Stories for September 2015

Editorial: Changing Perspective on Death Penalty

Evolving standards will eclipse the death penalty entirely at some point in the future.

It’s sad to see senseless death as a response to senseless death. Alfred R. Prieto is not a sympathetic figure, a serial killer who was on death row in California when DNA connected him to murders and rapes in Reston and Arlington that took place in 1988. He is scheduled for execution this week, at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Burke: Lake Braddock Defense Holds Off West Potomac

Bruins QB Edwards scores go-ahead touchdown on fourth-down run.

The Lake Braddock football team defeated West Potomac 24-21 Friday.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 25-Oct. 4, 2015

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Fairfax Station and Clifton: Whitehall Farms Begins Fall Festival

In July, Jeff Waters’ three-acre corn maze was just a figment of his imagination. The stubby stalks were behind schedule but he never lost hope they would make it in time. When Whitehall Farms, LLC -- over 200 acres bordering on the Clifton, Fairfax Station and Fairfax areas -- opened its first annual Fall Fun Days festival on Sept. 19, the corn was plenty high to get lost in.

Burke: Law Enforcement Raising Awareness of Train Track Safety

Adil Gour has been crossing the Virginia Railway Express tracks in Burke for three years. “It’s convenient for me, instead of going all the way around,” Gour said. All the way around in this case means taking Guinea Road to Roberts Road and south.

Burke Home Sales: August, 2015

In August, 2015, 63 Burke homes sold between $920,000-$123,000.

Burke Home Sales: August, 2015

Fairfax County NAACP hosts 70th Freedom Fund Awards

‘Your Vote, Your Power’

J.E.B. Stuart High School seniors Anna Rowan, Cassie Marcotty, Marley Finley, Abby Conde and Lidia Amanuel were bothered by the Confederate legacy of their school. Inspired by a history class with teacher Keith Bropst on the Massive Resistance anti-segregation policy, the girls set out to change Stuart’s name, mascot and colors.

Fairfax NAACP To Host Rally Seeking ‘Justice for Natasha McKenna’

Fairfax County NCAAP president Shirley Ginwright announced a rally will be held Sept. 27 to demand justice for Natasha McKenna, a 37-year-old woman with mental illness who died in February after she had been held in the Adult Detention Center.

'Orpheus in the Underworld' Plays at GMU's Center for the Arts

Have no fears of flying off into Offenbach’s delicious musical parody of the legend of Orpheus pursuing his wife Eurydice into the Underworld.

Column: Treatment Denied Syndrome

Natasha McKenna’s blood is on all of our hands.

Natasha McKenna did not die from excited delirium. She died from Treatment Denied Syndrome.*

Burke: Lake Braddock Football Holds Off Robinson Rally

Bruins build 21-0 halftime lead, improve to 3-0.

The Lake Braddock football team defeated Robinson 21-14 on Friday.

Ending Bullying

Back to School: Local educators offer advice for parents on how to deal with bullying as school resumes.

When Carol Baker cried, no one heard her. She and a classmate were alone in the girls locker room, and as Baker, then an eighth grade student, tried to leave, her classmate grabbed her gym shirt and pushed her into a locker. They weren’t fighting over anything in particular and Baker didn’t sustain any physical injuries.

Help for Long-Term Caregivers

AARP Virginia and the Organization of Chinese American Women will sponsor event next week.

Those embarking on a long-term caregiving journey will have an opportunity to receive support and learn about the services available to them in Northern Virginia. AARP Virginia and the Organization of Chinese American Women will sponsor an event called, “Caregiving Wisdom from an Ancient Sage,” on Sept. 22, 7 p.m., at the Shirlington Library in Arlington and again on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7.p.m., at the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 18-27

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Burke: Used Book Sale to Benefit Cambodian Students

Teenager Melissa Toler, of Burke, is trying to give new life to old books and new hope to young students in Cambodia. Toler, a freshman at Robinson Secondary School, has organized a book sale to satisfy requirements for the Girl Scouts Silver Award, but the greater goal of the event is helping aspiring Cambodian scholars who are still struggling in the wake of the country’s mid-1970s genocide.

Burke-Based Author and Professor Launches First Book

When Burke resident and George Mason University English professor Art Taylor set out to enter The Washington Post short story cover contest, he never expected it would lead to his first book.

Fairfax County: ‘Reports and Tears Are Not Enough’

Protesters demonstrate for Natasha McKenna, social justice and improved mental health services at ad hoc police review commission public hearing.

Cayce Utley of Centreville said Natasha McKenna, the 37-year-old African American woman with mental illness who died in the Sheriff’s Office custody in February, must be “more than just a mistake, more than an accident. Black women aren’t your ‘Oops,’ they aren’t your teachable moments.”

Fairfax County School Board Reflects on First Day of Later Start Times

James Madison High School senior Ben Press provided firsthand testimony for the positive effect of new later start times for Fairfax County high school students. “Your investment in our health paid off, as can be seen in the better-rested faces of thousands of high school students across the county,” said Press, addressing the Fairfax County School Board in his new role as student representative at their Sept. 10 meeting.

Elected Officials Discuss Ways to Support Fairfax County’s Residents in Need

“We can’t do enough to spread the word that in the midst of affluent Fairfax County there is another, ‘hidden Fairfax’ that needs our urgent attention.” T

Huge Turnout at Burke Centre Festival

Because of the heavy rains on Saturday, the 38th Annual Burke Centre Festival had a huge turnout on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Burke Church Hosts Oktoberfest

About 50 people took part in the sixth-annual Oktoberfest Volksmarch despite the pouring rain on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke.

