Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Lincolnia, VA

As their primary androgen, testosterone helps men develop common male characteristics and is essential in the production of sperm. Controlled by your body's pituitary gland and hypothalamus, testosterone helps develop and maintain:

Muscle Mass

Muscle Mass

Facial and Body Hair

Facial and Body Hair

Sex Organs

Sex Organs

Healthy Libido

Healthy Libido

Healthy Libido

Bone Density

Healthy Libido

Sexual Function

Healthy Libido

Healthy Red Blood Cell Levels

When low testosterone or hypogonadism occurs, however, males begin to notice concerning symptoms that often affect their everyday lives and romantic relationships.

 Muscle Mass Lincolnia, VA

When men lose significant amounts of testosterone, it alters their body's levels of testosterone and estrogen. Lower T levels usually result in abdominal fat, which in turn causes estrogen synthetize levels to increase, creating even higher levels of estrogen in the body. With more estrogen and less testosterone, a number of concerning issues begin to surface. Some of the symptoms of low testosterone include:

  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Lowered Libido
  • Lowered Sperm Count
  • More Body Fat
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Issues with Concentration
  • Male Breast Development
  • Less Muscle Mass
  • Motivation Issues

If you're a man struggling with one or more of the symptoms above, it could be because you have low testosterone. But the only way you can find out for sure is to have your testosterone levels tested by a wellness center like Proactive Wellness. If your testosterone levels are low, TRT in Lincolnia, VA, may be the answer to your low-T problems.

Book Appointment phone-number (703) 822-5003
 Facial And Body Hair Lincolnia, VA

Understanding The Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Are you starting to notice that you don't feel like "you" when you're at home or at work? Do you feel tired and lethargic all the time, even in your free time away from the office? Many men mistake these symptoms for being too sleepy or too busy. But the truth is, they're suffering from low testosterone. Since no two males will have the same symptoms of low T, it's prudent to recognize and understand some of the most common signs:

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction

If there were two words that all men wish to avoid, it's these two. Being unable to perform in the most intimate moments isn't just embarrassing - it can affect long-term relationships and mental health. It's a difficult topic to talk about. But it doesn't have to be. Our experts are ready to help you re-light that special spark.

Low Libido

Low Libido

When you have low testosterone, sometimes the thought of having sex just isn't appealing. If you're one of the many men in the U.S. who lacks sex drive, it might not be you. I could be low testosterone. Don't settle for a mediocre sex drive - reclaim your vigor at Proactive Wellness Centers.

Lack of Sleep

Lack of Sleep

Do you work hard every day and come home exhausted, only to find that you toss and turn all night long? Whether you have undiagnosed insomnia or another sleep disorder, it could be linked to low T.

 Sex Organs Lincolnia, VA
 Healthy Libido Lincolnia, VA
Less Strength and Muscle Mass

Less Strength and Muscle Mass

When testosterone levels deplete as we age, men lose their ability to lift heavy items, even with weightlifting routines in the gym. If you're making a concerted effort to maintain your muscle mass and strength but aren't making gains, it could be due to low T.

Depression

Depression

Your brain is home to many testosterone receptors, but when your body has low T, it can affect your mood. With time, poor spirits can lead to serious psychological issues, like depression. However, studies show that TRT in Lincolnia, VA, can rebalance your hormones, which can help relieve depression and improve your mood.

Lack of Concentration

Lack of Concentration

Do you find it hard to complete normal tasks when you're at work? Does it seem like your memory is fading? Does your spouse or significant other complain that you're not paying attention to them? The effects of low testosterone don't just affect your body - they can affect your mind and memory, too. When your testosterone levels are within normal range, brain fog and other concentration issues have been shown to go away.

 Bone Density Lincolnia, VA

What are the Risks of Living with Low Testosterone?

At Proactive Wellness Centers, we understand what men must go through daily when they have low testosterone. They suffer from fatigue and lack motivation and often don't feel like their usual selves. But as bad as those symptoms sound, living with low T can have more severe health risks that that put vital organs at risk. Some of the most concerning health risks you should be aware of include the following:

Book Appointment phone-number (703) 822-5003

Some of the most concerning health risks you should be aware of include the following:

 Sexual Function Lincolnia, VA
heart-health

Heart Health

If you've been told by a doctor that you have high blood pressure, you're probably wondering what it stems from. Is it aging? Is it hereditary? Is it something else? According to academic research, men with low T have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular illnesses. When testosterone levels are low, red blood cell reproduction suffers. When that happens, plaque buildup in your arteries may be accelerated. With time, plaque building can lead to very serious problems like strokes and heart attacks.

