Stories for April 2013

Yoga Week Comes to the Area

Local effort offers budding yogis a chance to improve their minds, bodies and spirits with free or $5 classes.

D.C. Yoga Week Runs through May 5 For more information and a list of participating studios, visit HYPERLINK "http://dccy.org/" http://dccy.org/. “This event will raise awareness about how great yoga is for your mind, body and spirit.” — Amanda Shipe, Mind Your Body Oasis, Arlington

Looking “ASCANce”

It wasn’t exactly “Executive Clemency.”

Programming Marathon at TJ 

Area high schoolers impress instructors at the 24-hour computer programming marathon.

When a voice over the loudspeaker announced, “free swag outside,” a stampede of teenagers cleared out the Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHSST) gymnasium in less than a minute. Even after almost 20 hours of coding and programming, the students were at no loss for enthusiasm, especially for free paraphernalia decorated with the TJ Hackathon logo. Kim Holton, a volunteer whose son was participating in the hackathon, said, “They all seem really tired and they’re dragging, but they’re excited.”

Classified Advertising April 24, 2013

Read the lastest ads here!

Editorial: Connection Guide to Parks Wins ‘Best in Show’

Investigative reporting, in depth coverage, education writing, photography, art, design, sports, garner Virginia Press Association honors.

The Connection Newspapers won dozens of awards from the Virginia Press Association, with winners announced on Saturday, April 20, in Norfolk.

South County Softball Sends Message to Lake Braddock

Stallions sophomore Yates has 4 hits, 4 RBIs.

The South County softball team pulled even in the loss column with Lake Braddock.

Lake Braddock Theatre Revisits ‘Rashomon’

Director and fight choreographer also worked on school’s 1994 production.

Nineteen years ago, Lake Braddock drama teacher R.L. Mirabal and local choreographer Casey Kaleba worked together on “Rashomon,” the staged version of Akira Kurosawa’s 1950 dramatic film rooted in Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Japanese folkloric stories and "In a Grove."

A Beautiful Mind

Powerful play takes students inside the mind of autistic teen.

In 1996, Bernie DeLeo was exactly where he thought he should be. A former actor-turned-film producer and writer, DeLeo was living in New York City with his wife and young son. He had an agent, and had just gotten work on a sitcom—Life’s Work—starring Michael O’Keefe. But one weekend, while he was in Los Angeles, he got a call from his wife that irrevocably changed the course of his life. Charlie, his 3-year-old son, had been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism.

Art Competition Winners Announced

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) attends ceremony at Lorton Workhouse Arts Center.

More than 200 high school students and their parents and teachers gathered at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center last week to hear U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) and judges from across Virginia’s 11th Congressional District announce the winners of the annual Congressional Art Competition.

‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’

“Hairspray” takes the stage at Robinson Secondary.

Robinson Secondary’s Cappies production is “Hairspray,” and Director Chip Rome is more excited about this show than he’s been about any show in “quite some time.”

Lake Braddock Senior Receives Scholarship

Nathaniel Smith awarded $5,000 from Northern Virginia Urban League.

The Northern Virginia Urban League awarded $50,000 in scholarships to local high school students at its annual Community Service and Scholarship Awards Dinner Friday, April 19. The organization, whose mission it is to enable disadvantaged youth to achieve economic and academic success, awarded one scholarship to Lake Braddock Secondary School senior Nathaniel Smith.

South County Soccer Club Bonds in Bermuda

While other Elite Clubs National League soccer teams took a well-deserved break, one team went on the trip of a lifetime. FC Virginia U14s traveled to Bermuda over the Easter holiday, having the opportunity to experience island life while also playing against the full Bermuda women’s national team, and a high school team from Florida.

Fairfax County Budget Reflects ‘Increasing Needs, Decreasing Revenues’

"We as a board spend a lot of time talking about helping people in need, I can only say that when it came time to tax them, they were sadly forgotten." —Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield)

Runners Line Up to Stop Child Abuse

Great Falls neighbors join in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, which helps explain why 300 runners gathered at 9 a.m. at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, grouped in teams with names like "Peggy's Posse," "Kids4Kids" and—a favorite—"Team Baxter" (named after organizing member Kim Roellig's dog) on Saturday, April 13.

