Stories for June 2021

Opinion: Column: And the “Scancer” Is...

And the "Scancer" Is... ...stable, with a side of shrinkage, however modest.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Seen in TJ’s Freshman Class

In 2021, the U.S. News Best High Schools report ranked TJ the number one school nationwide for the second year running.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology admitted 550 students strong as its Class of 2025.

Living with Adult Children

Creating livable spaces that balance the security of family with the need for independence

When June Joyce’s husband died two years ago, she was lonely living alone in the sprawling Alexandria family home where the couple raised their four children.

Celebrate July 4 at Local Historical Sites

July 4th is a celebration of America’s founding.

The Twig, the Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital, presented a check for $150,000 to hospital president Dr. Rina Bansal and Inova Alexandria Hospital Foundation Board Chair Donald Simpson Jr. during the organization’s annual luncheon June 15 at the Potomac Riverfront home of philanthropist Joe Viar.

Ministering to the ‘Least, Lost, Lonely and Left Out’ in Mount Vernon

Rev. Keary Kincannon to retire after 26 years

Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church is a three-story brick building, but Rising Hope is much more than a building, explains the pastor, Rev. Keary Kincannon.

Ourisman Celebrates 100 Years

100 years is a long time for any business to successfully keep their doors open for the public.

Journey to Freedom: Mount Vernon Commemorates Runaway Slave Ona Judge on Juneteenth Holiday

For years, the nation’s first couple, George and Martha Washington, pursued Ona Judge, a young woman who in 1796 escaped a life of slavery in the Washington household to live in freedom in New England.

Marijuana Legalization Topic Comes to the Chamber

Questions answered, and others Arose at Lee-Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Marijuana

Meeting Planned for Future Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit

Virtual meeting on June 30 to review preliminary design.

Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit

Opinion: Commentary: July 1: New Law Day

Next Thursday is July 1st, and here in Virginia that means that most of the laws passed during the 2021 legislative session will go into effect!

Opinion: Column: Wait. What?

After each individual appointment with my oncologist, either virtual or in person, all my prescription needs and my next round of appointments are scheduled while I wait.

95 and Counting

Seniors who are 95 and older reflect on life and offer advice to younger people.

95-year-old Howard Eisenberg says he was carded recently and asked to provide proof of his age as he boarded a train on his way to visit his 80-year-old girlfriend.

2021 Fairfax County Redistricting Advisory Committee

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed the 2021 Redistricting Advisory Committee at its June 22 meeting.

President Nominates Local Carlos Del Toro for Secretary of the Navy

President Joe Biden has nominated Carlos Del Toro, Mount Vernon resident, retired Commander in the U.S. Navy and business leader, for Secretary of the Navy.

New Owners Take over Hollin Hall Auto

They have “big shoes to fill.”

The walls inside Hollin Hall Auto are lined to the ceiling with plaques, certificates, resolutions, articles, photos and more memorializing the Harvey family’s 60 years of business success and their multiple contributions to the community.

Study Highlights Pandemic’s Food Insecurity

The coronavirus pandemic exacerbated inequities, especially food insecurity, for many families along Fairfax County’s U.S. 1 corridor, concluded the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, a nonprofit based at Woodlawn Estate.

Colonial Era House on Telegraph Road Is Going Up for Sale

It dates back to 1766, and has seen a slice of American history.

Historic house for sale.

Opinion: Commentary: Virginia Primary Election Results

Last Tuesday the Virginia Democratic party held its primary election, whose winners are now the Democratic nominees for the statewide offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.

Opinion: Column: Navigate This

(All these times are approximate – or they're not.

This Summer Will Be a Balancing Act

Parents face a dilemma: give much needed mental break vs. boosting skills

As camps, swimming pools and simply spending time with friends were cancelled last summer and then followed by a tumultuous school year filled with uncertainty, parents are left to grapple with how to walk the fine line between catching up academically and tending to the overall well-being of their children.

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities Rise in the Fairfax County Area

Road design, speeds, lighting and negligence are factors.

This spring has seen several fatal pedestrian accidents, possibly signaling a warning to drivers, pedestrians and transportation engineers that more could be done to lessen these fatalities in Fairfax County.

Opinion: Commentary: Collective Bargaining: A Step to ‘One Fairfax’

At age 20, I took on a job as a grocery-bagger.

WANTED Feedback Involving No-chase/Chase Fairfax County Police Department Vehicle Pursuits

Flurry of proposed revisions should discourage pursuits of suspects in non-violent felony incidents.

Police vehicle pursuits create the potential for officers, residents and suspects to be killed or seriously injured.

Juneteenth Celebration at Frying Pan Park

The Juneteenth celebration at Frying Pan Farm Park will offer families the chance to hear, see, sample, and create crafts based on the results of African American freedom.

