Archive: November 2005
Fairfax County Police: "50 mph Means 50 mph"
The Fairfax County Police Department has released the following statement about the upcoming speed enforcement campaign along the Fairfax County and the Franconia-Springfield Parkways. Motorists will notice increased police presence on the Fairfax County Parkway and the Franconia Springfield Parkway during the next two weeks. Officers from five district police stations (Franconia, West Springfield, Fair Oaks, Sully and Reston) and the Motorcycle Unit are participating in an Educational and Speed Enforcement Campaign for the two weeks ending Friday, December 9, 2005. The intent of the campaign is to stop bad driving behavior, especially speeding, driving recklessly or aggressively. From January through October 2004, there were 690 reportable crashes on the two parkways. During the same time this year, there have been 782 reportable crashes. Throughout the campaign, variable message boards will be set up somewhere along the 37 miles of the two parkways. Three messages will be programmed to be displayed...
By | November 30, 2005; 4:03 PM ET | Email a Comment
World Champion Swimmer From Great Falls Out Of Her Depth In The Limelight
Today's Sports section has a profile of distance swimmer Kate Ziegler, 17, of Great Falls. The story details the shy Ziegler's struggles with her new-found fame since she won two gold medals at the world championships in July and her preparations for the 2008 summer Olympics....
By | November 30, 2005; 1:17 PM ET | Email a Comment
Text of Connolly, Del. Scott Statement at Kaine Town Meeting in Manassas
Update 11/30: Post coverage of the 11/29 meeting. Originally posted 11/29: In advance of this evening's town hall meeting on transportation being held by Virginia Governor-elect Tim Kaine, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly and Delegate James Scott have issued the attached joint statement concerning congestion reduction that will be presented at this evening's town hall meeting....
By Steve Fehr | November 29, 2005; 6:03 PM ET | Email a Comment
Culmore Garage Fire Kills One, Injures Two; Officials Say Victims Possibly Homeless
None of the people (believed by neighbors to be Latino laborers) injured in the blaze have been identified. Yesterday's Metro section had the full story....
By | November 28, 2005; 2:31 PM ET | Email a Comment
Home Invasion Robbery Targets Poker Game
Saturday's Metro section had a story about a poker tournament in the Fair Oaks area that was targeted by armed bandits. Police believe that the robbers may have known about the gambling party because of an online service the host used to invite more than 280 people. ...
By | November 28, 2005; 12:43 PM ET | Email a Comment
Falls Church Seeks Its Retail Identity
The City of Falls Church and its struggles to create a meaningful experience for shoppers tempted by the lure of Tyson's Corner Center is the subject of this week's Fairfax Business Notebook....
By | November 28, 2005; 5:21 AM ET | Email a Comment
New Route Through Fort Belvoir Gains Funding
The following news brief appeared in yesterday's Fairfax Extra: Congress has approved an additional $5 million for the design and construction of a replacement for Woodlawn Road through Fort Belvoir. The money was included in two spending bills that contain funds for other projects in the Fairfax area as well. var technorati = new Technorati() ; technorati.setProperty('url','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/23/AR2005112300805_Technorati.html') ; technorati.article = new item('in brief','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/23/AR2005112300805.html','Congress has approved an additional $5 million for the design and construction of a replacement for Woodlawn Road through Fort Belvoir.','') ; document.write( technorati.getDisplaySidebar() ); County and state officials are planning to replace Woodlawn Road, which the Army closed for security reasons along with a segment of Beulah Road after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The closing has led to traffic delays in southern Fairfax....
By | November 26, 2005; 10:30 AM ET | Email a Comment
Study: AP Classes Helpful With College Success
The Fairfax Extra's Extra Credit column this week takes a look advanced placement classes and their effects....
By | November 25, 2005; 11:34 AM ET | Email a Comment
Supervisor Kauffman Sends Letter To Davis On Vienna Metro Land Sale
Metro Board Chairman and Fairfax Supervisor T. Dana Kauffman's (D-Lee) letter to Rep. Thomas M. Davis (R-Va.) on Metro's decision to sell land near the Vienna Metro station to Pulte homes was published in the Fairfax Extra's "Voices of Fairfax" guest column this week....
By | November 25, 2005; 11:10 AM ET | Email a Comment
Plans Proceed To Widen I-66
Plans to widen parts of Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway are proceeding according to an article published yesterday in the Fairfax Extra. ...
By | November 25, 2005; 11:02 AM ET | Email a Comment
New Emergency Communications Center Under Construction
The Fairfax Extra reported this week on the groundbreaking for the county's West Ox Complex which will house a new police and fire communications center....
By | November 25, 2005; 10:57 AM ET | Email a Comment
Supervisors Eye Limits On Nutley Street Parking
The county Board of Supervisors is asking the Virginia Department of Transportation to help Fairfax establish parking restrictions on Nutley Street between Arlington Boulevard and Lee Highway. Supervisor Linda Q. Smyth (D-Providence) asked the board to consider the restrictions in response to complaints from residents about commercial vehicles, such as trash and construction trucks, that have been parking along the east side of Nutley near the Pan Am Shopping Center. Smyth said the trucks were obstructing visibility. Board Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) said he has observed trash trucks parked along that stretch with trash in the truck, which he said is illegal....
