Stories for December 2015

Classified Advertising December 30, 2015

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Editorial: Merry Christmas

The pages of the Connection have been full of holiday spirit for more than a month. Menorah lightings, group and individual efforts to help the needy, stories of giving, secular celebrations, religious celebrations.

Classified Advertising December 23, 2015

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Fairfax County School Board Opens the Door for School Name Changes

No decisions made to affect current school names.

The Fairfax County School Board did not change any names of schools at its Dec. 17 regular business meeting.

Letter: A Big Thank You

Letter to the Editor

Letter

McLean 2015: Year in Review

Noise, guns, elections and more.

McLean 2015: Year in Review

McLean/Great Falls: A Year in Review

Highlights of 2015

Top McLean/Great Falls Sports Moments from 2015

Langley, McLean win multiple championships.

The year 2015 included championship glory for multiple McLean/Great Falls high school sports teams, and one team just missed taking home a state title.

McLean/Great Falls: Cooper Middle Students Attend Kindergartners’ Holiday Party

On Thursday, Dec. 17 Cooper Middle school students visited Pine Spring Elementary for their annual holiday party.

Fairfax County: McAuliffe Proposing More for Education

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D, left) unveiled his budget proposal for $1 billion in public and higher education investment at Mark Twain Middle School in Alexandria on Dec. 16, as part of the total state budget he plans to roll out on Thursday, Dec. 17.

Classified Advertising December 16, 2015

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McLean/Vienna: Tysons Ice Rink is Open for the Season

The new 6,000 square foot Tysons Corner Ice Rink has officially opened this season on Friday, Nov. 13, and will run through March 6, 2016.

McLean/Great Falls: Our Military Kids, Responding to the Need

McLean based organization helps thousands across the country, especially at Christmas.

McLean’s Linda Davidson co-founded Our Military Kids with 11 grants in 2004. “When I started, it was a volunteer program offering to support families in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.,” she said.

McLean Crime Reports

Notable incidents from Dec. 7-11.

Register for a Class or Activity at the McLean Community Center

Winter-Spring session registration is underway at the McLean Community Center (MCC).

Participating in Hour of Code Lessons

Churchill Road librarian Sari Warren and technology specialist Jordan Craig Kuhn spent Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 7-13), helping students participate in the worldwide Hour of Code lessons.

McLean High School Student Wins Student-Athlete Achievement Award

McLean High School senior Autumn Brenner is one of four students in Virginia awarded the Student-Athlete of the Year award by the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.

Partnership Launches ‘Build a Village’ Campaign

Goal to end homelessness in Fairfax County by 2018 looms; more than 400 children are among the homeless here.

Dozens of business leaders, elected officials and advocates for ending homelessness gathered Monday, Dec. 14 in the offices of Piedmont Fund Services in Herndon to launch the “Build a Village” campaign.

Lessons in Charitable Giving

Conversations, modeling behavior and hands-on actions can help teach children about benevolence and compassion.

Matthew Mamalian’s holiday shopping list included some items that might seem atypical for a 12-year-old middle school student: shampoo, socks, soap and a few snacks.

Weekend in Vienna, McLean, Great Falls

Weekend happenings in your neighborhood

Editorial: Safety Net for Holiday Celebrations

It’s an opportunity to talk about responsibility, alcohol and planning ahead.

The holiday party season is here, and we will almost all be celebrating in some way. Some ways will involve celebrations that include alcohol.

Ideas for Decking the Halls

Local designers create opulent holiday designs.

From traditional to glamorous, fresh to faux and high-end to old school, local tastemakers tell how they create dazzling holiday design extravaganzas.

Citizen Speakers Turn Out for J.E.B. Stuart High Name Change

School Board to take action Dec. 17

J.E.B. Stuart High School senior Whitten Rutledge is proud of his school, mostly.

Tysons Gets New Name, Post Office

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11), working with Tysons Partnership and the U.S. Postal Service, secured the formal rebranding of the U.S. Post Office building on Spring Hill Road in Tysons.

Fairfax County Companies Designated as Best Workplaces for Commuters

Ten companies in Fairfax County were honored as Best Workplaces for Commuters.

