Alexandria: Best for Vets
Alexandria tops list of cities for veterans.
The Military Times has named Alexandria as the top mid-size community for veterans in its first Best for Vets: Places to Live feature article.
Letter: Winning By Listening
Letter to the Editor
Winning precincts across the city from the West End to Parkfairfax to Old Town, Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg won the primary on June 9 by a convincing plurality to become the Democratic nominee for mayor of the city of Alexandria. She defeated the incumbent mayor, Mr. Bill Euille, who has served since 2003. She also defeated the former mayor, Mr. Kerry Donley, who served as mayor eight years prior to Mayor Euille. Against a combined 20-year incumbency as well as being outraised by both candidates, Vice Mayor Silberberg pulled off an upset. She won in an old-fashioned way. She actively listened to one voter at a time with the promise to bring new energy to the table.
Alexandria: Accountability Supports My Students
Kids, like the rest of us, want to know how they’re doing. As their teacher, it is also my job to know how they’re doing. What do they know? What do they still need to learn? I hold myself accountable for my students’ growth and it is with this data that I am best able to teach them and make sure of their progress.
Alexandria: Going the Distance for City’s Children
Parks, play and promising futures.
Summer vacation season is upon us. Vacations are not just fun, but can also be important for our health. We can return from time away with a renewed sense of vigor, fresh perspectives, and increased mental acuity. A break from the daily grind can relieve stress and increase productivity in all of us.
Letter: Disheartened Residents
Letter to the Editor
It’s really disheartening to live in this wonderful city I call home and watch it slowly lose its historic charm, ambience and cache. With each and every planning decision, we are slowly becoming just like every other city. And it’s all because current decision makers apparently have little concern about anything but getting things built.
Alexandria: Brunch Benefits Surgical Services
The Board of Lady Managers held its annual brunch on June 21 at the Union Street Public House. The brunch raised funds for the purchase of two state-of-the art neurology microscopes for Inova Alexandria Hospital Surgical Services. So far over $5,000 has been raised towards the goal of $640,000.
Alexandria People At Work: Dancing the Afternoon Away
Dancing the Afternoon Away
Shiny silver heels glide over the polished wooden floor. Today Lioudmila Blinov will review the steps of the Argentine tango with Gregory and Lindsey Bearce from Alexandria who have been dancing there since January. You can do it "slow slow slow" or "slow quick quick slow. It's what you feel." They have already been through the foxtrot and other basics. "He bought me a dance lesson as an anniversary present,” Lindsey says. "And now it's kind of like a date night sort of thing," Gregory adds.
Letter: How Not to Run A Meeting
Letter to the Editor
The other night, I attended the Old Town Area Parking Study (OTAPS) group meeting at City Hall. The meeting started off with the chairperson asking for comments from the public. I was aghast, since not one item on the agenda had even been discussed. What were the citizens in attendance going to base their comments upon? As a result, only a few citizens commented at this meeting.
Letter: Bike Lanes Revisited
Letter to the Editor
Alexandria residents on King Street (Rosemont Avenue to Janney's Lane) look out on empty bike lanes that occupy 30 percent of the roadway. A year ago parking, available to residents when they bought their homes, was removed and the roadway was narrowed two feet to accommodate these bike lanes.
July 4th Safety
From swimming to fireworks, safety precautions for a festive Independence Day.
It was a near accident at camp last summer that sparked action by one parent. Elementary school-aged campers splashed in the pool. Everyone was having fun. Then tragedy almost struck.
Editorial: Open Letter to Elected Officials and Candidates
Spend some of your campaign dollars in newspapers.
Here at the Connection, our email boxes are filling up with messages from people running for office. It’s not surprising, since in November, virtually every state and local office in the commonwealth is on the ballot.
Alexandria Snapshot: Disability Awareness Awards
Mayor Bill Euille and Alexandria Chamber of Commerce chair Walter Clarke congratulate the 2015 Alexandria Commission of Persons with Disabilities award recipients: Donna Shaw of Senior Services of Alexandria, Dave Hammond of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, Bishop Ireton graduate Iman Smallwood, Mary Lee Anderson of Senior Services of Alexandria and former ACPD chair Chuck Benaugh.
Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: June 26-28
Events in the Alexandria/Mount Vernon areas this weekend.
Column: Gone But Always Remembered
As Father’s Day approaches, (written Thursday, June 18th) I am reminded of one of my father’s standard lines which characterize his positive attitude on life, for which I am eternally grateful – because I inherited it.
Letter: Not Easy Jobs
Letter to the Editor
A while ago, a city councilor expressed concern as to whether we could be the next jurisdiction to suffer a black riot over "an overzealous (white) cop." Two weeks ago, while walking three goldens and a yellow lab through Founders Park, I saw three (white) police officers, with two hovering over a (black) man on the ground. Apparently they were waiting for paramedics. I found myself wondering why there was no one video taping. From personal observation, if you're committing a crime in this city the police are going to come after you regardless of your skin color.
Letter: Council Punts on Clover-College Park
Letter to the Editor
As a resident of the Clover-College Park neighborhood I am dismayed and bemused by the latest contentious development issue before the City Council.
Alexandria: Cookie Sales Yield Toys Donation
Benson Leavitt, 8 years old, raised $260 and used the money to buy and donate toys to the Center for Alexandria’s Children.
Alexandria: Airborne Motorcycle Misses Children
Students and teachers survive with only minor injuries.
A motorcycle and a car collided on Quaker Lane on Tuesday, June 16, sending the rider headlong into a tree and the bike crashing through the window of St. Clement Episcopal Day School.
Alexandria: Goldilocks Approach
City Council reluctantly approves programming size for Patrick Henry Recreation Center.
A recommendation on the scale of the new Patrick Henry Recreation Center escalated into one City Council member calling on the city manager to fire the project staff.