By | November 25, 2005; 10:49 AM ET | Email a Comment
Gobbler Gobbles Gobs of Gobbler
We certainly could have used her help with the leftovers yesterday. Fairfax County's own Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas has done it again, wolfing down more than 4 pounds of turkey in 12 minutes to win another eating contest this week. The Fairfax Extra published a feature story about Thomas and her elastic stomach, Nov. 24. Update 11/29: A health section article published today takes a look at how Thomas and other competitive eaters do what they do. ...
By | November 25, 2005; 10:24 AM ET | Email a Comment
County Announces Next Hunter Mill Task Force Meetings
The Fairfax County Office Of Public Affairs has released a statement with the schedule for the next round of meetings for the Hunter Mill Road Area Special Study Task Force. A 7 p.m., Nov. 30 meeting will be held at Lake Anne Elementary School, 11510 North Shore Drive, Reston. Another meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Lake Anne Elementary and a third at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston....
By | November 25, 2005; 9:56 AM ET | Email a Comment
Police Seek Help Identifying Field Vandals In Western Fairfax
Several athletic fields in the Centreville and Chantilly area have been recently targeted by vandals. Fairfax County police have released this statement and plea for information....
By | November 22, 2005; 10:37 AM ET | Email a Comment
Kaine Considering Town Meeting in Fairfax
Board Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) told the supervisors at today's meeting that he has spoke to Gov.-elect Kaine's office about scheduling a town meeting in Fairfax County before he takes office. Kaine has been holding a series of town meetings across the state, including Nov. 29 in Manassas. Supervisor Michael Frey (R-Sully) asked the supervisors to send a letter to Kaine asking him to add Fairfax to his itinery. Connolly asked him to hold off because he has spoken to Kaine's office about a Fairfax meeting....
By Steve Fehr | November 21, 2005; 1:10 PM ET | Email a Comment
Vandalism At Frost Middle And Woodson High Schools
Fairfax County Police officers are investigating acts of vandalsim at Frost Middle and Woodson High Schools. According to a department spokesman, sometime between 7 p.m. Nov. 14 and 2:15 a.m. Nov. 15, 63 windows at Frost and four windows at Woodson were smashed, possibly with a baseball bat or golf club....
By | November 21, 2005; 10:54 AM ET | Email a Comment
Bank Robbery In Centreville Has Police On Lookout For Suspect
The following new brief is from the Sunday Metro section: A Centreville area bank was robbed yesterday morning by a man who suggested he had a weapon and demanded cash, Fairfax County police said. var technorati = new Technorati() ; technorati.setProperty('url','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/19/AR2005111901072_Technorati.html') ; technorati.article = new item('Metro','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/19/AR2005111901072.html','A Centreville area bank was robbed yesterday morning by a man who suggested he had a weapon and demanded cash, Fairfax County police said.','') ; document.write( technorati.getDisplaySidebar() ); Police said he entered the Mercantile Potomac Bank at 13826 Lee Hwy. just before 10 a.m. He fled with an undisclosed sum in a 1990s maroon Ford Explorer with Virginia temporary tags that was driven by a second man, police said. Police described the suspect as black, 6 feet to 6 feet 3 inches tall, with a slim build. He is bald and wore glasses. He wore a black, yellow, white and red FUBU leather jacket, a...
By | November 21, 2005; 10:47 AM ET | Email a Comment
West Springfield Singer Wows 'Em In Kandahar
Jenny Boyle and her band have moved from playing local bars to entertaining thousands of U.S. troops deployed overseas. Boyle was featured in a Sunday Metro article....
By | November 21, 2005; 10:42 AM ET | Email a Comment
Cable TV From Verizon Now Available In Herndon
Cable television customers in Herndon now have a choice in providers with Verizon joining Cox Communications as the second company to offer service in the town. Details are in a Saturday Business section article. ...
By | November 21, 2005; 10:34 AM ET | Email a Comment
Cell Phone Bandit and Boyfriend Stole $48,000
A Saturday Metro article provides new details about the cell phone bandit robberies....
By | November 21, 2005; 10:28 AM ET | Email a Comment
Don't Feed the Ducks
A hearing will be held Nov. 21 on a plan to establish a pilot program to prohibit the feeding of mallard ducks and Canada geese on 174 land parcels near Little Hunting Creek until Nov. 1, 2007. The idea is to reduce the number of waterfowl in the area in part because of a potential health risk. The Board of Supervisors set the hearing for 4:30 p.m. in the board room of the county Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Update 11/23: The Metro section had an article on this subject on 11/22....
By Steve Fehr | November 19, 2005; 6:24 AM ET | Email a Comment
More Transportation Money
From a news release: Reps. Tom Davis (R-VA-11th) and Jim Moran (D-VA-8th) are pleased to announce that spending bills approved by Congress today include major commitments to a pair of important transportation projects in Fairfax County....
