Story
Column: Transportation Debate Begins
Governor McDonnell’s transportation proposal dominated the first three days of session. I welcome this long-overdue debate.
Story
Column: Week of Sunshine, Online Textbooks and Car Title Lenders
Last week in the General Assembly was a busy one. I have introduced 15 bills, three constitutional amendments, one study resolution, seven budget amendments, and I am Chief Co-Patron on four bills.
Story
New Recreation Facility Debated
Reston Community Center solicits public input on a new indoor recreation center at Baron Cameron Park.
Reston Community Center invited the public to bring their wish lists to an open forum meeting on Monday, Feb. 11, to discuss the potential development of a new indoor recreation center at Baron Cameron Park. In 2012, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors transferred 68 acres at the park to the Fairfax County Parks Authority, and Bill Bouie, who is both a member of the Reston Community Center Board of Governors, as well as the chairman of the parks authority Board told the assembly that the Reston Community Center is “an interested party” in the Fairfax County Parks Authority’s Master Planning Process about to begin in March.
Story
GRACE Celebrates Youth Art Month
Area students exhibit at Greater Reston Arts Center.
Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) will celebrate Youth Art Month by presenting two exhibitions dedicated to the artistic achievements of the area's youth.
Story
A 10-Year Mission: End Homelessness
Our Fairfax-Falls Church community is one of the most affluent in the country. Our schools are second to none. We are the home for many Fortune 500 businesses. Even with the challenging economy, our unemployment rate is among the lowest in the country.
Story
Oakton’s Mosaic Harmony: A Fountain of Black History
As the country celebrates Black History Month in February, Fairfax County has a multicultural interfaith choir that is spreading African-American culture in all of its concerts.
Story
On Nepal, With Love
Recent Nepalese immigrant uses Public Access TV Show to bring about positive change.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are more than 9,400 Nepalese living in the U.S. Krishna Sharma of Springfield, founder and CEO of Vision for Nepal, hopes to reach many of these immigrants and others sympathetic to Nepal through his TV program, "American Conversations," which airs on Fairfax Public Access Channel 30 on Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m.
Story
Virginia Tech Found Culpable in 2007 Massacre
Sued for wrongful death by Erin Peterson’s parents.
All the money in the world won’t bring back their daughter Erin, but Celeste and Grafton Peterson at least have the satisfaction of knowing that Virginia Tech was officially found partly culpable in the April 16, 2007 massacre that killed 32 students.
Story
Honoring Black History
Fairfax County’s Cable Network presents programs in celebration of Black History Month.
Fairfax Public Access (FPA) will air a special series of movies and documentaries throughout the month of February in recognition of Black History Month.
Story
Commentary: Surovell’s 2016 Legislative Agenda: Part II
Last week, the 2016 General Assembly gaveled into action.
The Rules Committee assigned me to three committees.
Story
Fairfax County School Board Reflects on First Day of Later Start Times
James Madison High School senior Ben Press provided firsthand testimony for the positive effect of new later start times for Fairfax County high school students. “Your investment in our health paid off, as can be seen in the better-rested faces of thousands of high school students across the county,” said Press, addressing the Fairfax County School Board in his new role as student representative at their Sept. 10 meeting.
Story
More than 800 Compete in Northern Virginia Senior Olympics
Pickleball closes out two-weeks of Olympic events
With more than 40 events ranging from Scrabble to shotput, the Senior Olympics was conducted across Northern Virginia at two dozen locations ranging from Loudoun Country to Arlington and around Fairfax; 819 Northern Virginia seniors participated in this year’s games.
Story
Vienna: Up and Running!
Runners of all ages brave gusty winds and freezing temps to support James Madison High School’s Track & Field 5K Fun Run.
The popular slogan for James Madison High School in Vienna was particularly fitting Sunday morning, as hundreds of Mad Men - and women - braved raucous winds and bone-chilling cold to run, walk and jog in the 11th annual 5K Fun Run/Walk to benefit the Track and Field program.
Story
Alexandria: Health Coach Writes ‘The Karma Sense Eating Plan’
Alexandrian Dave Hellman focuses on food and wellbeing.
In his new book, “The Karma Sense Eating Plan,” Dave Hellman, an Alexandria tech entrepreneur / health coach, shows readers how to cultivate mindful eating habits through combining food-related activities and performing good deeds.
Story
Langley Senior Aims to Engage Young Voters
Swetha Ramesh invited to present nonprofit at Harvard.
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Langley High School senior Swetha Ramesh traveled to Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. where she was invited to present her 501(c)(3) nonprofit SILVER (Students for Increased Legislation on Voter Engagement through Registration) as part of a panel discussion on millennial political engagement.
Story
Alexandria: In Between Patrick and Henry, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Await
Killer ESP stays true to its roots while growing into its own.
Walk down the block on the southern side of King Street, between the “Routes 1” – that is, the block between Patrick and Henry streets – and before long you’ll come upon a sandwich board offering up a plethora of interesting options.
Story
Editorial: Open Letter to Elected Officials and Candidates
Spend some of your campaign dollars in newspapers.
Here at the Connection, our email boxes are filling up with messages from people running for office. It’s not surprising, since in November, virtually every state and local office in the commonwealth is on the ballot.
Story
‘Don’t Be Afraid to be Different’
Robinson grad performs in “Shrek the Musical.”
A big green ogre, a princess, a wisecracking donkey and a love-struck dragon – they’ll all be onstage when The Alliance Theatre’s Summer Stars program presents “Shrek the Musical.” And right there with them will be Robinson Secondary graduate Spencer Boyd.
Story
History Lesson: Spring Bank During the Civil War
In the pedestrian area next to Richmond Highway between the Pizza Hut restaurant and the Kings Crossing Shopping Center is a Virginia Historical marker for the Union army defensive forts once in this area of Mount Vernon. All are gone except for Fort Willard, a Fairfax County park in the Belle Haven community. The largest was Fort Lyon located where the Huntington Metro Station is today.
Story
Pancakes, Candy, Fudge, Ice Cream and More
Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival is Feb. 7-8.
Get your sweet tooth ready – the 23rd annual City of Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival is this weekend, Feb. 7-8. Featuring delicious, chocolate fun for both children and adults, the event includes a Taste of Chocolate, a Chocolate Challenge, musical performances, a chocolate movie – “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” – fairy tales, a fire-safety puppet show, face-painting, a Chocolate Caper mock trial, cupcake-decorating, magic, juggling and open houses in historic buildings.