"how to keep one's financial affairs in order"

Living With My Decisions

On multiple occasions throughout my nearly five years of being treated for stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer, my oncologist has given me opportunities to stop and/or take a break from my treatment, or to consider alternatives to the normal protocols – for the expressed (literally) purpose of sustaining/enhancing the unexpected, above-average quality of life I have mostly experienced during my nearly non-stop, every three-week chemotherapy infusions which began in early March, 2009. The goal being to enable me to enjoy my life and not be subjected to/beaten down by the ravaging and debilitating effects of chemotherapy.

Kitchen Organization for the New Year

Local organizers, designers and culinary experts offer smart tips for making space and clearing clutter.

If organizing an unruly kitchen, one where there never seems to be enough space for storage containers and pots and pans, is on your list of resolutions this year, the project might be less daunting than you think. From creating a system for grouping spices to keeping plates in easy reach, local experts share secrets for a well-maintained kitchen. Hang pots and pans inside pantry doors, says Sallie Kjos of GreyHunt Interiors in Chantilly. "It organizes them, but decoratively can look effective."

Real Estate

2013: Banner Year in McLean and Great Falls

The total number of home sales in McLean and Great Falls is up in 2013 over 2012. Further every market segment is up year over year except for that in the under $750,000 category. The reason I believe that this segment fell short in terms of number of sales is due to lack of supply. Current inventory level is less than one month for homes to purchase for under $750,000 in McLean/Great Falls, which includes condos. Economists and other experts that analyze the real estate market typically consider a balanced market to be a 6-month supply, thus the current lower price market in McLean and Great Falls is in a seller’s market cycle. This is in line with market conditions experienced throughout 2013.

Putting Always Kids First

McLean basketball community mourns the loss of John Micocci.

Both the first time and last time I saw John Micocci, I was reffing house league basketball in McLean. The first time was in 2002. I was a new ref, which is to say a ref who has not learned the limits or extent of the “power” of the position. John was the age-group coordinator for the high school girls’ house league in McLean.

Top Designs of 2013

Local builders look back on their most impressive spaces.

From outdoor patios with the comforts of indoor family rooms to a stark white bathroom replete with Carrara marble flooring, local designers said they’ve created some spectacular living spaces in 2013. Their personal favorites may be surprising, and include a lot of kitchens and bathrooms.

Photo detail

Hard of hearing, Patrick Henry, played by Richard Schumann, leans in to hear a question …

Letter: Favoring Heavy Rail

Del. Scott Surovell has long advocated extension of the Metro Yellow line along the Richmond Highway through Mt. Vernon to Ft. Belvoir as the best solution to engender a long list of urbanistic, spatial, aesthetic, environmental and financial improvements to the entire corridor. He asked recently that others provide their opinion on the matter as the final steps in the study are reaching their conclusion and I am pleased to do so.

Letter: Ensure Qualified Appointments

At the Dec. 3, 2013 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, at Supervisor Hyland's request, the prospective re-appointment of Elizabeth Martin to an at-large seat on the County Wetlands Board was deferred and letters sent to the BOS in opposition to her re-appointment (including from me) were referred to the County Attorney's Office so that they can investigate allegations in those letters concerning actions by the Wetlands Board and Ms. Martin, and report back to the Board of Supervisors.

Letter: Improving Mental Health Services

The following open letter was addressed to the state senators and delegates representing Fairfax County: I apologize for not being able to attend this year’s hearing. I want to thank you all for once again allowing your constituents to voice our concerns and express our wishes for this new legislative session.

Learning To Cope with Death of Loved One

Centreville author pens memoir to help others.

At the age of 13, Mary C. Rosenthol found out her mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. By the time she reached her early 20s, her mother, Mary Ellen Brady, died on Dec. 23, 2001 and a year and seven months later her father, Charles Donald Brady, died from the same disease on July 23, 2002.

Honoring Best in Business

New award recognizes outstanding non-profit organization.

Distinguished chamber members were recognized at the annual Holiday Biz Awards Celebration hosted by Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce.

ColumnL Planning for Your Family’s Future

Believe it or not, you have an estate. In fact, nearly everyone does. Your estate is comprised of everything you own — your car, home, other real estate, checking and savings accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture and personal possessions. No matter how large or how modest, everyone has an estate — and, as the old saying goes, you can’t take it with you.

Commentary: Christine Candio, RN, FACHE/CEO, Inova Alexandria Hospital

2014 promises to be a year of significant change in the healthcare landscape. Most notably, the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) “individual mandate” takes effect, requiring Americans to obtain health insurance by March 31 (or pay a penalty).

Week in Alexandria: 1/08/14

Highlights from this week in Alexandria.

Decriminalizing Suicide

General Assembly to consider abolishing common-law crime of suicide.

Suicide is illegal in Virginia, one of the few states that has not yet abolished the English common-law tradition of criminalizing the act of intentionally causing one's own death.

Arlington Bulletin Board for 1/8/14

State Legislators Head to Richmond

Proposed bills and priorities include ethics reform and ABC transformation

As the General Assembly convenes on Jan. 8, several delegates from Fairfax County have written bills that tackle some of the issues they believe are important to Virginians.

Twisted Psychology

TC teacher sentenced to year for inappropriate contact with female students.

Independent Progressive

2014 More Interesting Than 2013

Apart from the Democrats’ sweep of Virginia’s top three executive branch jobs, 2013 wasn’t a very good year. Reston’s long-awaited rail service failed to make it to Wiehle Avenue on time. Not to be outdone, Supervisor Hudgins’ Task Force writing Phase One of the new Comprehensive/Master Plan for life with rail in Reston also failed to arrive on time—it was due for completion in 2010! And, the Reston Association Board veered off its tracks. It failed a test of its natural areas stewardship role in a deal so lacking in merit and transparency that most of RA’s own distinguished Environmental Advisory Committee resigned in protest.

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