Stories for November 2012

Stories for November 2012

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Thursday, November 29

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Yorktown Football Falls to Stone Bridge in Region Final

Patriots can’t hold early 22-point lead against Bulldogs.

The Yorktown football team finished region runner-up with a 12-1 record for the second consecutive season.

Opinion: Immigrants and Today’s Faith Response

The presence of increasing numbers of immigrants is a challenge to the Fairfax County faith community commitments. The challenge is to be a faith community with open arms.

Editorial: Learning in a Global Community

Students in Fairfax County speak 160 languages.

This week our ongoing series about immigration in Fairfax County takes a look at county schools, and some of the joys and challenges of having a diverse student body that speaks as many as 160 different languages at home.

Wednesday, November 28

Classified Advertising Nov. 28,2012

Read the latest ads here!

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Shackled and Secret: Legislators Consider Availability of Documents on Pregnant Inmates

Should jails be able to suppress information from the public?

Virginia already has a reputation for tightly controlling the availability of law-enforcement documents. Now that reputation may be re-affirmed in the upcoming General Assembly session, when the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association will oppose efforts to share documents about when and how pregnant inmates are restrained.

Tuesday, November 27

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Newton Receives Distinguished Volunteer Award

Sandy Newton, a member of The Woman’s Club of Arlington, received a U.S. Department of the Interior “Take Pride in America” volunteer award at a special luncheon held last month.

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Commentary: Dodging Rockets from Gaza

I was deeply disturbed by what I saw and heard in four weeks in Israel/Palestine on a fact-finding delegation of a D.C.-based group called Interfaith Peace Builders, and volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement.

“Flourishing After 55”

Upcoming events and activities for seniors

Arlington Orange Line: Nov. 28, 2012

Upcoming events and activities

Arlington Calendar: Nov. 28, 2012

Upcoming events and activities

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AHC Honors Volunteers

Award-winners share love of learning.

“I enjoy volunteering for AHC Inc.,” said Bernard Piper, who received one of its Volunteer of the Year awards. “It is an integral part of my life. Even though this may appear cliché or contrived, volunteerism makes me whole as a human being.”

Letter: Praise for Professor

In today’s world very little attention is given to the victims of crime. Professor Bune’s class has filled that void. Professor Bune’s selfless, untiring efforts are invaluable to the students. She brings attention to the victims, especially the family that is so adversely affected. Professor Bune and her class should be commended and recognized for their efforts. Hats-off to them.

Brief: ACFD Food Drive To Benefit AFAC

The Arlington County Fire Department is sponsoring a December food drive to benefit the Arlington Food Assistance Center. The drive runs Dec. 1 through Dec. 21.

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Tips for Year-End Charitable Giving

Financial experts offer suggestions for ensuring one’s donations are well spent.

’Tis the season for giving, and that includes donations to charities.

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Uranium Money Spreads Across Virginia in Radioactive Debate

Upcoming General Assembly session to feature effort to lift ban on uranium mining.

The uranium deposits under the farmlands of Pittsylvania County are miles away from Northern Virginia, but the debate about what happens there is shaping up to be one of the hottest issues of the upcoming General Assembly session.

Friday, November 23

Classified Advertising Nov 21, 2012

Read the lastest ads here!

Wednesday, November 21

Arlington Home Sales: October, 2012

In October 2012, 222 Arlington homes sold between $1,700,000-$65,000.

Arlington Home Sales in October, 2012

Tuesday, November 20

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Yorktown Throttles South County in Playoff Rematch

Patriots advance to Division 5 Northern Region championship game.

The Yorktown football team will play for the Division 5 Northern Region championship for the second straight year.

Buy Now, Pay Later

Meaning: If I’m terminal, why deprive myself because of cost? If, in fact, I’m only living once – as the old saying goes, and somewhat less of a life than I had anticipated, shouldn’t I, at the very least, “Pull my pants down and slide on the ice,” as prescribed by Dr. Sidney Freedman in an episode of M*A*S*H, way back when?

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Celebrating in Song, Dance and Fashion

The Mongolian School of the National Capital Area hosted a concert of music, song, dance and fashion at the Wilson School on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 17.

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Financial Education: Moves to Make Before the Holidays

Before the rush of the holiday season, local financial experts say it might be time for a money tune-up. What should one do and when? Three local money gurus offer their top tips for getting one’s financial house in order.

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Opinion: Embracing Our Diversity

If you can ever find the time to attend a federal naturalization ceremony in Fairfax County for new citizens, do it. It reinvigorates one’s patriotism and reminds us all how lucky we are to be Americans.