Anemia

Anemia

When you have anemia, your body has a lack of or dysfunctional red blood cells, meaning your organs have less oxygen with which to function. Because testosterone has a role in healthy red blood cell production, it makes sense that men with low t have a higher risk of anemia. In fact, a 2009 study found that older men with low T are 5x more likely to be anemic than men with healthy levels of testosterone. While TRT in Lincolnia, VA, isn't a cure for anemia, it will help produce more red blood cells in your body, which can prevent anemia.

Diabetes

Diabetes

If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, and you're trying to figure out why, it may be linked to your T levels. That's because men with low testosterone have a greater chance of developing diabetes as they age. Similarly, men with diabetes are much more likely to have low testosterone, establishing a relationship between diabetes and testosterone. This relationship is further solidified by the fact that men with low T have a more challenging time resisting insulin. Though TRT won't cure diabetes, studies show that men with healthy testosterone levels also have healthier blood sugar levels and are often less obese.

Obesity

Obesity

If you look in the mirror in the morning and can't stand how much body fat you've gained since getting older, you're not alone. Many aging men have problems with their waistlines. If you eat well and exercise regularly but still can't get rid of that unsightly stomach or body fat, the culprit may be low testosterone. Multiple studies have shown the link between obesity and low T. In fact, testosterone plays an important role in food metabolism by regulating insulin, glucose, and fat. Fortunately, when combined with diet and exercise, men who undergo TRT can often lose weight and enjoy improved blood glucose and low-density cholesterol levels.

Enjoy Life to the Fullest with TRT in Lincolnia, VA

 Healthy Red Blood Cell Levels Lincolnia, VA

Testosterone replacement therapy does precisely what it sounds like: It is a science-backed therapy that replaces low testosterone levels in men. The ultimate goal of TRT is to improve your life and well-being by balancing your hormones. Also referred to as androgen replacement therapy, TRT helps many men deal with and overcome the debilitating side effects of low T.

Originally developed by scientists in the 1930s, TRT has grown substantially in popularity over the years. Today, it is one of the most common and promising treatments for males with low testosterone.

How Does TRT Work?

Without getting too scientific, TRT works by providing your body with the testosterone it needs to function properly. Without healthy levels of testosterone, the male body can't maintain the natural processes it needs for overall health. In fact, men with low testosterone levels are more prone to serious health problems like type-2 diabetes and even heart disease. Until their T levels are restored to normal, most men suffer until they find a solution.

That's where TRT comes into play. With balanced hormones, your body can finally begin to heal, causing most symptoms of low t to diminish greatly.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Lincolnia, VA

Make an Appointment

Book Appointment phone-number (703) 822-5003

The Proactive Wellness Approach to TRT in Lincolnia, VA

At Proactive Wellness Centers, our team utilizes a three-pronged approach to healing and treatment:

01

Patient Education. We equip you with the knowledge needed to take charge of your health and achieve optimal well-being in your life.

02

Prevention. We focus on preventing diseases by providing you with a thorough evaluation, which includes comprehensive diagnostics and the information you provide on your health history form.

03

Rejuvenation. Lastly, we work closely with you to implement a rejuvenation program consisting of several science-based treatments that aim to promote tissue regeneration, reduce cellular degeneration, foster healing, and slow your aging process.

Because no two patients ever have the exact same needs and treatment, your journey to journey to optimal health will be unique and tailored to your body.
However, to give you a brief snapshot of the average patient's TRT timeline may look like this:

Getting Started:

You contact our TRT clinic in Virginia. Based on your schedule, we'll arrange for a time for you to come in for your initial assessment.

Diagnostics and Evaluation:

One of our diagnostic experts will complete comprehensive testing to discover your testosterone and related hormone levels and your best treatment options.

Review Testing:

We'll sit with you one-on-one to discuss the results of your lab tests. During this session, a medical practitioner will also answer any questions you have about low T and testosterone replacement therapy.

