Stories for December 2012

Touching For Sure, But Not Always

Usually, but not always, when I show for my scheduled post-chemotherapy/post-scan appointment with my oncologist, I am physically examined (touching, feeling). Recently, due to some enhanced computer and facility upgrades, I was shown the actual scans, digitized. However, on more than one occasion over the last 18 months or so, after we discussed the results of my most recent CT Scan – and lab work, no physical exam was performed. Apparently, as I later learned, the good results from my scan sort of trumps any need to feel for physical manifestations.

How the Powerless Access Power

Immigrants make significant gains in influencing political system.

On Election Night Nov. 6, Keisy Chavez’s nerves were frayed. The Fairfax single mom had been campaigning hard for Democrats since the official launch of Latinos for Obama last April.

Instincts…

Forty-five months later, I am still dealing with feelings – as in still living, for which I am amazingly fortunate. However, those feelings seem to sometimes have a mind of their own, and accordingly tend to take over and rewire one’s brain (figuratively speaking).

Decking the Halls

Local designers share holiday decorating suggestions.

Looking for inspiration for decking the halls this season? Three local home design experts offer doable tips for capturing the magic of the holidays.

Avoiding Jet Lag

Medical experts offer suggestions for those traveling across multiple time zones during the holidays.

Every December, Linda McDonald travels from her Oak Hill home to Stockton, Calif., to visit her family for Christmas. She tries to head west a few days before the holiday, but often leaves on Christmas Eve, and arrives feeling hazy and sluggish.

Cosmetic Dentistry for Children

Whether it’s to replace a tooth that was lost or broken during a hockey game or to create a Hollywood-smile before taking the stage for a school play, pediatric dentists say an increasing number of children are undergoing cosmetic dental procedures.

Present Needing to be Accounted For

As a stage IV non-small cell lung cancer diagnosee/patient/survivor/anomaly, living long--whether prospering or not, is not the simple and presumptive proposition I had anticipated. No more do I anticipate living the same number of years and in the same relative good health that my parents (both deceased), experienced well into their 80s. Now, my life revolves around my oncologist and the CT Scans and lab work that precede our recurring appointments.

A Life Lesson in Giving Back

An immigrant’s son becomes state delegate and introduces the Virginia DREAM Act.

My father was born in a small town in the Andes mountains region of Venezuela. He was one of 22 brothers and sisters from the same parents. At the age of 19 he came to this country with $280 in his pocket and the dream of a better life. He worked as a bus boy and waiter, learned English, and went to school. He graduated from Northern Virginia Community College when I was 5 years old. He then took one class a semester at George Mason University every year, until he graduated from college one month before I graduated from Robinson High School in Fairfax. As a result of his achieving the American Dream, my father was able to change the lives of my entire family in Latin America.

Pay Now, Bye Later

Contrary to last week’s column, if I do pay for it now (things I can’t afford), then I’ll be so in debt later that I may end up saying “bye” anyway--from the stress of it. And if that were to happen; dying with a smile on my face, so to speak, would I be truly better off now anticipating that later was not going to be my problem? Do I want to be a modern day version of George Raft, the American actor from the 1930s and 40s best known for his portrayals of mobsters, who said about his Hollywood money: “I must have gone through $10 million during my career. Part of the loot went for gambling, part for horses and part for women. The rest I spent foolishly.”

Crime Reports

The Arlington Police Department reported the following incidents: BANK ROBBERY, 3600 block of S. Glebe Road. At 4:02 p.m. on Dec. 11, an unknown subject entered a Bank of America branch and demanded money from the teller. After receiving a sum of money, the subject fled the scene on foot. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’11” tall and 165 lbs.

Legislators Are Not Gun Shy About Responding to Connecticut Shooting

Should access to guns be limited or expanded?

Last year's mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut has already prompted a heated debate about gun control in Virginia, where the upcoming session of the General Assembly is likely to feature a number of bills on both sides of the issue.

Competition Not Required for Public-Private Partnerships

Arlington County Board approves guidelines for transportation projects.

Over the objections of several citizens and one of its own members, the Arlington County Board approved new guidelines for public-private partnerships to build transportation projects last week.

Immigrant Experience Guides Success

Delegate Mark L. Keam

Del. Mark Keam (D-35) is the first Korean American and the first Asian-born immigrant to serve in the Virginia General Assembly.

Immigrants Gain Influence in Virginia

Immigrants make significant gains in influencing political system.

On Election Night Nov. 6, Keisy Chavez’s nerves were frayed. The Fairfax single mom had been campaigning hard for Democrats since the official launch of Latinos for Obama last April.

Classified Advertising Dec. 19, 2012

Read the lastest ads here!

Enhanced Security Around Schools

FCPS releases message about Connecticut tragedy.

On Sunday, Dec. 16, Superintendent Jack Dale sent an email message to all FCPS families and employees. He said the Fairfax County Police Department will be increasing patrols and visibility this week around all FCPS schools, including elementary schools, in response to Friday's tragedy in Connecticut.

Going Casual for a Cause

Nearly 10,000 people and 130-plus organizations participate in Jeans Day 2012 to help end homelessness.

