Editorial: Addressing Virginia’s Economy
Ending gridlock in Congress and supporting health care reform would be huge steps in supporting economic recovery in Virginia.
The strength of Virginia’s economy, especially Northern Virginia’s economy, comes significantly from federal spending. So while the governor and other elected officials claim that Virginia’s success is because Virginia is a low-tax state with fewer regulations, it’s worth considering that the sequester and continuing gridlock in Congress threaten Virginia’s most important resource, federal spending.
Navy Yard Shootings Hit Close to Home
Four Fairfax County victims killed in Washington Navy Yard rampage.
“Marty was a kind and caring man. He had such a sweet spirit and was in every way a man that lived his life to honor Christ.” —Pastor Steve Holley of Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield
Full Disclosure?
Forms plagued by a lack of information, absence of oversight; redacted documents.
Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is in hot water for taking gifts without disclosing them, and legislators are talking about increasing disclosure requirements for family members. But here in Northern Virginia, personal financial disclosure forms are often incomplete and inconsistent. Some elected officials choose to disclose a great deal of information while others disclose very little. Fairfax County officials have decided to redact information that's supposed to be part of the public record. And nobody is reviewing the forms to make sure they are accurate.
Art Matters for All Ages
Local experts say art classes help children develop new skills.
If you walk into Art at the Center in Mount Vernon on a Tuesday morning, you might find a group of preschool students and their parents or caretakers squishing potting clay with their fingers. In the same room, several other tots could be brushing an array of paint colors across art paper, making a mess but having fun. The children are part of the Center’s Art Explorers class, designed for children ranging from 18 months to 5 years old.
Classified Advertising Sept. 18, 2013
Read the lastest ads here!
A New Beginning for Fairfax County Public Libraries?
Library trustees vote to discard beta plan in favor of more public outreach sessions.
On Wall Street, a “beta” test refers to assessing the risk, volatility and expected return of a particular portfolio. If Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) officials had a crystal ball to assess the volatility of its planned beta tests this fall, it’s likely they may have steered clear of the project that became a quagmire of epic proportions.
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
County suspends discarding of library books.
Just when Sam Clay, Fairfax County’s Public Library director, thought FCPL’s public image couldn’t get any worse, Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence) released photos of bins filled to the brim with discarded library books.
Letter: Joining Forces to Prevent Homelessness
You can prevent homelessness, you can end chronic homelessness, you can move people rapidly out of homelessness. What you cannot do is stand aside and let people fall. This simple belief—that together we can change the rate and severity of people losing their homes—brings together nonprofits, for-profits, civic leaders and government staff. We each play a special role, depending on our location and mission. For United Community Ministries (UCM), prevention is the key.
Beckford Carries Episcopal Football Past Flint Hill
Senior running back runs for 312 yards, 5 touchdowns.
Episcopal offense looks strong in season opener.
Get Ready for Fort Hunt Park Community Day
Event will celebrate — and clean up — local park.
On Sunday, Sept. 29, the first-ever Fort Hunt Park Community Day will take place at the Fort Hunt Community Park, a 197-acre historical park located off the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Alexandria. The non-profit organization, the Friends of Fort Hunt Park, Incorporated, is co-sponsoring the event with the National Park Service and the National Parks Conservation Association to both celebrate the park and for an official clean up. “We want to celebrate Fort Hunt Park as a vital part of the community and to enhance its recreational resources and its rich history,” FFHPI president Dorothy Canter said.
‘Gee’s Bend’ at MetroStage
The beauty of regional theatre is that each theatre has its own personality, its own character, both on and off the stage. So when seasons are announced there is usually a common theme, thread, tone that connects the choices made by the Artistic Director, reflecting individual interests, passions and personalities. As scripts cross our desks, actors and directors discover scripts that may be of interest. Media coverage of playwrights and plays are perused and a season slowly takes shape. What may appear as a random series of plays and musicals will ultimately reflect the aesthetic and intent of the theatre company.
Life in the Farce Lane
Cooney’s “Caught in the Net” opens at LTA.
