Stories for December 2016

MetroStage Stages ‘Fully Committed’

One-man show stars Tom Story who channels 40 different characters at a New York restaurant.

MetroStage in Alexandria is staging the newly revised version of "Fully Committed" (following the successful Broadway run that closed in July) through Jan. 8, 2017.

The Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce’s Dec. 16 Holiday Business Awards Celebration

The Journey Beyond ‘Three Hots and a Cot’ in Mount Vernon

Eleanor U. Kennedy Shelter helping homeless for 30 years.

In late August, Mount Vernon resident “Maria” was released from the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center after being incarcerated for one year.

Man Dies from House Fire in Alexandria

On Saturday, Dec. 3, at approximately 3:47 p.m., Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units responded for reports of a house fire in the 3700 block of Logan Court.

Mount Vernon Crime Report

The following incidents were reported by the Mount Vernon District Police Station.

New Hope Housing Receives Grant

New Hope Housing, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and shelter for families and single adults in Alexandria, Fairfax County, Falls Church and Arlington, was the recipient of a $7,500 grant awarded recently by the Dominion Foundation, the charitable arm of Dominion Resources.

Commentary: Quality Education at a Wise Cost

Winter break is good time for our high school seniors to focus on college.

100 Years Old in Mount Vernon

On Dec. 16, Samuel Joseph White (center) toasts to his 100th birthday at Spring Hills Mt. Vernon Assisted Living with his son Rufus and daughter-in-law Marjory.

Festive in Mount Vernon

Preparing holiday decorations for three Waynewood community signs are Garden Club of Waynewood members Cindy Johnson, Marjie Morris, Barbara Bulleit, and Patsy Morrison.

Mount Vernon Church Supports Women’s March

At its monthly December meeting, the board of trustees of Mount Vernon Unitarian Church voted to support the Jan. 21 Women's March on Washington D.C.

Annual Pep Rally in Mount Vernon

Before the big game, West Point Cadets joined the military retirees at The Fairfax in the Mount Vernon area for their annual pep rally prior to the Army/Navy football game in Baltimore.

Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy Cleared in Fatal Shooting

Commonwealth’s Attorney: homicide was justified self-defense.

In a decision released Dec. 16, Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh cleared Fairfax County Master Deputy Sheriff Patrick McPartlin of any criminal wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of Yovani Amaya Gomez that took place Aug. 15 outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Police Out to Catch Drunken Drivers in Fairfax County

Grant funds new DWI Enforcement Squad.

A new squad of police officers has started patrolling the county and they have only one mission: to combat impaired driving.

Holiday Grief

Workshop helps others deal with loss.

The holiday season is bittersweet for Jeanne Rorke.

Letter to the Editor: Protect the Consumer Protection Bureau

Consumer protection groups have grown increasingly concerned about Republican promises to cut back on financial regulations next year.

Commentary: Fairfax Police Reform Is Well Underway

I endorse the Connection Newspaper’s recent editorial on the progress Fairfax County has made implementing the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, on which I had the honor of serving as chairman of the Use of Force Subcommittee.

Commentary: Congress Coming Together to Find and Fund Faster Cures

On Dec. 8, I joined with a bipartisan group of House and Senate members, and the Speaker of the House, as the Speaker signed the 21st Century Cures Act.

Eagle Project in Mount Vernon

Bryan Schrage of Boy Scout Troop 888 delivered three newly-constructed benches on Nov. 30 to West Potomac High School for the school tennis courts.

Toys for United Community Ministries

Bennett Named Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year

Michael Bennett, CFO and partner with the Ourisman automotive group, is the Chamber Citizen of the Year for Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce.

Rotary Chapter Celebrates 40 Years

Mount Vernon Rotarians celebrated their chapter’s 40th anniversary Wednesday Dec. 7 at Cedar Knoll restaurant.

Firefighters and Friends collects toys for Alexandria area children.

To the Rescue

Christmas arrived early for more than 250 children from local Head Start programs as they picked out toys and visited with Santa during the annual Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue toy drive distribution day Dec. 11 at Penn Daw Fire Station 11.

Editorial: History in Police Reform Part 2

Civilian Review Panel — and they said it couldn’t be done ….

Last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to establish a Civilian Review Panel, part of a two-pronged concept of independent oversight of law enforcement recommended unanimously by the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.

Mount Vernon: Rotary Chapter Celebrates 40 Years

Mount Vernon Rotarians celebrated their chapter’s 40th anniversary Wednesday Dec. 7 at Cedar Knoll restaurant.

Mount Vernon: Inova's Addo gives update to chamber

At 3 a.m. Nov. 16, the new Veatch Family Emergency Department at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital opened its doors to patients. The time was meant to be a slow one for hospital work, Inova Mount Vernon president and CEO Deborah Addo said — intended essentially to be a “soft open.”

Mount Vernon: Supply Replenished for St. Aidan’s Christmas Tree Sale

After nearly selling out the previous weekend, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church received a fresh shipment of Christmas trees on Dec. 9.

Fairfax County: Filling Oversight Positions

Supervisors outline procedures for bringing on police auditor and civilian review panel.

One week after voting to establish Fairfax County’s first Civilian Review Panel for police, Public Safety Committee chair supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) and Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova outlined steps to be taken to fill the nine-member panel, as well as hire an independent police auditor.

Ad Hoc Commission Recommendations: 88 Percent Implemented

Public Safety Committee hears from Recruitment, Diversity and Vetting subcommittee chair.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is well on its way to implementing all recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission. At the Dec. 13 meeting of the board’s Public Safety Committee, they announced 88 percent of the commission recommendations have been implemented or are soon to be so.

