People

Gerhard Honored as Officer of Month

As the Sully District Police Station’s crime-prevention officer, PFC Tara Gerhard normally knows in advance who’ll be honored as the station’s Officer of the Month at Citizens Advisory Committee meetings. But until the Jan. 8 meeting began, that name was kept under wraps. That’s because the person honored last Wednesday was she.

Alexandria Registrar Tom Parkins' Retirement

Alexandria Registrar Tom Parkins, second from right, was given a bi-partisan send off into retirement Dec. 12 as the Alexandria Democratic Committee and the Alexandria Republican City Committee came together at Port City Brewing Company to honor Parkins' 13 years of overseeing elections in the city.

Chantilly Robotics Student Testifies Before Congress

Explains why it’s a valuable STEM program.

Chantilly High senior Brian Morris, CEO of Chantilly Robotics Team 612, testified in Washington, D.C., last Thursday, Jan. 9. He spoke before the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Technology, of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sailing into Writing

Stephen Ryan authors “The Madonna Files.”

Stephen Ryan insisted on Landini Brothers on King Street to discuss his new book “The Madonna Files.” The city of Alexandria has a strong hold on the newly minted author’s soul. But like most people who grow up in the same town it was not always that way.

Mary Matalin Book Signing

Matalin and her husband James Carville were at the Barnes & Noble at 3651 Jefferson Davis Hwy. on Saturday, Jan. 11.

By the Numbers

The Montgomery County Council will hold full-day worksessions on Jan. 14, 15, 16 and 21, starting at 9:30 a.m. on the first proposed major changes in the County Zoning Ordinance since 1978

Obituary:Frances Bliss Simmons

Frances Bliss Simmons, 89, of Alexandria, died on Nov. 13, 2013, at Mount Vernon Hospital surrounded by her family.

Obituary: Thomas Y. Johnson

Thomas Y. Johnson, 88, of Alexandria, died on Jan. 13, 2014 at Woodbine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.Mr. Johnson was a former volunteer at Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Potomac Truck and Engine Company #2, and a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge #38.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Winter Concerts Wow Audiences At Herndon High

Herndon students display their musical skills.

In December, students in the Herndon High choir and band were very active. Members of the Herndon High School Band "Pride of Herndon" went to Hawaii to represent Virginia in the 2013 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade. The Pride of Herndon was awarded Grand Champion honors for their performance. The Herndon High School Choir Department has also been busy with choral groups putting on performances for the holiday season. This included an evening show on Dec. 7 at Herndon Town Square by The Herndon High School Madrigals and Herndon Brass Quintet.

The Connection