If you watched delighted children sledding during the recent snowfalls, know that they are forming memories that will stick for decades.

In the interest of the ongoing incredible concord on the Falls Church City Council in recent years that has led to amazing achievements – a new, $120 million state of the art high school at no cost to taxpayers, 6%-plus revenue growth rates that have permitted important compensation and other improvements in the City schools as well as police and general government, a projected real estate tax rate cut for the second year in a row, the implementation of an effective revenue sharing policy with the schools and an effective navigation through the significant perils of the Covid-19 pandemic – it is hard to argue that staying the course with the onset of the new year was not the best decision. On that basis, the Council moved swiftly Monday night to unanimously re-elect Mayor David Tarter to a record fifth consecutive two-year term.

Face it, as we enter a new year, 2022, our lives still feel out of control. In the Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul is helping early Christians deal with challenges beyond their control: getting along with one another, sinfulness and forgiveness, political and economic issues. Sound familiar? He offers them and us a message of hope.

This past weekend we welcomed the year 2022 with open arms and the hope for better days ahead.

It’s been exactly a year since the unprecedented and horrific assault on the United States Capitol, perpetrated by Donald Trump’s supporters and others bent on preventing Congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

If you agree that immigrants enrich our community, you can guess that the way to Arlingtonians’ hearts is through our stomachs.

City of Falls Church’s Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly has indicated she is willing to accept should her colleagues on the City Council select her to serve as mayor for the next two years, and we think it is a splendid idea. The Council will vote on the matter next Monday.

Curse you, Covid. You blew up our year-old assumption that 2021 would bring improvements over plague-year 2020.

When I was a little girl, a threat of a lump of coal in my Christmas stocking was enough to keep me, and most kids, on good behavior, awaiting Santa’s visit. 

It’s a privilege to witness judges letting their hair down.