Stories for June 2011

Stories for June 2011

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Thursday, June 2

Joining the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Dawn Turton commits to being at least “a part of the solution.”

Dawn Turton, a member of the Commonwealth Baptist Church in Alexandria and a Springfield resident, was among 130 citizens from over 30 states who visited Capitol Hill on April 11 to spotlight human trafficking.

Student Makes Difference for ALIVE! House

Samantha (Sammy) Rebecca Archer, a middle school student at St. Stephens & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, wanted to make a difference for those less fortunate, and she knew just how to do it. She encouraged guests invited to her Bat Mitzvah to donate to a local charity. Sammy asked her neighbors to give her some ideas. Many of them encouraged her to look at ALIVE! (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically), an organization that provides services to families in need in Alexandria.

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Fresh Uncertainty

New insurance requirements puts two farmers markets in a state of limbo.

The tomatoes aren’t the only bumper crop at the farmers’ market this year. Liability insurance has also blossomed in recent months, creating a fresh sense of uncertainty at two Alexandria farmers markets.

PLTI Program Celebrates Five Years

More than 100 supporters gathered for a benefit May 19 at Convergence to celebrate the fifth anniversary of The Parent Leadership Training Institute of Alexandria, an organization that teaches leadership building skills focusing on the advocacy of children.

Viviani from Arlington Wins Third Annual Earth Day 5K

On a cool April morning, 625 runners laced up their sneakers and put on their favorite "green" themed t-shirts to run the Earth Day 5K in Silver Spring, Md. The annual race is sponsored by Pacers Events and money raised through registration supports The Nature Conservancy and Oyster Recovery Partnership’s work to restore oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.

Bull Run Celebrates Literacy with ‘Read Under the Stars’

Bull Run Elementary School families and staff enjoyed a fun evening as they celebrated reading together on May 9 with "Read Under the Stars." Community firefighters from Fire

Cinco de Mayo

CareFirst makes $96,500 grant for ANSHI dental program.

Jack Taylor's Alexandria Toyota showroom was once again the site of the annual Cinco de Mayo fundraiser and silent auction benefitting Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, which used the May 12 occasion to recognize CareFirst for its financial support in awarding a $96,500 grant to help increase access to dental care for uninsured patients.

Kilmer’s Science Olympians

Kilmer Middle Sets Bar High

Fifteen students, one state championship and six medals at Nationals. Kilmer Middle School’s Division B Science Olympiad team has set their bar with the past year’s achievements.

Dulles Rail in Crisis?

Rising costs, station choice and ideology sew discord rolling into Phase 2.

In the space of two months, the handling of the Dulles rail project by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority has come under a major legal attack, a challenge by a senior member of Congress, the angry criticism of the governor of Virginia and has outraged the members of the Fairfax and Loudoun Boards of Supervisors.

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Civil War Looms Large at Cemetery

The first burial took place in June 1861: Corporal Allen Greely, from Bravo Company of the Vermont Infantry.

Cavaliers Sign on Dotted Line

Twenty-nine athletes at W.T. Woodson High sign papers to play college sports.

On Thursday morning, May 26, 29 senior athletes of W.T. Woodson High School signed on to 22 colleges in 12 different sports, completing the final task of accepting a college's recruitment to play for their new school while studying in higher education.

Keeping Streets Safe

Sgt. David Green Jr. recognized for impaired driving enforcement.

After a promotion in Dec. 2008, Arlington Police Officer David Green Jr. quickly found his niche when it came to getting intoxicated drivers off the street. After he was promoted to sergeant of the midnight patrols section, his responsibilities included managing administrative duties for his squad as well as managing the DUI and Alcohol Safety Action Program for the entire department.

The Issue Was Sex

Burke comedienne presents frank, funny discussion in her show ‘Sex Rules!’

Sex Rules! At least according to Maria Falzone. Falzone is a Burke comedienne, who is breaking down the barriers to promote an open dialogue about safe sex and empower women with her show, “Sex Rules!”

Improvements Slated for Fairfax County Parkway

North Loop widened to ease bottleneck.

As traffic continues to swell on the stretch of the Fairfax County Parkway from Fort Belvoir to the intersection at Rolling Road, local drivers like Christine Wells often get caught up in the traffic snarls and bottlenecks trying to access the “North Loop” that drivers need to take to stay on the parkway as they head west.

Great Falls Honors Those Who Serve

Freedom Memorial hosts annual Memorial Day Ceremony.

Langley senior Matthew Goudreau knows all about being in a military family. His mother was in the Navy and his brother is currently serving in the Marines on the USS Enterprise. So when the Thomas a Beckett Youth Choir and Ensemble, of which Goudreau is a member, was asked to perform at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial for Memorial Day, he was more than willing.

When Iris Eyes Are Smiling

Vienna garden highlights 350 iris hybrids.

In front of a house sitting on a shady road off Vale Road are chairs facing the roadway. Not just any chairs but colorful wood high-backed chairs with holes in the seat. In these holes are planters and in the planters are flowers and greenery. That’s the first sign that this is no ordinary home and an even less than ordinary yard.

Wednesday, June 1

Dream Comes True At Town Center

Reston Town Center hosts fantasy wedding.

Reston Town Center was the site of a fantasy wedding for Philip Laster and Mindi Walker May 29, as local businesses contributed to helping the couple start off on the right foot. As the winners of a contest held around Valentines Day, Laster and Walker got a chance to enjoy the best of what Reston Town Center could offer.

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Emission Ambition

County sets goal to reduce carbon emissions by 10.4 metric tons over the next 40 years.

Arlington County has a new goal to slash carbon emissions. But the first-ever community energy plan unanimously adopted last month imposes no mandates or penalties if residents and business fail to clean up their act. And it doesn’t set any money aside for strategic investments.