Wednesday, April 27
State of the County Presented Over Breakfast
Leadership Fairfax hosts 25th Annual Board of Supervisors State of the County Breakfast and presents Hanley Award to Bill Bouie for Public Service.
With the number and types of commitments made on their daily schedules, it takes a special occasion to gather the entire roster of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in one place at one time outside the walls of their meeting chambers.
Preparing for Summer Camp Away
Many emotions arise when a child leaves for camp.
A child’s first residential summer camp experience can be fraught with emotions that run the gamut from excitement to terror.
Academic Camps Combine Education and Fun
Local camps help students maintain school skills in a relaxed environment.
One summer Ana Lado created a summer camp activity for students at her neighborhood pool. The Marymount professor set up a picnic area, and included activities and books. Her plan was to engage the students and give them the opportunity to read and build reading skills while still enjoying fun activities traditionally associated with summer.
From Colonial History to Future Entrepreneurs
Campers can explore diverse interests in specialty summer camps.
This summer dozens of elementary school-aged children will travel back in time to the Colonial Era where, among other things, they’ll learn to spin cotton into cloth for garments.
Editorial: More Voters Might Not Mean Much More Voting
Governor’s action brings Virginia in line with 39 other states.
Last week, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) restored the voting and civil rights of more than 200,000 Virginians who were convicted of felonies, served their time and completed any supervised release, parole or probation requirements.
Notes From The Producer: Origin of a Song
As a producer of plays I find the playwright’s inspiration for a play to be fascinating.
Inside the Alexandria Police Department: Crisis
An occasional series, drawn from the Alexandria Citizen’s Police Academy.
The Alexandria Citizens’ Police Academy is a 10-week course hosted by the Alexandria Police Department (APD) to offer citizens a better understanding of how the department works. Throughout the course, participants sit in on emergency calls and ride along with police officers on patrol. In the sixth week of the course, citizens learned more about how the Alexandria Police react to crisis situations, including hostage situations and riot control.
Alexandria Snapshot: Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Gala
At the 30th Anniversary Spring Gala of the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria were seven scholarship winners, all students of the International Academy at T. C. Williams High School, from left, Daniel Villarroel, Jesusina Abankwa, Isha Rashida Sankoh, Eyosias Agonafer, Subinuer Aikebaier, Nada Elhawary and Melak Alradhi.
Alexandria Snapshot: ‘Live Big’
With a musical session and a baseball game, the Miracle League Program and several Alexandria institutions came together to celebrate the unveiling of a mural encouraging Alexandrians to “Live Big.”
Alexandria: Food Trucks Cook Up Trouble in Old Town North
Parking and Transportation Board approves food trucks at Metro sites, but not in Old Town.
Food trucks took three steps into Alexandria following a City Council meeting on April 16, but an April 25 Parking and Transportation Board hearing may have set them two steps back.
Snapshot: Second Chances
Brian Moran, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security for the State of Virginia, outlines the state’s recent legislation addressing the problems and challenges of prisoners.
Alexandria Snapshot: Official Sock Burning
The Commodore of the Old Dominion Boat Club, Bill Gard, presents a pink sock to Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg, to toss into a fire pit. The sock burning is the celebration of the beginning of the boating season.
Alexandria Letter: Rational Spending
Letter to the Editor
I want to thank Mayor Allison Silberberg for her April 21 reflection [“Decision Time on City Budget Deliberations”] on the city's upcoming budget decisions. She continues to live up to her reputation as "A Voice of Reason" as her campaign claimed.
Alexandria Letter: Airport Noise – City Approved?
Letter to the Editor
My wife and I just returned after four months in Arizona. We live in Old Town just two blocks from the river.
Alexandria Letter: Rental Rates Cheat Taxpayers
Letter to the Editor
The article in the Gazette Packet last week [“Battle at Torpedo Factory”] fails to highlight the problem that the City of Alexandria has been giving the Art League an extraordinary deal on the rent of the building over the past 40 years.
Alexandria Letter: Correct History
Letter to the Editor
I am writing to comment on the article about the latest meeting of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Confederate Memorials and Street Names (“Civil War Still Reverberates,” April 14). There were some misinterpretations of history in the article that need to be corrected.
