Friday, March 30
Arlington Real Estate: Sales between $1million~$1,225,000 in February 2012
In February 2012, 174 Arlington homes sold between $2,023,700-$91,100.
Arlington Real Estate: Sales between $1million~$1,225,000 in February 2012
Wednesday, March 28
Student-Directed One Acts
Students in the Yorktown High School theatre arts program performed and directed a series of four one act plays March 22-24.
Friday 5k Fun Runs Return to Crystal City
Friday 5k fun runs will return this spring as racers hit the streets in Crystal City.
Arlington Garden Club Tour on April 24
Garden Club Tour. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $25. Featuring four private homes and gardens built in the early to mid 20th century, this tour takes visitors through the neighborhoods built as early suburbs of Washington, D.C. Sponsored by The Garden Club of Fairfax. Ticket price includes admission to the following 5 locations:
Arlington People March 28
To have engagements, weddings, obituaries, or other significant personal events listed in The Arlington Connection, e-mail arlington@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412. Photos are welcome.
Orange Line Connection March 28
Saturday Nights at 11:01 11:01 Saturday Nights. Starts at 11:01 p.m. Late-night dance party. Tickets are $15/$12 students. At the Ballroom at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Call 703-228-1850.
Arlington Calendar March 28
Know of something missing from our community entertainment Calendar? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
Arlington Bulletin Board March 28
Know of something missing from the community calendar? E-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-917-6407 with any questions. Photos are welcome. For more volunteer opportunities, classes, announcements visit http://www.arlingtonconnection.com and click on Community.
Classified Advertising
See the latest Employment, Home and Garden, and classifieds!
Column: Peculiar Presence
In the last few months, out of the blue, I have received electronic correspondence from each of my three oldest childhood friends (none of whom have remained adulthood friends, though all three remain of interest to me) commenting on my cancer diagnosis; each having stumbled across one of my cancer columns online, presumably after initiating a Google-type search for yours truly.
"Flourishing After 55"
"Flourishing After 55" from Arlington’s Office of Senior Adult Programs for April 9-13.
55+ Wellness Retreat Registration Open
The second annual Wellness Retreat for adults 55 years of age and older will be held May 15 – 17 at the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center, Reisterstown, Md.
Cahill, Barber Wed
Molly Cahill and Zachry Barber were married on Sept. 10, 2011 at Wellfleet Preservation Hall, in Wellfleet, Mass.
Wiersma Named APS Teacher of the Year
Wakefield High School math teacher Dr. Laurell Wiersma has been named Arlington Public Schools 2012 Teacher of the Year.
Science Festival Preview
Dr. Dana Perkins, a biological warfare expert, was a guest lecturer at Yorktown High School on March 15.
Piehota Named Principal of the Year
Patrick Henry Elementary School Principal Dr. Lisa Piehota has been named Arlington Public Schools 2012 Principal of the Year
Letter: Harvest for The Hungry
Every year Coldwell Banker holds a food drive to help the Capital Area food bank.
At the Housing Expo
The doors at Washington-Lee High School opened its doors Saturday, March 24 to the 2nd annual Northern Virginia Housing Expo.
APS To Partner with Communities in Schools
Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy signed a Memorandum of Understanding last week with Communities In Schools of Virginia.
The Rise and Fall and Rise of Commercial Property in Arlington
Was instability in property values caused by the Pentagon?
When the market tanked, Arlington’s residential market remained flat when the rest of the country was in freefall.
Tuesday, March 27
Yorktown Girls' Soccer Team Beats Lake Braddock
Coach Brunt wants to see more confidence out of Patriots.
Head coach Vicky Brunt would later say the Patriots need to change their approach in the early stages of competition. On this night, however, sophomore Meghan Flynn made sure Yorktown’s miscues wouldn’t register in the loss column.
NOVA Women Capture State Basketball Crown
Vienna’s Carlie Zirkle earns MVP honors.
The Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) women’s basketball team won the 2012 Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Championship by defeating Southside Virginia Community College, 48-26. The tournament was held March 2-4 in Chesapeake. Former Marshall High standout Carlie Zirkle (Vienna) received the most valuable player honor and was named to the All-Tournament team, along with Halley Cummins (Vienna) and Yvette Gilliam (Woodbridge).
Arlington Real Estate: Detached Houses in $500s, January 2012
In January 2012, 122 Arlington homes sold between $4,200,000-$55,000.
Arlington Real Estate: Detached Houses in $500s, January 2012
Editorial: Interrupting Harassment and Bullying
Empowering bystanders to intervene, students to set boundaries.
