Peak Bloom Dates Announced for Cherry Blossoms

The cherry blossoms are budding around D.C.’s Tidal Basin, the first of six stages toward peak bloom!  Last week the National Park Service announced the peak bloom dates for the blossoms will be March 23 through March 26.

Linda Agar-Hendrix is Juror’s Choice for ‘Images’ Exhibit

A record-setting crowd of photographers, family and friends gathered at Falls Church Arts on March 2, where Lloyd Wolf, juror for the exhibit, announced the  recipient of the Juror’s Choice Award as Linda Agar-Hendrix for her photograph “Vietnamese Hill Tribe Woman.” 

Agar-Hendrix described her experience taking photos in Southeast Asia. “While recently traveling in Vietnam, the opportunity to meet and photograph people from traditional cultures was interesting and educations. I found that using my camera to interact with these women was a way to communicate as we didn’t have a language in common.”

“Images” is on view through April 14 at the Falls Church Arts gallery (700-B W. Broad St., Falls Church).

Lemon Lane, New To You to Hold Fashion Show March 15

Lemon Lane Consignment, a children’s consignment store in The Little City, is partnering with New To You to hold a small fashion show in Mr. Brown’s Park (100 block, W. Broad St., Falls Church), March 15 at 6:00 p.m.  The News-Press covered their first fashion show, held last August.  The event is free and open to the public.

Walgreens, CVS to Begin Dispensing Abortion Pill

Walgreens and CVS announced on Friday that they will soon begin distributing mifepristone, known as the “abortion pill,” in states where the medication is still legal.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidelines last year that allowed both chains to become certified to dispense the drug, which they expect to begin later this month.

After the June 2020 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, 14 states banned abortion entirely and others issued new restrictions, and a host of anti-abortion lawsuits were filed attacking women’s reproductive rights.  Last year a U.S. District Judge ruled in favor of abortion opponents — a decision that would revoke the FDA’s 2000 approval of mifepristone.  In May an appeals court put that decision on hold pending a Supreme Court challenge, but rolled back changes made since the approval to allow mifepristone to be delivered through the mail, and taken through the tenth week of pregnancy.  

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear appeals from the Biden Administration and mifepristone manufacturer Danco Laboratories, as well arguments from the conservative group Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine that filed the initial challenge, on March 26.

President Biden issued a statement celebrating the certifications:

“Today is an important milestone in ensuring access to mifepristone, a drug that has been approved by the FDA as safe and effective for more than 20 years. With major retail pharmacy chains newly certified to dispense medication abortion, many women will soon have the option to pick up their prescription at a local, certified pharmacy — just as they would for any other medication. I encourage all pharmacies that want to pursue this option to seek certification.

“The stakes could not be higher for women across America.  In the face of relentless attacks on reproductive freedom by Republican elected officials, Vice President Harris and I will continue to fight to ensure that women can get the health care they need, to defend the Food and Drug Administration’s independent and evidence-based approval and regulation of mifepristone, and to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law.”

Virginia Flood Awareness Week March 10-16

Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared March 10-16 Virginia Flood Awareness Week, a time for Virginians to prepare for potential flooding ahead of spring rains, summer downpours and the upcoming hurricane season.  

“Floods are the most common natural disaster and can happen without warning across the commonwealth. We encourage Virginians to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their property by assessing their flood risk and with flood insurance coverage,” said Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)director Matthew Wells. 

DCR coordinates flood-protection activities across the state and helps communities comply with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which allows homeowners to purchase federally backed flood insurance regardless of flood zone.  

Virginians can input their address into DCR’s Virginia Flood Risk Information System (VFRIS) to assess their property’s flood risk. The online platform is mobile compatible and features 3D visualization and the Flood Stories tool.

DCR’s Flood Awareness website offers tools and information including fact sheets, a cost calculator and a risk-assessment tool to help Virginians with flood preparedness.  

The majority of homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover damage from floods and storm surges. Only 3 percent of Virginians have flood insurance, according to the NFIP. 

FEMA and the NFIP estimate that just 1 inch of water can cause over $25,000 in damages to your home. Without flood insurance, residents may be responsible for paying recovery costs out-of-pocket.  

Almost 90 percent of Virginia communities participate in the NFIP. Virginians can also purchase coverage through private insurers. 

Additional steps individuals and business can take to reduce flood risk include:   

• Storing important documents in waterproof containers, on an upper floor.    
• Caulking windows, doors and gaps where pipes and wires enter a building.    
• Labeling propane tanks with the owner’s name and address.    
• Choosing tile or other waterproof flooring over carpeting on lower floors.   

“Anywhere it can rain, it can flood,” Davis added. “DCR is proud to be Virginia’s partner in flood preparedness.”    

For more information visit dcr.virginia.gov/floodawarenessweek.

ASGRA Presents First Annual Mini Rodeo and Raffle in F.C.

Saddle up for fun, flair, and fundraising at the First Annual Mini Rodeo and Rodeo Raffle, presented by the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA).  ASGRA will host the event at Clare & Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church) from 5:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m. on Friday, April 5.

Special Appearances will be made by the 2024 ASGRA Royalty Team, including Evita Peroxide (Miss ASGRA 2024), J.R. (Mr. ASGRA 2024), Jenn Vrana (Ms. ASGRA 2024), and  a guest performance by Destiny B. Childs (Former Miss AGRA 2007 and 2005).

