Alexandria: Confederate Concerns About Appomattox
Alexandria’s Appomattox statue under scrutiny.
With a national dialogue underway on the appropriateness of Confederate flags and imagery, some Alexandrians have begun questioning whether the Appomattox statue to Alexandria’s Confederate dead should remain on Prince Street.
Alexandria: ‘Don’t Judge Me’ Music Video Promotes Tolerance
Kids Empowering Kids debuts music video.
Their voices were timid at first, but one by one students at William Ramsey Elementary School spoke up when asked how they have been judged by their friends and classmates.
Alexandria: Splash with DASH
DASH to operate free service on pool bus route.
The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH), in partnership with the Advocates for Alexandria Aquatics, and the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, revealed a new initiative to get families and children to the Old Town Pool this summer. More than 20 local businesses, along with the support of the USA Swimming Foundation – Make a Splash, are sponsoring free rides during July and August on DASH’s AT10 route.
Alexandria: Tenants and Timeline Unclear for Landmark Mall
As city approves details for the mall redesign, other questions remain unanswered.
While City Council expressed support for new amenities and retail spaces at Landmark Mall, members of the public remain skeptical until more details emerge.
ACCT Stages ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’
Comedy tells of efficiency expert who raises a family with 12 children.
Aldersgate Church Community Theater (ACCT) is staging the light-hearted classic comedy "Cheaper by the Dozen" July 3-19 in Alexandria.
Alexandria: Rejoicing on Decision Day
Multifaith gathering celebrates national same-sex equality.
As Rev. Robin Anderson from Alexandria’s Commonwealth Baptist Church discovered this weekend, planning a party around a U.S. Supreme Court decision can be problematic. First, when Anderson began planning the Northern Virginia Multifaith Gathering for Marriage Equality, there was no set date for the decision. Decision day could have been anything between June 25 to June 29. And second, there was no way to determine the outcome of the decision. Hanging a festive banner could make for an awkward situation if the Supreme Court ruled against marriage equality.
Alexandria: Wolfe Street Bares Teeth at Developer
Potential property sale stirs controversy.
The historic 415 Wolfe Street home hasn’t been sold yet, but even the possibility of a sale to a developer has some neighbors incensed. The owners of the historic property insist that the home is still on the market, and while a few developers have expressed an interest in the project, nothing is close to being finalized. Yet, some neighbors have already begun expressing concerns that a potential townhouse development could have a serious impact on the neighborhood.
Alexandria: Changing Face of Family-Friendly Dining
Quick: Think of a traditionally “kid-friendly” restaurant. It’s likely that one particular genre comes to mind: A loud establishment teeming with chaos, impatient servers, and a small children’s menu offering the usual fare for your little ones. But the face of “family-friendly” dining is changing, and some of the restaurants leading the way in Alexandria may surprise you.
Letter: Debacle at Patrick Henry
Letter to the Editor
Just recently the city has begun the process of rebuilding our school infrastructure. Long overdue and neglected, the first project begins with Patrick Henry School. The school dates back to the 1950s and is currently unfit for educating our youth. The city has budgeted $38.7 million for this project with no firm budget for the accompanying recreation center ($6.9-$8.2 million have been tossed around). Without adequate discussion and public hearing, the School Board and the City Council have passed the buck and moved this project forward,despite the failure of the planning board and recreation department to deliver a viable plan for the recreation center. Dissension and hesitation on the part of the School Board and City Council have permeated the discussions and we are only in the second inning of this project with 11 more to follow. An inauspicious beginning.
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.