<sh>Spay Day USA
<bt>In commemoration of Spay Day USA, a national campaign to reduce pet overpopulation by promoting the benefits of spaying or neutering pets, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington and Capital Animal Care are teaming up to provide low-cost spay or neuter surgeries to the pets of Arlington residents. Utilizing Capital Animal Care's state-of-the-art mobile veterinary clinic, the Animal Welfare League and Capital Animal Care expect to spay or neuter 50 pets during two days of surgery. The clinic will be in the Carlin Springs community on Thursday, March 3 and in the Nauck community on Sunday, March 6 and will spay or neuter and vaccinate cats and dogs of qualifying households for a cost of $10 to $15. To qualify, pet owners must have an annual household income of less than $35,000 and must pre-register with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington at 703-931-9241, extension 200 (English) or extension 246 (para espanol). Individuals can also sponsor the spay or neuter of a needy animal through the Animal Welfare League’s Hantke Memorial Spay/Neuter Fund.
<sh>Arlington in the Air
<bt>U.S. Airways has begun including profiles of communities throughout the United States in its in-flight magazine, and Arlington, according to County Board Chairman Jay Fisette, is slated to be the first one it covers. A coming edition of "Attache," he said, will include information about Arlington. As of the Connection's press time, U.S. Airways had yet to reveal exactly when the profile will be published.
<sh>Construction Alert: South George Mason Drive
<bt>County workers began replacing 2,500 feet of water pipes Monday on South George Mason Drive between Four Mile Run Drive and Columbia Pike. The project is expected to last seven months. According to a statement from the county, the work could disrupt traffic and cause increased noise in the area. Parking will also be restricted in certain areas as the work progresses. Motorists should expect delays. The project will replace pipes that were installed underground during the 1940s.
<sh>Budget Agreement Reached in Richmond.
<bt>Before the 45-day short session of the state legislature closed Friday, lawmakers agreed on the annual budget after some last-minute compromises.
In a Feb. 26 statement, Warner congratulated members of the House and Senate on their accomplishments during the session, such as increased transportation funding.
“On the critical issue of transportation, you have approved the largest infusion of cash into transportation in the Commonwealth's history -- $847 million," Warner said. "These additional resources will promote new public-private partnerships for transportation, strengthen rail and public transit, fund innovative local partnerships, and eliminate all remaining debt on completed construction projects. While these measures won't fix all of the transportation problems facing Virginia, they represent a major step forward and a victory for citizens who struggle daily with traffic congestion."
Warner continued:
“You also approved funding to protect and clean up the Chesapeake Bay," he said. "In addition, you also approved legislation granting more operational authority to our institutions of higher education, which I identified as a priority in the State of the Commonwealth Address. The modified charter legislation approved this year will help sustain excellence in our system of higher education, which is the envy of the United States. I commend you for approving our legislation to accelerate the phase-out of the food tax."
Yet Virginia Works, one of the governor's pet programs, made little headway.
"Virginia Works represents an innovative and creative approach to economic development in our rural and economically-distressed areas," he said. "The modest funding proposed for the initiative would have restored only a portion of the economic development funding that was reduced during the Commonwealth's fiscal crisis of the past two-and-a-half years. The failure to fund Virginia Works fully is shortsighted. It will frustrate our work to create good jobs in rural Virginia, and it runs contrary to the professed desire of some members to ensure that all Virginians share in the prosperity of a growing economy."