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

Fairfax Gets First Taste of Smashburger

Instead of cutting a ribbon, Mayor Silverthorne “smashes” burgers during grand opening in new shopping center.

Smashburger, a Denver-based burger chain, opened its first area location in the new Boulevard Marketplace on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Fairfax City Mayor Scott Silverthorne participated in Smashburger's version of a ribbon-cutting, a "ceremonial smash" with founder Tom Ryan. "I am thrilled to welcome Tom Ryan and Smashburger to the City of Fairfax, their first location in the Washington Metropolitan region,” said Silverthorne after Wednesday’s preview party. “This new restaurant, along with several others in the new Fairfax Boulevard Marketplace, is a great addition to the Fairfax family.”

Saturday Morning Coffee With Delegate David Bulova

Constituents gather at Main Street Bagel to talk local politics.

“The General Assembly is not anywhere near as gridlocked as Congress. Bills get passed in the blink of an eye, and what gets passed really does affects your day-to-day life.” —Del. David Bulova (D-37)

Affordable West Wood Oaks Apartments Completes $6.7 Million Green Renovation

West Wood Oaks Apartments celebrates the $6.7 million green renovation and brand-new clubhouse.

Mayor R. Scott Silverthorne and City Manager Bob Sisson joined residents of West Wood Oaks Apartments, located in the heart of Fairfax, to celebrate the community’s $6.7 million green renovation and brand-new clubhouse, just completed by Community Preservation and Development Corporation (CPDC). Known as Suburbia Fairfax before the renovation, the 54-unit property is the only dedicated affordable property in the City of Fairfax by virtue of its income restrictions.

Neighborhoods: Seminary Valley

Living on a busy street like Pegram Street has its pluses and minuses ... sometimes it is a little hard to get out of the driveway, it is probably a little noisier than some streets on Seminary Valley's cul-de-sacs ... and nearly every day we see our friends from Fire Station 206 make their way down the hill, either responding to a call or out on a training run.

Fairfax's Providence Players--Endearing and Enduring Comedy

Providence Players of Fairfax present "You Can't Take it with You."

"A non-stop dance of human interactions and emotions—with some crazy ballet thrown in for great entertainment," said Sara Bennett of the Providence Players next production, "You Can't Take it with You," by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.

A Word With Fairfax City Schools Superintendent Peter Noonan

Superintendent Meets "Top-Notch" Principals

Since coming to Fairfax County Public Schools in July 2001, Clifton resident Peter Noonan has been on an upward trajectory. He went from being an assistant principal to a principal to a school system assistant superintendent. But he left it all in July, on the move upward, as he became the superintendent of the City of Fairfax Schools.

Pick of the Patch

Annual fundraising pumpkin sale now through Oct. 31

The search for the perfect pumpkin is never easy. Size and color considerations must be taken into account, and quality is king. The variety of pumpkins at Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, available now through Oct. 31, make the search a little easier.

PetSage Hosts Catstravaganza

Wade Batterton’s cat trees filled the top of the parking lot as vendors set up tents near the doorway of Pet Sage on Dove Street on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Whole Health Fest Gets Fairfax Fit

Get Fit City of Fairfax presents the free Whole Health Fest.

On Sunday, Sept. 23, from 1-4 p.m., the Stacy C. Sherwood Center in Fairfax was the place to be when Get Fit City of Fairfax presented the free 2012 Whole Health Fest. The 14,000-plus square feet of the facility’s main level became a maze of vendors, exhibits, demonstrations, tastings and activities, all focusing on fitness, nutrition and general wellness.

An ‘Eye-opening’ Banquet in Burke

A "hunger banquet" highlights poverty in the world.

Thirty youth from area middle and high schools gathered on Sept. 18 at their local church in Burke to experience a “hunger banquet” to increase their awareness of poverty and hunger in the world, Haiti and in Northern Virginia. When these students from Lake Braddock, Robinson and West Springfield gathered for their weekly meeting at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were unaware of what was in store for them. Their leaders divided the students randomly into three groups—seating four students at an elegant dining table, nine students in a circle on folding chairs and the remaining 25 on cardboard laid out on the floor. The three groups represented the distribution of wealth in the world—10 percent in the high-income level, 20 percent in the middle-income level and the remaining 70 percent at the lowest level of wealth.

Column: Volunteerfest Provides Opportunities for All Interests

I’d like to encourage all Fairfax County residents to consider participating in this year’s “VolunteerFest,” sponsored by Volunteer Fairfax on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. This year marks the 18th year for VolunteerFest, and more than 1500 County residents are expected to volunteer their time at dozens of sites around the County. Tasks include landscaping, sorting and collecting food at food banks, maintaining an outdoor classroom at an elementary school, helping seniors, cleaning libraries and sorting clothes at a thrift store that funds programs for people with disabilities. A full list of events can be found at http://www.volunteerfairfax.org/. Volunteer Fairfax is much more than “VolunteerFest,” however. For 37 years, this organization has been a tremendous resource for volunteering in Fairfax County. Through a variety of programs and services, Volunteer Fairfax strengthens the capacity of its nonprofit members and offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for local citizens. Moreover, all year long they match the skills and interests of volunteers and donors to the needs of local nonprofit organizations, helping to build a better community through service.