"how to keep one's financial affairs in order"

Every Year Is Election Year in Virginia

Northern Virginia has most two-party races on ballot.

While the Virginia governor’s race is the one getting the most attention, both nationally and in the state, Virginia’s House of Delegates race is shaping up to be the most competitive in a decade. According to an official candidate list released last month by the Virginia State Board of Elections, 57 House seats will be contested this November — marking only the second time in the last decade where at least half of the 100 House seats will have more than one name on the ballot.

What in the World Does a Supervisor Do, and Why Should We Care?

Local Government 101: Where the rubber meets the road.

We see them at just about every community event. They manage a budget larger than the budgets of four states, and rule over a county with a diverse, well-educated population of more than a million people. The 10 members of the Fairfax County Supervisors have an intense, time-consuming, insanely detailed job, one that comes with enormous power and even more responsibilities. They impact our lives in large and small ways, allocating money and resources in ways that can propel our community forward—or cost us our first-rate status in education, livability and culture. Yet most of us, media included, are so focused on politics at the state and national level that we overlook the decision-makers in our own backyard.

Obsessed With Politics? Fairfax County Welcomes You!

What newcomers need to know to be politically-savvy insiders.

Fairfax County may be physically separated from Washington, D.C.—the ground-zero of All Things Political—but residents here are a politically-savvy bunch. We know who Larry Sabato is—a prominent University of Virginia political analyst—and we pay attention to Not Larry Sabato—a Virginia politics blog by Ben Tribbett, a Fairfax County resident and self-described “vicious campaign insultant.” We follow our politicians on Twitter and Facebook.

Supervisors Give Us Their Best “Insider” Tips

Fairfax County has a fantastic park and library system, with tons of activities to enjoy. One of my personal favorites is the Cardboard Boat Regatta at Lake Accotink Park every summer.

An Insider's Guide to the Arts in Northern Virginia

A selection of upcoming arts productions, happening right where you live.

There are more artists of every stripe making art in Northern Virginia than you may realize. Populating the bedroom communities, small towns, growing cities and metropolitan areas of Fairfax County, Arlington and Alexandria are your pick of dance, theatre, choral, symphonic, visual and performance, music and fill-in-the-blank groups. Look beyond Wolf Trap and Jammin' Java to the Torpedo Art Factory, the Workhouse Arts Center, and smaller, quality groups like ArtSpace Herndon and McLean Project for the Arts to cast their creative spell (that's only to name a few). Delve in and, we dare you, let your stereotypes of an artless string of suburbs dissolve. In place you'll get something much better than stereotypes: some culture.

Magic of Lake Anne Mornings

Every day I marvel at the magic, waking up to a different lake each morning with the changes of the seasons and years.

Lake Anne has always been the heart of Reston for me. We moved to our townhouse on the lake in the winter of 2002 and as we hauled the last box in, it started to snow. Tired and hungry, we wandered down to the plaza and settled ourselves into a corner seat by the window at one of Lake Anne’s special restaurants. As the sun set we ordered the seafood soup and looked out onto the plaza and the lake and watched the snow fall gently—magical...

Dancing to Lift Spirits

Gin Dance Company to perform in Reston.

"Dance is an amazing art form that you can deliver stories, ideas, meanings and emotions through body language. It’s a very powerful thing," said Shu-Chen Cuff, artistic director of the Fairfax County-based Gin Dance Company. The company will be performing in the coming weeks at Reston's CenterStage and then at the Reston Multicultural Festival.

Commentary: Plenty of Money

Reading a letter Governor McDonnell sent to state employees or listening to a speech he gave to the General Assembly money committees last week you could conclude that Virginia state government has plenty of money. He told both, “For the fourth straight year the commonwealth will enjoy a budget surplus! We concluded Fiscal Year 2013 with a total budget surplus of $585 million, the largest since 2005. Over the full four years of my term, Virginia has enjoyed a cumulative surplus of nearly $2 billion—the highest cumulative surplus of any single administration.”

Column: County Rushing “Dysfunctional” Master Plan?

A bit over four years ago, the Hunter Mill District supervisor announced the formation of a community Task force to prepare a new Reston Master Plan to shape Reston, complete with rail service, for a generation. The supervisor said it was a vital mission, top priority, to be completed during 2010. Then, she left the room—and the planning process. Fast forward—the train is about to arrive and the task force has yet to complete even the first half of its work—the comprehensive plan for three new rail station areas.

Hornets Ready for New Season

Parents and faculty discuss new sports season at Herndon High.

Coaches’ Night was held on Aug. 19 at Herndon High School. The coaches of fall sports and athletics for Herndon High School students met with parents at the school cafeteria. “It is an informational session where you get and see who your coaches are and meet other parents,” said Jonathan Frohm, director of Student Activities and Athletics.

Get to Know Local Herndon Non-profits

Reston Interfaith helps those that are homeless and struggling in Northern Virginia to build more stable lives by connecting them to vital resources that solve their needs for housing, child care, food or financial assistance. Programs and services include the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, Emergency Food Pantry, Hypothermia Prevention Program and the Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Touching Heart Inspires Spirit of Caring and Giving

Children learn by example and by doing. That’s the principal behind Touching Heart, where the goal is to inspire and cultivate a spirit of caring and giving in children that will last a lifetime. Touching Heart’s mission is to educate children to have a giving heart.

The Non-profits of Vienna

AHC, a nonprofit developer of affordable housing, operates in Vienna to provide quality homes for low- and moderate-income families. AHC Also offers services for residents and homeownership opportunities.

A Fading Craft Thrives in Vienna

Guarantee Shoe Repair blends business with congeniality and nature.

The cream-colored two-story clapboard house at 131 Church St. N.W. could be mostly any one’s home in Vienna. It’s well cared-for with rose bushes and an array of flowers and greenery out front. To the side is a small fish pond and to the back is a gazebo anchored by a fountain. The gazebo’s flooring covers an obsolete well whose pump remains a visual magnet.

Alexandria School Superintendent Unexpectedly Resigns

Taxpayers to fork over almost $300,000 to buy out embattled superintendent.

With days left to go before the first day of school, leaders in Alexandria are searching for a new superintendent.

A Year of The Arts in Vienna

Don't miss the arts in front of your nose: Vienna has concerts, exhibits, community theater and more, right here, in town.

Insiders' Tips: Places to Visit in Dranesville District

Supervisor John W. Foust (D-Dranesville) recommends places to see in the area.

Newcomers to Dranesville should visit our beautiful Potomac riverfront parks. Scotts Run in McLean offers fantastic hiking trails and great views of the Potomac. Riverbend Park and Great Falls National Park in Great Falls have visitor centers, great trails, spectacular river views and scenic picnic areas.

Newcomers and the Community Guide; Get to Know Area Non-profits

Get to know the area non-profits!

Langley High Band to Hold Tag Day Fundraiser

On Saturday, Sept. 7, band members from Langley High School will participate in “Tag Day” throughout neighborhoods in McLean and Great Falls. Each year, the Langley High School Band raises money through door-to-door fundraising, “tagging” neighbors for their monetary support. In return, band members are personally inviting donors to come and enjoy one or all of Langley HS Bands free concerts held in the school auditorium in the winter and spring. The concerts are scheduled for early December and late February.

McLean Home Sales: July, 2013

In July 2013, 111 homes sold between $3,875,000-$138,500 in the McLean and Falls Church area.