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Classified Advertising August 20, 2014

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Springfield Schools Prepare for an ‘Exciting Year’

Full-day Mondays the biggest change in a new school year.

With the first day of school, Sept. 2, approaching --elementary schools are hard at work preparing for the new school year.

Springfield Girl Scouts Volunteer in Costa Rica and Panama

Springfield teens Meghan Holub and Danielle Triebwasser were two of 23 girls selected from across the nation to participate in a Girl Scouts Destinations program in Costa Rica and Panama where they assisted community projects in remote indigenous villages and contributed to conservation efforts protecting endangered sea turtles along the Caribbean Coast.


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Playing to Win

Serious local tennis competitors share their approach to the game.

As the U.S. Open approaches, several local tennis students are competing in their own United States Tennis Association (USTA) local competitions. There are several levels of tournaments to choose from as well as age groups whether they're entry-level, intermediate, or advanced. “Central to tennis is competition. They learn to win and how to lose,” according to Coach Wayne Bryan.

Letter: Why Join the Climate Change Debate?

To the Editor

The author of “Global Warming is Impacting Us Now” (Connection, Aug. 7-13, 2014) is right: we’re already seeing impacts of climate change in our communities.

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Safety at a Crossroads in Poor Communities Across Northern Virginia

Less affluent neighborhoods in Northern Virginia suffer from higher pedestrian fatalities.

A national database of pedestrian crashes compiled by Governing Magazine shows 95 pedestrian fatalities in Northern Virginia between 2008 and 2012. While 26 of the pedestrian fatalities occurred in wealthy neighborhoods, where the per capita income is more than $53,000, a much larger number happened in poor communities like this stretch of Route 1 in Mount Vernon.


Take Precautions against Rabies

Animal Shelter offers advice to reduce the risk.

Rabies is a deadly virus that infects animals and may be a risk to humans, as well. The most commonly reported rabid animals in Fairfax County include foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. But even pets aren’t automatically immune to this disease and must be vaccinated against it.

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Heads Up Football Flourishing in Fairfax County

Program reduces concussion risk by teaching players to take the “head” out of tackling.

It wasn’t that long ago when youth football coaches believed a player’s toughness was measured by his ability to play through the pain. Concussions and other serious injuries were just “part of the game.”

Organized for School Year

Local organizers offer suggestions on dealing with the summer mess.

When summer comes to a grinding halt in a few weeks, a new school year will begin. From alarm clocks and school bells to piles of homework assignments and sports schedules, maintaining a coordinated household can be difficult, however. Local organizers are offering simple suggestions to help make the transition from summer to the start of the school year seamless.


Write Now, I Just Don’t Know

The biggest writing problem that I have, other than the ones you regular readers generally know about, is writing a current column on the weekend immediately preceding the next Wednesday’s publication date, when I am still waiting on results from my most recent CT Scan. This isn’t like putting the cart before the horse, this is more like putting the horse in the cart and pulling it.

Homelessness: Source of Trauma for Children

Nearly 700 children live in emergency homeless shelters in Fairfax County at some point during the year.

Summer vacation is wrapping up; kids everywhere are gearing up for the return to school. Stores are filled with school supplies; back-to-school advertising fills our TVs, radio and mailboxes. Many families are hustling from store to store getting supplies, backpacks, clothes and haircuts. As children, while we hated to see summer end, we fondly remember the yearly ritual and the excitement and anticipation of getting all those new things.

Classified Advertising August 13, 2014

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Keene Mill Elementary Learn New Ways to Teach Science

Next fall, students in Springfield will join a growing movement of innovative science achievement and learning in Virginia. Teachers from Keene Mill Elementary were selected to join a year-long, free professional development project designed to change the way science is taught in schools across the state.

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Night Out in ‘Pleasantville’

Neighborhoods, police, firefighters promote safe community in annual National Night Out.

The Fairfax County Police and Fire Department visited over 193 residential areas on Tuesday night, Aug. 5, to celebrate the annual National Night Out.

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Honored by Supervisors

Norma Heck, who has been an owner of a home in North Springfield since 1956, was recognized last week by the Board of Supervisors for her service and dedication to the community.


Letter: Lifesaving Community

To the Editor

I wanted to write and publicly thank everyone who helped with my blood drive on Aug. 1. So many people helped, from St. Andrew's Catholic Church who hosted us, Joyce Krolicki from Paul VI and Brenda Tingen from Inova who supported and guided us, my friends

Letter: Global Warming Is Impacting Us Now

To the Editor

On Wednesday, July 30, I joined hundreds in Washington, D.C. to show my support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan by testifying at the public hearing.

Environmental Leader Joins NOVA Parks Board

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) has welcomed Laura Grape to its Board. Grape will replace Jean Packard, who recently retired from the Board after 24 years of service.


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Neighbors, Police, Firefighters Promote Safe Neighborhoods

Supervisor John C. Cook visits neighborhoods on National Night Out.

Neighborhoods throughout Fairfax County held National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime” events on Tuesday, Aug. 5. These events are designed to promote crime prevention activities, partnerships between law enforcement and the community, and neighbors getting to know each other.

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George Mason Athletes Inspire

Student athletes from George Mason University discussed their experience facing challenges in school and sports to students in the Summer Extending Learning Time (SELT) Program at Robinson Secondary School cafeteria in Fairfax on July 31.