Will the Next Attorney General Defend Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage?
Republican says he will defend amendment; Democrat is not so sure.
Virginia's next attorney general will have to stand in a courtroom and make a decision about whether or not the commonwealth's constitutional ban on marriage should be defended. Republican candidate Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-26) has been clear about his support for the amendment and his intention to provide a vigorous defense of marriage. Democratic candidate Sen. Mark Herring (D-33), on the other hand, has yet to take a position on whether or not he will defend the amendment.
Calender
Ongoing Food Truck Thursdays. In the surface parking lot at the corner of Crystal Drive and 18th Street. Line Dancing Class. Fridays, 10-11 a.m. Line dancing with Barbara Allen. Covers the basic steps, then combines them to music for a gentle aerobic workout. More experienced line dancers are welcome as they can assist newer dancers. At Aurora Hills Senior Center. Call 703-228-5722.
Bulletin Board
Thursday/Aug. 8 Meeting. 12:15 p.m. at La Cote d’Or, 6876 Lee Highway. The Arlington Rotary Club welcomes naval historian Tom Hone. Visit www.arlingtonrotaryclub.org. Saturday/Aug. 10 ESOL Tutor Training Workshop. James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church. Three consecutive Saturdays, Aug. 10, 17 and 24. Cost is $50 for books, materials and ongoing resources. E-mail volunteers@lcnv.org or call 703-237-0866 x111. Monday/Aug. 12 Discussion. 1:30 p.m. at Aurora Hills Senior Center, 735 18th St S. Lt. Commander Mary K Hays outlines and discusses the history of women in the military. Registration required. Call 703-228-5722.
The Median Has No Message
Political signs banished from roadsides as campaign season heats up.
Some people call them flowers of democracy. Others call them weeds of political pollution. Whatever one thinks of the campaign signs and placards that appear along the roads of Fairfax County, expect to see a lot fewer of them. Last month, county officials launched a new program in which nonviolent inmates at the county jail hit the streets four days a week to remove illegal signs. With apologies to Marshall McLuhan, the message is no longer in the median. Anger and resentment has been rising over the issue of roadside political signs for years, and campaigns frequently go to war with each other to see which side can plant or steal or deface the largest number of placards. Unlike Prince William County, which had an agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation that allows the local government to collect the signs and fine violators, Fairfax was caught in a bind. Part of the Virginia code made it illegal for the county to remove the signs in Fairfax County until after an election.
Museum Exhibit Highlights Life of Union Soldier
Artifacts from the Civil War.
The Arlington Historical Museum currently has on display an exhibit about a Union soldier from Massachusetts that was stationed in present-day Arlington County during the Civil War. The exhibit showcases items that belonged to John W. Bates of the 23rd Massachusetts Volunteers, who enlisted in August 1864. The items, which include a cannonball and bullets, were donated by Fairfax County resident M. Wesley Clark, the great-great-great grandson of Bates.
Arlington Orange Line
Ongoing Theatre Performance. Through Saturday, Aug. 17 at American Century Theater, 2700 South Lang Street. “I Do! I Do!” is a story chronicling 50 years of marriage. $17-$40. Call 703-998-4555 or visit www.culturecapital.com. Week-long Summer Classes. Through Friday, Aug. 23, children can take art classes from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 1:30-4 p.m. at Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd. Visit www.arlingtonartscenter.org for a list of classes and to register. Call 703-248-6800. Classes for Adults. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays, through Aug. 29. 7-9:30 p.m. Arlington Arts Center is located at 3550 Wilson Blvd. Visit www.arlingtonartscenter.org or call 703-248-6800.
Real Estate Notes
Archstone veteran and Alexandria native Rebecca E. Snyder has joined Arlington-based developer Insight Property Group as development manager.
Business Notes
Inova has opened new Urgent and Primary Care offices at 1005 North Glebe Road, in Arlington. The Urgent Care center is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays for minor illness and injury. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointment requests can be made online. The center will also offer on-site x-ray. Inova Medical Group's Primary Care practice provides personalized preventative care from a board-certified internal medicine physician. This practice offers same day appointments as well as online appointment requests. The center also offers orthopedics and sports medicine, behavioral health and OB/GYN services in the future. Visit www.inova.org/ballston.
Candidates Agree on Amendment for Voting Rights, Disagree on Executive Order
Restoration of civil rights on the agenda for next governor.
Should nonviolent felons have their right to vote automatically restored? What exactly is a nonviolent felony? What kind of process can be considered automatic?
What Is ‘Dillon's Rule?’
Authority rests with the state.
Every so often, an issue will break out between one of the more liberal local governments in Northern Virginia and the state government in Richmond. The locals say: "We know what is best for our residents." Richmond says "As a local unit of government, you have not been given the authority to act in the way you wish."
What Is ‘Dillon's Rule?’
Authority rests with the state.
Every so often, an issue will break out between one of the more liberal local governments in Northern Virginia and the state government in Richmond. The locals say: "We know what is best for our residents." Richmond says "As a local unit of government, you have not been given the authority to act in the way you wish."
Old-Timey Music
Arlington and Falls Church residents comprise New Old-Time String Band.
In the workaday world, Andrew Acosta has been a painting contractor for 30 years. During off times, he "paints" stories using traditional music, most often as leader of the New Old-Time String Band.
Arlington Calendar
Food Truck Thursdays. In the surface parking lot at the corner of Crystal Drive and 18th Street.
Arlington Orange Line
Summer Classes Return Registrations now open for children and teen summer classes at the Arlington Arts Center. Join AAC for classes covering all subjects and mediums. This summer will offer classes from previous semesters and new classes like Developing Nature and Drawing, a class for teens rooted in the principals of drawing and AAC's summer exhibition Green Acres. Classes for Children. Through Aug. 23, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m., supervised lunch breaks for students in consecutive classes, complimentary aftercare until 5 p.m. for students in 1:30-4 p.m. classes.
Silence of the Court: Virginia Supreme Court Denies Access to Audio Recordings
Lack of transparency is explained as effort to shield personal conversations.
The Virginia Supreme Court operates in silence, denying public access to audio recordings of its oral arguments.