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Reston Waterpark

I can think of a number of things my children prefer to do when the weather starts to get warmer.   However, since learning how to swim the first thing they ask is to go swimming.  I wasn’t all that familiar with my options and the fortunate thing is that many of the subdivisions around here come with clubhouses and swimming pools.  Unfortunately, even that can get old to kids.  I took a friend up on a suggestion to try a local waterpark in Reston.   We had several to choose from and decided to give Water Mine a try. Upon arrival, it was surprising that in a seemingly regular neighborhood a waterpark existed.  We drove down this road that looks like we were going into the woods and up popped this waterpark.  Obviously with all the screaming my kids were doing, they were definitely excited.  We found a place to park and were happy that even though we forgot to pack a lunch they had a concession stand that offered all types of goodies to eat.  The pricing was very reasonable and it was a beautiful day to take advantage of the all-day ticket.  They had several slide options and the park was arranged in to sections suitable for certain ages. We stayed for a few hours and decided to head home.  I asked my kids if they would like to come back and they were excited at just the thought of returning.  Although we are still hanging on to the last remnants of Winter, it is good to know that you have options when swimsuit weather returns and you don’t have to go far to enjoy it.

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Fairfax has a lot to love

Fairfax has long been a Northern Virginia favorite for a number of reasons.  Great schools, shopping, strong job market, and safe neighborhoods have kept steady residents.  Fairfax is home to George Mason University and top producing public schools.  The county has launched major projects to revive its historic district with great success and the economic vitality is strong as a result.  There are a number of places to choose from if you’re in search of a new home. heart I like that it is minutes away from George Mason University.  Students will find this helpful when trying to save money and avoid hefty parking and commuting cost.  Fairfax has had a long reputation for good schools and strong jobs.  I like that it has a unique mix of old and new homes.  You can tell that the city has evolved to accommodate its commuters by adding public transportation with buses and commuter stations to access the metro. The city itself seems to have easy access to grocery stores, shopping centers, restaurants, and gas stations.  I had an opportunity to ride around the area and I must admit that I felt safe.   That is always a nice feature when selecting a neighborhood to live in.  I saw plenty of families walking down the streets enjoying the beautiful weather.  It’s the kind of city that has a lot to offer and a lot to love.
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Mountain View Alternative High School

Mountain View Alternative High school is one of the great unique opportunities in northern Virginia, or more specifically, Fairfax County. Located in Centreville at 5775 Spindle Court Centreville, VA 20121, this school is tucked away from the rest of the extremely busy school. When in high school you can apply to go here, and I would say that it is well worth the effort. Mountain View is a completely unique learning experience. Where most high schools in the area have around three thousand students, Mountain View has a maximum of three hundred at a time. At base school any student needs at least for years to graduate, but at Mountain you can graduate in only two. Mountain View upholds the ideals of family, love, and respect. Mountain View obtains these goals of graduating early by making the classes smaller and more personal. Each student has plenty of one on one time with the teacher and can set their own pace. They have no age limit and offer evening classes as well for anyone who needs a leg up, or a late diploma. Mountain View is also surrounded by many good restaurants within walking distance. This is very good because there is an open campus lunch policy, at which time the students are free to go wherever they would like for a forty-five minute lunch break. In this way, and many other ways, Mountain View gives back to it's surrounding community.
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Fairfax County and City of Fairfax – 6th Best Place for a Long Life

Fairfax County and City of Fairfax – 6th Best Place for a Long Life Fairfax County along with the independent city of Fairfax was distinguished by Time’s Money in 2008 as the sixth “Best Place for a Long Life” due to a high life expectancy of 80.9 years. Fairfax County is generally considered to be one of the richest counties in the nation with its median income of over $100,000. Several first-rate hospitals are based in Fairfax County including the Inova Health System, a nationally recognized network of hospitals, outpatient services, care facilities and healthcare centers. It serves more than a million patients each year and leads among the not-for-profit healthcare providers in Northern Virginia. In 2010, a member of Inova’s network, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital earned a Premier Award for Quality for its excellent healthcare. Fairfax County also houses the northern terminal for Amtrak’s Auto Train which specifically runs from Lorton, VA letting you take your van or car with you on the train to Sanford, Florida. This is the only rail transport in the United States offering this kind of service. The county is home to the nation’s sole national park for the performing arts known as the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts or simply Wolf Trap regarded as the most striking amenity in the county. It brings entertainment to audiences with its theater performances, pop music, dance and opera staging in multiple park venues all year round right in Fairfax County.

