breaks Sales Record
In five years of selling Christmas trees, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Alexandria has never sold more than this year. According to Ted Boling with the church, they surpassed last year’s numbers by over 40 percent each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. “We attribute it to great weather and a great reputation for fresh, full Fraser firs,” he said.
Geer Lawyer Expects Hearing Before New Year On Springfield Shooting
Out of 128 requests for the production of documents made by the Geer family lawyer Michael Lieberman, all but two have been denied by Fairfax County.
Small Business Springfield
Local stores offer expertise, exclusivity and community.
When Jahangir Raja moved to Springfield over a decade ago, it wasn’t a favorable time for a heavily bearded Muslim native of Pakistan to find a job in America. He came shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Burke United Methodist Church begins Christmas season celebration.
A tuba-playing shepherd broke from playing Christmas carols to snap cell phone pictures of a tall sheep and two young girl-sized shepherds. The “Selfie” station with biblical-themed costumes was the first stop for Edie, Olive and Tommy Webster of Fairfax at the Burke United Methodist Family Advent Celebration.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Signs On for $403 Million Loan
Low-interest federal loan will help finance Phase 2 of Silver Line.
Phase two of the Silver Line construction got a boost towards its 2018 estimated completion date. After nearly a year of discussion, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize a federal loan agreement to the tune of $403 million.
Burke Racquet & Swim Club Craft Fair Helps Food for Others, Women at Risk
Beaded jewelry, brass rubbings, crocheted and knitwear, birdhouses and quilts are just a few of the craft gift items on offer at the Burke Racquet & Swim Club this weekend.
Fairfax County Facing More Budget Strain
County Executive and FCPS Superintendent present adverse forecasts.
Days before the traditional loosening of belts for Thanksgiving, Fairfax County officials discussed the need for tightening theirs.
Mount Vernon Schools Host Virginia Secretary of Education
“Pre-ci-pi-ta-tion at-mo-sphere, pre-ci-pi-ta-tion at-mo-sphere.” Hybla Valley music teacher Carla Okouchi helped fourth grade students count out beats for a cross-discipline lesson on music and weather. The floor-seated students picked up white plastic recorders and tweeted a melody, with percussive accompaniment from maracas, wood blocks and tambourine.
Burke, Fairfax Station, Springfield, Mount Vernon: What Are You Thankful for This Thanksgiving?
“I’m thankful for my family, my relative health and my eighth grade Civics students at South County Middle School.”
Sun Shines on Pohick Church Christmas Mart in Lorton
In recent years, it’s poured on people like Janice Cranel while they waited for the Pohick Church Christmas Mart to open. Rain or shine, they would still line up in front of the modest red brick building where colonial celebrities like George Washington, George Mason and their families attended services. “We come for the fellowship, the delicious luncheon, sweet ladies, arts and crafts, jewelry and Christmas decorations,” said Cranel.
Lorton Outreach Group Sets Thanksgiving Service Record
Kathy Noone stood alone, surrounded by Thanksgiving baskets ready to feed over 400 families. The Lorton resident is Director of Volunteers for the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), and though she looked capable, she didn’t fill the bags all by herself. Earlier on Nov. 23, a team of volunteers worked “better than a well-oiled machine” to sort donated food into nearly identical combinations at the Moose Family Center in Lorton for delivery and pickup.
Seniors in Burke and West Springfield Look for More Activity Space
Larry Mark is 83, lives in West Springfield and practices tai chi with his wife Mary. They go to a class that meets once a week at the Burke Conservancy on Burke Centre Parkway. “It’s interesting,” he said. “It helps your balance and strengthens your neck and other muscles. Everybody needs better balance.”
ECHO Steps Up Holiday Giving in Burke and Springfield
Duane Carlson and his wife Alice are sorting canned goods into a long row of evenly spaced paper bags, each representing a family. On the Monday before Thanksgiving, there’s a vibrant energy among volunteers buzzing around the Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO) building in Springfield. The nonprofit basic need for assistance organization is open year-round, and now it has the feeling of Santa’s workshop.
Fairfax Resident Talks Victorian Christmas at Burke Historical Society
Electricity didn’t come to Burke until 1928. That meant no one could power strings of lights to decorate Christmas trees; they had to use real candles and assume the very real fire hazard risk. Fortunately, fireproof fake trees made of goose feathers or chenille had already been around since the 1880s.
95 Express Lanes Scheduled to Open in December in Stafford County and Fairfax County
Beginning next month, a 29-mile stretch of I-95 should look a little different. Existing HOV lanes will change to “Express Lanes,” offering drivers with an E-ZPass a less congested alternative. The change affects 95 starting in Stafford County around Garrisonville Road, north to I-395 in Fairfax County by Edsall Road.
1,000 celebrate the life of Hannah Graham at West Potomac High School in Mount Vernon
West Potomac softball coach Craig Maniglia knew Hannah Graham starting when she was seven years old, through being her coach on the varsity softball team. He was one of 17 speakers at a closed memorial for Graham in the West Potomac High School auditorium on Nov. 15.