Stories for February 2016

Area Skaters Go National

Vienna, McLean skaters participate in 2016 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships.

Piper Williams of Vienna, Nina Sebastien of McLean, Elaine Zhang of Vienna, and Taylor Olson of Falls Church represented our area at the 2016 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich. last week.

UVA Backs Students’ Research Projects

From examining how James Joyce’s work relates to civil unrest to quantitative eco-labeling schemes, and from researching Roman property law to analyzing the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, 50 University of Virginia undergraduates will pursue 46 grant-funded research projects this summer.

Springfield Veterinary Holistic Center offers extension to conventional medicine

Bettejeanne “BJ” Hammond much prefers the term “body work” to massage. “Open wine and get out the candles, that’s what people think of massage,” she said. “They think it’s to relax, but it’s so much more than that.”

Art of Driving Scholarship Expands Eligibility Outside Fairfax County

After the first few years being open only to Lake Braddock Secondary School Students, the Art of Driving college scholarship in honor of Lake Braddock student Ashley Thompson expanded to all Fairfax County High Schools.

McLean and Vienna: Hope on Ice at Tysons Ice Rink

The first Hope on Ice took place last weekend at the Tysons Corner Ice Skating Rink.

Letter: Cooper Students Support Students in Afghanistan

To the Editor

About two years ago I attended an event in Washington, D.C. where the First Lady of Afghanistan, Ms. Ashraf Ghani, spoke on behalf of the Aschiana Foundation.

McLean and Great Falls: Supreme Court Inspires Case Day at Langley

Justice Antonin Scalia remembered at Langley during Case Day, which he helped originate.

United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin “Nino” Scalia helped former Langley teacher James Catlette develop Case Day into an annual academic gift to each Langley graduating class.

Week in McLean

Weekly happenings in McLean

McLean:Mickey and Watson

Mickey, formerly known as Sherlock, and Watson were adopted separately at a Lost Dog and Rescue Fair on the same day in Falls Church.

Obituary: Helen Mary Semenuk, Dies

Helen Mary Semenuk was a resident of Falls Church and member of St. James Church for 63 years.

McLean: Chase Murphy Semifinalist in Military Child of the Year

Chase Murphy, 17, of McLean, is a semifinalist in Operation Homefront’s 2016 Military Child of the Year.

Fairfax County Schools to Close March 1 for Super Tuesday

Concerns about parking and traffic, as well as new guidance from the Virginia Department of Education caused the Fairfax County School Board to reconsider closing schools for the March 1 Presidential primaries.

Editorial: Bad Bills

General Assembly has potential to do lots of damage in a short period.

From pressing for use of a barbaric form of execution, the electric chair, to codifying discrimination, to stripping localities of the major tool for ensuring infrastructure is in place for new development, to hiding more and more critical public information from the public, the Virginia General Assembly is poised to do harm to the Commonwealth.

Classified Advertising February 24, 2016

Read the lastest ads here!

Great Falls: Saxons Shoot Their Way to Conference 6 Title

Langley makes nine 3-pointers against South Lakes.

The Langley boys' basketball team won the Conference 6 championship.

Great Falls: Langley Girls Win First Conference Title Since 1988

Saxons upset previously unbeaten Fairfax.

The Langley girls' basketball team defeated Fairfax 42-38 on Saturday to win the Conference 6 title.

Commentary: Building on Success

Congress passes more legislation to fight human trafficking.

Congress continues to work together in a bipartisan manner on an issue that grabs headlines throughout the country and here in Northern Virginia.

Weichert, Realtors McLean/Dolley Madison Office, Two Associates Recognized

Bruce L. Green, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors, announced that the McLean/Dolley Madison office was recognized for exceptional performance during the month of January.

County Budget Presented, About $300 More per Household

County Executive: Revenue growth is insufficient to fund all priorities. Schools still $68 million short.

County Executive Ed Long recommended a four-cent increase to the real estate tax rate.

Three McLean Gymnasts Qualify for State Meet

Defending state champs place third at regionals.

Three McLean gymnasts qualified for states.

Sports Roundups

Sports happenings in Vienna, Great Falls and McLean.

FCPS Open Enrollment for Two-Way and World Languages Immersion Programs

Fairfax County Public Schools' online registration for the countywide lottery for two-way and world language immersion programs will open on Monday, Feb. 22.

