Wednesday, July 26
Obligation of Citizenship: To Be Informed
Commentary
News Briefs
Briefs
Weigh In On Reston Comp Plan
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn will hold a town hall on Thursday, July 27, at 7 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Dr., Reston, ahead of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors public hearing on the Reston Comprehensive Plan Amendment, (RCP) scheduled for Sept 12.
MPO Ruck Looks Back at Her Career
Growing up in the Sully District, Sabrina Ruck’s parents were both Fairfax County school teachers. And while that wasn’t her chosen profession, she knew she wanted to do something that involved working with people.
Vienna Harper To Compete in Irish World Championships
12-year-old Learned to play by ear.
Veronica Sachse, 12 of Vienna, is heading to the world championships of traditional Irish music in Mullingar, Ireland.
Some Very Big Shoes to Fill
MPO Sabrina Ruck is honored before retiring.
For MPO Sabrina Ruck, the last couple months have been quite eventful. First, she was honored as both the Sully District Police Station’s Officer of the Month and Quarter. And then her colleagues and the community feted her at a luncheon in honor of her impending retirement.
The Closet of The Greater Herndon Area, Inc. Announces 2023 Scholarship Recipients
The Closet of The Greater Herndon Area, Inc. (“The Closet”), recently announced the distribution of scholarships totaling $48,000 to 34 local students.
Following the Money
Alexandria delegation pulls in almost $3 million despite lack of competition.
“The amount of money is fascinating, although I’m not sure what it says about our current state of democracy.” — Brian Moran, former Alexandria delegate who served as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus
FCPS Responds to State Policies for Trans Students
Reactions and concerns
On Tuesday, July 18, the Department of Education of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin published the final 2023 Model Policies, which addresses transgender students attending public elementary and secondary schools throughout the Commonwealth. That includes students attending Fairfax County Public Schools.
Annie Harper, The Hidden Gem of Gum Springs
Last Saturday morning, the public witnessed a rare and wonderful event taking place on Fordson Road, the unveiling of the Annie E. Harper Virginia historical highway marker in Gum Springs.
More on Herndon Historic District
Letters to the Editor
Herndon Swim League Celebrates 40th Anniversary and Awards Scholarships
On Saturday July 22 the Herndon Swim League gathered for the 30th Annual All-League Meets.
Run for RCC Board of Governors
Reston Community Center (RCC) is seeking interested candidates to run for seats on its Board of Governors.
County Considers Dropping Vacuum Leaf Collection Service
Fairfax County wants customer feedback on permanently ending its vacuum leaf service after the upcoming winter.
‘It’s Important that this City Continues to Grow’
Fairfax City Council greenlights City Centre West project.
City growth
Giving Local Students the Tools for Success
Britepaths seeks donations for backpacks and school supplies.
Britepaths
Executive Director of Police Review Panel to Resign.
Richardson served less than 18 months in the newly created position.
Resignation
Wednesday, July 19
City Receives Planning Award
The City of Alexandria has received the 2023 Red Clay Development of the Year Award from the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Virginia) for its work on the redevelopment of the Potomac River Generating Station (PRGS) Power Plant.
Residents: ‘Why Would We Want This?’
Huge data center is proposed in Chantilly.
Unbeknownst to most residents, when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently re-adopted its revamped zoning ordinance, zMOD, it quietly added a provision allowing data centers to be built, by right, on industrially zoned land within a quarter mile of residential homes.
Sully Governmental Center Celebrates Two Decades
The Sully District Governmental Center in Chantilly celebrated its 20th anniversary, June 24, with public-safety displays, music and children’s games.
Guidance for Home Solar
Solarize Alexandria, a program that provides residents guidance and resources for home solar power systems installation, is holding its annual campaign through Thursday, August 31.
Volunteer Opportunities
Register online: www.VolunteerAlexandria.org
Register online: www.VolunteerAlexandria.org
Honest Funding of Our Schools
Commentary
City-wide Food Drive in July
Volunteer Alexandria is hosting a City-wide food drive during the month of July. Sixteen collection boxes are located through the City from Beatley Library to Fairlington Presbyterian Church to City Hall. All of the food collected will be donated to ALIVE!’s food program.
Fairfax County Police Use of Force
Police shooting incidents by chief tenure.
Ongoing series about the Fairfax County Police Department and its policies and history on use of deadly force.
Petitioners Appeal to Circuit Court to Stop Demolition
On July 7, Robert B. Walker, Esq., filed a Petition for Review and Complaint in Fairfax County Circuit Court that drew the attention of some residents in the Town of Herndon's Historic District Overlay.
