Stories for July 2021

Inova Awards $240K in Community Health Funds to Local Nonprofits

Annual grant doubled in amount this year due to the pandemic impacts.

Inova fund

Opinion: Commentary: Economic Recovery Is More Than Escaping COVID-19

Our local economy is in a precarious position, and it’s not just because of pandemic

Over the last year, our economy struggled to hang on amidst unpredictable changes in pandemic regulations, with over 45 percent of small businesses in the region closing permanently or temporarily, and roughly 49,000 Fairfax County residents remain unemployed.

‘Strategic Underground’ Throughout Fairfax County

Dominion Power is undergrounding wires.

During the frequent thunderstorms that are forecasted throughout the summer, flashlights and candles may have been the short-term answer in the past, but Dominion Energy has another option with a program they are offering called ”Strategic Underground,” so the lines won’t be exposed when lightning strikes and other mishaps.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Free and Open Exchange Benefits All

Across the nation, state lawmakers are actively working to prevent students from having an open and equitable history education - one that both acknowledges the role of racism in the United States and portrays the lived realities and viewpoints of people in marginalized communities accurately.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Let’s Have an Intellectually Honest Gubernatorial Contest

As a lifelong Republican who voted for Trump twice, I’m truly dismayed by our party’s reliance on false narrative and grievance-driven politics.

Music for Singers with Alzheimer’s Disease

New choral program gives those with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments the gift of music

When Peter Midgley and his wife went on their first date, they discovered their mutual love of music.

Drawing the Line

How much should cities and counties be divided among lawmakers?

For Mason Cook of the Middleridge neighborhood in Fairfax County, the problem of gerrymandering can be understood in an afternoon commute. During a public hearing of the Virginia Redistricting Commission this week, he explained that if he were to drive from his house to his grocery store and then drop off a package at his post office, he would have gone through three different House of Delegates districts. "We hear a lot of talk about voter suppression. These kinds of congressional districts are all about voter suppression, and they make the congressional elections totally meaningless." — Bill Millhouser of Fairfax County

Food Glorious Food in Alexandria

New ALIVE! distribution site opens July 17

David Wynne stands on the sidewalk outside William Ramsay Recreation Center with his clicker.

Blazing a Trail in Alexandria

Aces’ Hammond is lone female Ripken League coach

Jennifer Hammond may be the new kid on the block when it comes to the coaching staff of the Alexandria Aces, but she is no stranger to a baseball field.

40 Under 40 in Alexandria

Chamber honors young business leaders

Alexandria’s business community gathered July 15 at The Alexandrian Hotel to celebrate the Chamber ALX’s 40 Under 40 class of 2021 honorees.

Why We Rescue

The miraculous story of Gabby and her Valley poodle pups – adopt, don’t shop.

There wasn’t a single dry eye at Gabby’s long overdue family reunion in early June.

Passing of Gladys Davis

Historic Alexandria mourns the passing of Gladys Davis at the age of 103.

Calling All Alexandria Centenarians: We Want to Honor You

This fall, the City of Alexandria and the Successful Aging Committee will be celebrating National Centenarian Day, honoring those residents who will have reached the age of 100 or older by Dec. 31, 2021.

Appetite: Off the Menu: Alexandria Restaurant News and Notes

New restaurants, new chefs, new sweet treats – it’s a time of change in Alexandria’s restaurant world.

The New New Deal

Uncle Sam is about to make it rain.

Not since the days of the New Deal in the 1930s has the federal government showered so much stimulus cash on Virginia, and Alexandria is about to receive millions of dollars for everything from guaranteed basic income and flash flooding improvements to staffing at the Freedom House and planters to make the King Street pedestrian plaza look more inviting.

Opinion: Column: Definitely on My List

As the month of May was swept away with the last of the network-season's original programming, those of us still in lockdown and quarantining had our own reality to embrace: there was nothing new on network television.

Summer Camp in Age of Climate Change

Increased safety protocols result from climate change-induced extreme temperatures.

Some of the area’s youngest aspiring thespians are spending part of their summer honing their craft at Arlington’s Encore Stage & Studio’s camps.

Can Our Yards Save the Planet?

Plant native plants for pollinators, food for birds and more.

When Tami Entabi moved into her Mount Vernon-area home in 2006, the backyard was a thick mass of intertwined English ivy.

Hot Summer Climate Flows into the Real Estate Market

With the pandemic shrinking, bidding wars are part of the house buying process.

Hot real estate market

Rock the ‘70’s Metal Scene with Black Sabbitch

The all-female Black Sabbath: Four women rocking the metal band’s sound and energy.

