Comstock Runs for Congress
Comstock will run against state Sen. Richard Black (R-13) and Richard Shickle (Frederick) for the Republican nomination.
Virginia State Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) will be running for the Republican nomination for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District election in 2014. Comstock issued an official statement Jan. 7 about her decision to run, citing her past three terms as a delegate successfully working within the limits of Virginia's state budget as a primary reason behind her decision to run.
McLean Community Center Governing Board Meet
The Governing Board of the McLean Community Center will hold its first meeting of the year at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22. All Governing Board meetings are open to the public. The Center is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue. Tax district residents (Small District One A-Dranesville) who wish to speak during the “Citizen Comment” portion of the meeting are asked to call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711 to be placed on the agenda.
Capitals Blood Drive: Giving Blood
The Washington Capitals and Inova Blood Donor Services held the Capitals annual winter blood drive on Saturday, Jan. 4, at Kettler Capitals Iceplex
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in McLean Features Civil Rights Leader Andrew Young
In observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the Alden at the McLean Community Center is presenting Ambassador Andrew Young: “A Continuing Legacy,” at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17. Young, whose efforts have served and shaped the country for more than 50 years, will share personal memories of Dr. King and his years in the Civil Rights movement. Tickets are $20, $10 for MCC district residents. The Alden is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, inside the McLean Community Center.
Tobacco Challenge
To the Editor: This month is the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report that let everyone know smoking was linked to cancer and other diseases. Much has changed since then, even in Virginia - smokefree restaurants, youth smoking prevention programs, federal tax increases, free phone counseling (1-800-QUIT NOW). All have helped lower adult smoking rates in Virginia to 19 percent.
Day of Service
Arlington for a Clean Environment coordinated volunteers to clean up Barcroft Park at 4200 S Four Mile Run Drive on Saturday, Jan. 4, as part of Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s Commonwealth Day of Service events.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
The Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee (CPMSAC) held its 20th annual Martin Luther King Festival, Jan. 12, at Westfield High.
‘The Wizard of Oz’ at Congregation Har Shalom
A cast of 51 performs classic on Jan. 25-26 in Potomac.
Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the movie, The Har Shalom Players of Potomac is skipping down the yellow brick road with its theater-in-the-round production of L. Frank Baum’s classic “The Wizard of Oz” on Jan. 25-26.
Schools Budget Requires Tough Choices
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza’s proposed budget of $2.5 billion for FY 2015 will require an additional $98.1 million, or 5.7 percent increase compared to FY 2014, from Fairfax County.
Bittersweet Gathering
Sherry Party pays tribute to founders Vola Lawson and Lois Walker.
More than 150 women from throughout the community gathered together Dec. 15 for the 43rd annual Women's Sherry Party, an evening made bittersweet by the recent passing of two of the event's founders. "It's hard to believe Vola and Lois are not here," said vice Mayor Allison Silberberg of Vola Lawson and Lois Walker. "I can still see Vola sitting in her usual chair and Lois checking everyone in at the door."
From Late Night Comedy to Your Bedroom
Why the General Assembly matters more in Virginia than most states.
The Virginia General Assembly began its annual session last week on Jan. 8. The actions of the Virginia General Assembly matter more to localities than it would in many other states. In Virginia, localities have only the power specifically granted by the General Assembly, the Dillon rule. So, for example, Montgomery County and Prince Georges County in Maryland recently voted to increase the minimum wage in those localities. They didn’t need permission from Maryland General Assembly to do so. Arlington and Alexandria might be inclined to follow suit (the District government also voted to increase the minimum wage) but do not have that power.
