Stories for September 2014

New Voter Identification Requirements

There are new requirements for voter identification that voters must bring with them to the polling place.

Junior Committee: Work Horses

Young local equestriennes anchor Washington International Horse Show.

Mary Elizabeth Cordia of Alexandria Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the leading metropolitan indoor horse show in the U.S. This six-day event is held annually in October at Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

Burke Family Runs Race for Every Child

The Smith family of Burke – parents Matt and Karen with their children: Avery, 1, Noah, 5, and Carter, 7 - participated in the second annual Race for Every Child to benefit Children's National Health System.

Local Group Gives Scholarships to Women

Great Falls Friends and Neighbors gave out $10,000 in scholarships to college women to kick off the start of the school year. Six women from George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College, ranging in ages and opportunities, were presented scholarships during a luncheon at Riverbend Country Club on Friday, Sept 19.

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.

Thou Hast it Now: Robinson Speech and Drama

New teacher replaces 33-year veteran.

Megan Thrift’s classroom has over 30 doors to lock at the end of the day. There are dressing rooms, a black box theater, main stage entrances and a vault full of stockpiled stage pieces and props from decades of shows. Perhaps there’s one for each year her predecessor Chip Rome served as theater director at Robinson Secondary School.

Fall Fun 2014

Upcoming family-friendly events in the area.

Post-Chemo Weak

For the past year, every three weeks I have been infused with a chemotherapy drug called Alimta, “the last miracle drug,” to quote my oncologist, and a drug with which I hadn’t previously been infused.

Foust Bridging Political Divide

Democrats hope Foust’s reputation as a “bridge-builder” connects with voters.

Straightening his tie, John Foust is preparing for yet another “meet-and-greet” event at the Clifton home of Democratic supporters Terry Matlaga and Kevin Bell.

Editorial: Deadly Medicaid Debacle

Literally killing poor people who could have health care, while refusing to give Virginia’s economy a boost.

The poor people of Virginia are so seriously harmed by the actions of the Virginia General Assembly in refusing to expand Medicaid at little additional cost to the Commonwealth that those harmed should have some legal recourse.

Classified Advertising September 17, 2014

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Burke Home Sales: August, 2014

In August 2014, 63 Burke homes sold between $1,050,000-$220,000.

Burke Home Sales: August, 2014

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.

A Different Path to a 4-year Degree

NOVA’s Guaranteed Admissions Program gives students opportunities to attend their dream schools.

Noor Naveed immigrated to the United States from Pakistan with her family shortly after the 9/11 attacks. The family settled in Northern Virginia and, years later, Naveed graduated from Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria. She dreams of becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college.

Later High School Start Times for 2015?

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza will propose later high school start times at the Fairfax County School Board’s business meeting on Thursday, Sept. 18, for the Board’s formal consideration at its business meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23.

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

In Fairfax County alone last year, there were over 150 suicides.

The numbers are staggering. In the United States, one person dies by suicide every 18 minutes.

Letter: Springfield Seniors Deserve Better

Letter to the Editor

On Sept. 13, 2014, I received The Herrity Report with the remarkable absence of any report on the Lorton Workhouse that he had earlier denounced as a wasteful bailout of a mismanaged operation. Supervisor Herrity failed to report that on Sept. 9, 2014, the Board spent another $3 million for an events center that could lose more of our taxpayer money.

Scared, Hopefully Not to Death

One of my greatest fears (or regrets, if I am in fact the cause of my own decline) is that my own stubbornness, stupidity, “male blockheadedness” and/or refusal to believe/pay attention to signs, symptoms, indications and instructions/health advisories from my oncologist about my health will lead to my premature death.

Commentary: Protecting Those Threatened by Domestic Violence

September marks 20th Anniversary of Violence Against Women Act.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – landmark legislation in which our nation committed new prevention and response resources so that our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends would no longer have to suffer in silence through domestic abuse.

Robinson Football Improves to 3-0 with Win Over Rival Lake Braddock

Rams build 19-0 lead, hold on to beat 'contender.'

Lake Braddock improved to 3-0 with a 19-17 win over Lake Braddock on Friday.

Full Day Monday Challenges Discussed

The implementation of “full day Mondays” has been anything but easy for area elementary schools. The challenges that Fairfax County Public Schools faced to bring more hours to elementary students’ school year was addressed by Superintendent Karen Garza and several board members during a school board meeting on Sept. 4 at Jackson Middle School.

Portrait of a Graduate Discussed

The heart of the school system’s new strategic plan is closer to being approved. The Fairfax County School Board discussed the five component Portrait of a Graduate - with some asking for a component emphasizing a caring quality - at Monday’s work session.

