Red Cross Seeks Blood Donors
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help stock the shelves before the busy holiday season.
Springfield: New FBI Headquarters Decision Now Coming March 2017
The three sites in competition to be the next home of FBI headquarters -- Greenbelt and Landover, Maryland, and the General Services Administration warehouse off Loisdale Road in Springfield -- will see their race come to an end early next year.
Fairfax County: Breaking Down the Bonds
County seeks authorization to finance transportation and parks projects, and human services and community development facilities
Fairfax County will try to make the most of voters’ time on election day Nov. 8, having them weigh in not only on the Presidential and Congressional elections, but also proposed Constitutional amendments, a referendum and bond questions.
Volunteer Events & Opportunities
Service
30th Annual Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium Caregivers Conference, Friday, Nov. 11, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The conference "Gems: A Treasure Chest of Ideas" will have speakers and resources on topics important to caregivers. The $30 fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, materials, and certificate of attendance.
New Principal of Orange Hunt
A native New Yorker, Karen Tuttle, age 44, was named new principal of Orange Hunt Elementary School in Springfield, on Sept. 14, 2016. Waples Mill School Counselor Kate Crane said "When I think of Karen, I think of a warm smile, constant encouragement, a positive attitude, creative problem solving and a drive to work tirelessly to do what’s best for kids. Karen makes it a priority to build meaningful and genuine relationships with all members of the school community. "
Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness Supports Meals Tax
After careful consideration, the Fairfax – Falls Church Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness has decided to fully support the proposed 4 percent Fairfax County Meals Tax.
American Elections: French Perspective
I am a French student who chose to come to study close to Washington DC for what I thought would be one of the most interesting elections in the history of Uncle Sam’s country.
Column: No to the Meals Tax
A food tax is not a silver bullet.
I have been opposed to the meals tax from the start, but what has concerned me most over the last several months has been the tactics used to try to convince our residents to vote for it and the county’s failure to deal with its spending problems. I would like to offer some clarity on these points and why I am against the meals tax.
Vote Yes: Immigrant Families Rely on Schools for More Than Education
Fairfax County Public Schools are more than just a place to learn. Growing up in Burke, I saw firsthand how our schools created a sense of community and neighborhood camaraderie. Schools are where we could go to borrow a book, where we could watch and play sports, and where we could perform a play or listen to a concert.
Column: Yes to the Meals Tax
Reduces dependence on property tax.
As a businessman here in Fairfax and a former member of the Fairfax County School Board, I write on behalf of a coalition of thousands of homeowners, parents, teachers, firefighters, police, friends and users of our libraries and our parks and recreation facilities, and those who belong to churches and non-profit organizations working to ensure that Fairfax County also protects those in need [www.yesmealstax.org].
Letter: Supporting Meals Tax
Letter to the Editor
I’m writing to encourage Fairfax County voters to support the county meals tax referendum on the ballot in November.
Letter: Meals Tax: A Better Option
Letter to the Editor
After reviewing Fairfax County’s proposed 4-percent meals tax, the Class Size Counts (CSC) board voted to support the Nov. 8 referendum because it decided that it would be better to raise money for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) through a tax on prepared foods rather than through additional increases to County property taxes.
Northern Virginia Players Present ‘Annie Jr.’
Northern Virginia Players will present their Fall 2016 musical, “Annie Jr.” Based on the popular comic strip, “Annie” tells of a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents who abandoned her on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan.
Making Our Vote Count
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” Although more than a century has passed since then-President Abraham Lincoln famously uttered these words, they still hold true in today’s world. By simply checking a box or clicking a button, a single vote can do something instantly that would take any amount of ammunition years to accomplish—defending and upholding the blessings of liberty.
Buddy Bench at West Springfield Elementary
The Buddy Bench project at West Springfield Elementary came up at the end of last school year during a meeting between Dr. Kelly Sheers, Principal and Sara Fairchild, Counselor.