"how to keep one's financial affairs in order"

Denim Do-gooders Help Put Zip on Homelessness

Deltek hosts “challenge breakfast” to turn $5 into $25,000.

Casual Friday got a twist on Friday, Oct. 18, as thousands of employees throughout Fairfax County became denim do-gooders by throwing on a pair of jeans to help prevent and end homelessness. Deltek, Inc., the Herndon-based global software and information solutions company, kicked off the third annual Jeans Day in Fairfax County by hosting a fundraising breakfast. The company, founded in 1983 by Don deLaski and his son Kenneth, hosted one of the first Jeans Day events in Fairfax County. “We were excited to see Deltek host this challenge breakfast that welcomed businesses, nonprofits and other community leaders interested in helping to make jeans day a huge success this year,” said Dean Klein, director of Fairfax County’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH). “Even though we continue to have great support from longtime supporters, we also saw so much energy and enthusiasm from new partners.”

Frying Pan Farm Park Hosts Farm Harvest Days

The evening Halloween wagon rides on Oct. 26-27 and Nov. 2-3.

Fall brought busy days to Herndon’s Frying Pan Park in October. Carnival rides through Cole Amusement Company, Inc. were at the park from Oct. 17 to Oct. 20. “It is through patrons support of our carnival that allowed us to have free activities on the weekend,” said Yvonne Johnson, park manager. “It is great to be able to offer so many free activities to our visitors.”

Difficult Choices for Schools

New superintendent says School Board needs to brace for $100 million worth of cuts.

Should class sizes be increased? Should school employees be laid off? Should students have to pay to take Advanced Placement and International Baccalauresate tests? These are some of the difficult choices before members of the Fairfax County School Board for fiscal year 2015. This week, Superintendent Karen Garza laid out about 50 potential spending items that could be on the chopping block. School officials need to close a $140 million shortfall. That means even if the Board of Supervisors and the General Assembly kick in more money, School Board members are going to need to make significant cuts. "I think it's still yet to be determined what that number is, although we know it's going to be extraordinarily high," Garza told School Board members during a work session Monday. "I think it's going to be at least $100 million." Garza, who joined the school system over the summer, was quick to point out that she was not making any recommendations. She described the list as "menu items" that School Board members could order to balance the books.

Pumpkin Carving Ideas

Local experts offer their best tips for creating your jack-o-lantern.

Whether your goal is to carve and decorate the best pumpkin on the block or simply use this fall gourd for Halloween inspiration, local culinary experts offer pumpkin ideas that will keep the season festive. Before embarking on a pumpkin carving project, take a look at the condition of your knives. “Generally speaking, a dull knife is a dangerous knife,” said Christine Wisnewski, a culinary instructor at Culinaria Cooking School in Vienna. “And a pumpkin, because of its size and shape, can be a challenge, even if you have good knife skills. If you use a knife, make sure it is sharp and work slowly.” Wisnewski generally advises eschewing chef’s knives for a pumpkin carving kit, usually found in supermarkets and craft stores. “The cutting tools may look less impressive than your best kitchen knife, but they do work well,” she said. “The small blades are deeply serrated and make quick work getting through dense pumpkin flesh.” Pumpkin carving kits are also a solution to the safety issue. “If the kids do want to carve, no one’s fingers are at risk with these little carving tools,” she said. “Our family has managed to get many years of use out of the tools that came with our first kits.”

Vote Boysko for Delegate

To the Editor: It is time to take back Virginia from the Republican extremists in the House of Delegates. One way we can do that is to vote for Jennifer Boysko for House of Delegates in the 86th District.

Week in Vienna

The Town of Vienna has earned “Silver Certification” in the Virginia Municipal League’s 2013 Green Government Challenge, a friendly competition among local governments to encourage reduction of carbon emissions. Awards were presented Oct. 14, at the annual VML conference in Arlington.

Marymount Gears Up for 19th Annual Halloweenfest

University offers safe and festive Halloween celebration for disadvantaged children.

Local college students are working to ensure that some underserved area school children have a festive Halloween this year. Students at Marymount University, in Arlington, are turning their resident halls into themed wonderlands that run the gamut from Disney princesses to superheroes. The celebration is part of Marymount’s 19th annual Halloweenfest, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 25, 3:30-7 p.m. “Each year, Marymount University opens its doors to disadvantaged children in the area to provide a safe and fun place to celebrate Halloween,” said Ashley Wells, community outreach coordinator at the school’s Office of Campus Ministry. During Halloweenfest, children receive free Halloween costumes and take tours through the resident halls where they trick or treat for candy donated by students, faculty, staff and community members. After trick or treating, they spend time participating in activities on the basketball court of the university’s Rose Benté Lee Center. “The gym is completely decorated and children have a blast as they visit over 35 tables with different activities … like face painting, crafts and games,” said Wells. “A dinner … is provided for each guest.”

