Tuesday, June 30
July 4th Safety
From swimming to fireworks, safety precautions for a festive Independence Day.
It was a near accident at camp last summer that sparked action by one parent. Elementary school-aged campers splashed in the pool. Everyone was having fun. Then tragedy almost struck.
Editorial: Open Letter to Elected Officials and Candidates
Spend some of your campaign dollars in newspapers.
Here at the Connection, our email boxes are filling up with messages from people running for office. It’s not surprising, since in November, virtually every state and local office in the commonwealth is on the ballot.
Monday, June 29
Alexandria Snapshot: Disability Awareness Awards
Mayor Bill Euille and Alexandria Chamber of Commerce chair Walter Clarke congratulate the 2015 Alexandria Commission of Persons with Disabilities award recipients: Donna Shaw of Senior Services of Alexandria, Dave Hammond of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, Bishop Ireton graduate Iman Smallwood, Mary Lee Anderson of Senior Services of Alexandria and former ACPD chair Chuck Benaugh.
Thursday, June 25
Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: June 26-28
Events in the Alexandria/Mount Vernon areas this weekend.
Wednesday, June 24
Column: Gone But Always Remembered
As Father’s Day approaches, (written Thursday, June 18th) I am reminded of one of my father’s standard lines which characterize his positive attitude on life, for which I am eternally grateful – because I inherited it.
Letter: Not Easy Jobs
Letter to the Editor
A while ago, a city councilor expressed concern as to whether we could be the next jurisdiction to suffer a black riot over "an overzealous (white) cop." Two weeks ago, while walking three goldens and a yellow lab through Founders Park, I saw three (white) police officers, with two hovering over a (black) man on the ground. Apparently they were waiting for paramedics. I found myself wondering why there was no one video taping. From personal observation, if you're committing a crime in this city the police are going to come after you regardless of your skin color.
Letter: Council Punts on Clover-College Park
Letter to the Editor
As a resident of the Clover-College Park neighborhood I am dismayed and bemused by the latest contentious development issue before the City Council.
Alexandria: Cookie Sales Yield Toys Donation
Benson Leavitt, 8 years old, raised $260 and used the money to buy and donate toys to the Center for Alexandria’s Children.
Alexandria: Airborne Motorcycle Misses Children
Students and teachers survive with only minor injuries.
A motorcycle and a car collided on Quaker Lane on Tuesday, June 16, sending the rider headlong into a tree and the bike crashing through the window of St. Clement Episcopal Day School.
Alexandria: Goldilocks Approach
City Council reluctantly approves programming size for Patrick Henry Recreation Center.
A recommendation on the scale of the new Patrick Henry Recreation Center escalated into one City Council member calling on the city manager to fire the project staff.
Shots Fired in Alexandria
Police continue investigating wave of gunfire reports from across city.
The first “shots fired” call of the summer came in on April 18. Since then, there have been 13 reports of “shots fired” across Alexandria.
Alexandria: City Council Brief for 6/26
Pepper Celebrates 30 Years on Council
At the close of the 2014-2015 City Council session, members of the council watched a presentation and recalled where each was 30 years ago. For most, they were memories of playing sports as a young adult or living with their families, Councilman John Chapman was still celebrating a single-digit birthday. But for Council member Del Pepper, 1985 was memorable for an entirely different reason: it was the year she joined City Council.
Alexandria: Lodato Memorial Playground Now Open
The new accessible playground, named after Ruthanne Lodato, an Alexandria piano and music teacher who was an active supporter of Alexandria’s special needs community, is officially open.
Obituary: Alice June Atkinson Higgins
Obituary
Alice June Atkinson Higgins died on Monday, June 22, 2015.
Obituary: Olive Jean Osbourn Powell
Obituary
Olive Jean Osbourn Powell died on June 7, 2015 in Alexandria, after a brief illness.
Alexandria: Celebrating Wright To Read
Wright to Read welcomed more than 50 Alexandria City Public Schools students with their families and their Wright to Read tutors for the Annual Celebration Picnic on Saturday, June 6. The sunny afternoon in the organization’s yard featured food; fun and games; giveaways of books, bookcases, and desks; and recognition of each child’s reading achievements.