Classified Advertising September 10, 2014

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Lake Braddock XC Delivers Strong Showing at Monroe Parker Invite

Motivated boys’ team seeks state title after finishing 2nd in 2013.

Lake Braddock boys' XC placed first at the M

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.

Heat and Storms Reduce Turnout at Burke Centre Festival

Signature event celebrates 37th year.

Organizers of the Burke Centre Festival canceled the Wine Garden at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, when thunderstorms rolled in. “We got the announcement from OEM and we lasted till about 7:30,” said Jeannie Winslow, Burke Centre Festival Coordinator. The Wine Garden event was supposed to go until 10 p.m.

Editorial: Change Is Coming, Right?

Legislators on changing the culture of cash and gifts in Virginia: Crickets.

With former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen facing what could be decades in prison after their convictions for corruption, a reasonable person might reasonably expect that members of the General Assembly would be gearing up to make some big changes.

Time Sensitive

As much as I don’t want to be cognizant of date, time and place, relative to February 27, 2009 when Team Lourie first received the stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis on yours truly, I am (a terminal diagnosis will do that to you). Moreover, as often as I write about the need to live forward, rather than die backward (if you know what I mean), I still struggle with the application.

Extreme Politics

Foust, Comstock stake out opposing positions during first debate in hyper-partisan 10th district Congressional race.

Forget first-debate politeness. Republican Barbara Comstock and Democrat John Foust — the candidates vying to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf in Virginia’s 10th Congressional district — sustained the hyper-partisan tenor of their campaigns during a debate-style forum hosted by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce in Herndon last week.

The Broad-winged Hawks Are Coming

Every Autumn, in addition to literally billions of songbirds, a million or more avian raptors (hawks, eagles, and falcons) migrate from their nesting and breeding areas all over North America to their winter homes, mostly in Central and South America. Raptor enthusiasts and hawk counters often head for mountain ridges and other concentration points in hopes of seeing some of the birds fly by.

Classified Advertising September 3, 2014

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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.

Senior Centers in Fairfax County

A list of senior centers in Fairfax County.

Quilting Studio Adds to Dream Home

At 72, Wanda Rogers engages in an early American craft she first learned from her grandmother.

Quilting takes patience; ditto the steps entailed in setting up a quilting studio all of one's own. Such are the reflections of Wanda Rogers, 72, who is now tapering off a 51-year professional career, and increasing precious hours spent in the pursuit of a mountain-state handicraft she learned from her mother and grandmother.

Newcomers Guide: Year-round Festivals 2014-2015

A list of annual community events in the area.

Cook Kicks off Anti-Speeding Campaign

Police demonstration introduces “Slow Down: You live here. We live here.”

The speed limit sign in your neighborhood may be smarter than you think. To kick off Supervisor John C Cook’s anti-speeding campaign on Thursday, Aug. 28, Fairfax County police officers flexed the muscles of eight new radar signs they’ve purchased for the county.

School Sights

First day at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

“I’m excited to see friends. And to have Mr. Waiss as a teacher. He’s supposed to be like me, so I’m excited to meet him. We’re waiting for friends, and tired.”

Face Paint, Pony Show at Burke Centre Festival This Weekend

Festival enters its 37th year.

Burke Centre Festival coordinator Jeannie Winslow is downright calm when estimating attendance this year. “Police guestimate we had 10,000 over the whole weekend last year,” she said. “Maybe we’ll get a few thousand more.”

I Scream

…for ice cream; from Brigham’s in Boston, the local New England establishment of my youth where I spent dollars – although it was likely cents back in those days – many afternoons, evenings and weekends.

$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.

Following in Her Father’s Footsteps

Lt. Barbara Colberg, of Burke, helps bring Navy’s newest aircraft carrier into service.

A Burke native and 2003 Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology graduate, is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of a hand-picked crew charged with bringing the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier into service.

Lake Braddock Student Shines

Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Nathan Bender was selected to represent his school at an all expenses paid Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Conference on the campus of James Madison University in Harrisburg, Va.

Lake Braddock’s Edwards Makes First Start at QB

Bruins defeat West Potomac in season opener.

Lake Braddock defeated West Potomac 30-6 on Friday.

Opinion: Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied

On Friday, Aug. 29, was one year since a still unidentified Fairfax County police officer shot and killed an innocent, non-violent, unarmed John Geer as he stood in the doorway of his Springfield home.

Letter: Opposing Medicaid Expansion

Letter to the Editor

For those who have vocally criticized Republican misgivings about Governor McAuliffe’s desires to expand Medicaid in Virginia -- including the Connection Newspapers -- one need look no further than the past couple weeks of state news to understand the fiscal irresponsibility that would have befallen Virginia had the expansion taken place.