‘A Morning Just Like This One’
Fairfax County pays tribute to victims of 9/11 attacks.
The mournful tone of a single bell tolling three times—once for each site that was struck on Sept. 11, 2001—echoed in the Fairfax County Government Center chambers this morning as community leaders, police, firefighters and citizens gathered to pay tribute to the victims of the terrorists attacks 11 years ago today.
Helping Heroes in Need
Volunteer drivers “urgently” needed to transport local veterans to medical appointments.
When he is feeling well, 87-year-old Peter Edisal Brown enjoys tending the flowers and vegetables he grows in the garden of his Alexandria home he has owned since 1946. “I like to garden, and I wish I could still go dancing. Me and my wife, we used to love going to supper clubs like the Dipsy Doodle,” Brown said.
Shopping with Sheriff
Fairfax County partners with Target to help homeless children purchase school supplies.
Nearly 30 children and their parents got the chance to "Shop with the Sheriff” on Wednesday, Aug. 29. The annual shopping spree pairs deputies and volunteers from the Fairfax County sheriff's office with local homeless children who need a little help with back-to-school supplies.
The Little Red Schoolhouse That Could
Springfield one-room schoolhouse gains historic status on National Register.
Nearly four years after deciding to shut down the popular elementary school because of shrinking enrollment, mounting parental pressure and ardent emotional appeals swayed Fairfax County’s School Board to re-open the rural community school.
Balancing Act: Between Nice-to-Have and Have-to-Have
Fairfax County needs new financial tools.
We’ve been lucky in Fairfax County. Spared the worst of the Great Recession with its mortgage crisis and unemployment, the County has still had to balance falling revenue and service delivery. Human services, libraries, and parks have all taken a hit—and our school budget, while not cut—has struggled to meet the needs of a growing student body.
Burke Dancer Offered Prestigious Scholarships
Emma Bradley from Buffa's Dance Studio in Burke received several scholarships to prominent college dance programs throughout the United States at New York City Dance Alliance's gala in New York City.
Fairfax Symphony Opens its 55th Season
On Sept. 22, the Fairfax Symphony will open its season with a concert at 8 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax. The season will mark the beginning of a new three-year focus in programming called “Mischief in Music: Wit, Insolence and Insurrection.” As explained by Maestro Christopher Zimmerman, “So often symphonic music is regarded as something abstract and emotionally unspecific. Over the next three years the orchestra will play music by a variety of composers whose message and expressive aims are deliberate, be they light-hearted, semi-provocative or completely out of the box.”
Drum Roll, Please
11th Annual Springfield BridgeWalk celebrates community support of Fort Belvoir’s soldiers.
"To me this walk symbolizes the renewal of the relationship we have with the Springfield community." --Col. Gregory Gadson, garrison commander of Fort Belvoir
Burke Centre Fall Festival Sept. 8-9
Affordable family fun and flash mob (maybe…)
Burke hosts its biggest block party on Sept. 8 and 9 as the community welcomes friends and neighbors of all ages for the 35th annual Burke Centre Fall Festival. The event will be held at the Burke Centre Conservancy’s (BCC) Festival Grounds, 6060 Burke Centre Parkway.
Feedback Sought on Emergency Communications
Fairfax County online survey now available.
After filing a report last week with the Federal Communications Commission on Verizon’s 911 outages, Fairfax County officials are looking at how to improve their own communications during emergencies. The county wants to know how it can better communicate with residents and businesses in a disaster like a derecho, hurricane or terrorist attack. Officials are seeking feedback in a short, online survey.
Area Roundups
Football Stadiums Raise Banners Against Underage Drinking
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high school football stadiums will sport new banners this fall encouraging parents and adults in the community to report underage drinking parties to the police.
‘Senior Prank’ Filmed in Area
Local talent recruited for "The Senior Prank."
The community has rallied together behind the new local film in progress "The Senior Prank." Director Donald Leow, who also directed previous film "For the Glory," has brought in cast and crew from all over the country, while recruiting local talent for his film as well. Many members of the Fairfax community have gathered to be extras, show their talent on screen, help with tech, or just support the film.
New Rector Comes to St. Andrew’s
The Reverend Tim Heflin will begin his tenure as rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Burke on Sunday, Sept. 9. Heflin recently served as associate rector and day school chaplain of Trinity Church in Baton Rouge, La., a church comparable in size to St. Andrew’s, yet with a pre-k to fifth grade day school of nearly 200. As the associate rrector, Heflin was responsible for the bulk of pastoral care, Christian education for all ages, Wednesday night dinners and programs, youth and young adults and outreach, as well as weekly school liturgical duties. He also served as priest-in-charge as the church went through a rector transition and search process in 2011. Heflin was ordained at Trinity in 2008.
Char-a-oke Anyone?
$1 million raised for Fairfax County Public Schools Education Foundation.
Listen, baby… "Ain't no mountain high. Ain't no valley low. Ain't no river wide enough, baby. If you need me, call me. No matter where you are. No matter how far."
911's Complete Failure
Fairfax County says Verizon "failed completely" during June 29 derecho.
"It’s like the captain of the Titanic telling passengers the ship hit an iceberg when the bow is on the bottom of the ocean floor." —Steve Souder, Fairfax County 911 Director