Editorial: Limiting Local Authority
Assembly rushes bill limiting proffers without addressing who will pay for infrastructure.
In Virginia, a Dillon Rule state, local governments have only the powers explicitly granted by the General Assembly. And what the assembly gives, the assembly can take away.
Stylish Valentine’s Day Table Settings
Flowers and candles create romantic designs.
Fresh flowers and candles are an easy way to add elegance and romance to a Valentine’s Day table. From dramatic to understated, local tastemakers offer suggestions for setting the mood for a memorable dinner.
Bringing Order to Household Chaos
Clever design solutions for hiding clutter.
Wires, cable boxes, soccer cleats, pet bowls and other items are life’s necessities, but they can be unsightly and disrupt the aesthetic of an elegant living space.
Fairfax County School Board Approves $2.67 Billion ‘No Cuts’ Budget
Calls for general salary raises and additional $40 million for teachers, lowering elementary class sizes.
Members of the Fairfax County School Board have taken the next step in realizing Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza’s vision of no additional cuts in the Fiscal Year 2017 school system operating budget. T
Area Students Shine in MATHCOUNTS Competition
The Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS competition was held on Saturday, Feb. 6, at George Mason University.
Snowzilla Summit Ahead
Board names Fairfax County Animal Shelter for Michael Frey.
“What a difference a week makes,” said County Chairman Sharon Bulova (D), in case anybody had moved on from the 29.3 inches of measured snow at Dulles Airport during the recent blizzard.
Honoring Black History
Fairfax County’s Cable Network presents programs in celebration of Black History Month.
Fairfax Public Access (FPA) will air a special series of movies and documentaries throughout the month of February in recognition of Black History Month.
Proffers in Danger?
Richmond caught the attention of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors this week specifically with House Bill 770 (Gilbert) and Senate B 549 (Obenshain), bills Sharon Bulova says will place “significant restrictions” on development, specifically citing “unreasonable proffers.”
Alexandria: Bagel Uprising Launches a Revolution at Farmer’s Market
Chad Breckinridge’s fresh-baked bagels often yield a line dozens of customers deep at Four-Mile Run on Sundays.
There’s an uprising happening, all right. A Bagel Uprising.
Alexandria: Ethics Reform Roils Council
Progressive transparency or potential witch hunt?
One month into her term as mayor, Allison Silberberg got the process started on enacting a new set of ethics reforms. At its Jan. 28 meeting, the City Council voted to approve an Ad Hoc Study Group to examine ethics reform. It’s the first legislative step forward on an issue Silberberg had put forward as a centerpiece of her election last year. But on the rest of the council, feelings toward the new committee were a little more tepid, some even drawing parallels between Silberberg’s ethics reform and McCarthyism.
Snowzilla Summit Ahead
Board names Fairfax County Animal Shelter for Michael Frey.
“What a difference a week makes,” said County Chairman Sharon Bulova (D), in case anybody had moved on from the 29.3 inches of measured snow at Dulles Airport during last week’s blizzard.
Kostbar: Bike Noise Is Epidemic
People at Work
A week after the big snowstorm, a blue and silver Trek Excalibur sits on a bike rack waiting for its one-year warranty tune up and replacement of the chain links for more speed. Garrett Kostbar, service manager of Spokes etc. on Quaker Lane, will check all the bolts to be sure nothing has loosened up, adjust the head set to prevent slop or play in the bearing assembly, check the brake adjustment, make sure the wheels are true since the braided stainless steel cable can stretch out and break.
Alexandria: Two Republicans Enter Race Against Beyer
Incumbent gains Republican opponents.
It’s been a little over a year since U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) took office, and both the first term congressman and his political opposition have been busy in that time.
Alexandria History: Creating the PBS Civil War Series ‘Mercy Street’
An interview with Filmmaker and Executive Producer Lisa Wolfinger.
The Civil War was the bloodiest conflict in U.S. history with a death toll of 750,000, according to recent studies — more than twice the number of American troops killed in World War II and two percent of the population in the 1860s. If a similar number of Americans died in a war today, the toll would reach about 7.5 million. And two-thirds of Civil War deaths were from illness.
Alexandria: NAACP To Honor Local Church Leader
The Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley to receive national award.
The Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church (ASBC) in Alexandria was recently named a recipient of the 2016 NAACP Chairman's Image Award, “an award presented to individuals and organizations using their platforms to be agents of change in their communities.”
Alexandria Letter: Clear Those Handicap Spaces
Letter to the Editor
As a long time disabled resident of Alexandria, I have seen that when we have a significant snowfall, the snow in parking lots is often pushed into the handicap parking spaces.
Alexandria Letter: Improve Communication
Letter to the Editor
Congratulations to Mayor Silberberg for proposing to establish an ethical standard to which our elected officials must adhere, and for choosing now — when there are no ethical conflicts or controversies — to design and implement this standard. Who in their right mind would oppose it?
Alexandria Letter: Supporting Hillary
Letter to the Editor
Hillary Clinton is my candidate for President.
Alexandria Letter: Stay Informed in Emergencies
Letter to the Editor
Last week, we went through an event that could overwhelm even the best-prepared municipalities. Some streets remained un-cleared a week later in every corner of the D.C. metro area, including here in Alexandria.
Alexandria Letter: Snow Removal Inadequate
Letter to the Editor
On Tuesday, the ever-shrinking lanes on the city's major roadways and left turn lanes on the city's major roadways had not yet been cleared. Residential streets were still being plowed/cleared on Wednesday morning.