Stories for November 2020

OAR's Project Winter Cheer Program

There’s still time to help with OAR's Project Winter Cheer.

Virtual or In-Person in Arlington

What should “back to school” look like during a pandemic?

Sept. 8, early October, November and now 2021.

Giving Thanks for Local Help: Arlington Nonprofits Deserve Your Help

Delivery Changes, But Cheer Remains the Same in Arlington

Cars line up in the Harrison Shopping Center parking lot on Nov. 20 to drop off toys at the contactless, drive-thru Fill the Cruiser Holiday Toy Drive event.

Pavilion Fenced Off as Site for SEEC Workers in Arlington

The pavilion on South 27th Street and Shirlington Road sits empty after 20 years of serving as a meeting place for Shirlington Employment and Education Center (SEEC) workers.

Opinion: Column: A Question of Time

Let us presume, for the sake of this column, that I only have papillary thyroid cancer stage IV, and that my years as a non small cell lung cancer patient, also stage IV, are over.

Seniors and the Flu

Getting vaccinated can reduce hospital visits and admissions during anticipated shortage due to COVID-19

While shopping for dinner on a recent Wednesday afternoon, Roger Whitehead spotted a sign near the pharmacy of a grocery store near his home in Alexandria.

Artifacts Tell the Nation’s Story at the New Army Museum

The display cases, first-hand accounts and newsreel footage showcased in the museum.

In 1861, when the Civil War was just starting, Capt. Josiah Sawell was attacked by a pro-secession mob while passing through Baltimore with the 6th Massachusetts Volunteer infantry.

The Potomac River, a Stalling Recovery?

Cleaner than it was in 2011 when it got a D, but “its recovery is plateauing.”

While the Potomac River is clearly not what the Washington Post in 1951 called an “open sewer,” for the first time in a decade, the river’s health has declined, reported the Potomac Conservancy last month, falling from a grade of B to B- and still unsafe for swimming or fishing.

ArPets: Appreciating Our Pets this Thanksgiving

Local rescues are reporting that pet adoption is at an all-time high with more people working from home and looking for joy and companionship.

A Thanksgiving Like No Other, But Gratitude is on the Menu in Arlington

There won’t be a Turkey Bowl in Hall’s Hill this year, for the first time since most residents can remember.

Holiday Celebrations COVID-Style

Dealing with separation from family and friends

The decision to spend holidays away from loved ones can be a necessity during the coronavirus pandemic.

Safety Tips for Thanksgiving in Time of Covid

As the Thanksgiving and winter holidays approach, many residents may be wondering how to celebrate safely this season.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: In-Person Class: More Focused, Engaged

I am writing in response to the article titled “Addressing the Demands of Virtual University Classrooms ” published in your newspaper on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020.

Talking Turkey, ‘Respectable’ Birds

Virginia has around 180,000 turkeys, elusive in the woods and fields.

Alan Warburton did a double take when he spotted a wild turkey ambling across his Mount Vernon yard in the Tauxemont community in April.

Election Officers in Arlington Protect the Votes

Action was slow at the community center because of early voting.

As precinct chief, Caroline Klam has been watching over elections in Arlington for a long time.

A Turkey in Every Pot in Arlington

AFAC orders 2,500 turkeys to feed needy families

A refrigerated Cisco semi-trailer sprinkled with raindrops pulls up in front of the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) headquarters on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Eagle Scout Project Meets Pandemic Challenge in Arlington

This year’s Eagle Scout project took a different spin with the advent of coronavirus.

From Yorktown High School to Outer Space

Patrick Moran chosen as pilot for commercial space travel program

Patrick Moran is in his car headed for Spaceport America, New Mexico.

ArPets: Try Not To Be a Semiprick This Thanksgiving

I'm obsessed with my beagle's upper lip.

Opinion: Column: I'm Here to Report

As my brother, Richard, has often said: "If the oncologist is happy, then I'm happy."

Addressing the Demands of Virtual University Classrooms

Marymount psychology professor offers solution to distance learning obstacles

For some students and professors, the loss of in-person contact has disrupted higher education and the experiences that often accompany it.

