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Vote Yes: Immigrant Families Rely on Schools for More Than Education
Fairfax County Public Schools are more than just a place to learn. Growing up in Burke, I saw firsthand how our schools created a sense of community and neighborhood camaraderie. Schools are where we could go to borrow a book, where we could watch and play sports, and where we could perform a play or listen to a concert.
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Column: Yes to the Meals Tax
Reduces dependence on property tax.
As a businessman here in Fairfax and a former member of the Fairfax County School Board, I write on behalf of a coalition of thousands of homeowners, parents, teachers, firefighters, police, friends and users of our libraries and our parks and recreation facilities, and those who belong to churches and non-profit organizations working to ensure that Fairfax County also protects those in need [www.yesmealstax.org].
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Letter: Meals Tax: A Better Option
Letter to the Editor
After reviewing Fairfax County’s proposed 4-percent meals tax, the Class Size Counts (CSC) board voted to support the Nov. 8 referendum because it decided that it would be better to raise money for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) through a tax on prepared foods rather than through additional increases to County property taxes.
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Letter: ‘It’s About the Issues’
Letter to the Editor
Much has been made about the personalities of the two Presidential candidates. All we really have to do is take a close look at the issues.
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Advice from the Pros
Local private school admissions directors share wisdom they’d offer to their own children.
From interviews to essays to standardized tests to open houses, the season for submitting independent school applications is underway. For families vying for a spot at the area’s most elite schools, the process can be fraught with anxiety, stress and confusion as parents and students wade through the myriad academic options in the Washington, D.C., region.
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Discussing the Election with Children
Local educators offer suggestions for navigating a complicated political climate.
While Colleen K. Vesely has watched televised debates and political events with her children throughout this election season, an event during which the American Civil Rights movement was discussed stands out. It was a concept her 3-year-old daughter didn’t grasp, of course. But Vesely used the moment as opportunity to start guiding her children through this year’s election season.
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Shining A Light on the Arts of Herndon
An “Arts Crawl” around historic downtown was a perfect mid-point for Herndon Arts Week, an annual celebration that started its 2016 run with “Kids Day” at Frying Pan Park and ended appropriately with a performance by child prodigy pianist Jose Andre Montano at ArtSpace in the town.
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Herndon: A Dreamy Tale of Love and Loss
Mystical drama ‘Eurydice’ coming to NextStop Theatre.
The Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice has fascinated audiences for centuries. But NextStop Theatre is producing a modern retelling told from the perspective of Eurydice. That gives it a different outlook. The play titled “Eurydice” is written by Sarah Ruhl.
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Herndon Letter: A Leader on Veterans Issues
Letter to the Editor
All too often our veterans have been forgotten and not given the honors they deserve when they return home from their tours of duty. As a veteran myself, I have long been bothered by the fact that many of our veterans who served in the Korean War have not received the recognition they are owed.
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Navy’s Birthday Celebrated at Herndon High
Herndon High School Navy JROTC Cadets celebrated the Navy’s 241st Birthday with cake and camaraderie, but they also had a special surprise: Captain Fred Blakeman, the original Senior Naval Science Instructor, joined them for this special day. Captain Blakeman started the unit in 1983 and remained at Herndon for 17 years making the unit one of the best in Fairfax County.
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Restonians ‘Embrace Change’
Annual Reston Home Tour features six diverse private homes, and a roam through BLVD, Reston’s newest luxury apartments.
A mild, sunny autumn day made wandering from one end of Reston to the other a decided pleasure, both for the ticket holders for the annual Reston Home Tour, and for the homeowners who generously put their digs on display. “Really,” said one gentleman volunteer at the stop at the five-story Beacon Heights Derrick/Lashlee townhouse along Lake Audubon.
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Column: Fall Comes to Reston—The Good, Bad and Ugly
Independent Progressive
I love the fall! If it were up to me, we would have fall weather for eleven months of the year. This fall, however, is having real ups and downs.
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Reston Column: My Election Picks
Commentary
Voters in the 36th legislative district which I represent will receive my annual voting guide in their mailboxes this week. I hope you will find it useful. You can also view the guide online at www.kenplum.com.
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Reston: ‘Voices of Muslim Identity’ Take CenterStage
Reston Community Center presents “Beyond Sacred.”
Reston’s CenterStage is bringing a singular theater work called “Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity” to local audiences. The production will explore the diversity of experiences in America.
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Reston Nova Labs Inspires Entrepreneurs
Reston maker space encourages new product.
Mike Hogarty, owner of Hotrods 2 Hybrids joined with Callye Keen from Red Blue Collective to create Alpha, a new fidget toy.
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Burke: Creating Art Full of Wonder
Christopher Falck of Burke sees his pictures as ‘sculpture disguised as a photograph.’
Burke resident Christopher Falck grew up with parents who enjoyed collecting art. They exposed him to books about magic and art where he discovered the world created by artist M.C. Escher and the beauty captured by photographer Ansel Adams. His father enjoyed cameras and let Falck play with his 35mm Chinon as a child. It was easy for Falck to imagine a career in the arts.
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Burke Firefighters Dedicate New Fire Engine
Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department dedicated its new fire engine during its open house on Saturday, Oct. 15. Pictured are volunteer and career staff at Station 414. Joining in the dedication were Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11), Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Chief Richard Bowers.
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Amanda Nelson of Burke Named Summer Research Scholar
Denison University student Amanda Nelson from Burke, graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, was chosen as a 2016 summer research scholar in a program funded by the Laurie Bukovac Hodgson and David Hodgson Endowed Fund.
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Northern Virginia Players Present ‘Annie Jr.’
Northern Virginia Players will present their Fall 2016 musical, “Annie Jr.” Based on the popular comic strip, “Annie” tells of a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents who abandoned her on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan.
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Making Our Vote Count
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” Although more than a century has passed since then-President Abraham Lincoln famously uttered these words, they still hold true in today’s world. By simply checking a box or clicking a button, a single vote can do something instantly that would take any amount of ammunition years to accomplish—defending and upholding the blessings of liberty.