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Citizens Honored

On Sunday, April 27, the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' Association held their 64th Annual Awards Ceremony. Braddock District resident Jan Hedetneimi was named the 2013 Fairfax County Citizen of the Year. Tena Bluhm and Kathy Kaplan were awarded a citation of merit for their work in their communities. The Federation also awarded Congressman Jim Moran, Delegate Jim Scott and Congressman Frank Wolf with a special gratitude award for their public service to Fairfax County.

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Magic of Mothers Host Math Mania

Students ages 6-12 compete, share love of math.

Students from elementary and middle schools in Fairfax Station and Lorton practiced their math skills and experienced the excitement of competition by participating in the Magic of Mothers Math Mania competition on April 26.

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Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber Celebrates 60 Years

Chamber reflects on history and looks forward to future area revitalization

Of all that was discussed at the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce’s 60th anniversary celebration, Michael Gailliot’s announcement that the planned Wegman’s at the corner of Beulah and Telegraph Roads at the Hilltop Village received their building permit on April 24 was among the most exciting for those in attendance.

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Food Fight: Work Group Snubbed on Food Trucks

City officials move forward with recommendations without report from work group.

Last May, City Manager Rashad Young issued a series of recommendations that would have opened the door to food trucks in Old Town, Del Ray and Carlyle.

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Fifth Grade Class Reunites with Retiring Teacher

George Weiner and 1987-1988 fifth grade class reunite at White Oaks Elementary.

For a group of adults in their late thirties, coming together for their fifth grade class reunion is somewhat uncommon. But students of George Weiner, a teacher at White Oaks Elementary School in Burke, say he was such a special and amazing teacher that there was no way they could forget fifth grade.

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Opening Doors to Hope

Previously homeless individuals share stories at FACETS Opening Doors Breakfast.

FACETS clients Carol Brown and Sandara Perry, sharing their stories to a crowd gathered at the FACETS Opening Doors breakfast on April 24, confirmed the unfortunate fact that homelessness and poverty do exist in Fairfax County.

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Bullis Entrepreneurial Teams Compete for $10,000

In “Shark Tank”-like competition.

Six teams of Bullis seniors: $2,000 in start-up money, classes in entrepreneurship, ingenious mentors who helped teams brainstorm and take their dreams to reality, the thrill of starting a new company and seeing it blossom, judges who are successful entrepreneurs — and a grand prize of $10,000 to take their company to the next level. Welcome to the “Shark Tank” at the Bullis Upper School.

Choral Festival Fills Hayfield

More than 900 middle school sixth-graders participated in the all-Fairfax county choral festival on Saturday, April 26. The festival featured 120 schools in the county. With so many students, the auditorium at Hayfield Secondary School was filled to capacity.

Protecting Driver’s License Information Becomes Law

Del. David Bulova’s legislation (House Bill 1072) to protect personal information on driver’s licenses was enacted into law during the reconvened session of the General Assembly on April 23. The new law, which will be effective on July 1, limits the ability of a business to electronically scan the bar code on a driver’s license and then store and use that data. State Sen. David Marsden (D-37) carried the companion legislation (Senate Bill 40), which has also been enacted into law.

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County Budget Markup Passes

Three supervisors still oppose the budget.

Fairfax County is another step closer to having an approved budget for the next fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors approved the 2015 budget markup at its April 22 meeting at the county Government Center. Supervisors Linda Smyth (D-Providence), Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and John Cook (R-Braddock) opposed the markup.

Fairfax County Honors ‘Superheroes’

22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards presented.

Maybe they don’t wear capes and flashy uniforms, but local volunteers are superheroes. That was the theme for the 22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards, where more than 100 volunteers were recognized for their work with breakfast Friday, April 25, at The Waterford in Springfield. More specifically, this year’s theme was "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact," which was reflected in the comic book-inspired table decor and introductions by master of ceremonies Jeff Goldberg, Virginia Bureau Chief for ABC7 and News Channel 8.

Why 30 Minutes Only?

To the Editor: Hunter Woods shopping Center marked new parking restrictions for the spaces directly across the stores on the left side nearest the RCC. The spaces are marked: 30 minutes only. This rule is quite incongruent with the merchants located there. When one dines at Ledo Pizza, you can expect more than 30 minutes to get and eat a good hot pizza. It takes more than 30 minutes to be served and chew and swallow meals at Hunan Café. Nail and Spa requires more than 30 minutes for a manicure or pedicure, not to mention both. Tanning needs more time for the entire procedure. The Buffalo Wing Factory has patrons staying more than 30 minutes. And I would guess Mathnasium has programs that require more than 30 minutes. To be fair, one can take out to go from Ledo Pizza or Hunan Café and that discourages patrons from enjoying a sit down meal in either place. So for whom are these spaces meant please? Teri Belf Reston

Becoming a Leader - The Grange Way

Great Falls Day, Sunday, May 4, to explore the story of local Grange.

The National Grange was formed in 1867, two years after the wrenching Civil War that took more lives than any war since. Mired in mistrust of neighbor, impoverished by outdated farming practices throughout the south, the Grange served as a platform for improving farming practices and farmers economics while building trust.

Florally Clueless, but Want to Send Flowers?

Let professional florists help make your thought count this Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. (Yes, it is. The big day for Mom is Sunday, May 11. Mark your calendar now.) What are you planning to give? If it’s flowers, you are on the right track. Women love receiving flowers, and flowers are still the most popular gift choice for Mother’s Day. According to the Society of American Florists, Mother's Day accounts for one-fourth of the floral purchases made for holidays. About 75 percent of you bought flowers or plants as gifts for Mother's Day 2013. But choosing flowers can be a bit risky if you’re of the florally clueless variety. How can you tell?

‘Reston at 50’ Studied

GMU symposium explores the planning and diversity of area.

Reston is a city with a past - a past that George Mason University students are discovering. Students - from undergraduates to doctoral candidates, presented their findings about Reston in time for the community’s 50th anniversary Monday at Hunter Mill Community Center. The symposium, titled “Reston at 50: Looking Back at Forward Thinking,” covered diversity, preservation, scholarship and planning to an audience of more than 50 community members. Director of African and African-American Studies Dr. Wendi Manuel-Scott moderated the event. “Many early residents settled into Reston because of the ideals of the community,” said Director of the School of Art Dr. Harold Linton during his talk about how Reston’s plan developed and some of the architecture the community centers were inspired from.