Opinion: Celebrating Diversity Through Culture

So, when people from different countries, diverse cultures, and dissimilar values migrate to United States, they try to adjust and adapt to the new culture. But the onus should also be on American people to welcome them, to make them comfortable and feel at home. What do we do to create awareness about different cultures? Unfortunately, I have not seen much effort on the part of the government.

Teaching Children to Help Prepare Thanksgiving Dinner

Local chefs share tips and culinary traditions.

Susan Limb recalls spending the Thanksgiving days of her childhood in the kitchen with her grandmother, mother and two sisters. The family’s holiday ritual and the smell of a thyme- and butter-dressed turkey roasting in the oven are ingrained in her memory.

Editorial: Diversity Growing

Tune in to our series on immigration.

This week, the Connection kicks off a series about immigration, diversity and the growing population of foreign-born residents in Fairfax County. County reporter Victoria Ross opens with a story that captures vignettes and statistics of the changing population. It is a topic consistent with the original Thanksgiving story. More than 28 percent of Fairfax County's population is foreign born; that's 317,000 residents.

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Independent School Admissions: Interviews and Teacher Recommendations

Admissions officers at local schools offer insight into the application process.

Mark Fischer sat with his parents in the plush reception area of one of the region’s elite independent schools, biting his fingernails and tapping his left foot while waiting to speak with an admissions officer for the interview portion of his application.

Monday, November 19

Arlington Bulletin Board: Nov. 21, 2012

Upcoming events in Arlington

Arlington Orange Line: Nov. 21, 2012

Upcoming events and activities in Arlington

Arlington Calendar: Nov. 21, 2012

Upcoming events and activities in Arlington

Obituary: Joyce Graham Henderson

Joyce Graham Henderson, most recently of Ripton, Vt. died in Burlington, Vt. early on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 at the age of 60.

“Flourishing After 55”

Upcoming events and activities for seniors

Editorial: Shop Locally …

Small business Saturday isn't enough; don't wait until then, and don't stop after that.

There is a joy to shopping in local stores at the holidays, to walking along a sidewalk with the streets decked out for the holidays, to being greeting by someone likely to be the owner of the store, to finding gifts that are not mass-produced.

Friday, November 16

Getting Organized for Thanksgiving

Local experts offer a survival guide.

Jill Mahon is hosting her family for Thanksgiving next week, which is, of course, the kick-off of the holiday season. But for Mahon, the holidays herald an organizational nightmare.

Thursday, November 15

Editorial: Shop Locally, Give Locally

Small business Saturday isn't enough; don't wait until then, and don't stop after that.

An effort to support locally owned businesses has resulted in the recognition of Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year that is Nov. 24. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is a day of national zeal for shopping. Presumably the next day shoppers can focus on local shopping.

Wednesday, November 14

“Flourishing After 55”

Upcoming events and activities for seniors

Entertainment Brief: Avant Bard Introduces ‘Six Characters’

For the Love of Art, WSC Avant Bard, the resident theatre company at Artisphere, presents Nobel Prize-winning playwright Luigi Pirandello's “Six Characters in Search of an Author.” Opening WSC Avant Bard's 23rd Season, Tom Prewitt directs this classic existential piece, which explores the crossroads of identity and reality.

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Shoppers Already Hunting for the Right Gifts


Stopping by some shops in Shirlington.

It is that time of year again — time to start making holiday shopping lists and time to hit the stores to find the perfect gift for family members and friends.

What was your best holiday gift?

People recall best gifts they ever received.

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The Gift of Taste

Holiday Gift Guide for the foodies on one’s list.

Gift ideas

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Honoring Veterans

Crowds visit Arlington National Cemetery.

Snapshots at Veterans Day

Classified Advertising Nov. 14, 2012

Read the lastest ads here!

Friday, November 9

Column: Weight For It

This reference is not about pounds, per se. It is about the two largest tumors in my lungs, inoperable in that they are located between the two halves which make up the whole lung.

Thursday, November 8

Classified Advertising Nov. 7, 2012

Read the latest ads here!

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Gearing Up for Turkey Trots

Fitness experts offer tips for getting in shape.

Before the bird is carved on Turkey Day, Arlington resident Nina Elliot will be hitting the pavement. The mother of two is running in the 7th Annual Arlington Turkey Trot.

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Cutting a Rug

Researchers say dancing can improve balance and mental ability in seniors.

Springfield resident Fred Griffin enjoys a good hoe down and takes pleasure in doing a do-si-do. In fact, he has been square dancing since high school.

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Racing for Superheroes

Event benefits local nonprofit organizations.

From children wearing superhero capes to costume-clad adults to tots in strollers, participants took to the streets of Arlington last month to raise money for charity as part of the fourth annual Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause 8K and One-Mile Fun Run.