Begin Your Custom TRT Regimen:

Based on your lifestyle, goals, and test results, we'll craft a custom TRT plan exclusively for you.

Success Coaching:

When you undergo TRT at Proactive Wellness Centers, you're never alone. We'll be by your side the entire way to ensure your treatment is going well and you're hitting your benchmarks. We'll keep track of your progress, and if there are areas that need improvement, we'll work with you to accomplish the goals you haven't achieved yet. Because, at the end of the day, a little bit of encouragement can go a long way.

Enjoy the Results:

This is the best part! With time and care, you'll begin to notice the effects of TRT and will be well on your way to enjoying balanced hormones.

 Muscle Mass Lincolnia, VA

Trust The Proactive Wellness Difference

Did you know that 13 million males suffer from low T, but a whopping 90% go untreated by doctors? The reason is that conventional doctors believe that unless your Testosterone level is below the low lab reference range level, that your are "OK". At Proactive Wellness, we help you to optimize and be the best you can be, not just OK. Why be OK, when with the help of the right Testosterone dose, you can feel better, be healthier, stronger and more vibrant. If you believe that your testosterone levels are at unhealthy levels, it's time to contact Proactive Wellness Centers for testing. Living with low testosterone is a risk, but with personalized TRT in Lincolnia, VA, you can minimize the harmful effects on your body.

Unlike other TRT clinics, we utilize a more complete and personalized approach to Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Our approach considers the role of DHEA, another very important hormone that needs to be balanced. And we look at Estradiol conversion, the unwanted effect where some men convert too much Testosterone to estradiol. In this case, these men (about 10%) need a medication to block this conversion, called an aromatase inhibitor. But notice that I mentioned that only 10% of men need this, but at many men's clinics, all men automatically get an aromatase inhibitor whether they need it or not. This drives Estradiol too low, causing other issues. Yes, Men need Estradiol also, but they need it in the proper proportion. Bottom line, our personalized approach ensures that you get exactly what you need, no more and no less.

Further, Proactive Wellness offers the widest range of Testosterone Replacement options so that men can choose the best for their particular lifestyle. Choose from pellets that are inserted just under the skin and last for 4-5 months, or the most popular option, Test Cypionate injections that are typically done weekly, or specialized transdermal cream or even a specialized intranasal application that mimics natural testosterone levels. Any of these methods are available at Proactive Wellness Centers so that you can get the option that is right for you.

Is testosterone replacement therapy enough? Maybe, it all depends on your goals and your lab results. Many men are also deficient in growth hormone (GH) and this hormone can also contribute to you not being your best. If this one is low, Proactive Wellness offers a range of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) peptides to increase your GH levels. Many men combine this with TRT to feel their absolute best.

If you're ready to reclaim your confidence and return to loving life on your own terms, our physicians and medical team are ready to help. Don't be one of those men who constantly complain about their health but don't do anything about it. Contact Proactive Wellness Centers today to make a difference in your life!

phone-number (703) 822-5003

Book an Appointment

Latest News in Lincolnia, VA

Fireworks Near Me: Old Town Alexandria July 4th Events 2023

Patch has your guide to Independence Day fireworks shows, parades and other celebrations around Old Town Alexandria.ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria's birthday fireworks will come days after the Fourth of July, but there are other fireworks and festivities to check out during the days before around Old Town Alexandria.We gathered up all the fireworks shows, parades and festivals happening in and around Old Town Alexandria for July 4 and beyond.Here's what's in store this July 4 in and around Old Town Alexandria:...

Patch has your guide to Independence Day fireworks shows, parades and other celebrations around Old Town Alexandria.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria's birthday fireworks will come days after the Fourth of July, but there are other fireworks and festivities to check out during the days before around Old Town Alexandria.

We gathered up all the fireworks shows, parades and festivals happening in and around Old Town Alexandria for July 4 and beyond.

Here's what's in store this July 4 in and around Old Town Alexandria:

Alexandria 274th/USA 247th Birthday Celebration and Fireworks

When: Saturday, July 8, 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., rain date Sunday, July 9

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Where: Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., Alexandria, VA

The Alexandria/USA Birthday Celebration will feature fireworks, live music, food and more. The fireworks display is expected to begin around 9:30 p.m.