With a controversial and much discussed new movie, "Bully," coming out this week, local school districts continue to wrestle with the issue of bullying in the schools.
Thursday, March 22
Classified Advertising
The Latest Employment, Home and Garden, and Classified Ads!
Wednesday, March 21
Arlington County Board Considers New Housing Grants
Expanded program would help increasing number of people in poverty.
For Arlington’s poorest residents, the recession is far from over.
Does Music Make Children Smarter?
During Music In Our Schools Month, musicians raise awareness of impact of music education on lives of students.
Can playing the piano strengthen a child’s reading and math skills? Can joining a school band be a catalyst for building self-confidence? Does one develop strong analytical abilities by taking violin lessons? Some music experts say yes.
Yorktown Boys’ Lax Has Big Shoes to Fill
Patriots lose all-time leading scorer Crowe, top defender Devine.
Yorktown junior attackman Joe Crawford called the team’s March 16 performance against Mount Vernon “rough.” After losing 18 seniors from last year’s National District championship team, it might take some time before the Patriots put forth an effort of the smooth variety.
'Brother Russia' Comes to Life at Signature Theater
Born in a remote Siberian village, he was raised impoverished and uneducated yet became powerful enough to infiltrate a Russian dynasty. Such was the journey of Grigori Rasputin, whose story is brought to life in the world premier musical of “Brother Russia,” now playing at Signature Theatre.
Orange Line Connection March 21 to 28
Saturday Nights at 11:01 11:01 Saturday Nights. Starts at 11:01 p.m. Late-night dance party. Tickets are $15/$12 students. At the Ballroom at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Call 703-228-1850.
Arlington Calendar for March 21 to 28
Know of something missing from our community entertainment Calendar? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
Exciting All-Star Afternoon
Concorde/Patriot All-Stars beat the Liberty/National team 109-108 in overtime.
West Potomac's Bryant Fultz threw down a fourth-quarter alley-oop dunk from fellow Wolverine Randall Brobbey, scored a team-high 15 points and earned game MVP honors as the Concorde/Patriot All-Stars defeated the Liberty/National team 109-108 in overtime at Wakefield High School.
Risky Behavior by the Numbers
Youth Survey highlights risks, assets for students.
Periodically, Fairfax County conducts a youth survey which polls thousands of students to get a glimpse into issues of substance abuse, antisocial behaviors as well as factors such as mental health and civic engagements.
“Flourishing After 55”
“Flourishing After 55” from Arlington’s Office of Senior Adult Programs for April 2-6.
Jamestown Rocks the Bard
The students of Jamestown Elementary School brought down the curtain on their final performance Friday, March 16 of “Jamestown Rocks the Bard.”
Three Seek Board Seat
The special election to fill the vacant County Board seat created by the resignation of Barbara Favola, who now serves in the State Senate, will take place Tuesday, March 27. All polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 20
Editorial: ‘Practices That Undermine Trust’
Virginia gets a failing grade on ethics rules.
The State Integrity Investigation is "designed to expose practices that undermine trust in state capitols — and spotlight the states that are doing things right."
Column: “Here, There And Everywhere”
The Beatles sang it on their “Revolver” album back in the mid 60s. My wife and I danced to it in the late 70s when we selected it as “first song as husband and wife” – in 1978. And recently we felt it, three years after my stage IV lung cancer diagnosis, as our reaction/assessment to the many similarly diagnosed individuals who’ve shared their lung cancer stories with us. Who knew?
Friday, March 16
Arlington Real Estate: Houses Sold in $600s, January 2012
In January 2012, 122 Arlington homes sold between $4,200,000-$55,000.
Arlington Real Estate: Houses Sold in $600s, January 2012
Thursday, March 15
Yorktown Baseball Looks to Return to Top of National District
Led by the battery of pitcher John Yoest and catcher Red Dowdell, Yorktown enters the 2012 season with hopes of returning to the top of the district and advancing past the regional quarterfinals. Dowdell is a senior who will play his college ball at Virginia Military Institute.
Yorktown Girls’ Lax Searching for Regional Respect
Patriots have won six consecutive National District titles.
The Yorktown girls’ lacrosse program has dominated the National District to the tune of six consecutive championships. While keeping the streak alive is important to the Patriots, Yorktown enters the 2012 season with a bigger goal in mind: be competitive against teams outside of the district.
TAP Honored at WATCH Awards
“The Seagull,” “42nd Street” take home top prizes.
