Springfield Local

Apple Federal Credit Union Seeks Donations for Back-to-School Supply Drive

Apple Federal Credit Union has kicked off its Collect for Kids Program by joining community-based organizations to help get backpacks and supplies into the hands that need them most. Apple branches are accepting new back packs and monetary donations made at the branches and from Apple’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AppleFederalCreditUnion), and will match donations up to $5,000 until Aug. 15. According to the Fairfax County Public School System, for the 2011-2012 school year, 9.7 percent, or one in 10 children under age 18 live in poverty. The system also reported that 46,117 students, or 26.29 percent of their student enrollment, were eligible for free and reduced lunch.

Shouse Village Sharks Win Final Meet of the Season

In their fifth and final A Meet of the NVSL season, held at Canterbury Woods in Annandale, the Shouse Village Sharks won against the Canterbury Woods Sea Serpents 249 to 171 in NVSL Division 10.

Nereids Synchronized Swimmers 9th in Nation

The Northern Virginia Nereids synchronized swimming team just returned from the Age Group National Synchronized Swimming Championship in Riverside, Calif.

Silence of the Court: Virginia Supreme Court Denies Access to Audio Recordings

Lack of transparency is explained as effort to shield personal conversations.

The Virginia Supreme Court operates in silence, denying public access to audio recordings of its oral arguments.

TB Investigation Expands at Lee High School

Health officials say “no reason to restrict activities.”

On Monday, Fairfax County Health Department officials announced they are expanding the tuberculosis (TB) investigation at Robert E. Lee High School, in the wake of reports that as many as 430 students and faculty could have been exposed to the disease.

Cobias Reel in Fundraiser

Swim-a-Thon benefits Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia.

The Cobias made a splash in the effort to raise awareness and funds for Down syndrome.

Joining Together To Save Animals

There are dozens of animal welfare organizations across the country working to secure "forever homes" for dogs and cats of all ages. And while there's a general camaraderie amongst them, stemming from their common cause, what's a little friendly competition among peers? For the past few years, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has sponsored a nationwide contest to challenge shelters to see how many more animals they could adopt between June and August beyond the total the year before.

Area Roundups

Fairfax County college-bound students and their parents are invited to attend “The Perils of the College Drinking Culture,” an upcoming screening and panel discussion on a powerful, award-winning documentary, “HAZE,” which looks at the crisis of binge drinking and hazing on college campuses.

Unlocking the Door to Affordable Housing

County considers establishment of residential studio option to assist with housing affordability.

Like most areas that have seen explosive growth in the past 30 years, Fairfax County’s stock of affordable housing has dwindled as it’s grown into one of the nation’s wealthiest counties.

Evenings on the Ellipse Concerts Begin

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority, will host a series of free summer concerts, Evenings on the Ellipse, at the Fairfax County Government Center every Thursday from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Mobile Vet Provides At-home Care

Eric Cryan’s service visits pets in their own environments.

Most people associate going to the vet with wrestling their trembling pets into an animal carrier and dragging them into a cold, unfamiliar office. Eric Cryan, founder of Nova Mobile Vet, makes people discard this grim association.