Animal Shelter Grand Opening
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house this Saturday, May 17, to celebrate the official completion of the shelter’s renovation and expansion. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and will include behind-the-scenes tours, face-painting and hands-on interaction with rabbits, guinea pigs and small reptiles. The shelter’s at 4500 West Ox Road and is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Letter: Senator Who Cares
To the Editor: It's been more than frustrating to watch such a dysfunctional Congress. Looking toward the coming election, I'm voting for candidates that can cross party aisles and put the welfare of the citizens first. This is why I am supporting Sen. Mark Warner's re-election. Examining his past work in the Senate has given me hope that with more representatives like him, our legislature can emerge from the inoperative era.
Del. Filler-Corn Appointed to State Commission on Intergovernmental Cooperation
Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) was appointed to the Virginia Commission on Intergovernmental Cooperation in April. This Commission is comprised of members of the General Assembly to promote the Commonwealth’s interest between other states and the federal government. The Commission formulates proposals for cooperation between Virginia and other states as well as formulating proposals concerning interstate contracts and conferences. Additionally, the Commission monitors and makes recommendations concerning federal policies that are of concern to the Commonwealth.
CERT Helps Citizens Prepare for Emergency Situations
Training provides hands-on disaster response skills.
Steve Willey, a member of Virginia Task Force One and lead instructor of Fairfax County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), acknowledges that the police and fire department are dependable in the community after a major disaster. But, it’s important to be prepared, since police and fire and rescue are sent first to major incidents, making it important for community members to take control of their own safety. That’s where CERT comes in.
Major Changes Coming to Interstate 95
All 95 Express Lane users will need an E-ZPass in 2015.
When the 95 Express Lanes open in 2015, all drivers, whether they are driving alone, in a carpool, a slug, or in a vehicle with a clean fuel plate, will be required to purchase an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex to use these lanes.
Keeping Youth Happy and Healthy
NEXUS Conference discusses best strategies.
According to the Fairfax County 2012-2013 Youth Survey, youth with fewer assets were more likely to be depressed. These assets include high integrity, extra-curricular activities, help from parents, and more. This topic, along with ways to promote positive health for children and youth, was discussed at this year’s NEXUS conference at the Virginia Hills Center on May 9. The conference centered on ways to keep youth mentally and physical happy and healthy.
Landfill Decision Deferred to June 17
If approved by Board of Supervisors, Lorton landfill will operate until 2034.
Before a public hearing on May 13 in which over 99 people signed up before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors regarding an application to extend the life of the Lorton landfill until 2034, Frank McDermott, an attorney representing EnviroSolutions, said he had never experienced such nastiness and misrepresentation in a land use case. The EnviroSolutions application to extend operation of their construction landfill until 2034 has led to controversy in the Lorton community and beyond. Despite months of debate, the decision was deferred by the Board of Supervisors to June 17.
Raising Awareness, Funds for Fragile X
Second Annual Fragile X Walk is May 17 at Burke Lake Park.
Throughout the United States, over 1,000,000 individuals are at risk of developing or already have a Fragile X disorder. Despite the numbers, many people still remain uneducated about Fragile X. The Fragile X Families of Northern Virginia are working to raise awareness and money for research and education on this syndrome with their second annual Fragile X walk, coming this Saturday, May 17 to Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station.
Celebrating 50 Years of Strong Community
Supervisor Cook honors Little Run Citizen’s Association.
With a strong neighborhood watch program, a 4th of July parade, and a hayride, the Little Run Citizen’s Association has had a productive 50 years.
Cheering On at Cherry Run
Every year since Cathy Brown has been an early childhood special education teacher at Cherry Run Elementary School, a baseball game and picnic has been held in celebration of the end of the year for the older preschoolers
‘Disguised Learning’ with Bricks 4 Kidz
Lorton residents use Legos to reinforce education, fun.
It’s no secret that kids love building with Legos. But the fun can also be educational, as Lorton residents Jenny and Paul Ahn have recently discovered. The Ahns have been integrating the fun of Legos with educational concepts since starting a Bricks 4 Kidz franchise in the area in March.
Serving Up Controversy Over Food Trucks in Alexandria
Council members indicate they're likely to approve a pilot program at farmers markets.
City Council members are bracing themselves for a massive food fight this Saturday, when elected officials will take up a divisive proposal to allow food trucks in Alexandria.
How Will School Board Candidates Handle Crush of New Students?
What will they do if elected to tackle spike in enrollment?
The three candidates seeking the Democratic endorsement for School Board all say they are opposed to increasing class sizes, and all three say the School Board is probably going to have to consider boundary changes to handle the crush of new students. Beyond that, though, the candidates have a wide array of opinions about how the county schools should handle the enrollment spike.
Bishop Ireton Girls’ Lax Wins First WCAC Championship
Cardinals beat Norfolk Academy in VISAA state quarterfinals.
The Bishop Ireton girls' lacrosse team advanced to the VISAA state semifinals.
West Potomac Sophomore Sara Experiencing Power Surge
Sara hits 3 home runs against South County on May 9.
The West Potomac baseball team sits in second place in Conference 7.
Young Musicians, Safety Patrols Awarded
Woman’s Club honors middle- and elementary-school students.
The musicianship of four students at Cooper and Longfellow Middle Schools in McLean was recognized by the Woman’s Club of McLean at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, where the students also performed on their instruments. Tracy McConnaughay, of Cooper Middle School, played “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” by Edvard Grieg, on the euphonium. Min Lee, also of Cooper Middle School, played Concerto No. 3, k. 216, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, on the violin, accompanied by Myunghee Lee. Ji In Park, of Longfellow Middle School, performed the Concerto in G, 1st Movement, by Carl Stamitz, on the flute, accompanied by Hee Ra Son. Finally, Nadia Jo, also of Longfellow, performed the Concerto in A Minor, 1st Movement, by Camille Saint-Saens, on the cello, accompanied by Jade Sohn. The four students each received an award of $100 from the Woman’s Club.
Helping Rwandans
A prominent D.C.- area ophthalmologist from Vienna recently returned from a 10-day trip to East Africa where he performed and assisted with hundreds of surgeries on local residents and those from neighboring countries, many of whom traveled two or three days and lined up and waited for another day or two for their turn. Dr. Alex Melamud of The Retina Group of Washington recently made his third visit to the Kabgayi Eye Hospital in Rwanda, the first facility in the country to provide free retinal care. He and the hospital’s one ophthalmologist did as many as 40 surgeries a day, treating trauma injuries resulting from machete wounds and animal attacks, retinal detachments, cataracts and many extremely advanced cases of Diabetic Retinopathy.
Letter: Not the Answer
To the Editor: Delegate Ken Plum (D-36) tries to make the argument for expanded Medicaid rolls (“Contrasting Views,” Reston Connection, May 7-13, 2014), touting “free” government money, but inhibits rational argument with his inability to resist cheap partisan invective.
No, I’m Not a Parent; I Just Act Like One
I’m not a biological mother, an adoptive mother, a stepmother or a foster mother. But I have experienced some of the joys and heartbreaks of motherhood.
Hilarious Comedy in 19th-Century England
Oakton High presents ‘The Pirates of Penzance.’
Ahoy, mateys! There are pirates on the horizon – but this bunch sings, dances and makes people laugh. And they’re all in Oakton High’s production of “The Pirates of Penzance.” It’s a satiric operetta about a group of inept pirates off the shore of Cornwall, England in the 1880s. And they’ll commandeer the stage, this Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.