Alexandria: Helping Veteran-Owned Businesses
The Bunker@DC opens at Capitol Post.
The Bunker@DC, an incubator program for early-stage, veteran-owned businesses and veteran entrepreneurs, is accepting applications through June 30 for its first cohort of companies. Operating out of the Capitol Post’s co-working office space in Old Town, The Bunker@DC will support veterans in launching and growing a business in a peer- to-peer setting.
Alexandria: ‘The Shiloh Story’ Tells History of Local Church
Telling the church’s history.
With her halo of salt and pepper hair and a calm voice, Lillian Stanton Patterson has an air of someone who has seen it all. When it comes to Alexandria history, there’s some truth to that. Patterson is a lifelong resident of Alexandria with a family history in the city dating back to the 1800s. Patterson and co-author Sarah R. Robertson have recently completed their book, “The Shiloh Story, Journey to Jubilee: 150 Years.” The book chronicles the history of Shiloh Church, its Civil War beginnings, its clergy, church officers, community efforts and the many historical events Shiloh encountered over the years.
Alexandria People at Work: The Hunt for the Culex Mosquito
Daniel Sherwood poked the long-handled dipper into the manhole. "Let's see if we can get any here." He peered into the stagnant water in the dipper. "Look at this; we have all four instars in here. These rafts are filled with eggs, and each raft can have 50-100 mosquitoes. See that little guy wiggling around in there," he said. "He is getting ready to pupate. We are really concerned about the pupa. When they get to the fourth instar stage, they stop eating and start laying eggs."
Alexandria: The Longest Day Bridge Tournament Supports Alzheimer’s Research
Event at Beth El Hebrew Congregation raises $21,500.
Yuen De Anda bustled around the function room at the Beth El Hebrew Congregation on Seminary Road without pausing, greeting all participants by name and putting the final flourishes on the The Longest Day event she’s been planning for months. The Longest Day — held on June 21, the longest day of the year — was organized by Bridge Heroes United, a cooperative endeavor between The Northern Virginia Bridge Association, the Washington Bridge League, and the Richmond Bridge Association. The event’s goal was to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research.
Tuesday, June 23
Call for Pet Connection Photos
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 22, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by July 15. Our favorite pictures include both pets and humans. We welcome short stories about how you got your pet, a noteworthy talent or anecdote about your pet, tales of the bonds between your family and your pet, plus drawings, paintings or other artwork of your pet by children or adults Please tell us a little bit about your creature, identify everyone in the photo, give a brief description what is happening in the photo, and include address and phone number (we will not publish your address or phone number, just your town name).
Editorial: Safe Planning for Independence
Talking and planning about celebrating July 4, and throughout the summer months.
Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.
Alexandria Appetite: Good Restaurants Make Good Neighbors
Once bereft of eateries, Carlyle community now boasts embarrassment of riches.
For years, the Carlyle community has been more than a nine-to-five business district. While condos and apartments have been full for more than half a decade, the restaurant population has been slow to catch up. In a neighborhood that was once dominated primarily by sandwich shops and other lunchtime eateries, some more substantial dining spots have emerged, and they’re certainly worth a visit.
Thursday, June 18
Alexandria Home Sales: May, 2015
In May, 2015, 276 Alexandria homes sold between $3,100,000-$95,000.
Alexandria Home Sales: May, 2015
Alexandria: Therapist Convicted of Sexual Abuse
Gary Stephen Hankins, 45, of Arlington, was convicted last month by a jury of six felonies related to the sexual abuse of a minor who had visited Hankins for the purpose of receiving therapy.
Ideas for Summer Learning
Experts offer suggestions for avoiding summer brain drain.
While summer is opportunity for fun, it can also be a breeding ground for stagnation.
YouthQuest Runs ThinkLink
Experts say 3D printing can open a world of imagination and critical thinking.
Adonis Gonzales had always wanted to become a master electrician, but when he was asked to leave high school at 16 because of a poor attendance record, his prospects looked bleak.
