Column: A Complicated Answer
And a further explanation and corollary to last week’s column: “A Simple Question,” which attempted to sort through my reactions to being asked an extremely innocent, appropriate, well-intended and always appreciated courtesy: “How are you?” and the problem that it sometimes causes me. That problem being: a question which had it not been asked would then not require an answer. An answer that I’ll always give, but not before I’ve given it some thought, which if I hadn’t thought about, wouldn’t have bothered me in the least
Making the Difference Between Struggle and Success
Carmen Jordan of Reston has been a mentor for Fairfax Families4 Kids for six years. She is considered one of the most experienced mentors in the program. In addition to working full-time as a marquee account manager at Deltek in Herndon, Jordan makes herself available to “trouble-shoot” for the children and families she mentors. In the following column, she details her experiences with the program, and at-risk foster youth.
'Stuff the Bus’ Campaign Helps Feed the Hungry
Donations continue to increase as campaign enters third year.
Local grocery stores were packed this weekend with shoppers stocking up on Super Bowl snacks for the annual football fan party. At the Wal-Mart in Fairfax, shoppers were greeted with colorful displays of chips, dips and other party favorites. They were also greeted by volunteers from Our Daily Bread (ODB), who were handing out flyers and encouraging shoppers to donate gift cards or specific items to restock ODB’s pantry shelves. A Fairfax nonprofit for nearly 30 years, ODB provides food and other critical services to the working poor, the elderly and the disabled. More than half of ODB’s clients are local children.
Police Warn Public of “Inheritance Scam”
Fairfax County Police (FCPD) has received numerous reports from residents across the U.S. involving a phony inheritance proclamation.
McLean High Musicians Dominate Northern Virginia Competition
McLean High School symphonic and concert band musicians dominated a recent county organized individual performance competition, taking 66 chairs or alternate positions in the All-Disrict Band.
McLean Author Launches New Book
Rebecca Shambaugh shows how organizations can harness the collective strengths of both men and women to create stronger businesses.
Try functioning without half of your brain. You might not be able to remember anything. You might not be able to drive. You might not be able to walk or talk. Now imagine a business that operates using only half its brainpower. It’s destined to fail.
McDonald’s Supports County Schools
The McDonald’s Family Restaurants of Greater Washington, D.C., presented Fairfax County Public Schools with a check for $4,200 on Friday, Jan. 18.
A Pleasing Romantic Comedy
1st Stage presents ‘Italian American Reconciliation.’
The pedigree of playwright John Patrick Shanley is top notch; he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his play "Doubt" and won an Oscar for the screen play for "Moonstruck." His "Italian American Reconciliation," now playing at 1st Stage in Tysons, will not disappoint.
Week in Vienna
Renovations at Town Hall began on Monday, Jan. 14, and will include upgrading the building’s HVAC system, installing new windows, carpet, lighting and ceilings, and upgrading the building’s security system. Renovations are expected to last through the end of October 2013.
Letter: Questioning Bus Route 432
An open letter to Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) and Vienna Mayor M. Jane Seeman.
I just received an email regarding the proposed Bus route 432 that will come through Old Courthouse Road to Trap then Wolf Trap.
Ritz-Carlton to the Rescue
Tysons Corner hotel leaves “Footprints” in community.
It’s not uncommon for Vienna-McLean businesses—from defense industry contractors to hospitality providers—to make themselves good neighbors, vital partners in the community in which their presence is known. They come into schools, they mentor, they support wounded warrior programs. They embrace the community spirit envisioned by their company’s corporate philosophy. Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner goes beyond McLean and Tysons, extending its hand to local service clubs, nonprofit and humanitarian projects, and to the hotel’s dedicated project, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Fairfax County Region [Fairfax BGCGW Club].
Vienna Veteran Campaigns for Commander of American Legion
Mardi Gras fundraiser benefits Dan Dellinger’s campaign.
Other than time he spent in the service of the U.S. Army, Dan Dellinger lived most of his life in Vienna. He went through Vienna schools, as his children did. He served as a Vienna Town Council member and as an officer of Vienna’s American Legion Post 180. He’s active in local civic clubs. Now, Dellinger is stepping out into the national spotlight, traversing the country in his campaign to be elected the American Legion’s next national commander.
Beloved Teacher’s Legacy of Innovation Lives On
Candace Leyton Innovation Learning Lab opens at Wolftrap Elementary.
Talk about a lasting impression—and the impact that a great teacher can leave behind as her legacy. Chris Shumway didn’t keep in touch with Candace Leyton, his third grade math teacher from Wolftrap Elementary School in Vienna, who passed away from breast cancer in 2003, but nearly 40 years later, Shumway was back at school to dedicate the Candace Leyton Innovation Learning Lab in honor of the woman whom he says “believed that I could be so much more.”
Eight Scouts Honored for Heroic Deeds
Eight boys from National Capital Area Council (NCAC) Boy Scouts of America (BSA) received National Court of Honor Lifesaving and Meritorious Action Awards in 2012 for remaining calm in a crisis, making quick use of Scout training and for living up to the words “to help other people at all times,” which is part of the Scout Oath.
Colvin Run Elementary Gives to the Needy
Children of Colvin Run Elementary School gathered in the school sport auditorium on Monday, Feb. 4, to mark the beginning of the school’s food donation program.
Fairfax Softball and Special Olympics Raise Funds Bowling
Participants, family, friends and supporters of Fairfax Adult Softball, Inc. (FAS) came together on Sunday, Jan. 27, for the 13th Annual Bowling Tournament to benefit Northern Virginia Special Olympics and Fairfax County Park Authority field improvements.
Fairfax Connector Proposes New Routes
Public input meeting held to solicit feedback on new bus routes.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation kicked off the public input process for their new bus routes in McLean Thursday, Feb. 1. The Fairfax Connector routes will be altered to take advantage of the opening of Metrorail stations in Tysons Corner and Reston in December, with the new routes expected to begin the same day as the stations open.
Marshall Boys’ Basketball: Doormat to District Contender
Statesmen have more wins this season than previous two combined.
The Marshall boys' basketball team is in second place in the Liberty District.
The 'President's Own' of Vienna, Reston Play in 57th Inauguration
Tuba player Gunnery Sgt. Mark Thiele of Vienna, clarinetist Staff Sgt. Christopher Grant of Oakton and trumpeter/cornetist Staff Sgt. Robert Singer of Reston performed in the 57th Inauguration of the President of the United States on Monday, Jan. 21, as members of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. This marks the Marine Band's 54th consecutive inaugural appearance.
Redefining Service
Vienna mayor’s first goal: To make politician a nice word.
Politician. Noun: a person who is professionally involved in politics, or a person who acts in a manipulative and devious way, typically to gain advancement within an organization, as defined by Oxford. Mayor Jane Seeman, from the Town of Vienna, is not a politician, at least not in the current form of the word. She doesn’t seek to be a politician either, but instead wants to redefine the word and the meaning behind it. She wants to make government accessible to her citizens, and wants to give power back to the people who should be making decisions for her community: not the politicians.