Wednesday, December 31
Column: Level Best
If I wanted to rationalize the benefit of delaying my heretofore every-three-week chemotherapy infusion from three weeks to four and now on to five, possibly six – and that’s dependent on improved results from a second/maybe even third retest upcoming (this retest a bit more involved than drawing blood) – I would say it’s only fitting that I should have a break/brake; after all, it is the holiday season when all good things; yada, yada, yada. If only it were that simple.
Arlington-Alexandria Coalition Moves Forward
Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for Homelessness undergoes transformation to “Bridges to Independence.”
At the end of 2014, the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless (AACH) will cease to exist. The organization, with its nearly 30 years of work transitioning homeless families into apartments and houses across Northern Virginia, will be going through a transition itself when it becomes “Bridges to Independence.”
Sharing Struggle Against Addiction in Alexandria Detention
Sober Living Unit Celebrates 26th Anniversary
A recurring theme of loss and hope for recovery weaved through the songs, poems, and presentations at the Sober Living Unit’s 26th anniversary. Inmates and alumni of the program shared their stories of addiction and the long road to recovery.
Wednesday, December 24
Column: The New Normal
Loosey goosey, I suppose. As much as one might prefer some predictability in their life (certainly a cancer patient would – I know I would), I may be entering a cycle of permanent unpredictability.
Thursday, December 18
When Dad (or Mom) Is High School Sports Coach
Local coaches and athletes share their feelings about the relationship between parent/coach and child/athlete.
Wednesday, December 17
Column: A Level That’s Anything But
This is not a home improvement reference, but this is most definitely a do-it-yourself column.
Alexandria Home Sales: November, 2014
In November 2014, 133 Alexandria homes sold between $1,445,000-$122,000.
Alexandria Home Sales: November, 2014
Tuesday, December 16
An Essay To Remember
Local educators offer advice on acing independent school admission essays and interviews.
While many are knee-deep in wrapping paper and eggnog, some students are holed up with computer keyboards and books of quotations. In addition to driving to the mall for holiday shopping, some parents are throwing rapid-fire questions at their children to make sure they are fast on their feet.
Editorial: Holidays Are for Giving
In the scramble to finish Christmas shopping, remember tens of thousands of local children are short of food as well as presents.
The holidays are for giving. Christmas and Hanukkah are about children and family, about sharing, about joy, about being thankful and about faith and appreciation. Here in Northern Virginia, many of us see few signs of families in need as we go about our daily lives and holiday shopping. Our neighborhoods are largely segregated economically; we mostly see the people who are most like ourselves economically.
Thursday, December 11
Hill Drops Opener as T.C. Williams Head Coach
Wakefield dominates Titans in second half.
The T.C. Williams boys' basketball team lost its season opener to Wakefield by 28 points.
Wednesday, December 10
Editorial: Make a Plan, Talk About It
Here is help in keeping impaired drivers off the roads.
The holiday party season is upon us, and with it an increase in drinking and driving. It’s up to you to make a plan to get home safely.
Column: ‘Quality of Life’
If I’ve heard it once – from my oncologist – I’ve probably heard it a dozen times over the last nearly-six years.
Friday, December 5
Hooray for Small Business in Alexandria
Celebrating community role of small businesses.
On 2012’s Small Business Saturday, President Barack Obama visited One More Page Books in Arlington and set a trend for politicians in the Washington area: small Northern Virginia bookstores are the place to be on Nov 29. That tradition continued in Hooray for Books! on this year’s Small Business Saturday when U.S. Small Business Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet , U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, and local politicians converged to emphasize their patronage of the King Street bookstore.
Working toward English Literacy in Alexandria
Campagna Center program helps immigrants.
"Good morning ladies." Marcia D'Arcangelo stands in the large central room greeting teachers and students as they walk by, headed for their English classes. She is director of the New Neighbor ELL program in Alexandria funded by the Campagna Center. "We have nine different levels here. We recently added a new entry level of literacy when we discovered some people didn't know the basics of the English language, like the alphabet," D'Arcangelo said.
National Small Business Saturday shopping promotion in Alexandria
Alexandria City Councilwoman Del Pepper stands with Chamber of Commerce staff Members Shari Simmans-Bolouri and Maria Ciarrocchi at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray Nov. 29 as part of the national Small Business Saturday shopping promotion.
Battling Holiday Bulge
Nutritionists offer tips for avoiding weight gain.
With the merriment of the holidays comes food, friends and fun. But from office parties to family dinners, opportunities for overeating and weight gain abound. In fact, the National Institutes of Health reports that the average American gains an extra pound every year that he never loses. Those pounds add up over a lifetime of holidays, but a few local nutritionists offer the skinny on weight-gain culprits and strategies to keep them at bay.