Wednesday, June 17
Alexandria: Patrick Henry Plan Advances
School Board addresses community criticisms of Patrick Henry development.
A divided School Board moved forward with plans to rebuild the Patrick Henry Elementary School. In a 6-3 vote, the School Board approved construction of a new Patrick Henry School and will begin the planning phase for the new building. Patrick Henry Elementary currently houses nearly 600 students in grades preK-5, but will expand to 800 students as a preK-8 school.
Column: No Joke, But Funny Nonetheless
Not that I ever want to use my having cancer as an excuse, but you have to admit, it’s a doozy. And it’s probably the best thing about the diagnosis/prognosis. However, it’s not as if there are a number of other advantages to the disease.
Alexandria: Crime Report for Week of June 10
The Alexandria Police Department is conducting a death investigation in the 4700 block of Kenmore Avenue. It is not considered suspicious.
Obituary: Martha S. Feldkamp
Martha S. Feldkamp died on May 31, 2015, at her home in Alexandria, after a brief illness. She is survived by her husband Robert H. Feldkamp.
Alexandria: The Lot That Wasn’t There
Subdivision on Vassar Road divides neighborhood and City Council.
Steve Hales currently owns the dwellings at 809 and 811 on Vassar Road, but Hales would rather own 809, 811, and a subdivided lot 626. In theory, lot 626 is comprised of the empty space between the houses on lots 809 and 811. The plan was passed by the Planning Commission in a 5-1 vote.
Alexandria: City Workers Brighten Alexandria
People at Work
The 2x3 foot gray bucket slowly rises 17 feet toward the traffic light at Prince Street and Alfred in Old Town. Alvin Jefferson, a signal tech for the City of Alexandria, has strapped on his safety helmet, snapped on his red safety harness and hooked it onto the bucket. He is retrofitting Alexandria traffic signals with LED lights as part of the city's program to have all 250 signals completed by the end of the year. Matt Melkerson, division chief of traffic operations, says LED lights are more energy efficient and will save the city a lot of money on maintenance costs. Instead of changing bulbs every year and a half, the new LED bulbs are supposed to last at least five years and maybe longer. This frees the workers up to do other things. "In addition, it reduces the time when our workers are up in the air and exposed to traffic hazards."
Letter: Interesting Times Ahead
Letter to the Editor
During the campaign in the Democratic primary for mayor, candidate Allison Silberberg said: “If I’m lucky enough to be elected mayor
Alexandria: Saint Stephen's & Saint Agnes School Graduation
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School celebrated the Commencement of the 105 members of the Class of 2015 on Saturday, June 6 on the grounds of Virginia Theological Seminary.
Alexandria: Once a Titan ...
Parents and students from the Class of 2015 remember successes and struggles.
Much of the Robinson family pointed out every girl entering the floor of the Patriot Center, trying to determine at a distance which was McKayla Robinson. It wasn’t an easy task, and each one of the parents filling the 10,000 seat sports center at George Mason University was attempting to accomplish.
Letter: A New Beginning
Letter to the Editor
Alexandria citizens have made a most emphatic statement by electing Allison Silberberg as the Democratic mayoral primary last Tuesday.
Letter: Address Current Needs
Letter to the Editor
A new city manager, a new director of transportation and environmental service recently took office and yet I wonder what it is these people do. You all must live in Fairfax County, if not, you obviously drive and walk around the city limits with blinders on.
Alexandria: A Party Divided
Democratic unity in Alexandria uncertain as Euille weighs options.
One week after the Democratic primary, questions linger about whether or not incumbent William Euille will challenge Democratic candidate Allison Silberberg as a write-in. While on the surface local Democrats have rallied behind Silberberg’s nomination as Democratic candidate for mayor, Euille’s reluctance to yield the position casts doubts.
Letter: No Space for Mobile Vendors
Letter to the Editor
In response to the article “Food Truck Showdown” [June 11-17, Alexandria Gazette Packet], I first must state that I am a long-time, devoted resident of Alexandria.
