Matching Students with Tutors
Building Better Futures at TC.
The bell rings at 3:15 pm, reverberating off the hallways. School is out at T.C. Williams High School, and a few students start filtering into the library for tutoring assistance under the Building Better Futures (BBF) program supported since its inception in 2003 by the Campagna Center.
Home Improvements Earn Remodeling Awards
Four Sun Design remodeling projects named Washington-area “Contractor of the Year” winners.
It’s been a good year for Sun Design Remodeling. In January, the full-service design/build remodeler won four “Contractor of the Year” awards from the Washington, D.C. chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Then, in February, an already locally-honored gourmet kitchen was named category best (“kitchen above $150k”) in the 10-state southeastern region.
Luxury Apartments Popping Up All Over Northern Virginia
Renters want resort-like amenities and access to transportation.
After a long, hard day at work, Jordan Coleman comes home to a large apartment with modern amenities, including a 24-hour concierge, ample living space, a state–of-the-art fitness center and a pool. The apartment features high-end appliances and finishes as well as an open, flowing layout and large walk-in closets. Coleman – a lawyer and Capitol Hill staffer – shares the pricey rent with a friend. The complex is owned by Avalon, which has properties in Arlington, Fairfax, Herndon, Falls Church, Tysons Corner and Vienna, Virginia, as well as Bethesda, Maryland, and Washington.
Historic Virginia in Gardens
This year’s tour includes a rare private look at special properties in Fairfax County, Old Town Alexandria and Leesburg.
The Virginia Historic Garden Tour is an 8-day event that stretches across the Commonwealth. Each spring visitors are welcomed to over 250 of Virginia's most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks.
Centreville Clock Tower Thrift Shop Now Offering Consignment
Northern Virginia Family Service is now offering furniture consignment at its Clock Tower Thrift Shop in Centreville at 6301 Centreville Crest Lane, between Advance Auto Parts and Minnieland Academy.
Telegraph Road Widening Completed in Alexandria
Though the morning of the ribbon-cutting was damp and chilly, Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) said he was thankful the ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday rather than Thursday.
Alexandria Welcomes Zombie Apocalypse Survivors
The mayor welcomed Rick Grimes and others from the AMC show “The Walking Dead” to the city. Grimes entered the city on March 1 and has expressed an interest in joining local law enforcement. In the show, based on a comic series by Robert Kirkman, Alexandria is a safe-zone relatively protected from apocalyptic horrors.
Hunting Alexandria's Potholes
Over the winter, Alexandria received 18 inches of snow, higher than the 15 inch average, which has also left Alexandria with larger than average potholes.
Congressman in the Alexandria Classroom
After student inquiry, Beyer visits T.C. Williams High School.
T.C. Williams High School Student Peter Eckel quietly confided that when he wrote the email to his congressman’s office, it was originally as a joke. He hadn’t expected a response, and certainly didn’t expect Representative Don Beyer to show up at his school on March 10 to give his class and other students a brief explanation of life in Congress and answer their questions.
National Honor for Alexandria Educator
Ana Bonilla-Galdamez named National Social Worker of the Year
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has selected Alexandria Social Worker Bonilla-Galdamez at the recipient of its 2014 National Social Worker of the Year.
Column: How Lucky Am I
You’ll note there’s no question mark after the “I.”
Paving the Way in Alexandria
Basketball pioneer Earl Lloyd dies at 86
When Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947, he did it under the glare of a national spotlight. Three years later, on a snowy evening in 1950, a similar but quieter revolution took place when a black man stepped onto a court in Rochester, N.Y., marking the first time an African American had played for an NBA team. That man was Earl Lloyd.
Presenting 5th Season of the Hammond Hammerheads in Alexandria
The Hammond Hammerheads joined blues artist and musician Curtis Blues for a musical assembly and concert on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 25 at the middle school.
Rising Hope Mission Church in Mount Vernon Hosts Nightly Shelters
At 7 p.m. doors to Rising Hope Mission Church open for guests to sign in. Promptly at 7:10, volunteers begin serving dinner. On a chilly, rainy, mid-December night, the volunteers from Aldersgate United Methodist Church prepare beef steak with gravy, beans and corn for about 20 homeless individuals.
Fairfax County hosts first Inmate Resource Fair.
They’re hoping the third time will be a charm: 34-year-old Demeterius Spann of the Richmond Highway area of Alexandria and 29-year-old Nydale Sheppard of Reston have each been incarcerated three times.
1965 Luther Jackson graduates from Springfield and Alexandria remember the county’s only African American high school.
Florence King was pretty impressed with her school bus driver. The Alexandria resident grew up on Old Telegraph Road and rode the bus to both Drew Smith Elementary School in Gum Springs and Luther Jackson High School, prior to desegregation. King graduated from Luther Jackson in 1965.
Duncan Visits Patrick Henry Pre-K
Students in Patrick Henry Elementary School’s pre-kindergarten were building with their blocks and learning how to write letters when their Feb. 25 morning was interrupted by a room full of men and women in suits.
Column: General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
Commentary
The 2015 session of the General Assembly has officially adjourned. Bills I introduced that now await Governor McAuliffe's signature include legislation on issues from job placement and hospital patients' rights to tax refunds and ethics reform.
Column: Sole-Searching
There’s no denying the emotional fact that the CT Scan results I received and wrote about last week were a bit of a disappointment.