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.
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.”
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.
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.
2013 National Jamboree
A group of boy scouts from McLean and Fairfax Station had the privilege of attending the 2013 National Jamboree—held for the first time ever at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, or “The Summit” in Mount Hope, W. Va. Years of preparation went into making The Summit ready to host 40,000 scouts from all over the U.S. for 10 days. The Summit had a huge variety of activities for scouts to enjoy. These activities included mountain biking, scuba, BMX, rock climbing, shooting sports, and the most popular activity there—the zip-lines! At any given moment the zip-line had up to a 3-hour wait.
Energy and Passion at Workhouse Stage
The Metropolitan Performing Arts Theatre to present “Fame, The Musical.”
Youthful sensibilities are coming to the Workhouse stage. Chronicling the fictional lives of a variety of determined performing arts students at New York City's High School of Performing Arts, "Fame, The Musical" will transport audiences with its exuberance, courtesy of the Metropolitan Performing Arts Theatre.
Local Families, Au Pairs Help Support Children in Need
Fairfax County Local Childcare Coordinators (LCCs) Dariece Rau, Kimberly Nelson, Christine Bodziak, Shawna Levins, Cinzia Putzeys and Debora Smith, along with area au pairs and their host families, enjoyed cool refreshing yogurt and other treats at Yolly Molly Café in Fairfax to support Cultural Care’s Kids First Foundation Sunday, Aug. 4. The families and au pairs came from Fairfax, Clifton, Centreville, Fairfax Station and Springfield, all with a mind to support child advocacy groups and other non-profits benefiting children in need worldwide. Currently, Kids First supports: Share Our Strength, one of America’s leading not-for-profit organizations whose mission is to end childhood hunger; Jeevitha Anathashrama, an orphanage in India; and Dom Dietzcka, an orphanage in Poland.
Candidates Agree on Amendment for Voting Rights, Disagree on Executive Order
Restoration of civil rights on the agenda for next governor.
Should nonviolent felons have their right to vote automatically restored? What exactly is a nonviolent felony? What kind of process can be considered automatic?
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.
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.