Tax Burden Targets Low-Income Workers in Northern Virginia
Average tax burden for low-income workers is highest in Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax.
Families that are struggling to make ends meet in Northern Virginia are the target of local governments in Northern Virginia, which has the highest tax burden in the region for low-income workers. Wealthy people face the highest tax burden in Prince George's County and Montgomery County. But here in Virginia, poor people face the biggest tax burden in Arlington, according to a new study by the Office of Revenue Analysis in the District of Columbia. Alexandria ranked second, and Fairfax County ranked third.
Advocates Urge Supervisors to ‘Invest in Fairfax’
Coalition of schools, government employees, parks, libraries and human services gather at budget hearings.
“Invest in Us, Invest in Fairfax.” That was the rallying cry last week at the Fairfax County Government Center as advocates for schools, libraries, parks, government employees and other human services gathered in support of more funding in these areas.
Attorney General Speaks to Seniors about Fraud Prevention
Seniors learn tips for avoiding scams.
Senior citizens have increasingly been the victims of recent fraud and scams. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring taught seniors how they can avoid these crimes at Greenspring’s Fraud Prevention Expo on April 11 in Springfield. Herring advised seniors to be suspicious of any cold calls or direct mail solicitations, as these are often fraudulent. The attorney general’s office has a consumer protection division, which can help seniors or anyone who has a concern or dispute with a business or service.
Fairfax County Police Advocate for Pay Raise
Department is struggling to recruit and maintain officers.
Nearly 350 Fairfax County Police officers appeared at a public hearing on the Fairfax County budget on April 10, advocating for an increase in pay. The police filled the auditorium, leaving standing room only. Several police testified before the Board of Supervisors, advocating for pay raises and parity with other public safety departments, such as the firefighters, who are seeing an increase in pay this year.
Achievement Gap Addressed at Budget Hearings
Admissions to Thomas Jefferson, cuts to Summer School, later start times discussed.
Of the 487 students admitted to the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, only 10 are black. Eight of these students are Hispanic. This is even though 177 black students and 214 Hispanic students applied for admission to the school. “Unless you actually believe that black and Latino children have some type of intellectual deficiency that prevents them from competing for admission to TJ, you have to believe there is a failure in the Fairfax County Public School system in terms of preparing these students to adequately compete for admission to TJ,” said Tina Hone, former school board member and founder of the Coalition of the Silence (COTS), at the FY 2015 budget public hearing on April 8.
Beth Shalom Hosts ‘Guys Night Out’
The 4th annual BBQ, Scotch and Seder Summit took place April 6 at the Beth Sholom Congregation on Seven Locks Road in Potomac.
Robinson Chorus Prepping for World Choir Games
Two ensembles from Robinson will travel to Latvia this summer.
After a Skype session with composer Sydney Guillaume, members of Robinson Secondary School’s choral group Robinson Singers were ecstatic. “It was just so exciting because he knows exactly what he wants it to sound like,” said junior Molly Wise. “It was so cool to have the composer teach us and to take the time to help us.” Guillaume is the composer of “Twa Tanbou,” one of the pieces Robinson Singers will be performing at the World Choir Games in Latvia this summer.
Families, Community Advocate For Special Education Graduates
Supporters gathered at Fairfax County budget hearing on April 10.
Diana Martin, a Fairfax Station resident, was already losing sleep thinking about how she was going to balance the post-grad needs of her daughter Kenzie with her husband’s chemo and medical care. Now, she is even more concerned as funding for the programs that help special education graduates from Fairfax County Public Schools is included on a list of possible further reductions that County Executive Ed Long presented to the Board of Supervisors on March 18.
Promoting STEM in Schools, Budget Hearings
Nifty Fifty STEM education events continue as students advocate for STEM at Fairfax public hearings.
As part of an effort to inspire students to pursue STEM careers and to spark interest in math and science, scientists visited Fairfax County Public Schools last week to talk about their careers and to provide insight on the field.
Dinner Music
Focus Music brings folk and acoustic music to Potomac’s Tami’s Table.