FCPS Students Win Awards in 2016 Scholastic Writing Competition

Fairfax County Public Schools students at 22 schools won regional awards in the 2016 Scholastic Writing Awards Competition.

Tysons Chamber Names Francis Gary Powers, Jr. Acting President

Lori Lopez, Chairman for the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce (TRCC) announced that Francis Gary Powers, Jr. has been hired as the Acting President effective Jan. 15, 2016.

1st Stage Receives Six Helen Hayes Nominations

The Helen Hayes Awards, now in its 32nd year, recognizes outstanding achievement in more than 90 professional theatres across the Washington metropolitan area, including Northern Virginia.

McLean and Great Falls: STEAM Fair Pushes Innovative Thinking

On Saturday, Feb. 6, The Langley School hosted its first-ever STEAM Fair to celebrate the school’s interdisciplinary, inquiry-based approach to learning and discovery through science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

BASIS Independent to Open in Tysons Corner

In preparation of the opening of BASIS Independent McLean (which is Tysons Corner’s first prek-12th grade school), Basis.ed’s co-founder Michael Block will speak at an introductory session on Monday, Feb. 22 at the Sheraton Tysons Hotel at 7 p.m.

Langley Hockey Celebrates Senior Night with Win over Lake Braddock

The Langley Saxon Hockey Team celebrated Seniors Night on Friday, Feb. 5 with a 7-4 win over Lake Braddock.

McLean: Langley High Orchestras Tour Spain

Langley musicians perform two concert, tour three cities.

From Feb. 3—9, members of the Langley High School orchestras (Freshman, Sinfonietta, Symphonic and Philharmonic) traveled to Spain, where they performed two concerts and toured the cities of Madrid, Segovia and Barcelona.

Week in McLean

Weekly happenings in McLean.

McLean Crime Reports

Notable incidents from the Fairfax County Police Blotter from Feb. 8-12.

McLean Home Sales: January, 2016

In January, 2016, 59 homes sold between $2,850,000-$160,000 in the McLean and Falls Church area.

McLean Home Sales: January, 2016

Fairfax County: Parents, Community Supporters Rally to ‘Invest in Kids’

Emotional independent outbursts and communal chants of “Fund our schools” and “Invest in kids” echoed through the grand amphitheater just beyond the entrance to the Fairfax County Government Center.

Editorial: Freedom of Information on Life Support in General Assembly?

Last week, the Assembly passed SB 202, which undid a major push eight years ago to ensure that all of our public spending was ‘online’ and searchable by ordinary citizens. This, of course, meant disclosing the salaries of public employees over a certain income level.

Editorial: Fairfax Presses Ahead with Diversion First

When police encounter someone in mental health crisis, they can transport them to Merrifield Crisis Response Center instead of jail.

Natasha McKenna died a little more than a year ago on Feb. 7, 2015.

Diversion First Program Launched

Fairfax County officials announce Diversion First program designed to help individuals get treatment not jail time.

Kevin Earley said he’s living proof that Diversion First works. Earley has been living with bipolar disorder and had his last episode in 2007.

Uncovering the Roots of Slavery

Local student creates slave index to help descendants trace family history.

A local college student is spending much of her senior year scouring the last wills and testaments of residents of Northern Virginia.

ServiceSource Helps People with Disabilities

Nonprofit ServiceSource helps people with disabilities.

In one section of the ServiceSource Chantilly Center, music therapist Myra Goodrich leads a group of budding musicians playing a cheerful song.

Touching Many Hearts

Minecraft for a Mission – Touching Heart and their “Kids on a Mission” raise funds for children in foster care.

They say that charity begins at home. Helen Yi and Taylor, the mother and daughter co-founders of Touching Heart, a nonprofit aimed at educating and inspiring children to empathize with the needs of others and to take action to assist them, have no argument with that statement.

‘Star Wars’ Fans Flock to Local Classes

Movie's popularity leaves fans wanting to feel "The Force."

Beams of neon light flash around a dark room. Young Star Wars fans from a galaxy not so far away wield light sabers and move with carefully choreographed steps.

Time To Plan for Kids’ Summer Camp Adventures

Local camp fair offers sampling of summer programs.

Under a blanket of February frost, summer might seem light years away, but it’s closer than one might think.

