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.

It’s All Relative

“Three Sistahs” returns to MetroStage.

It’s the third funeral in as many years for Olive, Marsha and Irene, sisters brought together by tragedy in “Three Sistahs,” a poignant tale of family relationships now playing at MetroStage Theatre.

Maestro’s Musings

‘Dare to…’ Opening Night

I am very excited about the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra's opening night concert on Saturday, September 27th at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center.

Alternatives to Institutional Care Needed for Seniors

Forum highlights long term care issues.

A community forum, hosted by Mount Vernon At Home and the Association of Retired Persons, focused on the challenge of a fast-growing aging population of 55 and over

Search for Hannah Graham Expands

UVA second year Hannah Graham last seen on Sept. 13.

Hannah Graham, University of Virginia sophomore and alumna of West Potomac High School, has been missing since the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 13.

Speaking Out for Taxpayers

At 90, Frank Medico cherishes role as watchdog.

Longtime Mount Vernon community leader and former state Del.Frank Medico is recovering from a fall that caused multiple fractures to his back, collarbone and sternum.

18th Century Market Returns to Mount Vernon

White tents dotted the landscape of the west field at the Mount Vernon Estate last weekend for the annual 18th century market.

Art as Mindfulness

Learning to be present and aware.

Art plays a central role in Lisa Richard’s family.

Local Group Gives Scholarships to Women

Great Falls Friends and Neighbors gave out $10,000 in scholarships to college women to kick off the start of the school year. Six women from George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College, ranging in ages and opportunities, were presented scholarships during a luncheon at Riverbend Country Club on Friday, Sept 19.

Students, Parents and Teachers Plea for Later Start Times

Students, parents and advocacy groups flooded the School Board’s public comment period with pleas to approve later start times for students next year during Sept. 19 meeting.

Portrait of a Graduate Approved

The Portrait of a Graduate has been drawn. This “portrait” - a part of the plans for the proposed strategic plan - was passed unanimously at Thursday’s Fairfax County School Board meeting after the board discussed it for more than an hour.

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.

Fall Fun 2014

Upcoming family-friendly events in the area.

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.

Search for Hannah Graham Continues

West Potomac Alumna, UVA second year student, last seen on Sept. 13

Hannah Graham, University of Virginia sophomore and alumna of West Potomac High School, has been missing since the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 13.

Classified Advertising September 17, 2014

Read the latest ads here!

Mount Vernon Home Sales: August, 2014

In August 2014, 132 homes sold between $1,599,000-$116,500 in the Mount Vernon area.

Mount Vernon Home Sales: August, 2014

Nearing Completion

Construction nearly done on 95 Express Lanes.

The construction on the 95 Express Lanes is 90 per cent complete and on schedule to open in early January 2015.

School Board Ready to Tackle Fiscal Challenges

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the chairman of Fairfax County School Board for the 2014-15 school year.

More Mothers Choosing to Breastfeed at Inova

I love it when a plan comes together. Last year in this space, I told you about Inova Alexandria Hospital’s initiative to promote the best possible beginning for newborns and their mothers by encouraging exclusive breastfeeding.

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.

‘Bring Hannah Home’

There will be a prayer vigil for Hannah Elizabeth Graham, Thursday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. at Aldersgate UMC, 1301 Collingwood Road. All in the community are invited to participate.

Mount Vernon Field Hockey Surpasses 2013 Win Total

Majors GK Moore makes 3 saves in shootout win over Marshall.

The Mount Vernon field hockey team improved to 6-1-2 with a win over Marshall on Monday.

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.

Bright Horizons to Host Grand Opening

Bright Horizons opened its newest early education and preschool center on July 14, 2014 in Vienna.

Baseball and Life Drama at 1st Stage

"Take Me Out": A drama leavened with brilliant comic touches.

Stepping out into its new season, 1st Stage in Tysons brings audiences a satisfying production of "Take Me Out," winner of a Tony Award for Best Play and a Pulitzer Prize finalist.

Full Day Monday Challenges Discussed

The implementation of “full day Mondays” has been anything but easy for area elementary schools. The challenges that Fairfax County Public Schools faced to bring more hours to elementary students’ school year was addressed by Superintendent Karen Garza and several board members during a school board meeting on Sept. 4 at Jackson Middle School.

Portrait of a Graduate Discussed

The heart of the school system’s new strategic plan is closer to being approved. The Fairfax County School Board discussed the five component Portrait of a Graduate - with some asking for a component emphasizing a caring quality - at Monday’s work session.

Classified Advertising September 10, 2014

Read the latest ads here!

Transit-Oriented Apartments Open

The Shelby promotes multimodal travel, community, art.

Though named for the innovative automotive designer and racer Carroll Shelby, the team behind the recently opened Shelby apartment building on North Kings Highway has made alternate forms of transportation a priority.

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.

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

Read the latest ads here!

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.

New Year, Same Challenges

Local school leaders address obstacles.

The first day of school may represent a fresh start for students, parents and teachers, but there are a number of ongoing challenges facing schools in Mount Vernon. For School Board member Dan Storck, the new school year is a reminder that these haven’t gone away.

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.

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.

Firefighters Collect, Distribute 3,000 Backpacks

Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers carries two more filled backpacks to the graded tables for final distribution.

The annual Fairfax County Firefighters Back To School drive reached new heights on Thursday, Aug. 28. This year more than 3,000 backpacks were collected and filled with supplies for returning students in Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria.

Big Chalk Draw

Chia-hua Lu works with friends coloring in the odd shapes of cracked blacktop.

The staff of the Art at the Center greeted chalk artists early on Friday morning, Aug. 29, for the 6th annual Big Chalk Draw. The center is located just beyond the intersection of Parkers Lane on Sherwood Hall.