Officers in Pink Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Residents and motorists in Fairfax County may notice hot pink collars peeking out of the top of the official uniform as officers respond to calls for service for the next two weeks. For the first time, officers are sanctioned to wear the T-shirts that read “Arrest Breast Cancer; Unlock the Cure” between Oct. 18-31. Hundreds of Police Department employees purchased the shirts at $15 each, with proceeds being donated to local cancer charities. The pink T-shirt campaign is being supported by the Fairfax County Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 77 and donations from Tysons Corner Center and Blue Line Motors of Warrenton.

Something's Missing

To the Editor: Here we were in election season again, but something seemed to be missing. Then it occurred to me: Where were all the campaign signs that usually pollute the median strips of our busy streets, distracting drivers and inconveniencing the crews charged with mowing and maintaining these areas? In past years, candidates often became engaged in arms races that resulted in hundreds of signs being plastered on every open space available. I inquired with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and learned that the county has new authority to enforce the laws against temporary signage on state highway rights-of-way, complete with the ability to levy fines against violators. Hallelujah!

Sheltering Animals & Families Together

Initiative promotes domestic violence shelters that accept pets.

Did you know that approximately 2.3 million people, primarily women, are victims of partner violence? Did you know that over 62 percent of the American households have, at least, one pet? Approximately 48 percent of abused women do not leave an abusive situation because they will not leave their pets behind. Pets are likely to be victimized by the household abuser. The abuser’s animal cruelty is used to force compliance from the victims. “What I do to the dog is what I can do to you” is the message the abuser sends, according to Allie Phillips, founder of Sheltering Animals & Families Together [SAF-T]. “As a prosecutor in Michigan, I saw women who stayed with their abusers to protect their pets,” said Phillips. “If they leave, the abuser will turn his anger on the pet. The pet usually is the primary target used to control the victim. “I created the safety program to help get these women out of their abusive homes.”

On County Libraries: We Should Know Better

To the Editor: I am the assistant branch manager at Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. I also worked at Reston Regional Library for four

Both Sides of Humility

To the Editor: Frank Wolf has been a decent congressman, but his column in last week's Connection shows how easy it is for politicians to (unintentionally?) speak with a forked tongue [It’s Going to Take Humility, Connection, Oct. 16-22, 2013]. At first he tells us, almost lectures us, about the value of humility. I agree, he's on target here. The swelled heads of congressmen leads to hardened opinions and an unmerited sense of self-importance on both sides of the aisle.

Preserving the Lifeline

To the Editor: As a long-time resident of Fairfax County, I am concerned about congressional initiatives that would kick 1.7 million Americans off the Food Stamp Program (SNAP). The program has been a lifeline for millions of Virginians suffering the effects of the economic downturn.

Our Military Kids and Stop Solider Suicide Supported by Fundraiser at Trump National Golf Club

Our Military Kids and Stop Solider Suicide are being supported by the 4th Keller Williams Charity Golf Tournament in October. The tournament will be held Monday, Oct. 28, at Trump National Golf Club Washington in Potomac Falls, Va., with 36 holes on two courses and waterfront vistas of the Potomac River.

Halloween Parade Steps Off on Oct. 23

Pre-parade entertainment on Town Green new in 2013.

Vienna’s longest-running and most-anticipated annual event—the 67th Vienna Halloween parade—steps off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23. One hundred-plus groups, clubs, bands and floats take over Maple Avenue between Berry and Center streets.

Saving Public Libraries

To the Editor: A significant number of planners expect the nation to be illiterate by 2050, so books will not be needed. Instead of planning for my grandchildren’s needs today, the county has decided to prepare for their grandchildren’s needs in an imaginary future where people no longer read, where electronic devices enable them to communicate without written language, where books no longer exist. (From a study on architect Grimm & Parker’s website.)

Home Tour Celebrates Simon’s Vision

Annual tour gives glimpse of variety of Reston homes.

Danielle Harrison has lived in Reston for 10 years. She has attended a few events at the Reston Museum, is excited for Reston founder Robert Simon’s 100th birthday next April and considers herself very knowledgeable when it comes to Reston history.

Planning Around Reston’s Metro Stations

Master Plan Special Study Task Force update presented at forum.

The Reston Association, Reston Citizens Association and the Alliance for Reston Clusters and Homeowners hosted a joint community forum Thursday, Oct. 17 to discuss Phase One of the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force.

Screamin’ for a Reason at Bradley Farm

Bradley Farm Haunted House returns to benefit Herndon-Reston FISH.

The annual Bradley Farm Haunted House will be resurrected this year on Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26. The annual haunted house, which raises money for Herndon-Reston FISH, is themed “Panic Attack: Confront Your Fears and Phobias.”

The CASA crew. From left—Joan Fisher, CASA volunteer, Mindy Stewart, volunteer supervisor, Lisa Banks, executive …

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