Despite Advances, Many Virginians Remain Uninsured
Affordable Care Act expands coverage, but more than 800,000 still have no health insurance.
What is the state of the uninsured in Virginia?
Editorial: Yes to the Meals Tax Referendum
Voters could decide on the tax in November.
Economic diversification is worthy goal. All of your eggs shouldn’t be in one basket. All of your revenue shouldn’t come from one source. In Fairfax County, adding a meals tax at the same level as Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and the City of Fairfax, 4 percent, could generate $88 million a year. The county estimates that 25-30 percent of the meals taxes collected would be paid by non-county residents. The inability to implement alternative revenue sources will mean continued dependence on one basket. The combined increase in the real estate property tax rate and home values means that most homeowners will be paying hundreds of dollars more in property taxes regardless of their ability to pay.
Airbag Thefts on the Rise in Fairfax
Doesn’t take long to steal.
This year, Fairfax County has become one of the biggest suppliers of stolen airbags for Virginia’s auto parts black market. Since January, more than 50 airbags have been stolen in Fairfax County alone, and, in April, Arlington reported that a dozen airbags had been stolen.
Feeling Repercussions of Winter
Schedule adjustments for Northern Virginia public school students.
This winter, thousands of area students were given more days off than expected. Day after day, parents, students and faculty received notice that school had yet again been cancelled due to the heavy snow and cold weather, which forced students and faculty to watch one of the coldest and heaviest winters since the 2010 Snowmagedden from home.
Hearing Loss Doesn’t Have to be Life-changing
“What?” May is Better Hearing and Speech Month.
On any given workday, you might find Arlington resident Erin Weiner sitting in a family-friendly restaurant causally coloring or playing games with a young child. At first glance, she might be mistaken for any young mother entertaining her offspring while they wait for a meal. In actuality, Weiner, who is a speech-language pathologist, is employing what she describes as an innovative approach to therapy that involves working with a child in his or her natural environment.
A Tale of Two Seasons
It is not the best of times, nor is it the worst of times; it is, simply put: the time between the end of winter and the beginning of summer. It is the season known as spring, but more to the point of this column, it is the time when, if the weather cooperates/accommodates, I won’t need to turn the heat or the air conditioning on in my house. I will instead be able to ride the wave, so to speak, and not incur any post-winter/pre-summer utility bills. Possibly, I might even be able to pay off my oil-heating budget bill balance for the 2013/2014 season – before the 2014/2015 budget cycle begins, and hopefully not have to cool down the house at the same time – due to an early summer – so that on the day my oil-heating bill is due, it won’t be competing for cash with my upstart electric/air conditioning bill for money not well spent and for money hardly in abundance.
Supervisors Pass County Budget
Three supervisors vote against the $3.7 billion budget.
Educators are not happy that the school district will receive $64 million less than they asked for next year. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed the county’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget, which includes a 3 percent increase in the School Fund Transfer, at the April 29 meeting.
Going into Business with Mom
Mother-daughter Realtor teams say working together can work.
Allison Goodhart has a vivid childhood memory: pulling a wagon filled with pumpkins and her younger sister around her family’s Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria, helping to promote her parents’ real estate business. Today Allison Goodhart works alongside her mother as part of Old Town Alexandria-based Goodhart Group of McEnearney Associates Inc., Realtors.
Silver Line Phase 1 Reaches ‘Substantial Completion’
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced its concurrence Thursday with an April 9 Declaration of Substantial Completion for Phase 1 of the Silver Line Project to extend the Washington region's Metrorail public transit system. The concurrence affirms that the Phase 1 construction by Dulles Transit Partners, a construction consortium led by Bechtel Corp., has satisfied the contract requirements applicable to the project's major functional elements.
Starshine Theatre to Present ‘The Odyssey’
Starshine Theatre of Great Falls presents its 21st Annual Spring Production, "The Odyssey," based on the ancient Greek epic by Homer. A Cast of talented local students, ages elementary through high school, will portray the colorful characters the great Odysseus met on his 20-year journey home after winning the Trojan War. This original musical drama includes songs and dance/action choreography to complement the epic scholars have called "The best story in 3,000 years." Performance at The Grange Theater, Great Falls, on Saturday, May 10, at 7 p.m. Seats must be reserved in advance by contacting Pat Green Budwig, M.A., Play Director, at 703-790-9050 or StarshineTheater@aol.com .
Great Falls Day Celebrated
Visitors learn history of Great Falls community.
