Stories for March 2013

Classified Advertising March 27, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Lucky dog animal rescue adoption event

Megan is hugging her new dog bud during the lucky dog recue adoption outside dogma dog bakery in shirlington on sat. march 16. Volunteers from lucky dog animal rescue come to shirlington once a month for local residents to adopted a rescue dog. Most dogs rescued by from lucky dog animal rescue are from S. Carolina.

Editorial: More Obstacles to Transparency

General Assembly puts more information out of public reach, but other factors also limit access.

The first paragraph of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, passed by the General Assembly in 1968, states that all public records "shall be presumed open." It doesn’t add, “except when we don’t want to,” although that provision does seem to be available in many cases. Individual government entities have a variety of ways of making it hard for the public to access public information.

Column: 14.8 Percent

That is the percentage of diagnosed lung cancer patients who survive beyond five years, according to The National Cancer Institute’s SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2009, in a graph published in the Feb. 26, 2013 Washington Post’s weekly Health & Science section. As a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survivor beginning his fifth year post-diagnosis, charting my prospects in such a cold and impersonal manner is both chilling and arguable. “Chilling” in that facts speak for themselves and are hardly made up of whole cloth, to invoke one of the late Jack Kent Cooke’s more famous quotes. And “arguable” in that charts, statistics, etc., may very well measure the mean, but it sure doesn’t measure the man (this man, anyway). Meaning, from my perspective: sure, the chart is scary as hell, but I’m not sure I’m on it, if you know what I mean? (I know you know what I hope.)

Better Training, More Technology

The bipartisan commission released findings, recommendations regarding long lines on Election Day.

"The commission has identified a variety of improvements and efficiencies to ensure access and convenience for voters in future elections.” —Sharon Bulova

Governor Approves Conditional Budget for Medicaid Expansion

Vote-swapping operation traded transportation votes for Medicaid money.

Half a million uninsured Virginians may be eligible for Medicaid under an agreement now being worked out in Richmond — a deal in which Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell agreed to include Medicaid expansion as part of the budget if Senate Democrats supported a transportation package.

Fairs and Festivals 2013-2014

Information on fairs and festivals taking place in 2013-2014.

Las Vegas Comes to Alexandria

Big name magicians convene to share tricks, entertain families at Magi-Whirl 2013 on April 6.

An annual magic convention will bring big stars of the entertainment world to a high school auditorium early next month, and everyone's invited.

‘Voodoo Macbeth’

American Century stages dark Orson Welles drama.

William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” considered by many to be one of his darkest tragedies, tells the story of a Scottish general named Macbeth who commits murder to become king and fulfill his ambition for power. In 1936, a young Orson Welles staged his own legendary adaptation of the play, “Voodoo Macbeth,” which is reimagined now by The American Century Theater.

Orange Line Calendar March 27

Information for events going on around the Metro Orange Line.

Arlington Fairs and Festivals March 27

Information on fairs and festivals going on in the Arlington area.

Arlington Entertainment Calendar March 27

Information on upcoming entertainment events in Arlington.

Operation Patriotic STEM

Marymount University makes science fun at Ft. Belvoir Elementary School.

As stomp rockets flew through the air, balloons expanded, and electricity set hair standing on end, children at Ft. Belvoir Elementary School didn’t know which hands-on science activity to try first.

Current Proposed Design of the Millennium Project

The Millennium expansion project is estimated to add close to 30,000 additional burial and niche spaces to Arlington National Cemetery.

Spring Fun

Crystal City 5k runs return in April.

Say goodbye to winter woes over a friendly 5k run this April in Crystal City. Races return this spring every Friday, and offer participants a chance to get out and go.

Ultimate Spring, YULA Invite, Opens Season in Arlington

Twenty-two teams playing at Washington-Lee and the new Long Bridge fields kicked off the 2013 Ultimate’s (Frisbee) season last weekend with the YULA Invite tournament.

Batman Visits YMCA

Batman AKA Bruce Wayne, AKA Lenny B. Robinson stopped by the Arlington YMCA on North 13th Street on Friday, March 22, promoting National Inhalants and Poison Awareness Week.

Arlington Bulletin Board March 27

Information on events happening in Arlington.

Have a Wild Art Adventure

Registration is now open for children's spring and summer classes. Summer Art Classes, June 24-Aug. 23 Introduce children to art fundamentals in fun, week-long art classes like Color Capers, Amazing Architects and Engineers, and Magnificent Murals.

