With the launch of Second Story’s Together, We Do More campaign, the local organization hopes to maintain its purpose as a resource for kids and young adults facing hardships and abuse.
By the end of the three-year campaign, the organization plans to raise at least $4 million, according to its website.
Due to a lack of government funding and rising costs of services Jade Leedham, the vice president of development for Second Story, said that support from the community is key for the organization’s success.
“What we are trying to do is basically close the gap with rising cost,” she said.
The campaign officially launched in July at Second Story’s “Beacon of Hope Breakfast,” which Leedham said is the organization’s largest event of the year.
Within the first fiscal quarter of the fundraiser, Second Story managed to hit its initial goal of $430,000, according to Leedham.
Leedham came up with the idea for the campaign alongside Second Story’s CEO while discussing the future of the organization. They wanted to find the most efficient way to communicate with the public.
“From there it just kind of snowballed,” she said.
Though the organization receives donations and requests for assistance throughout the year, Leedham said the holidays are a busy time for Second Story.
Anyone interested in donating and supporting the campaign can do so online.
Second Story also published a series of videos and testimonials, which the community can watch if they are curious about the organization’s impact.
Image via Second Story/Facebook
Lamar Jackson, a quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, was spotted doing some shopping ahead of the holidays at Tysons Corner Center.
Jackson went to the mall on Monday (Dec. 23), CBS reported.
He gifted his teammates with Rolex watches for Christmas, CNN reported, although it’s unclear if he bought those at Tysons or somewhere else.
Several people tweeted about spotting Jackson at the mall.
https://twitter.com/BillyM_91/status/1209307805490040832?s=20
As #Baltimore Ravens' #QB #LamarJackson left #Blessed in #Tysons Corner Mall tonight he was flanked by fans waiting for nearly an hour for a glimpse or autograph of the rising #star. Fans followed shouting #MVP! #MVP! as he whisked through a side door and into a waiting vehicle. pic.twitter.com/ojrsBjgf3c
— DC UrbanSports (@dcurbansports) December 24, 2019
How overcrowded could McLean High School be four years from now? The proposed Capital Improvement Program for Fairfax County Public Schools has an idea.
The draft CIP says that McLean High School is currently at 118% capacity, with projections showing the population increasing to 122% capacity in the 2024-2025 school year.
While the new projections are lower than previous ones — the last CIP expected McLean High School to reach 127% capacity by 2022 — the overcrowding has sparked vigorous debate on how to get students out of the trailers.
One idea that county officials are pursuing would shift students from McLean High School to nearby Langley High School.
Langley High School has a current capacity of 83%, which is projected to drop to 78% by 2024, according to the draft CIP.
Meetings in the fall solicited community input on the proposed boundary change and are expected to continue next year.
FCPS staff have said they want to implement a decision so that the change can impact the 2020-2021 school year.
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Fire investigators say a dishwasher caused a townhouse fire in the Tysons area yesterday morning.
The fire in the 2000 block of Meadow Springs Drive displaced two residents and killed one family dog.
“No occupants were home at the time of the fire,” Fairfax County Fire and Rescue said in an update today (Tuesday). “The fire was discovered by a neighbor who saw smoke coming from the house.”
The fire department said that the residents accepted Red Cross assistance.
The fire started by accident in the kitchen and involved an unattended operating dishwasher, according to the fire department.
The fire resulted in approximately $187,500 worth of damage.
Image via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) unveiled its proposed fiscal year 2021-25 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) last week.
In November, Fairfax County voters approved a $360 million school bond referendum that includes $2 million in planning funds for a new “Silver Line elementary school,” along with other construction and renovation projects.
For the new Silver Line elementary school, permitting would happen in FY 2022, with permitting in FY 2023 and construction from FY 2024-2026, according to the CIP draft.
The revised budget estimates the Silver Line elementary school will cost $39.5 million.
“Anticipation of the completion of the Silver Line Metro has already spurred higher density residential growth along that corridor which may result in an increase in students within FCPS,” according to the CIP draft.
Along with the Silver Line school, the 10-year CIP forecast expects permitting to start on a new elementary school in Tysons in FY 2027.
Here is information on school renovations in the Tysons area in the proposed CIP:
- Falls Church High School, costing $141.9 million
- Cooper Middle School, costing $52 million
- Dranesville Elementary School, costing $38 million
- Louis Archer Elementary School, costing $29 million
A public hearing will be held on the CIP on Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. at Jackson Middle School (3020 Gallows Road), followed by a school board work session on it on Jan. 13. A vote on the CIP is scheduled to take place on Jan. 23.
(Updated 12/28/19) Come Jan. 1, the Fairfax County School Board will have a lot of new faces.
The 12-member board will see eight newcomers in 2020.
Half of the school board’s incumbents decided not to seek reelection, including: Ilryong Moon, Ryan McElveen, Jane Strauss, Pat Hynes, Sandy Evans and Dalia Palchik. The two Republican incumbents — Elizabeth Schultz and Thomas Wilson — lost their reelection bids.
At-Large Member Karen Keys-Gamarra won reelection, along with:
- Braddock District Representative Megan McLaughlin
- Lee District Representative Tamara Derenak Kaufax
- Mount Vernon District Representative Karen Corbett Sanders
Here is information on the new incoming members, who took their oaths of office on Thursday (Dec. 12) at Jackson Middle School.
