Wednesday, April 24
Human Rights for Who?
Letters to the Editor
Virginia’s Equine Industry Is Thriving
Here in Fairfax County, we have Frying Pan's Equestrian Center. It is a public-use facility that is part of Frying Pan Farm Park. The center offers rental events, schooling, horse shows, short-term stabling, and multiple trailer-in schooling options.
Infant Immunization Week
Letters to the Editor
Help Restock Frost Middle School Pantry
Frost Middle School seeks the community’s help to fill its pantry shelves for students in need. Especially welcome are Amazon gift cards or nonperishable food items so the school may continue to provide weekend food to students who might otherwise go hungry.
VDOT Warns of Text Message Scams
Text messages claim people owe money for unpaid tolls
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is encouraging people to be on alert for a text message scam, also known as smishing, that is sending requests for payment of outstanding toll charges.
Explore George Washington’s 250-year-old Tent
Mount Vernon’s Revolutionary War Weekend is May 4-5.
On May 4 and 5, at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, people can explore a replica of the tent that General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, used from 1775 to 1783 when he led the colonies to independence.
‘Hanged by a Mob’
City marks 127th anniversary of McCoy lynching.
For Joseph McCoy, there were no lawyers, no legal proceedings, no testimony, no trial, no safety. Instead, the 18-year-old, who had been accused of assaulting the 9-year-old daughter of his employer, was dragged from his jail cell to the corner of Cameron and Lee streets and lynched by an angry mob who had breached the police station.
Are Our Waterways Becoming Plastic Soup?
Local cleanups reveal many mysteries.
On April 20, 100 volunteers hauled out 40 bags or 400 pounds of trash from the Potomac River shoreline of Belle Haven Park and in the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve in two hours.
“Flourishing After 55”
“Flourishing After 55”Office of 55+ Programs. Department of Parks and Recreation, 300 N. Park Dr., Arlington, VA 22203 703-228-4747 55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.
Earth Day Celebration Big in Small Ways
Volunteers lend many hands.
Earth Day celebrations large and small sprang up across Fairfax County last weekend.
Mental Health: 10 Ways to Help
Mental Health
SoberRides Offered for Cinco de Mayo
SoberRides Offered for Cinco de Mayo
“Flourishing After 55”: New Staffing Standards Coming for Nursing Homes
New Staffing Standards Coming for Nursing Homes
Wednesday, April 17
“Flourishing After 55”
Office of 55+ Programs, Department of Parks and Recreation, 300 N. Park Dr., Arlington, VA 22203 703-228-4747 55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.
Springtime is Farmers Market Time
On Saturday, April 27th at 0800 hours the bell will ring announcing the opening of the Reston Farmers Market, the best in Northern Virginia, for a 27th year located in the now newly paved parking as guests of the Lake Anne Condo Association.
Many Needs in Schools, County
Testimony will highlight priorities for spending.
On Thursday, April 18, home care workers, public service workers, allies, and community members planned to join airport workers, elected officials, and candidates for Congress for a march and rally at Dulles Airport in support of access to affordable health care and paid sick leave for airport service workers.
Providing Support for Everyone in Fairfax County
Sam Proctor grew up here in the Mount Vernon District and attended Walt Whitman Middle School and Mount Vernon High School. Sam has ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome and is currently in remission for stage 3 cancer. Despite facing such challenges, Sam takes everything with a smile and an “I-can-do-this” attitude.
Week of the Young Child at Christ Presbyterian Preschool
Christ Presbyterian Preschool in Fairfax hosted Family Friday on April 12 to cap off the Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Church Devotion to Affordable Housing Comes to Unity
On Monday, April 15, Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) and Central United Methodist Church (CUMC) marked the grand opening of Unity Homes at Ballston, a new mixed-use development located at 4201 Fairfax Drive in Arlington.
America’s Founding Fathers as Ordinary Humans
Woodson High presents its Cappies musical, ‘1776.’
Featuring a cast and crew of 90, plus a 25-person pit orchestra, Woodson High’s upcoming musical, “1776,” is also its Cappies entry.