Launching of Art Underground

Photos by LaShawn Avery-Simon/The Connection Launching of Art Underground An open house was held Saturday, March 16, at the Crystal City Shops, 2100 Crystal Drive, to celebrate the launch of Art Underground with studio and gallery tours.

“Flourishing After 55”

“Flourishing After 55” from Arlington’s Office of Senior Adult Programs for April 1-6.

Arlington senior centers: Aurora Hills, 735 S. 18th St.; Walter Reed, 2909 S. 16th St.; Culpepper Garden, 4435 N. Pershing Dr.; Langston-Brown, 2121 N. Culpeper St.; Lee, 5722 Lee Hwy.; Arlington Mill at Fairlington, 3308 S. Stafford St.; also Madison Community Center, 3829 N. Stafford St.; TJ Comm. Center, 3501 S. 2nd St. Senior trips: U.S. Botanic Garden Gardens, D.C., Monday, April 1, $9; Allenberry Playhouse, Boiling Springs, Pa., “The Andrews Brothers,” Wednesday, April 3, $67; National Symphony Orchestra open rehearsal, Thursday, April 4, $8; Nina’s Dandy cruise, Friday, April 5, $64. Call Arlington County 55+ Travel, 703-228-4748. Registration required. History of Faberge eggs, Monday, April 1, 1 p.m., Culpepper Garden. Free. Register, 703-228-4403. Seated exercise classes, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m., Madison Community Center $60/15 sessions, $4 drop in. Details, 703-228-4878. Strength training classes, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m., Thomas Jefferson, $60/15 sessions, $4 drop in. Details, 703-228-4745. Square dance group meets Mondays, 10 a.m., Culpepper Garden. Novices welcome. Free. Register, 703-228-4403. Russian culture and language, Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Langston-Brown. Free. Details, 703=228-6300. Piano lessons, half hour sessions, $20, Tuesdays, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m., Culpepper Garden. Call for appt., 703-228-4403. Indoor walking group, Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m., Langston-Brown. Free. Details, 703-228-6300. Beginners full fitness class, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m., Lee. $60/15 sessions. Register, 703-228-0555. Credit reports and scores explained, Wednesday, April 3, 11 a.m., Langston-Brown. Free. Register, 703-228-6300. Computer basics for novices, Wednesday, April 3, 10 a.m., Aurora Hills. Free. Register, 703-228-5722. Theater Appreciation series begins Thursday, April 4, 10 a.m., Langston-Brown, $35/9 classes. Register, 703-228-6300. Downsizing tips, Thursday, April 4, 1 p.m., Langston-Brown. Free. Register, 703-228-6300. Advanced line dancing, Thursdays, 1:30 p.m., Lee. Newcomers welcome. Details, 703-228-0555. Drawing and painting classes, intermediate, Friday, April 5, 1 p.m., Langston-Brown. $28/four two-hour sessions. Register, 703-228-6300. Arlington Poets group, Friday, April 5, 3 p.m., Langston-Brown. Free. Register, 703-228-6300. Fast-paced walking, Fridays, 9 a.m., Aurora Hills. Free. Register, 703-228-5722. Computer classes for novices, five four-hour courses, $20 each, Lee. Call Fridays, 703-228-0555.

Classified Advertising March 20, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Arlington Home Sales: February, 2013

In February 2013, 163 Arlington homes sold between $3,600,000-$88,000.

Arlington Home Sales: February, 2013

Four Local Students Become Published Playwrights

Young Playwrights’ Theater instills confidence in Arlington students.

Arlington students Cassidy Boomsma, Sam Burris and Julie Kashmanian got to add “published playwright” to their list of accomplishments when “Write to Dream,” a collection of plays, was published by the Young Playwright’s Theater in October of last year. YPT, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization, teaches students in and around the D.C. Metro the art of playwriting as a way to inspire their creativity, improve critical thinking skills and build confidence.

Patient Care Standout

Virginia Hospital Center receives national award.

Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington has every reason to be proud as a peacock. It was the only hospital in the Washington Metropolitan region, and one out of 332 in the nation, to receive the Healthgrades 2012 Outstanding Patient Experience Award.

Editorial: Say Yes to Health Coverage

Governor, state panel must accept coverage for 400,000 Virginians without health insurance.

More than 140,000 residents of Fairfax County have no health insurance. That’s more than 13 percent of the slightly more than 1 million people who live in the wealthiest county in the nation. Arlington and Alexandria have similar percentages of uninsured.

