Opinion: Commentary: Budget Passed
Enormous number of measures baked into budget to address critical needs in an unprecedented year
The 2021 session of the Virginia General Assembly came to a close on Monday, March 1st, which really concluded with a long twelve hours on the floor Saturday that included the final passage of the Budget bill, and tax conformity legislation that set a critical $100,000 threshold for PPP expense deductibility for 2020 for all businesses in the Commonwealth.
Mount Vernon’s River Farm Offer Falls Short of Asking Price
NOVA Parks and partners made an offer but the farm remains on the market.
In an attempt to keep the property open to the public, the NOVA Parks, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, and their partners recently made an offer to buy River Farm in Mount Vernon, but the American Horticultural Society board of directors has voted to decline their offer, looking for their original asking price of $32,900,000 that they say they need to keep the society in operation.
Flying Squirrels, Our Nocturnal Neighbors
Around dusk or dawn, high up in the tree canopy, keen observers might spot a scurry.
Two Dead Bald Eagles Found in Mount Vernon
Several Mount Vernon area residents happened upon two dead bald eagles in the grass near a utility pole in the 7600 block of Elba Road on Feb. 17.
Opinion: Commentary: Inland Flooding
Facing storm intensities far beyond what our infrastructure was designed to handle
With one week remaining in the 2021 legislative session, Senators and Delegates are putting the finishing touches on legislation, and preparing to head home to the districts they represent in Richmond and throughout the year.
Opinion: Column: Not That I Don’t Understand, But...
...So this is what the process is like trying to schedule a Covid-19 vaccination.
Virginia Is for Pet Lovers, Too
Cosmetics testing, research dogs/cats, dangerous dogs, pet store employees come under scrutiny
The 2021 Virginia General Assembly had only six companion animal-related bills before it this session; a small number compared to the roughly two dozen during the 2020 session, and a dozen in 2019.
The Value of Intergenerational Relationships
The lives of both youth and seniors are enhanced by meaningful connections.
Bringing seniors and youth together for meaningful relationships can be mutually beneficial.
Fairfax County’s FY 2022 Budget Plan
Focuses resources in targeted areas
“What a difference a year makes” said Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill.
Rotary Club of Alexandria Awards $10,000 Grant to Alexandria ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund
sponsored
The Rotary Club of Alexandria is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for the 2021 Grant Program. The Rotary Club of Alexandria Grant Program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that advance literacy for children and adults and/or improve the lives of children, youth, seniors, and others with special needs within the city limits of Alexandria.
Opinion: Commentary: Bringing Virginia into the Light
Abolishing the death penalty, steps to end Jim-Crow era ban on felony voting and more recent ban on gay marriage
The last week of the 2021 General Assembly Session has arrived and it will prove to be an exciting time with many big issues on the agenda.
Burglaries Put Mount Vernon Business Owners on Alert
Smash and grab at three Hollin Hall places yields little for thieves.
Burglaries
TSA Is Filling Up in Southern Springfield
Access improvements are still to come for this Federal facility.
TSA in Springfield
At Dog Parks, the Clean-Up Bag is a Must
Walks are important for the family dog, but so is scooping the poop.
Scooping the Poop
Opinion: Commentary: Finding Solutions in the General Assembly
Both the Senate of Virginia and the House of Delegates have released proposed budgets and we will vote on the budget soon.
The Strange Career of Felon Disenfranchisement
Amendment targets Jacksonian-era restriction weaponized during Jim Crow.
Felons have been prohibited from voting in Virginia since 1830, when the "right to suffrage" was denied "to any person convicted of any infamous offense." But it was during the era of Jim Crow that felon disenfranchisement became weaponized to prevent Black voters from influencing elections.
Opinion: Commentary: General Assembly at Crossover
This last year has been called “historic” and “unprecedented".
Opinion: Column: If Michael Corleone Had Lung Cancer
"Just when I thought I was out ... they pull me back in."
Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Wins Eight Awards
The Noman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control wastewater treatment plant was recently recognized for their “Tertiary Filters Rehabilitation Project,” and “Rehabilitation of Three Equalization Basin and Ancillary Facilities,” by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) in its annual Mid-Atlantic Region awards.