Stories for November 2012

Opinion: Immigrants and Today’s Faith Response

The presence of increasing numbers of immigrants is a challenge to the Fairfax County faith community commitments. The challenge is to be a faith community with open arms.

Editorial: Learning in a Global Community

Students in Fairfax County speak 160 languages.

This week our ongoing series about immigration in Fairfax County takes a look at county schools, and some of the joys and challenges of having a diverse student body that speaks as many as 160 different languages at home.

Classified Advertising Nov. 28,2012

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Town Center Lights Christmas Tree

Santa and Mrs. Claus, Reston Chorale appear at annual tree lighting.

Having just moved to Reston in July, Bill and Marie Jones and their two children weren’t aware of the annual festivities that happen at Reston Town Center every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, just after dark. They thought they were headed to town center for an evening of ice skating and frozen yogurt.

Reston Hosts Holiday Parade

Local groups participate in annual Reston Town Center parade Nov. 23.

Thousands of people spent the early part of their Black Friday spread out along Market Street for the annual Reston Holiday Parade. Organizations from across the area made their way down .3 miles of the road carrying balloons, performing and interacting with the crowd.

Herndon High Performs ‘Brigadoon’

Theater department puts on annual fall musical.

For many cast members in the Herndon High School Theatre Department, the musical "Brigadoon" wasn’t a familiar title to them. The story of two New Yorkers who stumble upon a mystical disappearing Scottish village features one of the young men, Tommy, who falls in love with one of the town’s residents, only to be confronted by the fact that the town only appears once every hundred years.

Schools Using Diversity for Student Benefits

Immersion, ESOL programs aim to take advantage of area cultures.

As Fairfax County has experienced massive growth in its international population, its effects have spread to its educational institutions. Forty-four percent of the Fairfax County Public Schools students come from homes that speak a language other than English, which includes 160 different languages.

Author Examines Life by the Letter

Joe Reynolds publishes collection of letters on variety of topics.

In an era of e-mails, text messages and tweets, the art of writing a letter hasn’t been lost on McLean resident Joe Reynolds. It’s something he was raised on, his father and grandfather wrote him letters while he was at college, a tradition that he continued while his three children were away at school.

Building a Savings Stockpile on Shoestring Budget

Money experts say it is possible to save, even on a limited income.

Even though Mary Beth Lanvin is employed full-time with a company that offers generous retirement benefits, she can’t afford to contribute to a 401(k).

Avoiding Holiday Debt

Plan now to prevent post-holiday bills.

Festive store displays mean the holiday shopping season is in full swing.

Tips for Year-End Charitable Giving

Financial experts offer suggestions for ensuring one’s donations are well spent.

’Tis the season for giving, and that includes donations to charities.

Brief: Helping Animals Find Homes for the Holidays?

Special adoption promotion to help animals find homes.

Brief: The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is offering a free spay or neuter for the first 100 cats, kittens, dogs or puppies adopted from the shelter through Dec. 31.

We Are the World, at Garfield

Teachers discuss challenges of teaching English as a Second Language.

Garfield Elementary School in Springfield, like all of Fairfax County, has a population that reflects a wide range of backgrounds.

Marshall High is the Face of Fairfax County

Upwards of 90 countries represented by student population.

The schools that feed into George C. Marshall High School are the academic home to children from all over the world.

Brief: History Conference Focuses on Conflict and Courage

Local historians honored.

Brief: The eighth Annual Fairfax County History Conference was held on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center in the City of Fairfax.

Brief: Community Meetings to Help Search for Superintendent

Brief: On Sept. 22, 2011, Superintendent Jack D. Dale announced his intention to retire from Fairfax County Public Schools effective June 30, 2013.

Week in Reston

Find out what is going on this week, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, in Reston.

Letter: What to do About More Reston Traffic Congestion

Letter: What to do? Is it possible that Reston will suffer from too much Transit Oriented Development?

