Mount Vernon: Habitat NOVA Celebrates Completion of Two New Homes
Two families are joined by 90 volunteers.
Two families achieved their dream of building and owning their own home, thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia (Habitat NOVA). On Sept. 18 the Mansaye and Omar families were joined by more than 90 volunteers, Habitat NOVA board members and staff, project partners, and guests in celebration of their newly completed homes.
Mount Vernon Letter: New Taxes Should Be Last Option
Letter to the Editor
All governments need tax revenue to administer essential programs and services. Therefore, they should be very frugal in their decisions to spend the taxes collected from hardworking taxpayers. They also should ensure that all programs and services are essential and run efficiently and effectively before raising or asking for new taxes.
Mount Vernon Letter: Establish Ground Rules
Letter to the Editor
Clarification on one issue might help people decide how to vote on the meal tax referendum.
Mount Vernon Column: Students May Apply to Amundson Institute
Commentary
This coming Legislative Session I will host the seventh annual Amundson Institute, continuing the tradition of Sen. Scott Surovell and his predecessor, former delegate, Kris Amundson. The program, sponsored by Cox Communications, is an outstanding opportunity for young leaders to learn about legislative and public service careers.
Mount Vernon Brief: Join Walk to Bust Cancer
The National Breast Center Foundation will hold its first Walk to Bust Cancer at Fort Hunt Park on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 8 a.m.
Classified Advertising October 12, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
From the Beginning to the End
982 participants signed up for 2016 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics.
The Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO) opened Sept. 10 and ran through Sept. 21 with another record registration of 918 participants.
Park Authority Offers 50+ Web Portal
The Fairfax County Park Authority has launched a website specifically for residents age 50 or older.
Seminars on Downsizing
The Retiree Real Estate Education Association announces free public service seminars for October on Decluttering, Aging in Place, and Downsizing, given at McLean, Falls Church, and Marshall High schools. These are part of a series of eight free seminars on real estate issues unique to retirees.
Debating Pro & Con on Meals Tax
League of Women Voters hosts forum on Meals Tax issue.
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area sponsored a debate-style panel discussion on the Meals Tax issue which will go before county voters in the Nov. 8 General Election.
Fall Driving: Be Alert for Deer
Autumn is approaching and white-tailed deer will be on the move. Fall is the breeding season for deer.
Bike Sharing Stations Open up Transportation Options
Capital Bikeshare expands to Reston, Tysons area.
Near the corner of Union Street and Prince Street in Old Town, Alexandria, there is a row of red Capital Bikeshare bikes for commuters, tourists and locals to rent, to offer biking as a transportation option without the hassle of congestion or parking that plagues the area.
Interfaith Partners for Justice Address Needs of Returning Citizens
Interfaith Partners for Justice (IPJ), a cooperative effort of members of ten Northern Virginia faith communities, invites returning citizens (ex-offenders), people of faith and justice advocates to come together for a come-when-you-can afternoon of opportunities for voter registration and photo IDs, as well as a series of workshops, advocacy tables and conversations on the needs of returning citizens (often less hopefully and permanently called “ex-offenders”) on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, 2 to 5 p.m. at Lake Anne Community Center, 1609 A Washington Plaza in Reston.
Editorial: Voting Never Mattered More
Consider voting absentee in person since more than 500,000 other voters are likely to turnout on Election Day.
With more than 655,000 active voters in Fairfax County, and as many as 500,000 voters turning out on Election Day, it’s a good time to consider voting early, and preparing for a longer-than-usual process if voting on Election Day.
Mount Vernon: Friends of Dyke Marsh Celebrate 40th Anniversary
“It could be our Everglades.”
More than 100 members of the Friends of Dyke Marsh group, supporters and elected officials spent the afternoon at River Farm in Alexandria on Sunday Oct. 2, celebrating the Friends group’s 40th anniversary.
Mount Vernon: 400 Evacuated from River Towers
Fairfax County firefighters evacuated 400 residents from one of three River Towers condo buildings Sunday afternoon Oct. 2 following reports there was structural damage and residents felt the building shake.
Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke helps seniors age in place with free rides program
It was the first time Fairfax residents Marilyn Hanick and her husband Robert ever asked for any help. She can drive herself to doctor’s appointments at her Fair Oaks area hospital, but for the couple to get Robert to Tysons Corner for appointments for eye injections, his back and hearing problems make it much more difficult.
Fairfax County: Meals Tax Statement Debated During Joint Budget Meeting
Text prepared by Board of Supervisors and FCPS board chairs.
There continues to be division, at least among several members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board, on whether voters should approve a referendum allowing the government to levy up to a four percent additional tax on prepared foods and beverages at restaurants, as well as ready-to-eat foods from grocery and convenience stores.
Fairfax County Public Schools Beat Virginia On-Time Graduation Rate
The Virginia Department of Education has released graduation rates for school systems around the Commonwealth. Fairfax County Public Schools had 92.3 percent of its 2016 class graduate on time, compared with the state average 91.3 percent.