Standout productions of “The Seagull” and “42nd Street” earned The Arlington Players top honors from the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors awards, taking home five trophies during the WATCH Awards ceremony March 11 at the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria.
A Mission of Mercy Helps Hundreds
More than 800 residents receive free dental services during two-day event.
The triage center at Saturday’s Mission of Mercy Dental health clinic resembled a modern-day MASH unit.
‘Square Off with the R–Word’
The Yorktown High School chapter of Best Buddies hosted a square dance on Saturday, March 10 collaborating with Arlington's Department of Parks and Recreation in addition to the Arlington Partnership for Youth and Family and the Teen Network Board
On the Fast Track
Speed demons and adrenaline addicts stormed the parking garage at 1850 Crystal Drive for the inaugural Diamond Derby in Crystal City on March 10.
Wednesday, March 14
Classified Advertising
Read the lastest Classified and Employment ads!
Helping Individuals with Mental Illness
As understanding grows, so do programs
With an increase in awareness and understanding of mental illness, the Northern Virginia Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness continues to experience growth in funding and membership.
Virginia Officials Deliberately Moving Slowly on Health Care Exchange
If Supreme Court upholds health-care reform, governor would have to call special session.
Virginia has eight months to create a certification plan for how it plans to create a health-care exchange, a legal requirement of President Barack Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Arlington Calendar for March 14-21
Know of something missing from our community entertainment Calendar? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
A Story of Three Irish Cows — Tuning in to St. Patrick and More
From garage band to “Irish musicians.”
For a couple weeks each March, "Irish musicians" sprout like crabgrass. Many assume an imperfect brogue to hide bluegrass or country western underpinnings. It is not held against them, though.
Business Matters
How far did the empire of Orange Julius reach? What’s the capital of Banana Republic? Is Aeropostale aerodynamic?
"Flourishing After 55" from Arlington’s Office of Senior Adult Programs for March 26-31
"Flourishing After 55"
Column: “Early Results Show Stable Disease”
There’s five words e-mailed from my oncologist that I can live with (Duh!). Certainly better than the previous nine words e-mailed eight weeks ago regarding my then current CT Scan: “Scan results show progression. We’ll talk more on Friday.”
Marine Corps Marathon Says Thank-you
The Marine Corps Marathon Roadshow visited Metro Park in Rosslyn on Wednesday, March 7, to thank the community for being the finish line host for the upcoming 37th annual race
Join Urban Agriculture Task Force
A comprehensive urban agriculture policy. That is what Arlington County board member Walter Tejada wants to create for Arlington.
Tuesday, March 13
Arlington Real Estate: Top Sales in January, 2012
In January 2012, 122 Arlington homes sold between $4,200,000-$55,000.
Arlington Real Estate: Top Sales in January, 2012
Local Designers Selected to Make Over D.C. Design House
Annual event raises money for Children's National Medical Center.
Some of the Washington area's top interior designers are unleashing their creative talent all in the name of charity. Organizers of the 2012 Washington, D.C. Design House announced the designers who will make over the 2012 D.C. Design Home.
The Chateau in Oak Hollow
One of just four properties in Fairfax County listed at HomesDatabase.com for sale for more than $10 million, this home sits on five acres in Clifton, and is for sale for $12.5 million. The other three properties are in McLean.
Editorial: So Hard to Imagine?
Poor families face challenges that officials and many of the rest of us have trouble envisioning.
The Commonwealth of Virginia and even Northern Virginia includes many poor families and individuals. But officials seem to have trouble wrapping their brains around some of the difficulties this can cause.
Stakes Are High in Virginia Budget Standoff
Lawmakers flee Capitol, where partisan gridlock reigns.
The budget standoff in Richmond could have drastic consequences in Northern Virginia, where every service from education to transportation is on the line.
Monday, March 12
Director Maurice Hines Returns To the Scene
It isn’t often that an out-of-town director has the opportunity to return to a show in a regional theatre and see how it has grown, evolved, and progressed since opening night. But Maurice Hines, director and choreographer of MetroStage’s world premiere production of "Josephine Tonight" did just that recently. He returned to Alexandria with his associate director Mel Johnson Jr. to surprise the cast and see what his work looked like four weeks later. One of the exciting things about live theatre is that it is going to be slightly different every night. Actors can grow in their roles, further understand and develop their characters, and simply inhabit the stage with their fellow actors more comfortably over time.
Thursday, March 8
Arlington Bulletin Board -- March 7-13
Know of something missing from the community calendar? E-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-917-6407 with any questions. Photos are welcome. For more volunteer opportunities, classes, announcements visit http://www.arlingtonconnection.com and click on Community.