Fairfax County: Public Safety Committee meets to discuss Ad Hoc Police Review recommendations and the Diversion First initiative

Just over a year since Natasha McKenna died following multiple shocks from a taser, while in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention center, her name was never raised during the Feb. 9 meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee meeting. Two audience members stood on one side of the Government Center conference room, holding posters bearing a picture of McKenna’s face and text including “Black Lives Matter.”

Fairfax County: Training Center Residents Relocated

They’re all gone. As of August 2015, there were still 55 residents with mental or physical disabilities receiving services at the state-owned and operated Northern Virginia Training Center on Braddock Road.

Great Falls: Langley Boys’ Swim and Dive Wins Region Championship

Saxon girls finish region runner-up.

The Langley boys' swim and dive team won the 6A North region championship.

Classified Advertising February 10, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

McLean 2015 Home Sales

In 2015, 1088 homes sold between $8,300,000-$134,000 in the McLean and Falls Church area.

McLean 2015 Home Sales

Virginia Cigarette Tax Remains Lowest in Nation

Opportunity for increase in cigarette tax blows up in smoke.

Dale Stein and the McLean Citizens Association couldn’t even raise a match before legislators in Richmond extinguished a possible increase in the cigarette tax for Fairfax County.

Editorial: Limiting Local Authority

Assembly rushes bill limiting proffers without addressing who will pay for infrastructure.

In Virginia, a Dillon Rule state, local governments have only the powers explicitly granted by the General Assembly. And what the assembly gives, the assembly can take away.

Stylish Valentine’s Day Table Settings

Flowers and candles create romantic designs.

Fresh flowers and candles are an easy way to add elegance and romance to a Valentine’s Day table. From dramatic to understated, local tastemakers offer suggestions for setting the mood for a memorable dinner.

Bringing Order to Household Chaos

Clever design solutions for hiding clutter.

Wires, cable boxes, soccer cleats, pet bowls and other items are life’s necessities, but they can be unsightly and disrupt the aesthetic of an elegant living space.

Fairfax County School Board Approves $2.67 Billion ‘No Cuts’ Budget

Calls for general salary raises and additional $40 million for teachers, lowering elementary class sizes.

Members of the Fairfax County School Board have taken the next step in realizing Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza’s vision of no additional cuts in the Fiscal Year 2017 school system operating budget. T

Area Students Shine in MATHCOUNTS Competition

The Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS competition was held on Saturday, Feb. 6, at George Mason University.

Snowzilla Summit Ahead

Board names Fairfax County Animal Shelter for Michael Frey.

“What a difference a week makes,” said County Chairman Sharon Bulova (D), in case anybody had moved on from the 29.3 inches of measured snow at Dulles Airport during the recent blizzard.

Honoring Black History

Fairfax County’s Cable Network presents programs in celebration of Black History Month.

Fairfax Public Access (FPA) will air a special series of movies and documentaries throughout the month of February in recognition of Black History Month.

Proffers in Danger?

Richmond caught the attention of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors this week specifically with House Bill 770 (Gilbert) and Senate B 549 (Obenshain), bills Sharon Bulova says will place “significant restrictions” on development, specifically citing “unreasonable proffers.”

Haunting Wounded Souls, Interconnected Lives

For those seeking out a singular achievement into unapologetic mature themed theater, 1st Stage’s production of “When the Rain Stops Falling” will etch itself into audience thrall.

Barnes and Noble’s Teacher Contest Ends March 1

The Barnes and Noble My Favorite Teacher Contest ends March 1.

Langley Rowers Win Two Gold, One Silver

The Langley High School Crew excelled at the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints, the largest indoor rowing event for juniors (18 years or younger) in the United States.

Week in McLean

Weekly happenings in McLean

Potomac School Senior Commits to Swim for University of Chicago

Sydney Grube, a senior at The Potomac School, has committed to swim for the University of Chicago.

Potomac School Senior Commits to Wellesley for Soccer

Emily Tran, a senior at The Potomac School, has committed to play Division III soccer for Wellesley College.

McLean Crime Reports

Notable incidents from the Fairfax County Police blotter from Feb. 1-4.

McLean and Great Falls Celebrate Virginia Merges with McLean Historical Society

McLean and Great Falls Celebrate Virginia, a statewide community organization organized by Del. Vince Callahan in 2003 to help with the commonwealth’s 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown by promoting its local history, has merged with the McLean Historical Society.

