News & Events

The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D. C. has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation’s capital city. The famous trees, a gifted from Japan in 1912, signal Washington’s rite of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms. Thousands of city residents and visitors from across the nation and around the world come here to witness the spectacle, hoping that the trees will be at the peak of bloom for the Cherry Blossom Festival. On average, DC's cherry [...]

  Welcome to Columbia College! Join us for VESL New Student Orientation (2022 Spring II A) Date: March 24, 2022 Time: 10:00AM-11:00AM Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3790270325  ↑ Scan it! ↑

What is St. Patrick's Day? The holiday is celebrated every year on March 17th, honoring the Irish patron saint, St. Patrick. The celebrations are largely Irish culture themed and typically consist of wearing green, parades, and drinking. . He was born around 460, and by the 600s, he was already known as the Patron Saint of Ireland. According to popular legend, St Patrick rid Ireland of snakes. As Irish immigrants spread out over the United States, other cities developed their own traditions. One of these is Chicago’s annual dyeing of the Chicago River green. The practice started in 1962, when city [...]

  7 Things To Do in D.C. During Presidents' Day 1. Presidents' Day Parade Take this opportunity to see the Presidents Day Parade. Every year, Old Town Alexandria hosts a parade to honor our first President. It is the oldest and largest parade dedicated to George Washington. 2. Take a Sightseeing Lunch Tour on a Cruise Ship Here you can sign up for a cruise lunch tour and eat to your heart's content with a buffet. You will also see amazing sights of Alexandria and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge as you cruise along the Potomac. Tickets: $80. 3. Mount Vernon to [...]

Free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests Testing is an important tool to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Public health experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that Americans use at-home tests if they begin to have symptoms, at least five days after coming in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or are gathering indoors with a group of people who are at risk of severe disease or unvaccinated. To help ensure Americans have tests on hand if a need arises, the Biden Administration is purchasing one billion at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to give to Americans for free. A [...]

Today's Job Outlook : Computer Support Specialists What Computer Support Specialists Do Computer support specialists provide help and advice to computer users and organizations. Work Environment Most computer support specialists have full-time work schedules; however, many do not work typical 9-to-5 jobs. Because computer support is important for businesses, support services may need to be available 24 hours a day. As a result, many support specialists must work nights or weekends. How to Become a Computer Support Specialist Because of the wide range of skills used in different computer support jobs, there are many paths into the occupation. A bachelor’s degree [...]

Virginia Department of Health Opens COVID-19 Community Testing Center in Fairfax Health District Jan. 15 The Fairfax County Health Department today announced that a Virginia Department of Health Community Testing Center (CTC) will open on Saturday, Jan. 15, to provide free Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing by appointment for COVID-19. The site, set up in a large tent, will be in parking lot B of the Fairfax County Government Center. Parking lot B is located on the southwest corner of the Government Center complex. The CTC will operate Saturdays through Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. by appointment only. To find an appointment, visit vase.vdh.virginia.gov/testingappointment. Appointments [...]

Student Loan Payment Pause Extended Through May 1 Amid COVID-19 Surge By Owen Daugherty, NASFAA Staff Reporter Borrowers expecting to resume making payments on their student loans will see another reprieve as the Department of Education (ED) today announced another extension of the payment pause for federally-held student loans through May 1. The announcement comes after months of pressure from Democratic lawmakers and student loan advocates who warned resuming payments after the pause expires on Jan. 31, 2022 would leave millions of borrowers struggling as the pandemic continues. “We know that millions of student loan borrowers are still coping with the [...]