Wednesday, September 28
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.
Arlington: McEntee Honored
Arlington resident Christine (Chris) McEntee, executive director and CEO of the American Geophysical Union, has been honored by CEO Update as the 2016 Professional Society CEO of the Year.
Arlington: Board Adds 68 Units of Affordable Housing
The Arlington County Board solved two problems with one $10 million loan.
Arlington: Fire Station 10 Finds Its Temporary Home
After a summer of study, County Board stands by Wilson site selection.
The Arlington County Board launched into its 2016-2017 year with one of the most contentious issues in the county: the selection of a location for Fire Station 10. While the permanent fire station is under construction as part of the West Rosslyn Area Plan, a temporary fire station will have to be located on a nearby parcel. At the Sept. 24 County Board meeting, the board voted unanimously to place the temporary Fire Station 10 on the recreation field for a nearby school.
Arlington: Help Identify Grand Larceny Suspects Caught on Camera
The Arlington County Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspects involved in the theft of tires and rims from three vehicles during September.
Arlington Snapshot: Serving Others
First-year students at Marymount University assembled 2,000 care packages for teenagers transitioning from foster care to life on their own.
Arlington: Modifying Toy Cars for Children with Special Needs
Marymount University’s Department of Physical Therapy launched its Go Baby Go! Garage on Saturday, Sept. 17, an event that drew more than 200 people to the school’s Fairfax Drive facility and provided 12 special needs children with modified toy cars that will make them more mobile.
Arlington Snapshot: Supporting Linden Resources
Bill Buck, chairman of Buck & Associates, a full-service, family-owned real estate brokerage, presents a check to Linda Chandler, CEO of Linden Resources and some of its clients. Linden Resources provides employment and development opportunities to people with developmental and physical disabilities and wounded veterans.
Arlington: Committed to Community Engagement
Leadership Center for Excellence welcomed its newest class of the Young Professionals Program as it gathered for the first time at a day-long retreat on Sept. 14.
Arlington: Running for Fun and for Neighbors
Arlington Turkey Trot kick-off party will start the season.
What’s more fun than running the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day? Going to the kick-off party for the Turkey Trot at the Crystal City Sports Pub on Oct. 19, according to Turkey Trot Director Mark Riley.
Arlington Snapshot: Thriving on ‘Boots, Bingo, and Barbecue’
Arlington Thrive's first “Boots, Bingo, and Barbecue” took place on Saturday, Sept. 24, and families enjoyed the event, playing Bingo, eating barbecue, and dancing. National Honor Society members from Wakefield, Washington and Lee, and Yorktown high schools helped out at the event.
Monday, September 26
Arlington: Synetic Theater Stages ‘Dante's Inferno’
Wordless story follows lost traveler through nine circles of hell.
Synetic Theater in Crystal City is staging "Dante's Inferno" from Sept. 28 through Oct. 30. The wordless story follows a lost traveler who must navigate a treacherous journey through the nine circles of hell in search of spiritual redemption and his lost love. Producer and creator Paata Tsikurishvili said they've adapted this story before, but it was several years ago. "I wanted to try it again using the skills we've honed and the performance style we've developed since, and apply it to this massive, epic tale," he said.
Saturday, September 24
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.
Wednesday, September 21
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.
Arlington: Life in America ... Heaven and a Half
Personal trainer analyzes people’s behavior.
It is mid-morning, and Mustafa Nazary sits on his living room couch. He had started the day at 6 a.m. with his first appointment at Ultimate Results, his fitness center in Georgetown, where he is a personal trainer. His 5-year-old son Idris, joins him on the couch. “He is hip-to-hip with me.”
Arlington Snapshot: Bike Rodeo
The Woman's Club of Arlington held a Bike Rodeo Aug. 20 after a 30-plus year break in what used to be an annual event sponsored by the club. Bike Arlington and Phoenix Bikes, provided the cone courses and, the expertise. The four youngsters, ages 3 -5 1/2 years had fun following the Bike Arlington volunteer.
