FCPS Students Excel at Science and Engineering Fair
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students earned top honors at the 59th annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair held March 14-16 at Robinson Secondary School. Winning individual grand prizes were:
East All-Stars Beat West in Suburban Classic
West Springfield’s Berglund wins 3-point shootout.
West Springfield senior Amy Berglund won the 3-point shootout at the Suburban Classic.
Lake Braddock Softball Beats Bishop O’Connell
Bruins pitcher Flesch tosses one-hitter against Knights.
The Lake Braddock softball team started the 2014 season with a 2-1 win over O'Connell.
Editorial: Challenging Budgets
Local Government should be able to access income taxes to give relief on real estate taxes.
Northern Virginia governments are facing shortfalls in the classic budget sense: projected revenues are less than last year’s expenditures plus increases in costs.
Another Milestone
March 30, 2014. My age 59 and a half (9/30/54 is my date of birth). The age at which money deposited into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) can be withdrawn without incurring a 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Not that I’m retiring. I am remembering though when this cancer-centric life of mine began.
Virginia Bluebells: Native Spring Beauty
Carpets of bluebells coming soon to a park near you.
The Virginia Bluebells are coming. In early Spring, these native wildflowers will burst into bloom profusely throughout much of the Washington area. Botanically named Mertensia virginica, one of a number of species of Mertensia, Virginia Bluebells can be found in many moist, woodland areas, especially along streams and rivers. Depending on the weather, they first appear in early April as light pink buds, and then open into several shades of pink, blue and even white. In some areas along the local rivers they bloom in stunning profusion, creating a veritable carpet of color.
‘Carmen’ Comes to Area
Virginia Opera brings "Carmen" to Center for the Arts.
Virginia Opera, the Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, will present Georges Bizet’s sultry tragedy about opera’s most famous femme fatale, "Carmen." The opera has enthralled audiences for more than a century and is one of the most popular. "Carmen" follows Don José and his ill-fated obsession with the alluring Carmen who tosses him aside for another man leading to jealous rage.
‘Goal Is To Spot Kids in Crisis’
Police, others take suicide prevention training.
Although there have been four recent incidents of teen suicides in Fairfax County, the Police Department has planned to offer Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training for its officers since October 2013.
Celebrating Inclusion
Board of Supervisors Names March Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Month.
The Board of Supervisors has designated March "Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Month" in Fairfax County. Both those with disabilities and those without have their lives enriched when people with disabilities are fully included in the community. This special month seeks to help those with disabilities find ways to be involved in the community, and bring awareness to others of these engaged neighbors.
Springfield Home Sales: February, 2014
In February 2014, 109 Springfield homes sold between $725,000-$145,000.
Springfield Home Sales: February, 2014
March Madness, Then and Now
At this time of the March Madness, Steve Guback, a resident at Greenspring retirement community in Springfield has vivid memories of the 1959 tournament in which California beat West Virginia, the 1976 reigning, undefeated season of Indiana University, and the 1979 famed Magic Johnson vs. Larry Byrd showdown. He experienced these in person.
Greenspring Residents Donate 600 Books, Read to Local Children
Residents at Greenspring retirement community recently donated 600 books to Crestwood Elementary School in Springfield. On Friday, Feb. 28, several residents visited Crestwood and read some of the donated Dr. Seuss books to first and second graders in recognition of Dr. Seuss Day and also Read Across America Day, as sponsored by the NEA (officially Monday, March 3).
Springfield Art Guild Holds a Birthday Party
The reception room of the Richard Byrd Library in Springfield hosted a festive anniversary on March 12: The Springfield Art Guild (SAG) celebrated 45 years as an organization of artists in Fairfax County by honoring one of their founders and longest standing member, Judy Wengrovitz. Judy and her husband Sy spoke about life in Springfield 45 years ago and Judy's role in the founding of the Springfield Art Guild. Judy shared the story of the handful of artists who decided they needed to organize into a group. From their determination and vision, Springfield Art Guild was conceived and grown to over 100 members. It continues to add new artists to its rolls as a non-profit group.
Springfield Man Charged in Sex Crimes Investigation
An arrest was made as a result of an ongoing investigation conducted by detectives from the Child Exploitation Unit along with agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations Washington.
FCPS Students Earn 27 National Scholastic Awards
Fairfax County Public Schools students earned 27 national awards in the National Scholastic Art Awards program sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. Nima Jeizan of Marshall High School earned an American Visions Medal—equivalent to a best in show for the nation—and Elisabeth Hughes of Oakton High School earned a Gold Medal and Best in Grade Award.
Promoting Financial Literacy
Student run credit unions at 26 NoVa High Schools compete to recruit the most members.
As the National College Athletic Association launches its annual national basketball tournament, students at more than two dozen Northern Virginia high schools kick off a March Madness of their own. Instead of scoring baskets, they are scrambling to sign up the most new members this month to their school’s student run federal credit union in a competition sponsored by Apple Federal Credit Union.
Landfill Decision Deferred to April 3
Group to discuss a compromise is now underway.
On March 13, the Fairfax County Planning Commission was set to make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors on whether EnviroSolutions should be permitted to continue dumping construction debris at their landfill in Lorton until 2040. However, at that meeting, the Planning Commission deferred the decision to April 3 in order for a group to be established to discuss the issues at stake between those on both sides of the debate.
Gartlan Center to Open March 27
CSB integrates primary and behavioral health care at Gartlan Center.
According to a 2006 study, people with a serious mental illness, on average, die 25 years earlier than the rest of the population. The study, conducted by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, found that about 60 percent of these deaths were due to conditions like cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.
‘Unsung Heroes of the School’
Robinson students create yearbooks year after year.
Although they’ve faced multiple snow days this year, staff members of Above and Beyond, Robinson Secondary School’s high school yearbook, are well on their way to completing the 2014 edition.
Community Welcomes Homeless Into New Homes
FACETS TRIUMPH II Housing is part of the 100,000 homes campaign.
As part of the 100,000 Homes Campaign, FACETS welcomed 18 previously chronically homeless individuals into housing on March 18 at a housewarming celebration.