Letter to the Editor: Conscientious Employee
To the Editor: Virginia Hospital Center excels in many medical arenas and is a stand-out in the region. However, aside from its outstanding medical reputation and recent glowing achievement of the hard earned Magnet Nursing status, it appears the hospital leaves no stone unturned when it comes to excellence. The Starbucks located in the lobby of the hospital is a well-attended gathering hole for popular drinks and good pastries. As a true lover of lattes, I am a frequent customer when I visit the hospital or adjacent medical offices.
15th Annual Toast to Fashion
The Campagna Center’s Junior Friends hosted the 15th annual Toast to Fashion on Thursday evening, March 13, at the Belle Haven Country Club. Four service awards were presented to Junior Friends. Jeannine Ginivan received The Golden Halo Award for her fundraising efforts for the Campagna Center programs. Christine Stanton Lupo was awarded The Barbara Pratt Lee Heart of Gold for her leadership and personal dedication to the advancement of the Center’s mission.
Country Club Manager Honored for Leadership
Bradley Cance, general manager and chief operating officer of the Bethesda Country Club was recently honored by his alma mater, Michigan State University with his selection into the 2013 Hall of Fame "Class of Mentors." Cance was chosen for the coaching and mentoring support he has given to students from the university. He has counseled and guided interns, and assisted future club managers in their searches for employment within the industry. He has also been one of the top two or three alumni in Destination Auction donations each year for 10 years. Cance received the award at the university’s annual Celebration of Leadership, held on Nov. 9, 2013 in New York City.
Letter to the Editor: Re-striping Would Improve Safety
To the Editor: Re: Plan to re-stripe Sherwood Hall Lane to prevent it from appearing like a four lane highway.
Spring Fling at Swanson Middle School
The PTA at Swanson Middle School held its 2nd annual Spring Fling on Saturday, March 15, in the school gym. The juried arts and crafts show and sale featured jewelry, paintings, quilts, knitted items, birdhouses made from gourds, hand-painted glassware, vintage cards and more.
Commentary: Neighborhoods
BIKE LANES NOT WANTED Darlene and Dick Johnson sat bravely until 1:30 a.m. at the TRCA meeting to discuss possible bike lanes on King Street. The general opinion seemed to be unwelcoming, but the final word will come from Council which will have a public hearing March 15 at 9 a.m. Everyone may attend. CANDIDATES GATHERJim Moran's announcement of his retirement has ensured much activity among Democratic candidates.
Roundups
Time To Spring Forward Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. So before going to bed Saturday night, residents are reminded to turn their clocks, watches and other electronic devices forward one hour. CAC Meeting on Drugs The Citizens Advisory Committee of the Sully District Police Station will meet Wednesday, March 12, from 7:30-9 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. In an adults-only presentation, a detective from the Organized Crime and Narcotics division will talk about dangerous drugs in Fairfax County and what’s being done to combat them. R.S.V.P. to FCPDSULCPO@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-814-7018.
Letter to the Editor: Best Use Of Funds?
To the Editor:When I think of the money the city is spending to further the cause of bike riders in Alexandria I am appalled. I am particularly appalled because the city, in the name of inadequate funds, has cut staff and activities for other every-day citizen services.
Commentary: Take Care of the Unisured
As Session winds down, we turn our focus to the budget. House Appropriations Chairman, Del. Chris Jones said it best — we are so close, we could knock this out in a day or two. Sadly, the chairman and other Republicans are threatening to hold the budget, and the Commonwealth’s financial health, hostage unless the Senate caves to their demands that we give our hard-earned tax dollars up to other states and force 400,000 Virginians — many of whom are veterans and children — to continue to live in fear of getting sick because they don’t have health insurance.
Letter to the Editor: Test Road Re-striping First
To the Editor: VDOT will soon repave Sherwood Hall Lane from end to end. The county has planned to restripe it for bicycle lanes, and would like to decrease accidents by narrowing the travel lanes and providing a bi-directional left turn lane where possible. Planners called a meeting at the police station on Parker's Lane to discuss it, and the discussion was animated and passionate.
Hernandez Honored for Community Service
Giovanni Hernandez, a senior at Bishop Ireton High school, was presented with the Student Community Service Award by the Rotary Club of Alexandria at its Jan. 28 meeting at Belle Haven Country Club.
