Column: Been There, Doing That
I.V. chemotherapy, that’s what; and I’m not infusing it for the fun of it, either.
Meatless Diet Could Prolong One’s Life
New study shows vegetarian and vegan diets could lower risk of untimely death
“The number one thing to do is to explore different types of vegetables. Think outside of green beans and corn.” — Bonita Lillie, registered dietician
Love after 50: Baby Boomers Need Romance Too
Couple chronicles their online dating experience in new book.
“Dating in your 60s is a lot different than dating in the 1960s, to be sure. Our message is one of hope and the courage to try one more time. Life is just too short.” — Mindy Mitchell, coauthor of “Lube of Life: A Tribute to Sex, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness in the Boomer Age”
When a Bill Becomes a Law
On July 1, sales taxes go up for Fairfax County residents.
“We needed to at least make it clear that you risk a reckless driving offense if you text and drive.” —Del. David Bulova (D-37)
Don't Be Afraid; Learn About Bees
Number of drones on the increase.
What Do You Know About Bees? How many bees in an ordinary colony (hive)? a) 1000 b) 10,000 c) 60,000 or more 2. Each colony has one queen. What happens if more than one is born? a) All but one is killed b) All but one is driven out c) The first one takes half the colony and relocates 3. The oldest bee ever found (preserved in a drop of amber) lived how many years ago? a) 1,000,000 b) 25,000,000 c) 100,000,000 4. Stingers release venom for a brief time. What to do on being stung? gently back out stinger with a fingernail or credit card apply ice for swelling c) both a and b 90% of bees are workers. Which gender? a) male female Which stinging insect is vegetarian? hornet bee wasp 7. At least how much honey a colony (hive) needs for winter? 10 pounds 60 pounds 100 pounds 8. Honey has flavors depending on the blossoms visited. What do beekeepers do with "bad tasting" honey? throw it out leave it for bees to eat 9. Normal gathering range of a bee? 500 yards one-half mile c) 2 miles (or more) 10. For millennia, honey has been used treating wounds? a) true b) false Answers; 1.c; 2.a; 3.c; 4.c; 5.b; 6.b; 7.b; 8.b; 9.c; 10.a. Grading correct answers: 9-10 = A; 7-8 = "bee"; 5-6 = C. Arlington Adult Education offers a class called "Help the Honeybees!" on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Arlington Career Center, in Walter Reed Drive near Columbia Pike. Hours are 7 to 10 p.m. and registration is $5. Beekeepers Association of Northern Virginia has a booth at the 2013 Arlington County Fair to be held in Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd Street, South, Aug. 7 - 11. Bee products are judged at the Fair and many Are offered for sale. All the answers to all the possible questions about bees are found through that association's webpage: www.beekeepersnova.org
Let the Sparks Fly in the County
It’s not too late to enjoy local 4th of July festivals, parades and fireworks.
So. It’s July 4, 2013. Independence Day. A federal holiday celebrating our freedom from Great Britain. The National Day of the United States. And you have nothing planned.
Editorial: HOT-Lanes and No Metro for I-66?
Did you miss the public discussion and input? So did we.
One day when I was stuck in traffic on I-66, I was briefly entertained by the license plate of the vehicle in front of me. "66 SUCKS," it read. No question, commuting on I-66 is a bear.
Lake Braddock Grad Rodi Headed to Hillsdale College
Former Lake Braddock volleyball player Kyra Rodi helped the Bruins win the 2011 Patriot District title.
Column: No Shame in Crying
Nor is it a crying shame. But something has changed, dare I say affected my tear duct production. I can’t say with certainty – or even specify a particular moment in time for sure – when the tears began to flow more easily, but I’ll guess the change occurred sometime on or around February 27, 2009, the day I first met my oncologist; the day I was diagnosed with a terminal disease, stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), “prognosed” to live 13 months to two years. If that kind of shocking, terminal-type news doesn’t upset your apple cart – permanently, “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din.” And so it has, as reflected in my frequent “salty discharge” (to quote Jerry Seinfeld).
Editorial: Ready for Your Pet’s Close-up?
The Pet Connection, a bi-annual themed edition, will publish July 24. We invite you to send us stories about your pets, photos of you and/or your family with your cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other creatures share your home or yard with you.
Engagements
Justin Paul Robinson and Sarah Catherine James Engaged
Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Cindy Robinson of Ashburn announce the engagement of their son, Justin Paul Robinson, 24, to Sarah Catherine James, 23, daughter of Robert and Lucy of Metuchen, N.J.
Balenger Story: Walking Tall
Nick Balenger, paralyzed after a swimming accident, walks at the Lake Braddock graduation ceremony.
Every Lake Braddock senior who walked across the George Mason University Patriot Center stage for a diploma received applause and praise for 12 years of hard work. But only one student received a standing ovation for simply walking.
Viewpoints
Lake Braddock Graduates Discuss: Where are you going next and where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Lake Braddock graduates discuss their futures.
Children Dig Into Reading
Summer reading program sparks enthusiasm in area libraries.
This year’s summer reading program in Fairfax County libraries provides children and their parents with enriching opportunities they can sink their hands into.
Tuberculosis Clinic Set Up at Lee High School
Three people at the school identified as having active TB.
Following reports that as many as 430 students and faculty at Robert E. Lee High School could have been exposed to tuberculosis, Fairfax County Health Department officials set up a special clinic on Friday, June 21, to provide testing and information on the infectious disease.
Animal Shelter Fundraiser Proves Big Success
Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter held a fundraiser for the shelter, June 9, at Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton. Nearly 200 people attended the event, called “Wine, Whiskers & Wags,” and raised $6,000 for the shelter.
SkateFest Raises $11,500 for Children’s Hospital
Skateboarders from all over compete in Sk8 for a Cause.
Some 250 skateboarders from as far away as Missouri and Pennsylvania traveled to Wakefield Skate Park in Annandale Friday and Saturday, June 21 and 22, to compete in the seventh Annual SkateFest—Sk8 for a Cause, which raised $11,500 for Children’s National Medical Center in the district.
Workhouse Holds Summer Art Party on the Quad
Community invited to soak up art, artists and arts education programs.
It was a celebration of the arts when the Workhouse Arts Center hosted its Summer Art Party on the Quad on Saturday, June 22 in Lorton. The Art Party included art projects, storytelling for grownups, music, bubble art, interactive history, artist demos, tours of the former Lorton Prison and a community pillow fight.
Meier Reflects on His Decade at Robinson
Search continues for school’s new principal.
Robinson Secondary School still hasn’t found a new principal—but then, Danny Meier is a hard act to follow. He retired recently after serving 29 years with FCPS, the last 10 as Robinson’s leader.
Second Saturday Walkers Vote for Favorite Art
Three artists from the Workhouse Associate Artists (WAA) were chosen as People's Choice Award winners for their current exhibition in Gallery 902 (Building W9) at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.