Stories for June 2020

Opinion: Column: Mourning, Afternoon and Evening

We had to euthanize Biscuit, our oldest cat, on Saturday, June 20th. He would have been 14 on September 20th.

Marijuana Decriminalized July 1 in Virginia

Will decriminalization of marijuana stop inequitable treatment for communities of color?

Who is more likely to be charged, asked Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw. An executive of a defense contractor smoking marijuana on his deck overlooking woods in Clifton or Great Falls, or the Black teen or young adult walking down Route One in Mount Vernon, or on a street in the Annandale or Culmore sections of Fairfax County?

Using Holistic Practices

How Yoga and Meditation can help ease anxiety over racial injustice.

Before the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent stay-at-home orders, Kesha Davis’s weekday evening routine included picking up her fifteen-year-old son at a bus stop in Old Town Alexandria.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Terminate Local Agreements with Park Police

As you know, on Monday, June 1, 2020, the United States Park Police (USPP) used tear gas on citizens at Lafayette Square who were peacefully exercising their constitutional rights prior to any curfew.

Arlington Has New Director of Corrections

Major Gretchen Foster is the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office Director of Corrections, effective Monday, June 22. Foster is the first female Director of Corrections in Arlington’s history.

Washington-Liberty High School Celebrates Graduation in Arlington

After the virtual graduation ceremony held online at 10 a.m. June 18, Washington-Liberty High School 2020 graduates celebrated with a motorcade parade beginning on 15th Street and driving down Quincy Street and around the school.

Arlington Couple Cleans Up Nice

Two residents dedicate themselves to cleaning up the banks of the Potomac.

You’ve seen the trash along the banks of the Potomac and you might even have picked up a plastic bottle or bag two to bring home for recycling.

Jesus Collazos Was More Than Our Mailman

Four years ago, we moved into a neighborhood that really felt like one. Houses are not too far apart, so neighbors know one another, and stop to check in.

National Landing BID Unveils Unified District

The Crystal City Business Improvement District is officially renamed the National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) following an action by its voting membership at its annual meeting today.

Opinion: Commentary: Terminate Memoranda of Understanding with US Park Police

As you know, on Monday, June 1, 2020, the United States Park Police (USPP) used tear gas on citizens at Lafayette Square who were peacefully exercising their constitutional rights prior to any curfew.

Opinion: Column: Masking My True Feelings

For those of us living in states where mask-wearing is mostly mandatory (indoors: yes, outdoors: not nearly as much), it is very easy to hide one's emotions.

Seniors Join Protests for Racial Injustice

Remembering the past to inform the future.

Long before there was a Black Lives Matter movement and smart phones that captured police brutality on video, and long before throngs of people filled streets around the world to protest racial injustice, there were smaller crowds of pioneers fighting to tear down barriers imposed by Jim Crow laws.

Pick Up What You Need—Every Six Weeks in Arlington

Ronda Gilliam Clothing Bank, sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church, has reopened at the Arlington Methodist Building located at 716 S. Glebe Road.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Arlington for Justice Urges Arlington County Board to Reform Policing

Reduce police budget, invest in community, end over-policing and racial profiling.

Dear Arlington County Board: On behalf of Arlington for Justice, we are writing to share our concerns about the role of the Arlington County Police Department, especially its recent actions on June 1, 2020 to remove nonviolent protesters who were lawfully protesting in DC, and our recommendations for reform.

Arlington Gently Ventures into Phase 2 Reopening

DOJ Filing Supports Major Expansion of Arlington National Cemetery

Expansion would link Arlington National Cemetery with U.S. Air Force Memorial.

The Department of Justice Monday filed a civil action on behalf of the Department of the Army for the taking of roadways owned or operated by Arlington County by eminent domain for the purpose of expanding Arlington National Cemetery.

Pedestrian Killed on I-66 in Arlington

On Saturday, June 6 at 12:32 a.m., Trooper M. Dalton responded to a crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 66, just west of Route 29 for Exit 73 in Arlington County.

COVID-19: Not a Fair Fight

Regional perspective: pandemic exposes health inequality leading up to discrepancies in life expectancy.

The zip codes with higher concentrations of poverty, lower education levels, and crowded housing conditions tend to have the highest rates of COVID.

Yorktown High School Graduation Parade

Forty-two vehicles filled with graduating Yorktown High School seniors lined up at Madison Center, and escorted by motorcycle police, they headed toward Glebe Road on Sunday afternoon.

A Book A Day Keeps the Coronavirus Away in Arlington

Moms Demand Action volunteers delivered hundreds of new and gently used books and games June 9 to children participating in the weekly Barcroft Elementary School food distribution program.

Opinion: Column: Taking the Results in Stride

Apparently, I'm back in the lung cancer business. According to the video visit I had June 8 with my endocrinologist, my thyroid cancer has not moved into my lungs where my oncologist thought it might have – given the results of a previous biopsy and some surprising tumor inactivity in my lungs.

Pandemic Patience: Counselor at NVFS Calms New Mothers

Tele-mental health during COVID-19 is the new normal for the Healthy Families Program.

Mental health counselor Bianca Molinari Anez knows what it is like to encounter postpartum depression; she experienced it herself. That’s one of the reasons she is so devoted to the group of women she counsels.

Northern Virginia Family Service: More than a Safety Net for 100 Years

During the Great Depression, they handed out coal and coats. Now, it’s an array of services.

