Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Afghan refugees face big challenges; volunteers help them adjust to life in the U.S.

Volunteers help children with art projects at the Homework Club. Newly arrived refugees from Afghanistan often have to build a new life starting from scratch. “We left everything behind,” says N, who fled Kabul with his family last month as the Taliban took over the country. [We’re using initials rather than names to protect refugees’ … Continued

Westminster School’s new head of school is a former student, long-time administrator, and sister of the previous head

Nancy Schuler, the new head of Westminster School, with her brother Ellis Glover, the former head of school. For only the third time in its 59-year history, Westminster School has a new leader.  Nancy Schuler, the former director of admissions, started a new position as head of school on Aug. 1. She succeeds Ellis Glover … Continued

New Virginia laws legalize marijuana, abolish death penalty, protect absentee voting

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signs legislation allowing localities to establish green banks. Third from left: bill sponsor Del. Kaye Kory (Annandale). A long list of laws passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed by Gov. Ralph Northam are now in effect. The following laws took effect July 1 unless otherwise noted:   Marijuana Legal possession … Continued

New York Times features ACCA Child Development Center in piece on childcare challenges during the pandemic

ACCA Child Development Center Executive Director Maria-Isabel Ballivian speaks at the White House. At the left is Vice President Kamala Harris. [Doug Mills/The New York Times] A recent article in the New York Times on how childcare leaders are struggling to manage during the COVID pandemic includes a first-person account from Maria-Isabel Ballivian, executive director … Continued