Alexandria Letter: Making Mockery of Historic Easement
Letter to the Editor
I have fond memories of growing up in an historic home with a lovely garden on South Lee Street. My mother loved the large garden with its beautiful magnolia tree and the birds that frequented her feeders.
Alexandria Letter: What’s the Plan For Torpedo Factory?
Letter to the Editor
Are we seeing only the tip of the iceberg in news accounts about the long-festering friction over the Torpedo Factory’s future? Does behind what we see lurk some ulterior agenda, albeit disguised in consultants’ reports and other smoke screens? The Torpedo Factory controversy is not just about artists versus accountants, but really about Alexandria’s soul.
Alexandria: Champions of Change
Community leaders to be honored at Philanthropy Summit
When Bill Butcher opened Port City Brewery in 2011, not only was he committed to producing a quality craft beer, he also made it a goal to use his time and resources to improve the lives of others in his hometown. On May 3, Butcher will be among those honored for his philanthropic contributions to the community at the 18th annual Alexandria Business Philanthropy Summit.
Alexandria: Rowing Across the Atlantic
Couple bids farewell to Alexandria.
Alexandria residents James Caple and Cindy Way gathered with family and friends April 16 at the Old Dominion Boat Club to christen a specially designed boat that the couple plans to row across the Atlantic Ocean later next month.
GW Parkway Classic: ‘Moving’ Experience
Runners came from near and far to support causes and each other.
They came from as far away as Cali, Colombia and Bristol, England.
Alexandria Column: Taking Steps To End Gun Violence
Commentary
On April 7, I was pleased to be back in Alexandria, the city I love, to stand with Governor McAuliffe at City Hall as he vetoed three bills that will prevent gun violence and protect victims and survivors of domestic violence in the Commonwealth.
Alexandria History: Ceremony Honors Firefighters
Who died in pursuit of John Wilkes Booth.
A Memorial Service was held on Sunday, April 24, honoring the soldiers and firefighters who perished the night of April 23, 1865 during the collision of the steamship Massachusetts and the canal barge Black Diamond.
Alexandria: SSSAS Girls’ Lax Eager for Rematch with Bishop Ireton
Successful Saints lost to BI in last two VISAA state finals.
The St. Stephen's & St. Agnes girls' lacrosse team is 15-1.
3 Alexandria Farmer’s Market Finds for Spring
Alexandria has plethora of market options throughout the year.
The dawn of spring brings lots of vendors back to Alexandria’s farmer’s markets. Fresh lettuce, tomatoes, the short-but-sweet ramp season — it’s always a feast for the senses this time of year. Here are three area vendors to pay particular attention to.
Responding to Teen Sex Trafficking
Comprehensive approach seeks to educate teens.
In 2012 Fairfax County Detective William Woolf discovered a 16-year-old girl being prostituted by the M-16 gang. At the time there was little recognition that the problem existed locally. The girl was recovered and since then Woolf has interviewed 300 recovered victims, some as young as 12-years old. After the initial shock, Northern Virginia businesses, faith communities and educational groups sought to understand the extent of the problem.
Monday, April 25
Fairfax County: Chief Investigating Cyberbullying of Dead Female Firefighter
Search for Nicole Mittendorff called off after police “preliminarily identify” female remains, find suicide note found in her abandoned vehicle.
The search for Nicole Mittendorff, a paramedic-firefighter based at Fire Station 32 in Fairfax Station, has been suspended, a release from Virginia State Police said on Thursday, April 21.
Thursday, April 21
Removing a Barrier to Pomp and Circumstance
Gowns for Grads program at George Mason provides regalia for needy graduates.
When Muntaha Choudhary walks across the stage during George Mason University’s graduation ceremony this May she will celebrate not only her bachelor’s degree, which has been eight years in the making, but also the fact that she is the first person in her family to graduate from college.
Alexandria: City Council OKs Improvements
In an update to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, the City Council approved on April 16 some major extensions and renovations to four miles of new sidewalks and 88 miles of bicycle improvements.
Alexandria: Management Misfiring at Torpedo Factory?