Data Center Proposal Generates Unanswered Questions
Earth.com – an Internet site devoted to providing information about earth and the environment – published an article last week with the headline, “What are we willing to give up for computing power?” It referred to a research paper written by doctoral candidates at the University of California, Riverside, and stated that “The increasing demand for computing power generates a variety of environmental consequences.”
Consider a Private College
Commentary
Fatal Accident In Fort Belvoir
Detectives from the Fairfax Police Crash Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal vehicle crash that occurred Tuesday night, July 18, at 10:51 p.m. on Jeff Todd Way and Telegraph Road in Fort Belvoir.
SLHS PTSA Food Pantry Breaks Distribution Record
Summer hunger surges.
A break from school does not mean a break from hunger. The demand for food is increasing dramatically across the United States, including locally.
Model Silence
Alexandria School Board members face decision on rights of transgender students.
Alexandria School Board members aren't saying much about how they plan to respond to a controversial new model policy from the Virginia Department of Education, which denies the ability of students to decide which pronouns and names they prefer at school.
Seeking Alexandrians 100 Years of Age and Older
The City of Alexandria, in collaboration with the City’s Successful Aging Committee, will celebrate National Centenarian Day on Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby of City Hall (301 King St.).
‘Something Permanent for Future Generations to Use’
Fairfax City Council Committed to George Snyder Trail
trail
‘Almost Like Eating at a Spot in Maine’
Welcome to Ned’s New England Deck in Fairfax City.
Eating spot
Monday, July 17
Potomac Home Sales: June, 2023
In June, 2023, 69 Potomac homes sold between $3,595,000-$560,000.
Home Sales: June, 2023
Wednesday, July 12
Vienna Teen Intends to Plead Guilty
Cruz Colindres accused in Fairfax man’s death.
Vienna teen charged with killing a 20-year-old Fairfax man waived his right to that hearing.
Chantilly Man Dead; Suspect Is In Custody
A Chantilly man is dead – and his suspected killer is in custody – after a shooting, last Thursday, July 6, in a parking garage in the McNair neighborhood of Oak Hill.
Two Local Gems: Lubber Run and Munit Mesfin
A sublime Roberta Flack tribute in Flack’s hometown
If you didn’t even know the Lubber Run Amphitheater existed, you wouldn’t be the only 20 year resident of Arlington who was unaware of this little gem.
Attacks: ‘Bold, Brazen, in Broad Daylight’
Police arrest man believed culpable in Chantilly sexual battery.
Following some intense investigation, plus collaboration with local residents, Fairfax County police have arrested the man they believe sexually assaulted a Chantilly woman last Monday, July 3.
Historic Districts Divide Residents
National Register of Historic Places staff weigh in with facts.
The fate of the federal Herndon Historic District, a 115-acre area listed in 1991 on the National Register of Historic Places, and the local Historic District Overlay (HDO) is generating public and councilmember comments leading up to the Herndon Town Council’s Strategic Planning Meeting on Thursday, July 13.
News Briefs
On Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, The City of Alexandria will celebrate National Night Out (NNO)
Rights Bring Obligations
Virginia Code Section 22.1-201 states ”To increase knowledge of citizens' rights and responsibilities thereunder and to enhance the understanding of Virginia's unique role in the history of the United States, the Declaration of American Independence, the general principles of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights, the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, the charters of the Virginia Company of April 10, 1606, May 23, 1609, and March 12, 1612, and the Virginia Declaration of Rights shall be thoroughly explained and taught by teachers to pupils in public elementary, middle, and high schools.”
Coming Home and Preaching in His Father’s Footsteps
On Sunday, July 23, Aldersgate United Methodist will welcome a young visiting Pastor — Jason Duley — who will deliver the sermon at both 9:30 and 11:00 services. But he will not be the first Pastor Duley who has preached from that very same pulpit.
“Flourishing After 55”
55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers, unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate (starting at a $20 annual fee). To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.
Concerts at Norwood
Featuring Alexandria Saxophonist Vaughn Ambrose and D.C. pianist Jon Ozment.
Beth Lewis receives Choralis Foundation award for contributions to choral music.
Roundups
Roundups
New Chief Operating Officer for RA
Peter Lusk will begin as the new Reston Association New Chief Operating Officer on Monday, July 10.
Vienna Multicultural Festival
The Town of Vienna is preparing for the last event of Liberty Amendments Month, the Multicultural Festival, on Saturday, July 15, from 3-8:30 p.m. on the Vienna Town Green.
