Stories for December 2020

Dude from Israel (Cultural Identity Drawing)

Dude from Israel (Cultural Identity Drawing) by Samantha Sutton, Grade 3, Art Instructor: Mrs. Chinn, Shrevewood Elementary School.

Two Million Lights in a Dark Winter

An Insider’s View on the Bull Run Festival of Lights; open through Jan. 10, and maybe more

The Bull Run Festival of Lights is the largest light show in the Washington Metropolitan area, and this winter it is more popular than ever before.

ArPets: It'll be an Ollie Jolly Christmas for this Arlington Family

It started as a totally normal day with Oliver the cat venturing out for her daily adventure.

Opinion: Column: Trip, and Hopefully Not a Fall

Having recently returned from a driving sojourn through the South, with stops and stays in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, visiting four sets of friends in those three states, I can say with certainty that wearing masks, social distancing and common sense consideration for your fellow citizen were not nearly so accepted as we had hoped.

Surviving Christmas Day in Solitude

Ideas for coping with being alone on the holiday

While Christmas Day will be different and difficult for many this year, it will be especially difficult for seniors who live alone and will be in solitude because of COVID-19 risks.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Cutting Pollution for Our Health

Ella Kissi-Debrah had severe asthma, frequently visiting the ER with cardiac and respiratory arrest.

Opinion: Editorial: Merry Christmas

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

The pages of the Connection (including the Alexandria Gazette Packet, the Mount Vernon Gazette, the Potomac Almanac and the Centre View) are usually full of holiday spirit, beginning before Thanksgiving.

Appealing Bad Rulings

Lawmakers to consider expanding appeals court, providing new oversight to judges.

Virginia is the only state in the country that does not guarantee a right to appeal, allowing circuit court judges to make decisions with little oversight or scrutiny. Critics have been calling for reform ever since the Court of Appeals was first created in 1985. The Supreme Court of Virginia recommended an appeal of right as a "long term goal" in 2018. Now, Gov. Ralph Northam says he wants lawmakers to add four judges and support staff "to ensure the court can hear more appeals cases in a timely manner under an increasing workload."

Pandemic is Forcing Business Changes, but Life is Good in Arlington

Jason Andelman has just spent all day packaging his hundreds of boxes of chocolates for shipping.

Extension Programs Pivot, Operate Better Than Ever in Arlington and Alexandria

“Sit back, find a comfy seat and get ready for some excitement.”

Arlington’s Letters to Santa Are On Their Way

Rachael Toman, Conservation and Interpretation Manager for the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation, reports that the mailbox located at Gulf Branch Nature Center is stuffed with letters from Arlington children for Santa.

ArPets: The Secret to Happiness

Want to be happy? Do something for someone else.

"If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else."

Opinion: Column: Three Strikes...

...and now I'm out – of the Handel's Messiah sweepstakes.

Virginia Master Naturalist Program Graduates Spring Class

The 2020 Spring class of Virginia Master Naturalists (VMN) graduated, finally, in a Zoom ceremony on Dec. 14.

A Holiday Season Reimagined

The pandemic leads to altered and new traditions.

When schools adjourn for winter break, the anticipation of a COVID-19 pandemic holiday season will become a reality.

Former CEO of Technology Company Pleads Guilty to Investment Fraud Scheme

The former chief executive officer and co-founder of Trustify, Inc., a privately-held technology company founded in 2015 and based in Arlington, pleaded guilty last week to his involvement in a fraud scheme resulting in millions of dollars of losses to investors.

Opera NOVA Is Back on a High Note

Opera NOVA is back in operation after a nine-month hiatus due to the pandemic.

Arrest in 1991 Cold Case Rape Series

The Arlington County Police Department’s Cold Case Unit is announced the arrest of a suspect in a cold case rape series.

Vietnam Veterans Share Holiday Cheer in Northern Virginia

Vietnam Veterans of America Inc. Chapter 227 of Northern Virginia fulfilled their founding principle, “Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another,” by providing Holiday Cheer to military veterans, active duty personnel, and homeless families in several ways.

Golden Radish Awarded for Urban Gleaning in Arlington

Each year, Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture gives out the Golden Radish Award to a person, group or business that has made a significant contribution to advancing urban agriculture issues, policies, programs and enterprises in Arlington.

Arlington Police Investigate Discharge of a Firearm during Armed Robbery

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is investigating an Armed Robbery and Attempted Malicious Wounding in the Fairlington neighborhood that took place on the evening of Dec. 5, 2020.

Absurd Leverage

Lawmakers to reconsider mandatory minimum for assaulting law enforcement

Earlier this year, lawmakers rejected a bill that would have ditched the mandatory minimum sentence for assaulting a law-enforcement officer. Now the General Assembly is about to consider the issue again.

ArPets: Why Cats Could Be Good for Your Bones

Jennifer Zhuge's parents wouldn't allow pets when she was growing up.

What Does It Cost to Buy a Dog?

Virginia observes Puppy Mill Awareness Month

Second article in series.

National Park Foundation Hero Award for Sen. Warner

Award for his efforts to pass the Great American Outdoors Act

Monday, Dec. 7, at an outdoor and socially-distanced ceremony at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) was awarded the National Park Foundation’s Hero Award by Foundation President, Will Shafroth.

Christmas Casual or Go All Out?

As with many traditions, the pandemic is altering celebrations.

Opinion: Column: “Medican’t” Take It Anymore

The non-stop – or so it seems, television advertising letting all of us viewers know that the 2020 Medicare Open Enrollment window is about to slam shut is nearly over.

100th Birthday for Father John van de Pear

Cars line up early in the lower parking lot of Missionhurst on N. 25th Street on Sunday, Nov. 29 for a surprise drive-by parade for Father John van de Paer’s 100th birthday.

Yorktown Students Organize Doorways Toy Drive

From Legos to Baby Alive dolls, a smile for every face

Lauren Rosenthal is on a toy buying Zoom call with several friends the Wednesday before Thanksgiving trying to decide what toys to buy for 45 children at Doorways.

55+ Happy Holidays in Arlington

Featured holiday programs for December

Drawing the Line

Newly created redistricting commission zooms toward new maps in 2021

Now that voters have approved a constitutional amendment creating a new redistricting commission, the pieces have already started falling into place for how the commission will work and who will serve on it.

ArPets: Sage

They sold their house and left their dog behind. Seriously.

The garbage truck hauled all kinds of junk away, boxes were packed and furniture wrapped.

Batting addictions during the holidays

With the holidays come an increase in imbibing.

Editorial: Time to Send Art for Children’s Connection

Like everything else, the Children's Connection will be different in 2020.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Covid Alerts Via Mobile?

Given the evolving COVID-19 restrictions and guidance in response to another wave of infections, I believe I have an idea for information proliferation.