At-Large Members Abrar Omeish and Rachna Sizemore Heizer
Omeish and Heizer, along with incumbent Karen Keys-Gamarra, beat three opponents for the At-Large seats.
Heizer has worked as a college professor, disability justice advocate and lawyer, according to her campaign website. Omeish is the co-founder of Give, a youth-led nonprofit and led the county-wide campaign for an anti-bullying campaign, according to her campaign website.
Hunter Mill District: Melanie Meren
Meren, a former U.S. Department of Education employee, beat her opponent, Laura Ramirez Drain. Meren is a parent and small business owner who has lived in Fairfax County for more than 15 years, according to Reston Now.
Dranesville District: Elaine Tholen
Tholen beat three opponents. A resident of Fairfax County for 25 years, Tholen most recently served as the director and treasurer for the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, according to her campaign website.
Mason District: Ricardy Anderson
Anderson beat opponent Tom Pafford. She has been a community volunteer, a veteran of the National Guard Army Reserve and lived in Annandale for more than 10 years, according to her campaign website.
Providence District: Karl Frisch
Frisch beat opponent Andrea Bayer in the election. Frisch has served as the executive director of consumer watchdog Allied Progress, was a small business owner and worked as a staffer for the Committee on Rules in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to his campaign website.
Springfield District: Laura Jane Cohen
Cohen beat two opponents, including Republican incumbent Elizabeth Schultz. Cohen has been a resident in the county for nearly 20 years and is a former preschool teacher, according to her campaign website.
Sully District: Stella Pekarsky
Pekarsky beat Republican incumbent Tom Wilson. She was previously an FCPS ESOL teacher, small business co-owner and trustee on the Fairfax County Board.
Come 2020, the school board seats will all be filled by Democrats.
“Corbett Sanders will remain chair of the School Board and Derenak Kaufax will remain as vice-chair,” according to FCPS. “School Board officers are elected at the first meeting in July of each year.”
The board also includes a non-voting student representative who is selected by the Student Advisory Council.
Photo via Facebook
Local author Joe Jamaldinian began writing to inspire the younger generations to follow their dreams and explore new ambitions.
After the success of his first book “Bob Winging It,” he recently decided to write a second called “Bob In A Box.”
So far, Jamaldinian said the feedback has been fabulous.
“Bob In A Box” is about a penguin named Bob who leaves his comfort zone — or metaphorical box — to explore the world and discover the wonders beyond his comfort zone.
Jamaldinian decided to self-publish his second book after being disappointed in the services provided by his former publishing company.
The artist and writer began drawing penguins for fun because he thinks they are fun and silly animals, who don’t seem to take themselves too seriously.
While working at his previous job, people noticed Jamaldinian’s sketches and suggested that he take his creative talents to the next level.
As a parent himself, he said he understands the importance of kids’ passion for reading and exploration. He hopes Penguin Bob, the main character of the books, will allow kids to see themselves in the character and feel free to experiment with new hobbies and passions like writing or art.
Now, he attends craft fairs, markets and events where he can introduce his book to the community and potentially sell a few copies. Jamaldinian also volunteers around the area reading to kids at schools.
Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of either “Bob In A Box” for $18 or “Bob Winging It” for $15 can find the books on Amazon. Or, if purchased on the author’s website, Jamaldinian will personally sign the book and write a message for the recipient.
Instagram users can check out Penguin Bob cartoons on the social media app as well and purchase character prints.
Photo via Joe Jamaldinian
The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.
We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!
Tysons Reporter also complied a list of the upcoming holiday events, for those seeking festivities.
Monday (Dec. 23)
- Christmas Drive-Thru Light Show — 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. at McLean Bible Church (8925 Leesburg Pike) — Community members are invited to drive through the area to see a collection of festive lights. This event is free.
- “Madeline’s Christmas” — 7:30 p.m. at Creative Cauldron, ArtSpace Falls Church (410 S. Maple Avenue) — This musical explores how Madeline helps her classmates and teacher when they are sick in bed on Christmas eve. Tickets are $30 for adults and cheaper tickets are available for kids, older adults and members of the military.
Saturday (Dec. 28)
- 70’s Disco & Funk Dance Party — 7:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. at The Palladium (8453 Tyco Road) — Partygoers can dance to a variety of 70s’ music and enjoy performances from a DJ. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online.
- “The Kindness Book” Story Time — 11 a.m. Barnes and Noble Booksellers at Tysons Corner Center — Families are welcome to join in a free story time featuring “The Kindness Book.” There will be activities following the event, but the event page did not specify what they will be.
Photo via Creative Cauldron/Facebook
Vienna police say that a man said his credit card was charged for a larger amount than what he ordered at Hunan Delight.
The man got food delivery from the restaurant at 276 Cedar Lane SE on Dec. 11, police said. “He paid for the food with a credit card and gave the delivery driver a cash tip,” according to the report.
More from the police report:
A few days later he noticed the total for the order on his credit account was higher than what he had authorized. The restaurant provided the citizen with a copy of the receipt. The citizen advised that the receipt was not the same receipt that he had signed and that his signature was forged on the receipt they had.
Image via Google Maps
