Tax Relief Deadline April 1
Both the Town of Vienna and Fairfax County offer real estate tax relief for low-income homeowners who are 65 years old and over, or permanently and totally disabled. To qualify, the following requirements must be met: *Total household income of $72,000 or less. This amount excludes $6,500 of income of relatives, other than the spouse, who reside in the household. Also excluded is $7,500 of any income received by a disabled homeowner. 100 percent tax relief is given for total combined income of $52,000 or less, 50 percent tax relief between $52,001 and $62,000, and 25 percent tax relief between $62,001 and $72,000.
Looking Back at Louise Archer
Louise A. Reeves Archer was born on Oct. 23, 1883, and grew up in North Carolina. She attended Livingstone College, taught school in Southampton County and moved to Washington, D.C., in 1922. That year, she became the teacher and principal for the one-room, segregated Vienna Colored School. She devoted her life to educating African-American children and often drove them to school, herself.
Braunstein Retiring from CSB
He led agency through transformation, advocated for mental health services.
George Braunstein said he entered the field of mental health services almost accidentally. “My first college degree was in history and education. I was going to be a high school history teacher,” Braunstein said.
Editorial: Take the Money
No downside to gaining health care for 200,000 or more; 30,000 jobs and millions of dollars for hospitals from expansion of Medicaid.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe is right to make expansion of health coverage part of the budget process.
Petersen Report: Senate Addresses Health Care
Last Thursday, Feb. 20, we rolled out "Marketplace Virginia," an idea conceived by Sen. John Watkins (R-Powhatan). "Marketplace" takes the $2 billion in taxes paid by Virginians under the Affordable Care Act and keeps it in Virginia, where it can provide insurance for the 400,000 Virginians not currently covered.
Honored for Promoting Peace
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County honors 22 students.
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County, presented by the Herndon Friends Meeting, honored a group of 22 juniors and seniors who were nominated for their dedication to peace and conflict resolution on March 2.
Classified Advertising March 5, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Assembly Passes ‘Bailey's Law’
A woman walked into a pet shop in Fairfax City. She went there often, sometimes just to pet the animals. But that day she finally saw the puppy she wanted. It was one of the smallest dogs, white with brown spots. She took it home and named it Bailey.
Flint Hill School Ceramics’ Students Raise $10K to Fight Hunger
On Saturday, Feb. 22, Flint Hill School hosted the 4th annual "Empty Bowls," an event held to raise money to fight hunger by selling ceramic bowls made by members of the Flint Hill School community—students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff. Approximately 900 bowls were produced and sold for $15 each, bringing the total to nearly $10,000—the highest so far for this event—all to benefit DC Central Kitchen.
Madison’s Koshuta Scores 39 in Playoff Game Against ‘Idol’ Floyd
Warhawks lose to Stonewall Jackson in region semifinals.
The Madison girls' basketball team lost to Stonewall Jackson in the 6A North region semifinals on Feb. 27.
Federal Convictions for Vienna Man, Parents
Filed false tax returns to conceal drug-dealing proceeds.
Many families enjoy doing things together. However, the Yeh family of Vienna chose to do something illegal – defraud the federal government.
Motion, Distance, Flame Retardants and More
Students participate in Madison High’s science fair.
Madison High’s Feb. 5 science fair brought out the curiosity and creativity in the students participating in it. Below, some of them explain their projects:
Oakton Fire Causes $20,000 Damage
Fire officials say improperly discarded smoking materials caused an accidental fire in an Oakton home. Damage was estimated at $20,000. The incident occurred Monday, Feb. 10, at 2615 Hunter Mill Road.
Flint Hill School Wins Design & Communications Awards
Flint Hill School has earned recognition for delivering clear, concise, and creative messages to its school community and prospective families. The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, District III (CASE III) announced Flint Hill as awardees in three categories: graphic design, annual fund publication, and magazine. Award winners were named at the organization’s annual conference, in Orlando, in mid-February. All of the awards are listed on the CASE III website.
Vienna Honors ‘Mayor Jane’
Hundreds bid farewell to Vienna Mayor M. Jane Seeman.
"A life defined by faith, family and friends," was how Senior Pastor the Rev. Dr. Peter James of the Vienna Presbyterian Church (VPC) described long-time Vienna Mayor M. Jane Seeman at the services to honor her life and memorialize her passing. With an estimated 600 in attendance, by thirty minutes prior to the start of the 2 p.m. service on Friday afternoon, Feb. 28, the lower level of the VPC Chapel at 124 Park St. NE in Vienna was already full and those still arriving began filling in the upper galleries. The state flag was ordered at half-mast in the state capital on Friday, as well as at public buildings in Vienna, Fairfax City and around the county. Vienna Town offices closed at 1 p.m. to allow staff to attend and offer their personal farewells to the much-loved mayor.
Supervisors Clear the Way for Oakcrest School Relocation
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approves a special exception amendment Feb. 25.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a special exception amendment from the Oakcrest School on Tuesday, Feb. 25, providing for a traffic light at the intersection of Hunter Mill Road and Crowell. The decision ended a four-year back-and-forth between the McLean-based Oakcrest School, landowners near the intersection of Hunter Mill and Crowell roads, and the board of supervisors. With the approval of its special exception amendment, Oakcrest School can now begin building its new facility, which will include a heavily disputed driveway entrance on Crowell Road.
Creating a Harmonious Family Life
Local experts offer tips for keeping your family happy.
As Elizabeth Rees drove her daughter and two of her daughter’s friends to a library reading group recently, the Alexandria mother of three admits that she felt like a chauffeur at first. But she had a change of heart after hearing sounds of laughter.
Not Yet, Really
While we’re exchanging pleasantries here, in semi real time – although this column will not be most read until March 6th (I need to submit it on Monday, March 3rd as we go to press on Tuesday, March 5th), I feel the obligation, given how last week’s column ended, to update you on the results from my February 26th CT Scan. Presumably, by the title you all have determined that as of this writing, Saturday, March 1st, I have not heard back from my oncologist. Typically, I would have already heard from him, electronically. But so far, not a peep, electronic or otherwise and believe me, I’ve been checking, as you might imagine.
Board Advertises Higher Tax Rate
Rate gives board flexibility, options in determining final budget.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 Tuesday to advertise a higher real estate tax rate that could add about $100 to annual tax bills, which will be on top of the $332 county homeowners will see this year as a result of higher real estate assessments. Setting the advertised tax rate formally begins the two-month public process to adopt the Fiscal Year 2015 budget, and the rate represents the maximum potential tax rate for FY2015.
Preventing Teen Suicides
Recent deaths shine light on FCPS suicide prevention programs.
Every 15 seconds, a teen in the United States tries to commit suicide. Every 90 minutes, one succeeds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reports that the number of attempted suicides among teenagers increased from 6.3 percent in 2009 to 7.8 percent in 2011.