Stories for September 2016

Reston: Oktoberfest Returns to Reston on Oct. 8

The beer and wine will be flowing at Oktoberfest Reston produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Oktoberfest Reston is one of the largest fall festivals in Northern Virginia, drawing crowds up to 35,000. This event features the best in fall and German brews with traditional Oktoberfest fare from area restaurants.

Reston: Washington Plaza Baptist Church to Install New Pastor

Reverend Michelle L. Nickens will be formally installed as the fifth pastor of Washington Plaza Baptist Church (WPBC) on Sunday, Oct. 9, during a special 4 p.m. service. A reception will follow in the Plaza Room on the lower level.

Fairfax County: Call for Civility in Schools’ LGBTQ Discussion

School board Board also receives Opening of Schools report, votes on challenged materials review committee.

Robert Rigby stood before the Fairfax County School Board on Sept. 22 wearing a red polo shirt, typically a sign of unity at board meetings among parents and community members who have opposed recent policy updates in the school system surrounding students who identify as transgender.

Editorial: Independent Police Auditor Marks History

Kudos to Board of Supervisors for unanimous approval of independent police auditor; now on to the Civilian Review Panel.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to create the position and office of independent police auditor on Tuesday, Sept. 20, creating the first civilian, independent oversight of law enforcement in Fairfax County. The unanimous vote demonstrated the board’s commitment to the ongoing process that began early in 2015 when Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova established the 32-member Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.

McLean, Great Falls, Reston: Wannabe Beekeepers Wanted

Beekeeping is a trending hobby, but many stung by the idea don’t know where to begin. On Sunday, Oct. 8, from 2 - 5 p.m. at the Reston Association Headquarters Conference Center, master beekeeper Todd Harding teaches wannabe backyard beekeepers the basics of procuring, maintaining, and feeding bees. The class is held in Reston at the home-owners association, but is open to everyone, regardless of address.

Vienna, Reston: The Path Toward Tomorrow

Giving Circle of Hope hosts County needs assessment reporting.

According to Michelle Gregory, Division Director from the Countywide Service Integration and Planning Management department, it’s probably been more than a decade since Fairfax County conducted a human services needs assessment for the residents of the region. In the summer of 2015, the County decided it was more than time to take a detailed look at how things have changed since the last official recording and to see who most needed what in our area.

Walk to Prevent Suicide

Walk supports survivors of suicide loss and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The Out of the Darkness Walks are American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s largest fundraiser, producing millions for suicide prevention programs, and works to unite those who have been affected by suicide, and create communities that are “smart about mental health.”

Homework Overload

Some educators say less can be more, stress balance when it comes to homework.

Paula DeMarco dreads one time of day the most: weekday evenings at 5:30. It’s the time she has set aside for her children begin their homework. That means no screen time, music or other distractions.

‘Sextortion’ Victims Are Mostly Men

Photos, video used to demand money from victims.

Detectives of the Major Crimes Division of Fairfax County Police report a trend in an unsavory type of financial scam. Sexual extortion scams, commonly referred to as “sextortion,” involve meeting someone the victim believes is a real person online who coaxes him or her into feeling a sense of connection and intimacy, and then sending risque photos or video.

First Lady Comes to GMU, Campaigns for Clinton

Speaks on Hillary Clintons 'lifelong record of public service.'

Excitement filled the air when First Lady Michelle Obama addressed an enthusiastic crowd, last Friday, Sept. 16, at GMU’s Johnson Center. Speaking on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, she urged everyone to vote and called Clinton the only qualified candidate in the race.

Column: Chesapeake Bay – Barometer of the Environment

Commentary

When Captain John Smith and other Englishmen made their way to the new found land of Virginia in 1607 they found a richness of natural beauty and resources unmatched in anyplace else they had been.

Reston: South Lakes High Cross Country Teams Off to a Strong Start

Led by its freshmen girls’ team, South Lakes High School cross country teams placed in every invitational meet they competed in thus far this season.