Singers, Dancers, Musicians, Actors, Artists and More
Fairfax City’s Spotlight on the Arts is April 25-28.
Music, dance, theater and art will all be featured during Fairfax City’s 39th annual Spotlight on the Arts festival. It runs for four days, April 25-28, at various venues throughout the City and has a spectacular lineup of entertainment for all tastes and ages.
Arlington’s Expanded Housing Option Ordinance Leaves Neighbors No Rights and the County No Wiser
At the outer edges of Arlington County — in the Arlington-East Falls Church area — a three-story monolith housing six dwellings and providing three parking spaces has been proposed for an R6 treed lot where a 1925 house now stands.
In Tents Not by Choice, But Lack of Choices
Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Johnson v. Grants Pass. on April 22, 2024 with consequences for people experiencing homelessness.
People experiencing homelessness opt to sleep in areas ‘not designated for human habitation’ because of a lack of affordable housing, especially for those earning below 30 percent of the Area Median Income.
Freddie’s Beach Bar Threatened with Bomb Scare
Freddie Lutz opened an email bomb threat just minutes before the children’s drag story hour performance was set to begin at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant on S. 23rd Street on April 6.
Arlington Crime Survivors Advocate Candice Lopez Awarded
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) presented the bipartisan Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus’ Allied Professional Award to his constituent Candice Lopez of Arlington.
Public Art in Arlington
View the newest artwork in Arlington’s Public Art Collection, Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Christ in Blessing.
The Central United Methodist Church of Ballston, in collaboration with Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing, continues its mission in the new Ballston Station building, a mixed-use project with 144 affordable apartments.
Vetoes Devastate Environmental Progress
Governor vetoed 153 bills, amended 117, including dozens of priority conservation and environmental bills.
This week, the General Assembly reconvenes in Richmond to consider Governor Youngkin’s unprecedented number of amendments and vetoes to legislation we passed during the regular session.
Balancing the Books
Members of the city council identify priorities.
Affordable housing, teacher pay and guaranteed income are among the topics being considered by members of City Council as they approach a budget vote on May 1.
Robert T.S. Colby
Retired District Court judge dies at 95.
“Judge Colby had the most unusual approach to being a judge that I think I've ever seen.” — Retired Circuit Court Judge Alfred Swersky
Valor Awards Honor 230 First Responders
On Thursday, April 11, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce honored first responders at the 46th Annual Fairfax County Valor Awards.
APD Chief Hayes Celebrated
Former chief takes helm at Federal Reserve Board.
Former Chief of Police Don Hayes, who served for more than four decades with the Alexandria Police Department, was honored Feb. 29
It’s Going to Cost More To Do More
Public Hearings on the tax rate and sewer rate.
Due to rising service demands and challenges in funding them, Fairfax County faces significant challenges addressing its FY 2025 advertised budget of $3.8 billion
Creative DNA
Kristina Hagman brings exhibit to Torpedo Factory.
Creativity is in her DNA. Kristina Hagman grew up in a family of performing artists and was encouraged at a young age to pursue her own talent as a painter as a way to overcome her challenges with dyslexia.
APF Sweet Fire Donna’s
Interim Chief of Police Raul Pedroso, fourth from right, enjoys a night out at Sweet Fire Donna’s Restaurant in Carlyle April 16 as part of a fundraiser for the Alexandria Police Foundation.
Opinion: Calls for Cutting School Funds by $100 Million
Calls for Cutting School Funds by $100 Million
Fairfax Hosts Shoestring Theatre’s Newest Production
See ‘Dispatches from Appalachia – an Evening of One Acts.’
Theater
March Home Sales Down from Prior Year, According to NVAR
Prices continue to rise as supply remains tight
NVAR stats
Inova Schar Cancer Institute Reaches 5th Anniversary
Interview with John Deeken, MD, institute president
Inova Schar Institute
Bridge Over Troubled Crosswalk
Wiehle Avenue and W&OD Trail Bridge to be operational this summer.
