Stories for December 2015

Classified Advertising December 30, 2015

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Editorial: Merry Christmas

The pages of the Connection have been full of holiday spirit for more than a month. Menorah lightings, group and individual efforts to help the needy, stories of giving, secular celebrations, religious celebrations.

Classified Advertising December 23, 2015

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Mount Vernon: UCM Adjusting How To Elevate People Out of Poverty

Nichelle Mitchem has always been interested in poverty issues. “In the high school yearbook, other people’s future interests were roller-skating and disco dancing,” she said. “Mine said ‘poverty lawyer.’”

Mount Vernon: Man Shot in Brockham Drive Home

Fairfax County Police are investigating the relationship between a 49-year-old man who was shot in a residence in the 8300 block of Brockham Drive and a possible suspect.

Fairfax County School Board Opens the Door for School Name Changes

No decisions made to affect current school names.

The Fairfax County School Board did not change any names of schools at its Dec. 17 regular business meeting.

Alexandria: Mamo's 32 Points, Williams' Layup Lift TC Over West Potomac

Titans even Conference 7 record with win over Wolverines.

The T.C. Williams boys' basketball team defeated West Potomac 56-55 on Friday.

Mount Vernon: Inova Hospital Staying Here and Growing

New Inova Emergency Department to open late 2016.

Inova Mount Vernon Hospital isn’t going anywhere. That was the message hospital Chief Executive Officer Deborah Addo had for local business leaders at the Dec. 10 breakfast sponsored by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce at Belle Haven Country Club.

Fairfax County: McAuliffe Proposing More for Education

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D, left) unveiled his budget proposal for $1 billion in public and higher education investment at Mark Twain Middle School in Alexandria on Dec. 16, as part of the total state budget he plans to roll out on Thursday, Dec. 17.

Mount Vernon: Police Change Charge to Murder

Fairfax County Police detectives have increased the charge for Andre Curtis Wilkins from malicious wounding to murder in the shooting death of 27-year-old Marquel Davis.

Classified Advertising December 16, 2015

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Alexandria: Firefighters Provide Toys For Local Children

Christmas arrived early for more than 250 children from local Head Start programs as they picked out toys and visited with Santa and Superhero Flash Max during the annual Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue toy drive distribution day Dec. 15 at Penn Daw Fire Station 11.

Alexandria Appetite: Three Restaurants for Takeout Today

Short on time during the holiday season?

It’s the middle of the holiday season, and free time is short. Often, spare time is downright nonexistent, in fact, and the thought of sitting down to a home-cooked meal is but a dream. Here are three remedies that are sure to lend a hand during breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Partnership Launches ‘Build a Village’ Campaign

Goal to end homelessness in Fairfax County by 2018 looms; more than 400 children are among the homeless here.

Dozens of business leaders, elected officials and advocates for ending homelessness gathered Monday, Dec. 14 in the offices of Piedmont Fund Services in Herndon to launch the “Build a Village” campaign.

Lessons in Charitable Giving

Conversations, modeling behavior and hands-on actions can help teach children about benevolence and compassion.

Matthew Mamalian’s holiday shopping list included some items that might seem atypical for a 12-year-old middle school student: shampoo, socks, soap and a few snacks.

Mount Vernon: Alice’s Kids Donates Items to Enhance Student Self-Esteem

As a seventh grader growing up in Long Island, current Mount Vernon resident Ron Fitzsimmons missed 60 days of school because he was too embarrassed to go. After his father abandoned them, Fitzsimmons’ family survived on welfare, but only just.

Mount Vernon: Police Make Arrest In November Shooting

Fairfax County Police arrested Andre Curtis Wilkins, 21, of Waldorf, Md. on Dec. 4 and charged him with malicious wounding related to the Nov. 18 shooting death of Marquel L. Davis, 21, of Audubon Avenue.

2015 Alexandria/Mount Vernon Holiday Entertainment Guide

Holiday Events in Alexandria and Mount Vernon, Va.

Mount Vernon Brief: Unboxing Potential

Grants provide Bucknell with computers.

As Bucknell Elementary "boxes up" for school renovations, they have been unboxing new growth in technology literacy.

