County Budget Markup Passes
Three supervisors still oppose the budget.
Fairfax County is another step closer to having an approved budget for the next fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors approved the 2015 budget markup at its April 22 meeting at the county Government Center. Supervisors Linda Smyth (D-Providence), Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and John Cook (R-Braddock) opposed the markup.
Fairfax County Honors ‘Superheroes’
22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards presented.
Maybe they don’t wear capes and flashy uniforms, but local volunteers are superheroes. That was the theme for the 22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards, where more than 100 volunteers were recognized for their work with breakfast Friday, April 25, at The Waterford in Springfield. More specifically, this year’s theme was "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact," which was reflected in the comic book-inspired table decor and introductions by master of ceremonies Jeff Goldberg, Virginia Bureau Chief for ABC7 and News Channel 8.
Father and Son "Twogether"
As a born, bread and buttered Bostonian (Newton Centre, a suburb, to be specific), one of my enduring and genetic passions has been to live and die (figuratively speaking; this is not a cancer column) for The Boston Red Sox. My father sold concessions at Fenway Park (the stadium home of the Bosox since 1912), during the Depression when he was a little boy (not yet an adolescent even). He was nicknamed "Beezo," (his given name was Benet, although he was always called Barry) so he could gain full acceptance to a local knothole gang. Named after the wooden planks which surrounded the old Braves Field in Boston (a National League team called Boston its home as well back in the day), the kids ("gangs") would stand and peer through the knotholes in the wooden planks which otherwise blocked their view. It was a privilege and an honor for my father to be so connected to the game this way. He grew up loving baseball, and as a parent, he passed his love of the game on to me – and my brother.
Editorial: Trending in the Right Direction
Commitment to ending homelessness shows progress, but more affordable housing is needed.
On one night in late January, local jurisdictions in our area fanned out to count the number of people who were literally homeless. Fairfax County released its numbers last week; Arlington and Alexandria will do so in the near future. In Fairfax County, the commitment in 2010 to end homelessness in 10 years has resulted in significant progress, even in the wake of the great recession. The number of people literally homeless decreased by a third from 2008 to 2014, from 1,835 to 1,225 counted this year. Many non-profit organizations have partnered to prevent homelessness one family or individual at a time for those on the brink and to house chronically homeless individuals. There is so much still to be done.
For Congressional Candidates, No Common Ground on Common Core
Democrats in Virginia's 8th Congressional District divided on national education standards.
Should American schools share national standards? That's a question that divides the 10 Democrats seeking to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8), who is retiring after 24 years in the House of Representatives. During a recent candidates forum, the Democrats were asked if they support the Common Core State Standards Initiative, two candidates said they disagreed and eight candidates said they agreed.
Blues for an Alabama Sky
Port City Playhouse stages 1930s drama set during the Harlem Renaissance.
Port City Playhouse is staging its final production of the 2013-14 season, “Blues for an Alabama Sky,” by playwright Pearl Cleage, May 2-17.
17th Annual T.C. Williams Art Show
Del Ray Artisans and the T.C. Williams High School Art Department jointly present the 17th Annual Student Art Show at Del Ray Artisans gallery.
Lyles-Crouch Students Perform for the Animals
Students took the stage singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and more to benefit the animals at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria in February at Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy.
Bonilla-Galdamez Named Virginia Social Worker of Year
Ana Bonilla-Galdamez is the recipient of the 2014 Social Worker of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers Virginia (NASWVA) Chapter. NASWVA presents the honor to only one individual annually. Bonilla-Galdamez is a school social worker at Charles Barrett Elementary School. “Ana demonstrates strong skills and knowledge, but most of all commitment to the clients she serves,” said NASWVA Chief Executive Officer Debra Riggs in a statement.
Recycling and Earth Day
April 22 marks the 44th anniversary of Earth Day, a day specifically devised to prompt people to ask, “What can I do to make a difference for the earth?” Solving global environmental issues like climate change may be so daunting for some people that they automatically assume there is nothing they can do to help. But in reality, there are things we can each do every day that can have a big impact on our community and the environment. The simplest of these is to recycle.
Sallie Leah Conley Scherrer
Sallie Leah Conley Scherrer died March 15, 2014. She resided at 207 N. Pitt St. and at the Alexandria House from 2000 until 2009. Sallie is survived by her husband of 65 years, Victor, son Huel of Apple Valley, Minn. and daughter Marla Merrick of Jonesborough, Tenn., six grandchildren and one great grandson.
Beverly Bresler Beidler
Beverly Bresler Beidler, a trailblazing woman who was one of the first female elected officials in Alexandria, died March 28, 2014. She was 85. "She was so diligent and committed," said Councilwoman Del Pepper. "She was someone who saw what needed to be done and did it."
Alexandria Historic Homes and Garden Tour
Celebrating the 81st anniversary of Historic Garden Week in Virginia, this year’s tour features five privately owned Old Town homes and gardens in the southeast quadrant plus free admission to local historic properties Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, Carlyle House Historic Park and George Washington's Mount Vernon.
Letter: Renew Commitment To City’s Seniors
To the Editor: On behalf of the board of directors of Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA), we are writing to express concern about proposed cuts to the Alexandria City budget which will have an unfair and unprecedented negative impact on the most vulnerable seniors in our community.
Letter: Musical Treasure
To the Editor: One one of the most distinguished chamber music series in the Washington, D.C. area is the least well known. The National Chamber Players, an ensemble made up of National Symphony Orchestra members and guests from the region and around the country, perform four superb concerts a year at Episcopal High School.
Letter: Sewage Overflow Requires Collaboration
To the Editor: As cited in last week’s article, “Keeping Sewage Out of River by 2035,” the sewage pipes under the streets of Old Town were laid in 1890 to remove both storm water and human waste. Today, during rainstorms, these 120-year-old pipes overflow rain-diluted sewage into the Potomac. In this day and age, that’s not OK. Solving the problem will require 21st century thinking and collaboration.
Volunteer Alexandria To Honor Community Leaders
Volunteer Alexandria has named the winners of its philanthropy and community awards which will be presented at the 16th annual Alexandria Business Philanthropy Summit.
Letter: Value of Tax Money Spent?
To The Editor: I found Mary Kimm’s March 27 editorial on access to income taxes absolutely distressing. Giving our city access to another revenue stream is the political equivalent of giving drugs to an addict.
Letter: Dominant Urban Mode
To the Editor: Going by foot is the most natural, energy efficient, safe, and uncongested way to traverse an urban environment. It is overwhelmingly sociable, nonthreatening, accommodating and doesn’t require much by way of an investment to enjoy. Feet were made for walking, and people navigate even the smallest, tightest spaces best as pedestrians. And left to themselves, it is exceedingly rare to find that pedestrians are a hazard.
Little Theatre of Alexandria Celebrates 80 Years
Supporters and company members came out on Saturday, April 12, to celebrate Little Theatre of Alexandria's 80th anniversary extravaganza. The evening began with a champagne reception where patrons had a chance to reminisce about the organization's years of productions and events.