Wednesday, December 31
Column: Level Best
If I wanted to rationalize the benefit of delaying my heretofore every-three-week chemotherapy infusion from three weeks to four and now on to five, possibly six – and that’s dependent on improved results from a second/maybe even third retest upcoming (this retest a bit more involved than drawing blood) – I would say it’s only fitting that I should have a break/brake; after all, it is the holiday season when all good things; yada, yada, yada. If only it were that simple.
Wednesday, December 24
Potomac’s Arden Courts Celebrates 20 Years
A facility for memory care.
Arden Courts in Potomac, the first community built by Manor Care dedicated to those with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, celebrated its 20th anniversary on Nov. 5. More than 200 healthcare professionals, government officials, resident families and local businesses in the community came out in support.
Column: The New Normal
Loosey goosey, I suppose. As much as one might prefer some predictability in their life (certainly a cancer patient would – I know I would), I may be entering a cycle of permanent unpredictability.
Tuesday, December 23
Letter: Do Fairfax County Police Act with Impunity?
Fifteen months, after the shooting of John Geer, no officer has been identified, no charges have been filed, no grand jury has been convened and no reason has been given to the family or the public.
I would like to begin by saying that I have always and still do support the police as a whole. I appreciate the job that they do and the risks they take on a daily basis in an effort to keep the public safe. The ongoing policy in Fairfax County of police self-investigation, when officers are involved in possible crimes, has to change.
Friday, December 19
Grace Han Wolf Appointed to Park Authority
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust has appointed a replacement for Park Authority Board Member Richard “Rip” Sullivan who resigned effective Dec. 11, naming as his replacement Grace Han Wolf, who assumes the post as of Dec. 12, 2014. Sullivan’s resignation comes on the heels of his recent election to the Virginia General Assembly where he will serve as Virginia State Delegate for the 48th District.
New Shoes for Children at Hutchison Elementary
The Council for the Arts of Herndon joins with the Dranesville supervisor’s office every holiday season to gather new shoes for children at Hutchison Elementary School in Herndon. Hutchison is a Title I school serving many students with challenging social and economic issues.
‘Peter Pan’ Recreated
Herndon High produces “Peter Pan,” or the “Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.”
What do fairy dust, a vengeful pirate, and a flying boy have in common? The answer would be Herndon High School’s production of “Peter Pan,” or the “Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.” The show, debuting in London in 1904, was J.M. Barrie’s most famous work, along with his 1911 novel version of the same story.
Ellen Findley Honored with Herndon Good Neighbor Award
Another winner of the Good Neighbor Award was named at the Dec. 9 Town Council meeting.
Gifts for the Home
Local shop owners offer suggestions to make holiday shopping easier.
While holiday shopping is part of the spirit of the season, for some choosing a present for everyone on their list can be overwhelming. Local small business owners come to the rescue with gift ideas for the home.
November Herndon Elections Approved
May elections nixed, two year terms stay.
Herndon elections will transition into a November election schedule. Herndon Town Council voted to amend the town charter at the Dec. 9 meeting to allow for the elections to be held in November rather than May after four public hearings.
Irresistible? How Karen Garza Creates Change in Fairfax County Schools
Karen Garza is a good listener. And once she’s listened, she is, admittedly, not very patient. “If there's a real issue, I don't think it has to be debated for 10 or 15 years,” Garza said in an interview. “Either we're going to do something about it or not.”
2014 in Herndon: A Year in Review
Rezoning, trail lighting and November elections events of the year.
In the past year, Herndon made sure to make small steps to make the future brighter and easier to plan. Between rezoning downtown for future revitalization and creating more inclusiveness in the community by giving a voice to minority groups, the town is paving its way into the next 20 years.
FCPS Chief Karen Garza and Her Previous Life in Texas
“When I hired Karen in 2005,” former Superintendent of Houston Independent School District (HISD) Dr. Abelardo Saavedra said, “the position of chief academic officer had been open several months. I went looking for her. I’d never met her but I’d heard about her. There is a big difference between a mid-sized district and a larger one; the dynamics are completely different. I was taking a risk because she came from a mid-sized one of about 40,000 in Corpus Christi, and ours was much bigger. She adjusted very quickly.”
