News Briefs
As Democratic delegates fight to keep firearms further from school property, Republican Bob Marshall (D-13) is pushing legislation to bring more guns in. Marshall is the chief patron of HB 1557, which would require every school board in the state to designate one volunteer to carry a concealed weapon on school property. Training for selected volunteers would be provided by either the Virginia Center for School Safety or the NRA, of which he is a member.
Four Northern Virginia Senators Targeted
Redistricting effort puts Fairfax County seats in the spotlight.
Four Northern Virginia state Senators are targets of a Republican-led effort to draw new districts — Sen. George Barker (D-39), Sen. Dave Marsden (D-37), Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36) and Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34). Democrats say the redistricting effort is a cynical attempt to take advantage of the absence of Sen. Henry Marsh (D-16), a prominent civil rights veteran, who was in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration on Monday. But state Sen. John Watkins (R-10) of Powhatan defended the effort as a way to create a sixth majority black Senate district in Southside. It passed the Senate on a 20-to-19 vote.
Making Schools Safer
Two Northern Virginia Democrats take part in panel to consider school security.
Do Virginia schools need more guns? That question is at the heart of a debate that’s now reaching a fever pitch in the commonwealth, especially after a man with a Bushmaster assault rifle blasted his way into a Connecticut elementary school and killed 20 children and six adults before killing himself. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell responded to the tragedy by creating a School Safety Task Force, which is considering a proposal for every school in Virginia to have an armed school resource officer.
Column: The Best of Intentions, I’m Sure
Regularly, throughout my now nearly four years of living as a stage IV non-small cell lung cancer “diagnosee”/survivor, I have had conversations where the person with whom I’ve been speaking–in response to a query of mine, said about a particular set of their circumstances: “Oh, it’s nothing, really. I mean, it’s not cancer, so it’s not as bad as what you’re (meaning me) going through.” Said with the utmost sincerity and sensitivity to me of course, and with my feelings/reaction most definitely in mind; for a long time, I simply acknowledged their empathy/sympathy and continued on with our conversation as if no emotional pot–of mine, had been stirred.
Great Falls Home Sales: December, 2012
In December 2012, 13 Great Falls homes sold between $3,900,000-$600,000.
Great Falls Home Sales: December, 2012
Fairfax Families4Kids
Fostering bonds with children.
Nationwide, more than 463,000 children live in foster care. In many states, including Virginia, the number of foster youth has tripled in the last 25 years. As of Sept. 30, 2011, nearly 5,000 youth were in foster care in Virginia, according to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. Physical abuse is the most common reason children enter foster, but it’s not the only reason. Often there’s emotional abuse, sexual abuse and the parent or caretaker’s inability to provide a safe environment due to substance abuse.
A Family Made Whole
After a tragic loss, Reston couple creates a family through adoption.
The Granvilles look like a made-for-TV family. On a bright October afternoon, Chris, a computer engineer, is teasing his teenage son, Kenny, about what kind of pet to adopt, while Tiffany sits on a sofa, cradling Elijah, Kenny’s baby brother, who has just woken up from an afternoon nap. “Fish? No way,” Kenny, 15, says. “They just go ‘round and ‘round in a bowl.” Kenny is lobbying hard for a dog or—at the very least—a guinea pig or hamster.
Neil Simon’s ‘Proposals’ Presented in Vienna
Vienna Theatre Company presents a light-hearted glimpse into family relationships
At home in the Vienna Community Center, the community theatre draws local thespians and artistic and technical crew
Flint Hill School Honors War Hero, Department Head
Regimental dagger of Col. Alan Ferguson-Warren presented to school
“When you were around Colonel Warren, you got the feeling that you were in the presence of an immense personality and huge moral authority. . . . We all knew there was something extraordinary about this man.” — Jerry Jasper, president, Ferguson-Warren Society, Flint Hill School
Vienna Residents Support Warrior Canine Connection
Helping to bring the healing power of the best dogs to Wounded Warriors.
Vienna residents Patty Kennedy and Katherine Hutt have a lot in common.
New York Life Names Vienna Resident 2012 Council Vice President
New York Life has named Jim Adkins, of Vienna, as its 2012 council vice president.
Spring Hill Chorus Sings Nation Anthem at Wizards’ Game
Spring Hill Elementary Chorus sang the National Anthem for the Wizards’ basketball game at the Verizon Center.
McLean Senior Source Volunteer Opportunity
Do you love living in McLean? Want to help make it easier for you, your friends and your neighbors to continue to live and “age in place?”
On Guns: The ‘Right Thing’—Really?
I was very intrigued by the letter on "Doing the Right Thing on Guns" [Connection, January 16-22, 2013].
Program Tackles Drinking Culture
McLean High School hosts first ‘Perils of College Drinking Culture’ presentation of year.
Exploring Perils of Drinking Culture:The Jan. 17 program at McLean High kicks off the latest series of “The Perils of College Drinking Culture” in the area. The program will also be held: * Thursday, May 16, at Westfield High School in Chantilly. * Wednesday, May 22, and Wednesday, July 31, at the Annandale Campus of Northern Virginia Community College. The program will be at the Ernst Community Cultural Center, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Va. All events will be from 7 to 9 p.m., and admission is free. More information can be found at www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org.
McLean Orchestra to Perform for Alternative House Children
On Sunday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m., the McLean Orchestra and the McLean Youth Orchestra will do a first ever “side-by-side” concert.
Their Dreams
Studying Martin Luther King’s speech at Churchill Road
Students created a bulletin board of their own dreams by completing the phrase: “I had a dream that…”
Provocative Lyrics, Rock Score
McLean Community Players present award-winning musical “next to normal
Where and When McLean Community Players present "next to normal" at the Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean. Performances: Feb. 1-16, 2013, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets: $18-$20. Call 703-790-0123 or visit www.mcleanplayers.org. Note: Mature themes and language, most suitable for ages 15 and up.
Letter: Getting Back to Business
Virginia is no longer “the best state [in which] to do business.”
MPA Announces New Board Members and Officers
The board of McLean Project for the Arts has selected new officers and four new members.