Alexandria: Help Sought in Missing Person
The Alexandria Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Reyam Abed.
The Alexandria Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Reyam Abed. She was last seen in the 5300 block of Essex Court around 3 p.m. on Aug. 3.
Alexandria: Newest National Landmark
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria was named by the National Park Service as one of four newly designated national historic landmarks on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
“The George Washington Masonic National Memorial stands among the most architecturally significant projects to honor George Washington and one of the boldest private efforts to memorialize him.
Alexandria: Water Taxi Must Go On
Rain or shine.
Blast, blast … BLAST! Captain Alex Skubel is backing out the first water taxi of the day from the Port of Alexandria. "How many on board?"
Letter: City Can Do Better
Letter to the Editor
Over the past few days in our local news, I have read various opinions over an important topic facing our city: Can our city do better? I want to unequivocally state that I know we can do better. That is why I am running for Alexandria City Council. I have enjoyed this recent discussion because quite frankly, vigorous debate is missing from the halls of City Council. When one party controls all the seats on the council, it is far too easy to fall into “group think." Democracy functions best when ideas are thoroughly debated and vetted. When all viewpoints are heard, compromise can lead to great solutions. I call for more rigorous debate when we contemplate the future of our city.
Letter: Overlooked Candidate
Letter to the Editor
While I do not live in Alexandria I was in the west end of the city recently giving a contribution to City Council candidate Monique Miles from my organization, the Virginia Federation of Republican Women. I am sure Herve Aitken [“Is City ‘Well-Run,” letter, July 30-Aug. 5, Gazette Packet] did not mean to slight or forget her as he listed all the other Republicans in the race. Ms Miles is a wonderful representative on my organization
Letter: One Party Rule
Letter to the Editor
It’s difficult to understand the response of some of our local politicians to the voting outcome that put Allison Silberberg in the running to be the next mayor of Alexandra. Unless it’s just a knee jerk reaction to losing absolute power and absolute control … the greatest danger of one-party rule. And unlike the two-party madness across the river, our council and mayor have reacted most violently against their own residents. By exercising super majority votes that despite public discussion are set in advance.
Letter: Hearing from The President
Letter to the Editor
It isn't often that one receives an invitation to join the President of the United States on a conference call. Grassroots leaders, activists and many organizers around the country got to hear the President discuss an issue about which so many are concerned: The P5 +1 nuclear deal with Iran and what it means for our country and international communities throughout the world.
Column: A Junior View of Senior Services
Commentary
When I began my internship at the Senior Services of Alexandria, I only really knew about the Meals on Wheels program, which I had volunteered at with my mom when I was much younger.
Alexandria: Summer Crew Season Ends with Racing in Old Town
Rowing competition brings hundreds to the waterfront.
The Old Town waterfront came alive with hard-fought competition on Saturday morning, Aug. 1, as the Alexandria summer rowers competed in the Blue Plains Sprints, the annual end-of-season competition.
Letter: No Reason for Write-In
Letter to the Editor
If you live in affordable or low income housing, why would you possibly write-in a vote for the mayor? Under his leadership the AHRA housing stock has plummented in favor of market rate housing and soon gobs of relatively speaking, "affordable housing" apartments will soon go bye-bye in the Beauregard corridor and likely Arlandria. In a couple of years when the Waterfront is redeveloped, we'll have more tourists flocking to Old Town and the residents won't be able to leave their homes for fear of not being able to park unless they are lucky enough to have a driveway.
Cartoon: Mission Accomplished
NASA discovers new rocky planet outside of the solar system, Kepler 425b.
Alexandria and Mount Vernon Sports Brief: Senior Olympics Offers Variety of Events
The 2015 NVSO will be held Sept. 12-25 at 23 venues throughout Northern Virginia. More than 50 events are open to adults 50-plus years of age living in a sponsoring jurisdiction. NVSO is sponsored by the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier and Prince William.
Tons of Trucks’ Drive to Success
Event sparks memories, old and new.
Passing showers could not keep away the hundreds of eager people searching Chinquapin Park for long lost loves and new found interests in every day city vehicles. The inaugural event on Saturday, July 18 hosted seven departments including the fire department and Alexandria County Public Schools.
People At Work: City’s Sign Fabricator
Meeting an ever-increasing need for signs.
The black wedge jerks back and forth, making small cuts in the shiny red vinyl. Two or three minutes later Abraham (“they call me Abe here”) Kifle, sign fabricator for the City of Alexandria, cuts off the 24-inch rectangle from the large roll with his sharp blade.
Alexandria: Frontlines Falter
... in city’s affordable housing war.
While the city prepares to gain a little over 100 affordable housing units at Potomac Yard and The Filmore, one of the city’s bastions of affordable housing is in the process of pricing out residents, formerly protected by a rent freeze, who can’t keep up with rapidly rising rent costs.
Alexandria: Interning at Horatio Alger Association
High Point University rising junior Blake Pohanka is working with the Horatio Alger Association at her summer internship in her hometown of Alexandria.
Alexandria: Visiting Community Lodgings
Lynn Thomas (near left), executive director of Community Lodgings, discusses the challenges of providing low-income and affordable housing with U. S. Rep. Don Beyer (D) (right) after they toured the nonprofit's transitional housing unit on Friday, July 24.
Letter: Change in Leadership
Coverage of plans for a Bill Euille write-in campaign have emphasized that Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg defeated the mayor by a narrow margin. While true, accompanying commentary has missed the larger point: 65 percent of those who voted in June 9 Democratic primary voted for a candidate other than the incumbent mayor.
Alexandria: Old Colony Inn Faces Setback
Developer and neighbors go toe-to-toe over hotel expansion.
The Old Colony Inn in North Old Town off of the George Washington Parkway has a major upgrade planned. The two-story Best Western Hotel is planning to double its height and expand to include a restaurant on the corner.