People, Parks, and Pandemics

It happened from the very beginning, as shopping centers, gyms and restaurants closed in the last half of March and news spread about the pandemic: people started gathering in parks.

School Building Closed? Try a Park

Families across Northern Virginia are challenged with online education.

Rich History for Opera NOVA

Online offerings, but missing the annual Children’s Opera

Right about now in November, Jose Sacin would usually be in the middle of the Children’s Opera, Opera NOVA’s big event of the year.

ArPets: Meet Ariel: She Never Let the Diaper Get Her Down

If she ever had a family, we'll never know.

Flourishing After 55 in Arlington

55+ Programs are virtual or outdoors, following the Governor’s Forward Virginia guidelines.

Arlington County Unofficial Election Results

Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington is a Tree Sanctuary

Tree Stewards help label trees; some are ‘unusual.’

When a Tree Steward finishes the training course to become a steward, they are supposed to know how to identify a tree, in any season.

Opinion: Column: As Second Opinions Go...

...it was first rate.

Thanksgiving Decor in the Era of Covid-19

Creating dining elegance at a distance

Naomi Patterson’s Thanksgiving table is usually set with linen dinner napkins, cleaned and starched, and her wedding china, ecru with a platinum border.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Why Is Dino Drudi Always the One?

Why am I always the one ending up critiquing Michael Pope's articles.

Pumpkin or Police Car in Arlington?

Sirens blare and lights flash from blocks away to announce the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) “frightfully fun parade of costumed cruisers.”

Return to School Plans in Arlington

Arlington will begin to provide in-person learning support for Level 1 students with disabilities beginning on Nov. 4.

Halloween Takes on a New Look in Arlington

Leftover heating pipe, plywood, bungee cords and a couple of hours, and you have a couple of Halloween treat chutes.

ArPets: Meet Wobble, The Much-Loved Tripod Cat

They were already running late.

Arlington Volunteers Cure Ballots in North Carolina

Arlington activists canvassed in NC, and in Virginia’s 5th District for Cameron Webb, among others.

Sandra Garcia opened the chained door of her apartment in a low-income area of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Kindness During a Very Difficult Year

The lines to vote early at the Springfield-Franconia Government Center were a 3-4 hour wait every day for two weeks.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: A Generation Capable of Change

What kind of world do you want to live in, a world where you have no problems or issues to fix in your community?

Opinion: Column: Better Late Than Never...

...to get a second opinion about one's first cancer; especially if there's now a second cancer to consider.

Assistance League of Northern Virginia Helps Meet Needs for Local Families

Assistance League of Northern Virginia distributed another 400 $20 grocery gift cards in October to families at the six schools that normally would have received the Weekend Food for Kids food bags.

Decompressing after a Divisive Election

Limit time on social media or watching post-election coverage

The moments that stretched her to her professional limits came immediately after the 2016 presidential election.

The Pandemic Election

Virginia voters support Biden, Warner and a new redistricting commission.

Twenty years ago, Virginia was a red state. Republicans scored Virginia's electoral votes in every presidential election since LBJ was reelected in 1964. Republicans held both U.S. Senate seats. The Grand Old Party had all the statewide offices, a majority of the congressional delegation and both chambers of the General Assembly. That was the environment when Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Democrats, ran for governor and lieutenant governor.

Matrix, Sunlight Discussed at Fairfax County Public Safety Committee

Community, advocacy groups and police give more than 2,500 suggestions on police reform; Governor signs reform bills from special session

Police reform includes improving morale for police officers.

Don’t Get Burned When Buying Firewood This Fall

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) advises consumers to measure deliveries of firewood to ensure they receive the full value of their purchase.

Chilly but Determined in Arlington

Most voters already voted before Election Day

Almost two-thirds of active registered voters in Arlington had voted either by mail or in person by Saturday when the in-person early voting closed in Virginia.

Scouting for Food Nov. 14

Things have changed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Scouting for Food on Nov. 14