Newcomers Guide: Fairfax Station Demographics
Fairfax Station demographics.
Top Five Issues in the Springfield District
Traffic congestion, especially on I-66 and the Fairfax County Parkway: I-66 is one of the major reasons the D.C. area was recently ranked first in worst places to commute by Texas A&M University. I have been working with other local and state leaders to move forward solutions including an Express Lanes-like solution that we can accomplish quickly and provide relief as well as transit choices. The Fairfax County Parkway is one of the county’s “main streets” and will see interstate level traffic by 2030. We have been successful with some short-term solutions, converting it to a primary road and last month at my request, the board asked VDOT to commission a “Corridor Improvement Study” to assess solutions to the road’s growing congestion problems. In addition, as we develop throughout the county we need to make sure we focus developers’ contributions into transportation.
Insiders’ Tips: What are the best things about living in Clifton?
“Fairfax Station is close by to a lot: Shopping is important—and there’s Fair Oaks and Tysons. Since we’re near the capital, there are a lot of concerts; WMZQ Fest and Ke$ha at Jiffy Lube Live are some of my favorites recently. But it’s not in the city so we don’t have as much traffic to deal with. As a kid, I really liked the fact that the [Lorton] prison was out here. It was creepy. It felt like the middle of nowhere at the time. I also liked being near Occoquan with the parks. My family would take a boat out, or play baseball. I go to Clifton a lot and get ice cream at Peterson’s. It’s really cute.”
The Non-profits of South Fairfax County
An aid and mission travel organization that aims to implement sustainability projects, such as clean energy, safe water and sanitation in developing nations. Locally, volunteer opportunities include helping design graphics, social media management and fundraiser writing, in addition to being part of a travel team.
State Senator Marsden Shares ‘Insider Tips’ With Newcomers
Where to find Del. David Bulova bartending (maybe), and feel free to call Senator Marsden.
The possibilities for getting involved in a new community are endless. Throw yourself a “welcome to the neighborhood party” by having your new neighbors over. Join a civic club, Lions, rotary, etc. Join a church, the PTA, or the political party committee of your choice. Just don’t sit there … get started today!
Every Year Is Election Year in Virginia
Northern Virginia has most two-party races on ballot.
While the Virginia governor’s race is the one getting the most attention, both nationally and in the state, Virginia’s House of Delegates race is shaping up to be the most competitive in a decade. According to an official candidate list released last month by the Virginia State Board of Elections, 57 House seats will be contested this November — marking only the second time in the last decade where at least half of the 100 House seats will have more than one name on the ballot.
What in the World Does a Supervisor Do, and Why Should We Care?
Local Government 101: Where the rubber meets the road.
We see them at just about every community event. They manage a budget larger than the budgets of four states, and rule over a county with a diverse, well-educated population of more than a million people. The 10 members of the Fairfax County Supervisors have an intense, time-consuming, insanely detailed job, one that comes with enormous power and even more responsibilities. They impact our lives in large and small ways, allocating money and resources in ways that can propel our community forward—or cost us our first-rate status in education, livability and culture. Yet most of us, media included, are so focused on politics at the state and national level that we overlook the decision-makers in our own backyard.
Obsessed With Politics? Fairfax County Welcomes You!
What newcomers need to know to be politically-savvy insiders.
Fairfax County may be physically separated from Washington, D.C.—the ground-zero of All Things Political—but residents here are a politically-savvy bunch. We know who Larry Sabato is—a prominent University of Virginia political analyst—and we pay attention to Not Larry Sabato—a Virginia politics blog by Ben Tribbett, a Fairfax County resident and self-described “vicious campaign insultant.” We follow our politicians on Twitter and Facebook.
Supervisors Give Us Their Best “Insider” Tips
Fairfax County has a fantastic park and library system, with tons of activities to enjoy. One of my personal favorites is the Cardboard Boat Regatta at Lake Accotink Park every summer.
An Insider's Guide to the Arts in Northern Virginia
A selection of upcoming arts productions, happening right where you live.
There are more artists of every stripe making art in Northern Virginia than you may realize. Populating the bedroom communities, small towns, growing cities and metropolitan areas of Fairfax County, Arlington and Alexandria are your pick of dance, theatre, choral, symphonic, visual and performance, music and fill-in-the-blank groups. Look beyond Wolf Trap and Jammin' Java to the Torpedo Art Factory, the Workhouse Arts Center, and smaller, quality groups like ArtSpace Herndon and McLean Project for the Arts to cast their creative spell (that's only to name a few). Delve in and, we dare you, let your stereotypes of an artless string of suburbs dissolve. In place you'll get something much better than stereotypes: some culture.
Newcomers and the Community Guide; Get to Know Area Non-profits
Get to know the area non-profits!
Best Educated, Most Diverse
If you are a new resident of Fairfax County, or an employee working for a company new to the county, welcome!
New Superintendent Relishes Opportunity
A fan of Baylor grad RG3 … not Cowboys
Here in Fairfax, not only do we have the talent and the expertise to solve the problems facing us in FCPS, but we are uniquely positioned to solve the most pressing issues facing public schools across the country. -Karen K. Garza, Ph.D., superintendent, Fairfax County Public Schools
Chambers
Find a comprehensive online listing of county business resources at http://www.fairfaxcountyeda.org/business-resources.