Youth Hockey Team Earns Bronze
The Northern Virginia Hockey Club’s U16 AA team, based out of the Mt. Vernon Rec Center, captured the Bronze medal at the 2014 USA Hockey National Championships which were held April 2-6 in Ashburn, making history for the local club. This U16 team, coached by Bill Butler and Doug Scott, is the first NVHC team to ever qualify for and compete in the USA Hockey National Championships.
The Circus Comes to St. Aidan’s Day School
The kindergarten class of St. Aidan’s Day School held its annual circus for the 10th year on Friday, April 4. There were tightrope walkers, strongmen, elephant. lions, tigers, a lion tamer and clowns.
Brief: Democrats Host Forum for 8th District
The first opportunity for voters to question the 10 candidates on the ballot in the 8th Congressional District Democratic primary will be at a forum Saturday, April 12 sponsored by the Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee. The primary is June 10. George Burke, the Virginia Democratic Party's 11th Congressional District chair, will moderate the forum The forum is free and open to the public, from 4-6 p.m., April 12, at the Mount Vernon High School Little Theater, 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road.
Brief: SYA Soccer Launches U8 Academy Program
SYA Soccer is launching a new U8 Academy Program starting in the Fall of 2014. This 10-month comprehensive training program will focus on individual player development of technical and tactical skills. The Academy players will take part in twice weekly training sessions, crossover U8 games with fellow CCL clubs and winter indoor training and league games.
International Night at Hybla Valley
Hybla Valley Elementary held an International Night on Thursday, April 3. Student-made decorations were used by the physical education, art and music teachers to transform the hallways into several Halls of Nations. Even the ceiling was lined with kites inspired by international cultures.
Have Harmonica, Will Mentor
94-year-old Jack Hopkins hosts weekly gathering.
There are harmonicas that fit into pant pockets and there are harmonicas two feet long. There are harmonicas for guitar accompaniment and harmonicas designed for orchestras. Alexandria resident Jack Hopkins, co-founder of the 23-year-old Capitol Harmonica Club, has at least 16 different types and has been playing since he was six years old. The instrument has taken him to a variety of places and brought him a number of opportunities.
Teens Are Most in Need of Foster Care Homes
Virginia's largest age group in need of homes is between 16 to 18-years-old.
At 54 years old, Julie wanted to be an adoptive parent for over a decade. But it wasn't until last year that she finally brought a child home. Single, she had recently left her federal government position and felt like she was ready. In May, she welcomed her 17-year-old foster son into her McLean home. "For me I was never a parent before," said Julie. "So I had to run fast and catch up."
Letter to the Editor: Improvement Is Needed
To the Editor: The on-going debate on the re-striping of Sherwood Hall Lane is characterized by a signal lack of data on all sides; its permanent re-striping should hold off until we’ve got some hard data to make an informed decision. I assert that those, on either side of the bike lane divide, who advocate a final solution right now are nervous that the data wouldn’t support their preferred position.
Brief: Storck To Host Office Hours
Dan Storck, Mount Vernon District School Board member for Fairfax County Public Schools, will host Community Office Hours at the Lorton Library in the Conference Room on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m.
Connection Papers Win Awards
Reporting, photography, design and editorial cartoons commended at annual Virginia Press Association meeting.
"Great work exposing serious challenges and obstacles in the way of the public's access to public information. The articles are well written and well researched, providing concrete and compelling examples of the flaws in the systems." That was what the judge said when awarding first place for In-depth or investigative reporting to Michael Lee Pope in the Arlington Connection. The Virginia Press Association announced its press awards for 2013 at the annual meeting on Saturday, April 5, in Richmond.
"I Thought You Were a Goner"
So has said my longtime oncology nurse, Ron, who has tended to me since June, 2009. Originally, I had been assigned to a different oncology nurse, Holly, with whom I developed an immediate rapport. She cared for me from the beginning, early March 2009, when I began my every-three-week chemotherapy infusion through June, when she transferred from the Infusion Center to a different unit (oncology does take a toll). Initially, after Holly’s departure, Jane, another nurse in the unit, took me on as a patient. However, and this is where the details get sketchy, within a subsequent infusion or two, I was told one day upon my arrival at the Infusion Center, that Ron, still another oncology nurse, who I had certainly seen there previously but with whom I had minimal interaction, would be taking over for Jane – who was not transferring out – and henceforth would be my new oncology nurse. Apparently, I had been traded. For another patient? For future considerations? For a lunch-to-be-paid later? To this day, nearly five years later, I’ve never been able to uncover the truth. I got along fine with Jane; I’m a very low-maintenance patient/ person; I don’t think I did anything to precipitate such a decision. Nevertheless, a deal (my word) had been struck.
Clean for Spring
Local organization experts offer tips to help with spring cleaning.
Betsy Fein found herself in the middle of a spring fling in Fairfax recently. She wasn’t at a festival or involved in a new romance, but in the midst of organizing a cluttered bedroom that was littered with piles of shirts, pants, shoes and books. Spring often means renewal and local organizers like Fein are offering suggestions for clearing out winter clutter. From closets that are overstuffed with wool sweaters and down coats to kitchen drawers overflowing with batteries and appliance manuals, they offer suggestions for getting organized without getting overwhelmed.
Painter Debuts Children’s Book
“When I’m Not Myself” also offers insight into book production process.
Alexandria painter Kathy DeZarn Beynette’s second children’s book, “When I’m Not Myself,” was released worldwide in March.
Alexandria Painter Debuts Children’s Book
“When I’m Not Myself” also offers insight into book production process.
Alexandria painter Kathy DeZarn Beynette’s second children’s book, “When I’m Not Myself,” was released worldwide in March.
Local Designer Honored
Alexandria tastemaker blends a variety of styles.
Old Town Alexandra-based interior designer Anna Kucera has a knack for helping her clients turn their fanciful ideas in to concrete realities.
Fairfax Arts Programs Receive Federal Grants
Seven local organizations involved in the arts and literature are receiving a total of $230,000 in federal grants from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) said.
‘Victims’ Rights Are a Necessity’
Honoring crime victims with walk, words and candlelight vigil.
Siobhan Russell was just 19 when her ex-boyfriend killed her. Ron Kirby, a noted regional transportation planner, was murdered in his Alexandria home in November by an unknown assailant.
Obituary: Mary Jacobs
Mary Alva McNey Jacobs, of Boynton Beach, Fla., formerly of Alexandria and Washington, D.C. died March 16, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 70 years, David Edward Jacobs, Jr. She was the devoted mother of one daughter, Barbara. Alva was born in Washington, D.C. on July 2, 1923 to Mary Irene Bartels and Walter Alexander McNey. She attended Roosevelt High School in Washington, D.C. graduating in 1941.
Classified Advertising April 2, 2014
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Commentary: Why I Support Medicaid Expansion
As the Virginia General Assembly continues to discuss the expansion of Medicaid, the benefits and consequences of doing so have received a great deal of attention. Debates rage in the media, among businesses and around the kitchen tables of ordinary Virginians throughout the state. At our board meeting of March 25 my colleagues and I reiterated, in a bi-partisan vote, our strong support for Medicaid expansion in Virginia.