What Housing Slump?

Real estate experts explain the rise in luxury condominium sales

When a retired couple decided it was time to leave their sprawling suburban home, they wanted to downsize without giving up luxury. As a result, they purchased a high-end condominium and hired Bethesda, Md., based interior designer Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design to create a serene and sophisticated space.

Karen Garza Hired as Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools

FCPS Board lauds Garza’s “openness” and “willingness to engage” community.

The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved educator Karen Garza of Texas to be the next superintendent of the 181,000 student district at its April 18 school board meeting.

Classified Advertising April 17, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Burke Home Sales: March, 2013

In March 2013, 50 Burke homes sold between $771,000-$127,500.

Burke Home Sales: March, 2013

Local Real Estate: February 2013 Sales $650,000~ $699,999

Local Real Estate: February 2013 Sales $700,000~ $749,999

Breaking a Sweat for Homeless Pets

<On Sunday, April 14, the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, a nonprofit that assists the animal shelter, in conjunction with Metro Run & Walk and Olde Towne Pet Resort, held a race at Burke Lake Park to raise funds for the shelter. Over 200 people, many with their dogs, participated in the event and several dogs available for adoption also participat

‘A Fantastic Piece of Escapism’

Woodson High presents Tolkien’s classic, “The Hobbit.”

Welcome to Middle Earth, as envisioned by J.R.R. Tolkien in Woodson High’s production of “The Hobbit.” It’s the adventure of a peaceful homebody persuaded by a wizard to help a group of militant dwarves reclaim their treasure from a marauding dragon. “One of our biggest challenges was building a huge, dragon puppet,” said Director Terri Hobson. “There’ll be lots of caves, rocky hills and earth tones. And we actually have five girls who are being trees.”

Hundreds Take Part in Reston Walk MS

More than 1,600 individuals and 50 volunteers participated in Sunday’s Walk MS presented by Booz Allen Hamilton in Reston, benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s National Capital Chapter. Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras from ABC7-WJLA hosted the starting line program after participants warmed up with Zumba led by Nikki McNutt-Thiem from Full Out Fitness.

U.S. History Day at Keene Mill

History Day at Keene Mill

Keene Mill sixth graders celebrated their U.S. History Day engaged in several activities including: persuasive speeches, biography boxes and becoming a “living statue” by dressing as a person who was influential in early US history.

Helping Homeless ‘Close to Home’

Springfield man launches the 25th Project Charity Golf Classic to benefit homeless.

“On Christmas Eve, my church has a gift-wrapping party, and we’ll wrap whatever we have, from tents and sleeping bags to flannel shirts,” Herriott said. “As The 25th Project has grown, we have expanded our goals and now provide tents, batteries, sleeping bags, tarps and other life essentials.”

‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, RELAX!’ at Fairview Elementary Spring Family Night

Fairview Elementary School’s PTA in Fairfax Station is very excited about its first ever family recycling event being held Friday, May, 3 from 6-9 p.m. on the school’s blacktop behind the school.

Andreotta-Urben Engaged

Mr. and Mrs. Mark P. Andreotta of Clifton are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Ashley Marie to Andrew Paul Urben, son of LTC (Ret.) and Mrs. Edward A. Urben of Woodbridge, Va.

The Comeback Kid

Paralyzed after tragic accident, Nick Balenger throws out WSLL’s Opening Day pitch.

"You always get a special kick on Opening Day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen,” said baseball legend Joe DiMaggio.

Woodson High Celebrates ‘50 Years of Excellence’

Former students and faculty gather for an afternoon of performances, nostalgia and a dedication.

A brisk breeze and bright spring sunshine were nearly as prevalent as the pride and fond memories expressed by alumni and faculty commemorating the 50th anniversary of W.T. Woodson High School on Saturday, April 13.

Editorial: Value-added Evaluation?

TJ admissions illustrate growing gap between “haves” and “have-nots.”