Reston Multicultural Festival Returns Sept. 24

Reston Multicultural Festival -- billed as “a celebration of music, entertainment, dress, food and cultural treasures from all over the world” - will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m.--6 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza.

Reston Letter: Limiting Powers of ‘Independent Police Auditor’

Letter to the Editor

I am a member and participant with the UU Church in Reston’s Social Justice Committee who has been closely watching the activities of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as it adopts provisions for the establishment of an “Independent Police Auditor”.

Reston: Fortune 100 Company’s Jewel Box in Woods

For its new headquarters, General Dynamics Corporation executives wanted a “jewel box in the woods,” said attorney Mark Looney.

Reston: 54 Townhouses Approved on 3.45 Acres

Where can pizza delivers or other delivery drivers park their cars or trucks? That was part of Planning Commission deliberations on July 28, 2016 regarding a hearing on RP 11720, LLC’s application to permit construction of 54 single family attached dwelling units on 3.45 acres at the northwest quadrant of Sunrise Valley Drive and Roland Clarke Place.

Fairfax County: Students learn IT and job skills, earn tech internships.

On a scorching week day in late summer, rising Fairfax County seniors Kenneth Smith, Amy Wong and Tasmia Dia were taking cumulative review tests in their summer course. This wasn’t exactly summer school, though.

Fairfax County: Changes in Voting from 2012

Electoral board highlights key dates and procedure updates.

Clinton or Trump? Meals Tax or no Meals Tax? These are just a two of the weighty decisions on the ballot for this fall’s election. To help people prepare for this cycle, leaders of the Fairfax County electoral board held a meeting with media to highlight some changes from the 2012 Presidential election.

Classified Advertising September 21, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Walking to End Alzheimer's

Northern Virginia walk set for Sept. 25

When Paula Dierkes was growing up in Arlington, she would often hear family stories of a grandfather who sat on his front porch screaming at his neighbors and asking for his shotgun. She recalls a grandmother who shut out her family, literally, by closing doors and windows when they came to visit.

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Garza Resigns

Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Karen Garza has announced her resignation, just months after the FCPS board renewed her contract through June 30, 2020.

Fairfax County: Supervisors Approve Independent Police Auditor

Unanimous vote follows Ad Hoc Commission recommendations for more transparency and oversight of Fairfax County police.

With a unanimous vote on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the creation of an independent police auditor office, following recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.

Vienna, Reston, Herndon: Improving the Road, Maintaining Its Character

County holds Hunter Mill Road Study Community Meeting.

On Sept. 15, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) held Community Meeting #5 to bring the public up to date and continue soliciting feedback on its studies to improve traffic flow along Hunter Mill Road, primarily north of Route 267.

Fairfax Raises $521,509 for MDA

Letter to the Editor

For over 30 years, during Labor Day Weekend, the men and women of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, in conjunction with the Fairfax County Professional FireFighters and Paramedics - IAFF Local 2068 and the personnel in the Department of Public Safety Communications, have collected for the Greater Washington Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) during the Fill the Boot Campaign.

Reston Home Sales: August, 2016

In August, 2016, 105 Reston homes sold between $909,000-$149,900.

Reston Home Sales: August, 2016

Fairfax: Roadside Protest for McKenna and Martinez Deaths

The Northern Virginia chapter of the group Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) organized a demonstration at 4 p.m. on Sep. 14 along Lee Highway in Fairfax, calling for justice for Natasha McKenna and Giovanny, or Jovany, Martinez.

Reston Library Friends Announce Huge Fall Book Sale, Sept 21-25

30 Days Hath September, here's the book sale to remember!

Creating Art at Reston Town Center

Joyce Ann Drayton of the Children's Craft Shop in Centerville creates a work of art during the Reston Town Center Chalkfest.

Swim, Bike, Run: Reston’s 33rd Annual Triathlon

More than 500 compete in area event.