By Steve Fehr | November 18, 2005; 6:37 PM ET | Email a Comment
Congress Approves Another $30 Million For Rail To Dulles
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Fairfax) issued this press release today: DULLES RAIL PROJECT RECEIVES ANOTHER $30 MILLION IN FY 2006 TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE REPORT Washington, D.C. - The conference report for the annual transportation spending bill approved by the House today includes another $30 million to help bring Metrorail to Dulles airport, according to the region's three members of Congress. This latest installment brings the total federal share to date to more than $210 million. The federal government is responsible for 50 percent of the funding while the state and local governments will make up the remaining 50 percent. Senate approval is expected later today. Conference reports cannot be amended....
By | November 18, 2005; 1:40 PM ET | Email a Comment
Metro Approves MetroWest Land Sale To Pulte
Metro's board of directors has approved a sale of a parcel of land near the Vienna Metro station to Pulte Homes. The land lies between the station and land Pulte owns for its planned MetroWest mini-city development. Pulte officials described the land as an essential additional parcel if MetroWest is to be a true transit-oriented development. The full story was in this morning's Metro section....
By | November 18, 2005; 9:36 AM ET | Email a Comment
Taxi Surcharge Extension To Be Considered
The county Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing Nov. 21 on extending the emergency surcharge on taxicab rides and possibly increasing the rate from $1 to $1.50 a ride. Supervisors recently approved the $1-a-ride surcharge to offset the high cost of gasoline over the past few months. The surcharge is set to expire Nov. 21 -- the day the board will decide, after the hearing, whether to continue it and possibly increase it. var technorati = new Technorati() ; technorati.setProperty('url','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/26/AR2005102600893_Technorati.html') ; technorati.article = new item('in brief','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/26/AR2005102600893.html','The county Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing Nov. 21 on extending the emergency surcharge on taxicab rides and possibly increasing the rate from $1 to $1.50 a ride.','') ; document.write( technorati.getDisplaySidebar() );...
By | November 18, 2005; 5:17 AM ET | Email a Comment
Briarwood Park Set to Open Saturday
The county Board of Supervisors and the Park Authority will have a ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Saturday to celebrate the opening of Briarwood Park near the Vienna Metro station....
By Steve Fehr | November 18, 2005; 2:18 AM ET | Email a Comment
In Reston, Everything New Is New Again
The Fairfax Extra's Business Notebook today looks at future plans for the county's now 40-year-old new-town experiment....
By | November 18, 2005; 12:20 AM ET | Email a Comment
Panel Approves Location for Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William Highway
From a VDOT news release: The Commonwealth Transportation Board today approved the location for a new 10.4 mile north-south transportation link that would connect Manassas with the Dulles corridor. The location of the new road would be north of I-66 from the I-66 and Route 234 interchange to the Loudoun County line....
By Steve Fehr | November 17, 2005; 5:31 PM ET | Email a Comment
Mourning the Loss of an Indian Restaurant in Fairfax City
A reader writes in today's Fairfax Extra about the demise of downtown Fairfax's Connaught Place Indian restaurant. The building which houses the eatery is being razed to make room, first for parking during the downtown redevelopment project, and eventually for an expansion of the Kitty Pozer Garden....
By | November 17, 2005; 12:29 PM ET | Email a Comment
Men Are Nurses Too
The image of nursing as a profession suited mostly to women is in need of a "macho makeover" said James A. Metcalf, a health sciences professor at George Mason University in his guest column in today's Fairfax Extra....
By | November 17, 2005; 12:15 PM ET | Email a Comment
Change Is In The Air At Dulles
A new 25-story control tower will be the first in a series major changes as Dulles International Airport begins an expansion. Today's Fairfax Extra has the story....
By | November 17, 2005; 12:05 PM ET | Email a Comment
Expanded ER Opens At Inova Fairfax Hospital
Today's Fairfax Extra cover story details the opening of the expanded emergency facilites at Inova Fairfax Hospital....
By | November 17, 2005; 11:58 AM ET | Email a Comment
Help Wanted
Do you know anyone who used to take a few days off during Thanksgiving but who is now taking the whole week off because of the hassles of traveling during the holiday period? If so, email me at fehrs@washpost.com. It's for a story in The Post. Thanks....
By Steve Fehr | November 16, 2005; 6:19 PM ET | Email a Comment
New Garage Opening Nov. 25 At Reston Town Center
Just in time for the holiday rush of shoppers, Reston Town Center will be opening a 400 space parking garage on Nov. 25....
By | November 16, 2005; 4:56 PM ET | Email a Comment
Take a Virtual Tour of FXVA
Check out the new interactive map at www.fxva.com. It features 360 degree panoramic views of some of the county's top attractions. Officials with the Fairfax County Convention and Visitors Corporation are hoping the new features at the site will help entice tourists to the area....
By | November 16, 2005; 3:11 PM ET | Email a Comment
Growth Could Be Campaign Issue In Montgomery
Fairfax Focus readers have been expressing interest in how our neighbors across the river in Montgomery County are handling familiar tensions with regard to issues of growth and development. Here is the latest from Maryland's wealthiest county....