More than 181,000 students attend Fairfax County Public Schools. So why do the 480 students who were accepted for next year’s freshman class at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology seem so important? Fairfax County Public Schools have a single elite magnet school, Thomas Jefferson, and TJ is frequently referred to as the top high school in the country. Dramatic disparity in the makeup of admissions at TJ is an indicator of disparity in early identification of students as gifted and talented, of access to advanced classes and enrichment, and in the basic education that the Fairfax County Public school system offers to all of its students.

Robinson Students Make the Cut for Caring

26 Acts of Kindness campaign continues.

April 1st marked the beginning of Robinson Secondary School’s “26 Acts of Kindness”—a tribute to the 26 children and adults who were killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting last December in Newtown, Conn. The Student Government Association (SGA) pulled out all the stops to make this “pay it forward” campaign a success, even providing t-shirts with space on the back for supporters to fill in each act of kindness performed, producing a promotional video that was uploaded to YouTube, and even establishing a Twitter site where do-gooders could post what good deeds they had done.

Letter: Thinking of History In Real Time

Letter writer Kiran Hampton asks if she is "the only one alarmed by the presence of high schools named after Confederate leaders?" ["Alarmed By School Names, Connection, April10-16, 2013]. In response, I would say, "Why yes, I believe she is."

Robinson Coach Rike Reaches 500 Wins

60-year-old has coached Rams girls’ soccer for 32 years.

Rike coached the Falls Church boys' soccer team for five years before taking over the Robinson girls' program.

Column: A False Sense of Security

Not that there’s anything wrong with that; in fact, as a four-year, stage IV, non-small-cell lung cancer survivor, it’s amazing to have any security, false or otherwise, whatsoever.

‘We Have Not Forgotten’

Residents rally in Vienna to support stricter gun control measures.

Less than six miles from the National Rifle Association (NRA) headquarters in Fairfax, more than 100 people gathered on the Vienna Town Green Saturday, April 13, to urge Congress to support stricter gun control measures.

West Springfield Woman at Boston Marathon Carried to Safety by NFL Champ Joe Andruzzi

Friends and family pray for the Wittich family.

The Wittich family of West Springfield was excited about attending the Boston Marathon, one of the historic city’s prominent annual civic pride events. On Saturday, April 13, Christine Wittich, a West Springfield High School student, posted several tweets about the upcoming trip. “Wittich invasion has commenced. Is Boston ready?” and “Yay for being that matching family,” with a photo of mom Julie and sisters in matching blue t-shirts. But after Monday’s bomb blasts transformed the Boston Marathon into a scene of chaos and terror, leaving three dead and more than 100 injured, Wittich’s tweets became more muted.

Editorial: Voting Again

Every year is election year in Virginia, and it’s a bit much.

The most hotly contested race for statewide office in Virginia, the Republican contest for lieutenant governor, will be decided at a statewide convention on May 18. That’s about a month from now.

Local Real Estate: February 2013 Top Sales

April 17 Well-being Festival Prevents Extinction of a People

GMU professor brings health to Maijuna indigenous people, whose population has dwindled to 400.

The Mason Center for Social Entrepreneurship and the Center for Consciousness and Transformation have partnered with Mason ethnobiologist Dr. Mike Gilmore and Mason students to bring clean drinking water as well as proper sanitation and hygiene to the Maijuna communities, an indigenous people in the Peruvian Amazon whose population has been reduced to the low number of 400 individuals. The Maijuna are dying due to dysentery and waterborne diseases contracted from contaminated drinking water.

Classified Advertising April 10, 2013

Read the lastest ads here!

Lake Braddock Baseball Getting Healthy

Bruins blast West Springfield as team bounces back from injuries.

The Lake Braddock baseball team is 8-2.

History, Up Close and Personal

West Springfield High School students interview veterans at World War II Memorial.

The heat is palpable and the buzz of tourists is mesmerizing but Courtney Simmons is focused on Carmel Whetzel’s account of his World War II experience. Whetzel is a veteran and Simmons, a current freshman at George Mason University and a West Springfield High School graduate, is interviewing him as part of “Capturing the Voices of World War II: A Student Interview Project.”

County to Complete Road Projects

Projects that came in under-budget free up $11.2 million.

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists received a bonus Tuesday, April 9, when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors reallocated $11.2 million in existing funds to complete more than 12 planned pedestrian and road improvement projects.

