Stories for July 2021

Stories for July 2021

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Saturday, July 31

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Horse Clinic Offered at Laurel Hill Center

The Clifton Horse Society, a 300+ member group, sponsored a full day event at Laurel Hill Equestrian Center in Lorton, on July 24.

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Bogey Is Missing

Would you know what to do if your dog was lost?

July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month and serves as an important reminder to make sure our pets stay safe.

Thursday, July 29

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Inova Awards $240K in Community Health Funds to Local Nonprofits

Annual grant doubled in amount this year due to the pandemic impacts.

Inova fund

Opinion: Commentary: Economic Recovery Is More Than Escaping COVID-19

Our local economy is in a precarious position, and it’s not just because of pandemic

Over the last year, our economy struggled to hang on amidst unpredictable changes in pandemic regulations, with over 45 percent of small businesses in the region closing permanently or temporarily, and roughly 49,000 Fairfax County residents remain unemployed.

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‘Strategic Underground’ Throughout Fairfax County

Dominion Power is undergrounding wires.

During the frequent thunderstorms that are forecasted throughout the summer, flashlights and candles may have been the short-term answer in the past, but Dominion Energy has another option with a program they are offering called ”Strategic Underground,” so the lines won’t be exposed when lightning strikes and other mishaps.

Wednesday, July 28

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New Food Scrap Composting at Select Fairfax County Farmers Markets

Nature’s recycling reduces methane and lowers carbon footprint

Fairfax County residents have another option for managing organic wastes such as fruit and vegetable peels, food left on dinner plates, coffee grounds, and even paper towels and napkins.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Free and Open Exchange Benefits All

Across the nation, state lawmakers are actively working to prevent students from having an open and equitable history education - one that both acknowledges the role of racism in the United States and portrays the lived realities and viewpoints of people in marginalized communities accurately.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Let’s Have an Intellectually Honest Gubernatorial Contest

As a lifelong Republican who voted for Trump twice, I’m truly dismayed by our party’s reliance on false narrative and grievance-driven politics.

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Fairfax County Police Armed with a High-Tech Dog Nose

New K-9 can sniff out thumb drives and cell phones that may be evidence.

The Fairfax County Police Department has a new tool to fight cyber crimes and it’s a black Labrador retriever named Browser, that specializes in sniffing out computer-related evidence like thumb drives, cell phones or laptop computers that may have been used by criminals, particularly in child exploitation.

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Music for Singers with Alzheimer’s Disease

New choral program gives those with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments the gift of music

When Peter Midgley and his wife went on their first date, they discovered their mutual love of music.

Monday, July 26

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Why We Rescue

The miraculous story of Gabby and her Valley poodle pups – adopt, don’t shop.

There wasn’t a single dry eye at Gabby’s long overdue family reunion in early June.

Sunday, July 25

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Summer Entertainment Series Returns to Burke Lake

After the Entertainment Series was cancelled last summer, many were happy to be back enjoying the events.

This summer, Fairfax County Park Authority is bringing back the in-person Summer Entertainment Series of free events and performances at venues in the area.

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Tree Work at Barrett House in Lorton

Three stately Oak trees graced the front of the historic Barrett House on Lorton Road for about 60 years.

Thursday, July 22

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Ripe Red Tomatoes, Juicy Peaches Highlight Area’s Farmers Markets

County’s markets are hopping as they go into National Farmers Market Week in early August.

National Farmers Market Week

Wednesday, July 21

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Police Briefs: Fairfax County Officer Critically Wounds Woman in Group Home

On Monday, July 19, officers were called to a home in the 8000 block of Gosport Lane, in Springfield, a group home close to Ravensworth Elementary School.

Opinion: Column: Definitely on My List

As the month of May was swept away with the last of the network-season's original programming, those of us still in lockdown and quarantining had our own reality to embrace: there was nothing new on network television.

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Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent to Depart at End of Next School Year

Dr. Scott Brabrand, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, announced on a YouTube video released Thursday, July 15, 2021, that he is leaving FCPS at the end of the next year, consistent with his FCSB contract.

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How Safe Are Older Buildings in Fairfax County?

Supervisors address construction and maintenance concerns in the wake of the Surfside Condominium collapse in Florida.

A recertification program for older buildings does not currently exist under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, said Chairman Jeff McKay.

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Summer Camp in Age of Climate Change

Increased safety protocols result from climate change-induced extreme temperatures.

Some of the area’s youngest aspiring thespians are spending part of their summer honing their craft at Arlington’s Encore Stage & Studio’s camps.

Tuesday, July 20

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Can Our Yards Save the Planet?

Plant native plants for pollinators, food for birds and more.

When Tami Entabi moved into her Mount Vernon-area home in 2006, the backyard was a thick mass of intertwined English ivy.

Thursday, July 15

Opinion: Column: Time to Kill

(Again, not a cancer column. Given the title, it would be a pretty gruesome reference to my life in the cancer world if it were.)

Monday, July 12

Taekwondo Instructor Arrested for Sexually Assaulting a Juvenile

Detectives from Major Crimes Bureau Child Abuse Squad have arrested a 22-year-old man for a sexual assault that occurred in 2019 at Kong’s Taekwondo Learning Center, 7744 Gunston Plaza, in Lorton.

Thursday, July 8

Opinion: Column: I'm the Big Winner

(Not a cancer column.)

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School Buses and Sites Provide Free Grab and Go 7-day Meal Kits in Fairfax County

No questions asked, no IDs needed – County children under 18 and all FCPS students eligible

Ten Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) buses began rolling Monday, June 28, on a mission to deliver their precious cargo: coolers full of nutritious breakfast and lunch items packed in seven-day, bulk meal kits, grab-and-go style.

Wednesday, July 7

Wellbeing: Back to Work

Angst, readjustment as employees return to the office

More than one year after the emergence of COVID-19 and the subsequent, work-from-home mandates, many employees are heading back to the office.

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Police Weapons Point At Black People

Long awaited report on Use of Force includes dozens of recommendations to guide the path forward.

An independent study of Fairfax County Police Department use of force confirmed that Black people are overrepresented in use-of-force incidents by Fairfax police.

Sunday, July 4

Fairfax Station Teen Arrested for 2020 Sexual Assaults

A 19-year-old man from Fairfax Station has been arrested for two sexual assaults that occurred in 2020.

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Official Ribbon Cutting Held for Central Green Park in Lorton

Central Green Park, part of Laurel Hill Park in Lorton, officially opened with a commemorating ribbon cutting ceremony on June 25; the area was previously opened for public use in September 2020 (see “Springfield Connection”, October 14, 2020, page 2).

Thursday, July 1

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Marijuana Is Now Legal

The long strange trip from a failed war on drugs to social equity licenses

Smoke 'em if you've got 'em because pot is now legal in the commonwealth of Virginia.