Presidential Visit to Washington-Lee
President Barack Obama made his first visit to Washington-Lee High School on Friday, May 4.
Grassroots Government 101
First Braddock ‘Citizen Governance Conference’ draws future decision-makers.
Sitting in a conference room discussing issues such as land use, aging and transportation may not seem like the perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon. But the opportunity to have a voice in the future of the Braddock district drew nearly 75 residents to the first Citizen Governance Conference, hosted by Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) at Frost Achievement Finance Park on May 5.
County Launches Project To Combat Lyme Disease
After an unseasonably warm winter, Fairfax County health officials are bracing for a proliferation of tick infestations as well as a potential surge in new cases of Lyme disease.
Northern Virginia Bill Signing Puts Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence in Spotlight
A rare moment of bipartisanship between Republican governor and Democratic legislators.
Strangulation will be punished more aggressively to combat violence against women. Campus police will work with other police agencies to crack down on domestic violence of unmarried couples. And the telephone number for a human trafficking hotline will be placed in the restrooms at strip clubs across Virginia.
Clifton Rolls Out the Welcome Mat
It’s the 40th annual Spring Homes Tour.
French chandeliers, antique furnishings, original paintings and whimsical collections are among the delights awaiting all those attending the 40th annual Clifton Spring Homes Tour. It’s slated for Thursday, May 17, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and includes a marketplace, silent auction and raffle, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Paradise Springs Winery.
Housing Discrimination Alert
Officials step up education, outreach efforts to reach immigrant communities about "fair housing" rights.
Housing discrimination cases have been on the rise in Fairfax County in the past few years. And the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP), the agency that enforces fair housing laws in the county, is shining a spotlight on the problem through seminars for housing providers, realtors, community groups and other interested parties. "Sadly, housing discrimination is alive and well and we’ve seen an uptick in complaints during the past six years," said Kenneth Saunders, executive director of OHREP.
Community Champions
Julie Clemente founded Friends of Clemyjontri Inc. in 2006 to raise money for park improvements. In 2011, Clemente organized and headed the effort to create the Friends of Clemyjontri website; worked with CapitalOne to create a credit card with a photo of Clemyjontri on the front to help raise funds for the park, and has created opportunities to raise additional funds.
‘West Side Story’ At South County
Classic update of "Romeo & Juliet."
South County Secondary School Theatre Department is ready to rumble as the popular musical, "West Side Story," hits its stage this month. Set in the mid-1950s, the play tells the story of two rival gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, who fight for the same territory in New York City.
It’s a Race and a Picnic
Clifton Caboose Twilight 5K is May 12
Anyone can hold a 5K race early in the morning, but the Town of Clifton does things differently. Its 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run is Saturday, May 12, with the 1-mile fun run/walk starting at 6 p.m., and the 5K, at 6:30 p.m. It’ll happen rain or shine; and in this competition, not only the winners receive prizes, but the last-place, or caboose, finisher also gets an award.
Local Safety Net Clinics Seek a Few Good Doctors
Specialty care physicians and other medical professionals needed to serve low income, uninsured patients.
When Marie Markey of Alexandria retired from U.S. Air Force as a physical therapist, she rolled up her sleeves and went to work helping those in need. Markey works as a volunteer twice each week at the Arlington Free Clinic, offering physical therapy to the clinic’s low income and uninsured patients.
Explosives Ordinance Unit Presented in Fairfax
The robot, unofficially known in the Fairfax EOD unit as "Charlotte," is the most common robotic platform used by police departments in the Unite States and has been used by the Fairfax County Police Department since 2002.
AYPO Welcomes New Conductor of the American Youth String Ensemble
The American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras (AYPO) welcomes its new Conductor of the American Youth String Ensemble (AYSE), Laura Woollen Cahn of Fairfax.
Value of Volunteer Hours: $4.5 million
Legacy of Community Service? Priceless.
"Volunteers aren't paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless." Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous sentiment was echoed by numerous community and civic leaders who gathered at the Waterford in Springfield Friday, April 27, to celebrate 118 Fairfax County volunteers during the 20th annual Volunteer Service Awards hosted by Volunteer Fairfax.
Volunteers Honored for Efforts
Four locals receive Community Champions Awards for Health Care and Social Services to the Community.
Four Northern Virginia volunteers were honored for their charitable efforts recently. Edward Shahin of McLean, Marie Markey of Alexandria and Mattie Palmore and Kari Warren of Mt. Vernon received the Molina Healthcare Community Champions Award during a ceremony at the at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax.
Celebrating Earth Day
Clean Fairfax Council hosts 2012 celebration.
A fundamental part of the mission of the Clean Fairfax Council is to "encourage environmental stewardship and urban sustainability" in Fairfax County, working in partnership with numerous governmental agencies and volunteer groups. As the organizers of the Fairfax County Earth Day/Arbor Day celebration for more than 10 years, the Council insured that the 2012 event, held on Saturday, April 28 at the Fairfax County Government Center was loaded with educational workshops, demonstrations, exhibits, food and fun.