Column: Virginia’s Mixed Holiday Blessings

Column: Virginians are living through this holiday season with mixed blessings.

Column: On the Other Side of the Pond

After the nerve-wracking U.S. election, we breathed a big sigh of relief that the country had not fallen into the hands of Mitt Romney and his Tea Party henchmen.

Letter: A Chunukah Message

Fix the darkness. . . make light.

Letter: The holiday of Chanukah is set to begin.

Brief: Celebrating the Magic of Lift Me Up!

Thirty-seventh Anniversary Gala a Spectacular Night!

Brief: Lift Me Up! therapeutic riding program hosted its annual gala on Saturday, Nov. 17, celebrating the organization’s 37th year of bringing the magic of horseback riding to individuals living with disabilities.

Brief: Fox Mill Walks Raise $5,400 for Reston Interfaith

Brief: The seventh annual Fox Mill Elementary School PTA Walk for the Homeless was held Thursday, Oct. 25.

Uranium Money Spreads Across Virginia in Radioactive Debate

Upcoming General Assembly session to feature effort to lift ban on uranium mining.

The uranium deposits under the farmlands of Pittsylvania County are miles away from Northern Virginia, but the debate about what happens there is shaping up to be one of the hottest issues of the upcoming General Assembly session.

Classified Advertising Nov 21, 2012

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Reston Home Sales: October, 2012

In October 2012, 79 Reston homes sold between $1,025,000-$137,100.

Reston Home Sales in October, 2012

Buy Now, Pay Later

Meaning: If I’m terminal, why deprive myself because of cost? If, in fact, I’m only living once – as the old saying goes, and somewhat less of a life than I had anticipated, shouldn’t I, at the very least, “Pull my pants down and slide on the ice,” as prescribed by Dr. Sidney Freedman in an episode of M*A*S*H, way back when?

Week in Reston

Peter McCandless and Chuck Veatch, along with a panel of other early marketing experts, will present a program on the origins of Reston, the nation’s first large-scale planned community that changed the face of the suburban landscape in America. The presentation will cover Robert E. Simon Jr.’s vision for Reston, incorporating contemporary architecture and a balanced community with a mix of uses and clustered development, how the plan became “world famous,” and the market challenges facing Reston.

Viewpoints in Reston: "What are you thankful for?"

Residents of Reston answer the question, "What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving Day?"

Getting Up to Speed on Healthcare

Panel discussion addresses small business issues with Affordable Health Care Act.

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel discussion Friday, Nov. 16 at the Dulles Westin, to examine the effects of the Affordable Health Care Act on business owners.

Paying Tribute to ‘Dogs of War’

Local author’s new book examines American leaders and their dogs.

Kathleen Kinsolving knows that inspiration can come from strange places. In 2000, she was helping a friend move when she came upon a trunk full of books, including Carlo D’Este’s biography of Gen. George Patton, “Patton: A Genius for War.”

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.

Brief: Westbriar Student Wins Thanksgiving Card Challenge

Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) teamed up with K3 Construction Group to sponsor a Thanksgiving Card Challenge among the schools participating in the GRACE Art program (formerly known as the Art in the Schools).

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.

Brief: Rosemary Gallick’s Artwork on Display in Three Galleries

Paintings by Rosemary Gallick are on exhibition at the Reston Association until Nov. 30.

Brief: ArtSpace Announces Winners of Portrait Competitions

Brief: ArtSpace Herndon has announced the winners and honorable mentions of the fourth annual Portrait Competition.

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.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas: Flowers Not Required

Floral design pros share secrets to creating swoon-worthy centerpieces.

While the turkey is often the star of a Thanksgiving dinner table, a nonedible focal point can play a leading role in creating an elegant dinner table aesthetic. From lush floral arrangements to designs without blooms, three local floral design pros offer ideas for spectacular centerpieces that can be replicated easily at home.

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.

Woodpecker Attack

When Diane Smith moved into her Reston home in 2004, the house, which was built with cedar siding, was in good repair. The siding, she says, “appeared intact and heavily stained.”