Torpedo Factory hangs in balance between artistic enclave and commercial asset.
Everyone seems to be in agreement: the Torpedo Factory is one of the star attractions of Old Town Alexandria.
Alexandria Snapshot: Higher Power
Power outage along Duke Street on Tuesday, April 19 interrupted Shiloh Baptist Church’s service, so Pastor Taft Quincey Heatley organized his congregation and the visiting worshippers from Arlington’s Macedonia Baptist Church to take the service into the adjacent parking lot. “We came to worship, so that’s what we’re going to do,” said Heatley. “The church is not the building, it’s the people.”
Inside Alexandria Police Department: On the Job
An occasional series, drawn from the Alexandria Citizen’s Police Academy.
The Alexandria Citizens’ Police Academy is a 10-week course hosted by the Alexandria Police Department (APD) to offer citizens a better understanding of how the department works. Throughout the course, participants sit in on emergency calls and ride along with police officers on patrol.
Alexandria Brief: Honoring Ronald Kirby
A plaque honoring Ronald F. Kirby, director of transportation planning at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and Alexandrian resident, will be installed at the entrance to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge he helped design.
Alexandria Snapshot: Spring Fun
Reithoffer Carnival at Landmark Mall extends stay until April 24.
Alexandria Snapshot: Food4thought
Agents and staff of the Long & Foster Old Town office gathered on Friday, April 8 to put together 120 food packs for students at Woodley Hills Elementary School in Fairfax County as part of Food4thought, a program sponsored by Our Daily Bread. Food4thought, run by volunteers, compiles food packs to be sent home with children each Friday. For $28 a month, anyone can provide one child a food pack to sustain them throughout the weekend for a month. See woodleyhillsfood4thought.org.
Alexandria Letter: No Ethics Commission?
Letter to the Editor
On April 14, the Ad Hoc Code of Conduct Review Committee presented its Code of Conduct and Ethics Pledge recommendations to the Alexandria City Council.
Alexandria Letter: Financial Aid And No Fee
Letter to the Editor
Some T.C. Williams High School students have been receiving letters from private companies offering to help determine college admission and financial aid eligibility.
Alexandria: ‘Show Me the Money’
SFA sets $1 million goal for TC students.
Move over Jerry Maguire. The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria is turning 30 and is looking to celebrate big, with a goal of raising $1 million for T.C. Williams students at its annual Spring Gala and Silent Auction April 23.
Alexandria: Ireton’s Ryan Fannon is the Voice of Villanova
For years, he has known the agony of defeat. But when Kris Jenkins’ 3-pointer slipped through the net as the final buzzer sounded, play-by-play announcer Ryan Fannon finally experienced first-hand the thrill of a Villanova Wildcats NCAA championship victory.
Alexandria: Raising $37,800 for Homeless
The Motown sound of The Intruders brought down the house while raising funds for Community Lodgings at the 11th annual Spring Forward Fundraiser April 10 at Union Street Public House restaurant.
Alexandria Column: Heroes at Home
Commentary–Rebuilding Together Alexandria
Heroes are people we hold in high regard. Those who serve and protect our nation are among these heroes. At Rebuilding Together, we have the privilege of helping people maintain and repair their homes — many of whom are veterans.
Alexandria Column: Good Childcare Has High Economic Returns
Commentary
I want to go on record favoring a property tax increase to pay for upgrading Alexandria public schools in line with the School Board’s 10-year $291 million request — with two conditions.
Alexandria Column: A Wake-Up Call for Alexandrians
Protect children from sexual abuse.
When you hear about child sexual abuse, many thoughts might go through your mind: “They should go to jail.”
Alexandria Column: Decision Time on City Budget Deliberations
Commentary
The vote for our city’s budget is around the corner. This is the biggest vote of the year. Our decision will have a sizable impact on the quality of our lives as well as the pocketbook of each household in our beloved city.
Wednesday, April 20
Letter: Selfishness, Not Altruism, Behind Tax Increases
To the Editor
The Board of Supervisors and School Board should give the approximately 12,000 classroom teachers salary increases, but give no raises to other school and county employees.
