Thumbs up to Alexandria’s Ashley Wagner for winning her second straight national title as the U.S. women’s figure skating champion. Wagner, who overcame two falls during her free skate performance, became the first American woman to win back-to-back titles since Michelle Kwan in 2005. Ashley, you’re an inspiration to all local athletes. Congratulations!
— Denise Dunbar
Thumbs up to local 16-year-old Samuel Cordell and his Labrador, Theda, for marching in the inaugural parade. And praise also goes to city resident Kathleen Landauer, who volunteers to raise puppies that become service dogs like Theda. The canines help make other people’s lives better and brighter — and that’s “paw-some.”
— Evan Campbell
Thumbs down to Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez for being linked to a Miami clinic that is accused of dispensing banned performance-enhancing drugs to Major League Baseball players. So far, Gio has not been accused of using a banned substance — even so, he is tainted by the association. What a shame this happened two weeks before the start of spring training for a season that holds great promise for the Nats.
— Denise Dunbar