Saturday, January 30
Regional Travel Survey Shows Benefits of Walkable, Transit-Oriented Places
Coalition for Smarter Grown shares Council of Government’s report highlights on walkable, transit-oriented places like Alexandria and Arlington.
Biking and Walking: “Among the key findings of the survey has been the growth in biking and walking in the core jurisdictions of DC, Arlington, and Alexandria. It has also indicated that activity centers with a focused mix of jobs and housing also have higher rates of walking and biking,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
Opinion: Commentary: In Virginia: Vaccines & COVID Recovery
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), health care professionals, and Virginia’s Medical Reserve Corps continue to work overtime to care for those afflicted with COVID-19.
Thursday, January 28
Tightening Criteria for Entering into Gang Database
Gang Task Force use of DataWalk under scrutiny
On Oct. 2, 2018, Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force selected DataWalk as their analytical platform to support its fight against gangs according to a headline on BUSINESS WIRE.
Fully Baked
Alexandria senator leads effort to legalize marijuana in Virginia.
The so-called "war on drugs" was a failure, locking up generations of Black men and tearing Black families apart. Now lawmakers in Richmond are finally coming around to realizing the damage that the prohibition against marijuana caused in minority communities. Last year members of the General Assembly approved legislation decriminalizing marijuana. This year, they may be on the verge of legalizing recreational use of marijuana — ending the failed war on drugs and adopting new equity measures to address some of the damage it caused.
Wednesday, January 27
Opinion: Column: Reoriented
Or to quote my high school baseball coach: "Reorientated."
Sorority Sisters Celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris
Joy, tears and hope about this historic moment in history
Wearing their sorority’s signature strand of pearls and clothing in shades of pink and green, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority members Martha Coleman and Shirley Dickerson Taylor were filled with awe and jubilation as they watched their sorority sister and fellow Historically Black College and University (HBCU) alum Kamala Harris, sworn in as Vice President of the United States.
Questioning Racially-Biased Gang Database
Activists: Residents can be entered into GangNet merely for living in neighborhoods where gang activity takes place.
With no recourse for review, a nebulous definition of gang membership led an activist, an immigration advocate, and a Virginia legislator to fight for change.
Opinion: Editorial: We Still Need Your Help
Thank you to hundreds who have supported us financially, and with warm words of encouragement
In 2009, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after a year-long journey of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, I have been fine.
The First Shots to Knock Out COVID-19 in Reston
Fellowship Square’s seniors inoculated
Lake Anne Fellowship House residents Steve McAvoy, 71, and Jin Liu, 84, of Reston were among the first of seven hundred anxious older adults at one of the three senior affordable housing communities operated by Fellowship House in Reston and Woodbridge who were inoculated last week against COVID-19.
Tuesday, January 26
A Year Like No Other in Reston
Reston real estate market comparison: 2020 to 2019 to 2010
The first year of the decade has been a year like none other, and the Reston real estate market annual review is no exception.
Opinion: Commentary: Changing Images of Virginia
On the east side of Capitol Square near the Executive Mansion in Richmond is the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial featuring 16-year-old Barbara Johns who led the student walkout that resulted in a civil rights case before the Supreme Court as part of Brown v. Board of Education that found racially-segregated schools to be unconstitutional.
Friends of Reston Introduce New Executive Director
Kia Cole-Hines of Reston has been tapped as the new Executive Director of Friends of Reston (FOR), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for Reston Association (RA).
Friday, January 22
Upcoming Actions on Enhanced Gun Safety Legislation in Virginia
Del. Patrick Hope (D-47), who chairs the House Public Safety Committee, said after gun safety bills passed subcommittee today, that on Friday the full committee will be taking up legislation to continue to prevent gun violence.
Wednesday, January 20
Opinion: Column: Cancer and Covid...
…don't exactly go together like milk and cookies.
Blood Donations Needed
Since 1970, blood donors have been recognized in the month of January during National Blood Donor Month.
COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Headaches in Fairfax County
IT and supply problems worry residents.
“I want to assure you that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be,” said Jeffrey McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Helping Children Navigate Anxiety
Sharing feelings, listening without judgement during current political turmoil
As communities cope with the shock of daunting images of the recent riot at the U.S. Capitol, the mental health toll on children and teens can be significant but go unnoticed, say local therapists.
Killing the Death Penalty
Lawmakers consider bill to abolish capital punishment in Virginia
Virginia has executed people longer than any other state, a tradition that stretches back into colonial days when Captain George Kendall was executed for treason. Over the years, the commonwealth has executed more than 1,300 people. Now, Virginia may be about to join 22 other states that have abolished the death penalty.
Reston Celebrates Dr. King’s Day
In cooperation with supporters, Reston Community Center (RCC) pivoted amidst the coronavirus pandemic to present, for the 36th year, the Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration.
