Stories for September 2015

Stories for September 2015

Subscribe

Wednesday, September 30

Editorial: Changing Perspective on Death Penalty

Evolving standards will eclipse the death penalty entirely at some point in the future.

It’s sad to see senseless death as a response to senseless death. Alfred R. Prieto is not a sympathetic figure, a serial killer who was on death row in California when DNA connected him to murders and rapes in Reston and Arlington that took place in 1988. He is scheduled for execution this week, at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Tease photo

Synetic Theater Presents ‘Alice in Wonderland’

Arlington theater does Gothic version of Lewis Carroll classic fairy tale with dialogue.

Alice’s story by Lewis Carroll takes a sharp turn as she falls down the rabbit hole into the dark and mysterious Wonderland. Artistic directors Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili combine their signature cinematic-style with a script by recent Helen Hayes Award nominee Lloyd Rose, that promises to be a fresh take on this fairy tale of the absurd.

Tease photo

I-66: Toll Road

VDOT plans to break I-66 gridlock with new tolls and HOV requirements.

It’s not news that I-66 is a congested mess. It wasn’t a surprise to Deputy Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue when Gov. Terry McAuliffe said it needed to be fixed, and the Arlington County Board wasn’t shocked to hear changes are underway to try to reduce the gridlock during peak hours.

Tease photo

Arlington: Kenmore Incorporates Arts and Technology into Learning

“Connect and engage. Expect and empower."

Kenmore Middle School at 200 S. Glen Carlyn Springs Road is celebrating 20 years of integrating Arts and Communications Technology into the curriculum.

Tease photo

Arlington Snapshots: Clarendon Day

The street was lined with pizza stacked high, chili tasting booths for the International Chili Cookoff Tournament, one-hour free yoga giveaways, craft beer and a sangria booth, five bands playing all day, balloons and face painting for Clarendon Day on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Arlington: Marymount Students Blessed by Pope Francis

Seeing Pope Francis for 10 seconds outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was worth the commitment of an entire day for Jimmy Carroll, a Marymount University junior from Alexandria.

Tease photo

Arlington Snapshot: Talking about Investing

Kaley Burlingame, of Arlington, a Virginia Tech senior majoring in accounting and finance in the Pamplin College of Business, made her national television debut last month on CNBC, a cable channel focused on business news.

Arlington: Get Paid To Talk

Voice-over work continues to grow.

Voice Coaches in conjunction with the Arlington County Public Schools will be giving a presentation, "Getting Paid to Talk," on Oct. 7 at Washington Lee High School from 6:30-9 p.m.

Tease photo

Arlington: New Homeless Services Center Unveiled

”A bridge, not an end game.”

It was just a week before the new Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN) Homeless Services Center was scheduled to open in Arlington.

Arlington: Operation Firesafe

Firefighters walk door-to-door to check smoke detectors.

Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Pendo jumps into his fire marshal truck at Fire Station #4 on Hudson Street Saturday morning, Sept. 26, to join three firefighters on Operation Firesafe.

Tease photo

Arlington Snapshot: Economics and Women

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) announced a “Men for Women” House Caucus to promote economic growth through women’s empowerment on Monday, Sept. 28.

Thursday, September 24

Tease photo

Arlington Weekend Fun: Sept. 25-Oct. 4

Events near Arlington, Va.

Arlington Home Sales: August, 2015

In August, 2015, 257 Arlington homes sold between $2,550,000-$110,500.

Arlington Home Sales: August, 2015

Wednesday, September 23

Obituary: Terrance James Miller

Terrance James Miller, age 28, died Aug. 18, 2015 at Virginia Hospital Center of natural causes. He was born Sept. 6, 1986.

Tease photo

Arlington Snapshot: DogFest Walk ‘n Roll Tops $62,000

Man’s Best Friend took center stage Saturday, Sept. 12, at the annual Canine Companions for Independence DogFest Walk ‘n Roll at Pentagon Row in Arlington.

Tease photo

Arlington Thrive: Raising Funds and Awareness

A group of 50 young professionals gathered for a happy hour on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill to to test their luck at Bingo and learn about Arlington Thrive, a local nonprofit which provides emergency assistance to Arlington residents who are facing a short-term crisis and cannot pay for their basic needs, such as rent and utilities.

Letter: School Board’s Responsibility

Letter to the Editor

The Arlington County School Board's first priority must be ensuring that it provides a first class education to every enrolled student.

Tease photo

Arlington: Thomas Jefferson Students Learn Global Perspective

Thomas Jefferson Middle School is an International Baccalaureate school.

Multi-colored flags from around the world line the hallways, and a map of the world covers one wall in the main office at Thomas Jefferson International Baccalaureate World School at 125 South Glebe Road.

Tease photo

Arlington County Board Commits to More Affordable Housing

Local Hispanic community urges approval of affordable housing plan.

The Arlington County Board chambers were filled beyond capacity, to the point of having to open a second room with live-streaming of the meeting, largely with local residents wearing black and yellow shirts with the Spanish for “My Voice Counts” emblazoned across the front.

Arlington Brief: Reevesland, County Board Divided

On the bright side: the entire Reevesland property is classified as a historic district. But for local residents who fought for the preservation of the farmhouse as county property, the Sept. 19 decision to divide the farmhouse and the surrounding property as two separate parcels was still a loss.

Tease photo

Arlington: Hausler Honored as Visionary

The Arts Council of Fairfax County presents 2015 Arts Awards.

On Friday, Oct. 30, from noon to 2 p.m., the Arts Council of Fairfax County will present the annual Arts Awards at the Fairview Park Marriott, located at 3111 Fairview Park Drive, in Falls Church.

