Stories for December 2020

Two Million Lights in a Dark Winter

An Insider’s View on the Bull Run Festival of Lights; open through Jan. 10, and maybe more

The Bull Run Festival of Lights is the largest light show in the Washington Metropolitan area, and this winter it is more popular than ever before.

Snowman Art in McLean

A Snowman with a Tree, by Aaradhya Menon, Grade 3, Lemon Road Elementary School; art teacher: Cheryl Bearss.

Opinion: Column: Trip, and Hopefully Not a Fall

Having recently returned from a driving sojourn through the South, with stops and stays in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, visiting four sets of friends in those three states, I can say with certainty that wearing masks, social distancing and common sense consideration for your fellow citizen were not nearly so accepted as we had hoped.

Surviving Christmas Day in Solitude

Ideas for coping with being alone on the holiday

While Christmas Day will be different and difficult for many this year, it will be especially difficult for seniors who live alone and will be in solitude because of COVID-19 risks.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Cutting Pollution for Our Health

Ella Kissi-Debrah had severe asthma, frequently visiting the ER with cardiac and respiratory arrest.

Opinion: Editorial: Merry Christmas

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

The pages of the Connection (including the Alexandria Gazette Packet, the Mount Vernon Gazette, the Potomac Almanac and the Centre View) are usually full of holiday spirit, beginning before Thanksgiving.

Appealing Bad Rulings

Lawmakers to consider expanding appeals court, providing new oversight to judges.

Virginia is the only state in the country that does not guarantee a right to appeal, allowing circuit court judges to make decisions with little oversight or scrutiny. Critics have been calling for reform ever since the Court of Appeals was first created in 1985. The Supreme Court of Virginia recommended an appeal of right as a "long term goal" in 2018. Now, Gov. Ralph Northam says he wants lawmakers to add four judges and support staff "to ensure the court can hear more appeals cases in a timely manner under an increasing workload."

Opinion: Column: Three Strikes...

...and now I'm out – of the Handel's Messiah sweepstakes.

Virginia Master Naturalist Program Graduates Spring Class

The 2020 Spring class of Virginia Master Naturalists (VMN) graduated, finally, in a Zoom ceremony on Dec. 14.

A Holiday Season Reimagined

The pandemic leads to altered and new traditions.

When schools adjourn for winter break, the anticipation of a COVID-19 pandemic holiday season will become a reality.

McLean, Langley High Communities Weigh in on Boundary Adjustment

Capacity relief sought with eyes on Langley High School

Fairfax County Public Schools presented three possible options and a no change option for capacity relief at McLean High School during a virtual community meeting held Mon., Dec. 7.

McLean Teacher Authors Memoirs-in-Essays

Allison B. Kelly: Seeking the perfect day and finding joy in the imperfect

Allison B. Kelly, ESOL Teacher at Haycock Elementary School, is the author of the newly released book, “There's Spaghetti on My Ceiling.”

December is Puppy Mill Awareness Month

Breeding license is no indicator of quality

Third article in a series.

Absurd Leverage

Lawmakers to reconsider mandatory minimum for assaulting law enforcement

Earlier this year, lawmakers rejected a bill that would have ditched the mandatory minimum sentence for assaulting a law-enforcement officer. Now the General Assembly is about to consider the issue again.

What Does It Cost to Buy a Dog?

Virginia observes Puppy Mill Awareness Month

Second article in series.

A Look Inside the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meeting Dec. 1, 2020

Highlights of discussion and actions that impact all who live, work and play in the diverse county

Dec. 1 marked the final Fairfax County Full Board of Supervisors Meeting with Public Comment of 2020.

National Park Foundation Hero Award for Sen. Warner

Award for his efforts to pass the Great American Outdoors Act

Monday, Dec. 7, at an outdoor and socially-distanced ceremony at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) was awarded the National Park Foundation’s Hero Award by Foundation President, Will Shafroth.

Christmas Casual or Go All Out?

As with many traditions, the pandemic is altering celebrations.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: 495 NEXT Project: A ‘Game Changer in the Region’

Having lived in McLean for more than 36 years and represented McLean and Great Falls in the House of Delegates, I have experienced our traffic congestion as it has grown worse each year.

Opinion: Column: “Medican’t” Take It Anymore

The non-stop – or so it seems, television advertising letting all of us viewers know that the 2020 Medicare Open Enrollment window is about to slam shut is nearly over.

Drawing the Line

Newly created redistricting commission zooms toward new maps in 2021

Now that voters have approved a constitutional amendment creating a new redistricting commission, the pieces have already started falling into place for how the commission will work and who will serve on it.

Opinion: Column: A Bone To Pick

Not that I'm the most-stressed about it, but I am at least stressed about a bone scan I'm having this week.

December is Virginia’s Puppy Mill Awareness Month

In February, the 2020 General Assembly unanimously designated December as Virginia’s Puppy Mill Awareness Month.

Students and Parents Navigate Virtual Learning in Fairfax County

FCPS Virtual and In-Person Learning During COVID 2020

Dec. 1 marked the day that Fairfax County Public Schools students in Group 5, those in Early Head Start, PreK, Kindergarten, and some who receive special education services were to at last transition out of distance learning and walk through school doors to receive two days a week of in-person learning.

Fairfax County Police Patrol on Bikes to Enhance Community Relations

Neighborhood Patrol Units are in every district.

The boots on the ground for the Fairfax County Police Department include the numerous bicycle squads cruising throughout the county, keeping communities safe while interacting with the public on a daily basis.

Have Yourself a Sober Little Christmas

Batting addictions during the holidays

With the holidays come an increase in imbibing.

Bringing Joy and Message of Hope to Area Children

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue participating in TOYS FOR TOTS Campaign

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will be participating in the Annual National Capital Region Fire and EMS Departments’ 2020 TOYS FOR TOTS Campaign.

Even though we’re separated by distance, we’re closer than ever.

Staring at a computer for online class is far from the true experience of a classroom setting.