Honored by Supervisors
Resolution honors Braddock Resident Norma Heck for years of community service.
Norma Heck, who has been an owner of a home in North Springfield since 1956, was recognized last week by the Board of Supervisors for her service and dedication to the community.
School Board Funds Full Day Mondays
School system has over $38 million surplus.
The Fairfax County School Board voted at its last meeting to approve funding for full day Mondays for elementary-school students. The board voted back in June to approve ending half-day Mondays, but voted to fund the move, which will cost $7,639,300 at its July 24 meeting.
Planning Commission Tables Residential Studio Amendment
Discussion on affordable housing likely to continue.
Although more than 15 public meetings and seven committee sessions have been held since Oct. 13, the Fairfax County Planning Commission voted unanimously last week to table the proposed Residential Studio Amendment, which would have provided apartments to residents working low-income jobs.
Income Growth in Fairfax and Alexandria Lags Behind State and National Averages
Loudoun is the one bright spot in the region.
Paycheck growth in Fairfax County and the city of Alexandria are lagging behind the state and the nation, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Crime Solvers Hold 5K, Raise Money
In the second year, the race has gained momentum, more runners, and two vendors.
Early Saturday morning, runners and walkers alike descended onto Fairfax Government Center for the second annual Crime Solvers 5K and helped raise money for Fairfax Crime Solvers. “[We’re] just a partnership to keep our community safe,” Fairfax County Crime Solvers President and Chairman, Jody Donaldson said.
Stride Right
Not that I’ve felt that my attitude toward being diagnosed with stage IV (“terminal”) non-small cell lung cancer at age 54-and-one-half was ever to be considered as model behavior, but I do believe, after the initial shock wore off, eventually I assimilated its effects into my routine reasonably well. Not without a million bumps and bruises along the way, however, both physically and emotionally; nevertheless, though time has not healed all that has preceded this column, I’ve managed to find and maintain an extremely delicate balance between “joie de vivre” and “c’est la vie.”
Preventing Sports Injuries
How to keep kids safe while they’re having fun.
As students prepare to return to school, one activity many look forward to is sports. While the benefits of athletic activities are numerous, however, so are injuries.
Editorial: Brightening Outlook for End of Summer
Local pleasures to offset discouraging news.
The news here has been a bit discouraging, and that’s without considering the human tragedy and disaster of several different international situations.
Area Roundups
Weekly happenings in the area.
‘Don’t Be Afraid to be Different’
Robinson grad performs in “Shrek the Musical.”
A big green ogre, a princess, a wisecracking donkey and a love-struck dragon – they’ll all be onstage when The Alliance Theatre’s Summer Stars program presents “Shrek the Musical.” And right there with them will be Robinson Secondary graduate Spencer Boyd.
Rare Birds in Burke
There are some quite unusual birds nesting in Burke this year. A pair of Mississippi Kites have built a nest and are currently feeding two young chicks in a large tree on some private land near Jackson Street in Burke, attracting birders from around the area.
The End of an Era
After 33 years, Robinson’s Chip Rome retires.
It’s the end of an era at Robinson Secondary: Legendary Theater Director Chip Rome has retired. In 1981, he became the fourth drama teacher the school hired that year, and he more than provided stability. He spent all 33 years of his FCPS career there.
Commentary: Fairfax County Takes Steps To Improve Senior Services
Fairfax County is actively working to improve services to seniors and make the County friendlier to those growing older in our communities. One of the most prominent advancements has been the 50 + Action Plan developed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging and the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.
A Night at the Aquarium for Fairfax Youth
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington members take a private overnight tour of Baltimore's National Aquarium.
Ten students from the Fairfax branch (Murraygate chapter) of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington got a sneak peak of Shark Week by spending the night among them at the Baltimore Aquarium at the seaport in Baltimore. They spent a “night at the museum” as part of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program sponsored by COX Communications last Friday, July 25.
Springfield Shortlisted for FBI Headquarters
Other locations are Greenbelt and Landover.
Springfield could very well be the next site of the FBI headquarters. The General Services Administration and FBI announced Tuesday that Springfield was included on the shortlist for the new FBI headquarters.
Laurel Hill Master Plan Meets Final Approval
Construction expected to begin this fall.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve the plan to develop the site of the former Lorton prison.
Lake Braddock Grad Owens to Play Baseball at ECU
Q&A: Former Bruins SS enjoys playing beach volleyball.
Lake Braddock grad Jack Owens will play baseball at East Carolina.
Foreign Nationals Immersed in Local Lifeguarding
For some, it starts out on two wheels.
Every day, Vasyl Smolii uses two different routes when he bikes to and from work at the Belle View pool in Alexandria. Coming down the hill on Belle View Boulevard is an easy ride in the morning but going back up in the evening is not as easy on the bicycle Smolii rents from his sponsor High Sierra Pools, an Arlington-based pool management company. "I must buy this bike for the summer," said 19-year-old Smolii from Ukraine.
Serving Families For 90 Years
Pushing the boundaries has led to success, says Northern Virginia Family Services CEO.
An organization does not thrive for 90 years by chance. Northern Virginia Family Services, a county institution, has impacted families throughout the region for nearly a century with no sign of slowing down.
Column: “CanSir”
When it comes to being a cancer patient, even more so a multi-year cancer survivor, I have always erred on the side of caution. And by caution, I mean being respectful to the disease, courteous of its comings and goings, mindful of its potential damage and afraid of its intangibles. And by intangibles, I mean the unexplained and the inexplicable, and most fearfully, its power and unpredictability. Therefore, my behavior toward it has been intended to be as polite as possible; never to be perceived – in any way imaginable – as arrogant, presumptuous, in control, all-knowing and most especially, victorious.