Stories for December 2014

Column: Level Best

If I wanted to rationalize the benefit of delaying my heretofore every-three-week chemotherapy infusion from three weeks to four and now on to five, possibly six – and that’s dependent on improved results from a second/maybe even third retest upcoming (this retest a bit more involved than drawing blood) – I would say it’s only fitting that I should have a break/brake; after all, it is the holiday season when all good things; yada, yada, yada. If only it were that simple.

Column: The New Normal

Loosey goosey, I suppose. As much as one might prefer some predictability in their life (certainly a cancer patient would – I know I would), I may be entering a cycle of permanent unpredictability.

Letter: Do Fairfax County Police Act with Impunity?

Fifteen months, after the shooting of John Geer, no officer has been identified, no charges have been filed, no grand jury has been convened and no reason has been given to the family or the public.

I would like to begin by saying that I have always and still do support the police as a whole. I appreciate the job that they do and the risks they take on a daily basis in an effort to keep the public safe. The ongoing policy in Fairfax County of police self-investigation, when officers are involved in possible crimes, has to change.

Loudoun Company Donates Free Roof to Cornerstones

DryHome Roofing and Siding, a Sterling-based roofing company, has selected Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith) as the recipient of a new roof through its annual Free Roof for the Holidays program.

State and Local Politics in 2015

Independent Progressive

I am happy to wave goodbye to political year 2014. It was not a good year for progressives, and a worse year for America. Defying logic, the party of no and dysfunction at the federal level and a root cause of the collapse of the middle class won broad victories in the ballyhooed midterms of 2014.

Gifts for the Home

Local shop owners offer suggestions to make holiday shopping easier.

While holiday shopping is part of the spirit of the season, for some choosing a present for everyone on their list can be overwhelming. Local small business owners come to the rescue with gift ideas for the home.

Irresistible? How Karen Garza Creates Change in Fairfax County Schools

Karen Garza is a good listener. And once she’s listened, she is, admittedly, not very patient. “If there's a real issue, I don't think it has to be debated for 10 or 15 years,” Garza said in an interview. “Either we're going to do something about it or not.”

FCPS Chief Karen Garza and Her Previous Life in Texas

“When I hired Karen in 2005,” former Superintendent of Houston Independent School District (HISD) Dr. Abelardo Saavedra said, “the position of chief academic officer had been open several months. I went looking for her. I’d never met her but I’d heard about her. There is a big difference between a mid-sized district and a larger one; the dynamics are completely different. I was taking a risk because she came from a mid-sized one of about 40,000 in Corpus Christi, and ours was much bigger. She adjusted very quickly.”

2014 in Reston: Metro Comes to Town

Metro brings change on community’s 50th anniversary.

Reston has gone through historic changes in the past year. 2014 brought Phase One of the Metro’s Silver Line and community input to redevelop all of Robert’s Simon’s village center visions on the 50th anniversary of his namesake.

2015 New Year Remodeling Resolutions

Improving long-term living needs and future home value.

After all the holiday festivities have passed and the ball has dropped to ring in the New Year, many homeowners are inspired to tackle resolutions that relate to their living space. 2015 may be the year you want to remodel your home to allow for the changes occurring in your life.

Fairfax County Public Schools Needing Community’s Help

Superintendent Karen Garza begins and ends her Listening Tour meetings with a plea to those in the room — parents, teachers, employees, unions — to help her achieve what needs to be done for their school system. “I am going to need your help,” she says to audiences who voice concerns about class size, resources for special education, and teacher salaries.

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza Bio

Current Position: Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent

Timeline of Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza’s career in education.

1986-1991: Elementary School Teacher, Yoakum, Texas (1,539 students, 38% white and 50% Latino and spends about $8,000 per pupil).

Editorial: Merry Christmas

A message of peace and joy.

Merry Christmas. It’s a magical time of year, and perhaps Connection Newspapers has over indulged in displaying the many rituals of Christmas on our pages in the past few weeks. In events around the area, a sense of community has infused holiday parades, Christmas tree lightings, menorah lightings, choral performances, singing of carols and other traditional events with warmth and joy.

Reston Garden Club Hosts Decoration Workshop

Garden club creates holiday decorations for Reston community.

December usually brings a holiday decorations workshop of some kind. The Reston Garden Club, an active community organization, held their decoration workshop at the Walker Nature Center in December on Glade Drive.

