Stories for November 2012

Opinion: Immigrants and Today’s Faith Response

The presence of increasing numbers of immigrants is a challenge to the Fairfax County faith community commitments. The challenge is to be a faith community with open arms.

Editorial: Learning in a Global Community

Students in Fairfax County speak 160 languages.

This week our ongoing series about immigration in Fairfax County takes a look at county schools, and some of the joys and challenges of having a diverse student body that speaks as many as 160 different languages at home.

Classified Advertising Nov. 28,2012

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Town Center Lights Christmas Tree

Santa and Mrs. Claus, Reston Chorale appear at annual tree lighting.

Having just moved to Reston in July, Bill and Marie Jones and their two children weren’t aware of the annual festivities that happen at Reston Town Center every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, just after dark. They thought they were headed to town center for an evening of ice skating and frozen yogurt.

Reston Hosts Holiday Parade

Local groups participate in annual Reston Town Center parade Nov. 23.

Thousands of people spent the early part of their Black Friday spread out along Market Street for the annual Reston Holiday Parade. Organizations from across the area made their way down .3 miles of the road carrying balloons, performing and interacting with the crowd.

Herndon High Performs ‘Brigadoon’

Theater department puts on annual fall musical.

For many cast members in the Herndon High School Theatre Department, the musical "Brigadoon" wasn’t a familiar title to them. The story of two New Yorkers who stumble upon a mystical disappearing Scottish village features one of the young men, Tommy, who falls in love with one of the town’s residents, only to be confronted by the fact that the town only appears once every hundred years.

Schools Using Diversity for Student Benefits

Immersion, ESOL programs aim to take advantage of area cultures.

As Fairfax County has experienced massive growth in its international population, its effects have spread to its educational institutions. Forty-four percent of the Fairfax County Public Schools students come from homes that speak a language other than English, which includes 160 different languages.

Building a Savings Stockpile on Shoestring Budget

Money experts say it is possible to save, even on a limited income.

Even though Mary Beth Lanvin is employed full-time with a company that offers generous retirement benefits, she can’t afford to contribute to a 401(k).

Avoiding Holiday Debt

Plan now to prevent post-holiday bills.

Festive store displays mean the holiday shopping season is in full swing.

Tips for Year-End Charitable Giving

Financial experts offer suggestions for ensuring one’s donations are well spent.

’Tis the season for giving, and that includes donations to charities.

Brief: Helping Animals Find Homes for the Holidays?

Special adoption promotion to help animals find homes.

Brief: The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is offering a free spay or neuter for the first 100 cats, kittens, dogs or puppies adopted from the shelter through Dec. 31.

We Are the World, at Garfield

Teachers discuss challenges of teaching English as a Second Language.

Garfield Elementary School in Springfield, like all of Fairfax County, has a population that reflects a wide range of backgrounds.

Marshall High is the Face of Fairfax County

Upwards of 90 countries represented by student population.

The schools that feed into George C. Marshall High School are the academic home to children from all over the world.

Brief: History Conference Focuses on Conflict and Courage

Local historians honored.

Brief: The eighth Annual Fairfax County History Conference was held on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center in the City of Fairfax.

Brief: Community Meetings to Help Search for Superintendent

Brief: On Sept. 22, 2011, Superintendent Jack D. Dale announced his intention to retire from Fairfax County Public Schools effective June 30, 2013.

This Week in Herndon: Crime Solvers Seek Suspects in Herndon-Area Car Vandalisms

This week in Herndon: Fairfax County Crime Solvers is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects responsible for damaging numerous vehicles parked in an apartment complex over the weekend.

Letter: A Chunukah Message

Fix the darkness. . . make light.

Letter: The holiday of Chanukah is set to begin.

Brief: Celebrating the Magic of Lift Me Up!

Thirty-seventh Anniversary Gala a Spectacular Night!

Brief: Lift Me Up! therapeutic riding program hosted its annual gala on Saturday, Nov. 17, celebrating the organization’s 37th year of bringing the magic of horseback riding to individuals living with disabilities.

Brief: Fox Mill Walks Raise $5,400 for Reston Interfaith

Brief: The seventh annual Fox Mill Elementary School PTA Walk for the Homeless was held Thursday, Oct. 25.

LINK Helps Hundreds of Families in Need

Friday, Nov. 16 was an extremely busy day as volunteers were sorting food and clothing and tweets were going out seeking additional food items.