Letter: Clarify Priorities
Letter to the Editor
Because our top city officials favor building a new metro station at Potomac Yard, claiming it will attract needed businesses and their tax revenues, although there is much long vacant commercial space at nearby stations (Eisenhower, Crystal City, Rosslyn and a glut of empty office space even near D.C. metro stations), I suspect the mayor and council are relying on city staff desperate to provide solutions to our revenue problems.
Letter: Term Limits
Letter to the Editor
Mayor Euille's petulant reaction to being defeated in the Democratic mayoral primary for a fifth term — by musing about a "write in" campaign — highlights the need for term limiting the offices of mayor and City Council.
Letter: Write-In Bill Euille for Mayor
Letter to the Editor
I have never met Bill Euille but for the last 20 years I have lived in the city that he has served for over 40 years. I've lived in Landmark, Old Town, and now in Rosemont. I came to Alexandria young and single and now I'm middle-aged, married, and have children. From these various perspectives I've seen Alexandria steadily getting better over the years.
Letter: Clear Enough Message
Letter to the Editor
On June 9, election day in Alexandria’s Democratic mayoralty primary, several messages were sent. The second runner-up, the former mayor, had proposed speeding up the pace of development. He got a message that many Alexandrians think the current pace not only is fast enough but probably too fast.
Alexandria: ‘For God and Country’
American Legion installs new officers.
Vietnam veteran Jim Glassman was sworn in for his third term as commander of American Legion Post 24 in Alexandria during a June 10 ceremony to install the organization's 2015-2016 slate of officers and board members.
Thursday, June 11
Alexandria: Unofficial Precinct-by-Precinct Results for Democratic Mayoral Primary
Unofficial results show Mayor Bill Euille (E) winning 11 precincts and closely splitting five precincts. Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg (S) won nine precincts and closely split three precincts with Euille (E/S); former Mayor Kerry Donley (D) won two precincts and closely split two precincts with Euille (E/D).
Letter: Someone Who ‘Walks the Walk’
Letter to the Editor
This year Mount Vernon is fortunate to have an accomplished candidate for supervisor who provides an attractive alternative to the “same-old, same-old” politics that has dominated our area for so long.
Alexandria: New Marker For Cannon Monument Unveiled
A new engraved marker for the Braddock Cannon Monument was unveiled last month on the northwest corner of the Braddock and Russell Roads intersection.
Mount Vernon: Crime Report
The following incidents were reported by the Mount Vernon District Police Station.
ROBBERY, 8600 block of Village Square, June 8, 2:38 p.m. A pizza delivery driver was making a delivery and was approached by two men.
Alexandria: Addressing Men
Church’s conference offers encouragement.
With Bibles and notebooks in hand, men who were both members and visitors of Alfred Street Baptist Church filed into the building one early and recent Saturday morning, perhaps because they knew New York Knicks Coach Jim Cleamons would be there, or because they knew there would be a message from the pastor, or perhaps due to just the simple camaraderie that being at church on an early Saturday morning would bring.
Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: June 12-14
Events in Alexandria and Mount Vernon for the weekend of June 12-14
Wednesday, June 10
Mount Vernon Snapshot: Spring Sports Banquet
West Potomac High School recently held its spring sports banquet.
L'Hermione: On Its Way to Alexandria
L'Hermione arrived at Mount Vernon on Tuesday, June 9. L’Hermione is an exact replica of the ship that brought the Marquis de Lafayette to America in 1780.
Alexandria: ‘Family Paint Night’
The Office of the Arts hosted a second “Family Paint Night” on Friday, June 5 at the Durant Arts Center
Alexandria: A Red Nose Affair
Program participants from Youth Achieving Greatness and the Therapeutic Recreation Mainstream Program at the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center could not wait to put on their red noses to help support the Red Nose Day campaign on May 21.
Column: Philosophically Speaking
Recently I attended a “Celebration of Life” event, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, created to bring attention to, and educate the public on, cancer. As a long-time cancer survivor, nearly six and a half years now – and one treated by doctors at Kaiser, I was asked, along with a cervical cancer survivor, to sit on a “survivor panel”; to share our cancer experiences, and offer, along with two oncologists and a pulmonologist, our respective insights as “treater” and “treatee.”