CORE Foundation Celebrates 15th Anniversary
Nonprofit recognizes community partners, volunteers
CORE Foundation in Reston, "Helping Others Be the Change for 15 Years," held its MASKerade and Community Hero Awards Saturday evening, Jan. 16.
Opinion: Commentary: An Inauguration to Remember
Like most people, I will not be attending any inaugural events this year because of the pandemic restrictions and threats of civil disturbances.
Food for Neighbors Kicks Off the Year with a New Record
Food For Neighbors received more than 18,000 pounds of food during its Jan. 9 Red Bag Program food collection event.
Thursday, January 14
Opinion: Column: In Effect, a Trade
Incurable but treatable non small cell lung cancer, stage IV for incurable but treatable papillary thyroid cancer stage IV.
Superintendent Brabrand Presents Fairfax County Public Schools Budget for FY 2022
The presentation of the FY 2022 Proposed Budget is the starting point of the budget process, which ends in May with the School Board’s adoption of the Approved Budget.
Fairfax County Residents List Assembly Expectations
County General Assembly Delegation holds pre-2021 Session Public Hearing
The Fairfax County General Assembly Delegation held a Pre-2021 Session Public Hearing on Saturday, Jan. 9.
Teacher Vaccinations Begin in Fairfax County
In accordance with State and local Health department groupings, teachers and school staff in Phase 1b began receiving vaccinations on Monday, Jan. 11.
Privatized Incarceration
Alexandria senator leads fight against profiting from prisoners
Housing inmates in Virginia prisons costs the state about $70 a day for each inmate. But the private sector can do it a lot cheaper, about $50 a day. Lawmakers are about to debate whether that's a savings they can afford.
HomeLifeStyle: Creating a Calm Interior
Soothing spaces offer serenity during difficult times.
In the current times of turbulence and uncertainty, many are looking for a haven for serenity and calm.
Wednesday, January 13
Virginia House Democrats Release Agenda for Upcoming Session
The House legislative agenda will focus on three key areas for the upcoming legislative session: Protecting Families; Keeping Virginia Healthy; Rebuilding Our Economy Stronger
Tuesday, January 12
Local College Student Launches Tutoring Company
Education is his passion.
In the wake of the coronavirus and its impact on students' learning in Fairfax County Public Schools, a 2019 alumnus of South Lakes High School in Reston and second-year engineering student at Georgia Institute of Engineering recently founded S4S Tutoring.
Opinion: Commentary: Insurrection
Last Thursday’s one-word headline in the Richmond Times Dispatch was in such a large font that it extended across the entire width of the newspaper: INSURRECTION.
Thursday, January 7
Opinion: Column: New Year, Old Problem: Cancer
As I sit and write here, with too much time on my hands, I can't help but consider my lot in life.
Reston to Honor Dr. King’s Legacy
Reston Community Center’s events to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. vision
With extra health and safety vigilance in response to COVID-19, there will be three days of virtual and live events to celebrate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Fairfax County General Assembly Delegation to Hold Public Hearing
The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will hold a public hearing on the 2021 session on Saturday, Jan. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Gentle and Subtle Resolutions for 2021
Try small, simple and achievable goals
For 2021, local mental health professionals advise being gentle with yourself when creating the daily schedules and resolutions that often come with the beginning of the New Year.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Virginia Progressive Prosecutors Call for Criminal Justice Reforms
Reforms advocated for by the group include expungement of criminal records, an end to mandatory minimum sentences, an end to cash bail, abolition of the death penalty, and an end to “three strikes” felony enhancement for larceny offenses.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Heroes of Our Time
In 1940, when the British Royal Air Force (RAF) was fighting the air war in the skies over England, Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister at the time made the following statement referring to the RAF pilots:
Wednesday, January 6
Opinion: Independent Progressive: Lunasa Performance—a Holiday Success at RCC
Finally! 2020 is gone, barely visible in my rearview mirror.
Local Hospitals Roll Out First COVID-19 Vaccines
Communities keep lights up for healthcare heroes
December 2020 held the darkest days yet during the pandemic but also lights of hope.
Essential Leave
Advocates for paid sick days try to build support among Virginia Senate Democrats
Before the pandemic hit, Senate Democrats stopped a proposal requiring businesses to offer paid sick days. During the pandemic, they rejected it again during a special session. Now as lawmakers prepare for the upcoming General Assembly session, advocates are hoping they've finally got a strategy to persuade reluctant Senate Democrats to approve a new law increasing the number of workers in Virginia who have access to paid sick days.
County’s Incident Alert System Helps Nab a Robbery Suspect
Phone calls and social media enable Fort Hunt residents to help in this case.
Incident alert
Opinion: Commentary: A Push in the Right Direction
I can remember every word of the conversation as if it took place yesterday, but it happened in 1959.