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‘The Taklimakan Desert Is in Which Country?’

Fairfax boy, 10, to compete in state Geography Bee.

Rohil Bhinge is one, smart boy. A fifth-grader at Mosby Woods Elementary, he’ll represent his school, April 4, in Farmville, at the state Geography Bee.

New Superintendent Hopes to Cut the Numbers of Suspensions in Half

Black male students suspended at disproportionate rates.

Less than a month into office, new Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Alvin Crawley is taking on the challenge of reducing the number of suspensions by half.

Letter to the Editor: Advice on Road Sand

To the Editor: To follow up on several recent letters regarding collection and disposal of residual road treatment sand from this winter's snows, I have the following suggestion:1. remove shovel and push broom from garage (1 minute)2. sweep sand from road into gutter (5-10 minutes)3. use shovel to scoop sand from gutter and place in low spots in yard or in flower beds, etc. (don't put it where the kids play or in your vegetable garden) (5 minutes)

Chefs Discuss Spring Vegetables

When Dara Yaffe Lyubinsky was growing up in Potomac she always enjoyed cooking, whether it was with her family and friends, or for her synagogue. Today, she’s passionate about cooking fresh, seasonal meals. Lyubinsky, like many chefs and culinary enthusiasts, is looking forward to strolling through farmers markets and creating fanciful spring dishes with the season’s freshest bounty, especially as she prepares to return to D.C. from New York. However, she and other chefs are making the most of the available spring produce even if warm weather seems a like a distant dream. “Since it’s still so chilly outside, and the forecast is still calling for snow, we’re incorporating some of spring’s newest produce into some heartier, cold weather dishes,” said Lyubinsky, a professional personal chef and the owner of Tastes Like More Personal Chef Service (www.tasteslikemoreDC.com), a boutique culinary service. She’s also a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education and the University of Maryland, as well as a 2001 graduate of Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville.

Walk, Candlelight Vigil Honors Crime Victims

Fairfax County remembers local people who’ve been victims of crimes. And on Sunday, April 6, at Fairfax Corner, they’ll be honored via the second annual 5K Walk and Candlelight Vigil. The free event, in front of the movie theater at 4100 Monument Corner Drive in the Fairfax Corner shopping center, kicks off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 6-12. Each April, law-enforcement agencies, along with organizations and communities, join together to observe this week. The goal is to promote victims’ rights and honor crime victims and the people who work advocating on their behalf.

Cornwell Farm Tours Generate $3000 for Lift Me Up!

A beautiful warm spring day set the backdrop for a successful day of tours of Cornwell Farm on March 8. The tours of the historic home and grounds generated over $3000 for Lift Me Up’s "Good Fences" project. The Lift Me Up! door prize was won by Janice Thrush of Great Falls. Ms. Thrush won a "Winner’s Circle Package" from Lift Me Up! which includes a section of fence, a copy of Secretariat’s Meadow, a Lift Me Up! hat/t-shirt and a Lift Me Up! calendar, a $200 value.

The Fort Hunt Athletic Association Championship Game

The Fort Hunt Athletic Association fifth grade basketball championship game was played March 15 at Waynewood Elementary School between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils.

Arlington Lifestyle Blooms in the Spring

The days are getting longer, the temperatures are on the rise, and Arlington residents are ready to finally enjoy the benefits of their urban neighborhoods. After what felt like an exceptionally long winter, people throughout Arlington have paid their dues and are planning their recreational activities for the upcoming months. Longtime locals and newer transplants to the area agree that a world of opportunities opens up in Arlington as springtime weather approaches. Whether in search of an endorphin rush, or somewhere to mingle with other Arlingtonians, places to go are aplenty and the area has more luster after the snow banks melt and the air loses its bite.

Brief: Spring Hills Celebrates Nutrition Month

Using 21st century technology, the senior residents of Spring Hills Mount Vernon Assisted Living, 3709 Shannons Green Way in Alexandria, are celebrating National Nutrition Month by creating indoor vertical aeroponic growing systems to harvest homegrown, fruits, vegetables and herbs to serve at their dining tables for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the senior community.

New Food for Spring

When Dara Yaffe Lyubinsky was growing up in Potomac she always enjoyed cooking, whether it was with her family and friends, or for her synagogue. Today, she’s passionate about cooking fresh, seasonal meals. Lyubinsky, like many chefs and culinary enthusiasts, is looking forward to strolling through farmers markets and creating fanciful spring dishes with the season’s freshest bounty, especially as she prepares to return to D.C. from New York. However, she and other chefs are making the most of the available spring produce even if warm weather seems a like a distant dream.

Chantilly High’s International Celebration

Featuring food and entertainment, Chantilly High’s International Night was Wednesday, March 19.

‘Mount Vernon Revisited’ Captures Community’s History

Whether a history buff or a photography enthusiast, local residents will find something of interest in the newly released “Mount Vernon Revisited.” Journalists Michael K. Bohn and Jessie Biele co-authored the book which features more than 215 photographs, paintings and maps covering 340 years of Mount Vernon’s history. The book is available at Mount Vernon retailers and bookstores and online book outlets such as Amazon.com. It is also available through Acadia Publishing at 888-313-2665 or http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9781467121132/Mount-Vernon-Revisited. “Mount Vernon Revisted” is a part of Acadia Publishing’s Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series.

Roundups for 3/26/14

The editor presents the roundups for the week of 3/26/14.

Underscoring Importance of Early Education

U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner visited The Child and Family Network Centers’ West End facility on March 7 to discuss President Obama’s 2015 budget proposal to invest in high quality early education for all children. Duncan, Sebelius, Moran and Warner received a tour of CFNC’s site and met with the children in their classrooms.

Let the Music Play

In support of students enrolled in music classes throughout the city, First Night Alexandria announced contributions to the music programs at three Alexandria City Public schools. During a recent pyramid concert performed by the bands, orchestras and choirs of Francis Hammond and George Washington Middle Schools and T.C. Williams High School, First Night Alexandria presented contributions totaling $3,000 to support the music programs at the three schools.

The Connection