Stories for June 2021

Stories for June 2021

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Wednesday, June 30

Opinion: Column: And the “Scancer” Is...

And the "Scancer" Is... ...stable, with a side of shrinkage, however modest.

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Living with Adult Children

Creating livable spaces that balance the security of family with the need for independence

When June Joyce’s husband died two years ago, she was lonely living alone in the sprawling Alexandria family home where the couple raised their four children.

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Celebrate July 4 at Local Historical Sites

July 4th is a celebration of America’s founding.

Monday, June 28

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Welcome Back to Alexandria

Old Town Arts and Crafts Fair makes 2021 return.

Following a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Volunteer Alexandria brought back the popular Old Town Arts and Crafts Fair held June 12 at Waterfront Park.

Alexandria Athletes of the Year

Sportsman’s Club awards $40,000 to high school seniors.

The Alexandria Sportsman’s Club has named its 2021 High School Athletes of the year, awarding $40,000 to 16 area high school student-athletes.

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Show Me the Money

Twig donates $150,000 to Inova Alexandria

The Twig, the Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital, presented a check for $150,000 to hospital president Dr. Rina Bansal and Inova Alexandria Hospital Foundation Board Chair Donald Simpson Jr. during the organization’s annual luncheon June 15 at the Potomac Riverfront home of philanthropist Joe Viar.

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Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Emerges From Hibernation

Cicadas share stage with orchestra debut

The blackened screen slowly fills with cicada sounds, and soon a red-eyed cicada crawls over the score of the “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba.”

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Let’s Get Together in Alexandria

St. Martin de Porres Senior Center reopens; HomeAid Northern Virginia helps in rebuilding lives.

St. Martin de Porres Senior Center wasn’t quite open officially for regular activities, but it didn’t stop the regulars from showing up for the ribbon cutting to celebrate the recent renovation on May 25.

Wednesday, June 23

Opinion: Column: Wait. What?

After each individual appointment with my oncologist, either virtual or in person, all my prescription needs and my next round of appointments are scheduled while I wait.

95 and Counting

Seniors who are 95 and older reflect on life and offer advice to younger people.

95-year-old Howard Eisenberg says he was carded recently and asked to provide proof of his age as he boarded a train on his way to visit his 80-year-old girlfriend.

Monday, June 21

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Local Voter Turnout: Is That What Faltered in Alexandria?

During the Pandemic, and long before, we have come to value reliable, informative and straightforward coverage provided by the Alexandria Gazette Packet reporting staff.

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Celebrating the Class of 2021 at T.C. Williams

Final commencement for T.C. Williams High School

It was a day of celebration as the T.C. Williams High School class of 2021 bid farewell to a year of quarantines, remote learning and canceled social and athletic events during the June 12 commencement ceremony at Chinquapin Park.

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The Other Alexandria: From West Virginia to Alexandria – Click Family of Bethel Cemetery

A town called War in McDowell County, West Virginia is surrounded by hilly mountains, and it also sits in the valley of the mountains with a population of less than 1,000 people.

Sunday, June 20

‘Thank You Dad’: Celebrating Father’s Day June 20 in Alexandria

Following a year of quarantines, limited travel and social distancing, families are looking forward to celebrating in more traditional ways as Father’s Day approaches on June 20.

Saturday, June 19

Appetite: Off the Menu: Alexandria Restaurant News and Notes

Openings, closures and coming-soons – it’s a busy time in the Alexandria restaurant scene.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Alexandria City Council Primary Despair

You threw your hands up in despair when it came to presenting the Alexandria city council primary results.

Thursday, June 17

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Colonial Era House on Telegraph Road Is Going Up for Sale

It dates back to 1766, and has seen a slice of American history.

Historic house for sale.

Opinion: Column: Navigate This

(All these times are approximate – or they're not.

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This Summer Will Be a Balancing Act

Parents face a dilemma: give much needed mental break vs. boosting skills

As camps, swimming pools and simply spending time with friends were cancelled last summer and then followed by a tumultuous school year filled with uncertainty, parents are left to grapple with how to walk the fine line between catching up academically and tending to the overall well-being of their children.

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Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities Rise in the Fairfax County Area

Road design, speeds, lighting and negligence are factors.

This spring has seen several fatal pedestrian accidents, possibly signaling a warning to drivers, pedestrians and transportation engineers that more could be done to lessen these fatalities in Fairfax County.

Saturday, June 12

Alexandria Police Chief Brown to Step Down June 25

Cites family commitments, pending move; hired in January of 2017

Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown announced he will be stepping down from his position effective June 25, leaving the department just over four years after his appointment as Chief of Police.

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Living Legends of Alexandria: There’s No Place Like Home

Donald Simpson Jr. carries on family legacy

For Donald Simpson Jr., Alexandria is the only place he has ever called home.

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Little Theatre of Alexandria Presents “Ripcord”

Now thru June 26, it’s the story of two women thrown together by a cosmic force with a wicked sense of humor.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA) is presenting “Ripcord” from now through June 26. It’s the story of two women thrown together by a cosmic force with a wicked sense of humor.

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They’re Back! Alexandria Aces Open Season at Frank Mann Field

The Alexandria Aces took on the Gaithersburg Giants June 8 in the opening game at Frank Mann Field, losing to their Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League rivals 10-7.

Support for Survivors

Eagles donate $1,000 to sexual assault and domestic violence program

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 871 in Alexandria presented a check for $1,000 to Debbie Evans, Division Chief of the Alexandria Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program, to help provide support to survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

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Taste of Old Town North Alexandria

Summer pop-ups, farmers market in Montgomery Park

A pop-up farmers market was held June 6 in Montgomery Park as part of the Taste of Old Town North summer festival, which continues through June 21.

