Bocce Court Construction to Continue
Reston Association motion to rescind courts failed.
Residents at Cabots Point lost the battle against bocce ball courts for now. Reston Association voted advancing on their plans to add the game court to the park at their Oct. 23 Board of Directors meeting.
Fairfax County Calendar
Your guide to entertainment in Fairfax County.
For those looking to fill their calendar with some home-brewed, Fairfax County fun stuff (read: entertainment and diversion), The Connection's Fairfax County Entertainment Calendar has many options: weekend jaunts and larks; date night inspiration; winter-to-spring fun; day-long festivals and events; art-outings; family fun-and-learning fusions; plays and shows; beyond-Small Business Saturday local shopping and bazaars; markets of handcrafted wares; music; 1Ks to marathons... the list goes on. If you know of an event not listed in our entertainment calendar, email it to south@connectionnewspapers.com for happenings in south Fairfax County or north@connectionnewspapers.com for entertainment in the northern parts of the county.
Poll Position
Local academics following the 11th Districts race say there’s really no substitute for the strength of incumbency.
Despite low public opinion of President Obama and a minimally productive Congress, representative Gerry Connolly has plenty going for him as the incumbent seeking re-election in Virginia’s largely democratic 11th district.
Board Approves Bicycle Master Plan
The Fairfax County Government Center has several massive parking lots. Many hundreds of spaces. But Bruce Wright and members of the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling only needed some rack real estate in front of the building. They rode into the afternoon session of the Board of Supervisors on two wheels apiece from Reston, taking the West Ox Road Side Path.
Stage Presence
Cappies recognized among arts leaders at Arts Council awards.
After Bill Strauss first approached Judy Bowns about creating a student-driven arts awards and journalism organization 16 years ago, the ensuing creative partnership resembled a pair of cartoon characters.
South Lakes Senior Selected to All-American Marching Band
Fairfax County students chosen for 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl performance.
Reston South Lakes senior Samantha Gifford was recognized by the U.S. Army for her selection to the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band on Friday, Oct. 24. The selection ceremony was held in the theater at South Lakes High School (SLHS) in Reston.
Washington West Film Festival Held In Reston
Film festival hosted at Bow Tie Cinema.
The 4th Annual Washington West Film Festival was held Oct. 22-26 at Reston and other locations within Northern Virginia. Hosting the opening night film and reception was Reston Bow Tie Cinema at Reston Town Center.
Just a Days Left for Voting Early, Absentee
Virtually every voter in Virginia is eligible to vote absentee, which includes voting in-person absentee at a variety of locations from now through Saturday, Nov. 1. After that, vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4 at your assigned polling place.
Letter: ‘Climate Change’ Becomes ‘Weather Event’
To the Editor: Channeling President Obama ("electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket"), Delegate Plum takes up "green energy" ("Energy Plan Moves VA in Right Direction," Reston Connection, Oct. 22), hilariously hailing President Obama's "much welcomed National Climate Action Plan."
Sarah Connolly named Parent Liaison of the Month
Each month a school-based parent liaison will be recognized for his or her service to the staff and families of FCPS. The November recipient of this recognition is Sarah Connolly, parent liaison at Aldrin Elementary School.
Reston Lions Host District Conference
District Governor James Ryan, a member of the Reston Lions Club, leads representatives attending the Fall Conference for Virginia Lions of District 24-A held at the Sheraton Reston Hotel on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18. Over 200 attended.
Column: School Board Takes the Plunge - Sort of
The wheels of change grind slowly in Fairfax County. The move toward later, healthier school start times for teenage public school students is a prime example. Despite support from a wide range of health professionals, the School Board has struggled with the issue for some 20 years.
Column: Running Out of Efficacy
Not that I’m the least bit worried (actually, I’m the most bit worried), but surviving a terminal cancer diagnosis years beyond one’s original prognosis does present its own unique set of problems.
Column: Our Civic Duty
Commentary
A basic tenet of all levels of civic education is that citizens should vote. We are told of the importance of voting in social studies classes, scouting, and in community groups. Yet, a surprisingly large number of people never learn the lesson. Voter participation in the United States is abysmal when compared to other countries, and Virginia is one of the worst among the states.
Editorial: Change for the Better in Fairfax County Schools
Later start times, full-day Mondays; who knows, next maybe gifted-and-talented programs for poor students?
Who says big bureaucracies can’t make big changes? One year into the tenure of Karen Garza, we have two huge changes that between them impact almost every single student, every family with children in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Local Foundation Promotes Campus Safety
The VTV Family Outreach Foundation, a Centreville-based national non-profit campus safety advocacy organization, held their 2014 annual meeting last weekend at the Sheraton Reston Hotel. VTV was formed by the families of victims and survivors of the April 16, 2007 mass shooting tragedy at Virginia Tech.
Opinion: Vote ‘Yes’ on Transportation Bond
When you enter the voting booth on Nov. 4, you’ll be asked to vote Yes or No on a $100 million Fairfax County transportation bond. (Bonds are a form of long-term borrowing to finance public facilities and infrastructure and spread the costs over a long time frame. Virginia law requires that general obligation bonds be approved by voters in a referendum.)
Herndon Field Hockey Beats Westfield, Wins Conference 5 Championship
Louisville commit Stone leads Hornets to victory with three goals.
The Herndon field hockey team defeated Westfield 3-2 on Thursday night.
Reston Cornerstones Holds Annual Community Walk
Record breaking crowd attend October walk in Reston.
On Oct. 19, 300 participants attended the annual Cornerstones community walk from Embry Rucker Community Shelter to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and back. The distance was about two miles and was an opportunity to help provide basic and essential items, such as pillows, dishes and food for those who moved into stable housing through Cornerstones’ Rapid Re-Housing Challenge.
Dulles Now Screening for Deadly Virus
Local hospitals to treat ill passengers arriving from Africa.
Dulles International Airport was one of five airports in the nation to begin screening for Ebola last Thursday. The Center for Disease Control and Protection trained staff to check all passengers arriving from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to check for signs of illness to prevent more passengers from infecting others during their daily interactions.