By | November 16, 2005; 11:47 AM ET | Email a Comment
Lee District RECenter Turns 25 Saturday
The Lee District RECenter will celebrate its 25th anniversary from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 11/19 with children's activities, interactive displays, demonstrations and food....
By Steve Fehr | November 16, 2005; 2:26 AM ET | Email a Comment
Meeting Thursday on Day Laborers
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments will host its first meeting for area elected officials on the issue of day laborers from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 17....
By Steve Fehr | November 16, 2005; 2:16 AM ET | Email a Comment
Va. Supreme Court Rejects County on Lewinsville Park
The Supreme Court of Virginia has refused a request from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to reconsider its decision that in effect bars Marymount University's soccer and lacrosse teams from playing at Lewinsville Park in McLean...
By Steve Fehr | November 15, 2005; 1:55 PM ET | Email a Comment
Charges Against GMU Protester Dropped
Fairfax County prosecutors have dropped charges against Tariq Khan 27, a student at the university and an Air Force veteran who was arrested in Sept. while protesting the presence of military recruiters on campus....
By | November 15, 2005; 1:40 PM ET | Email a Comment
Woman Charged In Cell Phone Bandit Case
Candice R. Martinez, 19, of Chantilly was arrested early this morning n Centreville and is being held on a warrant for armed robbery....
By | November 15, 2005; 1:35 PM ET | Email a Comment
High School Goes Old School
Thomas Jefferson High School For Science and Technology's Classic Rock Appreciation Society was featured prominently in a Style section article about the growing popularity of the classic rock music of the 1960s and 1970s with today's young people....
By | November 15, 2005; 1:24 PM ET | Email a Comment
The Clarksburg Cabal
Some of the themes expressed in this Sunday Close to Home column about the development war in Clarksburg in Montgomery County could sound familiar to Fairfax readers. Take a look. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/11/AR2005111101468.html...
By Steve Fehr | November 14, 2005; 5:10 PM ET | Email a Comment
Meeting Tonight on Dunn Loring/Merrifield Development
Providence District Council Members and Area Associations: There will be a meeting at 7:30 p.m. tonight about development of the entire Dunn Loring/Merrifield Metro Site. The meeting is at the Merrifield Marriott Courtyard Meeting room, across from the Dunn Loring/Merrifield Metro Station (SW corner of Gallows and Prosperity) This is a change of day and location....
By Steve Fehr | November 14, 2005; 4:04 PM ET | Email a Comment
Changes to Dulles Rail Plan Along Routes 7, 123 To Be Discussed Dec. 8
State transportation officials will hold a public information meeting Dec. 8 in McLean to present proposed design refinements for the first phase of the planned extension of Metro to Dulles International Airport....
By Steve Fehr | November 14, 2005; 3:53 PM ET | Email a Comment
Moran To Host Medicare Town Meeting Thursday
U.S. Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) will hold a town meeting Thursday to discuss the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. The meeting is from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the James Lee Community Center. Representatives from the Fairfax County Agency on Aging and the Social Security Administration will present the information. The community center is at 2855 Annandale Rd. in the Falls Church area....
By Steve Fehr | November 14, 2005; 2:29 PM ET | Email a Comment
Have You Changed Your Tax Decal?
The Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs has issued a reminder that all vehicles should be displaying their current, green 2006 tax decals as of tomorrow: "Police and sheriff departments from Alexandria City, Fairfax City, Falls Church City, Manassas City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, the town of Herndon and the town of Middleburg participate in a regional effort to enforce the display of decals. Decals should be placed next to the state safety inspection sticker, and the prior year's tax decal should be removed. Motorcycle decals should be affixed to the bike's fork next to the state safety inspection sticker."...
By | November 14, 2005; 9:42 AM ET | Email a Comment
If You Build It...Will They Come?
Today's Business section reports on the construction of new office space in Northern Virginia. Developers are hoping that new federal government security requirements will have soon lead to occupation of the space. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/13/AR2005111300680.html...
By | November 14, 2005; 9:30 AM ET | Email a Comment
Chesapeake Is Still In Trouble
An article in this morning's Metro section describes the health of the Chesapeake Bay as still "dangerously out of balance" after 30 years of clean-up efforts. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/13/AR2005111301180.html Fairfax County passed measures in 1993 and 2003 aimed at helping to save the bay by limiting what types of development and construction projects can be done in resource protections areas where run-off leads into streams and eventually into the bay. What's your opinion of what is being done locally to protect the bay? Do you live in a resource protection area? How have the rules affected your property?...
By | November 14, 2005; 9:09 AM ET | Email a Comment
Meeting On Field Lighting Nov. 17
The county Park Authority is planning to hold a public meeting Nov. 17 at W.T. Woodson High School to present the results of a consultant's report on athletic-field lighting in Fairfax County. var technorati = new Technorati() ; technorati.setProperty('url','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/02/AR2005110201167_Technorati.html') ; technorati.article = new item('in brief','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/02/AR2005110201167.html','The Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services has launched a matching funds program to encourage county sports organizations to develop synthetic-turf athletic fields in the county.','') ; document.write( technorati.getDisplaySidebar() ); The report, and public reaction to it, will be used to develop specifications and guidelines for athletic-field lighting. It will also be used to address concerns of park neighbors, create cheaper lighting systems and identify the latest technology to reduce glare and spill from lighting systems....