Bridge over troubled crosswalk
Wednesday, April 10
“Flourishing After 55”
Office of 55+ Programs
Spring Book Sale
Friends of the Arlington Public Library (FOAL) invite you to the 2024 Spring Book Sale.
Grant to Prevent Gun Violence
Alexandria News Briefs
Houston to Feel Titan Robotics IMPACT
For the third year in a row, Alexandria City High School’s Titan Robotics team won the prestigious FIRST Impact Award on Saturday at the Chesapeake District Championships held in Petersburg, Va.
In Tents Not by Choice, But Lack of Choices
Problems with data; police Encounters; shelter and housing.
People experiencing homelessness opt to sleep in areas ‘not designated for human habitation’ because of a lack of affordable housing, especially for those earning below 30 percent of the Area Median Income.
10 Ways to Take Climate Action
Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, is a global event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. You can join the effort to protect our planet – and support a healthier and more resilient Fairfax County – by taking these 10 climate actions.
Spring2ACTion 2024 Unites Alexandria Nonprofits
ACT for Alexandria, the community foundation, announces the return of Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s community-wide Giving Day on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Spring Flower Show in Mount Vernon
The Yacht Haven Garden Club held a National Garden Clubs Small Standard Flower Show, “Around the Sun Sixty Times,” April 4, 2024, at the Mount Vernon Yacht Club, Alexandria, Va.
Prepare Now for ‘Extremely Active Hurricane Season’
Researchers at Colorado State University are forecasting an extremely active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30.
Pam St. Clair
King Street Gardens Park, local activist dies at 80.
Pam St. Clair, one of the driving forces behind the development of King Street Gardens Park on upper King Street, died April 7 at her home in Grand Junction, Colo. She was 80 years old.
Addams Family, Spring Musical at Mount Vernon High
Don’t miss this musical, complete with pit orchestra.
Mount Vernon High School students are getting ready for their spring musical, “The Addams Family,” written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, orchestrations by Larry Hochman, and based on characters created by Charles Addams.
Honoring Fairfax City Women Making a Difference
Kelly O’Brien and Lorraine Koury are ‘Women of Influence.’
Women
Wednesday, April 3
Senior Living Briefs
Senior Living Briefs
Houses of Worship Can Develop Affordable Housing
Many faith communities struggle with oversized and aging facilities along with declining membership and revenues.
Recycling Solar Panels
The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) launched a Solar Panel Recycling program.
Determining if Wildlife Needs Help
Spring brings a boom in baby wildlife. Fairfax County Animal Protection Police Officers and the Wildlife Management office receive many calls this time of year from residents who are seeking help for young wildlife that appear to be orphaned or abandoned.
Obituary: Ben Morris
Former sportswriter, restauranteur dies at 75.
“I think Ben Morris was one of the more important sportswriters we have had around here.” — Local historian Greg Paspatis
275 Years
This July marks 275 years since Alexandria’s 1749 founding.
City of Alexandria Recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month
In recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the City of Alexandria is holding a series of events and activities throughout April to support survivors and engage the community in prevention efforts.
Governor Sets New Veto Record
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has acted on a total of 475 bills passed by the General Assembly ahead of his fast-approaching April 8th deadline. To date, the Governor has vetoed 91 bills, the most of any Governor in the history of the Commonwealth in just a single year.
City Budget Will Be Adopted May 1
Since City Manager James Parajon presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Proposed Budget to the City Council and community, the City Council has held several work sessions with City leaders to assess the current state of resources and programs.
Sunset Concert at River Farm with Soulfire
The band Soulfire takes the stage at River Farm, headquarters of the American Horticultural Society, on Thursday, May 30, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Historic Funding for Chesapeake Bay Restoration
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that $206 million in funding will be allocated for projects aimed at continuing the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.
Tuesday, April 2
A Musical Fairytale Featuring Actors and Puppets
Centreville High presents ‘Cinderella: Enchanted Edition.’
Cinderella
Senior Living: Six Stress Reduction Tips for Caregivers
April is National Stress Awareness Month
Tips for family caregivers from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America