Reston Residents Meet to Prepare for the Next Storm

On Saturday, Nov. 3, just days after Hurricane Sandy hit our region, Reston residents engaged in a dialogue at a forum titled “Is Your Neighborhood Ready for the Next Big Storm,” held at Reston Community Center Lake Anne. The event was organized by Reston for a Lifetime with the support of Reston Community Center and Reston Citizens Association to help create awareness and a dialogue before the first big snowstorm hits our region.

Reston Holiday Parade Set for Nov. 23

Reston Town Center presents the 22nd annual Reston Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. to launch the festive season with Macy’s-style balloons, musicians, dancers, antique cars, and more. This one-of-a-kind, one-hour parade along Market Street will also welcome the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. The Reston Holiday Parade is held rain or shine, and since 1991 it has been an annual tradition on the day after Thanksgiving. The full day’s schedule is listed below, and more information is available at www.restontowncenter.com/holidays.

Letter: Volunteers Make Democracy Work

During my last canvassing on Nov. 5, I met a young female canvasser who truly exhibited outstanding determination in participating in the Get-Out-To-Vote effort of the Obama campaign. I spoke to Natalie Erdossy, and learned that Natalie brought her three very young children along during the canvassing, and that her husband was doing a second tour in Afghanistan with the State Department. She said that she was recruited by her neighbor Ellen Graves and she wanted to do her part. What I find so outstanding is that she was driven by a purpose greater that her immediate personal comfort.

Commentary: Reflections on the Elections

“Oh, no!” many may exclaim at the idea of hearing any more about the elections. But I believe it is instructive for the future to consider what happened and why. As residents of a battleground state, Virginians were inundated with telephone calls, television ads and slick mailers. Interestingly, the guys who spent the most money did not win. Virginia is a state that had just a few years ago elected Republicans to its top three statewide offices, majorities in the House and Senate, and eight of its 11 congressional representatives. Yet President Obama won the state handily. And former Governor Tim Kaine won a seat in the U.S. Senate even though 30 million in outside dollars were spent against him. How can this happen? Some of my thoughts on the question follow.

Column: Elections 2012—Role of Big Bucks Going Forward

Happy post-election to you all. Before I return to our discussion of our flawed election process and the role of the big bucks, I want to congratulate a good friend and fellow Restonian. Aaron Williams recently resigned after three years as director of the Peace Corps, one of America’s finest organizations. When this Reston resident, a former PC Voluneer himself, took over the Corps, it faced some major issues.

Herndon, Reston Honor Veterans

American Legion hosts Veterans Day Observance.

“The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Let us observe two full minutes of silence.” With those words, David Kirby, commander of Herndon-Reston American Legion Wayne M. Kidwell Post 184, opened the 2012 Veterans Day observance, addressing veterans, active duty members, town dignitaries and respectful citizens gathered on the green behind the Herndon Municipal Center. The commander was, of course, referring to 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918—the date and hour when hostilities on the Western Front of World War I officially came to an end. Originally celebrated as “Armistice Day” to remember those fallen in combat during that war, what we now call Veterans Day has evolved to honor those who made that ultimate sacrifice, and to thank all who have served and continue to do so.

Classified Advertising Nov. 14, 2012

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Gift Ideas in Great Falls

Maison et Jardin, Maison du Vin offer gift ideas for holidays.

While places like Tysons Corner might draw the large crowds and big numbers during the holiday shopping season, plenty of local residents are able to find gifts much more locally. The shops at the Great Falls commercial center offer a wide variety of items from locally owned businesses.

LEAP Awards $5,000 to Homeowners

Marti Fucile and Eric Shor receive award to make home more energy efficient.

Living on Lake Audubon, Marti Fucile and her fiancé Eric Shor have learned to love their view of the lake. But as environmentally-friendly homeowners, they also know the reality that comes with the high ceilings and large windows in their townhouse.

