Stories for September 2014

New Voter Identification Requirements

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

Junior Committee: Work Horses

Young local equestriennes anchor Washington International Horse Show.

Mary Elizabeth Cordia of Alexandria Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the leading metropolitan indoor horse show in the U.S. This six-day event is held annually in October at Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

New Dental Office Opens

Dr. Sam Jarwa, a graduate from University of Southern California, has opened Grace Dental of Virginia, specializing in general and cosmetic dentistry.

‘I’m Going To Miss Everything’ Grimm To Leave CVHS

Centreville High’s principal leaving to helm Hayfield Secondary.

Martin Grimm never intended to leave Centreville High after serving just two years as its principal. But then the principal of Hayfield Secondary School died, and that changed everything.

Crafts, Festivals and Dancing

A sampling of local, fun events this fall.

A highlight of every autumn is the fall festival at Cox Farms, 15621 Braddock Road, just off Pleasant Valley Road, in Centreville. It runs daily from Sept. 27-Nov. 4, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

First Glimpse at Centreville Day

Nominees sought for Centreville Day Citizen of the Year awards.

Centreville Day 2014 is just a few weeks away. The 22nd annual community celebration is set for Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in Historic Centreville Park, 5714 Mount Gilead Road.

Residents Have Their Say

Assisted-Living facility could pose traffic, drainage, noise problems.

As the number of senior citizens in Fairfax County continues to grow, so does the need for an assisted-living facility for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

CVHS Teacher Debuts Young Adult Novel

English teacher Bethany Masone Harar has book signing this Saturday.

Centreville High School English teacher Bethany Masone Harar will be signing copies of her debut young adult novel “Voices of the Sea” on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Fair Lakes Barnes and Noble at 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade Dr, Fairfax, from 1-4 p.m.

Blood and Guts 5K Race

5,000 expected for apocalyptic zombie race at Bull Run Regional Park on Oct. 25.

The third-annual Blood and Guts 5K Run will take place Saturday, Oct. 25 at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville.

Cox Farms Ready To Host Visitors

Fall Festival for families, Fields of Fear for teens.

Whether area residents are in the mood for giant slides, rope swings, hayrides, baby animals, apple-cider doughnuts or a pumpkin slingshot, they’ll find all these things and more at Cox Farms.

Board of Supervisors Approves 50+ Community Action Plan

Vote is “the beginning, not the end” for Herrity.

Supervisor Pat Herrity’s so-called “Silver Tsunami” population in Fairfax County isn’t getting any younger. The data haven’t changed: the amount of people over 50 should increase by 40 percent between 2005 and 2030, and those 70 and older should shoot up 80 percent in the same period.

Supervisors Break Ground on New Public Safety Headquarters

The Fairfax County Police and Fire Departments are getting a new home. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova and Supervisor John Cook broke ground on what will be a $142 million, eight-story headquarters.

Post-Chemo Weak

For the past year, every three weeks I have been infused with a chemotherapy drug called Alimta, “the last miracle drug,” to quote my oncologist, and a drug with which I hadn’t previously been infused.

Foust Bridging Political Divide

Democrats hope Foust’s reputation as a “bridge-builder” connects with voters.

Straightening his tie, John Foust is preparing for yet another “meet-and-greet” event at the Clifton home of Democratic supporters Terry Matlaga and Kevin Bell.

Editorial: Deadly Medicaid Debacle

Literally killing poor people who could have health care, while refusing to give Virginia’s economy a boost.

The poor people of Virginia are so seriously harmed by the actions of the Virginia General Assembly in refusing to expand Medicaid at little additional cost to the Commonwealth that those harmed should have some legal recourse.

Classified Advertising September 17, 2014

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Chantilly Home Sales: August, 2014

In August 2014, 20 homes sold between $767,000-$36,250 in the Chantilly area.

Chantilly Home Sales: August, 2014

‘[This] Will Change Our Lives’

Community, Paisano’s unite to purchase an accessible van.