Brief: ArtSpace to Host Three Local Artists

Brief: ArtSpace Herndon will be hosting three local abstract artists who all use color as a key element.

Uranium Money Spreads Across Virginia in Radioactive Debate

Upcoming General Assembly session to feature effort to lift ban on uranium mining.

The uranium deposits under the farmlands of Pittsylvania County are miles away from Northern Virginia, but the debate about what happens there is shaping up to be one of the hottest issues of the upcoming General Assembly session.

Classified Advertising Nov 21, 2012

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Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales: October, 2012

In October 2012, 70 homes sold between $965,000-$130,000 in the Herndon and Oak Hill area.

Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales in October, 2012

Buy Now, Pay Later

Meaning: If I’m terminal, why deprive myself because of cost? If, in fact, I’m only living once – as the old saying goes, and somewhat less of a life than I had anticipated, shouldn’t I, at the very least, “Pull my pants down and slide on the ice,” as prescribed by Dr. Sidney Freedman in an episode of M*A*S*H, way back when?

Week in Herndon

The Town of Herndon’s 34th Annual Holiday Arts & Craft Show will be held on Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave. Ninety artisans and crafts people will exhibit and sell their handmade work at this annual arts and crafts show sponsored by the Town of Herndon, Virginia Department of Parks and Recreation. Admission is free and refreshments will be available for purchase.

CBT Presents Holiday Classic

Ashley Tern, Lily Campbell to star in Classical Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker.”

When they take the stage for the Classical Ballet Theatre’s annual performance of “The Nutcracker,” 13-year-olds Ashley Tern and Lily Campbell will take their first lead roles in a combined 21 years of dance.

Financial Education: Moves to Make Before the Holidays

Before the rush of the holiday season, local financial experts say it might be time for a money tune-up. What should one do and when? Three local money gurus offer their top tips for getting one’s financial house in order.

Opinion: Embracing Our Diversity

If you can ever find the time to attend a federal naturalization ceremony in Fairfax County for new citizens, do it. It reinvigorates one’s patriotism and reminds us all how lucky we are to be Americans.

Opinion: Celebrating Diversity Through Culture

So, when people from different countries, diverse cultures, and dissimilar values migrate to United States, they try to adjust and adapt to the new culture. But the onus should also be on American people to welcome them, to make them comfortable and feel at home. What do we do to create awareness about different cultures? Unfortunately, I have not seen much effort on the part of the government.

Editorial: Diversity Growing

Tune in to our series on immigration.

This week, the Connection kicks off a series about immigration, diversity and the growing population of foreign-born residents in Fairfax County. County reporter Victoria Ross opens with a story that captures vignettes and statistics of the changing population. It is a topic consistent with the original Thanksgiving story. More than 28 percent of Fairfax County's population is foreign born; that's 317,000 residents.

Fairfax Becomes Immigrants’ Gateway

Focus on immigration.

Yesuf Beshir spent nearly three years gathering the mountain of paperwork he needed to leave Ethiopia and emigrate to America.

A Way Out of No Way

Two women — one African-American and one from Africa — learn to see America through each other’s eyes.

Rosemary Osei, 22, and Lillie Reynolds, 61, have been good friends for four years. The two women, who help teach special needs students at a Vienna elementary school, are sometimes mistaken for mother and daughter.

Viewpoints: Immigrants’ Experiences on Becoming Americans

On Sept. 22 at the Multicultural Festival on Lake Anne Plaza in Reston, 25 people participated in a naturalization ceremony that made them American citizens.

Editorial: Shop Locally, Give Locally

Small business Saturday isn't enough; don't wait until then, and don't stop after that.

An effort to support locally owned businesses has resulted in the recognition of Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year that is Nov. 24. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is a day of national zeal for shopping. Presumably the next day shoppers can focus on local shopping.

Herndon, Reston Honor Veterans

American Legion hosts Veterans Day Observance.

“The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Let us observe two full minutes of silence.” With those words, David Kirby, commander of Herndon-Reston American Legion Wayne M. Kidwell Post 184, opened the 2012 Veterans Day observance, addressing veterans, active duty members, town dignitaries and respectful citizens gathered on the green behind the Herndon Municipal Center. The commander was, of course, referring to 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918—the date and hour when hostilities on the Western Front of World War I officially came to an end. Originally celebrated as “Armistice Day” to remember those fallen in combat during that war, what we now call Veterans Day has evolved to honor those who made that ultimate sacrifice, and to thank all who have served and continue to do so.

