News

Tom Rust to Retire from General Assembly

Rust improved life for Herndon, and for Virginia, say many.

Right after she was elected mayor, Lisa Merkel invited Del. Tom Rust to lunch. “I said, ‘How do you get things done?’ He said, ‘You have a vision and you stick with it and you keep pressing ahead,’” Merkel said. “It was a great lunch.”

Rewind, Replay, or Redo?

November Town Election? Additional public hearing set for March 10.

The majority was not enough for Councilmember Steve Mitchell. Mitchell believes the change to move Herndon’s election to the fall needs to be decided by referendum not the Council. “Personally, I do not believe this decision should be made with the support of only four councilmembers,” Mitchell said during last week’s Town Council meeting Feb. 24. “I urge this Council to move this to referendum so we can have all of our citizens' voices heard.”

Public Commission To Review Police Policy

Over some objections, Bulova launches ad hoc commission in wake of police shooting and obfuscation.

Supervisor Michael Frey did not mince words when voicing opposition to Chairman Sharon Bulova’s establishment of an ad hoc police commission on Tuesday, March 3.

Fairfax County hosts first Inmate Resource Fair.

They’re hoping the third time will be a charm: 34-year-old Demeterius Spann of the Richmond Highway area of Alexandria and 29-year-old Nydale Sheppard of Reston have each been incarcerated three times.

Swimmers From Around Fairfax County Raise $23,000 for Breast Cancer Research

In the last five years, young swimmers on the Shark Tank Racing Squad have seen one family lose a mother from breast cancer and another’s grandmother diagnosed.

2015 General Assembly Session Draws to a Close

The 45-day 2015 session of the Virginia General Assembly came to a close last week, one which Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) described as “pretty calm, mainly because guys on either side have stayed away from divisive social issues they’ve pushed in the past,” and Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36) assessed, “For the most part, I think they did accomplish some good things.”

Vienna Celebrates 125 Years of Incorporation

Community turns out for birthday party on Feb. 28.

The Town of Vienna, in partnership with Historic Vienna, Inc., celebrated the town’s 125th incorporation anniversary, calling it a “birthday” ceremony, on closed-down Church Street and the grounds of Freeman House on Saturday, Feb. 28.

Special Screening of Honor

Film screening March 16 to help WWII veterans travel to their monument.

The Honor Flight Network transports aging veterans to visit memorials built in Washington D.C. in their honor.

All in the Family for Alexandria

SSA to honor generations of giving.

’Twas the night before Christmas, literally, when a man walked into the Senior Services of Alexandria office and handed an envelope to then-executive director Janet Barnett. The year was 2007 and the man was Ron Bradley. “Ron asked how he could help the seniors of Alexandria,” Barnett said. “When I explained that the city did not provide meals to seniors on holidays, Ron stepped in with $10,000 to fund a holiday meals program. But he had a condition — that they could not be ordinary meals. He wanted our seniors to enjoy a festive meal just like we do at home.”

Play Monopoly and Help Others

Annual tournament raises close to $8,000 for Lorton Community Action Center.

On a cold, snow-approaching Saturday, nearly 100 men, women and children hunkered down to play three rounds at the 8th Annual Ron K.’s Monopoly Tournament hosted at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.

Gayle Reuter: Fostering Del Ray’s Small Town Feel

Helping to celebrate Del Ray.

You won't go far in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood before seeing signs of Gayle Reuter. If it's a rare quiet day, you might see her on her front porch just off "The Avenue" or at a local restaurant or business — always with a smile and a friendly greeting. More likely you will see her working, always managing to make a difference in the wonderful neighborhood she helped create.

Bird Feed Cafe in Fairfax Station

The night before the snowstorm Terrance Moran of Fairfax Station prefilled his bird feeder. Around 7 a.m. a cardinal perched on the deck rail and noticed that seed was available. After eating a few bites the cardinal took off.

Movement Determined to ‘Save the Park’

Since the beginning of February, the Movement has generated a petition with more than 8,900 signatures and counting to save the Park.

“When the anonymous letter showed up in our neighborhood mailboxes many of us began to wonder and worry. A few of us started talking and soon a meeting was scheduled with Pat Herrity and the Park Authority,” said Leigh Claypool, committee chair of the Save Burke Lake Park movement.

Kana Sushi Opens in Springfield

A newly opened Kana Sushi, located on Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield, strives to offer authentic Japanese food at affordable prices. The establishment opened Dec. 1 and is near Springfield Plaza, and right next to Noodles & Company. The small restaurant is owned by Haeri Kim.

From Veterinarian to Art Photographer

The Art Guild of Clifton hosted its first art show of 2015 by highlighting the photographs of Jamie Netschert. Netschert started taking photographs as an undergraduate student at Weber State University where he received a degree in Zoology.

The Connection