Pioneering Change For Autism
University of Virginia seminar studies tension between “The Science & Lived Experience of Autism.”
Despite a recent surge in attention and research over the past decade about autism, controversy exists.
Arlington: Brunch Preview of Joplin’s ‘Treemonisha’
In a matter of days, joyful singing will burst from the confines of Washington Golf and Country Club, courtesy of Opera NOVA.
Arlington: Laid Bare, Laid Low
Historic house demolished.
Last week an old house on Minor’s Hill was felled for new development.
Arlington: A Heroine’s Final Touches
For her grave, to her life.
It is hard to close the book on a hero, and even harder in the case of a celebrated heroine.
Arlington: A Case of History Passing
Lustron: The forgotten experiment.
A special sadness arises when noticing a family consists only of aging members without child or grandchild or niece or nephew, their string of genealogy reaching its end. Some people, often called “preservationists,” suffer the same sense of sadness seeing a special structure threatened. Very soon, the few remaining Lustron houses in Northern Virginia will suffer losses. They, too, are approaching their end.
Alexandria Column: The Mailbox
Not unlike a man of like age, it leans slightly as dictated by their common enemy, age. Eight decades will do that.
Arlington Photos: Happy 50th Birthday
Happy 50th Birthday
It was quite a day. Artifacts of American Indians were displayed beside children making butterflies of paper and clothespins.
Arlington: Belated Recognition for a Spy
Alexandria resident honored at her funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.
Many are the unseen heroes and heroines living among us, most masked by their own modesty. One died early this year: Stephanie Czech Rader.
Arlington Snapshot: Protecting Personal Security and the Environment
Arlington’s Solid Waste Bureau offers “free paper document shredding” every month. Watch old medical records, credit card receipts, tax returns, and the like being turned into harmless confetti. It is enough to make an identity thief cry. Scraps are recycled, so some trees are also saved. The shredding takes place on the first Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the county yard, 4300 29th Street, South (near Shirlington, off South Arlington Mill Road). Next event is April 2.
Arlington: A Business-as-Usual Election
Lack of competitors for offices changes nothing.
“Surprising” is the way Betty Adelman described the absence of representatives from other than the Democratic Party.
Arlington: Masonic Lodge, Leader Honored
Awards reflect local lodge’s community service.
At its annual state convention last month, The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia Free & Accepted Masons bestowed its two highest honors for fraternal year 2014-15 upon an Arlington unit and its leader.
Arlington: Much To Discover at Discovery Elementary
Meeting construction deadlines, new school welcomes students this week.
A new school often is thought of as “added to” the neighborhood. Dr. Erin Russo, founding principal of Discovery Elementary School located beside Williamsburg Middle School, disagrees. She says the new school is, and will remain, “of” the community it serves. Russo underscores the point by describing citizen involvement over the years between concept and completion.
Arlington Snapshot: Flamingos
Sign of climate change along George Marshall Drive.
Arlington: Masonic Story Memorialized
African-American Lodge honored.
History finally caught up with Arlington Lodge #58 F&AM, Prince Hall on Saturday, June 6. Arlington County erected a marker commemorating the strong and beneficial presence of generations of mostly African-American men in the Nauck community.
Arlington Police Documented in Pictures
Retired officer writes history of county police department.
Some few years ago, Janet Rowe attended a law enforcement officer convention in Pittsburgh and was impressed with that city’s police museum. On another occasion, she came across a book telling the history of the Alexandria Police Department. Nothing comparable existed for Arlington’s police department. She bided her time and this year took a first step in remedying the situation. “Arlington County Police Department” is now on booksellers’ shelves.
Arlington: ‘Oakgrove’ or ‘Oak Grove’
A small neighborhood park is rededicated.
“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet.” Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet” So it is with Arlington County’s park at North Quincy and 17th Streets.
TechShop Arlington Celebrates 1st Birthday April 18
TechShop To Host Tours at Open House
Some folks always want to build “it” with their own hands, whatever “it” may be. Inventors/entrepreneurs believe a solid, hand-held prototype will help sell a new idea. All they lack is a modern $1,500,000 (give or take a few dollars) workshop in the garage or basement. Now they have one, here in Arlington, and it is open 24 hours a day.
Arlington's Little Libraries: Take a Book, Return a Book
Front lawn libraries sprouting all over.
The “little free library” movement has arrived in Arlington. It explains those unusual structures beside the sidewalks that look like overgrown birdhouses. Soon, more will appear on county-owned property courtesy of Arlington Public Library.
Heaven and Earth in Arlington
The best of both for pets.
Many say faith and science are incompatible. But every so often, they appear together in unusual settings. One example is a local animal hospital.