The schedule is:

Fireworks will be viewable at Canal Center Plaza (Center Canal Plaza) , Rivergate Park (2 Montgomery St.), Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.), Founders Park (351 North Union St.), Waterfront Park (1A Prince St.), Point Lumley Park, (1 Duke St.), Windmill Hill Park (501 South Union St.), Fords Landing boardwalk (99 Franklin St.), Jones Point Park (Jones Point Drive) and George Washington Masonic Temple (101 Callahan Drive).

An American Celebration at Mount Vernon

When: July 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA

On the Fourth of July, enjoy daytime fireworks, observe a naturalization ceremony with people around the world becoming U.S. citizens, watch a performance by the National Concert Band, learn the 18th-century baking process with Resident Baker Justin Cherry of Half Crown Bakehouse, sample fresh bread, see 18th-century magic in the upper garden with Mr. Peter Gardiner and more.

Washington, DC Fourth of July Celebration

When: July 4

Where: Around National Mall, Washington, DC

There will be various events for Fourth of July in DC, including the National Independence Day Parade from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Constitution Avenue NW from 7th Street NW to 17th Street NW with marching bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams and more. A Capitol Fourth Concert is a free event held on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol at 8 p.m. and will be livestreamed. Fireworks will be held starting at 9:09 p.m., launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

4th of July Celebration & Fireworks at the Military Women's Memorial

When: July 4, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Military Women's Memorial, Memorial Ave and Schley Dr., Arlington, VA

The Military Women's Memorial will host families for views of DC's fireworks. Attendees will enjoy a catered buffet, open bars, live music, family-friendly movies and popcorn, activities for all ages, photo booth, games and glowsticks.

City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade

When: Tuesday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Downtown Fairfax, VA

The Independence Day Parade has been a tradition since 1967 and is the largest in Virginia. Parade participants include marching bands, floats, Shriners' little cars and big motorcycles, old fire engines, clowns and more. The parade is typically followed by an Old-Fashioned Fireman's Day with children's fire safety activities. Parade food vendors will also be on site.

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More from Old Town Alexandria

Longtime Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross will retire, opting out of next election

Longtime Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross will not run for reelection next year.The 27-year Board of Supervisors veteran announced this morning that she will officially retire when her term is up on Dec. 31, 2023, meaning Gross will remain in office for another full year.“This was a difficult decision, but it’s the right time,” Gross said. “…There’s still a year left. I will be here and continuing to do the same things I’ve been doing the last 27 years, but it is time.”...

Longtime Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross will not run for reelection next year.

The 27-year Board of Supervisors veteran announced this morning that she will officially retire when her term is up on Dec. 31, 2023, meaning Gross will remain in office for another full year.

“This was a difficult decision, but it’s the right time,” Gross said. “…There’s still a year left. I will be here and continuing to do the same things I’ve been doing the last 27 years, but it is time.”

Gross told FFXnow last week that she would announce her plans for the 2023 elections one way or another this month.

First elected in 1995 to represent the Mason District, which encompasses Annandale, Seven Corners, Bailey’s Crossroads, and Lincolnia down to I-95 in Springfield, Gross won her seventh and final term in 2019 with nearly 64% of the vote.

She’s been a long-time advocate of expanding public transportation, affordable housing, and diversity in the county.

Even back in 1999, when she was running for her first reelection bid, she defended the increasing diversity and changing demographics in Fairfax County.

“I am troubled by the amount of animosity by some in the community about ‘those people,'” Gross told The Washington Post 23 years ago. “One of the things I hear at civic association meetings is a concern that folks who are moving in don’t have the same appreciation as those who are moving out. I’m not sure that’s the case.”

Gross has also served as the vice chairman of the board since 2009.

Early in her career, she worked on the staff of Idaho Sen. Frank Church, who very nearly won the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976.

Board Chair Jeff McKay praised Gross for being a “leader” and leaving a lasting legacy.

I know that you’ve thought about this long and hard. You’ve been an outstanding and continue to be an outstanding vice chair to me as chairman and leader for the county, and as I said, there will be a lot of time for us to reflect on this in the months ahead, but I think the simplest thing to do today is just to share with you how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for the county and for the residents of Mason District and how proud I am of the legacy that you’ve built for others and the leadership attributes that you brought to the table in an always reasonable, well-organized, respectful, well-thought-out way, and so, very, very grateful for that.

