Editorial: Back to School - Good Steps, Good Intentions
The first day of school in Fairfax County is Tuesday, Sept. 2, but Monday, Sept. 8 is the beginning of something important. For the first time in decades, elementary school students will have a full day of school on Mondays instead of being sent home hours early. This action makes so much sense in for families with children in elementary school. The ability of Superintendent Karen Garza to facilitate this change to go into effect right away is remarkable, and we hope a promise for more changes ahead.
Newcomers Guide: Area Nonprofits
A list of nonprofits in the community.
A list of nonprofits in the community.
Town Council Considers Zoning Amendment
It may be easier for businesses to open their dream office space in the future near Herndon’s impending Silver Line Metro station. The Herndon Town Council unanimously approved to consider an amendment to the Landmark Business Overlay District to change the requirements and regulations at the Aug. 12 meeting.
Freezing for a Good Cause
Cold water or cash? That was the question about 20 residents were forced to make Saturday for a charity challenge making its rounds through the nation.
Curator Program Study Being Finalized
Historic homes that have been abandoned - and perhaps lost their original charm - could have a second chance to return to their former glory. Fairfax County Parks Authority is currently finalizing a resident Curator Program Implementation Study that would allow anyone with the time, money and expertise, to live in a historic place in order to fix it up.
Editorial: Accountability for Police in Northern Virginia
There is more transparency in the police shooting in Ferguson last week than in police shootings in Northern Virginia.
This is not Ferguson, and tanks do not roll down the streets of Northern Virginia driven by police officers pointing sniper rifles at residents.
Mural Dedication Held in Herndon
Art mural by Keith Naquin on view at Station Street in Herndon.
Associates and friends of the Council for the Arts of Herndon (CAH) assembled to celebrate the dedication of a mural at the Dominion Animal Hospital at 795 Station Street in Herndon. The mural, painted by former Herndon High School art teacher Keith Naquin, is a 95-foot long piece of art, and was commissioned by the CAH. Almost 100 persons attended the outdoor dedication ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 17.
Parked Outside the Door at ArtSpace Herndon
In Parked Outside the Door, photographer John Petro explores two fundamental constructs of ingenuity that long ago separated homo sapiens from brutes: vehicles and buildings.
Removing Barriers to College
Local services help students complete college paperwork, remove barriers.
LaQuita King relocated across the state from Chesapeake, Va., to Alexandria in the summer of 2013, moving into an apartment with her aunt and three cousins. King had just graduated from high school and was looking forward to taking classes at Northern Virginia Community College. So far, that hasn’t happened.
All Write For Now
And so it goes, every three months or so; a CT Scan, a week or so of waiting, and then a face-to-face appointment with my oncologist to learn/discuss the results. Thankfully, the results continue to be amazing. My doctor has told me that I’m his third miracle; stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer patients generally don’t live beyond two years. I’m in year six.
Inspiring Success
Nysmith School challenges students at the level they are ready for.
To those families whose K-8 children are now or previously were enrolled at The Nysmith School for the Gifted in Herndon, the school combines exceptional academics with “serious fun” to create an environment in which the children are motivated to stretch to their limits and maximize their potential.
A Thought-provoking Play
Herndon’s NextStop Theatre to present “Gidion's Knot.”
NextStop Theatre will be presenting audiences with an absorbing, provocative theater piece sure to raise disquieting issues to chew on. With the school year about to begin the dramatic work "Gidion's Knot" takes what could be a current school bullying and aftermath incident and places it on stage for all to take in.
Classified Advertising August 20, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Oakton’s Rizzo Committed to South Carolina
Q&A: Infielder led Cougars in batting average as freshman.
Oakton's Joe Rizzo is committed to the University of South Carolina.
Safety at a Crossroads in Poor Communities Across Northern Virginia
Less affluent neighborhoods in Northern Virginia suffer from higher pedestrian fatalities.
A national database of pedestrian crashes compiled by Governing Magazine shows 95 pedestrian fatalities in Northern Virginia between 2008 and 2012. While 26 of the pedestrian fatalities occurred in wealthy neighborhoods, where the per capita income is more than $53,000, a much larger number happened in poor communities like this stretch of Route 1 in Mount Vernon.
Take Precautions against Rabies
Animal Shelter offers advice to reduce the risk.
Rabies is a deadly virus that infects animals and may be a risk to humans, as well. The most commonly reported rabid animals in Fairfax County include foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. But even pets aren’t automatically immune to this disease and must be vaccinated against it.
Heads Up Football Flourishing in Fairfax County
Program reduces concussion risk by teaching players to take the “head” out of tackling.
It wasn’t that long ago when youth football coaches believed a player’s toughness was measured by his ability to play through the pain. Concussions and other serious injuries were just “part of the game.”
Write Now, I Just Don’t Know
The biggest writing problem that I have, other than the ones you regular readers generally know about, is writing a current column on the weekend immediately preceding the next Wednesday’s publication date, when I am still waiting on results from my most recent CT Scan. This isn’t like putting the cart before the horse, this is more like putting the horse in the cart and pulling it.
Homelessness: Source of Trauma for Children
Nearly 700 children live in emergency homeless shelters in Fairfax County at some point during the year.
Summer vacation is wrapping up; kids everywhere are gearing up for the return to school. Stores are filled with school supplies; back-to-school advertising fills our TVs, radio and mailboxes. Many families are hustling from store to store getting supplies, backpacks, clothes and haircuts. As children, while we hated to see summer end, we fondly remember the yearly ritual and the excitement and anticipation of getting all those new things.
U.S. Rep Wolf (R-10) Announces Service Academy Appointments
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) announced the 10th District’s Class of 2018 appointments to the nation’s service academies, as well as those selected for Academy prep schools.