Battleground Northern Virginia
What role will the region play in the election?
For many years, Northern Virginia has been written off by both parties as a Democratic stronghold — a place where Republicans simply try to cut their losses while they focus on the rest of the commonwealth. But this election cycle may be different. All three of the gubernatorial candidates are from Fairfax County. And recent statewide candidates have not been able to win without picking off selected jurisdictions in Northern Virginia. "As you look at Northern Virginia that's further from Washington, you see a more Republican area — Prince William, western Fairfax, Fauquier," said Stephen Farnsworth, professor at University of Mary Washington. "That's where the real action is in Northern Virginia politics." As Election Day draws closer and television becomes a virtual battlefield for attention, a real battle is brewing on the ground here in Northern Virginia. Candidates and their advisors are looking at the path to victory back in 2009 for Republican Bob McDonnell, who won Prince William County, Fairfax County and Fauquier County. Although this race is likely to be closer than 2009, the importance of Northern Virginia is looming larger than ever.
NOVEC Warns Of Energy Vampires
Electricity courses through wires in homes, schools, and businesses just as blood courses through living creatures’ veins. While fictitious vampires materialize on Halloween and in “Twilight” movies, energy vampires are real. They can suck enough electricity to account for about 10 percent of a consumer’s electric bill. The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative says consumers don’t need garlic or wooden stakes to stop energy vampires — they need power strips.
Editorial: Get a Flu Shot, Register to Vote
Getting a flu shot has never been easier.
Annual K-9 Krawl Is Oct. 19
The seventh annual K-9 Krawl is set for Saturday, Oct. 19, in parking lot C of the Fairfax County Government Center. Check-in is at 8:30 a.m., police K-9 demonstration, 8:45 a.m.; and walk at 9 a.m. Register at: K-9 Krawl 5K Registration - Fairfax County, Virginia.
Music, Dancing, Exercise Help Local Community
Zumbathon in Chantilly to raise money for WFCM.
Chantilly’s Kelly Joedicke-Lawrence is a certified Zumba instructor and, for the past few years, she’s held a Zumbathon fundraiser for breast-cancer research. But this year, her Zumba group voted to instead help a local charity.
‘Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina’
Chantilly High presents the musical, ‘Evita.’
Featuring a cast and crew of 70, Chantilly High presents the musical, “Evita,” about the life of Argentine political leader Eva Peron. The curtain rises Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 16-19, at 7 p.m.
Clifton Wine Shop Expands
“America Reworked” store and showcase moves in as wine moves upstairs.
If the only thing better than one bottle of wine is two bottles, Clifton resident and owner of Clifton Wine Shop & Tasting Room Lucinda Lawson has not only taken the message to heart, she’s expanded on it. On Friday, Oct. 4, she and a multitude of customers and friends celebrated the grand opening of the shop’s new location that boasts more than twice the interior space of the previous shop.
Centreville Day 2013: Parade, Children’s Activities, Crafts, Music and Food
Get ready — the 21st annual Centreville Day celebration is almost here. Slated for Saturday, Oct. 19, in Centreville’s Historic District, it features a parade, music, a 5K, live entertainment, crafts, children’s games and rides, food — who’s up for fried Oreos? — and fun for all ages.
Classified Advertising October 9, 2013
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Runnymede Hosts NatureFest
Annual festival explores flora and fauna at local park.
The Friends of Runnymede Park and the Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation Department hosted the annual NatureFest Sunday, Oct. 6. The festival gave nature enthusiasts of all ages a chance to explore the diverse habitats within the park.
Lighting the Night at Reston Town Center
Annual walk funds blood cancer research, family support.
“Ava B” will turn 5 years old early next year, and spent more than half of her young life dealing with leukemia. She was diagnosed with pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December 2011 at age 2. Since then, she has undergone more than 20 months of chemotherapy, and seen her family and friends rally around her.
Decorating for Fall
Local designers offer suggestions for bringing the harvest into your home.
The colors of autumn are all around as pumpkins and squash fill produce stands and leaves change from green to orange, red and yellow before falling from their branches. Local designers and tastemakers are unveiling home accents that bring the warm hues of the season into the home. Whether using pillows, throws or flowers, adding the colors and textures of fall requires less effort than one might expect. “Emerald green, orange and turquoise are three of the biggest color trends we’re seeing,” said Marcus Browning of European Country Living in Old Town Alexandria. “Throws and pillows are a given, but you can also tie in traditional and modern accessories with rugs, stained glass lamps with modern or intricate designs.” Small trays provide a canvas for highlighting color and adding functionality to a room, says Marika Meyer of Marika Meyer Interiors in Bethesda, Md. “Color and pattern are in right now,” she said. “I just purchased the C. Wonder (http://www.cwonder.com) navy and white chevron tray for my home. It adds a punch of color and freshness to a room. Preppy is back in a big way, too, offering lots of patterns.”
Crash Kills Man and Causes Baby’s Death
A car crash early Sunday morning on the Fairfax County Parkway killed a Manassas man and caused a pregnant woman to deliver her baby early. Authorities say the newborn did not survive. The incident happened Sept. 29, at 1:40 a.m., just north of Braddock Road.
VTV Family Outreach Given Grant Money
Funds will be used to make schools safer.
After the April, 16, 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech, the families and survivors joined together and created a nonprofit foundation dedicated to making America’s schools safer and assisting victims of mass tragedies.
Candidates Have Their Say
Hugo, Foltz, LeMunyon and Nguyen discuss the issues.
With the general election just a month away, a Candidates Night was held last Wednesday, Sept. 25, in Chantilly. Presented by the Sully District Council of Citizens Associations and the League of Woman Voters of the Fairfax Area, it let residents meet local incumbents and challengers and hear their positions on various issues.
Boy Named ‘Honored Hero’
Billind Salhi, 8, will participate in Light The Night Walk.
Each year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) holds Light The Night Walks to raise money for research and patient services. Locally, a walk will be held this Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Reston Town Center — and an 8-year-old Centreville boy will be one of the event’s Honored Heroes.
Light the Night Walk on Oct. 5
Fundraiser for 4-year-old girl named 'Ava B,' a leukemia survivor.
“Ava B” of Fairfax Corner was a typical 2-year-old when she fell ill with leukemia on Dec. 9, 2011. After having a fever for four days, her mom “Jeannie B” took to a doctor and ran a few tests. A hematologist then confirmed that she had Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. (The family asked that their last name not be used.)
Classified Advertising Oct. 2, 2013
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Guest Editorial: Virginia’s Easy Access to Guns
A parent asks why background checks aren’t better.
How do you respond to a 7 year old when she comes home from school and says “we did our bad man drill today Mommy, but don’t worry it was just for practice, no one really came into our school to shoot us”?
Senior Volunteers Stay Active
Fifty percent of Mount Vernon RECenter’s volunteers are senior citizens.
The Mount Vernon RECenter is known for its ice skating rink, massive indoor swimming pool and fitness center with spa and sauna. It has 46 volunteers who help greet guests, clean up the fitness room, landscape the grounds and assist people with adapted swimming and ice-skating. Exactly half of them are retired senior citizens over 50 who want to stay active while giving back to the community.