Stories for July 2011

Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) could not be happier about the destruction going on all around him. And he’s willing to share some responsibility for it. “Just look at all this,” he said, pointing to a large crane dropping debris into a dumpster on Friday, July 8. “It’s a major step forward.”

Family Tells ‘Roller Coaster’ Story

Springfield family testifies before White House against Medicaid cuts

ike most new parents, Carrin and Mitchell Brandt of Springfield were thrilled and exhausted after the birth of their first daughter in 2001. Born on May 19, Bailey was a healthy and happy infant. “She cried a lot, but infants cry, and she was developing typically,” Carrin Brandt said.

Woman Sexually Assaulted Seeking Job at Employment Agency

Police launch effort to reach more victims of similar assaults.

A 41-year-old Falls Church woman was allegedly locked in a room, forced to watch pornography and repeatedly sexually assaulted at the World Employment Agency in Annandale on Tuesday, July 7.

Vision on Display

Many Greenspring residents know Verna Finley as the costume designer for the Greengspring Players’ recent musical production of “My Fair Lady.” But what most people don’t know is that costume design is just one of Finley’s talents. Finley, who is 90 and largely confined to a wheelchair, gained fame in the 1950s as one of the first and finest foam puppet makers in the world.

Yes, We Need Medicaid Reform…

Block Grants are Not the Answer

A young man sits in a crowded waiting room. He is a wheel chair user, his hair is cut close to his head and his body is angular, arms bent in ways that most people would find uncomfortable. He wears head gear that looks like something from a sci-fi movie; it is a band that wraps around his head with a stick of some kind protruding off the front of his forehead.

A Runner’s Life

Karen Dickerson to run half marathon at Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Every Tuesday evening, Karen Dickerson meets at her former high school to run with a group called DC Capital Striders. Every Saturday morning, she meets at the Iwo Jima Memorial to run with a group called DC Road Runners, where she runs approximately 14 miles.

Knitting 530 Blankets

Greenspring resident Janie Hermon earns Meritorious Service Award from the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

In May, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society recognized Greenspring resident Janie Hermon for her outstanding service to the society, as she logged 17,000 volunteer hours from February 2000 to May 2011.

From Hollywood to Springfield

Rev. Peter Ackerman is new rector at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.

In May, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Springfield welcomed a new permanent rector, Rev. Peter Ackerman. Ackerman was previously assistant rector at Immanuel Church on the Hill, where he served under Margaret Ann Faeth for many years.

Area Students Receive Young Women Awards

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) recently awarded its highest honor for young women, a Personal Progress Medallion, to four local high school students.

Local Novelist Brings a Monster to Life

Matthew Warner launches a new book.

When imagining the author of a horror novel, a dark and sinister man might come to mind. However, Northern Virginia novelist Matthew Warner is quite the opposite.

A Historic Family Rediscovered

Gooding Tavern marker dedicated on Little River Turnpike.

Kathie Gunther, a researcher with the Fairfax County Public Library’s Virginia Room, often receives inquiries about Civil War history. But when she received a call in 2008 from a descendant of the man who shot Confederate Major John S. Mosby, she had no idea it would unearth a treasure trove of history about another historic Virginia family: the Goodings.

Electric Cars Get Jump-Start with New Law

Legislation removes regulations to make electric vehicles a reality for families.

On Tuesday, July 12, Gov. Robert McDonnell (R) held a ceremonial signing of Del. David Bulova’s (D-37) House Bill 2105, a bi-partisan effort which removes barriers to clean-fuel technology and encourage electric vehicle charging stations.

Star-Spangled Tea

Burke Historic Society hosts patriotic tea for special guests.

Members of the Burke Historical Society hosted a patriotic tea for residents of the Heatherwood Retirement Community in Burke on Thursday, June 23.

Want To Be Invited Back Next Summer?

Common sense, politeness prevail in host-houseguest relationship.

Living close to one of the nation’s Top 10 tourist destinations — Washington, D.C., not Tysons Corner — means Northern Virginians will probably be asked to host house guests this summer. Some don’t relish the idea. Others, who know better, have some qualms.

Comedy Play at Robinson

Ovation! Presents ‘The Government Inspector.’

Nikolai Gogol’s play, “The Government Inspector,” may not be as well-known as some other productions but, according to the actors performing it at Robinson Secondary School, it’s flat-out hilarious.