Column: Just Wondering

Having never attended medical school (and not really having had the grades or commitment to do so), and having only completed 10th grade biology and freshman year astronomy, and rarely even driven by a medical school growing up, my understanding and/or instincts regarding how a medical professional plans and/or prepares for his day is as foreign to me as sugar-free chocolate (if I’m going down, I’m going down swinging; in truth however, considering the anti-cancer, alkaline diet I’m following, I do need to swing a little less frequently).

Eleanor Bune: Staying Lively at 95

On March 14, Eleanor Bune, an Arlington resident of 57 years, celebrated her 95th birthday and she still has what it takes.

The Sound of Music

Enhancing your child’s music education during Music in Our Schools Month and beyond.

From the powerful sounds of a high school band to the soothing melodies sung in a kindergarten music classroom, local music educators are using the month of March to raise awareness of the benefits of learning music.

Letter to the Editor: Advocating for Cleaner Air

What can we do to clean our air? Arlington has unhealthy levels of soot and smog, and we’re already experiencing consequences of climate change. This harms not only our natural environment, but also human health. The good news is, our communities are working for solutions.

Arlington County to Reconsider Financial Commitment to Artisphere

A new sphere of influence at the government-owned arts center.

The future of Artisphere will be either a masterpiece or a dud — opening up the Rosslyn space to an uncertain future.

O’Connell Softball Opens Season with Shutout Victory

Pitcher Finucane throws no-hitter against Bishop Ireton

The Knights are led by Missouri-bound pitcher Tori Finucane and North Carolina-bound catcher Jillian Ferraro.

Classified Advertising March 13, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Recycle, Reuse, Remodel

Remodeling often affords an opportunity to re-purpose existing materials by donating to those less fortunate. Ask your remodeler if there is a plan or policy for saving materials for re-use rather than sending it to a land fill. Every project is different. And some materials are more easily removed and saved than others. Here are a couple of organizations that accepted used materials.

World’s Fanciest Rummage Sale Coming April 7

Rumor has it that the “world’s fanciest” rummage sale will feature some of the crystal light fixtures and other items recently replaced in the remodeling of the Ritz-Carlton Tysons.

‘How to Fall in Love’

Hopkins & Porter, Inc. will be offering "How to Fall in Love with Your Home Again,” a free design and remodeling seminar on Thursday, March 21, 6-8 p.m. This seminar will include a complimentary supper with opportunity to discuss one's own project with professional staff.

Virginia Garden Week to Feature NoVa Gardens

80th Historic Garden Week, April 20-27, 2013

Historic Garden Week 2013 will feature approximately 200 private homes and gardens open on 32 separate tours throughout the state of Virginia over eight consecutive days. It is the largest ongoing volunteer effort in Virginia and represents the coordinated efforts of 3,400 club members. One hundred percent of tour proceeds are used to enhance Virginia’s landscape. For 80 years, the grounds of the commonwealth’s most cherished historic landmarks have been restored or preserved with help from proceeds from Historic Garden Week including Mount Vernon, Monticello and the grounds of the Executive Mansion in Richmond.

Column: Writing What Four

As far as anniversaries go–and I hope this one “goes” a lot further; acknowledging, dare I say celebrating my four-year survival anniversary from “terminal” stage IV (inoperable, metastasized) non-small cell lung cancer, a diagnosis I initially received on Feb. 27, 2009, along with a “13-month to two-year prognosis” from my oncologist, is certainly column-worthy.

Yorktown Girls’ Lax Rallies for Win in Season Opener

Patriots have won seven consecutive district championships.

Yorktown closes Monday's contest on a 6-1 run.

Editorial: Hybrid Hijinks

Discouraging innovation in high-tech Virginia.

Consider this as a possible scenario (although perhaps we should have saved this for April 1): Fewer people are smoking, and many of those who do are smoking less. Virginia’s cigarette tax, the lowest of any state at 30 cents a pack, is a declining revenue source. Higher cigarette taxes are proven to reduce smoking. Under current logic in the commonwealth, there would be two courses of action to raise revenue: a) cut the cigarette tax, and b) charge non-smokers a fee to make up the difference and to compensate for the fact that they don’t pay cigarette taxes.