Alexandria: Addressing Men
Church’s conference offers encouragement.
With Bibles and notebooks in hand, men who were both members and visitors of Alfred Street Baptist Church filed into the building one early and recent Saturday morning, perhaps because they knew New York Knicks Coach Jim Cleamons would be there, or because they knew there would be a message from the pastor, or perhaps due to just the simple camaraderie that being at church on an early Saturday morning would bring.
Alexandria: TC Crew Wins Two Golds
Titan girls’ first varsity and varsity lightweight 8 dominate.
The T.C. Williams girls’ first varsity 8 and girls’ varsity lightweight 8 ended the season with two big wins: gold medals at the Canadian Nationals in Ontario, Canada. The girls’ freshman 8 boat also captured a silver medal, and TC sculler Kyra McClary powered down the course to a close fourth-place finish.
Letter: Creating A Legacy
Letter to the Editor
As I write this, I have no idea who will win the Democratic mayoral primary.
Letter: Judgement Day
Letter to the Editor
Citizens of Alexandria — you have spoken loud and clear — your voice has been heard, the torch has been passed, a new agenda and a new leader has emerged.
Alexandria: Volunteers Make Up the Backbone of a Community
Rebuilding Together Alexandria
Did you know that 29 percent of Virginia adults volunteered last year through an organization?
Alexandria: Mentor of The Month
Two Lives Changed
I have been with my tutor/mentor for six months. Each week, Berkley and I work on writing, reading, and vocabulary.
Letter: Historic Milestone
Letter to the Editor
The Virginia Declaration of Rights, a call for American independence from Britain, was drafted by George Mason Mason IV of Gunston Hall in May 1776 and amended by Thomas Ludwell Lee and the Virginia Convention.
Alexandria, Column: Steam Engines and Parking Lots
Commentary
My dad loves steam trains. Maybe because his dad used to take him and his brother down to the Alexandria train station on King Street to watch the trains go by.
Letter: Correcting Misinformation
Letter to the Editor
As the property owner of 809 and 811 Vassar Road, the sub-dividable lots mentioned in several letters last week, I feel like it is important to correct the record.
Letter: Not a Difficult Solution
Letter to the Editor
Bravo to Townsend Van Fleet for his letter that appeared in the May 28 Gazette Packet.
Historic Alexandria Foundation Distributes Funds, Plaques
Harriet and Tom Lankford opened up the gardens and pool house at their home “Clarens” for members and guests of the Historic Alexandria Foundation (HAF) on Sunday afternoon, June 7.
Alexandria: Poet Laureate Seeks to Expand Reach of Written Word
“Poetic Intersections” hopes to connect “pockets of poetry” in the city.
In the second year of her three-year term as the poet laureate of Alexandria, Tori Lane Kovarik is struck by the diversity of what she calls “pockets of poetry” in the city. From spoken word to homegrown punk, Kovarik hears people of all ages engaging in wordplay.
Alexandria: Food Truck Showdown
At Food Truck Rodeo, mobile vendors express frustration with city truck policy.
“Food Truck Rodeo” is a bit of a misnomer. The event outside Southern Towers on Seminary Road did have several food trucks, but there were also two clothing boutique trucks, a homemade jewelry store, and a mobile skateboard shop.
Alexandria: How Chili Transformed Upper King Street
Fred Parker and Hard Times Café.
Frederic Goodfellow Parker is recognized for his pioneering spirit and the economic value it contributed to upper King Street and the entire City of Alexandria.
In the Kitchen: Working Inside Alexandria Food Trucks
Specializing in what their customers want.
Mike Tokarz has pulled on his transparent plastic gloves and scoops out the second layer of the Pearl Special, a pint-size container layered with mac and cheese, baked beans and chopped pulled pork in the Rocklands Barbeque food truck kitchen.
Alexandria: In Three-Way Race, Silberberg Triumphs
Levine wins 45th District Democratic nomination.
