Letter to the Editor: ‘The Eminent Domain Council’
To the Editor: On Saturday I attended the public hearing on approving the Special Use Permits (SUPs) of two used car dealers whose businesses are located on the 1300 block of King Street. The city in all its wisdom has decided that these two used car lots are non-conforming uses for King Street. They did however give them until October to find alternate spaces elsewhere in the city. This is easier said than done as finding affordable alternative and accessible sites elsewhere is almost impossible.
Letter to the Editor: Making a Trial Run
To the Editor: The conditioned vote on the King Street bike lane was a heartening start to using compromise to produce a better solution. Vice Mayor Silberberg and Councilman Chapman are to be commended for their outreach efforts that created a bike lane pilot project whose performance at the end of 18 months will contribute to the final configuration for combining pedestrians, vehicles, bikes, and residential needs.
Letter to the Editor: Fiscal Blindness
To the Editor: I enjoyed Annabelle Fisher’s Feb. 13 letter on business as usual in City Hall. She was spot on, the $100,000 spent on civic engagement, it is equivalent to losing about $10,000,000 in the real estate tax base. It is truly a complete waste. However what can we expect from a city government whose secret motto appears to be “We don’t listen, and we don’t care.” This abuse of the taxpayer is typical of Alexandria politicians.
Obituary: William "Bill" Hopke, Jr.
William "Bill" Hopke, Jr., of the William B. Hopke Company Inc. died Saturday, March 1. Beloved husband of Joan M. Hopke; father of Patricia Hopke Casey (the late Rob), Michael W. Hopke (Ann) and Frank J. Hopke (Carla); brother of James T. Hopke; grandfather of Kristen, Shannon, Ryan and Brenna Casey and Brooke, Scotty, Matt and Michelle Hopke.
Happily Ever After
MVCCT presents “Once Upon A Mattress.”
Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale, "The Princess and the Pea," comes to the stage as a musical comedy in the Mount Vernon Children’s Community Theater spring production “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Classified Advertising March 19. 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Hog Wild
Sweet Fire Donna's opens in Carlyle neighborhood.
It took a bit longer than expected because of weather and permit delays but it was worth the wait as BBQ fans lined up Feb. 27 to sample the fare at the opening of Sweet Fire Donna's, the latest offering from "Mango Mike" Anderson, Bill Blackburn and Anderson's wife Donna.
Rotary Club Accepting Grant Applications
Deadline is March 31.
The Rotary Club of Alexandria is currently accepting applications for its annual grants to organizations that provide services to Alexandria's children, seniors and families in need.
High on the Hog
Pork Barrel BBQ Hosts Meat Week challenge.
Skinny jeans were nowhere to be found as five contestants bellied up to the bar at Del Ray's Pork Barrel BBQ Jan. 29 to compete in the second annual High on the Hog Challenge as part of Meat Week 2014.
Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Spring
Experts suggest a yearly spring maintenance check-up.
With warmer weather just around the corner, it’s time to focus on your home.
Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring
Local experts tell you what you should do now, in spite of the cold weather.
It doesn’t feel like spring. Last week’s snow made it seem like warm weather might never arrive, so planting a garden might be the last thing on your mind. However, local gardening experts say this is the ideal time to start preparing your landscape to yield colorful spring foliage. Bill Mann, of Behnke Nurseries in Potomac, Md., said spring garden preparation plans differ from year to year. "It depends on the landscape beds you have and whether or not you’re planning to put in a vegetable garden," he said.
Whimsy Meets Elegance
Potomac designer creates playful yet polished home for family of five.
When an active family of five approached Potomac interior designer Sharon Kleinman and asked her to give their home a makeover, they wanted a whimsical yet polished space.
Kitchen Confidential
From light-filled to dramatic, local designers create dream kitchens.
When Allie Mann of Arlington, a designer and senior interior specialist at Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. was tasked with giving the first floor of a McLean, Va., home a face lift, she had to think free-flowing and airy.
Arlington Family Outgrows Home but Stays Put
Family builds addition to accommodate their growing needs.
When a family of five realized that they’d outgrown their home in the Cherrydale neighborhood of Arlington, they pondered two options: purchase a new home or build an addition onto their existing home. They decided to stay in their home.
15th Biennial Ikebana Show at the Art League
Twenty-five members of the Washington, D.C., branch of the Sogetsu School participated in the 15th biennial Ikebana Show at the Art League in the Torpedo Factory last week.
Near Zero Temps Call for Back-to-Basic
What mid-winter maintenance can reveal about your home’s needs.
While common sense suggests that home improvements should be put off to warmer weather, a sustained period of colder temperatures often reveals systemic problems that will need correction sooner or later. As temperatures dropped precipitously several weeks ago, all Reston homeowner Craig Mattice knew was that his original mansard roof was plagued with ice dams and his 10-year-old, 600-square-foot addition was so cold the pipes were freezing. Moreover, no amount of thermostat adjustment improved the situation much.
Northern Virginia's Growing Debt Burden
Local governments use debt as a tool to build for the future.
Back in the 1920s, Harry Byrd became governor of Virginia on what he called a "pay-as-you-go" platform.
Bike Lane Controversy Creates a King-Sized Debate in Alexandria
City Council set to take up proposal to remove parking and install bike lanes.
Months of bitter accusations and counter-accusations are set to culminate this weekend as members of the Alexandria City Council take up a plan to remove four blocks of parking spaces on King Street to make room for a bike lane in each direction.
Wiggle Room on the Alexandria Tax Rate
Council members advertise half-a-penny increase in tax rate, allowing more flexibility.
Although Alexandria City Manager Rashad Young issued a proposed budget that keeps the current tax rate, members of the City Council voted this week to advertise a tax rate that's half a penny higher.
TC Boys’ Soccer Looking for Deep Run at Regionals
Last season, Titans lost in PK shootout to Mount Vernon.
The T.C. Williams boys' soccer team lost to eventual state champion Mount Vernon in last season's region quarterfinals.