Last Friday, Sept. 12, was a night when dreams came true. On Centreville High’s football field, the Wildcats trounced West Potomac, 54-0. And on the sidelines at halftime, Centreville senior Juwaan Espinal, 17, was presented with an accessible van.

Centreville Home Sales: August, 2014

In August 2014, 90 Centreville homes sold between $1,165,000-$159,000.

Centreville Home Sales: August, 2014

Attending Classes in Korea

Fairfax Academy student will spend school year there.

Normally, Serena Gregory would have just begun her last year at Chantilly High, caught up in the excitement of new classes, old friends and the thrill of being a senior. She’d also be playing volleyball, basketball and lacrosse for the Chargers. Instead, the former Korean-language student at the Fairfax Academy is now in another part of the world, spending the school year in Korea.

Remembering America’s Fallen Heroes

Each year, the firefighters of West Centreville Station 38 honor the firefighters who died in the 9/11 tragedy in New York by placing flags outside their station.

In Solemn Remembrance

Local bugler plays ‘Taps’ in honor of the Sept. 11 victims.

Throughout Virginia and the U.S., people commemorated last Thursday’s 13th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. Locally, Theodore Smith, an 83-year old volunteer with Bugles Across America, did it in his own, special way.

Deer Archery Program Enters Sixth Season

Continued overabundance brings bow-hunters back to parks.

Even at 72, the animated Disney classic “Bambi” can still soften the hardest hearts when it comes to appreciating the innocence and natural beauty of deer. But the reality in Fairfax County is that an unnaturally high density of Bambis and mothers of Bambi is an ongoing threat to biodiversity and road safety.

VCU Commit McNamara Leads Defending State Champ Westfield

Senior has 15 goals, 10 assists in nine games.

The Westfield field hockey team defeated West Springfield 7-0 on Tuesday.

Honeybees Welcome

Residents of Clifton and Fairfax Station held a block party to celebrate their new Bee Safe Neighborhood earlier this month.

Foundation Awards Scholarship

At its recent meeting, the trustees of the Former Agents of the FBI Foundation voted to award a scholarship for the 2014 - 2015 academic year to Nicole Marie Vinson of Centreville. Nicole will attend the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, in the fall.

What Students Are Reading

An interview with new librarian Rachel Grover of Rocky Run Middle School.

At Rocky Run Middle School in Chantilly, new librarian Rachel Grover, 28, of Gainesville, says, “Reading is cool and students read like crazy.”

A Different Path to a 4-year Degree

NOVA’s Guaranteed Admissions Program gives students opportunities to attend their dream schools.

Noor Naveed immigrated to the United States from Pakistan with her family shortly after the 9/11 attacks. The family settled in Northern Virginia and, years later, Naveed graduated from Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria. She dreams of becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college.

Later High School Start Times for 2015?

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza will propose later high school start times at the Fairfax County School Board’s business meeting on Thursday, Sept. 18, for the Board’s formal consideration at its business meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Scared, Hopefully Not to Death

One of my greatest fears (or regrets, if I am in fact the cause of my own decline) is that my own stubbornness, stupidity, “male blockheadedness” and/or refusal to believe/pay attention to signs, symptoms, indications and instructions/health advisories from my oncologist about my health will lead to my premature death.

Commentary: Protecting Those Threatened by Domestic Violence

September marks 20th Anniversary of Violence Against Women Act.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – landmark legislation in which our nation committed new prevention and response resources so that our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends would no longer have to suffer in silence through domestic abuse.

Classified Advertising September 10, 2014

Read the latest ads here!

Chantilly’s McGorty Wins Boys’ Race at Monroe Parker

Chantilly senior Hawvermale places second in girls’ race.

The Chantilly cross country teams had strong individual performances at the Monroe Parker Invitational.

Board of Supervisors Approves 2014 Budget Carryover Package

FCPS full-day Mondays at discussion forefront.

