Fairfax County Hosts Students from Japan
23 students also visited Japan last summer.
Last summer, 23 students studying Japanese at Lake Braddock, Hayfield and South Lakes High Schools received a full scholarship to visit Japan for ten days as part of the KAKEHASHI Project, a cultural exchange program that aims to connect students from Japan and the U.S.
Rogers Honored As ‘Driving Force’
Joan Rogers has served as president of Friends of Fairfax Station for 19 years.
Described by members as driven, passionate and a pleasure to work with, Joan Rogers, the outgoing president of the Friends of Fairfax Station, was honored for her contributions at the group’s annual meeting on March 24.
Lee High School Students Visit Port Isobel
IB environmental systems and societies students learn about the Chesapeake Bay.
Before beginning their trip to Port Isobel, an island in the Chesapeake Bay, students in Rachel Clausen’s International Baccalaureate (IB) environmental systems and societies class at Lee High School had to do something that today is almost unheard of: turn in their cell phones and watches and spend some time without technology.
Charles "CJ" Soschin, Erin Rose Searer Engaged
Nancy and Alan Soschin of Springfield announced the engagement of their son, Charles Jay to Erin Rose Searer. Charles, "CJ" Soschin is a 2000 graduate of West Springfield High School and a 2005 graduate of George Washington University. Charles earned his J.D. from Widener University School of law in 2009.
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.