Letter: Lifesaving Community
To the Editor
I wanted to write and publicly thank everyone who helped with my blood drive on Aug. 1. So many people helped, from St. Andrew's Catholic Church who hosted us, Joyce Krolicki from Paul VI and Brenda Tingen from Inova who supported and guided us, my friends
Letter: Global Warming Is Impacting Us Now
To the Editor
On Wednesday, July 30, I joined hundreds in Washington, D.C. to show my support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan by testifying at the public hearing.
Editorial: Brightening Outlook for End of Summer
Local pleasures to offset discouraging news.
The news here has been a bit discouraging, and that’s without considering the human tragedy and disaster of several different international situations.
Column: “CanSir”
When it comes to being a cancer patient, even more so a multi-year cancer survivor, I have always erred on the side of caution. And by caution, I mean being respectful to the disease, courteous of its comings and goings, mindful of its potential damage and afraid of its intangibles. And by intangibles, I mean the unexplained and the inexplicable, and most fearfully, its power and unpredictability. Therefore, my behavior toward it has been intended to be as polite as possible; never to be perceived – in any way imaginable – as arrogant, presumptuous, in control, all-knowing and most especially, victorious.
Editorial: Finally, Marriage Rights Protected in Virginia
On July 28, 2014, in affirming that Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, Circuit Judge Henry F. Floyd writes: “We recognize that same-sex marriage makes some people deeply uncomfortable. However, inertia and apprehension are not legitimate bases for denying same-sex couples due process and equal protection of the laws.
Letter: Following the Rule of Honor
Letter to the Editor
The recent story in The Connection about Governor Terry McAuliffe signing special legislation that would focus on helping military personnel and their families underscored the importance of what these fine Americans do for our country. A grateful nation and state should acknowledge their sacrifice by helping them when possible.
Letter: WFCM Still Operating, but Closing Thrift Store
Letter to the Editor
An open letter to the community. Dear Partner in Service: For 27 years, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries has provided life-essential support to individuals and families in our community
Editorial: Tragic Consequences
Money lost by refusal to expand health coverage, but also life, health and livelihood.
The Virginia General Assembly’s refusal to expand Medicaid, extending health coverage to as many as 400,000 Virginians has resulted in the loss of about $1 billion in direct payments. But that understates the loss, failing to calculate the cost of the lost health of thousands of Virginians.
Letter: More Sleep As a Smokescreen
Letter to the Editor
There is no doubt that more sleep is healthier. That is common sense. The real mental disorder is spending money that the school can't afford.
Editorial: Save a Little, Help Others Prepare for School
Virginia’s tax holiday on school supplies is a good reminder to donate supplies and dollars for children who need help arriving at school prepared.
Virginia’s tax holiday on school supplies and clothing is Aug. 1-3, and it makes sense to take advantage of the savings, and to spread the wealth around.
Not That I’ll Ever Be Out, But…
“Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in.” Although this quote is from Michael Corleone from “The Godfather: Part III,” it very much characterizes my daily struggle being a terminal cancer patient; non small cell lung cancer, NSCLC, is like that, almost always. Even though I don’t want to think about the fact that I have cancer, or not let it affect my judgment on life – or perspective; or let it impede my path to a happier existence, more often than not, it does.
Editorial: Hurray for Full Day Mondays
Hoping that later start times for high schoolers follows quickly.
For decades, Fairfax County schools have sent elementary school students home after half a day on Mondays. This was never a good idea, and it has been more damaging to family schedules and student learning with the increase over the years of two-income households and greater economic diversity.
Letter: Unsolved Landfill Issues
To the Editor: Your article "Landfill Decision Deferred to July 29" [Connection, June 19-25, 2014] reporting on the controversial Lorton landfill extension proposed by EnviroSolutions (ESI) omits two strategic facts that pertain to the discussion. The first is that developers are tending increasingly to recycle construction waste, rather than send it to landfills. This will undoubtedly impact a planned closure date, plus any projected revenues the County plans to obtain from ESI landfill operations should be reduced accordingly.
Look Out Below
I think I know what a rampaging bull feels like; and I don’t mean one on Wall Street, either. I mean one in the figurative sense: when one has a need, an overwhelming, unstoppable-type urge, to scratch that itch, to gratify that which has been delayed. What am I talking about? (You sound like my wife, Dina.) I am talking about food. More specifically, I am talking about a side effect I’ve been experiencing of late from the chemotherapy drug Alimta, with which I’ve been infused every three weeks since late September, 2013 (successfully I may add, given the shrinkage noted in my most recent CT Scan).
Letter: False Claims on ‘Underfunding’
There’s been some commentary on Fairfax County school budget issues and a total misuse of the term "underfunding," including the false claim that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors underfunded the school system.