Alexandria: TC Boys’ Lax Comes Back to Beat Mount Vernon
Titans outscore Majors 4-0 during final 5:29.
The T.C. Williams boys' lacrosse team defeated Mount Vernon 8-5 on Tuesday.
Editorial: On the Guilty Plea of Adam Torres
Geer’s death exposed “obfuscation … and a lack of public accountability.”
Adam Torres, charged with murder in the death of Springfield resident John Geer, was the first Fairfax County Police officer in the history of the department to be charged in such a death.
Tuesday, April 19
Transitway Comes to Arlington
Ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the launch of joint Arlington-Alexandria bus service.
“This is Arlington,” said Sandra Borden from the Crystal City Civic Association as she points across Glebe Road, “and over there, that’s Alexandria.”
Don Taco: New Take on Longtime Favorite
Newcomer to King Street offers diners a wealth of innovative options.
Walk the length of King Street from Route 1 to the river, and you’ll see a brand-new restaurant on your stroll. Nestled between Alfred and Columbus streets on the southern side of King, Don Taco Tequila Bar beckons to passersby, inviting the neighbors in for a taco or three and a frosty margarita.
Monday, April 18
Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to Present 2016 Valor Awards
It was Halloween night when Alexandria police officers Matthew Barnickle and Richard Vergara were dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle crash. When they arrived, they found a car on fire with reports of a passenger trapped inside.
In the Kitchen: Meet Chef Pawel Podbielski of Le Refuge
The Making of Filet de boeuf Wellington
Chef Pawel Podbielski sprinkles flour on the counter so the pastry won't stick. He is making Filet de boeuf Wellington, a customer favorite, at Le Refuge on Washington Street. "Last Saturday night I made 12 of these and they all sold out," he says. "I'm getting this pan nice and hot and then I'll add Kaola gold oil because it's no trans fat and has a buttery taste."
In the Kitchen: Meet Chef Pawel Podbielski of Le Refuge
The Making of Filet de boeuf Wellington
Chef Pawel Podbielski sprinkles flour on the counter so the pastry won't stick. He is making Filet de boeuf Wellington, a customer favorite, at Le Refuge on Washington Street. "Last Saturday night I made 12 of these and they all sold out," he says. "I'm getting this pan nice and hot and then I'll add Kaola gold oil because it's no trans fat and has a buttery taste."
Friday, April 15
Historic Garden Week in Virginia
Elegant homes and gardens in Old Town, Arlington and Falls Church will be open to the public.
Some of the most spectacular gardens will be in bloom and on display during the 83rd annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia.
Modular Homes Come of Age
What's behind the growing popularity of modular homes? Recent research shows that a house comprised of architecturally-specific, pre-constructed modules can be assembled on a homeowner’s lot for 10-15 percent less than of the cost of a comparably-sized “stick-built” house.
Alexandria Home Sales: March, 2016
In March, 2016, 208 Alexandria homes sold between $1,552,000-$100,000.
Alexandria Home Sales: March, 2016
Alexandria: Dodson, Sparks to Wed
Engagement
Lisa Houston Dodson and Jerry Wayne Dodson, of Holly Springs, Miss., announce the marriage of their daughter, Emily Gray, to Grant Adair Sparks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Lee Sparks of Alexandria.
Alexandria Obituary: Dr. Yvette Fay Francis-McBarnette
Dr. Yvette Fay Francis-McBarnette, known for her ground-breaking work in treating Sickle Cell Anemia, died in Alexandria on the afternoon of March 28, 2016 surrounded by her loved ones. She was weeks from her 90th birthday.
Alexandria Letter: Let Bygones Be Bygones
Letter to the Editor
Perhaps the biggest argument for changing a street name would be the one named after Jefferson Davis. As the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis had a major impact on history from believing in the superiority of the white race (also Abraham Lincoln’s stance) to leading the horrific war against the North.
Alexandria Letter: Remembering History, not Hate
Letter to the Editor
I would like to add something to a letter by Ellen Latane Tabb, “Unnecessary Expense” [Gazette Packet, April 7].