Langley Orchestra Kicks Off the Season

Langley High School’s Orchestra kicked off the year on Dec. 1 at South Lakes High School.

McLean Woman’s Club Kicks Off 49th Annual Holiday Homes Tour

A ribbon-cutting ceremony kicked off the McLean Woman’s Club’s 49th annual Holiday Homes Tour on Dec. 3 at historic Pleasant Grove Church in McLean

Chesterbrook Woods, Not Meadows

McLean neighborhood petitions for stronger protection of trees from infill development.

More than 225 people in McLean’s Chesterbrook Woods have signed its citizens association’s Tree Canopy Petition, demanding that Fairfax County enforce the county’s Tree Ordinance.

Classified Advertising December 9, 2015

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Santa Comes to Town for McLean’s WinterFest Parade

There were many drivers perplexed this Sunday afternoon when they realized Old Chain Bridge road was blocked off by police…that is, until they saw the sea of green and red that pooled into the heart of town for McLean’s seventh annual WinterFest parade.

Redeemer Lutheran Church in McLean to Host Annual Living Nativity and Christmas Concert

All are welcome and invited to enjoy the sounds of the season and the joy of the manger on Friday, Dec. 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Redeemer Lutheran Church

Conservatory Ballet’s The Nutcracker Spreading Holiday Cheer

More than 85 area students make holiday magic come to life performing in Conservatory Ballet’s 43rd annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

Weekend Events in Vienna, McLean and Great Falls

Weekend events in your neighborhood

Merry and Fit

Support groups help members maintain fitness during season of indulgence.

Just after 7:30 on a recent Sunday morning, the steady beat of Cold Play’s "Viva la Vida" pulsed through the warm, sleepy air.

Voter Services Chair Recognized by Supervisors

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors presented the Barbara Varon Award to Sidney Johnson, Voter Services chair of the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), on Nov. 17.

County Limits Dog Tethering

“Man’s best friend deserves legal protection,” said Peggy Marshall, who adopted her best friend, Bianca.

Environmental Quality of Life

Advisory Council issues 512-page vision for county environmental policy.

Flooding will rise in concern in Fairfax County as a result of climate change, warned Stella Koch, chairperson of the county’s Environmental Quality Advisory Council.

Adam Torres trial for murder of John Geer postponed until April 2016

Former Fairfax County police officer Adam Torres was charged with second-degree murder in August this year for shooting Springfield resident John Geer in August 2013. The trial was scheduled to begin on Dec. 14, but a continuance was recently granted to the defense, pushing it back until April 18, 2016.

Fairfax Chamber to Become the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (Fairfax Chamber) Board of Directors approved the rebranding and restructuring of the Fairfax Chamber to the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Langley Senior Duenkel Signs with JMU

Langley High School’s Halle Duenkel on Nov. 13 signed a National Letter of Intent to play lacrosse at James Madison University.

Tasting Whiskey for a Cause

The New Dominion Women’s Club hosted the “Second Annual Whiskey Tasting” to support local charity organizations.

Timeless Yuletide Classic

Alden Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol,” a musical from Virginia’s Theater IV.

“We wanted to present a quality holiday program with fun music for families with younger children to enjoy”, said Kathleen Herr, director of youth programs, McLean Community Center.

Classified Advertising December 2 , 2015

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McLean: Claude Moore Colonial Farm Needs Help Replacing Roof

The Claude Moore Colonial Farm, a privately operated living history museum and National Park, is seeking donations from the community to replace the roof on its colonial Farmhouse.

McLean: Celebrating Where We Live

Historic Pleasant Grove Church, 8671 Lewinsville Road, McLean, est. 1895.

The local Virginia scenic byways are a great way to enjoy nature’s spectacular display of fall colors. There are a number of long, winding roads in McLean to cruise down and take in the vibrant foliage.

McLean Band Wins National Excellence Award

The National Band Association selected the McLean High School band program for a National Program of Excellence Award, and winner of the Southern Division Excellence Award.

McLean Crime Reports

Notable incidents from Nov. 21-25