The Passover Amendment: Should Legislators Meet on Religious Holidays?
Former Del. David Englin (D-45) was behind amendment now before voters.
Every year, the Virginia General Assembly convenes several weeks after the session to react to the governor’s vetoes.
German Band Comes to West Springfield
ARTIG performs at area school.
As the drum and bass began to echo throughout the auditorium, West Springfield High School students cheered for the German band ARTIG this past Friday.
Immigration Issue High on Latino Voters’ Agenda
GMU panel addresses the impact of Latino vote in Northern Virginia.
“The demographic shifts coming to Virginia will wipe out the effects of the short-sighted anti-immigrant politicking we see now.” —Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-49)
Area Roundups
At his swearing-in ceremony in June, City of Fairfax Mayor R. Scott Silverthorne promised to give every resident an equal opportunity to participate in government.
What Would $155 Million Bond Package Buy?
New fire stations, library renovations, park improvements and more on Nov. 6 ballot.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, Monique Bell of Oakton was helping her 5-year-old daughter McKenzie sort through a dozen Halloween craft books at the Reston Regional Library. The library, one of the busiest branches in Fairfax County, has a collection of more than 215,000 volumes and circulates more than a million books a year.
Two Poor Teachers Expand in Area
A kitchen and bath remodeling company brings a one-stop-shop right to customers' front doors.
On a sunny afternoon in the parking lot of a Fairfax County shopping center, Jeff Pregman is giving a tour of his mobile showroom, a $100,000 former bookmobile that now houses an impressive selection of tiles, counter tops, faucets, flooring, light fixtures and more. Pregman is the General Manager of Two Poor Teachers, a Class A contracting company founded in 1999 that specializes in kitchen and bath remodeling. The tour is interrupted on several occasions over the course of an hour by folks peering in the windows or knocking on the door. “I love it,” says Pregman. “People see this big vehicle that says it’s a design center. They come up to see what’s what and they are blown away by what’s inside. We do get a bit of business this way.”
Springfield Fondling Attacks May Be Linked
Police release sketch of suspect.
Fairfax County police released a sketch this week of a suspect they say may be responsible for at least five fondling attacks in Springfield over the past month.
West Springfield Students Chalk4Peace
West Springfield children become "ChalkStars."
“I think peace means being happy and free. Everyone was drawing peace signs, so it was a peaceful event.” —Corbin Lathrop, 10
Court of Honor held at Springfield Church of Christ
Three scouts were honored from Troop 2215.
In 2007, a new Boy Scout troop was formed at the Springfield Church of Christ. Every scout in Troop 2215 was home-schooled. On Saturday, Oct. 6, three of the troop’s founding members—Erik Lyttek, Michael Marriott and Benjamin Washechek—were recognized in a Court of Honor. All three boys had earned the grade of Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank in scouting. As Master of Ceremonies Hunter Stauffer explained, this is a significant achievement because only 3 percent of scouts reach this plateau.
Civitan Clubs Host Annual Burke Lake Picnic
Over 300 people attended the recent picnic at Burke Lake Park for individuals with intellectual disabilities, their staff, and their families. The picnic was a combined effort of the Area 3 Civitan Clubs, including the Arlington, Fairfax, Greater Loudoun and Tysons Clubs, and the Fairfax County Department of Therapeutic Recreation, assisted by 13 members of the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity at George Mason University. Members from the CFS Proud Hearts and MVLE Broadway Stars Civitan Clubs were also in attendance.
An ‘Eye-opening’ Banquet in Burke
A "hunger banquet" highlights poverty in the world.
Thirty youth from area middle and high schools gathered on Sept. 18 at their local church in Burke to experience a “hunger banquet” to increase their awareness of poverty and hunger in the world, Haiti and in Northern Virginia. When these students from Lake Braddock, Robinson and West Springfield gathered for their weekly meeting at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were unaware of what was in store for them. Their leaders divided the students randomly into three groups—seating four students at an elegant dining table, nine students in a circle on folding chairs and the remaining 25 on cardboard laid out on the floor. The three groups represented the distribution of wealth in the world—10 percent in the high-income level, 20 percent in the middle-income level and the remaining 70 percent at the lowest level of wealth.
Fairfax Crowd Gives Obama Enthusiastic Welcome
President scores points talking about jobs, women’s rights … and Big Bird.
After a bruising debate with GOP challenger Mitt Romney, President Barack Obama did some boasting Friday, Oct. 5 at a campaign rally at George Mason University.
Perkins, Four Independents Challenge Connolly in 11th District
This will be the first election using new district maps based on 2010 Census data. Virginia's 11th congressional district includes the City of Fairfax, most of Fairfax County and the eastern portion of Prince William County. The Towns of Clifton, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Vienna are also located in the 11th District. U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly (D), who was first elected to the U.S. House in 2008, represents more than 650,000 residents.
County Gets Election Ready
Fairfax County prepares voters for new election measures.
"The good news in Fairfax County is that almost everyone who is eligible is registered to vote," said Cameron Quinn, Fairfax County’s chief election official. "Our problem in Fairfax County is not voter apathy, and it’s not getting people to register. What we don't have is every registered voter registered at their correct address."
Springfield-area Fondling Cases May Be Linked
A 17-year-old girl was grabbed from behind and fondled around 9 a.m. in the 5900 block of Erving Street on Thursday, Sept. 27. The woman was walking on the sidewalk when the assault occurred. Police believe this assault may be linked to two other similar incidents that took place in September. In each of these the suspect wore a plain, red baseball cap. She described the suspect as either Asian or Hispanic, mid 30s, around five-foot-eight with a black, close-cut beard. He wore a blue T-shirt, black cotton sweatpants with a white stripe on each side and a red baseball cap.