Arlington School Notes -- March 7-13
The founding classes of Yorktown High School will hold a joint reunion Oct. 19 – 21, at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington. Alumni from Yorktown High School Class of 1963 are participating in a Class Reunion Website at http://classreport.org/usa/va/arlington/yhs/1963/ There are no registration fees required to join in the fun. Each class member has full participation privileges.
Arlington Homes and Gardens on Tour April 24
Garden Club Tour. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $25. Featuring four private homes and gardens built in the early to mid 20th century, this tour takes visitors through the neighborhoods built as early suburbs of Washington, D.C. Sponsored by The Garden Club of Fairfax. Ticket price includes admission to the following 5 locations:
Column: Look What She Saw—Sort Of
Well there’s five seconds that fellow super-market-shopper won’t have back anytime soon. The question, the curiosity is: will she have nightmares and/or live to regret staring at me so intently that I think I may have seen the whites of her eyes – and it wasn’t even remotely dark?
Orange Line Connection -- March 7-13
Saturday Nights at 11:01 11:01 Saturday Nights. Starts at 11:01 p.m. Late-night dance party. Tickets are $15/$12 students. At the Ballroom at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Call 703-228-1850.
Arlington Calendar -- March 7-13
Know of something missing from our community entertainment Calendar? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
“Flourishing After 55” -- March 19-24
“Flourishing After 55” from Arlington’s Office of Senior Adult Programs for March 19-24.
Sense and a Sense of Civility
Cotillion teaches etiquette and social savvy to children and teens.
Ankles demurely crossed, the 5th and 6th grade girls sit posture-perfect in their colorful party dresses, white-gloved hands resting in their laps as they await an offer to dance.
Commentary: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer affects men and women equally, is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It was estimated that over 141,000 new cases were diagnosed in 2011 and of those cases roughly 50,000 Americans were expected to die. It is important to note that despite these statistics, colorectal cancer is a highly preventable and treatable disease if caught early.
St. Patrick's Day Properly Celebrated
Each mid-March, St. Patrick is trampled by purveyors of green beer and boisterous singers of "Irish songs" actually written as show tunes by American composers like George M. Cohan.
Local Governments Enjoy Record Spending
Bucking national trend, local governments here expand while others are contracting.
As local governments across America are laying off firefighters and teachers, governments in Northern Virginia are experiencing record levels of spending and an all-time-high number of employees.
Not-So-Super Tuesday
Turnout for Virginia's presidential preference primary was lowest in recent memory.
With two of the major candidates in the Republican presidential contest failing to qualify for the ballot in Virginia, Super Tuesday was anything but super.
Wednesday, March 7
Arlington Real Estate: Sales in $800’s, January, 2012
In January 2012, 122 Arlington homes sold between $4,200,000-$55,000.
Arlington Real Estate: Sales in $800’s, January, 2012
Wakefield Boys’ Lax Looks To Snap Losing Streak
Warriors have lost 91 straight games, haven’t won since 2004.
Brian Gilman uses the Wakefield boys’ lacrosse program’s losing past for motivation as the first-year head coach attempts to point the Warriors toward a winning future.
Indoor Track Season Wraps Up at State Meet
Local Northern Region athletes compete in Hampton.
A number of local athletes put together strong showings at last weekend’s Virginia State AAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, held Friday and Saturday (Feb. 24-25) at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton. On the boys’ side, Westfield High finished third overall and was the top finisher from out of the Northern Region. The Bulldogs finished with 27 team points. The team champion was Western Branch (48) of Chesapeake, a member of the Eastern Region. Finishing second was Grassfield (34 points) of Chesapeake.
Tuesday, March 6
Classified Advertising
See the lastest Employment, Home and Garden and classified ads!
Cleaning Up One’s Plate
Local nutrition experts encourage healthy eating during National Nutrition Month and always.
When it comes to healthy eating, Alexandria wellness educator Cheryl Mirabella encourages her clients to load up during meals, but she offers a caveat.
Health Services Coalition Receives $10,000 Grant
Funding will help provide specialty health care to low income residents.
Northern Virginia Health Services Coalition's (NOVAHSC) Specialty Access program received a $10,000 grant to help provide low-income, uninsured patients with access to specialty medical care through a regional network of providers.
Editorial: Reenacting a Dark History?
Turning back the clock in Richmond.
Who could have anticipated that our elected officials would take African-American History month and Women's History month so seriously that they would literally try to turn back the clock?
