Interest in Budget Slows as Economy Picks Up
Employee compensation, human service funding compete for attention.
Rising property values, a relatively low unemployment rate, and the lack of hot-button issues — such as full-day kindergarten — have reduced public involvement in Fairfax County’s proposed $6.7 billion budget compared to recent years, according to county leaders.
Design with Children in Mind
BOWA Builders share tips for design that works for the whole family.
Whether it’s a closet, the kitchen or a study area, there are numerous ways to incorporate child-friendly design into any space, and children today are becoming more and more involved in the process. Even if the child is toddler-aged, simple tasks, such as picking colors, themes or bedding, can help them feel that they are part of the process.
From Home to Dream Home: Split Foyer to French Colonial
Sun Design Remodeling’s design solution for Mulligan home tops category in “Contractor of the Year” Awards.
Tastes change; so, too, an owner’s requirements of their home. In the early 1960s, for instance, no floor plan concept seemed better suited to the demands of modern life than the split level — which deployed half-levels to apportion interior space into sleeping zones, family gathering rooms and service areas.
Home Work
‘Why Is My Home Rotting Away?’
"Mike, why is my house rotting away!?" This is the kind of question brimming with alarm and horror that builders and remodelers often hear. "How old is your house?" I asked. "It’s only 15 years old." "Ray, your house is not rotting away, but the skin of your house might be."
Ribbon Cutting at New Hospital
The new IAH Mark Center had an official ribbon-cuttling ceremony on Wednesday, April 4.
TRCA Spring Meeting and Elections
The Taylor Run Citizens Association will host its annual Spring Meeting on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.
Migratory
Great Egrets winter in Mexico and South America and breed along the shore, passing through this area in migration.
Old Town History: Bank of Alexandria
A fairly nondescript building sits on southeast corner of North Fairfax and Cameron Streets. It’s a bit taller than the others nearby, and forms a quiet bookend for the distinctive Carlyle House next door. It’s anonymity, however, belies its rich history.
Letter: Value of an Ombudsman
Recently a new group, Democrats for a Better Alexandria, has suggested that the City needs an Ombudsman (or Ombudswoman). According to Wikipedia, an Ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between government, and constituents, representing the broad scope of constituent interests.
Letter: Don’t Encourage ‘Magic Bullets’
As a desperate high school student just sliding by, I too would hope for a magic bullet cram course to improve my standardized test scores and chances of getting into college.
Letter: Fixing Flaws, Building on Successes
The following open letter is addressed to school staff and residents.
Letter: Consider Children’s Safety
The following letter was sent to the City Council and School Board.
Letter: Clear Cutting Of Trees
This morning I watched as contractors for WMATA cut down tree after tree after tree along the property line adjacent to my apartment complex.
Letter: Another Step for Smoke-Free City
The Mayor and City Council are to be congratulated for steps they have recently taken to address what Surgeon Generals of the U.S. have called the two leading causes of preventable death and disease in America: tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. In January, the City Council, by a vote of 5 to 1, authorized the placement of signs discouraging smoking in all City-owned parks, playgrounds and bus shelters.
Letter: Hybrid School Board?
That in the past few months there have been issues of extraordinary concern and increasing public outrage over ACPS is well-understood.
Letter: Pay More Attention To City Schools
Where there’s smoke there’s usually fire. Unfortunately, for Alexandria City Public Schools, too few people have pulled the alarm.
Letter: GW Memorial Parkway Metro?
Although officially it is referred to as the Potomac Yard Metro, if the option to move the tracks closer to the GW Memorial Parkway is used, it creates a construction zone on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and furthermore creates a right-in right-out for the trucks and mechanical equipment to use.
Letter: Time To Step Down?
The following letter is addressed to Dr. Morton Sherman, Superintendent of Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools.
Letter: Best Way To Spend $7 Million?
The mayor and the City Council have proven again that they do not represent their Alexandrian citizens.
Letter: Support Cleaner Environment
As a 14-year-old boy growing up in Virginia, I am so happy that President Obama has taken the time to create a plan to clean bodies of water and major rivers of the pollutant mercury.