Stories for August 2020

ArPets: The Story of Wendy

Until the coronavirus, Wendy lived with George and Marjorie Hobart at The Jefferson independent living and retirement home in Ballston.

Virginia is one of 10 states that offers almost no way for people convicted of misdemeanors to expunge their records, creating roadblocks for people trying to get a job or rent an apartment. Even when a jury finds defendants in Virginia not guilty or when prosecutors dropped charges, allegations remain on records as a stain that can cause problems for years to come. That’s why lawmakers are about to consider a proposal from the Virginia Crime Commission on automatic expungement, which is expected to be released early next week.

Opinion: Column: The Doggone Truth

I don't remember much substance from my freshman-level psychology 100 class at the University of Maryland in 1972 except that the lecture hall sat approximately 600 students, tests were graded on a bell curve (with which I was totally unfamiliar), the professor always wore black leather pants, and he brought his dog to every lecture.

For Seniors, Love Is Not Cancelled

This region is a prime location for meeting and dating other single seniors.

A 67-year-old widower, who lives in Old Town, met a woman who is divorced and 65 on eHarmony.

A Migration Miracle Is Underway

Small efforts can help monarch butterflies.

Bright orange and black butterflies are zigging and zagging through Northern Virginia in September and October headed south, the migration of monarch butterflies.

Opinion: Column: Narratively Speaking

After 11 years and almost exactly six months since being diagnosed with stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer, the party is apparently over.

Governor Northam Signs Protection Bills For Dogs

Virtual ceremony held

In a signing ceremony, held virtually, and streamed from his State Capitol office, Governor Ralph Northam officially signed stronger protections for tethered dogs into law on Aug. 17.

Distance Learning for Children with ADHD

Decreasing stress and increasing success in a virtual classroom

Voncia Hartley and her 10-year old son Kelvin are dreading the first day of school this year.

New Ordinance Targets Groups of Pedestrians in Arlington

Action to prevent COVID spread in high-traﬃc areas

Arlington takes coronavirus restrictions seriously.

6,509 pounds Fills the Cruisers to Overflowing in Arlington

AFAC says need is greater than usual during pandemic

“Customers are comin’.”

ArPets: Luke

I hail from West Virginia and traveled to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington so that I could have a better chance at finding my forever family.

Reforming the Police

Lawmakers consider sweeping set of proposals to change policing in Virginia.

Only a few hours into a special session of the General Assembly earlier this week, members of a Senate panel passed a sweeping bill on policing reform that does everything from banning no-knock warrants and limiting chokeholds to creating use-of-force standards and requiring de-escalation training.

Cooking for Their Own Wedding Leads to Restaurant, Catering in Arlington

Finding the BBQ way in the pandemic with summer supper series and more.

Joe “Hogmaster” Newman picks up a glistening pink crawfish from a pile of crawfish and snaps off the head.

Nothing Stops Farmers...or Their Customers, in Arlington

Farm market vendors turn on a dime to adapt to the times.

Shopping bags are lined up at six-foot intervals at the Lubber Run Farmer’s Market at Barrett Elementary on Saturday morning at 8 a.m.

Plan Ahead: The Election is Closer Than You Think

Local officials urge voting absentee.

Many things in what we used to call “normal” life have changed, but the election is still only three months away.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Symbols Matter

Arlington County’s most prominent symbol is its logo and seal.

Our Pets/ArPets

Did you notice a masked woman scurrying after her beagle with a restaurant food container, trying to catch his pee in Clarendon last week?

COVID Testing in Arlington: A Positively Negative Experience

Long delays, missing test results, closures plague testing process.

If you thought it would be easy to get a Coronavirus test and quick results in Arlington, think again.

Arlington Fair, Virtually

The magic of those Fair summer days and nights will be shared virtually on Facebook Live, August 14-16, during Arlington County Fair AT HOME.

Samia Byrd, Arlington’s Chief Race and Equity Officer

As the Chief Race and Equity Officer for Arlington County, Samia Byrd will lead the County’s work to advance racial equity, diversity and inclusion both internal and external.

EagleForce Warrior Foundation Donates $30K

Funds launch Capital Caring Health's ‘So No One Dies Alone Program.’

The local nonprofit provider of elder health, hospice and advanced illness care, Capital Caring Health, received a $30K donation from EagleForce Warrior Foundation to launch the provider's 'So No One Dies Alone Program' for Veterans from Northern Virginia and nearby areas and their families.

Black Interior Designers on Industry’s Lack of Inclusion and Diversity

Local tastemakers speak honestly about racial barriers within the profession.

As recent racial injustice protests have brought issues of diversity and inclusion to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness, local interior designers of color are voicing concerns about equity and underrepresentation within the industry.

OrthoVirginia Moves to New Offices in Northern Virginia

OrthoVirginia has relocated offices in Northern Virginia.

Airplane Noise Virtual Community Conversation and Aircraft Noise Mitigation Study Kickoff Meeting

Members of the Arlington County and Montgomery County, Md. and adjacent communities impacted by aircraft noise from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA):

Help: Collecting Food on August 11 and Every Day in Arlington

The Arlington County Police Department’s Community Resources Section is conducting a food drive in support of the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC).

Arlington Embraces Vertical Prosecution Model

Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti announced a major initiative in restructuring the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney in furtherance of its mission to ensure both public safety and justice.

Arlington Seeks to Enforce Physical Distancing, Limit Congregating on Posted Sidewalks, Streets

The Arlington County Board last week adopted an emergency ordinance prohibiting groups of more than three people from congregating on streets and sidewalks posted with the restrictions, and requiring pedestrians to maintain at least six feet of physical separation from others on the posted streets and sidewalks.

Airplane Noise Virtual Community Conversation and AIrcraft Noise Mitigation Study Kickoff Meeting

Airplane Noise

Yes, Some Places Are Irreplaceable in Arlington

Sam Torrey Shoe Service closes after 55 years.

The cubbies and shelves that normally would hold over 500 shoes, purses and other items are now mostly empty as Sam Torrey Shoe Services prepares to close on Friday, July 31.

Opinion: Column: Safeguarding My Future

Whether or not I'm certain about my attitude toward being a dual cancer threat (non small cell lung and papillary thyroid, cancer), only my subconscious knows for sure.

AAUW of Virginia Holds Summer Leadership Meeting

A record number of Virginia members of the American Association of University Women, a national advocate for women’s equity, attended their annual Summer Leadership Meeting on July 25, 26, and 27.

Back-to-School Vaccinations Required, Even with Distance Learning

Free vaccine clinics are designed to help ensure that all children are vaccinated.

While there’s a cloud of uncertainty over what the back-to school season will look like this year, one thing is certain: children still need to be vaccinated.

Senior Year Unlike Any Other

Recent high school grads, Class of 2021 face college uncertainty amid pandemic.

Senior year, 2020 T.C. Williams graduate Mikaela Pozo applied to 17 colleges.