Fairfax County School Board Approves FY 2013-17 Capital Improvement Program

The Fairfax County School Board voted to approve Fairfax County Public Schools FY 2013-17 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at its business meeting on January 26.

The FY 2013-17 CIP includes new schools, capacity enhancements, renovations, and infrastructure management over five years totaling $848.5 million; $317.3 million of which is currently funded with approved school bonds. Completion of projects as scheduled in this CIP will require a school bond referendum in 2013 and subsequent years.

The Board also approved a motion to request that the Board of Supervisors increase the School Board’s capital funding limit from $155 million to $180 million per year effective in FY 2014. This would enable renovations and construction to be completed sooner in order to accommodate the growing number of students and to address the needs of schools in significant need of renovation. The capital funding limit was last raised in 2007.

Read the complete Fairfax County Public Schools news release.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Get Involved in Planning the Future of I-66

Residents are invited to share their input at two information meetings on a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being developed for Interstate 66 from U.S. Route 15 in Prince William County to the Capital Beltway in Fairfax County. The study is examining potential multimodal improvements that will address existing and future transportation needs in the corridor.

The study will produce a Tier 1 EIS, which is a broad study of concepts to determine the best program of improvements for the I-66 Corridor. Subsequent Tier 2 studies will further evaluate these concepts in greater detail.

Meetings will be held:

• Tuesday, Jan. 31 (stop by between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.) at the Four Points Sheraton, 10800 Vandor Lane, Manassas.
• Thursday, Feb. 2 (stop by between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.) at the VDOT building, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax.

Visit www.helpfix66.com for more information.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Low Cost Rabies Clinic This Afternoon at Sully District Governmental Center

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter will host its Jan. 29 low-cost rabies clinic at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. The clinic is from 2-4 p.m.

The cost for rabies shots at the clinic is $12 per dog, cat or ferret. All pets will receive a one-year rabies vaccine. To obtain a three-year vaccine, citizens must bring their pet’s rabies certificate showing the animal’s current rabies vaccination and vaccination expiration date. Rabies certificates will be issued, no tags. All dogs should be on leashes and all cats and ferrets should be in carriers.

Fairfax County 2012 dog licenses will be sold separately at the clinic and cost $10 per dog. Cash or checks only will be accepted at the clinic. No credit cards.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Electric Sunday Event Tomorrow

Fairfax County residents can recycle televisions, computers and peripheral devices – including keyboards, speakers, printers, external drives and other such materials – and unbroken fluorescent light bulbs and tubes on Electric Sundays.

There is No Charge for Fairfax County residents to participate in Electric Sunday; however, they may be required to show proof of residency.

The next event will be held tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

FREE Child Safety Seat Inspection Today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Specially trained and certified sheriff's deputies will help parents and caregivers ensure that a child fits securely in the safety seat and that the safety seat fits securely in the vehicle seat today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office free child safety seat inspection is today, Saturday, January 28, at the Fairfax County Public Safety Center, Public Parking Garage, 10550 Page Avenue, Fairfax.

Bring your vehicle and safety seat(s)... and bring your child too!

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Learn About Native Plants at Green Springs Gardens

Green Spring Gardens offers residents a chance to learn about native plants with a program about Native Plants for Diverse Landscapes this Sunday, January 29 at this Fairfax County Park Authority site.

Rick Lewandowski, Director of Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware, describes many excellent underused native plants that have potential for wide use in local landscapes. The program will help you find new plants for your home and perhaps rediscover some old favorites.

The lecture, which begins at 1:30 p.m., is part of the Harry Allen Winter Lecture Series. The cost is $10, and with limited seating it is best to register in advance through Parktakes Online.

Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road in Alexandria. For more information, call 703-642-5173.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Seven Corners Transit Center in Falls Church to Open Tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 27

Metro General Manager Richard Sarles and Metro Board Chair Catherine Hudgins will join local officials to officially open the new Seven Corners Transit Center in Falls Church tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 27.

The transit center features new bus shelters with “you are here maps” at each shelter, information cases displaying route times and improved lighting. The relocation of the bus stops also aims to relieve traffic and congestion issues of buses circulating through the parking areas of the shopping center.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Video: Northern Virginia Cash Coalition -- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Families throughout Northern Virginia received over $8.1 million in federal refunds last tax season through a free service.

If you worked in 2011, and earned less than $57000, then you may qualify. IRS certified volunteers will ensure you receive the maximum tax refund and help determine if you are eligible for the earned income tax credit. Sites open starting mid-January through April.



For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

No Fairfax County Fire Deaths in 2011

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported yesterday that it recorded no fire deaths for 2011, a first in its 62-year history.

Fairfax County, with a population of over one million residents, has averaged more than seven fire deaths annually from 2000 to 2010.

Learn more from the fire department.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Weekend Ramp Work Along Dulles Toll Road Continues Through April

A four month project is underway to replace electronic equipment along the Dulles Toll Road ramps. Single lane closures are planned in the work zone. Only one ramp along the 14-mile Toll Road will be affected at a time. While work crews are present, traffic will be directed through the open lanes.

Schedule:

• Project began earlier this month and runs through April.
• Ramp work is scheduled for weekends only, weather permitting.
• Work commences Friday nights after 9:30 p.m. and concludes by 5 a.m. Monday morning.

According to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the project is necessary so crews can replace aging electronic equipment cabinets which are integral to the operation of the toll lanes. Ramps without toll plazas will not experience lane closures as part of this project.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Trap, Neuter, Return Program Decreases Homeless Feral Cat Population

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is experiencing the positive results of a trap, neuter and return (TNR) program that the municipal agency enacted in October 2008. Since the humane solution was implemented for feral cats (outdoor cats not socialized to people), the shelter has noted a significant decrease in the number of feline offspring entering the shelter’s foster care program.

