Making Schools Safer
Two Northern Virginia Democrats take part in panel to consider school security.
Do Virginia schools need more guns? That question is at the heart of a debate that’s now reaching a fever pitch in the commonwealth, especially after a man with a Bushmaster assault rifle blasted his way into a Connecticut elementary school and killed 20 children and six adults before killing himself. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell responded to the tragedy by creating a School Safety Task Force, which is considering a proposal for every school in Virginia to have an armed school resource officer.
Column: The Best of Intentions, I’m Sure
Regularly, throughout my now nearly four years of living as a stage IV non-small cell lung cancer “diagnosee”/survivor, I have had conversations where the person with whom I’ve been speaking–in response to a query of mine, said about a particular set of their circumstances: “Oh, it’s nothing, really. I mean, it’s not cancer, so it’s not as bad as what you’re (meaning me) going through.” Said with the utmost sincerity and sensitivity to me of course, and with my feelings/reaction most definitely in mind; for a long time, I simply acknowledged their empathy/sympathy and continued on with our conversation as if no emotional pot–of mine, had been stirred.
Manner’s 37 Points Lead Oakton Past Centreville
Cougars beat Wildcats in battle of Concorde’s top two teams.
Oakton and Centreville will play again on Feb. 5.
Oakton Rules the Pool
Oakton High School’s Varsity Swim and Drive teams continued their undefeated season with a win over Herndon High School Friday night, Jan. 11. The girls won with a score of 197 points over Herndon’s 112. The boys won 194 to 121.
Overcrowded Classes
To the Editor: Our world-class schools are the number one reason businesses and families come to Fairfax County. But people will not move here once they see many of our overcrowded classes.
Vienna-based Youth Literacy Initiative Helps Promote Service
Youth Literacy Initiative (YLI), a Vienna-based organization, has teamed with the White House to become a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national program recognizing Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service. Established in 2003, the award was created by President George W. Bush to give presidential recognition to individuals, families and groups who meet requirements for volunteer service, measured by the number of service hours performed over 12 months.
Week in Vienna
Volunteers Needed for Relay For Life in Vienna
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life® is seeking volunteers in Vienna—walkers, cancer survivors, caregivers, community leaders, anyone wanting to make a difference—to organize and recruit fundraising teams, garner community support, coordinate logistics, seek refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment and lend a hand to ensure the success of the 2013 event. The first volunteer meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Vienna, 143 Maple Avenue East, Vien
Change to Intersection Raises Concerns
Residents object to potential traffic signal at Hunter Mill and Crowell.
The Hunter Mill District Land Use Committee heard a request from Oakcrest School Tuesday, Jan. 15, to amend the special exception that would allow them to alter the intersection at Hunter Mill Road and Crowell Road, an alteration that has raised objections from nearby residents.
Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: December, 2012
In December 2012, 83 homes sold between $2,275,000-$215,000 in the Vienna and Oakton area.
Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: December, 2012
Fairfax Families4Kids
Fostering bonds with children.
Nationwide, more than 463,000 children live in foster care. In many states, including Virginia, the number of foster youth has tripled in the last 25 years. As of Sept. 30, 2011, nearly 5,000 youth were in foster care in Virginia, according to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. Physical abuse is the most common reason children enter foster, but it’s not the only reason. Often there’s emotional abuse, sexual abuse and the parent or caretaker’s inability to provide a safe environment due to substance abuse.
A Family Made Whole
After a tragic loss, Reston couple creates a family through adoption.
The Granvilles look like a made-for-TV family. On a bright October afternoon, Chris, a computer engineer, is teasing his teenage son, Kenny, about what kind of pet to adopt, while Tiffany sits on a sofa, cradling Elijah, Kenny’s baby brother, who has just woken up from an afternoon nap. “Fish? No way,” Kenny, 15, says. “They just go ‘round and ‘round in a bowl.” Kenny is lobbying hard for a dog or—at the very least—a guinea pig or hamster.
Neil Simon’s ‘Proposals’ Presented in Vienna
Vienna Theatre Company presents a light-hearted glimpse into family relationships
At home in the Vienna Community Center, the community theatre draws local thespians and artistic and technical crew
Flint Hill School Honors War Hero, Department Head
Regimental dagger of Col. Alan Ferguson-Warren presented to school
“When you were around Colonel Warren, you got the feeling that you were in the presence of an immense personality and huge moral authority. . . . We all knew there was something extraordinary about this man.” — Jerry Jasper, president, Ferguson-Warren Society, Flint Hill School
Vienna Residents Support Warrior Canine Connection
Helping to bring the healing power of the best dogs to Wounded Warriors.
Vienna residents Patty Kennedy and Katherine Hutt have a lot in common.
New York Life Names Vienna Resident 2012 Council Vice President
New York Life has named Jim Adkins, of Vienna, as its 2012 council vice president.
Spring Hill Chorus Sings Nation Anthem at Wizards’ Game
Spring Hill Elementary Chorus sang the National Anthem for the Wizards’ basketball game at the Verizon Center.
McLean Senior Source Volunteer Opportunity
Do you love living in McLean? Want to help make it easier for you, your friends and your neighbors to continue to live and “age in place?”
On Guns: The ‘Right Thing’—Really?
I was very intrigued by the letter on "Doing the Right Thing on Guns" [Connection, January 16-22, 2013].
Program Tackles Drinking Culture
McLean High School hosts first ‘Perils of College Drinking Culture’ presentation of year.
Exploring Perils of Drinking Culture:The Jan. 17 program at McLean High kicks off the latest series of “The Perils of College Drinking Culture” in the area. The program will also be held: * Thursday, May 16, at Westfield High School in Chantilly. * Wednesday, May 22, and Wednesday, July 31, at the Annandale Campus of Northern Virginia Community College. The program will be at the Ernst Community Cultural Center, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Va. All events will be from 7 to 9 p.m., and admission is free. More information can be found at www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org.
McLean Orchestra to Perform for Alternative House Children
On Sunday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m., the McLean Orchestra and the McLean Youth Orchestra will do a first ever “side-by-side” concert.