Friday, March 2
Column: Protecting Residents in Tax, Road Debates
Congress finally has acted to ensure payroll tax relief for 170 million individuals and families through the rest of 2012. This additional tax relief is critical for maintaining the momentum of the economic recovery, and Northern Virginians will realize an average savings of $2,000 per household.
Column: A Raw Deal for Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia is getting a raw deal from Governor McDonnell. While we need transportation investment to support this economic engine of the state, at least $1.5 billion in transportation funds are being diverted to wasteful and unnecessary projects in rural areas. Meanwhile, the state refuses to adequately fund Dulles Rail, leaving Northern Virginia taxpayers and toll payers to foot the lion's share of the bill.
Thursday, March 1
Nominees for 2012 Helen Hayes Awards
MetroStage, Signature, Synetic among nominees.
Nominees for the 2012 Helen Hayes Awards were announced Feb. 27 with Signature Theatre, Synetic Theatre and MetroStage among the 25 theatre companies nominated in 26 categories.
Orange Line Connection Feb. 29 to March 6
Orange Line Connection
'Heaven Can Wait' at LTA
Joe Pendleton is in for the fight of his life — literally. A professional boxer and pilot, his soul is mistakenly “collected” from his body some 60 years too soon after a plane flight gone awry in the comedy “Heaven Can Wait,” now playing at The Little Theatre of Alexandria.
Life's a Beach at 'Dixie Swim Club"
Port City shines with new production.
They met long before the phrase “BFF” was part of the American lexicon, but for five college teammates, the comfort and frustrations of “best friends forever” are rays of sunshine in the Port City Playhouse production of “The Dixie Swim Club,” now playing at Alexandria's Lab Studio Theatre at Convergence.
Arlington Calendar for Feb. 29-March 6
Know of something missing from our community entertainment Calendar? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
Spotlighting Teen Dating Violence
The George Huguely trial in the death of Yeardley Love has captivated the attention not just of our region, but of the nation. Love was 22 and a student at the University of Virginia when she became a victim of teen dating violence. Appropriately, this February marked the annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. The continuing story of Love and Huguely’s relationship reminds us that we each have a role to play in ending teen dating abuse and domestic violence in our community; the consequences are too real to be ignored. But, there is hope as our community has already made impressive strides toward a future where our youth better understand how to create healthy relationships.
"Flourishing After 55"
“Flourishing After 55” from Arlington’s Office of Senior Adult Programs for March 11-17.
Developing Intergenerational Dialogue
Drama students from Yorktown High School interviewed senior Arlingtonians residing at the Goodwin House and Culpepper Gardens retirement communities on Monday, Feb. 25.
Yorktown Hosts Eighth Annual Row for Humanity
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, the atrium on the third floor at Ballston Common Mall in Arlington was buzzing with action as six erg machines were almost constantly in motion.
Local Runner Raises Funds for Cancer Research
Abbe Steel to run in Boston Marathon.
Even with the increasingly difficult qualifying standards for the Boston Marathon, lifelong Arlington resident Abbe Burdetsky Steel is preparing to run the race as part of the 23rd annual Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge.
Register for Diamond Derby Race in Crystal City
Diamond derby race day March 10. <sh>Diamond derby race day March 10.
March 10 promises to be a day of cycles and stunts as competitors of all levels vie for prizes and cash rewards at Diamond Derby, a first of its kind event for Crystal City.
Tapping into the Beer Market
Great Lakes Brewery expands to Northern Virginia. <hd1>Great Lakes Brewery expands to Northern Virginia. <hd1>Great Lakes Brewery expands to Northern Virginia.
The Great Lakes Brewery of Cleveland, Ohio is set to enter the Northern Virginia market with an ambitious agenda of tap takeovers and samplings across the region. With a suite of gold medal awards in the lager, porter and ale categories, area beer aficionados can hardly wait for a chance to fill their glass.
State Senate Committee Kills Effort to Overturn King's Dominion Law
School boards were encouraged by support from governor, but couldn't win over Senate committee.
The Senate Committee on Education and Health voted today to kill an effort overturning the King's Dominion Law, which mandates that school divisions across Virginia begin classes after Labor Day.
Arlington Real Estate: Solds in the $900’s, January 2012
In January 2012, 122 Arlington homes sold between $4,200,000-$55,000.
In January 2012, 122 Arlington homes sold between $4,200,000-$55,000.
Governments Across Virginia Hope to Kill Local Aid to the State Program
Jurisdictions hope to kill funding scheme created at height of recession.
In the darkest days of the global financial crisis, leaders in Richmond were willing to do almost anything to balance the budget.