Commentary: Public Meeting To Discuss Health Coverage Gap
The 2014 General Assembly session has come and gone … sort of. While a great many things were accomplished this session, we adjourned on March 8 without a budget. Governor McAuliffe has set a special session for March 24. Details on this special session are still being hammered out.The sticking point is accepting federal dollars for Medicaid expansion, or purchasing private insurance through Marketplace Virginia. As I stated on the Senate floor and in previous articles, I am in favor of expanding health care coverage in Virginia and closing our coverage gap. I have heard from many of my constituents on this issue and the majority of you agree we must close the coverage gap and keep our tax dollars in Virginia, helping Virginians gain access to insurance. To those who want to separate this out from the budget, I say that is short-sighted and not practical.
Capitol Steps Raises Funds for UCM
The Friends of UCM hosted a sold-out crowd at Knights of Columbus Hall in Alexandria for the 22nd annual Capitol Steps Benefit for UCM on Jan. 26. The event raised more than $66,500 for UCM to help impoverished families and individuals in the community.
News Brief: Storck Sets Community Office Hours
Dan Storck, Mount Vernon District School Board Member for Fairfax County Public Schools will host community office hours at the Sherwood Regional Library, Conference Room 3, on Saturday, March 8, from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fun Dog Show
Dr. Katy Nelson and Capitol Heel co-owner Bobby Mahoney took the stage at Market Square on Saturday morning, Match 1, announcing the start of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fun Dog Show. The canines were all registered and local Scout troops volunteered to escort the groups. Judging this year for people’s choice used an applause meter.
Learning about State Government
Del. Scott Surovell hosted the fourth annual Amundson Institute — named after its founder former Del. Kris Amundson which offers student leaders in the 44th District the opportunity to learn about state government first hand. The group included Regine Victoria, junior at Mount Vernon High School; Colleen Grady, senior at West Potomac High School; Dorothy Bowerfind, junior at West Potomac High School; Nia White, junior at West Potomac High School, and Carla Castro Claure, senior at Edison High School.
The Role of The American Legion
It was 95 years ago, on March 15, 1919, when members of the American Expeditionary Forces convened in Paris, France for the first American Legion caucus. The American Legion was born. The Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Today, our membership stands at over 2.5 million in 14,000 posts worldwide. In The American Legion, a veteran was a veteran regardless of whether they were enlisted or commissioned, black or white, male or female. In fact, women Legionnaires were able to vote for Legion national commander before they could legally vote for the president of the United States The American Legion focuses on service to all veterans, service members and communities. It is about principles, not politics.
Commentary: One Week Left for General Assembly
We have one more week before the General Assembly Session is scheduled to adjourn, and pressure is mounting to finish our work. On Friday, live on WTOP, Governor McAuliffe signed legislation repealing the $64 per year Hybrid Tax and mandating refunds to everyone who paid. I am pleased that we will no longer be taxing virtuous conduct and that the wishes of 7,700 Virginians expressed in the petition I circulated with Sen. Adam Ebbin were honored. Closing the healthcare coverage gap or the Medicaid expansion continues to dominate the discussion in Richmond.
Letter to the Editor: Valuable Compromise
To the Editor: Much has been spoken and written about the King Street Traffic Calming project with bike lanes, since city staff proposed an early concept at a June 12, 2013 meeting of the Taylor Run Civic Association Executive Board. Let's assume that our goal is to provide the safest, most convenient, and most attractive solution we can find, and generally in that order. I would love for there to be parking, bike lanes, medians between lanes with turn lanes and trees, wide sidewalks with utility zones, and four driving lanes for that matter.
Letter to the Editor: Healthy Eating At Hospital Cafe
To the Editor: With a vast number of choices for dining out in the nation’s capitol, gourmet restaurants and economical eateries abound. The region provides a chef’s paradise and a variety of tastes to please the palates of a diverse population. Often overlooked are the hospital cafeterias that have, in the past, been the unfortunate victims of consumer disdain. However, with the advent of a focus on healthy eating and nutritional diets in recent years, a local hospital has become attuned to the reality of putting into practicing good health and wise nutrition. Inova Alexandria Hospital is at the forefront of this movement.