Gross got a bit emotional when announcing her decision to retire, particularly after McKay’s comments.

“I practiced this in front of a mirror, and I wasn’t going to cry. I wasn’t going to get emotional. At some point, you get emotional,” she said.

Gross isn’t the only long-time supervisor to announce they won’t be seeking re-election in 2023. This past summer, Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust said he would be stepping down at the end of his term as well.

Gross’s full announcement of her retirement is below.

When I first moved to the National Capital Region, The Byrds had a hit recording that emulated Ecclesiastes – To Everything There Is a Season (popularly known as Turn Turn Turn). To a young Hill staffer, the song was more a peace anthem than a life plan but, over time, I have come to learn, and accept that, indeed, there is a season and a “time for every purpose under heaven.” Some of the times noted in the song are especially appropriate for those who are privileged to be elected officials — a time to plant and a time to reap, a time to build up, a time to speak, and, sometimes, a time to keep silent.

In our positions as elected officials, we have additional seasons that require our attention and participation — snow season, budget season, campaign season, for example. Mindful that the campaign season is nearly upon us, I am announcing today that I will not seek reelection in 2023 and I’ll retire when this term is completed on December 31, 2023. There is lots more to do, but there will always be lots more to do. I love my job. I appreciate and respect my colleagues and treasure all of Mason District and the residents who have placed their trust and confidence in me for the past 27 years. During the next year plus, my staff and I will endeavor to provide the same robust constituent services as we have done for nearly three decades. We’re so fortunate to be in Fairfax County, an outstanding place to live, work, play, worship and learn. I’m proud and grateful to have played a role in ensuring these opportunities for our diverse community, and I look forward to the continuing success of Fairfax County and the region.

Angela Woolsey contributed to this report.

A quiet, rural Lincolnia is remembered by a long-time resident

Few Lincolnia residents know what their community was like when it was still a rural enclave, before it became choked with strip malls, subdivisions, and traffic.Third-generation Lincolnia resident Jill Gerald, 79, remembers. At a presentation on Lincolnia in the Olden Days at the Mason Government Center in August, Gerald spoke about the old farms, country stores, and her family’s roots long before Shirley Highway was built. ...

Few Lincolnia residents know what their community was like when it was still a rural enclave, before it became choked with strip malls, subdivisions, and traffic.

Third-generation Lincolnia resident Jill Gerald, 79, remembers. At a presentation on Lincolnia in the Olden Days at the Mason Government Center in August, Gerald spoke about the old farms, country stores, and her family’s roots long before Shirley Highway was built.

Her father was born in Lincolnia in 1885. Her mother moved across the road in 1900 when she was 2 years old.

They went to a one-room schoolhouse near what is now the intersection of Interstate 395 and Route 236. The school only covered five years, and the older kids taught the younger ones.

Gerald and her twin brother were the youngest of nine children – the four oldest ones were born at home.

Her parents bought their house in 1924, and Jill lived on that property for 77 years and now lives nearby.

Gerald’s mother’s cousin worked at a chicken hatchery where Landmark Plaza is now. “The women’s job there was de-beaking the baby chicks so they wouldn’t hurt each other,” she says.

She remembers going to Howard’s Store on Columbia Pike, across from the Discount Zone gas station, where local farmers bought feed and straw. The building had a lunch counter, tables and chairs, gas pumps out front, and the owners’ living quarters in the rear. The store was owned by Jill’s uncle Harry. He had one of the first TVs in the area, and a crowd gathered there to watch boxing and wrestling matches.

Gerald attended Lincolnia Elementary School on N. Chambliss Street. Part of that building was preserved when Lincolnia Senior Center was built on that site.

Each student was given a vitamin at lunch, she recalls. As a clinic aid in the seventh grade, she was responsible for making sure the cot had clean sheets and cleaning up the blood after accidents, such as the time a globe fell on a girl’s head.

Schools and churches had a close relationship back in the day, she says. The church didn’t have running water so it held dinners at the school and church softball teams used the school field.

