Brief: NAACP, Fairfax County Branch Elects New President
Brief: Campaigning on the platform, “A New Beginning,” Shirley Ginwright was elected president of the Fairfax County Branch of the NAACP. Ginwright pledged to increase membership, membership participation, civic engagement, and community involvement.
Put the Zip on Homelessness
Second Annual Jeans Day Campaign to End Homelessness launches.
The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (Fairfax Chamber), in partnership with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness, The Connection Newspapers and Apple Federal Credit Union, has announced the 2nd Annual Jeans Day to Put the ZIP on Homelessness (http://jeansday2012.eventbrite.com).
Brief: Greenspring Donates 800 Turkeys With Funds Raised From 10th Annual Turkey Trot
Brief: On Friday, Nov. 16, Greenspring residents and staff participated in the retirement community’s 10th Annual Turkey Trot, raising money to provide Thanksgiving turkeys to area families in need.
Opinion: Embracing Our Diversity
If you can ever find the time to attend a federal naturalization ceremony in Fairfax County for new citizens, do it. It reinvigorates one’s patriotism and reminds us all how lucky we are to be Americans.
Opinion: Celebrating Diversity Through Culture
So, when people from different countries, diverse cultures, and dissimilar values migrate to United States, they try to adjust and adapt to the new culture. But the onus should also be on American people to welcome them, to make them comfortable and feel at home. What do we do to create awareness about different cultures? Unfortunately, I have not seen much effort on the part of the government.
Editorial: Diversity Growing
Tune in to our series on immigration.
This week, the Connection kicks off a series about immigration, diversity and the growing population of foreign-born residents in Fairfax County. County reporter Victoria Ross opens with a story that captures vignettes and statistics of the changing population. It is a topic consistent with the original Thanksgiving story. More than 28 percent of Fairfax County's population is foreign born; that's 317,000 residents.
Fairfax Becomes Immigrants’ Gateway
Focus on immigration.
Yesuf Beshir spent nearly three years gathering the mountain of paperwork he needed to leave Ethiopia and emigrate to America.
A Way Out of No Way
Two women — one African-American and one from Africa — learn to see America through each other’s eyes.
Rosemary Osei, 22, and Lillie Reynolds, 61, have been good friends for four years. The two women, who help teach special needs students at a Vienna elementary school, are sometimes mistaken for mother and daughter.
Viewpoints: Immigrants’ Experiences on Becoming Americans
On Sept. 22 at the Multicultural Festival on Lake Anne Plaza in Reston, 25 people participated in a naturalization ceremony that made them American citizens.
A Sanctuary for Cigar-Lovers
Solving world problems at Burke Cigar Shop.
“This is a place where everybody knows your name, or nickname, where we solve the world’s problem.” —Tim Jeter, a retired Fairfax County firefighter
Editorial: Shop Locally, Give Locally
Small business Saturday isn't enough; don't wait until then, and don't stop after that.
An effort to support locally owned businesses has resulted in the recognition of Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year that is Nov. 24. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is a day of national zeal for shopping. Presumably the next day shoppers can focus on local shopping.
Long Lines Revisited
Bulova calls for bi-partisan group to address the issue, improve election process.
“I plan to present this issue to the Board of Supervisors at our next meeting and suggest the formation of a bi-partisan commission to identify ways to reduce lines, decrease wait times and streamline our election process.” —Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-at-large)
Holiday Shopping Trend
Show support for local businesses.
Get ready to toss out the candy corn and grab the candy canes. Black Friday—the hottest holiday shopping day of the year—is right around the corner. What’s one of the biggest trends this year? Shopping locally. Below is a list of local “mom and pop” niche stores that make vital contributions to the local economy, generate jobs and offer unique products and stellar personal service. Unlike many big national chains, they know their products, and are able to accommodate special requests. When you call, you are more likely to get a real, live person to help you. Who could ask for a better holiday gift?
Robinson’s Schweikert Places Fifth At State Cross Country Meet
Junior earns all-state with time of 18:08.
Robinson's Macey Schweikert on Nov. 10 earned all-state for the second straight year.
West Springfield’s Alcorta, Wittich Earn All-State
Spartan harriers crack top 15 at VHSL state cross country meet.
West Springfield's Caroline Alcorta finished runner-up and Maddie Wittich finished 12th at the VHSL state cross country meet on Nov. 10.
Holiday Service Projects
Join Democratic Women of Clifton to benefit local nonprofits.
Holiday service projects will be the focus of the next general meeting of the Democratic Women of Clifton on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. The location is the Clifton Community Hall, 12641 Chapel Rd., Clifton, VA 20124. Following a short meeting, at about 4 p.m. the DWC will reconvene at a local restaurant in Clifton for a holiday celebration. Again this year, the DWC will participate in holiday projects with two local organizations.
Cappies Review: A Hilarious Show
W. T. Woodson HS presents "Bye, Bye, Birdie."
A pop superstar, multitudes of screaming girls and headaches from parents and boyfriends across town—no, this isn't a Justin Bieber concert. It’s the premise of W.T. Woodson High School’s hilarious production of “Bye, Bye, Birdie!”
Join CROP Hunger Walk Nov. 18
Burke area walk celebrates 20 years.
When disasters such as Hurricane Sandy occur, the natural human response is to reach out to help others in need, typically through monetary donations. For 20 years, residents in Burke and surrounding communities have walked in the annual Burke Area CROP Hunger Walk to raise funds for both hunger and disaster relief, to help people whose names they would never know, even as they helped feed people who might be hungry in their own neighborhood.
Lake Braddock Girls Capture State XC Title
Girls’ Chase wins 2nd individual title, boys’ Tuck places 2nd.
Lake Braddock senior Sophie Chase won her second consecutive AAA state cross country title on Nov. 10 at Great Meadow.
Classified Advertising Nov. 14, 2012
Read the lastest ads here!