During the preceding week, Kelly Edwards of Waterford, Va., had been experiencing a strange feeling: butterflies in her stomach, but not the usual kind. They were “happy butterflies.”

Reston: Award-winning Silver Line Sculptor Kicks off IPAR Artist Talks Sept. 21

Award-winning sculptor Barbara Grygutis, who has created more than 75 large-scale public artworks across the United States and Canada, including the Silver Line’s Spring Hill metro station, will kick off the Initiative for Public Art-Reston’s (IPAR) Artist Talk Series on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Clifton: Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program to hold tenth Polo Classic fundraiser

Once a week for the last seven years, César Dulanto of Lake Ridge, Va. has come to Clifton to trade his wheelchair for a saddle. Dulanto, 13, has been been wheelchair-bound since the age of two with cerebral palsy. He used to have difficulty just sitting up in a chair. And, he said, “I used to be so shy.”

Fairfax County: Supervisors to Vote on Independent Auditor Office

Board item reviewed by public safety committee

At its Sept. 20 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote on the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission to create an office of independent police auditor.

Fairfax County School Board Postpones Decision on New Sponsorship Policy

Fairfax County Public Schools are far from becoming a David Foster Wallace novel.

Fairfax Namesake School District in California Celebrated

While there can only be one Fairfax County Public Schools system, members of the FCPS board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors congratulated the namesake Fairfax School District in Bakersfield, Calif. on its 125th anniversary.

Suicide Prevention: Everyone’s Business

Letter to the Editor

On behalf of the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN), I thank you for the Connection’s compassionate and informative editorial printed in observance of Suicide Prevention Week, titled Take One Action to Prevent Suicide.

What’s Permissible When Planning a Home Renovation?

Complete due diligence upfront to research any ordinances or restrictions that may affect the project.

Unfortunately, homeowners and contractors often forget important steps during this project feasibility phase, which sometimes leads to wasted time and money or abandoned projects. To ensure you sidestep those mistakes, start with this checklist to look into to help minimize setbacks while planning and executing your next renovation.

Vienna Sunroom Brings Light, Awards

Family entertainment suite, larger breakfast area, private second level decking among stand-out custom features

To Sanjay and Deepika Sardana, who have occupied a Colonial style-home in Vienna for 14 years, the great achievement of their new sunroom addition is how well it meets their requirements regarding views, available light and interior design.

Comfort Zone

Local furniture maker combines style and comfort

John W. Smith treks through a maze of sleek chairs and stately sofas in a large, sunlit showroom tucked in an industrial warehouse center in Fairfax. He pauses at a dining chair, upholstered in beige linen and framed with espresso hardwood.

Classified Advertising September 14, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Reston Association Struggles

Independent Progressive

Although I don’t pay as much attention to the daily intrigues and workings of our Reston Association as I used to back when I was on their Board, there are times when RA actions spark my interest or concern. Recent tensions on the Board got my attention. A trend toward secrecy in decision-making and a weak ethics regimen are a greater cause for concern.

Reston: Jazzin’ It Up at Lake Anne

10th Annual Lake Anne Jazz Festival hits all the right notes.

After a full Jazz Week at Reston’s Lake Anne Plaza that featured live music in several of the local restaurants, merchant activities and even special film showings like “Lady Sings the Blues,” the 10th annual event finished off on Saturday, Sept. 3, with a Jazz Festival with an impressive lineup of talent on the outdoor stage.

Fairfax: Dead Man’s, Deputy’s Name Released in Inova Shooting

Police, sheriff investigations continue.

Jovany Martinez is the 29-year-old Hispanic man who died after being shot by a Fairfax County Sheriff’s deputy Monday night Aug. 15 outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Suicide Loss ‘Club’

Commentary

When I was 15 years old, I received my first “membership card” to suicide loss. I got the platinum membership card because not only was my loss to suicide, but it was also a parent.