Fairfax Local

Keeping Pets Safe

Veterinary experts say common household items can harm animals.

Did you know that a bowl of grapes sitting on your counter can be fatal to your dog or that a bouquet of fragrant lilies could be lethal to a cat? Were you aware that a stick of gum might cause a life-threatening canine emergency? Veterinary experts say that while pet hazards are lurking around almost every home, many pet owners are unaware of them. From favorite foods to over-the-counter-pain relievers, a number of common household items are dangerous to family pets.

VA Adopts: Campaign for 1,000

Governor McDonnell promotes adoption, foster care during Fairfax County tour.

The atmosphere was festive as more than 100 people—including adoptive parents, children and state and local officials—gathered in the Fairfax County Government Center atrium Tuesday, July 30 to welcome Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) during the statewide tour to promote his “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” initiative.

Local Girl Scout Troop Earns Bronze Award

Girl Scout Junior Troop # 1742 in Fairfax will be completing their efforts to earn the Bronze Award, a leadership adventure and the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. In their pursuit to make a difference, these 12 girls from Willow Springs Elementary School chose to raise awareness and to support the research efforts of Cockayne Syndrome (CS), a rare disease that touched the life of one of the troop members in a very personal way. The disease results in slow growth in babies as well as rapid aging (a form of progeria). As part of their project, the girls researched the syndrome, spoke with families affected by the disease and collectively planned ways they could disseminate information to their neighborhood and to a broader population. They developed an informational brochure and a poster display and designed a plan to support the Cockayne Syndrome International Conference.

Week in Fairfax

In partnership with Capital Area Runners, Fairfax County Crime Solvers is hosting its first 5K run fundraiser and needs the community’s support. Residents are encouraged to sign up now to participate in this family-friendly event; everyone is welcome.

Lynn Mayer to Lead Fairview Elementary

With strong ethicacy, she is focused on what’s best for the students.

Lynn Mayer of Fairfax was named the new principal of Fairview Elementary in Fairfax Station on July 1. The school originally built on Ox Road in 1899 inherited one third of the Clifton Elementary students when it closed two years ago.

The New Filmmakers of Fairfax

Clifton Film Fest selections reveal creative class in the county.

The latest short films of independent filmmakers producing and directing in the county drew a crowd to the Clifton Film Fest, held on the Workhouse quad in Lorton Saturday, July 20.

Teenage Sisters Spend Summer Dancing

Brittany and Caitie Belle Yevoli take part in a five-week intensive program with The Washington School of Ballet.

Rather than while away hours at the mall or the pool like most girls their age, a pair of teenage sisters from Fairfax Station chose to spend the majority of their summer dancing. But forget Selena Gomez and the Cupid Shuffle—Brittany, 14, and Caitie Belle Yevoli, 13, trained for five weeks alongside students from around the world as part of The Washington School of Ballet (TWSB) “Summer Intensive” program.

Quilt Show Displays ‘Sacred Threads’

Some 231 handmade quilts exploring themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace/brotherhood, grief and healing were displayed during the biennial Sacred Threads exhibition, July 10-28, at Floris United Methodist Church in Oak Hill. Three Fairfax residents had quilts in the show.

Apple Federal Credit Union Seeks Donations for Back-to-School Supply Drive

Apple Federal Credit Union has kicked off its Collect for Kids Program by joining community-based organizations to help get backpacks and supplies into the hands that need them most. Apple branches are accepting new back packs and monetary donations made at the branches and from Apple’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AppleFederalCreditUnion), and will match donations up to $5,000 until Aug. 15. According to the Fairfax County Public School System, for the 2011-2012 school year, 9.7 percent, or one in 10 children under age 18 live in poverty. The system also reported that 46,117 students, or 26.29 percent of their student enrollment, were eligible for free and reduced lunch.

Brother’s Brother Comes to Merrifield

Brother’s Brother Foundation (BFF) celebrated the grand opening of its Northern Virginia warehouse on Saturday.

Petersen Plays FDR in ‘Annie’

City of Fairfax Theatre Company produces “Annie,” the popular “rags-to-riches” Broadway musical, with surprising ties to Fairfax County.

Lanier Middle School was packed this weekend as nearly 400 people turned out to see local families, a state senator—and even a mayor—in The City of Fairfax Theatre Company’s production and performance of “Annie.”

Lack of transparency is explained as effort to shield personal conversations.

The Virginia Supreme Court operates in silence, denying public access to audio recordings of its oral arguments.

Salata Named Ravensworth Principal

Roxanne Salata, 41, has a motto she likes to use: People first and paper second.

Fairfax Connection