People at Work: Firefighter on Engine 204
The house tone went off. Durant Cephers quickly zipped off his shoes and pulled on his knee high steel-toed RBI retardant boots waiting by the fire truck. Then in a few seconds came his nomex hood, inner and outer layer protectant pants and jacket. He jumped into the right rear bucket seat. The firefighters were headed to a fire alarm on the third floor of new construction. It had taken about a minute from the time the alarm sounded until the fire truck pulled out into the street. Durant is assigned to the East Battalion, Engine 204 on Prince Street in Old Town, Alexandria.
Music by the River
At the waterfront last month, Sam Jones, a local acoustic guitar player, played some eclectic rhythm and blues music for passersby. His favorite song is Sinatra's "Call Me Irresponsible.”
ARHA To Celebrate Its 75 Year History
This year the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) celebrates 75 years of service in the community. From its inception in 1939, the organization has provided affordable and low income housing and services, to thousands of families and spearheaded millions of dollars in redevelopment projects in the City of Alexandria.
Snapshot: Fishing
A family fishes in the Potomac at Jones Point with the Wilson Bridge in the background.
On the Waterfront
The Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association celebrates the launch of its blog at the Waterfront Market on June 17. Joining in the celebration are members of the Old Town Business and Professional Association. From left, in back, are Bill Butcher and Fred Parker. In the front are Meshelle Armstrong, Janet Barnett, Patricia Washington and Carol Supplee.
Column: Year in Review for SSA
Senior Services of Alexandria gathered with its board, staff, and community supporters to celebrate accomplishments over the past year on behalf of Alexandria’s senior community.
Pets Can Suffer in Summer Heat
It can be very tempting to bring your dog along for your round of errands when he is staring at you with those big brown eyes. Unfortunately it can be very dangerous, and illegal, to leave your dog in the car while you shop.
Letter: Council Solves Another Problem
To the Editor: Bravo and congratulations to the Alexandria City Council for rapidly installing the King Street hill bike lanes. The time between a small group of activists pushing for the lanes, council approval, and the spreading of green paint with white markings was incredibly fast. Some people complain that government is unresponsive and gets nothing done. Nonsense.
Letter: A Light on a Promise
To the Editor: It has come to my attention that those who oppose stadium lights at T.C. Williams High School are being described as “racially motivated” by some proponents of the lights. The implication is that lighting opponents are wary of people of various ancestries playing on the field after dark, something that would be possible with a lighted stadium.
Letter: Sound and Light Show on Seminary Hill
To the Editor: Once again the “fear of change” putdown is being wielded by a small group of contentious promoters who want stadium lights installed permanently at T.C. Williams’ large athletic stadium. They propose that the sound and lights would be fully amplified and lit for a variety of year-round night activities, led by football. As this is a local election year, the timing is impeccable, and our mayor is gaining some press, while once again aggravating the people who vote … throughout the city.
Letter: Sickening Obstacles
To the Editor: Gov. Terry McAuliffe did the right thing with his line-item veto of the obstacles in the budget that legislators put in his way regarding Medicaid expansion. The idea that these legislators, who are probably quite well-insured, deny Medicaid coverage to low-income working people is — well, it is sickening.
Covert Matters: World's Still A Mess
The idea that every nation and peoples of the world should be like the United States has gotten out of hand a bit. It is unnerving the nation’s able diplomats and military men and women should try to enforce such nation building. This is somewhat foolhardy.
Digging into History
Alexandria Archaeology Museum to host archaeology camp for teens next month.
Madeline Francis wants to be an archaeologist when she grows up, just like her aunt Whitney.
In the Race for Children’s National
Alexandria family gets involved in Race for Every Child after son undergoes spinal fusion surgery.
After raising $712,000 last year, Children’s National Health System has set a goal of raising $1 million through the 2nd annual Race for Every Child in September. Ashley Husich, the race manager for the event, said that last year, the inaugural year for the race, surpassed expectations with 3,946 participants, and this year they are hoping to have 5,000.
Alexandria Police Narrow Scope of Murder Investigations
Homicide detectives now calling Charles Severance "primary focus."
When Linda Robra first met Charles Severance at a Dulles Hilton swing dance in 2011, she could not have known that the man she came to know as "Charlie" would turn her life upside down.
Climbing the Pyramid: Alexandria to Launch Cost-Recovery Program
Dervices with highest community benefit to receive highest subsidy.
Hold your wallets. The city government has a new approach to delivering services, and it involves your money.
Editorial: Safe Fourth
Talking and planning are the best safety measures; SoberRide offers a safety net.
Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.
What’s Offensive about Redskins Pride?
Absolutely nothing, if you’re state Sen. Chap Petersen.
A lifelong Redskins fan, Fairfax state Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) has had it up to here with all the talk about the need to change the name of his beloved football team. He vented his frustration and indignation on his blog — Ox Road South — but said he was leery of tackling what he deemed the forces of political correctness in the "War Against the Redskins" until June 18, when the Federal Patent Office blocked the team’s Redskins trademarks, declaring that the name was "disparaging" to Native Americans at the time the trademarks were registered — as far back as 1967. That action pushed Petersen off the sidelines to lead an offensive attack.
"One Less Thing"
Forrest Gump knew when he voiced over: "Mama got the cancer and died on a Tuesday. I bought her a new hat with little flowers on it. And that’s all I have to say about that." And if you watched the movie as often as I did (it was one of my mother’s favorites), you may also recall "Mama always said you got to put the past behind you before you can move on."