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Alexandria Obituary: Anne Smith Paul Dies

Devoted preservationist, volunteer.

Anne Paul, a longtime resident devoted to the preservation of Alexandria’s history, died Feb. 14 at her home. She was 75.

Alexandria Column: The Pillars and the Princess

Commentary–Rebuilding Together Alexandria

Homeownership is often equated with success and the fulfillment of the American Dream.

Editorial: Freedom of Information on Life Support in General Assembly?

Last week, the Assembly passed SB 202, which undid a major push eight years ago to ensure that all of our public spending was ‘online’ and searchable by ordinary citizens. This, of course, meant disclosing the salaries of public employees over a certain income level.


Editorial: Fairfax Presses Ahead with Diversion First

When police encounter someone in mental health crisis, they can transport them to Merrifield Crisis Response Center instead of jail.

Natasha McKenna died a little more than a year ago on Feb. 7, 2015.

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Diversion First Program Launched

Fairfax County officials announce Diversion First program designed to help individuals get treatment not jail time.

Kevin Earley said he’s living proof that Diversion First works. Earley has been living with bipolar disorder and had his last episode in 2007.

Uncovering the Roots of Slavery

Local student creates slave index to help descendants trace family history.

A local college student is spending much of her senior year scouring the last wills and testaments of residents of Northern Virginia.


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ServiceSource Helps People with Disabilities

Nonprofit ServiceSource helps people with disabilities.

In one section of the ServiceSource Chantilly Center, music therapist Myra Goodrich leads a group of budding musicians playing a cheerful song.

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Touching Many Hearts

Minecraft for a Mission – Touching Heart and their “Kids on a Mission” raise funds for children in foster care.

They say that charity begins at home. Helen Yi and Taylor, the mother and daughter co-founders of Touching Heart, a nonprofit aimed at educating and inspiring children to empathize with the needs of others and to take action to assist them, have no argument with that statement.

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‘Star Wars’ Fans Flock to Local Classes

Movie's popularity leaves fans wanting to feel "The Force."

Beams of neon light flash around a dark room. Young Star Wars fans from a galaxy not so far away wield light sabers and move with carefully choreographed steps.


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Time To Plan for Kids’ Summer Camp Adventures

Local camp fair offers sampling of summer programs.

Under a blanket of February frost, summer might seem light years away, but it’s closer than one might think.

Mount Vernon Snapshot: To Officers, With Love

Local children sent cards of holiday cheer and gratitude to the police officers at the Mount Vernon District Station in appreciation of their being on-duty during the holidays.

Alexandria Brief: Absentee Voting for Primary Open

Absentee voting for Virginia’s March 1 Democratic and Republican Presidential Primary is underway.


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Column: Out-of-State Animals Find the Good Life in Alexandria

Commentary–AWLA

About once a week, Chestina Merriner loads four or five dogs into a white van and makes the 150-mile trip from Wardensville, W.Va., to Alexandria. Destination: the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA).

Alexandria Letter: City Deserves Ethics Commission

Letter to the Editor

There are several issues that are not addressed that are really at the center of the ethics controversy. Although the City Council unanimously approved its Transparency Resolution on Jan. 30, there are a number of shortcomings in its creation, inception and implementation.

Alexandria Letter: Washington’s Wider View

Letter to the Editor

Although George Washington traveled widely in what became the United States, he left the mainland only once, when he sailed to Barbados with his older half-brother Lawrence in 1751.


Alexandria Letter: Empathy, Please

Letter to the Editor

Enough. With regard to the recent letters that strongly support the installation of lights at the T. C. Williams football field, I ask you this: would you subject your spouse, your kids, your parents and grandparents to a loud speaker so obnoxiously loud that you have to give your kids earplugs to sleep?

Alexandria Letter: Advance City Ethics Code

Letter to the Editor

Mayor Silberberg and City Council may be commended for starting an effort to write the city’s elected officials an ethics pledge and code to present in about nine weeks.

Alexandria Mentor of the Month: At Wright to Read, Developing a Love of Reading

Ms. Jordan and I have worked together for three and a half years.


Alexandria History: Braddock’s Defeat Solidifies Washington’s Military Credentials

Braddock’s Defeat Solidifies Washington’s Military Credentials

In 1755, in midst of the French and Indian War, Major General Edward Braddock arrived in Virginia as commander in chief of the British forces in North America against the French

Alexandria History: George Washington, The Farmer

George Washington is remembered for being the father of the country, having served as an officer in the French and Indian War, Commander in Chief during the Revolutionary War, and founding President of the United States. However, for 15 years between the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, George Washington was a highly successful and innovative planter.