In Case Someone Is Wondering
I don’t mind being alive, really I don’t. Occasionally though, I receive well-intended inquiries – electronic and otherwise, from people (who know my cancer story) who are sort of wondering if perhaps I’m not. When people haven’t heard from me in a while – and this is a category of people with whom I don’t have regular/recurring interactions, but rather a group of people who reach out and attempt to touch me (figuratively speaking) every three or four months or so – there is a presumption on their part that my silence (so far as they know) is not in fact golden, but rather ominous, as in the cancer might have won and yours truly didn’t. And when I respond, their pleasure/relief at my not having succumbed to the disease is quite positive, generally speaking. Their honesty and joy in learning that I’m still alive is both rewarding and gratifying. Rewarding in that they care and gratifying in that I must be doing something right which enables me to sustain myself through a very difficult set of medical circumstances: stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer, the terminal kind (is there any other kind?).
Let Sun Shine on Virginia’s Financial Disclosure Laws
State legislators turn attention to ethics in wake of McDonnell gift scandal.
As members of the Virginia General Assembly convene for the first time since last February, legislators are stampeding to introduce ethics legislation in response to the gift scandal which engulfed then Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R). The revelations last spring about numerous undisclosed gifts and purported loans from businessman Jonnie Williams to McDonnell — including a $6,500 Rolex watch engraved to the "71st Governor of Virginia" and $35,000 in gifts and catering for his daughters’ weddings — shined a spotlight on Virginia’s porous financial disclosure laws.
Week in Great Falls
In early December, the Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Committee elected new officers: President - Andy Wilson; Vice President - Sandy Pidgeon; and Treasurer - Mike Kearney. The Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial was formed in 2002 with the mission to build a memorial site in Great Falls dedicated to the residents who have given their lives for our freedom. That Memorial was dedicated on Nov. 13, 2004 and is located beside the Great Falls Library. The Friends supports the mission with yearly ceremonial events on Memorial Day, 9-11 Remembrance, and Veterans Day plus educational programs.
Summer Camp: Start Planning Now
Applications for many camps open in January.
The frigid January temperatures can make summer feel like a distant fantasy of sunscreen and popsicles, but it’s actually not that far away. If you have children who want to attend camp after the current school year ends, now is the time to start planning, said experts. In fact, registration for many camps begins this month.
Potomac Library To Host ‘Love Crazy’ Author
Parents’ letters inspire memoir.
Looking for some indoor activities during the winter blast? This Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m., Selby Fleming McPhee will speak about her new book “Love Crazy” at the Potomac Library located on 10101 Glenolden Drive.
Foust Addresses ‘Good Morning McLean’ Meeting
Supervisor meets local business leaders, discusses county budget, arrival of metro and McLean projects.
The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce met Thursday, Jan. 9, for a breakfast sponsored by Middleburg Bank at J. Gilbert’s in McLean to discuss the major issues facing the town in 2014. Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) addressed the chamber’s board of directors and spoke about a variety of issues, including the county budget for Fiscal Year 2015, the ongoing transformation of Tyson’s Corner and potential projects for local parks in McLean.
Commentary
Five Million Dollars a Day
Virginia taxpayer dollars not returned to them has amounted to five million dollars each day since Jan. 1, and will continue at that rate each day that Virginia refuses to expand its Medicaid program. In addition, at least 400,000 working Virginians will continue to be uninsured.
Creating Books with Children
Experts say helping little readers become authors can deepen a love of reading.
K.J., 8, and his sister Kalina, 3, love reading books, particularly books they’ve written themselves or with their mother. In fact, K.J. is an avid reader of both homemade and traditionally published books, and his sister is following in his footsteps.
‘Really Strong Dancers, Powerhouse Singers’
Oakton High senior is in the musical, ‘Cats.’
If Oakton High senior Shanelucas Ramsey has been acting a bit catlike recently, there’s a good reason. He has a featured role in the Fairfax Academy’s upcoming production of “Cats.” Featuring a cast and crew of nearly 85, it will burst upon the Fairfax High stage in what promises to be a treat for both the eyes and ears. It’s directed by Mike Replogle, director of the Musical Theatre Academy, and choreographed by Andrea Heininge, who heads the Dance Academy.