Friday, September 18

Help for Long-Term Caregivers

AARP Virginia and the Organization of Chinese American Women will sponsor event next week.

Those embarking on a long-term caregiving journey will have an opportunity to receive support and learn about the services available to them in Northern Virginia. AARP Virginia and the Organization of Chinese American Women will sponsor an event called, “Caregiving Wisdom from an Ancient Sage,” on Sept. 22, 7 p.m., at the Shirlington Library in Arlington and again on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7.p.m., at the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale.

Tuesday, September 15

Tease photo

Keeping the Best and Adding the Vision in One Arlington Middle School

New principal leads Williamsburg Middle.

It was the third day of school and Gordon Laurie, new principal at Williamsburg Middle School, began his day when a father dropping off his son explained to Laurie that his son couldn't work the combination on his locker. Laurie told him he would take care of it.

New Crop of Concerns at Arlington’s Reevesland

Planning Commission approves possible single-family residence at Reevesland.

Most of the Reevesland property will still belong to the county as an open park. The 2.5 acres of county historical district around Arlington’s last working farm will remain as a city park, including the gardens and the hill for children to sled on. But there’s one important piece missing from the idyllic scene: Reevesland itself.

Arlington Taking Care of the Whole Child

School Board details its priorities.

If a school system is only taking care of a student between when a student arrives on a bus and when they leave, they are failing that child. At least, that’s the logic behind the 2015-16 Arlington School Board’s priorities.

Thursday, September 10

Tease photo

Arlington Weekend Fun: Sept 11-20

Events in Arlington, Va.

Wednesday, September 9

‘Remodeled Home Tour’

A 3,700-square-foot, four-bedroom center hall Colonial renovated in phases over nearly two decades will be featured in a “Remodeled Home Tour” sponsored by Sun Design Remodeling.

Tease photo

Thinking of Downsizing?

Free seminar will focus on moving to a smaller place without sacrificing style.

Homeowners considering a move from a large home to a smaller dwelling will have an opportunity to receive expert advice on their transition later this month.

Editorial: Focusing on Suicide Prevention

Help is a phone call away.

This week is Suicide Prevention Week. Preventing suicide means paying attention to mental health and treating depression, and there is no better time to focus on that than the first week of school.

Tuesday, September 8

Tease photo

Seniors: Just Say No to Scams

Seniors are targeted for scams "because sometimes they just want to talk to people," Bill Ross began the class on Senior Scams at the Langston-Brown Senior Community Center Aug. 26. "Seniors are more vulnerable. They believe the pitches they hear; they have lived a long time and they trust people."

Tease photo

Smith | Schnider Real Estate Firm Opens in Arlington

Office located in Liberty Center.

A new real estate firm specializing in urban development and custom single-family homes has opened in Arlington.

Arlington Snapshot: Bird and Butterfly Friendly

"If you are a bird or a butterfly, what are the three things you need?" Thomas Condenzio asked the 11 attendees at Lee Senior Community Center's class Aug. 26 on “Making Gardens Bird and Butterfly Friendly.”

Tease photo

Arlington: Much To Discover at Discovery Elementary

Meeting construction deadlines, new school welcomes students this week.

A new school often is thought of as “added to” the neighborhood. Dr. Erin Russo, founding principal of Discovery Elementary School located beside Williamsburg Middle School, disagrees. She says the new school is, and will remain, “of” the community it serves. Russo underscores the point by describing citizen involvement over the years between concept and completion.

Tease photo

Swanson Middle School Keeps The Whole Child in Mind

At Swanson, a variety of opportunities.

"Middle school kids are rising to new challenges — travel soccer teams, taking courses in middle school for high school credits, taking risks and challenging to stretch themselves," according to Bridget Loft, principal of Swanson Middle School at 5800 N. Washington Blvd. "But," she added, "There is a real rise in anxiety, too, with schools and parents struggling to find a balance. You have to keep the whole child in mind."

Arlington: ‘Good News’ Examines Gospel Music

Anne Smith of Arlington writes book for music lovers and students.

Music teacher and Arlington native Anne Smith struggled to find a way to relate the academic study of classical and Harlem Renaissance musicians to her students at Jefferson-Houston School in Alexandria.

Arlington: Freedmans Village Bridge To Be Dedicated

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will dedicate the new Freedmans Village Bridge on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Thursday, September 3

Tease photo

Arlington Weekend Fun: Sept. 4-13

Events in Arlington, Va.

Tuesday, September 1

Editorial: How to Vote; It Matters

Voting begins in two weeks, Sept. 18.

Election Day is Nov. 3, and on that day, virtually every state and local office is on the ballot. In-person absentee voting begins Sept. 18, barely two weeks from now.

Arlington: How to Vote; It Matters

Voting begins in two weeks, Sept. 18.

Election Day is Nov. 3, and on that day, virtually every state and local office is on the ballot.

Tease photo

Arlington Independent Media Expanding to Radio

After decades of offering locally based and created television content, Arlington Independent Media is extending its reach to radio.

Paul LaValley is astonished and happy to be wrong in his assumption.

Tease photo

Arlington: Trooper Jacqueline Vernon Remembered

I-395 Bridge named in memory of her.

To those driving on Interstate 395 over South Glebe Road, “Trooper Jacqueline Vernon Memorial Bridge” might seem like just another name.

Tease photo

Arlington: Students at Gunston Middle Learn Life Skills

Elective wheel exposes students to variety of courses.

Handbooks are ready, supplies have been ordered and teachers have been getting acquainted with their new classrooms.