Stories for January 2016

Snowstorm Q&A: Westfield’s Karl Practiced on Turf in Basement

Snowstorm Q&A with Westfield field hockey player Mackenzie Karl.

FCPS Award Nominations Sought

The nomination deadline is Feb. 3.

Centreville Snapshot: Annual Holiday Program

The children of Clifton Children’s Academy performed their annual Holiday Program for parents Dec. 15, at the Sully Government Center. The preschool students created holiday art projects to decorate the center. Clifton Children’s Academy, started in 1997, serves families in the Clifton, Chantilly and Centreville areas. Pictured is the Panda Class, with teacher Natalia Malley and Program Director / teacher Vanessa Kott, students from left are Charles Kurzinger, Lexi van de Graaff, Julia Young, Taylor Hoffman, Arjun Sinha, Penelope Pappas, Cristiano Marquez and Charleigh Kinnie.

Centreville Snapshot: Cadet of the Month

Sophomore Jonathan Sison (left) of Centreville accepts the December 2015 Cadet of the Month award from Marine Military Academy Superintendent Col. R. Glenn Hill.

Centreville Snapshot: NOVEC Reports Few Outages

The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative has had relatively few power outages on Jan. 23 despite significant winds and two feet of snow that have turned the Mid-Atlantic states white. Line and tree crews responded to power-outage reports since Saturday morning when Blizzard Jonas intensified in Northern Virginia.

Fairfax County Snapshot: Pajama Donations

On Dec. 17, preschool and elementary school students from eight Chesterbrook Academy locations in Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax and Herndon joined together at Chesterbrook Academy Kids Campus in Chantilly to sort toy and pajama donations they collected and pack them up for delivery. The toys were donated to children in the Northern Virginia area through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The 117 sets of pajamas collected were donated to the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter in Fairfax, which assists families experiencing homelessness.

Chantilly: Cookie-Fueled Success

Latin students of St. Veronica School in Chantilly saw cookies as the secrets to their success on the Certamen circuit.

Chantilly Snapshot: ‘Jack and Jill and the Beanstalk’

Take two popular fairytales, add a couple gigantic puppets and mix well, and the result is Chantilly High's upcoming children's show, “Jack and Jill and the Beanstalk.”

Centreville Resident: ‘I’ve Got a Golden Ticket’

“American Idol” sends Westfield’s Sara Sturm to Hollywood.

It’s too early to know whether Centreville resident Sara Sturm will be the next American Idol; but at least, she has a chance. That’s because, after auditioning on the singing-competition show that aired Jan. 13 on national TV, she received a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Editorial: ‘Disappointing, Not Surprising’

Bills to rein in predatory lending die in Senate committee.

Have you ever paid 36 percent interest on a loan or credit card?

Positive 2015 Real Estate Market Spurs Upbeat Outlook for New Year

Experts predict continuing positive trend.

The final figures are in, and it looks like the 2015 local housing market was a modest winner.

Building for the Future

School Board approves five-year $777 million Capital Improvement Plan.

While the rest of Fairfax County hunkered down in preparation for Winter Storm Jonas’ Friday arrival, members of the School Board held their business meeting as scheduled on Jan. 21 and approved a five-year Capital Improvement Plan requiring $777 million.

McAuliffe Visits Fairfax County Post-Blizzard

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) visited the Fairfax County Emergency Operations Center on Sunday, Jan. 24, following the worst of Winter Storm Jonas to be updated on the state of the county in the blizzard’s wake.

Fairfax County Suspends Trash Collection for Blizzard Week

Fairfax County announced on its Emergency Information website Saturday night, Jan. 23, during Winter Storm Jonas that trash and recycling collection services would be suspended for the week of Jan. 25-30.

Classified Advertising January 27, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Centreville/Chantilly: Honoring Veterans

Boy Scout Troop 1995, Venture Crew 5 and Girl Scout Troop 2878 from the Chantilly/Centreville area headed out to Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery in Maryland on Dec. 12 to participate in the Wreaths Across America (WAA) Event.

