Stories for October 2014

Colorful Costumes at Goblin Gallop

The 21st annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 26, at Fairfax Corner.

Colorful Costumes at Goblin Gallop

The 21st annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 26, at Fairfax Corner.

Up Where the Air Is Rare

Chantilly yearbook adviser is in Virginia High School Hall of Fame.

Mary Kay Downes has won her share of awards over the years; but now, she’s seemingly reached the pinnacle. On Oct. 15 in Charlottesville, she was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.

High Schools to Start Later Next Year

School Board approves later start times.

Phyllis Payne has been fighting for more sleep for a decade. On Oct. 23, it all paid off. The co-founder of Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal - or SLEEP - saw the Fairfax County Public School Board approve to move high school start times ahead by 30 minutes, 11-1.

Arbors of Chantilly Gets a Thumbs-Up

Assisted-Living facility would focus on Alzheimer’s patients.

It’s on to the Board of Supervisors now for a proposed, elder-care facility in Chantilly. The Fairfax County Planning Commission gave it a thumbs-up last Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Fairfax County Calendar

Your guide to entertainment in Fairfax County.

For those looking to fill their calendar with some home-brewed, Fairfax County fun stuff (read: entertainment and diversion), The Connection's Fairfax County Entertainment Calendar has many options: weekend jaunts and larks; date night inspiration; winter-to-spring fun; day-long festivals and events; art-outings; family fun-and-learning fusions; plays and shows; beyond-Small Business Saturday local shopping and bazaars; markets of handcrafted wares; music; 1Ks to marathons... the list goes on. If you know of an event not listed in our entertainment calendar, email it to south@connectionnewspapers.com for happenings in south Fairfax County or north@connectionnewspapers.com for entertainment in the northern parts of the county.

Board Approves Bicycle Master Plan

The Fairfax County Government Center has several massive parking lots. Many hundreds of spaces. But Bruce Wright and members of the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling only needed some rack real estate in front of the building. They rode into the afternoon session of the Board of Supervisors on two wheels apiece from Reston, taking the West Ox Road Side Path.

Stage Presence

Cappies recognized among arts leaders at Arts Council awards.

After Bill Strauss first approached Judy Bowns about creating a student-driven arts awards and journalism organization 16 years ago, the ensuing creative partnership resembled a pair of cartoon characters.

Mutiny at the Debate

Final Comstock-Foust debate gets emotional as both candidates debate social issues for first time.

The final debate Sunday between Republican Barbara Comstock and Democrat John Foust was arguably the most fiery and combative debate in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R) in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.

Down to the Wire

As 10th District race heads into homestretch, Foust, Comstock continue to battle for voters.

The race to replace U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R) in Virginia’s sprawling 10th district has been exactly what political prognosticators said it would be: one of the most watched, most expensive and most contested races in the 2014 midterm elections.

Running Out of Efficacy

Not that I’m the least bit worried (actually, I’m the most bit worried), but surviving a terminal cancer diagnosis years beyond one’s original prognosis does present its own unique set of problems. Most notably, and most personally for me, they concern treatment options. Specifically, what drugs, targeted or otherwise, can be infused and/or swallowed (when in pill form, like Tarceva) and for how long, when signs of internal organ damage are indicated on regular lab tests?

Column: Running Out of Efficacy

Not that I’m the least bit worried (actually, I’m the most bit worried), but surviving a terminal cancer diagnosis years beyond one’s original prognosis does present its own unique set of problems.

Editorial: Change for the Better in Fairfax County Schools

Later start times, full-day Mondays; who knows, next maybe gifted-and-talented programs for poor students?

Who says big bureaucracies can’t make big changes? One year into the tenure of Karen Garza, we have two huge changes that between them impact almost every single student, every family with children in Fairfax County Public Schools.

Opinion: Vote ‘Yes’ on Transportation Bond

When you enter the voting booth on Nov. 4, you’ll be asked to vote Yes or No on a $100 million Fairfax County transportation bond. (Bonds are a form of long-term borrowing to finance public facilities and infrastructure and spread the costs over a long time frame. Virginia law requires that general obligation bonds be approved by voters in a referendum.)

‘An Awesome Experience’

Chantilly High student attends Governor’s German Immersion Academy.

Chantilly High senior Kate Meyer is such a fan of German culture and language that she spent three weeks of her summer immersed in it. She attended the Virginia Governor’s German Immersion Academy at Washington and Lee University in Lexington.