End Of the Year Fun in Reston and Herndon

Winter entertainment at various locations in Northern Virginia.

At the end of December and early days of January, residents in the Reston and Herndon area have a variety of local options for fun and entertainment. Some of these include the local art galleries, as well as options at the local community centers and regional parks.

Reston South Lakes Hosts Winter Concert

Students perform “Sounds of the Season.”

Reston’s South Lakes High School choral department presented their free winter concert “Sounds of the Season” at the school auditorium on Dec. 11. Music preformed included both sacred and secular selection, and was an opportunity for family members and friends to hear the results of many hours of practice and rehearsal.

When Dad (or Mom) Is High School Sports Coach

Local coaches and athletes share their feelings about the relationship between parent/coach and child/athlete.

Reston Home Sales: November, 2014

In November 2014, 53 Reston homes sold between $960,000-$167,500.

Reston Home Sales: November, 2014

Column: A Level That’s Anything But

This is not a home improvement reference, but this is most definitely a do-it-yourself column.

Column: On the Agenda

One of the most frequently asked questions of me this time of year is, “What will the General Assembly be doing when it meets?” The question is understandable with the regular session of the legislature scheduled to begin on Jan. 14, 2015.

‘The Nutcracker’ at Reston Stage

Last week more than 100 students ages 4 to 18 took audiences on a magical adventure in the Conservatory Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” For more than a decade, fighting mice and triumphing over the evil Mouse King has marked the start of the holiday season for South Lakes High School (SLHS) Senior Colin Lamoureux.

Obituary: Beverly Anne Schupfer Morris Dies

Beverly Anne Schupfer Morris, 84, passed away Nov. 23, 2014 in Idaho Falls, Idaho from complications of Parkinson’s Disease She was born June 13, 1930 in Lewiston, Idaho to Herman and Alberta Schupfer.

Herndon Coach Hall, Wife Host Weekly Study Hall

HHS athletes meet weekly for dinner, studying, fun.

Herndon High School athletes meet weekly at the Reston home of head boys' basketball coach Gary Hall.

An Essay To Remember

Local educators offer advice on acing independent school admission essays and interviews.

While many are knee-deep in wrapping paper and eggnog, some students are holed up with computer keyboards and books of quotations. In addition to driving to the mall for holiday shopping, some parents are throwing rapid-fire questions at their children to make sure they are fast on their feet.

Commentary: Helping People without Homes

The weather has turned colder and the holidays are in full swing, which means it’s the time of year when people ask “what can we do for the homeless now that it’s so cold?” Or “how can we help the homeless have a good Christmas?”

Editorial: Holidays Are for Giving

In the scramble to finish Christmas shopping, remember tens of thousands of local children are short of food as well as presents.

The holidays are for giving. Christmas and Hanukkah are about children and family, about sharing, about joy, about being thankful and about faith and appreciation. Here in Northern Virginia, many of us see few signs of families in need as we go about our daily lives and holiday shopping. Our neighborhoods are largely segregated economically; we mostly see the people who are most like ourselves economically.

Connolly To Hold 22nd Telephone Town Hall Meeting for Fairfax County, Prince William County and City of Fairfax

The representative is just a phone call away. Rather than cramming thousands of constituents into a single room, U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) is hosting his 22nd “telephone town hall meeting” where people call in for an hour-long virtual session. The event is set to take place Dec. 16 at at 8 p.m.

Reston Lake Anne Hosts Holiday Event

Weather does not hinder traditional Reston event.

Umbrellas and rain gear were all the fashion on Saturday, Dec. 6. Despite wet weather, parents and children still waited by Lake Anne Plaza in Reston for the visit by Santa Claus.

Lake Anne Business to Relocate

Board of Supervisors approves Lake Anne Redevelopment LLC proposal.

A proposal passed by the Board of Supervisors could temporarily displace Just Cats Clinic. The board unanimously passed a proposal at the Dec. 2 meeting to amend the county’s comprehensive plan calls for the demolition of the Millennium Bank building, among other requests, to provide a better view of Lake Anne Plaza once revitalized.

County Superintendent Listens to Reston

Dr. Karen Garza’s listening tour stops at Hunters Woods Elementary.