Little Theatre of Alexandria Presents “Ripcord”

Now thru June 26, it’s the story of two women thrown together by a cosmic force with a wicked sense of humor.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA) is presenting “Ripcord” from now through June 26. It’s the story of two women thrown together by a cosmic force with a wicked sense of humor.

Deaths of Vulnerable Road Users are Preventable

Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling statement on bicyclist killed by a driver in Alexandria section of Fairfax County

The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) extends its sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Fatima Del Carmen Alvarez Romero.

Holding Dear: 2,364 Local Souls Lost to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Northern Virginia Regional Commission holds Remembrance Ceremony

On March 21, 2020, the Fairfax County Health Department reported its first death of a resident due to COVID-19.

Influencer Marketing is the Next Thing for Products and Businesses

The outfits, dinner recipes, jewelry and selfies on Instagram are part of the process.

Influencer marketing is a hit

Novelties and Gifts Share Space with Fun

At Highs and Lows in Hybla Valley, behind the door with five knobs, local artists and Pac Man scream nostalgia.

Highs and Lows

Democrats Choose Northern Virginia Ticket

Primary voters select candidates with gender and racial diversity but lacking in regional balance.

As election returns started rolling in from the Democratic primary Tuesday, Republicans started boasting about having the most diverse statewide ticket in Virginia history.

Levine is One of Five Incumbents Defeated

Two-term House member tried to run double campaign, losing both

There's a reason why candidates have never tried running in two different Democratic primaries at the same time.

Opinion: Commentary: Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Congratulations to all of the high school graduates and their families across the 44th district!

Opinion: Column: The Masks are Off...

...and I suppose life is back on, especially for those of us who have been vaccinated.

Poem in support of Abrar Omeish

Below is my spoken word poem in written format in support of Abrar Omeish.

HomeLifeStyle: Style for the Great Outdoors

Designers see uptick in requests for porches and other outdoor spaces

A longing to spend more time outside after a year-and-a-half spent inside is driving a trend in home design, including an uptick in requests for projects like screened porches and patios.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Don’t Sell Us Down the River

The American Horticultural Society’s (AHS) decision to sell off its River Farm headquarters in Alexandria, Va., hardly seems in keeping with its mission to “blend education, social responsibility and environmental stewardship with the art and practice of horticulture.”

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Supporting Mark Levine for Lieutenant Governor

The rising sea levels on the shore continue to pose a real threat to our community.

More to Do to Clean Up the Potomac River

Stormwater runoff from urban and suburban areas is the major, fastest-growing culprit today polluting the Potomac River.

On April 9, Connor Lynch, an angler fishing on the Potomac River near Fletcher’s Cove, hooked and released a shortnose sturgeon, a fish not seen in the river since 2007.

Opinion: Commentary: Ebbin: Bennett-Parker Is Best Choice for Delegate

Democratic primary voters in the 45th House of Delegates District (parts of Alexandria, south Arlington and Mount Vernon) will choose their nominee for Delegate on Tuesday, June 8.

Roy Rogers in Belle View is Officially Reopened

After the fire in 2019, a new, brighter space welcomes the old gang.

Belle View Roy Rogers

Opinion: Commentary: Observing Memorial Day

On Monday, Delegate Krizek gave the following address at the Hollin Hills Memorial Day Observation:

Opinion: Column: Nearly Nicked

Recently, I made the mistake of clicking on an email from an unfamiliar sender.

Opinion: Commentary: I Became a Better Mother When I Stopped Trying To Do It All Myself

Across the board, children have better outcomes when their parents have a shared parenting schedule, even in high-conflict cases.

Fairfax Dems Clash with Supervisors

Demand firing of FCPD Chief Kevin Davis

The Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) called on the Board of Supervisors ("Board") on May 25 to terminate Kevin Davis's employment as Chief of the Fairfax County Police Department.

Wellbeing: Faith Sustained Many During COVID-19 Crisis

How a belief in a higher power helped some people cope with pandemic

As she experienced the emotions and uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic, Bracha Goetz turned to the tenets of her faith.

Opinion: Commentary: Taking Exception: Fighting Both anti-Semitism and Oppression

On the May 13 Eid holiday, Abrar Omeish, at-large member of the Fairfax County School Board, Tweeted: "Hurts my heart to celebrate while Israel kills Palestinians & desecrates the Holy Land right now,” she wrote.

June is the Deadliest Month for Teen Drivers

Parental involvement urged to prevent underage drinking this summer

Citing the facts that June is the single deadliest month of the year when it comes to teen driving and that summer’s arrival also ushers in that contiguous period (May - August) when the greatest number of U.S. teen traffic deaths occur [i], a Washington-metropolitan area alcohol education group is urging parental involvement to combat both teen drinking and drunk driving this summer.

Democrats Decide

Voters to determine direction of party in June 8 primary

The June 8 primary will determine the direction of the Democratic Party in Virginia at a critical time, when the commonwealth is emerging from the pandemic and trying to recast itself as something other than a party in opposition to former President Donald Trump.