Cotman Honored as Middle School Counselor of Year

Liberty's Paula Cotman honored among 100 middle school counselors in the county.

Liberty Middle School counselor Paula Cotman of Fairfax was named Middle School Counselor of the Year for Fairfax County Public Schools on Aug. 20 — from a roster of about 15 counselors nominated for the award. There are roughly 580 counselors in the county; and about 100 or so work in middle schools.

Herndon Field Hockey Beats Westfield, Wins Conference 5 Championship

Louisville commit Stone leads Hornets to victory with three goals.

The Herndon field hockey team defeated Westfield 3-2 on Thursday night.

Roundups

A car crash in Chantilly last week took the life of a 27-year-old Sterling man. Fairfax County police identified him as Jordan Douglas. The tragedy occurred last Wednesday, Oct. 15, shortly before 5 p.m.

Holiday Food Drive For Needy Families

Teaming Up To Help Needy

The holidays are almost here, with all the joy of family gatherings and tasty meals around the table.

Featured Artist

Lorrie Herman’s watercolor, “Le Fountaine Bleu,” was on display, Oct. 3-5, at the Vale Schoolhouse in Oakton during ValeArts’ 19th annual fall art show, “Transitions.”

18-24-Year-Olds Needed for Survey

To meet its grant requirement for a Virginia Strategic Prevention Framework-State Incentive Grant, the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC) needs to gather at least 300 surveys in a 30-day time fra.m.e that ends Nov. 15.

Homecoming Parade for Westfield

Westfield High’s Homecoming Parade was Friday, Oct. 17, in Centreville.

Connect Four

Complete ballot of 11th District candidates faced off in Lake Ridge.

It wasn’t so much a down and dirty debate as a no-frills four-way question-and-answer session. Not that AARP and the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), two of the sponsors of the “Meet the Candidates” series billed the Oct. 14 event as such. Tuesday’s meeting was the penultimate of seven events in the series.

Letter to the Editor: Moving Country Forward

Barbara Comstock is the best candidate for the 10th District representative to the House of Representatives in the United States Congress.

Walking Dead

Clifton residents put on a bigger, scarier Haunted Trail on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Julie Thompson isn’t a voodoo priestess. But the stay-at-home mother, of Clifton plays, one, one night of the year, in a skit for Clifton’s Haunted Trail.

Centreville Wildcats on Parade

Centreville High’s Homecoming Parade was Friday, Oct. 17, in Little Rocky Run.

K-9 Krawl Raises Awareness

In observance of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Fairfax County Police personnel from the agency’s Victim Services Unit hosted the 8th Annual K-9 Krawl; a 5K Walk with 307 registered walkers held at the Fairfax County Government Center on Saturday, Oct. 18.

Robinson's Freeman Wins Matchup of Standout Goalkeepers

Rams earn regional berth with tournament victory over Centreville.

The Robinson field hockey team defeated Centreville 3-0 on Monday.

Column: Self-Indulgent or Self-Effacing

After re-reading last week’s column: “Not in the Mood,” I began wondering if that column had strayed beyond the boundaries, so to speak, and was too much about me and not enough about my circumstances.

Fairfax Education Summit to Be Held on Oct. 25

The Fairfax County School Board will host Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) fifth annual Education Summit, Mapping Your Student’s Unique Journey: Explore the Many Choices in Fairfax County Public Schools, on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 8 a.m. at Edison High School.

Self-Indulgent or Self-Effacing

After re-reading last week’s column: “Not in the Mood,” I began wondering if that column had strayed beyond the boundaries, so to speak, and was too much about me and not enough about my circumstances. Certainly I understand, given my column’s recurring theme, that the subjects of me and my circumstances – and the personal stories I share with you regular readers – are basically the same. Still, I never want the content to be considered important because it’s MY life that’s being profiled. Quite the contrary. If the columns were any more about me, you wouldn’t be interested.

Editorial: Yes to Fairfax Transportation Bond

$84 million for pedestrian, bike and trail improvements.

Of more than 75 projects included in the current proposal, on the ballot for Nov. 4, all but seven are designed to make Fairfax County safer and more inviting for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Chantilly Home Sales: September, 2014

In September 2014, 15 homes sold between $707,000-$75,000 in the Chantilly area.

Chantilly Home Sales: September, 2014

Centreville Home Sales: September, 2014

In September 2014, 75 Centreville homes sold between $900,000-$167,000.