Thursday, June 10

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Holding Dear: 2,364 Local Souls Lost to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Northern Virginia Regional Commission holds Remembrance Ceremony

On March 21, 2020, the Fairfax County Health Department reported its first death of a resident due to COVID-19.

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Influencer Marketing is the Next Thing for Products and Businesses

The outfits, dinner recipes, jewelry and selfies on Instagram are part of the process.

Influencer marketing is a hit

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Novelties and Gifts Share Space with Fun

At Highs and Lows in Hybla Valley, behind the door with five knobs, local artists and Pac Man scream nostalgia.

Highs and Lows

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Democrats Choose Northern Virginia Ticket

Primary voters select candidates with gender and racial diversity but lacking in regional balance.

As election returns started rolling in from the Democratic primary Tuesday, Republicans started boasting about having the most diverse statewide ticket in Virginia history.

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Opposition Candidates Falter

Voters reject candidates who said City Hall lacks integrity.

Democratic primaries are usually about biography and personalities, focusing on professional resumes and personal connections.

Levine is One of Five Incumbents Defeated

Two-term House member tried to run double campaign, losing both

There's a reason why candidates have never tried running in two different Democratic primaries at the same time.

Wednesday, June 9

Opinion: Column: The Masks are Off...

...and I suppose life is back on, especially for those of us who have been vaccinated.

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HomeLifeStyle: Style for the Great Outdoors

Designers see uptick in requests for porches and other outdoor spaces

A longing to spend more time outside after a year-and-a-half spent inside is driving a trend in home design, including an uptick in requests for projects like screened porches and patios.

Sunday, June 6

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Don’t Sell Us Down the River

The American Horticultural Society’s (AHS) decision to sell off its River Farm headquarters in Alexandria, Va., hardly seems in keeping with its mission to “blend education, social responsibility and environmental stewardship with the art and practice of horticulture.”

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Taxation without Representation

Our 2021 elections in Virginia are awash in money, coming from both sides of the aisle.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: On Council’s Action on School Resource Officers

The principal problem with the city council's 4-3 vote against continuing to provide the Alexandria City Public Schools with school resource officers is that it usurps the elected school board's primary responsibility for maintaining order and discipline in the schools.

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Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Local Republicans Are Running, But Not in a Primary

As we approach the Democrat primary on June 8, the local Republicans have already selected our party’s local nominees through alternative party nomination processes, which allowed for maximum party participation and saved the City the expense of an additional primary.

Local Alexandria Women Start Podcast to Interview City Council Candidates

Anyone in Alexandria who’s been reading the paper, walking around the neighborhood, or checking their mail has seen the huge wave of political activity leading up to the June 8 democrat primary.

Saturday, June 5

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’Tis the Season in Alexandria

City opens pools, interactive water fountain

The Potomac Yard Park interactive water fountain opened for the summer May 29 and will operate through Oct. 15.

Opinion: Commentary: Hopkins House Shares Public Policy Priorities and Candidates in Support

Earlier last month, Hopkins House invited candidates running for public office in the 2021 Democratic Party primary elections for the City of Alexandria to respond to a survey on early childhood and education issues.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Supporting Mark Levine for Lieutenant Governor

The rising sea levels on the shore continue to pose a real threat to our community.

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Home of the Brave in Alexandria

Remembering the fallen on Memorial Day

One by one, 68 names were read as Alexandria paid tribute to its local fallen and missing in action service members as part of the May 31 Memorial Day observance at the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Del Ray.

Friday, June 4

Opinion: Commentary: Ebbin: Bennett-Parker Is Best Choice for Delegate

Democratic primary voters in the 45th House of Delegates District (parts of Alexandria, south Arlington and Mount Vernon) will choose their nominee for Delegate on Tuesday, June 8.

Wednesday, June 2

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Appetite: Dates to Circle in June

A tasting tour of Del Ray, a beer garden with all the fixings and – get ready – yoga with cats.

Opinion: Column: Nearly Nicked

Recently, I made the mistake of clicking on an email from an unfamiliar sender.

Opinion: Commentary: I Became a Better Mother When I Stopped Trying To Do It All Myself

Across the board, children have better outcomes when their parents have a shared parenting schedule, even in high-conflict cases.

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Wellbeing: Faith Sustained Many During COVID-19 Crisis

How a belief in a higher power helped some people cope with pandemic

As she experienced the emotions and uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic, Bracha Goetz turned to the tenets of her faith.

Opinion: Commentary: Taking Exception: Fighting Both anti-Semitism and Oppression

On the May 13 Eid holiday, Abrar Omeish, at-large member of the Fairfax County School Board, Tweeted: "Hurts my heart to celebrate while Israel kills Palestinians & desecrates the Holy Land right now,” she wrote.

June is the Deadliest Month for Teen Drivers

Parental involvement urged to prevent underage drinking this summer

Citing the facts that June is the single deadliest month of the year when it comes to teen driving and that summer’s arrival also ushers in that contiguous period (May - August) when the greatest number of U.S. teen traffic deaths occur [i], a Washington-metropolitan area alcohol education group is urging parental involvement to combat both teen drinking and drunk driving this summer.

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Democrats Decide

Voters to determine direction of party in June 8 primary

The June 8 primary will determine the direction of the Democratic Party in Virginia at a critical time, when the commonwealth is emerging from the pandemic and trying to recast itself as something other than a party in opposition to former President Donald Trump.