Commentary: Protecting Those Threatened by Domestic Violence
September marks 20th Anniversary of Violence Against Women Act.
This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – landmark legislation in which our nation committed new prevention and response resources so that our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends would no longer have to suffer in silence through domestic abuse.
Robinson Football Improves to 3-0 with Win Over Rival Lake Braddock
Rams build 19-0 lead, hold on to beat 'contender.'
Lake Braddock improved to 3-0 with a 19-17 win over Lake Braddock on Friday.
Gas Station Runs Backpack Drive
You may have noticed the sign “You Pump We Donate: Back to School Backpack Drive for Area Kids,” in front of the Cardinal Plaza Shell gas station on Old Keene Mill Road.
U.S. Army Chorus to Perform at Springfield Church
In celebration of the Westwood Baptist Church's 50th Anniversary in 2014, The U.S. Army Chorus presents a fun evening of music from its varied repertoire featuring tunes from the last five decades at Westwood Baptist Church, 8200 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. The concert is free, and everyone is invited.
Area Schools Celebrate New Beginning
What’s new at Irving Middle, Lake Braddock Secondary and Sangster Elementary?
Rising seventh grade students at Washington Irving Middle School are not the only ones preparing for changes this upcoming school year. “This is the first year that we’re going to teach the Civics and Economic class to all eighth grade students at the honors level,” said Assistant Principal Rick Mondloch in an interview on Aug. 18.
Full Day Monday Challenges Discussed
The implementation of “full day Mondays” has been anything but easy for area elementary schools. The challenges that Fairfax County Public Schools faced to bring more hours to elementary students’ school year was addressed by Superintendent Karen Garza and several board members during a school board meeting on Sept. 4 at Jackson Middle School.
Portrait of a Graduate Discussed
The heart of the school system’s new strategic plan is closer to being approved. The Fairfax County School Board discussed the five component Portrait of a Graduate - with some asking for a component emphasizing a caring quality - at Monday’s work session.
Classified Advertising September 10, 2014
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"Change the World Day" At Messiah United Methodist Church
More than 350 members of Messiah United Methodist Church in Springfield took church to the community Sunday, Sept. 7, performing 30 mission projects including repairing a boardwalk maintenance at Hidden Pond Nature Center; serving meals at Rising Hope UMC (Route 1 corridor) , Capitol Hill UMC (DC) and Fisher House (military veterans); sorting donations at area charity thrift stores and building fences at picnic tables at Camp High Road, a United Methodist camp in Manassas.
Lake Braddock XC Delivers Strong Showing at Monroe Parker Invite
Motivated boys’ team seeks state title after finishing 2nd in 2013.
Lake Braddock boys' XC placed first at the M
Board of Supervisors Approves 2014 Budget Carryover Package
FCPS full-day Mondays at discussion forefront.
When students at the 142 public elementary schools around Fairfax County stayed there the full day on Monday -- the first time in about four decades -- they likely weren’t worried about the cost. That’s between the school board and board of supervisors. Grown-up stuff.
‘Recession Ripple Persists’ at Realtors’ Summit
Private sector job growth key to strengthening regional economy, housing demand.
“There’s no question the primary economic driver of this region has always been Uncle Sam,” said David Versal, senior research associate at the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis. “That said, we’re not Detroit.”
New Principal Starts at West Springfield
Michael Mukai brings “champion” philosophy from Robinson.
Earlier this summer, West Springfield High School needed a principal... and a head custodian. Michael Mukai, who started on the first day of school as permanent relief for interim Principal Becky Brandt, said the two positions are more similar than different.
Editorial: Change Is Coming, Right?
Legislators on changing the culture of cash and gifts in Virginia: Crickets.
With former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen facing what could be decades in prison after their convictions for corruption, a reasonable person might reasonably expect that members of the General Assembly would be gearing up to make some big changes.
Time Sensitive
As much as I don’t want to be cognizant of date, time and place, relative to February 27, 2009 when Team Lourie first received the stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis on yours truly, I am (a terminal diagnosis will do that to you). Moreover, as often as I write about the need to live forward, rather than die backward (if you know what I mean), I still struggle with the application.
Extreme Politics
Foust, Comstock stake out opposing positions during first debate in hyper-partisan 10th district Congressional race.
Forget first-debate politeness. Republican Barbara Comstock and Democrat John Foust — the candidates vying to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf in Virginia’s 10th Congressional district — sustained the hyper-partisan tenor of their campaigns during a debate-style forum hosted by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce in Herndon last week.
The Broad-winged Hawks Are Coming
Every Autumn, in addition to literally billions of songbirds, a million or more avian raptors (hawks, eagles, and falcons) migrate from their nesting and breeding areas all over North America to their winter homes, mostly in Central and South America. Raptor enthusiasts and hawk counters often head for mountain ridges and other concentration points in hopes of seeing some of the birds fly by.
Classified Advertising September 3, 2014
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Taking On the ‘Silver Tsunami’
Herrity to present 50+ Plan to Board of Supervisors next week.
“It’s here,” said Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield). “We’re already living in it.” Between 2005 and 2030, the number of individuals 50 and older is projected to grow by 40 percent in Fairfax County and the number 70 and older is projected to grow by 80 percent. Herrity attributes the changes to both the aging of Baby Boomers, and the general increase in life expectancy.
Concerts from Kirkwood to Kick off New Season
Concerts from Kirkwood, the series of free concerts presented by Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, begins its 2014 – 2015 season on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. as organ virtuoso Aram Basmadjian takes the console to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the installation of Kirkwood’s Allen organ.