Alexandria Letter: Help a Princess Be a Princess
Letter to the Editor
The Princess For a Night (PFAN) project is collecting dry-cleaned tuxedos, dresses, shoes, handbags, jewelry, unused make-up (for example, sample cosmetics), and "nice" shopping bags through April 28. Donations can be dropped off at the T.C. Williams Main Office, 3330 King St., Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Alexandria: McAuliffe Visits City Hall for Veto
Mayor and Domestic Violence specialists back Governor’s stance.
On paper, giving domestic violence victims under protective orders access to concealed weapons without permits or training may have appeared sound, but with his veto of a series of bills out of the Virginia legislature, Gov. Terry McAuliffe and others argued that adding more guns would only put more lives at risk.
Inside Alexandria Police Department: Use of Force
An occasional series, drawn from the Alexandria Citizen’s Police Academy.
The Alexandria Citizens’ Police Academy is a 10-week course hosted by the Alexandria Police Department (APD) to offer citizens a better understanding of how the department works. Throughout the course, participants sit in on emergency calls and ride along with police officers on patrol.
Alexandria People at Work: Learning to Eat Healthy
Two women arrive 15 minutes early and are sitting at the table chatting about menus. They are waiting for the third class on April 6 in the six-week series on Eating Healthy, Be Active sponsored by the County Extension Service. Van Do, Family and Consumer Sciences SNAP-Ed Agent, for Virginia Cooperative Extension says, "Today's program focuses on eating healthy on a budget. “
Alexandria: Council Hears Ethics Recommendation
A pledge for city’s elected and appointed officials.
The ethics pledge makes no changes to the law, increases no reporting qualifications, and includes no complaint process, but after months of City Council fights over its necessity and implications, the draft presented by the Code of Conduct Review Committee at the April 12 City Council meeting was received with relatively little fanfare.
Alexandria: Civil War Still Reverberates
Indecision and conflict continues over Confederate street names and statues.
After four tumultuous meetings, the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Confederate Memorials and Street Names has not managed to settle the 150-year-old conflict over the legacy of the Confederacy in Alexandria.
Thursday, April 14
Alexandria Letter: Debacle at Patrick Henry
Letter to the Editor
After years of negligence in school maintenance, the city is now faced with the daunting task of renovating and rebuilding 12 of our schools at a staggering cost of $1.5-plus billion.
Alexandria: Ireton Girls’ Lax Falls Short Against Elite Competition
Nationally-ranked Cardinals suffer first losses of season.
The Bishop Ireton girls' lacrosse team lost to Good Counsel and McDonogh.
Alexandria: Jones, James Combine for 30 Points at Nova Challenge
T.C. Williams guards compete for Fairfax South All-Stars.
T.C. Williams teammates Jordan Jones and Tavaris James thrive with Fairfax South All-Stars.
Alexandria Letter: Reconsider Pre-K Center
Letter to the Editor
As part of its proposed remedy to address classroom overcrowding, the Alexandria City Public Schools has requested funding from City Council to create a “Pre-K Center” with the intention of relocating its 4-year-old preschoolers from neighborhood school buildings into a single building.
Alexandria Letter: Between All or None
Letter to the Editor
This is in reference to the Letter to the Editor (April 6, 2016) entitled "Unnecessary Expense." We seem to be at the crossroads of history between "all or none."
Alexandria Letter: Calling Their Bluff
Letter to the Editor
Many years ago, an extended family member was killed in the course of a hotel robbery while she was on vacation in Florida. So, I am in the universe of people who want to see fewer guns available for criminals to access. Unfortunately, the National Rifle Association (a.k.a. NRA) doesn’t agree.
Alexandria Snapshot: Save Our Ship Tours
Alexandria city crew raise timbers from a water tank where the remains of the hull of a 50-foot vessel are being stored.
Alexandria Brief: Lawsuit Filed Against General Registrar of Voters
Anna Leider, the general registrar of voters in the City of Alexandria, is now faced with a lawsuit that alleges she failed to maintain proper voter rolls and refused to permit the plaintiffs to inspect list maintenance records as required by federal laws.