Few will ever compare Ray Cooney to Shakespeare. The king of British bawdiness doesn’t pretend to be the Bard of high-brow literature, but as Britain’s recognized “master of farce,” Cooney’s comic genius is unmatched and on display in “Caught in the Net,” now playing at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. Written as a sequel to “Run for Your Wife,” “Caught in the Net” is a fast-paced farce that finds taxi driver John Smith juggling two families in different parts of London. When his teenaged children discover each other on the internet and decide to meet, John’s already complicated life descends even further into disarray.
Letter: Appreciates Extra Pool Time
I wrote a letter in June bemoaning the closing of Chinquapin Recreation Center and the lack of aquatic facilities in Alexandria. I also mentioned it was too hot to swim laps outside in bath tub temperature water. Now that the summer is over, I want to say that due to cooler temperatures than our usual sizzling summers, it has been possible to swim outdoors most days. The hours were lengthened at The Cameron Street Pool. Thanks to the hard working staff, the facility was kept cleaner than it has been in past summers.
Letter: Sherman’s Efforts Appreciated
As former and current PTA presidents in Alexandria, we would like to recognize and thank Dr. Morton Sherman for his five years of dedicated service to our school system. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Sherman was a passionate and tireless advocate for our children. On a personal level, he maintained an admirable open door policy for us and was always willing to listen to our concerns, show up at our meetings and respond to our emails, sometimes at 3 a.m.
Letter: Resolving Parking Lot
My name is Miles Holtzman and I am the president of the Old Dominion Boat Club. We have been an Alexandria institution since 1880 and support many charitable activities within the city including underwriting the Fall Rowing Program for the T.C. Williams Crew Boosters and fundraising activities for those in need. Among others, our efforts have benefitted the Lombardi Cancer Center, APD Officer Peter LaBoy and children with special needs from the Alexandria Public Schools through parties and things of a like nature. We have been in our current facility since 1923 and acquired our parking lot in 1935.
Letter: Streetlight Outages
Dominion Virginia Power has a convenient way to report streetlight outages and track the progress of repair: just call Dominion customer service center at 1-866-366-4357, wait 10 minutes or more for a person. You will need the street address of the nearest house or building and the streetlight's 9-digit utility pole number found on a metal plate on the pole.
For Fallen Heroes
Post 24 hosts newest Medal of Honor recipient.
The Medal of Honor is the U.S.’s highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. On Aug. 26, Army Staff Sgt. Ty Carter became one of only 79 living recipients of the award during a whirlwind day that began at the White House and ended at American Legion Post 24 in Alexandria. “It’s an honor and privilege to have a Medal of Honor recipient at our Post,” said Commander Jim Glassman at a private dinner welcoming Carter, his family and members of his unit to the historic Old Town American Legion building. “We not only welcome Sgt. Carter but also his fellow soldiers whose bravery during the Battle of Kamdesh kept the outpost from being overtaken.”
All in the Family
Trio rocks Hard Times Café.
After a 20-year absence in Alexandria, the female trio of Huxtable, Christensen and Hood took to the stage Sept. 8, performing to a capacity crowd at Hard Times Café in Old Town. Cheering on the group were Hard Times founders and brothers Jim and Fred Parker, husband of vocalist Carol Christensen, along with their sons Ned and Jonathan Parker. “I think I'm the only Parker without any musical talent,” laughed Ned Parker, whose brother Jonathan is a professional jazz saxophonist. “I guess that's why I'm taking the tickets at the door.”
Column: Timing Is Everything
If the hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m., Judge William D. Hamblen is enrobed and on the bench. Prosecutors, defense lawyers, the defendant, security and visitors are in their respective places. All quiet. Hamblen is the retired chief judge of the 31st judicial district of the Commonwealth, Prince William County. He is well-respected and expects nothing but the best in courtroom manner, this includes the attire for brothers and sisters at the bar, defendants and anyone just watching.
Column: Now This is What
Do nothing (no more treatment) and live life to the fullest (for as long as I’m able, and right now, I’m extremely able); start another chemotherapy protocol – with an I.V. chemotherapy drug which, according to my oncologist, has not been proven in any clinical setting to be better than the patient doing nothing; or, try to get into a Study (Phase 1, 2 or 3) at either N.I.H. (National Institutes of Health) or Johns Hopkins (in Baltimore) and let the treatment chips fall wherever experimental/research medicine takes them. This is what my oncologist discussed with Team Lourie at my most recent appointment, my first appointment with him since my hospitalization and subsequent release.