The shelter saw a 58 percent decrease in the number of feral offspring in the shelter’s foster care program in 2011 versus in 2010. n addition, foster data from 2008 through 2011 show a 41 percent decrease in the number of bottle-fed kittens entering the shelter and a 9 percent decrease in the total number of kittens less than 8 weeks of age (pediatric kittens) needing foster care when comparing 2010 to 2011.

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter began its volunteer foster care program in 2005 to react to the volume of pediatric kittens that would benefit from out-of-shelter care. The organization’s leadership also realized that a proactive humane solution to prevent the high volume of cats and kittens from entering the shelter was needed. TNR was successfully piloted in 2007 and 2008 and the official program was launched in the fall of 2008. Since then, 1,800 feral cats have been trapped, neutered, vaccinated and returned to “managed colonies” in the community. More than 330 residents have participated in the shelter’s program.

For more information about the shelter’s trap, neuter and return program, call the Fairfax County Animal Shelter at 703-830-1100.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Low Cost Rabies Clinic This Sunday

Rabies is a deadly virus that infects animals and can be a risk to humans as well. The most commonly reported rabid animals here in Fairfax County include foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. But your pets are not automatically immune to this disease and must be vaccinated against it.

Check out the schedule of reduced cost rabies clinics being offered this in Fairfax County year, starting with this Sunday's event (Jan. 29) at the Sully Governmental Center.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Video: Emerald Ash Borer in Fairfax County

In the summer of 2008, Fairfax County staff identified several sites infested with emerald ash borer. Immediately after the infestations were discovered, a federal order quarantined Fairfax County for emerald ash borer. Soon after, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services put in place a similar quarantine for Fairfax County and surrounding areas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Emerald Ash Borer Science Advisory Council has recommended that no eradication action be taken in Fairfax County. This decision was made due to the extent of the infestations and due to the fact that similar eradication attempts in other U.S. states have failed. The County will only remove infested ash trees on County property.

Since the emerald ash borer infests all species of ash and is almost always fatal without costly annual or biannual treatment, the Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division is discouraging the planting of ash trees in the landscape. Builders will not receive tree canopy credits for planting ash on development sites within the county and residents are encouraged to plant a variety of other native species instead of ash.

For more information, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/environmental/eab_general.htm.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Stay Off the Roads During Inclement Weather

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

All Activities at Fairfax County Schools are Canceled Today

All Fairfax County public school activities for today, Saturday, January 21, are canceled, including:

• extracurricular activities
• interscholastic contests
• team practices
• field trips
• professional learning and training courses
• all adult and community education classes

For complete information about school activities, visit www.fcps.edu.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Recycle Your Obsolete Electronics on Electric Sunday

The 2012 Electric Sunday recycling schedule kicks off this month on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the I-66 Transfer Station located at 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax. Residents will be able to recycle old televisions, computers and peripheral electronics such as speakers, printers, scanners, keyboards and more. Unbroken fluorescent lights will also be accepted for recycling. There is no fee to participate in this event.
 
Complete details for this and other recycling events scheduled for 2012 may be found on the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program’s web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/recycling.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Herndon Town Council Meetings Can Now be Seen on Streaming Video

Town of Herndon citizens and all interested parties may now view public hearings of the Herndon Town Council on their desktops and at their convenience, as a result of a new streaming video system available via the town’s Web site, www.herndon-va.gov.

The Webcasts, provided through Granicus, Inc., a San Francisco, CA-based solution provider for on-demand streaming and video content, are recorded by Herndon Community Television (HCTV), the town’s cable access news channel.  Video is uploaded to the Internet and is available for viewing in real time, as well as in permanent archive.  Videos are indexed as well, so viewers may go directly to a specific portion, or agenda item, of each Town Council public hearing.  Council work sessions are not videotaped but agendas and minutes of those meetings are available through the system as well.

To access streaming video of Town Council meetings, users may click on the “Council Webcast” tab on the upper left hand side of the homepage at www.herndon-va.gov.  In addition to the streaming video, public hearings will continue to air live on HCTV, channel 23 (Cox) and channel 28 (Verizon FIOS).

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Fairfax County EDA Offers Numerous Publications You May be Interested In

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) offers lots of information highlighting Fairfax County as one of the world's best business locations.

Publications include the "Fairfax Leader," a quarterly newsletter focusing on company expansion and relocation and FCEDA programs; "Business Ventures," a quarterly newsletter that offers tips for small and minority-owned businesses; and the semi-annual "Real Estate Report," which provides data on the county's commercial real estate market.

Subscribe to EDA publications.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

Chocolate Lovers Festival -- Chocolate Challenge Applications Available

The Chocolate Lovers Festival is rapidly approaching -- March 3-4 -- in Old Town Fairfax.

The Chocolate Challenge applications are now available. The deadline to apply is February 17. Applications are available on www.chocolatefestival.net.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

School Superintendent Proposes FY 2013 Budget, Adds Positions

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Jack D. Dale has released the school system's FY 2013 Proposed Budget of $2.4 billion, an increase of 9 percent, or $202.3 million, from the FY 2012 Approved Budget.

Read more on the school's website.

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.

New Website to Provide Answers to 495 Express Lanes

A new website is now available to answer!

The 495 Express Lanes, opening on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway, will provide faster, more direct options for high-occupancy vehicles and toll-paying customers.

http://www.495expresslanes.com/

For Fairfax County news and information, be sure to subscribe to All Fairfax via your favorite RSS reader, or get the latest All Fairfax news by e-mail. Follow All Fairfax on Twitter.