Arlington Snapshot: Mass of the Holy Spirit
Citing lessons from World Youth Day, the Summer Olympics and the Catholic Church’s Year of Mercy, the Most Rev. Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, celebrated Mass of the Holy Spirit on Sept. 7 at the school’s Sacred Heart of Mary Chapel. With him is Marymount University President Matthew D. Shank.
Arlington Snapshot: ‘Little Library’
High School student Markarius Nealis makes a book selection on his first visit to the Woman's Club of Arlington's new "Little Library" at 700 S. Buchanan St.
Arlington: Speaker Discusses Pornography’s Reach
Matt Fradd, author and founder of “The Porn Effect,” discussed “Porn: 7 Myths Exposed” to teens and parents at the Bishop O’Connell High School on Sept. 9.
Arlington: Laid Bare, Laid Low
Historic house demolished.
Last week an old house on Minor’s Hill was felled for new development.
Arlington: A Heroine’s Final Touches
For her grave, to her life.
It is hard to close the book on a hero, and even harder in the case of a celebrated heroine.
Arlington Letter: Investment in Children
Letter to the Editor
Our children are our future and as they head back to school this fall, we should reflect on the future of our Commonwealth.
Arlington Public Schools Advisory Councils Tackle Gaps, Changes
From minority student performance to high school boundaries.
Dr. Patrick Murphy, superintendent of Arlington Public Schools, and Nancy Van Doren, School Board chair, addressed a meeting of 25 members of Arlington’s Advisory Councils on Instruction (ACI) at 7 p.m. on Sept. 13.
Basics of Arlington Affordable Housing
A look Arlington County’s efforts to preserve its affordable housing.
Since 2000, Arlington County has lost more market-rate affordable housing than it currently has.
Tuesday, September 20
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.
Friday, September 16
Arlington Home Sales: August, 2016
In August, 2016, 277 Arlington homes sold between $2,410,000-$85,000.
Arlington Home Sales: August, 2016
Wednesday, September 14
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!
Arlington: Responding to Hepatitis A Outbreak
Exposures have ended, but symptoms may still manifest.
Anyone who dined at a Tropical Smoothie Cafe around Aug. 9 may still be at risk for Hepatitis A. According to the Virginia Department of Health, a Hepatitis A outbreak has been traced to imported strawberries served at Tropical Smoothie Cafes. As of Sept. 2, there have been 37 cases in Northern Virginia, but experts say that number could still rise.
Arlington: Senior Olympics Opens with a Splash
The Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO) opened Sept. 10 with an afternoon splash at Yorktown Aquatic Center.
Car Show Benefits Honor Flight Network
For the past five years, antique car owners show up for the Knights of Columbus car show.
Arlington: A Case of History Passing
Lustron: The forgotten experiment.
A special sadness arises when noticing a family consists only of aging members without child or grandchild or niece or nephew, their string of genealogy reaching its end. Some people, often called “preservationists,” suffer the same sense of sadness seeing a special structure threatened. Very soon, the few remaining Lustron houses in Northern Virginia will suffer losses. They, too, are approaching their end.
Arlington Thrive Offers Fun to Raise Funds
Barbecue needs locals to attend fall fundraiser.
Denise Hlavaty had gone to school or worked her entire adult life. She worked for 9 years at a social services job in Minnesota. She moved to Arlington after her boyfriend was killed serving in the U.S. military in Iraq: she had to grieve, and it would be easier to visit his grave at Arlington National Cemetery.
Wednesday, September 7
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.
Tuesday, September 6
Arlington: Kol Ami to Install Rabbi
Kol Ami will install Rabbi Gilah Langner as its rabbi at a special gathering on Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (UUCA) at 4444 Arlington Boulevard, where Kol Ami meets.
Arlington Snapshot: Early Start
The Washington-Lee Generals Junior Varsity field hockey team played Annandale the week before school started in their third game of the season. They defeated Annandale 4-0 with two goals by Nicole Charles and one each by Sarah Superata and Seneca Randolph.
Arlington: Police Begin Body Camera Pilot Program
Testing camera models, assessing issues, determining costs.
Arlington has become one of the first jurisdictions in Northern Virginia to put cameras on patrol officers.