Alexandria Brief: Duke Street Ramp Closing
During overnight hours on Thursday, April 14,the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will close the ramp from Duke Street (Route 236) to I-395 North to remove construction barriers. Motorists should expect delays.
Alexandria Brief: Man Charged with Murder
Alexandria Police have charged a suspect in connection with the homicide of Melaku Abraha, who died on April 1, from injuries sustained during a robbery that occurred in the 200 block of South Alfred Street on March 28.
Alexandria Brief: Man Indicted in Park Murder
On April 11, the Grand Jury for the City of Alexandria handed down a two-count indictment against Reinaldo Mauricio Portillo Membrano, alleging that Portillo Membrano murdered Jose Luis Perez Ferman in Beverly Park on or about Nov. 8, 2015.
Wednesday, April 13
Becoming Aware of Child Sex Trafficking
The problem extends throughout northern Virginia.
She stands on the sidewalk outside the mall with her backpack full of 7th grade science and math books. An older man pulls up and she gets in the backseat of his car.
Classified Advertising April 13, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Tuesday, April 12
Inaugural Living Well Summit Piques Interest of County Seniors
Summit helps county residents improve with age.
Local residents can learn how to age gracefully Saturday, April 16, at the Living Well, Aging Well Summit in the Fairfax County Government Center.
Help Wanted: Mature Workforce at Employment Expo in Tysons
Older adults in search of work can discuss job opportunities with various industry representatives Monday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the “50+ Employment Expo” in the Sheraton Tysons Hotel.
Progress Made, Challenges Remain on Ending Homelessness
HomeAid NoVA hosts ‘Keep the Homeless Housed’ Forum.
In 2008, Fairfax County partnered with the City of Falls Church to adopt an ambitious strategic plan to address the issue of homelessness in the region.
Finding Fun in Science
Area youth turn out for Project BEST Science and Technology Fun.
What could possibly have lured some 100 and more middle school youngsters back to a school building on a Saturday, especially if that school isn’t theirs and they had to get up extra early just to get there?
Editorial: Award-Winning Connection Newspapers
Still striving to be the Connection to your community.
Connection Newspapers won dozens of awards from the Virginia Press Association for work done in 2015.
Monday, April 11
Alexandria: March for Meals Champions – Spreading the Word about Senior Hunger
Senior Services of Alexandria along with elected city officials, city employees, school and community volunteers delivered Meals on Wheels in March to celebrate March for Meals, raising awareness around senior hunger. Mayor Allison Silberberg proclaimed March as “March for Meals” month in Alexandria.
Friday, April 8
Alexandria Appetite: 3 Spots to Dine Al Fresco This Spring
With warmer weather on the horizon, it’s time to grab a menu and eat outside.
Despite Mother Nature’s detour over the weekend, signs of spring are popping up everywhere. Cherry blossoms and Easter bunnies are sure signals of renewal, but when it comes to eating out, there’s only one way to tell spring is here: The patio furniture is dusted off, set out, and poised to welcome diners once more. Here are three restaurants that are ready to greet the season.
Speaker Series
Senior Services of Alexandria will present Aging Well, Working Together for a Livable Community for all Ages, next in a speaker series, on Wednesday, April 13, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria.
Luxury Condos are a Growth Market for Seniors
Active retirees seek options for independent living, including condos in Alexandria, Arlington, Tysons, Reston, McLean, Bethesda and Chevy Chase, among others.
When Joyce and Don Lipman decided to move out of their Potomac, Md. home, they opted for a high-end townhouse instead of a retirement community.
Taking the Long View
Budgeted, incremental improvements are the key to effective planning, aging in place.
When they decided not to move-on after retirement, seniors Mike and Sandy Nusbaum slowly began enlarging their long-term residence with several goals in mind.
Golden Notes
Living well at any age.
‘Shark Tank’ for Seniors
High school students design and present tech products to improve lives of older adults.
Chantilly High School freshman Aru Rajpurohit remembers seeing her great-grandfather struggle to drink his morning tea and other beverages, his hands shaking from Parkinson’s disease.