Centreville Home Sales: September, 2014

Westfield Senior Is Citizen of Year

Westfield High senior Carolina Sosa is the Centreville Day Citizen of the Year for 2014. She was honored by the Centreville Day Planning Committee at the Oct. 11 festivities.

‘Hands-On History’

Students participate in E.C. Lawrence archaeological dig.

Area students got to be part of history recently when they participated in an archaeological dig to find the remains of a home from the 1800s in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Centreville.

Qreitem: Business Citizen of Year

The Centreville Day Business Citizen of the Year is Paisano’s Pizza (and Bella Pizza) owner and CEO, Fouad Qreitem. He was honored by the Centreville Day Planning Committee at the Oct. 11 festivities.

‘A Side-Splitting Comedy’

Chantilly High presents “Funny Thing Happened on Way to Forum.”

Featuring a cast and crew of 45, Chantilly High presents “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

21st Annual Goblin Gallop Nears

Goblin Gallop To Benefit Families of Children with Cancer

When the leaves turn colors and the weather becomes crisp, Halloween soon follows. And that means it’s time for the Goblin Gallop. This year’s event, the 21st annual, is slated for Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

Roundups

Each Thursday, from 3-7 p.m., the Fairfax County Government Center hosts a farmers market in its parking lot. The Government Center is at 12000 Government Center Pkwy. in Fair Oaks, and the next markets are slated for Oct. 16 and Oct. 23.

Sarvis: Warner-Gillespie Debate ‘Disappointing’

Libertarian candidate says chamber’s decision to include only major-party candidates in U.S. Senate debate a “disservice” to voters.

After a full day of campaigning at Fort Belvoir on Friday, Oct. 11, Robert Sarvis talked about his campaign for U.S. Senate, and his disappointment in not being invited to participate in Tuesday’s U.S. Senate Debate — a major televised debate hosted by The Fairfax Chamber at Capitol One’s convention center in McLean. “The Fairfax Chamber informed us that it was nothing other than ‘tradition’ to only invite major party candidates,” Sarvis said. “But this was after we formally requested an invitation, noted that over 145,000 Virginians voted for Robert Sarvis for governor in 2013, and sent them a petition signed by over 1,000 Virginians in support of a three-candidate debate.”

Obituary

Jeanne Heide Casner

Jeanne Heide Casner, 76, a 42-year resident of the Brookfield neighborhood in Chantilly, died on Sept. 21, 2014, after an extended illness.

Warner, Gillespie Clash in U.S. Senate Debate

Stark distinctions on same-sex marriage, immigration, abortion and healthcare.

In front of an audience of Northern Virginia business leaders, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Republican challenger Ed Gillespie honed their attacks on each other during a sharp, wide-ranging debate Tuesday evening, Oct. 7.

Dental Office To Host Tour Of Expansion

Drs. Bruce R. Hutchison, Michael H. Gorman, Whitney S. Jarrell, and Brigid B. Mooney of Family Dentistry are hosting an open house at their offices, 14245-P Centreville Square, Centreville, on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

NOVEC Joins Operation Round Up

The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative and the Virginia Department of Social Services are offering programs that will help low-income Virginians stay warm this winter.

Centreville Day 2014

Despite the rain, festivities go as planned in the Centreville's Historic District.

The 22nd annual Centreville Day 2014 was held on Saturday, Oct. 11 in Centreville's Historic District.

Getting Children Excited for Halloween

Local experts offer advice for keeping trick-or-treating fun, not scary, for small children.

For many children, Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. From Power Rangers and athletes to princesses and pirates, dressing up in their spookiest or most imaginative attire and trolling the streets in search of treats is a major part of the fun for school-age children. For younger children, however, the ghosts and goblins who are meant to entertain can cause too much of a fright.

The Private School Admissions Process

Local educators offer insider tips on how to select and get a child admitted to the perfect school.

While this school year might still feel new, some parents are already thinking next fall. Or if they’re not, they should be. For parents who are considering sending their children to one of the area’s private schools for the 2015-2016 school year, the application process should be underway.

Not in the Mood

Sometimes, believe it or not, I’m not in the mood to be a terminal cancer patient (duh). Not that the effect is particularly tangible, but the weight of it, as well as the associated waits I’ve occasionally written about, can get awfully heavy. Moreover, in spite of my best psychological efforts, generally speaking, there seems little I can do to diminish its effect. More often than not, it’s merely time; simply time passing and/or time spent trying to talk myself out-of how I feel and in-to how I haven’t failed.

Editorial: Coming - Children’s Connection

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.