Soar Like an Eagle
Scouts receive $1,500 Rotary scholarship.
The Alexandria Rotary Club presented Eagle Scouts from the Colonial District with $1,500 scholarships at the organization’s June 6 meeting at Belle Haven Country Club.
Annie E. Harper Memorial Marker Unveiling
Bethlehem Baptist Church and the New Gum Springs Civic Association will unveil the historical marker in honor of Annie E. Harper Saturday, July 22, 2023.
And the Beat Goes On
Crooked Beat Records opens in Del Ray.
“This is one of Del Ray’s newest and most anticipated businesses.” — DRBA board member Gayle Reuter
Summer School
ARHA-SRG Scholars Program debuts.
The Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority kicked off a partnership with Northern Virginia Community College that allows ARHA residents to earn college credit.
Friendship Firehouse Festival 2023: Aug. 5
The Friendship Firehouse Festival to celebrate Friendship’s 249th year is Aug. 5.
Tuesday, July 11
Thursday, July 6
Local Writers Win Virginia Press Association Awards
Connection and Gazette garner awards for work published in 2022.
Newspaper wins awards.
Wednesday, July 5
How Not to Buy a Car: Men Arrested after Assault, Robbery
Car deal gone bad
Broadening Internal Threat to Our Democracy
Commentary
Litzenberger Receives Delayed Award
Litzenberger honored: Fairfax County Citizen of the Year.
Litzenberger honored: Fairfax County Citizen of the Year.
‘Familiar Show and Incredibly Relevant Story’
Westfield Summer Stage presents musical, ‘Footloose.’
Shocking changes are in store for a big-city teen who moves to a small, rural town in the 1980s and discovers rock music and dancing have been banned there.
Overdose Leaves One Youth Dead, One Critical
Detectives from Fairfax County Police Major Crimes Bureau, Crime Scene Section, and Opioid Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal overdose that left one juvenile dead.
Recreational Cannabis Legal in Maryland as of July 1
Effective July 1, 2023, adults 21+ can purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries.
Scotland’s Juneteenth Heritage Festival Paving the Way
The Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival was an extravaganza of community spirit, days filled with joy, dancing and music, history and health, a 5K and special events, a film festival, children’s festival and more, all designed to raise awareness and funds to rebuild the historic church.
Scenes from the Heritage Festival
Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival
Capital Area Food Bank Will Provide Free Meals During the Summer for Children
Capital Area Food Bank announces the 2023 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Meals will be provided to all children free of charge. Meals will be provided free to eligible children, 18 years of age and younger.
New Laws Now In Effect
Commentary
How Far We've Strayed?
Letters To the Editor
Registration Opens for Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference
Alexandria’s Youth Leadership Conference will be holding its 10th annual event Aug. 8-10 in person after two years of holding a hybrid event during Covid.
Bill Canis Recipient of the Glen Sjoblom Award
Outgoing GFCA president contributed his time unselfishly.
The Great Falls Citizens Association Executive Board presented the coveted Glen Sjoblom Award to William "Bill" Canis, president of the GFCA (July 1-2022–June 30, 2032), on Wednesday, June 28.
Roundups
Roundups
Centreville Man Is Charged with Rape
Centreville Man Is Charged with Rape
Third Annual Liberty Amendments Month Continues Until July 17
The Town of Vienna is gearing up for one of the biggest events of the year, Liberty Amendments Month. This annual celebration of citizenship highlights local history and liberties as they relate to the 13th, 14th, 15th and 19th Amendments, which granted equal citizenship rights and protections to people who were previously excluded from the U.S. Constitution. Age appropriate activities and events will be held throughout the month until July 17.
Suspect Sought in Sexual Battery
Around 11:30 a.m. July 3, police responded to the 14500 block of Northeast Place in Chantilly for a sexual battery of an adult woman.
New: Paying to Park on Saturdays
Saturday paid parking hours for Montgomery-operated garages, parking lots and meters in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring begin Saturday, July 8.
Death Investigation
Detectives from FCPD Major Crimes Bureau are conducting a death investigation of 51-year-old Todd Matthew Gleason.
Head of the Class
Rotary awards $2,500 scholarships to area seniors.
The Alexandria Rotary Club awarded three $2,500 vocational college scholarships to Alexandria High School students during the organization’s June 6 meeting at Belle Haven Country Club.
Celebrating Women
ACW presents 2023 awards.
“We are so proud to showcase these young future leaders.” — Alexandria Celebrates Women chair Pat Miller