The event will include a country line dancing lesson by Ms. Firecracker, mini rodeo events including a rull horn toss (ring toss), relay races, musical chairs, and more.  Attendees may participate in events for $2 each.

The event is free to attend, open to the public, and suitable for all ages.  

Virginia Aviation Art Contest Winners Announced

Nine students from across the Commonwealth, including several local students, were awarded for their art skills this week by the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV).  

The annual Virginia Aviation Art Contest had nearly 60 entries from students ranging in ages from six to 18. These state winners will now proceed to the national aviation art contest sponsored by the National Association of State Aviation Officials. 

This year’s theme was “Air Sports For A Peaceful World,” with students free to interpret that into art with few restrictions.

Jaimi Evans, a judge for the DOAV, was astounded by the students’ talent and the depth of their work: “Their skill levels are truly remarkable, and the theme allowed for them to envision a more peaceful future for aviation and the world. After all, they are the ones in charge of what lies ahead…”

In 2023, Virginia had two national winners advance to the international aviation art competition in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

The DOAV announced the following winners of the 2024 Virginia Aviation Art Contest: 

Group I (ages 6 to 10):

• First: Andrew Yang, Great Falls
• Second: Elaine Eng, Vienna
• Third: Eric Shen, Vienna
• Honorable Mentions:
• Seungmin Baek, McLean
• Iris Van Eyck, Fairfax

Group II (ages 11 to 14)

• First: Diane Liu, McLean
• Second: Iris Xie, Vienna
• Third: Jacqueline Xie, Falls Church
• Honorable Mentions:
• Ivan Li, Herndon
• Sophia Xie, Falls Church

Group III (ages 15 to 18)

• First: Anya Huang, Great Falls
• Second: Linyue Tong, Great Falls
• Third: Suri Wang, McLean
• Honorable Mentions:
• Joyce Wang, Ashburn
• Nitya Boggavarapu, Glen Allen

Local Mom Wins Gold at World Indoor Rowing Championship

George Mason High School (now Meridian) class of 2002 alumni Elizabeth (Twentyman) Gilmore won the gold — again — in the VERSA Championship at the World Indoor Rowing Championship, defeating a former Olympian to take home the top prize on February 24.  

Gilmore, a mother of four, now lives in nearby Herndon.  She plans to row across the North Atlantic this summer.

Fairfax Co. Awarded $213,739 for Opioid Abatement

On February 23 the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) approved $537,076 in grants to five Virginia communities for opioid abatement and remediation efforts.  Fairfax County was one of the recipient communities, awarded $213,739 to add capacity for young adults aged 18-25 seeking participation in the county’s drug treatment court.

Drug treatment courts are run by judges based on criteria established and overseen by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Virginia’s drug treatment courts and alternative dockets have proven effective in reducing substance use and recidivism among offenders, lowering drug-related court workloads, and improving accountability among offenders.

Virginia expects to receive a total of approximately $1.1 billion from litigation against manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies that were alleged to have contributed to the opioid crisis. Payments from these judgments began in 2022, and are expected to conclude by 2041.

For more information contact info@voaa.us or visit voaa.us.

VADOC Launches Tipline to Prevent Flow of Contraband

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) is continuing its efforts to halt the attempted stream of drugs and contraband into its facilities, by urging individuals to anonymously call its recently created Drug and Contraband Tipline at 540-830-9280.

Callers can speak directly to a member of the Department’s Drug Intelligence Unit of the VADOC Special Operations Group or leave a detailed voicemail. The information provided is vetted before it goes to the VADOC’s Drug Task Force if warranted. The tipline is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Callers can choose to remain anonymous when calling the tipline.

Fairfax Co. Approves $9.7M Loan for Wesley Housing

On February 21, nonprofit affordable housing developer Wesley Housing announced the Fairfax County Board of Supervisor’s approval of a $9.7 million loan from the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) to develop a new affordable housing community in the Bailey’s Crossroads neighborhood of Falls Church.

Formerly referred to as the First Christian Church of Falls Church site, but recently named “Kindred Crossing,” the new construction will be an inclusive and accessible residential community featuring 95 affordable, independent living homes for older adults ages 62+. The community will cater to a diverse range of individuals with incomes from less than or equal to 30 percent to 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Kindred Crossing, the first affordable housing community developed through a faith-based partnership in Fairfax County, will be located on the land immediately adjacent to the existing church. In addition to the affordable homes, the building will include 4,600 sq. ft. of commercial space. 

Nonprofit healthcare entity, Culmore Clinic, currently located in the church, intends to relocate to the commercial space. Culmore Clinic currently provides free healthcare to uninsured residents in Fairfax County.

“The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority is committed to delivering groundbreaking solutions for today’s affordable housing needs in Fairfax County. Kindred Crossing represents a true community partnership, bringing together a faith-based organization, non-profit developer, community health entity, and local government to develop a truly unique affordable housing solution that will care for the whole needs of older adults in the Bailey’s Crossroads area,” said Lenore Stanton, Chair of FCRHA.

“This approval represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible community for older adults in Fairfax County,” said Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez.