Arctic Snowy Owl at Springfield Mall
"Snowy Owl at Springfield Mall," the subject line read on the Virginia Society of Ornithology’s birding hotline, on Feb. 4. The winter of 2013-2014 had seen an unprecedented irruption of Arctic Snowy Owls into the mid-Atlantic states. Dozens, or hundreds were being seen from Maine to the Carolinas, and even one in Florida. Mostly they showed up on Atlantic barrier islands, or at airports (two were seen at Washington National Airport) which look like their native tundra.
Honored for Promoting Peace
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County honors 22 students.
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County, presented by the Herndon Friends Meeting, honored a group of 22 juniors and seniors who were nominated for their dedication to peace and conflict resolution on March 2.
Creating a Harmonious Family Life
Local experts offer tips for keeping your family happy.
As Elizabeth Rees drove her daughter and two of her daughter’s friends to a library reading group recently, the Alexandria mother of three admits that she felt like a chauffeur at first. But she had a change of heart after hearing sounds of laughter.
Board Advertises Higher Tax Rate
Rate gives board flexibility, options in determining final budget.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 Tuesday to advertise a higher real estate tax rate that could add about $100 to annual tax bills, which will be on top of the $332 county homeowners will see this year as a result of higher real estate assessments. Setting the advertised tax rate formally begins the two-month public process to adopt the Fiscal Year 2015 budget, and the rate represents the maximum potential tax rate for FY2015.
Koinonia Foundation Provides Emergency Assistance
New executive director uses sales background to help others, increase awareness
The Koinonia Foundation, located in a building behind Franconia United Methodist Church, has been serving the Springfield area since the early 1960s. Many area residents, however, are unaware of Koinonia’s role in the community of providing assistance to those in need.
Superintendent Visits Twain Middle School
The stop is the next to last on Garza’s Listening Tour
The school board has already approved their FY 2015 budget, but concerned teachers and parents continue to voice their concerns as the process to receive county funding moves on. The budget was among several topics addressed at Twain Middle School on Feb. 17, a stop on Superintendent Karen Garza’s listening tour.
Quilters Give Back to Community
Springfield Quilters’ Unlimited donate to those in need.
For members of Springfield Quilters’ Unlimited, quilting is more than just a hobby. The group provides opportunities for meeting others, as well as giving back to the community.
Elected Officials Hold Town Halls
Mental health reform, women’s health, health care and transportation were major topics at the Southern Fairfax Town Hall Meeting held in Kingstowne on Feb. 1.
Sadie’s Gift
Inspired by one child’s struggle with cancer, Burke community prepares for fifth annual "family-friendly" blood drive to give other children hope.
Erin and Ethan Lauer of Burke vividly remember the history-making snowstorm that buried the region with more than three feet of hard, wet snow exactly four years ago this week. Dubbed "Snowmageddon" by local and national media, the blizzard shut down most businesses, schools, and the federal government for weeks. Snowmageddon, meteorologists said, rivaled the snowfall production of any other major snowstorm in recorded history. The ferocious storm came in two rounds. When the second wave hit, temperatures plummeted into the high teens and winds gusted over 40 mph. The Lauers held little hope that friends and neighbors would dig out of the ice and snow to attend a Valentine’s Day blood-drive for their infant daughter, Sadie, who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening cancer called Neuroblastoma when she was just 3-months-old. The family was in for a surprise.
Superintendent Comes to West Springfield
Karen Garza continues listening tour.
Superintendent Karen Garza continued her listening tour of Fairfax County Public Schools this week with a stop at West Springfield High School on Feb. 4. Garza was joined by Springfield District School Board member Elizabeth Schultz.
‘Gazpacho for Nacho’
Key Middle School Spanish teacher publishes bilingual children’s book.
Colleagues and friends of Key Middle School Spanish teacher Tracey Kyle describe her as a creative and engaging teacher who is always thinking of new ways to teach. Now, Kyle has taken her creativity one step further by writing "Gazpacho for Nacho." The book was published by Two Lions, a division of Amazon Publishing, in January.
How to Fix I-66?
More lanes, bus rapid transit, rail, spot improvements proposed.
It’s said that nothing’s certain but death and taxes – but most of the time, traffic congestion on I-66 can be added to that list. So VDOT’s seeking input from the public on how best to alleviate it.
West Springfield Renovations Still Years Off
Citizens question Capital Improvement Program funding.
West Springfield High School freshman Rylie Smedley said her school’s need for renovation doesn’t impact her everyday life at school too much, but that repair is obviously needed. “A lot of the bathrooms don’t work,” said Smedley. It was this state of disrepair that led Eric Hawkins, a resident of West Springfield since 2001, to join other parents and community advocates in 2008 to create SOAR, a group dedicated to ensuring West Springfield High School renovations by 2016.
Springfield potter Kerri Henry’s works will be showcased at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Local Springfield potter Kerri Henry will be displaying her birdhouses and other functional Stoneware at this year’s Sugarloaf Crafts Festival at Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, from Jan. 24-26 . Among the pieces Henry will be showcasing at the Festival, she will display some of her birdhouses that are molded into a fish shape. “I was excited by the opportunity to display my work with high caliber artists who show at the Festivals. I’m looking forward to offering the new birdhouses I’ve designed this year. I’ll also have my full line of functional art,” Henry said.
Into the Budget Fray
Bulova highlights accomplishments, challenges in annual address.
Despite the lingering impact of an anemic economy, and the regional ripple effects of federal sequestration, Fairfax County residents will see some concrete signs of progress this year.
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- FCPS Budget 3 comments