Challenging A Child’s Mind
Experts say reading is critical to cognitive and emotional development.
Arlington mother Holly Karapetkova reserves time for reading in the schedules of her two young children. It has become such an important part of their daily routine that it is a treasured family activity. It is also vital to her children’s development says Karapetkova.
Dying of Curiosity
As I was completing last week’s column ("I Thought I Was a Goner") and thanking my oncology nurse, Ron, in the process, for the excellent care he has provided me for nearly five years now; a week after I wrote a column thanking my Certified Holistic Health Coach, Rebecca Nenner, for the health and fitness-type knowledge she has given me over those same five years; it dawned on me that perhaps my subconscious mind knew something that my conscious mind didn’t: that I should move closer to the undertaker like Radar’s Uncle Ernest did two days before he died, in the M*A*S*H episode titled "Novacaine Mutiny" from season four.
VHC Tech Charged with Raping Patient
The Arlington Police Department is charging a 30-year-old a former hospital technician at Virginia Hospital Center with raping a 37-year-old patient. Police officials say the man was working as a CT scan technician when the alleged attack occurred on Jan. 13.
Herbert's Blast Lifts W-L Baseball Past Yorktown
Generals manage just two hits off Yorktown's Fineman.
Washington-Lee improved to 5-1 with Friday's victory.
Classified Advertising April 9, 2014
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Dedicated Debate Over Streetcars Along Columbia PIke
Streetcar critics not swayed by county study showing benefits of streetcars.
The ongoing saga of the Columbia Pike streetcar gained yet another study last month, but critics say the latest investigation failed to address their concerns.
SYA Honors Its Volunteers
The Southwestern Youth Association held its annual Volunteer Awards casino night on Saturday, March 22 at the Fairfax Marriott Hotel at Fair Oaks.
Crystal Run 5K Fridays Return
More than 1,100 runners completed the 5K course in Crystal City on Friday evening, April 4. The evening race series, sponsored by the Crystal City BID and Pacers Running Stores, started last week and continues through the month of April.
DeMarini Stars Prime Win TP Tournament
Demarini Stars 13u Prime team won the area TP Tournament the weekend of March 22, winning four straight games for the championship.
TAP Presents ‘The Most Happy Fella’
The Arlington Players (TAP) is presenting a classic of the American musical stage, “The Most Happy Fella” now through April 19. The operatic play is about a romance between an Italian immigrant older man and younger woman in the Napa Valley, and is from the book, music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, who is famous for creating “Guys and Dolls.” He also created “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” But this show was based on “They Knew What They Wanted” by Sidney Howard.
Connection Papers Win Awards
Reporting, photography, design and editorial cartoons commended at annual Virginia Press Association meeting.
"Great work exposing serious challenges and obstacles in the way of the public's access to public information. The articles are well written and well researched, providing concrete and compelling examples of the flaws in the systems." That was what the judge said when awarding first place for In-depth or investigative reporting to Michael Lee Pope in the Arlington Connection. The Virginia Press Association announced its press awards for 2013 at the annual meeting on Saturday, April 5, in Richmond.
"I Thought You Were a Goner"
So has said my longtime oncology nurse, Ron, who has tended to me since June, 2009. Originally, I had been assigned to a different oncology nurse, Holly, with whom I developed an immediate rapport. She cared for me from the beginning, early March 2009, when I began my every-three-week chemotherapy infusion through June, when she transferred from the Infusion Center to a different unit (oncology does take a toll). Initially, after Holly’s departure, Jane, another nurse in the unit, took me on as a patient. However, and this is where the details get sketchy, within a subsequent infusion or two, I was told one day upon my arrival at the Infusion Center, that Ron, still another oncology nurse, who I had certainly seen there previously but with whom I had minimal interaction, would be taking over for Jane – who was not transferring out – and henceforth would be my new oncology nurse. Apparently, I had been traded. For another patient? For future considerations? For a lunch-to-be-paid later? To this day, nearly five years later, I’ve never been able to uncover the truth. I got along fine with Jane; I’m a very low-maintenance patient/ person; I don’t think I did anything to precipitate such a decision. Nevertheless, a deal (my word) had been struck.
Clean for Spring
Local organization experts offer tips to help with spring cleaning.
Betsy Fein found herself in the middle of a spring fling in Fairfax recently. She wasn’t at a festival or involved in a new romance, but in the midst of organizing a cluttered bedroom that was littered with piles of shirts, pants, shoes and books. Spring often means renewal and local organizers like Fein are offering suggestions for clearing out winter clutter. From closets that are overstuffed with wool sweaters and down coats to kitchen drawers overflowing with batteries and appliance manuals, they offer suggestions for getting organized without getting overwhelmed.
Living Legends: A Head for Numbers, a Heart for People
For Richard Allyn “Rick” Glassco, volunteering started early.
Richard Glassco has been the treasurer for ALIVE! (Alexandrians InVolved Ecumenically!) for 23 years. During that time ALIVE!, which was founded in 1969, has grown from an all-volunteer organization to one with volunteers from about 40 faith communities, a $1.3 million budget and about 14 employees.
Ball-Sellers House Opens for the Season
Twenty-five years or so before the Revolutionary War began, an English immigrant homesteaded in what is now Arlington’s Glen Carlin community. His name was John Ball and the small cabin he built, to house the family of wife Elizabeth and their five daughters, still stands.
Local Designer Honored
Alexandria tastemaker blends a variety of styles.
Old Town Alexandra-based interior designer Anna Kucera has a knack for helping her clients turn their fanciful ideas in to concrete realities.
Fairfax Arts Programs Receive Federal Grants
Seven local organizations involved in the arts and literature are receiving a total of $230,000 in federal grants from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) said.
‘Victims’ Rights Are a Necessity’
Honoring crime victims with walk, words and candlelight vigil.
Siobhan Russell was just 19 when her ex-boyfriend killed her. Ron Kirby, a noted regional transportation planner, was murdered in his Alexandria home in November by an unknown assailant.
Their Last Act
Where can one find Malala Yousafzai, Blanche DuBois, Philip Wang, HUCCI and Dolly Parton on the same stage? They are all characters in Yorktown High School’s One-Person Shows, to be presented at Yorktown High School’s Black Box Theatre, on Thursday, April 24, from 6-9 p.m., Friday, April 25, from 4-9 p.m. and Saturday, April 26, from 1-10 p.m. Admission is free. The One-Person Shows are 30-minute productions written, staged, and acted by the senior Yorktown theatre students. The productions are a culminating project in the Yorktown Theatre Arts Program, requiring self-reflection, research, writing and rehearsal.
Obituary: Mary Jacobs
Mary Alva McNey Jacobs, of Boynton Beach, Fla., formerly of Alexandria and Washington, D.C. died March 16, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 70 years, David Edward Jacobs, Jr. She was the devoted mother of one daughter, Barbara. Alva was born in Washington, D.C. on July 2, 1923 to Mary Irene Bartels and Walter Alexander McNey. She attended Roosevelt High School in Washington, D.C. graduating in 1941.