By | November 13, 2005; 5:08 AM ET | Email a Comment
County To Hold Meetings On Funding For Synthetic-Turf Fields
The Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services has launched a matching funds program to encourage county sports organizations to develop synthetic-turf athletic fields in the county. The department will provide up to $483,000 toward the cost of installing synthetic turf on a rectangular field. var technorati = new Technorati() ; technorati.setProperty('url','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/02/AR2005110201167_Technorati.html') ; technorati.article = new item('in brief','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/02/AR2005110201167.html','The Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services has launched a matching funds program to encourage county sports organizations to develop synthetic-turf athletic fields in the county.','') ; document.write( technorati.getDisplaySidebar() );...
By | November 13, 2005; 5:03 AM ET | Email a Comment
Revisions To Lee District Park Under Consideration
The county Park Authority has scheduled a hearing Nov. 15 in the Alexandria area on a proposal to revise the master plan for Lee District Park. The proposed revisions include adding a family recreation area, lighting three existing fields, redesigning the field space and increasing parking....
By | November 13, 2005; 4:21 AM ET | Email a Comment
Party for Life Fundraiser To Help Prevent Suicide
From today's Fairfax Extra: The annual Party for Life fundraiser for suicide prevention is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Clarendon Grill in Arlington. Founded in 2002 by two Northern Virginia friends who lost their fathers to suicide, Party for Life has raised more than $70,000 for suicide prevention and mental health awareness programs. All proceeds benefit Active Minds, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, CrisisLink and the National Mental Health Association's "mpower" program. The grill is at 1101 N. Highland St. Tickets are $45 in advance ($50 at the door) and include two drinks, appetizers, a raffle ticket and entertainment from the rock band Gonzo's Nose. For more information or to register, visit http://www.partyforlife.com . I wrote a detailed article about Party For Life last year....
By | November 13, 2005; 3:05 AM ET | Email a Comment
College And Career Forum For Special Education Students
A forum that gives special-education students an opportunity to learn about college and career options will be held Nov..19 at George Mason University.The forum, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will include 27 presentations and a keynote address by Temple Grandin, who is autistic.For more information, visit www.9VACollegequest.9org....
By | November 13, 2005; 2:13 AM ET | Email a Comment
Has The Housing Bubble Popped?
This story from this morning's Post looks at the cooling of the, until recently, hot housing market. Data show that the cooling trend is particularly evident in Northern Virginia. Is that what you are hearing in your neighborhood? Share with us....
By | November 11, 2005; 12:46 PM ET | Email a Comment
Bill Would Allow Challenges To Fairfax Judge's DWI Stand
Focus on Fairfax has posted about Judge Ian M. O'Flaherty and his opinion that language in the Virginia statute regarding the prosecution of DWI cases makes the law unconstitutional. Now, in response to the Fairfax judge's policy of dismissing the DWI cases in front of him, the Virginia State Crime Commission is proposing legislation that would allow the cases to move from the General District Court, where O'Flaherty presides, to Circuit Court where their constitutionality could be appealed by prosecutors. Read about the proposed legislation in today's Metro section....
By | November 11, 2005; 10:37 AM ET | Email a Comment
Locals Mourn Relatives Killed In Amman Bombings
Relatives gathered last night at the Dar Al-Hiraj Islamic Center in Falls Church to mourn the 59 people killed in this week's terrorist bombings in Amman, Jordan. At least 17 of the dead had family members living here....
By | November 11, 2005; 10:25 AM ET | Email a Comment
Have You Seen This Woman?
She has robbed four banks in Northern Virginia, talking on her cell phone all the while. The full story was on the front page of this morning's Washington Post....
By | November 11, 2005; 10:10 AM ET | Email a Comment
Trader Joe's Opens Today in Centreville
From yesterday's Fairfax Extra: Centreville residents craving aronia berry juice or in desperate need of European-style butter will have a convenient solution beginning tomorrow, when a new Trader Joe's opens its doors at 14100 Lee Hwy., in the Newgate Shopping Center. The specialty grocery chain's quick-preparation gourmet products have a lot of appeal to time-crunched Northern Virginians who desire something more than the usual frozen dinner but don't want to spend much time in the kitchen. The store, which is decorated with murals of historic place in the Centreville area, is the seventh Trader Joe's in Northern Virginia. "In that region of Northern Virginia, customers have been so welcoming to us," said company spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki. "We like to go into areas in which there are a lot of foodies." Store manager Perry Zettersten will conduct a ceremonial lei-cutting at 9 a.m. -- ELISSA SILVERMAN...
By | November 11, 2005; 3:36 AM ET | Email a Comment
Filmmaker Ron Maxwell To Speak At History Conference
Maxwell, who directed "Gettysburg" and "Gods and Generals," will speak at the first annual Fairfax County History Conference on Saturday at Frying Pan Park in Herndon. Details are in today's Fairfax Extra....