A little white church on Lincolnia Road near the post office was torn down when Shirley Highway was built in the early 1950s, and Gerald remembers that when the congregation moved to a new building, church members carried everything – the pews, Bible, cross, communion items – as they walked to their new home.

The area between Columbia Pike and Braddock Road was originally settled by former slaves and had stayed a predominantly black community for decades, as “everything was segregated back then,” Gerald notes.

That community had its own school and small white church, which had been expanded over the years and is now the large, brick Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on the corner of Lincolnia Road and Columbia Pike. A historic marker was installed there a year ago.

When Gerald was in school, black students were bused to a segregated high school in Manassas, and later were sent to the all-black Luther Jackson High School, which is now a middle school.

“Segregation ended in 1962 but everybody didn’t comply with it right away,” she says.

Twins Jack and Jill (the future Jill Gerald) feed the family chickens.

Gerald remembers the Dowden family, who lived in an old house on Fairfax Parkway where what is now the Parklawn community. Sarah Foster Dowden attended the one-room school and helped teach the younger children. Later, they built a brick house across from the dam on Columbia Pike. Mr. Dowden was a justice of the peace in Groveton and also gave dogs rabies shots.

The Clark House, which is now owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority and was rotated to its current position overlooking Barcroft Plaza, used to be Clark family’s farmhouse. The Clarks owned a large dairy farm where Parklawn is now.

There was no trash pickup when Gerald was a child. People burned their trash and kids played in the garbage dump in a small area in the future Parklawn community. The rest of that area was a field with cows.

A worker at the chicken farm.

There used to be a chapel and social hall on the site of the cemetery near the senior center, and students from the Episcopal seminary used to walk there to preach. Gerald’s parents, grandparents, husband, and son are buried there.

Several years ago, there was a plan for townhouses on that property, but Fairfax County purchased the land in 2012 for use as a burial ground for indigents.

Lincolnia was originally known as Lebanon, Gerald says. The residents wanted to rename it for President Lincoln, but there already was a town in Virginia called Lincoln, so they settled on Lincolnia.

Gerald went to Fairfax High School for the eighth and ninth grades, then transferred to Annandale High School when it opened in 1955. An older sister graduated from Mount Vernon High School; two others went to Fairfax High School. One of her older brothers worked at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria when it produced torpedoes for World War II.

Jill Gerald (right) and her daughter Debi Gerald.

Gerald recalls shopping at Landmark Plaza when there was a Grand Union grocery store (where Total Wine is now), an S. Klein department store, Sterling Hardware, and a greeting-card store called Magellan’s.

Landmark Plaza will be evolving again soon, when Giant opens in the space formerly occupied by Shopper’s. The new Giant is expected to open before Thanksgiving. Hobby Lobby is expected to open in the upper level in spring 2019.

More comprehensive changes are coming to Lincolnia. A task force is drafting recommendations for amending the comprehensive plan to allow for more density, more coordinated development, and transportation improvements.

Door To Door: Lincolnia Hills, Va. And Kent, D.C.

Kathy Hoekstra standing in front of her home in the Lincolnia Hills neighborhood of Alexandria Va.John HinesIt’s our weekly trip around the region. This time, we’ll visit Lincolnia Hills in Alexandria, Va., and the Kent neighborhood of Northwest D.C.Lincolnia Hills, Va.Kathy Hoekstra lives in northern Virginia, just west of Interstate 395. And she says that her neighborhood of Lincolnia Hills in Alexandria has remained immune to urbanization, even though it’s still located inside...

Kathy Hoekstra standing in front of her home in the Lincolnia Hills neighborhood of Alexandria Va.

John Hines

It’s our weekly trip around the region. This time, we’ll visit Lincolnia Hills in Alexandria, Va., and the Kent neighborhood of Northwest D.C.

Lincolnia Hills, Va.

Kathy Hoekstra lives in northern Virginia, just west of Interstate 395. And she says that her neighborhood of Lincolnia Hills in Alexandria has remained immune to urbanization, even though it’s still located inside the Beltway. “It’s all basically single family homes, so we have no apartments or commercial buildings.”

Hoekstra says that government employees built up Lincolnia HIlls in the mid-50s. “But obviously, some of those people have passed on, and their homes have been bought by new families coming in,” she says. “So we have Hispanics and African Americans and a whole group of everybody else across the spectrum. So federal workers, white collar workers, blue collar workers, it’s a very mixed group, which is wonderful.”