Week in Herndon

Town of Herndon government offices and services will be impacted by the Thanksgiving holiday as follows: Town Offices—Closed Thursday, Nov. 22 and Friday, Nov. 23 Refuse Collection—No refuse collected Thursday, Nov. 22. Refuse normally collected on Thursday will be collected Friday, Nov. 23. Herndon Community Center—Closed Thursday, Nov. 22; Open Friday, Nov. 23, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Herndon Centennial Golf Course—Open Thursday, Nov. 22, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 23, 8 a.m.-dark.

Obituary: Mabel Elizabeth Vannoy Bruce, 84, of Herndon, Dies

Mabel Elizabeth Vannoy Bruce, age 84, of Herndon, died Monday, Nov. 5. Bruce was the wife of the late Horace Dalton Bruce, mother of Horace Dalton Bruce Jr. (Mary Beth) of S.C., Jerry Ann Sajeski (William) of Manassas, Va., Michael Albert Bruce (Toni) of Bowie, Md., and of the late Linda Sue Bruce Erwin. She was also survived by seven grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Herndon Cheer Team Wins State Championship

Goff along with assistant coaches Emma Collie, Suzanne Mansfield, Deven Song, Anna Seymour and Hayden Little led Herndon to win three District Titles, one Regional Title, and the 2012 State Championships. Collie and Mansfield are also retiring this year.

Classified Advertising Nov. 14, 2012

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LEAP Awards $5,000 to Homeowners

Marti Fucile and Eric Shor receive award to make home more energy efficient.

Living on Lake Audubon, Marti Fucile and her fiancé Eric Shor have learned to love their view of the lake. But as environmentally-friendly homeowners, they also know the reality that comes with the high ceilings and large windows in their townhouse.

Used Book Shop Offers Gift Ideas

Lake Anne shop has been "where books and people meet" for more than 30 years.

Whenever he comes to Lake Anne, Jeremy Thompson of Reston has a place he always stops. A place he calls an "increasing rarity" in today’s world.

Viewpoints: "Who did you vote for to be President? Why?”

Voters share who they voted for and why they voted for their candidates.

NVTC Hosts Annual Tech Celebration

Annual banquet recognizes top innovators, raises funds for Equal Footing Foundation.

The Northern Virginia Technology Council hosted their annual banquet Monday, Nov. 11 at the Tysons Corner Ritz-Carlton, recognizing technology contractors.

Frying Pan Farm Home To Holiday Entertainment

Old-Fashioned Holiday Celebration features demonstrations, children’s shopping.

“From Halloween through Christmas, Frying Pan Farm Park is one of our family’s favorite destinations on an almost weekly basis.” -Debbie Santiago of Herndon

Column: Weight For It

This reference is not about pounds, per se. It is about the two largest tumors in my lungs, inoperable in that they are located between the two halves which make up the whole lung.

Long Lines on Election Day ‘Unacceptable’

Bulova calls for bi-partisan group to address the issue, improve election process.

While voter turnout in Fairfax County on Election Day was at an all-time high--80.5 percent of registered voters cast their ballots, compared to 78.7 percent in 2008--some voters faced long lines and endured hours of waiting in the cold to cast their ballots.

Classified Advertising Nov. 7, 2012

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Reston/Herndon Calendar, Nov. 10-17

Get out and about with these events in Herndon and Reston.

Oakton Boys’, Girls’ Cross Country Advance to States

Madison’s Calem, Herndon’s Heuer earn all-region.

The Oakton cross country program qualified its boys' and girls' teams for the state meet, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10 at Great Meadow.

Locals Join All-Star Line-up at Metro Cooking Show

Area specialty food entrepreneurs among the attractions at the 2012 Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show.

When celebrity chefs and Food Network stars were in Washington last weekend for what has become a Super Bowl for foodies (Giada De Laurentiis, Jacques Pepin, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons and The Chew’s Michael Symon and Carla Hall were just some of the famous faces), some area culinary enthusiasts joined them as well.

LINK Needs Children’s Coats, Winter Clothes

Addressing hunger in the area.

LINK is seeking civic groups, churches, businesses and schools to partner with LINK to help provide food for needy families this year.

Navy Federal Credit Union Extends Herndon Lease

Two executives with The Ezra Company have negotiated a more than 80,000-square-foot lease in Northern Virginia for the world’s largest credit union.

