Woodbridge, VA|News|
'Draft McDonnell' Calls Va. Governor To Enter Presidential Race
“We Don’t Have to Settle..." online petition site says.

<i><b>Basics</b></i>
E-mail: briank@patch.com
Phone: 757.955.3428
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Birthday: August 11
<b><i>Bio</i></b>
<b> </b>A native Missourian, I graduated from the University of Missouri's J-school and headed straight for the coast. My love for the D.C. area began two years before when I had an internship at the USDA Forest Service. In addition to reporting and copy-editing for the Columbia Missourian, I also wrote for Missouri Digital News at the state capitol. I spent a semester working abroad in Brussels at ENDS Europe, an EU Environmental Policy website.
I enjoy fusing my interests of the environment and politics into my writing. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching good (and bad) television and biking. I have aspirations to learn how to sail this fall, so look for me at the Belle Haven Marina.
<i><b>My Beliefs</b></i>
<i>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.</i>
<i>This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.</i>
<i><b>Politics</b></i>
<i>* How would you describe your political beliefs?</i>
Democrat. But I truly believe every issue has two sides.
<i><b>Religion</b></i>
<i>* How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?</i>
Catholic schooling K through high school. As a kid I sometimes went to Mass three times a week, but only casually attend now.
<i><b>Hot-botton Issues</b></i>
<i>*What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? </i>
The Yellow Line's terminus in Huntington brings thousands of commuters in and then out of town every weekday. There's a WalMart that was just built on Richmond Highway at North Kings Highway. How's that going to affect the community? With increasing severe weather patterns across the country, how will the community's low-lying areas hold up against potential flooding?
“We Don’t Have to Settle..." online petition site says.

NPS will release new plan in early 2012
A small fire broke out at the residence of Ron Chase, director of Gum Springs Historical Museum
Wife of GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich will be signing copies of her children's book
A 14-year-old has been charged with robbery and taken to the juvenile detention center
Details similar to incident from last month in Mount Vernon
Say hello to adoptable pets courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
This winter we should see near average temperatures with slightly above normal snowfall, according to the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang
This winter we should see near average temperatures with slightly above normal snowfall, according to the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang
Meet some adoptable pets, courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
Police say 45-year-old touched himself inappropriately
The Mount Vernon Estate hosted crowd last week while it distilled apple brandy
Disruption in Blackberry email, texting and Web browsing spread to the U.S. Wednesday
The device, set to be unveiled Tuesday in California, will likely not improve cell reception in the region
Bryant Alternative High School was a pilot school for online textbook program
Comment period extended to November 6, next meeting tentatively set for January 2012
Meet some adoptable pets, thanks to members of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
Every week members of the Alexandria Animal League will introduce us to adoptable pets
Every week members of the Alexandria Animal League will introduce us to adoptable pets