After a tense race with a last minute shift in the polls, current Vice-Mayor Allison Silberberg became the Democratic nominee for mayor.
Alexandria: Waterfront Walk
Alexandria Waterfront Commission tours key locations in the long-range redevelopment plan.
Alexandria Waterfront Commission meetings are usually held in a crowded room at City Hall. But at 9 a.m. on June 6, the commission took its meeting to the streets, visiting sites all along the waterfront, from Tide Lock Park in North Old Town to Windmill Hill Park near Jones Point Park in the south, amassing a following of city staff and local citizens along the way.
Alexandria: The Cell Phone Debate
More than 350 students sign petition to permit cell phones at graduation.
After considering a student petition allowing cellphones at graduation, T.C. Williams High School Principal Suzanne Maxey reaffirmed the ban.
Alexandria: Never a Slow Day in the ER
People At Work
It is 11:10 a.m. and the emergency room is full with light blue curtains drawn across the patient rooms lining the long hallway.
Alexandria: A Cookbook of Comfort Food
For novice and experienced cooks.
Long-time Alexandria resident Brooke Ross has been preparing meals for her family and friends for over 20 years. Recently, she decided to share these creative and simple recipes with the rest of the world by creating her own cookbook.
Alexandria: Choosing Between High School and Club Soccer
What’s best for the players?
Every spring more than 100 boys crowd the soccer field at Parker-Gray stadium to try out for the reigning state champion T.C. Williams boys’ soccer team.
Tuesday, June 9
Trending in the Garden
Local landscape architects offer suggestions for updating.
As summer gets underway, so does time spent outside. The American Society of Landscape Architects recently released the results of its 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Survey, a list of trends in outdoor design that yields a bounty of backyard design ideas. From adding a pond to planting a garden, local landscape gurus explain how these trends can be used to transform an outdoor space into a favorite escape.
Alexandria: Blackwall Hitch Second Location Now Open
The Blackwall Hitch restaurants are named for a type of nautical knot used by immigrants that sailed out of London’s Blackwall Port in the 1860s. They would dock in Maryland and Virginia.
Friday, June 5
Alexandria 'Appetite': Hidden Gems in Plain Sight
Successful restaurants in unsuspecting places.
Location, location, location — that’s the first tenet of any successful restaurant. A cutthroat business on a good day, restaurants need every advantage they can get in order to thrive, and location is crucial.
Alexandria: On the Night Shift with City Police
Searching Alexandria’s nooks and crannies with the police.
Over his 10 years in Alexandria, Officer Mark Blackwell has come to know just about every dark corner of Alexandria. Before he turns his patrol car down an alleyway around midnight on May 28, he flicks off his headlights and the car creeps forward.
Thursday, June 4
Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: June 5-7
Events in Alexandria and Mount Vernon for the weekend of June 4-6.
Alexandria People at Work: Three Generations of Haircuts
Helping clients with style decisions.
David Smith snuggles into his mother's lap with a big grin, clutching his white doggie in one arm and his light blue teddy in the other.
Wednesday, June 3
Editorial: Overdose Deaths Are Preventable
New “safe reporting” law encourages people to seek help in time.
The death rate due to heroin overdose more than doubled between 2010 through 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with an average increase of 37 percent per year in the United States.
MV Softball Ends Season in Regional Tournament
Freshman pitcher Anderson key piece of Majors’ future.
Stormy Zyzyk’s senior season of sacrifice came to a close on May 28, ending a high school career that included being selected first-team all-district/conference four times, and receiving first-team all-state honors as a junior.
Alexandria: Hadeed Marks 60 Years
Alexandria-based company founded in Del Ray.
For Joe Hadeed, it’s the only job he has ever known.
Alexandria: Wood To Run for City Council
Republican cites need for new ideas.
Alexandria native and retired Lt. Gen. John R. (Bob) Wood, filed paperwork June 3 to officially declare his candidacy for a seat on City Council.
Column: Weight For It; Wait
Given some post-chemotherapy eating challenges I’ve experienced during the past few months, and the subsequent weight loss which has occurred, my oncologist has prescribed Dronabinol, common brand name: Marinol.
