Many Ideas for Summer Activities
Avoid those dreaded words: ‘I’m bored.’
Molly McAlister enjoys the freedom of summer, but there are three words she dreads hearing: “Mom, I’m bored.” Creating activities to keep her three children busy during the summer is a task she enjoys, but it isn’t always easy.
Fairfax County School Board Examining Later Start Times
High schools could start as late as 9:15.
Two years after the Fairfax County School Board adopted a resolution in favor of later start times, exhausted teenagers are one step closer to getting a full night’s sleep. The Children’s National Medical Center recently presented the school board with options for later start times, of which the school board selected four for public discussion. The new start times could be implemented as early as the 2015-2016 school year.
Westfield Girls’ Lax Edges Resilient Centreville
Centreville’s Wakefield, Newell combine for 14 goals.
The Westfield girls' lacrosse team improved to 11-1 despite 14 combined goals from Centreville's Caroline Wakefield and Reagan Newell.
Protecting Youths Against Substance Abuse
Panel shares stories and advice.
Fairfax County's Unified Prevention Coalition sponsored a forum on the effects of substance abuse on the county's middle and high school children. The resource fair and panel discussion was led by parents, young adults and professionals from the coalition's PROTECT (Parents Reaching Out To Educate Communities Together) task force. "It's been so long, I'll still be emotional about it," said Greg Lannes about his daughter's heroin overdose in 2008. Alicia Lannes had been 19 when she died and had always been a model student with straight A's. He pointed to the lone framed photo of her on the table and asked the audience, "Does that look like a heroin addict? How did she get to that point?"
County Budget Markup Passes
Three supervisors still oppose the budget.
Fairfax County is another step closer to having an approved budget for the next fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors approved the 2015 budget markup at its April 22 meeting at the county Government Center. Supervisors Linda Smyth (D-Providence), Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and John Cook (R-Braddock) opposed the markup.
Fairfax County Honors ‘Superheroes’
22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards presented.
Maybe they don’t wear capes and flashy uniforms, but local volunteers are superheroes. That was the theme for the 22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards, where more than 100 volunteers were recognized for their work with breakfast Friday, April 25, at The Waterford in Springfield. More specifically, this year’s theme was "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact," which was reflected in the comic book-inspired table decor and introductions by master of ceremonies Jeff Goldberg, Virginia Bureau Chief for ABC7 and News Channel 8.
Father and Son "Twogether"
As a born, bread and buttered Bostonian (Newton Centre, a suburb, to be specific), one of my enduring and genetic passions has been to live and die (figuratively speaking; this is not a cancer column) for The Boston Red Sox. My father sold concessions at Fenway Park (the stadium home of the Bosox since 1912), during the Depression when he was a little boy (not yet an adolescent even). He was nicknamed "Beezo," (his given name was Benet, although he was always called Barry) so he could gain full acceptance to a local knothole gang. Named after the wooden planks which surrounded the old Braves Field in Boston (a National League team called Boston its home as well back in the day), the kids ("gangs") would stand and peer through the knotholes in the wooden planks which otherwise blocked their view. It was a privilege and an honor for my father to be so connected to the game this way. He grew up loving baseball, and as a parent, he passed his love of the game on to me – and my brother.
Editorial: Trending in the Right Direction
Commitment to ending homelessness shows progress, but more affordable housing is needed.
On one night in late January, local jurisdictions in our area fanned out to count the number of people who were literally homeless. Fairfax County released its numbers last week; Arlington and Alexandria will do so in the near future. In Fairfax County, the commitment in 2010 to end homelessness in 10 years has resulted in significant progress, even in the wake of the great recession. The number of people literally homeless decreased by a third from 2008 to 2014, from 1,835 to 1,225 counted this year. Many non-profit organizations have partnered to prevent homelessness one family or individual at a time for those on the brink and to house chronically homeless individuals. There is so much still to be done.
Roundups for 4/30/14
The editor presents the roundups for the week of 4/30/2014.
Letter: Re-evaluate Grad Policy
To the Editor
‘Feed Me, Seymour,’ Says the Plant
Westfield High presents “Little Shop of Horrors.”
A musical about a man-eating plant is Westfield High’s Cappies show for 2014. The curtain rises on “Little Shop of Horrors” May 2-3 and May 9-10 at 7:30 p.m. and May 4 at 2 p.m.
Letter: Wiser Use of Federal Tax Dollars
To the Editor: I'm unhappy to learn that 40 cents of every one of my 2013 federal tax dollars went to fund current and past wars, according to the Quaker advocacy group the Friends Committee on National Legislation. We have some critical needs as a country — how to respond to the effects of climate change, how to repair our crumbling bridges and roadways, how to bridge the growing divide between rich and poor. I want to see more of my tax dollars going to these priorities rather than to the Pentagon.
Letter: Saddened by Anti-Semitic Violence
To the Editor: “... whosoever killed a person ... it shall be as if he had killed all mankind;” Quran 5:33. When I heard of the shooting that took place at the Jewish Community Center in Kansas City, I was saddened by the state of our people.
A Funny, Fast-Paced Screwball Comedy
Chantilly High presents “The Front Page.”
A 1930s newsroom is the setting for Chantilly High’s madcap comedy, “The Front Page.” The school’s Cappies play takes the stage Thursday-Saturday, May 1, 2, 3, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 via www.chantillyhsdrama.com.
Centreville Residents Nominated for Service Awards
With the theme “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact,” Volunteer Fairfax, along with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, will honor real-life superheroes at the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards.
‘It’ll Make People Laugh, Feel Good’
Centreville High presents comedy, “Funny Money.”
An aptly named show that’ll have the audience roaring with laughter, “Funny Money” is Centreville High’s upcoming Cappies play.
Turbo Tutoring Awards Scholarships
Turbo Tutoring, led by local educators Gregg Greentree and Dan Harris, recently announced winners for its annual scholarship award.
Alone on the Road: 7 out of 10 Northern Virginia Workers Use Single-Occupancy Vehicles
Study raises concerns about amount of time drivers spend commuting alone.
Despite the decades-long war against the single-occupancy vehicle, seven out of 10 workers in Northern Virginia drive to work alone every workday.
A Picture Perfect Home
Tips from the pros on boosting a home’s curb appeal.
When Realtors Marsha Schuman and Betsy Schuman Dodek drive up to a home to show it to a prospective buyer, they know that they have only one chance to make a good first impression. Potomac-based Dodek and Schuman of the Schuman Team of Washington Fine Properties say a home’s curb appeal matters. “When we think of curb appeal we think of the lawn and landscaping, front door, windows, roof and how it all looks,” said Dodek.
South County Boys’ Lax Beats State Champion Chantilly
Stallions have sights set on competing for state title.
South County handed Chantilly its first loss since May of 2013.