Editorial: Remembering on Memorial Day
The sacrifices of those who died in war.
1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, 26, of the Kings Park West neighborhood of Fairfax, was killed by enemy fire on April 23, 2013 in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan. Hess was known as “RJ” and graduated from Robinson Secondary School in 2005, where he played football, lacrosse and was the captain of the swim team. He was a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot who deployed to Afghanistan on April 11, 2013. His family remembers his sense of humor and his natural leadership ability.
Tea Party Ticket
Republican convention selects conservative slate of candidates for November.
Perhaps the biggest sign that the Tea Party has taken control of the Republican Party of Virginia was the yellow Gadsden flag emblem that appeared on placards distributed by supporters of Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, who was one of seven candidates vying to be the nominee for lieutenant governor last weekend at a raucous convention in Richmond. Davis, who represented Fairfax County for a decade in the General Assembly, has a reputation as being a moderate.
Katherine Hanley Shelter Hosts Open House
Shelter houses more than 20 families at a time.
Shelter House, a Herndon-based nonprofit that operates two homeless shelters in Fairfax County, as well as a domestic abuse shelter, hosted an open house at their Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter in Fairfax Tuesday, May 14.
Brief: Amazon Web Services to Expand in Fairfax County
Company will add 500 IT-focused jobs
Governor Bob McDonnell announced that Amazon Web Services, Inc., (AWS), an Amazon.com company, will expand in Fairfax County and add 500 new jobs to the county economy.
Springfield Joins Bike to Work Day
Self-powered commuters enjoyed bike service, snacks and a chance to give feedback.
Though the Metro Park pit stop for Bike to Work Day 2013 didn’t technically open until 6:30 a.m. on Friday, May 17, the first biker showed up at 6:15, according to stop Manager Nancy-jo Manney.
Week in Fairfax
Final Parkway Paving Underway and Fairfax Farmers Market Is Open
Brief: VDOT Announces New Northern Virginia Leadership
The Virginia Department of Transportation named Helen L. Cuervo P.E. district administrator for VDOT’s Northern Virginia District, and Renée N. Hamilton deputy district administrator.
Brief: Chic Envy Hosts Military Spouse Appreciation Event
Upscale consignment boutique Chic Envy and the National Military Spouse Network (NMSN), a networking, mentoring and professional development organization committed to empowering military spouses, teamed up to host the third annual military spouse appreciation event on Monday, May 6.
Brief: 30 GMU Students, Faculty Rally Over Keystone XL Pipeline
Over 30 students leaders, faculty and Virginians rallied Friday, May 17, at a press conference in advance of Sen. Mark Warner’s commencement address Saturday to tell the Senator that they oppose the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.
Bringing to Life ‘Is He Dead?’
Providence Players present recently unearthed Mark Twain comedy.
It is rare that a play written by one of America's iconic writers is found and produced a century after it was written. But the Providence Players are bringing to life "Is He Dead?" written by Mark Twain in 1898 and first published in print in 2003.
Brief: Tiny Dancers Offer Themed Week-long Camps
There’s something big afoot at Tiny Dancers this summer as they offer their award-winning program of themed, week-long camps.
Brief: GMU President Named Honorary Member of Rotary Club of Fairfax
The Rotary Club of Fairfax inducted Dr. Angel Cabrera, the newly-inaugurated president of George Mason University, as an honorary member on April 29. According to Laura Hills, the club’s president, “It is our tradition to make the George Mason University president an honorary member of our club. We were thrilled to bestow this honor upon Dr. Cabrera.”
Three Musicals Garner Cappies Nods
Fairfax, Woodson, Paul VI are all recognized.
When the winners are announced during the 14th annual Cappies Gala, June 9, at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., students from Fairfax, Woodson and Paul VI high schools will be there, eager for the results. That’s because each school was nominated for awards for their musicals.
Brief: Local Students Receive the Allstate Foundation Achievement Award
Fairfax High School student Drew Bonner, and Patrick O’Connor from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, were chosen as two of 10 students across the state to receive an academic scholarship from The Allstate Foundation and the Virginia High School League (VHSL).
We Are Family
Community celebrates foster families during annual 5K walk at Lake Accotink.
They walked, ran or rode trikes, all in celebration of foster families at Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, May 18.
Brief: Nereids Synchronized Swimmers Place at Regionals
The Northern Virginia Nereids synchronized swimming team qualified for the Age Group National Synchronized Swimming competition after a successful showing at the South Zone Region A Regional Competition in Washington, D.C. the weekend of May 3-5.
Letter: Failing Grades on Air Pollution
Republican members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works put corporate polluters ahead of our health by boycotting the nomination of Gina McCarthy to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Each day this vote is delayed, health risks increase for millions of Virginians.
Brief: Eight FCPS Students Honored for Writing
Eight Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students have received certificates for superior writing in the 2013 Achievement Awards in Writing by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
Brief: Homestretch Hosts Benefit Breakfast
The event helps raise more than $100,000.
Homestretch hosted its annual benefit breakfast on Wednesday, May 15, and raised over $100,000 for its program and services.