Thursday, April 7
Letter: Help Prevent Child Abuse
If you see a blue pinwheel dotting the landscape in April, we hope you will pause and think about what it represents--National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Letter: Limiting Health Care Choices
To the Editor
Recently it was announced that Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna are planning to merge, which would severely limit the choices residents of the Commonwealth have when picking their healthcare provider.
Sanderson Honored for 25 Years of Civic Service in the Arts
Douglas J. Sanderson, a principal in the law firm of McCandlish & Lillard, P.C., was honored at the 2016 Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' annual awards banquet with a Citation of Merit recognizing his 25 years of “pro-bono legal service
Alexandria Business: Teaism Goes Cold
By the end of April, healthy food restaurant Teaism will close.
After four years as part of the first wave of the North Old Town renaissance, the Teaism Restaurant on on N St. Asaph Street will close on April 24.
Alexandria: Uniting for Clean Energy
Rally spotlights climate change’s effects on people.
A rally to support clean power, held in Market Square on April 2, was interrupted by a heckler denouncing climate change as a fraud. For attendees of the rally, it was an unexpected disturbance, but the legislators hosting the event say it’s par for the course.
Inside the Alexandria Police Department: Evidence
An occasional series, drawn from the Alexandria Citizen’s Police Academy.
The Alexandria Citizens’ Police Academy is a 10-week course hosted by the Alexandria Police Department (APD) to offer citizens a better understanding of how the department works. Throughout the course, participants sit in on emergency calls and ride along with police officers on patrol.
Alexandria: Robbery Ends in Murder
Local grandfather remembered as pillar of community.
Melaku Abraha loved walking. It was his favorite way to explore Alexandria, and family and neighbors in particular remember his frequent walks near his home on South Alfred Street. On March 28, at around 9:33 p.m., he was found conscious but badly injured just a block from his home. A robbery and assault left Abraha with serious head injuries. He was hospitalized, but his condition continued to deteriorate and four days later he died.
Alexandria Snapshot: MacArthur Shining Stars
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School students raised $9,359.33 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Student Series program.
Alexandria: Obamas Celebrate Easter
... at Alfred Street Baptist Church.
For the second year in a row, the White House’s First Family celebrated Easter on Sunday morning with members and visitors of Alfred Street Baptist Church (ASBC) in Alexandria.
Alexandria Letter: Selective Taxing
Letter to the Editor
This past Friday, the Governance Subcommittee of the Waterfront Commission met at the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership’s (AEDP) headquarters in a work session led by Charlotte Hall, who is the Waterfront Commission chairwoman.
Alexandria Letter: Constructing History
Letter to the Editor
History books – and instructors – are not infallible. For example, although our Massachusetts President John F. Kennedy’s Thanksgiving Proclamations issued more than 50 years ago acknowledged Virginia’s Berkeley Hundred Thanksgiving celebration on Dec. 4, 1619, American history texts and teachers still credit the Pilgrims’ 1621 event as the first on these shores by the English. Why do the texts mostly written and edited in Boston and N.Y. not credit Virginia’s preeminence? Why should we care?
Alexandria Letter: Funding Pre-K Centers
Letter to the Editor
Last year, a joint effort by the Alexandria City Public Schools and the City of Alexandria resulted in the creation of a Long Range Educational Facilities Plan (LREFP).
Alexandria Letter: Unnecessary Expense
Letter to the Editor
The City Council’s proposal to remove a statue memorializing our city’s common soldiers who died to protect their state, homes and loved ones from invaders should be unthinkable. And erase all Confederate street names? Must we be defined by such misguided and ignominious acts? George Washington’s, George Mason’s and Robert E. Lee’s hometown must set a better example — not destroy our American heritage.
Alexandria Letter: Volunteers are Champions
Letter to the Editor
April 10-16, 2016 is National Volunteer Week. It is a time to reflect on the civic traditions that make American communities great, and one of the best times to recognize and thank volunteers for their incredible efforts and inspiring actions.
Alexandria: Two Brothers are Going for the Gold
TC track stars raising funds to reach Rio.
