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Top Fitness Trends for 2015

Here are some low-cost and mobile routines.

The beginning of a new year is often a time when many resolve to begin a fitness plan or to ramp up their current routine. Officials at the American College of Sports Medicine rang in the New Year by releasing the organization’s annual survey of the top fitness trends for 2015.

Editorial: Happy New Year

Focused on community.

Happy New Year. We need your help in 2015. As local, weekly newspapers, the Connection’s mission is to deliver news readers need close to home, to help readers enjoy great local places and events, to advocate for community good, to call attention to unmet needs, to provide a forum for dialogue on local concerns, and to celebrate and record milestones and events in community and people’s lives.

Was Downtown Traffic Switch Successful?

City Council hears results of professional study.

To create a more pedestrian-friendly downtown area, in August 2006, the City of Fairfax reconfigured Main and North Streets from one-way to two-way. Now, though, the City Council wants to know whether it was a good decision or if it’s been detrimental to the Old Town area.

Important Issues Facing the City of Fairfax

For its first issue of 2015, the Connection asked various local leaders what are the most significant issues and/or events facing the City of Fairfax in the coming year.

Answering the Call to Action

Catholic Church of the Nativity in Burke helps Haitians.

Sixteen years ago Father Martin, the pastor of the Catholic Church of the Nativity in Burke, asked hypothetically, “How much money could be raised if each parishioner donated a small amount each week of Lent?”

Ushering in the New Year in Alexandria

First Night fireworks light up Alexandria.

Fireworks lit up the sky over the Potomac River to usher in 2015 as part of the 20th anniversary of First Night Alexandria.

Alexandria Civil Rights Pioneer Ferdinand Day Dies

The force behind the philosophy of “Every Student Counts.”

When Ferdinand Day was born in 1918, Virginia had just passed its first compulsory school attendance law for children ages 8-12. But with legalized segregation, funding for the education of African American students was sorely limited, with only four black public high schools in the entire state. It would take decades before one existed in Alexandria.

Secret Santas in Alexandria

Departmental Progressive Club collects toys for Jefferson-Houston families

Members of the Departmental Progressive Club stopped by Jefferson-Houston Elementary School Dec. 15 to deliver more than 100 toys for students in need. “We are so thankful for what the Departmental Progressive Club has done,” said Jefferson-Houston principal Chris Phillips. “Each toy here means one more kid will wake up happy.”

Bollywood Bistro Finds Home in Great Falls

Restaurant adds spice to shopping center.

Great Falls loves lamb - at least according to Bollywood Bistro owner Pankaj Sharma. The restaurant has been open for two months and already has regular clientele, he said.

New Schools, Boundary Changes Possible

Proposed Capital Improvement Plan focuses on rising enrollment.

Several new schools may be added to the Fairfax County Public Schools system in the next decade. The School Board listened to an annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) presentation by Assistant Superintendent Jeffrey Platenberg on Dec. 18, 2014, describing the need for four more elementary schools and one high school to meet the demands of rapidly rising enrollment.

McLean in 2015: A Lot to Look Forward To

Expect renovations, downtown development in McLean.

McLean has a lot to look forward to. Literally. Between the looming pedestrian improvements and downtown development, in addition to the yearly battle for their share of the county budget, McLean leaders will be busy this year.

Looking Forward: Great Falls 2015

Plans to work with county on Route 7, curatorship program.

Great Falls has a lot to look forward to this year. Community leaders said the biggest topics the village will discuss this year include deer management, the Route 7 expansion and possible Independence Day fireworks.

A Year Ahead: Herndon in 2015

Taking new downtown off paper and into reality.

This year will be all about creating a Metro-friendly downtown. While the town council focused on policies that will make the historic area more business friendly, 2015 will take them off paper and into reality.

Looking Forward: Reston 2015

Village Center updates planned.

After an eventful year, Reston may see their ideas become resolutions on paper. Community leaders are looking forward to new village center plans, the beginnings of a new Lake Anne Village Center and a new district government center this year.

Chanukah Celebrated At Downtown Herndon

Chabad of Reston-Herndon holds community celebration.

The Sunday evening of Dec. 21 members of the community assembled at the Herndon Town Square to celebrate Chanukah with the Chabad of Reston-Herndon. The event was open to the public and more than 35 persons came to attend.

Christmas Cheer Shared At Herndon Police Station

HPD, Herndon FOP and community provide children with presents.

”I think this is a great example of what communities do, we help each other out,” said Town of Herndon Vice Mayor Jennifer K. Baker. Baker was at Herndon Police Department on Saturday, Dec. 20 for the annual Cops & Kids outreach event.

Route 1 Transit Study, Jeff Todd Way, Wegmans among top events and developments in Mount Vernon 2014-2015.

It may take the better part of 35 years, but the Route 1 corridor is in the process of receiving transit updates that include bus rapid transit and light rail. Fall 2014 saw the completion of a study by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) which was passed on to the Board of Supervisors by the Executive Steering Committee: “All the leaders agreed on a vision that affects everything, schools, housing, quality of life, environment, everything.”

Adults Find Homes Through Grants to New Hope Housing in Mount Vernon

Thanks to a pair of federal grants, the Mount Vernon-based nonprofit New Hope Housing (NHH) can do one better than providing temporary shelter to chronically homeless adults. The grants, from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, give NHH the opportunity to lease several Fairfax County and City of Alexandria apartments for up to 15 individuals.

Springfield Town Center, Jeff Todd Way, Wegmans among top events and developments.

A crowd of eager shoppers gathered Oct. 17, 2014, for the grand opening of the Springfield Town Center, a completely revitalized version of the long dilapidated Springfield Mall.

Glancing Back to 2014, Looking Forward to 2015: Springfield Town Center, World Police and Fire Games, Occoquan