Burke Centre Festival, World Police and Fire Games, and Neighborhood Enhancements among top events and developments.
The ever-larger two-day festival returned for its 37th year at the beginning of September 2014. Drumming, Japanese dancers, local dance groups, bands and Irish dancers comprised a live performance slate, while free and minimal cost activities including face-painting and a photo booth offered attendees plenty of ways to enjoy the pleasant fall weather.
Fairfax County Releases Statement on Shooting of Springfield Man
It’s been more than 16 months since John Geer of Springfield was shot and killed by a Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) officer. And since the Aug. 29, 2013 shooting, scant information on the incident has been provided by the FCPD or the county Board of Supervisors, such as an explanation of what transpired up to and following the shooting, and the identities of the officers involved. They’ve kept this information from the media, the public and the Geer family, citing an ongoing federal investigation into the death.
South County High School Swim and Dive Team Donates Toys at South Run
Before filling the pool for warm-ups, members of the South County High School Swim and Dive team filled the Toys for Tots collection box at South Run RECenter. The team decided to give collectively at their final dual meet before Christmas break, a Dec. 19 face off with the team from Robert E Lee High School.
With End Of Year Businesses Rotate in Herndon and Reston
Businesses change hands in the Herndon, Reston area.
Change is a constant, and although some have remarked change is neither good nor bad, nostalgia is a powerful potion. At some locations, including cafes and eateries, we make memories and recall experiences with friends and relatives.
Laughter and Charm at Herndon Stage
NextStop Theatre presents “Gutenberg! The Musical!”
"This is the funniest musical script I have ever read. It leaves me crying with laughter every time I read it," said Evan Hoffmann, NextStop Theatre's artistic director as he described what is in store at the upcoming production of "Gutenberg! The Musical!" "The show is a great fit for NextStop and our audiences."
Getting into the Spirit of the Holidays
Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) shared some extra special holiday magic with this year’s presentation of “The Nutcracker,” performed at the 525-seat Ernst Theater in Annandale. A sellout, the production featured beautiful choreography, stunning costumes, and some of the most highly trained pre-professional talent in the Washington Metropolitan Area.
The ‘Dream’ Lives On
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday birthday events to be held at Reston Community Center.
For this year's 30th annual Reston Community Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday birthday celebration the renowned Anna Deavere Smith will be the keynote speaker at the Monday, Jan. 19 community event. Her address, “Reclaiming Grace in the Face of Adversity," will aim "to highlight the issues of community, character, and diversity in America."
Gift Bags, Handmade
Churchill Road kindergartners in Erin Thurston’s class are proud of the gift bags they made for kindergartners at their buddy school, Dogwood Elementary in Reston.
Comstock's Character Honored in McLean
In 1997, Barbara Comstock gave the first Character Does Count Award to The Honorable Ed Meese. At the time, Comstock was the first President of the Patriot Republican Women’s Club. Fast forward to the present, and Barbara Comstock, Congresswoman-Elect for Virginia’s 10th District, was herself honored with this year’s 2014 Character Does Count Award.
A Perfect Score
Ellen Kim, 16, from McLean achieves perfect score on the PSAT.
Every year in October, roughly 3.5 million high school students across the country take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The test is used for entry into the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) Competition, which can provide college scholarships to eligible students who achieve high scores.
Charles Clinton Thompson II Dies at 72
McLean resident was an award-winning journalist, decorated Naval officer.
Charles Clinton Thompson II, 72, of McLean died Dec. 15, 2014 at Perry Point Veteran’s Medical Center in Perry Point, Md., with his wife and sons by his side. Thompson, known as “Charlie,” was an Emmy award-winning investigative reporter for “60 Minutes,” author, and decorated Naval officer who served bravely in Vietnam.
Art Show to Honor Reston’s Official Bird
Friends of Reston is hosting a Children’s Art Show at the Walker Nature Center in celebration of the new Official Bird of Reston, the Pileated Woodpecker. Deadline for art is Saturday, Jan. 31 by 1 p.m. All submitted art will be displayed inside the Walker Nature Center’s Nature House from Sunday, Feb. 1 until Saturday, Feb. 7, and posted on its Facebook page.
Fairfax Cops Block Geer Killing Investigations
Finally some of the smoke is clearing. Sixteen months after unarmed John Geer was killed standing in his doorway by an unidentified Fairfax County Police officer we are getting an explanation of the wall of silence surrounding his death. In response to an inquiry by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney (prosecutor) Raymond Morrogh revealed why he failed to complete his investigation into Mr. Geer’s killing and took the unusual step of passing the case to the U.S. Attorney (U.S. Justice Dept.) a year ago.
Redistricting Remains an Issue
Although the drawing of legislative district lines is supposed to take place each decade after the federal census, the controversy over where and how lines are drawn keeps the issues alive every year. Most recently a federal court declared the current Congressional district lines in Virginia invalid because the way the lines are drawn discriminates against minorities being able to get elected. Essentially the black population is packed into one district.
Murder Mystery at Reston Stage
Reston Community Players to present thriller “Rehearsal for Murder.”
"Be ready for a suspenseful murder mystery," said cast member Wilson Paine (Reston) describing the Reston Community Players next show, "Rehearsal for Murder." Mystery, love and being led in the wrong direction are central to what happens in this story about the search for the truth.
Letter to the Editor: Fairness for All – the Lake Anne RELAC Decision
To the Editor: As we turn the calendar to a new year, some of our Reston neighbors will be facing an important vote in January that affects their summertime comfort. Covenant 15 of the Reston Association Deed requires 343 households to use the 50+ year old Reston Lake Anne Air-Conditioning Corporation cooling system (RELAC), unless they receive an annual medical exemption -- a nightmare when the unit goes up for resale.
Letter to the Editor: Hateful Tweets Call for Action
To the Editor: I would like to applaud the Reston Connection for its coverage of FCPS Superintendent Garza's meeting with concerned parents on Dec. 3 (“County Superintendent Listens to Reston,” Connection, December 10-16, 2014).
Letter to the Editor: Taking Exception on Express Lanes
To the Editor: An article was recently published in your newspaper discussing the new I-95 express lanes (95 Express Lanes Open, The Connection, Dec. 18-24, 2014). One statement in the article read, “Construction manager for the project John Morse, of VDOT, said that the addition of a third lane will solve a number of problems and give people options other than waiting in traffic.”
Anna Deavere Smith to Highlight MLK Birthday Celebration
Anna Deavere Smith will highlight Reston Community Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Birthday celebration at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Hunters Woods, Reston. Events are Sunday, Jan. 18 and Monday, Jan. 19.
Collecting Toys for Tots, Donations for FISH
Reston's National Realty was again an official drop-off for the annual Toys for Tots campaign as well as donations to Herndon-Reston FISH. Both provide toys to local children.