Mount Vernon Home Sales: November, 2016

In November, 2016, 98 homes sold between $1,425,000-$83,000 in the Mount Vernon area.

Mount Vernon Home Sales: November, 2016

Fairfax County: Filling Oversight Positions

Supervisors outline procedures for bringing on police auditor and civilian review panel.

One week after voting to establish Fairfax County’s first Civilian Review Panel for police, Public Safety Committee chair supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) and Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova outlined steps to be taken to fill the nine-member panel, as well as hire an independent police auditor.

Classified Advertising December 14, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Free Holiday Cab Rides Help Prevent Drunk Driving

Combating that holiday period which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says is a “dangerous time to be on the road due to a high number of drunk drivers behind the wheel,” a local nonprofit organization will offer free cab rides to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington-metropolitan area during the winter holidays.

New Catholic Bishop: To Listen and Learn

A ministry to the faithful and the community beyond.

The Most Rev. Michael Burbidge assumed full authority last week as the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.

Open Floor Plan Provides Holiday Entertainment Solution

Open house helps homeowners looking for ideas.

It's one thing to talk a good game; quite another to put your ideas to the test by inviting a long list of perceptive critics to inspect your wares.

2017 Color of the Year: Greenery

Pantone says color will evoke reinvigoration.

When Reston-based interior designer Annie Elliott’s home office began to feel lackluster, she draped the windows with green Roman shades to infuse a burst of color into the muted space.

A Stylish, Budget-friendly Kitchen in Alexandria

Local homeowners transform their kitchen, without breaking the bank.

When Janet and Frank McDermott purchased their Alexandria home in 1997, it was already outdated.

Letter to the Editor: Demolish First, Discuss Later at Jones Point?

This week we learned that the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) with the Alexandria Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee’s (BPAC) assistance is conducting a crowdfunding exercise to raise $50,000 to demolish two concrete barriers at the “unused parking lot” at Jones Point Park.

Letter to the Editor: Celebrating George Mason

Happy 281st birthday to my great-great-great-great grandfather, George Mason IV of Gunston Hall.

Pedestrian Crash Results in Fatality in Mount Vernon

Officers responded to the area of Richmond Highway and Frye Road around 5:44 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1 for a report of a crash involving a pedestrian.

Commentary: Court Should Overturn Partisan Redistricting

Virginia is represented by Democrats in all five statewide offices, has voted for a Democratic president three times, yet the Virginia House of Delegates has 66 Republicans and 34 Democrats.

Commentary: Give to Charities, But Give Wisely

With the holiday season upon us, now is the time not only to give generously to your favorite charities, but also to give wisely and knowingly.

Letter to the Editor: Punish Illegal Dumpers, Not Fairfax County Residents

We've never had one of the large blue recycling bins because we don't have additional space beyond where we keep our trash bin.

Gandee to Lead Mount Vernon Lee Chamber

Jane Gandee, owner of ServiceMaster Restore on Fordson Road, was recently selected as the 2017 chairman of Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce.

‘A Christmas Carol’ at MVHS

As the holiday spirit begins to fill the air and everyone's hearts, Mount Vernon High School spread it to their stage in their classic rendition of “A Christmas Carol.”

More Than 12,000 Pounds of Food Donated in Mount Vernon

The Cub Scouts of Pack 658, from Belle View Elementary School, participated in the annual Scouting for Food drive on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the United Community Ministries (UCM) in Mount Vernon.

Season Extended for Farmers Market in Mount Vernon

The Fairfax County Park Authority will extend its farmers market season at McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market. The McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market will be open Wednesdays until Dec. 14.

Suspect Sought in Mount Vernon Robbery

Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection with a robbery that occurred outside the 7-Eleven store at 8434 Frye Road, on Friday, Nov. 18, at about 6:30 a.m.

Quarterback Promotes ‘Phones Down. Touchdown.’ Initiative

Redskins’ quarterback urges region to put phones down while behind the wheel.

“If I get sacked in a game, I can get back up and move onto the next play — for the most part,” he said. “But when you text and drive, you might not get back up.”

Combatting Domestic Violence Deaths in Mount Vernon

Bystanders urged to call hotline as well as victims.

In the last month, Fairfax County Police released information on two domestic homicides it was investigating.

Classified Advertising December 7, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Supervisors Establish Fairfax County’s First Police Civilian Review Panel

As complement to police auditor, panel will review abuse and misconduct complaints.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 on Tuesday, Dec. 6 to establish a Civilian Review Panel to provide oversight of Fairfax County Police and to hear complaints of police misconduct or abuse of authority.

Meet Chef Euripides at the Royal Restaurant in Alexandria

A community institution since 1904.

Richard Euripides, chef at the Royal Restaurant on N. Asaph Street, has boiled two packages of ribbed Zerega lasagna noodles for a customer favorite.

Commentary: Coming Together in Northern Virginia over Climate Change

As the Republican candidate in Virginia’s Eighth Congressional District, which leans hard left, I knew faced a steep challenge going into this November’s election.

Taking a Fantasy Flight to the North Pole from Northern Virginia

In spirit of season, community organizations and businesses donate hundreds of service hours and supplies.

One hundred twenty-five children with life-challenging illnesses, their families and a support team of doctors, nurses and volunteers, for a total of 216 people, arrived at Gate 7, Terminal D at Dulles International Airport, Dec. 3, and headed for the hottest destination of the season.

Updated List of Shelters for the Homeless

Shelter Information

NVRC has updated the list of shelters for the homeless, drop in centers and winter shelters in the region: Visit http://www.novaregion.org/index.aspx?NID=174