Burke Resident Recognized for Volunteer Service
Wayne Chiles, a member of Springfield Rotary Club, raises awareness of ShelterBox.
President Barack Obama, along with ShelterBox USA, has recognized Burke resident Wayne Chiles with the President's Volunteer Service Award as a result of his efforts to help victims of disasters throughout the world. Chiles has worked to raise awareness and funds for ShelterBox, an organization that provides shelter for those affected by disasters and humanitarian crises.
Class of 2015 Presented with Class Rings
South County High School juniors celebrate with solemn ceremony.
In a solemn and formal ceremony, members of the South County High School Class of 2015 received their class rings, marking an important milestone and the symbolic transition into becoming upperclassmen.
Bumpy Ride on Area Roads
Repaving will occur when funds are available and weather is warmer.
It’s no secret that drivers traveling along Burke Centre Parkway as it turns into Lee Chapel Road at the intersection of Burke Lake Road are bound to run into a few potholes.
Commission Approves Landfill Extension
Application will be reviewed by Board of Supervisors.
An application to extend the operation of the EnviroSolutions owned landfill in Lorton has been approved by the Fairfax County Planning Commission. Commissioners voted 6-4 on April 3 to approve the application to continue the landfill’s operation. The application includes a green energy park proposal in exchange for the landfill remaining open until 2040.
‘Breaking the Glass Ceiling’ Discussed in Lorton
Event was part of ‘American Women: The Long and Winding Road.’
Right before Carly Fiorina, the first woman CEO of a Fortune 20 company, began her first day as CEO of Hewlett-Packard in 1999, she prepared for questions she thought she might receive regarding innovation and future growth of the company. After all, she was the first outsider and non-engineer to lead the company, so she wanted to think about those important questions.
Considering the Effects of Mass Incarceration
A Public Forum on Criminal Justice Sentencing Reform held in Burke.
There is a racial disparity in the number of people incarcerated in the United States. Nearly one in ten black men in their thirties is in jail. This number has increased due to the war on drugs, which has also seen a racial disparity in the numbers of those convicted.
Clifton Resident Shares Stepdaughter’s Story
Debbie Sausville’s stepdaughter Lauren died after underage drinking in 2004.
As part of Alcohol Awareness Month, Debbie Sausville of Clifton is continuing her work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), speaking out against underage drinking.
Economic Outlook Summit Hosted in Southeast Fairfax
Federal government jobs down, lower-wage jobs up
At this year’s Economic Outlook Summit, hosted by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce and Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation, experts on the local economy and housing discussed the economic forecast for the Route One area and beyond.
Rebuilding Robinson Shows Resiliency in Loss to Yorktown
Rams overcome 3-0 deficit to tie Patriots before falling to 0-6-1.
The Robinson boys' soccer team lost to Yorktown 4-3 on April 7.
Halley Teachers Honored For Inclusiveness
Joni Smith and Rebecca Bailey demonstrate the importance of inclusive preschool classrooms.
Research emphasizes that strong early learning programs dictate future academic success for all students. On March 25, at Green Acres Recreational Center on Main Street in Fairfax, Halley Elementary School teachers Rebecca Bailey and Joni Smith received the Exemplary Inclusive Practice Award from Fairfax County Preschool Division of Early Childhood Education. The honor recognized their efforts to provide their preschool students with a classroom environment that meets their unique academic needs and prepares them as respectful and empathetic citizens of diverse learning communities.
Reverend C. L. Bryant to Speak at Republican Women of Clifton April Meeting
Reverend C. L. Bryant, former president of the Garland, Texas chapter of the NAACP and noted speaker will speak at the April 16 meeting of the Republican Women of Clifton (RWC). Rev. Bryant is a conservative activist and frequent commentator on Fox News. He dazzled audiences at Glenn Beck’s FreePAC event when he encouraged thousands in the audience to "defend the republic" while also tackling the enslavement of government dependency. Rev. Bryant is a radio and television host and creator of the independent film, The Runaway Slave, a movie about the race to free the Black community from the slavery of tyranny and progressive policies.
