Shirley Ruhe

ACPD Engages Community

The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) Community Engagement Division has already been busy the first week of October engaging the community through two Coffee With A Cop events on Oct. 2 as well as an Essentials Drive on Oct. 4.

Arlington Program Focuses on Fathers

Silbert Harrison Grant is passionate about fathers. “When you help the father, you are also helping the mother and the kids — the whole family, and that helps the community.” Grant is Coordinator of Fatherhood Enhancement with Child and Family Services for the Arlington County Department of Human Services (DHS).

Family Fun Day Returns at Calloway UMC

It is the season for fall festivals in Arlington including Clarendon Days, St. Ann’s Fall Festival and Calloway United Methodist Church Family Fun Days on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Eat Fresh, Eat Local at Your Neighborhood Farmers Market

The Farmers Markets in Arlington have a rich history going back to the establishment of the first market at Courthouse parking lot in 1979.

Prison Reform Takes Long, Tortuous Path

Del. Hope advocates for more humane conditions for incarcerated people.

Del. Patrick Hope (D-47) spearheaded legislation this session that creates a state ombudsman over the Department of Corrections.

Neighbors Across Arlington Enjoy National Night Out

Neighbors in communities across Arlington closed their doors and ventured out to celebrate National Night Out on Aug. 6. This nationwide event is held the first Tuesday in August to help people get to know their neighbors and to foster good community relations with the police and other emergency responders.

Alexandria Film Festival — Behind the Scenes

Interview with Patti North, executive director and founder of the Alexandria Film Festival

The Alexandria Film Festival will run from Nov. 7-10 in several venues around Alexandria. It features high quality short and feature length films, documentaries, filmmaker panels and arts presentations. This is the first in a series of articles focusing on the background, the process and a look at the movers and shakers who make it all happen.

Seniors Quilt Keeps History Alive

History is kept alive in many ways—through historical novels, ballads, folklore passed down through the generations. For one group of Arlington seniors, local history of the now closed Lee Center is being kept alive through the display of a quilt they pieced together in 2000.

The Tradition Goes On at Lyon Village

The usual red, white and blue banner is unfurled across the street and held aloft by many of the regulars at the beginning of the parade. GJ Carten, a long-time participant, remembers the Lyon Village picnic started in 1972, and the parade was added in 1980.

Too Many Deer in Arlington — Now What?

The recent debate about deer management in Arlington has aroused some mixed emotions about the best method to cut back the deer population or whether it is needed at all.

Blueberries Gone Before You Know It

Cars line up, trunks open in the parking lot of Cherrydale United Methodist Church on Lorcom Lane Friday, June 21 to pick up their 10-pound boxes of fresh blueberries.

Arlington Chamber Celebrates Economic Development

Awards presented to first responders & public safety personnel

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce held its State of the County & Public Safety Awards breakfast on Tuesday, June 25 at the Army Navy Country Club.

AFAC Has Served 2 Million Families

This week Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) commemorated serving two million families since they began in 1988.

County Tackles Food Security with New Round of Grants

The Arlington County Department of Human Services (DHS) announced June 3 a second round of grants aimed at improving food security in Arlington. The funding will be available to area 501(c)(3) organizations, faith-based groups and schools and universities that support aspects of Arlington’s Food Security Strategic Plan, with the maximum grant award $25,000.

Ready, Set, Read

Summer reading adventure is underway.

The Arlington Library kicked off its summer reading adventure on Saturday, June 1 with fun activities, games and popsicles at the eight library locations.

Guest House Celebrates 50 Years

It all began in 1975 with one woman’s dream to help women returning into society from prison who had committed nonviolent crimes. At the time there was no place for them to go and still today, Guest House is the only residential facility for these women in Northern Virginia.

WAPF Meeting on Thyroid Function

Shep Saltzman’s topic for his Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) presentation May 19 was Thyroid Function but his bottom line was, “You can’t cookie cutter people. You have to get to know them because everyone is different and what works for one person doesn’t work for another. There are so many patterns; it takes finesse to figure it out. I am very thorough.”

Harmony for Hope Raises Funds for Ukrainian Children

From the mezzo soprano of Katelyn Neumann to the bass of Eduardo Castro, the walls of Rock Spring United Church of Christ (UCC) reverberate with the crescendos of the opera performers who have volunteered their talents for Harmony for Hope.

Freddie’s Beach Bar Threatened with Bomb Scare

Freddie Lutz opened an email bomb threat just minutes before the children’s drag story hour performance was set to begin at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant on S. 23rd Street on April 6.

Living Legends: The Dynamic Duo

Patty and Kate Moran making a difference in Del Ray.

Living Legends “It’s addictive here. The people are so easy to get along with.” — Patty Moran

Free Tax Returns Prepared Locally

The way it works is that when you arrive you will be interviewed by a tax counselor who will collect your information and then prepare your return. A second counselor will then review your return with you and answer any questions you may have. You will receive a printed copy of your return for your records and then your return will be electronically filed for you.

Rally Against Hate Supports Rock Spring Neighbors

Arlington neighbors gathered March 1 at a Rally Against Hate held on the steps of Rock Spring UCC to show community support for neighbors whose properties had been defaced with racial slurs and swastikas on Feb. 19.

PathForward Receives Federal Grant for Siebert House

PathForward announced March 11 that it will receive $1,342,704 in Federal funding for purchase of Siebert House. Siebert House is an 8-unit apartment building located in the Westover area of Arlington which currently houses chronically homeless people.

Local Audubon Chapter Votes to Change Its Name

John James Audubon claimed ownership of enslaved people

Audobon

New Partnership to Provide Affordable Housing

Melwood and Wesley Housing have partnered to convert a current Arlington Melwood property into an affordable and inclusive housing project combined with programs and services for people with disabilities. This project is located at 750 23rd Street S in Arlington.

New Culpepper Food Pantry Shows Off Hands On Art

Culpepper Garden has not had a permanent pantry to serve its residents facing food insecurity. Now a grant of $2,700 from Field to Table has allowed Culpepper Garden to build a permanent food pantry which will be stocked with supplemental non-perishable groceries made available to Culpepper residents.

Community Fills ACPD Truck for Arlington Unsheltered

This essentials drive is one of a series of community events hosted by the Community Engagement Division of the ACPD. Other events include the Christmas toy drive, the back-to-school supplies collection in the fall and the non-perishable food drive for AFAC which provides supplemental groceries to Arlington’s low-income families.