Educational Crisis
To the Editor: Reporter Michael Lee Pope’s two articles, “Historic Tax Hikes” and “Uncertainty Haunts Groundbreaking,” are inextricably linked. In the former Mr. Pope writes: “One of the leading drivers of the need for capital spending is the public school system.” In the latter he states: “when the new $45 million Jefferson-Houston School facility opens its doors, it may not be under the control of city leaders.” Jefferson-Houston School, my family’s failing neighborhood school, becomes the responsibility of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2014.
Remembering Paige Saucedo
Herndon High hosts annual event in memory of its late teacher.
The second annual Paige R. Saucedo Memorial ESOL Scholarship Fund Event was held on Saturday, May 18, at Herndon High School. The occasion marked the second anniversary of the sudden passing of Herndon High’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) department chair, Paige Saucedo.
Bookstores Abound
To the Editor: I would like to comment on two recent items in the Gazette Packet: a letter in the May 9 issue ("A City's Priorities" from Carl A. Posey), and the item in the May 16 "Business Matters" column headlined "Books Without Bookstores." I agree strongly with Mr. Posey's point that Alexandria's library system needs to receive high priority in Alexandria's budgets, but I take issue with his statement that "Alexandria is a community where no bookseller can survive." The "Books Without Bookstores" item stated that Alexandria is "bereft of a place to buy books." I disagree.
Teaching Geography in Peru
Arlington resident Alison Foley develops program in Pariahuanca and San Miguel de Aco.
Remember those fun geography games in elementary school? Well, Arlington resident Alison Foley is using those past experiences to introduce geography to the children and young people of Peru through MUNDO the program she co-created with her Peace Corps site mate Keren Eyal in Ancash, Peru.
Rachel Carson Middle Performs Original Show
One act show written and staged by students with assistance of Arena Stage Artists.
The students of Rachel Carson Middle School performed an original production this past week. The play, “Grayscale,” is one the students wrote and staged with the help of Arena Stage artists.
Potomac Real Estate May 22
Kim Farina, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors, announced that the Potomac office was recognized for outstanding performance in April.
Potomac School Notes May 22
School notes for Potomac natives.
Crime
The following incidents were reported by the Arlington Police Department. MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 4200 block of N. 2nd Road. At 6:59 a.m. on May 10, a verbal argument escalated out front of an apartment building and the victim was assaulted by three subjects. The victim was stabbed in the left side of the torso during the assault. A 37-year-old Arlington man, a 43-year-old Arlington man and a 25-year-old Hyattsville, Md. man were arrested and charged with malicious wounding. They were held without bond.
Modernizing Potomac Elementary
Plans underway for new school building, last to be modernized in Churchill cluster.
Potomac Elementary School will have a new building by January 2018, without delay.
Celebrating Achievement
Award promotes Northern Virginia’s leadership diversity.
The nonprofit organization Virginia Leadership Institute (VLI) held its Top 10 Under 40 awards reception on May 7 at Kora Restaurant in Crystal City to honor black leaders in Northern Virginia. In a room filled with dozens of attendees along with award recipients and their families, 10 people were celebrated for their achievements in business, politics, civic engagement and philanthropy. Representing the scope of cities and counties making up Northern Virginia, honorees were from Alexandria, Arlington, the Town of Dumfries, Fairfax County, Loudon County, and Prince William County.
Picnic Honors Volunteers
Montgomery County Muslim Foundation celebrates award.
More than 350 people gathered at Black Hill Regional Park to honor Montgomery County Muslim Foundation (MCMF) volunteers and to celebrate their “2012 Exceptional Partner Award,” presented by Giant Foods and Manna.
Bulletin Board
Thursday/May 23 Spring Carnival. 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Washington Golf and Country Club. Arlington Food Assistance Center is hosting boardwalk performers, carnival treats and entertainment. Visit www.afac.org for more. Annual Senior Law Day. 12:30-4 p.m. at Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St. Enjoy a proclamation, exhibitions, photo identification cards and more. 703-228-0948.
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival Returns to Reston Town Center
Greg Sawyer of Herndon describes himself as an art fan, but says he’s a “little intimidated” by it. Still, having recently moved from Texas and living without roommates for the first time in his life, he has an apartment to decorate. That brought him to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival at Reston Town Center last weekend.
Yorktown Girls’ Soccer Three-Peats as District Champs
Patriots beat W-L, looking for deep run at regionals.
The Yorktown girls' soccer team will host Langley in the first round of regionals.
South County Baseball Wins Patriot District Championship
Stallions beat defending state champion Lake Braddock.
South County will host Robinson in the first round of the Northern Region baseball tournament. Lake Braddock will host Chantilly.
Vienna Police Sergeant Tom Taylor Honored
On May 4, Sergeant Tom Taylor was honored for his enforcement efforts against drunk and impaired drivers. The Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (V.A.S.A.P.) in Fairfax County and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) held its annual awards ceremony at the Tysons Westpark Hotel in McLean.
Brief: Connolly Honors Mayo Stuntz on House Floor
Rep. Gerry Connolly’s Congressional Record Statement commemorating the extraordinary life of Mayo Stuntz of Vienna.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the extraordinary life of one of Fairfax County’s more iconic figures, Mayo Sturdevant Stuntz, who passed away May 9, at the age of 97. Mr. Stuntz not only witnessed the historical events that shaped our community, but he and his family also dedicated themselves to documenting, sharing and preserving that history for future generations.
ViVa! Vienna! Returns Memorial Day Weekend
Three-day festival features live entertainment, carnival food, rides and 300-plus vendors.
ViVa! Vienna! is back: Carnival midway, live entertainment and food vendors kick-off the three-day Memorial Day weekend festival on Saturday, May 25. And that’s just the beginning. On Sunday, more than 300 vendors—selling crafts, goods and services—converge along the historic Church Street corridor, hosting upwards of 50,000 visitors to the festival sponsored by the Rotary Club of Greater Vienna.
Vienna Woman’s Club Awards Scholarships
Madison HS seniors, Vienna elementary schools recipients of club’s generosity.
The Vienna Woman’s Club celebrated 51 years of scholarship awards on May 15 at a program honoring three local high school seniors and four Vienna elementary schools. The scholarship winners each received a $1,000 check from the Woman’s Club. “The scholarships honor exceptional seniors and their families,” said Scholarship and Education Committee co-chair Jo-Lynn Westlund.
Week in McLean
Three Suspects Arrested, Charged in Serial Burglaries