Up a Tree

Before he deployed to Iraq with his National Guard unit, Mark Grapin promised to build his children a tree house in their back yard. After he got back, Grapin spent six weeks building it. But Fairfax County, Virginia, zoning officials have ordered him to take it down. An appeals board has already turned down his request for a variance. Grapin, who has already spent about $1,500 fighting the order to tear down the house, has asked for another hearing.