Stories for March 2013

Classified Advertising March 27, 2013

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Editorial: More Obstacles to Transparency

General Assembly puts more information out of public reach, but other factors also limit access.

The first paragraph of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, passed by the General Assembly in 1968, states that all public records "shall be presumed open." It doesn’t add, “except when we don’t want to,” although that provision does seem to be available in many cases. Individual government entities have a variety of ways of making it hard for the public to access public information.

Column: 14.8 Percent

That is the percentage of diagnosed lung cancer patients who survive beyond five years, according to The National Cancer Institute’s SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2009, in a graph published in the Feb. 26, 2013 Washington Post’s weekly Health & Science section. As a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survivor beginning his fifth year post-diagnosis, charting my prospects in such a cold and impersonal manner is both chilling and arguable. “Chilling” in that facts speak for themselves and are hardly made up of whole cloth, to invoke one of the late Jack Kent Cooke’s more famous quotes. And “arguable” in that charts, statistics, etc., may very well measure the mean, but it sure doesn’t measure the man (this man, anyway). Meaning, from my perspective: sure, the chart is scary as hell, but I’m not sure I’m on it, if you know what I mean? (I know you know what I hope.)

Better Training, More Technology

The bipartisan commission released findings, recommendations regarding long lines on Election Day.

"The commission has identified a variety of improvements and efficiencies to ensure access and convenience for voters in future elections.” —Sharon Bulova

Governor Approves Conditional Budget for Medicaid Expansion

Vote-swapping operation traded transportation votes for Medicaid money.

Half a million uninsured Virginians may be eligible for Medicaid under an agreement now being worked out in Richmond — a deal in which Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell agreed to include Medicaid expansion as part of the budget if Senate Democrats supported a transportation package.

A Voice for the Voiceless

Q&A with SALT Coordinator John Horejsi.

“When there are bills affecting the wealthy the committee rooms are filled to capacity, but when issues affecting the needy, the hearing rooms are empty.” —SALT Coordinator John Horejsi

Churchill Road Students Win First, Second Place in Science Olympiad

On Saturday, March 16, the Churchill Road Elementary School’s Science Olympiad Teams took both first and second place at the Regional Tournament at Stone Middle School in Centreville

Langley High Robotics Team Makes Elite Eight

It's March Madness and the Langley High School Robotics Team, in keeping with the season, made it to the “Elite Eight” in a national competition. Langley's team finished 12th out of 65 teams overall and was drafted as a member of one of the top eight teams to participate in the final round of the competition.

Letter: Confusing Response To Lyme Disease

Letter: Metro: Not Ours

Local Perspective

Small-business owner tackles the sequester.

Raul Danny Vargas has beaten the odds all his life.

Youth Talent on Display

McLean Project for the Arts hosts Youth Art Exhibition.

Bright colors and carefully crafted details tease onlookers with stories of fantasy and reality at the Youth Art Exhibition. The exhibition is an annual tradition in recognizing artwork by students at Cooper and Longfellow Middle School, and Langley and McLean High School.

Some Crimes Never Fade Away

‘Never the Sinner’ at 1st Stage.

It was the "trial of the century" that mesmerized the nation in 1924. Two teenage college students, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, went on trial for the murder of a 14-year-old boy. They were defended by the most famous defense lawyer of the day, Clarence Darrow. These facts and the ultimate outcomes are easily found on Wikipedia.

Classified Advertising March 20, 2013

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McLean Home Sales: February, 2013

In February 2013, 60 homes sold between $2,270,000-$226,750 in the McLean and Falls Church area.

McLean Home Sales: February, 2013

Letter: Transportation Bill: Possibly Unconstitutional

The Connection on February 27, 2013 reported that former State Delegate Margaret Vanderhye said she was “outraged” that some Northern Virginia legislators had voted ‘no’ on the $6.1 billion comprehensive transportation funding plan (HB 2313) because of an alleged no-tax-increase pledge. However, bipartisan opposition to the bill by Northern Virginia legislators was prompted by fundamental flaws in the bill. Vanderhye’s earlier letter to The Connection on January 22, 2013 (“Getting Back to Business”), shows she too was against the bill before she was for it, for some of the very same reasons.

Editorial: Say Yes to Health Coverage

Governor, state panel must accept coverage for 400,000 Virginians without health insurance.

More than 140,000 residents of Fairfax County have no health insurance. That’s more than 13 percent of the slightly more than 1 million people who live in the wealthiest county in the nation. Arlington and Alexandria have similar percentages of uninsured.

Column: Just Wondering

Having never attended medical school (and not really having had the grades or commitment to do so), and having only completed 10th grade biology and freshman year astronomy, and rarely even driven by a medical school growing up, my understanding and/or instincts regarding how a medical professional plans and/or prepares for his day is as foreign to me as sugar-free chocolate (if I’m going down, I’m going down swinging; in truth however, considering the anti-cancer, alkaline diet I’m following, I do need to swing a little less frequently).