Fairfax County Braces for Epic Winter Storm Jonas

Chairman Bulova says VDOT was unprepared for Wednesday night, encourages residents to stay off roads during storm.

With Winter Storm Jonas looming and expected to begin Friday afternoon, a much milder dusting of snow the previous Wednesday night caught commuters and transportation workers off-guard. Treacherous, slick roads resulted in numerous accidents and forcing drivers into gridlock around Fairfax County.

Brain Injury Services in Springfield gets survivors back into the community

In one moment, Kim Daily’s life changed forever. It was September 2011 and the Centreville resident was in a car accident where she hit her head. Afterwards she experienced some numbness and pain in her neck.

Chantilly Home Sales: December, 2015

In December, 2015, 17 homes sold between $945,000-$150,000 in the Chantilly area.

Chantilly Home Sales: December, 2015

Centreville Home Sales: December, 2015

In December, 2015, 76 Centreville homes sold between $1,089,809-$170,000.

Centreville Home Sales: December, 2015

Column: Update on Transportation Projects

Commentary

We have been making progress on a number of transportation projects in Northern Virginia. A partial list of key transportation projects in our area is provided below. A complete list of transportation projects can be found at: http://virginiaroads.org/. Real-time snow plowing progress may also be monitored at this website during snowy weather.

Centreville Snapshot: United in Song

Centreville Pyramid Choir encompasses Union Mill, Centreville, Centre Ridge and Colin Powell elementary schools, Liberty Middle School and Centreville High School.

Centreville Snapshot: DAR Donation

Recently, the Centreville-based Lane's Mill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, planted a Flame Maple tree at Ormond Stone Middle School. Present for the tree planting were: Principal Amielia Mitchell, Assistant Principal Christine Sciabica, several students, and members of the chapter.

Police Seek Identities of Suspects

Fairfax County Police are seeking a man and two women suspected in a theft at the Toys R Us store in the 13000 block of Fair Lakes Shopping Center on Saturday, Dec. 19, at around 9 p.m.

Chantilly: Fairytales, Puppets and Laughter for Everyone

Chantilly High presents “Jack and Jill and the Beanstalk.”

Take two popular fairytales, add a couple gigantic puppets and mix well inside the mind of Chantilly High Theater Director Ed Monk, and the result is the school’s upcoming children’s play.

Victor Not Victim

Leading by example.

A tall, striking figure in red, Nyrisha Beckman stands in front of a room of recent Fairfax County high school graduates; not as a cautionary tale, but rather a true inspiration.

Commentary: Transportation Improvements Will Bolster Economy

Northern Virginia Business Transportation Coalition 2016 policy statement.

We, the undersigned Northern Virginia organizations representing the vast majority of businesses and employees of Northern Virginia’s private sector and nonprofit workforce, believe that a strong, efficient regional transportation network is essential to our region’s future economic competitiveness, security, and quality of life. W

Editorial: Pay Attention

General Assembly action matters more in Virginia.

The Virginia General Assembly began its 60-day 2016 session on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

Calls to Widen American Legion Bridge

Each weekday, nearly 300,000 vehicles cross the American Legion Bridge, and each day traffic backs up into McLean, Great Falls and beyond.

Coyotes on the Rise in Fairfax County

Police advise precautions

Over the last several months, Fairfax County Police said wildlife officials have received an increasing number of calls about the presence of coyotes in the area.

Clougherty's Late Free Throws Push Chantilly Past Herndon

Chargers junior finishes with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The Chantilly girls' basketball team defeated Herndon 50-48 on Monday.

Classified Advertising January 13, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Centreville Snapshot: 10-Mile Hike at the Battlefield of Antietam

After a five year hiatus, Troop 30 of Centreville returned to the Battlefield of Antietam for a history-filled campout before the holidays.

