At the Crossroads
Lawmakers to slash the state budget and consider criminal-justice reforms.
The threadbare Franklin and Armfield office on Duke Street stands at the crossroads between racial injustice and economic crisis. It’s a ramshackle building now, but it was once the headquarters for the largest domestic slave trading firm in the United States, present at the creation of the systemic racism that plagues Virginia cops and courts. It’s also the city’s latest acquisition, and the state budget was to include $2.5 million to help transform it into the Freedom House Museum. But then the pandemic hit, and the governor hit the pause button on that line item as well as all the other spending priorities of the new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.
Fairfax County Pivots Back to Virtual Learning
Superintendent sought Board consensus.
Members of the Fairfax County School Board reached a consensus during its July 21 Work Session and accepted Superintendent Scott Brabrand's recommendation to begin the 2020-21 school year 100 percent virtually.
In Search of Fireflies: She Got a Copperhead Bite Instead
Advice from an Arlington resident and Virginia Herpetologists
It was a beautiful summer’s eve in Arlington last July, and Sara Stepahin was walking with her partner to see fireflies at Fort C.F. Smith.
Virginia Adopts First-in-the-Nation Workplace Safety Standards for COVID-19 Pandemic
Gov. Ralph Northam announced statewide emergency workplace safety standards in response to the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Fairfax County Teachers Push for Virtual Start to School Year
Union says it is unrealistic to open school with a hybrid plan.
Two days after the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) July 15, 11:59 p.m. deadline passed for students, teachers and school based technology specialists (SBTS) to respond to two Instruction Options for the 2020-21 school year, the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT, AFT 2401) sent a letter to FCPS officials urging them to switch to 100 percent virtual learning.
Discarded Electronic Equipment Helps Seniors in Need
Handheld devices keep the elderly in contact with healthcare providers, family and friends.
On a recent summer morning, a group of college students gathered in Chantilly to sort and sanitize handheld devices ranging from smartphones to tablets.
Unsung Heroes
Rotary project raises $16k for local nonprofits.
The Rotary Club of Alexandria raised $16,000 for local nonprofits through its third annual Flags for Heroes program, a display of 200 flags along the George Washington Parkway at Cedar Knoll Restaurant.
Virtual Library Meets Need for Escape for Alexandrians
Hannah Risley, reference librarian, and Katie Whitman, children’s librarian, were quick to start executing their programming in the digital sphere.
Every week, hundreds of Alexandrians have counted on being able to walk through the doors of James M. Duncan Branch Library, a place that has proven to be much more than the thousands of books it makes available to patrons.
National Artifact Loaned to Suffragist Memorial
Women’s Suffrage reaches Centennial in August.
Last month, the National Park Service (NPS) announced the planned loan of a historic section of iron fence, once used to protect the White House, to memorialize the first group of protestors to stand before it.
Discarded PPE Litters Neighborhoods
Disposal of this essential equipment has not found its way into the trash cans in some cases.
PPE litter
Montgomery County Public Schools Plans for Fall Opening
Published draft subject to review
Montgomery County Public Schools announced Saturday a plan for reopening schools this fall.
What Is the Arlington Public Schools Plan for Reopening Schools for 2020-21?
At the June 25 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán presented the recommended APS plan for the 2020-21 school year based on state guidance for reopening Virginia schools.
Herndon Village Network Continues Services through Pandemic
During the ongoing pandemic, Herndon Village Network (HVN) is continuing to provide its essential transportation services to Herndon senior citizens.
South Block Opens in Vienna
With more than 10 locations across Washington, D.C. and Virginia, South Block has just opened the doors on its newest storefront at 207 Maple Ave. East, Vienna.
Founder of Stroke Comeback Center Retires
Advocacy for those impacted by aphasia continues at the national level.
Darlene S. Williamson, M.S., CCC-SLP, of Oakton, long-term Executive Director and Founder of the Stroke Comeback Center (SCC), recently retired, stepping away from the non-profit organization she launched in 2005.