Stories for March 2021

Stories for March 2021

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Wednesday, March 31

Green Summer

Alexandria delegation works with the governor to legalize marijuana on July 1.

Alexandria is about to become the capital of marijuana in Virginia. The city's legislative delegation is at the center of an effort poised to legalize weed this summer, years ahead of an agreement that was struck behind closed doors at the end of the General Assembly session in February.

Tuesday, March 30

Opinion: Commentary: zMOD Approved at Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

What happened?

Sunday, March 28

Opinion: Column: Time Will Tell

Ordinarily, I'd be writing this column this weekend – after this week's events.

Saturday, March 27

Herrity Explains His ‘No’ Vote on zMOD in Fairfax County

Today (Tuesday, March 23) the Board of Supervisors passed a modification of its Zoning Ordinance (zMOD) by a vote of 7 to 3.

Sunday, March 21

Trail Improvements at Random Hills Park

The trail in Random Hills Park will be improved, and the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking public input on its design.

Saturday, March 20

Opinion: Commentary: Pandemic Shows Workers Need a Voice in Fairfax County

As county employees, we work tirelessly to provide essential services, often behind the scenes, to make sure our county continues to run and families get what they need during this difficult time.

Friday, March 19

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Sully Woodlands Stewardship Education Center Planned

State-of-the-art building slated for E.C. Lawrence Park

The Fairfax County Park Authority plans to construct a groundbreaking and innovative new building in Chantilly’s Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

Students Shine in Art, Talent Show in Centreville

Students in the Upper School of Ad Fontes Academy in Centreville got to display their creative expertise during the school’s recent art and talent show.

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A Lawsuit Challenges TJ Admission Changes

Parents sue to stop TJ’s admission policy changes, alleging anti-Asian race discrimination.

The Fairfax County School Board and Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand face a new lawsuit filed against them last week in United States District Court in Alexandria.

Opinion: Column: A Shot in the Arm

Literally and figuratively.

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County Highlights

Actions and words by Fairfax County leadership and citizens

In our new series,  County Highlights, the Connection spotlights actions and comments by Fairfax County officials, public servants, and local citizens who call the County's 406 square miles home.

Thursday, March 18

Opinion: Editorial: We Still Need Your Help

We all need community newspapers; community newspapers need your help.

A year later, Covid continues to be the most compelling, most local issue that we face.

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Creating Healthy Mother-Daughter Relationships

Local authors and therapists offer thoughts and guidance.

As a middle school student, Sofie Jacobs was at times mocked by other girls for her fastidious study habits and the good grades she received as a result.

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Student’s Art Contains A Global Message, and Wins a Scholarship

Global warming is just one of the many messages expressed in arts competition.

Art Scholarship

Tuesday, March 16

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Madison Warhawks Beat Westfield Bulldogs, Improve to 3-0

The Westfield Bulldogs traveled to Vienna for a conference football game with the Madison Warhawks on March 12.

Friday, March 12

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‘He’s Devoted His Whole Life to Being a Pastor’ in Centreville

CPC members discuss Bromhead’s merits, their favorite memories.

Retiring after more than three decades as pastor of Centreville Presbyterian Church (CPC), Rob Bromhead’s final day there was last Sunday, Feb. 28.

‘Unwavering Motivation to Keep Residents, Neighborhoods Safe’ in Sully District

Viar is Sully District Station’s Officer of the Quarter.

PFC Henry Viar has been named the Sully District Police Station’s Officer of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2020.

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Westfield Bulldogs Beat West Potomac Stallions 35-0

The Westfield Bulldogs defeated the visiting West Potomac Stallions 35-0 on March 5.

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Chantilly Chargers Win in a Low-scoring Game with Centreville Wildcats

In a low-scoring game in Clifton on March 5, Chantilly defeated Centreville 14-7.

Honoring Women on Front Lines of Pandemic

The Fairfax County Commission For Women celebrates Women’s History Month 2021.

Thursday, March 11

Opinion: Column: “Cancerversary”

I realize I'm cancer-centric, especially in these columns, but for some reason that centricity didn't acknowledge my February 27th cancer anniversary.

Opinion: Commentary: What is ‘Fair’?

Equity costs - and paying that price will not be fair, but it will be just.

If Black people had a dollar for every individual, organization, and company that publicly professed a commitment to antiracism and racial equity while holding up progress in the name of “fairness,” we could have closed the racial wealth gap ten times over.

Fairfax County Planning Commission Recommends Denial of Flag Limitations

It's not a done deal.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted 11-0 to recommend denial to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to replace the current zoning ordinance establishing specific regulations for flags and flagpoles in the New and Modernized Zoning Ordinance (zMOD Updates) countywide.

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Opinion: Commentary: Step into Nature for Improved Health

New research into the health benefits of being in nature prompted the Wall Street Journal reporter Betsy Morris to do a story titled, "For Better Health During the Pandemic, Is Two hours Outdoors the New 10,000 Steps?"

Wednesday, March 10

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Starting from a Clean Slate

Compromise on expungement: automatic for some misdemeanors, petition for some felonies.

Marijuana convictions will be automatically expunged under a bill now under consideration by Gov. Ralph Northam, although convictions for crack cocaine will require missing a day of work and probably hiring a lawyer to go to court and seal the record. The legislation is a compromise crafted late in the General Assembly session by House Majority Leader Charniele Herring of Alexandria and state Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36), who clashed repeatedly over the last year about how the process should work.

Tuesday, March 9

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Two Giraffes Die in Reston Blaze

Two giraffes at Roer's Zoofari at 1228 Hunter Mill Road in Reston died in a barn fire Monday evening.

Friday, March 5

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‘I’m Excited about the Church’s Bright Future’ in Centreville

Centreville Presbyterian pastor retires after three decades there.

The Rev. Rob Bromhead has been a pastor for nearly 40 years – 31-1/2 of them at Centreville Presbyterian Church.

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Lake Braddock Bruins Beat Westfield Bulldogs in Season-opening Game

Lake Braddock 26, Westfield 7

The Westfield Bulldogs and the Lake Braddock Bruins battled it out in a cold rain in Burke on Feb. 26, in both teams’ first game of the season.

Opinion: Column: Back to Abnormal

Well, those last two weeks were kind of fun, (comparatively speaking) to the dozen or so previous weeks.

Thursday, March 4

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Fairfax County Readies for Public Employee Collective Bargaining

Holds collaborative meetings with union reps to write rules

Most Fairfax County public employees who provide vital services in education, safety, healthcare, and sanitation like others in counties, cities, and towns across the Commonwealth, will gain a new right on May 1, 2021.

Wellbeing: A Schedule Can Anchor Your Day

How creating a daily routine can ease anxiety during times of uncertainty

Her days were overwhelmingly stressful.

Opinion: Editorial: Brain Injury Awareness: A Personal Story

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.

In 2007, my kids and I were at a fireworks show in Vienna that was so grand we were in awe of each burst.

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Housing Values Increase and This Will Soon Be Felt in Tax Bills

The county juggles the tax rate, but higher tax bills are on the horizon.

Home Assessments Increase