Saving Historic Homes
Residents could live virtually rent-free in exchange for repairing and maintaining homes.
Fairfax County might soon breathe life into historic homes that have fallen into disrepair. If an ordinance adopted by the County Board of Supervisors last month becomes law, the county will be one step closer to establishing a resident curator program.
2015 New Year Remodeling Resolutions
Improving long-term living needs and future home value.
After all the holiday festivities have passed and the ball has dropped to ring in the New Year, many homeowners are inspired to tackle resolutions that relate to their living space. 2015 may be the year you want to remodel your home to allow for the changes occurring in your life.
Fairfax County Public Schools Needing Community’s Help
Superintendent Karen Garza begins and ends her Listening Tour meetings with a plea to those in the room — parents, teachers, employees, unions — to help her achieve what needs to be done for their school system. “I am going to need your help,” she says to audiences who voice concerns about class size, resources for special education, and teacher salaries.
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza Bio
Current Position: Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent
Timeline of Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza’s career in education.
1986-1991: Elementary School Teacher, Yoakum, Texas (1,539 students, 38% white and 50% Latino and spends about $8,000 per pupil).
Editorial: Merry Christmas
A message of peace and joy.
Merry Christmas. It’s a magical time of year, and perhaps Connection Newspapers has over indulged in displaying the many rituals of Christmas on our pages in the past few weeks. In events around the area, a sense of community has infused holiday parades, Christmas tree lightings, menorah lightings, choral performances, singing of carols and other traditional events with warmth and joy.
Thursday, December 18
End Of the Year Fun in Reston and Herndon
Winter entertainment at various locations in Northern Virginia.
At the end of December and early days of January, residents in the Reston and Herndon area have a variety of local options for fun and entertainment. Some of these include the local art galleries, as well as options at the local community centers and regional parks.
Crafts Displayed at Herndon Community Center
Volunteers promote turnout at Herndon craft fair.
Herndon Community Center, located at 814 Ferndale Avenue hosted its Annual Arts and Crafts Show Sunday, Dec. 7. The event was well attended, and both staff and volunteers from the Herndon Woman’s Club helped direct visitors to locations where crafts were on display.
When Dad (or Mom) Is High School Sports Coach
Local coaches and athletes share their feelings about the relationship between parent/coach and child/athlete.
Wednesday, December 17
Column: A Level That’s Anything But
This is not a home improvement reference, but this is most definitely a do-it-yourself column.
Oak Hill and Herndon Home Sales: November, 2014
In November 2014, 48 homes sold between $1,362,713-$167,500 in the Oak Hill and Herndon area.
Oak Hill and Herndon Home Sales: November, 2014
Tuesday, December 16
Herndon Coach Hall, Wife Host Weekly Study Hall
HHS athletes meet weekly for dinner, studying, fun.
Herndon High School athletes meet weekly at the Reston home of head boys' basketball coach Gary Hall.
An Essay To Remember
Local educators offer advice on acing independent school admission essays and interviews.
While many are knee-deep in wrapping paper and eggnog, some students are holed up with computer keyboards and books of quotations. In addition to driving to the mall for holiday shopping, some parents are throwing rapid-fire questions at their children to make sure they are fast on their feet.
Commentary: Helping People without Homes
The weather has turned colder and the holidays are in full swing, which means it’s the time of year when people ask “what can we do for the homeless now that it’s so cold?” Or “how can we help the homeless have a good Christmas?”
Editorial: Holidays Are for Giving
In the scramble to finish Christmas shopping, remember tens of thousands of local children are short of food as well as presents.
The holidays are for giving. Christmas and Hanukkah are about children and family, about sharing, about joy, about being thankful and about faith and appreciation. Here in Northern Virginia, many of us see few signs of families in need as we go about our daily lives and holiday shopping. Our neighborhoods are largely segregated economically; we mostly see the people who are most like ourselves economically.
Sunday, December 14
Connolly To Hold 22nd Telephone Town Hall Meeting for Fairfax County, Prince William County and City of Fairfax
The representative is just a phone call away. Rather than cramming thousands of constituents into a single room, U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) is hosting his 22nd “telephone town hall meeting” where people call in for an hour-long virtual session. The event is set to take place Dec. 16 at at 8 p.m.
