Migrating Birds Flock to Monticello Park
Monticello Park, tucked away in a neighborhood in Alexandria, is a migrant trap for warblers and other migrating birds such as tanagers and orioles. Beginning in March but escalating in April and at prime season in May, this park has a large variety and number of warblers. In 2013 from May 8-17 in nine out of 10 days there was a 100 day warbler total with some days counting over 20 different species. In early May of this year the number of warblers had exploded, already breaking that record. This park is unusual because it has a small stream running through the underbrush, and warblers often fly down when the sun warms up in the morning to bathe in the water. This means you can see warblers all day long. Birders who are used to the seasonal malady of "warbler neck" from staring into the tall trees for hours searching for movement, are delighted that the birds are only a few feet away from them in the stream.
Creating a Community in Tysons
Plethora of events this year in Tysons Corner.
Michael Caplin is helping to turn Tysons Corner into a community.
Giving Circle of Hope Honors 2013 Nonprofit Partners
Connections for Hope Partnership of Herndon receives first ever Impact Grant Award of $25,000.
Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston was the venue on May 14 for the Giving Circle of Hope’s annual gathering to showcase the nonprofit partners to whom the organization’s members have chosen to award grants for the coming year. Each fall, eligible members of the Circle – persons who have contributed at least $1 per day for the year to the Grant Fund – review applications and vote to award grants for specific projects that help people in need in Northern Virginia.
Vienna Man Going to Federal Prison
Given nearly seven years for McLean teen’s death.
Kyle Alifom, 20, of Vienna was sentenced last Friday to nearly seven years in federal prison in connection with the death of a 16-year-old McLean girl. The victim was Emylee Lonczak, a McLean High student whose body he hid after she overdosed on heroin. Charged with tampering with evidence, Alifom was convicted of that offense Feb. 10 in U.S. District Court in Alexandria. A statement of facts filed with his plea made it clear that – not only did he try to prevent anyone from finding Lonczak – he also did nothing to obtain medical help for her while she was still alive.
Few Roll Through Town
Bike to Work Day sees low participation due to heavy rain.
Bike to Work Day was a washout at many event locations this year.
Biking to Work Despite Rain
Bike To Work Day highlights alternative travel in Fairfax County.
On Friday morning rainy weather hit Northern Virginia, yet volunteers at 14 bike stations throughout Fairfax County still assisted bicyclists for the annual Bike To Work Day. Coordinated by Commuter Connections and Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), the Bike to Work Day event attracts participants from around the Washington metropolitan region. This year’s theme was “Get your workout before you get your work in.”
Rebranding Their Passion
10th annual Technology and the Arts Awards presented.
Think S.T.E.A.M, not S.T.E.M. That was the message Leidos Director of Advertising, Branding and Creative Chris Green told a group of student artists at the 10th Annual Technology and the Arts Competition Awards at the ASCE World Headquarters in Reston on May 14.
Protecting Children from Trafficking
Speakers at Herndon High event discuss human trafficking and answer questions.
On Thursday, May 15, representatives and staff throughout the Herndon school pyramid went to Herndon High auditorium for an evening presentation on Teen Sex Trafficking. The purpose of the event was to help parents understand the risks their children face, and how to help keep them safe. “This is the first time we are doing this presentation in Herndon,” said Heather Coleman, a social worker with Fairfax County Public Schools. Based on the success of this event, the Herndon schools are considering making this an annual event.
New Sewer Option Considered for Forestville
School needs sewer update immediately.
A costly gravity sewer may be the solution for a possible health hazard at Forestville Elementary. After an investigation into replacing the existing septic field for routine updates, developers found that that field will not support the planned septic field - thanks to saturated soil. “I want you to know that it wasn’t our first choice and it wasn’t our second choice,” said Fairfax County Public Schools Coordinator of Capital Projects and Sustained Design Stephen Nicholson. “It will be major work.” He discussed the option at Great Falls Citizens Association’s monthly meeting on May 13 at The Grange. The updates are a part of a routine capital projects planned for the school.
Books for a Bargain at the Great Falls Sale
Literary pickings made their way from the shelves of Great Falls families’ homes to the tables of the Great Falls Book Sale last weekend, for a biannual fundraising event held by the Friends of the Great Falls Library.
Piloting Food Trucks
Most of controversial food truck proposal placed on back burner.
The food truck craze is coming to a city park or a farmer's market near you, part of a 16-month pilot program that will allow the mobile vendors to set up shop and see what happens. City Council members approved the pilot program in a four-to-two vote with Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg and Councilman Paul Smedberg voting no. Disgruntled restaurant owners across the city are talking about creating a new association specifically to fight expanding the program to hot spots in Old Town and Del Ray, a move city officials have been pushing for more than a year. The pilot is scheduled to begin in July and run through October 2015.
Alexandria Community Trust Turns Ten
Hundreds of residents attended the ACT Birthday and Barbeque Bash at the Waterfront Market & Café...
Nightmare on Green Street?
Neighbors say house is a nuisance; city officials say their hands are tied.
The 800 block of Green Street is tucked away in a quiet part of Old Town, a few blocks west of Washington Street where spring flowers are in bloom and neighbors know each other by name. Except Michael Wargo. Property records say he purchased 813 Green St. in 1989 for $263,000. But neighbors say he hasn't lived in the house for 12 years, and they are concerned that the house is a firetrap that's attracting wild animals and growing concern.
Apprehension Grows Along with Cost Estimate
200 percent spike in cost of streetcar creates a sense of uneasiness among businesses.
Will the Columbia Pike streetcar be good for business? County leaders in Arlington seem to think so, even if the cost of the project has steadily increased since county leaders began planning to finance a streetcar line along the pike. Back in 2005, county leaders estimated it would cost $120 million. Now County Manager Barbara Donnellan estimates it will cost $358 million. That means the cost of the proposal has escalated 200 percent in the last decade.
Kanninen Seizes Democratic Endorsement for School Board
18-vote margin of victory in second round of voting.
After two rounds of voting in the Democratic caucus, author Barbara Kanninen seized the Democratic endorsement with a slim 18-vote margin of victory against Nancy Van Doren. A third candidate, Greg Greeley, was knocked out in the first round of voting. That led to an instant runoff in which the second choice of voters were considered. Most of those went to Van Doren, which led to a razor-thin 18-vote margin of victory for Kanninen in the second round of voting.
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