By | November 11, 2005; 3:17 AM ET | Email a Comment
Regional Meeting Planned Nov. 17 On Day Laborers
From a COG press release today:"Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is organizing a summit for area elected officials on the issue of day laborers. It will be the first time the issue is discussed at the regional level including leaders from Maryland, Virginia, and the District." The meeting will be held Nov. 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m....
By | November 10, 2005; 4:46 PM ET | Email a Comment
Post Honors Two Fairfax School Leaders
McNair Elementary Principal Stephen Hockett and Madeira School headmistress Elisabeth Griffith have been selected to receive the Washington Post's Distinguished Educational Leadership Award. Read all about these two exceptional educators in today's Fairfax Extra....
By | November 10, 2005; 3:27 PM ET | Email a Comment
Update From County on Flu Shots
From today's Fairfax Extra: County health officials said that although they anticipate no shortage of flu vaccine this season, the supply is being delivered in partial orders -- meaning that on certain days, some clinics will be unable to give flu shots until the shots arrive. Kimberly Cordero, a spokeswoman for the department, said the supply has changed each day. On some days, there is plenty of vaccine, but on other days the supplies run out, she said. "We do not know when we will receive it," she said of the vaccine shipments. When additional vaccine is received, she said, the information will be posted at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/flu , as well as on the department's flu information phone line, 703-246-8781, TTY 711. The Web site lists the Health Department's five district offices, where residents can schedule appointments. The fee is $25....
By | November 10, 2005; 2:58 PM ET | Email a Comment
In The Event Of An Emergency
The cover story in today's Fairfax Extra lets County Executive Anthony H. Griffin explain how Fairfax is preparing for potential disasters....
By | November 10, 2005; 2:53 PM ET | Email a Comment
Lawmakers To Announce Federal Funding For Anti-Gang Programs Today
Update 11/11: The Post's Metro section published this article on the topic. Rep. Frank Wolf's (R-Fairfax) office today announced that a bipartisan group of local congressional leaders will hold a press conference today to announce new funding to combat gangs in Northern Virginia and Maryland. The conference will be held at 2 p.m. at the U.S. Capitol....
By | November 10, 2005; 1:34 AM ET | Email a Comment
Spotted on Route 28 Today....
I swear I'm not making this up. While driving southbound on Route 28 near Dulles International Airport today, a minivan passed me with a Mark Earley for governor bumper sticker. I got a chuckle out of that one, coming on the day after Virginia elected a new governor four years AFTER Earley lost to Mark R. Warner. I would really like to have talked to the driver of that minivan about their love of Earley....
By Steve Fehr | November 9, 2005; 5:06 PM ET | Email a Comment
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Featured On Discovery Channel Tonight
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project will be featured in the Discovery Channel's Extreme Engineering series tonight at 8 p.m....
By | November 9, 2005; 1:57 PM ET | Email a Comment
Seminar on 'Benefits and Opportunities of Transit Oriented Development' Tomorrow
The meeting will be be held from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at National Rural Utilities CFC, 2201 Cooperative Way, Herndon.A press release about the seminar was issued today from the Dulles Area Transportation Association in association with the Dulles Corridor Rail Association....
By | November 9, 2005; 1:51 PM ET | Email a Comment
Wolf Wants Feds To Investigate Gasoline Price Gouging
From a Frank Wolf news release today: The Federal Trade Commission will be required to investigate the alleged price gouging of gasoline in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina under a provision included the FY 2006 Science-State-Justice-Commerce (SSJC) conference report set to be approved by the House today, according to Rep. Frank Wolf....
By Steve Fehr | November 9, 2005; 1:17 PM ET | Email a Comment
Army Lt. Col. from Fairfax County Killed in Iraq
Lt. Col. Thomas A. Wren, 44, of Lorton was one of two soldiers from Virginia killed in Iraq last week. Wren, a father of five, died when his Humvee crashed. He is one of the highest ranking Army officers to die in Iraq....
By | November 9, 2005; 11:17 AM ET | Email a Comment
Former Springfield Girls' Soccer Coach Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges
Christopher H. Allen, 36, of Springfield, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to one count of possession of child pornography. Among the images found on Allen's computer were digitally altered pictures of children he had coached.The full story was in today's Metro section....
By | November 9, 2005; 11:03 AM ET | Email a Comment
Election Coverage
For full election coverage check out our sister blog, Race To Richmond....
By | November 9, 2005; 10:58 AM ET | Email a Comment
Herndon Day Laborers Under Scrutiny
This morning's Metro section has a report about representatives of the Minuteman Project who have been following and monitoring the activities of day laborers and those that hire them at a Herndon gathering spot. ...
By | November 8, 2005; 9:42 AM ET | Email a Comment
Calling All Restonians
For months now, there has been an ongoing debate in Reston about something called "the governing documents." Presumably these documents are the equivalent of the Constitution for one of the nation's largest planned communities. For the life of me, I live in Reston and I can't figure out what the heck they're talking about. What are leaders of the Reston Association proposing to change? What difference does it make to Reston residents? And most important, what impact does it have on homeowner fees (aka assessments)? Will the proposed changes mean higher or lower fees?...