The Sound of Music

Enhancing your child’s music education during Music in Our Schools Month and beyond.

From the powerful sounds of a high school band to the soothing melodies sung in a kindergarten music classroom, local music educators are using the month of March to raise awareness of the benefits of learning music.

Update on State Session

Favola, Comstock, Foust provide General Assembly results.

State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31), Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) and Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) addressed a crowd at the Great Falls Grange Tuesday, March 12, on the results of the latest General Assembly session.

Rotary Presents Youth Service Awards

Three local students honored for ‘service above self.’

The McLean Rotary Club presented its annual Youth Service Awards to three local students at their Tuesday, March 12, meeting. McLean High School senior Jung Wook "James" Choi, Langley High School junior Rebecca Pifer and Potomac School senior Britt Nelson were each awarded $250 scholarships in recognition of their efforts serving the community.

Sullivan Leads McLean Baseball to Victory

Highlanders beat Westfield for first win of the season.

The McLean baseball team capitalized on five Westfield errors.

Metrorail Phase 1 Nears Completion

Phase 1 of the project 89 percent complete.

Four years ago this month, construction of Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project began. Today project construction is 89 percent complete. Station structures are in place at the four stations in Tysons Corner and one at Wiehle Avenue in Reston.

Letter:On Lyme Disease Awareness Bill

Letter:An Overlooked Aspect of Homelessness

Bulova Appoints Mary Cortina, Faisal Khan to Park Authority Board

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-at-large) recently appointed two new representatives to the Fairfax County Park Authority Board.

Letter:New Lyme Legislation

Week in McLean

Langley Places Second in Regional Science Olympiad

Langley High School placed second in a regional Science Olympiad tournament held in Vienna Saturday, March 2.

Sandwiches for the Homeless

On Wednesday, March 13, more than 75 Churchill Road kindergarteners, third and fourth graders and family members made more than 1,700 sandwiches for Martha’s Table, a Washington, D.C.,-based organization which helps feed the homeless

Classified Advertising March 13, 2013

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The Region’s Best Home Designs

Local contractors get top honors for remodeling projects.

From designing a kitchen with a concave glass tile backsplash to creating a backyard with a fireplace and pool, some local home remodelers were honored recently with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s (NARI) 2013 Regional Contractor of the Year awards for design acumen. Winning projects ran the gamut from historic preservation projects to environmentally conscious conceptions.

Recycle, Reuse, Remodel

Remodeling often affords an opportunity to re-purpose existing materials by donating to those less fortunate. Ask your remodeler if there is a plan or policy for saving materials for re-use rather than sending it to a land fill. Every project is different. And some materials are more easily removed and saved than others. Here are a couple of organizations that accepted used materials.

World’s Fanciest Rummage Sale Coming April 7

Rumor has it that the “world’s fanciest” rummage sale will feature some of the crystal light fixtures and other items recently replaced in the remodeling of the Ritz-Carlton Tysons.

‘How to Fall in Love’

Hopkins & Porter, Inc. will be offering "How to Fall in Love with Your Home Again,” a free design and remodeling seminar on Thursday, March 21, 6-8 p.m. This seminar will include a complimentary supper with opportunity to discuss one's own project with professional staff.

Virginia Garden Week to Feature NoVa Gardens

80th Historic Garden Week, April 20-27, 2013

Historic Garden Week 2013 will feature approximately 200 private homes and gardens open on 32 separate tours throughout the state of Virginia over eight consecutive days. It is the largest ongoing volunteer effort in Virginia and represents the coordinated efforts of 3,400 club members. One hundred percent of tour proceeds are used to enhance Virginia’s landscape. For 80 years, the grounds of the commonwealth’s most cherished historic landmarks have been restored or preserved with help from proceeds from Historic Garden Week including Mount Vernon, Monticello and the grounds of the Executive Mansion in Richmond.

Squash Across Borders

Lekotla Masope competes in All Africa Squash Championships.

During most of the year, Lekgotla Masope is teaching squash at the Regency Sport and Health in McLean. But for five days in February, he was representing his home country of Botswana in the All-Africa Senior Squash Championships in Windhoek, Namibia, where they took third place.

Facing STEM Challenges Head On

Thomas Jefferson senior Katherine Ho of McLean awarded scholarship from Siemens Foundation.

For many students, AP classes are a chore, something taken to help college standings or boost GPA and the AP Exams are dreaded all year long. For Katherine Ho of McLean, challenges and problem solving have been part of her life for a long time.

Column: Writing What Four

As far as anniversaries go–and I hope this one “goes” a lot further; acknowledging, dare I say celebrating my four-year survival anniversary from “terminal” stage IV (inoperable, metastasized) non-small cell lung cancer, a diagnosis I initially received on Feb. 27, 2009, along with a “13-month to two-year prognosis” from my oncologist, is certainly column-worthy.