Nearly 10,000 residents representing 130 businesses, Fairfax County agencies, schools and organizations pulled on their favorite jeans Friday, Dec. 14 for the second annual Jeans Day—a powerful community initiative that aims to “Put the ZIP on Homelessness” through building awareness and fundraising.

Classified Advertising Dec. 12, 2012

Read the latest ads here!

Editorial: Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas

We are a nation of immigrants, to invoke the title of John F. Kennedy’s posthumously published book; undeniably a nation descended from immigrants and a nation greatly augmented by immigration. From this perspective, with the first immigrants motivated by the search for religious freedom, even Christmas is a religious holiday of immigrants.

Washington-Lee Gymnastics Team Sets Bar High

Generals beat McLean, Marshall, Lee, Wakefield at Monday meet.

The Washington-Lee gymnastics team defeated host McLean and three other schools in a meet on Dec. 10.

Robert E. Lee’s Portrait Re-Dedicated in City Chambers General R.E. Lee Camp #726 organized funding of painting’s restoration.

Ceremony At The Alexandria City Chamber

It is the portrait across the room from George Washington’s painting in Alexandria’s City Council Chambers. This handsome oil painting bears the likeness of Robert Edward Lee, a son of Virginia and that of Revolutionary War hero “Light-Horse Harry” Lee III, a West Point graduate and superintendent of that institution, who ultimately made one of the most crucial and most difficult decisions in his life as a colonel in the U.S. Army when he resigned his commission to serve as the general for the Army of Northern Virginia in the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

Letter: Letters to the Editor-Conflict Not So One-Sided

To the Editor: In "Dodging Rockets from Gaza" (Arlington Connection, Nov. 27), George Meek describes his "fact-finding" trip to Israel/Palestine with Interfaith Peace Builders. While there, he volunteered with the International Solidarity Movement.

Decorating Trees and Fundraising

Georgetown Jingle supports MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s pediatric cancer programs.

A few local designers are using their talent to bring holiday cheer to some local pediatric cancer patients. Arlington resident Allie Mann, a senior designer at Case Design/Remodeling, Inc., and Alexandria resident Allison Priebe Brooks, owner of Queen Bee Designs, were among the tastemakers selected to participate in the Georgetown Jingle, a fundraising effort for pediatric oncology programs at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington.

Arlington Officials and Army Leaders Negotiating Land Swap

Cemetery would get land to expand; county would get site for heritage center.

The ghosts of the Civil War are still haunting Arlington National Cemetery, where county government officials and the U.S. Army are negotiating a land swap that could save the long-planned Arlington Heritage Center.

Classified Advertising Dec. 5, 2012

Read the latest ads here!

Long Branch At 40

The juvenile eastern rat snake watched the activity from the confines of its cage as visitors passed by during Long Branch's 40th birthday celebration in November.

Food Drives in High Gear

Collecting food to match growing needs of underemployed.

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is entering its major holiday drive time, during which it will run more than 350 food drives between now and the end of the year, as the number of families needing food assistance in Arlington is on the rise.

New Milestone for No Blitz

Arlington-based band celebrates EP release at Vienna’s Jammin' Java Saturday night.

This Saturday marks a milestone for the Arlington-based band No Blitz. Having been together for a little over a year, the four-piece band is releasing their first EP, Never Satisfied, complete with a headlining spot at Jammin' Java.

Entertainment Brief: ‘A Trip to the Moon’

Synetic Theater presents this whimsical, original piece, directed by Natsu Onoda Power and based on the 1902 silent film by Georges Méliès, will delight and inspire.

Entertainment Brief: Holiday Guys, Holiday Follies at Signature

Signature is pleased to announce the addition of Holiday Guys to this season's holiday programming.

‘Dreamgirls’

Nova Payton electrifies in Signature Theatre production.

Known for its magical staging of big Broadway productions, Signature Theatre has taken on Michael Bennett’s Tony Award winning “Dreamgirls” in a high-voltage production that leaves no doubt as to why Signature possesses a Tony of its own.

Immigration Assistance Organizations

A list of some local non-profit organizations that provide immigration assistance, also provided by Fairfax County at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/ell/organizations.htm.

Editorial: Holiday Revels With a Safety Net

A serious backup, but seriously, make a plan ahead of time.

You know the drill, the five-to-seven or six-to-eight drop-in happy hour, you've been invited to five of them, and you could attend an infinite number of these between now and the second day of 2013. And there are many other varieties of holiday festivities, many involving more than a drink or two. So make a plan.

Use of Food Stamps Skyrocketing in Northern Virginia

Program doubles in Arlington, triples in Fairfax and quadruples in Alexandria.

The use of food stamps is skyrocketing in Northern Virginia, and the spike isn’t just about the recession.

Neighbors Trump County Officials in Public Art Selection

Cherrydale and Maywood selected public art as part of development process.

Neighbors don’t usually get to select public art for their neighborhood, but few neighborhoods have the rich history and active civic associations of Cherrydale and Maywood.

Nega Makes Triumphant Return to Wakefield Basketball

Coach Bentley, friend Moore helped Nega turn his life around.

Ermias Nega turned his life around to get back on the court for the Wakefield boys' basketball program.