Letter: Helping Search for Best Solutions

To the Editor

At its Feb. 4 meeting, the McLean Community Center Capital Facilities Committee (MCC CFC) deferred a vote on whether to retain Maffitt Hall as a community meeting room or turn it into office and administration space.

McLean Woman’s Club: Discussing Senior Nutrition

Dr. Lewis Suskiewicz, M. D., a distinguished local internist retired from Inova Fairfax and Fair Oaks Hospitals, spoke about senior nutrition to the Woman’s Club of McLean at its meeting on Feb. 2.

McLean’s Family Feud?

What could constitute conflict of interest where best interest of McLean community is at stake?

By suspending discussion and asking the county attorney to intervene, chair Dennis Findley and the McLean Community Center’s Capital Facilities Committee turned a possible happy ending about Center renovation into a family squabble.

Virginia Cigarette Tax Remains Lowest in Nation

Opportunity for increase in cigarette tax blows up in smoke.

Dale Stein and the McLean Citizens Association couldn’t even raise a match before legislators in Richmond extinguished a possible increase in the cigarette tax for Fairfax County.

Claude Moore Farm Launches 2016 Junior Interpreter Program

The Claude Moore Colonial farm launched its 2016 Junior Interpreter Program for youths interested in experiencing work and life on an colonial 18th-century living history farm.

Fairfax County: Election Officers Still Needed for March Primary

Cameron Sasnett has one message for people concerned about the integrity of elections -- at least from a procedure standpoint: Get involved as an election officer.

Fairfax County: In-Custody Death Investigated

Paul Guida died Oct. 17, 2015, while in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. The 68-year-old Falls Church resident was charged with violating a protective order. He had been held without bond since Oct. 1, 2015.

Combined Commissions for Women Host Human Trafficking Awareness Event in Fairfax

Thirty years ago, “Jen” was lured into a pornography ring and sexually abused by a man who initially pretended to be her friend.

Snowzilla Summit Ahead

Board names Fairfax County Animal Shelter for Michael Frey.

“What a difference a week makes,” said County Chairman Sharon Bulova (D), in case anybody had moved on from the 29.3 inches of measured snow at Dulles Airport during last week’s blizzard.

Great Falls: Langley Boys’ Swim and Dive Team Wins Conference 6 Title

Saxon girls, McLean boys finish runners-up.

The Langley boys' swim and dive team repeated as Conference 6 champion.

Classified Advertising February 3, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Another Opportunity to Talk About It

Super Bowl Sunday is Sunday, Feb. 7, and often more about the parties than the game.

Editorial: Economic Development in Virginia

The General Assembly prides itself in providing a pro-business climate, but refuses infusion of more than $3 billion annually.

Hundreds of bills before this year’s General Assembly session focus on “business climate,” providing incentives for businesses to locate and expand here, extending tax exemptions and tax credits, encouraging international trade, reducing regulation and many other approaches perceived as pro-business.

Marking American Heart Month

Month-long observance raises awareness about cardiovascular disease and the role of aerobic exercise in preventing it.

Music is thumping, sweat is dripping and hearts are pounding. In a packed aerobic dance studio, students move in the name of health.

Volunteer Fairfax Seeks Nominations, New Deadline Feb. 9

Awards recognize the contributions of volunteers in the community.

Nominations are open for the 2016 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards.

Langley Alum Thrives in Collegiate Waters

Langley High School 2015 graduate Fiona Muir, one of Emory University’s top freshmen swimmers is off to a fantastic start to her season.

Week in McLean

Weekly happenings in McLean.

The Langley School Crowns Geography Bee Champion

Ten students in grades 4-8 at The Langley School tested their geographic knowledge during the first round of the 28th annual National Geographic Bee on Jan. 14.

McLean: Saving the Community Hall; Preparing for Closure

McLean Community Center likely to be closed for renovations in 2017 from April through November.

The McLean Community Center’s Central Financing Committee transformed a week of public worry into a probable solution for the center’s beloved and well-used Maffitt Hall community room.

McLean Rotary Club donates proceeds to local charities.

A large continuous crowd of chocolate lovers attended the fifth annual McLean Chocolate Festival on Sunday, Jan. 31 .

McLean Crime Reports

Notable incidents in McLean from the Fairfax County police blotter from Jan. 19-29.