Decline in Sales Tax Threatens Ability of Local Governments to Balance Books
Sequester looms large over revenues across Northern Virginia.
Sales tax revenues are down across Northern Virginia, leading to concerns that balancing the books for the coming fiscal year could be even more of a challenge for budget officials and elected officials in the coming months.
A Place for Youth in Need
The Alternative House has been providing support, since 1972, to at risk youth and their families.
Driving on Gallows Road near the Dunn Loring Fire Department, you will pass a well maintained split-level home with purple doors with a sign in front titled “Alternative House.” Located at 2100 Gallows Road, the Alternative House has been providing support, since 1972, to at risk youth and their families. Christine Bartell, resource manager, said, “It is the only organization in the area offering emergency shelter to young people,” and added “that estimates have shown that there are 7,000 homeless kids in Northern Virginia.” In the predominantly affluent Fairfax County, the number of at risk youth is not visible to many, making it an even greater challenge for Bartell and other staff when conducting community outreach efforts. The Alternative House views their Open Door Information Sessions and their Ambassador program as key efforts to obtaining community engagement and support. Bartell manages resources, such as property and donations that support their initiatives. The Alternative House is supported by a dedicated staff of 40 employees and 1,350 volunteers.
Supporting Wounded Warriors and Their Families
Yellow Ribbon Fund arranges and pays for variety of services.
Honoring Wounded Warriors As the executive director of the Yellow Ribbon Fund (YRF), Vienna’s Mark Robbins spearheads projects that make the lives of Wounded Warriors and their families better. With his staff of 11 and 1300-plus volunteers, he leads the YRF in planning and hosting 100 events a year.
SafeSpot Fall Show Brings New Trends
Over 250 guests enjoyed SafeSpot's Fall Fashion Show at Bloomingdale's on Sunday, Oct. 6. Professional models were elegant in the latest trends and the young models were local children who delighted the audience. The proceeds from the show will help open a safe, child-friendly center for abused children in Fairfax County called SafeSpot, since the county does not currently have a center to help its traumatized children. The center will provide direct services to child victims of sexual and physical abuse in Fairfax County and the SafeSpot center is designed to reduce the trauma experienced by child abuse victims as they navigate the legal, investigative and social service systems following an allegation of abuse.
Holiday Shopping the ‘Small-town’ Way
Local businesses offer personalized service, distinctive and unique gifts
So, you ask, what makes shopping at Vienna’s small businesses a pleasant, rewarding experience. For starters, merchandise and services are likely to be unique and distinctive, and customer service is typically personal and enthusiastic. You can go to the mall and find the same brands, harried employees and temporary staffing at one store or another. Or … you can shop locally where the merchants are your neighbors, your fellow club or church members, and community supporters. From one-of-a-kind hand-knit hats to wood birdhouses and bat condominiums, Vienna-logo gifts, and pumpkin pie liqueur, there’s something for everyone in Vienna’s hometown shops.
Letter: Bad Plan for County Libraries
I find it very disturbing that after many hours of public meetings, hundreds of speakers, and thousands of emails and petition signatures about the proposed "strategic redirection" of Fairfax libraries you can still believe that absolutely dreadful plan contains many ideas "of value" which "should continue to be explored."
Letter: Response to Sharon Bulova
Perhaps I am mistaken, but your recent article ("Library Reorganization Deserves More Work," The Connection, Nov. 13-19, 2013) sounds to me like a repudiation of the hard-fought community efforts over the last several months to maintain strong library services. It also appears to be a pre-emptive strike against the Library Board of Trustees presentation to be made on Nov. 19.
Treasury of Art Show and Sale
Vienna Arts Society exhibition runs from Nov. 22 through Nov. 24 at the Vienna Community Center.
You can see art treasures in museums and art shows around the world, but, to see a treasury of art, one must visit Vienna the weekend of Nov. 22.
Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: October, 2013
In October 2013, 82 homes sold between $1,629,807-$185,000 in the Vienna and Oakton area.
Vienna, Oakton Home Sales: October, 2013
Oakton Wins Individual, Team Region Cross Country Titles
Stoney wins boys’ title, Oakton girls win team championship.
Oakton boys', girls' cross country teams qualify for states.
Commentary: Library Reorganization Deserves More Work
In September, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors called for the suspension of a major reorganization proposed to our Fairfax County Public Library system. The suspension was requested in order to provide more opportunity for outreach to concerned library employees and patrons so that proposed changes could be explained, evaluated and vetted among stakeholders.
Vienna Boy Receives Champion of Character Award
Wolfi Gottschalk, a 9-year-old football player for the Vienna Youth Inc. Buccaneers, received the 2013 Fairfax County Champions of Character award for the Providence district male athlete.
Holiday Bazaar Returns to Vienna
80 vendors display their wares at Vienna Community Center.
The Vienna Woman’s Club held its 53rd annual Holiday and Harvest Bazaar Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Vienna Community Center.
Most Successful Event Ever
Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna’s fundraiser nets $32,000.
The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna’s event wowed the crowd at their annual benefit.
Winter Walk of Lights to Open at Meadowlark
The light show runs Nov. 15 - Jan. 5.
On Nov. 1, the Meadowlark Gardens offered a sneak peak at their Winter Walk of Lights lightshow. In the lightshow, a total of about 500,000 LED lights will be on display for about six miles of trail at Meadowlark Gardens Park in Vienna.