Thursday, December 4
Alexandria Church Holds Prayer Vigil
Hundreds gather at Alfred Street Baptist Church for Michael Brown, Jr.
Alfred Street Baptist Church, an African American Baptist Church founded in 1803, held a special prayer vigil on Nov. 25 for Michael Brown, Jr., the African American 18-year-old male who was fatally-shot in Ferguson, Mo., on Aug. 9, by Police Officer Darren Wilson.
Alexandria Letter to the Editor: Enough Arch-O-Speak
If you have ever suffered through a hearing before the Board of Architectural Review (BAR), whether it be for the Old and Historic District or the Parker Gray District, you may have been surprised at the strange rhetoric used by many of the board members, especially the architects.
Living Legends of Alexandria: Fifer: Focusing on Key Community Needs
Co-founder of Alexandria Volunteer Bureau, now Volunteer Alexandria.
When you ask Lissette Bishins, executive director of the Carpenter’s Shelter, about Lee Fifer, she will tell you that he “is a lifelong Alexandrian who is a passionate advocate for those in need. His touch is all over Alexandria. He loves this city and the people in it; he is philanthropic and drives others to follow his lead.”
Brightening Start of Holiday Season for Seniors in Alexandria
Senior Services of Alexandria
The holiday season can be a lonely time, especially for seniors who may not have a local support system of family and friends. With this is mind, Senior Services of Alexandria came up with several community projects during Thanksgiving week which were designed to provide a sense of security and well-being.
Alexandria Letters to the Editor: Schools Need Independent Audit
To the Editor: Your Nov. 13, 2014, article on the costs of the tennis courts at T.C. Williams understated the scope of the problem.
Letter to the Editor: Help Shape Eisenhower West in Alexandria
The exciting improvements in store for the Potomac River waterfront are grabbing headlines, but other significant planning efforts are also underway in Alexandria. Eisenhower West was identified by City Council in 2013 as our city’s next significant planning opportunity. Geographically, Eisenhower West is the part of our city west of Holmes Run and south of Pickett Street.
Alexandria: Thousands Turn Out for 2014 Turkey Trot
Two days out from Thanksgiving, more than 5,000 people had registered for the annual Turkey Trot in Alexandria.
Alexandria: Raising the Bar on Giving
For the 4th year, Keller Williams Realty has reached out and given back to the community at Thanksgiving.
Alexandria: Snapshot
10:44 a.m., Nov. 28: Friends and neighbors gather at Lee Street Park for the annual Turkey Bowl flag football game.
Alexandria: Decorate Those Doors
Members of the Old Town Walled Garden Club will be strolling down the streets of the Old and Historic District of Alexandria the week of Dec. 7, identifying the most striking door decorations in town, and choosing the winners of the 47th Annual Holiday Door Decorating Contest.
Alexandria: Annie B. Rose Crafters
Dozens and dozens of brightly colored knitted caps filled the table beside a Christmas tree in the lobby of the Annie B. Rose House on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 2.
Alexandria: Bows, Baskets and Bikes
The Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association held its third annual Bows, Baskets and Bikes event Nov. 20, bringing together area event planners and hotel partners to help build bicycles for needy families and announcing its new partnership with Volunteer Alexandria.
Alexandria Editorial: Be Part of Children's Gazette Packet 2014
Annual edition showcases youth art and writing.
During the last week of each year, The Gazette Packet devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children. The results are always remarkable. It is a keepsake edition for many families.
Alexandria: Correction
In last week’s People at Work column, “Creating a Floral Centrepiece,” The caption for the photo at the top of the article should have read: Scott Marchand adds an accent of circus roses.
Alexandria Commentary: Improving Academic Achievement
Academic achievement is not accidental but rather the result of a sustained focus on rigor, relevance, engagement and coherence. At its best, academic achievement reflects a relentless determination to reach and teach all students.
TC Senior Girma Qualifies for Foot Locker Nationals
T.C. Williams senior Anteneh Girma will compete in the Foot Locker national cross country meet.
Wednesday, December 3
Fairfax County Facing More Budget Strain
County Executive and FCPS Superintendent present adverse forecasts.
Days before the traditional loosening of belts for Thanksgiving, Fairfax County officials discussed the need for tightening theirs.
Letter to the Editor: Two Ideas to Address Rape
To the Editor: As many of us recoil from the recent UVA sexual assault article in Rolling Stone, tremendous accusations are being thrown at the university and others like it across the country. While UVA is not innocent and its infamous privileged “party culture” is partly to blame, there are two clear pieces of the story that no one seems to be addressing.
Column: Since It Ain’t Broken...
Apparently, at least in the near term, we’re (meaning my oncologist) not going to fix it. And by fix it, I am referring to my chemotherapy infusion, which will continue to be every three weeks, as it has been for almost six years; save for a year or so when I was able to take pills at home, and on-site infusions were not necessary.