Chantilly Brief: Free Gardening Seminars

Merrifield Garden Center's free seminars on gardening, landscaping and decorating begin on Jan. 16. The following sessions will be held at its Fair Oaks location at 12101 Lee Highway. The "Just For Kids" session on Feb. 13 is the only one that requires registration; see https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/whats-happening/2016-winter-spring-seminar-schedule/ .

New Sully Supervisor Chooses Her Team

Board of Supervisors has final say on Kathy Smith’s nominees.

New Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith (D) has been busy choosing her team to assist her in issues regarding Sully. At press time on Tuesday, Jan. 12, she planned to announce her nominees to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which has the final say on their approval.

‘I’ve Loved What I’ve Been Doing’

Michael Frey reflects on his 24 years as Sully supervisor.

Fairfax County budget shortfalls? Ribbon-cuttings to attend? Meetings between eager developers and angry residents? No longer Michael Frey’s personal problems. That’s because — for the first time in nearly four decades — his time is finally his own.

Pet Photos for the Pet Connection

The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on Feb. 24, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by Feb. 17.

Editorial: Budget Season Trainwreck?

County looks at “lines of business,” schools call for full funding.

Karen Garza didn’t move to Fairfax County from Texas to preside over the decline of Fairfax County Public Schools.

Design Trends for 2016

Local style gurus predict the elements that will be popular this year.

The start of the year offers an opportunity to ring in new trends, particularly when it comes to a home’s interior.

Color of the Year

Pantone honor bestowed on two colors for 2016

Two colors, Serenity (light blue) and Rose Quartz (pale pink), were recently named the Pantone Color of the Year selection for 2016.

Above a Cut

FCPS Superintendent Garza calls for no additional cuts in $2.67 billion FY 2017 budget

For Fiscal Year 2015, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza oversaw $96.5 million in cuts made from the school system’s annual operating budget. For FY 2016, it was $55.4 million, she said.

Residents List Priorities for General Assembly

Residents tell legislators of priorities ahead of the 60-day session of the General Assembly.

Barbara Quesada, parent of a Franklin Sherman Elementary School student, reminded the General Assembly delegation from Fairfax that Nova Firearms opened its new store right next to the McLean elementary school.

Chantilly Home Sales: November, 2015

In November, 2015, 13 homes sold between $720,000-$171,000 in the Chantilly area.

Chantilly Home Sales: November, 2015

Centreville Home Sales: November, 2015

In November, 2015, 61 Centreville homes sold between $845,000-$155,000.

Centreville Home Sales: November, 2015

Remodeled Home Tour Set for Jan. 9, 2016

After multiple attempts, cramped split-level grows to generously-sized neoclassical design.

A circa 1960s split-level enhanced by a 300-square-foot addition, a reconfigured main level floor plan and a seamlessly remade front elevation will be featured in a “Remodeled Home Tour” sponsored by Sun Design Remodeling on Saturday, Jan. 9.

Centreville Letter: A Goal for the New Year

Letter to the Editor

Looking around my neighborhood, I see houses are all covered in pretty lights and everyone's Christmas tree has been displayed.

Centreville/Chantilly: Looking into the Future

Homes, stores, restaurants and a roundabout.

With the downturn in the office market, developers are instead planning to build residential and commercial uses on vacant parcels of land in the Westfields area of Chantilly. Below are details about what’s on the horizon, including plans for a memory-care facility off of Route 50 west.

Christmas Comes to Hanley Shelter

Christmas came early at the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter, courtesy of the third annual Gift of Giving event.

Commentary: A Workable Solution for I-66

There was a great deal of concern about “$17 tolls” inside the beltway on I-66 during the recent election. I shared those concerns as I did not want to set a precedent of tolling a road that we were not adding infrastructure to.

Editorial: New Year’s Goals

A few wishes for the Virginia General Assembly, more coming ...

Issues and elections in 2016.

Mason, Inova to Collaborate on Personalized Medicine Research

Partnership expected to develop treatments, grow economy.

Researchers and doctors from George Mason University and Inova Health System will collaborate on a series of personalized medicine research projects under a new partnership between the two institutions.