Column: Not in the Mood

Sometimes, believe it or not, I’m not in the mood to be a terminal cancer patient (duh). Not that the effect is particularly tangible, but the weight of it, as well as the associated waits I’ve occasionally written about, can get awfully heavy.

Comstock's Comfort Zone

GOP candidate Barbara Comstock believes a woman's place is in the House ... of Representatives.

It’s just weeks before Election Day, and the contest to replace retiring Republican Congressman Frank Wolf in Virginia’s 10th Congressional district has become one of the most watched, most expensive and most contentious races in the country.

QB Scoville Leads Westfield Past Centreville in Double OT

Bulldog senior accounts for 5 TDs against defending 6A state champs.

The Westfield football team defeated Centreville 42-41 in double overtime on Friday night.

Bio and Q&A with Gerry Connolly

Q: What do you think are your top three accomplishments in office? A: * The Silver Line. I wasn’t alone, but I'm very proud of my championship of the Silver Line and the fact that it's up and running and succeeding. It took 19 years to sort of get people to reimagine it and get it built. It was a long, tough struggle.

Vienna Broncos Start the Season 4-0

The Vienna Broncos are 4-0.

Iturbe’s Score Avoids Overtime, Defeats Robinson

Rams’ Arnsmeyer comes up short against former coach.

The Chantilly field hockey team defeated Robinson, 1-0, on Tuesday.

Letter

Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations.

Dear Chairman and Board Members: The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations (the Federation) appreciates the many years of support that the Board of Supervisors (BOS) has provided to the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL). Recently, the FCPL introduced new policies that the Federation decided to examine.

Focus on Transportation

Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance presents regional priorities at 10th annual event.

“What You Need to Know about Transportation in Five Minutes or Less” was the working title of this year’s Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance (NVTA) seminar and reception held on Sept. 30 at Capital One’s auditorium in McLean.

Column: Week Of, Weak On, Week Off

This column completes the three-week arc which describes what I have endured mostly successfully for approximately five years now: chemotherapy every three weeks – with one year off for good behavior (not really good behavior; the year off was to switch to a twice-daily pill, Tarceva, to be taken at home, since the previous treatment was no longer stemming the tide). It’s been my experience that these anti-cancer drugs don’t exactly work forever.

Centreville Day 2014: Celebration Returns Oct. 11

Zombie Slouch 5K, parade, food, pets in costume, music and more.

Featuring everything from a charity 5K to a parade, music, history tours, a costume contest for pets and a swordsman, the upcoming Centreville Day celebration promises something for everyone. The 22nd annual event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in Historic Centreville Park, 5714 Mount Gilead Road (off Braddock Road, across Route 29 from the IHOP).

Community Mourns Girl, 16

Missing since Sunday, she was found dead in park.

Just a month before her 17th birthday, friends, family members and classmates from Chantilly, Centreville and Fairfax are mourning the loss of a local girl.

‘15,000 Hot Dogs To Break Even’

Permit costs spur gas station’s request to sell alcohol, too.

Raj Gupta just wanted an OK to add hot dogs to his convenience store’s offerings at the Centre Ridge Exxon station.

Clifton Day Turns 47

Festival returns with 200 vendors, crafts, food and music.

When Mike Belote of Manassas first brought his Ryder truck full of Pappy’s Wooden Dreams to Clifton Day more than 10 years ago, he almost didn’t make it out.

Editorial: Does Change in Voter ID Laws Matter?

More than 22,000 active voters in Northern Virginia are without the required ID.

For the current election, new, more stringent voter identification laws are in effect.

Westfield Grads Produce in MLB, NFL

A pair of Westfield graduates had recent big performances in the world of professional sports.

Chantilly Volleyball Beats Defending State Champ

UVa commit Young leads Chargers with 14 kills.

The Chantilly volleyball team defeated defending VHSL 6A state champion Langley.

New Voter Identification Requirements

There are new requirements for voter identification that voters must bring with them to the polling place.

Voting Early, Absentee

Elections 2014

Virtually every voter in Virginia is eligible to vote absentee, which includes voting in-person absentee at a variety of locations from now through Nov. 1.

Column: Pre-Chemo Peek

I realize, given last week’s column: “Post-Chemo Week,” this week’s column about the preceding week (week-of, actually) of chemotherapy might be a bit bass-ackward, but it seemed reasonable to me that if you regular readers had an interest in the week-after, perhaps you’d have a similar interest in the week-before.