Column: Governor’s First Vetoes and Ongoing Supreme Court Battle
Commentary
The 2016 General Assembly will be wrapping up its work this week, and of the more than 3,200 bills and resolutions that were introduced, over 1,350 pieces of legislation have passed both chambers.
Meet the Chef: Frantz of Majestic
Chef Frantz discovers her sweet spot in the kitchen.
Wedges of lemon, squares of unsalted butter, curly green onion slivers, low country gravy and blackened shrimp sit mise en place in the prep kitchen at The Majestic on King Street. Lisa Marie Frantz, executive chef at The Majestic, is preparing shrimp and grits made to order for each customer.
Alexandria People at Work: Getting Back on Track
Something's always happening at FireFlies on Mount Vernon. It might be Pick a Pasta Night on Tuesday, Build Your Own Omelet or Quiche Brunch on Sunday, live comedy on Monday Burger Night, local musicians on the weekend or children dancing on the stage when it's not otherwise occupied. Marylisa Lichens, owner with her husband Dan, says, "We wanted it to be a place where families could bring their children and have dinner a couple of times a week. We wanted it to become an extension of the neighborhood."
Musings from the Maestro: ‘Lushness & Lyrical’
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will present “Lushness & Lyrical” on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3.
Alexandria Appetite: Hank’s Pasta Bar Brings Little Italy to Old Town
Newcomer to the neighborhood has already gained solid following.
North Old Town has a new hotspot in the neighborhood. Hank’s Pasta Bar, the kid sister to the venerable Hank’s Oyster Bar on King Street, has taken the area by storm since opening about five weeks ago. And the newness hasn’t worn off yet. From the two fully booked soft openings to a recent Monday night that found the dining room out of space for the evening by 7 p.m., it’s clear that residents have a hankering for pasta. And Hank’s stands at the ready to accommodate.
Alexandria: Ramsey Reconsidered
Rebuilding the strained “special relationship.”
Rezoning a piece of property without having an approved plan — for what will replace it — is highly unusual, but it doesn’t mean the City Council won’t do it.
Alexandria: ‘Boots & Bling’ Supports Children
The Center for Alexandria’s Children hosted “Boots & Bling: A Western Fling” on Feb. 25 at Blackwall Hitch to benefit its programs for child abuse victims and vulnerable families in Alexandria.
What City Can Do To Help Businesses Succeed
Small business owners offer suggestions.
It might not sound like much for the average Alexandrian, but a zoning community meeting could be the first step towards making Alexandria a better home for small businesses. On March 19, the city will host a Small Business Zoning Community Meeting, starting at 10 a.m. in the Sister Cities room at City Hall.
Alexandria Snapshot: Grand Opening
From left: Lily Damtew, Mayor Allison Silberberg, and Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile Selassie, who is president of The Crown Council of Ethiopia, at the official opening of the The Abyssinia Mart, located at 720 Jefferson in South Old Town.
Commentary: A Step Backwards for Virginia
Virginia New American leaders respond to the nomination of Ken Cuccinelli for the State Supreme Court.
From immigration to contraception to climate change denial to LGBT rights, Ken Cuccinelli has built a career on extreme conservative positions that are out of step with Virginia today.
Alexandria: Her Artwork Captures Vibrancy of Life
Del Ray Artisans exhibit features artist with special needs.
Like most children, Yasmine Iskander liked to color with crayons. And like most mothers, Silvia Sagari was proud of everything her daughter created. But four years ago, when someone suggested to Sagari that Yasmine genuinely had talent, she took notice. Because Yasmine is not like most children.
Alexandria Obituary: Remembering Dorothy Evans Turner
Public housing, Civil Rights activist dies at 87.
To her friends, she was affectionately known as “Peaches.” But the tender moniker belied the fierce, unyielding spirit of Dorothy Turner, a descendant of one of Alexandria’s oldest African American families, when she was fighting for equal rights for public housing tenants.
Alexandria: A Salute to Service
Senior Services of Alexandria gala set for March 12.
It was Thomas Jefferson who said that “every human being feels pleasure in doing good to another,” and the willingness of Alexandrians to serve others is often cited as what sets the community apart from others. On March 12, Senior Services of Alexandria will hold its annual Generation to Generation Gala to honor individuals who have been creating change for their neighbors and community through service.
Alexandria: Micklem, Dorrance Engaged
Mr. and Mrs. Mark C. Micklem of Alexandria announce the marriage of their daughter, Karie Elizabeth, to William Lloyd Dorrance, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Dorrance of Hershey, Pa. Karie and William, both 26, live in New York City.
Alexandria: ‘Cherry Challenge’ Winners
The George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee announced the winners of the eighth annual “Cherry Challenge.” The Cherry Challenge took place between Jan. 28 and Feb. 11 in 53 Alexandria restaurants. It featured cherry-inspired dishes, appetizers, drinks, and desserts created by the restaurant chefs. Some of the restaurants have competed in the past, but there were many restaurants new to the competition this year.
Editorial: Making Good Choices on Saint Patrick’s Day
Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), will offer the 2016 St. Patty’s Day SoberRide program, providing free cab rides to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington-metropolitan area next Thursday, March 17.
Editorial: Bringing Back the Electric Chair
In a world: Barbaric.
No doubt Virginia and Texas will be the last two states to continue with the death penalty until, inevitably, evolving standards of decency lead the U.S. Supreme Court to declare that the death penalty is unconstitutional.
Nanny Suites Add Value
High-end live-in quarters attract au pairs and can increase property values.
When Peggy Delinois Hamilton relocated to the Washington, D.C. area and began working full-time after spending eight years as an at-home mother of two children, childcare was one of her top concerns.
Remodeled Home Tour Set for March 12
Home evolves from center hall colonial to open plan with boldly original finishes.
To satisfy a couple's evolving lifestyle requirements, Sun Design Remodeling dramatically reconfigured the home's first level, introducing a “kitchen-centric” plan that better supports everyday uses and entertainment needs.
Buying or Selling?
A primer for doing either and avoiding pitfalls.
Here we are, once again right on the heels of the spring/summer real estate season when it seems like “For Sale” signs become the most common lawn ornament or condo window decoration.