Used Book Shop Offers Gift Ideas

Lake Anne shop has been "where books and people meet" for more than 30 years.

Whenever he comes to Lake Anne, Jeremy Thompson of Reston has a place he always stops. A place he calls an "increasing rarity" in today’s world.

Column: Weight For It

This reference is not about pounds, per se. It is about the two largest tumors in my lungs, inoperable in that they are located between the two halves which make up the whole lung.

Long Lines on Election Day ‘Unacceptable’

Bulova calls for bi-partisan group to address the issue, improve election process.

While voter turnout in Fairfax County on Election Day was at an all-time high--80.5 percent of registered voters cast their ballots, compared to 78.7 percent in 2008--some voters faced long lines and endured hours of waiting in the cold to cast their ballots.

Classified Advertising Nov. 7, 2012

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Reston/Herndon Calendar, Nov. 10-17

Get out and about with these events in Herndon and Reston.

Racing for Superheroes

Event benefits local nonprofit organizations.

From children wearing superhero capes to costume-clad adults to tots in strollers, participants took to the streets of Arlington last month to raise money for charity as part of the fourth annual Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause 8K and One-Mile Fun Run.

Week in Reston

The Initiative for Public Art—Reston (IPAR) will celebrate another year of making art and culture a vibrant part of everyday life at its IPAR Annual Reception, Thursday, Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m. at Midtown, Reston Town Center.

Oakton Boys’, Girls’ Cross Country Advance to States

Madison’s Calem, Herndon’s Heuer earn all-region.

The Oakton cross country program qualified its boys' and girls' teams for the state meet, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10 at Great Meadow.

Locals Join All-Star Line-up at Metro Cooking Show

Area specialty food entrepreneurs among the attractions at the 2012 Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show.

When celebrity chefs and Food Network stars were in Washington last weekend for what has become a Super Bowl for foodies (Giada De Laurentiis, Jacques Pepin, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons and The Chew’s Michael Symon and Carla Hall were just some of the famous faces), some area culinary enthusiasts joined them as well.

Using Smart Phone To Get Better Healthcare

New apps and websites designed to make medical visits more efficient.

When Susan Gallagher’s 5-year-old son had an allergic reaction to something he ate at a birthday party, the Reston mother knew she had to get him to an emergency room immediately.

Commentary: A Faithful Budget

This column is being written before the results of the election are known. Regardless of the outcome, however, the winners will face tough challenges. Growing numbers of persons unemployed and in poverty require consideration and response even as budgets get more difficult to balance.

LINK Needs Children’s Coats, Winter Clothes

Addressing hunger in the area.

LINK is seeking civic groups, churches, businesses and schools to partner with LINK to help provide food for needy families this year.

Letter: Morality and the Budget

Sister Marge Clark discussed "morality and the budget," and argued that "unmet needs" must be the starting point of building any budget [“Discussing Budget Morality,” Reston Connection, Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2012].  Sister Clark is exactly right that budgets and morality are intertwined, but she is precisely wrong on the problem and the solution.

Reston Thanksgiving Food Drive Begins

Reston Community Center, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Reston Interfaith bring chance to serve.

Reston Community Center (RCC) kicked off their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on Monday, Nov. 5, in partnership with Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Reston Interfaith. Donations will be accepted through Nov. 19, and volunteers will sort and deliver donations on Thanksgiving Day. The Food Drive was previously planned to begin on Nov. 1 and was delayed due to the impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

Orchestra Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Reston Community Orchestra prepares 25th season.

Twenty-five years ago, Joellyn Kinzer, a cello player, invited a dozen like-minded musicians to her living room for some baked goods and a chance to play together.

Garden Club Hosts ‘Big Dig’

Reston Garden Club performs beautification project at Reston library.

When members of the Reston Garden Club planned their “Big Dig” project at the Reston Regional Library, one of their main goals was to beautify the traffic islands in the parking lot. By adding dozens of plants to previously barren patches of dirt Monday, Nov. 5, the club achieved several goals.