Wednesday, November 7

W-L’s Angell, Demsie Qualify for Cross Country States

Girls’ team places sixth, boys’ 14th at regionals.

The Washington-Lee cross country program will send two runners to the state meet, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10 at Great Meadow.

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Locals Join All-Star Line-up at Metro Cooking Show

Area specialty food entrepreneurs among the attractions at the 2012 Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show.

When celebrity chefs and Food Network stars were in Washington last weekend for what has become a Super Bowl for foodies (Giada De Laurentiis, Jacques Pepin, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons and The Chew’s Michael Symon and Carla Hall were just some of the famous faces), some area culinary enthusiasts joined them as well.

Using Smart Phone To Get Better Healthcare

New apps and websites designed to make medical visits more efficient.

When Susan Gallagher’s 5-year-old son had an allergic reaction to something he ate at a birthday party, the Reston mother knew she had to get him to an emergency room immediately.

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For the Love of the BBQ

BBQ Palace food truck service runs through November.

Big flavor and a 60-year-old family recipe are sure to satisfy BBQ fans at Shaffer’s BBQ Palace, a community-based food truck service in the heart of Columbia Pike.

Entertainment Brief: World Premiere at Artisphere

A multi-media collaboration between Viennese composer/visual artist Wolfgang Seierl and BMD's artisticdirector Lucy Bowen McCauley in a study of movement "from the ground up."

Entertainment Brief: Dreams Come True Starting Nov. 13

Signature Theatre sparkles this holiday season with the arrival of “Dreamgirls,” playing in the MAX Theatre starting Tuesday, Nov.13.

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Voters Ready To Make a Difference

At the polling place at Barcroft School in Arlington, voters lined up and braved temperatures in the low 30s on Tuesday, Nov. 6 to stand in a one-hour line to vote.

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Storm’s Aftermath

Arlington County government’s storm-related costs are estimated to be $1.17 million — above the $716,000 threshold for federal disaster reimbursement.

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Church Hosts Annual Soup & Pie Bazaar

The White Elephant was set up on the lawn outside the Arlington Church of the Brethren as shoppers culled over the household goods and games on Saturday, Nov. 3.

Season for Crafts

Twelve local and regional artisans showcased their work on Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Dominion Hills Community House on Wilson Boulevard.

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Area Votes for Obama, Kaine, House Incumbents

President Barack Obama wins second term, Kaine wins Senate seat, Moran, Wolf, Connolly re-elected.

In a bitter and historically expensive battle, President Barack Obama defeated Gov. Mitt Romney, winning a second term Tuesday after grabbing the key swing state of Virginia after midnight. With the addition of the Commonwealth’s 13 electoral votes – as well as those of Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire and Wisconsin – Obama sailed over the electoral cliff with the critical 270 electoral votes he needed for victory.

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Reevesland for Sale? County Board to Consider Selling Historic Property

Last working dairy farm in Arlington may go on the auction block.

Arlington County Board members are about to consider selling Reevesland, the county’s last dairy farm.

Tuesday, November 6

Different Perspective

Visiting journalist from Nicaragua interviews voters in Northern Virginia.

Virginia citizens came out to vote early this morning to elect their next president after a campaign in which the candidates of the Republican and Democratic party spent at least $2 billion in search of votes.

“Flourishing After 55”

Upcoming events and activities for seniors.

Arlington Orange Line: Nov. 7, 2012

Upcoming events

Arlington Calendar: Nov. 7, 2012

Upcoming events and activities

Crime

Crime reports

Brief: Church To Collect Shoe Box Gifts

The shoe box gifts will be hand-delivered to children in 100 countries around the world. For more information, see www.samaritanspurse.org.

Friday, November 2

Column: Hands of Time

On the one hand, I want to take note every month on the 27th as yet one more notch on my living-with-cancer belt. On the other hand, maybe I don’t need a belt to be notching but rather a life to be living. Perhaps it’s time, nearly 44 months post-diagnosis – at press time, to stop counting backwards and try more living forwards.

Thursday, November 1

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Yorktown’s Stewart, Brown Burn Mount Vernon

Running backs combine for more than 200 yards, 5 touchdowns.

The Yorktown football team improved to 9-0 with a 35-0 victory against Mount Vernon on Oct. 26.

W-L Girls’ XC Wins Third Consecutive District Title

Each of Generals’ seven harriers place in top 11.

The Washington-Lee girls' cross country team produced seven all-district runners.

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Redrawing the Elementary School Poverty Map in Arlington

Adding two new elementary schools could create opportunity for more diversity.

When Linley Mancilla was preparing to send her child to elementary school, she looked at the boundary map and examined the demographics. Then she considered her options. Ultimately, she decided against sending her child to the local neighborhood school, Carlin Springs Elementary.