Alexandria: Final Mayoral Debate
Final Mayoral Debate ends on a civil note.
Attendees to the June 2 Democratic Primary Debate, one week before the primary, hoping to see sparks fly between the mayoral candidates may have left disappointed.
Alexandria: T.C. Williams Baseball Competes at Regional Tournament
Junior pitcher Tovsky helped Titans hang around against Madison.
For three innings, the T.C. Williams baseball team played like a youthful group looking to pull off an upset.
Letter: Mixed Legacy
Bill Euille is a nice person, and he has often spoken kindly of my mother, former City Councilwoman Lois Walker, especially on issues of transportation.
Letter: Eyes Wide Shut or Open?
I applaud all who have written over the past weeks expressing concern for the governance of this city. There appears to be genuine enthusiasm for the June 9 primary which will select the next mayor.
Letter: Talented Progressive
I'm delighted to share a somewhat unique vantage point on one of the many qualified candidates for our House of Delegates 45th District seat.
Letter: Distinct Choices
To say that Bill Euille has been an effective mayor is not a valid statement, since the City of Alexandria is a half billion dollars in debt, with an annual debt service now of $80 million.
Letter: Setting Precedent For Subdivisions
The majority of you assume you will not be directly impacted by the water run off or restricted views which are the almost inevitable impact of the proposed subdivision and development on Vassar Road behind President Ford’s former house, a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in the beautiful historic neighborhood of Clover.
Letter: Balanced Growth
Decades of study refute commonly held beliefs about growth and progress.
Letter: Serial Disrespect
Recent letters and articles have endorsed Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille for reelection. I find Mayor Euille a true gentleman and wonderful spokesman for the city, but these endorsements are disingenuous at best, playing free with the facts about Mayor Euille’s blame (and Candidate Kerry Donley’s) for much of what has gone wrong in Alexandria planning over the last decade.
Letter: A Different Kind of BRAC
Every Alexandrian has had to have heard about BRAC, which stands for Base Realignment and Closure and is the Congressionally authorized process DOD uses to reorganize its base structure for efficiencies of budget and operational readiness. And, certainly, I don’t need to tell anyone where BRAC-133 is located.
Letter: Collaborative and Consensus-Building
We are writing to express our support for Mayor Bill Euille in the June 9 Democratic primary for mayor.
Letter: Developmental Disaster
With the primary election day less than one week away respectively, I think it prudent to evaluate the performance of our governing bodies, the school board, mayor and city council with respect to real estate development.
Letter: A Determined Leader
Many Alexandrians have an important choice on Tuesday, June 9: Our choice for delegate of the 45th District.
Letter: Facts on School Spending
I was surprised to receive a flyer from Kerry Donley last week alleging that his opponents for mayor have not been strong supporters of our public schools. Mr. Donley’s negative advertising of the kind we all abhor is based on half-truths and misrepresentations.
Letter: Addressing Transportation
I am writing to share my personal views in support of Kerry Donley for mayor on June 9. My main concern is transportation.
Letter: Details Are Important
The headline on Mayor Euille’s recent flier proclaims: Developers wanted to bring dump trucks into Old Town. Bill Euille knew there had to be a better way.
Similar To Sports
As Alexandria voters ponder their June 9 choice for mayor, they should evaluate the players as though it were a sporting event rather than a political contest.
Letter: Opposing Subdivision
I am a concerned citizen of the Clover neighborhood who lives directly behind one of recently subdivided lots. Clover is a beautiful, established neighborhood that is steeped in history. Such noted national figures as President Gerald Ford, Watergate Attorney Plato Cacheris, General Barry McCaffrey, and many others have owned homes in Clover. For over 60 years Clover has been a stable, lovely place to live.
Letter: Voice for Neighborhoods
As vice mayor of Alexandria, Allison Silberberg has demonstrated thoughtful leadership that represents the citizens rather than the latest development idea. It is time for a mayor who listens, asks questions, and considers all sides of the issue.