Animal Control Officer Nabs Elusive Shih Tzu

Officer’s dogged pursuit saves sly pup from life on the streets.

Just 13 pounds of matted fur and fluff, “Biscuit,” a sly shih tzu, evaded capture in the Franconia area for nearly two years, porch-surfing and stealing cats’ food to survive.

Police Receive Alarming Number of Tax Fraud Reports

As annual tax returns are being calculated and submitted in a last-minute furor across the country, Fairfax County Police have received an alarming report of 75 to 100 cases of tax identification fraud in recent weeks. Detectives are warning residents of the scam and urge them to take precautions to prevent being victimized.

Robinson Students Commit to 26 Acts of Kindness

The number 26 is in honor of the 20 students and six staffers killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

Even if only 10 percent of Robinson Secondary School’s almost four thousand students accept the Student Government Association (SGA)’s 26 Acts of Kindness Challenge during the month of April, that would still mean 10,400 random acts of kindness and courtesy added to the world. Not a bad achievement.

Burke Rotary, Library Foundation Partner to Provide Community Scholarships

Fairfax Library Foundation will be able to provide more scholarships to the community this year—thanks to the Rotary Club of Burke. The Burke Rotary, an affiliate of Rotary International since 1984, has contributed a $3,000 gift to fund additional undergraduate scholarships for the foundation’s scholarship program in 2013.

Theresa Marie Patchan “Terre” of Burke Dies

Theresa Marie Patchan “Terre” of Burke died Wednesday, April 3, unexpectedly at her home.

Column: Asked and Answered

I think about it enough, I don’t want to think about it too much. What’s “it?” Cancer.

A Family Home Evolves

Sun Design Remodeling helps a local engineer find the indoor/outdoor solution he dreamed of for 25 years.

Sun Design Remodeling sponsors tours of recently remodeled homes as well as workshops on home remodeling topics. Headquartered in Burke, the firm recently opened a second office in McLean. Call 703-425-5588 or visit www.SunDesignInc.com

Children ‘Dress Up With Grown-ups’

Medical Care for Children Partnerships funds medical, dental care for children of uninsured working families in Fairfax County.

“To me, children are the most beautiful creatures of God and there is nothing comparable to being able to give them a healthy and happy smile.” —Dr. Tehreem Butt, recipient of the Dr. Jorge Arnoldson Award

Classified Advertising April 3, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Robinson Boys’ Lax Beats Defending State Champ Langley

Sophomore Jasien leads Rams with three goals against Saxons.

Robinson boys' lacrosse coach Matt Curran doesn't want the Rams getting cocky after beating defending state champion Langley.

Housing Market: Strong, But Slowing

Sustained low interest rates and rising prices have energized the marketplace, but cuts to government expenditures will eventually cool things down.

A few weeks ago, George Mason University Professor Stephen Fuller, Ph.D, published an update of his July 17, 2012 report that projected imminent and hard-hitting economic effects from sequestration.

Letter: A Photo ID: Victory for Voters

The voters of Virginia won a great victory when Governor McDonnell signed SB 1256, which changes Virginia’s law to require a recent photo ID as the only acceptable identification for voting. Thus, a positive identification can now be made with a visual check to verify that the person coming to vote is actually who he claims to be.

Column: Paying More for Less

Poorer taxpayers are hit the hardest.

When it was first presented to the board, I described the county executive’s proposed FY 2014 budget as asking taxpayers to pay more for the same services, and asking county employees to work harder for the same pay. It’s clear that county taxpayers are hurt by this budget.

Hackathon to Promote Invention

24-hour computer science event to be held April 26-27.

The first time Mayank Jain heard of a hackathon was as a freshman at the University of Illinois. Having graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) in June 2012, a tournament such as this, where students collaborated and created software projects within a short window of time, was what he was looking for from the field of computer sciences.

Fairfax County’s Homeless Population Declines 12 Percent

Emphasis on rapid re-housing, prevention keys to success.

Despite economic obstacles and fallout from across-the-board sequester cuts, Fairfax County’s number of homeless individuals declined 12 percent decline in the past year, and 26 percent since 2007.