Noah and Josephus Lyles, along with their 4x100 meter relay team from T.C. Williams High School, are headed to the Arcadia Invitational in California this weekend as they continue their quest to reach the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Alexandria Snapshot: A Tasty Thank You
Owner Rob Krupicka sent Sugar Shack donuts to the nurses at Georgetown University Hospital as a thank you for their care of Alexandria resident Mary Wadland, fourth from left, who underwent an emergency liver transplant Feb. 25 following an excessive dose of acetaminophen. Wadland remains in the hospital but is expected to return to her Del Ray home soon. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with expenses while she recuperates. See www.gofundme.com/marywadland.
Alexandria Snapshot: Welcome
Mayor Allison Silberberg, center, and members of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce were on hand March 31 as Long and Foster welcomed Victoria KilCullen and Christie’s Real Estate to their firm. Kilcullen will launch the Christie’s line, a division of Long and Foster Luxury brand, in Alexandria and cover the Northern Virginia region. Shown at the March 31 reception at Principle Gallery are: Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, Christie’s International senior vice president Kathleen Coumou, Chamber of Commerce CEO Joe Haggerty, Silberberg, Long and Foster President Boomer Foster, Kilcullen, Councilwoman Del Pepper and Chamber of Commerce Vice President Shari Simmans.
Alexandria Column: Strut with Your Mutt for a Good Cause
Commentary–AWLA
Alexandria’s Walk for Animals on May 1 will be a first for a 6-year-old toy fox terrier called Gorgeous. A former show dog champion, Gorgeous has walked the 1.5-mile course around Old Town before, but this will be her first time attempting the Walk without vision. Gorgeous lost her eyesight in December to acute glaucoma.
Alexandria Column: A Proposal for Interim Fitzgerald Square Plan
Commentary
I propose an interim plan for Fitzgerald Square that differs significantly from the two “schemes” city staff has proposed. Specifically, this plan will (1) maximize the use of the existing facilities at the Fitzgerald Square location, (2) meet pressing parking needs in the immediate waterfront area, and (3) cost much less than the schemes staff has proposed.
Wednesday, April 6
Mount Vernon: West Potomac Earns First Win Over TC Since 2009
Somuah’s two goals lead Wolverines past Titans.
The West Potomac boys' soccer team defeated T.C. Williams 3-1 on Monday.
Send in Mother's Day Photos to the Connection
Mother’s Day is May 8 this year and as usual every year at this time, this newspaper calls for submissions to our Mother’s Day photo gallery.
Editorial: Move Forward with Independent Oversight
While FCPD has embraced many critical changes, supervisors need to move forward with oversight.
Last week, the Fairfax County Police Department posted a list and progress report of 202 recommendations made by the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, each currently labeled as one of: implemented, in progress or under review.
First Responders Honored at 38th Annual Valor Awards
‘Ready for All Emergencies’
Technician Ryland Chapman and Lieutenant Lawrence Mullin with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were preparing to return home from a deployment with Virginia Task Force 1 to earthquake-rocked Kathmandu, Nepal when another quake sent them back out for duty.
Alexandria Appetite: From Sauces to Spices, She Peppers Packs a Punch
Two-woman team of pepper purveyors is expanding its farmer’s market reach — and gaining shelf space in stores.
Many of Alexandria’s gardeners are just beginning to put their spring vegetables in the ground, last-minute frost be darned. But for Stephanie Freeman and Vickie Lucas, the business of peppers is a year-round affair. Instead of waiting until April to till the soil, they’ve been awaiting the beginning of farmer’s market season — and the expansion of their sauce-and-spice business, She Peppers.
Lawmakers Wrap-up Richmond Legislative Session
Unspent TANF grant money, prisoner rights among social issues discussed.
On average, low income families in Virginia who are eligible and sign up for funds from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant receive $269 monthly and are cut off after five years. But lawmakers say there’s a lot more unexpended money available in the federal grant that, if it remains unused, could one day be taken back.
Monday, April 4
Meet the Living Legends of Alexandria
14 honored for community contributions.
The 2016 Living Legends of Alexandria were honored March 15 at the Meet the Legends reception, where more than 200 people turned out to celebrate the accomplishments of 14 individuals who have made a significant impact on the city.
Friday, April 1
Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: April 1-10
Entertainment
Events in Alexandria and Mount Vernon.