
Liberatore Leads Bruins to District Gymnastics Title
Senior wins all-around championship after back-to-back runner-up finishes.
After her routine, Caitlin Liberatore cracked a wide smile when judges revealed a score of 9.575. It was enough to win the event, but was it enough to win the all-around crown?
Editorials: Access to Activities for Home Schoolers; Action in Richmond; Changes in Gun Laws
Families who home-school their children in this area take a burden off crowded schools, and off taxpayers who pay on average between $12,000 and $16,000 per year per child in school depending on where in Northern Virginia.

Volunteers Support Greenspring’s Oral Rehydration Project
Greenspring residents, staff assemble 5,300 kits for children suffering across the globe.
The statistics are startling. More than 1.5 million children across the globe die each year because of dehydration associated with diarrhea.
Letter: Coming Forward On Child Sex Abuse
Letter to the Editor
I am a victim of childhood sexual abuse and a mother of four. I was very happy to see the article "Scandal Highlights Child Sex Abuse" [Connection, Feb. 2-8, 2012] by Victoria Ross which addresses an important issue that is close to my heart.
Bulletin Board (Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield)
Community events in the Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield area.
Calendar (Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield)
Community events in the Burke/Fairfax/Lorton/Springfield area.
Woodson’s Dash Makes Collegiate Decision
Cav wide receiver set to play for first-year football program.
W.T. Woodson High senior football player Marcus Dash, earlier this week on the Feb. 1 National Signing Day for high school athletes, was scheduled to sign a college letter of intent to play NCAA Div. 2 football at Alderson-Broaddus (A-B) College in Philippi, West Va.

Cementing the Districts
Republicans try to lock in eight-to-three advantage in congressional redistricting.
Now that congressional redistricting has moved through the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate, a picture of 2012 is beginning to take shape.
Woodson Tops Lake Braddock in Boys’ Basketball
Woodson sharp-shooter Tommy Stepka hurts Bruins with long range shooting.
The three-point shot is arguably the most satisfying in basketball. When coupled with aggressive defense, it can make a team virtually unstoppable. The Woodson High boys’ team connected on seven 3-pointers and buried visiting Patriot District opponent Lake Braddock defensively to win 73-50 last Friday night, Jan. 27.

Burke: A History of Pies, Racing and Summer Fun
Burke Historical Society hosts descendent of famous Burke family.
When Mike Copperthite dug into his family’s history last year, he struck pies. Fifty thousand of them.
West Springfield’s Robinson Getting Back in Shape
Standout point guard returns after missing five weeks with injured ankle.
April Robinson, a 2011 first-team All-Met selection, has worked on her endurance since returning to the lineup after missing more than a month with an injured ankle. Monday’s match-up with T.C. Williams was Robinson’s fourth game after her five-week layoff and the Titans put her to the test. TC pressured Robinson in the backcourt and forced her to work up and down the floor.

President Announces Homeowners Bill of Rights
Gives speech to crowd at James Lee Community Center in Falls Church.
Calling the continuing depression in the housing market a "make-or-break" moment for the middle class, President Barack Obama delivered a short and pointed speech this morning about his proposed Homeowner’s Bill of Rights to an audience in Falls Church.
Letter: Schools Have Too Much Power
Letter to the Editor
I just read an article by Michael Lee Pope ["Politics of Notification: Father takes his plight for increased parental notification to Richmond," Connection, Jan. 26-Feb. 1] It is simply wrong!
Girl Scouts Invited to Community Celebration
This year Girl Scouts of the USA is celebrating its 100th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the South Central Fairfax Association of the Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC) is conducting a special event and opening it up to the community at Springfield Mall on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Letter: Benefits of Smaller Class Sizes
Letter to the Editor
We have a great school system in Fairfax County. Our test scores are high, our students are engaged in challenging educational curriculums, and our schools have received national recognition as being some of the best in the nation.