Feedback Sought on Emergency Communications
Fairfax County online survey now available.
After filing a report last week with the Federal Communications Commission on Verizon’s 911 outages, Fairfax County officials are looking at how to improve their own communications during emergencies. The county wants to know how it can better communicate with residents and businesses in a disaster like a derecho, hurricane or terrorist attack. Officials are seeking feedback in a short, online survey.
Area Roundups
Football Stadiums Raise Banners Against Underage Drinking
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high school football stadiums will sport new banners this fall encouraging parents and adults in the community to report underage drinking parties to the police.
‘Senior Prank’ Filmed in Area
Local talent recruited for "The Senior Prank."
The community has rallied together behind the new local film in progress "The Senior Prank." Director Donald Leow, who also directed previous film "For the Glory," has brought in cast and crew from all over the country, while recruiting local talent for his film as well. Many members of the Fairfax community have gathered to be extras, show their talent on screen, help with tech, or just support the film.
Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: July, 2012
In July 2012, 87 homes sold between $1,795,000-$142,500 in the Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton area.
Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales in July, 2012
Char-a-oke Anyone?
$1 million raised for Fairfax County Public Schools Education Foundation.
Listen, baby… "Ain't no mountain high. Ain't no valley low. Ain't no river wide enough, baby. If you need me, call me. No matter where you are. No matter how far."
911's Complete Failure
Fairfax County says Verizon "failed completely" during June 29 derecho.
"It’s like the captain of the Titanic telling passengers the ship hit an iceberg when the bow is on the bottom of the ocean floor." —Steve Souder, Fairfax County 911 Director
Letter: Separate and Unequal - II
Your editorial in the titled "Separate and Unequal ?" [The Connection, July 25-31, 2012], addressed the "eye-popping" disparately low admission of Black and Latino students to Thomas Jefferson High School, and the complaint that this was "in voilation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin."
Opinion: First Day of School Coming Up
And never too early for parents to get involved.
The first day of school in most of Northern Virginia is Tuesday, Sept. 4. We don't agree with having the General Assembly dictate the first day of school, requiring the start date to be after Labor Day, but starting school after Labor Day does seem more hospitable than the Aug. 27 start in many other areas.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Names Interim Executive Director
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Galen Wixson as its interim executive director through December of 2012. Galen currently serves as the executive director of The Guitar Foundation of America where he has guided the organization through a transition to a new governance and management model, leading to several new program initiatives.
FCPD Traffic Safety Efforts Recognized
The Fairfax County Police Department was recently recognized by two prestigious law enforcement organizations which evaluate police traffic safety programs across the commonwealth and the nation.
Column: Diagnosed But Not Sick
Having/being diagnosed with cancer/a terminal disease is neither fun nor funny; however, unless I find some humor or wishful thinking in how I approach this situation, I don’t suppose I’ll be approaching it much longer. To me, it’s always been mind over matter, and even though these matters are rather serious, I still don’t mind.
How To Register, Vote and Vote Early
Election Day is Nov. 6, but you can vote as early as Sept. 21.
How important is it for Virginia voters to turn out on or before Nov. 6? As a critical “battleground” state, Virginia will be key in determining who will be the next President of the United States. Who will represent Virginia in the U.S. Senate is also too close to call. Since polling shows that there are very few undecided voters in the Commonwealth, every eligible voter will want to be sure to cast a ballot.
Opinion: Mindless Slashing
Automatic cuts set to kick in January would harm Northern Virginia more than any other region.
While reducing the federal deficit is critical to the nation's economic health in the long run, the knee jerk, slash and burn method based only on cuts that is coming at us like a freight train will do immense damage to the economy nationally. But no place would feel the pain more intensely than Northern Virginia.
A Year in Fairfax County
A sampling of some of the cherished, annual events of the county.
A sampling of some of the cherished, annual events of the county.
Lorton Insiders Perspective
What’s the greatest thing about living in Lorton?
Residents share their greatest joys and biggest tips for living in the area.
Insiders Perspective
What is the best thing about living in Clifton?
"My favorite thing about living in Clifton is the big properties, so there's so much room to run around..."
State Senator Shares Places-to-See
Q&A With Chap Petersen
Virginia State Senator Chap Petersen (D-34) represents central and western Fairfax in the Virginia State Senate. He grew up and lives in Fairfax City.
South Fairfax County Calendar, Aug. 22-Sept. 2
Events in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station and Springfield.
Go ahead, plan your weekend now. The Connection brings you a list of events in southern Fairfax County. Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. All submission are due by Friday at 5 p.m., one week prior to the event. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
Remembering Their Sacrifice
Fairfax Station Railroad Museum commemorates first mass Civil War evacuation.
"By midnight, there must have been three thousand helpless men lying in the hay. All night long we made compresses and slings and bound up and wet wounds when we could get water…" —From the writings of Clara Barton, after tending to the wounded in the battles of Second Manassas and Ox Hill in late August, 1862.
Explore & Enjoy
A sample of attractions the area offers.
The miniature Central Pacific Huntington steam engine at Burke Lake Park has been a popular ride for 40 years.