On Sunday, May 4, residents of Great Falls and visitors had the opportunity to celebrate Great Falls Day at the Great Falls Grange on Georgetown Pike and learn more about the history of the community. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the public assembly hall was built in 1929, a product of the Grange Movement which swept America after the Civil War. The Grange was a symbol of commitment to community involvement and progress, and has been a meeting and special event site throughout its history.
Three Great Falls Scouts Promoted to Eagles
Troop 55 in Great Falls recently announced the advancement to the rank of Eagle Scout of four young men: Patrick Ryan, Conrad Dear, Bennett Molster, and Ryan Withers. These scouts have earned at least 21 merit badges, and have demonstrated scout spirit by living the scout oath and law through years of service and leadership. They have each also planned, organized, led and managed extensive service projects.
‘Alice’ Comes to Madeira
Haddad Studio of Classical Ballet presents ‘Alice In Wonderland’ on May 11.
“The girls gain an opportunity to enjoy performing and dance before an audience of people,” said Margaret Haddad. “This time the show is ‘Alice In Wonderland’.” Since 1962 Margaret A. Haddad has taught the Nicholai Legat method of Russian Classical Ballet across the globe in locations including England, Lebanon, Kenya. In 1987, Haddad opened her studio in Great Falls. There, talented young people learn the Legat Syllabus, emphasizing grace, unison and discipline. Haddad was one of the first English students accepted to the Legat School of Russian Ballet which was developed by Nadine Nicolaeva and Nicolai Legat. Located in Scotland, the Russian Ballet Society is committed to preserving and maintaining the Classical Russian Ballet style and the Legat System via teaching and examination qualification exams.
County Chamber Moves to Tysons
FCCC makes new location official with ribbon-cutting party.
Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) members loyalty runs river deep. More than 400 people braved the flooding Potomac and heavy traffic due to severe thunderstorms to celebrate the Chamber’s Open House and ribbon cutting in Tysons Corner on Wednesday.
Mother’s Day Event for a Cause
Turner Farm event raising money for suicide awareness.
A mother’s love never ends. Sarah Kirk is planning a celebration of life in memory of her daughter, Becky Love, to raise awareness about suicide and funds for Comfort Zone Camp. Becky was a charismatic and spiritual person and a mother herself, according to Kirk. She was found dead on a shooting range in August at 32 years old. “I wish I knew more about what my daughter was going through,” said Kirk. “We wanted to celebrate Becky being a mother and all mothers who want the best for their kids.”
Rising Stars
Del. Comstock announces new class of Young Women's Leadership Program.
Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) has officially notified the second class of her Young Women's Leadership Program of their acceptance into this program. "This year we received even more applications to the Young Women's Leadership Program and I am honored to have each and every one of the 80 young women in the 2014 Class. These young women are rising stars in our community and I'm confident that they will bring their passions and unique perspectives to the program. I hope that the Young Women's Leadership Program will help inspire this next generation of female leaders to bring their intelligence, drive and solutions to their communities, families and careers," Del. Comstock said. The Young Women's Leadership Program provides young women enrolled in middle school and high school the opportunity to meet and interact with women in leadership positions in government, politics, medicine, business and a variety of professions throughout our community.
Week in Great Falls
Starshine Theatre to Present ‘The Odyssey’ Starshine Theatre of Great Falls presents its 21st Annual Spring Production, "The Odyssey," based on the ancient Greek epic by Homer. A Cast of talented local students, ages elementary through high school, will portray the colorful characters the great Odysseus met on his 20-year journey home after winning the Trojan War. This original musical drama includes songs and dance/action choreography to complement the epic scholars have called "The best story in 3,000 years." Performance at The Grange Theater, Great Falls, on Saturday, May 10, at 7 p.m. Seats must be reserved in advance by contacting Pat Green Budwig, M.A., Play Director, at 703-790-9050 or StarshineTheater@aol.com .
Classified Advertising April 30, 2014
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Choosing a Summer Camp
Camp experts offer advice on selecting a camp, but now is the time to register.
Many families with school age children will plan to have their children spend some of the much-anticipated summer season in camp. If you haven’t yet selected camps for your children, now is the time.
Many Ideas for Summer Activities
Avoid those dreaded words: ‘I’m bored.’
Molly McAlister enjoys the freedom of summer, but there are three words she dreads hearing: “Mom, I’m bored.” Creating activities to keep her three children busy during the summer is a task she enjoys, but it isn’t always easy.