
Angels Soar in Great Falls
Wish List Project 2023 benefits Fairfax County foster care, The Women’s Center, Second Story, Herndon ES and Aldrin ES
As part of the Wish List Project in its 23rd year, donors brought hundreds of gift items they purchased to the Perez family home in Great Falls on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Wildlife in Bronze Glow at Nepenthe Gallery
Otters are secretive and elusive, but “Sexy Otter” is reclining in a seductive, odalisque pose front and center at the Nepenthe Gallery.

Holiday Moments
Delightful sights, without them it isn’t the holidays
You might call this season Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or just ‘the Holidays’.

Inside Scoop: Drafting Bills for the 2024 Session
As I write this column, the 2024 General Assembly session begins in just four short weeks!
Man Charged with Murder
News Briefs

Animal Protection Police or Animal Control Civilians?
County considers controversial change.
“Having a consolidated approach to animal care and control and having both functions under one leadership optimizes resources and also allows an agency to expand service delivery.” — Reasa Currier, animal shelter director
Shocking! Fish Moved to Herrity Pond
Shocking! Fish Moved to Herrity Pond

Fundraiser for Earp’s Ordinary this Weekend
Fairfax City comes together to support new music venue.
More than 20 musicians will perform Friday night, 5 p.m. start; Saturday, noon and 5 p.m. starts; and Sunday, noon start.

Four More Months in Jail for Cruz Colindres
Vienna teen sentenced for Fairfax man’s death.
“It was a tragic accident that no one anticipated.” — Public Defender Dawn Butorac
Much Remains To Be Done
The good old days were never as good as we sometimes make them out to have been.
Chanukah Celebration, Dec. 7, in Fairfax City
News Briefs
Reston Political Scene as 2023 Ends
I cannot believe that we are about to go over the cliff into 2024! To me it seems like we need more of 2023 just to get ready for potentially cataclysmic 2024.
Closing Rental Housing Gaps for County’s Most Vulnerable Adults
Dedicated housing vouchers announced for an additional 50 individuals in Reston and Herndon.
The Connection speaks with Sylisa Lambert-Woodward, CEO of Pathway Homes, discussing the nonprofit organization’s Housing First Model program, vouchers and what is on the horizon for residents in North Fairfax County.
Centreville Car Crash Kills Man, 28
roundups

Police and Emergency Responders Honored at 18th Annual Tribute
Twenty-eight outstanding police officers and first responders from Fairfax County and Fort Belvoir were recognized at the 18th annual Police & Firefighters Tribute hosted by Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce and presented by Inova Mount Vernon Hospital.

‘Soil Your Undies’ Campaign
Learn more about the dirt under your feet
The battle against pollution, and against the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District’s own anonymity, requires some creative approaches to getting their message out and generating interest. One of those recent efforts is a challenge called “Soil Your Undies.”
United Community Holiday Gift Card Drive
United Community’s Board of Directors presents a $50,000 Challenge Match
Until Dec. 31, your impact will be doubled, extending your generosity to even more children and families in our local community.
United Community Holiday Gift Card Drive
United Community’s Board of Directors presents a $50,000 Challenge Match
Until Dec. 31, your impact will be doubled, extending your generosity to even more children and families in our local community.

NOVA Parks Commemorates Winkler Founder
Celebrates first year of successes at 44-acre conservation gem
NOVA Parks, the City of Alexandria, and its public schools, commemorated philanthropist and environmentalist Catherine Winkler Herman, founder of the Winkler Botanical Preserve, with the unveiling of a new permanent sign on the grounds on Nov. 28.