Trees provide cool and calm atmosphere in Mount Vernon Park

Located near Ferry Landing Road and Forest Haven in southern Fairfax County, Mount Vernon Park sits beautifully under shade provided by mature trees. In fact, that’s how this community got its name: The trees give it a park-like feel. While it’s in a peaceful, cul-de-sac area, residents have many options. The Potomac River, Mount Vernon Mansion and Mount Vernon Country Club aren’t far from the community. Plus, commuters will enjoy its proximity to the GW Parkway. While many of these homes were built in the mid to late 1950s, they’ve been renovated to provide a feeling of modern yet classic charm.

Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services

Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond Highway, Suite 17B, corner of Richmond Highway and Reddick Avenue of Alexandria VA. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services have been serving the areas by I-495 to the north, I-95 to the west, Potomac River top the west and the Occoquan River to the south, covering the Lee and Mount Vernon Districts of Fairfax County and the entire Fairfax County, including the county’s Planning Districts with Mount Vernon and Rose Hill Districts, Lower Potomac District and the eastern part of the Springfield District. Programs of Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services:
  • Apartments Budgeting Counseling
    • Assistance to people who have been denied housing due to bad credit or poor rental history as an alternative to homeless shelter by letting people rent while assisting in rental reference concerns and cleaning up their credit.
  • Emergency Services
    • Application for assistance for grant costing up to $250 to help in preventing evictions and utility disconnections including assistance with the first rent or security deposit.
  • Housing as Top Priority
    • To prevent homelessness, services are offered for affordable housing including guidance, support and financial assistance for families near to homelessness.
  • Housing Locator Program
    • Housing Search Assistance is offered for people near to homelessness as part of the federal Homeless Prevention and Rapid Housing Program. Partners of the program are FACETS, Housing and Community Services of Northern Virginia, New Hope Housing, Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, Reston Interfaith, Shelter House and more.
  • Budget Counseling
    • Financial education is provided and low income families and individuals of Good Shepherd Housing apartment programs, are given the opportunity to learn how to clean up their credit history and discover new money management skills leading to financial independence.
  • Children’s Resources
    • Regardless of families of Good Shepherd Housing apartment programs having low incomes, children are offered educational, social and recreational activities with school supplies, holiday gifts and paid for after school activities and summer camps.
Support given to the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services will assist in reducing homelessness, increase community support and promote the potential for self sufficiency through the programs that serve the working poor, disabled and elderly. Ways to help Good Shepherd Housing and Family Service:
  • Online
  • Mail
  • Phone
  • Designate GSH
  • Memorials/Honorariums
  • Mortgage Club
  • Donation of Computer Packages
  • Donation of Cars and Trucks
  • Donation of Home Kits such as Cleaning Supplies and Household Items
For more information on the other ways of how to help, please visit: http://www.goodhousing.org/help/. Volunteers are welcomed at Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services to provide the following services:
  • Budget Counselors
  • Child Care
  • Client Intake
  • Design
  • Event Planning
  • Front Desk Reception
  • Maintenance/ Repair
  • Mentoring
  • Spanish Speakers/ Translators
  • Writers
  • Technical Assistance
  • Other Possible Assistance Once Can Offer
Board Members:
  • Alderson, Richard (Dick) - Business development and strategic programming for EMC Federal
  • Amundson, Kristen - Communications Manager at Education Sector; former Delegate in Virginia General Assembly; former Chair of Fairfax County School Board
  • Bailey, Willie - Fairfax County Firefighter, Retired Army Reserves
  • Catlin, James - Executive Vice President – Prosper (an online lending marketplace)
  • Ellsworth, Cheryl - Attorney specializing in international trade, Customs and antitrust law
  • Gillespie, Cathy - Current stay at home mother, former Campaign and Congressional staff member for Joe Barton, former Executive Director of Texas Freedom Fund Political Action Committee
  • Goode, Ron - Commercial Developer, John Akridge Company
  • Hyland, Ann - Retired Speech Pathologist, Ombudsman for Northern Virginia Long-Term Care program
  • Lettice, Paula (Secretary) - Chief Financial Officer, Architect of the U.S. Capitol; Trustee, Trinity (DC) University
  • Martin, J. Chris (Treasurer) - Manager, Business Analysis at Exxon-Mobil; president of civic association
  • McCormick, Jr., Walter B. - President & CEO of the United States Telecom Association
  • Meade, Louise - Retired GSHFS Emergency Services Director/Volunteer Coordinator
  • Murray, Rosemary (Vice President) - Government Affairs Consultant, retired Vice President of US Airways
  • Owen, Tofie M., Jr. - Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, SAIC, Retired Air Force Colonel
  • Reiley, Rex - Real Estate sales
  • Rosenthal, Philip - President of credit collection agency, low-income representative from Fairfax County Community Action Advisory Board
  • Rotondaro, Kathleen - President and founding partner of national consulting firm for housing activities
  • Souza, George - Retired Air Force officer, defense intelligence consultant; President of the Board of a non-profit professional association
  • Stearman, Joseph - Business owner, Property Manager, Investor, low-income representative (census sub-tract)
  • Utermohlen, Alison - Retired Senior Director of Government Affairs for Mortgage Bankers Association
  • Wagner, Tim - Real estate appraiser
For more detailed information, visit http://www.goodhousing.org or contact 703 768 9404.

