Four Northern Virginia Senators Targeted
Redistricting effort puts Fairfax County seats in the spotlight.
Four Northern Virginia state Senators are targets of a Republican-led effort to draw new districts — Sen. George Barker (D-39), Sen. Dave Marsden (D-37), Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36) and Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34). Democrats say the redistricting effort is a cynical attempt to take advantage of the absence of Sen. Henry Marsh (D-16), a prominent civil rights veteran, who was in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration on Monday. But state Sen. John Watkins (R-10) of Powhatan defended the effort as a way to create a sixth majority black Senate district in Southside. It passed the Senate on a 20-to-19 vote.
Making Schools Safer
Two Northern Virginia Democrats take part in panel to consider school security.
Do Virginia schools need more guns? That question is at the heart of a debate that’s now reaching a fever pitch in the commonwealth, especially after a man with a Bushmaster assault rifle blasted his way into a Connecticut elementary school and killed 20 children and six adults before killing himself. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell responded to the tragedy by creating a School Safety Task Force, which is considering a proposal for every school in Virginia to have an armed school resource officer.
SSSAS Girls’ Basketball Stepping up to the Challenge
Saints manage winning record against the odds.
The St. Stephen's & St. Agnes girls' basketball team fell short against Sidwell Friends.
Woodson Boys’ Basketball Extends Win Streak to 12
Cavaliers adapt to TC’s physicality in second half.
The Woodson boys' basketball team outscored T.C. Williams 23-14 in the fourth quarter.
Tweens and Teens Have a Ball
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden host Kids Inaugural Concert to honor military families.
Teens, tweens and their parents danced in the aisles, on their chairs and around the stage at the star-studded, Kids' Inaugural Concert honoring military families on Saturday, Jan. 19, in Washington, D.C.
Letter to the Editor: Imposing User Fees on the Poor
In Michael Lee Pope's article [“Smart Growth Vs. Affordable Housing,” Jan. 17], the premise is that Alexandria must choose between smart growth and affordable housing.
Getting Back to Work with Confidence
Panel reassures seniors looking for jobs.
For older adults looking to return to the labor force, getting back to work requires confidence and a willingness to embrace new technologies.
Column: Goodwin Supports Meals Program
Senior Services of Alexandria is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of the Goodwin House Angel Tree program sponsored by the Goodwin House Alexandria Memorial Chapel Outreach Committee.
Column: Commemorating MLK through Service
Both T.C. Williams campuses — King Street and Satellite at Landmark — worked together on Saturday, Jan. 19, for the National Day of Service and in commemoration of the 57th Inaugural Celebration.
Column: GOP’s Naked Power Grab
Virginia’s General Assembly session carries forward; however, this week we have seen the Senate re-tread issues of the past. Earlier this week, the Republicans in the State Senate manipulated their close numbers to force an issue through that Virginians already thought was settled for the decade — redistricting.
Obituary: John Bruce Hammond
After a six-year battle with a rare form of cancer, John Hammond died peacefully while surrounded by family on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013.
Obituary: Dr. Bernard Greifer
On Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, Bernard Greifer, 91, of Rockville, Md., previously of Alexandria, died.
Obituary: Gerald V. Godfrey
Gerald V. Godfrey, born March 26, 1938, died on Jan. 20, 2013 at his home in Alexandria.
Residents Attend 57th Presidential Inauguration
Many brave crowds to witness history.
Local residents were among the hundreds of thousands who left their homes on a cold winter holiday, Jan. 21, to brave packed Metro trains and slow-moving security check points for a chance to celebrate and witness President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.
Column: Gun Safety Among Early Legislative Actions
Though barely two weeks old, the General Assembly Session is already moving at breakneck speed, with multitudes of bills being considered and with ongoing discussions of how to move Virginia forward on key issues including transportation and gun safety.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Remember, Celebrate, Act — Dr. King’s Dream for Our World” was the theme of the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage and the Alexandria Black History Museum program commemorating the birthday and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Alexandria Home Sales: December, 2012
In December 2012, 165 Alexandria homes sold between $2,499,900-$92,100.
Alexandria Home Sales: December, 2012
Fairfax Families4Kids
Fostering bonds with children.
Nationwide, more than 463,000 children live in foster care. In many states, including Virginia, the number of foster youth has tripled in the last 25 years. As of Sept. 30, 2011, nearly 5,000 youth were in foster care in Virginia, according to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. Physical abuse is the most common reason children enter foster, but it’s not the only reason. Often there’s emotional abuse, sexual abuse and the parent or caretaker’s inability to provide a safe environment due to substance abuse.
A Family Made Whole
After a tragic loss, Reston couple creates a family through adoption.
The Granvilles look like a made-for-TV family. On a bright October afternoon, Chris, a computer engineer, is teasing his teenage son, Kenny, about what kind of pet to adopt, while Tiffany sits on a sofa, cradling Elijah, Kenny’s baby brother, who has just woken up from an afternoon nap. “Fish? No way,” Kenny, 15, says. “They just go ‘round and ‘round in a bowl.” Kenny is lobbying hard for a dog or—at the very least—a guinea pig or hamster.
Dancing Life into Books
Upcoming performances from Jane Franklin Dance incorporate movement and storytelling.
Jane Franklin likes to keep busy and to keep her company moving. During the next few weeks, the Arlington-based dance company is performing a number of pieces, each of which depend in movement and music to tell stories.