© Minh-Chau Pham | Arlington, Virginia April 17, 2026 is International Haiku Day. My haiku fusion was inspired by the article, Animal Creativity and International Haiku Poetry Day by Candice Gaukel Andrews, a multiple award-winning author and writer specializing in nature-travel topics and environmental issues. This photo was taken by Arlington, Virginia resident, Minh-Chau Pham. Deer and other wildlife like foxes frequent her backyard all year to find peace and tranquility.  May deer everywhere continue to thrive in our gardens, parks, forests, and in our hearts. Peace to all animals, Jeannette Louise Smith Sign, comment, and share our petition  STOP THE ARLINGTON DEER KILL NOW!

  © Bill Draper Photography | Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park | 2026 It’s tax season. I wonder if it’s merely a coincidence that tax season coincides with the beginning of Spring. Spring’s remarkable cycle of beauty and Nature’s renewal and filing state and federal tax returns are incongruous. While Spring inspires hope and a return to outdoor activity and sunshine, taxpayers hope for a monetary return and dread owing the government. Concurrently, Arlington, Virginia County Manager, Mark Schwartz, is preparing the FY 2027 budget. The outlook is grim. The proposed $1.69 billion Slash and Burn Budget includes, but is not limited to, a tax increase for residents, the possibility of Arlington County employee furloughs or staff elimination, and - as always! - cuts to important community programs. Arlington, Virginia libraries always suffer. Our eight libraries are crucial centers of literacy, learning, and building community. The Arlington County Government proposes to close the...

"Deer Management" Blood Money Euphemisms are frequently used by state and federal wildlife management officials, local governments, hunting and trapping organizations, and others to deceitfully characterize and justify trapping, baiting, and killing animals by bow-hunting and sharpshooting. The term Deer Management is widespread across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. The general public widely misunderstands and is often confused by the euphemism Deer Management . Deer Management has replaced the term Deer Cull . The bottom line is: Deer Management and Deer Cull are the same: the systematic and selective slaughter of deer. My community of Arlington, Virginia is no different from any other locality across the world. The Arlington County Government uses the term Deer Management to communicate and assert, in a falsely constructive and digestible manner, that killing deer to manage populations and protect our ecosystem is acceptable, fair, decent, and the ...

  The 2026 Resident Satisfaction Survey to evaluate Arlington County performance across many County departments and services is now live for Arlington resident response. The survey ends on March 31, 2026. This long and detailed survey includes many crucial areas for feedback. Residents are encouraged to respond thoughtfully and throughly. Civic engagement is imperative. Local politics are just as vital as state and national politics. To thrive as a democracy and community, the Arlington County Government and the Arlington County Board must listen to and value the voices of individual residents, our neighborhood civic associations, and act for the collective good. At the end of the survey, there is an open-ended comment section to share anything Arlington residents want to tell the Arlington County Government. This is an important opportunity for Arlington residents to continue to oppose the sharpshooting of deer in our local parks and demand humane, non-lethal, science-supported pr...