Commentary: County Falling Behind on Its Housing Goals
On June 9, the Residential Studio Committee of the Fairfax County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the review of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Residential Studio Units be tabled. This recommendation will be voted on by the full Planning Commission at its July 24 meeting and it is almost certain that it will be adopted. After months of committee hearings and community meetings throughout the county, the RSU amendment will be quietly put to rest.
Commentary: Area Nonprofit Guides Entrepreneurs to Start-Up Success
For many working poor, the challenges of conquering the barriers to education, childcare and transportation are too great to overcome. Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), the nonprofit known for providing food and shelter, health and dental access, and Head Start programs for more than 36,000 local residents a year, also is working to alleviate poverty with its innovative entrepreneurship program.
11,821,961 Pounds of Toxic Chemicals Dumped into Waterways
A group of citizens met in Founders Park on June 19 to advocate for the closure of loopholes in the Clean Water Act. At the event was Mayor William Euille as well as state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30). They were joined by Clean Water Action representative Andrew Fellows and Environment Virginia field manager Chris Brown. The speakers spoke regarding water pollution in Virginia and the actions needed to help stem the growing problem. The event also coincided with the release of Environment Virginia’s 2014 Wasting our Waterways Report.
Obituary: Elaine Shirley Miller Rosenberg
Elaine Shirley Miller Rosenberg, resident of Alexandria for 87 years died June 22, 2014. Born to Eva and Manny Miller, of Miller’s Hardware, and married to Jack Rosenberg, she is survived by sons Mark and Michael, daughter Penny of Pensacola, Fla., and brother, Sheldon Miller.
Creating Collages, Crowns and Even Dresses
Local artists turn paper into art.
Combining antiqued sheets of music and type-faced book pages with vibrantly hued paper, artist Brook Mowrey creates three-dimensional works that range from crowns and ball gowns to dolls and floral dresses. Her work shows that the use of paper can be varied and diverse.
School Notes: Alexandria
Educational accomplishments in brief.
Living Legends: ‘Connie’ West: A Life Committed to Alexandria
Decades of service on city boards, commissions and agencies.
If the city ever establishes an official position of Alexandria Amanuensis, 2014 Living Legends Converse “Connie” West would be a shoo-in for the job. He has documented and continues to record officially the business of numerous Alexandria organizations as their secretary. Currently, he is secretary of Agenda:Alexandria, the Holmes Run Park Committee (which he has also chaired), and the Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations.
Letter: Academics: Most Important Focus
To the Editor: Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has instituted a great number of innovative programs at T.C. Williams that target students who are struggling academically by giving them the support they need to earn their diplomas.
Letter: Why Pit Neighbors Against Neighbors?
To the Editor: My name is Frances Colbert-Terrell and I have read with great interest the stories you have written and the letters you have published on the City of Alexandria’s proposal to allow sporting events at night at T.C. Williams High School.
Letter: Disrespectful
To The Editor: The common area around the rock and plaque which was dedicated by the City of Alexandria to its veterans and in honor of the deceased Alexandrian veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1979 is shameful.
Young Artists Honored
The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority hosted an awards and appreciation reception on June 19 for youth artists and volunteers of the Youth Arts Festival in the Vola Lawson Lobby at City Hall.
Obituary: Heinz Kestermann
Heinz Kestermann, 83, died Feb. 15, 2014.
Focusing on Children with Autism
We recognize this Wednesday, April 2, as World Autism Day, taking a moment to raise awareness around the fastest growing developmental disability in the U.S. Autism incidence in the U.S., and in Northern Virginia in particular, is reaching astounding levels.
Climate Change Could Affect Drinking Water
Residents could see — and smell — a very different Potomac River by 2040.
Drinking cups of clear tap water could be a luxury people are less likely to take for granted in the near future as climate-change culprits affect the waterways — and water bills.
This Week in Alexandria
Highlights of this week in Alexandria.
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Graduates 119
The St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Class of 2014 was collectively accepted to more than 170 colleges and universities, including 12 Ivy League acceptances.
Along the Postal Route
Mario Viray had already been at the post office for almost two hours pulling down the mail, which is sorting the first class mail into his 400 metal dividers with addresses. This constituted his delivery units for Route 105 in Rosemont.
Summer Health and Safety Hazards
Keeping danger at bay during warm weather months.
Summer comes but once a year. From picnics and days at the pool to backyard barbeques and day-long hikes, many people spend the season outdoors.
Look Out Below
I think I know what a rampaging bull feels like; and I don’t mean one on Wall Street, either. I mean one in the figurative sense: when one has a need, an overwhelming, unstoppable-type urge, to scratch that itch, to gratify that which has been delayed. What am I talking about? (You sound like my wife, Dina.) I am talking about food. More specifically, I am talking about a side effect I’ve been experiencing of late from the chemotherapy drug Alimta, with which I’ve been infused every three weeks since late September, 2013 (successfully I may add, given the shrinkage noted in my most recent CT Scan).
'Service Above Self'
Rotary Club contributes $90,000 to local nonprofits.
The Rotary Club of Alexandria, in partnership with the Alexandria Day Nursery and Children's Home, continued its decades-long tradition of awarding grants to local nonprofit organizations with the presentation of more than $90,000 to 32 organizations at the annual Contributions Day luncheon June 17 at Belle Haven Country Club.