Greeting New ‘Fellow Americans’
Fairfax County hosts fourth annual naturalization ceremony.
"My fellow Americans," U.S. Rep Gerry Connolly (D-11) said with gravitas, pausing to let the meaning sink in. And when it did, 75 immigrants - from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan - who had just raised their right hand and taken the Oath of Allegiance to become American citizens, erupted with applause and tears, waving American flags and hugging family members. They were gathered at the Fairfax County Government Center Friday, May 25, for the county’s fourth annual naturalization ceremony.
Arlington County to Create New Group Homes in Wake of Federal Settlement
Local jurisdictions scrambling to adjust to closing of training centers.
Ever since a federal judge issued a ruling earlier this year to close Virginia’s training centers, members of the Arlington Community Services Board have been struggling to figure out what’s next. Right now, there are more questions than answers. And time is running out.
Trailer Placement Irks Residents
Lack of communication cited.
Members of the Jamestown Elementary community voiced their concerns at a School Board meeting May 25 about the installation of trailer classrooms in a field in front of the school.
PenFed Foundation Honors ‘Hero at Home’
Gala salutes family and friends of deployed military personnel and caregivers of wounded veterans.
Dahlia Constantine, Arlington resident and Patrick Henry Elementary School teacher, met her husband Justin in Argentina in April of 2006.
'Doing the Most Good'
Salvation Army celebrates William Booth Society.
Donors, representatives and friends of the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command celebrated the inaugural reception of the William Booth Society May 17 at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington. “William Booth Society members help make certain that The Salvation Army remains financially strong and ready to meet the challenges of serving the needs of our community,” said National Capital Area Commander Major Steve Morris.
A Street Runs Through It
Effort to reduce stormwater runoff moves to the median.
Drivers along Patrick Henry Drive can see the Arlington County’s latest attempt at combating pollution from stormwater runoff. From the road, it may look like a few rocks and plants in the median. But county officials say the bioretention system is a “green streets” project aimed at absorbing and retaining pollutants rather than sending them into to Chesapeake Bay.
Enemy POWs in Arlington National Cemetery
A story for Memorial Day.
From its beginning, "enemy combatants" have been buried in Arlington National Cemetery. It started with Confederate soldiers. However, most people have forgotten to look upon them as the enemy.
Seventh Grader Wins State Legion Award
Victoria McCaffrey, seventh grade student at St. Charles School in Arlington, is this year's top awardee in Virginia's American Legion essay contest. The first place certificate is accompanied by a prize of $250.
25th Annual Taste of Arlington
Foot traffic filled the roadway Sunday, May 20 on Wilson Boulevard at Ballston for the 25th annual Taste of Arlington. More than 35 restaurants and bakeries offered samples to the hundred of visitors strolling up and down the boulevard. Stuart Street at Wilson was set aside as the kidszone with games, face painting, moon bounces, wall scaling and jumpworks. At 1 p.m. food judges began sampling the food for the best of prizes. Best appetizer was awarded to P.F. Chang. Burger Shack received the nod for best entrÈe and best dessert went to Bayou Bakery. Proceeds for the street festival are donated to the Arlington Community Foundation, Virginia Hospital Center and the Phoenix Houses of the Mid-Atlantic.
AWLA in Shelter Competition
The best-selling mystery author Martha Grimes has invited the Animal Welfare League of Arlington to participate in the first Best in Shelter (www.bestinshelter.org) competition. Best in Shelter is the first virtual dog show where shelter dogs compete for prize money for their shelters. The League is one of four area organizations chosen to participate.
Coyotes Found in Arlington
While Arlington County naturalists and community members have assumed that Arlington has had coyotes, only now do they have visual proof. See Arlington's coyote on You Tube. Earlier this month a game camera at Potomac Overlook Regional Park took the first video of the coyote. Last year, Arlington County published its “Wildlife of Arlington: A Natural Resource Heritage Technical Report,” which reported that "it is considered likely that coyotes have found their way into Arlington, but they are extremely cautious, range very widely and move primarily at night." The coyote is not part of the historical native fauna of Virginia but is a master at adaptability and has steadily moved from its western haunts.
Governor Signs Voter ID Bills
McDonnell directs state to send every voter a new voter card before Election Day.
Gov. Robert McDonnell (R) signed watered-down versions of Virginia’s Republican-backed voter identification bills on Friday, adding the Commonwealth to the growing list of states adopting stricter voting standards.
Arlington Launches New Pilot to Clean Stormwater Runoff in Medians
Patrick Henry Drive is the first project; many will follow in coming months.
Drivers along Patrick Henry Drive can see the Arlington County’s latest attempt at combating pollution from stormwater runoff.
First-time Candidate Versus Longtime Congressman
Former Navy pilot hopes to defeat Moran with charges of conflict of interest.
Former Navy pilot Bruce Shuttleworth’s campaign to oust U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) in the Democratic primary is fashioned as an indictment, a campaign in which the issues are framed as an attack on the incumbent.
First-time Candidate Takes on Longtime Congressman
Former Navy pilot hopes to defeat Moran with charges of conflict of interest.
Former Navy pilot Bruce Shuttleworth’s campaign to oust U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) in the Democratic primary is fashioned as an indictment, a campaign in which the issues are framed as an attack on the incumbent. The first-time candidate hopes to knock off the 10-term congressman by describing him an insider who uses his power to help campaign contributors and himself.