Ninety-five years ago, Northern Virginia Family Service handed out coats and coal in Alexandria. Today, the organization has a much broader mission and geographic reach throughout Northern Virginia and – in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic – an increased need for its services.

Discussing Racial Injustice with Children

Books and visual art can help begin difficult conversations.

As horrific scenes of police brutality and images of passionate protesters fighting for racial justice are ubiquitous in a smartphone and social media obsessed society, parental control over information that children receive can be limited. Framing and discussing such issues can be equally as challenging.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Statement from the Mayors and Chairs of Northern Virginia

As the Mayors and Chairs of Northern Virginia, we raise our collective voices on behalf of the more than 2.5 million residents of our region to express our sorrow for the decades of injustices that have befallen the African American community in America.

Protest in Nauck/Green Valley

Protest banners appeared mid-week obscuring the Nauck Community sign in Nauck/Green Valley, the historically African-American part of Arlington established in 1844.

Peaceful Demonstration June 2 in Arlington

An estimated 250 demonstrators convened in Clarendon Central Park on June 2, one among many protests in Arlington this week.

Arlington’s Week in Coronavirus

Coronavirus response funding – The Arlington Board will take action to accept $413,265 in federal CARES Act funding from the state. The funding would be used to expand services that provide home-delivered meals, in-home care services, respite care for caregivers and information, and referral to supportive services to Arlingtonians age 60 and older and their caregivers.

Opinion: Column: “The News of My Death...

…is greatly exaggerated." So said Mark Twain. So said W.C. Fields. And so said Kenny Lourie.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Statement from the Mayors and Chairs of Northern Virginia

As the Mayors and Chairs of Northern Virginia, we raise our collective voices on behalf of the more than 2.5 million residents of our region to express our sorrow for the decades of injustices that have befallen the African American community in America.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Northern Virginia Houses of Worship Will be Open, But Not Their Buildings

The State of Virginia and Fairfax County have told us that we can reopen our houses of worship at fifty percent capacity. We will not be doing so at this time.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Northern Virginia Rotary Clubs Letter on Racism--

Signed by District Governors and 10 Area Clubs.

George Floyd’s needless and heartless death has set in motion a dramatic nationwide response that we refuse to ignore.

Summer Blooms

Heat tolerant flowers that add bursts of color to gardens and landscapes.

As spring flowers begin to wither under the heat and humidity of summer, the vibrant blooms that once graced yards and gardens begin to fade. It’s during this time that landscapers and gardeners rely on a bevy of color-rich flowering plants that are hearty enough to stand up to the relentless summer sun.

An Arlington Kitchen Gets a Facelift

From dark and dated to light and modern.

When an Arlington family grew tired of their home’s cramped, dark kitchen, they turned to interior designer Elena Eskandari to modernize and expand it, while creating a space for entertaining.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: A Moment to Act

I’m sure folks have seen the protests this weekend in response to George Floyd’s murder at the hands of police officers, and years of violence against the Black community.

Arlington’s Week in Coronavirus

DAY OF MOURNING: Arlington County will join other officials and faith leaders across the country for the day of mourning. The County will hold a moment of silence and lower the County flag at the government building to remember the 109 Arlingtonians — and the more than 100,000 people nationwide (101,711 as of Saturday, May 30) who have died from COVID-19.

Emily and Sarah to Celebrate Virtual Graduation in Arlington

Twins Emily and Sarah Roberts stand on their front porch with Hachi on the leash headed toward his favorite spot in the front yard. Emily and Sarah say they were still hoping for an in-person graduation even after the rest of the school year at Yorktown High School had been cancelled.

A Bear in Arlington

A young male bear ambled by a garbage can looking for breakfast on Wednesday, May 27.

Saturday Night Waiting for a Table in Arlington

Arlington’s favorite spots with rooftop bars or outdoor patios had lines on Saturday night.

Muslims Celebrate Ramadan at Home During Pandemic

It was hard not to be able to embrace friends and family after the 30 day fast.

Ramadan, the month-long fast that takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar year, is, after all, a time of sacrifice. For many who were under stay-at-home orders in Virginia, that spirit of sacrifice took on an added dimension.

Week 12: Inside Coronavirus at Virginia Hospital Center

“It’s safe to say that coronavirus cases in Arlington are starting to see some leveling off, but not that it is definitely going down,” according to Adrian Stanton, Vice President for Business Development and Community Relations at Virginia Hospital Center.

Opinion: Column: Night and Now Daze

That wasn't so bad. Approximately 29 hours in the hospital in a private room and all I had to do was drink as much water as possible and shower half a dozen times.

Let’s Get This Right: Mask Up NOVA

It’s Phase One and Executive Order 63 for Northern Virginia’s reopening.

On May 29, The Northern Virginia Regional Commission announced that it produced a Public Service Announcement emphasizing the importance of wearing a face mask in public indoor spaces.

Governor Northam Declares State of Emergency

Assistance to localities authorized.

In Northern Virginia, Fairfax County Police assisted in Manassas when demonstrations there “became violent as some of the protesters proceeded into Sudley Rd., stopping traffic, and throwing objects at passing motorists and officers,” according to Prince William Police.

When One Drink is No Longer Enough

Increase in alcohol consumption during COVID-19 worries some.

Just three months ago, her evening routine was simple. She made dinner for her 10- and 12-year old children, and after they’d taken showers and gone to bed, she settled onto the sofa in her family room with a book and a glass of wine.