Stories for February 2018

Just say yes to $400 million, thousands of jobs and health care for 300,000.

Dog Days at Volunteer Fairfax

Pet Connection: Bulova: Fantasy — To Adopt Office Pet

New Kids in Town in Fairfax County

County executive proposes budget that fully funds schools and compensation for employees.

Mixed Success on Menstrual Equity in Virginia

Increased availability behind bars, but no tax breaks during back-to-school week.

Several lawmakers from Northern Virginia arrived in Richmond this year hoping to push a cause known as menstrual equity — making sure that feminine hygiene products are affordable, safe and available. But success has been mixed.

Rescuing Frodo and Sammi in Fairfax County

‘Harvey’ Comes to Great Falls

McLean Community Players presents Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy at Great Falls Grange.

Art, Pottery on Exhibit at Great Falls Library

Pet Connection: Meet Best Friends of Great Falls

Virginia Senate Might Torpedo Medicaid Expansion

Democrats still need to flip one more GOP senator to make it happen.

Usually it’s the state Senate that leads on progressive issues, and the House of Delegates kind of drags its feet. Not this year.

Gun Debate on Lockdown in Virginia

Democrats unable to gain traction on reform, despite new numbers in House.

When lawmakers arrived in Richmond last month, Democrats were hopeful that they would be able to use their new numbers to gain some traction on the gun debate. Now that the session is half over and the nation is reeling from yet another mass shooting, very little of their agenda has been accomplished at the Capitol.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Protections Dismantled

An Entertaining Evening, and More in Tysons

‘The Farnsworth Invention’ at 1st Stage

Northern Virginia’s Report Card Unveiled

“Shape of the Region” Conference reviews area’s Opportunity Index and gathers leaders to discuss successes and challenges.

Diving into Black History with Books

Local educators suggest books to read in celebration of African American History Month.

Candlelight Vigil for Florida Shooting Victims

Protesters at NRA headquarters decry killings, demand lawmakers pass laws to stem gun violence.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Disappointing Letter

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Congress’s Failure on Mass Shootings

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Terrifying Talk

Editorial: Another Assault on Common Sense

Perhaps this time might be different.

Commentary: Encroachment in the Parks in Fairfax County

Working To Keep Students Safe in Fairfax County

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: What Needs to Be Fixed?

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Equity Is Impartial Justice

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Lives Are At Stake

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Respecting Differences

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Solely Merit-based Admissions

Commentary: Working Toward College Acceptance

A Stitch In Time

With the children out of the nest, Shafer Dobry is re-embracing her passion for fiber arts in a basement studio.

Styling a Coffee Table

Using décor to make a table pop.

End of Era for the D.C. Design House

Great Falls Home Sales: January, 2018

In January, 2018, 14 Great Falls homes sold between $1,375,000-$550,000.

Great Falls Home Sales: January, 2018

Opinion: Editorial: Send in Pet Photos Now

View from Coffin Corner

Extreme position on House floor enjoys a storied history.

As a freshman delegate in 1978, Ken Plum was assigned a desk in the far corner on the Democratic side of the House of Delegates — seat 17. It wasn’t the best vantage point in the House because about a third of the Republican members were totally out of view. The senior members took the seats at the back of the chamber near the center, sticking Plum in the corner.

Holocaust Survivor Shares Her Story

Eva Schloss, the 88-year-old step-sister of Anne Frank, speaks at GMU.

Pharmacy Construction Means Headache for Some in Great Falls

Neighbors worry about the inevitable surge of traffic and noise to their corner of Great Falls.

Cooperation, Questions and Concerns in Great Falls

Environment and Parks Committee reacts to County’s plans for local watershed improvements.

‘Animal Village’ Comes Alive in a New Book

Great Falls resident Nelda LaTeef writes and illustrates her children’s books.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Football Scholarships

Editorial: Many Amazing Volunteers, Nominate One

Feeding the Flu

What to eat when fighting the flu.

Virginia Lawmakers Play Whack-A-Mole with Predatory Lenders

Senate panel takes action limiting one kind of high-interest loan, leaving loophole for another.

By this time next year, high-interest lenders may be prohibited from making consumer finance loans — at least ones they find profitable at 200 percent interest. So that loophole may be closed by the end of the General Assembly session. But it seems likely lawmakers will leave Richmond this year creating no restrictions on open-end lines of credit, raising concern among some that lawmakers are playing a game of whack-a-mole.

Commentary: An Opportunity To Improve TJ

Winning District Wrestling Championships

Liberty District Wrestling Tournament held at McLean High School.

Forestville Storm Dance Team Brings Fun and Rhythm to School in Great Falls

A program at Forestville Elementary gives students self-confidence through dance.

Exciting evening of basketball at McLean High.

Presented by the Chabad centers of Northern Virginia.

Many Immigrant Stories But Similar Fears

Details of immigrant stories differ but the roller coaster of stress and uncertainty is the same.

Gifts for Valentine’s Day

Local tastemakers offer thoughtful giving suggestions.

Fairfax County Buildings’ Repurposing Debated

County considers vacant office space repurposing guidelines; public offers some “good ideas.

Effort to Force Diversity at TJ School Fails

Lawmakers reject bill that would have required governor’s school to admit poor students.