Stories for September 2016

Fairfax County: Call for Civility in Schools’ LGBTQ Discussion

School board Board also receives Opening of Schools report, votes on challenged materials review committee.

Robert Rigby stood before the Fairfax County School Board on Sept. 22 wearing a red polo shirt, typically a sign of unity at board meetings among parents and community members who have opposed recent policy updates in the school system surrounding students who identify as transgender.

Editorial: Independent Police Auditor Marks History

Kudos to Board of Supervisors for unanimous approval of independent police auditor; now on to the Civilian Review Panel.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to create the position and office of independent police auditor on Tuesday, Sept. 20, creating the first civilian, independent oversight of law enforcement in Fairfax County. The unanimous vote demonstrated the board’s commitment to the ongoing process that began early in 2015 when Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova established the 32-member Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.

McLean Letter: The Right Choice

Letter to the Editor

I recently read that Congresswoman Barbara Comstock has been endorsed by the Virginia Police Benevolent Association, as well as the local chapter of the Fairfax County Firefighters and Paramedics. This is a significant development because in 2012 the VAPBA endorsed Frank Wolf’s Democratic opponent. I’m thrilled that our local emergency responders recognize that, even though she’s only been a Congresswoman for two years, Barbara has made a real impact in our community and she deserves their endorsement.

Herndon Letter: Positive Leadership

Letter to the Editor

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock has been serving our area well for 7 years now – first in the House of Delegates for 5 years, and now as our Congresswoman for the past two years.

Fairfax Letter: Keeping the Nation Safe

Letter to the Editor

As we pass the fifteenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, our nation takes time to reflect upon that tragic day. This solemn anniversary hits close to home to many in our area who lost loved ones or close personal friends. On this day we are also reminded that the dangers of terrorism are all too real.

Herndon Letter: Vision and Direction

Letter to the Editor

On a Christmas night, as I stood before a toy store holding my mom’s hand, I pointed my thumbs through my woolly mittens in a sharp rivalry of choice.

Walk to Prevent Suicide

Walk supports survivors of suicide loss and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The Out of the Darkness Walks are American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s largest fundraiser, producing millions for suicide prevention programs, and works to unite those who have been affected by suicide, and create communities that are “smart about mental health.”

Homework Overload

Some educators say less can be more, stress balance when it comes to homework.

Paula DeMarco dreads one time of day the most: weekday evenings at 5:30. It’s the time she has set aside for her children begin their homework. That means no screen time, music or other distractions.

‘Sextortion’ Victims Are Mostly Men

Photos, video used to demand money from victims.

Detectives of the Major Crimes Division of Fairfax County Police report a trend in an unsavory type of financial scam. Sexual extortion scams, commonly referred to as “sextortion,” involve meeting someone the victim believes is a real person online who coaxes him or her into feeling a sense of connection and intimacy, and then sending risque photos or video.

First Lady Comes to GMU, Campaigns for Clinton

Speaks on Hillary Clintons 'lifelong record of public service.'

Excitement filled the air when First Lady Michelle Obama addressed an enthusiastic crowd, last Friday, Sept. 16, at GMU’s Johnson Center. Speaking on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, she urged everyone to vote and called Clinton the only qualified candidate in the race.

Floris UMC Celebrates 125 Years in the Herndon Community

Floris United Methodist Church celebrated its 125th anniversary Sunday with more than 300 people attending a celebratory picnic at Frying Pan Park.

Transition At Herndon High

Diversity and change at Herndon HS.

The school year at Herndon High School began with change, as Dan Meier has taken the position of Interim Principal. Former principal Dr. William Bates left Herndon HS in July for a position with the Baltimore County Public Schools. “We are in a transition phase, but we anticipate a new principal in about a month,” said Meier.

Herndon: Granieri is Crossfield's New Principal

Former Assistant Principal at Crossfield has 23 years in education.

With 23 years in education, Mark Granieri, age 43, of Ashburn was named new principal on Aug. 2 of Crossfield Elementary School on Fox Mill Road, Herndon, replacing former principal R.B. Yoshida, who moved to Virginia Beach.

Fairfax County: Students learn IT and job skills, earn tech internships.

On a scorching week day in late summer, rising Fairfax County seniors Kenneth Smith, Amy Wong and Tasmia Dia were taking cumulative review tests in their summer course. This wasn’t exactly summer school, though.

Fairfax County: Changes in Voting from 2012

Electoral board highlights key dates and procedure updates.

Clinton or Trump? Meals Tax or no Meals Tax? These are just a two of the weighty decisions on the ballot for this fall’s election. To help people prepare for this cycle, leaders of the Fairfax County electoral board held a meeting with media to highlight some changes from the 2012 Presidential election.

Classified Advertising September 21, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Garza Resigns

Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Karen Garza has announced her resignation, just months after the FCPS board renewed her contract through June 30, 2020.

Fairfax County: Supervisors Approve Independent Police Auditor

Unanimous vote follows Ad Hoc Commission recommendations for more transparency and oversight of Fairfax County police.

With a unanimous vote on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the creation of an independent police auditor office, following recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.

Letter: LuAnn Bennett: Result-oriented

Letter to the Editor

Let me introduce LuAnn Bennett, Democrat running against Barbara Comstock to represent us in the 10th District.

Letter: Comstock’s Record of Accomplishments

Letter to the Editor

Now that the campaign season has kicked off and both candidates in the 10th District have ads running on TV – it’s very helpful to compare the stark differences.