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Scott’s Run Nature Preserve

rocky water
Scott's Run
Scott's Run Nature Preserve is one of Fairfax County's most rugged parks and public areas. Scott's Run Nature Preserve is located at 7400 Georgetown Pike in McLean, just outside the Beltway near Tysons Corner and Dunn Loring. The nature preserve is named for Scott's Run, a tributary of the Potomac River. The creek springs from a very large ancient gravel deposit that is the highest altitude in Fairfax County. The point of origin is just below the parking lots of the shopping centers of Tysons Corner. Flowing east, through many business parks and condominium complexes, Scott's Run empties into the Potomac at the waterfall. Hikers will find two entrances into the valley park. One path trails along the stream and the other path leads to the bluffs above the river. Hiking the trails of Scott's Run can be challenging and rewarding. Some trails are gentle and wind quietly through the forest. Other trails require hiking up and down very steep hills and cliffs. Be aware that the trails down the bluffs to the Potomac River are sheer in many places, and visitors must very carefully pick their way down the rocky cliffs.

Extensive Renovations Completed at Ossian Hall Park

Renovations are complete at Ossian Hall Park, a 22-acre community park in the Braddock District. Ossian Hall Park is located on the corner of Heritage Drive and Four Year Run next to Annandale High School at 7900 Heritage Drive in Annandale, VA. The park was the site of the 18th century Ossian Hall plantation owned by the Fitzhugh family as part of the Ravensworth Land Grant. It was burned in 1959 by the Annandale Fire Department as a training exercise. Renovations at the park have added new recreational amenities:
  • a new community plaza area,
  • attractive natural stone retaining walls,
  • new landscaping,
  • two new playgrounds,
  • two multi-use courts, and
  • a 180-ft x 360-ft synthetic turf field were installed.
Overhanging tree limbs were trimmed back to improve visibility and new asphalt trails wind through the wooded park. The parking lot was increased to include 120 spaces. Renovations and improvements also include Fairfax County Park Authority’s first underground Low Impact Design (LID) Stormwater Facility. The park has also added state-of-the-art LED lighting fixtures throughout the site improve the park’s illumination. For more information please contact Fairfax County Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.

Transforming Tysons Corner

Open House Dec. 6

On Monday, December 6, 2010, the public is invited to attend an open house on on-going Tysons Corner planning and implementation activities following the adoption of a new Comprehensive Plan in June. Representatives from Fairfax County agencies will provide updates and answer questions. Rezoning applicants who have submitted plans to redevelop in line with the new vision for Tysons Corner will also be available to present their proposals and answer questions. This open house will run from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.at George C. Marshall High School Cafeteria which is at 7731 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22043. This will be an open house to include information on;
  • Recent development applications in Tysons (the applicants will be there to explain their proposals and answer questions from the community)
  • Department of Transportation will provide info on a number of ongoing studies including;
  • Dulles Toll Road Ramp Study
  • Tysons Corner Interim Parking Study
  • Monitoring
  • TMSAMS project
  • Ongoing Tysons Corner Bicycle Master Plan
  • Tysons Corner Grid and Circulator Studies
  • Update on public facility planning and transportation funding
  • First look at new Tysons  website
Additional details on open house participants will follow. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan for Tysons, please visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/tysons. For more information on the open house or to request special accommodations, contact Matt Ladd at 703-324-1380, TTY 711.