High Schools to Start Later Next Year
School Board approves later start times.
Phyllis Payne has been fighting for more sleep for a decade. On Oct. 23, it all paid off. The co-founder of Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal - or SLEEP - saw the Fairfax County Public School Board approve to move high school start times ahead by 30 minutes, 11-1.
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.
Madison Continues Playoff Push with Shutout of McLean
QB Gastrock, WR Ebersole connect for three touchdown passes.
Madison football defeated McLean 40-0 on Oct. 24.
Letter: Stealth Candidate
To the Editor: Why won’t Comstock speak to us?
Vienna Teen Conducts Free Self-Defense Workshop for Peers
Charlotte Heffelmire teaches safety strategies and tactics in November.
Charlotte Heffelmire is a Black Belt from Vienna, a McLean High School senior who is a classical musician and a philanthropist. She hopes to attend a military academy and study to become a doctor. This past summer, she completed a training program at the F.B.I. - "Future Agents in Training" - at F.B.I. facilities in D.C. and Quantico.
Miniature Recreations of Americana Come to Vienna
Mount Vernon Miniatures Club Exhibits at Freeman Store and Museum.
At Freeman Store and Museum on Oct. 25 and 26, the Mount Vernon Miniatures Club presented its first exhibit at the Museum, featuring room boxes and doll houses. The exhibit took over Freeman House’s parlor and dining room with 30 pieces from mini-miniature to larger-scale miniature vignette recreations.
Vienna Man Guilty of Wire Fraud
Bilked investment clients out of more than $1 million.
A Vienna man is facing possible decades in prison after pleading guilty last week in federal court to defrauding clients that he advised about financial investments. He is Ismail Elmas, 49.
Letter to the Editor: Champion for Veterans
To the Editor: I am writing to bring the attention of voters to the importance of the choice they have in the election for the 10th Congressional District.
Witches, Goblins and Pumpkins, Oh, My!
Vienna’s annual Family Halloween Party was Saturday, Oct. 18, outside the community center.
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.
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.
Follin Lane Project Is Still Worrisome
Residents question safety and need for long turn lane.
The Town of Vienna is moving full-speed ahead with its plan to widen Follin Lane from two to three lanes. And last Monday, Oct. 20, it awarded $59,000 to Urban Ltd. for additional engineering services associated with the project.
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.)
Carter, Zanellato Keep Madison Volleyball Undefeated
Warhawks beat defending state champion Langley.
The Madison volleyball team remained undefeated.
Connect Four
Complete ballot of 11th District candidates faced off in Lake Ridge.
It wasn’t so much a down and dirty debate as a no-frills four-way question-and-answer session. Not that AARP and the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), two of the sponsors of the “Meet the Candidates” series billed the Oct. 14 event as such. Tuesday’s meeting was the penultimate of seven events in the series.
‘Kids Can Be Themselves Here’
Vienna Teen Center celebrates 15th anniversary.
A place to hang out with friends after school, play sports and games, do arts and crafts and just have fun – that’s the Vienna Teen Center. Called Club Phoenix, it’s on the bottom floor of the Vienna Community Center, and it just celebrated its 15th anniversary.