Week in Herndon

Bank robbery in the Herndon area and Herndon Holiday Arts and Craft Show set for December 2nd

Fairfax Votes ‘Yes’ On Bond Package

$155 million will be used to upgrade, renovate fire stations, libraries, parks and make storm water improvements.

On Tuesday, Fairfax County voters overwhelmingly approved $155 million in bonds to upgrade and renovate libraries, parks, fire stations and courtrooms, and to make storm water improvements to address flooding in the Huntington neighborhood.

Eminent Domain Amendment Prevails by Wide Margin

Some lawmakers predict amendment will cost taxpayers millions down the road.

Local lawmakers said they were not surprised that nearly two and half million voters (74.6 percent) approved a state constitutional amendment last night further restricting Virginia’s power of eminent domain.

Fairfax Republicans Come Together for Election

What started as a night of hope for the Fairfax County Republican Committee ended on something of a sour note, as Republican presidential, senate and congressional candidates were not able to oust incumbents.

Area Votes for Obama, Kaine, House Incumbents

President Barack Obama wins second term, Kaine wins Senate seat, Moran, Wolf, Connolly re-elected.

In a bitter and historically expensive battle, President Barack Obama defeated Gov. Mitt Romney, winning a second term Tuesday after grabbing the key swing state of Virginia after midnight. With the addition of the Commonwealth’s 13 electoral votes – as well as those of Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire and Wisconsin – Obama sailed over the electoral cliff with the critical 270 electoral votes he needed for victory.

Obama, Clinton, Kaine Fire Up Virginia Crowd

Campaign rally in Bristow, Va. attracts 24,000 supporters.

President Obama, President Clinton, and Senate hopeful Tim Kaine gather supporters at a Virginia rally.

Romney at GMU: ‘He Believes in Us’

Fairfax crowd gives Romney ‘energetic’ welcome as more than 10,000 supporters gather inside and outside Patriot Center.

By the time GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney took center stage at George Mason University’s Patriot Center around 4 p.m. Monday, the crowd was fired up.

Editorial: Feeling Important

Presidential campaigns traverse Northern Virginia on last days, mark the importance of every vote.

The images from the last weeks of the presidential Election of 2012 make it clear that it would be hard to overstate the importance of voting, especially in Virginia, especially in Northern Virginia.

Absentee Voting Down Slightly from 2008 Election

More confusion about redistricting reported at polls, not Voter ID.

The line of 100-plus voters casting absentee ballots at the Reston Government Center Friday evening moved quickly.

Voter Turnout Strong in Herndon

The early morning activity at the polls was generally more than cordial, with something of a block party atmosphere.

6:01 a.m.—29 degrees Fahrenheit. There is just a hint of sunrise brightening the darkness, but there are already some 50 people forming a line in the parking lot of Herndon Elementary School on Dranesville Road.

First-time Voters Viewpoints: "Who are you voting for and why?"

"I'll be voting for Barack Obama for several reasons. First of all, I've been pretty liberal all my life and I've grown up overseas in France, Belgium and Greece and it's no secret that Europe is pretty liberal also. It put American politics into perspective for me and helped shape my views. Also, I'll be going to college next year and it's increasingly expensive..."

Column: Hands of Time

On the one hand, I want to take note every month on the 27th as yet one more notch on my living-with-cancer belt. On the other hand, maybe I don’t need a belt to be notching but rather a life to be living. Perhaps it’s time, nearly 44 months post-diagnosis – at press time, to stop counting backwards and try more living forwards.

Oakton’s Klimkiewicz Repeats as Concorde XC Champ

Madison girls’ win Liberty District title.

For the second straight season, Oakton’s Allie Klimkiewicz held off Robinson’s Macey Schweikert to win the Concorde District girls’ cross country championship.

Brief: HealthWorks for Northern Virginia Merges with Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic

HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, formerly named Loudoun Community Health Center, announced its merger with the Herndon-based Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic.

Letter: A Distinct Choice

Letter: We have a distinct choice in this upcoming presidential election.

‘Climb Every Mountain, Ford Every Stream’

‘Sound of Music’ at Lord of Life.

The Lord of Life Lutheran Church will be alive with “The Sound of Music” when its Lord of Life Players perform the classic show of the same name.

Girl Scouts Need Help With Banana Muffin Project

This year, Clearview Elementary joins three other elementary schools in the Herndon area to donate purchased, unopened and unused food to the LINK “Rescue The Food” project.