Silence of the Court
Justices deny public access to shield personal conversations.
The Virginia Supreme Court operates in silence, denying public access to audio recordings of its oral arguments. Unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, which denies video recordings but allows audio recordings, the commonwealth's top appeals court has a complete blackout on public access to proceedings. In a written response to questions from Connection Newspapers, the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Virginia Supreme Court explained that audio records were once public, but the installation of new equipment in January 2008 created new concerns for justices.
Keeping Pets Safe
Veterinary experts say common household items can harm animals.
Did you know that a bowl of grapes sitting on your counter can be fatal to your dog or that a bouquet of fragrant lilies could be lethal to a cat? Were you aware that a stick of gum might cause a life-threatening canine emergency? Veterinary experts say that while pet hazards are lurking around almost every home, many pet owners are unaware of them. From favorite foods to over-the-counter-pain relievers, a number of common household items are dangerous to family pets.
The Pampered Pooch
Luxury accessories for well-heeled canines.
Marcia Schwartz strolled through the handbag section at a high-end department store at Tysons Galleria in McLean, Va., her eyes taking in the latest offerings from Prada. The companion at her side was not a personal shopper or a credit card-clad husband, however. It was a snow-white fuzzball with a rhinestone-encrusted collar named Cleopatra. Cleo, as she is most often called, is a Bichon Frisé.
VA Adopts: Campaign for 1,000
Governor McDonnell promotes adoption, foster care during Fairfax County tour.
The atmosphere was festive as more than 100 people—including adoptive parents, children and state and local officials—gathered in the Fairfax County Government Center atrium Tuesday, July 30 to welcome Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) during the statewide tour to promote his “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” initiative.
For the Love of Animals
From taking orders in a pizza shop to finding homes for thousands of animals, the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation has a great "tail" to tell.
In 2001, there were too many dogs without homes and too few people to help them.
Four Years Prison for Fairfax Station Man
He planned to have sex with a minor.
A 67-year-old Fairfax Station man was sentenced last week to more than four years in federal prison. The punishment followed George Ronald Marion’s conviction for crossing state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, plus possession of child pornography.
Lynn Mayer to Lead Fairview Elementary
With strong ethicacy, she is focused on what’s best for the students.
Lynn Mayer of Fairfax was named the new principal of Fairview Elementary in Fairfax Station on July 1. The school originally built on Ox Road in 1899 inherited one third of the Clifton Elementary students when it closed two years ago.
The New Filmmakers of Fairfax
Clifton Film Fest selections reveal creative class in the county.
The latest short films of independent filmmakers producing and directing in the county drew a crowd to the Clifton Film Fest, held on the Workhouse quad in Lorton Saturday, July 20.
Teenage Sisters Spend Summer Dancing
Brittany and Caitie Belle Yevoli take part in a five-week intensive program with The Washington School of Ballet.
Rather than while away hours at the mall or the pool like most girls their age, a pair of teenage sisters from Fairfax Station chose to spend the majority of their summer dancing. But forget Selena Gomez and the Cupid Shuffle—Brittany, 14, and Caitie Belle Yevoli, 13, trained for five weeks alongside students from around the world as part of The Washington School of Ballet (TWSB) “Summer Intensive” program.
Quilt Show Displays ‘Sacred Threads’
Some 231 handmade quilts exploring themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace/brotherhood, grief and healing were displayed during the biennial Sacred Threads exhibition, July 10-28, at Floris United Methodist Church in Oak Hill. Three Fairfax residents had quilts in the show.
Apple Federal Credit Union Seeks Donations for Back-to-School Supply Drive
Apple Federal Credit Union has kicked off its Collect for Kids Program by joining community-based organizations to help get backpacks and supplies into the hands that need them most. Apple branches are accepting new back packs and monetary donations made at the branches and from Apple’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AppleFederalCreditUnion), and will match donations up to $5,000 until Aug. 15. According to the Fairfax County Public School System, for the 2011-2012 school year, 9.7 percent, or one in 10 children under age 18 live in poverty. The system also reported that 46,117 students, or 26.29 percent of their student enrollment, were eligible for free and reduced lunch.
Classified Advertising July 31, 2013
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Unlocking the Door to Affordable Housing
County considers establishment of residential studio option to assist with housing affordability.
Like most areas that have seen explosive growth in the past 30 years, Fairfax County’s stock of affordable housing has dwindled as it’s grown into one of the nation’s wealthiest counties.
Roessler Named County Police Chief
New police chief vows focus on diversity.
Edwin C. Roessler, named Fairfax County's police chief at Tuesday's Board of Supervisor's meeting, promised to launch a Diversity Council in an effort to recruit, promote and respond to Fairfax County's increasingly diverse community.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter Temporarily Suspends Intake of Dogs
Canine influenza suspected culprit after dozen dogs become ill.
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter has temporarily suspended its intake of dogs, after one dog died of pneumonia and about a dozen more dogs have exhibited symptoms of an unspecified upper respiratory illness.
Setting Records Straight
Fairfax Station resident Brandon Fabian (age group 13-14) broke four Colonial Swim League (CSL) Yard records this summer, swimming for the Barrington Blue Fins Swim Team.
Shouse Village Sharks Win Final Meet of the Season
In their fifth and final A Meet of the NVSL season, held at Canterbury Woods in Annandale, the Shouse Village Sharks won against the Canterbury Woods Sea Serpents 249 to 171 in NVSL Division 10.
Nereids Synchronized Swimmers 9th in Nation
The Northern Virginia Nereids synchronized swimming team just returned from the Age Group National Synchronized Swimming Championship in Riverside, Calif.
Silence of the Court: Virginia Supreme Court Denies Access to Audio Recordings
Lack of transparency is explained as effort to shield personal conversations.
The Virginia Supreme Court operates in silence, denying public access to audio recordings of its oral arguments.