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.
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.
Dog Day Afternoon
Greenspring celebrates 10th annual Halloween Pet Parade.
Prancing, dancing and wagging their tails, Midnight, Ladybug, Itsy & Bitsy paraded across the stage in their Halloween finery as Greenspring celebrated its 10th annual Halloween Pet Parade on Saturday, Oct. 20.
Dreaming of Life-size ‘Anna’
Local sculptor promotes arts education.
After a 25-year career on Capitol Hill, Gwen Harrison Lockhart turned her sights to the fine art of sculpture. A few years after her retirement in 1990, Lockhart enrolled in her first art class with The Art League of Alexandria, located in the Torpedo Factory Art Center. "It’s something I always wanted to do," said Lockhart. "Now, sculpture is my long suit."
Greenspring Donates $10,000 to Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department
Donations to Station 22 used for fitness equipment and station improvements.
Greenspring retirement community presented a donation of $10,000 to Station 22 of the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department on Oct. 12. The donation, which was presented during National Fire Prevention Week, serves as a way for Greenspring to extend appreciation for the station’s consistent and timely service to the community.
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.
Going Pink During October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Marymount University hosts "Pink Out" to educate young women about breast cancer.
A corner of Arlington turned pink last week in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Marymount University held the first ever "Pink Out MU" day to promote breast cancer awareness and share information on the disease. The Student Health Center encouraged the community to wear pink to show their support for the fight against breast cancer. "A large number of people joined in the sprit and were wearing pink attire or pink ribbons," said Marymount spokeswoman Laurie Callahan.
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.