Thomas Enters First Season as Mount Vernon Head Coach

Majors beat Friendly in season opener.

The Mount Vernon girls' basketball team defeated Friendly 49-24 on Tuesday.

Mount Vernon: Beacon at Groveton Wins Highway Beautification Award

The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation recognized local businesses doing exceptional work to enhance their streetview image with the annual holiday open house and Mary Thonen Highway Beautification Awards.

Letter: How To Fix Recycling?

Letter to the Editor

As a Fairfax County resident who considers herself a dedicated recycler, I was shocked and extremely disappointed to learn that Fairfax County does not, in fact, recycle the glass it collects.

Editorial: Safety Net for Holiday Celebrations

It’s an opportunity to talk about responsibility, alcohol and planning ahead.

The holiday party season is here, and we will almost all be celebrating in some way. Some ways will involve celebrations that include alcohol.

Ideas for Decking the Halls

Local designers create opulent holiday designs.

From traditional to glamorous, fresh to faux and high-end to old school, local tastemakers tell how they create dazzling holiday design extravaganzas.

Citizen Speakers Turn Out for J.E.B. Stuart High Name Change

School Board to take action Dec. 17

J.E.B. Stuart High School senior Whitten Rutledge is proud of his school, mostly.

Classified Advertising December 9, 2015

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Letter: Stand Up Against Ignorance

Letter to the Editor

Mount Vernon Unitarian Church stands with all Unitarian Universalists in full support of our Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world and here in the United States. We condemn the horrific statements aimed at any form of persecution or rejection of people based on their faith.

Letter: Stable’s Loss Not Forgotten

Letter to the Editor

As I read the Nov. 26 Mount Vernon Gazette article about Arcadia Farms and Woodlawn Plantation, I was sorry that was no mention of Woodlawn Stables.

Column: Possible Tool in Battling Fraud against Seniors

Fraud and identity theft is an increasing criminal sector and will likely continue to grow. On Nov. 13, an off-duty police officer noticed a fraud device known as a “skimmer” on an ATM at a Huntington 7-11.

Mount Vernon Snapshot: Supporting UCM

United Community Ministries (UCM) was a beneficiary of Aldersgate United Methodist Women’s 2015 Luncheon and Fashion Show. Pictured presenting a $2,035 check to UCM Executive Director Nichelle A. Mitchem (far right) in September is Aldersgate UMW President Laura Derby (far left) with Vice President Cindy Harrington. Next year’s 2016 Fashion Show Luncheon is scheduled for April 16, 2016.

Mount Vernon Snapshot: Official Opening

Gerson Andrade, store manager, and Fernando Enriquez, district manager, cut the ribbon to open the new Advance Auto Parts store with George Ksenice, Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce president.

Merry and Fit

Support groups help members maintain fitness during season of indulgence.

Just after 7:30 on a recent Sunday morning, the steady beat of Cold Play’s "Viva la Vida" pulsed through the warm, sleepy air.

Voter Services Chair Recognized by Supervisors

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors presented the Barbara Varon Award to Sidney Johnson, Voter Services chair of the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), on Nov. 17.

County Limits Dog Tethering

“Man’s best friend deserves legal protection,” said Peggy Marshall, who adopted her best friend, Bianca.

Environmental Quality of Life

Advisory Council issues 512-page vision for county environmental policy.

Flooding will rise in concern in Fairfax County as a result of climate change, warned Stella Koch, chairperson of the county’s Environmental Quality Advisory Council.

Mount Vernon: Wreath and Christmas Tree Sale at St. Aidan's

Now in sixth year raising money for outreach and operating expenses, the church has brought in 540 freshly cut evergreens from a small North Carolina vendor.

Mount Vernon: Fox Trot Tradition Continues at Fort Hunt

A record-breaking 430-plus participated in the 14th annual Fort Hunt Elementary School Fox Trot run on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Adam Torres trial for murder of John Geer postponed until April 2016

Former Fairfax County police officer Adam Torres was charged with second-degree murder in August this year for shooting Springfield resident John Geer in August 2013. The trial was scheduled to begin on Dec. 14, but a continuance was recently granted to the defense, pushing it back until April 18, 2016.