Black Sabbitch

Rebuilding Hospitality

Restaurants, hotels and performing arts venues struggle with recovery

Now that the pandemic is fading into a bad memory, Alexandria's hospitality industry is at a crossroads.

Appetite: Chadwicks to Offer New Outdoor Seating With Patio, Balcony in Alexandria

If there’s one feature that was prized above almost all others in the restaurant world this past year, it’s outdoor seating.

Bryan ‘Bugsy’ Watson Dies at 78

NHL great opened Old Town sports bar in 1983

To anyone who knew him, Bryan Watson was larger than life.

Opinion: Column: Time to Kill

(Again, not a cancer column. Given the title, it would be a pretty gruesome reference to my life in the cancer world if it were.)

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Pay Alexandria City Employees Fairly

The Alexandria City Government has a pay philosophy for its employees that salaries will “be competitive at a minimum with the average pay” of its comparators.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Use Federal Rescue Funds to Pay Childcare Workers Fairly

Alexandria is a city of families.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Plant Clinic Needed in Climate Crisis in Alexandria

When I completed my Master Gardener training in 1981, several of my classmates and I wanted to set up a plant clinic at the Alexandria Farmers' Market.

Bon Voyage: Lloyd Retires After 20 Years With Visit Alexandria

For decades, Lorraine Lloyd has been a fixture in the City of Alexandria.

Lee-Fendall House Wall Collapses

Historic property seeks to raise funds to rebuild.

“We are a small nonprofit. Insurance is not going to cover this, so we are counting on the goodwill of the community to help us.”

A Fond Farewell in Alexandria

Officers, officials bid adieu to Chief Brown

Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown was fêted as he made his final appearance at police headquarters June 25 to begin his retirement after 46 years in law enforcement.

Animal Shelter Volunteers: They Do It All in Alexandria

‘Laundry List’ does include laundry — and hugging bunnies.

How does the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) manage to show dozens of dogs and cats to potential adopters, create special treats for the animals, answer the phone, keep up with mountains of laundry and so many other tasks every week?

On the Road Again in Alexandria

Safety protocols in place as trolley service resumes

After a more than a year-long pause in operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alexandria’s King Street Trolley resumed service July 5.

Little Free Pantry in Alexandria

There's a new pantry in town: The Charles Houston Recreation Center at 901 Wythe Street is now host to a Little Free Pantry, Alexandria's first on city property, spearheaded by Hope Nelson, who is also food writer for Alexandria Gazette Packet.

Beloved Martha, Mary Wiseman, Looks Back with Joy

Mount Vernon’s Martha Washington is hanging up the bonnet and dress after 20 years.

Martha Washington Retires

Baby Bust

Declining birth rates lead to shrinking Kindergarten enrollments.

Declining birth rates and the pandemic have conspired to send Alexandria's Kindergarten enrollment down 17 percent since 2018, a trend that school officials say will have a long-term influence on how the division operates and plans for the future. Some of the decline is driven by the pandemic as parents opted for private schools or kept their children in daycare rather than enroll them. But the long-term forecast for schools will be shaped one birth at a time.

Michael Pope, Alexandria Gazette Packet Win Multiple SPJ Dateline Awards

The Washington, D.C., Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists announced the recipients of its 2021 Dateline Awards for journalism excellence June 15 in a virtual presentation.

Opinion: Column: I'm the Big Winner

(Not a cancer column.)

Wellbeing: Back to Work

Angst, readjustment as employees return to the office

More than one year after the emergence of COVID-19 and the subsequent, work-from-home mandates, many employees are heading back to the office.

Going for the Gold

Noah Lyles headed to Tokyo Olympics

Only a few short years ago, Noah Lyles could be seen warming up to the strains of James Brown’s “I Feel Good” as he trained on the track of Parker-Gray Memorial Field at what was then T.C. Williams High School.

James Kunder of Alexandria Commissioned as an Officer in the United States Navy

James Kunder of Alexandria was recently (June 4th) commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy upon completion of Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.

Preview: And the Rockets Red Glare…in Alexandria

Join ASO for Alexandria’s Birthday Celebration July 10

Trumpets and French horns will blare “America the Beautiful” as the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra opens the Alexandria’s Birthday Celebration July 10 at 9 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park.

Home of the Brave in Mount Vernon

‘Flags for Heroes’ on display at Cedar Knoll

The strains of Amazing Grace filled the air as a lone bagpiper stood among hundreds of American flags overlooking the Potomac River as part of the 4th annual Flags for Heroes display June 27 on the grounds of Cedar Knoll Restaurant.

The long strange trip from a failed war on drugs to social equity licenses

Smoke 'em if you've got 'em because pot is now legal in the commonwealth of Virginia.