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ServingServing FairfaxFairfax AreasAreas ofof BurkeBurke Boy Scout Garrett Anderson created the books for the chil- dren at the Katherine Hanley Family Shel- ter. (From left) are Anderson and shelter’s community coordinator Nurjan Ahmedova in the shelter’s playroom. Follow on Twitter: @ffxconnection on Twitter: Follow Classified, Page 14 Classified, ❖ Sports, Page 11 ❖ ‘Children‘Children AreAre GoingGoing toto LoveLove Entertainment, Page 12 TheseThese Books’Books’ News, Page 4 Expert Predicts ‘A Slightly Better 2015’ Garza’s News, Page 3 Vision for County Schools News, Page 8 Photo by Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.comDecember 25-31, 2014 online at www.connectionnewspapers.comFairfax Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 ❖ 1 For a free digi- tal subscription to one or all of the 15 Connection Newspapers, go to www.connect ionnewspapers. com/subscribe Be the first to know – get your paper before it hits the press. 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JANUARY 1/7/2015............................Wellbeing, Renewal, Resolutions 1/14/2015........................................................HomeLifeStyle Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 19 1/21/2015.............................................A+ Camps & Schools 1/28/2015..........................................Neighborhood Outlook 1/28/2015...........Winter Fun, Food, Arts & Entertainment; Valentine’s Preview FEBRUARY 2/4/2015....................................Valentine’s Dining & Gifts I 2/4/2015................Wellbeing – National Children’s Dental Health Month 2/11/2015........................................................HomeLifeStyle 2/11/2015.................................Valentine’s Dining & Gifts II Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14 • Presidents Day is Feb. 16 2/18/2015.............................................A+ Camps & Schools 2/25/2015..........................................Pet Connection Pullout MARCH 3/4/2015...................................................................Wellbeing 3/11/2015......................HomeLifeStyle Real Estate Pullout 3/18/2015.............................................A+ Camps & Schools 3/25/2015.............Spring Fun, Food, Arts & Entertainment FCPS Spring Break 3/30-4/3 E-mail [email protected] for more information. Award- Winning Newspapers & Online 703-778-9431 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Reaching Suburban Washington’s Leading Households • Alexandria Gazette Packet • Fairfax Connection • Oak Hill/Herndon Connection • Arlington Connection • Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection • Potomac Almanac • Burke Connection • Great Falls Connection • Reston Connection • Centre View • McLean Connection • Springfield Connection • Chantilly Connection • Mount Vernon Gazette • Vienna/Oakton Connection 2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Fairfax Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] The news could be better – according to Fuller and many of the charts and graphs he referred to during his presentation, the Washington Photos by Andrea Worker/The Connection Metro area, including Northern Virginia, is lagging well behind in many Stephen Fuller went out into the crowd of attendees during his NVAR- key recovery factors. Fuller discussed several reasons for the situation, hosted presentation on the past year’s economy and the economic not the least of which being the aftermath of 2013’s “fiscal cliff” and the outlook ahead. continuing impact of sequestration. Expert Predicts ‘A Slightly Better 2015’ student loan burdens and pent up demand that will Realtors association even changing generational push things a bit higher.” values and preferences were Fuller does not see a repeat hosts year-end the reasons he cited. of the flurry of increasing “Perhaps most surprising is house prices that many sell- economic update. that for the first time in the ers enjoyed not long ago. In- memory of many, our local stead, he believes that many By Andrea Worker economy is underperforming luxury homes will come down The Connection compared to the rest of the in price and average time country.” Based heavily on from list-to-sale may increase ost keynote speakers are direct and ancillary federal somewhat. used to a bit of fidgeting government employment, the M from the audience about 20 area has previously been less WHEN ASKED during the minutes into their spiel. negatively impacted by the Q&A session to comment spe- Just goes to show the level of interest both recession than other areas of cifically on Fairfax County, the topic and the speaker generated when the country. “This is new ter- Fuller cautioned that without after almost two hours, the hosts of the ritory for us,” Fuller said. creation of higher-wage jobs, Northern Virginian Association of Realtors “Even more surprising, it the county would face a “real (NVAR) Year-End Economic Review with Dr. didn’t really make the head- squeeze to services – fire, po- Stephen Fuller basically called the session lines that our economy shrank licing, education.” Local gov- “a wrap” to convince the attendees that the more in the last year than it ernment needs tax money to included lunch awaited them. did during the recession.” He do its job. Lower income and Fuller brings an impressive collection of likened the situation to a property taxes coupled with credentials to the role; Ph.D., Dwight luxury liner with a small leak. Stephen Fuller from George Mason University held the an increasingly aging popula- Schar faculty chair and university profes- “It may be hardly noticeable stage for almost two hours at the Northern Virginia tion could mean even more sor and director, Center for Regional now, but someone had better Association of Realtors (NVAR) Year-End Economic Re- challenging times ahead. “But Analysis, School of Public Policy at George start baling and repairing view. Fuller spoke to the issues that shaped 2014, as well interesting ones,” he declared. Mason University, not to mention chief soon.” as predictions for the coming year, and beyond. “Downsizing or rightsizing ac- economist for Cardinal Bank. Adding an cording to your view, things arsenal of graphs and other analytical ACCORDING TO FULLER and many of Fuller. “During the recession, employers change.” data to his expertise and experience, the sources he consulted, the “Fiscal cliff” learned the lessons of productivity.” With This NVAR event was sponsored by RGS Fuller provided insights about the clos- and the introduction of sequestration in higher unemployment and older workers Title Company and hosted by the NVAR ing year, a preview of what to expect in 2013 are just beginning to make an impact opting out of the workforce, employers Small Broker and Real Estate Finance and 2015, and some long-term economic ex- on the local way of life – and not in a posi- could more easily pick and choose and keep Settlement Forums. NVAR has several eco- pectations for Northern Virginia, the Dis- tive way. All of the reports on the creation pay rates lower. The unemployment num- nomic outlook programs in store for the trict and Maryland. and status of jobs show that most growth, bers are dropping, but according to Fuller, coming year. Visit their website at “2014 was actually softer in all catego- particularly in this area, is taking place in we still haven’t reached the stage where www.nvar.com to keep up to date on NVAR ries than expected, given the strength of the industries that on average pay less and that employers must offer more to secure the happenings. economic recovery exhibited in 2013,” said many of those who lost their positions in best. And there is something else missing Fuller will speak at the 23rd Annual Car- Fuller, “particularly in relationship to the government or government contracting, from the equation in Fuller’s educated opin- dinal Bank and George Mason University housing market. Fuller credited a number have yet to be “redeployed” in similar situ- ion. “Where is inflation? There isn’t any. And Economic Conference on Jan. 15, 2015. Pre- of factors for the reason that things slowed ations. “Health and education and local you need it to give merchants the opportu- registration for the conference is available down in 2014. Lower wage jobs, slower government were the key growth industries nity to provide wage growth.” at www.cardinalbank.com. More on Fuller’s immigration and reduced international in the this area, and we can’t sustain our Despite a number of troubling indicators update, review and the analytical data he transfers, lower marriage rates, limited ac- economy on only these two sectors. We defi- that he believes require immediate and sig- presented are available on the George Ma- cess to credit, degraded mobility (when the nitely need wage growth, something we nificant attention, Fuller does predict a son University Center