When students at the 142 public elementary schools around Fairfax County stayed there the full day on Monday -- the first time in about four decades -- they likely weren’t worried about the cost. That’s between the school board and board of supervisors. Grown-up stuff.

‘Recession Ripple Persists’ at Realtors’ Summit

Private sector job growth key to strengthening regional economy, housing demand.

“There’s no question the primary economic driver of this region has always been Uncle Sam,” said David Versal, senior research associate at the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis. “That said, we’re not Detroit.”

Editorial: Change Is Coming, Right?

Legislators on changing the culture of cash and gifts in Virginia: Crickets.

With former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen facing what could be decades in prison after their convictions for corruption, a reasonable person might reasonably expect that members of the General Assembly would be gearing up to make some big changes.

Time Sensitive

As much as I don’t want to be cognizant of date, time and place, relative to February 27, 2009 when Team Lourie first received the stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis on yours truly, I am (a terminal diagnosis will do that to you). Moreover, as often as I write about the need to live forward, rather than die backward (if you know what I mean), I still struggle with the application.

Extreme Politics

Foust, Comstock stake out opposing positions during first debate in hyper-partisan 10th district Congressional race.

Forget first-debate politeness. Republican Barbara Comstock and Democrat John Foust — the candidates vying to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf in Virginia’s 10th Congressional district — sustained the hyper-partisan tenor of their campaigns during a debate-style forum hosted by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce in Herndon last week.

Freshmen Orientation

Chantilly High School welcomed the Class of 2018 on Thursday, Aug. 27, at the annual freshmen orientation. More than 600 freshmen and newly transferred upper class attended.

The Broad-winged Hawks Are Coming

Every Autumn, in addition to literally billions of songbirds, a million or more avian raptors (hawks, eagles, and falcons) migrate from their nesting and breeding areas all over North America to their winter homes, mostly in Central and South America. Raptor enthusiasts and hawk counters often head for mountain ridges and other concentration points in hopes of seeing some of the birds fly by.

Classified Advertising September 3, 2014

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Taking On the ‘Silver Tsunami’

Herrity to present 50+ Plan to Board of Supervisors next week.

“It’s here,” said Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield). “We’re already living in it.” Between 2005 and 2030, the number of individuals 50 and older is projected to grow by 40 percent in Fairfax County and the number 70 and older is projected to grow by 80 percent. Herrity attributes the changes to both the aging of Baby Boomers, and the general increase in life expectancy.

Senior Centers in Fairfax County

A list of senior centers in Fairfax County.

Quilting Studio Adds to Dream Home

At 72, Wanda Rogers engages in an early American craft she first learned from her grandmother.

Quilting takes patience; ditto the steps entailed in setting up a quilting studio all of one's own. Such are the reflections of Wanda Rogers, 72, who is now tapering off a 51-year professional career, and increasing precious hours spent in the pursuit of a mountain-state handicraft she learned from her mother and grandmother.

Newcomers Guide: Year-round Festivals 2014-2015

A list of annual community events in the area.

American Muscle

15th annual Labor Day Clifton Car Show raises money for local charities.

The Labor Day Car show in Clifton had humble beginnings. Fifteen years ago, it was only founder and organizer Jim Chesley, and 24 other car enthusiasts. They raised $100 to donate to charity. Each year they brought it back, it grew, and so did the donations. By the fourth year they cracked $1,000. The event has now raised over $245,000 -- not including this year’s efforts.

I Scream

…for ice cream; from Brigham’s in Boston, the local New England establishment of my youth where I spent dollars – although it was likely cents back in those days – many afternoons, evenings and weekends.

$12 Million Suit Against Fairfax County Police

2013 shooting victim’s family seeks damages in wrongful death case.

The year-long silence surrounding the police shooting of John Geer has been broken — but not by Fairfax County Police or the U.S. Department of Justice. John Geer was shot to death by Fairfax County Police on Aug. 29, 2013.