Sunday, July 31
Police Investigating Two Deaths in Fairfax Fire as Murder-Suicide
Fairfax County Police have now released the name of Roy Eugene Rumsey, 58, as one of the two dead bodies that were found during a house fire in Fairfax on July 27.
Friday, July 29
Burke Home Sales: June, 2016
In June, 2016, 89 Burke homes sold between $999,000-$239,500.
Burke Home Sales: June, 2016
Senior Dogs: Untold Stories
Like many geriatrics, senior dogs in our area are illness survivors and living with a range of conditions including arthritis, hip dysplasia and chronic back pain.
Thursday, July 28
Community Works Together To Alleviate Hunger
Food for Others assemble backpacks of non-perishable food.
Food for Others started its Power Pack Program -P3- in Fairfax County four years ago "after we noticed the need and heard from school counselors. We started with eight schools and are now up to 28," according to Jessica Cogen, director of development and outreach of Food for Others. Cogen also emphasized that "we are seeking to expand the number of schools served this year to help meet the need."
Fairfax County: Non-profit Our Daily Bread Changes Name To Britepaths
Fairfax-based non-profit Our Daily Bread has changed its name to Britepaths.
Fairfax County: School Board Work Session Draws Transgender Regulation Protesters
The Fairfax County School Board was scheduled to discuss new regulations for addressing daily life at school for students who identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming at July 21 work session held at the school system’s Gatehouse Road headquarters in Falls Church.
Tuesday, July 26
Senator Kaine Hosts Interfaith Forum
Senator Tim Kaine spends last day before VP pick showing why Virginia matters.
No one knew it at the time, but Sen. Timothy M. Kaine’s (D-Va.) public appearances moderating roundtables in Northern Virginia last Thursday, July 21 would be his last day of relative political anonymity before being catapulted to political prominence 24 hours later as Hillary Clinton’s pick for her Vice-Presidential running mate.
Friday, July 22
Fairfax: Community Weighs in on Shirley Gate Extension
Dianna and Wayne Pennington own property at the corner of Popes Head Road and the Fairfax County Parkway. With an extension of Shirley Gate Road having been on Fairfax County’s transportation plan since 1991, they say they can’t sell the land with the project up in the air.
Burke, Fairfax: Braddock’s Best Honored
Local outstanding citizens, organizations and businesses were recognized by the Braddock District Council of Community Associations and Braddock District Supervisor program with the annual Best of Braddock Awards.
Thursday, July 21
Fairfax County: School Transgender Regulations in Limbo
Fairfax County Public Schools are holding off on implementing new regulations regarding transgender and gender nonconforming students.
Fairfax County: Support for Police Auditor, Civilian Review Panel
Supervisors discuss independent oversight recommendations from Ad Hoc Commission.
Details of an independent auditor for Fairfax County police and a civilian panel to review cases of alleged FCPD abuse of authority or misconduct are still being hammered out. However there was general agreement among County Supervisors at the July 19 Public Safety Committee meeting that they are in favor of moving forward with the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission to create both entities for accountability.
Wednesday, July 20
Area Roundups
Area happenings
Letter: Keeping Young Minds Engaged in Summer
To the Editor
Summer means warmer weather and time for vacations. But it’s also a time when the average student loses nearly two months of academic knowledge.
Letter: Taking the Lead on Climate Change
To the Editor
Senator Tim Kaine took the the floor of the United States Senate, and displayed the potential for being a climate champion.
Letter: Taking Exception
To the Editor
The Last week’s Connection included a Letter to the Editor from Elizabeth Torpey Bradsher ("School Board Politics and Transgender Policy.") I
Food Truck Full of Temptations: Ed Hardy
Ed Hardy’s truck has recently been parked in Reston at lunchtimes, but often travels around Fairfax County to feed the hungry.
Editorial: Voting, for Former Felons and Others
In a Democracy, we’re best served by more voter participation.
Today, the Virginia Supreme Court will hear an expedited challenge to Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s (D) restoration of the voting and civil rights of more than 200,000 Virginians who were convicted of felonies, served their time and completed any supervised release, parole or probation requirements. The restoration of voting rights moves Virginia into the mainstream.
Friday, July 15
Burke, Fairfax Station, Oakton, Springfield: Four swimmers from Burke club compete at Olympic Trials in Omaha
1:01.19. For the last year, Oakton resident Jasmine Hellmer has gone to bed looking up at “1:01.19” written on a Post-It note stuck to her ceiling. That time represented the rising Flint Hill School junior’s greatest goal to date: the time standard to qualify for Olympic Trials in the 100 butterfly.
Burke Resident Charged with Supporting, Attempting to Join ISIS
Burke resident Haris Qamar, 25, was arrested Friday, July 8 and charged with attempting to aid the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, in the form of providing material support and resources.