By Steve Fehr | November 7, 2005; 5:51 PM ET | Email a Comment
Wolf Asks Feds Help on Route 7 Traffic Lights
Rep. Frank Wolf (R) today asked the Federal Highway Administration to review the Virginia Department of Transportation's efforts to synchronize in real time the traffic signals on Route 7 from Leesburg to Tysons Corner....
By Steve Fehr | November 7, 2005; 5:28 PM ET | Email a Comment
Marc Fisher on Kate Hanley and Her New Life
Metro opinion columnist wrote about former Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Katherine "Kate" Hanley and her decision to move from a home in the Falls Church area to Reston Town Center....
By | November 7, 2005; 3:10 PM ET | Email a Comment
Helping for the Holidays
Many organizations need volunteers, clothes, food and other items during the holidays so they can help the needy. A list of organizations that need assistance will appear in the Fairfax Extra on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. Nonprofit groups are invited to send a list of needs [attn: holiday list] by Wednesday11/16 to fxextra@washpost.com or by fax to 703-273-2836. Groups should include details on the number of volunteers and specific items needed; where donated items can be taken and during what hours; a daytime telephone number; and a contact person....
By Steve Fehr | November 7, 2005; 1:42 PM ET | Email a Comment
Study: GMU Contributes $1.6 billion to Virginia Economy
George Mason University issued a press release today on the research of Stephen Fuller, George Mason University's School of Public Policy professor....
By | November 7, 2005; 1:28 PM ET | Email a Comment
Fairfax Connector Celebrates 20 Years
From the Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs: The Fairfax Connector will kick off the bus system's 20th anniversary with an early morning celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Passengers and residents are invited to join members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at the Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride facility, 12530 Sunrise Valley Drive, Herndon, for a ceremony at 8 a.m., with refreshments served beginning at 7 a.m. The program will include the unveiling of a specially decorated anniversary bus, one of two that will travel on Connector routes throughout the year....
By | November 7, 2005; 4:03 AM ET | Email a Comment
Ceremony For GMU's Til Hazel Hall Set For Sunday
The university has released this media advisory regarding the naming of a new building at its Arlington campus for long-time Fairfax leader John T. Hazel, Jr.: HAZEL HALL BUILDING NAMING CEREMONYWHAT: Building Naming Ceremony at George Mason University (Arlington Campus) WHEN: Sunday, November 6, 2005 3:00 5:00 PM WHERE: George Mason University Arlington Campus Hazel Hall Atrium 3301 Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA Directions: http://www.gmu.edu/welcome/Directions-to-GMU.html BACKGROUND:George Mason University's Board of Visitors voted unanimously to name the building which houses its School of Law after John T. Hazel, Jr., commonly known as "Til," a longtime university supporter and visionary advocate for Northern Virginia. Hazel, a prominent attorney and real estate developer, led the effort to help Mason acquire a law school in 1979. The building,...
By | November 5, 2005; 5:05 AM ET | Email a Comment
VDOT Posts Dulles Toll Road Proposals on the Web
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) today posted on its Web site the five competing conceptual proposals under the Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) to maintain and operate the Dulles Toll Road in Northern Virginia. Click on the link: www.virginiadot.org/projects/pptaDullesCorridorInitiative.asp...
By Steve Fehr | November 4, 2005; 5:52 PM ET | Email a Comment
Murder in Fair Lakes
Police are investigating an apparent double shooting which occurred in the 12700 block of Fair Crest Court, in the Fair Lakes area about 10:26 p.m. Thursday. Police were called to the address regarding gunshots being heard. Officers found a man fatally wounded and a woman suffering from apparent gun shot injuries. The homicide victim has been identified as John M. Shirley, 53, of the 3200 block of Annandale Road in the Falls Church area. ...
By Steve Fehr | November 4, 2005; 4:47 PM ET | Email a Comment
Groundbreaking Saturday for Crosspointe Fire Station
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will conduct a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 5 for Crosspointe Fire and Rescue Station 41....
By Steve Fehr | November 4, 2005; 4:43 PM ET | Email a Comment
Teen Charged in Dunn Loring Metro Rape
Michael Scott Acosta, an 18 year old Marshall High School student has been arrested and charged with one of several recent sexual assaults near the station....
By | November 4, 2005; 3:22 PM ET | Email a Comment
Warner: 860 High Tech Jobs Coming to N. Va.
From a news release: Gov. Mark R. Warner announced today that 860 new high-tech jobs are being brought to Northern Virginia as part of Micron Technology, Inc.'s $1.2 billion upgrade of its fabrication facilities in Manassas....
By Steve Fehr | November 4, 2005; 2:07 PM ET | Email a Comment
Fed Up With Squirrels? We Want to Hear From You
Ah, it's fall. Our thoughts turn to leaves, apple cider and chilly nights at football games. Wait a minute, what's that sound coming from the attic? Oh no, the squirrels are back, chewing their way through the roof and into the house. What's that I see on the bird feeder? It's those [your adjective here] squirrels eating the bird seed I just put out. Share your favorite squirrel story with us and could you please sign your name, where you live and a daytime phone number so we can consider publishing it in the Fairfax Extra? Thanks...
