Riding for the Fallen
More than 100 officers cycle through Virginia, for cause.
Police officers from all over the country vowed to "ride for those who died" this week. Police Unity Tour Chapter IV - also known as the Virginia chapter - challenged officers on a three day bicycle tour from Richmond to D.C. in memory for fallen officers. Before the last stop at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, the group of 122 officers and loved ones of fallen police stopped for lunch at McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center Monday in Fairfax as a tribute to the county most the officers served.
Northern Virginia Family Service Holds 16th Annual Gala
Local donors and supporters recognized at event.
The evening of Friday May 9 at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, the nonprofit Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) held their 16th Annual Road to Independence Gala. The festive event gave community and business leaders an opportunity to celebrate the impact of NVFS on families and children in need. It also recognized donors and supporters dedicated to giving back to the community in which they live making NVFS services possible.
Seventeen of Fantastic 50 Companies in Virginia Hail from Fairfax County
Seventeen Fairfax County companies are part of the 2014 Virginia Chamber of Commerce Fantastic 50 rankings of the 50 fastest-growing businesses in Virginia. Chantilly-based First Line Technology, which sells products to first responders and the military, received a Virginia Vanguard Award for having the highest growth rate among companies in the manufacturing category.
C-Section Boom in Northern Virginia
Region has some of the highest rates of cesarean-section deliveries for low-risk pregnancies.
Behind the closed doors at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church and the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, a quiet change has been taking shape over the last few decades.
Del. Filler-Corn Meets Scout Troop 698 of Burke
Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) recently met with Scout Troop 698 of Burke to discuss the important role civics and community participation plays in government and community development. Del. Filler-Corn and the group even played Virginia jeopardy, testing the Scouts knowledge of the House of Delegates and everything Virginia.
Cook to Host Neighborhood College
Beginning in May, Supervisor John Cook (R- Braddock) will be hosting a new Neighborhood College program. This program is a civic engagement program open to residents interested in learning about Fairfax County and how to work with neighbors, community organizations and local government. The Department of Neighborhood and Community Services will be supporting this program presentation.
Fairfax County School Board Addressing Budget Shortfalls
Budget shortfall is $17 million.
The Fairfax County School Board is considering options to close a $17 million shortfall in their 2015 budget. Superintendent Karen Garza presented the board with possible adjustments at a work session on April 28. The school board is set to adopt their final budget on May 22. On April 29, the Board of Supervisors approved the FY 2015 budget, including a school transfer of three percent, short of Garza’s requested 5.7 percent increase.
Nurse Honored with Life Saving Award
All county nurses celebrated during Nurses Week, May 6-12.
In late February, Daryl Vasquez, a nurse with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board’s Community Readiness and Support Program in Springfield and a Burke resident, noticed that a CSB client having lunch was choking and could not breathe. “She managed to get her arms around him and perform the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the obstruction and most likely saving this man’s life,” Gary Ambrose, a CSB board member, told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 29.
Animals for Adoption In Fairfax Station
Organization rescues animals from high-kill shelters.
For Rebecca Goodhart, the most challenging part of being deputy director of Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in Fairfax Station is that the need to help animals never goes away. “We do what we can for those we can help, but the need is always there,” Goodhart said. Until people recognize the importance of spaying and neutering, pet overpopulation will continue and animals will unfortunately be needlessly euthanized, she said.
Despite Advances, Many Virginians Remain Uninsured
Affordable Care Act expands coverage, but more than 800,000 still have no health insurance.
What is the state of the uninsured in Virginia?
Animal Instinct: Democrats in Hotly Contested Primary Divided on Speciesism
Will Jim Moran's successor share his enthusiasm for animal rights?
Candidates in the Democratic primary for Congress have a wide range of views on animal rights, an issue that has become one of the defining legacies of retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8).
Police Warn Residents: Beware Money Scams
Scammers identifying themselves as deputy sheriffs are calling Fairfax County residents and claiming they failed to appear for jury duty and must pay a court fee to avoid arrest. The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is in no way associated with this scam. Sheriff's deputies will not call people asking for money nor threatening them with arrest.
Citizens Honored
On Sunday, April 27, the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' Association held their 64th Annual Awards Ceremony. Braddock District resident Jan Hedetneimi was named the 2013 Fairfax County Citizen of the Year. Tena Bluhm and Kathy Kaplan were awarded a citation of merit for their work in their communities. The Federation also awarded Congressman Jim Moran, Delegate Jim Scott and Congressman Frank Wolf with a special gratitude award for their public service to Fairfax County.
Fifth Grade Class Reunites with Retiring Teacher
George Weiner and 1987-1988 fifth grade class reunite at White Oaks Elementary.
For a group of adults in their late thirties, coming together for their fifth grade class reunion is somewhat uncommon. But students of George Weiner, a teacher at White Oaks Elementary School in Burke, say he was such a special and amazing teacher that there was no way they could forget fifth grade.
Opening Doors to Hope
Previously homeless individuals share stories at FACETS Opening Doors Breakfast.
FACETS clients Carol Brown and Sandara Perry, sharing their stories to a crowd gathered at the FACETS Opening Doors breakfast on April 24, confirmed the unfortunate fact that homelessness and poverty do exist in Fairfax County.