Black History Month Celebrations
Local students learn about the history and accomplishments of African-Americans.
Fourth grade student Eli West crafted a poem this month that was modeled after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech.
Stalled Labor Market Slows County Budget
Proposed budget calls for no real estate tax rate increase, but average homeowner would pay $184 more.
Supervisor Jeff McKay pointed out an irony in County Executive Ed Long’s proposed $3.8 billion budget. Three planning positions would be eliminated from the budget even though Long suggested the county needs more efforts to raise revenue from commercial and industrial venues.
Column: Real-Time, Really Late
I’m not a night owl. More of an early bird, worms notwithstanding. But given the contents of last week’s column, “Scantsy,” I find it difficult to write about anything else while waiting for the results of my CT Scan.
Incremental Defeats
Northern Virginia Democrats face major defeats and minor victories.
Halfway through every session of the Virginia legislature, bills from the House are sent to the Senate for a vote and vice-versa. The event is called crossover, and in 2015 this will be marked by the complete absence of major reforms the Democratic minority hoped to push through.
From ‘Warm Room’ to Warm House
Where AIRE makes a difference.
During these cold winter days, I sometimes think back — not fondly — to the place in our home that we called the “warm room.” We bought our 1942 colonial in Arlington more than 30 years ago.
Alexandria Celebrates International Women’s Day
Ten Thousand VIllages Sales Benefit Alexandria’s Domestic Abuse Program
Thirteen year old Sage Boucher knew it was International Women’s Day on March 8th. She alerted her family to the fact when she checked her social media in the morning: “TUMBLR had it, and I always checks GOOGLE graphics first thing because if something is going on the graphic will hint at it.” They were going to get cupcakes to celebrate. Sage loves the idea of celebrating women.
Chalice Theatre presents “Children of Eden” in Arlington
It’s a Family Affair
Chalice Theatre of Arlington is putting on the musical “Children of Eden” through March 15th.
Protecting Dominion’s Monopoly Earnings
This past week marked “Crossover” in Richmond, after which time each chamber of the General Assembly only works on legislation passed by the other chamber. Ten of my bills have passed the Senate and now await consideration by the House of Delegates.
More than Meets the Eye
Arlington siblings want to provide support and insight for other dyslexics while having fun.
Jack and Sara Jane Owens are like many brothers and sisters. They get along, they help each other out, they playfully tease each other and know when to let the other shine. They share one more thing that other people can't tell from a quick glance: They're both dyslexic.
School’s 10th Anniversary Includes Alumni Reunion
Two of the alumni are now teachers at HGS. Hope Peele, Class of 2007, holds a B.A. in human services from Elon University and serves as the HGS internship and community service coordinator.
Students Create Golf Apparel
Using a grant from the cotton industry, Marymount University fashion design students worked in teams to create golf apparel in the junior and young men’s size range for high school students.
Standing Up 2 Cancer in Arlington
Celebrating the one-year anniversary of surviving “major league” cancer, Alexandria resident and retired Air Force veteran Pat Malone held a 24-hour marathon fundraiser at Fire Works American Pizzeria & Bar in Arlington.
Winter Harvest in Arlington
Half a dozen vendors set up tables laden with winter fruits and vegetables, handmade jams and jellies, grass-fed meats, eggs and home cooked foods, freshly baked pies and breads at the Sunday farmers market on Columbia Pike.
Matthew Charged In West Potomac Alumna Hannah Graham Murder
Suspect faces life in prison.
Nearly five months after the disappearance of University of Virginia sophomore and West Potomac High School alumna Hannah Graham, the primary suspect in her death investigation has been indicted by a grand jury in Albemarle County.
Fairfax County Judge Orders More John Geer Materials Released
Family’s lawyer’s motions supported.
Though extensive, the thousands of pages of documents, dozens of audio files and handful of videos released last month by Fairfax County, documenting the shooting death of Springfield resident John Geer, aren’t exhaustive.
Arlington's ‘Love the Run You’re With’
Valentine’s Day race draws a crowd.
After weeks of miserable cold, the weather warmed up just enough to make the Pacers Running “Love the Run You’re With” 5 kilometer race in Arlington bearable.
Letter: Failing in Their Duties
Letter to the Editor
I applaud your editorial on the Geer murder (“No Justification for Secrecy, Delay on Geer Shooting,” Connection, February 4-10, 2015). The Connection has done yeoman’s work in keeping this tragedy in front of the public, unlike other newspapers which are johnnie-come-latelies.
Editorial: Not the First or Only Time
Secrecy around police shootings has been a problem for at least a decade.
The official position of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on the need for changes in policy after the shooting of John Geer by police in Springfield in August of 2013 appears to be that this is the first time police policies have been a problem: “Policies for handling police-involved incidents, which served us well for decades, were inadequate in this complicated situation.”
Column: ‘Scantsy’
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to characterize the feelings I regularly experience during the final few weeks leading up to my every-three-month CT Scan, and even more so the feelings I experience waiting the following week or so to see my oncologist to discuss the results.
Scott, Tejada To Move on
Two Arlington Public Figures announced that they will finish their term of service in 2015. Arlington Police Chief M. Douglas Scott will retire in March after 12 years as Arlington’s Chief of Police. County Board member Walter Tejada has decided not to seek the Democratic nomination for another term in office.