According to Hoekstra, Lincolnia Hills has a mixed group of wildlife as well. “We also have a stream that flows down in this area. We have deer and raccoon and foxes, and a lot of wildlife, which I don’t think too many people expect within the Beltway, but we have a lot of them.”

Hoekstra believes that Lincolnia Hills is a unique neighborhood in the Washington area. “It’s a wonderful neighborhood, and it’s a very peaceful, quiet neighborhood inside the Beltway, which I think is somewhat unusual.”

Kent, D.C.

Connie Carter lives in the Kent neighborhood of northwest D.C., a community located near the Potomac River.

While Kent primarily saw development in the 1930s, Carter says the neighborhood today is an eclectic one. “The architecture itself is a mishmash, and so I think it attracts a variety of people,” she says. “The key elementary school is located in Kent on Dana Place down near MacArthur, so there are a large number of families and small children as well.”

According to Carter, Kent isn’t just eclectic. It’s historical. “Chain Bridge Road is not only the oldest or second oldest street in Washington, D.C., but is by far the oldest street in Kent,” she says.

Chain Bridge Road allowed trucks to go down to the canal and cut through the woods. “I believe there was a railroad or a streetcar at the bottom of the hill, so it was a pretty significant bypass road.”

Carter says that Kent’s location is a major perk. “You can live in northwest Washington and still be in Bethesda, out at Tyson’s Corner and at Reagan Airport and Georgetown all within 15 or 10 minutes. So it’s highly convenient.”

[Music: “No, Girl” by John Davis from Title Tracks]

Explore previously featured neighborhoods on our Door to Door map:

This map shows previous Door to Door segments, and includes links to photos and show audio. The yellow marker represents neighborhoods featured in Washington, D.C., the blue represents neighborhoods in Maryland, and the red represents neighborhoods in Virginia.

Investigation finds 'systemic gaps' in FCPS hiring after counselor convicted of sex crimes allowed to continue working

Darren Thornton worked as a middle school counselor in Fairfax County despite a conviction for sex crimes against children.LINCOLNIA, Va. — Tuesday, former Fairfax County Public Schools counselor Darren Thornton was in a Chesterfield County, Virginia courtroom on charges of soliciting prostitution, the allegations that ...

Darren Thornton worked as a middle school counselor in Fairfax County despite a conviction for sex crimes against children.

LINCOLNIA, Va. — Tuesday, former Fairfax County Public Schools counselor Darren Thornton was in a Chesterfield County, Virginia courtroom on charges of soliciting prostitution, the allegations that got him fired this past summer from his job at Glasgow Middle School.

By law he should have been fired nearly two years ago when he was first charged and eventually convicted of sex crimes against children.

For that, Thornton was placed on probation. He had already passed a background check to get hired with Fairfax County Public Schools and kept working despite his conviction.

"We need to understand what happened here and why it happened," said Kathleen Brown, a FCPS parent at a Tuesday night meeting at Glasgow Middle.

At the meeting, the FCPS superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared with parents the results of an independent investigation into Thornton's employment.

The report found the district was never notified of Thornton's original arrest or conviction.

And also found "several systemic gaps" in the FCPS hiring process "including on reference checks, verification of the appropriate license, and information sharing between jurisdictions" among other issues the superintendent says FCPS is addressing as quickly as possible.

"One of the things that we have to do first is name that we have a concern, acknowledge that, look into it, and then follow recommendations that we know to be best practice moving forward," Dr. Reid told WUSA9. "I don't believe it's going to happen again here in Fairfax County Public Schools. And, I believe our families can trust us."

"I really think Dr. Reid is on the right path here. But I think we have to persist," said Brown echoing the concerns of some other parents at the meeting.

"To blithely say, 'No, this is not happening, it's not going to happen again here,' is very naïve," said Brown. "We have got to realize we've got all sorts of concerns about our kids and I think they're valid concerns."

One change Dr. Reid said she wants is regular background checks of current staff, after they are hired. But, she says she needs the commonwealth's help to make that feasible by enrolling in a FBI program called Rap Back.

The superintendent also says she has already taken disciplinary action on school employees and more could be coming but she won't say who or what it was.

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