Thursday, December 11
Herndon Celebrates Winter Holidays
Weather does not hinder holiday celebrations.
Wet weather did not prevent celebrations planned on Saturday, Dec. 6 in downtown Herndon. Although it rained throughout most of the day, spirits remained bright at the Industrial Strength Theatre and Herndon Fortnightly Library, where winter holiday events were taking place.
Senior Safety Summit Held at the Herndon Harbor House.
Area senior citizens got a lesson on safety from the professionals. The first of two Senior Safety Summits was held on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Herndon Harbor House to show the area’s oldest residents how to remain safe for the holidays and beyond.
Community Behind Potential Garden Plots in Herndon
Community gardens in Herndon are a step closer to becoming a reality.
Herndon Florist Ready for the Holidays
The shop boasts red, green and white arrangements and decor.
As a shop that has been a local institution for nearly 40 years, Herndon Florist has experienced the holiday season many times. The shop is stocked with its usual items that have grown to be popular for holiday shoppers as the temperatures drop.
Wednesday, December 10
Editorial: Make a Plan, Talk About It
Here is help in keeping impaired drivers off the roads.
The holiday party season is upon us, and with it an increase in drinking and driving. It’s up to you to make a plan to get home safely.
Column: ‘Quality of Life’
If I’ve heard it once – from my oncologist – I’ve probably heard it a dozen times over the last nearly-six years.
Gifts for the Season Entice Shoppers
The cold weather would not deter hardy cyclists from riding. Dave Meyer said that gift cards, children’s bicycles, and warm clothing are popular gift items at his store, Green Lizard Cycling, located at 718 Lynn Street, Herndon.
Herndon High Wind Ensemble Honored in Norfolk
On Nov. 20, the Herndon High School Wind Ensemble, comprising 81 students, performed at the 2014 Virginia Music Educators Association (“VMEA”) In-Service Conference in Norfolk. After Herndon High Director of Bands Kathleen Jacoby submitted a recording of the Wind Ensemble state assessment performance to the VMEA last Spring, the Wind Ensemble was one of only three high school bands selected to perform for over 400 music educators from across the state of Virginia.
Thursday, December 4
Herndon Residents Discuss Possible Town Charter Changes
Town Council to decide on Nov. elections, four year terms Dec. 9.
Citizens lined up after a long night to argue for or against changing the town’s charter. The proposal to change aspects of the town election was discussed during its third public hearing at Herndon Town Council’s Nov. 25 meeting.
Wednesday, December 3
Fairfax County Facing More Budget Strain
County Executive and FCPS Superintendent present adverse forecasts.
Days before the traditional loosening of belts for Thanksgiving, Fairfax County officials discussed the need for tightening theirs.
Herndon Hosts Turkey Trot
Herndon residents attend annual November race.
Residents from communities surrounding Herndon attended the annual Herndon Turkey Trot 5K on Saturday, Nov. 22. Over 1,100 runners, eight elementary school running groups, 50 plus volunteers, Town of Herndon staff, and many local and national sponsors contributed to the success of the race.
Shine Your Light
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, recalls the victory—more than 2100 years ago—of a militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people over the mighty forces of a ruthless enemy that had overrun the Holy Land and threatened to engulf the land and its people in darkness.
Letter to the Editor: Two Ideas to Address Rape
To the Editor: As many of us recoil from the recent UVA sexual assault article in Rolling Stone, tremendous accusations are being thrown at the university and others like it across the country. While UVA is not innocent and its infamous privileged “party culture” is partly to blame, there are two clear pieces of the story that no one seems to be addressing.
Editorial: Be Part of Children's Connection 2014
Annual edition showcases youth art and writing.
During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children. The results are always remarkable. It is a keepsake edition for many families.
A Show With Great Heart in Herndon
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Industrial Strength Theatre.
It's that time of year. Time to "try to catch snowflakes on your tongue" as a live edition of that animated favorite, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" comes to the Industrial Strength Theater by way of Herndon's NextStop Theatre.
Column: Since It Ain’t Broken...
Apparently, at least in the near term, we’re (meaning my oncologist) not going to fix it. And by fix it, I am referring to my chemotherapy infusion, which will continue to be every three weeks, as it has been for almost six years; save for a year or so when I was able to take pills at home, and on-site infusions were not necessary.