Arlington County Celebrates Hispanic Heritage
Highlighting contributions by the Latino community.
Each September, the President of the United States proclaims “National Hispanic Heritage Month.” Nothing in the document says contributions by Hispanics must or should be restricted to a single month.
Navy Band To Visit Arlington's Yorktown High School
Concert to include students.
At the upcoming performance of the U.S. Navy Band, the uniformed professionals will be joined by members of the event host, Yorktown High School Band. The free concert will be held in Yorktown’s auditorium this coming Saturday evening.
Arlington: Scout Project Rolls On
Eye-catching homemade signs caught more than eyes. They also caught a large number of donors living in the Nottingham area, thanks to Marcus Ayoub. Marcus organized nine other members of Troop 647, Boy Scouts of America, sponsored by the local Church of the Covenant, in a bicycle collection project to earn his Eagle Rank.
And the Bands Played On
Two local high schools reach finals.
“I was absolutely thrilled with [my students’] efforts” in “very difficult conditions for a marching band,” said Band Director Adam Foreman of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria.
Commentary:Blame Local Governance for Police Secrecy
Police shootings where civilians are killed (or wounded) are assumed to occur while protecting the public-at-large, as well as the officer(s) involved. When the public seeks to learn the circumstances of such shootings, police officials lock up the files and send out their spokesperson to say they can reveal nothing, forever.
And the Bands Played On
Two local high schools reach finals.
“I can’t say enough about how proud I am of the students’ efforts throughout the day. It was by far the coldest, windiest, and rainiest day they have had to perform in all year,” said Brian Bersh, band director of Yorktown High School in Arlington.
Resurrection of Ivy Hill
Effort to make historic cemeteries “destinations.”
“Leveraging Mobile Technology for Cemetery Marketing and Maintenance” and “The Use of Mechanical Armatures to Support Weak or Failed Gravestones” are unlikely lures for the ordinary weekend.
‘Property Genealogy’
Researching the life of a house.
When “a house” becomes “my home” it assumes a unique identity. According to George Combs, manager, Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Public Library, that transformation explains the steady stream of visitors, be they “retirees with time on their hands or new homeowners once they have settled in,” seeking what Combs calls “property genealogy.”
Biking for a Cause
Phoenix Bikes on the rise
“Years from now, you will be able to say ‘I rode in the very first event.’ Your contribution to this wonderful organization is something to remember, always.”
Rotary Is All Around
85 years of service, and counting.
In conversation, it becomes clear that Rotary’s idea of “community” is not limited to one’s own city or county, but stretches coast-to-coast and extends to other countries.
Relief Just Moments Away
Alexandria's fireboat comes home.
Named Relief, Alexandria’s fireboat returned to its berth last week and stands ready for action in service to the Port City. However, its responsibilities are broader than one might expect.
An Alexandria Monument
Highly visible, mostly forgotten.
Ninety-nine years ago, almost to the day, a ladies’ patriotic organization made a gift to the City of Alexandria with the permission of the City Council. Its centerpiece is a cannon abandoned by Major General Edward Braddock at the start of his march against the French and their Native American allies in 1755. Braddock’s aide-de-camp was a colonial officer named George Washington. The artillery piece sits upon a pedestal of cobble stones taken from the streets of Old Town. Drivers rushing through the busy intersection of Russell and Braddock roads hardly notice the structure. For pedestrians, access to the small plot can be a challenge.
City in Violation of Its Charter
Citizens hampered from accessing departmental rules and regulations.
While Alexandria’s ordinances are enacted in public by the City Council and are readily accessible to the citizenry, usually in the form of “The Code of the City of Alexandria, 1981,” departments and offices across city government also promulgate official rules and regulations, but they are neither publicized nor readily accessible by the citizenry. This directly violates the express wording of the city’s charter.
First Annual Springfest Arrives
Capitol City Brewing Company had a new idea inspired by the decade-old Oktoberfest tradition: “Let’s invite about 50 local breweries to a festival welcoming spring.” A funny happened. They all accepted. Thus, 2014 is witness to The First Annual SpringFest in The Village at Shirlington.
Ball-Sellers House Opens for the Season
Twenty-five years or so before the Revolutionary War began, an English immigrant homesteaded in what is now Arlington’s Glen Carlin community. His name was John Ball and the small cabin he built, to house the family of wife Elizabeth and their five daughters, still stands.
The Lions of King Street
The winged lion appeared in many cultures over thousands of years. It symbolized beginnings and endings, “the seeker and the accomplished.” So, in one sense, the winged lion is a perfect business advertisement.
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