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

Letter: A Misreading of History

That a few local schools are named for Confederate generals bothers Kiran Hampton [“Alarmed by School Names,” Connection, April 11-17, 2013]. The US Army and Navy have named forts and ships after Confederate heroes. The Veterans Administration provides headstones for Confederate graves. That wouldn’t have happened if they were traitors. No Confederates were convicted of treason. Hampton’s shame that Virginia fought with the Confederacy suggests a misreading of US history.

‘A Fantastic Piece of Escapism’

Woodson High presents Tolkien’s classic, “The Hobbit.”

Welcome to Middle Earth, as envisioned by J.R.R. Tolkien in Woodson High’s production of “The Hobbit.” It’s the adventure of a peaceful homebody persuaded by a wizard to help a group of militant dwarves reclaim their treasure from a marauding dragon. “One of our biggest challenges was building a huge, dragon puppet,” said Director Terri Hobson. “There’ll be lots of caves, rocky hills and earth tones. And we actually have five girls who are being trees.”

Poetry MV 4/17/2013

By Asher Ager 5th Grade Hollin Meadows ES Birds, animals, weeds, and all other beings, Spring approaches, though that might not seem now, All the beasts, plants, towers, flowers, and things, Can feel the warmth seeping through cold winter’s gown, Inofficially marking the new spring, The very official holiday will still cling, The answer to global warming is clear, We must step up and take charge of the day, Grab a took may it be shovel; or spade If you want to help this is the way, With any effort changes will be made, One of the enjoyable holidays, Earth Day is fun let it stay as it may.

The Comeback Kid

Paralyzed after tragic accident, Nick Balenger throws out WSLL’s Opening Day pitch.

"You always get a special kick on Opening Day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen,” said baseball legend Joe DiMaggio.

New Class, Old Divisions

Demographic data for T.J. class of 2017 show lack of diversity at governor's school.

Even as federal regulators look into a civil-rights complaint about the lack of diversity at Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology, recently released demographics show that the number of black and Latino students is dropping. According to a report released last week by Fairfax County Public Schools, 8 percent of students who apply are Hispanic while only 3 percent of those who are accepted are Hispanic.

Robinson Students Make the Cut for Caring

26 Acts of Kindness campaign continues.

April 1st marked the beginning of Robinson Secondary School’s “26 Acts of Kindness”—a tribute to the 26 children and adults who were killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting last December in Newtown, Conn. The Student Government Association (SGA) pulled out all the stops to make this “pay it forward” campaign a success, even providing t-shirts with space on the back for supporters to fill in each act of kindness performed, producing a promotional video that was uploaded to YouTube, and even establishing a Twitter site where do-gooders could post what good deeds they had done.

Poetry

My daughter died today. Dear Patsy who was but seventeen, Another piece of my heart broken and dissolved in tears I clasped her precious hand and thought I would not survive this time My babies, Daniel, and too many others . . . Then I felt your hand on my shoulder, A reminder you shared my grief, and I was not alone. Your quiet, wordless strength gave me comfort, And I smiled up at you through my sorrow.

Letter: Thinking of History In Real Time

Letter writer Kiran Hampton asks if she is "the only one alarmed by the presence of high schools named after Confederate leaders?" ["Alarmed By School Names, Connection, April10-16, 2013]. In response, I would say, "Why yes, I believe she is."

Schools

School Notes

Email announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos are welcome. Mount Vernon High School has been awarded a state grant titled the 21st Century Learning Community Grant which will enable the school to begin an after-school program benefiting many students.

A proliferation of spring blooms add a border beneath one of the garden walls.

Coalition Wages War on Brick Sidewalks in Old Town

Group calls for action now, before more brick sidewalks are installed in new development.

They may be charming, but many people say Alexandria's brick sidewalks have become a dangerous burden. Now they are asking City Hall to do something about it.

Alexandria Leaders Engage in Risky Business at Potomac Yard

City taxpayers are about to assume financial risk for new Metro station.

Alexandria taxpayers are about to gamble on the future, rolling the dice on development at a former railroad yard to fund a new Metro station.

Hunting Towers Sold

New owners tell city leaders they will preserve affordable housing.

For years, people who live in the twin towers at the southern edge of Old Town have lived with a sense of dread.

Robinson Coach Rike Reaches 500 Wins

60-year-old has coached Rams girls’ soccer for 32 years.

Rike coached the Falls Church boys' soccer team for five years before taking over the Robinson girls' program.

Encore Stage & Studio's Sunny Side Up Breakfast

Friends and supporters celebrated Encore Stage & Studio’s 46 years of serving and inspiring children in the community at the Washington Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, April 9.

Bulletin Board

Every Friday in April 5k Fridays Race Series. 6:30 p.m. in Crystal City. Organized by Pacers Running Store, runners can enjoy a professionally timed and certified course. $20/race or $60/series. Visit http://runpacers.com/race/crystal-run-5k-fridays/ to register.

Police Seek Additional Victims

The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is investigating a suspect involved in the sexual assault of a 17-year-old juvenile and police are concerned that there may be additional victims. The suspect, 50-year-old Miguel Angel Pinedo-Valdivia, was charged on April 1, with attempted forcible sodomy. One day prior to his arrest, Pinedo-Valdivia approached the juvenile victim outside a Columbia Pike restaurant offering potential work. The victim entered the suspect’s Mercedes sedan and was driven to an unknown location in Maryland where he was sexually assaulted, according to police.

Registration for MCM10K Begins

Registration for two of the Marine Corps Marathon's events, the MCM10K presented by Aetna and the Healthy Kids Fun Run, opened online at noon, on Wednesday, April 17 at www.marinemarathon.com. The MCM10K, to be held on Sunday, Oct. 27, will include 10,000 participants running a course that starts among the buildings of the Smithsonian Institution on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and finishes at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn. The MCM10K is open to runners ages 8 and above. Registration for the MCM10K costs $48 and includes the competitor shirt, bib with timing device, the MCM event program and many other amenities throughout MCM Weekend. Finishers receive a medal and finisher certificate.

Nonprofit Developer of Year

AHC Inc. has won the 2013 “Nonprofit Developer of the Year” award from the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers. The award recognizes innovative housing developments, programs and solutions across the Washington, D.C., metro area. The award will be presented during the HAND Annual Meeting, June 11. In 2012, AHC initiated, preserved or opened five affordable housing projects, providing nearly 1,200 new or renovated apartments in four different jurisdictions in Maryland and Virginia.

School Notes ARL 4/17/2013

Email announcements to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos are welcome. Michelle Dawn Williams earned a graduate certificate degree in museum studies from the University of Memphis.

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