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Woodson Boys’ Basketball Punches Regional Ticket

Cavaliers looking to avoid repeat of late-season collapse.

The Woodson boys' basketball team reached the 20-win mark for the second straight season.

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Woodson Girls’ Basketball Secures Regional Berth

Cavaliers defeat Lee in Patriot District tournament.

Woodson's Walker, Finnerty score in double figures against Lee in opening round of Patriot District girls' basketball tournament.

Time to Pass Go for a Good Cause

Sixth annual Monopoly Tournament benefits Lorton Food Pantry, offers volunteer opportunities.

You may not get a “Get Out of Jail Free” card, or prime boardwalk property, but Realtors Ron Kowalski and Susan Borrelli, founders of Lorton’s annual Monopoly Tournament, said players of all ages will have a blast competing in the sixth annual game tournament at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 23.

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Hats Off to Democratic Women of Clifton

DWC celebrates eighth anniversary in style.

Fine millinery was on full display as the Democratic Women of Clifton gathered on Sunday, Feb. 10, to celebrate its eighth anniversary in style. The theme of this year’s party was “Hats Off to Democratic Women!” and members complied by donning an assortment of colorful chapeaus—from the classic fedora, brim snapped and businesslike, to the romantic cloche and the whimsical Victorian.

Area Roundups

Chantilly High, Fairfax High, Falls Church High, Oakton High, Robinson Secondary, Woodson High, Franklin Middle, Frost Middle, Jackson Middle, Lanier Middle and Rocky Run Middle are all schools involved in the boundary study to relieve overcrowding at Fairfax High and Lanier Middle School.

Letter: Does VRE Need More State Oversight?

Two bills (SB 1210 and HB 2152) before the Virginia General Assembly would give the state two more votes on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board.

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Burke Florist Unfazed by Valentine’s Day Rush

Flowers ‘n’ Ferns is well prepared for its 33rd rose rodeo.

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but when it comes to Valentine’s Day, fresh flowers are a must-have. For area florists like Karen Fountain, the second-generation manager of Flowers ‘n’ Ferns in Burke, the romantic holiday is often the highest grossing single day of the year.

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Helping Parents Battle Social Media Giants

Parents demand access to son’s Facebook account after his suicide.

Ricky Rash, a self-proclaimed “country boy” and second generation Virginia dairy farmer, enjoyed his bucolic life in Nottoway County. He and his wife, Diane, a nurse, were content to raise their four children in the same house Rash grew up in. The world of social media—Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter—held little interest for the couple who considered faith and family the bedrock of their life. But after their 15-year-old son committed suicide on Jan. 20, 2011, social media became their focus.

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Rooting for Transparency

Burke-based settlement hot on heels of anti-fraud land title certification.

Two grandmothers, Myrna Keplinger and Betty Reed, decided in 2000 that it would be nice to have an office space of their own. So they opened a realty and settlement office in the Mark Center in Alexandria and the two retired friends happily averaged 40 closings per month. Thirteen years and countless closings later, The Settlement Group grew to become the ninth largest settlement group in the region, with six offices in Northern Virginia, including locations in Burke, Franconia and McLean. As for Keplinger—she had undergone as much professional growth as had her business. She is now treasurer for the Virginia Land Title Association, on the American Land Title Association board of directors and an active member of its communications committee.

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West Springfield Grad Robinson Excelling at Duquesne

Freshman point guard is Dukes’ second-leading scorer.

West Springfield graduate April Robinson has helped the Duquesne women's basketball team to a 17-4 record this season.

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Lake Braddock’s Butler Too Much for TC

Senior totals 29 points, 22 rebounds in OT victory.

The Lake Braddock girls' basketball team on Tuesday beat T.C. Williams for the second time this season.

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From Community Eyesore to Community Asset

Transformation of Kings West Swim Club adds green space.

For several years, neighbors in the Kings Park West subdivision grappled with the problem of what to do with the big hole in the ground that was once the Kings West Swim Club.

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Greenspring Republicans Host Pete Snyder

Last year, the Greenspring Republican Club hosted Pete Snyder as the chairman of the Virginia Victory 2012 campaign, a coordinated campaign in support of Republican candidates across the Commonwealth of Virginia. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, Snyder was invited again to speak to the Greenspring Republican Club, but this time as a candidate for lieutenant governor.

Show off Your Civic Pride

Pre-order Fairfax County license plates now.

Residents of Fairfax County can now pre-order their Fairfax County license plates online at the new Visit Fairfax website—www.fxva.com/plates/.

Community to Discuss Boundary Changes

At its business meeting on Thursday, Jan. 24, the Fairfax County School Board voted to conduct a boundary study to address overcrowding at Fairfax High School and Lanier Middle School.