Letter: LuAnn Bennett on the Issues

Letter to the Editor

Padraic Buckley's letter in the September 14-20 edition of the McLean Connection ("Why Comstock?") repeated, almost word for word, the attack on LuAnn Bennett appearing in his Sept. 15 letter in the Sun Gazette newspaper. Leaving aside Mr. Buckley's unseemly personal remarks about Bennett (which should have no place in an election campaign), I take issue with two statements he made in his letters.

Letter: Reasons to Vote For LuAnn Bennett

Letter to the Editor

Padraic Buckley’s letter asks “Why Comstock? ” (Connection, September 14-20, 2016). Yet the letter fails to make the case. There are many reasons to vote for Comstock’s opponent in the 10th District.

Vienna, Reston, Herndon: Improving the Road, Maintaining Its Character

County holds Hunter Mill Road Study Community Meeting.

On Sept. 15, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) held Community Meeting #5 to bring the public up to date and continue soliciting feedback on its studies to improve traffic flow along Hunter Mill Road, primarily north of Route 267.

Fairfax Raises $521,509 for MDA

Letter to the Editor

For over 30 years, during Labor Day Weekend, the men and women of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, in conjunction with the Fairfax County Professional FireFighters and Paramedics - IAFF Local 2068 and the personnel in the Department of Public Safety Communications, have collected for the Greater Washington Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) during the Fill the Boot Campaign.

Oak Hill and Herndon Home Sales: August, 2016

In August, 2016, 106 homes sold between $1,272,500-$177,000 in the Oak Hill and Herndon area.

Oak Hill and Herndon Home Sales: August, 2016

Fairfax: Roadside Protest for McKenna and Martinez Deaths

The Northern Virginia chapter of the group Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) organized a demonstration at 4 p.m. on Sep. 14 along Lee Highway in Fairfax, calling for justice for Natasha McKenna and Giovanny, or Jovany, Martinez.

Herndon Student to Compete on JEOPARDY!

Siddharth Hariharan, a student from Herndon, will compete on America’s Favorite Quiz Show® -- JEOPARDY! -- on Thursday, Sept. 15 on WJLA-TV. To watch the show, check your local listing for WJLA-TV (ABC) or visit or visit Jeopardy.com.

Clifton: Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program to hold tenth Polo Classic fundraiser

Once a week for the last seven years, César Dulanto of Lake Ridge, Va. has come to Clifton to trade his wheelchair for a saddle. Dulanto, 13, has been been wheelchair-bound since the age of two with cerebral palsy. He used to have difficulty just sitting up in a chair. And, he said, “I used to be so shy.”

Fairfax County: Supervisors to Vote on Independent Auditor Office

Board item reviewed by public safety committee

At its Sept. 20 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote on the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission to create an office of independent police auditor.

Fairfax County School Board Postpones Decision on New Sponsorship Policy

Fairfax County Public Schools are far from becoming a David Foster Wallace novel.

Fairfax Namesake School District in California Celebrated

While there can only be one Fairfax County Public Schools system, members of the FCPS board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors congratulated the namesake Fairfax School District in Bakersfield, Calif. on its 125th anniversary.

Suicide Prevention: Everyone’s Business

Letter to the Editor

On behalf of the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN), I thank you for the Connection’s compassionate and informative editorial printed in observance of Suicide Prevention Week, titled Take One Action to Prevent Suicide.

What’s Permissible When Planning a Home Renovation?

Complete due diligence upfront to research any ordinances or restrictions that may affect the project.

Unfortunately, homeowners and contractors often forget important steps during this project feasibility phase, which sometimes leads to wasted time and money or abandoned projects. To ensure you sidestep those mistakes, start with this checklist to look into to help minimize setbacks while planning and executing your next renovation.

Vienna Sunroom Brings Light, Awards

Family entertainment suite, larger breakfast area, private second level decking among stand-out custom features

To Sanjay and Deepika Sardana, who have occupied a Colonial style-home in Vienna for 14 years, the great achievement of their new sunroom addition is how well it meets their requirements regarding views, available light and interior design.

Comfort Zone

Local furniture maker combines style and comfort

John W. Smith treks through a maze of sleek chairs and stately sofas in a large, sunlit showroom tucked in an industrial warehouse center in Fairfax. He pauses at a dining chair, upholstered in beige linen and framed with espresso hardwood.

Classified Advertising September 14, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Herndon Artist Displays Art In Town And D.C. Embassy

Using art to share ideas of hope and eternity.

Herndon resident Vida Khadem is an artist, painter, writer, filmmaker and believer in the power of art. Born in Afghanistan, she and her family left for the United States where she was raised in Virginia. Khadem resides in the Town of Herndon, not far from Herndon Middle School. On her online biography, Khadem says she has been painting since age four. "This is what moved me, I love the arts," said Khadem.

Herndon Celebrates

Herndon Labor Day Festival: Great weather, great event.

The sponsors, vendors, performers and the army of volunteers who produced the 2016 Herndon Labor Day Festival no doubt worked up a sweat during the 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. event, but for the festival goers it wasn’t hard work to have a lot of fun.

Herndon: Building a Family for 25 Years

Herndon Children’s Center celebrates 25th anniversary.

The Herndon Children’s Center (HCC), caring for and educating area kids from 3 months to pre-school, has been “building a family” for 25 years in the same location off of Spring St. in Herndon.

Fairfax: Dead Man’s, Deputy’s Name Released in Inova Shooting

Police, sheriff investigations continue.

Jovany Martinez is the 29-year-old Hispanic man who died after being shot by a Fairfax County Sheriff’s deputy Monday night Aug. 15 outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Suicide Loss ‘Club’

Commentary

When I was 15 years old, I received my first “membership card” to suicide loss. I got the platinum membership card because not only was my loss to suicide, but it was also a parent.