Tami’s Table Café and Wine Bar, located at 12944-E Travilah Road, Potomac is the scene to check out.
Area Writers Shine at Crime Authors Book Fair
Fairfax County residents share insight at National Crime and Punishment Museum.
For Fairfax County resident John B. Wren, writing crime novels is addictive. Creating problems, or the mystery, making people curious and creating solutions, is enjoyable for him. “It’s so much fun,” he said.
Tiger Trot Triumph
More than 500 runners participated in the fourth annual “Tiger Trot” at Connelly School of the Holy Child.
Lorton Residents ‘Ride to Conquer Cancer’
Kim and James Reno, West Springfield High School graduates, hope to raise $5,000 each.
West Springfield High School graduates and current Lorton residents Kim and James Reno are putting in long hours training for the upcoming Ride to Conquer Cancer. The two-day, 150-mile bike ride will take them through the D.C. area as they raise money and awareness for cancer research. Both Kim and James need to raise at least $2,500 dollars, but are aiming for $5,000 each.
Chess Champions
FCPS students sweep team titles at Virginia Scholastic Chess Championships.
Students from three Fairfax County public schools won team championships in all four K-12 divisions at the Virginia Scholastic Chess Championships held recently in Roanoke. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students also won individual championships in the K-3 and K-5 divisions.
Week in Vienna
Since Laurie DiRocco is the only person running for mayor in Vienna, it’s a good bet that she’ll be elected. And in the meantime, she’s getting some on-the-job training by fulfilling the unexpired term of the town’s late mayor, M. Jane Seeman, who died Feb. 23.
High-quality Preschool Helps Children Succeed
Fairfax County must expand access to Virginia Preschool Initiative.
As a retired general and the husband of an educator, I would like to highlight the importance of quality preschool as the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors makes final decisions about the county budget. I am alarmed that 75 percent of all young Americans ages 17-24 are not able to serve in the military, primarily because they are too poorly educated, too overweight or have a criminal record. In Virginia, 18 percent of young people do not graduate from high school on time. In addition, one in four of Virginia's high school graduates who try to join the military cannot serve because of low scores on the military's exam for math, literacy and problem-solving.
Madison Science Olympiad Team First in Region, Third in State
James Madison Science Olympiad is a still developing group, gaining competitive recognition as the years go by. They have received fifth place in 2012, third place in 2013, and third place this year in 2014 in the state competitions. In the regional competitions they have gotten first both this year and last year. Science Olympiad is a nation-wide organization aimed to expose students to different aspects of science not introduced at the typical school level. It is similar to the Olympics in a way -- students represent their school and compete against other schools to win their event. The sixth through first place winners all receive medals. There are multitudinous events, slightly differing from middle school to high school. Events include Rocks and Minerals, Astronomy, Water Quality, and many more.
‘Humphrey’ Writer Visits Vienna Elementary
Betty Birney writer of the popular “Humphrey” series visited Vienna Elementary on March 25. “Humphrey” is a classroom hamster and the stories are written from his perspective.
The Italian Gourmet Celebrates 40 Years
On Monday Dec. 9, 1974, The Italian Gourmet opened in Vienna. With its gourmet Italian prepared foods and specialty hard goods, The Italian Gourmet drew customers from all over the D.C. area. Today Jeremy and Margaret Schottler own the store, and their two children can often be found "helping" in the store as well. Six days a week (the deli is closed on Sunday for family time), The Italian Gourmet serves as a deli, gourmet food shop and caterer to the Vienna community.
Chocolate Factory Comes to Vienna
Vienna Theatre Company Presents “Willy Wonka” over three weekends.
“Willy Wonka, The Musical,” based on Roald Dahl’s popular children’s story “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” comes alive in Vienna for three weekends from mid-April to early May. The Vienna Theatre Company presents the family-friendly production at the Vienna Community Center. Of a cast of 20, eleven are residents of Vienna. Ten of the 11 are local children. “We usually don’t do a show with a lot of kids in it,” said “Willy Wonka” director Jessie Roberts. “The kids have been fabulously fantastic, just wonderful to work with.”