Editorial: Primary Voting
Statewide primary on Tuesday, June 12.
On Tuesday, June 12, Virginia will hold a statewide Republican primary for U.S. Senate, plus numerous more local primaries for U.S. House of Representatives and localities.
Classified Advertising
Read the latest Employment and Classified Ads!
Column: Haven’t I Learned Anything?
I’m not going to beat myself up too badly; after all, I do have terminal cancer. However, I am disappointed in my behavior of late, especially as it relates to my status as a still-active (thank God!) cancer patient/survivor undergoing treatment.
Weather Alert: Fairfax County, Entire National Capital Area (Friday, June 1, 2012)
Severe Weather to Impact Area; Tornado Watch Until 9 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 9 p.m. for Fairfax County and the entire National Capital Area. Thunderstorms, heavy rains, wind, large hail and potential flooding are also expected beginning this afternoon.
A Commitment to Social Justice
Walker discusses her faith as a Unitarian Universalist.
“I consider myself a mystical humanist,” said the Rev. Kate Walker of the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, where she has preached for almost four years. “I put a great deal of faith in the human spirit, intellect and heart, but I am also very open to the depths of mystery and all that I can’t explain. There is a sense of divinity and sacredness in this world that I engage with on a daily basis.”
Calendar for May 31
E-mail announcements to the Gazette, gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week's paper. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with questions.
Torpedo Factory Welcomes Guest Artists for Summer 2012
The Torpedo Factory Art Center announces the Visiting Artists who will be in residence during June, July and August 2012. Now in its third year, the goal of the Visiting Artist Program is to expose the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s visitors and patrons to a rotating group of accomplished artists and provide a unique opportunity to interact, explore and exchange ideas. The Visiting Artists will be working in studios throughout the 76,000-square-foot art center and will be actively involved in art enrichment events throughout the summer months in which they will demonstrate and discuss their work.
Taste of Del Ray is Sunday, June 3
Hell’s Kitchen Winner to Judge 4th Annual Taste of Del Ray
Mark your calendars, clean your palates and prepare for the fourth annual Taste of Del Ray, sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association. The event will take place on Sunday, June 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. This year’s celebrity chef is Rock Harper — winner of Season 3 "Hell’s Kitchen" — the Gordon Ramsey cooking competition on FOX-TV.
Dentists Help UCM Program Participants
Drs. James Geren, Henry Rollins and Zeyad Mady and their entire team at Alexandria Cosmetic Dentistry donated dental services valued at $13,440 on Saturday, May 19, through their Dental Day program for individuals who cannot afford necessary procedures. Twenty-five UCM program participants received treatments that relieved the pain caused by dental issues and helped them smile again. UCM is deeply thankful for the long-time support of Dr. Geren and his associates.
Best in the World In Weird Science
A team of 7 fifth-graders from Stratford Landing Elementary School recently competed at the Odyssey of the World Finals at Iowa State University. The team came in first place for its solution to the NASA-sponsored "Weird Science" problem and came in third place overall. The team, coached by Terri Bell, includes team members Mary Bell, Lukas Brokamp, Nick Greve, Lindsay Johnson, Jenna Mulvihill, Lily Penn and Rhys Shallbetter. More 800 teams from 15 countries participated in this international competition. The team would like to thank the Stratford Landing school community for its support and the many people whose donations made this possible. Special thanks go to the sponsors who donated $500 or more: the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club, WOW Cafe and Wingery and the Stratford Landing PTA.
Crackers Helps with Learning
Woodley Hills Elementary School incorporated a rabbit named Crackers into its curriculum this year. The rabbit is used to reinforce the school's values including hard working, trustworthiness, responsibility and caring. Susan Carlson is the Woodley Hills teacher responsible for Crackers. The children learned about voting as they participated in a contest to choose Crackers' name, each child writing an essay supporting their proposed name. The children learned about rabbits and are allowed to feed him with supervision. The school's Daisy Troop earned a badge by planting a garden filled with foods appropriate for Crackers.
Supporting Arcadia Center
The Garden Club of Waynewood recently donated $500 to Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food. Marjie Morris, president, Garden Club of Waynewood presented the donation to Maureen Moodie, farm director, Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture at Woodlawn. Presented at the garden club's recent flower show, the donation is part of the Garden Club of Waynewood's 50th anniversary activities and ongoing commitment and service to the community. The Garden Club of Waynewood meets the third Thursday of the month, September to June, at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, 8532 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Guests and new members are welcome. Contact Katherine Hoffman 703-549-4245.
Memorial Avenue of Flags
More than 400 American flags lined the roadways in the Mount Comfort Cemetery in honor and in memory of the veterans for the 33rd Annual Giovanna McKinney Memorial Avenue of Flags.
WWII Veteran Honors Fellow Comrades on Memorial Day
He moves throughout the cemetery, stopping to pause and remember the men he has come to see before placing a flag at their grave and moving on to the next. For World War II veteran Warden Foley, this Memorial Day ritual began nearly half a century ago as a labor of love and respect for his fellow veterans.
‘Now & Then, 50 Years of Hits, 1962-2012’
The West Potomac High School Choral Groups will be presenting their annual Spring Show in Springbank Auditorium at West Potomac High School on May 31, June 1 and June 2. All shows will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Online tickets are available at www.westpotomacchoirs.org.
Good Weather for a Car Wash
Boy Scout Troop #1509 held a car wash fundraiser at St. Luke’s Church on Saturday, May 26 to benefit the Scout troop and contribute funds for a summer Maine adventure trip. Adult leaders are, left in uniform, John Dacey and, far right not in uniform, Sylvain Richard.
Police Shoot Resident Brandishing Knife
Fairfax County Police shot a 61-year-old man who confronted them with a knife during the process of attempting to serve him with an arrest warrant for destruction of property. The wounded subject was “noncompliant,” according to the information provided by the police department. The shooting occurred at an apartment in the 5700 block of Old Mill Court on Monday, May 28. Four officers were involved in the incident.
Need for Police Oversight Continues
Coalition reaffirms effort to establish Police Citizens Oversight Board.
Nicholas Beltrante’s effort to gain the support of the Board of Supervisors to create a Police Citizen Oversight Board would be, if his proposal is accepted, similar to the ones formed in other cities and counties in the U.S.
A Commitment to Social Justice
Walker discusses her faith as a Unitarian Universalist.
“I consider myself a mystical humanist,” said the Rev. Kate Walker of the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, where she has preached for almost four years. “I put a great deal of faith in the human spirit, intellect and heart, but I am also very open to the depths of mystery and all that I can’t explain. There is a sense of divinity and sacredness in this world that I engage with on a daily basis.”
Open House for Retiring Teachers
Waynewood Elementary School is having an open house on Monday, June 11, 4-7 p.m., in the gym, for retiring teachers Mary Wilson and Eileen Deaver. Friends, parents, and students (former and current) are invited to help celebrate Wilson’s and Deaver’s years of service to Waynewood School and the community.