Fairfax Votes ‘Yes’ On Bond Package

$155 million will be used to upgrade, renovate fire stations, libraries, parks and make storm water improvements.

On Tuesday, Fairfax County voters overwhelmingly approved $155 million in bonds to upgrade and renovate libraries, parks, fire stations and courtrooms, and to make storm water improvements to address flooding in the Huntington neighborhood.

Eminent Domain Amendment Prevails by Wide Margin

Some lawmakers predict amendment will cost taxpayers millions down the road.

Local lawmakers said they were not surprised that nearly two and half million voters (74.6 percent) approved a state constitutional amendment last night further restricting Virginia’s power of eminent domain.

Fairfax Republicans Come Together for Election

What started as a night of hope for the Fairfax County Republican Committee ended on something of a sour note, as Republican presidential, senate and congressional candidates were not able to oust incumbents.

Area Votes for Obama, Kaine, House Incumbents

President Barack Obama wins second term, Kaine wins Senate seat, Moran, Wolf, Connolly re-elected.

In a bitter and historically expensive battle, President Barack Obama defeated Gov. Mitt Romney, winning a second term Tuesday after grabbing the key swing state of Virginia after midnight. With the addition of the Commonwealth’s 13 electoral votes – as well as those of Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire and Wisconsin – Obama sailed over the electoral cliff with the critical 270 electoral votes he needed for victory.

Obama, Clinton, Kaine Fire Up Virginia Crowd

Campaign rally in Bristow, Va. attracts 24,000 supporters.

President Obama, President Clinton, and Senate hopeful Tim Kaine gather supporters at a Virginia rally.

Romney at GMU: ‘He Believes in Us’

Fairfax crowd gives Romney ‘energetic’ welcome as more than 10,000 supporters gather inside and outside Patriot Center.

By the time GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney took center stage at George Mason University’s Patriot Center around 4 p.m. Monday, the crowd was fired up.

Editorial: Feeling Important

Presidential campaigns traverse Northern Virginia on last days, mark the importance of every vote.

The images from the last weeks of the presidential Election of 2012 make it clear that it would be hard to overstate the importance of voting, especially in Virginia, especially in Northern Virginia.

Absentee Voting Down Slightly from 2008 Election

More confusion about redistricting reported at polls, not Voter ID.

The line of 100-plus voters casting absentee ballots at the Reston Government Center Friday evening moved quickly.

Voter Turnout High in Reston

Despite long lines crowds remain positive.

Voter turnout around Reston was high Tuesday morning with voters reporting waits ranging between 35 minutes and one hour.

First-time Voters Viewpoints: "Who are you voting for and why?"

"I'll be voting for Barack Obama for several reasons. First of all, I've been pretty liberal all my life and I've grown up overseas in France, Belgium and Greece and it's no secret that Europe is pretty liberal also. It put American politics into perspective for me and helped shape my views. Also, I'll be going to college next year and it's increasingly expensive..."

Column: Hands of Time

On the one hand, I want to take note every month on the 27th as yet one more notch on my living-with-cancer belt. On the other hand, maybe I don’t need a belt to be notching but rather a life to be living. Perhaps it’s time, nearly 44 months post-diagnosis – at press time, to stop counting backwards and try more living forwards.

Oakton’s Klimkiewicz Repeats as Concorde XC Champ

Madison girls’ win Liberty District title.

For the second straight season, Oakton’s Allie Klimkiewicz held off Robinson’s Macey Schweikert to win the Concorde District girls’ cross country championship.

Fast, Funny and Physical

Reduced Shakespeare Company brings treats to Reston's CenterStage.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company will be making its annual visit to Reston's CenterStage to bring its "fast, funny and physical" theater.

Column: Elections 2012—The Best Money Can Buy?

Independent Progressive.

Nope! The vast majority certainly won’t get the best! Elections are awash in cash—incumbents and challengers selling “access” and big contributors buying influence.