Column: Helping Create Safe School Environment

Back to school month is a great time to talk with children about important issues that develop during a typical school year.

Fairfax County: More Open Space

Survey about parks shows more households using the parks, lower satisfaction.

Fairfax County residents say preservation of open space is the most important service that the Park Authority can provide.

NOVA’s New President Celebrates First Week in New Role

Dr. Scott Ralls officially took the helm, on Sept. 8, as the fifth president of Northern Virginia Community College. Ralls joins one of the largest community colleges in the nation after seven years as president of the 58-campus North Carolina Community College System.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 11-20

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Chantilly's Recto Tallies 21 Kills in Victory over Lake Braddock

Chargers improve to 4-0 with win over Bruins.

The Chantilly volleyball team defeated Lake Braddock 3-1 on Thursday.

Burke and Fairfax: Robinson Students Welcomed Back

New and returning students at Robinson Secondary School were welcomed on the first day with a corridor of cheerleaders, blaring music and an inflated ram tunnel leading to the front doors. And the smiling face of their principal, Matthew Eline, who joined the cheerleaders and held a sign saying “May I help you?”

Fairfax County: Garza Tours on the First Day of School

Though she visited several schools on the first day of the new year, Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent only received one welcome banner. That was from the articulate student leaders at Mantua Elementary School, who told her “sense of community” and “great teachers who encourage creativity” were among their favorite things about the school.

Mount Vernon: No Criminal Charges In McKenna Death

Tasers did not directly cause Natasha McKenna’s death, nor are any of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office deputies involved with the case being charged with a crime. Those are the positions announced Tuesday, Sept. 8 by Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh.

Fairfax: 'ARTS by George!' Gala Features Broadway Superstar Bernadette Peters

“There is nothing like it anywhere else in the region,” said Rick Davis, dean, George Mason University, College of Visual and Performing Arts describing the upcoming ARTS by George! Gala evening.

Burke: Technology Welcomes Back Students

Nativity Catholic School focuses on advanced technology and innovation.

Located just off Old Keene Mill Road, Nativity Catholic School has been recognized as the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence since 2008.

‘Remodeled Home Tour’

A 3,700-square-foot, four-bedroom center hall Colonial renovated in phases over nearly two decades will be featured in a “Remodeled Home Tour” sponsored by Sun Design Remodeling.

Thinking of Downsizing?

Free seminar will focus on moving to a smaller place without sacrificing style.

Homeowners considering a move from a large home to a smaller dwelling will have an opportunity to receive expert advice on their transition later this month.

Editorial: Focusing on Suicide Prevention

Help is a phone call away.

This week is Suicide Prevention Week. Preventing suicide means paying attention to mental health and treating depression, and there is no better time to focus on that than the first week of school.

Muskett Leads West Springfield to Season-Opening Win Over Robinson

Junior quarterback throws four touchdown passes, rushes for one.

West Springfield defeated Robinson 35-28 on Friday.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 4-13

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

West Springfield Winning with Team-Oriented Approach

Spartans beat Robinson at Blast ALS tournament.

After a rough start to the second day of the Blast ALS field hockey tournament at Lake Braddock Secondary School, West Springfield increased its defensive effort and showed what can happen when the Spartans are on the same page.

Burke: Robinson Finds Early Success Despite Inexperienced Defense

Rams go 2-1-1 during Lake Braddock tournament.

The Robinson field hockey team went 2-1-1 during the Blast ALS tournament.

Lake Braddock Finishes Strong at Blast ALS Tournament

The Lake Braddock field hockey team is off to a 2-3-1 start.

Workplace Fitness

Employer-based health and wellness programs are good for business.

It’s Wednesday afternoon and a cohort of George Mason University staff, students and faculty hit the pavement. Clad in attire ranging from running shorts and brightly colored sneakers to neutral walking shoes and business suits, the group takes part in “Who’s Walking Wednesdays,” part of an initiative to get moving for health and wellness.

Suffragist Memorial in Lorton Will be a ‘Site of Conscience’

Film brings to light torture, abuse suffragists suffered at Occoquan Workhouse.

The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Association held a viewing of the 2004 film “Iron Jawed Angels” directed by Katja von Garnier on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Gunston Hall in Lorton. The 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote was ratified on this day 95 years ago in 1920. The date is designated as Women’s Equality Day.

Fairfax: 'Fall for the Book Festival' Returns Sept. 27-Oct. 3.

Book-lovers rejoice; the local treasure “Fall for the Book” is arriving for a week-long stay. This year’s celebration will feature over 150 authors representing a wide-gamut of genres.

Burke: Bruin Blast, Kick-off Picnic and More

Lake Braddock Secondary School is ready for the new beginning.

Administrative staff, faculty and students at Lake Braddock Secondary School – home for the Bruins - started returning, as the first day of school is right around the corner.

Lorton: Capital Area Food Bank Hosts Inaugural Northern Virginia Hunger Action Expo

The numbers tell the story. Over 217,000 people across Northern Virginia are at risk of hunger, including 62,000 children under the age of 18, according to the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB).

Editorial: How to Vote; It Matters

Voting begins in two weeks, Sept. 18.

Election Day is Nov. 3, and on that day, virtually every state and local office is on the ballot. In-person absentee voting begins Sept. 18, barely two weeks from now.

Fairfax County: Historic Sites - Resident Curators?

In exchange for rehabilitating the property, the curator gains use of the property and pays no rent.

The Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation in January 2011 to ensure that local jurisdictions establish a Resident Curator Project.