
For the Birds
Burke store helps bring nature closer to home.
Is it true that when one holds a bird in one’s hand, the bird gets so nervous it dies? No, said Steve Pyne, owner of the Wild Bird Center in Burke. This is the type of expertise and more that customer Kathy Morris can rely on when she comes in the store.

West Springfield Field Hockey Posts Winning Record at UTL
Spartans finish 2-1-1.
West Springfield will travel to face Herndon on Aug. 29.

Robinson Field Hockey Wins Pool B at UTL Tournament
Rams finish 4-0 at two-day event.
Robinson field hockey is off to a 4-0 start.

Woodson Football Trying to Get ‘Back on the Map’
New head coach Dougherty brings up-tempo spread offense.
Woodson football opens the 2014 season on Aug. 29 at Oakton.

Robinson’s Obregon to Play Lax at Maryland
Q&A: Senior is attending her third different high school.
Robinson senior Isabel Obregon is committed to play lacrosse at the University of Maryland

Playing to Win
Serious local tennis competitors share their approach to the game.
As the U.S. Open approaches, several local tennis students are competing in their own United States Tennis Association (USTA) local competitions. There are several levels of tournaments to choose from as well as age groups whether they're entry-level, intermediate, or advanced. “Central to tennis is competition. They learn to win and how to lose,” according to Coach Wayne Bryan.
Letter: Why Join the Climate Change Debate?
To the Editor
The author of “Global Warming is Impacting Us Now” (Connection, Aug. 7-13, 2014) is right: we’re already seeing impacts of climate change in our communities.

Vossler Latest to Lead Robinson Football Program
29-year-old is Rams’ fourth head coach in five years.
Robinson will open the season on the road against Lee.

Safety at a Crossroads in Poor Communities Across Northern Virginia
Less affluent neighborhoods in Northern Virginia suffer from higher pedestrian fatalities.
A national database of pedestrian crashes compiled by Governing Magazine shows 95 pedestrian fatalities in Northern Virginia between 2008 and 2012. While 26 of the pedestrian fatalities occurred in wealthy neighborhoods, where the per capita income is more than $53,000, a much larger number happened in poor communities like this stretch of Route 1 in Mount Vernon.
Letter: Lifesaving Community
To the Editor
I wanted to write and publicly thank everyone who helped with my blood drive on Aug. 1. So many people helped, from St. Andrew's Catholic Church who hosted us, Joyce Krolicki from Paul VI and Brenda Tingen from Inova who supported and guided us, my friends
Letter: Global Warming Is Impacting Us Now
To the Editor
On Wednesday, July 30, I joined hundreds in Washington, D.C. to show my support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan by testifying at the public hearing.
Environmental Leader Joins NOVA Parks Board
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) has welcomed Laura Grape to its Board. Grape will replace Jean Packard, who recently retired from the Board after 24 years of service.

Neighbors, Police, Firefighters Promote Safe Neighborhoods
Supervisor John C. Cook visits neighborhoods on National Night Out.
Neighborhoods throughout Fairfax County held National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime” events on Tuesday, Aug. 5. These events are designed to promote crime prevention activities, partnerships between law enforcement and the community, and neighbors getting to know each other.

George Mason Athletes Inspire
Student athletes from George Mason University discussed their experience facing challenges in school and sports to students in the Summer Extending Learning Time (SELT) Program at Robinson Secondary School cafeteria in Fairfax on July 31.
Week in Burke
Weekly happenings in Burke.