Essential Leave
Advocates for paid sick days try to build support among Virginia Senate Democrats
Before the pandemic hit, Senate Democrats stopped a proposal requiring businesses to offer paid sick days. During the pandemic, they rejected it again during a special session. Now as lawmakers prepare for the upcoming General Assembly session, advocates are hoping they've finally got a strategy to persuade reluctant Senate Democrats to approve a new law increasing the number of workers in Virginia who have access to paid sick days.
Opinion: Commentary: Oh, What A Night! in McLean Neighborhood
Saturday evening, Dec, 19, Chesterbrook Woods was set ablaze with lights, music and happiness.
Dining: Tysons Bakery Offers Tempting Choices
Review: Classic Bakery
This tiny, classy destination, Classic Bakery, is a hidden treasure among the numerous store-front businesses and big-box stores that make Tysons Corner a popular destination.
Holiday Meals Bring Cheer for Lonely Seniors
While this time of year may be festive for many, during these difficult days of COVID restrictions, the Shepherd's Center Serving Oakton-Vienna-Reston-Herndon (SC) wanted to reach out to their often lonely and isolated senior clients.
Vienna Police Highlights Dec. 17, 2020 – Dec. 22, 2020
The following summary contains various incidents of general interest as well as vehicular crashes handled by the Town of Vienna Police Department from Dec. 17, 2020 – Dec. 22, 2020.
Church Fundraiser in Support of the Community
Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna raised more than $2,600 in donations during its Drive-Thru LIVE Nativity on Dec. 19.
Two Million Lights in a Dark Winter
An Insider’s View on the Bull Run Festival of Lights; open through Jan. 10, and maybe more
The Bull Run Festival of Lights is the largest light show in the Washington Metropolitan area, and this winter it is more popular than ever before.
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell in Vienna
“Peter Pan and Tinkerbell” by Caitie Pendleton, age: 11, grade: 6th, Vienna Elementary School, art teacher: Katie Aiken.
Opinion: Column: Trip, and Hopefully Not a Fall
Having recently returned from a driving sojourn through the South, with stops and stays in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, visiting four sets of friends in those three states, I can say with certainty that wearing masks, social distancing and common sense consideration for your fellow citizen were not nearly so accepted as we had hoped.
Surviving Christmas Day in Solitude
Ideas for coping with being alone on the holiday
While Christmas Day will be different and difficult for many this year, it will be especially difficult for seniors who live alone and will be in solitude because of COVID-19 risks.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Cutting Pollution for Our Health
Ella Kissi-Debrah had severe asthma, frequently visiting the ER with cardiac and respiratory arrest.
Opinion: Editorial: Merry Christmas
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
The pages of the Connection (including the Alexandria Gazette Packet, the Mount Vernon Gazette, the Potomac Almanac and the Centre View) are usually full of holiday spirit, beginning before Thanksgiving.
Appealing Bad Rulings
Lawmakers to consider expanding appeals court, providing new oversight to judges.
Virginia is the only state in the country that does not guarantee a right to appeal, allowing circuit court judges to make decisions with little oversight or scrutiny. Critics have been calling for reform ever since the Court of Appeals was first created in 1985. The Supreme Court of Virginia recommended an appeal of right as a "long term goal" in 2018. Now, Gov. Ralph Northam says he wants lawmakers to add four judges and support staff "to ensure the court can hear more appeals cases in a timely manner under an increasing workload."
Opinion: Column: Three Strikes...
...and now I'm out – of the Handel's Messiah sweepstakes.
Virginia Master Naturalist Program Graduates Spring Class
The 2020 Spring class of Virginia Master Naturalists (VMN) graduated, finally, in a Zoom ceremony on Dec. 14.