By Steve Fehr | November 4, 2005; 12:38 PM ET | Email a Comment
Open House This Weekend At Paul VI
Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax will hold an open house for parents and prospective students from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. A separate open house for eighth-graders will be held from 9 to 10:30 Monday. Members of the school administration, faculty and students will be on hand to answer questions and lead tours of the school. var technorati = new Technorati() ; technorati.setProperty('url','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/02/AR2005110201195_Technorati.html') ; technorati.article = new item('education in brief','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/02/AR2005110201195.html','Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax will hold an open house for parents and prospective students from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. A separate open house for eighth-graders will be held from 9 to 10:30 Monday.','') ; document.write( technorati.getDisplaySidebar() ); The school is at 10675 Fairfax Blvd. For more information, call 703-352-0925 or visit http://www.paulvi.net ....
By | November 4, 2005; 11:13 AM ET | Email a Comment
Tickets Still Available For King's X Tonight
Yesterday, I wrote about the King's X show at Jaxx tonight in the Fairfax Extra. A quick check with Ticketmaster reveals that there are still some tickets available. I covered the band's show five years ago for the Style section and the group was pretty stellar. If you are still looking for something to do tonight and are a fan of live rock music, you really shouldn't miss this....
By | November 4, 2005; 10:58 AM ET | Email a Comment
Metro Looking At Ways To Increase Rail Capacity
One of the concerns that people have expressed about building supposed transit-oriented developments like MetroWest is that the Metro rail system is already running at capacity in many places, including along the Orange line. If MetroWest is built as it is currently planned, the fear is that the rail line will be overwhelmed and people forced to use their cars, thus defeating a major purpose of building the development. Now, Metro is looking for creative ways to increase capacity on its rail cars, including reconfiguring and removing seating....
By | November 4, 2005; 10:50 AM ET | Email a Comment
Want To Work For The County?
The county government will sponsor a career fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 5 at the county Government Center in the Fair Oaks area. Potential job seekers can get information about working for Fairfax County, the types of jobs available, requirements for getting hired and benefits....
By | November 4, 2005; 5:27 AM ET | Email a Comment
Fairfax Chamber Launches Political Blog
The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce announced today that it has started a new Weblog www.policysoup.blogspot.com called "PolicySoup," to provide an open discussion forum on the chamber's premier business advocacy program and all issues related to business and politics in the Commonwealth....
By Steve Fehr | November 3, 2005; 5:16 PM ET | Email a Comment
The Voters Guide
The focus of today's Fairfax Extra is next Tuesday's election. The Extra's voters guide has a wealth of information about the candidates and the issues....
By | November 3, 2005; 11:28 AM ET | Email a Comment
Meet The New Elections Registrar
Jacquelynne Harris is the county's first nonpartisan elections supervisor. She was profiled in today's Fairfax Extra....
By | November 3, 2005; 11:25 AM ET | Email a Comment
Are Black Students in Fairfax Underachieving?
This week's Extra Credit column by Jay Mathews in the Fairfax Extra looks at some of the test scores coming out of the county school system. Interestingly, black students in Fairfax, the wealthiest county in the state, aren't faring as well as they are in number of other counties....
By | November 3, 2005; 11:22 AM ET | Email a Comment
Just Released: Traffic Pattern Change In Old Town Fairfax
The Fairfax City community relations office today issued the following statement: A new traffic pattern will allow vehicles to turn into Old Town Fairfax during non-rush hour. Effective immediately, southbound traffic on Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) will be allowed to turn left from the left lane onto Route 236 (Main Street) daily except from 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call 703-385-7846....
By | November 1, 2005; 4:55 PM ET | Email a Comment
Frank Wolf: Slow Traffic on Route 7
The congressman's office today released a statement containing the text of a letter that Wolf sent to the Virginia secratary of transportation.....
By | November 1, 2005; 3:45 PM ET | Email a Comment
Continue the Discussion From Tuesday Night
Please consider keeping the discussion going from the Metro hearing on the proposed sale of land near the Vienna Metro station. Here's a link to The Post's story on the meeting in today's paper: Residents Split Feelings On Metro Land Sale....
By Steve Fehr | November 1, 2005; 3:13 PM ET | Email a Comment
Recommendation on Proposals For Mixing Bowl HOT Lanes Expected Today
VDOT has issued a press release on the meeting of the advisory board overseeing the issue which will be held from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Nov. 1, in the Springfield Interchange Project Office, 6400 Commerce Street, Springfield. Update 11/2: The results of the meeting were reportded in a Metro section article this morning....
By | November 1, 2005; 11:06 AM ET | Email a Comment
Fairfax Station Soldier Killed In Combat
Dillon M. Jutras, a Pfc. in the Army, was killed during combat operations in Iraq on Friday. His family spoke about his life in a Metro section article this morning....
By | November 1, 2005; 10:30 AM ET | Email a Comment
Teen Killed In Crash Remembered By Friends
Friends of Vanessa Pean, the 16-year-old Great Falls girl killed in a single-car crash on Sunday, remembered her optimism in an article in this morning's Metro section....
By | November 1, 2005; 10:24 AM ET | Email a Comment