Lorton Road to be Widened to Four Lanes
The widening of Lorton Road to four lanes will begin this spring. Construction will occur Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The project area is 2.5 miles and includes Lorton Road, Furnace Road and newly-named Workhouse Road. Lorton Road will be widened from Ox Road to the Silverbrook Road intersection. Furnace Road will be widened to the Lorton Road Intersection from north of Hooes Road.
School of the Arts Goes Blue
In support of Autism Awareness Month, Metropolitan School of the Arts is asking all of its studio students to "go blue" now through April 30. Students who wear blue during class, Monday through Friday in April, Metropolitan School of the Arts will donate $1 for each student that wears blue, per day. Go to www.metropolitanarts.org for a full schedule of classes and registration.
Connection Papers Win Awards
Reporting, photography, design and editorial cartoons commended at annual Virginia Press Association meeting.
"Great work exposing serious challenges and obstacles in the way of the public's access to public information. The articles are well written and well researched, providing concrete and compelling examples of the flaws in the systems." That was what the judge said when awarding first place for In-depth or investigative reporting to Michael Lee Pope in the Arlington Connection. The Virginia Press Association announced its press awards for 2013 at the annual meeting on Saturday, April 5, in Richmond.
"I Thought You Were a Goner"
So has said my longtime oncology nurse, Ron, who has tended to me since June, 2009. Originally, I had been assigned to a different oncology nurse, Holly, with whom I developed an immediate rapport. She cared for me from the beginning, early March 2009, when I began my every-three-week chemotherapy infusion through June, when she transferred from the Infusion Center to a different unit (oncology does take a toll). Initially, after Holly’s departure, Jane, another nurse in the unit, took me on as a patient. However, and this is where the details get sketchy, within a subsequent infusion or two, I was told one day upon my arrival at the Infusion Center, that Ron, still another oncology nurse, who I had certainly seen there previously but with whom I had minimal interaction, would be taking over for Jane – who was not transferring out – and henceforth would be my new oncology nurse. Apparently, I had been traded. For another patient? For future considerations? For a lunch-to-be-paid later? To this day, nearly five years later, I’ve never been able to uncover the truth. I got along fine with Jane; I’m a very low-maintenance patient/ person; I don’t think I did anything to precipitate such a decision. Nevertheless, a deal (my word) had been struck.
Clean for Spring
Local organization experts offer tips to help with spring cleaning.
Betsy Fein found herself in the middle of a spring fling in Fairfax recently. She wasn’t at a festival or involved in a new romance, but in the midst of organizing a cluttered bedroom that was littered with piles of shirts, pants, shoes and books. Spring often means renewal and local organizers like Fein are offering suggestions for clearing out winter clutter. From closets that are overstuffed with wool sweaters and down coats to kitchen drawers overflowing with batteries and appliance manuals, they offer suggestions for getting organized without getting overwhelmed.
Local Designer Honored
Alexandria tastemaker blends a variety of styles.
Old Town Alexandra-based interior designer Anna Kucera has a knack for helping her clients turn their fanciful ideas in to concrete realities.
Fairfax Arts Programs Receive Federal Grants
Seven local organizations involved in the arts and literature are receiving a total of $230,000 in federal grants from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) said.
‘Victims’ Rights Are a Necessity’
Honoring crime victims with walk, words and candlelight vigil.
Siobhan Russell was just 19 when her ex-boyfriend killed her. Ron Kirby, a noted regional transportation planner, was murdered in his Alexandria home in November by an unknown assailant.
Yorktown Boys’ Soccer Overcomes Letdown to Improve to 5-1
Patriots follow victory over Oakton by beating Robinson.
The Yorktown boys' soccer team lost a 3-0 lead against Robinson but did not lose the game.