Stories for September 2021

The shuttered power plant dominating the landscape in North Old Town has layers of industrial pollution, a hidden history buried under the contaminated soil of the Potomac River Generating Station. Even before the coal-fired power plant was constructed in 1949, the property was home to the American Chlorophyll Company and Potomac River Clay Works. That means the long and complicated task known as "remediating" the property could mean removing everything from coal ash and mercury to industrial fertilizer and hazardous metals.

Q & A Sessions for Alexandria’s Nov. 2 Elections

SRCA

Offer to Buy River Farm Inches Up, But Declined by Seller

NOVA Parks is still part of the future at River Farm.

On Sunday evening, Sept. 26, the American Horticultural Society voted against an offer from NOVA Parks to purchase River Farm during a board meeting of the American Horticultural Society, but they are leaving it open for more offers.

Art on the Avenue

300 artists, including budding art merchant Noura Barka, will be at this year’s Art on the Avenue.

Art on the Avenue

Alexandria Couple Donates Edward R. Murrow World War II Microphone to the National Press Club

Murrow Microphone

Documentary Explores a Place Formerly Known as ‘The Pits.’

Documentarian is also a reporter for the Mount Vernon Gazette.

The Pits

Come Celebrate, Curtain Going Up

Live, in-person show-time returns to Center for the Arts.

Fairfax County Police Publication of ‘Shame List’ Endangers Immigrant Residents

COVID Pain Reaches Far

Va. Employment Commission processed 136,000 unemployment claims in 2019, but that number surged to 1.4 million in 2020.

Let the Games Begin

Northern Virginia Senior Olympics competitions are going on around the region.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Opens New Capital One Hall

Celebrating the return of joyous live music at a Northern Virginia destination like no other.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Opens New Capital One Hall

Halloween Is Coming

Get in the fright-night mood with all new outdoor haunted trail at the Workhouse Arts Center

24th Annual Virginia Showcase of Bands

‘Fill the Boot’

Firefighters raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy.

Casting a Ballot

Recent changes to voting make casting a ballot easier than ever.

It Takes a Village

Senior Villages ease aging in place.

Senior Villages

‘Courage in Journalism’

Kemal Kurspahic dies at 74.

Can Mentally Challenging Games Prevent Cognitive Decline?

Consistent brain fitness connected to improved memory, reasoning and processing.

Can Mentally Challenging Games Prevent Cognitive Decline?

Whose Choice?

Opinion

Transforming Potomac Yard

Virginia Tech breaks ground for Innovation Campus in Alexandria.

Potomac Yard Groundbreaking

ACPS Athletic Hall of Fame

Class of 2021 honorees to be inducted Sept. 18.

ACPS Hall of Fame

‘Respond. Resolve. Results.’

City remembers 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks.

9/11 Anniversary

Architecture in Alexandria, and Mount Vernon

Homes Tours

Early Voting Options Expand

Secure drop box option joins mail-in and in-person voting starting Sept. 17.

early voting

VolunteerFest, 2021

Volunteers work on projects countywide for the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Volunteers

Helping Children Develop Healthy Friendships

Positive relationships with peers offer happiness and security.

Friends

Register Now for the Fall ‘Virtual’ Senior Academy

Sessions begin Wednesday, Sept. 22

Register Now for the Fall ‘Virtual’ Senior Academy

ACPS Athletic Hall of Fame

Class of 2021 honorees to be inducted Sept. 18.

ACPS Athletic Hall of Fame

‘An Officer and a Gentleman’

Ben Kellom, Democratic party stalwart, dies at 90.

Reform Is in the Bag

City Council to consider new five-cent tax for each plastic bag.

Alexandria started pressing for a plastic bag tax when George W. Bush was in the White House and Virginia was a red state. Now the years of advocacy have finally paid off, and state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30) has been able to pass a bill giving City Hall authority to impose a five-cent tax on each and every plastic bag that's used in grocery stores and convenience stores.

Opinion: When Odds Are Stacked Against the Many ...

We need our local leaders to set an example for the type of world class workers’ rights that will attract and keep working families, budding professionals, and hungry entrepreneurs here.

Outpouring of Local Help for Afghan Refugees

The need is great for volunteers, monetary donations and more.

Thousands of Afghan refugees have landed at Dulles Airport in recent days.

Crisis in Afghanistan Reverberates Locally

Afghan Americans speak out.

The United States and other countries have welcomed more than 150,000 Afghans and their families since the emergency evacuations began in mid-August.

Get Your Flu Shot

Local health officials say it's important to get both flu and COVID vaccines, and CDC says they can be given at the same time.

As students return to in-person learning while social distancing and mask mandates are less in evidence, local health officials are urging residents to get a flu shot to prevent an uptick in the number flu and COVID-19 cases.

Crisis in Afghanistan Reverberates Locally

Afghan Americans speak out.

The United States and other countries have welcomed more than 150,000 Afghans and their families since the emergency evacuations began in mid-August.

Opinion: Commentary: Record Setting Times

Not intending to repeat a column I wrote a few weeks ago, but it is hot outside!

Facing Eviction

Virginia has new protections for renters, but temporary measures expire next year.

The clock is ticking for renters across Virginia who are in danger of being evicted. People of color and low-income Virginians are most at risk.

Opinion: Commentary: Detailing Relief in Dollars

On Monday Aug. 2, the Virginia General Assembly convened in Richmond for a Special Session to allocate federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and appoint judges to fill eight vacancies on the Virginia Court of Appeals.

‘Celebration of Trees’ Campaign Starts September 1

Local environmental organizations want you to know how important it is to plant and preserve native plants.

Designing a Mountain Getaway

A minimalist design allows the landscape to take center stage.

If you drive about an hour and a half west of Arlington, through winding roads lined with trees that create a kaleidoscope of changing tree leaves, you’ll reach the village of Syria, Virginia and an idyllic vacation home curated by designers from The Nest Egg.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Heat Rising: Population Density?

Local governments and the general public are beginning to become aware that on extremely hot days, high temperatures in urban areas can vary greatly, even over short distances.