Stories for May 2021

Opinion: Commentary: Mental Health: A Home for Healing

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month — a time when we work to remove stigmas around discussing mental illness.

Obituary: Steve Gresham

Noted architect, community leader dies at 70

Steve Gresham was known for many things: his intellect, his wit, his love of classic rock and the vast collection of his trademark bow ties.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Supporting New Kennedy Shelter on Beacon Hill Alongside the Penn Daw Fire Department

Dear Supervisor Storck, This is a letter of support for placing the new Kennedy Shelter on Beacon Hill at the old Hybla Valley Nursery site alongside the Penn Daw Fire Department.

Buttigieg Visits National Airport to Discuss Immigration

On the heels of the Biden administration’s decision to redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Mary Kay Henry, International President of the two million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU) held an immigration roundtable discussion on Tuesday with 32BJ SEIU’s airport workers at National Airport (DCA).

John Warner, Former Secretary of the Navy, United States Senator from Virginia, Dies

Sharing official statements on the life of John Warner.

South County Police Station & Animal Shelter Breaks Ground

Fairfax County officials, police, and community members joined in officially breaking ground for the new South County police station and animal services shelter on May 22 at its future site on Lorton Road, between Hooes and Workhouse Roads.

The River Farm Deal, Moving Closer to Reality?

River Farm moves forward

Local Bridge Repair Signals Need for Infrastructure Investments

In the bigger picture, roads and bridges need help on a larger scale.

Infrastructure needs attention

Developers and the Fairfax County EDA Focus on the Richmond Highway Corridor

Recent county program praised for positive financial impacts.

Richmond Highway development

Mount Vernon Lee Chamber Awards $20,000 in Scholarships

Ten scholarships were awarded to local high school students by the Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce to recognize outstanding achievement of 2021 graduating seniors planning to continue their study in a business-related field.

Opinion: Commentary: Supporting Hala Ayala for Lieutenant Governor

June begins next week, which means that the Democratic primary elections are right around the corner.

Opinion: Column: Philosophically Meandering

As I discussed a few weeks back, having all this time off/apart from cancer-related activities is unsettling in a peculiar way.

Senior Living: Just Can’t Wait to Get Back on the Road Again

Vaccinated Seniors plan vacations, trips to reunite with family

Sifting through photos of rafting trips through Labyrinth Canyon on the tranquil waters of the Green River and hiking in the Needles district of Utah’s Canyonlands National Park, Arlene Richter recalls her past travels as she begins planning for new adventures.

Fairfax County School Board Member’s Post Fosters Heated Reactions

Amid division, voices seek to be heard.

With Ramadan's ending on May 13 and on May 14, Fairfax County School Board Member Abrar Omeish posted what some considered controversial statements on her Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Mount Vernon at Home Turns 15

Virtual Gala to be held May 27

Fifteen years ago, as she contemplated retirement, Mary Carroll Potter envisioned her future.

Bikeway Will Link Newington to the Metro Station

The wooded trail is being linked and extended for commuters and hikers.

Cinder Bed Bikeway

Metrobus Route 11 Sees Changes in Mount Vernon

A new schedule starting June 6 has the 11C partially replacing the 11Y.

Metrobus Route 11

Penn Daw Apartments Rising from the Parking Lot

The Belhaven by Fairfield finds a home close to traffic on this busy part of Richmond Highway.

Belhaven by Fairfield

Opinion: Commentary: Environmental Working Groups

These groups are critical to identifying issue, gathering stakeholders to help reach consensus on the best approach to creating future legislation

Now that the legislative session has finished up for the year and we are headed into the summer months, my colleagues and I in the General Assembly are as busy as ever with the many boards and commissions we are appointed to, as well as legislative working groups created by legislation we passed in the past session.

Convention Done, Primary Ahead

Republicans get a head start in the general election; Democrats still fighting each other

The way Democrats talk about Donald Trump, you'd think he was on the ballot in 2021. And in many ways, he is. The former president may be out of the White House and kicked off of social media, but he's still eager to see himself as a kingmaker.