Editorial: Hybrid Hijinks

Discouraging innovation in high-tech Virginia.

Consider this as a possible scenario (although perhaps we should have saved this for April 1): Fewer people are smoking, and many of those who do are smoking less. Virginia’s cigarette tax, the lowest of any state at 30 cents a pack, is a declining revenue source. Higher cigarette taxes are proven to reduce smoking. Under current logic in the commonwealth, there would be two courses of action to raise revenue: a) cut the cigarette tax, and b) charge non-smokers a fee to make up the difference and to compensate for the fact that they don’t pay cigarette taxes.

Langley Boys’ Lax Looking for Fifth Straight State Title

Defense figures to be Saxons’ strength in 2013.

The Langley boys' lacrosse team opens its season on Friday against Dominion.

EPA Will Not Appeal Court Decision on Accotink Watershed

EPA regulations could have cost county $300 million.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) effectively ended a two-year legal battle with Fairfax County when the agency announced last week it will not appeal a federal court decision favoring Fairfax County’s handling of the Accotink Creek watershed.

Bicyclists Pedal Onward, Despite Legislative Losses

FABB promotes extended hours on W&OD Trail.

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, Northern Virginia bicyclists are back on the roads and trails, despite the Virginia General Assembly’s antipathy for bike safety bills this session.

Senior Takes STEM Challenges Head On

Mayank Mahajan earns Siemens Foundation scholarship.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology senior Mayank Mahajan enjoys taking on tough challenges.

Wiehle-Reston East Station 82 Percent Completed

Construction of the five stations in Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail stations is now focusing on interior finishes, installation of elevators and systems.

From Rail to Trail at Freeman Museum

Museum traces history of the railroad passing through Vienna in the 18th and 19th centuries.

“These are trains that used to be alive a long time ago. … Now, they’re abandoned, now they’re scrap.” —Five-year-old Charlie Wilkins, Reston

Fire Department Auxiliary Hosts Craft Fair, Taste of Vienna

Crafts show launches VVFD’s spring schedule of events.

Vienna Volunteer Fire Department [VVFD] hosts community-wide public events and fundraising events.

Cappies: The Killing Game

No amount of cleansing and disinfectant will guarantee safety; even the air is hazardous. The symptoms appear only seconds before death, and it spreads without needing physical contact. The Plague is back, and there is no escape. On the New School of Northern Virginia stage, the Killing Game has begun

Week in McLean

MPA Hosts 32nd Annual Youth Art Show

The 32nd annual Youth Art Show opened Sunday afternoon, March 10, at McLean Project for the Arts

McLean Artist Wins Mosaic Arts Awards

Ashley Mehra’s mosaic “The Lion and the Flower” earned the regional Gold Key Scholastic Art Award.

MCC to Hold Public Hearing on Programs on March 20, 2013

he McLean Community Center’s (MCC) 11-member Governing Board will hold its annual Public Hearing on Programs at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. The board is asking residents of Dranesville Small District 1A to come to the meeting and share their thoughts on center programs and services.

Longfellow Model UN Team Wins Secretary General’s Award

The Longfellow Middle Model United Nations (Model UN) team recently won the secretary general’s award for Best Middle School Delegation and three Outstanding Delegation awards at the TechMUN conference held at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).

Letter: A Call to Reduce Gun Violence

Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, a group of Northern Virginia residents, Concerned Citizens Against Gun Violence (CCAGV), has been taking action to reduce gun violence in our nation. In February, CCAGV launched a grassroots effort to gather signatures to show our representatives in Congress that their constituents want action on reasonable measures to reduce gun violence.

‘Art Helps’ at Churchill Road

Churchill Road Elementary held its first annual “Art Helps” art show and auction.

McLean, Fairfax Students Win State Cybersecurity Championship

The future of national security may lie in the hands of a high school student who competed in a cyber championship this weekend at George Mason University.

Classified Advertising March 6, 2013

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Nominations Open for Jean Tibbetts History Award

The Jean Tibbetts History Award honors outstanding contributors to the research, articulation, dissemination and preservation of the history of life along the Potomac River corridor from McLean to west of Dranesville and south through Herndon. Candidates for the Jean Tibbetts History Award are selected from annual nominations to the society and the award carries a stipend of $200. The awardee’s name is placed on the Great Falls Historians plaque, displayed in the Great Falls Library.

The Langley School Presents ‘Cinderella’ Musical

Middle School students at The Langley School will bring the enchanted fairytale of “Cinderella” to the stage this spring as they present Rogers & Hammerstein’s musical version March 14-16. The show will run Thursday, March 14, through Saturday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, in the school’s Jeffrey J. Sherman Arts Center at 1411 Balls Hill Road in McLean.