Letter: Thoughtful Leader
On Tuesday, June 9, in one of the most important local primaries of recent years, Alexandrians will have the opportunity to cast their vote for the candidate likely to be elected mayor.
Letter: Protect and Reclaim City
It was reported in local newspapers that the city government is considering a new policy of reducing the parking requirements for developers of new projects.
Letter: Committed To Helping People
Mark Levine is my choice to represent me and everyone who lives in the 45th district now that Rob Krupicka has chosen not to run for re-election.
Letter: So Much To Be Done
So Mayor Euille would have everyone believing he's not interested it selling or mortgaging City Hall. This coming from the man who is out to develop every piece of obsolete city property. A man who has constantly pushed through zoning changes to suit developers. Where the newly built building or housing is often triple or quadruple or greater than what was there before.
Letter: Fixing City’s Fiscal Health
The people listed below represent a collective 123 years in local and state elected office. It would be accurate to say that we have seen a wide range of personalities and abilities among those with whom we have served, but this year Alexandria is blessed to have three candidates for mayor who hold in common something very important — a passion for Alexandria.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Commentary
Although heart disease is often perceived as a health condition affecting men, it is also the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Approximately one-quarter of all deaths in women are due to heart disease.
Letter: Respectful And Inclusive
Last evening I attended a reception for Allison Silberberg. I left more convinced than ever that she is the right person to lead our city as our next mayor.
Letter: Legislating Experience
In the Washington Post’s recent endorsement of a candidate for delegate in Virginia’s 45th district to the 2015 State Legislature (mostly in Alexandria), the editor failed to identify any of his four opponents, list any of the three debates about to occur, or to acknowledge that in objective terms, the only candidate with actual experience writing and crafting state and federal laws is Mark Levine.
Lafayette in Alexandria: L’Hermione To Be in Port June 10-12
Commentary
Alexandria will soon welcome the French tall ship L’Hermione to its shore.
Letter: ‘Ssshhh’ on Bridgeyard
Ssshhhh … what’s that sound? It appears to be the verdict on “all the news that’s fit to print” about the formerly affordable/workforce housing complex formerly known as Hunting Towers, now the Bridgeyard – Old Town.
Titan Girls Light Weights Win National Bronze Medal
Two other T.C. Williams boats among fastest in nation.
Seven T.C. Williams crew team boats qualified to compete in the Scholastic Rowing Association of America’s National Championship Regatta on the Cooper River outside of Camden, N.J., this past weekend.
Alexandria: LTA Stages ‘Dirty Blonde’
Highlights the story of silver screen bombshell Mae West and her climb to fame.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria is staging "Dirty Blonde" from June 6 to 27. A winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play, the bawdy show highlights Mae West, one of America's pop culture icons, and her climb to fame.
TC Boys’ Soccer Falls to Langley
The defending state champion T.C. Williams boys’ soccer team ended its 2015 season with a 4-0 loss to Langley in the opening round of the 6A North region tournament on May 27.
Where To Vote
On June 9, Alexandria citizens can vote in the Democratic Primary for 45th District Virginia House of Delegates and Alexandria’s Mayoral Election. The 45th District covers all Alexandrians in Old Town, Carlyle, Del Ray, and residents of the West End north of King Street. To vote, citizens must have a photo identification card, which can include:
Financing a Campaign
Cash contributions do not include “in-kind” donations: contributions in the form of goods and services.
Chamber CEO Retires
Search to replace John Long begins.
The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce released a statement June 1 announcing the retirement of President and CEO John Long. Long has been with the Alexandria chamber since March of 2012 and he retires after 25 years as an executive with chambers of commerce around the country.
That’s Amore
Carluccio’s makes U.S. debut in Old Town.
It was love at first sight as more than 175 people turned out for the grand opening celebration of Carluccio’s, an Italian restaurant and market making its U.S. debut in Alexandria.
Monday, June 1
Summer Fun, Summer Safety
Tips for averting summer danger.
It’s a familiar call. The sun beams down from mid-summer sky. Temperatures rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but safety conditions start to plummet.