She’s listening. At the last stop of 2014 for her listening tour, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza listened to parents, students, teachers and residents about their concerns about the school system, ranging from cyberbullying to teacher pay on Saturday morning at Hunters Woods Elementary.

PenFed Realty Joins Forces With Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Both companies have demonstrated the ability to achieve impressive growth goals.

It wouldn’t be stretching the truth to describe this partnership as a potential match made in heaven. On Dec. 4 the press releases went out, announcing that Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, part of the HSF Affiliates LLC family of real estate brokerage franchise networks, was officially welcoming regional powerhouse Prudential PenFed Realty into the fold, where it will now operate as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty.

Editorial: Make a Plan, Talk About It

Here is help in keeping impaired drivers off the roads.

The holiday party season is upon us, and with it an increase in drinking and driving. It’s up to you to make a plan to get home safely.

Commentary: A Legislator's Holiday Season

The multiple celebrations that make up the holiday season bring travel, big meals, and family and friend reunions. For state legislators the end of the year and the holidays bring an additional dimension: preparation for the next legislative session.

Column: Senators Weigh In on Fairfax Police Killing

We have positive developments in the still unexplained slaying of John Geer by a still unidentified Fairfax County police officer on Aug. 29, 2013. Fairfax Police Chief Ed Roessler refuses to release the shooter’s name or any information. Commonwealth Attorney Ray Morrogh, who is responsible for investigating police criminality but is usually more a mouthpiece for the cops, declined to investigate at all. Citing a mystery conflict of interest, he passed the case to the U.S. Attorney.

Column: ‘Quality of Life’

If I’ve heard it once – from my oncologist – I’ve probably heard it a dozen times over the last nearly-six years.

Gifts for the Season Entice Shoppers

The cold weather would not deter hardy cyclists from riding. Dave Meyer said that gift cards, children’s bicycles, and warm clothing are popular gift items at his store, Green Lizard Cycling, located at 718 Lynn Street, Herndon.

Aghayere Leads South Lakes Girls’ Hoops into 2014-15 Season

Seahawks last season won first conference/district title since 1997.

South Lakes girls' basketball is the defending Conference 6 champion.

Reston Holiday Parade Launches Festive Season

Representatives of Herndon and Reston communities attend November parade.

Reston Town Center hosted the 24th Annual Reston Holiday Parade, a signature Reston event, on Friday, Nov. 28. Beginning at 11 a.m. the parade along Market Street launched the festive season.

Fairfax County Facing More Budget Strain

County Executive and FCPS Superintendent present adverse forecasts.

Days before the traditional loosening of belts for Thanksgiving, Fairfax County officials discussed the need for tightening theirs.

Letter to the Editor: Fairy Tale on Medicare Money

To the Editor: Virginia voters are not stupid. However, Delegate Ken Plum continues to espouse the Jonathan Gruber, purported architect of the Affordable Care Act (ObamamCare), fairy tale that Virginia is somehow losing money (“Protracted Legislative Session,” Reston Connection, November 19-25, 2014).

Shine Your Light

Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, recalls the victory—more than 2100 years ago—of a militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people over the mighty forces of a ruthless enemy that had overrun the Holy Land and threatened to engulf the land and its people in darkness.

Great Falls Celebration of Lights on Saturday

The 24th Annual Celebration of Lights will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, 5:30-8 p.m. at the Great Falls Village Centre Hill (behind the Post Office). The schedule of events includes:

Commentary: The “T” Word

Governor Terry McAuliffe will address the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on Dec. 17 in a statutorily required report on the state’s finances. The news will not be good nor will it be surprising. For the last two years the state has seen a steady erosion of its revenue base.

Letter to the Editor: Two Ideas to Address Rape

To the Editor: As many of us recoil from the recent UVA sexual assault article in Rolling Stone, tremendous accusations are being thrown at the university and others like it across the country. While UVA is not innocent and its infamous privileged “party culture” is partly to blame, there are two clear pieces of the story that no one seems to be addressing.

Editorial: Be Part of Children's Connection 2014

Annual edition showcases youth art and writing.

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.

Column: Since It Ain’t Broken...

Apparently, at least in the near term, we’re (meaning my oncologist) not going to fix it. And by fix it, I am referring to my chemotherapy infusion, which will continue to be every three weeks, as it has been for almost six years; save for a year or so when I was able to take pills at home, and on-site infusions were not necessary.