‘Ladies Swing the Blues’ Extended Through March 31

‘Ladies Swing the Blues’ Extended Through March 31 A world premiere by Thomas W. Jones II and William Knowles. Explore the jazz folklore, mythologies and backstage stories of the ’40s and ’50s with four legendary jazz divas as they gather to commemorate the passing of jazz legend Charlie Parker.

First Night Donates to Schools

$3,000 given to music programs.

For the second straight year, First Night Alexandria has donated a total of $3,000 to the music programs at T.C. Williams High School and George Washington and Hammond Middle Schools. “First Night Alexandria believes in promoting the artistic talents in the city's public school system,” said FNA board president Kerry Donley as he presented the awards.

Learning about Gun Violence

Moran gathers experts for forum at Washington-Lee.

David Chipman, retired ATF Special Agent and currently advisor to “Mayors Against Illegal Guns,” introduced the crowded auditorium at Washington-Lee High School to the language of firearms with a slide show entitled “Firearms 101.” U.S. Rep. Jim Moran hosted the March 11 forum. Chipman showed images of various weapons and gave histories and descriptions of what the weapons are capable of and what advantages some of the designs have over each other.

Volunteers Pack 60,000 Meals

Hundreds of volunteers took turns working the assembly line tables at Abington Elementary School on Saturday, March 9, preparing bags of lentil casserole. The main components are lentils, rice, a blend of six dehydrated vegetables and pink Himalayan salt.

Graveside Ceremony Held for Monitor Sailors

The remains of two unknown USS Monitor sailors were buried March 8 with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Navy recovered the remains in 2002 from the ship's gun turret.

25th Annual Stream Clean-up of Four-Mile Run

Photos by Roshan Ghimire/The Connection

“Flourishing After 55”

“Flourishing After 55” from Arlington’s Office of Senior Adult Programs for March 25-30. Arlington senior centers: Aurora Hills, 735 S. 18th St.; Walter Reed, 2909 S. 16th St.; Culpepper Garden, 4435 N. Pershing Dr.; Langston-Brown, 2121 N. Culpeper St.; Lee, 5722 Lee Hwy.; Arlington Mill at Fairlington, 3308 S. Stafford St.; also Madison Community Center, 3829 N. Stafford St.; TJ Comm. Center, 3501 S. 2nd St.

Arlington Home Show And Garden Expo Returns

Arlington County’s Housing Division and the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization presented the seventh annual Arlington Home Show and Garden Expo on Saturday, March 9, at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center.

Classified Advertising March 6, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Mental Health Counseling Professors Honored

Cultural sensitivity at the heart of their work.

Fred Bemak and his wife Rita Chi-Ying Chung, who are both professors at George Mason University in Fairfax, recall being in Haiti shortly after the catastrophic earthquake of 2010. They were there to provide mental health counseling to those traumatized by the natural disaster.

Column: E-male

My oncologist is a man. He has e-mail. He works for an HMO that encourages/advertises its connectivity and responsiveness – electronically, to its members. If I want to get medical answers in a reasonable amount of time – save for an emergency, typing, “mousing” and clicking is the recommended methodology. No more phone calls, preferably. Though pressing keys on a keyboard rather than pressing buttons on a phone might have felt counter-intuitive at first as a means of receiving prompt replies, it has proven over these past few years to be a fairly reliable and predictable information loop. Not in minutes necessarily, but more often than not during the same day – and almost always by the very next day. In fact, I’ve received e-mails from my oncologist as late as 9:18 p.m. (time-stamped) after a sometime-during-the-day e-mail had been sent.

Arlington Entertainment Calendar March 6

Entertainment events taking place in the Arlington area.

Arlington School Notes March 6

School notes for Arlington natives.

Foundation Supports Community Residences

Virginia Commerce Bank Foundation awarded $7,500 to Community Residences, Inc., as part of a five-year partnership that commenced in 2011.

Hope Presents USS Arlington Commissioning Coin

During a recent House legislative session, Del. Patrick A. Hope joined by Del. Robert Brink, presented each of his 139 colleagues in the Virginia legislature with a commemorative coin that celebrates the commissioning of the Navy’s newest ship, the USS Arlington.

Former Crystal City Post Office site rezoned.

The Arlington County Board approved on Feb. 23 the first residential building proposed since the board adopted the Crystal City Sector Plan.

Wakefield Boys’ Basketball Falls Short in State Semifinals

Warriors finish season with 25 wins, National District title.

The Wakefield boys' basketball team loses to John Marshall at VCU's Siegel Center.