Balancing Act: Between Nice-to-Have and Have-to-Have
Fairfax County needs new financial tools.
We’ve been lucky in Fairfax County. Spared the worst of the Great Recession with its mortgage crisis and unemployment, the County has still had to balance falling revenue and service delivery. Human services, libraries, and parks have all taken a hit—and our school budget, while not cut—has struggled to meet the needs of a growing student body.
Fairfax Symphony Opens its 55th Season
On Sept. 22, the Fairfax Symphony will open its season with a concert at 8 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax. The season will mark the beginning of a new three-year focus in programming called “Mischief in Music: Wit, Insolence and Insurrection.” As explained by Maestro Christopher Zimmerman, “So often symphonic music is regarded as something abstract and emotionally unspecific. Over the next three years the orchestra will play music by a variety of composers whose message and expressive aims are deliberate, be they light-hearted, semi-provocative or completely out of the box.”
Opinion: ‘Somebody Else’ Didn’t Come
Starting a small business comes with some amount of risk. Even the most diligent and talented owner faces challenges that could ground a business before it takes off. I can speak to that from experience. I started my own business 20 ago. My law firm started with me and my partner and now we provide approximately 20 jobs in Virginia. I am no Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg, but I am proud of what I have been able to do.
The Workhouse People's Choice Awards
Three artists from the Workhouse Associate Artists (WAA) were chosen as People's Choice Award winners for their current exhibitions in the Vulcan Gallery (Building W16) at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. The winners were chosen during the Workhouse's monthly Second Saturday Art Walk on Aug. 11. The winners are Maria Bennett Hock (1st place), Jack Dyer (2nd place) and Richard Mallory Allnutt (3rd place).
LCAC Partners with Halley Elementary
After-school program targets at-risk students.
When the school bell rings at the end of the day at William Halley Elementary School in Lorton this year, more than 350 students will be going to a new after-school program instead of going home.
Former Democrat Artur Davis to Speak at Republican Women of Clifton Meeting
The Republican Women of Clifton (RWC) will feature Artur Davis as the speaker at the club’s Sept. 17 meeting.
Businesses Support Local Musical Talent
Stop by the Main Street Pub on Sundays or Peterson’s Ice Cream Depot on Saturday nights in Clifton, and be treated to live music performed by some teens. Thanks to the generosity of the business owners, two musical duos earn their living—tips are welcome—entertaining patrons with acoustic music.
Drum Roll, Please
11th Annual Springfield BridgeWalk celebrates community support of Fort Belvoir’s soldiers.
"To me this walk symbolizes the renewal of the relationship we have with the Springfield community." --Col. Gregory Gadson, garrison commander of Fort Belvoir
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.
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
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.