Thursday, July 14
Fairfax County: Four Arrested at Natasha McKenna Protest
Racial justice group calls for Sheriff Kincaid to fire deputies.
Four demonstrators were arrested Monday morning at a protest outside the Fairfax Courthouse for the February 15 in-custody death of Natasha McKenna.
Fairfax County: School Board Receives New Transgender Regulations
Discussion moves to a work session
Friday afternoon, July 1, Fairfax County School Board members each received an email containing new operating regulations regarding transgender and gender nonconforming students.
Wednesday, July 13
Burke and Springfield: AARP Campaign Office Opens in Springfield
On Wednesday, July 6, delegates Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) and Dave Albo (R-42) helped kick off the opening of the American Association of Retired Persons’s “Take a Stand” Campaign Headquarters in Springfield.
Letter: Congressman Champions Environmental Cause
To the Editor
As the headlines on the devastating impacts of climate change in our country and worldwide are hitting the media, we wonder whether our legislators are doing enough to address this issue.
Week in Burke
Weekly happenings in Burke
Burke Children Take Summer Reading Challenge
Burke Centre Library hosts kick-off event for Summer Reading Challenge.
Tuesday, July 12
Letter: Misinterpretation and Misdirection
To the Editor
This is a response to Mr. Peter Storm’s specious letter, (“What Was the Founding Fathers’ Intent?” (Connection, July 6-12, 2016) and the broader leftist propensity toward historical misinterpretation and misdirection regarding the 2nd Amendment.
Letter: School Board Politics and Transgender Policy
To the Editor
The perception from many like me is that the Fairfax County School Board is hungry for national media attention as evidenced by their 2015 vote on the Gender Nonconforming and Transgender Student Policy
Editorial: Be Part of Our Annual Community Guide
Share tips in upcoming Newcomers and Community Guides.
The Connection’s annual Newcomers and Community Guides will publish Aug. 24 with a deadline of Aug. 17.
Fairfax Symphony Celebrating 60th Season
Orchestra deepens community ties.
Sixty years and counting. Since 1956, the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra has been a leading orchestra, while remaining committed to community involvement.
Experiential Learning Camp for High School Students
Junior Achievement of Greater Washington seeks participants in a three-day experiential learning camp on Aug. 8 to 10 at the JA Finance Park in Fairfax.
White Kitchens Are a Trend with staying Power
The clean, crisp look of a white kitchen has staying power and versatility, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Park Discovery Trail Leads Children to Presidential History, Prizes
Which U.S. President made a daring escape from the enemy through Riverbend Park? What does the House at Hidden Pond Nature Center have in common with the White House? Which Commander-in-Chief saved Sully Historic Site from demolition? T
Thursday, July 7
Weekend Events: July 7-10
Weekend events in your area.
Orange Hunt Fourth of July Parade Rolls Despite Rain
Light rain began to fall shortly before the 1 p.m. start of the annual Fourth of July parade across Sydenstricker Road in Springfield.
Burke, Fairfax Station: Construction Beginning in August on Burke Lake Park Sewer Line
Construction is set to begin Aug. 8 on around 7,000 feet of sewer line running throughout Burke Lake Park.
Fairfax County: School Board Renews Superintendent Garza’s Contract
Fairfax County Public Schools has secured four more years with Dr. Karen Garza at the helm as superintendent. The School Board members voted unanimously to extend her contract through June 30, 2020 at their June 30 meeting.
Wednesday, July 6
Area Roundups
Weekly happenings in the area.
Letter: Joining Climate Defenders
To the Editor
Since I was a young child, the environment has been an important part of my life.
Tuesday, July 5
Dragon Boating
It’s been called the fastest growing water sport in the world – although it took more than 2,000 years to recently take aim at that title.
Assistance League of Northern Virginia Installs New Board of Directors
Assistance League of Northern Virginia’s Installation of the 2016-17 Board of Directors was conducted on June 13 during the annual chapter meeting and luncheon.
Pushups For Charity Challenge Benefits Veterans
Local veteran opens gym, Rebel Fit USA.
Strategies for Preventing Concussions This Summer
Local physician is pioneering traumatic brain injury treatment.
Summer has been dubbed “trauma season” by health care professionals.
Letter: Protect Homeowners, and School Budget
To the Editor
Regarding John Knight's letter ("Seniors Unfairly Tapped for School Budget") in the last week’s Connection: While the sentiment is nice and I would join anyone in complaining about the burden of taxes being put on all the homeowners; in my opinion businesses and developers get away with tax breaks.
Editorial: Hungry in Summer
There are hungry children in Northern Virginia, more so in summertime.
Summer for most children in Northern Virginia is a time of fun and activities, camp and vacation, trips to the pool and possibly to the library.