Obituary: Nicholas (Nick) M. Horrock, 84

Nicholas M. Horrock, a distinguished journalist for many of the nation’s great newspapers, died of heart failure on Sunday, April 18 at his home in Alexandria, Va.

Opinion: Column: A True Sense of Insecurity

From the moment you hear the word cancer spoken in your direction – from your new best friend, an oncologist with whom you've had zero previous interaction, you are transported to a new reality.

Memorial to Suffragist Women Dedicated in Lorton

To educate, inspire, empower present and future generations

For more than seven decades, millions of American women sought the right to vote.

How to Keep Children, Teens Safe Online

With children and teens spending so much time online, parents and caregivers need to know how to help them be safe from predators.

Celebrating Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Importance emphasized in context of recent discrimination and hate crimes.

Educational videos and online trivia questions, organized by the school's Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Committee, are giving Montgomery College students an opportunity for reflection, while food, music and film offer students at Marymount University in Arlington a glimpse of a different culture.

Opinion: Commentary: Nominate Mark Herring for Re-Election on June 8

The June 8 Democratic primary is an opportunity to vote for fairness and justice for everyone by supporting Attorney General Mark Herring.

New Memorial in Lorton Tells a Story Largely Untold

The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial

“Herstory” was made on May 16 when around 100 Northern Virginians applauded the ribbon cutting officially opening the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial in Lorton, a project 13 years in the making.

Snakes — Misunderstood and Mistreated All Too Often

Working diligently in her home office recently, Anita Drummond was jolted from her project when she spotted an eastern rat snake slithering down a nearby tree and through the leaf litter in her Tauxemont backyard.

Women’s Clinic Opens in West End of Alexandria

Inova expands women’s health, sexual assault and trafficking services.

Elected officials from throughout the region gathered in Alexandria’s West End May 8 to celebrate the opening of two new Inova Health System community health clinics that will focus on women’s health and medical evaluations for sexual assault and human trafficking survivors.

NPS Shares Road Diet Plan for GW Parkway

Virtual meeting on May 10 gives road users a voice; more than 700 people have commented.

GW Parkway

Dedication to Community Recognized by Local Rotary Club

Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club member makes a difference.

Mount Vernon Kiwanis

River Farm Preservation Efforts Gather Momentum

NOVA Parks and Northern Virginia Conservation Trust hope to purchase River Farm to keep it open to the public.

River Farm

Opinion: Column: A False Sense of Security

As previously referred to in a recent column, even though I am hardly cancer-free, nonetheless I am cancer interruptus for the next four weeks.

Opinion: Commentary: Respecting the Feelings of 'Other’

When I was in elementary school back in the ’80s, I came to school after celebrating Eid and closed my sweaty hands into fists.

Biking and Trail Use Continues to Grow in Northern Virginia

Pit Stop gathering is out, but Bike to Work Day is still on for May 21.

It’s been 20 years since Bike to Work Day began, and it grows each year, showing that there is another side to commuting that uses no gas, has health benefits and is fun, even if it’s only one day a year for many.

Ceremonial Swearing-in of Fairfax County Police Chief Davis

On Monday, May 10, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) tweeted, "This morning, Chief Davis was surrounded by family, senior staff, and members of the Board of Supervisors for his ceremonial swearing-in as Chief of Police."

HomeLifeStyle: Elevating the Bathroom

Ideas for budget and luxury bathrooms

Sometimes regarded as a strictly functional space, bathrooms might bring to mind brushing and flossing rather than style and comfort.

New Charitable Event Kicked Off Mental Health Awareness Month

Kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month, a new golf tournament hosted by Alliance Executive Search and CBRE on May 3 raised more than $26,000 to benefit PRS, a leading behavioral health nonprofit serving Northern Virginia.

