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The roles and mission of U.S. forces in Afghanistan continue to be the subject of intense debates in political and defense circles. This week the Marine Corps University at Quantico hosted a two-day symposium entitled “Shaping for Successful Transition in Afghanistan.” The symposium drew some of the key players in this effort from around the world to our area.

Among the distinguished academics and government officials in attendance was the first day’s conference keynote speaker, Marine General James Mattis, who, as Commander of U.S. Central Command, exercises command over U.S. forces in the Middle East and Southwest Asia. In his address, General Mattis stated that the timeline for the U.S. and NATO to turn over responsibility for Afghan security to that country’s forces by 2014 could be met.

At that time you can request free cleanup supplies to help keep your community clean.

Visit our site at www.pwcleancouncil.org or contact Kayne Karnbach at (571) 285-3772 or via email to request trash bags, gloves, and give a ways to make your cleanup a success.

As a mother, I’ve watched with disgust as the number of local teachers accused of child molestation has risen over the last year. Everyone deserves to be innocent until proven guilty, even if we’re reporting on them, though, which is why it’s even more disguising how badly one of those accused teachers is being treated, even after being acquitted in only 45 minutes.

When I read an update on the Sean Lanigan case in the Washington Post this week and I felt terrible for the man. Having accusations of sexual abuse thrown at you is no small matter, and for a teacher it’s even more intense. Fired, reinstated, put on leave, Lanigan has suffered professionally. Google his name and your top hit is a “bad teacher” website. His personal reputation is ruined. Financially he spent $125,000 defending himself in a case that never should have come to trial. The idea that he was found innocent in 45 minutes and one of the jurors cried in sympathy while delivering the verdict clinches it for me.

Two weeks ago, my family and I vacationed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and we feel very lucky not to be there last week as Hurricane Irene came barreling up the coast.

While we were there, we enjoyed seeing the wild horses that inhabit the islands come by to graze, but when two stallions decided to put on a free show it was icing on the cake.

PotomacLocal.com maps the damage, flooding, and injuries caused by Hurricane Irene. Please submit your reports, photos and video to add to the map. Please Click here to submit.

Emergency shelters have not been set up in Prince William County, but officials have space available if the need arises, said Prince William County spokesman Jason Grant.

Woodbridge Senior and Freedom High schools in Woodbridge will be used as shelters if things get hairy, as will Battlefield High School and Bull Run Middle School in western Prince William.

Lake Ridge, Va. — On the checkout counter at the ABC store in Lake Ridge, printed on a piece of receipt paper was a recipe a lot of people asked for on Friday.

Light rum, dark rum, a tablespoon of passion fruit syrup and a tablespoon of lime juice. That makes a Hurricane, a drink that many customers who came into this ABC store asked the staff how to make, and will probably enjoy this weekend.

While it’s seen longer lines at Christmastime, Sam’s Club in Woodbridge was still bustling with shoppers looking to stock up before the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

On order and going fast was bottled water stacked on pallets in the rear of the store. Cereal and other non-perishable foodstuffs were flying off the shelves. So were large bundles of toilet paper –– known as a staple of a winter storm now an item they must have for the approaching storm from the tropics.

President Obama said it, the West Coast Social Network is currently saying it, even my husband, a native New Englander has said it: We’re kind of pansies about weather in our area, and lately we’ve been hit with a bunch of it.

Growing up in Northern Virginia, when I went away to the College of the Holy Cross and had to take an exam in an actual blizzard, it was culture shock. Here in the DC Metro Area, we cancel school for a projected dusting. My military friends who have lived in California tell me that no reaction is warranted to anything under a 6.5 earthquake. Friends in the gulf coast region have informed me that the appropriate response to a rapidly approaching storm is not to buy toilet paper and milk, but batteries and margarita mix for whomever’s house you’re holding your hurricane party at.

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