Fairfax Republicans Nominate Bryan ‘BA’ Wolfe for Sheriff
Wolfe faces Democratic nominee Stacey Kincaid in Nov. 5 special election.
When retired Fairfax police officer Bryan “BA” Wolfe was selected as the Republican nominee for Fairfax County Sheriff last week, he vowed to “restore the public trust” by making the 500-member department more “accountable and transparent.”
Shedding Sunshine on the Secret World of Regulation in Virginia
Advisory panel rejects effort to open records of the State Corporation Commission.
Ever wonder what happens during deliberations that regulate payday lending? How about the effort to oversee your health insurance?
South County Grad Hampton to Play Basketball for CNU
Justin Hampton helped the South County boys' basketball team finish Patriot District runner-up in 2013.
Lake Braddock QB Henderson Settling into Comfort Zone
Bruins loaded with talent entering 2013 season.
Lake Braddock opens the 2013 season at Robinson on Aug. 30.
Preserving History’s Jewels
Fairfax County considers new “resident curator” program to save historic properties.
“A successful resident curator program would allow the county to restore, maintain and protect important historic properties at little or no cost to the public.” —Cindy Walsh, Fairfax County Park Authority’s Resource Management Division director
Fairfax County Public Libraries: Version 2.0?
Staff, volunteers urge supervisors to reconsider “disastrous” library reorganization plan that cuts staff and services.
In a world where the Internet has replaced newsprint, e-books have supplanted paperbacks and the latest films stream directly to laptops, how do public libraries compete?
Beauty Queens Aim to Combat Bullying
Two beauty queens, Lisa Opie from Williamsburg, Va. and Stefania Sita from Clifton, have taken a stand against bullying and launched an anti-bullying campaign. Their campaign focuses on combating bullying in schools, and encouraging victims to stand up for themselves. The purpose is for individuals to feel the freedom to express themselves without fear of being bullied.
Learning About Vegan Cooking
Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton offers a variety of culinary classes.
Chef Kathleen Linton, 52, of Lorton teaches culinary arts classes at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton—everything from “Cajun-Louisiana Secrets” to “Cooking with Beers” to “Catch the Burger Craze.” Last Saturday, the specialist in Southern and Thai cuisine held a one-day workshop on vegan cooking. The cost was $65/Workhouse member; $75/nonmember, and $25 for the cost of food. For those who aren’t familiar with vegan, Linton explains: “Nothing with a mother. No milk, no dairy, no eggs, no meats and no cheese.”
National Night Out Celebrated in Lorton Park
Lorton Community Action Center partners with Lorton Library and South County Cares to host family celebration.
Hundreds of families gathered in Lorton Park last week for a night of music, games, picnics and more in recognition of the 30th annual National Night Out celebration. “The overcast skies did not deter the enthusiasm of children and adults who created pipe cleaner critters, played games, enjoyed free hot dogs and snow cones, shared their artistic talent through sidewalk chalk, and enjoyed a live music performance by the Amazing Gospel Souls,” said Linda Patterson, executive director of the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), which co-hosted the 2nd NNO celebration at Lorton Park along with the Lorton Library, Friends of the Lorton Library and South County Cares.
Classified Advertising August 14. 2013
Read the lastest ad here!
Area Roundups
Dozens of children still need to be “adopted” for the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) 2013 Back-2-School Outreach. Donation drop off is this Friday, Aug. 16 at the Moose Family Center, 9612 Fernedge Lane, Lorton (just off of Rte. 1) between 10 a.m. and noon. To learn how to “adopt” a child and ensure that they have all the tools they need for school, visit: LortonAction.org and click on “Special Events” under “News and Events.”
Is Your Home Ready for Back to School?
Local designers offer tips for creating functional and stylish homework spaces.
Summer will soon come to an end, and children everywhere will be heading back to school and coming home with homework. To keep students engaged and excited, some local designers offer suggestions for creating a space so fun and inviting that your children will want to hang out there — even if that means doing homework.
Outdoor Elegance Meets Cutting Edge Technology
A design/build team explores fine architecture in weather-resistant materials.
If anything in the summer of 2013 points to still evolving homeowner expectations, it may be the frequency with which locals are integrating screen porches, patios, fire pits, and outdoor kitchens into original landscaping schemes that artfully marry the house to its setting.
Geocaching Diversifies
Urbanites embracing new game.
Geocaching usually has been portrayed as someone with hiking boots and a walking staff gazing afar from a hilltop in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Not so anymore. Substantial numbers of those joining the sport are placing and hunting for caches in urban settings, and that includes Northern Virginia.
Editorial: Library Mission
Further cuts to library budget must be analyzed for impacts on needy families.
The current proposal to “streamline” services at Fairfax County Public Libraries comes on top of disproportionate, and some would say Draconian, cuts since 2009.
Editorial: On Federal Dollars in Virginia
State’s role as one of the biggest “takers.”
We received some emails and phone calls about the expansion of Medicaid in response to last week’s editorial.
Rachel Gart and Daniel Raphael Engaged
Rachel Gart of Fairfax Station, daughter of Ron and Ilyse Gart of Fairfax Station, and Daniel Raphael of Oakton, son of Larry and Marlene Raphael of Oakton, are engaged and plan to wed in early September.
Opinion: Issues That Matter
Mental health services discussion gives insight into real differences between candidates.
It came as somewhat of a relief to have the candidates for governor in Virginia, Ken Cuccinelli (R) and Terry McAuliffe (D), discuss an actual issue that matters to many Virginia families this week at a forum on mental health issues.
Will the Next Attorney General Defend Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage?
Republican says he will defend amendment; Democrat is not so sure.
Virginia's next attorney general will have to stand in a courtroom and make a decision about whether or not the commonwealth's constitutional ban on marriage should be defended. Republican candidate Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-26) has been clear about his support for the amendment and his intention to provide a vigorous defense of marriage. Democratic candidate Sen. Mark Herring (D-33), on the other hand, has yet to take a position on whether or not he will defend the amendment.
The Median Has No Message
Political signs banished from roadsides as campaign season heats up.
Some people call them flowers of democracy. Others call them weeds of political pollution. Whatever one thinks of the campaign signs and placards that appear along the roads of Fairfax County, expect to see a lot fewer of them. Last month, county officials launched a new program in which nonviolent inmates at the county jail hit the streets four days a week to remove illegal signs. With apologies to Marshall McLuhan, the message is no longer in the median. Anger and resentment has been rising over the issue of roadside political signs for years, and campaigns frequently go to war with each other to see which side can plant or steal or deface the largest number of placards. Unlike Prince William County, which had an agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation that allows the local government to collect the signs and fine violators, Fairfax was caught in a bind. Part of the Virginia code made it illegal for the county to remove the signs in Fairfax County until after an election.