Falls Church and Northern Virginia's Premier Weekly Newspaper
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
North America is home to more than 4000 native bee species, as well as countless other types of native pollinators including birds, butterflies, beetles, wasps, and moths. In Virginia, roughly 400 of these native bees can be found, including many specialist types that only visit specific groups of flowering plants. However, across North America native pollinators are in decline due to the effects of human-induced climate change and the rapid redevelopment of our local environments.
As the days get longer and the weather becomes warmer, people are enjoying the summer season in the comfort of their own backyard. According to a 2021 trend report provided by the International Casual Furnishings Association, 90 percent of Americans with an outdoor living space have been taking far greater advantage of their outdoor amenities.
Hydroponics, a type of soilless gardening that can be carried out both indoors and outdoors, is a salient option for those who are interested in taking up gardening but have little to no space. It is also a good way to grow herbs and vegetables during the colder, winter months. According to the University of Minnesota Extension website, found at extension.umn.edu, hydroponic gardening is “space-efficient and takes less water than gardening in soil.” It also means “no weeds.”
June is National Immigrant Heritage Month, a designation first established by President Barack Obama in 2014. Much of this nation was built by immigrants, who brought unique cultures, faiths, languages and skills to American shores.
Today, Mike Scheinberg, the development director of Falls Church Healthcare Center, which provides abortion care, told a local radio station they’ve been fielding calls on Friday from people who are asking whether abortion is legal. It is – and Falls Church Healthcare Center is working to expand capacity because they suspect they’ll soon get more out-of-state patients.
Area public figures have continued to issue strong condemnations of the U.S. Supreme Court decision levied today against abortion rights.
In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court held that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman’s freedom to choose to have an abortion. The Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade means that after nearly 50 years, this freedom is no longer guaranteed nationwide, and more than half of states are expected to ban or harshly limit access to abortion following today’s ruling.
The county board room was packed, noisy and vibrant with colored protest signs on Saturday, June 11, during the routine early morning public speakers time slot. Opponents of the pending Missing Middle Housing initiative, under a strategy from Arlingtonians for Our Sustainable Future and the Arlington Tree Action Group, had chosen this day to make “our voices count,” as one placard read. Several dozen showed up even though the ongoing study of whether to loosen the zoning code to permit more-reasonably priced multi-family houses was not on the immediate agenda.
The NOVA Nightsky Theater Company — a locally-owned theater group in the Little City, co-founded by Jaclyn Robertson and Ward Kay, the Company’s Producing Director and Artistic Director, respectively — recently opened their newest production: a nuanced and character-driven staging of the 1990 play “The American Plan” by Richard Greenberg.
The All-Star tournament has started for two of FCKLL’s teams and they’re both off to a great start! The Blue Team (ages 9-11; managed by Joe Greiner) blasted off their tournament play with a commanding 15-0 win over the Mason District All Stars. Teddy Greiner dominated the mound by throwing a perfect game to include eight strikeouts.
