License to Chill
March came in like a lion, with Mother Nature dumping several inches of snow on the region March 3 as city governments and local schools closed in the wake of yet another storm that brought life across Alexandria to a crawl. “I am not a fan of this weather but thought I would try and get some enjoyment out of this last storm,” said @Home Real Estate and Design Center Realtor Christine Sennott. “My boyfriend and I packed on our winter gear and went for a walk about town. The streets were desolate with random residents shoveling walk ways and an occasional barking dog the only sound to be heard.” With snow totals ranging from 2.5 to 8 inches, the latest round of winter weather brought icy conditions and subfreezing temperatures to Alexandria just days after sunshine bathed the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
Justin Wolfe Retrial for Murder Will Proceed
For Justin Wolfe and his family, it’s been one setback after another. So it pretty much came as no surprise to them that the Supreme Court last week declined to intervene in his retrial on drug and murder charges. Still, his mother couldn’t help but hope. “It has been 13 years now that my son has been in solitary confinement for a crime he did not commit,” said Terri Steinberg. “It is time for them to admit to their mistakes and let him go home. The money wasted on this case could be better spent elsewhere.”
Encore Presents ‘Sherlock Holmes’
Join Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they set out to solve their first case in the 21st century. There they meet Marilyn Monroe, George Washington, Tarzan, Count Dracula, and other characters — or so they claim. Sherlock and Watson are in the Freudley Institute, so it’s no wonder Holmes gets treated like any other patient. Will Sherlock be able to prove he is the real Sherlock Holmes and solve a murder on the grounds of the Institute?
Creating a Harmonious Family Life
Local experts offer tips for keeping your family happy.
As Elizabeth Rees drove her daughter and two of her daughter’s friends to a library reading group recently, the Alexandria mother of three admits that she felt like a chauffeur at first. But she had a change of heart after hearing sounds of laughter.
Not Yet, Really
While we’re exchanging pleasantries here, in semi real time – although this column will not be most read until March 6th (I need to submit it on Monday, March 3rd as we go to press on Tuesday, March 5th), I feel the obligation, given how last week’s column ended, to update you on the results from my February 26th CT Scan. Presumably, by the title you all have determined that as of this writing, Saturday, March 1st, I have not heard back from my oncologist. Typically, I would have already heard from him, electronically. But so far, not a peep, electronic or otherwise and believe me, I’ve been checking, as you might imagine.
Board Advertises Higher Tax Rate
Rate gives board flexibility, options in determining final budget.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 Tuesday to advertise a higher real estate tax rate that could add about $100 to annual tax bills, which will be on top of the $332 county homeowners will see this year as a result of higher real estate assessments. Setting the advertised tax rate formally begins the two-month public process to adopt the Fiscal Year 2015 budget, and the rate represents the maximum potential tax rate for FY2015.
Preventing Teen Suicides
Recent deaths shine light on FCPS suicide prevention programs.
Every 15 seconds, a teen in the United States tries to commit suicide. Every 90 minutes, one succeeds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reports that the number of attempted suicides among teenagers increased from 6.3 percent in 2009 to 7.8 percent in 2011.
Cox Charities Virginia Awards Area Nonprofits
Cox Communications awarded $160,000 in grants to 25 nonprofit organizations in Virginia through Cox Charities grants programs. The grants presented Feb. 21 are part of the nearly $8 million Cox contributes annually through cash and in-kind support to the communities where they do business.
Assistance Dogs: Making Connections
Service dogs and their “handlers” are teamed up through paws4people.
I was already one of those embarrassingly crazy dog people, when I first met Kyria and Terry Henry, founders of paws4people.org. But I had no idea how little I truly knew about the bonds possible between animals and their people. After photographing puppies coming home for the first time, dogs sharing their favorite pastime and pets who are older and/or ill, I really thought I knew all about the animal/people connection.
Virginia Laws Help Local Governments Conceal 911 Calls from Public
Police agencies refuse to release audio from 911 calls, prompting questions about transparency.
When city officials in Alexandria released the audio of a 911 call in a high-profile murder case, many people interpreted the move as a step forward for transparency in a commonwealth known for opaque government.
Gals On and Off the Green Swings into Action
Women's golf is growing by leaps and bounds, particularly in the Potomac area with all its public and private golf courses. However, finding that perfect outfit, bag, shoes, socks — or gift items for a golfing buddy can be a challenge. A new store has opened in Chevy Chase to address just this need. Gals on and off the Green provides what every woman golfer needs to look smart while teeing off, putting and chipping. The store also carries tennis apparel as well as stylish comfortable fashions that transition from day to evening, resort wear, bags and accessories. Jackie Sorrenti, founder and owner said, "We want to help women look and feel better about themselves. We do not believe women should buy something simply because ‘it fits’ but rather because it fits well and is stylish and make you feel great when you wear it. We carry something for everyone. We offer conservative to fashion-forward clothing in sizes 0 - 22 from a variety of world-wide designers.” Sorrenti launched her first Gals on and off the Green store in Pittsburgh where she and her husband were residing. Formerly an information technology professional, she decided to listen to her entrepreneurial instincts and drew up business plans for a number of different types of retail stores. Once she settled on a women's golf store, she approached friends in business to read her business plan. With their advice, she re-wrote her plan, found funding and opened the doors of her shop in 2004.
Brief: Resident Dies in Traffic Collision
The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a fatal traffic collision that occurred at 700 S. Pickett Street on Tuesday, Feb. 11. At approximately 7 p.m., a vehicle traveling southbound on S. Pickett Street crossed into on-coming traffic and struck several vehicles before stopping when the car hit an electrical pole.
Looking for Homes
Dogs and cats, rabbits and birds are just a few of the animals that may be adopted at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
Theater Workshops Offered from the Professionals
Broadway comes to Fairfax with the arrival of actress Candi Boyd, currently appearing on Broadway in the play, “Jersey Boys.” On Sunday, March 9, she’ll present a musical-theater workshop, “Broadway: Behind the Curtain,” at Fairfax High – and it’s open to all area high-school students. It’ll run from noon-4:30 p.m. in the auditorium, with a limited number of spots available. Tickets range from $10-$40, depending on level of participation. The event’s a fundraiser for Fairfax High’s theater program, and school Theater Director Erich DiCenzo hopes to make it an annual tradition. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to have exposure to professional and talented artists,” he said. “Anyone with any interest in this field is welcome. Attendees don’t have to be theater students.”
Synetic Theater Offers Street Theater Camp
Synetic Theater and dog & pony dc are teaming up to offer a week-long intensive course in street theater for high school and college students at Synetic's new studio space in Crystal City. It runs March 10-15 and costs $350. Classes will culminate on Saturday, March 15 with public performances that take students from Crystal City to Freedom Plaza in the District. “This year, we are very excited to be working with dog & pony theater,” said Camp Director Elena Velasco. “They use social media and are very focused on audience reaction and audience relationships.” She added, “With dog & pony, it will be how we can invite the audience into the action ... How do we incorporate that into social media — Twitter, texting — how can we expand that performance circle.” Under the guidance of senior Synetic teachers and artists from dog & pony dc, students will study the disciplines of collaborative creation. Street theater offers a means of honing one's skills as an actor, and performers use their craft to empower their community and transform public spaces into arenas of artistic exchange.
Budget Process: Get Involved
Chairman gives blueprint for community engagement in Fairfax County budget process.
In Fairfax County, when we adopt the budget, we are investing in the priorities and needs of the community. At the center of this open and transparent process is community engagement. It is critical that we have the community at the table with us when we are considering changes to the budget that the County Executive released for advertisement at our Board Meeting on Feb. 25. Below are some opportunities to learn about the budget, ask questions and make suggestions during the months of March and April. I look forward to hearing from you.
High Five
I made it. It’s five years after receiving a terminal diagnosis on February 27, 2009 from my oncologist: stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, accompanied by a "13-month to two-year" prognosis. Let’s be honest, medical professionals don’t toss around the word "terminal" because you’re going to be treated at an airport. Presumably, they know their facts and figures as well as the patient’s present condition, confirmed by a variety of diagnostic results from X-Rays, CT Scans, P.E.T. Scans, lab work and of course the ever-popular biopsy, so their diagnosis/prognosis is a bit more than an educated guess. Nevertheless, there are exceptions to every rule and until proven otherwise, I was not about to succumb to their statistics. Still, based on the best medical knowledge available at the time, this patient (yours truly) was given a limited life expectancy and encouraged to take the vacation I had always dreamed of – for obvious you’re-life-is-now-shorter-than-you-ever-imagined-type reasons, and yet, five years hence, here I am.
Bulova: ‘This Will Be a Challenging Budget’
Fairfax County average homeowner will see tax bill increase $330 under County Executive’s proposed $7 billion budget.
Fairfax County Executive Edward Long, Jr. unveiled a $7 billion budget proposal Tuesday that reflects his "cautious and deliberative approach to budgeting," a result, Long said, of continuing uncertainty over federal spending and sluggish commercial tax revenues.
Hollywood Comes to Fairfax
How to use Hollywood-style portrait techniques to photograph adoptable animals.
Animals at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter were given the celebrity treatment on Feb. 23 when a team from the non-profit Shelter Art Foundation taught shelter staff and volunteers how to use Hollywood-style portrait techniques to photograph their adoptable animals.
Giving Bianca a Second Chance
A Fairfax County Animal Shelter happy ending.
Bianca, a nine-year-old, female, German shepherd mix dog, had been living her life on the end of a chain in a rural part of Virginia. In late January, an unknown stray dog approached Bianca and attacked her. Bianca’s owner came outside and in an attempt to stop the attack he hit both dogs with a shovel, striking Bianca over the head and injuring her. Rather than pursue vet care, the owner drove Bianca to the local pound and surrendered her. For the next 36 hours, Bianca sat with no medical care, until a sympathetic staff person called the shelter’s rescue partner at the Highland County Humane Society in rural Virginia.