All-Virginia Chorus Selected

The finest high school singers in Virginia will study and perform advanced choral music in Richmond from April 25-27 during the All-Virginia Chorus event. Once again, Langley High School will send the largest contingent of singers among all high schools in Fairfax County with nine selected performers and five alternates.

Column: E-male

My oncologist is a man. He has e-mail. He works for an HMO that encourages/advertises its connectivity and responsiveness – electronically, to its members. If I want to get medical answers in a reasonable amount of time – save for an emergency, typing, “mousing” and clicking is the recommended methodology. No more phone calls, preferably. Though pressing keys on a keyboard rather than pressing buttons on a phone might have felt counter-intuitive at first as a means of receiving prompt replies, it has proven over these past few years to be a fairly reliable and predictable information loop. Not in minutes necessarily, but more often than not during the same day – and almost always by the very next day. In fact, I’ve received e-mails from my oncologist as late as 9:18 p.m. (time-stamped) after a sometime-during-the-day e-mail had been sent.

Putting a Face on Homelessness

462 homeless interviewed during Registry Week, an intense effort to document Fairfax County’s chronic homeless.

"We have to step up to this question. … Are we going to walk away from this tonight and say, 'That's just the way people live?’ Well, it's not the way people should live." —Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill)

The Snowquester Hits the Area

Snowstorm’s impact downgraded, but slushy roads still a problem.

The National Weather Service Wednesday downgraded its Snowquester forecast from 8-10 inches to about 4-6 inches in the region. At 3:18 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, the NWS predicted total snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches in Fairfax County before the storm fizzles out later that night, and north winds with gusts up to 45 mph in some areas, making driving hazardous.

Italian Music at Langley High

Cooper Middle School orchestras join Langley High orchestras in concert.

Students in the five Langley High School orchestras and two Cooper Middle School orchestras presented a concert of Italian music on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Langley High School.

McLean Youth Soccer Joins Kids Helping Kids Drive

McLean Youth Soccer partners with City Year to conduct Kids Helping Kids drive at their upcoming tournament.

Week in McLean

This week McLean is featuring many different, exciting events.

Brownie Scouts Trained to ‘Speak for Success’

Girl Scout Troop 6974 led 21 Brownie Scouts from four different McLean troops in a training program the Seniors developed called “Speak for Success.”

Brenda Blisk Named to Top 1000 Financial Advisors

Brenda Blisk, CFP®, has been recognized by Barron’s magazine for the fifth consecutive year as one of “America's 1000 Top Financial Advisors” and in addition has landed the 23rd spot in Virginia.

Chesterbrook PTA Online Auction Runs Until March 10

The Chesterbrook Elementary School's Online Auction offers something for every age, taste and budget.

MCC Moves Forward With Renovation Plan

Board approves $6.1 million expansion, will examine possible future downtown land swap.

The McLean Community Center Governing Board voted at their Feb. 27 meeting to go forward with a $6.1 million renovation of its Ingleside Avenue facility.

Chamber Installs 2013 Board

John Brough of Chain Bridge Bank named new chairman.

Meet the Board The 2013 Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors members are: * Chair: John Brough, Chain Bridge Bank * First vice-chair: Marcus Simon, EKKO Title LLC * Treasurer: Monish Banga, Ross Langan and McKendree, LLP * Secretary: Joe Mastaler, PBMares, LLP * Immediate past chair: Merritt J. Green, General Counsel, PC * Ryan Cash, Capital One Bank * Raj Mehra, Middleburg Bank * Rick Makely, Giant of McLean * Gita Bhandari, M and T Bank * Dane Scott, Seasons 52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar * Sheri Sylvester, AdZig Logo Promotions * Jon Wilkins, Bank of Georgetown * George Sachs, McLean Community Center * Brian Callery, Edward Jones * Karen Briscoe, Huckaby Briscoe Conroy Realty Group * President: Marcia S. Twomey

Week in Great Falls

This week in Great Falls there are many fun and exciting events planned.

Great Falls EMT Wins Basic Life Support Provider of the Year Award

Elliot Zaret is this year's recipient of the Fairfax County 2012 Basic Life Support Provider of the Year Award.

Children’s Festival and Egg Hunt on March

The Great Falls Optimist Club and Adeler Jewelers will present the 29th Annual Children's Festival and Egg Hunt.

VDOT Decides Fate of Trees

Tree closest to Walker Road to be removed, remaining tree to be pruned.

“In the end, it was the overwhelming opinion of various expert arborists that one tree, the one closest to the corner, was too ill and in danger of falling to risk trying to save.” --Bob Vickers, Great Falls tree commissioner

Nike Park Opens Artificial Turf Field

Field is joint effort between county and community.

The artificial turf field at Great Falls Nike Park was officially opened Saturday, March 3.