Week in Alexandria: 7/23/14
Highlights of the week in Alexandria.
Foust, Comstock Battle Women’s Issues
Hot button topic is discussed in wake of Hobby Lobby decision.
One of the hotbed issues of the last month was triggered when the Supreme Court decided that for-profit corporations can be exempt from a law if the owner objects for religious reasons. The reason? Contraceptives. Women’s health issues are among the issues that Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) and Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) – candidates for 10th District Congressional seat -- butt heads on.
Boat Club, City Strike Deal
Land-swap concludes decades of feuding between the two organizations.
The feud between the Boat Club and the city dates back for decades, a conflict that involved the city threatening the use of eminent domain and the Boat Club winning a case against the city at the Virginia Supreme Court.
Letter: Waste of City Resources
Along with all Alexandria residents, I recently received in the mail a brochure from the Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, Resource Recovery Division. The purpose of the brochure was to provide information about the city's trash collection and recycling.
Vienna Saints Second in National Tournament
The Vienna Saints, fifth grade girls team, competed in the 2014 United States Basketball Association National Tournament and placed second in their age group.
Nieman Promoted to Litigation Manager
National workplace law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. has announced that shareholder Matthew F. Nieman has been elevated to Litigation Manager of the firm’s Washington, D.C. Region office, which is located in Reston.
Herndon High Band Students Participate in American Music Abroad Trip
The students were part of a 69-member honor band which performed in Austria, Germany, Italy, Croatia and Slovenia.
Preparing Pets for Emergencies
When disaster strikes, pets are frequently abandoned or displaced, either because disasters hit suddenly or because their owners did not have a plan for them beforehand.
Express Lanes, Rapid-Bus Transit Planned for 1-66
Improvements will be made from Capital Beltway to Haymarket.
Express lanes and rapid-bus transit could be coming to Interstate 66, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced on July 17.
Children Enjoy Big Vehicles Up Close
Some 2,800 people attended the recent Touch-A-Truck event at the Chantilly Regional Library.
Letter: Calling Reston ‘Home’
Letter to the Editor
In response to Mr. Simon's recent letter as a concerned resident of Reston [Where Are Your Kids?” – Reston Connection, July 2-8, 2014], I can assure him my children are not indoors twiddling their thumbs but are outside enjoying all that Reston has to offer including swimming pools, nature camps, free entertainment shows, walking/scooting/biking around the lakes and even the Farmers Market every Saturday. Indeed, to their great delight, you came up to chat with them a few weeks ago as you were on your way to mail some letters.
Coty Dickson to Exhibit at Katie’s Coffee House
A native of the Washington D.C. area, she resides in Great Falls, where she is a member of Artists on the Green, a Great Falls studio and gallery.
Letter: Following the Rule of Honor
Letter to the Editor
The recent story in McLean Connection about Governor Terry McAuliffe signing special legislation that would focus on helping military personnel and their families underscored the importance of what these fine Americans do for our country. A grateful nation and state should acknowledge their sacrifice by helping them when possible.
Commonwealth Circle Scholarships
Scholarships of $3,000 each were awarded to four Arlington County and Falls Church City high school seniors who plan to pursue an education leading to careers in community or public service.
Grants to Support Animal Welfare
2014 Barkdull Memorial Fund winners announced.
On May 13, The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s Margery Barkdull Memorial Fund for Animal Welfare announced four winners for the 2014 grant process from a group of 12 applicants.
Letter: Choosing Wisely In November
Letter to the Editor
Franklin Roosevelt stated, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to do so wisely.” I recommend we choose Barbara Comstock instead of John Foust in the November election for our representative to the U. S. House of Representatives from the Virginia 10th District.
Herndon High Presents ‘Hello Dolly!’
Musical performances set for Aug. 1, 2 and 3.
The first week of August the Grand Musical Theatre Experience returns to Herndon High School with a production of the musical “Hello Dolly!”
Letter: Walker Road ‘After’
Letter to the Editor
I was pleased to see that the traffic lanes that were taken away from Walker Road at Georgetown Pike are being put to good use. So far I've seen the pedestrian crossing and single traffic lane blocked with a tanker truck filling up with water at the fire hydrant, and lawn-service trucks & trailers. Political protest is a bit ironic because it was probably $1M in "stimulus" funding that was used to reduce the number of lanes on Walker.
Letter: Supporting Comstock
Letter to the Editor
Delegate Barbara Comstock has run a positive campaign that discusses her legislative accomplishments in the Virginia House of Delegates, her record as a small businesswoman, her time as a senior official at the Justice Department and as a senior aide to our current well-respected Congressman, Frank Wolf. She highlights common sense solutions and has engaged communities all across the 10th District.
1st Stage Appoints Alex Levy as Artistic/Managing Director
1st Stage, Tysons’ award-winning professional theater, has announced the appointment of Alex Levy as its Artistic/Managing Director effective Sept. 1.