Treasury Launches State and Local Covid Relief Funds

U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded the Treasury Department’s launch of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, established by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Muse Condominiums Grand Opening This Month

Knife-Wielding Man in Assault at Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque

Man is charged with hate crime after lunging at guard

Shortly before Monday’s afternoon prayer at the Dar al Hirjah Islamic Center near Seven Corners in Fairfax County, a man who was not part of the Muslim community began harassing those outside the entrance of the mosque waiting to pray.

Fairfax County Community Presses New Police Chief and Chairman for Answers

Citizens call for starting over on police chief, not being part of Davis' “redemptive” career journey.

On day four in his new position as Chief of Police Fairfax County, the ghosts of Kevin Davis' law enforcement past clung heavily in the County's public arena of the May 6 virtual Community Input Session hosted by Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay (D-At-large), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Supervisor Rodney Lusk (D-Lee).

Celebrate Small Business Week by Supporting Local Businesses

This week, May 3-9, is Small Business Week and Mount Vernon Lee Chamber would like to recognize the contributions of entrepreneurs and small businesses in our community.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Noisy Planes and Silent Local Leaders

One audible indicator that the pandemic recovery may be underway is increased air traffic from Reagan-National.

Workhouse Arts Center is Opening to Commercial Entities as Attractions

A restaurant and brewery were among the desired occupants they are seeking.

Workhouse additions

Opinion: Column: Cats in the Belfry

Have I mentioned in print lately that we, resident owners of "Belly Acres" in Burtonsville, are back to being a five-indoor-cat household?

Opinion: Commentary: Fairfax County School Board Protects Immigrant Families

Today, the Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously to develop a School Trust Policy aligning the school division with Fairfax County’s Trust Policy.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Rescind Chief of Police Appointment of Kevin Davis

A letter to Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay.

Wellbeing: Meeting Increased Mental Health Needs

Affordable treatment options highlighted during National Mental Health Month

Resulting from the tumultuous and emotionally charged past year, there's been an uptick in reported mental health conditions.

Opinion: Commentary: Fairfax County Board of Supervisors: Davis ‘Has Our Trust’

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors released the following statement Tuesday, May 4, in support of Police Chief Kevin Davis:

Opinion: Commentary: Taking Out the Trash

In April, 82 volunteers picked up 126 bags of trash, 8 tires, and nearly 2,000 pounds of bulk trash along Little Hunting Creek at ten different sites.

One of the rites of spring in Mount Vernon is our annual creek and community clean-ups.

Fairfax County Police Chief Begins Job with Trust Deficit

Faith leaders question 'flawed' selection process and Supervisors' values during prayer vigil.

Approximately thirty interfaith leaders from across Fairfax County gathered in the "First Amendment" area outside the Fairfax County Government Center at noon, Tuesday, May 4.

Opinion: Commentary: Calling for New Fairfax County Police Chief Search

ACLU People Power Fairfax joins the Fairfax County NAACP in calling for a new search to fill the Fairfax County Police Chief position, this time with community involvement in the vetting process.

Davis Promises ‘Blue Waters Ahead’ for Fairfax County Police

Advocate ACLU People Power Fairfax joins the Fairfax County NAACP and others calling for new search

County To Hold “Community Meeting with Chief” Thursday, May 6.

Trashing Mother Earth

Not only is trash polluting and unsightly, it is harmful, even lethal, to wildlife.

On April 10, 82 volunteers hauled 126 bags of trash out of Little Hunting Creek and 46 volunteers collected 55 bags of trash in Dyke Marsh and along the Potomac River just south of Alexandria.

Dissenting American Horticultural Society Board Members Told to Be Silent

Nova Parks offers a second proposal to purchase River Farm from AHS.

Five members of the American Horticultural Society’s board of directors – half of the voting members of the board, they say – voiced public opposition to the proposed sale of River Farm.

Opinion: Commentary: Community Discussion Regarding New Penn Daw Fire Station, Emergency, Supportive & Affordable Housing

Thank you to the hundreds of residents who attended our first two virtual community meetings about the proposed new Penn Daw Fire Station, Emergency, Supportive and Affordable Housing project at Beacon Hill Road and Richmond Highway.