Community

 The Better Arguments Project, developed by the Aspen Institute, recently kicked off a series of workshops aimed at enhancing civil dialogue within communities. This initiative is part of William & Mary’s broader Democratic Initiative, which focuses on fostering civic engagement and the skills necessary for thriving in a diverse society. Open to the public and offered free of charge, participants can choose to attend any of the individual sessions.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has taken a major step toward its first crewed mission to the Moon in more than half a century, rolling the towering Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center.

Nothing says December in Northern Virginia like cruising Meadow Farms’ dazzling light show in Vienna, sipping hot cider at the Reston Town Center tree lighting, or spotting the 20-foot inflatable Santa waving from a Fairfax Station rooftop. From Leesburg’s holiday parade to Old Town Alexandria’s Scottish Christmas Walk, our corner of Virginia goes all in on sparkle, songs, and togetherness every December 25.

All through November, the Vienna Police Department is trading their clean-shaven look for facial hair — and it’s all for a powerful cause. For the fifth year, male officers are participating in the Zero Prostate Cancer Grow-and-Give campaign, commonly tied to “No-Shave November,” to raise critical funds and awareness for prostate cancer research. This year’s participation is especially meaningful for the department. Chief Jim Morris noted that Public Information Officer Juan Vazquez lost his father to prostate cancer. “It means a lot to him that we participate every year,” Morris said. While the team always appreciates a win in the fundraising competition, the real goal is much more personal: “raise awareness and keep everyone healthy.”

Area residents had the rare chance this summer to step inside Virginia’s history—without leaving Main Street—thanks to the arrival of the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience, a 90-foot “museum on wheels” commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

As winter winds down and spring returns to Northern Virginia, millions of Jews around the world will soon be celebrating Passover (Peseach), an annual Jewish holiday of great cultural and religious importance. Spanning 7 days for those in Israel and 8 for the rest of the world, Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from their ancient Egyptian oppressors, as told in the Biblical book of Exodus. The holiday espouses values of freedom, redemption, and justice that are still significant for Jewish communities. 

Easter is an annual Christian celebration that takes place on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon (the first full moon following the...

On January 14, 2025, Pathway Homes, a regional nonprofit providing mental health services—starting with safe, stable housing—to individuals marginalized by poverty and inequity, announced that it will be moving into a 19,000 square foot building located at 4010 University Drive in Fairfax City. The commercial space will be built out by early 2027 as Pathway’s new mixed-use headquarters that will include at least 10 units of supportive housing to help people with serious mental illnesses and other disabilities who are over 50 to age in place.

The World Happiness Report, first published in 2012, is an annual survey that ranks countries by their citizens' self-reported happiness levels. Commissioned by the...

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims all around the world observe for 30 days by fasting, introspection, and...

On January 20, 2025, America witnessed one of its most profound democratic traditions - the peaceful transfer of power from the Biden Administration to the Trump Administration. The upcoming inauguration carries particular weight as President Donald Trump returns to the White House, making this an unprecedented historic moment in America. While some may focus on the political implications, this peaceful transfer of power truly represents America's greatness.

In partnership with our Girl Scout service unit, a few girls run a book drive near the end of each year, collecting books from the service unit and the community. Me (Avery Adams) and Ellie Bierwirth have been in charge of this project for 3 years, picking it up from my sister and one of her troopmates after they graduated in 2022.